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slot bet99 login NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bail on Wednesday as he awaits a May sex trafficking trial by a judge who cited evidence showing him to be a serious risk of witness tampering and proof that he has violated regulations in jail. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian made the decision in a written ruling following a bail hearing last week, when lawyers for the hip-hop mogul argued that a $50 million bail package they proposed would be sufficient to ensure Combs doesn’t flee and doesn’t try to intimidate prospective trial witnesses. Two other judges previously had been persuaded by prosecutors’ arguments that the Bad Boy Records founder was a danger to the community if he is not behind bars. Lawyers did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the decision. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years, aided by associates and employees. An indictment alleges that he silenced victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings. A federal appeals court judge last month denied Combs’ immediate release while a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan considers his bail request. Prosecutors have insisted that no bail conditions would be sufficient to protect the public and prevent the “I'll Be Missing You” singer from fleeing. They say that even in a federal lockup in Brooklyn, Combs has orchestrated social media campaigns designed to influence prospective jurors and tried to publicly leak materials he thinks can help his case. They say he also has contacted potential witnesses through third parties. Lawyers for Combs say any alleged sexual abuse described in the indictment occurred during consensual relations between adults and that new evidence refutes allegations that Combs used his “power and prestige” to induce female victims into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male sex workers known as “Freak Offs.” Larry Neumeister, The Associated PressFCC CHAIRWOMEN ROSENWORCEL ANNOUNCES HER DEPARTURE FROM THE FCC and the Commissioners Adopt the Report and Order for Caller ID Authentication Rules

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CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — AJ Clayton scored 34 points as Ohio beat Portland 85-73 on Friday. Clayton added 12 rebounds for the Bobcats (2-4). Aidan Hadaway scored 13 points while going 5 of 12 from the floor, including 1 for 6 from 3-point range, and 2 for 3 from the line and added eight rebounds. Victor Searls had 11 points and finished 5 of 8 from the field. The Pilots (2-4) were led by Vukasin Masic, who posted 17 points. Portland also got 13 points and seven rebounds from A.Rapp. Max Mackinnon also recorded 10 points and seven rebounds. Clayton scored 14 points in the first half to help Ohio up 46-30 at the break. Ohio pulled away with a 7-0 run in the second half to extend its lead to 19 points. Clayton led the way with a team-high 20 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Business combination closed November 13, 2024 Raised $10 million of gross proceeds in connection with the business combination Agreements are in place with Yorkville for up to a $50 million standby equity purchase agreement, to raise an additional $2 million in debt financing and the sale of up to 500,000 shares of common stock pursuant to forward purchase agreement Financing will support advancement of Abpro's pipeline of its next-generation antibody therapies for cancer, ophthalmology, and infectious diseases WOBURN, Mass., Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Abpro Holdings, Inc. ABP ("Abpro"), a biotech company with the mission of improving the lives of mankind facing severe and life-threatening diseases with next-generation antibody therapies, celebrated the closing of its business combination with Atlantic Coastal Acquisition Corp II ("ACAB"), a special purpose acquisition company, with a Nasdaq bell ringing ceremony. Abpro also celebrated the consummation of a PIPE offering raising $7 million in gross proceeds and a $2.76 million convertible note financing with YA II PN, LTD ("Yorkville") to cover expenses in connection with the closing of the business combination. As previously announced, Abpro also has entered into a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement with Yorkville (the "SEPA") pursuant to which Abpro has the right, but not the obligation, to issue up to $50 million in shares of its common stock to Yorkville upon registration of such shares, provided that no balance is outstanding on any promissory note to Yorkville (currently $3 million dollars outstanding). Among other restrictions and conditions set forth in the SEPA, the number of shares Abpro may request may not exceed the average of the daily traded amount of its shares of common stock during the five consecutive trading days preceding such request, and shall not cause Yorkville's ownership to exceed 4.99% of the then outstanding common stock of Abpro, and the maximum amount of shares issued under the SEPA cannot exceed 19.99% of the outstanding common stock of Abpro without prior shareholder approval. Upon registration of the shares subject to the SEPA, Abpro has the right to receive financing for an additional $2 million. As previously announced, Abpro also has entered into a forward purchase agreement for the sale of up to 500,000 shares of common stock. Abpro believes that the various financings should significantly improve Abpro's financial flexibility as it advances the development of its pipeline of its next-generation antibody therapies. "Becoming a public company represents a major milestone in our journey to provide solutions for patients with difficult-to-treat oncology and ophthalmology indications," said Ian Chan, CEO and co-founder of Abpro. "The funds are expected to help accelerate the advancement of our pipeline to clinical trials. The financing will also provide the foundation for ongoing development of novel immunotherapies and next-generation antibody treatments in our pipeline with the aim of improving the lives of patients in need." Abpro is advancing its pipeline of next-generation antibody therapies for HER2+ breast, gastric, and colorectal cancers, non-HER2+ gastric and liver cancer, wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME), and infectious diseases. These next-generation antibodies are developed using Abpro's proprietary DiversImmune® platform, which creates antibody therapies against traditionally difficult targets. Abpro has partnered with Celltrion , a leading South Korean pharmaceutical company, in an exclusive global collaboration to further advance ABP 102, a T-cell engager, which is being developed for the treatment of HER2+ breast, gastric, and pancreatic cancers. Soo Young Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of the New Drug Division of Celltrion Inc. and a member of Abpro's Board of Directors, remarked, "Abpro's ABP 102 drug candidate has shown preclinical data indicating the potential for better efficacy and less toxicity. We look forward to working closely with Abpro to advance ABP 102 into clinical trials." Tony Eisenberg, who serves as a Director of Abpro, and had served as Chief Strategy Officer of ACAB prior to the business combination, added, "It's an honor to be part of Abpro and the groundbreaking work they are doing. The Atlantic Coastal team is excited to have successfully completed this business combination with Abpro and to work with the Abpro management team to execute their long-term operational and strategic objectives as they develop next-generation antibody therapies with the potential to save lives and generate real return for investors." Abpro's Chairperson, Miles Suk, stated, "As the chairperson of the board, I am honored to guide Abpro through this landmark achievement. This listing marks a new chapter of growth and opportunity, and we remain committed to delivering sustainable value to our shareholders." About Abpro Abpro's mission is to improve the lives of mankind facing severe and life-threatening diseases with next-generation antibody therapies. Abpro is advancing a pipeline of next-generation antibody therapies, for HER2+ breast, gastric, and colorectal cancers, non-HER2+ gastric and liver cancer, wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME), and infectious diseases. These antibodies are developed using Abpro's proprietary DiversImmune® platform. Abpro has partnered with Celltrion, which is a leading South Korean biotechnology company, ranked top 25 in the world by market capitalization, in an exclusive collaboration to further advance ABP 102, a T-cell engager, which is being developed for the treatment of HER2+ breast, gastric, and pancreatic cancer. Abpro is located in Woburn, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.abpro.com . Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "aim," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result" and similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; Abpro's ability to raise additional capital; the outcome of judicial proceedings to which Abpro or its subsidiaries is, or may become a party; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, including difficulty in, or costs associated with, integrating the businesses of ACAB and Abpro; risks related to the rollout of Abpro's business and the cost and timing of expected business milestones; the effects of competition on Abpro's future business; and those factors discussed in Abpro's public filings under the heading "Risk Factors," and other documents of Abpro filed, or to be filed, with the SEC. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that will be described in the "Risk Factors" section of Abpro's public filings and other documents to be filed by Abpro from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward- looking statements, and while Abpro may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law. Abpro does not give any assurance that Abpro will achieve its expectations. Actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially, and potentially adversely, from any projections and forward-looking statements and the assumptions on which those forward-looking statements are based. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a predictor of future performance as projected financial information and other information are based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to various significant risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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Electrovaya Reports Fiscal Year 2024 ResultsCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes continues to build great chemistry with his tight end — just not the one you might think. Mahomes threw two touchdown passes to Noah Gray for the second straight week as the Kansas City Chiefs held off the Carolina Panthers 30-27 on Sunday. A week after losing at Buffalo, the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (10-1) maintained their position atop the AFC. Mahomes completed a 35-yard touchdown strike to Gray on the game’s opening possession and found him again for an 11-yard TD in the second quarter. Gray has four touchdown catches in the last two weeks — twice as many as nine-time Pro Bowler Travis Kelce has all season — and has become a weapon in the passing game for the Chiefs, who lost top wide receiver Rashee Rice to a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. Kelce was still a factor Sunday with a team-high six catches for 62 yards, although the four-time All-Pro looked dejected after dropping one easy pass. Kelce has 62 receptions for 507 yards this season, while Gray has 26 catches for 249 yards. But Gray's development is a good sign for the Chiefs — and he's on the same page with Mahomes. On his second TD, Gray said Mahomes “gave me the answer to the test there” before the play. “He told me what coverage it was pre-snap," said Gray, who had four receptions for 66 yards. “That’s just the blessing you have of playing with a quarterback like that. Offensive line did a great job blocking that up and the receivers did a great job running their routes to pop me open. Really just a group effort right there on that touchdown.” Gray said that's nothing new. “Pat’s preparation, his leadership is just something that I’m fortunate enough to play alongside,” Gray said. "I love it. It gets me motivated every time we go out there for a long drive. Having a leader like that, that prepares every single week in-and out, knows defenses, knows the game plans. “I’m just fortunate enough to play alongside a guy like that.” Mahomes completed 27 of 37 passes for 269 yards and three TDs, and he knew what to do on the second TD to Gray. “It's not just me, it's the quarterback coaches and the players, we go through certain checks you get to versus certain coverages,” Mahomes said. “I was able to see by the way they lined up they were getting into their cover-zero look. I alerted the guys to make sure they saw what I saw and I gave the check at the line of scrimmage.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflMeat from fin whales caught for the first time in nearly 50 years off Japan’s northern coast fetched up to more than $1,300 per kilogram at auction Thursday, as officials try to keep the struggling industry alive. Japan’s Fisheries Agency this year added fin whales to its list of three whale species that can be legally hunted as the country expands commercial whaling along its coast. Japan resumed commercial whaling within its exclusive economic zone after withdrawing from the International Whaling Commission in 2019. The IWC designated the fin whale as a species for protection from overhunting in 1976. Japan said its recent stock surveys confirmed a sufficient recovery of fin whale populations in the North Pacific. Officials said 30 of the whales — half of the quota of 60 — were caught this season. Japan set a combined catch quota of 379 for the three other whale species — minke, Bryde's and sei whales. The country's only large-scale whaling fleet operator Kyodo Senpaku Co launched the 7.5 billion-yen Kangei Maru — a 9,300-ton new ship — this year in a show of determination to stay in the industry. On Thursday, some 1.4 tons of fresh meat from several fin whales caught off Japan’s northern main island of Hokkaido was auctioned at the Sapporo fish market and the Kangei Maru’s home port of Shimonoseki. In Shimonoseki, where 250 kilograms of fin whale meat was flown from Hokkaido for the event, the tail meat — a delicacy known as “onomi” — fetched the day’s highest price at 200,000 yen per kilogram, according to the city’s fishery promotion department. “We hear the larger the whale, the better the taste, so I assume fin whales are more delicious than other kinds of whales, though I never had a chance to taste it and cannot compare,” city official Ryo Minezoe said. Japan’s whaling has long been a source of controversy and criticism from conservationists. But anti-whaling protests have largely subsided after Japan switched from much-criticized Antarctic “research whaling” — seen as a cover for commercial hunts — to commercial whaling off the country's waters. Last year, Japanese whalers caught 294 minke, Bryde’s and sei whales — less than 80% of the quota and fewer than the number once hunted in the Antarctic and the northwestern Pacific under the research program. Whaling officials link the declining catch to climate change, but critics say overhunting may be the cause. Nanami Kurasawa, who heads a conservationist group Dolphin & Whale Action Network, opposes resuming hunts of fin whales, saying they had gone nearly extinct after overhunt decades ago and their details around the Japanese coasts are not fully researched. Whalers want to go after larger whales because of efficiency, but they should more thoroughly investigate whale stock, she says. Whale meat in Japan was an affordable source of protein for the country's malnourished population in the years following World War II, with annual consumption peaking at 233,000 tons in 1962. Other meats have largedly replaced whale and supply has since fallen to around 2,000 tons in recent years, Fisheries Agency statistics show. Japanese officials want to increase that to about 5,000 tons, to keep the industry afloat. Experts say they doubt there is much demand in Japan where whale meat is no longer a familiar, affordable food. The biggest question is if the industry can survive without government subsidies of hundreds of millions of yen (millions of dollars). Nobuhiro Kishigami, a professor and expert on indigenous whaling at National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka, said whale meat is eaten in some whaling towns but rarely in Tokyo or elsewhere in Japan. Whale meat is more expensive than beef or other meat. “It is not a kind of food you have daily, but a delicacy ... If it is not accessible and delicious, well, let’s leave the taste aside, it won’t sell if it is not cheap and good,” he said. “This is supposed to be business, and without large government subsidies, I think it would be extremely difficult for it to be sustainable.”

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 9:28 a.m. ESTTORONTO, ON — Canada’s most populous province may bar American-made alcohol in addition to restricting electricity exports to Michigan, New York and Minnesota if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump i mposes sweeping tariffs on all Canadian products, a senior official said Thursday. The official in Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government said that it's contemplating restricting Ontario's liquor control board from buying American-made alcohol. Ontario is also considering restricting exports of critical minerals required for electric vehicle batteries and preventing U.S.-based companies from the government's procurement process, the official said on condition on anonymity because the functionary wasn't authorized to speak publicly about the potential measures. Ford confirmed on Wednesday evening that Ontario is contemplating restricting electricity exports to Michigan, New York State and Minnesota. He reiterated that on Thursday and said it would make electricity unaffordable for Americans. “It’s a last resort,” Ford said. “I don’t think President-elect Trump wants that to happen. We're sending a message to the U.S. If you come and attack Ontario, you attack livelihoods of people in Ontario and Canadians, we are going to use every tool in our tool box to defend Ontarians and Canadians. Let's hope it never comes to that." Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tax on all products entering the United States from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs. Ontario powered 1.5 million homes in the U.S. in 2023 and is a major exporter of electricity to Michigan, Minnesota and New York. "That's OK if he that does that. That's fine,” Trump told CNBC when asked about Ford's remarks on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. “The United States is subsidizing Canada and we shouldn't have to do that," Trump said. "And we have a great relationship. I have so many friends in Canada, but we shouldn't have to subsidize a country. We're subsidizing more than a $100 billion a year. We shouldn't have to be doing that." The CNBC reporter said off camera that Trump told him that they hope they can work something out with Canada. The premier of the oil rich Canadian province of Alberta ruled out cutting off oil exports. “Under no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said. “Instead, we’re taking a diplomatic approach and we’re meeting with our allies in the U.S. We’re making the case for Alberta oil and gas to be part of the solution to energy affordability and energy security.” Canada supplies more oil to the U.S. than any other country, nearly 4.5 million barrels a day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada and a fifth of the crude refined in the U.S. comes from Canada. “If you put a 25% tariff on oil from Alberta that increases every gallon of gasoline by one dollar,” Ford said. About 85% of U.S. electricity imports come from Canada as well. Canada also has 34 critical minerals and metals the Pentagon is eager for. Nearly 3.6 billion Canadian dollars ($2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Canada has promised more border security spending to address Trump’s border concerns. Ford said that will include more border and police officers, as well as drones and sniffer dogs. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently had dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Florida, said they plan to share details of those border plans with the incoming Trump administration in the coming days. Alberta's government is creating a new sheriff patrol unit to shore up security at the border. It will be supported by about 50 sheriffs, 10 cold weather surveillance drones and four drug detection dogs. Alberta Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said a two-kilometer (1.2-mile) deep zone along the border with Montana will be deemed critical infrastructure, so sheriffs can arrest without a warrant anyone found attempting to cross illegally or trafficking illegal drugs or weapons. At the Mar-a-Lago dinner, Kristen Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., said that Washington's trade deficit with Canada was also raised. Hillman said the U.S. had a $75 billion trade deficit with Canada last year but noted a third of what Canada sells into the U.S. is energy exports and prices have been high. Trudeau said this week that U.S.-imposed tariffs would be “absolutely devastating” for the Canadian economy, but it would also mean real hardship for Americans. Canada imposed duties in 2018 against the U.S. in a tit-for-tat response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum. Canadian officials have said that it's unfair to lump Canada in with Mexico. LeBlanc said that illegal migration from Canada to the U.S. is only 0.6% of the total, and fentanyl from Canada is 0.2% of the total of U.S. seizures. Quebec Premier Françoise Legault said that Trump told him in Paris last week that he doesn't want to see anymore illegal immigration coming from Canada. Quebec is a major supplier of electricity to the U.S. Legault noted Trudeau's plan to strengthen border security. “I prefer that than starting a war and stopping sending energy to the United States,” Legault said. Newfoundland Premier Andrew Furey said he had a call with New England governors this week and said there is a significant degree of concern on both sides of the border. “We hope it is just bluster,” Furey said. “We are preparing as if it is not. There will be no winner in a trade war."

CLEVELAND — Myles Garrett didn't want an apology from T.J. Watt. Instead, he demanded respect. Garrett showed Watt why he's the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, recording three sacks in a dominant first half that set the tone for Cleveland's shocking 24-19 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. It was the kind of performance Garrett had numerous times last season, when he was voted the league’s top defensive player over Watt, the Pittsburgh edge rusher who had more sacks and seemed to have an issue with finishing second. Watt won the award in 2021. On the night Garrett received the award, Watt posted on social media, “Nothing I’m not used to.” The post received 5.5 million views. Earlier this week, Garrett responded to Watt’s slight by saying, “I’ve never complained about the trophy not being at my house and vice versa.” Garrett felt disrespected and took it out on the Steelers. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) dive for a fumble in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Cleveland. Credit: AP/David Richard “I was really focused on going out there and playing the very best ball I could,” Garrett said. “But, yeah, I wanted to make it known that I'm the guy. I'm the No. 1 edge defender. That was a statement I was intending to make, and I think I made.” After Garrett ended the first half with his third sack of Wilson, Browns teammate Ogbo Okoronkwo mimicked putting a crown on Garrett's helmet. “You don't want to put a chip on Myles' shoulders,” Browns quarterback Jameis Winston said. “Because he will go off.” Garrett's three sacks gave him 10 this season. He's the only player in the league with double-digit sacks the last seven years. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) dive for a fumble in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Cleveland. Credit: AP/David Richard Watt didn't get a sack and finished with four tackles as the Steelers dropped consecutive games to the Browns for the first time since 2000. “It is very deflating,” said Watt, who did not address his rivalry with Garrett. “We need to close out games and we were not able to do that. It sucks that we couldn't hold on, but a loss is a loss.” The Steelers struggled to find a way to stop Garrett, who was reluctant to give any of his secrets. “I can't tell you because it might be used against me next time,” Garrett said with a smile. “We see them in two weeks. Let me go ahead and say it was tough and keep it at that.”MONTREAL — Second Cup Canada is cutting ties with a franchisee operating at Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital who was allegedly filmed making hateful and antisemitic comments during a protest in the city last week. Second Cup Canada announced Saturday it was cutting ties with a franchisee for “making hateful remarks and gestures,” and adding in a statement the actions breach the franchise agreement as well as inclusion and community values ​​held by the chain. Peter Mammas, CEO of Montreal-based Foodtastic, which owns Second Cup Canada, said in an interview on Sunday that he was at the movies when his phone started pinging non-stop. He saw the videos and the company’s operations staff spoke to employees that knew the woman, and they confirmed it was indeed the franchisee. Video shot during a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside of Concordia University’s downtown Montreal campus Thursday shows a woman walking around, masked, saying the “final solution is coming your way” — wording used to describe a Nazi plan to eliminate Jews in Europe during the Second World War. Another video also shows what appears to be the same woman, unmasked, making a Nazi salute while walking away. “We’re all for free speech and respectful conversations, but this wasn’t that,” Mammas said. “This was hate speech, and it was something that we thought could incite violence and we’re completely against that, so we sat down with our team and decided to revoke the franchise agreement.” Attempts to reach the franchisee were unsuccessful on Sunday. “Second Cup has zero tolerance for hate speech,” the coffee chain said in a statement on X. “In co-ordination with the hospital, we’ve shut down the franchisee’s café and are terminating their franchise agreement.” Mammas said lawyers for the franchisee and Second Cup were expected to meet on Monday. The regional health agency serving West-Central Montreal, which includes the Jewish General Hospital, said it was made aware of the video “containing antisemitic and hateful messaging.” The video is related to a franchisee of Second Cup, one of the private tenants operating within the (Jewish General), Carl Thériault, a spokesman, said in a statement on Sunday. “We fully support Second Cup’s decision to take swift and decisive action in this matter by shutting down the franchisee’s cafés and terminating their lease agreement.” The hospital has two locations operated by the same franchisee and both were shuttered on Saturday by the owners of the chain. The health agency “is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and stands firmly against antisemitism and any other form of discrimination or hate speech,” Thériault said. “We have franchisees who are Muslim, we have franchisees who are Jewish, we have franchisees that are Greek, French, we have employees from all different nations,” Mammas said. “So we definitely have no issue with that and we don’t take any political side, but ... hate speech ... you know we can’t accept that.”TEHRAN - A team of archaeologists claims to have identified the location of the historic Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, fought in c. 636 CE between Iran’s Sasanian Empire and an invading Arab army in present-day Iraq. The Arab victory over the army of Yazdegerd III marked the end of his dynasty and the beginning of Arab and Islamic rule in Persia. The discovery, based on declassified U.S. spy satellite images from the 1970s, sheds new light on one of the pivotal events in the early Islamic conquests, ILNA reported on Sunday. The findings, published in the journal Antiquity, result from a collaborative effort between archaeologists from Durham University in the UK and scholars from Al-Qadisiyyah University in Iraq. The research points to a site approximately 30 kilometers south of Kufa, in Iraq’s Najaf province, as the likely battlefield. The Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, fought on the border of the Mesopotamian floodplain and the desert, holds significant historical and cultural importance, particularly in the Arab world, and has been extensively documented in historical texts. The research utilized Cold War-era satellite images, which offer insights into features that have since been altered or obscured by agricultural expansion and urbanization. These older images reveal trench-like formations, canals, and fortifications associated with the battlefield. According to the researchers, such features are no longer as discernible in contemporary satellite images due to significant environmental and developmental changes in the region. A prominent discovery includes a 10-kilometer double-walled structure, possibly a canal, linking a square fortress on the desert’s edge to a settlement near the floodplain. These features align with historical descriptions of the battle’s geography, further supporting the site’s identification. The archaeological team plans to conduct further excavations at the site within the next year to gather additional evidence and verify their findings. If confirmed, the discovery could provide deeper insights into the military strategies and environmental conditions of the period, while also enhancing our understanding of this transformative moment in Middle Eastern history. According to the archaeological team, this groundbreaking study not only offers a tangible connection to an event of immense historical importance but also demonstrates the power of modern technology, including declassified imagery and digital mapping, in uncovering the secrets of the past. AM

Thanksgiving Weekend Sports Guide: Your roadmap to NFL matchups, other games, times, oddsChennai, Tamil Nadu, India (NewsVoir) NoBroker, India’s first proptech unicorn, is bringing an exciting opportunity for homebuyers with the launch of its much-anticipated NoBroker Property Carnival. The event will be held on November 23 and 24, 2024, in Chennai’ Hyatt Regency, Annasalai, offering an exclusive platform for potential homeowners to explore a wide range of top-selling and newly launched properties from some of the city's most prominent developers. With over 15 leading developers participating, the event promises a one-stop shop for homebuyers looking to make informed decisions about their next home. Attendees can expect to see the latest projects from reputed names like Pacifica, VGN, Purvankara, Purva Land, Elephantine, LML, BSCPL, Shriram Properties, KG Builders, DRA, Casagrand, Urbanrise, Adroit, Sameera, VR Foundation, Radiance, and Marutham Group, among others. End-to-End Home Buying Experience: NoBroker is committed to providing homebuyers with a seamless and stress-free journey, offering cutting-edge technology solutions at every stage of the home-buying process, from property selection to booking. Attendees can take advantage of the NoBroker Property Carnival’s unique on-the-spot offers, including attractive discounts, customized payment plans, and home loan assistance, all under one roof. Exclusive Offers for Homebuyers: Buyers attending the carnival will enjoy a host of exclusive benefits, including: • Up to Rs 2 Lakh in savings on select RERA-approved projects • Tailor-made payment plans with flexible options • 20:80 Payment Plans for easy financing • Subvention offers of up to 6 months • Zero floor rise charges • Free gold coins to home buyers • Discounts upto INR 10 lacs on specific properties, and many more spot offers • Attractive offers from financing partners for home loans Saurabh Garg, Co-founder and CEO of NoBroker, said, “The demand for homes in Chennai has never been higher, and homebuyers are more discerning and proactive than ever before. At NoBroker, we understand the importance of helping them find their dream homes. That’s why we’ve partnered with over 15 of Chennai’s top developers to bring a wide variety of options under one roof. Whether you're looking for a new launch or a ready-to-move-in property, the Property Carnival offers something for everyone, making this an event unmissable for homebuyers.” Convenience and Technology-Driven Solutions The NoBroker Property Carnival isn’t just about great deals; it’s also about leveraging technology to simplify the homebuying process. From browsing projects to booking a property, NoBroker's innovative digital solutions will ensure that homebuyers have the information and support they need every step of the way. All of this makes it the perfect opportunity for homebuyers to explore the latest trends in the real estate market and make well-informed investment decisions. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or an investor looking for good returns from real estate, the NoBroker Property Carnival in Chennai has you covered. About NoBroker NoBroker.com, India’s first proptech unicorn, is a tech-driven, brokerage-free real estate platform that streamlines real estate transactions. A comprehensive solution for all property-related needs, it reduces information asymmetry in India’s real estate sector with cutting-edge technology. It supports users through their entire journey, from property search to packers & movers, home loans, painting, cleaning services, legal support, and rent payments. With over 3.5 crore registered users across Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Delhi-NCR, NoBroker.com is the world’s largest P2P real estate platform. Founded by Akhil Gupta (IIT Bombay), Amit Kumar Agarwal (IIT Kanpur, IIM Ahmedabad), and Saurabh Garg (IIT Bombay, IIM Ahmedabad), NoBroker is committed to organising India’s largely unorganised real estate market. The platform has raised $366 million from marquee investors, including General Atlantic, Tiger Global, Google, Elevation Capital, Moore Capital, Beenext, and KTB Ventures. Vijay Shekhar Sharma and Anand Chandrasekaran are angel investors in the company. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail a third time as he awaits sex trafficking trial

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Starting as a meme but developing into a superpower, Dogecoin (DOGE) has lately attracted a lot of momentum. DOGE is still a strong competitor in the crypto market with a live price of $0.3912 as of writing, a 24-hour trading volume of more than $10.65 billion, and a 179% increase in the previous 30 days. Analyzers speculate it might be getting ready for yet another 200% bull run. However, some traders are focusing on a lesser rival with significantly more promise within the current DOGE frenzy: Rexas Finance (RXS). Rexas Finance , with a presale price of $0.08 as of writing, is becoming more and more popular as the token that might outperform DOGE might pump from $0.08 to $10, an astounding 12,400% spike. Why Traders Are Betting on Rexas Finance (RXS) Rexas Finance is a project combining modern technology, real-world use cases, and a community-first attitude rather than merely another cryptocurrency. Rexas Finance offers substance and creativity unlike DOGE, which mostly depends on community buzz and social media. With a presale generating over $10.66 million and selling more than 180 million RXS tokens as of writing, the currency is already causing a stir in the crypto scene. Reflecting increasing investor confidence, the presale price has jumped 165% from $0.03 in Stage 1 to $0.08 in Stage 6. The Momentum Behind RXS 1. Game-Changing Real-World Asset Tokenization Rexas Finance lets consumers tokenize assets including real estate, gold, and artwork, therefore transforming the trillion-dollar real-world asset (RWA) market. Anyone can easily purchase, sell, or fractionalize ownership of these assets on this platform, therefore democratizing investing prospects all around. Rexas Finance is a fascinating option for forward-looking investors since it offers a total market opportunity worth trillions and could change the way assets are handled. 2. Certik Audited for Security and Trust In the crypto realm, openness and security rule most importantly. Following a comprehensive Certik audit, Rexas Finance guarantees that its smart contracts and platform are safe and dependable. 3. Listed on CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko Lists of Rexas Finance on CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko provide it visibility among millions of crypto aficionados. By offering real-time information and insights, these sites help to increase investor trust. A Presale Opportunity Like No Other Rexas Finance’s presale stage 6 right now is 90.39% filled, and tokens cost $0.08. Once the stage moves forward, the price will rise by 15% to $0.09, therefore lessening the possibility for early adopters to reap benefits. Why You Should Act Now: From its present presale price, Rexas Finance is expected to start at $0.20 in early 2025, a 280% rise from $0.080. Experts project that RXS might reach $10, a 12,400% increase—far more than DOGE’s projected 200% run. Great success with mass sales: Showing great demand and investor trust, over $10.66 million raised as of writing and counting. Rexas Finance distinguishes itself by choosing a community-first strategy and by avoiding venture capital money. By stressing personal investment over corporate interests, this approach guarantees that the initiative stays true to its goal. Rexas Finance is holding a $1 million RXS giveaway to honor its community even more. Twenty fortunate winners will each get $50,000 worth of RXS tokens from 250,314 entries as of writing. Completing tasks on the Rexas Finance website and distributing the giveaway will help participants raise their odds of winning. How RXS Outshines DOGE Although DOGE is still rather popular, its expansion mostly depends on market attitude and speculative curiosity. Rexas Finance, on the other hand, presents a clear road map for expansion, strong technology, and actual value. Important distinctions include: An asset tokenizing no-code tool is Token Builder. Launchpad: A forum for tokenized project funding raising. Compliance with ERC-20, ERC-721, and ERC-1155 token requirements yields multi-standard support. These qualities make Rexas Finance a platform with countless opportunities rather than only a coin. The Road to $10 Just the beginning is Rexas Finance’s ascent from $0.03 in Stage 1 to its expected launch price of $0.20. The route to $10 gets more realistic as the token picks momentum and gets listings on three out of the top 10 Tier-1 exchanges. With its fresh strategy and solid market positioning, RXS is destined to take the front stage in the crypto space. Although the possible 200% bull run of Dogecoin is fascinating, it is not worth compared to the possibility Rexas Finance offers. With its presale price of just $0.08 and the possibility to reach $10, RXS presents unmatched development opportunities. The presale is fast filling up while the clock is running out. Don’t miss your opportunity to contribute to this ground-breaking endeavor. Invest in Rexas Finance right now to set yourself up for large rewards in the next months. For more information about Rexas Finance (RXS) visit the links below: Website: https://rexas.com Win $1 Million Giveaway: https://bit.ly/Rexas1M Whitepaper: https://rexas.com/rexas-whitepaper.pdf Twitter/X: https://x.com/rexasfinance Telegram: https://t.me/rexasfinanceLOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams have claimed cornerback Emmanuel Forbes off waivers from Washington. The Rams (6-6) announced the move Monday. They waived undrafted rookie defensive back Charles Woods to make room on the roster. Forbes was the 16th overall draft pick in 2023, but the Commanders released him Saturday in yet another latest flop for their first-round selections under former coach Ron Rivera. Forbes started 10 games as a rookie, but the Mississippi State product got benched during the season — and his playing time dwindled to almost nothing under new coach Dan Quinn this season. Forbes was considered undersized to be an elite NFL defensive back before Washington used a first-round pick on him, and his play did little to discourage that perception. But the Rams are taking a flier on Forbes to help their mediocre pass defense. Darious Williams, a member of the Rams' Super Bowl championship team who returned to Los Angeles this season as a free agent, has been their best cover corner, but he struggled in Sunday's victory over New Orleans. Third-year pro Cobie Durant has started all 12 games this season with one interception. Los Angeles already traded Tre'Davious White, its other major offseason signing at cornerback, after the former Pro Bowler failed to perform. The Rams shipped White to Baltimore for a seventh-round pick swap last month. Woods has played in nine games for the Rams, appearing mostly on special teams. Los Angeles hosts Buffalo on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFLCyber Monday has arrived, bringing with it fantastic discounts and promotions from some of the top brands in consumer tech. Samsung is just one of the many contenders in the savings extravaganza, and we’ve found some incredible deals on Samsung TVs , soundbars , earbuds , and plenty of other gear that we can’t wait to talk about. And while some of the models are a year old, this just means you’ll be able to save even more! Take the incredible 85-inch QN900C, for instance: Even though it’s a 2023 set, you’ll be able to order it brand-new through Samsung for $5,500 (this TV usually costs $8,000). Our list contains Samsung TV deals , Samsung phone deals , and even a handful of appliance deals . Splitting the discounts between reputable retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Samsung’s site, these phenomenal markdowns could make all the difference for your Christmas shopping this year! Our top pick: Samsung 85-inch QN900C 8K QLED — $5,500 $8,000 31% off What’s not to love about one of the biggest, best-looking QLED TVs you could buy in 2023? Still sold brand-new, the Samsung 85-inch QN900C has a massive $2,500 discount on Samsung’s site. Experience some of the brightest and most colorful picture quality you’ve ever seen, on top of incredible 8K upscaling. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro — $189 $280 33% off Samsung makes some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds on the market, and the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are on a whole new level. They’re usually $280, but with this Samsung promotion, you’ll be able to get $91 in savings following a 33% discount. Samsung 34-inch ViewFinity S5 Monitor — $220 $380 42% off If you’re a diehard PC gamer, you’re going to want to get yourself a gorgeous Samsung monitor for Christmas! And right now, when you purchase the 34-inch ViewFinity S5 with AMD FreeSync and a native 100Hz refresh rate from Best Buy, you’ll save yourself $160. Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra — $490 $650 25% off Treat yourself to one of the best smartwatch deals we’ve seen all week! Get a $160 discount when you order the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra , a remarkably comfortable watch with a bevy of features and incredible battery life. Samsung HW-S800D Q-Symphony Soundbar — $628 $898 30% off This 3.1.2 Dolby Atmos soundbar will make you feel like you’re right in the middle of your favorite movie and TV show scenes, and thanks to Samsung’s Q-Symphony tech, you’ll be able to connect it wirelessly to specific Samsung TVs. Oh, and it’s also 30% off on Amazon today. Samsung 70-inch Q60C 4K QLED — $1,000 $1,200 17% off Who could say no to saving $200 on a great Samsung 4K QLED? It’s also hard to pass up the kind of bright, bold picture and top-shelf motion handling the Q60C brings to the table. And if you’re a smart TV fanatic, Samsung’s Tizen OS gives you access to numerous apps, games, and other cool features. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 — $1,220 With several color options to choose from, it’s hard to say no to a brand-new Samsung phone for the holidays. Plus, when you order the 512GB unlocked version through Samsung, you can get a $100 discount, for savings of 8%. Samsung HW-Q990D 11.1.4 Soundbar — $1,500 $2,000 25% off Get ready to save big on one of the best Samsung soundbars of 2024. The HW-990D is a full-fledged Dolby Atmos soundbar that usually sells for $2,000, but it’s marked down to $1,500 as part of Samsung’s Cyber Monday savings. Samsung Bespoke All-in-One Ultra Capacity Washer and Dryer — $1,899 $3,324 43% off Sometimes we have to spend big on necessities, which is why we’re glad to see a hefty $1,425 discount on the Samsung Bespoke All-in-One Washer. With up to 5.3 cubic feet in space, you’ll have no issues washing and drying your clothes quickly and efficiently. Samsung Bespoke 4-Door French Door Refrigerator — $1,999 $3,399 42% off Have you been waiting to splurge on a premium fridge? This week, when you order the Samsung Bespoke 4-Door French Door through the company’s site, you’ll save $1,400! Sleek and modern, you’ll have plenty of room to store food and drinks, and the fridge even has a built-in Beverage Center. How to choose a Samsung product on Cyber Monday Even though Samsung offers discounts all the time on many of its top tech items, the Cyber Monday savings you’ll find on many Samsung devices are, in many cases, much better than some of the markdowns we’ve seen in months past. As the holiday draws nearer, you’ll want to pay extra-close attention to specific 2023 hardware, especially TVs. That 85-inch QN900C is a perfect example, as the TV hasn’t seen this low of a discount, period. You’ll also want to keep an eye on trade-in offers, especially when buying through Samsung directly. Take the Galaxy Z Flip 6 deal , for instance: Even after the $100 discount, Samsung will give you up to $750 in purchase credit when you trade in an eligible device. It’s also a good idea to add bookmarks to your phone or PC browser for whatever type of Samsung hardware you’re looking for. This ensures you’ll be able to check up on the pricing of these go-to items in a snap! How we chose these Cyber Monday Samsung deals Do any reading on our site, and it will quickly become apparent how closely Digital Trends watches Samsung releases. We’ve been writing about the company’s cutting-edge tech for well over a decade and have had the opportunity to test a number of these products. We lean on our expertise whenever possible, but it’s also important to us to shine a light on the best discounts on the market, especially during Cyber Monday. It’s our job to stay on top of the latest Samsung deals , and we take our discount hunting very seriously. We also aim to highlight the Samsung offers that are a bit rare, like the two Samsung Bespoke appliance deals we added to this list. Samsung makes a lot of great devices, many of which are easy to set up, use, and enjoy.

An Israeli airstrike flattened a multistory building in central Gaza, killing at least 25 people and wounding dozens more, according to Palestinian medical officials, after strikes Thursday across the Gaza Strip killed at least 28 others. The latest deadly strike hit the urban Nuseirat refugee camp just hours after U.S. President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters in Jerusalem that the recent ceasefire in Lebanon has helped clear the way for a potential deal to end the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the deadly strike in Nuseirat. Israel says it is trying to eliminate Hamas, which led the attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war in Gaza . The Israeli military says Hamas militants hide among Gaza’s civilian population. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine in some of the hardest-hit parts of the territory. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 250 others were taken hostage. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Here's the latest: DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — An Israeli airstrike hit the central Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing at least 25 Palestinians and wounding dozens more, Palestinian medics said, just hours after President Joe Biden’s national security adviser raised hopes about a ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza. Photos from the scene of the blast that circulated on social media showed a completely collapsed building with people walking through its mangled and charred remains, smoke rising from piles of belongings strewn over the rubble. Officials at two hospitals in the Gaza Strip, al-Awda Hospital in the north and al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza, reported they received a combined total of 25 bodies from an Israeli strike on a multistory residential building in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp. Palestinian medics also reported that over 40 people, most of them children, were receiving treatment at the two hospitals. The al-Aqsa Hospital said that the Israeli attack also damaged several nearby houses in Nuseirat. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the deadly strike. Israel is trying to eliminate Hamas, which led the attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war in Gaza . The Israeli military says Hamas militants hide among Gaza’s civilian population. Israel’s war against Hamas has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine. Israel says it allows enough aid to enter and blames U.N. agencies for not distributing it. The U.N. says Israeli restrictions, and the breakdown of law and order after Israel repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, make it extremely difficult to operate in the territory. UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. food agency is trying to deal with massive needs in Syria not only from escalating war-related food insecurity and an upsurge in displaced people fleeing Lebanon but also the dramatically new environment following the ouster of Bashar Assad, a senior U.N. official says. “It’s a triple crisis and the needs are going to be massive,” said Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the World Food Program, in an interview with The Associated Press late Wednesday. The WFP estimated that 3 million people in Syria were “acutely food insecure” and very hungry. However, that estimate was made before the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon pushed many Syrian refugees back to their home country, plus the instability caused by the overthrow of Assad. Due to funding cuts, the WFP had been targeting only 2 million of those people, he said. Because WFP has been working in Syria during the 13-year civil war, he said, it has pre-positioned food in the country. It has 500 staff in seven offices nationwide and has operated across conflict lines, across borders, and with all different parties, he said. Skau said Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel group now in control of Syria, has promised to provide security for WFP warehouses. Humanitarian aid supplies had been looted at U.N. warehouses in the disorder after Assad fell. “We’re not really up and running in Damascus because of the continued kind of uncertainty there,” he said. WFP initially thought of relocating non-essential staff but the situation in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, has been “quite calm and orderly," he said. In the short term, Skau said, “what we’re seeing is that markets are disrupted, the value of the currency dropped dramatically, food prices are going up, transport lines don’t work,” and it’s unclear who will stamp required papers for imports and exports. This means that a bigger humanitarian response is needed initially, he said, but in the next phase, the U,N. will be looking at contributing to Syria’s recovery, and ultimately the country will need reconstruction. Skau said he expects a new funding appeal for Syria and urged donors to be generous. JERUSALEM — President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters in Jerusalem on Thursday that Israel’s ceasefire in Lebanon has helped clear the way for another deal to end the war in Gaza. He plans to travel next to Qatar and Egypt — key mediators in the ceasefire talks — as the Biden administration makes a final push on negotiations before Donald Trump is inaugurated. Sullivan said “Hamas’ posture at the negotiating table did adapt” after Israel decimated the leadership of its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon and reached a ceasefire there. “We believe it puts us in a position to close this negotiation,” he said. Sullivan dismissed speculation that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was waiting for Trump to take office to finalize a deal. He the U.S. believes there are three American hostages still alive in Gaza, but it’s hard to know for sure. He also said “the balance of power in the Middle East has changed significantly” since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, especially with the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, a key ally of Hezbollah and Iran. “We are now faced with a dramatically reshaped Middle East in which Israel is stronger, Iran is weaker, its proxies decimated, and a ceasefire that is new and will be lasting in Lebanon that ensures Israel’s security over the long term,” he said. KHIAM, Lebanon — An Israeli strike killed at least one person Thursday in the Lebanese border town of Khiam, the Health Ministry said, less than a day after Israeli troops handed the hilltop village back to the Lebanese army in coordination with U.N. peacekeepers, Khiam is the first Lebanese town Israel has pull out of since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah militants began two weeks ago, and marks an important test of the fragile truce . Lebanon's Health Ministry and state news agency did not provide details on who was killed, and did not report airstrikes elsewhere on Thursday. The Israeli military said an airstrike targeted Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon, without saying if the strike was in Khiam. Lebanese troops deployed in the northern section of the town on Thursday morning and were coordinating with U.N. peacekeepers to finalize Israel’s withdrawal before fully entering into other neighborhoods. An Associated Press reporter who visited Khiam on Thursday observed widespread destruction, with most houses reduced to rubble. Entire neighborhoods were flattened, with collapsed walls and debris scattered across the streets. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, sharply criticized Israel for striking the town less than 24 hours after the Lebanese army returned, saying it was “a violation of the pledges made by the parties that sponsored the ceasefire agreement, who must act to curb Israeli aggression.” The truce was brokered by the U.S. and France. Israel has previously said the ceasefire deal allows it to use military force against perceived violations. Near-daily attacks by Israel during the ceasefire, mostly in southern Lebanon, have killed at least 29 people and wounded 27 others. Khiam, which sits on a ridge less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the border with Israel, saw some of the most intense fighting during the war. The Lebanese army was clearing debris and reopening roads in the northern section of the town. Civilian access to other areas remained challenging as the army clears roads and works alongside the U.N. peacekeepers to ensure the area is free of unexploded ordnance. AQABA, Jordan -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is urging the many players in Syria to avoid taking any steps that could lead to further violence. Blinken spoke to reporters in Jordan on Thursday shortly after meeting King Abdullah II as he opened a trip in the region to discuss Syria's future after former President Bashar Assad's ouster. Blinken will next visit Turkey, a NATO ally and a main backer of Syrian rebel groups. Blinken called this “a time of both real promise but also peril for Syria and for its neighbors.” He said he was focused on coordinating efforts in the region “to support the Syrian people as they transition away from Assad’s brutal dictatorship” and establish a government that isn’t dominated by one religion or ethnic group or outside power. Blinken was asked about Israel’s incursion into a buffer zone that had been demilitarized for the past half century. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the move is temporary and defensive, but also indicated Israel will remain in the area for a long time. Blinken declined to say whether the U.S. supports the move, but said the U.S. would be speaking to Israel and other partners in the region. “I think, across the board, when it comes to any actors who have real interests in Syria, it’s also really important at this time that, we all try to make sure that we’re not sparking any additional conflicts,” he said. ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, arrived in Damascus on Thursday, according to Turkish media reports. Kalin was seen arriving at the Umayyad Mosque to pray, surrounded by a large crowd, according to video shown on Turkish television. The visit is highly symbolic. Turkish officials, who supported the opposition against Syria’s government, had predicted at the start of the civil war in 2011 that President Bashar Assad’s government would fall, allowing them to pray at the Umayyad Mosque. JERUSALEM — Paraguay reopened its embassy in Jerusalem Thursday, becoming one of a small handful of nations to recognize the city as Israel’s capital and marking a diplomatic victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel’s international isolation has increased as the war in Gaza drags on, and Paraguay was the first country to move its embassy to Jerusalem since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack that kickstarted the war. The United States, Honduras, Guatemala, Kosovo, and Papua New Guinea are among the few countries with Jerusalem embassies. Israel annexed east Jerusalem in 1967 but it wasn’t recognized by the international community, and most countries run their embassies out of Tel Aviv. Spirits were high at the ceremony marking the embassy’s inauguration Thursday, with Netanyahu and Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar lavishing praise on Paraguayan President Santiago Pena. “My good friend Santiago,” said Netanyahu, addressing Pena. “We’re a small nation. You’re a small nation. We suffered horrible things but we overcame the odds of history...we can win and we are winning.” Paraguay had an embassy in Jerusalem in 2018, under Former President Horacio Cartes. That embassy was moved back to Tel Aviv by Cartes’ successor, Mario Abdo Benitez, prompting Israel to close its embassy in Asuncion. Saar said Israel and Paraguay shared a “friendship based not only on interests but also values and principles.” He and the Paraguayan foreign minister, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, signed a series of bilateral agreements and Saar said he would soon visit Asunción with a delegation from the Israeli private sector. “Israel is going to win and the countries we are standing next to Israel, we are going to win," Pena said. AQABA, Jordan — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is renewing calls for Syria’s new leadership to respect women and minority rights, prevent extremists from gaining new footholds in the country and keeping suspected chemical weapons stocks secure as he makes his first visit to the Mideast since the weekend ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad . Making his 12th trip to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war erupted lasted year but amid fresh concerns about security following the upheaval in Syria, Blinken emphasized Thursday to Jordan’s King Abdullah II U.S. “support for an inclusive transition that can lead to an accountable and representative Syrian government chosen by the Syrian people,” the State Department said. Blinken also repeated the importance the outgoing Biden administration puts on respect for human rights and international law, the protection of civilians and stopping terrorist groups from reconstituting. Blinken met with the monarch and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Aqaba before traveling to Turkey for talks with Turkish officials on the situation in Syria and the urgency of securing a long-elusive deal to release hostages and end the fighting in Gaza that has devastated the Palestinian territory since October 2023. Abdullah told Blinken that “the first step to reach comprehensive regional calm is to end the Israeli war on Gaza." GENEVA — The U.N. envoy for Syria is calling on authorities to save evidence from detention centers that were a hub of “unimaginable barbarity” that Syrians have faced for many years and cooperate with international investigators looking into such crimes. Geir Pederson referred to new images from the notorious Saydnaya military prison north of the capital, Damascus, after President Bashar Assad fled Syria as armed groups stormed in to overthrow his government over the weekend. “The images from Saydnaya and other detention facilities starkly underscore the unimaginable barbarity Syrians have endured and reported for years,” Pedersen said in a statement. Documentation and testimonies “only scratch the surface of the carceral system’s horrors,” he added. Pedersen urged authorities to cooperate with U.N. bodies like an independent Commission of Inquiry on Syria, which was created in 2011, and an independent group known as the IIIM that was set up five years later to also compile evidence of crimes. ROME — Leaders of the Group of 7 industrialized nations offered their full support for an inclusive political transition in Syria and invited all parties to preserve the country’s territorial integrity. In a message released by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s office, the leaders said they were ready to support a transition that “leads to a credible government, inclusive and not sectarian, that guarantees respect for the state of law, universal human rights, including rights for women, (and) the protection of all Syrians, including religious and ethnic minorities.” The leaders also underlined the importance that ousted President Bashar Assad’s government is held responsible for crimes, citing “decades of atrocities.” They said they would also cooperate with groups working to prohibit chemical weapons “to secure, declare and destroy” remaining chemical arms in Syria. Italy currently holds the rotating presidency of the G-7, which also includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the United States. JERUSALEM — The Israeli military says it struck Hamas militants in two locations in the southern Gaza Strip who planned to hijack aid convoys. Palestinian Health officials had earlier said that the two strikes killed 15 men who were part of local committees established to secure aid deliveries. The committees have been organized in cooperation with the Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza. It was not possible to independently confirm either account of the strikes, which occurred overnight into Thursday. Israel has long accused Hamas of hijacking humanitarian aid deliveries, while U.N. officials have said there is no systemic diversion of aid . U.N. agencies and aid groups say deliveries are held up by Israeli restrictions on the entry of aid and movement within Gaza, as well as the breakdown of law and order more than 14 months into the war between Israel and Hamas. Israel has repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, which maintained internal security before the war. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, the main aid provider in Gaza, said a U.N. convoy of 70 trucks carrying humanitarian aid in southern Gaza “was involved in a serious incident,” resulting in just one of the trucks reaching its destination. It did not provide further details on the incident but said the same route had been used successfully two days earlier. Israel’s offensive, launched after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, has caused vast destruction and displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, leaving the territory heavily reliant on international food aid. DAMASCUS, Syria — An American who turned up in Syria on Thursday says he was detained after crossing into the country by foot on a Christian pilgrimage seven months ago. Travis Timmerman appears to have been among thousands of people released from the country’s notorious prisons after rebels reached Damascus over the weekend, overthrowing President Bashar Assad and ending his family’s 54-year rule. As video emerged online of Timmerman on Thursday, he was initially mistaken by some for Austin Tice, an American journalist who went missing in Syria 12 years ago. In the video, Timmerman could be seen lying on a mattress under a blanket in what appeared to be a private house. A group of men in the video said he was being treated well and would be safely returned home. The Biden administration is working to bring Timmerman home, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Aqaba, Jordan, without offering details, citing privacy. Timmerman later gave an interview with the Al-Arabiya TV network, saying he had illegally crossed into Syria on foot from the eastern Lebanese town of Zahle seven months ago, before being detained. He said he was treated well in detention but could hear other men being tortured. AQABA, Jordan — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Jordan on his 12th visit to the Mideast since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year and his first since the weekend ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad that has sparked new fears of instability in a region wracked by three conflicts despite a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. Blinken was meeting in Aqaba with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday before traveling to Turkey for talks with Turkish officials on Friday. The meetings will focus largely on Syria but also touch on long-elusive hopes for a deal to end the fighting in Gaza that has devastated the Palestinian territory since October 2023. Blinken is the latest senior U.S. official to visit the Middle East in the five days since Assad was deposed as the Biden administration navigates more volatility in the region in its last few weeks in office and as President-elect Donald Trump has said the U.S. should stay out of the Syrian conflict. Other include national security adviser Jake Sullivan and a top military commander who traveled there as the U.S. and Israel have launched airstrikes to prevent the Islamic State militant group from reconstituting and prevent materiel and suspected chemical weapons stocks from falling into militant hands. Blinken “will discuss the need for the transition process and new government in Syria to respect the rights of minorities, facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance, prevent Syria from being used as a base of terrorism or posing a threat to its neighbors, and ensure that chemical weapons stockpiles are secured and safely destroyed,” the State Department said. The U.S. would be willing to recognize and fully support a new Syrian government that met those criteria. U.S. officials say they are not actively reviewing the foreign terrorist organization designation of the main Syrian rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, known as HTS, which was once an al-Qaida affiliate, but stressed they are not barred from speaking to its members. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces will remain in a Syrian buffer zone until a new force on the other side of the border can guarantee security. After the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Israeli forces pushed into a buffer zone that had been established after the 1973 Mideast war. The military says it has seized additional strategic points nearby. Israeli officials have said the move is temporary, but Netanyahu’s conditions could take months or even years to fulfill as Syria charts its post-Assad future, raising the prospect of an open-ended Israeli presence in the country. Netanyahu’s office said in a statement Thursday that Assad’s overthrow by jihadi rebels created a vacuum on the border. “Israel will not permit jihadi groups to fill that vacuum and threaten Israeli communities on the Golan Heights with October 7th style attacks,” it said, referring to Hamas’ 2023 attack out of Gaza, which ignited the war there. “That is why Israeli forces entered the buffer zone and took control of strategic sites near Israel’s border.” The statement added that “this deployment is temporary until a force that is committed to the 1974 agreement can be established and security on our border can be guaranteed.” The buffer zone is adjacent to the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed. The international community, except for the United States, views the Golan as occupied Syrian territory. JERUSALEM — Israel’s military said Thursday that the attacker who fatally shot a 12-year-old Israeli boy in the occupied West Bank overnight turned himself in to authorities. The attacker opened fire on a bus near the Israeli settlement of Beitar Illit, critically wounding the boy, who hospital authorities pronounced dead in the early morning. Three others were wounded in the attack, paramedics said. The shooting took place just outside Jerusalem in an area near major Israeli settlements. JAKARTA, Indonesia — The Indonesian government has evacuated 37 citizens from Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government, officials said Thursday. The evacuees were taken by land from Damascus to Beirut, where they boarded three commercial flights to Jakarta, said Judha Nugraha, director of citizen protection at the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The Indonesian Embassy in Damascus said all 1,162 Indonesian citizens in Syria were safe. Indonesian Ambassador to Syria Wajid Fauzi said the situation in Syria has gradually returned to normal. “I can say that 98% of people’s lives are back to normal, shops are open, public transportation has started running,” Fauzi said, adding that most Indonesian nationals living in Syria had chosen to stay. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinian medical officials say Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 28 people in the Gaza Strip, including seven children and a woman. One of the strikes overnight and into Thursday flattened a house in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah, where the casualties were taken. An Associated Press reporter saw the bodies at the hospital’s morgue. Two other strikes killed 15 men who were part of local committees established to secure aid convoys . The committees were set up by displaced Palestinians in coordination with the Hamas-run Interior Ministry. The Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis received the bodies and an AP reporter counted them. The hospital said eight were killed in a strike near the southern border town of Rafah and seven others in a strike 30 minutes later near Khan Younis. 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 of whom are believed to be dead. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine. Israel says it allows enough aid to enter and blames U.N. agencies for not distributing it. The U.N. says Israeli restrictions, and the breakdown of law and order after Israel repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, make it extremely difficult to operate in the territory. UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved resolutions Wednesday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and backing the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban . The votes in the 193-nation world body were 158-9 with 13 abstentions to demand a ceasefire now and 159-9 with 11 abstentions to support the agency known as UNRWA. The votes culminated two days of speeches overwhelmingly calling for an end to the 14-month war between Israel and the militant Hamas group . General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, though they reflect world opinion. There are no vetoes in the assembly. Israel and its close ally, the United States, were in a tiny minority speaking and voting against the resolutions.McDonald’s is bringing back its iconic McRib sandwich in addition to a half-gallon jug of the McRib’s signature sauce, the fast-food chain recently announced. The sandwich , which was initially removed from the McDonald’s menu in 1985 but has made numerous returns, is set to hit stores Tuesday, according to a McDonald’s press release. The franchise also announced the sale of “A Whole Lotta McRib Sauce,” a half-gallon jug of the sandwich’s iconic sauce , “perfect for holiday parties, festive recipes or the ultimate stocking stuffer for McRib lovers.” “The McRib is more than a sandwich – it’s a part of culture, it’s a legend, it’s an event,” Tariq Hassan, the chief marketing and customer experience officer at McDonald’s, said in the press release. “McRib SZN is a holiday unto itself, so we wanted to embrace that spirit and give fans an even bigger way to celebrate this year with A Whole Lotta McRib Sauce.” The sauce became available for purchase online for $19.99 on Nov. 25, but as of Monday, it is sold out , according to the website . (RELATED: Wendy’s Celebrating SpongeBob SquarePants’ 25th Anniversary With Special Menu). McDonald’s Announces The McRib Will Return On December 3rd https://t.co/7USwB35Fx9 pic.twitter.com/SMuSYFJsmV — Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 20, 2024 The McRib is a 520-calorie sandwich with “seasoned boneless pork dipped in a tangy BBQ sauce, topped with slivered onions and tangy pickles, all served on a toasted homestyle bun.” McDonald’s did not specify how long the sandwich will be available but noted that it will be sold for a “limited time” at participating locations. The McRib was re-introduced in 2022 in what the fast-food chain called the “Farewell Tour,” according to PEOPLE. “Get one while you can because this is the McRib Farewell Tour,” the 2022 listing stated. “Enjoy our famous pork sandwich as if it’s your last!” It was brought back again in 2023. “It turns out not everyone was ready to say goodbye to the McRib after last year’s Farewell Tour. While it won’t be available nationwide, some lucky fans may find their favorite elusive saucy sandwich at their local McDonald’s restaurants this November,” the company said in 2023, according to Business Insider. The pork sandwich was first debuted at a Kansas City, Kansas, location in 1981.By RANDALL CHASE, Associated Press DOVER, Del. (AP) — A Delaware judge has reaffirmed her ruling that Tesla must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick on Monday denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. Related Articles National News | Woman driving drunk who killed bride still in her wedding dress sentenced to 25 years in prison National News | Florida woman sentenced to life for zipping boyfriend into suitcase, suffocating him National News | A top Fed official leans toward December rate cut but says it depends on economic data National News | Supreme Court justices question block on flavored vapes, but don’t appear convinced FDA was unfair National News | What medical care for transgender minors is at stake in Supreme Court case? McCormick also rejected an equally unprecedented and massive fee request by plaintiff attorneys , who argued that they were entitled to legal fees in the form of Tesla stock valued at more than $5 billion. The judge said the attorneys were entitled to a fee award of $345 million. The rulings came in a lawsuit filed by a Tesla stockholder who challenged Musk’s 2018 compensation package. McCormick concluded in January that Musk engineered the landmark pay package in sham negotiations with directors who were not independent. The compensation package initially carried a potential maximum value of about $56 billion, but that sum has fluctuated over the years based on Tesla’s stock price. 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