President Emmanuel Macron hosted three-way talks with Zelensky and Trump at the Elysee Palace, discussing what the incoming American president had termed a world that was a "little crazy". Hours after their meeting, the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden announced a new $988 million military assistance package for Ukraine. The package features drones, ammunition for precision HIMARS rocket launchers, and equipment and spare parts for artillery systems, tanks and armoured vehicles, the Pentagon said in a statement. Zelensky's meeting with Trump just before the three men headed to Notre Dame for the re-opening ceremony of the great Paris cathedral was his first face-to-face encounter with tycoon-turned-politician since his election victory. The meeting was of huge importance to Zelensky, given fears in Kyiv that Trump, who once boasted he could end Russia's war on Ukraine in 24 hours, may urge Ukraine to make concessions to Moscow. It also offered a unique chance for Macron to gain insights into how a second Trump presidency will look when he takes office in January. The trip to Paris is Trump's first international visit since his November 5 election win. "We all want peace. But it is very important for us... that the peace is just for all of us and that Russia, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin or any other aggressor has no possibility of ever returning," Zelensky said according to the presidential website. "And this is the most important thing -- a just peace and security guarantees, strong security guarantees for Ukraine," he added. Trump has scoffed at the billions of dollars in US military assistance to Ukraine and has spoken of forcing a quick settlement. But Zelensky also thanked Trump for his "unwavering resolve" describing the talks as "good and productive". Trump and Macron embraced and shook hands several times on the steps of the French presidential palace, with Trump given a full guard of honour despite not yet being in office. "It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that," Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for the talks with Macron. Despite tensions between the two men during his first term, Trump hailed his ties with the centrist French leader, saying: "We had a great relationship as everyone knows. We accomplished a lot." Macron told Trump it was "a great honour for French people to welcome you" for the re-opening ceremony at Notre Dame, which was devastated by a blaze in 2019 during Trump's first term. "You were president at that time and I remember the solidarity and the immediate reaction," Macron added, speaking in English. When he first took office in 2017, Trump's ties with Macron -- then also a fresh face on the world stage -- began warmly despite their obvious political differences. Their long and muscular handshakes -- which saw each man seek to assert his superiority -- became a light-hearted focus of attention before ties cooled, then soured, following disputes about climate change, trade and defence. Trump earlier wrote on his Truth Social platform that the United States should "not get involved" in the situation in Syria, where fast-moving rebel forces say they have begun to encircle the capital Damascus. The Republican's return to power has rung alarms in Paris and many European capitals after his promises on the campaign trail to force an end to fighting in Ukraine and levy tariffs on trading partners. In his own reaction to the discussions, Macron wrote on social media: "Let us continue our joint efforts for peace and security." European allies have largely enjoyed a close working relationship with Biden on the crisis in the Middle East, but Trump is likely to distance himself and ally the United States even more closely with Israel. In a sign of the importance of Trump's one-day trip to Paris, he was accompanied by his pick for White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, as well as his Near East and Middle East advisors, Steve Witkoff and Massad Boulos, according to a guest list issued by the Elysee Palace. Tesla tycoon and Trump advisor Elon Musk, who was also on the line during a phone call between the incoming president and Zelensky last month, also flew into the French capital was present at the Notre Dame ceremony. sjw/adp/jjewin.ph 。

NEW YORK (AP) — Gerard O'Keefe's 25 points helped Columbia defeat Merchant Marine 98-49 on Saturday. O'Keefe added five rebounds for the Lions (9-1). Blair Thompson scored 11 points while going 5 of 9 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and added six rebounds. Josiah Cunningham had nine points and went 3 of 6 from the field (1 for 4 from 3-point range). Drew Zalescik led the Mariners in scoring, finishing with 21 points and six rebounds. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .ORLANDO, Fla. , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2025 AIUM Annual Convention , hosted by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), will explore the cutting edge of medical technology through keynote presentations on space exploration, medical innovation, and neurotherapeutics. Taking place from March 29 to April 1 in Orlando, Florida , the 2025 Ultrasound Event will showcase groundbreaking developments in ultrasound technology and its expanding role in space medicine and advancements in brain health, like treating addiction, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. "With leaders like Dr. Chiao, Dr. Dulchavsky, and Dr. Rezai guiding our keynote sessions, we are not just imagining the future of ultrasound; we are helping create it," said Richard A. Hoppmann , MD, FACP, FAIUM, President of the AIUM. "The work of our speakers reflects the commitment to progress that defines our field, and opens new avenues for improving patient care." Dr. Leroy Chiao , PhD , a former National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut and International Space Station commander, will kick off the event with his keynote presentation, "Is It SADS, or Am I in Space? Medical Considerations for Spaceflight" . Drawing on his personal experiences in space, Dr. Chiao will explore the physiological effects of space environments and the development of countermeasures and diagnostics for space missions. He will also highlight how advancements in space medicine contribute to healthcare solutions on Earth. Dr. Chiao was one of the first astronauts to use ultrasound in space. "From understanding space-related medical conditions to adapting ultrasound technologies for use in space, we continue to learn and innovate in ways that enhance healthcare for all," said Dr. Chiao. Scott Dulchavsky , MD, PhD , a NASA principal investigator and Surgeon in Chief at Henry Ford Health, will follow with his keynote, "Extraterrestrial Medical Care." Dr. Dulchavsky will explore how ultrasound has become an essential tool in diagnosing a wide range of conditions during manned space missions and how these lessons translate into groundbreaking advancements in healthcare on Earth. "Ultrasound has proven to be an invaluable tool in space medicine," said Dr. Dulchavsky. "What we have learned in space is already transforming medical care back on Earth." Ali R. Rezai , MD , Executive Chair and Director of the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, will present "Focused Ultrasound: Breaking Barriers in Neurotherapeutics." Dr. Rezai will discuss the groundbreaking potential of focused ultrasound in treating neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and addiction, offering new hope through non-invasive treatments. "Focused ultrasound has the power to revolutionize how we treat neurological disorders," Dr. Rezai stated. "I look forward to sharing the advancements we are making in brain health and demonstrating how ultrasound technology is leading the way to more effective, less invasive treatments." The 2025 Ultrasound Event invites attendees to Orlando for in-depth discussions on the latest breakthroughs in medical technologies, setting the stage for the evolution of medical ultrasound. Convention topics will cover obstetric ultrasound, gynecologic ultrasound, musculoskeletal ultrasound, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), artificial intelligence (AI) in ultrasound, and many more. For registration and more information about The Ultrasound Event 2025, please visit the event's website . If you're interested in partnering with or sponsoring the event, follow this link . About the AIUM The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) is a multidisciplinary medical association of more than 7,000 physicians, sonographers, radiologists, scientists, students, and other healthcare professionals. With over 70 years of experience, the AIUM is dedicated to empowering and cultivating a global multidisciplinary community engaged in the use of medical ultrasound through raising awareness, education, sharing information, and research. Learn more about the AIUM's membership , AIUM's Journal of Medical Ultrasound , AIUM Accreditation , and educational offerings . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/exploring-space-and-neurotherapeutics-at-the-2025-ultrasound-event-a-journey-into-the-future-of-medical-ultrasound-302332900.html SOURCE American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM)

Indian Bank, which was established on March 5, 1907 and officially started operations on August 15, 1907, has a legacy of over a century. It has navigated several economic crises, becoming a leading financial institution in India. As on September 30, 2024, Indian Bank is the seventh largest public sector bank with a total business of ₹12.44 lakh crore. Public opinion sought On November 2, 1906, a circular went out, inviting people to share their views on starting a “Native Bank in Madras”. The immediate trigger was the failure of the Madras-based Arbuthnot Bank in 1906, which caused misery to depositors, with a cascading effect on the local economy, according to details from the bank. “Also, at the time of the failure of Arbuthnot Bank, the Swadeshi Movement was launched at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress in 1906. The establishment of the bank reflected the nationalistic desire for a reliable, Indian-managed financial institution,” say Indian Bank officials. V. Krishnaswamy Iyer, a prominent Madras lawyer, played a pivotal role in the establishment of the bank. S.Rm.M. Ramaswami Chettiar, one of the bank’s first directors, went on to become its inaugural chairman. Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar, a highly respected leader, joined the board in 1915, contributing significantly to its growth and development. Head office at Parry’s Corner The head office was initially opened in Parry’s Buildings at Parry’s Corner. As the operations grew, the head office was shifted to the Bentinck’s Building on North Beach Road (now Rajaji Salai) in July 1910. Subsequently, it was shifted in May 1970 to 31, Rajaji Salai (now renumbered as 66, Rajaji Salai, Chennai-600001). The bank started out with an initial capital investment of ₹8 lakh. In 1907, the bank’s emblem featured a banyan tree, symbolising overall progress, expansive growth, and continuous prosperity. Another component of the emblem was the frontal view of an elephant, with a long trunk symbolising the bank’s strength. In July 1978, the bank adopted its current logo, featuring three arrows that symbolise savings, investment, and surplus. The bank opened its second branch in Madurai on December 14, 1908, followed by the third in Coimbatore. It expanded internationally with the establishment of its first overseas branch in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 1932. It went on to open a branch in Singapore in 1941. Before Independence, Indian Bank played an important role in financing local businesses. In 1947, the bank had 73 branches with a total business of ₹27.85 crore and a net profit of ₹0.78 crore. After Independence, it financed industries and offered financial services. The bank’s business, which stood at ₹27.85 crore in 1947, grew to ₹161.43 crore by the time of its nationalisation in 1969. Accounts and deposits In the 1950s, the bank introduced savings and current account services, followed by fixed deposits in the 1960s. The 1980s marked the arrival of ATMs and debit cards, and in the 1990s, online banking and home loans were introduced. Over the years, the bank acquired the businesses of Royalaseema Bank, Bank of Alagapuri, Salem Bank, Mannargudi Bank, and Trichy United Bank. In 1990, the bank acquired the Bank of Thanjavur that had a business of ₹114.64 crore. And the most significant recent merger was the amalgamation of Allahabad Bank with Indian Bank. The merger was completed on April 1, 2020. Indian Bank came out with its initial public offering in February 2007. The bank had offered 8.5955 crore equity shares, of which 10% were reserved for the employees. The issue was over-subscribed 32.03 times and the issue price was ₹91. The bank mobilised a total ₹762.14 crore (₹85.95 crore in equity capital and ₹696.9 crore in share premium). After this issue, the Indian government’s holding in the share capital stood at 80%. Indian Bank was officially listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) after the initial public offering. On the listing day, the equity shares of the bank touched a high of ₹105 in the BSE and ₹100.25 in the NSE. The bank took its maiden step in technology adoption during the 1980s by introducing ATMs and electronic fund transfer. In the 1990s, the bank embraced ALM-TBC, taking its first step towards digitisation. It became a forerunner in introducing tele-banking and online banking. During the 2010s, the bank focused on expanding digital services, launching mobile wallets. At the same time, the bank re-doubled its efforts at financial inclusion in rural areas, empowering under-served communities with digital banking tools. And more recently, the bank has embraced artificial intelligence (AI) and partnered with fintech companies. Now, the bank is headed by Shanti Lal Jain, who is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. As on September 30, 2024, the bank has 5,856 domestic branches: 1,983 rural branches, 1,532 semi-urban branches, 1,174 urban branches, and 1,167 metro branches. The bank also operates three overseas branches and has one International Banking Unit at Gift City in Gujarat. The official data show the bank caters to the needs of over 100 million customers with 40,671 employees. Lending to individuals, small businesses, and public sector enterprises is the bank’s major business. Demand may increase The bank also focuses on providing customised solutions to corporates and government departments. In an email, the bank officials told The Hindu that the demand in retail banking and agriculture is expected to rise, driven by the growing economy and increasing financial inclusion in rural areas. Over the next two years, the bank plans to enhance its digital services and continue expanding its mobile banking, internet banking, and other online services. The bank’s net profit, which stood at ₹753 crore (on a stand-alone basis before the amalgamation of e-Allahabad Bank) for the year ending March 31, 2020, surged to ₹8,063 crore for the year ending March 31, 2024. In the first half of the current fiscal (September 2024), the bank reported a net profit of ₹5,110 crore. Published - December 22, 2024 10:51 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit

Nadia Bartel flaunts her sensational figure in tight dress as she joins Brooke Warne and Rozalia Russian at Soda x Rozalia event

Here’s the problem with the state of the Patriots. There are too many problems to count. Talent. Coaching. Roster construction. Fundamentals. Penalties. Mixed messaging and more. So where to begin with an eye on 2025? Start here, with the definitive ranking of the Patriots’ on-field problems heading into a critical offseason where the franchise must identify and institute some solutions. As always in the NFL, talent wins. Or, in the Patriots’ case, keeps them from competing. If it weren’t for Drake Maye, no GM in the NFL would swap rosters with the Patriots. Even with Maye, it’s a risky proposition. The Patriots don’t employ a starting-caliber offensive tackle and arguably just one starting-caliber offensive linemen. No wide receiver on this roster ranks above a No. 3 option on an average offense, or scares any defensive coordinator. Both position groups rank among the worst, if not the worst, in the NFL. No wonder the Pats are the league’s only team not to score 25 points this season. You could argue both positions need a complete overhaul over the next 12-16 months, with only one player deserving to stay in each room (Mike Onwenu and DeMario Douglas). If the Patriots’ chief problem, indeed, was coaching, they would have stumbled into a few more touchdowns by now; individual greatness breaking through surrounding mediocrity. Instead, all of their best plays have been Maye masterpieces: from the 12-second, game-tying touchdown at Tennessee; 40-yard, pinpoint touchdown to Kayshon Boutte in his starting debut versus Houston; and fourth-and-15 conversion at Miami on a wing and a prayer. That’s talent, real talent, and the only talent they can count on. Name a player who’s demonstrated appreciable improvement this season. There’s Maye, Christian Gonzalez, and ...? Perhaps Keion White, though he has one sack since Week 2. Young safety Marte Mapu, selected right after White, has gone from playing 100% of the snaps in his season debut to multi-time healthy scratch. Another 2023 draft pick, Kayshon Boutte, has been a roller-coaster in a better statistical season. None of the offensive linemen have progressed. That’s on coaching. Even during the dog days of the Bill Belichick era, you could always bank on a sturdy defense. Jerod Mayo promised that would continue in September, gloating about how the Patriots would “always have a good run defense” after they upset Cincinnati in Week 1. Let’s check on that. The Pats’ run defense ranks 29th by DVOA, 21st in yards allowed per game and 20th by EPA. The Patriots have been failed by their coaches on this side of the ball more than offense, for the simple fact there is more talent available to them. Not to mention the missed tackles, poor angles and constant cycle of communication issues that dogged them as recently as last weekend. Never before have the Patriots suffered from so many fundamental breakdowns this late in the season. Not to mention, the secondary packs plenty of talent; from Gonzalez, Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers and others. It’s a new era with new problems that start with Mayo and rookie defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington. Gonzalez is the lone blue-chip talent on the defensive depth chart, and even an elite cornerback can’t stop the Pats from plummeting into the bottom five of the league by advanced metrics like DVOA and EPA. Even by more basic measures, like points allowed per drive and turnover percentage, the Pats rank bottom 10. They stink. Christian Barmore’s blood clots have been an unfortunate health scare for him, and bad bounce for the team. Barmore and Gonzalez are the only tentpole players on this side of the ball, with White’s trajectory still unclear and veterans like Dugger, Peppers, Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai are closer to above average than Pro Bowl-caliber. Meanwhile, front-seven players like Daniel Ekuale, Anfernee Jennings, Christian Elliss and Jeremiah Pharms Jr. are being asked to play all three downs and surpassing career highs in snaps. And don’t forget Raekwon McMillan (released), Joshua Uche (traded), Jaquelin Roy (street free agent) and Sione Takitaki, who have all played at least 15% of snaps this season. It should be better than this, but the ceiling was never as high as once believed. I had no clue how the Patriots arrived at their game plans to win last weekend in Arizona, especially coming off a bye. Countless screens on offense, which kept Maye’s rocket arm in its holster, and a season-low blitz rate for the NFL’s worst quarterback against the blitz. That wasn’t the first set of head-scratching plans we’ve seen this season. Van Pelt’s conservative play-calling is, to a small degree, understandable given issues with pass protection. But the predictability is a problem, as is Mayo’s overly cautious game management. Too few fourth-down attempts and too many punts and long field goal tries. The Patriots must chase winning, not wait for it to fall into their laps. The starting left tackle quit on the team. The new veteran wide receiver left midseason in a “mutual decision.” Several receivers have expressed dismay over the play-calling, including two-time offender Boutte as recently as last weekend. Veteran defenders have called each other out, while Mayo shields that unit from criticism and goes in on his offense. Asked why the defense has fallen so far this season, Mayo chalked up the Patriots’ struggles to injuries Monday on WEEI. “I would say early on, we felt pretty good about the (defenders) we had out there. You look at the first game... you had (Ja’Whuan) Bentley out there... you had the safeties rolling... Obviously (Christian) Barmore wasn’t there... those things have obviously hurt us,” Mayo said. “Now, not making excuses and the other guys have definitely stepped up and tried to fill those roles, but those things definitely take a toll and just gotta be better.” Where is the accountability? Or lessons learned? Take it from the players. The Patriots ranked 29th out of 32 organizations, per the NFLPA Report Card released last February. The report card, otherwise known as a player survey about working conditions, specifically hammered their weight room (F grade), ownership (D-plus) and training staff and training room. The Patriots also ranked dead last in cash spending over the 10 years prior to Mayo taking over as head coach and Eliot Wolf as de facto GM. Ostensibly, Eliot Wolf’s goal last spring was to reset in Year 1 of a rebuild. Offload bad contracts, dump veterans who won’t play and trigger a youth movement while stockpiling draft picks. Wolf had some hits: signing Antonio Gibson and Austin Hooper in free agency, and netting Drake Maye atop the draft. Hitting on Maye means more than any combination of signings or draft picks will for the foreseeable future. That’s the power of the quarterback position, and specifically franchise quarterbacks. But Maye, so far, is the only hit in a draft, which has cause for concern moving forward. For example, if the Patriots had stuck at No. 34 overall in the second round and selected Ladd McConkey, the whole season trajectory may have changed. McConkey has thrived with similar opportunity in Los Angeles, where the Chargers’ receiving corps is just as unthreatening as the Patriots. Instead, the Pats moved back and took Ja’Lynn Polk. Through 14 games, Polk has a dozen catches, still can’t run his routes consistently enough and is mired in a historically bad rookie season. Meanwhile, the Pats still don’t have any answers or even insights into their other rookies from Caedan Wallace to Javon Baker, Layden Robinson, Marcellas Dial and Joe Milton. Not to mention, Wolf failed to rebuild the same offensive line that undercut the Patriots’ 2023 season, and has since been charged with protecting Maye, the face of the franchise. Stocking that position with mid-round picks and low-level free agents was inexcusable in real time. The Patriots hired the 12th candidate they interviewed for their offensive coordinator position last January. Calvin Ridley passed on the Pats as a free agent in March. Brandon Aiyuk shot down a trade to New England in August. If the Patriots fire Mayo and/or a coordinator or two next month, who wants to work for such a fickle ownership group as this? Who wants to play here? Maye, unfortunately, is the only selling point, aside from whatever bags of cash the Patriots intend to send at their free-agent targets this spring. As others have noted, ex-Patriots assistant Joe Judge once talked his way out of being the head coach of the Giants by pairing disastrous play with equally disastrous press conferences at the end his second season. Mayo may be walking a similar path. Mayo has walked back several comments this season, after calling out his team, offensive coordinator and delivered mixed messages about his quarterbacks. He’s also made innumerable excuses for his defense. This has exacerbated his poor performance, which was to be expected to a degree, considering Mayo had only coached for five years before this season. Mayo appears to have a grip on this lately, keeping all answers short and varying degrees of salty during his last press conference on Friday morning. Smart move. But will it be too little, too late? “No, I’m not concerned. My main concern is the guys in the locker room on a day-after-day basis, the people that know me. Again, it’s all about this game here.” — Head coach Jerod Mayo

The states that saw the most active attacks against election certification two years ago certified the results of this year’s races without controversy this week, prompting the Arizona secretary of state to proclaim that “election denialism” is a thing of the past. Others said they weren’t so sure. Certification proceeded normally this year in part because Donald Trump won the presidential race, quieting his supporters after he had spent the campaign making unsubstantiated claims that he could lose only through widespread cheating . People are also reading... The statewide certification votes Tuesday in Nevada and New Mexico follow a vote Monday to certify the results in Arizona. In all three states, the certification process was tumultuous during the 2022 midterms when Democrats won most statewide offices. Those controversies followed attempts by Trump and his allies to halt or challenge certification in Michigan, Georgia and other battleground states in 2020, disrupting what until then had been a routine administrative process. This year, some who have been the most vocal in questioning the integrity of elections have instead been celebrating Trump’s victory. “The results are being accepted in the manner that they are, in part, because those who have been eroding trust or casting doubt on the integrity of U.S. elections have a result they feel good about,” said David Levine, a former local election official in Idaho who now advises on election administration issues. “Hopefully we can get back to a place where Americans can feel confident in the results even if it’s one they disagree with.” On Tuesday, Nevada and New Mexico certified their statewide results with little discussion. During Monday’s certification in Arizona, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes reflected on the lack of controversy this year. “I think the age of election denialism, for all intents and purposes, is dead,” he said. Sitting next to Fontes, state Attorney General Kris Mayes, a fellow Democrat, said she was more skeptical. Her Republican opponent in 2022 spent two years challenging his loss . “Do I think election denialism is dead? No, I don’t,” she said. “We’ll see over the next couple of election cycles what happens, but I don’t think we’re there yet.” Public confidence in elections has dropped since Trump challenged his loss in 2020 and made false claims of widespread fraud, particularly among Republicans . Some Republicans began targeting the certification process, when local and state boards certify the results after local election officials provide them with the final tally of votes. A firestorm erupted in Georgia over the summer when the state election board, with a new pro-Trump majority, attempted to politicize the certification process with changes later blocked by the courts. While certification battles did not surface after the Nov. 5 election , a vocal segment within the Republican Party remains deeply skeptical of election processes, particularly of the availability of mail ballots and the use of ballot scanners to tally votes. During a forum Monday on the social platform X led by the group Cause of America, the group's director expressed doubt about voting equipment. Shawn Smith, who also is a retired Air Force colonel, argued the certification process suppresses legitimate concerns and goes against “the sovereignty of the people.” Although not as widespread as four years ago, this sentiment did surface sporadically at the local level this month. In Washoe County, Nevada, which includes Reno and voted narrowly for Vice President Kamala Harris, the vote to certify the results was 3-1 with one abstention. Commissioner Jeanne Herman has consistently voted against certification and did not make a public comment about her vote this year. Commissioner Mike Clark, a staunch Trump supporter who had also previously voted against certification, said he would abstain and left before the vote. “I am not an election denier and clearly the person I wanted to win, won this state,” Clark said before leaving the meeting. “However, that does not mean that all the protocols were followed and that we can truly certify the election.” Such skepticism, whether in Nevada or elsewhere, leaves the door open to certification disputes during future elections. The questioning of election results isn't limited to Republicans. Even though Harris quickly conceded after losing all seven presidential battleground states , online posts among her supporters continue to raise concerns about her loss. One Reddit community that has amassed 23,000 members features a steady drumbeat of Democrats scrutinizing a result they can’t believe is real. Some posting in the group have issued calls to contact Harris and her running mate to ask them to demand a recount or otherwise object to the outcome. Among the battlegrounds, Michigan was among those where Trump and his allies pressed to halt certification of the 2020 election for Democrat Joe Biden amid false claims of fraud and manipulation. Two Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers who initially opposed certification eventually relented. The state board of canvassers eventually voted to certify, even after one Republican member abstained. This year, the state board voted unanimously on Nov. 22 in favor of certifying and praised the state’s election workers. In Georgia, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger certified his state’s results on Nov. 22. Four years ago, the Republican state official was facing immense pressure from Trump and his allies to investigate their unsubstantiated claims of fraud. Also certifying results Tuesday, and doing so unanimously, was the state Board of Elections in North Carolina. It was the only presidential battleground state won by Trump in 2020 — and the only one where he and his allies didn't make claims of fraud. Cassidy reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ken Ritter in Las Vegas, Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, and Ali Swenson in New York contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Body found in the search for missing woman, 28, who vanished on Scottish island days ago By MATT STRUDWICK Published: 16:53 EST, 24 November 2024 | Updated: 16:57 EST, 24 November 2024 e-mail View comments A body has been found in the search for a missing woman who vanished on a Scottish island . Hairdresser Shanahan MacInnes, 28, was last seen at 1.30am on Friday in the Tindill Road area of Balivanich on the Isle of Benbecula, in the Outer Hebrides. It sparked a major search with more than 60 people joining police, the coastguard and the fire service. But Police Scotland announced this afternoon that the search had ended in tragedy after a body was found in the Aird area of Benbecula, near to where Shanahan went missing. Her heartbroken family released a statement on social media saying they are 'absolutely heartbroken and devastated'. 'Shanahan's passing was an extremely tragic accident. It was nobody's fault,' they said. The Shore Room Hair and Beauty where Shanahan worked announced it would be closing the salon until further notice. 'We appreciate all the love and support we have received at this time,' they wrote on Facebook . Hairdresser Shanahan MacInnes, 28, was last seen at 1.30am on Friday in the area of Balivanich on the Isle of Benbecula, in the Outer Hebrides Police Scotland announced this afternoon that the search had ended in tragedy after a body was found in the Aird area of Benbecula, near to where Shanahan went missing Shanahan had gone missing on the Isle of Benbecula (highlighted on the map above) Police Scotland said in a statement: 'Around 1.05pm on Sunday, 24 November, 2024, officers were made aware that a body of a woman had been found in the Aird area of Benbecula. 'Formal identification has still to take place, however the family of 28-year-old Shanahan MacInnes, who was missing from Balivanich, has been made aware. 'The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.' Shanahan was described as 5ft 8in tall, of slim build with long blonde hair. She was last seen she was wearing a burgundy tracksuit and white trainers with a black Nike tick. Her family had posted on social media that she had left behind her car, purse, phone, car and keys as they urged everyone to be on the lookout for her. Inspector Ross McCartney said at the time: 'This is extremely out of character for Shanahan to be missing and we're becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare. 'We're carrying out extensive searches of the local area and I'm appealing to anyone with information on her whereabouts, or who thinks they may have seen her, to get in touch.' Share or comment on this article: Body found in the search for missing woman, 28, who vanished on Scottish island days ago e-mail Add commentHow Gen X and millennials are changing the face of the traditional family office as they inherit over $80 trillion

Washington — The Supreme Court on Friday said it will consider the constitutionality of the Federal Communications Commission's Universal Service Fund, agreeing to review a lower court decision that upended the mechanism for funding programs that provide communications services to rural areas, low-income communities and schools, libraries and hospitals. The dispute is the latest in which the high court will consider the power of federal agencies. Among the issues in the case is whether Congress delegated too much authority to the FCC when it tasked the agency with determining how much telecommunications providers must contribute to the Universal Service Fund. The court also asked the lawyers involved in the case to argue whether it is moot because the challengers did not seek preliminary relief before the lower court. The Supreme Court's conservative majority has in a string of recent decisions taken aim at federal regulatory power amid efforts by the conservative legal movement to rein in the so-called administrative state. In a major ruling in June, the court overruled a 40-year-old decision that said courts should give agencies leeway in interpreting ambiguous laws passed by Congress if their interpretation is reasonable. Arguments in this dispute will likely take place early next year, with a decision expected by the end of June. The Universal Service Fund was created by Congress in 1996 as part of an overhaul of the Communications Act of 1934, which sought to promote competition and get rid of monopolies in the telecommunications industry. Under the revamped law, the FCC created a set of programs supported by the Universal Service Fund that require contributions from telecommunications providers. Those programs ensure schools, libraries, rural health care facilities and rural and low-income customers have access to telecommunications services, and the FCC uses the money in the fund to subsidize the provision of telephone and broadband services. Quarterly contributions to the fund are based on projected expenses the programs will incur, as well as projected revenue from telecommunications carriers, a number that is known as the contribution factor. Companies may pass the cost of their contributions on to consumers. In 1997, the FCC created the Universal Service Administrative Company, a private, not-for-profit corporation that administers the fund. The company sends out bills and collects contributions from service providers, and disburses money to program beneficiaries. In late 2021, the company proposed each carrier would contribute to the fund 25.2% of its interstate and international telecommunications revenue for the first quarter of November 2022. But a nonprofit called Consumers' Research, telecommunications company, and group of consumers filed a comment challenging the contribution mechanism, arguing Congress had unconstitutionally delegated its legislative power to the FCC, which in turn redelegated power to the Universal Service Administrative Company. They then sought review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. A three-judge panel of judges rejected the group's claim that Congress and then the FCC had unconstitutionally delegated their authority. But the full complement of judges on the 5th Circuit agreed to rehear the case and in a July decision, sided with the challengers in a 9-7 vote. It found that when carriers seek reimbursements of their fund contributions from consumers, they are levying a "universal service" tax on consumers that appears on their phone bills. The power to tax is a legislative power, and the 5th Circuit's majority found that Congress gave the FCC too much discretion in determining the amount of universal service contributions. It also ruled that the FCC, in turn, "may have impermissibly delegated the taxing power to private entities." "American telecommunications consumers are subject to a multi-billion-dollar tax nobody voted for. The size of that tax is de facto determined by a trade group staffed by industry insiders with no semblance of accountability to the public. And the trade group in turn relies on projections made by its private, for-profit constituent companies, all of which stand to profit from every single tax increase," the 5th Circuit found, adding the "combination of delegations, subdelegations, and obfuscations of the USF Tax mechanism offends" the Constitution. The 5th Circuit's decision set off a wave of pushback from the telecommunications industry, which warned it would hamper efforts to close the digital divide. A group of telecommunications trade groups said the ruling "could put at risk the availability and affordability of essential communications services for millions of rural Americans, low-income consumers, and community anchor institutions." Before the 5th Circuit ruled, the Supreme Court turned down two appeals from Consumers' Research of decisions from the 6th and 11th Circuits that rejected its challenges to the Universal Service Fund. But following the 5th Circuit's decision, the group urged the Supreme Court to reconsider its appeals. The court has not acted on those requests. Melissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com. She has written for outlets including the Washington Examiner, Daily Signal and Alexandria Times. Melissa covers U.S. politics, with a focus on the Supreme Court and federal courts.Actuators Market Worth $94.8 Billion By 2029, At A CAGR Of 7.0%Exploring Space and Neurotherapeutics at the 2025 Ultrasound Event: A Journey into the Future of Medical Ultrasound

Republicans are fast-forwarding through the next month, referring to President-elect Donald Trump as the president long before his transition with President Joe Biden is over. But although Democrats are upset by Biden's disappearing act, Trump's early assumption of power has created political risks of its own. Democrats, including senior congressional leadership, have urged Biden to use his presidential powers, regarding everything from immigration to student loan debt forgiveness , while he still has it. Instead, Biden has ceded the limelight to Trump as the president-elect is greeted with more optimism and open-mindedness than 2016 amid a stock market surge, being named Time' s Person of the Year, and high-level meetings with foreign dignitaries . For Democrats, such as Democratic strategist Jim Manley, a long-term aide to the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , Trump ignoring another political norm, this time that there should only be one president at a time, should not come as a surprise. "The real president has largely been largely MIA for months, providing little to no leadership, while Trump is conducting foreign policy from his club of misfits and grifters down in Florida," Manley told the Washington Examiner. "[Biden] and his team allowed Trump to walk all over them, and as of right now, they are staggering into the inauguration in January with little to no juice." Away from Washington, D.C. , and outside of the Beltway, Iowa Democratic official Charles Comfort, an at-large member of the Oskaloosa City Council and vice president of its school board, conceded he had "honestly more or less forgotten" about Biden. "Which is sad because he does have quite the legacy, but I would say now is just fading into the background with a whimper," Comfort told the Washington Examiner. "Hopefully Democrats get their crap together for 2026 and realize that America is so fed up with their current policies, positions, that they put a man with no interest other than to build his own wealth in charge of the nation." Republican strategist Douglas Heye, a former Republican National Committee communications director, agreed that Biden has "essentially been absent from the world stage for a while now." "We may occasionally see him, but actually hearing from him has become a rare event," Heye told the Washington Examiner. "Trump has no presidential powers yet, but Biden has left a vacuum, and if there's anyone who knows how to fill a vacuum, it's Donald Trump." Another Republican strategist Duf Sundheim, a Trump critic, concurred that "power abhors a vacuum" and "an incredibly feeble administration coupled with a very aggressive Trump" "has led to one of the most assertive power plays by a president-elect in U.S. history." "Many believe Trump will be more effective this time around," Sundheim told the Washington Examiner. "They feel he did not expect to win in 2016, and now he appears much more organized." To that end, Trump has named all of his presumptive nominees for Cabinet -level positions in his second administration, except for the chair of his White House Council of Economic Advisers. He has also sat down with a long list of CEOs, from Amazon 's Jeff Bezos , Apple 's Tim Cook, Alphabet 's Sundar Pichai , and Meta 's Mark Zuckerberg to TikTok 's Shou Chew, and world leaders, from French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prince William during a trip to Paris for the reopening of Notre-Dame to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago in Florida after promising to impose 25% tariffs on Canada if it does not do more to stop the export of fentanyl into the U.S. In sum, a third Republican strategist, Cesar Conda, Sen. Marco Rubio 's (R-FL) former chief of staff, described Trump as having the "most impactful post-election and pre-presidency period in American history." "He has forced other countries to make changes to their policies, such as Canada, which now pledges to beef up their border or face massive tariffs," Conda told the Washington Examiner. "He has negotiated investments in our economy by foreign companies such as Japan’s SoftBank, which pledged $100 billion in U.S. job creation." Although a post-election stock surge has been somewhat mitigated by this week's Federal Reserve report concerning interest rates and inflation , polling suggests the public is more positive about the prospect of Trump's second administration. For example, a Marquette Law School Poll published this week found 53% of respondents approved of Trump's first term, an increase from 50% last month. But that goodwill toward Trump may not last long, with this week's drama over short-term funding for the federal government to avoid a partial holiday shutdown on Saturday serving as a reminder of the president-elect's first term after he and Tesla , SpaceX , and X CEO Elon Musk opposed a bipartisan deal negotiated by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance called on Johnson to address the debt ceiling in the legislation. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre , for instance, has criticized Trump, Musk, and Johnson for creating the funding "mess" "to pave the way [to add] $5 trillion to our national debt." "That's what this decision does," she told reporters during her briefing on Friday. "You're talking about tax cuts for billionaires, slashing Social Security , slashing Medicare , slashing [early childhood education and health program] Head Start. Congressional Republicans did what they did because of what the president-elect said and what Elon Musk said." Regardless, Jean-Pierre was repeatedly questioned about Biden's lack of leadership during the funding negotiations, aside from telephone discussions with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). "All Americans need to know that Republicans are getting in the way here, and they are the ones who have created this mess," Jean-Pierre said. "This is not the first time we've been here, and the president has had this approach before. He understands how Congress works. He's been around for some time. He understands what strategy works here to get this done." "The president is the president of the United States, and he is leading," she added. "You're hearing what I'm saying, right? I speak for the president of the United States. ... I'm speaking directly for him." Since last month's election , Biden has traveled to South America for his last G20 and APEC summits and the first presidential tour of the Amazon, in addition to this month's trip to Angola and next month's counterpart to Italy and the Vatican . His administration, too, negotiated a ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon in November. Domestically, Biden has pardoned his son Hunter , pardoned or commuted the sentences of another 1,500 people in the largest act of clemency in a single day, and forgiven another $4.28 billion in federal student loan debt for 55,000 public employees for $180 billion for 4.9 million borrowers since 2021. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER But for Comfort, the Iowa Democrat, Democrats' road back to relevance is hindered by the reality that, whether he likes it or not, "a majority of Americans voted for Trump and MAGA." "If and when their policies fail, then hopefully the Democrats have a cohesive plan to give the keys back to mommy and daddy, put misbehaving children in timeout, and then fix America," he said. "But unfortunately, I would consider the current state of the Democratic Party to a home where mom and dad are divorcing. One parent is going to be tough and strong for the betterment of the kids, and the other is going to let the kids walk all over them and give them what they want so they can all stay best friends, and that simply will not work."

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2 Fintech Stocks That Are Screaming Buys Before 2025EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Tayshawn Comer scored 18 points as Evansville beat Campbell 66-53 on Sunday night. Comer had six rebounds and six assists for the Purple Aces (3-4). Cameron Haffner scored 16 points and added six rebounds. Gabriel Pozzato shot 3 for 5, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc to finish with 10 points. Jasin Sinani led the way for the Fighting Camels (3-4) with 22 points. Colby Duggan added 11 points and Nolan Dorsey totaled eight points, seven rebounds and four steals. Evansville took the lead with 1:45 left in the first half and never looked back. The score was 34-28 at halftime, with Haffner racking up eight points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Syrian opposition fighters have reached the suburbs of the capital, Damascus, and government forces are withdrawing from the strategic city of Homs as the rebels' surprising offensive picks up speed and President Bashar Assad's whereabouts are unknown. Homs is an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces that are the Syrian leader’s base of support. In Damascus, residents described a city on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Eight key countries gathered with the U.N. special envoy on Syria on the sidelines of the Doha Summit for two hours of discussions Saturday night, and more will follow. The U.N. envoy seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Here's the Latest: Two officials with Iran-backed Iraqi militias in Syria say the militias are monitoring the situation and have not made a decision to enter in support of Iran’s ally, Syrian President Bashar Assad. One of the officials said Iranian militias had withdrawn to Iraq from their positions in Syria. “All the militias are waiting to see what Bashar Assad will do in Damascus. If he resists and does not allow Damascus to fall, it is possible that the Iraqi factions will intervene for the purpose of support,” he said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. -- Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad Multi-country discussions on Syria have ended on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein says the countries will issue a statement, and there will be follow-up talks “taking into consideration the practical and real situation on the ground.” He said the talks, which lasted over two hours Saturday evening, focused on how to stop the fighting. Eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran gathered with the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen. When asked where Syrian President Bashar Assad is, Iraq's foreign minister replied, “I don’t know.” He declined to speculate on whether Assad would be overthrown. Opposition fighters have reached the Damascus suburbs. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s Health Ministry says two Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday killed six people and wounded five others. The ministry said an airstrike on the village of Beit Leif killed five people and wounded five, while a drone strike on the village of Deir Serian killed one person. Israel’s military said it was looking into the report. Despite a ceasefire that went into effect on Nov. 27 to end the 14-month fighting between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants that had escalated into all-out war, violations of the truce have continued. The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza says the facility came under heavy Israeli bombardment again on Saturday and three medical staff were killed. Dr. Hussam Abu Safia in a statement posted by Gaza’s Health Ministry said the hospital was hit by over 100 projectiles and bombs, and electricity was cut off. He said the surgery department and neonatal unit were hit, and he pleaded for “immediate coordination for repair operations.” Kamal Adwan is one of the last remaining hospitals in northern Gaza. Israeli forces are pressing an offensive that has almost completely sealed off the area from humanitarian aid for two months. Israel’s military said it wasn’t aware of any attack Saturday. The hospital director on Friday said Israeli strikes had killed at least 29 people including four medical staff. Israeli Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi says the military is monitoring the Syrian border to make sure that “local factions do not direct actions towards us,” adding that Israel is not intervening in the events in Syria. Israel’s military has said it is reinforcing its deployment along the border with Syria. Halevi said if “confusion” arises and actions are directed toward Israel by “local factions” taking control of parts of Syria, Israel has a strong “offensive response.” The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Syria says the U.N. is relocating non-critical staff outside the country. Adam Abdelmoula in a statement Saturday called it a precautionary measure to protect U.N. teams. “Let me emphasize—this is not an evacuation and our dedication to supporting the people of Syria remains unwavering,” Abdelmoula said. The statement did not say how many U.N. staffers were leaving Syria as opposition fighters reached the suburbs of Syria’s capital, Damascus. The statement said the fighting in Syria has displaced over 370,000 people as the humanitarian situation deteriorates, “with many seeking refuge in the northeast and others trapped in frontline areas, unable to escape.” Foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran have gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit along with the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, to discuss the situation in Syria. The talks continued late Saturday and no details were immediately available. Qatar, Jordan and Iraq also were part of the discussions as opposition fighters closed in on the Syrian capital, Damascus. BAGHDAD — An Iraqi government spokesperson says about 2,000 Syrian army soldiers have crossed into Iraq seeking refuge as opposition forces advance in Syria. Bassem al-Awadi said the soldiers’ equipment and weapons were registered and taken into custody by the Iraqi army. “We dealt with them according to the principle of good neighborliness and humanity,” he said Saturday. Al-Awadi also said Iraqi officials are concerned about the security of the al-Hol camp and other facilities in northeast Syria where suspected Islamic State group members and their families are detained. The facilities are guarded by U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. Al-Awadi said there is “high security coordination” between Iraqi officials and those forces to “prevent the prisoners from escaping.” Syria's army says it is fortifying its positions in the suburbs of Damascus and in the country’s south, as opposition fighters close in on the capital. The army statement on Saturday also asserted that Syria is being subjected to a “terrorist” and propaganda campaign aiming to destabilize and spread chaos. The statement also said the military is continuing with operations in areas including the central provinces of Hama and Homs, and that it has killed and wounded hundreds of opposition fighters. At least two people were wounded in a car-ramming attack in the West Bank on Saturday, according to the Israeli army and rescue services. The army said the attack took place in the area of the Fawwar refugee camp, near the city of Hebron. It said a soldier was severely wounded, and security forces were looking for the attacker. Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service said another man in his 40s suffered light injuries from shrapnel. The West Bank has seen a surge in violence since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack out of Gaza sparked the war there. Israel has intensified its military raids in the West Bank, targeting what it says are militants planning attacks, and there has also been a rise in Palestinian attacks on Israelis. The Israeli military says it is helping United Nations forces to head off an attack on a U.N. position in Syria close to the Israeli border. The army said in a statement Saturday that an attack was carried out by “armed individuals” on a U.N. post near the Syrian town of Hader and it was “assisting U.N. forces in repelling the attack.” On Friday, Israel’s military said it would reinforce its forces in the Golan Heights and near the border with Syria, where civil war has reignited between the government and opposition fighters. Hamas has released a video showing Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker making an emotional plea for his release and describing the conditions he and other hostages face in Gaza after being seized in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel. His mother, Einav, has become a symbol of the fight to bring back the hostages and is an outspoken critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Matan Zangauker, speaking under duress, appealed to the public to protest in front of Netanyahu’s home and “not let him sleep even for a minute.” Zangauker also referred to 420 days of being held by Hamas militants. “We want to return before we go crazy. Isolation is killing us, and the darkness here is frightening,” he said, describing having little food and medicine and “undrinkable” water. President-elect Donald Trump has made his first extensive comments on dramatic advances by opposition fighters in Syria, saying the besieged President Bashar Assad didn’t deserve U.S. support to stay in power. “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump posted on the Truth Social platform on Saturday. Syrian opposition activists and regional officials have been watching closely for any indication from both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration of how the U.S. would handle the sudden advances against Syria’s Russian- and Iranian-allied leader. Trump condemned the overall U.S. handling of the 13-year civil war in Syria, but spoke favorably of the routing of Assad and Russian forces. ISTANBUL — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that there was “now a new reality in Syria” following the rapid advance of rebel forces. Speaking in Gaziantep, a city less than 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the Syrian border, Erdogan said that “increasing attacks on civilians” in Syria’s northwest Idlib province “triggered the latest events like the straw that broke the camel’s back.” It was not possible for Turkey to ignore developments in a country with which it shares a lengthy border and it would not allow any threats to its national security, he added in a televised speech. “Our wish is for our neighbor Syria to attain the peace and tranquility it has been longing for for 13 years,” he told a rally of supporters. “We want to see a Syria where different identities live side by side in peace. We hope to see such a Syria in the very near future.” Erdogan claimed President Bashar Assad had erred in rebuffing Turkey’s previous efforts to establish relations, saying Damascus “could not appreciate the value of the hand Turkey extended.” Ankara has supported anti-Assad rebel groups since the early months of the conflict and hosts 3 million refugees dislodged by the fighting. While Turkey lists HTS, the group leading the latest offensive, as a terrorist organization, the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army has worked alongside it. BEIRUT — A resident of the Syrian capital of Damascus says the city is very tense as troops and members of security agencies are deployed on main streets and intersections. The resident told The Associated Press that many shops are closed and those that are open have run out of main commodities such as sugar. He added that if food products are available, some shops are selling them for a price three times higher than usual. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said on condition of anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” — Bassem Mroue in Beirut DOHA, Qatar — Russia’s foreign minister says he has met his Turkish and Iranian counterparts in Doha and that all three countries were calling for an “immediate end to hostile activities” in Syria. Russia and Iran are the chief supporters of Syria’s government, while Turkey backs opposition fighters trying to remove President Bashar Assad from power. Speaking at the annual Doha Forum, Sergey Lavrov said Russia continues to help the Syrian army confront insurgents, military via airstrikes. Asked whether Assad’s rule is threatened by the fast-moving rebel offensive, he said, “We are not in the business of guessing what’s gong to happen.” He blamed the United States and the West for the events in Syria and said, “We are very sorry for the Syrian people who became a subject of another geopolitical experiment. “We are doing everything we can not to make terrorists prevail, even if they say they are not terrorists,” Lavrov said, referring to the de facto leader of the Syrian insurgents, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who says he has cut links with al-Qaida. His group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and United Nations. He said Russia, Iran and Turkey want the full implementation of a U.N. resolution, which endorsed a road map to peace in Syria. Resolution 2254 was adopted unanimously in December 2015. The measure called for a Syrian-led political process, starting with the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Lavrov also downplayed reports that Moscow had withdrawn ships from Russia’s base in Syrian city of Tartus, saying that the vessels had left to take part in naval exercises in the Mediterranean. DOHA, Qatar — The U.S. envoy who brokered the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah says the deal has created a new opportunity for Lebanon to reshape itself. Amos Hochstein told the Doha Forum that the weakness of Hezbollah after nearly 14 months of fighting along, along with blows to its Syrian and Iranian allies, give the Lebanese military and government a chance to reassert itself. “Now is the moment with this ceasefire to rebuild Lebanon again for a much more prosperous future and stronger state institutions,” Hochstein told The Associated Press on the sidelines of the conference. He said Lebanon needs “to do its part” by rebuilding its economy, choosing a president after years of delays and strengthening its central government to attract investors. “And the international community has a requirement and a responsibility to support Lebanon after this devastating conflict and after years of Hezbollah control,” he said. Hochstein told the conference that the turning point in ceasefire efforts was Hezbollah dropping its pledge to keep fighting as long as the war in Gaza continues. He said the change in position was the result of the heavy losses inflicted on Hezbollah, and Lebanese public opinion in favor of delinking the two conflicts. He said key tests for the ceasefire will be whether Israel carries out its promised phased withdrawal from southern Lebanon over the coming two months and whether the Lebanese army is able to move into those areas. BEIRUT — Insurgents and a war monitor say opposition fighters are taking over military posts evacuated by Syrian government forces in the country’s south, bringing them closer to the capital, Damascus. An insurgent official known as Maj. Hassan Abdul-Ghani posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition fighters are now in the town of Sanamein, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the southern outskirts of Damascus, President Bashar Assad’s seat of power. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said insurgents have entered the town of Artouz, which is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of Damascus. Opposition fighters have captured wide parts of Syria, including several provincial capitals, since they began their offensive on Nov. 27. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s government has approved a plan to deploy more troops along the border with Israel, part of the ceasefire deal that ended the Israel-Hezbollah war. In a rare Cabinet meeting outside of Beirut, held Saturday at a military base in the southern port city of Tyre, the government also approved a draft law to reconstruct buildings destroyed during the Israel-Hezbollah war that broke out in October 2023 and ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire last week. Information Minister Ziad Makary told reporters after the meeting that the committee whose job is to monitor the ceasefire that went into effect on Nov. 27 will hold its first meeting on Monday. The committee is made up of military officials from the U.S., France, Israel and Lebanon as well as the U.N. peacekeeping force deployed along the border. As part of the ceasefire deal, during the first 60 days Israeli troops will have to withdraw from Lebanon, while Hezbollah will have to pull its heavy weapons away from the border area to north of the Litani river. The Lebanese army said this week it will begin recruiting more soldiers, apparently to deploy them along the border with Israel. BEIRUT — The Syrian army withdrew from much of southern Syria on Saturday, leaving more areas of the country, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters, the military and an opposition war monitor said. The redeployment away from the provinces of Daraa and Sweida came as Syria’s military sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The rapid advances by insurgents are a stunning reversal of fortunes for Syria’s President Bashar Assad , who appears to be largely on his own, with erstwhile allies preoccupied with other conflicts. His chief international backer, Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine, and Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up his forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by Israeli regular airstrikes. JERUSALEM — Israeli security forces killed a Palestinian man after he attacked them at a border crossing in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Saturday morning, police said. The man shot firecrackers at security forces at the checkpoint and threatened them with a knife, the police statement said. The man wore a t-shirt emblazoned with a symbol of the Islamic State militant group, according to an Associated Press reporter Israeli fire has killed at least 700 Palestinians in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began last year, Palestinian health officials said. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. DOHA, Qatar — The prime minister of Qatar says he has seen new momentum in Gaza ceasefire efforts since the U.S. presidential election, with the incoming Trump administration seeking an end to the conflict before it takes office. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a key mediator in the ceasefire efforts, declined to give specifics of the negotiations but told an international conference in Doha that the gaps between the sides are not large. Qatar, which has served as a mediator throughout the 14-month war, suspended its efforts last month in frustration over the lack of progress. But Sheikh Mohammed said his government has re-engaged in recent days after determining a new willingness by both parties to reach a deal. ’We have sensed after the election that the momentum is coming back,” he told the Doha Forum on Saturday. He said has been in touch with both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration and found that while there are some differences in approach, both are committed to the same goal of ending the war. ’We have seen a lot of encouragement from the incoming administration in order to achieve a deal, even before the president comes to the office,” Sheikh Mohammed said. He declined to discuss details, saying he wanted to “protect the process,” but expressed hope for a deal “as soon as possible.” ’If you look at the gaps and the disagreements, they are not something substantial that really affects the agreement,” he said. CAIRO — At least 29 people were killed, including four medical staff, when Israeli strikes pummeled the area around one of the last remaining hospitals in northern Gaza, Palestinian officials said. The situation in and around the Kamal Adwan hospital is “catastrophic,” according to Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, the director of the hospital. The dead included five children and five women, according to the hospital casualty list, which was obtained by The Associated Press. Friday’s strikes also wounded 55 people including six children and the five women, according to the hospital. Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya is one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the Gaza’s northernmost province , where Israeli forces are pressing an offensive that has almost completely sealed off the area from humanitarian aid for two months. Israel’s military denied that its forces had struck the hospital or operated inside it. The army said that in the past few weeks, “coordinated efforts with international organizations have been underway in order to transfer patients, companions, and medical staff to other hospitals.” An Indonesian medical team which had been assisting in Kamal Adwan for the past week was forced to evacuate on foot after the area was surrounded by Israeli soldiers, according to a statement from the team. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the medical team’s expulsion. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization representative in the Palestinian territories, said an Israeli tank approached the hospital at around 4 a.m. Friday. Although no official Israeli evacuation order was issued, “people started to climb the wall to escape, and this panic attracted IDF (Israeli) fire,” he said. He spoke by video from Gaza to journalists in Geneva. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been struck multiple times over the past two months since Israel launched a fierce military operation in northern Gaza against Hamas militants. In October, Israeli forces raided the hospital, saying that militants were sheltering inside and arrested a number of people, including some staff. Hospital officials denied the claim. MANAMA, Bahrain — Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister has reiterated the kingdom’s call for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip. Prince Faisal bin Farhan described Israel as acting with “impunity and is getting away without punishment” in its war on Hamas there. The prince said that any permanent solution requires a two-state solution, with the Palestinians having east Jerusalem as their capital. After the speech, Prince Turki al-Faisal, a prominent royal in the kingdom who led Saudi intelligence for more than two decades and served as ambassador to the U.S. and Britain, took the stage. He harshly criticized Israel’s conduct in the wars. “Israel has become an apartheid, colonial and genocidal state,” Prince Turki said. “It is about time for the world to address that issue and take the necessary steps to bring those who are thus charged by the International Criminal Court to justice.” Israeli officials could not be immediately reached for comment on Prince Turki’s remarks. The Saudis spoke at the International Institute for Security Studies’ Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.

NoneSupporting Government in an Era of Digital Service Delivery

Armenia’s Shant Sargsyan and India’s Murali Karthikeyan secured victories to climb to the top of the standings after five rounds at the Qatar Masters Open, while title favourite Arjun Erigaisi joined the four-point club at Aspire Zone on Saturday. Playing white pieces on board 2, Sargsyan beat Bulgarian grandmaster Arkadij Naiditsh while Karthikeyan defeated Iran’s Pouya Idani on board 3 with black pieces as both of them took their points tallies to 4.5. Erigaisi, meanwhile, reached four points after beating his compatriot Surya Shekhar Ganguly. On the top board, Russia’s sixth seed Andrey Esipenko drew with Iran’s Bardiya Daneshvar, bringing both players to four points. UAE’s Salem Abdulrahman also secured his fourth point with a win over India’s Sankalp Gupta, while India’s Rithvik R Raja had the better of compatriot and 19th seed Pranav V to join the four-point pack. Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan, World No. 6 and last year’s runner-up beat India’s Ayush Sharma to reach 3.5 points. His compatriot and defending champion Nodirbek Yakubboev also drew with Lorenzo Lodici (Italy, 26th seed), leaving both players with 3.5 points. Iran’s 3rd seed Parham Maghsoodloo defeated Aditya Dipangkar of India, raising his score to 3.5 points. Meanwhile, the only Qatari player in the main tournament, International Master Husain Aziz drew with India’s Rajesh Nayak, raising his score to 1.5 points. Aziz had previously drawn with Mongolia’s Turmunkh Munkhzul in Round 4, lost to Cuba’s Luis Ernesto Quesada (the No. 27 seed), Uzbekistan’s Abdimalik Abdisalimov and settled for a draw in the opening round against China’s Zhihang Xu (ranked 35th). In the Qatar Masters Open B tournament being held simultaneously, India’s 12-year-old Abdul Khader Syed, Uzbek Samandar Shermuhammadov and Pakistan’s Lodhi Mahmood remained unbeaten. No. 2 seed Lodhi beat Khazakstan’s Yernur Akhmediyar to collect his fifth point, while Sayed defeated Uzbekistan’s Khudoyor Maraimov. Shermuhammadov beat Egypt’s Mohammed Salah Zozek. Among Qatari winners in the B tournament on Saturday were Layan al-Qassabi (defeated Saudi Arabia’s Maitha al-Otaibi), Hamad al-Kuwari (beat compatriot Ahmed Saif), Turki al-Kuwari (beat India’s Dahanaraja Srijan) and Fahad al-Mansoori (defeated Johan Jobsy of India). The youngest participant of the B tournament, 9-year-old Asma al-Hammadi of Qatar lost to India’s Rishi Ghanesharathinam. Commenting on the ongoing prestigious tournament, Hamad al-Tamimi, Executive Director of the Qatar Chess Federation and Championship Director, highlighted the fierce competition and unexpected results at the top boards. With four rounds yet to be played, he acknowledged the difficulty in predicting the eventual champion. Al-Tamimi also commended the strong performances of Qatari players and the seamless organisational efforts, emphasising the tournament’s pivotal role in nurturing chess talent and promoting the sport’s growth. Related Story QU launches 4th World Congress on Engineering and Technology Al Kuwari reelected president of Qatar Rugby and Hockey committee-- Shares Facebook Twitter Reddit Email Ariana Grande ought to be celebrating. The actor and singer is receiving rave reviews for her comedic turn in John M. Chu's big-screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical "Wicked." With her onscreen partner in crime Cynthia Erivo , the two have traversed the globe to promote their movie, which serves as a prequel to "The Wizard of Oz" and follows the evolution of Glinda (Grande) and Elphaba (Erivo) from frenemies to best friends at Shiz University in the magical world of Oz. Ultimately, "Wicked" is the tale of friendship overcoming how Elphaba has been ostracized for her unusual appearance: her bright green skin. However, this message about superficial prejudice has not fully penetrated to people online who continue to pick apart Grande's appearance. Over the last several weeks as the stars have promoted their film, viral posts across several different social media platforms have been pointing out Grande's slender frame while also sharing their opinions about the artist's mental health. It's a disturbing pattern Grande herself had to address last year. But despite her plea for people to refrain from commenting on her body and anyone's body, that hasn't stopped the unfounded diagnoses. Related "Wicked" is a bewitching spectacle that smartly probes who has power in a beloved fairy tale Salon goes over the timeline of the focus placed on Grande's body and mental health over the years: June 2018: Grande discusses mental health issues after 2017 Manchester concert bombing At her 2017 sold-out Manchester , England concert, Grande was present during a terrorist attack that claimed 22 lives and injured more than 500 people. In an interview with Elle , the star opened up about the residual trauma from the deadly attack. “When I got home from tour, I had really wild dizzy spells, this feeling like I couldn’t breathe,” she said. “I would be in a good mood, fine and happy, and they would hit me out of nowhere. I’ve always had anxiety, but it had never been physical before. There were a couple of months straight where I felt so upside down.” April 2019: The singer posted a scan of her brain, opening up about her PTSD After the Manchester attack and the sudden overdose of her off-and-on boyfriend and rapper Mac Miller , Grande shared a photo of her brain scan. In a follow-up post , Grande said she was doing her best even though her brain “looks like the world map.” She continued, “Didn’t mean to startle anyone with my brain thingy. “I love science and seeing the physical reality of what’s going on in there was incredible to me. Someday, when I’m more healed up, we can talk more about it. I am constantly working on my health/learning how to process pain (aren't we all)," she said. April 2023: Grande posts a TikTok addressing people's comments about her body Body-shaming comments seem to have hit a nerve with Grande last year. The star was still filming "Wicked" in the Spring of 2023 when her Instagram was flooded with comments and concerns about her thinness and what people perceived as a visible weight loss. The singer then took to TikTok to address the rampant speculation and "concern" around her weight. On the video was a caption that stated, "You have talked a lot about it over the past decade or longer so I'd like to join in this time. "I think we should gentler and less comfortable commenting on people's bodies — no matter what. If you think good or well-intentioned — whatever it is — healthy, unhealthy, big, small, this or that. We just shouldn't. We should work towards not doing that as much," she emphasized. She suggested that people should aim towards tweaking their compliments or ignoring something that bothers them so they don't comment at all to "keep each other safer." Grande added, "There are many different ways to look healthy and beautiful. I know personally for me, the body you've been comparing my current body to was the unhealthiest version of my body." The singer revealed that in the past, "I was on a lot of antidepressants and drinking on them and eating poorly and at the lowest point of my life when I looked the way you consider my healthy. But that in fact wasn't my healthy." She also reiterated she didn't have to explain this but wanted to have an openness and vulnerability with her audience to enact some positive change. "You never know what someone's going through. Even if you are coming from a loving place and a caring place, that person probably is working on it or has a support system that they are working on it with," Grande said. "So, be gentle with each other and with yourselves." October - November 2024: Numerous popular posts claim Erivo and Grande have eating disorders While Grande has already addressed the concerns around her weight the hypervisiblity of the "Wicked" press tour has revived the discourse. But this time it included Erivo too. In viral posts across platforms like Reddit, X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, people are speculating about why both Erivo and Grande look thinner. As their proof, they are posting photos of the actors years before they filmed "Wicked" comparing them to photos after filming the movie, while they're promoting the movie Others on TikTok are claiming that they have insight into the actors' weight loss and bodies. One post said, "Anyone who's been in a mutually destructive competitive ED friendship knows exactly what's going on." Influencer Chloe Forero said , "You could not pay me to say that Ariana Grande looks healthy because she does not. She looks sick . . . I want to approach this with sympathy because I understand that Ariana Grande is in the limelight and that comes with so much pressure. We have no choice but to acknowledge she is a role model and she does set an example for a lot of people. Little girls might see the billboard on the highway of Ariana looking strikingly thin and think they should look like that.” In a USA Today interview , an eating disorder expert, Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar at the Eating Recovery Center explained, "These comments about how your body is acceptable or unacceptable, it reinforces again that you are not worth more than your body and that you have to present yourself a certain way for the world to find you acceptable." She continued, "It just reinforces that sort of superficial, body-focused idea that we know is so painful and harmful for every single one of us because we are so much more than this vessel that carries us." We need your help to stay independent Subscribe today to support Salon's progressive journalism Nov. 6: On "Las Culturistas," Grande calls out people who try to diagnose her On the podcast "Las Culturistas," Grande, along with her "Wicked" co-star Bowen Yang and podcast co-host Matt Rogers were joking about the internet's intrusive ability to diagnose a celebrity with a mental illness without the full picture. Rogers said, "I have a mental illness that no one can tell me what it is!" Grande chimed in, "Well, Twitter will tell you!" Rogers replied, "One day they all came for me like 'Matt has ADHD' and I was like 'Pfft stop!' Now I'm like, 'I do!'" Grande then shared, “They tell me I have a lot of things . . . You're actually invasive and scary, and triggering. Just wrong and loud, and unhealthy — that's toxic.” Read more about this topic "Wicked" memes have taken a nasty turn following Cynthia Erivo's poster slam "Wicked" star Cynthia Erivo slams fan-edited poster that covers her eyes Wicked drama: Elvira vs. Ariana Grande – The feud that haunted Halloween By Nardos Haile Nardos Haile is a staff writer at Salon covering culture. She’s previously covered all things entertainment, music, fashion and celebrity culture at The Associated Press. She resides in Brooklyn, NY. MORE FROM Nardos Haile Related Topics ------------------------------------------ Ariana Grande Body Image Body Positivity Cynthia Erivo Explainer Thinness Wicked Related Articles Advertisement:

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