No one is truly safe in the NFL, even if its the holiday season. The Denver Broncos announced on Tuesday that it has released former Alabama defensive back Levi Wallace as it shifted running back Blake Watson back to the active roster. “It’s never an easy decision, Broncos head coach Sean Payton said following Wallace’s release. “Hopefully, we’ll see how it goes and we’re able to get him back (on the practice squad).” It ultimately came down to a roster management situation for a Broncos team that is vying for a wildcard spot in the AFC playoffs. Wallace played in 13 games with two starts for Denver this year recording 28 total tackles and two pass deflections in his seventh season in the NFL. After playing at Alabama from 2014-17, helping the Crimson Tide with two national titles he entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent where he would eventually begin his career with the Buffalo Bills. After playing four seasons with Buffalo where he recorded 52 total starts, Wallace would sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he would appear in a total of 31 games with 18 starts over the course of two seasons. This article first appeared on Touchdown Alabama Magazine and was syndicated with permission.Shoppers bemused as Easter eggs hit shop shelves before New Year’s Eve
On paper, Luigi Mangione had it all: wealth, intellect, athleticism, good looks. But the child of a prominent Maryland family may have spurned it all in a spasm of violence, in a killing that has mesmerized Americans. The 26-year-old was arrested Monday and charged with the murder of Brian Thompson, a health insurance chief executive and father of two who was gunned down in Manhattan last week by someone who, evidence suggests, has endured his own debilitating health crises and grew angry with the privatized US medical system. The cold-blooded killing has laid bare the deep frustration many Americans feel toward the country's labyrinthine health care system: while many have condemned the shooting, others have praised Mangione as a hero. It has also prompted considerable interest in how a young engineer with an Ivy League education could have gone off the rails to commit murder. News of his capture at a Pennsylvania McDonald's triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. As Americans have looked for clues about a political ideology or potential motive, a photo on his X account (formerly Twitter) includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. Mangione lived in Hawaii in 2022 and, according to his former roommate R.J. Martin, suffered from back pain, and was hoping to strengthen his back. After a surfing lesson, Mangione was "in bed for about a week" because of the pain, Martin told CNN. Earlier this year, Martin said, Mangione confirmed he'd had back surgery and sent him photos of the X-rays. Police said the suspect carried a hand-written manifesto of grievances in which he slammed America's "most expensive health care system in the world." "He was writing a lot about his disdain for corporate America and in particular the health care industry," New York police chief detective Joseph Kenny told ABC. According to CNN, a document recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." video game character Luigi. Many expressed at least partial sympathy, having had their own harrowing experiences with the US health care system. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. Mangione hails from the Baltimore area. His wealthy Italian-American family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, according to local outlet the Baltimore Banner, and cousin Nino Mangione is a Maryland state delegate. A standout student, Luigi graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. A former student who knew Mangione at the elite Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," the person said. Mangione attended the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage. On Instagram Mangione shared snapshots of his travels, and shirtless images of himself flaunting a six-pack. X users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo includes an X-ray of a spine with bolts attached. Finding a political ideology that fits neatly onto the right-left divide has proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on online site Goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out multiple bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, in a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline, and retweeted posts on the impact mobile phones and social media have on mental health. ia/abo-mlm/nroBy Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times (TNS) Every day millions of people share more intimate information with their accessories than they do with their spouse. Wearable technology — smartwatches, smart rings, fitness trackers and the like — monitors body-centric data such as your heart rate, steps taken and calories burned, and may record where you go along the way. Like Santa Claus, it knows when you are sleeping (and how well), it knows when you’re awake, it knows when you’ve been idle or exercising, and it keeps track of all of it. People are also sharing sensitive health information on health and wellness apps , including online mental health and counseling programs. Some women use period tracker apps to map out their monthly cycle. These devices and services have excited consumers hoping for better insight into their health and lifestyle choices. But the lack of oversight into how body-centric data are used and shared with third parties has prompted concerns from privacy experts, who warn that the data could be sold or lost through data breaches, then used to raise insurance premiums, discriminate surreptitiously against applicants for jobs or housing, and even perform surveillance. The use of wearable technology and medical apps surged in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, but research released by Mozilla on Wednesday indicates that current laws offer little protection for consumers who are often unaware just how much of their health data are being collected and shared by companies. “I’ve been studying the intersections of emerging technologies, data-driven technologies, AI and human rights and social justice for the past 15 years, and since the pandemic I’ve noticed the industry has become hyper-focused on our bodies,” said Mozilla Foundation technology fellow Júlia Keserű, who conducted the research. “That permeates into all kinds of areas of our lives and all kinds of domains within the tech industry.” The report “From Skin to Screen: Bodily Integrity in the Digital Age” recommends that existing data protection laws be clarified to encompass all forms of bodily data. It also calls for expanding national health privacy laws to cover health-related information collected from health apps and fitness trackers and making it easier for users to opt out of body-centric data collections. Researchers have been raising alarms about health data privacy for years. Data collected by companies are often sold to data brokers or groups that buy, sell and trade data from the internet to create detailed consumer profiles. Body-centric data can include information such as the fingerprints used to unlock phones, face scans from facial recognition technology, and data from fitness and fertility trackers, mental health apps and digital medical records. One of the key reasons health information has value to companies — even when the person’s name is not associated with it — is that advertisers can use the data to send targeted ads to groups of people based on certain details they share. The information contained in these consumer profiles is becoming so detailed, however, that when paired with other data sets that include location information, it could be possible to target specific individuals, Keserű said. Location data can “expose sophisticated insights about people’s health status, through their visits to places like hospitals or abortions clinics,” Mozilla’s report said, adding that “companies like Google have been reported to keep such data even after promising to delete it.” A 2023 report by Duke University revealed that data brokers were selling sensitive data on individuals’ mental health conditions on the open market. While many brokers deleted personal identifiers, some provided names and addresses of individuals seeking mental health assistance, according to the report. In two public surveys conducted as part of the research, Keserű said, participants were outraged and felt exploited in scenarios where their health data were sold for a profit without their knowledge. “We need a new approach to our digital interactions that recognizes the fundamental rights of individuals to safeguard their bodily data, an issue that speaks directly to human autonomy and dignity,” Keserű said. “As technology continues to advance, it is critical that our laws and practices evolve to meet the unique challenges of this era.” Consumers often take part in these technologies without fully understanding the implications. Last month, Elon Musk suggested on X that users submit X-rays, PET scans, MRIs and other medical images to Grok, the platform’s artificial intelligence chatbot, to seek diagnoses. The issue alarmed privacy experts, but many X users heeded Musk’s call and submitted health information to the chatbot. While X’s privacy policy says that the company will not sell user data to third parties, it does share some information with certain business partners. Gaps in existing laws have allowed the widespread sharing of biometric and other body-related data. Health information provided to hospitals, doctor’s offices and medical insurance companies is protected from disclosure under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act , known as HIPAA, which established federal standards protecting such information from release without the patient’s consent. But health data collected by many wearable devices and health and wellness apps don’t fall under HIPAA’s umbrella, said Suzanne Bernstein, counsel at Electronic Privacy Information Center. “In the U.S. because we don’t have a comprehensive federal privacy law ... it falls to the state level,” she said. But not every state has weighed in on the issue. Washington, Nevada and Connecticut all recently passed laws to provide safeguards for consumer health data. Washington, D.C., in July introduced legislation that aimed to require tech companies to adhere to strengthened privacy provisions regarding the collection, sharing, use or sale of consumer health data. In California, the California Privacy Rights Act regulates how businesses can use certain types of sensitive information, including biometric information, and requires them to offer consumers the ability to opt out of disclosure of sensitive personal information. “This information being sold or shared with data brokers and other entities hypercharge the online profiling that we’re so used to at this point, and the more sensitive the data, the more sophisticated the profiling can be,” Bernstein said. “A lot of the sharing or selling with third parties is outside the scope of what a consumer would reasonably expect.” Health information has become a prime target for hackers seeking to extort healthcare agencies and individuals after accessing sensitive patient data. Health-related cybersecurity breaches and ransom attacks increased more than 4,000% between 2009 and 2023, targeting the booming market of body-centric data, which is expected to exceed $500 billion by 2030, according to the report. “Nonconsensual data sharing is a big issue,” Keserű said. “Even if it’s biometric data or health data, a lot of the companies are just sharing that data without you knowing, and that is causing a lot of anxiety and questions.” ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Congress Bids Adieu To Its Gentle Statesman Dr Singh At Party HQ
Moment jobsworth binman is caught on doorbell camera removing rubbish bag from top of bin at Christmas By MILO POPE and SAM WRIGHT Published: 22:42 GMT, 27 December 2024 | Updated: 23:05 GMT, 27 December 2024 e-mail 9 View comments A 'petty' binman was caught on doorbell camera footage removing a rubbish bag from the top of a bin at Christmas . A Hull resident posted a video of the incident to social media, tagging his local council with the comment: 'Remind me why I pay you over £130 a month [Hull City Council].' The footage begins by showing a lorry travelling down a road as binmen go to collect the rubbish. When a binman reaches the person's house, he can then be seen removing a single bin bag on top of the wheelie bin. After that, he wheels the bin to the lorry and disposes of the rubbish before wheeling it back, leaving the single bag of rubbish. Furious people online shared their fury over the 'petty' move by the rubbish collector. One person wrote on X: 'Now an extra bag or the lid being open by 1cm is refused! It’s madness.' Another said: 'Count yourself lucky, I pay more than that and they didn’t even touch the bin when I left a bag on top of it.' Footage begins by showing a lorry travelling down a road as binmen collect the rubbish On this person's Ring doorbell footage, a binman can be seen picking up the bin bag After removing it, he then starts to wheel the bin away to remove what is inside The 'petty' move sparked fury online, with many people condemning his actions A third added: 'I think councils often forget they are a public service & when this is combined with tendering services to the lowest cost provider, this approach is the result.' A fourth wrote: 'I was a bin man in West Sussex for a bit and any out of bin extras we always threw in the lorry. Council need to sort it as bin man must leave it for a reason.' A fifth also said: 'Happened to me last Xmas. Two extra nearly tied bags next to the bin. Bin men Left them. I was watching and went out. Bloke thought I was about to argue. I simply picked the bags up and threw them in the van. Neither weighed more than 6 or 7kg. Jobsworths was my only comment.' However, some argued: 'Rules are clear. Rubbish has to be in a bin for them to take it. If you’ve run out of room, ask a neighbour if you can put it in theirs or take it to the tip.' Another also said: 'And then what happens when someone leaves two bags, and then three bags. Has to be a rule otherwise people in society will take the p***.' MailOnline has contacted Hull City Council for comment. Hull Share or comment on this article: Moment jobsworth binman is caught on doorbell camera removing rubbish bag from top of bin at Christmas e-mail Add comment
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck announced Saturday that he will forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2025 NFL Draft. Beck, 22, led the Southeastern Conference with 28 touchdown passes and finished third in the SEC with 3,485 passing yards. He also led the conference in interceptions, however. Beck will be a spectator for the Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff after undergoing surgery Monday to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right (throwing) elbow. Gunner Stockton is in line to guide No. 2 seed Georgia into the CFP, starting with the Bulldogs' quarterfinal game against No. 7 seed Notre Dame at the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday in New Orleans. "There's unfinished business still this season and I'll be here to support however I can, finish strong!" Beck said in a statement posted on social media. Beck, a fifth-year senior, finished with a 24-3 record in his career with Georgia. "The past five years at the University of Georgia have been nothing short of a dream come true and I will forever cherish the memories that have been made. Thank you Dawg Nation for the time I've been here and to those who've supported and believed in me, thank you," Beck wrote on social media. "It's been an incredible journey and all these moments have ultimately led me to take the next step in my football career. With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. Go Dawgs!" Beck, the Bulldogs' starter all year, was replaced in the second half of the SEC title game with the injury. Stockton helped to guide the Bulldogs to a 22-19 overtime win over Texas and clinch a first-round bye in the first 12-team playoff. --Field Level MediaVancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin announced on Tuesday afternoon that defenceman Filip Hronek would be out approximately eight weeks after a successful procedure on his lower body. He also said that Hronek would not need surgery on the upper-body injury that has forced him to miss the last two games. General Manager Patrik Allvin provides an update on Filip Hronek: pic.twitter.com/qKvHAeQnRO Hronek was injured against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Nov. 27 when he was hit into the boards by Jack St. Ivany. He fell awkwardly on his right shoulder and was visibly in pain as he went to the ice. The Canucks did not provide any updates in the days following the game, as head coach Rick Tocchet said that he was still being evaluated . It’s good news that he won’t require surgery on his shoulder since he would have been sidelined the rest of the season if that was the only option. In his absence, the Canucks have elevated Tyler Myers to the top pairing with Quinn Hughes while Erik Brannstrom has taken on a larger role in the top four. Noah Juulsen has also had a regular spot in the lineup over the last two games, highlighted by a gritty effort against the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday (Dec. 1) where he had five blocks and five hits. Vincent Desharnais has also been placed in a second-pairing role alongside Brannstrom while Carson Soucy has been deployed with Juulsen on the bottom pairing. Mark Friedman was recalled as the seventh defenceman on Nov. 29. The Canucks are in Minnesota to take on the Wild later tonight as they close out their six-game road trip. Despite not having Hronek in the last two games, they have strung together two overtime wins and will be looking to head back to Vancouver sporting an 11-2-0 record on the road. This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.MICHELLE Keegan has given fans a rare look inside her family Christmas - and the food she 'can't stop' eating. Fool Me Once star Michelle, 37, who shares a huge £3.5m mansion with her TV presenter husband Mark Wright, 37, posted an image of an ornately-decorated table over the festive period. Advertisement 5 Michelle Keegan has given fans a rare look inside her family Christmas with Mark Wright Credit: Alamy 5 She can't stop eating mince pies Credit: Instagram/@michkeegan Taking to her Instagram Stories today, the former Corrie actress tagged the Emma Bridgewater account as she snapped a mince pie and a cup of tea on a table. The grub had been displayed next to a floral decoation and candle, with Michelle writing, "Can't stop," in her caption. Michelle, 37, tied the knot with the former I'm A Celebrity runner-up in 2015. Since then, the couple have travelled the world as Mark worked for entertainment news show Extra in the US and Michelle was busy filming various projects . Advertisement read more on MICHELLE Keegan double date Michelle Keegan nails winter chic for lunch date with hubby Mark Wright & pals SKIN WIN Victoria Beckham’s 'body secret' is less than £6 & Michelle Keegan's a fan too Now, the couple have settled down in their a sprawling mansion in the Essex countryside. It was just a few weeks ago that Michelle posted a photo inside the gorgeous cinema room at their pad. A string of pictures were uploaded onto her grid page as she captioned the album: "Happy 1st December... "I’ll be honest I stepped into Christmas weeks ago. Here’s to the best month of the year," along with a string of emojis. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity TOUGH CALLS Former top refs issue strong verdicts on Celtic-Motherwell penalty flash points SNOW END Exact date snow storms to hit Scotland as weather map reveals Arctic freeze on way HEARTBROKEN Shankland heckled by Hearts fans during hospitality speech as VIP host steps in RAMPAGE Boy screamed ‘I’ve been stabbed’ after 'calm' dad’s knife rampage left 2 women dead In one of the shots, she flaunted her lavish cinema which contains circular cream sofas and an assortment of beige cushions. A huge Christmas tree that was filled with tasteful light gold tinsel and matching baubles stood in the corner of the huge room. Inside Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan's Mallorca holiday - as they're joined by Olly Murs on getaway The dog beds sat by the bespoke built-in fireplace as the lit up shelves that framed the unit were filled with subtle Christmas themed ornaments. Four stockings with the pair and their canine companions proudly hung from each of the bottom shelves that lined the plasma screen. Advertisement When Michelle took the image, the mood lighting was set to give the plush lounge a cosy feel with a warm and slightly muted tone. A lit candle sat on the circular marble coffee-table in the middle of a large wreath. Another photo gave her devoted followers a sneak peek at the grand entrance to the house. A huge arch encloses the entrance to their abode that is delightfully filled with more baubles of various sizes. Advertisement When either Mark or Michelle opens the front door, they are instantly greeted by a huge an elaborately decorated Christmas tree. Hardly any foliage can be seen underneath the traditional ornament which is filled with fake presents with gold wrapping and matching bows. Mark Wright's career timeline Since rising to fame over a decade ago as a reality TV star, popular personality Mark Wright has gone on to enjoy a successful career. The Only Way is Essex (2010-2011, regular): Mark was an original Towie cast member from its October 2010 launch and spanning series 1-3. He left the programme in 2011 but has returned for a handful of cameos. I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here (2011): After leaving Towie, Mark signed up for the famed ITV jungle. He finished in second place behind McFly star Dougie Poynter. Heart (2012-2017; 2019 - present): Mark first joined radio station Heart in 2012, leaving five years later to pursue work in the United States. He made a return to the station in July 2019. Strictly Come Dancing (2014): The star took to the Strictly ballroom in 2014, finishing fourth behind Caroline Flack, Simon Webbe and Frankie Bridge. The Dengineers (2015-2017): Mark was a co-presenter of the children's programme for its first two series. After his departure, later hosts have included Joe Swash and Meryl Fernandes. Extra (2017-2020) : Mark was an entertainment reporter for this US outlet for three years. The Bachelor UK (2019): A revived UK iteration of the popular American dating show. Mark's version of the programme aired on Channel 5. The Challenge UK ( 2023) : Another UK rendition of an American format, this aired on Channel 5 in February 2023. Clean It, Fix It (2024 - present): Mark has joined the popular BBC daytime show from its fourth series onwards. Huge lifesize ornaments also sit at the bottom of the circular sweeping staircase to emphasise the grand feel of the hallway. Advertisement In an additional picture, Michelle's beloved Pomeranian named Phoebe relaxed in her personalised cream-coloured dog bed. Other pictures showed the former Coronation Street star in shopping mode as she stocked up on her winter themed essentials. Read more on the Scottish Sun SNOW WAY Weather maps show heavy snow for Scotland in DAYS – with -2C New Year’s chill NO CRIME Orange Order slam cops after Celtic activist was cleared over 'sectarian rants' She also flaunted her stylish outfits which included a fur lined brown leather coat. Advertisement Michelle also posted a cosy selfie where she donned a stylish cream bucket hat made of soft faux fur. 5 It was just a few weeks ago that Michelle showed off their gorgeous cinema room Credit: Instagram / @michkeegan 5 A lavish fir arch enclosed their grand front door Credit: Instagram / @michkeegan 5 Their sprawling abode is filled with lavish decorations Credit: Instagram Advertisement
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With Easter Sunday falling on April 20 next year, customers shared their confusion on social media after finding chocolate eggs and hot cross buns already for sale in shops including Morrisons, Tesco and Asda. One user, @Jingle1991, shared an image of Malteser Bunnies in Sainsbury’s on Christmas Eve and pointed out: “Jesus hasn’t even been born yet.” Meanwhile, Gary Evans from Margate shared a shot of Creme Eggs on display in Morrisons in Margate on Boxing Day. “I just think its crazy that everything is so superficial and meaninglessly commercial... (there’s) something quite frantic about it,” the 66-year-old told the PA news agency. No Shame.Morrisons.Easter eggs.Boxing Day. December 26th.Peace on Earth pic.twitter.com/slGoIjOpRq — Gary Evans (@GaryEva04679693) December 26, 2024 Joseph Robinson found Easter confectionary including Cadbury Mini Eggs, and themed Kit-Kat and Kinder Surprise products at his local Morrisons in Stoke-on-Trent on Friday evening. “It’s funny, as they’ve not even managed to shift the Christmas chocolates off the shelves yet and they’re already stocking for Easter,” the 35-year-old admin support worker told PA. “I wish that Supermarkets weren’t so blatantly consumerist-driven and would actually allow customers and staff a time to decompress during the Christmas period.” @Morrisons It's not even a full 2025 and you're already stocking for easter.Kindly get in the bin pic.twitter.com/kLS7DGSRXt — Joseph (@stokegoblin) December 27, 2024 Asked if he was tempted to make a purchase, Mr Robinson added: “As a vegan it holds no appeal to me!” Mike Chalmers, a devout Christian from Chippenham, Wiltshire, was slightly less critical after spotting a display entitled: “Celebrate this Easter with Cadbury.” Easter is for life, not just for Christmas(Photo today in Morrisons!) pic.twitter.com/VmdJ31La9r — Mike Chalmers (@realMChalmers) December 27, 2024 “Christmas and Easter are the two centrepoints of the Christian good news story so it’s no bad thing to see the connections,” the 44-year-old said. “It’s about more than shapes of chocolate though!” Marketing consultant Andrew Wallis admitted he was surprised to see Easter eggs in the Co-op in Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire, but added it also illustrates “forward-thinking” from big businesses. Christmas isn’t even over, and Easter eggs are already on the shelves. Say what you want about it—but big brands don’t wait. They plan ahead and act fast. Are you doing the same? Your future self will thank you pic.twitter.com/Sl9qd7sOGS — andrewwallis (@andrewwallis) December 27, 2024 “It made me reflect on how big brands are always thinking ahead and planning early,” the 54-year-old from the Isle of Man, who provides marketing advice to the fitness industry, told PA. “My message to retailers would be: while planning ahead is important, it’s also essential to be mindful of consumer sentiment. “Some might feel it’s too early for seasonal products like this but others might see it as a sign of forward-thinking. “Striking the right balance is key to keeping customers happy.”Stock market today: Wall Street slips as technology stocks drag on the market
BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s embassy in Lebanon suspended consular services Saturday, a day after two relatives of deposed Syrian President Bashar Assad were arrested at the Beirut airport with allegedly forged passports. Also on Saturday, Lebanese authorities handed over dozens of Syrians — including former officers in the Syrian army under Assad — to the new Syrian authorities after they were caught illegally entering Lebanon, a war monitor and Lebanese officials said. The embassy announced on its Facebook page that consular work was suspended “until further notice” at the order of the Syrian foreign ministry. The announcement did not give a reason for the suspension. Two Lebanese security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said the suspension was ordered because the passports belonging to Assad’s relatives — the wife and daughter of one of his cousins — were believed to have been forged at the embassy. Assad’s uncle, Rifaat Assad — who has been indicted in Switzerland on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity — had flown out the day before on his real passport and was not stopped, the officials said. RELATED COVERAGE AP PHOTOS: Portraits of former Syrian rebels now soldiers Relatives of Bashar Assad arrested as they tried to fly out of Lebanon, officials say Middle East latest: Israeli soldiers burn a hospital in Gaza The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported Saturday that 70 Syrians, including former army officers, were handed over by a Lebanese security delegation to the security forces of the new Syrian government, led by the former insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. Three Lebanese judicial officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the report. Regional countries have been quick to establish ties with Syria’s new rulers. Delegations of Libyan and Bahraini officials arrived in Damascus on Saturday on official visits. HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has largely succeeded in calming fears within and outside of Syria that his group would unleash collective punishment against communities that supported Assad’s rule or attempt to impose strict Islamic law on the country’s religious minorities. However, in recent days, sporadic clashes have broken out between the HTS-led security forces and pro-Assad armed groups. The country’s new security forces have launched a series of raids targeting officials affiliated with Assad and have set up checkpoints in areas with significant populations of the Alawite religious minority to which the former president belongs to search for weapons. There have also been ongoing tensions and clashes in northeastern Syria between Kurdish-led forces and armed groups backed by Turkey. Many Kurds have viewed the new order in Damascus, which appears to have strengthened Turkey’s hand in Syria, with anxiety. Ankara sees the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces — a key U.S. ally in the fight against the Islamic State group — as an affiliate of its sworn enemy, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which it classifies as a terrorist organization. The U.S. State Department said Saturday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had spoken with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to “discuss the latest developments in Syria.” “Secretary Blinken emphasized the need to support a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that upholds human rights and prioritizes an inclusive and representative government,” the statement said, adding that they “also discussed the shared goal of preventing terrorism from endangering the security” of Turkey and Syria. On Saturday, hundreds of protesters convened by Kurdish women’s groups participated in a demonstration in the northeastern city of Hasaka to demand women’s rights in the new Syria. Perishan Ramadan, a participant from Hasaka, said the new government “is worse than Bashar” and that its leaders are Islamist extremists who “don’t accept any role for women.” While the country’s new leaders have not attempted to impose Islamic dress or other conventions, it remains to be seen what role women will have in the new order and whether they will hold political or government positions. “Women must be present in the new constitution for Syria,” said Rihan Loqo, spokeswoman for the Kongra Star women’s organization. "... Women’s rights should not be ignored.” ___ Associated Press writers Hogir Abdo in Hasaka, Syria, and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.Shoppers have been left bemused after spotting Easter eggs on supermarket shelves before New Year’s Eve. With Easter Sunday falling on April 20 next year, customers shared their confusion on social media after finding chocolate eggs and hot cross buns already for sale in shops including Morrisons, Tesco and Asda. One user, @Jingle1991, shared an image of Malteser Bunnies in Sainsbury’s on Christmas Eve and pointed out: “Jesus hasn’t even been born yet.” Meanwhile, Gary Evans from Margate shared a shot of Creme Eggs on display in Morrisons in Margate on Boxing Day. “I just think its crazy that everything is so superficial and meaninglessly commercial... (there’s) something quite frantic about it,” the 66-year-old told the PA news agency. No Shame.Morrisons.Easter eggs.Boxing Day. December 26th.Peace on Earth pic.twitter.com/slGoIjOpRq — Gary Evans (@GaryEva04679693) December 26, 2024 Joseph Robinson found Easter confectionary including Cadbury Mini Eggs, and themed Kit-Kat and Kinder Surprise products at his local Morrisons in Stoke-on-Trent on Friday evening. “It’s funny, as they’ve not even managed to shift the Christmas chocolates off the shelves yet and they’re already stocking for Easter,” the 35-year-old admin support worker told PA. “I wish that Supermarkets weren’t so blatantly consumerist-driven and would actually allow customers and staff a time to decompress during the Christmas period.” @Morrisons It's not even a full 2025 and you're already stocking for easter.Kindly get in the bin pic.twitter.com/kLS7DGSRXt — Joseph (@stokegoblin) December 27, 2024 Asked if he was tempted to make a purchase, Mr Robinson added: “As a vegan it holds no appeal to me!” Mike Chalmers, a devout Christian from Chippenham, Wiltshire, was slightly less critical after spotting a display entitled: “Celebrate this Easter with Cadbury.” Easter is for life, not just for Christmas(Photo today in Morrisons!) pic.twitter.com/VmdJ31La9r — Mike Chalmers (@realMChalmers) December 27, 2024 “Christmas and Easter are the two centrepoints of the Christian good news story so it’s no bad thing to see the connections,” the 44-year-old said. “It’s about more than shapes of chocolate though!” Marketing consultant Andrew Wallis admitted he was surprised to see Easter eggs in the Co-op in Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire, but added it also illustrates “forward-thinking” from big businesses. Christmas isn’t even over, and Easter eggs are already on the shelves. Say what you want about it—but big brands don’t wait. They plan ahead and act fast. Are you doing the same? Your future self will thank you pic.twitter.com/Sl9qd7sOGS — andrewwallis (@andrewwallis) December 27, 2024 “It made me reflect on how big brands are always thinking ahead and planning early,” the 54-year-old from the Isle of Man, who provides marketing advice to the fitness industry, told PA. “My message to retailers would be: while planning ahead is important, it’s also essential to be mindful of consumer sentiment. “Some might feel it’s too early for seasonal products like this but others might see it as a sign of forward-thinking. “Striking the right balance is key to keeping customers happy.”None