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ih777ih999 A’s GM David Forst says the team wanted to make a statement with Luis Severino’s contractSince Donald Trump’s rise to prominence in the 2016 presidential campaign and through his first term, out-of-office election-denial antics and his 2024 campaign, many supporters have built a cottage industry excusing his more extravagant claims. They’ve often said that Americans should take him seriously, but not literally. While it’s true President-elect Trump often engages in figurative rhetoric that’s best to ignore, we believe that Americans should take his plan for mass deportations both literally and seriously, given its prominence in his campaign. It’s real cause for concern. The “Mass Deportation Now” placards held by Trump supporters at his rallies were literally a sign of his intentions. Trump’s and Vice President J.D. Vance’s rhetorical attacks on Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were another — even though most of them are here legally and definitely were not eating pet cats and dogs. Then there’s this doozy. Judicial Watch’s Tom Fitton posted the following on Truth Social: “GOOD NEWS: Reports are the incoming @RealDonaldTrump administration prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.” Trump responded to the post by writing “TRUE!!!” ABC News noted that Trump, at his Madison Square Garden rally at the end of his campaign, promised, “On Day 1, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out.” That statement includes wiggle room given its focus on criminals — and it’s still unclear how he might deploy military assets toward that end. The military has long provided operational assistance to border authorities, according to CBS News. “(L)ongstanding federal law generally prohibits the use of the military for domestic law enforcement,” it noted, but exemptions exist. CBS quoted incoming border czar Tom Homan suggesting a more limited military role with Trump adviser Stephen Miller saying they might deputize the National Guard. Even if the Trump team finds some legal justification, the proposal raises serious constitutional and practical concerns. We’re most concerned by the idea of declaring a national emergency. That tactic is rarely used in this country because it gives the federal government limitless powers to conduct raids and is distinctively un-American. There’s also talk of creating large detainment facilities. This would entail invoking the Insurrection Act, which allows the feds to deploy the military in the face of “unlawful obstructions, combinations, or assemblages, or rebellion ... (that) make it impracticable by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings.” Presidents rarely use such martial law-like powers and only for targeted situations — not for nationwide operations. Anyone who believes that only criminal aliens have reason to fear such an approach are forgetting why our nation’s Founding Fathers included myriad checks and balances in the Constitution, were so concerned about due-process rights and so intent on limiting the unilateral power of the federal executive branch. American citizens — and non-criminal illegal immigrants — almost certainly will get caught up in any dragnets. Conservatives who were rightly appalled at unilateral COVID-19 restrictions on our liberties should also oppose this type of power grab. The Orange County Register remains proud of its opposition to the Japanese-American internment during World War II. This editorial board will likewise oppose any similar abuses now. It’s too early to know the details, but we take the threats literally and seriously.

With Bears rid of Matt Eberflus, is your enthusiasm for the team any greater?across various industries, supporting over 8,000 positions that will offer participants an average wage of $32 per hour. The funding, announced by Governor Gavin Newsom , will be distributed among 65 apprenticeship programs spanning healthcare, transportation, education, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and public sector jobs. “We’re taking a bottom-up approach to making sure Californians get the skills they need to get good-paying jobs in every region of the state,” said Governor Newsom, highlighting the program’s potential impact on family wages. This second round of the Apprenticeship Innovation Funding (AIF) program aims to create earn-and-learn pathways meeting current workforce demands. The initiative is part of California’s larger goal to serve 500,000 apprentices by 2029, with 190,915 already participating, maintaining the state’s position as the nation’s leader in registered apprenticeships. Related Story: According to Katie Hagen, DIR Director, “This investment reflects California’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that our labor sectors have access to a steady pipeline of skilled talent, while also opening doors for many Californians to train for high-demand careers and earn a paycheck.” The announcement follows the unveiling of the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint, which will guide state investments over the next decade. The complete blueprint, expected early next year, includes $120 million for job-creating projects statewide within the next three years. Read more at the official website of the

DALLAS, Texas, Dec. 16, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Skyhawks Sports, a Stack Sports company, is proud to announce the winner and finalists of the 2024 Coach of the Year Award. This annual accolade honors coaches who exemplify exceptional dedication, leadership, and a commitment to fostering positive sports experiences for young athletes. Jason Frazier, General Manager of Skyhawks, expressed his admiration for the coaches: “Our coaches are the heartbeat of Skyhawks, dedicating themselves to nurturing young athletes both on and off the field. Their commitment not only create fun sports experiences but also teach life lessons that resonate beyond the game is what makes them great coaches.” WINNER: FINALISTS: Coach Michael “Mikey” Monary has been an invaluable asset to the Skyhawks Sports Academy in Orange County. His passion and determination to continually improve as a coach have cultivated a significant following among local organizations, often resulting in waitlists exceeding 20 children. Parents frequently request Coach Mikey, with some traveling to different cities to enroll their children in his classes. Coach Mikey’s versatility allows him to coach any sport and age group, and he proactively expands his expertise, even taking private tennis lessons to better serve his students. His commitment to providing positive experiences for children exemplifies the core values of Skyhawks Sports. Jeff Brunsberg, Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer at Stack Sports, added: “Recognizing these outstanding coaches underscores our mission to increase participation and transform the sports experience. Their passion and dedication are pivotal in creating positive, lasting impacts in the communities we serve.” Skyhawks Sports remains dedicated to providing quality youth sports programs that emphasize critical life skills such as teamwork, respect, and sportsmanship. The organization congratulates Michael Monary and all the finalists for their exceptional contributions to youth sports. About Skyhawks Founded in Spokane, Washington in 1979, Skyhawks has established itself as one of the largest youth sport program providers in North America. Skyhawks provides a wide variety of fun, safe and positive programs that emphasize critical lessons by “teaching life skills through sports”. Programs range from week-long summer camps to after-school programs, clinics, and leagues for children aged 18mths to 14 in a variety of sports. About Stack Sports With nearly 50 million users in 35 countries, Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, leagues, clubs, parents, coaches, and athletes. Some of the largest and most prominent sports organizations including the U.S. Soccer Federation, Little League Baseball and Softball, and Pop Warner Little Scholars rely on Stack Sports technology to run and manage their organizations. Stack Sports is headquartered in Dallas and is leading the industry one team at a time focusing on four key pillars — Grassroots Engagement, Participation Growth, Recruiting Pathways, and Elite Player Development. To learn more about how Stack Sports is transforming the sports experience, please visit https://stacksports.com/ . NEWS SOURCE: Stack Sports Keywords: Sports and Activities, Skyhawks Sports 2024 Coach of the Year Award, Stack Sports, Supertots, youth sports programs, DALLAS, Texas This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Stack Sports) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P122869 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/skyhawks-sports-announces-2024-coach-of-the-year-winner-and-finalists/ © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.Georgia police fire tear gas, water cannons at pro-EU protesters

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Roselyn Baker is not a firefighter anymore. That part of her life came to a screeching halt when she reported a complaint to her boss, the Monroe Rural Protection Fire District's chief, and was fired the same day, two hours later. Following her termination, nearly half of Monroe’s firefighters resigned . It’s been almost a year, and in that time, the district has racked up more than $8,000 in legal fees and paid Baker a $125,000 settlement after she filed a tort claim, alleging retaliation, wrongful termination and other misdeeds. The Fire District conducted an investigation , but the results were not released, with officials citing attorney-client privilege. People are also reading... Albany school support staff call for schools to close Jan. 6 As I See It: Why I really resigned from the Corvallis Planning Commission Unsafe left turn on Highway 20 in Linn County leads to fatal crash Two Albany residents killed in Linn County crash Samaritan Health Services CEO resigns Group wants to make Corvallis downtown more sophisticated Group wants to make Corvallis downtown more sophisticated Albany shelter faces federal lawsuit as whistleblower faces homelessness Family of hit-and-run victim seeks closure, clues that will lead to driver As I See It: The people of Benton County deserve leadership that promotes dialogue Christmas Eve hit-and-run causes domino effect in Albany Has a hard nonconference schedule prepared the Oregon State women's basketball team for the WCC? Corvallis high schoolers: We don't trust district to handle bias reports Albany man indicted in attempted murder case Oregon State celebrates Murphy's arrival while Washington State loses coach, quarterback The decision to close the investigation to the public was one made by the district's board of directors, according to Chief Chris Barnes. In the aftermath of the controversy, the district has updated its employee handbook and incorporated “relevant training” to prevent future incidents, Barnes said, adding staffing levels have returned normal. But for Baker, the actions signal a lack of accountability. “They sacrificed the integrity of the department to keep the people at the top,” she said. Earlier this year, several volunteer firefighters resigned from the Monroe Rural Fire Protection District following the termination of a staff firefighter after she had issued a complaint to Chief Barnes. The genesis of the complaint traces back to the January winter storm that blanketed the mid-Willamette Valley with a layer of ice . Barnes and Baker, who was an acting-in-capacity lieutenant, responded to a call at a Benton County home, according to a letter she wrote to Barnes. During the Jan. 16 incident, Baker put her portable radio on the back of her pants, attached to her duty belt and bent down to evaluate a patient. Wanting to call more medics to the scene, Barnes approached Baker from behind and grabbed her radio, yanking it several times before freeing it from her belt, the letter, dated Jan. 22, said. “The action of approaching me from behind and removing the radio from my belt made me feel extremely uncomfortable. I am more than capable of removing the portable radio from my belt in a timely manner if you are unable to find yours,” the letter says. Baker specifically asked Barnes not to touch her or her belt unless her life is under immediate threat or if she has given explicit permission. Within two hours of delivering her written complaint to Barnes, she was fired, according to the tort claim, filed two weeks later on Jan. 30. Tort claims against governmental agencies are often precursors to lawsuits. Copies of both the dated letter Baker brought to Barnes and her last check are included in the tort claim. After learning of the termination — one of only three paid positions at the district — five volunteer firefighters resigned and signed a letter sent to the board of directors, indicating they had no confidence in Chief Barnes' leadership. Resigned volunteer firefighters indicated they would return if an investigation were launched and Barnes were placed on administrative leave. They got half of what they wanted: An investigation was conducted, but Barnes was not placed on administrative leave. Shortly after the board's vote to conduct an investigation, the only remaining paid staff firefighter also resigned because of Baker’s termination. With the changes in staffing, some resigned firefighters expressed concerns about the district's ability to get to calls fast enough. However, Barnes maintained in an email that no call times were affected. Today, staffing is normal. Four paid positions, two part-time and two full-time, are filled, he said. Volunteers total 16, with two recruits finishing up at the academy, he added. The tort claim filed with the district describes battery, sexual harassment, gender discrimination, whistleblowing retaliation and wrongful termination at the hands of the fire chief. In response, Monroe Rural Fire Protection District has paid over $8,300 in attorney fees from January to July, according to invoices from Local Government Law Group obtained in a public records request. The first charge appears Jan. 23, a day after Baker’s termination. Barnes declined to comment about the settlement Baker received, but Baker said she accepted a $125,000 settlement in August. Before that, she was asked to come back to her position. Mid-Valley Media obtained the letter that was addressed to her lawyer. “After careful consideration, the district is willing to allow Ms. Baker to return to work immediately, in her same position without any loss of pay or benefits,” the Feb. 15 letter penned by Spencer Rockwell of Special Districts Insurance Services reads. “I have been asked by the district to assist them in this matter,” the letter says. At the time, the investigation was not yet complete looking into the allegations Baker made, the letter acknowledges. In February, the board of directors voted to investigate the allegations against Barnes. Mid-Valley Media attempted to obtain the records from Monroe Rural Protection Fire District, but the request was denied, based on an Oregon state law that exempts documents produced under attorney-client privilege. “The investigation was completed by a third-party and at the control and direction of the District’s legal counsel. The investigator issued a report to legal counsel. The report is an attorney-client privileged document, unconditionally exempt from disclosure, and not subject to an analysis of the public interest,” Mark Wolf of Local Government Law Group wrote in a letter to the Benton County District Attorney, to whom Mid-Valley Media appealed after its public records request was denied. When asked why the records were not released, Barnes said the decision to conduct the investigation the way it did was made by the board of directors. He couldn't speak to it. When asked what he thinks the public should know about the investigation, he gave the following reply by email: “That the board of directors fulfilled their obligation as elected officials, by investigating the matter and based on the findings of those results, made decisions that best suited the district and the public,” he said. When asked if any new trainings or changes were put in place to prevent future incidents, Barnes replied: “The board has adopted a revised and current employee handbook in collaboration with HR Answers, a Special District Association of Oregon affiliate. MRFPD has instituted additional training in relevant topics.” Inside a Corvallis coffee shop, Baker’s hands clasped over a to-go paper cup. She doesn't socialize much in Monroe anymore, she said. She doesn’t eat out at restaurants or even do much shopping there because she doesn’t want to run into anyone from the fire department. Monroe, a town of 763 according to the 2023 U.S. Census, is a place where people don’t ask very many questions, she said. She thought residents might come to the public meetings to see why firefighters were resigning. But they didn’t. On social media, some residents shared that they thought Baker was complaining because she got fired, she said. No one seemed to ask questions there either. “Some people had their minds set. People in Monroe don’t ask questions unless it benefits them or their agenda,” she said. Some of her interactions in the small town felt outright hostile. A former member of the Fire District called a local TV news station to show up to Baker's doorstep, without any warning. She knows who it was because she asked the newscaster who sent her the news tip, she said. “It felt like a direct attempt to humiliate me by invading my privacy,” she said. It’s been almost a year since the day Baker was terminated, but the details are still fresh in her mind. Baker purposely went to deliver her complaint with two other firefighters, who stood in earshot, she said. The chief had a track record of being defensive, and she didn’t want to be alone when she brought in the note. She remembers joking with her coworkers that she was going to get fired for raising a complaint, she said. Then she was. “I just wanted to keep my head down and do my job and maybe ask someone not to touch me, you know, that's it. That's it. I wasn’t even asking for him to get written up,” she said. When five volunteer firefighters resigned, saying they would return if Barnes was put on administrative leave, Baker thought that the board might grant their request. But they didn’t. Being a firefighter is a difficult job; you have to put faith and trust in your team, she said. You are being asked to put in time and effort and may even be risking fellow firefighters' lives at times. Instead, she felt like firefighters, including herself, were treated like they were disposable. “If you want people to actually care about the job they're doing and put in that time and effort, you take pride in it. You have to treat them right. You have to protect your employees,” she said. Watching it all unfold, Baker is now left with a feeling that is difficult to describe. “I feel like I got betrayed,” she said. It almost sounds too dramatic, she said, but it’s the only word that can really describe the heavy emotion, she said. Before events unfolded, she looks back at her time at Monroe Fire as rewarding. She wouldn’t go back and change that just because of what happened in the end, Baker said. At the same time, if she had a daughter, she wouldn’t want her to be a firefighter directly because of her experience, she said. Looking for a fresh start, Baker enrolled in dental hygienist school. She hasn’t tried to apply to any firefighting jobs since. It feels like something she has in her “back pocket,” but for now the feelings are too fresh, and frankly she has become disillusioned. “There was no integrity, no accountability, she said, “ I lost faith in the system, and I didn’t want to risk it again.” Related stories: Why nearly half of Monroe's volunteer firefighters resigned Shayla Escudero Allegations against Monroe fire chief to be investigated Shayla Escudero Another Monroe firefighter resigns amid allegations against chief Shayla Escudero Shayla Escudero graduated University of Southern California with a Master of Science in Journalism. She covers Albany city hall and Linn County. She is passionate about telling people forward stories and shining a light on injustices. She can be reached at Shayla.Escudero@lee.net Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Reporter Author email {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Tejashwi Yadav, a key leader in the Rashtriya Janata Dal and former deputy chief minister of Bihar, announced on Sunday that the INDI alliance will assess its devastating setback in the Maharashtra assembly elections. In the 288-member state assembly, the opposition parties Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) managed to win a mere 16, 20, and 10 seats, respectively. In contrast, the BJP sizably secured 132 seats, with an additional 57 seats won by Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and 41 by NCP. Tejashwi Yadav, accompanied by his father Lalu Prasad Yadav, visited Peetambara Peeth, a renowned Shakti Peeth, for spiritual intervention. Expressing optimism, Yadav affirmed, "We have won in Jharkhand and will evaluate the causes behind our defeat in Maharashtra. Nevertheless, we are certain of our victory in the 2025 Bihar elections." The duo also paid their respects at the Van Khandeshwar temple of Lord Shiva. (With inputs from agencies.)

Burt W. Podbere Sells 11,217 Shares of CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWD) StockArticle content BMW is putting waste to good use, with announcements that it’s sending its diesel-powered vehicles to German buyers with cooking-oil diesel in their tanks, and that its new pilot project will send battery waste directly back into battery production. The renewable diesel is called HVO 100, which stands for hydrotreated vegetable oil, along with 100% purity. It’s made from various waste oils, including used cooking oil; and while it’s been available in other European countries for several years, in Germany it was approved for sale in filling stations in May of 2024. The fuel doesn’t contain conventional biodiesel, and the oil must be considered sustainable, so there’s no palm oil in it. It has the potential for 90% reduced CO2 emissions compared to fossil-fuel diesel, and BMW said it’s better for cold starts and is resistant to microbial contamination, or “diesel plague,” a situation where microorganisms such as fungus or yeast can multiply and block the fuel system. Automakers ship vehicles from their factories with a minimum amount of fuel – usually just enough to get them on or off a transport truck or railway car and then to the dealership, which fills each vehicle as it’s sold. Because of this, BMW will only put five to eight litres of HV 100 in the tanks as vehicles leave the assembly line, starting in January 2025; but added that diesel engines in specific models made since March 2015 can use the fuel, which is available in public fuel stations. BMW uses a carrier service to ship parts about 40 km from a supplier to its plant in Munich several times a day, and since March of 2023, four of the trucks have used HV 100, with two more being added. The Munich-based automaker also announced that, along with joint-venture partner Encory, it is building a Cell Recycling Competence Centre (CRCC) for battery cells. This will use “direct” recycling, where battery cells and leftover material from battery cell production will be dismantled for their components. This material will then be directly used to make new battery cells in BMW’s pilot production. The CRCC represents an investment of about €10 million, with construction slated to begin in the second half of 2025. In conventional recycling, materials are removed from battery waste and reverted to their original state, using energy-intensive thermal or chemical processing. Instead, BMW plans to separate lithium, cobalt, graphite, manganese, nickel, and copper from the waste, and then introduce them directly into cell production in a process developed by BMW Group. The automaker estimates that once the process is implemented on a large scale at the CRCC, it will be able to recycle battery cell material “in the mid-double-digit tonne range” each year. The plant will also capture and save the electrical energy as the cells are discharged, and use it to operate the recycling system. Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on X , Tiktok and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.

Published 1:01 pm Monday, December 16, 2024 By Jim Gazzolo Matt Viator has capped off his coaching staff with a pair of familiar faces. Monday, Viator, who returns as head football coach at McNeese State after a nine-year absence, announced the final two staff members. After keeping a good percentage of the previous group, Viator selected a couple of his former Cowboy players to complete his hiring. Viator picked former McNeese quarterback Tyler Bolfing from Kansas as his offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach and Terence Cahee, the head coach at Wossman High School, to work with linebackers. Bolfing spent last season as the Jayhawks offensive analyst, while Cahlee was the top guy at Wossman over the previous three seasons. Both are graduates of McNeese and also began their coaching careers under Viator. Cahlee will also serve as the assistant special teams coach. “I wanted to go coach in college, but then I got here, and it was like, ‘Man, I’m OK,” Cahee told the Quachita Citizen. “I ended up going back and forth with (Viator), and we’ve been to war and we’ve been to war together. He understands who I am and what I bring to the table.” Before Wossman, Cahee was the defensive coordinator at Lake Charles College Prep for four seasons. Cahee played safety for Viator from 2009-12, spending the last season as Bolfing’s teammate. As a player for the Cowboys, he was a two-time All-Southland Conference defensive back, earned All-American honors in 2012, and was named the McNeese MVP in 2012. He was the quality control coach for defense at McNeese in 2015. Bolfing played for Viator at McNeese from 2012-14 and began his coaching career as a student assistant the following season. In 2015, he was part of the staff that led McNeese to a 10-0 regular season and its last Southland Conference championship. Bolfing worked as a graduate assistant under Viator at Louisiana-Monroe from 2016-17, working mainly with quarterbacks and receivers. He then returned to McNeese in 2018, coaching the tight ends. He returned to Monroe for two seasons, first coaching tight ends and special teams in 2019 and then quarterbacks the following year. He spent three years at Baylor as a quality control coach on offense before going to Kansas last January. Bolfing holds degrees from McNeese State (2015) and ULM (2017). He is married to the former Lakeyn Fontenot, a three-year letter winner in softball at McNeese from 2013-15. McNeese Football Coach Staff: Head Coach: Matt Viator Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks: Tyler Bolfing Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line: Kyle Segler Running Backs: Thomas Reese Wide Receivers: Michael Smith Tight Ends: Mason Martin Offensive Analyst: Kiefer Price Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers: Tony Pecoraro Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties: Josh Brown Defensive Line: Chris Gistorb Cornerbacks: Jordan Lee Linebackers: Terence Cahee Defensive Analyst: Chris St. John Director of Equipment Operations: Matt Saucier Director of Football Technology: Raymond DonovanInsight Health System Appoints Dr. Maliha Hashmi as Global AmbassadorHMEIMIM, Syria (AP) — A convoy of Russian military vehicles rolled down the highway towards the Syrian city of Tartus on Monday as soldiers stood guard. Planes periodically descended and rose from Russia’s Hmeimim air base in the Syrian coastal province of Latakia while smoke rose from the base. It was unclear what was burning. In the streets of Hmeimim, a town dotted with orange groves, many of the shops bear signs in Russian, a nod to the significance of the Russian military presence. But whether and how long that presence will last after the fall of former Syrian leader Bashar Assad is now an open question. Russia’s scorched-earth intervention on behalf of its ally, Assad, once turned the tide of the Syrian civil war. In 2017, Assad’s government signed a deal with Russia that offered it a free lease of the Hmeimim air base and the Tartus naval base for 49 years. But opposition forces in the country’s northwest launched a shock offensive last month that again threatened Assad’s rule. This time, Moscow largely stood aside — although it has granted asylum to the former president and his family. On Monday, in his first public statement since his ouster, Assad said he had left Damascus for the Hmeimim air base on Dec. 8 after insurgents stormed the capital, but hadn't planned to flee the country. He said that after the base came under attack by drones, the Russians decided to evacuate him to Russia. Since Assad's departure, there have been no clashes between Russian troops and the former insurgents who have suddenly become the de facto security forces for all of Syria. That's despite the fact that many of the fighters are from areas of northern Syria that came under frequent Russian bombardment and have little love for Moscow. A fighter guarding the shuttered civilian airport next to the Hmeimim base said Monday, “The Russians are preparing to withdraw from Syria, God willing.” He gave only his nickname, Abu Saif, because he wasn't authorized to comment publicly. Russian forces have pulled out of some areas of Syria. Russian forces and military vehicles were seen withdrawing from southern Syria on Friday toward their primary base in the city of Latakia. On Thursday, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Russian forces were leaving bases in Ain Issa and Tel Al-Samn in the Al-Raqqah countryside. Satellite images released by Maxar Technologies on Friday show what appear to be cargo planes at a Russian military airfield in Syria with their nose cones opened to receive heavy equipment, along with helicopters being dismantled and prepared for transport. Moscow has reached out to the new Syrian authorities to try to ensure the security of its bases and extend its forces' stay. The three-starred flag of the Syrian revolution was quickly hoisted at the Syrian Embassy in Moscow in place of the old government's two-starred flag. In an interview with The Associated Press on Monday, Obeida Arnaout, spokesman for the political department of the new transitional government, called on Russia to “reconsider its presence” in Syria, as well as its interests. But he didn't rule out the possibility that Russian forces could remain. “Their interests were linked to the criminal Assad regime. They can reconsider and take the initiatives to reach out to the new administration to show that they have no animosity toward the Syrian people, and that the era of Assad regime is finally over," Arnaout said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a call with reporters Monday that Moscow was discussing the issue with the new authorities. “We are in contact with representatives of the forces that are currently in control of the situation in the country, and all of this will be determined in the course of dialogue,” Peskov said. Sarah El Deeb contributed to this report from Damascus, Syria.

Nwabali, Okoye up brace for stricter penalty rules

The end is nigh for the Staten Island vampire roommates Nandor ( Kayvan Novak ), Nadja ( Natasia Demetriou ), Laszlo ( Matt Berry ), and Colin Robinson ( Mark Proskch ) and their human pal Guillermo ( Harvey Guillén ) as FX ‘s What We Do in the Shadows prepares to present its series finale episode on Monday, December 16th. In anticipation of the show’s ending, TV Insider caught up with stars Novak, Guillén, Berry, and Proksch alongside creatives Paul Simms , Sarah Naftalis, and Sam Johnson in our studio at New York Comic Con to discuss the final season. So, do they stick the landing? It’s a question that looms over the show as we anticipate the finale episode, but according to Proksch, they do indeed. @Mattdoylephoto “I think it’s hard on a comedy, based on history, to stick the landing,” Proksch says in the video interview, above. “But I feel like we accomplish that.” It’s definitely something to consider as series executive producer Taika Waititi , who co-wrote and co-directed the 2014 film What We Do in the Shadows as well as starred as Viago in both the film and show, tells TV Insider, “It’s time for it to end... If there was another season, there’d be vampires jumping sharks.” While he couldn’t say anything about the finale itself, there’s plenty of love for the series on Waititi’s end as he notes, “I can’t believe this five-minute idea of vampire flatmates has lasted this many years. And I’m really... I’m proud of it.” 'What We Do in the Shadows': Doug Jones on Baron Afanas' Award & Alexander Skarsgård Guest Appearance (Exclusive) As Simms points out, Season 6 has been filled with so many funny plotlines, “there’s nothing really sad about it.” When it comes to fans facing the finale he adds, “They’ll love it. They won’t realize till the very end that it’s that there’s any reason to be [sad].” While Johnson jokes that “I pushed for self-importance,” within the final season, Novak jokes, “I pushed for Season 7.” See what else the team had to share about Season 6’s funnier storylines including Guillermo’s gig in the corporate business industry as well as Laszlo’s scientific experiments in the full video interview, above, and let us know what you hope to see in the series finale of What We Do in the Shadows before it airs on FX. What We Do in the Shadows , Series Finale, Monday, December 16th, 10/9c, FX More Headlines: ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ Stars & Creatives Tease Series Finale ‘Sticks the Landing’ (VIDEO) New Year’s Eve: How to Ring in 2025 With Your Favorite TV Hosts Christian Slater Reacts to That ‘Dexter: Original Sin’ Death & Creator Explains New Intro College Football Playoff & Bowl Game TV Schedule 2024 How Will ‘Blue Bloods’ End for Each Character? Our Theories

Lucknow: KGMU on Monday introduced advanced Functional MRI (fMRI) services to improve diagnosis and treatment of patients with complex brain conditions like tumours and trauma. These services were announced during the 38th Foundation Day celebrations of the radiodiagnosis department, which also featured a continuing medical education (CME) programme on advanced neuroimaging techniques . Head, radiodiagnosis department, Prof Anit Parihar shared that the fMRI services are currently being offered at Shatabdi Hospital Phase I for research purposes and are provided free of cost to patients who meet specific medical criteria. He described fMRI as a more advanced imaging technology than conventional MRI that helps map critical areas of the brain responsible for movement, sensation and speech. This mapping is particularly useful for pre-surgical planning and is expected to improve treatment for epilepsy, stroke, brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Prof Parihar said that fMRI can assist in evaluating psychiatric conditions such as depression and schizophrenia. Dr Mona Tiwari from the Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata, discussed basics of fMRI physics and its use in identifying neurological issues. She explained the role of Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) in detecting subtle brain injuries and managing autism. Dr Shriram Varadharajan from Chennai spoke about clinical applications of fMRI and DTI. KGMU VC Prof Soniya Nityanand, praised the department for its progress in medical technology. The celebrations concluded with awards ceremony. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Bank of America sells $865 in Nuveen municipal fund stockKC_Gray 35 pass from Mahomes (Shrader kick), 13:35. Car_FG Pineiro 30, 9:24. KC_FG Shrader 25, 2:39. Car_FG Pineiro 32, 14:42. KC_FG Shrader 41, 7:24. KC_Gray 11 pass from Mahomes (Shrader kick), :44. Car_FG Pineiro 29, :00. Car_D.Moore 1 pass from Young (Pineiro kick), 6:26. KC_Hopkins 3 pass from Mahomes (Shrader kick), 2:42. Car_FG Pineiro 33, 12:37. Car_Hubbard 1 run (Hubbard run), 1:46. KC_FG Shrader 31, :00. A_73,216. RUSHING_Kansas City, Hunt 16-68, Mahomes 5-60, Hardman 2-15, Perine 1-13, Worthy 1-5, Steele 1-4. Carolina, Hubbard 16-58, Young 3-20, Brooks 2-7. PASSING_Kansas City, Mahomes 27-37-0-269. Carolina, Young 21-35-0-263. RECEIVING_Kansas City, Kelce 6-62, Hopkins 5-35, Gray 4-66, Worthy 4-46, Hunt 3-19, Perine 2-11, Ju.Watson 1-15, Steele 1-9, Smith-Schuster 1-6. Carolina, Moore 6-81, Legette 4-56, Thielen 3-57, J.Sanders 3-49, Thompkins 3-13, Tremble 1-5, Hubbard 1-2. MISSED FIELD GOALS_None.Shares of Surge Energy Inc. ( TSE:SGY – Get Free Report ) have earned an average rating of “Buy” from the four research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$11.00. SGY has been the topic of several analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price target on Surge Energy from C$11.00 to C$9.00 in a report on Friday, December 13th. National Bankshares boosted their target price on shares of Surge Energy from C$11.00 to C$11.25 in a report on Friday, September 27th. Canaccord Genuity Group cut their price target on shares of Surge Energy from C$11.00 to C$10.50 in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Cormark upgraded Surge Energy to a “moderate buy” rating in a report on Monday, September 23rd. Finally, Raymond James raised Surge Energy to a “moderate buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Read Our Latest Stock Report on SGY Insider Transactions at Surge Energy Surge Energy Trading Up 1.1 % Shares of SGY stock opened at C$5.54 on Friday. Surge Energy has a fifty-two week low of C$4.94 and a fifty-two week high of C$8.16. The firm has a market capitalization of C$555.77 million, a P/E ratio of 3.42, a PEG ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 2.54. The stock’s fifty day moving average is C$5.67 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$6.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 29.47, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a current ratio of 0.50. Surge Energy Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 31st were paid a dividend of $0.0433 per share. This is a positive change from Surge Energy’s previous monthly dividend of $0.04. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.38%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 31st. Surge Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.10%. About Surge Energy ( Get Free Report Surge Energy Inc explores, develops, and produces oil and gas in western Canada. Its principal properties are located in the areas of Sparky, Southeast Saskatchewan, Carbonates, Valhalla, and Shaunavon in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The company was formerly known as Zapata Energy Corporation and changed its name to Surge Energy Inc in June 2010. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Surge Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Surge Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK. When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in. You're reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool's Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources , and more. Learn More . The easyjet (LSE: EZJ) share price has had a decent year. Shares in the budget airline are up 20% in the past 12 months and trading at £5.89. While that's still down 53% from the pre-pandemic era of five years ago, it does mean investors have been... Ken HallThe Biden administration boasted in an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report released Thursday about the unprecedented prosecution of a California man for “smuggling greenhouse gases” across the border from Mexico and selling them online. Michael Hart, 58, was arrested in March and pleaded guilty in September to charges related to transporting refrigerants into the US to peddle on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp and other online vendors between June and December 2022. Biden’s EPA touted the crackdown on Hart, the first-ever person charged for climate change-related bootlegging of refrigerants — namely, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HFCs) — without the agency’s approval, in its report . When charging the San Diego resident earlier this year, US Attorney Tara McGrath vowed “it will not be the last” case of its kind. “We are using every means possible to protect our planet from the harm caused by toxic pollutants, including bringing criminal charges,” the prosecutor from the Southern District of California said . Hart concealed the refrigerants, or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HFCs), under a tarp and some tools in his pickup truck when crossing the border, according to federal prosecutors. The importation of HFCs, a synthetic refrigerant typically used in older air conditioning systems, is outlawed under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 — passed as part of a government spending bill in December of that year. In total, the EPA report revealed 121 criminal defendants have been charged with climate crimes in 2024 — the highest amount since Biden, 82, took office — and that it concluded more than 1,850 civil cases. The environmental authority also reported slapping $1.7 billion in penalties on climate offenders in the latest fiscal year, the highest level reached under Biden. The agency said its “enhanced efforts” at enforcing environmental laws held “polluters accountable” and provided “substantial environmental and public health benefits.” “In Fiscal Year 2024, EPA’s enforcement and compliance assurance program produced its strongest results since 2017, focusing on efforts to combat climate change and tackling some of the nation’s most significant environmental threats to our shared air, water and land,” David Uhlmann, the assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, said in a statement. “The progress made under the Biden-Harris Administration has sent a clear signal that polluters will be held accountable and that protecting communities from harm is a top priority,” he added. Trump, who actually signed into law the greenhouse gas bill that resulted in Hart’s arrest, albeit as part of a government funding package, has tapped former New York GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as administrator of the EPA in his incoming administration. In an interview with the Associated Press, Uhlmann indicated that he expects the EPA under Trump to continue to hold polluters accountable. “Upholding the rule of law and making sure that polluters are held accountable and communities are protected from harmful pollution is not a partisan matter,” the EPA official said. “We do enforcement at EPA based on the law, based on the facts, without regard to politics.” “So, you know, communities should expect that EPA will continue to protect them from harmful pollution,” he added. Hart faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His sentencing date is scheduled for Dec. 9.

Toby Esterby says he is constantly seeing new HIV cases diagnosed. "It's not that we're seeing a single case a week," Esterby, chief operations officer at the West Side Community Clinic in Saskatoon, said. "We're seeing several new cases every week. Week after week." Recently released statistics show Saskatchewan had the worst rate of HIV infections in Canada in 2023. The release by the Public Health Agency of Canada says Saskatchewan's infection rate last year was 19.4 per 100,000 populations, more than three times the national rate of 6.1 per 100,000. Fewer people worldwide are getting HIV — so why are rates going up in Canada? The West Side Community Clinic is on the front-lines of HIV care. It has 800 regular patients. Esterby said there's no reason HIV should be spreading. It could be prevented if there was a plan and resources in place, he said. "We're really struggling with folks that are trying to address HIV," he said. "They're trying to take care of themselves. They're trying to make it to their appointments, and they're trying to do all of these things." He said many of the patients are dealing with food security, housing issues, family relations and healing from trauma. These social determinants take up so much of their time and energy that they can't address their health needs. "We hear often about how we are one of the more economically stable and prosperous provinces in the Dominion of Canada," he said. "Yet here we are." Esterby said HIV is a completely treatable chronic disease. "Nobody should die from HIV," he said. "We lose somebody every week." LISTEN: HIV is quietly surging in Saskatchewan: This is Saskatchewan 25:49 HIV is quietly surging in Saskatchewan If you’re having sex in Saskatchewan, you’re at risk of HIV. Why are our rates rising, even as global cases decline? Long wait-lists Sanctum Care group is a non-profit in Saskatoon that works primarily with pregnant women who are at risk of contracting HIV, or pregnant women who may have already contracted it and may not be on medication. It is Saskatchewan's first and only HIV hospice and transitional care home. Katelyn Roberts, Sanctum's executive director, said Saskatchewan is not always the best at delivering the right care and support when someone is diagnosed with HIV. Sanctum works to increase prenatal care and get women appropriate medications. "Unfortunately, over 70 per cent of the women that we work with who are pregnant are also homeless, or 80 per cent of them are struggling with injection drug use," she said. "So we recognize that need kind of very early on." Sanctum 1.5 is an inpatient home designed to supports the clients 24/7. The 10-bed group home in Saskatoon services the whole province. "We have battled long wait-lists for a very long time," she said. Sanctum also operates PORT, its prenatal outreach and resource team, in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Regina. Roberts said it is an intensive case management approach where the team works with women at risk of having their infant apprehended at birth, providing wraparound services and support. Manitoba has second-highest HIV diagnosis rate in Canada, led by injection drug use: report Dr. Cara Spence, an assistant professor in the department of medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, was the lead researcher in a two-year analysis of HIV numbers in Saskatchewan. She said numbers are decreasing globally, but not here. "We don't see these kinds of trends globally anymore," she said. "HIV is a chronic disease now." She said HIV is often related to poverty or social determinants, young women are being affected at a much larger rate and the biggest risk factor is having unprotected sex. HIV is easily managed and there are very good treatment plans available where people can live long, healthy lives, Spence said. "When you're dealing with a deeper core issue like housing and food security, your health often comes secondary and it increases your vulnerabilities." (CBC News) This story is from the This is Saskatchewan podcast — your connection to the stories Saskatchewan is talking about. Every week, Leisha Grebinski and Nichole Huck will cover local issues that matter. Hear the voices that are creating change, shaping policy and fuelling creativity in Saskatchewan. Tune into This is Saskatchewan every Wednesday on CBC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts. This is Saskatchewan Women driving change in Saskatchewan's trucking industry This is Saskatchewan Some Sask. residents concerned as Canada-India relations take a hit This is Saskatchewan Some Sask. residents concerned as Canada-India relations take a hitTelcos Investment Recovery In Limbo As Tariff Hike Backfires, Price War With Satcom Services Likely In 2025

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is shaping up to be a titan in the smartphone world, and recent leaks suggest its color options will be just as impressive. Forget the usual blacks and blues – Samsung appears to be embracing a “titanium” theme for its flagship device, offering a range of sophisticated and modern hues. This leak, originating from display industry analyst Ross Young, provides unprecedented detail, not only revealing the color names but also hinting at their potential availability. What’s the Scoop? Ross Young, known for his accurate predictions in the display tech world , has unveiled what he claims to be the full color palette for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. This leak comes months ahead of the phone’s expected launch in early 2025, giving us a tantalizing glimpse of what Samsung has in store. The leak suggests a move towards a more premium aesthetic, with titanium playing a central role in the color scheme. The Titanium Collection: According to Young, the Galaxy S25 Ultra will be available in seven colors: This strategy of offering exclusive online colors isn’t new for Samsung. It allows them to create excitement and offer unique options for customers who prefer to buy directly from Samsung.com. Why Titanium? The shift towards a titanium-focused color palette could signify several things. Firstly, it aligns with rumors that Samsung might be incorporating titanium into the S25 Ultra’s design, possibly for the frame or camera module . This would not only enhance the phone’s durability but also contribute to a more premium look and feel. Secondly, the “titanium” nomenclature evokes a sense of strength, sophistication, and modernity, qualities that Samsung likely wants to associate with its flagship device. More Than Just a Pretty Face: While the color options are certainly exciting, it’s important to remember that the Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to pack a punch in terms of features and performance. Rumors suggest a powerful new processor, an upgraded camera system with improved zoom capabilities, and possibly even an under-display selfie camera. My Take: Personally, I’m thrilled with this potential shift towards a more refined color palette. While I’ve always appreciated Samsung’s willingness to experiment with bold colors, the titanium theme seems like a step in the right direction for the Ultra line. It conveys a sense of elegance and sophistication that aligns with the device’s premium positioning. I’m particularly intrigued by the “Titanium Jade Green” and “Titanium Pink Gold” online exclusives. These unique shades could be a real draw for consumers looking for something different. A Deeper Dive into the Colors: Beyond the Ultra: While this leak focuses solely on the S25 Ultra, it’s worth noting that the standard Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus are also expected to come in a variety of colors. Leaked images of SIM trays suggest options like black, green, purple, blue, and white for these models. It’s possible that some of these colors might also be available for the Ultra, but with a titanium twist . Looking Ahead: It’s important to remember that these are still leaks, and Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed anything yet. However, Ross Young has a reliable track record, so there’s a good chance these colors will be close to the final product. We can expect more information to surface as we get closer to the official launch of the Galaxy S25 series. Until then, we can only speculate and dream about which titanium hue will best suit our style. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is shaping up to be a device that pushes the boundaries of smartphone design and technology. The leaked color palette suggests that Samsung is paying close attention to aesthetics, offering a range of sophisticated and modern options to appeal to a wide range of users. With its rumored titanium construction and powerful features, the S25 Ultra could be a true flagship phone in every sense of the word.Solis Mammography Announces Acquisition of Avestēe Women's Imaging Centers in San AntonioMarshall vs. Georgia Southern Basketball Tickets – Saturday, January 11

My Date with Rural China----VOC.com.cn Unveils Season Two of I Am in Rural ChinaCHANGSHA, China , Dec. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Modern China's rural revitalization strategy is crafting a remarkable narrative of transformation across the countryside, while progressive opening-up policies encourage foreign visitors to delve deeper into the nation's heartland. On December 26th , VOC.com.cn premiered the second season of its acclaimed series, I Am in Rural China. The show follows Teona Kvartskhava, an international guest, as she explores the villages of Hunan Province , offering viewers a firsthand look at the dynamic implementation of comprehensive rural revitalization. This captivating series invites a global audience to witness the dawn of a new era in China's rural landscapes, showcasing the country's evolving countryside to viewers worldwide. Rice field came as the first surprise. Hunan is the largest rice grower and producer in China . Hunan provides the high-quality and tasty rice. Teona Kvartskhava, a foreigner hardly feeding on rice, was tempted to have plenty of it. In Qunle Village, Lixian County, Changde, she also experienced "Double Rush", which is a time-honored agricultural event in China . An event that used to call for the joint efforts of all family members, has now become much easier thanks to technology. Departing from Lixian County for the moment, Teona Kvartskhava embarked on an exciting trip of tastes in Rucheng, Chenzhou , Southern Hunan . Hunan people are keen and expert on peppery food and spicy taste dominates the Hunan cuisine. Hunan is also rich in varieties of peppers. Jingpo town, a well-known town where spicy food prevails. It is a producer of red cluster pepper, officially one of the hottest peppers in China . From the crowded market, to the red and yellow pepper planting base, and then to the modern processing pepper workshop, the small cluster pepper strung up all corners of the town, so that the original ordinary mountain town has become extraordinarily lively and affluent. Of course, the "star" of the countryside here is not only agriculture, but also culture, which has also blossomed in this ancient land. As the birthplace of papermaking, China has preserved a unique handmade papermaking technique, which is used to make some "special" papers. In Shanghong Village, Liuyang, Teona Kvartskhava was lucky to meet two Chinese masters, who showed her hands-on experiences of "Gushan Tribute Paper" and "Floral Paper". As the process progresses, the paper took shape in her hands, as if history and culture were meeting in front of her eyes, and became the "first paper" in Teona Kvartskhava's life. So,What's rural China like? It's about hospitable peasants, about various agricultural produce, about profound history and culture, about colorful intangible cultural heritage. It's like a book telling numerous absorbing stories. Hopefully Teona Kvartskhava'll be luckier to visit more villages for their unique interest and charm. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/my-date-with-rural-chinavoccomcn-unveils-season-two-of-i-am-in-rural-china-302339884.html SOURCE voc.com.cn © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.CHANGSHA, China , Dec. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Modern China's rural revitalization strategy is crafting a remarkable narrative of transformation across the countryside, while progressive opening-up policies encourage foreign visitors to delve deeper into the nation's heartland. On December 26th , VOC.com.cn premiered the second season of its acclaimed series, I Am in Rural China. The show follows Teona Kvartskhava, an international guest, as she explores the villages of Hunan Province , offering viewers a firsthand look at the dynamic implementation of comprehensive rural revitalization. This captivating series invites a global audience to witness the dawn of a new era in China's rural landscapes, showcasing the country's evolving countryside to viewers worldwide. Rice field came as the first surprise. Hunan is the largest rice grower and producer in China . Hunan provides the high-quality and tasty rice. Teona Kvartskhava, a foreigner hardly feeding on rice, was tempted to have plenty of it. In Qunle Village, Lixian County, Changde, she also experienced "Double Rush", which is a time-honored agricultural event in China . An event that used to call for the joint efforts of all family members, has now become much easier thanks to technology. Departing from Lixian County for the moment, Teona Kvartskhava embarked on an exciting trip of tastes in Rucheng, Chenzhou , Southern Hunan . Hunan people are keen and expert on peppery food and spicy taste dominates the Hunan cuisine. Hunan is also rich in varieties of peppers. Jingpo town, a well-known town where spicy food prevails. It is a producer of red cluster pepper, officially one of the hottest peppers in China . From the crowded market, to the red and yellow pepper planting base, and then to the modern processing pepper workshop, the small cluster pepper strung up all corners of the town, so that the original ordinary mountain town has become extraordinarily lively and affluent. Of course, the "star" of the countryside here is not only agriculture, but also culture, which has also blossomed in this ancient land. As the birthplace of papermaking, China has preserved a unique handmade papermaking technique, which is used to make some "special" papers. In Shanghong Village, Liuyang, Teona Kvartskhava was lucky to meet two Chinese masters, who showed her hands-on experiences of "Gushan Tribute Paper" and "Floral Paper". As the process progresses, the paper took shape in her hands, as if history and culture were meeting in front of her eyes, and became the "first paper" in Teona Kvartskhava's life. So,What's rural China like? It's about hospitable peasants, about various agricultural produce, about profound history and culture, about colorful intangible cultural heritage. It's like a book telling numerous absorbing stories. Hopefully Teona Kvartskhava'll be luckier to visit more villages for their unique interest and charm. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/my-date-with-rural-chinavoccomcn-unveils-season-two-of-i-am-in-rural-china-302339884.html SOURCE voc.com.cn

Thousands of Syrians celebrate in central Damascus during first Friday prayers since Assad's fall DAMASCUS (AP) — Thousands of Syrians have celebrated in Umayyad Square, the largest in Damascus, after the first Muslim Friday prayers following the ouster of President Bashar Assad. The leader of the insurgency that toppled Assad, Ahmad al-Sharaa, appeared in a video message in which he congratulated “the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution.” Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in the Turkish capital of Ankara that there was “broad agreement” between Turkey and the United States on what they would like to see in Syria. The top U.S. diplomat also called for an “inclusive and non-sectarian" interim government. American released from Syrian prison is flown out of the country, a US official says WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has transported an American who was imprisoned in Syria for seven months out of the country. That's according to a U.S. official, who says Travis Timmerman was flown out on a U.S. military helicopter. Timmerman, 29, told The Associated Press he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in Palestine Branch, a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.” Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she 'sustained an injury' from fall on official trip to Luxembourg WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she “sustained an injury” during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesman. Pelosi is 84. She was in Europe to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Her spokesman, Ian Krager, did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said that Pelosi tripped and fell while at an event with the other members of Congress. The person requested anonymity to discuss the fall because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly. Texas sues New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills by telemedicine Texas has sued a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman via telemedicine. It appears to be the first challenge in the U.S. to a state shield law that's intended to protect providers in Democratic-controlled states from being punished by states with abortion bans for exactly this kind of prescription. Prescriptions like these, made online and over the phone, are a key reason that the number of abortions has increased across the U.S. even after state bans started taking effect. Anti-abortion groups are increasingly focusing on the rise of pills. Some in seafood industry see Trump as fishermen's friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is likely to bring big changes to seafood, one of the oldest sectors of the U.S. economy. Some in the industry believe the returning president will be more responsive to its needs. Economic analysts paint a more complicated picture, as they fear Trump’s pending trade hostilities with major trading partners Canada and China could make an already pricy kind of protein more expensive. Conservationists also fear Trump’s emphasis on deregulation could jeopardize fish stocks already in peril. But many in the commercial fishing and seafood processing industries said they expect Trump to allow fishing in protected areas and crack down on offshore wind expansion. Russia targets Ukrainian infrastructure with a massive attack by cruise missiles and drones KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia fired 93 cruise and ballistic missiles and almost 200 drones in Friday's bombardments. He says it is one of the heaviest bombardments of the country’s energy sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion almost three years ago. He says Ukrainian defenses shot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles that were intercepted by F-16 warplanes provided by Western allies earlier this year. Zelenskyy renewed his plea for international unity against Russian President Vladimir Putin. But uncertainty surrounds how the war might unfold next year. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the war and has thrown into doubt whether vital U.S. military support for Kyiv will continue. Veteran Daniel Penny, acquitted in NYC subway chokehold, will join Trump's suite at football game FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A military veteran who choked an agitated New York subway rider and was acquitted of homicide this week has been invited by Vice President-elect JD Vance to join Donald Trump’s suite at the Army-Navy football game on Saturday. Daniel Penny was cleared of criminally negligent homicide in Jordan Neely’s 2023 death. A more serious manslaughter charge was dismissed last week. Vance served in the Marine Corps and had commented on the acquittal earlier this week. He said that “justice was done in this case” and Penny should never have been prosecuted. About 3 in 10 are highly confident in Trump on Cabinet, spending or military oversight: AP-NORC poll WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans may have elected Donald Trump to a second term in November, but that doesn’t mean they have high confidence in his ability to choose well-qualified people for his Cabinet or effectively manage government spending, the military and the White House. That's according to a new poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About half of U.S. adults are “not at all confident” in Trump’s ability to appoint well-qualified people for high-level government positions. Only about 3 in 10 are “extremely” or “very” confident that Trump will pick qualified people to serve in his administration. New Jersey governor wants more federal resources for probe into drone sightings TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into the ongoing investigation of mysterious drone sightings being reported in the state and other parts of the region. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious drone activity. Murphy and other officials say there is no evidence that the drones pose a national security or a public safety threat. A state lawmaker says up to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18. Yankees to get closer Devin Williams from Brewers for Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin, AP source says NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the trade tells The Associated Press that the New York Yankees have agreed to acquire All-Star closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-hander Nestor Cortes, infield prospect Caleb Durbin and cash. A 30-year-old right-hander, Williams is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. He was diagnosed during spring training with two stress fractures in his back and didn’t make his season debut until July 28.