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90 de 100 NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urged a judge again Friday to throw out his hush money conviction, balking at the prosecution’s suggestion of preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies before sentencing. They called the idea “absurd.” The Manhattan district attorney’s office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. Those options include freezing the case until Trump leaves office in 2029, agreeing that any future sentence won’t include jail time, or closing the case by noting he was convicted but that he wasn’t sentenced and his appeal wasn’t resolved because of presidential immunity. Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove reiterated Friday that the only acceptable option to them is overturning his conviction and dismissing his indictment, writing that anything less will interfere with the transition process and his ability to lead the country. The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined comment. It’s unclear how soon Merchan will decide. He could grant Trump’s request for dismissal, go with one of the prosecution’s suggestions, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court, or choose some other option. In their response Friday, Blanche and Bove ripped each of the prosecution’s suggestions. Halting the case until Trump leaves office would force the incoming president to govern while facing the “ongoing threat” that he’ll be sentenced to imprisonment, fines or other punishment as soon as his term ends, Blanche and Bove wrote. Trump, a Republican, takes office Jan. 20. “To be clear, President Trump will never deviate from the public interest in response to these thuggish tactics,” the defense lawyers wrote. “However, the threat itself is unconstitutional.” The prosecution’s suggestion that Merchan could mitigate those concerns by promising not to sentence Trump to jail time on presidential immunity grounds is also a non-starter, Blanche and Bove wrote. If anything, the immunity statute should require dropping the case altogether, not merely limiting the judge’s sentencing options, they argued. Blanche and Bove, both of whom Trump has tabbed for high-ranking Justice Department positions, expressed outrage at the prosecution’s novel suggestion that Merchan borrow from Alabama and other states and treat the case as if Trump had died. Blanche and Bove accused prosecutors of ignoring New York precedent and attempting to “fabricate” a solution “based on an extremely troubling and irresponsible analogy between President Trump” who survived assassination attempts in Pennsylvania in July and Florida in September “and a hypothetical dead defendant.” Such an option normally comes into play when a defendant dies after being convicted but before appeals are exhausted. It is unclear whether it is viable under New York law, but prosecutors suggested that Merchan could innovate in what’s already a unique case. “This remedy would prevent defendant from being burdened during his presidency by an ongoing criminal proceeding,” prosecutors wrote in their filing this week. But at the same time, it wouldn’t “precipitously discard” the “meaningful fact that defendant was indicted and found guilty by a jury of his peers.” Prosecutors acknowledged that “presidential immunity requires accommodation” during Trump’s impending return to the White House but argued that his election to a second term should not upend a jury’s finding that came while he was out of office. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution . Other world leaders don’t enjoy the same protection. For example, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , a friend of Trump’s, is on trial on corruption charges even as he leads that nation’s wars in Lebanon and Gaza . Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records . Prosecutors said he fudged the documents to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier, which Trump denies. In their filing Friday, Trump’s lawyers citing a social media post in which Sen. John Fetterman used profane language to criticize Trump’s hush money prosecution. The Pennsylvania Democrat suggested that Trump deserved a pardon, comparing his case to that of President Joe Biden’s pardoned son Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges . “Weaponizing the judiciary for blatant, partisan gain diminishes the collective faith in our institutions and sows further division,” Fetterman wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. Trump’s hush money conviction was in state court, meaning a presidential pardon — issued by Biden or himself when he takes office — would not apply to the case. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes. Since the election, special counsel Jack Smith has ended his two federal cases , which pertained to Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and allegations that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. A separate state election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, is largely on hold. Trump denies wrongdoing in all. Trump had been scheduled for sentencing in the hush money case in late November. But following Trump’s Nov. 5 election victory, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed the former and future president’s sentencing so the defense and prosecution could weigh in on the future of the case. Merchan also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. A dismissal would erase Trump’s conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office.Politico reporter Jonathan Martin on Sunday dispelled a claim — perpetuated by House Republicans — that President-elect Donald Trump "dragged" the Senate "into the majority," as GOP infighting takes center stage leading up to Trump’s second term. CNN on Sunday reported a rift between Senate and House Republicans over the “sequencing” of Trump’s agenda. Meanwhile, Trump is trying to push a slate of controversial Cabinet picks through the U.S. Senate. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MI) on Thursday tweeted a “message to GOP senators who don’t want to confirm Trump’s nominees.” READ MORE: 'Much bigger lift': Trump bets on 'huge slate of lawyers' to overcome GOP’s 'nothing-margin of control' “Trump took a bullet to the head and then dragged you into the majority,” Burlison wrote on X. “The American people sent a mandate and the American people are watching.” That message was boosted by Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), who claimed Burlison’s assessment was “spot on.” But as Martin explained Sunday, while “Trump should get credit for helping pick up" Pennsylvania for Republicans, “the bottom line is if Trump had longer coattails,” the president-elect’s nominees “would be a lock.” Indeed, while Trump claimed an “ unprecedented and powerful mandate ” after his 2024 victory, “Trump’s margins — both in raw votes and in percentages — were small by historical standards, even for the past quarter century, ” PolitiFact reports. READ MORE: 'Landmines loom over' GOP agenda as senator warns Congress not 'on the same page' with Trump’s agenda “Anyone [with] an undergrad level of knowledge of politics grasps the polarization of Senate races,” Martin wrote. READ MORE: GOP senator lashes out at 'hypocritical' CNN over audio of Hegseth 'talking about drinking at 10 a.m.'

By Michelle Conlin and Federico Maccioni NEW YORK/ABU DHABI (Reuters) -Key players in U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's new cryptocurrency venture were among high-profile industry figures gathering at a bitcoin conference in Abu Dhabi on Monday, as the digital currency sets record highs. Speakers at the two-day event include Trump's son Eric as well as billionaire Steve Witkoff, the new White House envoy for the Middle East and co-founder of World Liberty Financial, a crypto platform launched in September that Donald Trump and his family helped set up. Attendees arriving for the Bitcoin MENA conference were greeted by displays welcoming them to the "golden age of bitcoin", alongside the live price of bitcoin, which last week smashed records when it hit $100,000, buoyed by promises from Trump that he would be the "crypto president". Nick Damico, co-founder of crypto exchange Roxom, was there, sporting one of the "Make Bitcoin Great Again" caps on sale at the conference, which is projected to draw more than 6,000 people. Nehayyan Aldhuhoori, another attendee, said he had "especially come" to hear from Eric Trump. On Tuesday, Eric Trump will deliver the keynote address of the conference and then hold a "whale-only" chat in the VIP lounge, according to the event's agenda. Witkoff spoke on Monday to that more exclusive crowd, which was closed to the press and requires a $9,999 "whale" pass, a nickname for players who have potential to move a market. The Gulf gathering comes at an inflection point for the industry. Trump, once a skeptic, has vowed to make America the new "crypto capital of the planet." The president-elect is World Liberty Financial's "chief crypto advocate", and sons Eric, Don Jr. and Barron are ambassadors, according to the WLF website. Company filings show Donald Trump is entitled to 22.5 billion WLF tokens and a share of its revenue. "The bitcoin conference carries a lot of significance for crypto as it's one of the longest-running conferences focused on bringing our industry together," said Marshall Beard of Gemini, the crypto exchange founded by Trump backers Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. WHITE HOUSE CRYPTO CZAR Other speakers also have close ties to World Liberty Financial, including Justin Sun, the 32-year-old Chinese founder of blockchain platform Tron. Three weeks after Trump won last month's U.S. presidential election, Sun posted on X that he bought $30 million worth of WLF tokens, making him the venture's largest investor. Sun was charged with crypto-related fraud and securities violations under the Biden administration. Last week Trump named a White House czar for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies, former PayPal executive David Sacks, a close friend of Trump adviser and megadonor Elon Musk. Technology and digital asset veterans gave millions to U.S. election candidates friendly to the crypto industry, according to analytics firm Breadcrumbs. Trump's 2016 campaign manager, Paul Manafort, will also address the conference. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who served a four-month U.S. prison sentence this year for crypto-tied money-laundering law violations, is holding a whale session. Trump, his family members, other speakers and their firms did not respond to requests for comment. (Additional reporting by Alexander Cornwell in Abu DhabiEditing by Tommy Reggiori Wilkes, Megan Davies and Susan Fenton)(The Center Square) – Although it remains unclear how many Democratic Senators will vote for the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, some House members in the party have explained why they voted yes, despite a controversial provision restricting military-funded transgender surgeries for minors. The nearly $900 billion bill passed the House 281-140 Wednesday, with 200 Republicans and 81 Democrats voting in favor versus 124 Democrats and 16 Republicans voting against it. Most of the NDAA consists of bipartisan agreements, such as pay raises for service members, strengthened ties with U.S. allies, and funding of new military technology. But a critical point of contention is a Republican addition that would prohibit the military’s health program from covering any gender dysphoria treatments on minors that could "result in sterilization.” The must-pass bill is so critical that nearly 40% of House Democrats voted in favor–but not without expressing their disappointment. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., condemned Republican colleagues who, she said, “chose to sully this bill with political culture wars;” nevertheless, she voted in favor. “While it doesn't address everything we asked for and consider important, including the full ability of parents to make their own decisions about healthcare for their children, it marks a rare moment of productive bipartisan agreement on what is arguably the most crucial legislation we take up as a body each year,” Houlahan said. The bill’s provision does not forbid service members’ children from receiving transgender therapy. It forbids the military’s health insurance provider, TRICARE, from covering treatments on minors that “may result in sterilization.” Reps. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, and Terri Sewell, D-Ala., also voted in favor of the bill despite their displeasure at the ban. “The NDAA is a hugely important bill. We had to pass it, which is why I voted yes,” Landsman posted on X Friday. “However, the anti-trans language that was attached to it was mean and awful and should never have been included.” “I have serious concerns about some remaining provisions that were placed in the bill for political purposes,” Sewell said Wednesday. “Still, the responsibility to support our service members and provide for our national security is one that I do not take lightly, which is why I ultimately chose to support the bill.” Besides the importance of annual military funding, another reason some House Democrats assented to the legislation is because they were successful in axing other House Republican amendments, such as a plan to eliminate reimbursements for service members who travel to obtain abortions. The Senate is expected to pass the bill within the next few days, after which President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law.ICAI intensifies disciplinary action against errant CAs

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NEW YORK – President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urged a judge again Friday to throw out his hush money conviction, balking at the prosecution’s suggestion of preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies. They called the idea “absurd.” The Manhattan district attorney's office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. Recommended Videos In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. They include freezing the case until Trump leaves office in 2029, agreeing that any future sentence won't include jail time, or closing the case by noting he was convicted but that he wasn't sentenced and his appeal wasn’t resolved because of presidential immunity. Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove reiterated Friday their position that the only acceptable option is overturning his conviction and dismissing his indictment, writing that anything less will interfere with the transition process and his ability to lead the country. The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined comment. It’s unclear how soon Merchan will decide. He could grant Trump’s request for dismissal, go with one of the prosecution’s suggestions, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court, or choose some other option. In their response Friday, Blanche and Bove ripped each of the prosecution’s suggestions. Halting the case until Trump leaves office would force the incoming president to govern while facing the “ongoing threat” that he’ll be sentenced to imprisonment, fines or other punishment as soon as his term ends, Blanche and Bove wrote. Trump, a Republican, takes office Jan. 20. “To be clear, President Trump will never deviate from the public interest in response to these thuggish tactics,” the defense lawyers wrote. “However, the threat itself is unconstitutional.” The prosecution’s suggestion that Merchan could mitigate those concerns by promising not to sentence Trump to jail time on presidential immunity grounds is also a non-starter, Blanche and Bove wrote. The immunity statute requires dropping the case, not merely limiting sentencing options, they argued. Blanche and Bove, both of whom Trump has tabbed for high-ranking Justice Department positions, expressed outrage at the prosecution’s novel suggestion that Merchan borrow from Alabama and other states and treat the case as if Trump had died. Blanche and Bove accused prosecutors of ignoring New York precedent and attempting to “fabricate” a solution “based on an extremely troubling and irresponsible analogy between President Trump" who survived assassination attempts in Pennsylvania in July and Florida in September “and a hypothetical dead defendant.” Such an option normally comes into play when a defendant dies after being convicted but before appeals are exhausted. It is unclear whether it is viable under New York law, but prosecutors suggested that Merchan could innovate in what’s already a unique case. “This remedy would prevent defendant from being burdened during his presidency by an ongoing criminal proceeding,” prosecutors wrote in their filing this week. But at the same time, it wouldn’t “precipitously discard” the “meaningful fact that defendant was indicted and found guilty by a jury of his peers.” Prosecutors acknowledged that “presidential immunity requires accommodation” during Trump’s impending return to the White House but argued that his election to a second term should not upend the jury’s verdict, which came when he was out of office. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution . Other world leaders don’t enjoy the same protection. For example, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on trial on corruption charges even as he leads that nation’s wars in Lebanon and Gaza . Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his May 30 conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records . Prosecutors said he fudged the documents to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier, which Trump denies. In their filing Friday, Trump’s lawyers citing a social media post in which Sen. John Fetterman used profane language to criticize Trump’s hush money prosecution. The Pennsylvania Democrat suggested that Trump deserved a pardon, comparing his case to that of President Joe Biden’s pardoned son Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges . “Weaponizing the judiciary for blatant, partisan gain diminishes the collective faith in our institutions and sows further division,” Fetterman wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. Trump’s hush money conviction was in state court, meaning a presidential pardon — issued by Biden or himself when he takes office — would not apply to the case. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes. Since the election, special counsel Jack Smith has ended his two federal cases , which pertained to Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and allegations that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. A separate state election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, is largely on hold. Trump denies wrongdoing in all. Trump had been scheduled for sentencing in the hush money case in late November. But following Trump’s Nov. 5 election victory, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed the former and future president’s sentencing so the defense and prosecution could weigh in on the future of the case. Merchan also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. A dismissal would erase Trump’s conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office.IMC shuts its plant for 16 days due to maintenance

New Jersey governor wants more federal resources for probe into drone sightingsNoneBy Ross Kerber (Reuters) – Investors are on track to withdraw more money from global climate funds than they deposit this year for the first time, Morningstar Sustainalytics said on Thursday, presenting an obstacle to energy-transition efforts. Net withdrawals from the funds reached nearly $24 billion for the first nine months of 2024, the arm of Chicago-based research firm Morningstar said, compared with net deposits of $40 billion during the first nine months of 2023. The funds have recorded net deposits every year since they were tracked separately in 2018, peaking at $151 billion in 2021. Inflows then fell to $60 billion in 2022 and $40 billion for 2023, Morningstar Sustainalytics said. The research firm said the recent outflows reflect factors such as the poor performance of renewable energy stocks, concerns about greenwashing, and anti-ESG sentiment. High interest rates also played a role, said Hortense Bioy, head of sustainable investing research at Morningstar Sustainalytics, holding back the performance of growth-oriented companies involved in areas such as solar power. “Those are the companies that can be quite sensitive to interest rates. The financing costs have really weighed on their valuations in the stock market,” Bioy said. Climate funds’ total assets were $572 billion as of Sept. 30, up 6% from the start of the year, driven by market appreciation. About 85% of those assets were held in European-domiciled funds, with 6% in China-based funds and 5% in U.S.-based funds. Among the climate funds, climate-transition funds that favor companies better positioned for a low-carbon economy had an average return of 17.2% through September, versus 12.4% for the average peer in the global large-cap blend equity category. Clean energy/tech funds have lagged peers since 2021 and had a negative return of 3.2% through September. There were 69 new climate-fund launches through September, off their 2023 pace when more than 200 were launched over the full year. (Reporting by Ross Kerber; Editing by Rod Nickel) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );

Adams has 19 as CSU Northridge defeats Denver 89-60Winston's performance in snowy win over Steelers adds new layer to Browns' quarterback conundrum

It was the fourth time this season they had conceded four or more and the performance showed why they have the Premier League’s worst defence. When O’Neil and the players went over to acknowledge the visiting supporters there were boos for a run of two wins in 14 league matches. “Whatever the fans think of me, there is definitely no-none working harder than me and I will continue to do so until someone tells me not to,” said O’Neil, who is under increasing pressure with his side second bottom of the table. “I go over there to see them because I appreciate every one of the Wolves fans. They have given me unbelievable support since I arrived at the football club,” he said. “We managed to produce some unbelievable stuff last season with a team that was heavily tipped by most of the nation for relegation. We managed to enjoy it together. “Now it is tough. I was happy to go over there and look them right in the face and take any criticism they want to throw at me. “I accept responsibility for my part in that. Whatever criticism they want to throw at me will not change how I feel about them. “Everyone at this football club needs to do more. We will get back to be ready to fight again on Monday (another crucial game against West Ham, whose manager Julen Lopetegui’s tenure is hanging by a thread). “I will work with everything I have. I will back myself to get the most out of the group. I understand the drive for change (but) you never know how much of a percentage of supporters it is.” Veteran Ashley Young ended Everton’s 370-minute wait for a goal with a 10th-minute free-kick, his first league goal for more than two years, and on-loan Lyon midfielder Orel Mangala blasted home his first for the club to establish a 2-0 half-time lead. Two Craig Dawson own goals secured Everton’s biggest home league win since April 2019, but manager Sean Dyche insisted their issues up front were far from sorted. He said: “It’s our fifth clean sheet in the last eight so the consistency has been there in one degree, we just haven’t been scoring goals. That’s been the hardest thing to find consistently and we haven’t solved it yet. “Goals change everything, they change opinions. That’s what football is like.” The victory was hugely important in a month in which, having been hammered 4-0 at Manchester United, they face top-six sides Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest and undoubtedly eased some of the pressure on Dyche and his players. “I’ve told them how proud I am of them,” he added. “The challenges come thick and fast on and off the pitch and they just keep going. “It’s only a step and there are many more to go but it’s a good step and a positive step. “It’s a temporary moment in time because the next one is a big one (Saturday’s Merseyside derby).”LONDON: A group of climate vulnerable nations is using a U.N. meeting this week to push for a credit ratings overhaul, arguing ratings should reflect climate resilience measures, an advisor to the group told Reuters. The U.N. meeting in New York is the second of four to set goals for a major finance conference in Spain next year, where heads of state will look to step up efforts to meet the world's climate and sustainability targets. At the forefront of the talks are 39 so-called Small Island Developing States (SIDS) - including Cuba, Haiti, Fiji and the Maldives - that are bearing the brunt of increasing tropical storms, flooding, erosion and rising sea levels. Proponents of the initiative say the current ratings system undermines their ability to raise funds because it focuses on the potential economic damage from their exposure to the effects of climate change . "For the first time, the credit rating issue is on the table and it's being negotiated," said Ritu Bharadwaj , director of climate resilience and finance at the International Institute for Environment and Development. Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Learn InVideo AI: Create Videos from Text Easily By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Data Science MySQL for Beginners: Learn Data Science and Analytics Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Advanced Excel Course - Financial Calculations & Excel Made Easy By - Anirudh Saraf, Founder- Saraf A & Associates, Chartered Accountant View Program Entrepreneurship Startup Fundraising: Essential Tactics for Securing Capital By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Web Development Advanced C++ Mastery: OOPs and Template Techniques By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Marketing Future of Marketing & Branding Masterclass By - Dr. David Aaker, Professor Emeritus at the Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley, Author | Speaker | Thought Leader | Branding Consultant View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass By - CA Himanshu Jain, Ex McKinsey, Moody's, and PwC, Co - founder, The WallStreet School View Program Legal Complete Guide to AI Governance and Compliance By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Web Development JavaScript Essentials: Unlock AI-Driven Insights with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Tally Prime & GST Accounting: Complete Guide By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Web Development Java 21 Essentials for Beginners: Build Strong Programming Foundations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Entrepreneurship From Idea to Product: A Startup Development Guide By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Web Development Intermediate Java Mastery: Method, Collections, and Beyond By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Leadership Business Storytelling Masterclass By - Ameen Haque, Founder of Storywallahs View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrow's Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) ChatGPT Mastery from Zero to Hero: The Complete AI Course By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Ratings given by the "Big Three" agencies - Moody's, S&P Global and Fitch - consider the risks and potential for economic harm from climate change. However, they do not typically factor in the social and economic benefits of investing in climate resilience, said a report by the institute. In response, a Fitch spokesman referred to several documents on the company's methodology but did not comment on the criticism directly. S&P and Moody's did not immediately respond. A credit rating is essential to attract money from the world's biggest pools of cash – pension funds and other institutional investors. But just 13 of the SIDS have a Big-Three credit rating, and most of those are classified as sub-investment grade or 'junk'. For others, the cost of obtaining one can be prohibitive. Many nations are expected to struggle to access the private finance seen vital to the total annual $1.3 trillion climate finance goal agreed at COP29 in Baku last month. "We are pushing to redefine the credit rating and look at the opportunities as well as the risks, so it gives a more balanced view on returns on investment," Bharadwaj said. The process of assigning credit ratings has come under scrutiny in recent years. The African Union plans to launch a new African ratings agency, arguing the Big Three do not fairly assess the risk of lending to the continent. Describing the current ratings process as "illogical, punitive, and backward looking", Gastone Browne, prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, told Reuters he wanted to see a "more equitable" system that was "fit for purpose". Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is December 15, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award.

Each week, Yardbarker is monitoring the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26 in Green Bay. From Ohio State's star-studded backfield to a Texas ballhawk, here are five players we are tracking. How are Ohio State stars Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson distinguishing themselves as top RBs? In his Wednesday column, the Draft Network's Ryan Fowler noted Henderson and Judkins' attention to detail separates them from other RBs in the class. "Both players are household names thanks to their explosive talent," wrote Fowler. "However, what sets the two apart isn't just their natural ability to create with the ball in their hands, it's a dedication and attention to the finer aspects of the game that makes them such interesting case studies." Per Pro Football Focus , Henderson (5-foot-10, 208 pounds) and Judkins (6-foot, 219 pounds) have allowed zero sacks on 50 combined pass-block snaps in 10 games. The duo has 1,385 rushing yards collectively. The tandem must quash the Hoosiers' stingy run defense when Ohio State hosts Indiana on Saturday. Indiana — No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings — leads the Big Ten in rushing yards allowed (72.2). Indiana's Kurtis Rourke could be a sleeper QB Could Rourke — an Ontario, Canada native — be one of the most underrated QB prospects in the 2025 class? "In a top-heavy quarterback class for the 2025 NFL Draft, Indiana Hoosiers QB Kurtis Rourke is the unheralded sleeper who could turn into a legitimate starter at the next level," wrote The 33rd Team's Tyler Brooke on Thursday. The 6-foot-5, 223-pounder plays a pivotal role in Indiana's second-ranked scoring offense (43.9 PPG). Through nine starts, he has the FBS' second-best QBR (88.1) and is tied for the 16th-most TD passes (21). Per ESPN's Football Power Index , the Hoosiers' strength of schedule is 106th out of 134 FBS teams. Excelling against the No. 2 Buckeyes would prove Rourke isn't just dominating weak competition and should boost his stock. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders' commitment to the East-West Shrine Bowl is significant On Wednesday , Sanders (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) accepted his invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl, scheduled for Jan. 30 at AT&T Stadium. The annual college all-star game allows NFL clubs to scout top prospects before the draft. "The Colorado star would be wise to take every opportunity during the draft process to make his case for QB1 status and as a first-round prospect," wrote The Athletic's Dane Brugler . "Maybe even more important than what happens on the field, the Shrine Bowl will be an important week for Sanders as he interviews with NFL teams to answer any questions and sell himself." In September, a former general manager told The Athletic's Jim Trotter he had questions about Sanders' maturity and ability to bond with teammates. If he alleviates these concerns during Shrine Bowl interviews, some teams may tab the 22-year-old as their QB1. Through 10 starts, he ranks third in the FBS in completion percentage (72.9 percent) and is tied for second in TD passes (27). As of Thursday, ESPN's Football Power Index gives Colorado (8-2) the best chance (43.6 percent) to win the Big 12. Texas DB Jahdae Barron's impressive senior season has him climbing draft boards Returning for a fifth season is paying off for Barron (5-foot-11, 200 pounds). In 10 games, he has career highs in interceptions (four) and passes defensed (eight). "Jahdae Barron can play wide and in the slot," wrote Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema , who ranked the Texas star as his No. 1 slot corner. "He was a high-impact player in the slot over the past two years and is now an interception machine on the outside." On Tuesday , the Jim Thorpe Award — given to the best DB in college football — named Barron a semifinalist for a second consecutive season. Barron is certainly an ascending prospect and could land in the first round. In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Matt Miller has the Green Bay Packers taking him with pick No. 26.Winston's performance in snowy win over Steelers adds new layer to Browns' quarterback conundrum

CLEVELAND (AP) — Shortly after doing a face-down snow angel, firing a few celebratory snowballs and singing “Jingle Bells” on his way to the media room, Jameis Winston ended his postgame news conference with a simple question. “Am I a Brown yet?” he asked. He is now. And who knows? Maybe for a lot longer than expected. Winston entered Cleveland football folklore on Thursday night by leading the Browns to Pittsburgh Steelers, who had their five-game winning streak stopped. Winston’s performance at Huntington Bank Field, which transformed into the world’s largest snow globe, not only made him an instantaneous hero in the eyes of Browns fans but added another wrinkle to the team’s ever-changing, never-ending quarterback conundrum. In his fourth start since Deshaun Watson’s season-ending Achilles tendon injury, Winston made enough big plays to help the Browns (3-8) get a victory that should quiet conjecture about coach Kevin Stefanski’s job. Some wins mean more than others. In Cleveland, beating the Steelers is as big as it gets. But beyond any instant gratification, Winston has given the Browns more to consider as they move forward. Watson’s future with Cleveland is highly uncertain since it will still be months before the team has a grip on whether he’s even an option in 2025, his fourth year since signing a $230 million, fully guaranteed contract that has proven calamitous. It’s also possible the Browns will cut ties with Watson. They signed Winston to a one-year contract to be Watson’s backup. But the unexpected events of 2024 have changed plans and led to the possibility that the 30-year-old Winston could become Cleveland’s full-time QB or a bridge to their next young one. So much is unclear. What’s not is that Winston, who leaped into the end zone on fourth-and-2 for a TD to put the Browns ahead 18-6 in the fourth quarter, is a difference maker. With his larger-than-life personality and the joy he shows whether practicing or throwing three touchdown passes, he has lifted the Browns. A man of faith, he’s made his teammates believe. Winston has done what Watson couldn’t: made the Browns better. “A very, very authentic person,” Stefanski said Friday on a Zoom call. “He’s the same guy every single day. He’s the same guy at 5 a.m. as he at 5 p.m. He brings great energy to everything he does, and I think his teammates appreciate that about him.” Winston, who is 2-2 as a starter with wins over the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, has a knack for inspiring through fiery, preacher-like pregame speeches. But what has impressed the Browns is his ability to stay calm in the storm. “He doesn’t get rattled,” said . “He’s just tuned in and focused as anyone I’ve seen at that position. Turn the page. There was a turnover, came back to the sideline, ‘Love you. I’m sorry. We’re going to get it back.’ He was already on to the next one, ‘How can we complete the mission?’ “I have a lot of respect for him. First was from afar and now seeing it on the field in front of me, it’s a blessing to have someone who plays a game with such a passion and want-to. You can’t ask for a better teammate when they take those things to heart and they want to play for you like we’re actually brothers and that’s what we have to attain. That brotherhood.” What’s working Winston has done something else Watson couldn’t: move the offense. The Browns scored more than 20 points for just the second time this season, and like Joe Flacco a year ago, Winston has shown that Stefanski’s system works with a quarterback patient enough to let plays develop and unafraid to take shots downfield. What needs help The conditions certainly were a factor, but the Browns were a miserable 1 of 10 on third down, a season-long trend. However, Cleveland converted all four fourth-down tries, including a fourth-and-3 pass from Winston to Jerry Jeudy with 2:36 left that helped set up Nick Chubb’s go-ahead TD run. Stock up RT Jack Conklin. Garrett outplayed Steelers star T.J. Watt in their rivalry within the rivalry partly because Conklin did a nice job containing Pittsburgh’s edge rusher, who was held without a sack and had one tackle for loss. Conklin has made a remarkable comeback since undergoing reconstructive knee surgery last year. Stock down Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam. Their desire to build a dome is well intended, but an indoor game could never come close to matching the surreal setting of Thursday night, when snow swirled throughout the stadium and covered nearly all the yard lines and hash marks. “It was beautiful,” Winston said. Injuries WR Cedric Tillman is in the concussion protocol. He had two catches before taking a big hit on the final play of the third quarter. Key numbers 9 — Consecutive home wins for the Browns in Thursday night games. Three of those have come against Pittsburgh. What’s next An extended break before visiting the Denver Broncos on Dec. 2. ___ AP NFL:

The next clash in a contentious zoning battle in Middlebury will hinge on how a state judge reads a state law tailored to the block the development of a proposed 670,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution complex on the former Timex headquarters property. The Middlebury Small Town Alliance and two neighboring property owners are claiming in court filings that wetlands and zoning approvals for the controversial project violated that 2023 state law that was stealthily enacted at the request of state Rep. William Pizzuto, R-Middlebury, a nearby homeowner and an open opponent of the proposed development. The law limits the size and location of warehouse and distribution operations in Middlebury. Pizzuto leveraged his vote for a bipartisan two-year, $51.1 billion state budget to get local zoning restriction on the statute books. He lives within 500 feet of the Christian Road entrance to the Timex property in the private Avalon Farms neighborhood and publicly opposed the Southford Park project. The Middlebury Planning and Zoning Commission, the Middlebury Conservation Commission, and developer David Drubner and business partners in Southford Park LLC are counter claiming in court filings that the 2023 law does not apply to the proposed development project. Southford Park received approvals to build a 539,500-square-foot building and a smaller 130,000-square-foot building. Hundreds of town residents opposed the project, and some opponents formed the Middlebury Small Town Alliance to fight it. The Middlebury Small Town Alliance and the two sets of neighboring property owners are also contesting a lot line revision that critically reconfigured the project site, disputing the proposed development is a permitted use under zoning regulations, and alleging a violation of the state’s minority representation law involving the political makeup of the Middlebury PZC. Arguments are scheduled for 3 p.m. today in Waterbury Superior Court in three consolidated cases that Middlebury Small Town Alliance and the neighboring property owners have brought against the two land-use commissions and Southford Park. THE CONSOLIDATED APPEALS present the first opportunity for a state court to interpret and apply the 2023 law that Pizzuto got quietly inserted into the bipartisan budget package that Gov. Ned Lamont and General Assembly leaders negotiated. No legislation proposing the zoning restriction was ever introduced or given a hearing. Pizzuto and House Republican leaders capitalized on Lamont’s desire for a bipartisan budget vote to get the provision inserted in the 832-page budget bill at the last minute. He has denied exchanging his budget vote for the zoning restriction. He was re-elected to another two-year term in November as an unopposed candidate_ The law imposes a size limit of 100,000 square feet for “warehousing or distributing facilities” on one or more parcels that are less than 150 acres in towns with a population between 6,000 and 8,000 that also contain more than 5 acres of wetlands and are situated within two miles of an elementary school. If all criteria apply, it bars the siting, construction, permitting, operation or use of a larger warehouse or distribution center in the town. The Middlebury PZC and Conservation Commission each determined that the 2023 law is inapplicable based on two legal opinions that concluded that the wetlands condition does not apply following a lot line revision to the project site. The Middlebury Small Town Alliance disputes those interpretations of the law. The trial court will decide which side is legally in the right. TIMEX GROUP USA and Southford Park completed a $7.5 million sale in August 2023 for much of the nearly 93-acre Christian Road property that had been the site of the Timex world headquarters since 2001. In addition, the development group acquired a neighboring 18-acre property on Southford Road belonging to another Drubner family partnership. A lot revision filed at the same time combined the two properties. The revised lot lines resulted in a 77-acre parcel and a 35-acre parcel subject to a conversation easement. The larger parcel contained 3.8 acres of wetlands and the smaller one contained 3.9 acres. In separate legal opinions, attorneys Mark Branse of the Hartford law firm of Halloran & Sage and Gail E. Taggart of the Waterbury law firm of Secor Cassidy & McPartland concluded the 100,000-square-foot size limit is not applicable to either parcel because each contains less than 5 acres of wetlands. Each opinion also concluded the revised lot line map depicts separate parcels that are owned by two separate property owners, so they must be considered as separate The Middlebury Small Town Alliance and the neighboring property owners are challenging both conclusions in court filings, saying the interpretations of the 2023 law are erroneous, and calling the lot line revision an impermissible end run to ensure neither parcel had more than 5 acres of wetlands to trigger the statute and the resulting two parcels inextricably linked as one project site. SOUTHFORD PARK ARGUES in its court filings that the Middlebury PZC properly found the 2023 law did not apply based on a plain reading of the statute and its proper reliance on two legal opinions that concluded the law was inapplicable. The developers also dispute the court has jurisdiction to hear the associated lot line claims. The Middlebury PZC denies in its court filings that its approvals for the Southford Park project violated the 2023 law, the commission improperly interpreted its zoning regulations and approved the lot line revision, and the commission’s political makeup violated the minority representation statute. Southford Park also disputed the latter two claims in its court filings. The Middlebury Small Town Alliance and the neighboring property owners are claiming the Middlebury PZC was illegally constituted at its Jan. 4 meeting when members approved a site plan for the Southford Park project, a zone text change concerning building height, and an excavation permit the development group needed to proceed with its plan because an alternate Republican member was seated violating minority representation requirements. The Middlebury PZC not only disputes this claim, but also argues in court filings that the challenged Republican alternate chosen was the only alternate member of the commission who attended all of the hearings and meetings on the zoning applications. The death of a Democratic commissioner before the Jan. 4 meeting necessitated the appointment of an alternate.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets running back Breece Hall could play Sunday at Jacksonville after missing a game with a knee injury. Hall has been dealing with a hyperextension and injured MCL in his left knee that sidelined him last Sunday at Miami. But he was a full participant at practice Friday after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday. Hall was officially listed as questionable on the team's final injury report. “He looks good right now,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said. “So it’s promising.” Hall leads the Jets with 692 yards rushing and four touchdown runs, and he also has 401 yards receiving and two scores on 46 catches. A pair of rookies helped New York offset Hall's absence last weekend, with Braelon Allen rushing for 43 yards on 11 carries, and Isaiah Davis getting 40 yards on 10 attempts and scoring his first rushing touchdown. “We’re hopeful and we’ll see how it goes,” Ulbrich said of Hall. The Jets will get star cornerback Sauce Gardner back after he missed a game with a hamstring injury, but New York's secondary appears likely to be without cornerback D.J. Reed because of a groin injury. Reed was listed as doubtful after he didn't practice Thursday or Friday. “It’s been something that’s kind of lingered here and there,” Ulbrich said. “It’s gotten aggravated and then it went away, and then it got aggravated again. So, it’s just dealing with that.” Backup Brandin Echols is out with a shoulder injury, so veteran Isaiah Oliver or rookie Qwan'tez Stiggers could get the start opposite Gardner if Reed can't play. Kendall Sheffield also could be elevated from the practice squad for the second game in a row. Ulbrich said kick returner Kene Nwangwu will be placed on injured reserve after breaking a hand last weekend at Miami. The injury came a week after he was selected the AFC special teams player of the week in his Jets debut, during which he returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and forced a fumble in a loss to Seattle. “To put him out there with a broken hand, just thought it’d be counterproductive for him and for us as a team, so it unfortunately cuts the season short and what a bright light he was,” Ulbrich said. “What an amazing future I think he has in this league. With saying that, he’s already been a really good player for quite a while, so (it's) unfortunate, but he’ll be back.” Offensive lineman Xavier Newman (groin) is doubtful, while right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) and RT Morgan Moses (wrist) are questionable. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLMUMBAI: Almost a year after JSW Group forged a joint venture with SAIC-owned MG Motor India, JSW MG Motor India's current management is set to see a major churn in the coming months. An email sent to the company remained unanswered until press time. Several of its senior executives are set to leave the company, said multiple people aware of the development. The key executives likely to move on include Satinder Singh Bajwa , chief commercial officer, and Sumit Gera, head of network planning and expansion. Gaurav Gupta , the company's chief growth officer, is also believed to be moving on, said the people aware of the development. Gupta is also spearheading the MG Select strategy-a new sales channel for the brand's upcoming premium vehicle range. Most of these executives are likely to leave the company by the end of the current financial year. 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DAMASCUS, Syria — Ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally, Russian media said Sunday, hours after a stunning rebel advance seized control of Damascus and ended his family’s 50 years of iron rule . Thousands of Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire and waved the revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. The swiftly moving events raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. “Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East,” President Joe Biden said , crediting action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syria’s backers — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He called the fall of Assad a “fundamental act of justice” but also a “moment of risk and uncertainty,” and said rebel groups are “saying the right things now” but the U.S. would assess their actions. Russia requested an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council to discuss Syria, according to Dmitry Polyansky, its deputy ambassador to the U.N., in a post on Telegram. The arrival of Assad and his family in Moscow was reported by Russian agencies Tass and RIA, citing an unidentified source at the Kremlin. A spokesman there didn’t immediately respond to questions. RIA also said Syrian insurgents had guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria. Earlier, Russia said Assad left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. The leader of Syria’s biggest rebel faction, Abu Mohammed al-Golani , is poised to chart the country’s future. The former al-Qaida commander cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance. His Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the U.N. In his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, al-Golani visited the Umayyad Mosque and described Assad’s fall as “a victory to the Islamic nation.” Calling himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and not his nom de guerre, he said Assad had made Syria “a farm for Iran’s greed.” The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country ravaged by war and split among armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in remote areas. Syrian state television broadcast a rebel statement saying Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been released. They urged people to preserve the institutions of “the free Syrian state,” and announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. An online video purported to show rebels freeing dozens of women at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed . At least one small child was seen among them. “This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he,” said one relative, Bassam Masr. “I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years.” Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi appeared on state TV and sought to reassure religious and ethnic minorities, saying: “Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects.” “We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did,” he added. Damascus residents prayed in mosques and celebrated in squares, calling, “God is great.” People chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Teenage boys picked up weapons apparently discarded by security forces and fired into the air. Soldiers and police fled their posts and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Families wandered the presidential palace, walking by damaged portraits of Assad. Other parts of the capital were empty and shops were closed. “It’s like a dream. I need someone to wake me up,” said opposition fighter Abu Laith, adding the rebels were welcomed in Damascus with “love.” Rebels stood guard at the Justice Ministry, where Judge Khitam Haddad said he and colleagues were protecting documents. Outside, residents sought information about relatives who disappeared under Assad. The rebels “have felt the pain of the people,” said one woman, giving only her first name, Heba. She worried about possible revenge killings by the rebels, many of whom appeared to be underage. Syria’s historically pro-government newspaper al-Watan called it “a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood.” It added that media workers should not be blamed for publishing past government statements ordered from above. A statement from the Alawite sect that formed the core of Assad’s base called on young Syrians to be “calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country.” The rebels mainly come from the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities. In Qamishli in the northeast, a Kurdish man slapped a statue of the late leader Hafez Assad with his shoe. The rebel advances since Nov. 27 were the largest in recent years, and saw the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs fall within days as the Syrian army melted away. The road to Damascus from the Lebanese border was littered with military uniforms and charred armored vehicles. Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, which provided crucial support to Assad, abandoned him as they reeled from other conflicts. The end of Assad’s rule was a major blow to Iran and its proxies, already weakened by conflict with Israel . Iran said Syrians should decide their future “without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention.” The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned. Hossein Akbari, Iran’s ambassador to Syria, said it was “effectively impossible” to help the Syrian government after it admitted the insurgents' military superiority. Speaking on Iranian state media from an undisclosed location, he said Syria’s government decided Saturday night to hand over power peacefully. “When the army and the people could not resist, it was a good decision to let go to prevent bloodshed and destruction,” Akbari said, adding that some of his colleagues left Syria before sunrise. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking on state TV, said there were concerns about the “possibility of civil war, disintegration of Syria, total collapse and turning Syria into a shelter for terrorists.” Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali has said the government was ready to “extend its hand” to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. A video on Syrian opposition media showed armed men escorting him from his office to a hotel. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria late Saturday, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey. RECOMMENDED • silive .com Syrian government appears to have fallen in stunning end to 50-year rule of Assad family Dec. 8, 2024, 12:26 a.m. NYC high school applications are due Wednesday: Here’s what to know when applying Dec. 4, 2024, 8:00 a.m. Majed al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, said they agreed on the need “to engage all parties on the ground,” including the HTS, and that the main concern is “stability and safe transition.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned positions. Israel’s military later warned residents of five southern Syria communities to stay home for their safety, and didn’t respond to questions. Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the U.S., views it as occupied, and the Arab League on Sunday condemned what it called Israel’s efforts to take advantage of Assad’s downfall to occupy more territory.Adams also added 11 rebounds for the Matadors (5-1). Keonte Jones added 17 points while shooting 4 of 6 from the field and 8 for 8 from the line and also had five rebounds and three blocks. PJ Fuller shot 2 of 8 from the field, including 0 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 6 for 6 from the line to finish with 10 points. Nicholas Shogbonyo led the way for the Pioneers (3-4) with 15 points. Pedro Lopez-Sanvicente added 10 points and two blocks for Denver. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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Following are reactions from around the world to events in Syria. Syrian rebels ousted President Bashar Assad and seized control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing him to flee and ending his family's decades of rule after more than 13 years of civil war in a seismic moment for the Middle East. European Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen "The cruel Assad dictatorship has collapsed. This historic change in the region offers opportunities but is not without risks. Europe is ready to support safeguarding national unity and rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities." EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas "The end of Assad's dictatorship is a positive and long-awaited development. It also shows the weakness of Assad's backers, Russia and Iran." "Our priority is to ensure security in the region. I will work with all the constructive partners, in Syria and in the region." European Parliament President Roberta Metsola "The dictator has fallen. It is clear that Bashar al-Assad's brutal 24-year rule of Syria is over as his regime lies in tatters. This is a critical period for the region and for the millions of Syrians who want a free, stable and secure future. What happens in the next hours and days matters." Iran Foreign Ministry The ministry said in statement Iran respects Syria's unity and national sovereignty and called for "the swift end of military conflicts, the prevention of terrorist actions, and the commencement of national dialog" with all sectors of Syrian society. Tehran said it would continue to support international mechanisms for pursuing the political process, adding that long-standing and friendly relations between the Iranian and Syrian nations are expected to continue. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu The fall of Assad, a major link in the Iranian axis, is an historic day and a direct result of blows dealt to Hezbollah and Iran by Israel, Netanyahu said. "We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border," he added. U.S. President Joe Biden "President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners," the White House said in a statement. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump "Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer," Trump posted on Truth Social. "Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success." Russian Foreign Ministry The ministry said in a statement, Syrian President Bashar Assad has left office and departed the country after giving orders for there be a peaceful handover of power. The ministry did not say where Assad was now and said Russia has not taken part in the talks around his departure. It said Russia's military bases in Syria had been put on a state of high alert, but that there was no serious threat to them at the current time. Moscow is in touch with all Syrian opposition groups and urges all sides to refrain from violence. Iraqi government spokesperson Iraqi government spokesperson Bassem Al-Awadi said Iraq was closely following developments and reaffirmed the importance of not interfering in the internal affairs of Syria or supporting one party in favor of another. Jordan's King Abdullah King Abdullah said Jordan respected the choices of the Syrian people. He urged the avoidance of any conflict in Syria that might lead to chaos and stressed the need to protect the security of his country's northern neighbor, according to a statement published by the Royal Hashemite Court. French President Emmanuel Macron "The barbaric state has fallen. Finally. I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I wish them peace, freedom and unity," Macron said in a post on X social media. "France will remain committed to the security of all in the Middle East." U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer "The Syrian people have suffered under Assad’s barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure." "Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored." "We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days." Qatar Foreign Ministry Qatar's foreign ministry renewed its call to end the crisis in Syria along the lines of the 2015 U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254 which laid out the steps for a ceasefire and political transition. The foreign ministry said it is following developments in Syria with interest and called for the preservation of the unity of the state. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia has been communicating with all regional actors on Syria and is determined to do what is possible to avoid a chaotic outcome for the country, a Saudi official told Reuters. "We have been in contact with all actors in the region. We are in constant communication with Turkey and every stakeholder involved," the official said, adding that the kingdom was not aware of Bashar Assad's whereabouts. Foreign Ministry of Egypt Egypt has called on all parties in Syria to preserve the capabilities of the state and national institutions, the Egyptian foreign ministry said. The foreign ministry affirmed its support for the Syrian people and the country's sovereignty and unity. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Syria has reached a stage where the Syrian people will shape the future of their own country, today there is hope, Fidan said in a news conference in Doha. The Syrian people cannot do this alone. Turkey attaches importance to Syrian territorial integrity. A new Syrian administration must be established inclusively, there should be no desire for revenge. Turkey calls on all actors to act with prudence and to be watchful. Terrorist organizations must not be allowed to take advantage of this situation. Opposition groups must be united. We will work for stability and safety in Syria. The new Syria should not pose a threat to neighbors, it should eliminate threats. Any extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) cannot be considered a legitimate counterpart in Syria. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha "Assad has fallen. This is how it has always been and will always be for dictators who bet on Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him. The main goal now is to restore security in Syria and effectively protect its people from violence." Konstantin Kosachyov, Russian Lawmaker Syrians will have to cope with a full-scale civil war alone, deputy chairman of Russia's upper house of parliament Konstantin Kosachyov said, the Interfax news agency reported. Afghanistan Taliban Administration's Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Afghanistan congratulates the leadership of the movement and the people of Syria on the recent developments, which have resulted in the removal of key factors contributing to conflict & instability." "The capital, Damascus, has come under control of Syrian people under the leadership of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and we express hope that the remaining phases of the revolution will be managed effectively to establish a peaceful, unified, & stable governance system." Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro "The United States will continue to maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State," Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro told the Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrain. Shapiro called on all parties to protect civilians, particularly minorities, and respect international norms. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock "It is impossible to say exactly what is happening in Syria now. But one thing is clear: for millions of people in Syria, the end of Assad means the first big sigh of relief after an eternity of atrocities committed by the Assad regime." "Assad has murdered, tortured and used poison gas against his own people. He must finally be held accountable for this. "The country must not now fall into the hands of other radicals — regardless of the guise. We therefore call on the parties to the conflict to live up to their responsibility for all Syrians. This includes the comprehensive protection of ethnic and religious minorities such as Kurds, Alawites or Christians and an inclusive political process that creates a balance between the groups." German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz "Bashar al Assad has brutally oppressed his own people, has countless lives on his conscience and has driven numerous people to flee Syria, many of whom have also come to Germany. The Syrian people have experienced appalling suffering. The end of Assad's rule over Syria is therefore good news. "What matters now is that law and order are quickly restored in Syria. All religious communities, all minorities must enjoy protection now and in the future." Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani "We are calling for a peaceful handover between the fallen regime and the new reality, so for a peaceful rather than military transition. It seems to me that at the moment things are going in this direction," Tajani said in a press conference. U.N. special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen Special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen underscores the clear desire expressed by millions of Syrians that stable and inclusive transitional arrangements are put in place, a statement said. He urged all Syrians to prioritize dialog, unity, and respect for international humanitarian law and human rights as they seek to rebuild their society, adding he stands ready to support the Syrian people in their journey toward a stable and inclusive future. "Today marks a watershed moment in Syria’s history — a nation that has endured nearly 14 years of relentless suffering and unspeakable loss... This dark chapter has left deep scars, but today we look forward with cautious hope to the opening of a new one— one of peace, reconciliation, dignity, and inclusion for all Syrians." U.N. Aid Chief Tom Fletcher "Events in Syria moving at remarkable pace. More than [a] decade of conflict has displaced millions. Now many more are in danger. We will respond wherever, whenever, however we can to support people in need, including reception centers —food, water, fuel, tents, blankets."Animal Feed Enzymes Market on Track for Strong Expansion, USD 1.8 Billion Forecast by 2032 | TMR

Nittany Lions regulars sustain serious leg injuries at MinnesotaLimbo for tennis world No.1’s doping case as Australian Open title defence loomsVenezuela’s oil exports jumped last month on higher sales to its mainstay Asia customers, and approached 1 million barrels per day (bpd), a level not seen since early 2020, according to ship monitoring data. Under U.S. sanctions since 2019, Venezuela’s exports of crude and refined products have been highly volatile. Lack of investment and frequent fires and outages at the South American country’s aging oil infrastructure put a ceiling on production and sales. State oil company PDVSA PDVSA.UL, its joint ventures and other state companies last month shipped an average of 974,033 bpd of crude and fuel, mostly to China. It was the second consecutive month of increase, according to Reuters analysis of tanker movements. November’s total represented a 10% increase from a revised average of almost 885,000 bpd in October, and stood 57% above the same month a year ago, the data showed. Sales to Asia, home to the country’s largest buyers, jumped to some 613,000 bpd from 526,000 in October. Shipments to the United States by producer Chevron CVX.N under a license granted by Washington fell to 238,000 bpd from 280,000 bpd the previous month, while exports to Europe increased to 85,000 bpd from 31,000 bpd. The incoming government of President-elect Donald Trump is expected to revise U.S. policies towards Venezuela, which could lead to license amendments or renegotiations with the administration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The export increase happened despite a large explosion and fire at one of PDVSA’s main natural gas centers, which hit output of products, including methanol. Venezuela’s exports of oil byproducts and petrochemicals, including methanol and petroleum coke, declined to 330,500 metric tons in November, from 362,000 tons in October, according to the data. The OPEC country also increased exports to its political ally Cuba to 38,000 bpd from 28,000 bpd the previous month. Venezuela imported 87,000 bpd of heavy naphtha and gasoline blend stock last month through U.S.-authorized swap agreements with U.S. and European partners, slightly above the 81,000 bpd of October. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Marianna Parraga in Houston and Caracas newsroom, editing by Ed Osmond)White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign