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vvjl slot Germany’s service sector contracts for first time in nine months, PMI showsA teary-eyed administration official solemnly draped a tribal blanket over President Biden on Monday before he announced plans to “revive” Native American languages and designate a Pennsylvania Indian boarding school as a national monument. Biden, 82, joked that the embroidered, eighth-generation Native American blanket, gifted to him by an emotional Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, would’ve come in useful last week when he battled frigid temperatures and gusty winds at the White House National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. “I could’ve used that blanket when I was lighting that Christmas tree,” the president said. “Both of us were freezing.” Images of a bundled-up Biden at the Christmas tree lighting drew comparisons to Ebenezer Scrooge and other Dickensian characters on social media, with many users mocking his unkept and ghostly appearance. The president’s address Monday, at his fourth and final White House Tribal Nations Summit, was mercifully indoors. In his remarks, Biden announced a new proclamation designating the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School — where more than 7,800 children from 140 Indian tribes were separated from their communities between 1879 and 1918 — a national monument. “I don’t want people forgetting 10, 20, 30, 50 years from now, pretending it didn’t happen,” the president said of the government effort to Westernize Native Americans. The children sent to the repurposed Carlisle, Pa., Army barracks were “stolen from their families, their tribes and their homelands,” Biden said. “It was wrong,” he declared. “We don’t erase history. We acknowledge it, we learn from it and we remember so we never repeat it again,” Biden added. “We remember so we can heal. That’s the purpose of memory.” The new national monument will encompass 24.5 acres of historic buildings and structures that made up the old campus of the Carlisle School . It will be managed by the National Park Service and the US Army, the White House said. The president lamented that Indian boarding schools all but erased the culture and language of Native American tribes and said the US would embark on a “10-year plan to revive Native languages in a serious effort.” “It’s a vision that works with tribes and supports teachers, schools, communities, organizations in order to save Native language from disappearing,” Biden said. “This matters. It’s part of our heritage It’s part of who we are as a nation.” The “all-of-government strategy” to preserve and revitalize Native languages will expand access to immersion language programs in schools, support community-led language education efforts, and promote Native language schools and programs, according to the White House. The Biden-Harris administration has spent $45 billion Native American interests since 2021. Biden’s announcements follow his October apology on behalf of the federal government for the historical policy of forcing Native American children into assimilation-focused boarding schools.

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More than two dozen Indigenous water and wastewater employees are working toward their diploma at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in a program customized to serve their needs as well as the needs of their 23 communities throughout B.C. The students are participating in a Water and Wastewater Technology diploma funded by the federal government. They will complete the two-year program over the next four years to allow for a work-life balance as they continue working in their communities alongside their studies. The program covers the operation, maintenance and treatment of water and wastewater systems using both in-class time and hands-on learning. “It’s a very multi-disciplinary field,” says Satwinder Paul, associate teaching professor and program co-ordinator. The program focuses on protecting public health and the environment. “They’re learning about water chemistry, water sciences, mathematics. But they’re also learning about mechanical, electrical and instrumentation components.” When students graduate, they have the education and skills to work in basic to advanced water and wastewater treatment systems. The program aligns with TRU’s strategic goals as well, said School of Trades and Technology Dean Baldev Pooni. “Two of the goals are ‘Eliminate achievement gap’ and ‘Honouring truth and reconciliation rights,’” he said. “This program contributes to these goals in a small but effective way for the Indigenous communities.” This is the fourth time the program has been offered in partnership with the federal government, and the first group of new students since the pandemic. Since receiving a request from the federal government to offer the program again, it took two years to reach out to 197 Indigenous communities throughout B.C., recruit and create this class. Map of water and wastewater technology cohort 2024 Paul and Water Treatment Program Support Michael Hartt relied on existing relationships with those communities to put the word out. “We recruit them, we help them fill out their applications and related documents, and collect their transcripts,” Paul says of the prospective students. “All the information was disseminated and collected here and then it was passed on to the registrar to do their part.” Entry qualifications require prospective students to have their Grade 12 diploma (or equivalent) and to be working with their nation’s water or wastewater treatment department. Full support from their communities is required as the delivery format is intensive. Their course work is divided into four terms. The first term, which runs from October 2024 to March 2025, sees students attend classes for a full seven-day week each month for seven-hour days. The latest cohort includes students from 23 Indigenous communities from as close as Whispering Pines and as far as West Moberly Nation. They’re set to graduate in 2028. The program responds directly to community requests for education, says Tina Matthew, executive director of TRU’s Office of Indigenous Education. “This program meets the national and provincial need for safe, drinkable water in rural and remote Indigenous communities,” she says. “When so many First Nations communities in this province do not have access to clean, safe drinking water, this provides an opportunity for TRU to provide invaluable training for First Nations individuals to become certified technicians who live and work in their own communities.” For Krista Derrickson, manager of utilities and public works for the Westbank First Nation, the program is an opportunity to add even more education to her tool kit. Derrickson has worked in the industry for more than 20 years and is certified as both a water and a wastewater operator, but is looking forward to adding a water quality certification. “I just thought it was a great opportunity to get education in a format that I feel will be more supportive,” she said. While the federal government has made headway in addressing long-term water quality issues at Indigenous communities across the country (there are currently no long-term boil water advisories in B.C.) there is still progress to be made. That’s where these grads come in. They’ll be ensuring the water and wastewater in their communities are properly treated for future generations.None

By The Associated Press LEWISTON, N.Y. (AP) — Jahari Williamson knocked down a 3-pointer with 38 seconds left to tie the game and Jaeden Marshall hit the first of two free throws with eight seconds remaining to lift Niagara to a 69-68 win over Siena in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener Friday night. Justice Smith had 17 points and added seven rebounds for the Purple Eagles (4-5, 1-0). Olumide Adelodun shot 6 for 12, including 1 for 4 from beyond the arc to add 13 points. Marshall had 13 points and shot 3 of 5 from the field and 6 for 7 from the line. The Saints (4-5, 0-1) were led by Major Freeman, who recorded 17 points, five assists and two steals. Myles Wilmoth added 16 points, eight rebounds and two steals for Siena. Justice Shoats also had 13 points and six assists. NEXT UP Both teams next play Sunday. Niagara hosts Merrimack and Siena plays Canisius on the road. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Rams offense is humming with good health, and it gave a stellar performance to upset Buffalo

Oscar Smith builds momentum on defensive stop, rolls late to trounce Colonial Forge in Class 6 semifinalJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s attorney general has ordered police to open an investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife on suspicion of harassing political opponents and a witness in the Israeli leader’s corruption trial. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara made the announcement in a terse message late Thursday, saying the investigation would focus on the findings of a recent report by the “Uvda” investigative program into Sara Netanyahu. The program uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages in which Mrs. Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aide to organize protests against political opponents and to intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in the trial. The announcement did not mention Mrs. Netanyahu by name, and the Justice Ministry declined further comment. But in a video released earlier Thursday, Netanyahu listed what he said were the many kind and charitable acts by his wife and blasted the Uvda report as “lies.” “My opponents on the left and in the media found a new-old target. They mercilessly attack my wife, Sara,” he said. He called the program ”false propaganda, nasty propaganda that brings up lies from the darkness.” It was the latest in a long line of legal troubles for the Netanyahus — highlighted by the prime minister's ongoing corruption trial . The pair have also had a rocky relationship with the Israeli media. Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of cases alleging he exchanged favors with powerful media moguls and wealthy associates. Netanyahu denies the charges and says he is the victim of a “witch hunt” by overzealous prosecutors, police and the media. The report obtained correspondence between Sara Netanyahu and Hanni Bleiweiss, a former aide to the prime minister who died of cancer last year. The messages indicated that Sara Netanyahu, through Bleiweiss, encouraged police to crack down violently on anti-government protesters and ordered Bleiweiss to organize protests against her husband's critics. She also told Bleiweiss to get activists in Netanyahu's Likud party to publish attacks on Klein. Klein is an aide to billionaire Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan and has testified in the corruption case about her role in delivering tens of thousands of dollars worth of champagne, cigars and gifts to Netanyahu for her boss. According to the report, Bleiweiss also was instructed to organize demonstrations outside the homes of the lead prosecutor in the corruption case, Liat Ben-Ari, and then Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who had issued the indictments, and protests and social media campaigns smearing political opponents. According to the report, Bleiweiss was a loyal aid to Netanyahu for decades. But while she was ill, it said Sara Netanyahu mistreated her, prompting her to share the messages with a reporter shortly before her death. Sara Netanyahu has been accused of abusive behavior toward her personal staff before. This, together with accusations of excessive spending and using public money for her own extravagant personal tastes, has earned her an image as being out of touch with everyday Israelis. In 2019, she was fined for misusing state funds. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who oversees police and has repeatedly said the attorney general, Baharav-Miara should be fired over a series of grievances against her, said the latest announcement was another reason for her to be dismissed. “Someone who politically persecutes government ministers and their families cannot continue to serve as the attorney general,” he said. And Justice Minister Yariv Levin, another Netanyahu ally and critic of Baharav-Miara, accused her of focusing on “television gossip.” “Selective enforcement is a crime!” he said in a statement. AP correspondents Eleanor H. Reich in New York and Isaac Scharf in Jerusalem contributed reporting.BREAKING NEWS Influencer Dominique Brown dies at 34 as shocking claim emerges By ISHITA SRIVASTAVA FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 15:03 EST, 7 December 2024 | Updated: 15:29 EST, 7 December 2024 e-mail 13 View comments Influencer Dominique Brown has died at the age of 34 reportedly from a severe allergic reaction at an industry event. Brown was at a BoxLunch event on December 5 when she unknowingly ate food which she was allergic to, according to other attendees. Numerous influencers who were present at the scene said the item she ate was unmarked and she had allegedly been told that the food item did not contain the ingredient she was allergic to before suffering the reaction. A X user, who goes by @hideyagrannies, claims that Brown was her mother's best friend for the past decade and that she was reportedly allergic to peanuts. The young adult also sensationally revealed that when the influencer asked to be taken to a hospital, 'everyone said no and took pictures first'. 'She was my moms best friend of 10 years. She asked if there was peanuts in the food and everyone told her no. When she instantly felt bad she asked someone to take her to the hospital, everyone said no and to take pictures first. So sad,' they said. DailyMail.com has reached out to BoxLunch's owner, Hot Topic for a comment. Brown was known to be a Disney-inspired influencer and went by HellooDomo on Instagram . After her tragic death, Brother Patrick Ramos took over her profile and shared a statement. 'I wanted to take a a moment to say thank you to her social media fam for showing her so much love and light. Disney did bring her joy, but it was unparalleled that she found a community who loved her and Disney as much as she did. 'I will miss my sister and best friend and that infectious smile she always had. Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart.' Influencer Dominique Brown has died at the age of 34 from a severe allergic reaction at an industry event Share or comment on this article: Influencer Dominique Brown dies at 34 as shocking claim emerges e-mail Add comment

Man fined for illegal dumping"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.

The midseason four-game winning streak that lifted the Arizona Cardinals into the playoff picture seemed as though it happened fast. Their subsequent free fall has been even more jarring. The Cardinals could have moved into a tie for first place in the NFC West with a home win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Instead, they were thoroughly outplayed in a 30-18 loss and are now tied for last in the tightly packed division. Arizona has lost three straight and will face an uphill battle to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. The Seahawks (8-5) are in first place, followed by the Rams (7-6), Cardinals (6-7) and 49ers (6-7). Even more daunting for their playoff hopes, the Cardinals lost both of their games against the Seahawks this season, meaning a tiebreaker would go to Seattle. Four games remain. “I just told them we put ourselves in a little bit of a hole now, but all you can do is attack tomorrow, learn tomorrow and have a good week of practice,” second-year coach Jonathan Gannon said. There are plenty of reasons the Cardinals lost to the Seahawks, including Kyler Murray's two interceptions, a handful of holding penalties, a porous run defense and a brutal missed field goal. It all adds up to the fact Arizona is playing its worst football of the season at a time when it needed its best. “I’m sure we’ll stick to our process, but we have to tweak some things,” Gannon said. "I have to tweak some things.” What’s working It's probably faint praise, but the Cardinals did make the game interesting in the second half while trying to fight back from a 27-10 deficit. Murray's shovel pass to James Conner for a 2-yard touchdown and subsequent 2-point conversion cut the margin to 27-18. The Cardinals had a chance to make it a one-score contest early in the fourth quarter, but Chad Ryland's 40-yard field goal attempt bounced off the left upright. “I thought we spotted them a lot of points there, but then we battled back,” Gannon said. “I appreciate their effort. That was good. We battled back there, had a couple chances to even cut the lead a little more, but ultimately didn’t get it done." What needs help Murray's in a bit of a mini-slump after throwing two interceptions in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. He also didn't do much in the run game against the Seahawks, with 16 yards on three carries. The quarterback's decision-making was nearly flawless for much of the season and the Cardinals need that good judgment to return. “I’m not looking at it like I have to try to be Superman,” Murray said. “I don’t think that’s the answer. I just need to play within the offense like we’ve done for the majority of the season. Today, I didn’t. Like I said, throwing two picks puts yourself behind the eight ball.” Said Gannon: “I thought he stuck in there and made some big time throws, though, but he has to protect the ball a little bit better. That’s not just him, that’s all 11. So there’ll be a lot of corrections off those plays." Stock up The defense didn't have its best day, but it's not Budda Baker's fault. The two-time All-Pro safety is having another phenomenal season and was all over the field against the Seahawks, finishing with 18 tackles. Baker's energy is relentless and he's the unquestioned leader of a group that has been better than expected this season, even with Sunday's mediocre performance. Stock down Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. had a tough day, getting flagged for holding three times, though one of those penalties was declined by the Seahawks. The second-year player moved from right tackle to the left side during the offseason and the transition has gone well, but Sunday was a step backward. Injuries The Cardinals remain fairly healthy. DL Roy Lopez (ankle) and P Blake Gillikin (ankle) left Sunday's game, but neither injury is expected to be long term. Key number 9 — It looks as if the Cardinals will go a ninth straight season without winning the NFC West. The last time they won the division was 2015 with coach Bruce Arians and a core offense of quarterback Carson Palmer, running back David Johnson and receiver Larry Fitzgerald. What’s next The Cardinals are in must-win territory now for any chance at the playoffs. They'll host the New England Patriots on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLThe Ramu NiCo Project (RNC) has been a mine that has been an avenue for young Papua New Guineans to grow, intellectually. The term “mine to grow minds” could be used to describe the beginning of the fundamental knowledge and experience for young Papua New Guineans. The Industrial Training Program for Ramu NiCo has gained countless interest from students not only from the project impacted communities but also on other parts of the country who applied to gain experience in respective fields of studies during the semester break. Ramu NiCo has been committed in its Memorandum of Understanding or Agreement (MoU or MoA) prioritising its landowner as the first recipient through GDS or Industrial Training in respective fields in a simple structure (Landowners first, next Madang and PNG), and has been keen in maintaining this simple structure for years. This structure has been the backbone of the nickel and cobalt mine in training programs, employment opportunity, sponsorship and others, while fulfilling the mine’s social and corporate responsibility in making a better conducive environment for everyone to strive and benefit, not only in royalty but also in the growth and well-being of the Project landowners, the host province and country. RNC welcomed 19 new industrial training students in November as the second batch from the first four students totalling up to 23 students engaged for the mine’s ongoing industrial training during festive period. The industrial training program focuses on students taking bachelors programs relevant to the nickel and cobalt mines and refinery’s ongoing operations. RNC human resources manager Jeffers Teargun Heptol said half of the students from the second batch were female students, therefore maintaining RNC support in Gender Equality. “RNC is proud to contribute to the nation building or PNG through our industrial training programs that is open to any students in PNG to apply, with strong emphasis on our simple structure of Landowners 1st, Madang and PNG,” Mr Heptol added. RNC deputy HR manager David Sisione said industrial Training is vital for everyone to gain firsthand on the job training that would complement classroom theory. “We want to imprint our working ethics and culture to the students who will one day be the leaders of tomorrow.”NoneMoldova continues to face a high-intensity hybrid war, including a significant increase in malign cyber activity and incursions. This necessitates increasing focus on the development of cyber resilience, which would also support the continued efforts of the Moldovan government to digitize more systems and the ongoing growth of the country's technology sector. Moldova’s data and cybersecurity policy efforts have not kept pace with the development and use of digital infrastructure, further complicating the challenge of counteracting the cyber aspects of the ongoing high-intensity hybrid war. Strategic and deliberate investments made in Moldova over the next five years thus have an enormous potential for return. Given the importance of the topic, this report provides an overview of Moldova’s recent digitization journey. This paper provides a deeper dive into the technology sector, including Moldova’s efforts to increase digital literacy and to strengthen human capital, as well as its e-governance efforts. Moreover, this piece outlines the country’s current cybersecurity landscape, including some specific risks and opportunities as well as the support Moldova’s partners and allies are delivering in this space. Most importantly, this piece includes key policy recommendations to strengthen the sector in support of securing Moldova’s democratic and economic future. This report is made possible by support from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Beirut, Dec 7 (AP) Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated on Saturday with news that they had reached the gates of the capital and that government forces had abandoned the central city of Homs. The government was forced to deny rumours that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The loss of Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Assad. It stands at an important intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syria's coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader's base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The pro-government Sham FM news outlet reported that government forces took positions outside Syria's third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. The insurgency announced later Saturday that it had taken over Homs. The city's capture is a major victory for the rebels, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama, as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began November 27. Analysts said rebel control of Homs would be a game-changer. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. For the first time in the country's long-running civil war, the government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organisation by the US and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Assad's erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war. The UN's special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition”. Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people”. In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a years-long siege. The UN said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Assad's status Syria's state media denied social media rumours that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine. Lebanon's Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a UN resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with UN-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkiye and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. In a statement issued late Saturday, the participants affirmed their support for a political solution to the Syrian crisis “that would lead to the end of military activity and protect civilians”. They also agreed on the importance of strengthening international efforts to increase aid to the Syrian people. The insurgents' march Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group's image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. The shock offensive began November 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria's largest, and the central city of Hama, the country's fourth largest city. Opposition activists said on Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists." The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area”, apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. Diplomacy in Doha The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkiye, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkiye is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticised Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country's underlying problems. “Assad didn't seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria's “territorial integrity”. He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. (AP) PY PY (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)

To counter Trump’s looming tariffs, Indo-Pacific nations band together to boost tradeWolves head coach Gary O’Neil insists he is happy to look fans in the face and take the criticism which comes his way after his team were jeered off after losing 4-0 to Everton at Goodison Park. 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).”

Five Below, Inc. Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Financial ResultsBEIJING: Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng recently met with executives from global financial giants such as BlackRock, Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. During the meetings, He said China welcomes more foreign financial institutions and long-term capital to invest and do business in China, sharing China’s development opportunities. China is further deepening the reform of its financial system and steadily expanding the institutional opening up of the financial sector, providing greater convenience for foreign enterprises operating in the country, the vice premier stressed. Executives from these financial firms expressed optimism about China’s economic and financial market prospects, emphasizing their willingness to deepen their presence in the Chinese market and strengthen economic and trade cooperation. These recent meetings send a clear signal that encourages global long-term capital to increase holdings in China and has the effect of stabilizing market expectations, according to CMG financial commentator Liu Ge. Meanwhile, Chen Hongbin, a researcher at Tsinghua University, highlighted China’s appeal for both growth and value investors. As a global leader in innovation and the world’s largest manufacturing nation with the most comprehensive industrial system, China presents unmatched opportunities for financial institutions, said Chen. A view of the People’s Bank of China headquarters, Beijing, China, September 24, 2024. This year, China’s central bank has maintained a supportive monetary policy, implementing measures such as two reserve requirement cuts and three benchmark interest rate reductions. Targeted re-loans totaling 900 billion yuan ($124 billion) have been allocated for technological innovation, affordable housing and small businesses. Efforts to stabilize the yuan exchange rate and enhance foreign exchange reserve management have also been prioritized. Since the beginning of the year, the country’s regulators have significantly strengthened countercyclical monetary policies, said Zeng Gang, director of the Shanghai Financial and Development Laboratory. Zeng said that these policies have expanded tools for macroeconomic and financial market regulation while supporting the sustainable development of capital markets. Nankai University’s Tian Lihui pointed out that new tools, such as swap facilities and re-loans for stock repurchases, have positively influenced market sentiment and improved social expectations. The office of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, Beijing, China, January 16, 2013. China’s bond market, now the world’s second-largest, continues to attract global capital. By the end of October 2024, foreign institutions held 4.25 trillion yuan ($585 billion) in bonds, with entry facilitated through direct investment, the Bond Connect, or both. Meanwhile, Wang Lei, deputy director of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, emphasized ongoing efforts to support renminbi bond issuance by foreign entities and to streamline exchange management rules, enhancing the appeal of renminbi-denominated assets to global investors. 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() );

With technical prowess and considerable style, Marta danced around two sliding defenders, outwitted a goalkeeper and calmly scored as another player rushed forward in desperation to stop her. It was more Marta Magic. last weekend helped propel the Orlando Pride into Saturday's National Women's Soccer League championship game against the Washington Spirit. Barbra Banda also scored in . While Banda has had an incredible first season with the Pride, captain Marta has been the talisman that has helped lead the team in its remarkable turnaround this year. The last time the Pride were in the NWSL playoffs was in 2017 — Marta's first year with the club. But this season they nearly went undefeated, going 23 games without a loss to start the season with just two regular-season games left. “I think because of the way that we did it, during this season, from beginning to now, it’s something very special that I’ve never had before with any other club that I’ve played for," Marta said. "Plus year by year, we see in America, strong competition. This is the best league in the world. And you never know what’s going to happen, and it’s hard to keep winning the games, being in the first place almost like the whole season. That’s why it’s really different and so special.” Marta’s goal was the latest gasp-inducing moment in a stellar career filled with them. Known by just her first name, the 38-year-old is a six-time FIFA world player of the year. "Let's see if tomorrow I can do something similar — or even better," Marta said on Friday. Her teammate Kylie Strom chimed in: “That was the greatest goal I've ever witnessed, hands down." Appropriate. Earlier this year, FIFA announced that the best goal in women's soccer each year would earn the Marta Award. In a lighthearted moment the day before the title match, Marta was asked if she thought it was possible she might give the award to herself. “You guys need to decide, because who votes for the best goal in the year? It’s you. It’s the people in the public. So it should be really interesting, like Marta’s Award goes to Marta!” she said with a laugh. Marta has played in six World Cups for Brazil and played this summer in her sixth Olympics, . She previously said this would be her final year with the national team. But since then Brazil was named the host of the 2027 Women's World Cup. "I had a conversation with my coach, the national team coach, and I was really clear about playing in 2027. I told him it’s not my goal anymore,” she said. “But I’m always available to help the national team. And if they think I still can do something during this preparation for the World Cup, yeah, I would be happy to help them." Marta's club career started in Brazil when she was just 16. She has also played in Sweden and in the U.S. professional women's leagues that came before the NWSL. With nine regular-season goals, Marta has had one of her best seasons since she joined the Pride. “I can never pick a side, I never pick favorites — but I love to see this for Marta," U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. “Marta is someone we all like, admire and are grateful for. And that goal was just like prime Marta at her best. And so grateful for and thankful for her that she got the opportunity with another game with her team.” The Pride went 18-2-6 this season, clinching the NWSL Shield for the first trophy in club history. Orlando also set a record with 60 regular-season points to finish atop the standings. “We are sitting top of the table, but I think there still are a lot of doubters. I think there’s people out there who say, maybe this was a one-off season,” Strom said. “But we’re here to prove them all wrong. So I think we do carry a bit of that underdog mentality still with us.” The second-seeded Spirit advanced to the title match at Kansas City's CPKC Stadium last weekend on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw against defending champions Gotham FC. The Spirit's roster includes Trinity Rodman, a standout forward who formed the so-called “Triple Espresso” trio with Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith for the United States at the Olympics. ___ AP soccer: Anne M. Peterson, The Associated PressPlaid Cymru faces ‘day of reckoning’ on draft budget, says MS