Joe Depa named as EY Global Chief Innovation Officer to lead its global innovation strategy
Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa told Al Arabiya TV on Sunday that elections could take four years, noted the importance of ties with Iran and Russia, and called for the United States to lift sanctions. In a wide-ranging interview three weeks after his Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and allied rebels ousted longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad from power after a lightning offensive, Sharaa also said that local Kurdish-led forces which Turkey opposes should be integrated into the national army. “The election process could take four years,” Sharaa told Saudi-owned Al Arabiya. “We need to rewrite the constitution” which could take “two or three years”, added Sharaa. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, adopted in 2015, outlined a roadmap for a political transition in Syria that included drafting a new constitution and holding UN-supervised elections. Visiting UN special envoy Geir Pedersen this month said he hoped Syria would “adopt a new constitution... and that we will have free and fair elections” after a transitional period. Diplomats from the United States, Turkey, the European Union and Arab countries who met in Jordan this month also called for “an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government formed through a transparent process”. An interim government has been appointed to steer the country until March 1. Sharaa expressed hope that the incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump would lift sanctions imposed under Assad on the now war-torn and impoverished country. “The sanctions on Syria were issued based on the crimes that the regime committed,” Sharaa said, adding that since Assad was gone, “these sanctions should be removed automatically”. – Russia, Iran – Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), rooted in Syria’s Al-Qaeda branch, is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by many governments including the United States, though it has recently sought to moderate its rhetoric and vowed to protect Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities. Sharaa said HTS’s dissolution would be announced “during the national dialogue conference”, without specifying a date, and emphasising that the dialogue would include all Syrians. He also noted the importance of ties with Russia and Iran, both key allies of Assad, helping him claw back territory during 13 years of war before the rebels launched their offensive last month. “Syria cannot continue without relations with an important regional country like Iran, but they must be based on respect for the sovereignty of both countries and non-interference in the affairs of both countries,” Sharaa said. Iran-backed groups including Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants were heavily present in Syria under Assad, and Iran long provided what it described as military advisers to the Syrian armed forces. “Russia is an important country and is considered the second most powerful country in the world,” Sharaa said, noting the “deep strategic interests between Russia and Syria”. Assad fled to Russia as rebels closed in on Damascus, and uncertainty has shrouded the future of Moscow’s naval base in Tartus and its Hmeimim air base, both on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. – ‘Investment’ – “All Syria’s arms are of Russian origin, and many power plants are managed by Russian experts... We do not want Russia to leave Syria in the way that some wish,” Sharaa added. He also said local Kurdish-led forces which Turkey opposes should be integrated into the national army. Swathes of north and northeast Syria are controlled by a Kurdish-led administration whose de facto army, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), spearheaded the fight that helped defeat Islamic State group jihadists in Syria in 2019, with US backing. “Weapons must be in the hands of the state alone. Whoever is armed and qualified to join the defence ministry, we will welcome them,” Sharaa said. “Under these terms and conditions, we will open a negotiations dialogue with the SDF... to perhaps find an appropriate solution,” he added. Turkey accuses the main component of the SDF, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), of being affiliated with the militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) at home, which both Washington and Ankara consider a “terrorist” group. Sharaa also said regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia “will certainly have a large role in Syria’s future”, pointing to “a big investment opportunity for all neighbouring countries”. With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.
CYPRESS LAKE, Fla. (AP) — Peter Suder's 16 points helped Miami (Ohio) defeat Mercer 75-72 on Tuesday. Suder had six rebounds and four steals for the RedHawks (4-2). Eian Elmer scored 15 points and added five rebounds and three steals. Antwone Woolfolk shot 5 of 8 from the field and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points, while adding six rebounds. Ahmad Robinson finished with 19 points, six assists and three steals for the Bears (3-4). Brady Shoulders added 14 points and four steals for Mercer. Alex Holt also put up 12 points and nine rebounds. Miami went into the half leading Mercer 35-30. Elmer scored 11 points in the half. Suder scored 12 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Saint Bonaventure wins 65-55 over Buffalo
Ambarella: Fiscal Q3 Earnings Snapshot
Manchester United expert journalist Andy Mitten has revealed what every single former manager has told him about Marcus Rashford as the forward's Old Trafford career moves closer to the brink of collapse. The 27-year-old has been left out of Ruben Amorim 's last four matchday squads after failing to impress the new manager with his efforts in training. Rashford's startling decline comes less than two seasons after posting a career-best 30 goals during Erik ten Hag's debut campaign, figures that he has not come close to replicating since. After being dropped for the Manchester derby earlier in December, the player stated he believed it was the right time for him to leave the club . Now Mitten, who has worked for The Athletic and started the United We Stand fanzine, has revealed exactly what he has been told about Rashford in the past. Amorim explained why he had dropped Rashford and Garnacho, but the new statistics give further details behind his thinking Mitten Claims Every Manager Has Had Problems With Rashford Speaking to talkSPORT, Mitten explained what previous managers had told him in confidence throughout the years about Rashford and how they all claimed to have had issues with the player in the past. The journalist stated: "Every previous manager has had issues with Marcus Rashford. I've spoken to them, I know them. They've told me in confidence going back years and years and years. And the Marcus confounds those opinions by having a really good season. "From his perspective, there's not a lot of support for him among Manchester United fans. Marcus rashford is not celebrated by United fans as he once was. His stock is clearly very, very low." GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Rashford went 189 days without scoring a Premier League goal before his first strike of the season against Southampton. During his United career, the Englishman has played under eight managers if you include the temporary stints of Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy. He was handed his debut by Louis van Gaal but fell slightly down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho. He was restored to prominence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but scored just twice in 22 games under Ralf Rangnick. While it initially seemed as though Erik ten Hag had finally managed to get the best out of him, Rashford was one of United's most disappointing performers during the 2023-24 campaign and has continued to struggle throughout the current season. He has not been named in the last four matchday squads since Amorim revealed he left him out of the Manchester derby due to a lack of engagement with his teammates . Rashford reportedly wants out, and these are the best destinations for him according to AI All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt - accurate as of 29/12/2024No. 24 Illinois cruises past Chicago State 117-64 behind Kylan Boswell's triple-double
‘Intrusive and presumptuous’: Fury in Germany after Musk backs far-right party ahead of elections
Qatar PM sees 'momentum' on Gaza talks after US election
As Black Friday approaches, a surprising number of Britons are planning to trade their office chairs for their shopping carts. A recent poll of 2,000 adults revealed that one in ten Brits intends to call in sick on the biggest shopping day of the year to focus on securing the best deals. Among these faux-ill workers, 41% plan to fake a cold, 31% a case of the flu, and 24% intend to claim food poisoning as their excuse. This unconventional strategy reflects the growing appeal of Black Friday, a day when consumers scramble to take advantage of deep discounts offered by retailers both in-store and online. With many sales peaking between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., 27% of shoppers admit they will browse and purchase during work hours to avoid the chaos of post-work rushes, per research by The Sun . To get ahead of the competition, 40% of respondents said they would set their alarms as early as 5:30 a.m. to start shopping. The average Black Friday shopper is expected to spend more than £400, contributing to a projected national total of over £9 billion. Electronics, clothing, shoes, and toys are expected to dominate shopping lists, with electronics alone predicted to generate £1.13 billion in profit, according to Statista . Interestingly, 58% of shoppers are focused on buying Christmas gifts, while 21% plan to shop primarily for themselves. Another 31% aim to stock up on household essentials such as soft furnishings and kitchenware, and 27% intend to buy early birthday presents. Savvy bargain hunters are also preparing to stretch their pounds further, with 34% having saved up an average of £176 in promotional codes, vouchers, and gift cards to maximise their discounts. Rakuten's shopping expert, Alex Stedman, suggested utilising cashback websites to earn rewards on purchases, effectively reducing the overall cost of holiday shopping. Similarly, Alex Lee, a tech writer for The Independent, recommended creating a wish list of necessary items and comparing prices in advance to avoid impulsive spending. He also advised pre-registering on retailer websites for quicker checkout and exploring membership services like Amazon Prime for exclusive deals and fast delivery. Tools such as PriceRunner can help shoppers compare prices across multiple retailers, while price-matching policies at stores like AO and Currys can be leveraged for added savings. However, Lee cautioned against purchasing no-name brands from platforms like Amazon, where quality may be compromised. While the excitement around Black Friday is undeniable, sceptics warn that not all discounts are as impressive as they seem. A report from Which? revealed that only 2% of products in the 2022 Black Friday sales were cheaper than at other times of the year. A staggering 98% of items were priced the same or even lower outside the Black Friday period, raising questions about the authenticity of many promotions. Further analysis of over 66,000 prices showed that 45% of products were cheaper at other times of the year, while 86% were similarly priced or cheaper outside the extended sales period. Experts suggest that better bargains can often be found during Boxing Day, summer, or Easter sales, which provide ample opportunity to save without the frenzy. While Black Friday remains a major event on the retail calendar, it comes with a warning: not all that glitters is gold. Shoppers are encouraged to stay informed, research prices in advance, and use tools and strategies to avoid being swept up in the hype. As Google's research on Black Friday trends highlights, the key to a successful shopping spree lies in preparation and a critical eye for genuine discounts. With the day fast approaching, Brits are balancing their enthusiasm for savings with cautious scepticism. Whether they're faking a sick day to shop or simply setting their alarms early, one thing is clear: Black Friday continues to be a cultural phenomenon in the UK, driving consumers to new lengths in their pursuit of the perfect deal.Universal Corporation Receives NYSE Notice Regarding Filing of Form 10-Q for the Fiscal Quarter Ended September 30, 2024
The New York Giants claimed tight end Greg Dulcich off waivers from the Denver Broncos on Tuesday. Holding the No. 2 spot on the waiver order, the Giants are bringing in Dulcich to compete with rookie Theo Johnson. Despite having some intriguing upside as a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Dulcich's tenure in Denver quickly burned out. The 24-year-old UCLA product recorded 33 receptions for 411 yards and two touchdowns during his rookie season, showing some promise. However, he suffered a hamstring injury during Week 1 of the 2023 season, which landed him on the Reserve/Injured list. He was activated in October, but went back on the reserve list after re-injuring his hamstring. Then, in a somewhat surprising development, Dulcich was a healthy scratch for the first eight games of the 2024 season before being waived by the Broncos. Despite their issues at the quarterback position and other positions across the roster, the promising duo of Johnson and Dulcich could provide an intriguing foundation if the Giants can get the latter on the right track. MORE NFL: Giants greatly improve 2025 NFL draft stock
Published 5:15 pm Friday, December 13, 2024 By Data Skrive In the upcoming tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers, which starts at 2:00 PM ET on Saturday, can we expect Matthew Boldy to find the back of the net for the Minnesota Wild? Let’s dive into the most important numbers and trends to figure out which prop bets you should be strongly considering. Sign up for ESPN+ today to watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more. Odds to score a goal this game: +145 (Bet $10 to win $14.50 if he scores a goal) Place your bets on any NHL matchup at BetMGM. Sign up today using our link. Catch NHL action all season long on Fubo. Catch NHL action all season long on Max. Bet on this or any NHL matchup at BetMGM. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .Joe Depa named as EY Global Chief Innovation Officer to lead its global innovation strategy
Jetliner skids off runway and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. Officials said all but two of the 181 people on board were killed Sunday in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters. The 737-800 operated by Jeju Air plane arrived from Bangkok and crashed while attempting to land in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Seoul. Footage of the crash aired by South Korean television channels showed the plane skidding across the airstrip at high speed, evidently with its landing gear still closed. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east HOUSTON (AP) — A strong storm system is threatening to whip up tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Southeast, a day after severe weather claimed at least two lives as twisters touched down in Texas and Mississippi. Strong storms moving eastward Sunday are expected to continue producing gusty, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes through Sunday. That is according to National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira. So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, Pereira said, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed. Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli hospital says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery. Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center said his prostate was removed late Sunday and that he was recovering. Netanyahu’s office had said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Doctors ordered the operation after detecting an infection last week. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. Syria's de facto leader says it could take up to 4 years to hold elections BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s de facto leader has said it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans on dissolving his Islamist group that led the country’s insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview Sunday. That's according to the Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad’s decades-long rule, ending the country’s uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011. A fourth infant dies of the winter cold in Gaza as families share blankets in seaside tents DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fourth infant has died of hypothermia in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by nearly 15 months of war are huddled in tents along the rainy, windswept coast as winter arrives. The baby's father says the 20-day-old child was found with his head as “cold as ice” Sunday morning in their tent. The baby’s twin brother was moved to the intensive care unit of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father says the twins were born one month premature and spent just a day in hospital, which like other Gaza health centers has been overwhelmed and only partially functions. Musk causes uproar for backing Germany's far-right party ahead of key elections BERLIN (AP) — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in an early election on Feb. 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s stagnant economy. Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag, published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD. 2024 was a year of triumphs and setbacks for Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Here's how it unfolded The year 2024 saw President Vladimir Putin further cement his power as he sought to counter Russia's isolation over the war in Ukraine. He won a fifth term that will keep him in office until 2030 following an election with only token opposition. He tightened a political crackdown on Russian society, and his top opponent, Alexei Navalny, died in prison under still unknown circumstances. But gunmen massacred scores of people in a Moscow concert hall, and a bomb killed a top general in attacks that underscored security flaws. Ukrainian forces swept into the Russian region of Kursk, Putin boasted about a lethal new hypersonic missile, and a new Trump administration raised concerns about continued U.S. support for Ukraine. Azerbaijan's president says crashed jetliner was shot down by Russia unintentionally Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev says the Azerbaijani airliner that crashed last week was shot down by Russia, albeit unintentionally. Aliyev told Azerbaijani state television on Sunday that the aircraft was hit by fire from the ground over Russia and rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare. He accused Russia of trying to “hush up” the issue for several days. The crash on Wednesday killed 38 of 67 people on board. Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Aliyev on Saturday for what he called a “tragic incident” but stopped short of acknowledging Moscow’s responsibility. Russian man arrested for allegedly running LGBTQ+ travel agency found dead in custody A Russian man arrested for allegedly running a travel agency for gay customers has been found dead in custody in Moscow. That's according to independent news outlet Mediazona on Sunday. According to OVD-Info, Andrei Kotov of the Men Travel agency was in pretrial detention facing extremism charges. An investigator told Kotov’s lawyer that her client had died by suicide and was found dead in his cell. Just over a year ago, Russia’s Supreme Court effectively outlawed any LGBTQ+ activism in a ruling that designated “the international LGBT movement” as extremist. The move exposed anyone in the community or connected to it to criminal prosecution and prison. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career.One day after Danny Hurley’s meltdown against Memphis made national headlines , No. 2 UConn lost again. The two-time defending national champion Huskies will play in the 7th-place game in the Maui Invitational after falling to Colorado, 73-72, in Maui. The Huskies will face either Iowa State or Dayton on Wednesday. “Colorado, what.a great upset over UConn after the difficult game they had against Michigan State yesterday,” ESPN’s Jay Bilas said on air. Hurley did have to be restrained by associate head coach Kimani Young with 18 seconds remaining when no over-the-back foul was called on Colorado’s Trevor Baskin against Liam McNeeley that was similar to the one that was called on McNeeley in overtime of the Memphis game. Hurley was not fined or suspended following Monday’s meltdown in which he told an official he was a “f--king joke” with the Memphis game tied at 92. UConn ended up losing 99-97 in overtime. Oh and Dan Hurley handled it well again pic.twitter.com/n0k2qbpZ6r For Colorado, Andrej Jakimovski scored on a straight line drive layup to push the Buffaloes ahead 73-72 with 5.9 seconds remaining. “They’re not gonna win games if they can’t guard the basketball, and they’re not going to win games if Alex Karaban goes 1-for-8,” Seth Greenberg said on air. Andrej called game. 📺ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/Dnhf5hAjgz After a UConn timeout, Hassan Diarra missed a desperation 3-pointer as time expired. Jaylin Stewart made a putback off a Diarra miss that was tapped toward Stewart by Alex Karaban to push the score to 72-69 with 1:29 remaining. Elijah Malone (20 points) hit a layup to cut it to 72-71 with about a minute remaining. McNeeley, whose stock is rising with NBA scouts, finished with a team-best 20 points for UConn, including 4-of-6 from deep. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter who covers Seton Hall and NJ college basketball for NJ Advance Media. You may follow him on Twitter @ AdamZagoria and check out his Website at ZAGSBLOG.com .Fireweed Metals Corp. awarded up to C$35.4 M in joint US-Canadian government funding to advance Mactung and essential Infrastructure to unlock the critical minerals district at Macmillan Pass, Yukon Territory