Dubai, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Dec, 2024) For nearly 14 years, 's Bashar al-Assad resisted the Spring that ousted leaders across the region, maintaining power through repression and support and . The pro-democracy movement, which began in in late 2010 and swept across the region, toppled autocrats in , , , and, eventually, . But after nearly 25 years as president, over half of that time fighting a brutal civil war that erupted after a crack down on protesters, he was finally overthrown by Islamist-led rebels in an 11-day offensive. AFP takes a look at the leaders brought down since the movement was set in motion: : openness and oppression When he became president in 2000, aged 34, after his father Hafez al-Assad had ruled for 30 years, there were hopes of more openness. This was the time of the " Spring". But it did not last long. In 2011, when popular protests erupted in in the wake of the Spring, the Assad cracked down without mercy and civil war resulted. Only its allies and , and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, kept Assad's regime in power. A truce ushered in a period of relative calm, allowing to return to the League group which it had been banished for years. But Assad's ignored appeals for a political solution, and made no concessions to the . : Ben Ali the first to go The first leader to be swept away by the Spring was 's Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. He came to power on 7, 1987, raising people's hopes for change after he staged a bloodless coup against the ageing Habib Bourguiba, declaring him unfit to rule. But Ben Ali became even more authoritarian than his predecessor and his relatives took over whole sectors of the economy, which was likened in a US State Department cable to a mafia, according to documents released by WikiLeaks. At the end of 2010, protests broke out in 's neglected interior and then spread to the main cities in the east. After a huge demonstration in on 14, 2011, Ben Ali left the country, hoping he could later return to power. He in exile in in , . : the ' ' Kadhafi The self-proclaimed " " of the 1969 revolution, 's Moamer Kadhafi was in power for 42 years. He was known for championing and using the country's vast resources to bolster his allies and fund groups including the Republican . At home, he oversaw a unique system of so-called by the people but with himself as leader. The Kadhafi was accused of involvement in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing and a 1989 blast that downed French UTA Flight 772 over . These killed hundreds of people and led to coming under embargo before compensating the victims. When the people rose up against Kadhafi in 2011, intervened and the former was killed by rebels on 20 in circumstances that remain murky. : Mubarak's 30 years 's vice-president at the time, Hosni Mubarak, became president when Islamists assassinated Anwar Sadat at a military parade in 1981. He stayed in power for 30 years, despite an boycott over 's 1979 peace treaty with , economic problems and violence by radical Islamists. Mubarak confronted Spring protests in 2011 at a time when he was also suspected of considering handing power to his son Alaa, along the lines of 's Assad dynasty. In the end, Mubarak was abandoned by the institution that brought him to power, the military, and in 2011 he quit. Mubarak went on trial charged with causing the deaths of demonstrators and with . He was jailed but acquitted in , and in . : Saleh held on till the end Ali Abdullah Saleh liked to compare ruling to dancing on the heads of snakes, as the impoverished Arabian Peninsula country was a complex and violent mosaic of tribal interests. But he had keen political instincts, and ruled for 33 years. Saleh survived rebellions by rebels the Zaidi Shiite sect of who would come to be known as Huthis after their leader, and also a civil war following a failed attempt to unify the north and south. When the 2011 protests reached , he reluctantly ceded power to his number two, Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. But Saleh still tried to hold on, even aligning himself with his former enemies the Huthis, who ended up assassinating him in . : war crimes suspect Bashir Omar al-Bashir seized power in an Islamist-backed coup in in 1989 before himself being overthrown by the 30 years later during popular protests. He was indicted in 2009 and 2010 by the International on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity over the conflict in Darfur in western , where he unleashed the janjaweed militia in response to a rebel uprising. Bashir was held in Kober prison, in the area, but the military later said he was transferred to a military hospital, remaining under guard, before war began in last year between the military and rival paramilitaries. bur/mh/srm/itStock market today: Stocks climb to record highs as Fed members point to December rate cut
Bitcoin's past, present and future opportunities 12-13-2024 11:02 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Press Release Agency The story is generally considered to have started in 2008. A mysterious person (or group of people) named Satoshi Nakamoto first proposed the concept of Bitcoin in a paper titled "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System". This paper by Satoshi Nakamoto was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples. He envisioned a decentralized electronic payment system based on cryptography principles, aiming to solve the trust problem in the traditional financial system. Image: https://www.wdwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-15-1024x582.png The emergence of Bitcoin means that people can make secure and anonymous transactions without relying on any centralized institution. Bitcoin is decentralized, which means it is not controlled by governments or financial institutions. Transactions are verified by a network of nodes and recorded in a public distributed ledger called a blockchain. When you own it, you have your own bank, with no restrictions on fund transactions. Bitcoin: An incredible journey from obscurity to legalization El Salvador is the first country in the world to use Bitcoin as legal tender, passing a bill in 2021 to allow Bitcoin to circulate as legal tender alongside the U.S. dollar. The Central African Republic became the second country to legalize Bitcoin in 2022, allowing it to be used as legal tender. Image: https://www.wdwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-16-1024x808.png In the United States, some state governments have allowed taxpayers to pay taxes using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, increasing payment options and showing support for cryptocurrency technology. The German government has even recognized cryptocurrencies as a legal means of payment, and taxpayers can use them freely. As a representative of blockchain technology, Bitcoin has gone from a mysterious concept to a popular concept, and has begun to be used to pay taxes in some countries. This not only challenges traditional monetary concepts, but also heralds new developments in the global tax system. Compared with traditional bank transfers, using cryptocurrencies to pay taxes can save time and costs. Bolian Assets CEO Mr. Kevin said: With the increasing maturity of the cryptocurrency market and the gradual improvement of regulatory policies, it has gradually been accepted by countries around the world, and more and more countries have begun to explore the possibility of incorporating cryptocurrency into the tax system. These countries include economically developed countries such as the United States, Germany, and Japan, as well as some developing countries that are open to new technologies. Bitcoin will play a greater role and value in more areas, contributing to the development and prosperity of the global economy. Bitcoin's history: From obscurity to attention The first bull run: Bitcoin's first bull run can be traced back to early 2011. At that time, the price of Bitcoin began to climb from an almost negligible level, and by the end of 2013, it had broken through the $1,000 mark. This stage of the bull run was mainly affected by the gradual recognition and acceptance of Bitcoin by the market, and investors began to realize the potential of Bitcoin as a new type of asset. In addition, the participation of some early adopters and speculators also drove up prices. The second bull market: from the end of 2016 to the end of 2017, after a few years of silence, Bitcoin ushered in a bull market again in late 2016. This time, the price of Bitcoin quickly climbed from a few hundred dollars to nearly 20,000 dollars at the end of 2017. The driving factors of this round of bull market are more complex, including the market's further recognition of Bitcoin blockchain technology, as well as factors such as the easing of global monetary policies and geopolitical tensions. In addition, the participation of some mainstream financial institutions and large enterprises also provided impetus for the rise in Bitcoin prices. The third bull market: From mid-2020 to the end of 2021, the third bull market of Bitcoin occurred from mid-2020 to the end of 2021. This time, the price of Bitcoin soared from a few thousand dollars, and finally reached a historical peak at the end of 2021, approaching $69,000. There are multiple factors behind this round of bull market. On the one hand, the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the process of digital transformation, causing more people to pay attention to and invest in digital currencies. On the other hand, the large-scale entry of institutional investors, the clarification of digital monetary policies by governments of various countries, and the expectation of the Bitcoin halving event have jointly promoted the rise in Bitcoin prices. The fourth bull market: It happened right now. The price of Bitcoin broke through the previous historical high in just half a month and approached $100,000! There are important factors behind this round of bull market. Bitcoin is "halved" every four years, and 2024 ushered in the third halving. Halving means that the reward for miners to mine new blocks is halved, reducing the supply of Bitcoin, which is often regarded as a bullish signal because the reduction in supply may push up prices. Image: https://www.wdwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-18-1024x671.png In the first few years after the birth of Bitcoin, it did not immediately attract widespread attention. Due to its complex technical background and extremely high entry barriers, early participants were mostly technology geeks and cryptocurrency enthusiasts. But as time went on, Bitcoin gradually showed its unique value potential. In particular, on May 22, 2010, a programmer exchanged 10,000 Bitcoins for two pizzas. This event was regarded as the "first real transaction" in the history of Bitcoin, and also gave Bitcoin a real price. Image: https://www.wdwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-17-1024x424.png After this incident, May 22nd of each year is called Bitcoin Pizza Day to commemorate the milestone event on May 22, 2010. According to the current price of Bitcoin, 10,000 Bitcoins are worth 1 billion US dollars. This may be the most expensive lunch in the world. Bitcoin future opportunities and risk control Bolian Assets CEO Mr. Kevin said that the future development trend of Bitcoin may continue to unfold in multiple directions. As digital gold, it may continue to consolidate its position as a value storage and hedging tool; gradually expand its practical application and market acceptance in payment applications, technological innovation, DeFi, global supervision, etc. However, Bitcoin still faces many challenges in the future, including market volatility, regulatory pressure, technical issues and environmental issues. Mr. Kevin said that in the conventional trading market, the price of Bitcoin is known for its extreme volatility and unpredictability. Since its birth, the price of Bitcoin has experienced many ups and downs, which has brought huge profit opportunities to investors, but also accompanied by extremely high risks. The sharp fluctuations in prices may cause investors to face huge asset losses in a short period of time. Image: https://www.wdwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-19-1024x573.png This price volatility is not only due to basic factors such as market sentiment and supply and demand, but may also be affected by external factors such as the macroeconomic environment and geopolitical situation. Therefore, when investors participate in Bitcoin transactions, they must have a strong sense of risk and risk tolerance. In actual operations, investors should focus on combining a mature mentality with rich experience. On the one hand, they should improve their trading skills and experience through continuous learning and practice; on the other hand, they should always remain calm and rational and not be disturbed by short-term market fluctuations. Conclusion The trading market is a field full of challenges and opportunities. To survive in this market, investors must have a mature trading mentality and rich trading experience. A mature mentality can help investors stay calm and rational in the turbulent waves of the market; while rich experience can provide investors with a sharp tool to cope with market changes. Only by combining the two can we move forward steadily in the trading market and achieve continuous growth of wealth. Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. Do your own research before making a financial decision related to any crypto company or asset. Media Contact Company Name: Global News Online Contact Person: Media Relations Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=bitcoins-past-present-and-future-opportunities ] City: NY Country: United States Website: http://www.globalnewsonline.info This release was published on openPR.All Wright scores 26 and Valparaiso earns 93-77 win over Central Michigan
MALAGA, Spain (AP) — The last man in professional tennis, 80th-ranked , converted his 10th match point Friday to finally close out a 6-4, 6-7 (12), 6-3 victory over Daniel Altmaier and help the Netherlands reach its first final by sweeping Germany. Tallon Griekspoor, who is ranked 40th, sealed the 2-0 win for the Dutch in the best-of-three-match semifinal by hitting 25 aces and coming back to defeat Jan-Lennard Struff 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4. When it ended, appropriately, on an ace, Griekspoor shut his eyes, dropped to his knees and spread his arms wide. “We have been talking about this for two, three years,” Griekspoor said. “We believed in ourselves so much. We always felt like this was possible. To do it now feels unbelievable.” The other semifinal is Saturday, with No. 1-ranked and taking on . The championship will be decided Sunday. “We don’t have that top 5 player. We don’t that top 10 player. We don’t have that top 15 player,” Dutch captain Paul Harhuuis said. “But it’s a team effort. ... So proud of these guys.” In Friday's opener, van de Zandschulp was up a set and just a point away from leading 5-2 in the second when Altmaier began playing more aggressively and interacting more with the German fans, yelling and throwing uppercuts or raising his arms after key points. In the tiebreaker, Altmaier managed to save five match points before converting his own fourth set point to extend the contest. But van de Zandschulp — who upset four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz at the U.S. Open — quickly moved out front in the final set, even if he eventually needed five more match points in the last game before serving it out. “At some point, I didn’t know what to do any more on the match points,” van de Zandschulp said. “I had the toughest match of my life on Tuesday (against Nadal), so everything that comes next is maybe a little bit easier.” In the quarterfinals, van de Zandschulp outplayed Nadal for a 6-4, 6-4 result that marked the end of the career because the Netherlands went on to eliminate Spain 2-1. announced last month that the Davis Cup would be his final event before retiring. Presumably because people purchased tickets ahead of time with plans to watch Nadal compete in the semifinals, there were hundreds of unoccupied blue or gray seats surrounding the indoor hard court at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martina Carpena in southern Spain on Friday. Now truly a neutral site, the place was not nearly as loud and rowdy as on Tuesday, although there were shouts of “Vamos, Rafa!” that drew laughter while van de Zandschulp played the 88th-ranked Altmaier. It took Griekspoor more than 75 minutes and nearly two full sets to figure out how to break No. 43 Struff and then did it twice in a row — to lead 6-5 in the second set, and then go up 1-0 in the third. That was plenty, because Griekspoor saved the only two break points he faced. The Netherlands hadn’t been to the semifinals since 2001. The Germans — whose best current player, two-time major finalist Alexander Zverev, is not on the team in Malaga — have won three Davis Cups, but not since 1993, when 1991 Wimbledon champion Michael Stich led them to the title. AP tennis:Heretic Movie Review : Who would have thought that the heartthrob of the '90s would later become a master of delivering spine-chilling, malevolent performances? That’s Hugh Grant for you. If his sinister turns in Cloud Atlas and Paddington 2 surprised you, brace yourself for what might be his most compellingly dark role yet in Heretic , directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. Grant's performance is elevated by the nemesis his character seeks to challenge - a force even more formidable than himself: organised religion, in all its forms. Exhuma Movie Review: Plenty of Chills and Thrills in Choi Min-sik's Gripping South Korean Horror Film! Mormon missionaries Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) spend their days spreading the word of their Lord through scheduled appointments. One such visit leads them to the home of Mr Reed (Hugh Grant), a middle-aged man unusually eager to hear their message. Reed invites them in under the guise of sheltering them from the rain, mentioning that his wife is inside baking blueberry pies. It doesn’t take long for Barnes and Paxton to sense that something is off. Reed’s probing challenges to their religious beliefs, coupled with his unsettling charisma, soon reveal a darker agenda. Before they know it, the two women are trapped in his eerie home, where Reed forces them to participate in his "experiment" to discover the one true religion. In Heretic , character development doesn’t rely on lengthy flashbacks or heavy-handed exposition. A simple yet strikingly effective scene—like the opening conversation where Barnes and Paxton discuss a pornographic film and its perceived spiritual undertones—immediately establishes their personalities. Barnes grapples with inner conflict and a troubled past while maintaining a quiet strength. In contrast, Paxton exudes naive innocence, making her instantly endearing. Sophie Thatcher shines in her role, but the revelation here is Chloe East, who holds her own against Grant's scenery-chewing intensity. (Topher Grace also makes an appearance, so well-disguised under a grey wig that he’s nearly unrecognisable.) It doesn’t take long for the narrative to thrust the "two Red Riding Hoods" into the wolf’s lair, but the story keeps the audience guessing. Reed’s unsettling aura builds steadily through the first two acts, with his true intentions remaining ambiguous. Much of the tension comes from his unnerving "debate" with the missionaries about the legitimacy of their faith. He is consistently jovial in his demeanour, occasionally showing slight annoyance, particularly when the girls fail to understand his pop-culture references, like his hilarious impression of Jar Jar Binks. Meesa sorry? How do kids not know the destroyer of the Star Wars prequel trilogy? Reed’s arguments—such as comparing religions to plagiarised board games—might feel more like crowd-pleasing jabs for atheists than substantive critiques. However, Heretic isn’t trying to take a definitive stance. It critiques religious dogma and blind faith from a skewed perspective that also highlights Reed’s own instability. While Reed’s challenges may resonate with sceptics, his warped logic and coercive tactics expose his underlying fragility. Both Barnes and Paxton deliver strong rebuttals in different moments, though devout viewers may find the film offensive, while atheists might revel in Reed’s audacious provocations. Talk to Me Movie Review: The RackaRacka Duo’s Frighteningly Entertaining Horror Film is an Impressive Debut . But make no mistake—this isn’t The Man from Earth , where people have healthy theological debates within a single room. Reed’s "experiment" offers the women two grim options that ultimately lead to the same conclusion, reinforcing his belief that both faith and disbelief doom humanity. As the story takes increasingly bizarre turns, Reed reveals the true nature of his twisted plans. Without delving into spoilers, let’s just say things don’t unfold as expected, and the film ramps up its creepiness to unsettling heights. Special mention must go to Chung Chung-hoon’s cinematography, with its striking zooms, creative blocking, and effective use of space. Some critics have taken issue with the film’s portrayal of violence against women, but this ties directly into Reed’s philosophy. It’s about control—who wields it, who suffers under it, and what it reveals about societal power dynamics. The film’s conclusion might feel convenient, but it cleverly leaves the audience debating the presence (or absence) of divine intervention without offering a definitive answer. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter. Heretic is devilishly captivating, anchored by a trio of exceptional performances and a narrative that keeps you on edge until the final frame. 'Heretic' Movie Review - Final Thoughts Heretic is a gripping psychological horror thriller that delves into the fabric of religion while concealing a far more sinister undercurrent: gender control. Anchored by Hugh Grant’s unnervingly brilliant performance, complemented by Sophie Thatcher’s subtle intensity and Chloe East’s breakout act, the film proves you don’t need ghosts or zombies to send shivers down your spine—a claustrophobic setting and an eerily sinister William Thacker challenging your core values are more than enough! (The opinions expressed in the above article are of the author and do not reflect the stand or position of LatestLY.) (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 13, 2024 04:56 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).
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Taylor Swift's concerts at Vancouver's BC Place Dec. 6, 7 and 8 are continuing to help local charities. The BC Children's Hospital Foundation on Saturday night (Nov. 30) auctioned 15 tickets to a private suite at one of the Taylor Swift Vancouver concerts for $290,000 – an impressive amount of money but it was not the most that a B.C. charity has garnered for a suite during one of Swift's concerts. The VGH UBC Hospital Foundation on Oct. 19 raised a staggering $320,000 from a winning bid at its Vitality Gala live auction for 15 private suite tickets to see Swift sing in Vancouver. The BC Children's Hospital Foundation's weekend windfall at its Crystal Ball gala did, however, better some other B.C. charities that auctioned off tickets at suites to see Taylor Swift. The Victoria Hospitals Foundation at its Visions Gala Nov. 16 netted $260,000 by auctioning off a 15-person suite to see Swift. The BC Cancer Society was the first local charity to auction off a 15-person suite to see Swift. It raised $125,000 for that suite during an action at its Daffodil Ball in April. Combined, those four suites generated more than $1 million for the charities. PavCo, which operates BC Place, gifted the suites to be auctioned off, PavCo senior manager of marketing and communications Jenny McKenzie told BIV. “For every concert that comes through, we have a certain number of suites and tickets that [we get as] part of our partnership with that tour,” she explained. PavCo sometimes gives tickets and suites to what she called “stakeholders” related to PavCo, but the organization also donates access to suites and tickets to charities, she said. McKenzie said that PavCo has long had an informal system in place to provide suites and tickets to charities, and this year formalized what it is calling its BC Place Community Benefit Program. “By donating tickets, BC Place enables charities to raise critical funds while offering unforgettable experiences to their supporters,” she said. She added that the program reinforces PavCo’s role as a catalyst for positive change and social impact. The Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is another charity that has cashed in on excitement about Taylor Swift. It sold two sets of tickets—eight in total—to a Taylor Swift Vancouver concert for $46,000 at its November 2 Gift of Time Gala auction, which raised more than $1.63 million in support of Canuck Place. Toronto-based telecom Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX:RCI-B) is a presenting sponsor of the Canadian leg of Swift’s Eras tour, which includes six shows in Toronto and three in Vancouver. Because it is a presenting sponsor, it has access to many tickets for internal use. Some of those tickets are being given away to forge customer loyalty while others are being given to charities, Rogers’ senior manager of communication in Western Canada, Leann Yutuc, told BIV. Rogers has been giving away 35 pairs of tickets each week to different Rogers customers who enter draws, she said. “Specific to charities, we have given tickets to BGC Canada, Jays Care, Big Brothers Big Sisters Toronto and Canucks for Kids to distribute to their beneficiaries,” she said. Canucks for Kids received 40 tickets with those going to deserving families to attend a Taylor Swift concert, Yutuc said. Swift has been a vocal supporter of food banks and that has spurred fan Heidi Van Schaik to launch a Canada-wide initiative dubbed Tay It Forward. Waterloo, Ont.-based Schaik has set a goal to raise $1.3 million for Canadian food banks, with that amount chosen because 13 is said to be Swift’s favourite number, and it is one she has reportedly drawn on her hand before performances. Schaik is encouraging fans to make $13 donations, with the campaign slated to end December 13. A wide range of businesses in Vancouver are also cashing in on the Taylor Swift concerts . [email protected] @GlenKorstrom glenkorstrom.bsky.social
Far-right influencer Nick Fuentes accused of pepper spraying woman on his doorstepSouth Carolina is off to an uneven start, but that hasn't obscured the steady rise of Collin Murray-Boyles. The 6-foot-7 sophomore will be the player to watch when South Carolina (6-3) hosts South Carolina Upstate (4-8) Saturday afternoon in Columbia. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Cardlytics reports that card-linked cash-back offers represent a strategic stocking stuffer for smart shoppers navigating the expensive holiday landscape. Click for more. Holiday spending hacks: How to unwrap savings without sacrificing festive cheer
Check your junk mail: Some affected by the Equifax data breach to get more moneyBrewer's 20 lead Florida International over Stetson 81-72