10jili
By Kemberley Washington, CPA, Bankrate.com (TNS) As the end of the year approaches, now’s the time to start preparing for filing your 2024 tax return in 2025. When it comes to tax strategies, generally Dec. 31 is the deadline to make changes that might lower your tax bill. One major exception is the deadline for contributing to a Roth or traditional IRA : You have until April 15, 2025, to make a contribution to a Roth or traditional IRA for tax year 2024. If you qualify for deductible IRA contributions , then a contribution to your traditional IRA can reduce your taxable income for 2024. Here are tips and strategies to prepare now for the 2025 tax-filing deadline. If you had significant changes in your life in 2024 — maybe you got married or divorced, started your own business, or had to claim unemployment benefits — your taxes may be more complicated. As a result, you might need to hire a certified public accountant (CPA), enrolled agent (EA) or other tax professional to prepare and file your taxes. If you decide to hire someone, it’s best to start planning for that sooner rather than later. Waiting until the calendar flips to April could cost you. The average fee for a professional to prepare and file a simple Form 1040 tax return, with no itemized deductions, is about $220, according to a survey by the National Society of Accountants in 2020-2021, the most recent data available. But that amount rises quickly for more complex returns, and varies depending on where you live. For example, a Form 1040 with itemized deductions costs an average of $432 in states on the Pacific Coast, compared with $285 in New England. No matter where you live, prices usually rise as the tax deadline approaches, so it’s smart to start searching for a tax pro soon. If you’re uncomfortable doing your taxes on your own and can’t afford a CPA, enrolled agent or other tax pro, or to pay for tax software , there are free options to consider. The IRS currently offers three ways to prepare your taxes for free: •With the IRS Free File program, the IRS partners with for-profit tax-software companies that offer free tax-prep software to eligible taxpayers so they can file their federal tax returns for free. Some taxpayers may also qualify for a free state tax filing, depending on the software provider. In January, the IRS will announce the income limit to qualify for the program for the 2025 tax season (for filing 2024 tax returns). For the 2024 tax season (2023 tax returns), taxpayers’ adjusted gross income (AGI) couldn’t exceed $79,000. •The IRS also offers its Direct File program, a free tool that allows you to file your federal income tax return directly with the IRS at no cost. The program supports simple tax returns and is available only in certain states. Check to see if you qualify here. •Another free-filing option is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. IRS-certified volunteers offer free basic tax preparation in person to people who earn less than $67,000 a year, are disabled or whose English is limited. The IRS has an online location tool for hundreds of free tax preparation sites in the U.S. (the locator tool is updated from February through April). Some VITA sites also offer online tax-prep assistance. Now is a good time to create an IRS online account. If you want to see your Form 1040 from last year, or you’re missing a prior year Form W-2 or mortgage interest statement, you can find your documents using this free tax tool. Another benefit of creating an IRS online account is that it allows you to quickly obtain your prior year’s tax information without sitting on the phone for hours with an IRS representative, says Carl Johnson, a certified public accountant in New Orleans. An IRS online account also lets you view your account balance and payment history for each year. You can also create a payment plan to settle your federal income tax debt within minutes. If you’re 73 years old and have enjoyed watching your 401(k) or IRA grow tax-free without touching it, remember that the IRS is going to want its share each year. That means you’ll have to make withdrawals — and pay income tax. If you turned 73 in 2024, plan to take your required minimum distribution (RMD) at the latest by April 1, 2025. Read this IRS bulletin for more information. The amount of your RMDs is based on your age and the year-end values of your retirement accounts. A Roth IRA has two big tax advantages over a traditional IRA : Qualified withdrawals are not considered income for federal (and usually state) tax purposes, and you don’t have to take distributions from a Roth every year once you reach age 73. Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA may save you money in the long run. Just know that when you convert an IRA to a Roth, it’s considered taxable income, which will raise your tax bill for that year. Generally, it’s best to convert to a Roth IRA when you’re in a low-income year. As tax season approaches, many people start receiving phone calls, emails and texts from entities claiming to be the IRS. Be wary, and understand that these are scams. Typically, the IRS will mail you a notice before using any other method of communication to notify you concerning issues with your tax return. The IRS won’t reach out via social media or text messaging. Relatedly, the IRS warns taxpayers to be careful when choosing a tax preparer. Taking time to vet your tax preparer is crucial to protect yourself from tax scams and fraud. Before hiring a tax professional, search that person’s name in the IRS database of federal tax return preparers to avoid dishonest “professionals.” “Taxpayers should check the tax professional’s credentials,” Johnson says. Tax pros without credentials “may take questionable positions without any degree of scrutiny or fear of losing their access to the profession,” Johnson says. Taxpayers who don’t file a tax return and owe a tax bill, or who file but don’t pay their tax bill on time, risk severe penalties. The IRS can even seize assets if necessary. Respond quickly if the IRS has been sending you letters because it found an error on your return or claims you owe back taxes. Typically, the IRS will send you a notice if you have a balance due, changes were made to your tax return, or the agency needs additional information. “If you ignore a collection letter from the IRS, you may face wage garnishments, liens, bank levies, and other adverse action. And in some cases, the amount due may increase for failure to respond,” Johnson says. Keep in mind the IRS does offer installment plans and other payment plans. Make copies of your correspondence and use only the U.S. Postal Service, the postmark from which is your proof of timeliness when responding. But whatever you do, don’t ignore the IRS because this may cause more issues in the future. ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Few people in politics inspire the kind of respect Sardar Manmohan Singh did: Priyanka PTI Updated: December 26th, 2024, 23:50 IST in Home News , National 0 Pic - IANS Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on WhatsApp Share on Linkedin New Delhi: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Thursday condoled the demise of former prime minister Manmohan Singh and said he remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the nation despite being subjected to unfair and deeply personal attacks by his opponents. “Few people in politics inspire the kind of respect that Sardar Manmohan Singh ji did. His honesty will always be an inspiration for us and he will forever stand tall among those who truly love this country as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the nation despite being subjected to unfair and deeply personal attacks by his opponents,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a post on X. Also Read History shall judge you kindly: Kharge mourns Manmohan Singh’s death 11 mins ago ‘Immense loss for nation’: Top BJP leaders pay tributes to Manmohan Singh 14 mins ago “He was genuinely egalitarian, wise, strongwilled and courageous until the end. A uniquely dignified and gentle man in the rough world of politics,” she said. Singh, the architect of India’s economic reforms, died here on Thursday night. He was 92. His death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, where he was admitted in the Emergency ward around 8.30 PM in a critical condition. An AIIMS bulletin said he was “treated for age-related medical conditions and had a sudden loss of consciousness at home” on December 26. PTI Tags: Manmohan Singh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Share Tweet Send Share Suggest A Correction Enter your email to get our daily news in your inbox. Leave this field empty if you're human:
Daily Post Nigeria BREAKING: Dangote refinery reduces PMS price Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Business BREAKING: Dangote refinery reduces PMS price Published on November 24, 2024 By Francis Ugwu Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery has reduced the Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) price for marketers to N970 per litre. The spokesperson of Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. According to him, the 650,000 barrels per day refinery slashed the petrol price by N20 from N990 per litre to N970. This comes as the company vowed not to compromise on the quality and standard of its product. “Dangote Petroleum Refinery has affected a reduction in the prevailing price of its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N990/litre to N970/litre for the marketers. “As the year comes to an end, this is our way of appreciating the good people of Nigeria for their unwavering support in making the refinery a dream come true. In addition, this is to thank the government for its support, as this will complement the measures put in place to encourage domestic enterprise for our collective well-being. “While the refinery would not compromise on the quality of its petroleum products, We assure you of the best quality products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable. “We are determined to keep ramping up production to meet and surpass our domestic fuel consumption; thus, dispelling any fear of a shortfall in supply”. This comes after the Refinery and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria reached an agreement for direct fuel purchase. DAILY POST reports that fuel is sold across Nigerian filling stations between N1060 and N1,115 per litre. Related Topics: breaking Dangote refinery Don't Miss Boat Mishap: Eight persons feared dead, over 20 missing in Delta You may like Patients rushed out as fire razes property worth millions of naira at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital NNPC hasn’t met crude supply target under Naira-for-crude deal – Dangote Refinery Wike vs Fubara: Nigerian government stops October FAAC revenue to Rivers State Supreme Court nullifies National Lottery Act Kwara, Adamawa, Kebbi, FCT delay report on State Police Six-year single-term proposal for President, Governors fails in Reps Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media LtdThe American Athletic Conference is the only Football Bowl Subdivision league whose championship game matchup is set: Army vs. Tulane. The final week of the regular season will determine pairings for the other eight conferences. Here's a look at the possible matchups in the Power Four and Group of Five. All championship games are Dec. 7 except in the AAC, Conference USA and Mountain West, which will be played Dec. 6. SMU vs. Miami or Clemson. Miami is in if it beats Syracuse. Clemson is in if Miami loses. Oregon vs. Ohio State, Penn State or Indiana. Ohio State is in if it beats Michigan or if Penn State and Indiana lose this week. Penn State is in if it beats Maryland and Ohio State loses. Indiana is in if it beats Purdue and Ohio State and Penn State lose. Arizona State vs. Iowa State if both win this week. Multiple scenarios including BYU, Colorado and other teams exist otherwise. Georgia vs. winner of Texas-Texas A&M game. Army vs. Tulane. Jacksonville State vs. Liberty, Western Kentucky or Sam Houston. Liberty is in with a win over Sam Houston. WKU is in with a win over Jacksonville State and a Liberty loss. Sam Houston is in with a win over Liberty and a Jacksonville State win. Miami, Bowling Green and Ohio are tied for first place and control their destinies. Miami-Bowling Green winner is in, as is Ohio if it beats Ball State. Other scenarios exist that include those teams and Buffalo. Boise State vs. UNLV or Colorado State. If UNLV and CSU both win or lose their final regular-season games, the tie would be broken by either College Football Playoff rankings or results-based computer metrics. Louisiana-Lafayette at Marshall if both win their games this week. Other scenarios exist if one or both lose. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballTulane QB Mensah transfers to Duke; Mississippi State’s Van Buren, Cal’s Mendoza enter portal‘Powerful’ Aussie chardonnay tops elite wine collectors’ hit parade
Daniel Stern ’s days of being a Wet Bandit are behind him—but he hasn’t dried up when it comes to other endeavors. The Home Alone actor , who starred as robber Marv alongside Joe Pesci ’s Harry in the beloved Macaulay Culkin films, recently opened up on his life beyond Hollywood—with a new moniker: The Citrus Bandit. “I live on a farm and we grow tangerines here,” the 67-year-old explained in a TikTok he shared Dec. 15, where he showed off a massive box full of the citrus fruits. “I was just going to show you what it’s like.” Stern—who is dad to Henry Stern , 42, Sophie Stern , 38, and Ella Marie Stern , 35—admitted that he prefers the pace of his life on the Ventura County, Calif., orchard, where he also sculpts life-size bronze statues, a craft he began nearly 25 years ago. But he also enjoys his annual dip back into what he refers to as “ Home Alone time.” “ My son said to me: ‘You’re a seasonal superstar,” he recently told The New York Times . “ ‘ Every year you come around.’” Due to his social media fame, though, Stern feels the love beyond his iconic character, noting his son also recently told him, “ ‘ If they’re liking the tangerine juice, they like you, Dad. They’re liking what you do, not your characters. ’ ” Indeed, the City Slickers star has been enjoying letting people peek into what he’s been up to since his ‘90s hit films. “What a crazy way to walk through life—to be a little part of people’s lives,” he said of his roles. “I need to take everybody’s love in that way, and it just gets a little overwhelming.” As for how Stern’s former costars are spending the holidays? Culkin—who shares son Dakota Song Culkin , 3, and a 2-year-old with wife Brenda Song —recently divulged that his son has not only seen Home Alone , but is convinced he lived it. “ He thinks he's Kevin," Culkin told E! News earlier this month. “I'm like, ‘Do you remember going down that down the stairs on the sled?' He's like, ‘Mmhmm, yep. Sure do.' I'm like, ‘Do you remember when he had yellow hair?' And he's like, ‘Uh-huh, yep.’” He may be one of only two former Wet Bandits, but Stern isn’t the only star who left the spotlight behind him. Keep reading for more stars who left Hollywood... Ellen DeGeneres The Ellen DeGeneres Show host's eponymous talk show ended in 2022 after a 19-season run amid allegations of a toxic work environment that prompted an internal investigation, multiple firings of executives and public ire. The Finding Dory actress returned to the spotlight for her final standup special For Your Approval , which released on Netflix in September 2024. During the lead up to that special, she revealed she would be leaving Hollywood altogether. “This is the last time you’re going to see me,” she told a crowd during her “Ellen’s Last Stand...Up” tour, per SFGate . “After my Netflix special, I’m done.” Ellen and her wife Portia de Rossi have since moved to England, reportedly in response to Donald Trump ’s 2024 election win, according to multiple outlets. Eliza Dushku Palandjian After appearing in such projects as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and 2000's Bring It On , Eliza revealed in September 2024 that she had become certified in psychedelic-assisted therapy and is furthering her studies as a mental health professional. “I had the means to shift directions and choose a course in my life that focused on healing myself so that I could help heal others,” she told Boston Magazine . “I would be remiss if I didn’t now share the transformation and the peace and the passion that I have. This is just absolutely so clearly my real calling, my real purpose.” Evangeline Lilly The Ant-Man and the Wasp star announced she's taking an indefinite hiatus from acting after 20 years in the industry. "I am so filled with joy and contentment today as I live out my vision," Evangeline wrote on Instagram in June 2024. "I feel so grateful for my blessings. Stepping away from what seems like the obvious choice (wealth and fame) can feel scary at times, but stepping into your dharma replaces the fear with fulfillment." But she isn't necessarily shutting the door, either, adding, "I might return to Hollywood one day, but, for now, this is where I belong." Ian Somerhalder The Vampire Diaries alum hasn't sunk his teeth into a new role since Netflix's 2019 series V-Wars . Instead, the dad of two (with wife Nikki Reed ) has dug a little deeper into a passion project, namely his mission to combat climate change by improving the world's soil. "I stepped away from acting a little over four years ago to raise my kids, build my companies and get these films launched," Somerhalder told E! News in November 2023 of launching the 2020 documentary Kiss the Ground and its follow up Common Ground , each detailing the need for regenerative farming. When he looks years down the road, he continued, "I will be a rancher and building legacy brands, whether it's my bourbon or my health and wellness company, and the regenerative agriculture and healthy soil management practices that I live by and our family lives by. That's where my life was going. So when people say 'Why do you care?' That's why I care. Because that's who I am, that's what I'm going to become." On a February 2021 episode of her podcast Empty Inside , the iCarly alum told guest Anna Faris that she decided to stop acting a few years back and is now focused on opportunities in writing and directing, in addition to hosting the podcast. "My experience with acting is, I'm so ashamed of the parts I've done in the past," revealed Jennette, who detailed her experience in her 2022 memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died . "I resent my career in a lot of ways. I feel so unfulfilled by the roles that I played and felt like it was the most cheesy, embarrassing. I did the shows that I was on from like 13 to 21, and by 15, I was already embarrassed. My friends at 15, they're not like, 'Oh, cool, you're on this Nickelodeon show.' It was embarrassing." Though she hasn't totally written off a second act. "I do feel like only through writing the book have I gotten to a place where I think there might be a way of exploring acting that doesn't carry that baggage that I carried with me for so long," she told E! News in October 2022. "Maybe if I write something for myself. I think that'd really be maybe one of the only ways I could kind of try exploring it again." This felt like something of a no-brainer. If we had a shot to marry Prince Harry , dedicate our life to the philanthropic causes that matter most to us and gain access to the Queen's impressive collection of tiaras, bidding ta-ta to Tinseltown would feel like an okay sacrifice. Following in the path Grace Kelly took from Hollywood to the Palace of Monaco, Markle left behind her home in Toronto—and her breakout role on Suits —for a life in The Firm. Though, now that she and Harry have shed their senior roles, she's edging back into the business thanks to business moves like their multi-year production deal with Netflix . Having made upwards of 40 movies since her debut in 1994's The Mask , the actress was long overdue for a break when filming wrapped on 2014's Annie . "I just decided that I wanted different things out of my life," she explained to pal Gwyneth Paltrow of her ultimate act of self-care. "I had gone so hard for so long, working, making films and it's such a grind. When you're making a movie—it's a perfect excuse—they own you. You're there for 12 hours a day for months on end and you have no time for anything else." And there was plenty more she'd like to explore, from writing (she followed up her 2013 New York Times best-seller The Body Book with 2016's The Longevity Book ) to starting a family with husband Benji Madden . But while she confessed to InStyle in 2019, "I don't miss performing. Right now I'm looking at the landscape of wellness and all that," apparently she could be swayed into making at least one encore. "We just begged and pleased on my knees, like, 'Just give the people one more again,'" Jamie Foxx told E! News of getting Diaz to sign on for the upcoming Netflix film Back in Action . "We love her, we've been waiting on her and this is just gonna be fantastic." The actor insisted there'd be no encore after he finished his five-year run on Empire . When Extra asked the Oscar nominee about his future ahead of the musical drama series' sixth and final season in 2019, he responded, "Oh, I'm done with acting. I'm done pretending." And though he returned to set for a handful of projects, he again announced his plans to quit acting while promoting his Peacock series The Best Man: The Final Chapters in 2022. "I've gotten to the point where now I've given the very best that I have as an actor," he told ET . "Now I'm enjoying watching other new talent come around, and I don't want to do an impersonation of myself." Despite these comments, though, Howard has since returned to appear in a few projects, including the TV series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist and Netflix film Shirley , with multiple projects lined up in the future. Once his time as King Joffrey came to a sudden, purple-faced end in 2014, the then-21-year-old told EW he was getting out of the game. "I've been acting since age 8," the Game of Thrones star explained of his decision. "I just stopped enjoying it as much as I used to." No longer a child star, a bit of the magic had worn off. "Now there's the prospect of doing it for a living, whereas up until now it was always something I did for recreation with my friends, or in the summer for some fun," he continued. "I enjoyed it. When you make a living from something, it changes your relationship with it. It's not like I hate it, it's just not what I want to do." But after a six-year break, he was ready to resume his reign , joining the cast of BBC's series Out of Her Mind in 2020. When Fast Times at Ridgemont High 's dream girl ( Jennifer Aniston took on her part in September 2020's virtual table read ) wed fellow actor Kevin Kline in 1989, they "agreed to alternate so that we're never working at the same time," he told Playboy of their plan to care for son Owen and daughter Greta (a singer who now goes by the stage name Frankie Cosmos ). However, he continued, "whenever it's been her slot to work, Phoebe has chosen to stay with the children." Though she made a cameo in pal Jennifer Jason Leigh 's 2001 indie The Anniversary Party , Cates devotes most of her time to operating her New York City boutique Blue Tree . At the height of his Ghostbusters and Honey, I ... fame, the '80s star stepped away from filmmaking not long after his wife passed away from breast cancer in 1991 to focus on raising his kids Rachel and Mitchell. Though he hasn't had a live-action role since 1997, even passing on a cameo in Paul Feig 's 2016 Ghostbusters remake, he's remained a treasured cultural icon, as evidenced by the outrage over reports that he'd been assaulted while walking in New York City Oct. 1. Thankfully there's good news for fans: he'll make his triumphant return alongside Josh Gad in the forthcoming Disney reboot Shrunk . Once she wed fashion designer Adam Kimmel in 2010, the Never Been Kissed standout hinted that she was maybe kinda done with movies. "Ninety percent of acting roles involve so much sexual stuff with other people, and I don't want to do that," she explained to Vogue . "It's such a strange fire to play with, and our relationship is surely strong enough to handle it, but if you're going to walk through fire, there has to be something incredible on the other side." Her decision was solidified after son Martin joined older sister Louisanna in 2014. "I don't do movie stuff anymore. I am totally an outsider! I ... am just a mom and an outsider," she noted to Us Weekly at a 2016 event, explaining that she helps Kimmel with his business and paints on the side. "I am just focused on my kids. I think that's mainly why I stopped." Portia de Rossi She'd done Ally McBeal . And Nip/Tuck . Then Arrested Development and finally Scandal when the Aussie realized that maybe she was ready to turn the dial . "I was approaching 45 and I just kind of...was wondering is there something that I could tackle now that I've never done before that would be really challenging and different," she explained on wife Ellen DeGeneres ' eponymous talk show in 2018. "I kind of knew what acting would look like for me for the next 10, 20 years, so I decided to quit and start a business." Her consumer-art company, General Public , already a work in progress, she had just one piece to finish. "I called Mitch Hurwitz , who's the creator of Arrested Development and I said, 'If there is a season 5, I won't be doing it because I quit acting. And he seemed really understanding and he totally got it. We had a great conversation, and then he wrote me into five episodes." To be fair, once you've won three Academy Awards, what's left to accomplish? Shortly after receiving his sixth Oscar nod for his final film, 2017's Phantom Thread , the thespian had his rep issue a statement informing fans that he "will no longer be working as an actor. He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years. This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject." But just when he thought he was out, his son pulled him back in, production company Focus Features announcing in October 2024 that the Oscar winner would star in Anemone , the film he wrote alongside son Ronan Day-Lewis , who will also direct. Bridgit Mendler The Good Luck Charlie alum took a step back from the spotlight in 2018 when she began pursuing a master's degree from MIT, later earning a PhD from the institution. She's also pursuing a law degree from Harvard Law School. And as if that weren't enough, Bridgit also launched her own startup Northwood Space, which aims to build ground satellite stations to help send and receive data from space, becoming CEO of the brand in February 2023 .At least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank around the city of Tulkarem on Tuesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, including three people it said were killed by Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a second somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of the war in Gaza, with most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent. Israel's bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel in October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage by Palestinian militants. Around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza , although only two thirds are believed to still be alive. Here’s the latest: NUR SHAMS REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank — The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in and around the city of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank on Tuesday. The ministry reported three of the dead were killed by airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. An Associated Press photojournalist captured images of Israeli forces detonating an explosive device planted by Palestinian militants during a raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp. Israel has carried out several large-scale raids in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, ignited by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. While airstrikes were once rare in the West Bank, they have grown more common since the outbreak of war as Israeli forces clamp down, saying they aim to prevent attacks on their citizens. Israeli fire has killed at least 800 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, Palestinian health officials say. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. SAYDNAYA, Syria — A large crowd of Syrians gathered near a historic monastery in Saydnaya on Christmas Eve to witness the lighting of a towering tree adorned with glowing green lights. Tuesday's celebration offered a rare moment of joy in a city scarred by over a decade of war and an infamous prison , where tens of thousands were held. Families and friends stood beneath the illuminated tree — some wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops — while a band played festive music and fireworks lit up the sky “This year is different, there’s happiness, victory and a new birth for Syria and a new birth for Christ,” said Houssam Saadeh, one attendee. Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed hope for unity across all sects and religions in Syria, dismissing recent Christmas tree vandalism as “isolated incidents.” Earlier in the afternoon, pilgrims visited the historic Our Lady of Saydnaya Monastery, one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries, believed to be built in the sixth century. In Homs, a similarly grand Christmas tree was illuminated as security officers patrolled the area to ensure a safe and peaceful gathering, according to Syria’s state media. UNITED NATIONS -- Recent attacks on hospitals in North Gaza, where Israel is carrying out an offensive, are having a devastating impact on Palestinian civilians still in the area, the U.N. humanitarian office says. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed deep concern at reports that the Israeli military entered the Indonesian Hospital on Tuesday, forcing its evacuation. The humanitarian office, known as OCHA, also expressed deep concern at attacks reported in recent days in and around the two other hospitals in North Gaza that are minimally functioning – Al Awda and Kamal Adwan. OCHA said the Israeli siege on Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia and parts of Jaballiya in North Gaza continued for a 79th day on Tuesday, and while the U.N. and its partners have made 52 attempts to coordinate humanitarian access to besieged areas in December 48 were rejected by Israel. While four missions were approved, OCHA said the U.N. and its partners faced impediments as a result of Israeli military operations and “none of the U.N.-coordinated attempts to access the area have been fully facilitated.” Throughout the Gaza Strip, OCHA said that Israeli authorities facilitated just 40% of requests for humanitarian movements requiring their approval in December. WASHINGTON — A leading global food crisis monitor says deaths from starvation will likely pass famine levels in north Gaza as soon as next month. The U.S.-created Famine Early Warning System Network says that’s because of a near-total Israeli blockade of food and other aid in that part of Gaza. The finding, however, appears to have exposed a rift within the Biden administration over the extent of starvation in northern Gaza. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, disputes part of the data used in reaching the conclusion and calls the intensified famine warning “irresponsible.” Northern Gaza has been one of the areas hardest-hit by fighting and Israel’s restrictions on aid throughout its 14-month war with Hamas militants. UNITED NATIONS — Israel’s foreign minister has requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to condemn recent missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and to condemn the group's Iranian allies for allegedly providing the group with weapons. Gideon Saar said in a letter Tuesday to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States, which holds the council presidency this month, that the Houthis are violating international law and council resolutions. “This Iranian-backed terrorist group continues to endanger Israel’s and other nations’ security, as well as the freedom of maritime navigation, in flagrant violation of international law,” Saar said. “All of this malign activity is done as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region.” The U.S. Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to an email asking when the council meeting will be held. The Houthis have said they launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea – and on Israel -- with the aim of ending Israel’s devastating air and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli war in Gaza followed Hamas’ deadly October 2023 attacks in southern Israel. TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli military investigation has concluded that the presence of troops inadvertently contributed to the deaths of six hostages killed by their Hamas captors in Gaza. The hostages' bodies were discovered in a tunnel in late August, an event that shook Israel and sparked some of the largest anti-war protests since the war began. The investigation found that the six hostages were killed by multiple gunshots from their captors after surviving for nearly 330 days. The Israeli military’s “ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists’ decision to murder the six hostages,” the report found. According to the investigation, the Israeli military began operating in the area where the hostages were being held in southern Gaza about two weeks before their discovery, under the assumption that the chances of hostages in the area was medium to low. On August 27, hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi was found alone in a tunnel , causing the Israeli military to halt operations for 24 hours to determine if there could be other hostages in the area. The military discovered the opening leading to the tunnel where the bodies of the six hostages were located on August 30. A pathological report estimated the six hostages were killed on August 29. The six hostages killed were Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin , whose American-Israeli parents became some of the most recognized spokespeople pleading for the hostages’ release, including addressing the Democratic National Convention days before their son’s killing. “The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal,” the Hostages Families Forum said in response to the investigation. “Every passing moment puts the hostages’ lives in immediate danger.” JERUSALEM — The Israeli negotiating team working on a ceasefire returned from Qatar to Israel on Tuesday, the prime minister’s office said, after what it called “a significant week” of talks. After months of deadlock, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt resumed their mediation efforts in recent weeks and reported greater willingness by the warring sides to reach a deal. According to Egyptian and Hamas officials, the proposed agreement would take place in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of captive Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel says Hamas is holding 100 hostages, over one-third of whom are believed to be dead. On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “some progress” in efforts to reach a deal, but added he did not know how long it would take. CAIRO — Israeli soldiers took control of a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcing all the patients and most of the doctors to leave, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. Some of the patients had to walk to another hospital while others were driven by paramedics, according to Health Ministry spokesperson Zaher al-Wahidi. He did not specify how many patients had evacuated. The Israeli military confirmed its troops had entered the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Jabaliya as part of an operation searching for Hamas fighters. The army later said its soldiers had left the hospital. The military said it had assisted with evacuating the patients and had not ordered the hospital closed. However, al-Wahidi said only one doctor and maintenance person were left behind. The Indonesian Hospital is one of three hospitals left largely inaccessible in the northernmost part of Gaza because Israel has imposed a tight siege there since launching an offensive in early October. The Israeli army said Tuesday’s operation at the Indonesian Hospital came after militants carried out attacks from the hospital for the past month, including launching anti-tank missiles and planting explosive devices in the surrounding area. The Health Ministry accused Israel of “besieging and directly targeting” the three hospitals in northern Gaza. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, said Israeli drones detonated explosives near the hospital and that 20 people were wounded, including five medical staff. The Israeli military declined to comment on the operation around the hospital. DAMASCUS — Scores of Syrian Christians protested in the capital Damascus on Tuesday, demanding greater protections for their religious minority after a Christmas tree was set on fire in the city of Hama a day earlier. Many of the insurgents who now rule Syria are jihadis, although Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the main rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and spent years depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. It remains unclear who set the Christmas tree on fire Monday, which was condemned by a representative of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham who visited the town and addressed the community. “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations," the HTS representative said in a video widely shared on social media. "The Christmas tree will be fully restored by this evening.” On Tuesday, protesters marched through the streets of Bab Touma in Damascus, shouting slogans against foreign fighters and carrying large wooden crosses. “We demand that Syria be for all Syrians. We want a voice in the future of our country,” said Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church as he addressed the crowd in a church courtyard, assuring them of Christians’ rights in Syria. Since HTS led a swift offensive that overthrew President Bashar Assad earlier this month, Syria’s minority communities have been on edge, uncertain of how they will be treated under the emerging rebel-led government. “We are here to demand a democratic and free government for one people and one nation,” another protester said. “We stand united — Muslims and Christians. No to sectarianism.” DOHA — Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said that ceasefire negotiations to end the war in Gaza were ongoing in Doha in cooperation with Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediators. “We will not leave any door unopened in pursuit of reaching an agreement,” said Majid al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday. Al Ansari added that rumors the ceasefire would be reached before Christmas are “speculation.” The ceasefire negotiations come at a time when winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. Families of the approximately 100 hostages who have been held for 445 days in Gaza are also worried their loved ones will not survive another winter. In a press conference, al-Ansari also called on the international community to lift sanctions on Syria as quickly as possible on Tuesday. “The reason was the crimes of the previous regime, and that regime, with all of its authority, is no longer in place, therefor the causes for these sanctions no longer exist today,” he said. DAMASCUS, Syria — American journalist Austin Tice is believed to be still alive, according to the head of an international aid group. Nizar Zakka, who runs the Hostage Aid Worldwide organization, said there has never been any proof that Tice, who has been missing since 2012, is dead. Zakka told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday that Tice was alive in January and being held by the authorities of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad. He added that U.S. President Joe Biden said in August that Tice was alive. Zakka said he believes Tice was transferred between security agencies over the past 12 years, including in an area where Iranian-backed fighters were operating. Asked if it was possible Tice had been taken out of the country, Zakka said Assad most likely kept him in Syria as a potential bargaining chip. Biden said Dec. 8 that his administration believed Tice was alive and was committed to bringing him home, although he also acknowledged that “we have no direct evidence” of his status. TEL AVIV, Israel — Hannah Katzir, an Israeli woman who was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, and freed in a brief ceasefire last year, has died. She was 78. The Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the families of people taken captive, confirmed the death Tuesday but did not disclose the cause. Her daughter, Carmit Palty Katzir, said in a statement that her mother’s “heart could not withstand the terrible suffering since Oct. 7.” Katzir’s husband, Rami, was killed during the attack by militants who raided their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her son Elad was also kidnapped and his body was recovered in April by the Israeli military, who said he had been killed in captivity. She spent 49 days in captivity and was freed in late November 2023. Shortly after Katzir was freed, her daughter told Israeli media that she had been hospitalized with heart issues attributed to “difficult conditions and starvation” while she was held captive. TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's military said the projectile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, but it set off air raid sirens overnight in the country's populous central area, sending residents looking for cover. Israel’s rescue service Magen David Adom said a 60-year-old woman was seriously wounded after being hurt on her way to a protected space. There was no immediate comment from Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. It was the third time in a week that fire from Yemen set off sirens in Israel. On Saturday, a missile slammed into a playground in Tel Aviv, injuring 16, after Israel’s air defense system failed to intercept it. Earlier last week, Israeli jets struck Yemen’s rebel-held capital and a port city, killing nine. Israel said the strikes were in response to previous Houthi attacks.
News Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News. The full version of suspected murderer Luigi Mangione’s manifesto – detailing his alleged decision to fatally shoot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson – has been published online. A post containing what’s purported to be the document was shared to Substack by user Ken Klippenstein’s newsletter overnight. The 262-word missive posted by Klippenstein, which has been quoted in part by officials and media outlets since the 26-year-old’s arrest, has not been verified by authorities. “To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country,” the alleged manifesto begins. “To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone. This was fairly trivial: some elementary social engineering, basic ( computer-aided design ), a lot of patience. The spiral notebook , if present, has some straggling notes and To Do lists that illuminate the gist of it. “My tech is pretty locked down so probably not much info there.” Suspected shooter Luigi Mangione. Picture: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images/AFP UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Picture: UnitedHealth Group Chilling video allegedly shows Mangione shooting at Mr Brian Thompson. Picture: The New York Post Mangione purportedly goes on to apologise “for any strife of traumas but it had to be done”, adding “frankly, these parasites had it coming”, according to the document. While America has “the #1 most expensive healthcare system in the world”, he (allegedly) wrote, “we rank roughly #42 in life expectancy”. While UnitedHealthcare, of which Mr Thompson was the CEO, is “the largest company in the US by market cap” and “has grown and grown”, the document states that Americans’ life expectancy has not. “The reality is, these (indecipherable) have simply gotten too powerful, and they continue to abuse our country for immense profit because the American public has allowed them to get away with it,” it reads. “Obviously the problem is more complex, but I do not have space, and frankly I do not pretend to be the most qualified person to lay out the full argument.” It then refers by surname to prolific filmmaker Michael Moore, whose 2007 documentary SICKO exposed the measures health insurers go to profit off Americans while simultaneously denying them care, and former New York Times reporter Elizabeth Rosenthal, whose book, American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back , was published in 2017. Both, the manifesto reads, “have illuminated the corruption and greed ... decades ago and the problems simply remain”. “It is not an issue of awareness at this point, but clearly power games at play,” he concluded. “Evidently I am the first to face it with such brutal honesty.” Prolific US documentarian Michael Moore. Picture: Tiziana Fabi/AFP Investigators have not yet declared a definitive motive for Mangione – but have said the manifesto and inscribed casings on the bullets he used to shoot Mr Thompson (“deny, defend, depose”) suggest the killing was a “targeted attack” on both the CEO and health insurance industry as a whole. According to a New York Police Department internal report, obtained earlier this week by The New York Times , Mangione “appeared to view the targeted killing of the company’s highest-ranking representative as a symbolic takedown and a direct challenge to its alleged corruption and ‘power games’”. He “likely views himself as a hero of sorts who has finally decided to act upon such injustices,” the report said. Mangione’s own experience with the health insurance industry also may have contributed, sources claim. Friends of the alleged killer have detailed the impact his own medical issues – particularly the aftermath of a 2023 back operation – had on his mental and physical wellbeing. One source told Jack Mac, a staffer at media outlet Barstool Sports, that the surgery “‘ changed everything ’ for him and he went ‘absolutely crazy’”. Mangione ‘likely views himself as a hero of sorts who has finally decided to act upon such injustices’, an internal police report read. Picture: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images/AFP The notebook mentioned by Mangione in his alleged manifesto, two law enforcement officials told The New York Times detailed his plans for the shooting, and described going to a conference and killing an executive. Mangione wrote that he’d considered killing Mr Thompson with a bomb, but settled on a handgun because it was the only way to ensure no bystanders would be injured. “What do you do? You wack the CEO at the annual parasitic bean-counter convention. It’s targeted, precise, and doesn’t risk innocents,” one passage written in the notebook read, the officials said. Authorities in New York are currently working to have Mangione extradited back to Manhattan to face charges of second-degree murder. Mangione, who has contested the extradition, is currently being held in a Pennsylvania prison. More Coverage Alleged CEO killer’s sex motive revealed Ronny Reyes - The New York Post TikTok exposes alleged CEO killer’s past Natalie Brown Originally published as ‘Had to be done’: Luigi Mangione’s full manifesto about insurance CEO’s killing released Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Business Breaking News ‘Huge win’: Next step in Virgin-Qatar deal Aussies will soon have more options for international travel when Virgin Australia joins forces with one of the world’s largest airlines. Read more Business Aussie reveals his shock $50m lotto win A South Australian man had no idea he’d won this week’s mega $50 million Oz Lotto jackpot until checking his ticket on a whim, letting out a colourful reaction. Read moreCHICAGO -- The Seattle Seahawks are in the Windy City to face the Chicago Bears for a pivotal NFC matchup at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois today. The game will be streamed live on Amazon Prime Video with kickoff at 8:15 p.m. Eastern. (7:15 p.m. Central) You can watch the Dec. 26 game with a free trial on Prime Video . Amazon’s video streaming service is the exclusive national home of “Thursday Night Football,” which features play-by-play announcer Al Michaels, game analyst Kirk Herbstreit and sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung. It’s the final installment of TNF in 2024. Note: Viewers in each team’s home television market can also watch the game on a local station. In Chicago, it’s on FOX 32, while KING - 5 NBC will carry the game in the Seattle area. Both are available on Fubo , which comes with a free trial and is offering $30 off your first month. They are also available on DirecTV Stream , which also offers a free trial. The game is a crucial matchup for the Seahawks (8-7), who are trying to make the playoffs and still have a chance to win the NFC West over the Los Angeles Rams. Seattle has lost two in a row, and another loss could eliminate it from playoff contention. The Bears (4-11) have been eliminated from the playoffs after a nine-game slide while firing their head coach and offensive coordinator. Chicago is playing the role of spoiler. Seattle Seahawks playoff scenarios If the Rams win over the Cardinals, and the Seahawks lose or tie with the Bears, Seattle is eliminated from playoff contention. If the Rams win and the Seahawks lose, Los Angeles clinches the division. If the Rams lose and Seahawks win, a potential winner-take-all game will take place at SoFi Stadium. Fifth tiebreaker scenario If both the Rams and Seahawks win this week it would leave both teams with the same record, a head-to-head split, the same NFC West record, the same record in common games, and the same conference record. The fifth tiebreaker is strength of victory. Heading into the Week 17 matchup, the Rams have the edge in that category. Rams could clinch this week with a win even if the Seahawks win. They can do this with 3.5 or more wins from the Vikings (vs. Packers), Bills (vs. Jets), Commanders (vs. Falcons), Bengals (vs. Broncos), 49ers (vs. Lions), and Browns (vs. Dolphins). If the Rams win Sunday, the Seahawks need to win to stay in the NFC West race, and they need at least four wins from the Packers, Jets, Falcons, Lions, Broncos or Dolphins. Other teams in the hunt The NFC South’s Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the same record as the Seahawks heading into Week 17. As of now, Tampa Bay wins the tiebreaker over Seattle based on best win percentage in conference games. Check out a complete rundown of NFL Week 17 action , including the schedule, predictions, previews, TV information and more. SEAHAWKS - BEARS Matchup Preview The Seahawks are coming off a frustrating home loss to the Minnesota Vikings, placing them in a dangerous predicament on the road tonight. Quarterback Geno Smith has thrown for 3,937 yards, which is the fourth-most in the NFL this year. He has 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Jaxon Smith-Njigba has amassed 93 receptions for 1,083 yards, which is the fifth-most in the NFL. He has six touchdowns and is averaging 11.7 yards per reception. The second-year receiver is top-10 in receptions, yards and targets (126) this season. He has recorded 70 or more yards in his last seven games. Kenneth Walker III has totaled 153 carries for 553 yards and seven touchdowns. He has played in 11 games this season and will miss the matchup due to an ankle injury. Zach Charbonnet will be the featured back. He has 106 carries for 453 yards and eight touchdowns. The Seahawks are 5-1 on the road this season. Watch Seahawks vs. Bears on Amazon Prime Video for free The Bears were blasted by the Lions in their last game, continuing what has been a nightmare in Chicago this season. The offense has shown flashes, but the defense has been decimated. First overall pick Caleb Williams has thrown for 3,271 yards and 19 touchdowns with five interceptions. The rookie hasn’t thrown an interception in nine straight games. DJ Moore has hauled in 83 receptions for 826 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 10 yards per reception. D’Andre Swift runs the rushing attack, tallying 221 carries for 841 yards and five touchdowns. Opposing offenses are torching Chicago’s secondary during their massive skid, averaging 277.3 yards passing per game in the last six contests. SEAHAWKS - BEARS Last Game Recap The Seahawks lost a thriller against the Vikings while the Bears continued to their slide into the abyss against Lions. SEAHAWKS: Lost against the Minnesota Vikings 27-24 on Dec. 22 BEARS: Lost against the Detroit Lions 34-17 on Dec. 22. SEAHAWKS - BEARS Players to Watch: Seahawks: QB Geno Smith, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, RB Zach Charbonnet, CB Coby Bryant, S Julian Love Bears: QB Caleb Williams, RB D’Andre Swift, WR DJ Moore, CB Jaylon Johnson, LB T.J. Edwards SEAHAWKS - BEARS Injuries of Note The Seahawks will be missing a key running back while the Bears will have their playmakers available for the primetime matchup. Seahawks: RB Kenneth Walker III (ankle) and TE Brady Russell (foot) are all out. S Jerrick Reed II (quadriceps), S K’Von Wallace (ankle), LB Trevis Gipson (ankle) and G Anthony Bradford (ankle) are all on injured reserve Bears: G Teven Jenkins (calf), S Tarvarius Moore (knee), S Elijah Hick (ankle) and RB Travis Homer (hamstring) are all out. DT Gervon Dexter (knee), C Doug Kramer Jr. and LB Amen Ogbongbemiga are all questionable OT Braxton Jones (ankle), C Ryan Bates (concussion) and WR DeAndre Carter (hamstring) are all on injured reserve. What are the latest odds for Seahawks vs. Bears? Spread: SEA: (+4), CHI: (-4) Moneyline: SEA: (-205), CHI: (+170) Point total: 46.5 Odds from DraftKings How to Watch SEAHAWKS - BEARS Who: Seattle Seahawks vs. Chicago Bears When: Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024 Time: 8:15 p.m. Eastern Where: Soldier Field | Chicago, Illinois Channel: Prime Video Only streaming options: Amazon Prime Video (free trial). Also, Fubo (free trial and $30 off your first month) and DirecTV Stream (free trial) are options if you live in the Seattle or Chicago area markets. Channel finder if you have cable You can access the channel by using the channel finders online: Verizon Fios , AT&T U-verse , Comcast Xfinity , Spectrum/Charter , Optimum/Altice , DIRECTV and Dish . About Amazon Prime Video Amazon Prime Video offers a 30-day free trial. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, this video service is included at no extra cost with your membership. Joining Amazon Prime costs $14.99/month or $139 annually. The streaming service features blockbuster movies, hit shows, Amazon Originals and sports, including select NFL games for the 2024 season. About FuboTV Fubo (free trial, $30 off your first month) has three main packages: Pro costs $79.99/month; Elite is $89.99; Premier is priced at $99.99. Cancel before the free trial ends to avoid being charged. Fubo includes access to more than 185 sports, entertainment and news channels. You can record games, TV shows, movies and more. About DirecTV Stream DirecTV Stream , which also gives customers a free trial, offers four packages if you continue with the service after your trial ends: Entertainment for $69.99; Choice for $84.99; Ultimate for $109.99; and premier for $159.99. Choice offers the most channels for sports enthusiasts. For team hats, shirts and more gear: Visit Fanatics , Dick’s Sporting Goods , Lids , Champs Sports and New Era .
Mumbai, Dec 26 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar, and several other leaders in the state on Thursday condoled the death of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, saying the country has lost a great scholar, statesman and economist. Singh, 92, died in Delhi on Thursday night. "With the demise of former PM Manmohan Singh, we have lost a great scholar, economist and statesman. His contributions to Indian economic reforms, serving the nation as PM for ten years, will be remembered forever," CM Fadnavis said on X. Sharad Pawar termed Singh a great economist, visionary reformer and a global statesman. "Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Dr Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India. Our nation has lost one of its greatest economists, a visionary reformist, and a global statesman," said Pawar, who was agriculture minister in Singh's cabinet. "His departure is an unbearable loss. He was a godly soul who embodied humility, forbearance, tolerance, and compassion. As the architect of India's economic reforms, his legacy will forever inspire generations to come. May his soul rest in eternal peace," Pawar added. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said Singh's vision became a turning point in the country's economic development. "Deeply saddened by the news of former PM Dr Manmohan Singh ji's demise. A gentleman to the core, his vision became a turning point in our country's economic development. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in this difficult time," Ajit Pawar posted on X. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said he was deeply saddened. "My brief meeting with him, at his residence, made an everlasting impression on me, of how PMs can be truly humble, graceful and dignified, despite the very many achievements marked out against their name and tenure," Thackeray said. "For someone like me, born in the 90s, the opening up of India to the world and vice versa, was like growing up in a decade where each day was new, and the world was brought closer to home, thanks to him," said Aaditya. "Probably one of those people in India, who have had a huge impact on our lives, and the country at large. He truly put our nation on a world stage. As he said about himself while taking on all the unfounded criticism, "history would be kinder", we as Indians truly believe, that the present too will be kinder to his statesman like legacy, as we all bid him a sorrowful goodbye," the Sena (UBT) leader added. Such true gentlemen are rare in politics, even rarer when they reach the pinnacle of national politics, Thackeray wrote. NCP leader Praful Patel described Singh as a man of few words but remarkable action. "His visionary economic policies reshaped the destiny of millions and set India on a path of growth and stability. I had the honor and privilege of working as a minister during his tenure and witnessed his intellect, humility, and dedication to the nation. As Finance Minister and later as Prime Minister, he transformed India's economic landscape and left an enduring legacy of progress and reform," he said. India has lost a true statesman, a scholar par excellence, and a compassionate leader, Patel added. Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat said Singh's contribution in the creation of a strong India which is competing with the world is immense. "Criticism against Manmohan Singh was politically motivated, but history will take note of him positively. He took courageous decisions like Aadhaar identity card for every citizen, direct benefit transfer, right to food, right to information legislations," he said. Former Congress leader Ashok Chavan said Singh provided several financial initiatives to the state when he was chief minister. "I will never forget the assistance given to infrastructure upliftment of Nanded for the Guru Da Gaddi celebrations," Chavan added. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
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. 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. 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: 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. 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 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. 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 — 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.” KYIV, Ukraine - 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 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. 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. 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. 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 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. AMMAN, Jordan — 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.” 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 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.” 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. CAIRO — The head of Yemen’s internationally recognized 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 recognized government for a decade. 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.” 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.” 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. 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 army’s 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 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.
- Previous:
- Next: 30jili
