NoneA Development Consultant and Public Affairs Analyst, Mr Jide Ojo, says six-year single tenure and rotational presidency will not solve the challenges currently confronting Nigeria. Ojo states this on Sunday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), while reacting to the rejection of a single tenure and rotational presidency bill by the House of Representatives. NAN reports that the house had, at plenary on Thursday, rejected a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide for a single term of six years for the offices of the president, governors and local government chairmen. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo) and 33 others, also sought the rotation of the office of the president between the North and South, and the governorship among the three senatorial districts in each state. NAN also reports that the proposed legislation seeks to alter Sections 76, 116, 132 and 136 in the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The bill was, however, rejected by the lawmakers when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary. Ojo said that the bill would not solve the numerous challenges currently confronting the country. According to him, what the country needs at the moment is not single tenure or rotational arrangement at all levels of government but good governance. Ojo said that power at the centre had been rotated between the northern and southern zones, adding: “the question is: has it made the country or any of its part better? “Yes, political inclusion is good but it is not going to be the antidote to our problems. “You cannot do the right thing the wrong way. The bill was supposed to be a constitutional alteration bill and it was supposed to be taken along by the Constitutional Alteration Committee of the National Assembly,” he said. The public affairs analyst argued that a system of tenure of government cannot be altered by an act of parliament. “It is wrong for 34 members of the house of representatives to have initiated it as a bill of the National Assembly. It should be a constitutional alteration bill and cannot be treated in isolation. “If every constitution alteration bill is sponsored at random, how many alterations are we going to have as a country? “Earlier, the NASS was handling one on state police, which cannot be birthed by act of parliament. It is in the constitution. “It has to be dealt with through devolution of powers from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list,’’ he said. He identified the issue of single tenure as another major factor that killed the bill. “Where in the world have you heard that there is a single term of six years of an elective office? All over the 54 African countries, I am yet to be aware of any. “What happens is that many African countries have two terms of five years. Like in Ghana, Kenya and several others, they have two tenures. I think Rwanda is two terms of seven years. “Now you want to do a one of six years. How does that solve the problem of governance? “You said you want one term of six years so that we will not be spending so much on elections every four years. That is a pedestrian argument,” he said. Ojo also expressed concerns that the rejected bill had too many critical issues rolled into one. He said that the bill, among other things, wanted a single term of six years and that the Federal Government should recognise six geo-political zones, while all elections should be held on the same day. Ojo said that the sponsors of the bill ought to have separated them as stand-alone bills “so that if one fails, others can succeed. “That is what kills the constitution alteration in 2014 and why former President Goodluck Jonathan refused to sign the bill. “There were so many noble initiatives but after spending many billions of naira, we lost the opportunity of constitution review in 2014. “From that time till now, every issue is now being taken as separate bill so that if one fails, the other can succeed,” he said. The development consultant advised Nigeria to face the issue of restructuring, infrastructural development, fight against corruption and other challenges confronting the country and the citizens. “Let us think outside the box rather than just being fixated on old theories that once this is done, all solutions to our problems have come. It doesn’t work that way. “We need to hold government to account, but let’s deal with the existential issues around the devolution of power, resource control, fiscal federalism, anti-corruption, transparency and accountability in governance. “Let’s deal with those issues. Why should we be borrowing so much and there is nothing much to show for our state of infrastructure? “So all this unnecessary grandstanding of someone from the north or south is not necessary or healthy for the health of the country at this moment,” he said. According to him, what is needed now is a united Nigeria, “united in confronting hunger, united in defeating poverty. “It should not be a northern agenda or a southern agenda now. It should be a Nigerian agenda,” Ojo stated.
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1 2 Ludhiana: The long-awaited Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) elections have been scheduled for December 21, sparking political uproar over the compressed timeline for filing nominations. With only four days allotted for nominations, opposition parties are questioning the fairness of the process, while scrambling to finalize their candidates for the 95 wards. The announcement has prompted parties, including Congress, BJP, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), to expedite candidate selection. Congress began screening applicants on Sunday, while SAD and BJP are still in discussions. SAD leaders expressed dissatisfaction, alleging the schedule disregards the Sikh community’s religious observances in December, particularly the martyrdom days of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons. Opposition Cries Foul SAD’s former MLA Ranjit Singh Dhillon criticized the ruling party, accusing it of orchestrating hasty elections to suppress voter outreach. “They inaugurated multiple development projects just days before the announcement and gave no regard to constitutional propriety or religious sentiments,” Dhillon said. He urged voters to elect a party capable of driving genuine development. BJP district president Rajnish Dhiman echoed similar concerns, calling the four-day nomination window “unjust.” He highlighted logistical challenges for candidates, such as obtaining mandatory no-objection certificates (NOCs) from MC offices. “We will fight against this injustice and announce our candidates shortly,” Dhiman said. Congress, while preparing its candidate list, also criticized the schedule. Former MLA Sanjay Talwar said, “This is not the way to conduct elections. Candidates won’t have enough time to engage with voters in their wards.” He expressed confidence that voters would back Congress councillors and secure the mayoral position for the party. AAP defends timing Punjab AAP leaders dismissed opposition claims, arguing that the protests reflect political insecurity. MLA Gurpreet Gogi said, “Earlier, they accused the government of delaying elections. Now that the schedule is announced, they are finding excuses. They know AAP is poised to win and elect its own mayor.” We also published the following articles recently BJP leader Pravesh Ratan joins Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) In a political shake-up, BJP leader Pravesh Ratan, a former Patel Nagar constituency candidate, switched allegiances to AAP on Wednesday. He joined the party in the presence of senior AAP leaders at their headquarters. This move follows former AAP MLA Raaj Kumar Anand's recent defection to the BJP. Former AAP MLA and rights lawyer Phoolka set to join SAD Harvinder Singh Phoolka, a former AAP MLA and prominent rights lawyer, declared his intention to join the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Saturday. He aims to help the party rediscover its core values and encouraged others to participate in the Akal Takht-led membership drive. Phoolka will join as a volunteer without seeking any specific position. AAP considers BIP, Congress turncoats as winnable candidates Veteran Delhi politicians from Congress and BJP are likely to contest the upcoming elections as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates. Several former legislators have already joined AAP, hoping to bolster the party's position and provide experienced leadership. AAP is expected to change several sitting MLAs to combat anti-incumbency, potentially favoring these seasoned politicians. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .By Associated Press LINCOLN, N.H. (AP) — A 44-year-old New Hampshire man has died while hiking in the White Mountains after falling in icy conditions, according to state officials. The state’s Fish and Game Department said Saturday that Christopher Huyler of Littleton New Hampshire had not returned from hiking on Coppermine Trail area in Franconia. Huyler had called his wife early in the day to say he was heading out of the area, after checking conditions on a trail of the winter skiing season. A search involing around 20 rescuers was started late Friday and Huyler’s body was located early Saturday at an elevation of 2,800 feet. Authorities said Huyler had “suffered a significant fall in icy terrain” but provided no further details. They said Huyler was equipped for the hike, including wearing what are called micro spikes, and was an “avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed New Hampshire’s White Mountains in all seasons.” Fish and Game officials used Huyler’s death to remind the public that winter conditions have arrived in the mountains and that hikers should be prepared for their trek with 10 essential items — map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, headlamp, fire starter, first aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jackets and pants, as well as a knife. Be civil. Be kind.
Bhubaneswar: Technology stopped tragedy from unfolding on the tracks. A herd of 28 elephants, including calves, were ambling along the Bandhamunda-Barsuan railway track in Rourkela, frequented by goods trains, when they were spotted by an artificial intelligence (AI)-based thermal camera. As soon as the camera picked up the movement of elephants, it sent inputs with location details and photographs to the control room of both the forest department and the railways. The railways was quick to act, delaying the movement of a goods train by 30 minutes to allow the elephants to cross the track. Forest officials said that at about 7 pm on Saturday, an AI camera detected the herd and took an image. "Within minutes of receiving the image and location, it was decided that the incoming train be delayed by half-an-hour at the nearest railway station at Lathikata. We coordinated with the railway as well to ensure that the elephants could cross the track before the train's arrival," said Jasobant Sethi, divisional forest officer, Rourkela. The elephants usually shuttle between Sana Parbat reserve forest and Tainsar under Panposh range in the Rourkela forest division. Sethi said the 360-degree movement of cameras also helped them detect elephants crossing over to the other side of the railway track safely, following which the train was passed the area. Till Dec last year, 36 elephants had died in train hits in a decade. The advent of technology is bound to help reduce such incidents. Prem Kumar Jha, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), said they had installed a 12-ft high tower atop which the high-resolution AI camera has been installed. "The camera has been installed at a strategic location. AI-based thermal cameras were first installed in Similipal Tiger Reserve, and their help led to the arrest of many poachers. We will install such sophisticated cameras at other places as well," said Jha. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Woman among 2 held with ‘drug’
The hosts hit back from 3-1 down to win. Antoine Griezmann kept Atletico Madrid’s LaLiga title challenge on track as they staged a remarkable fightback to beat Sevilla 4-3. Diego Simeone’s men, who had taken an early lead through Rodrigo de Paul, trailed 3-1 after Dodi Lukebakio, Isaac Romero and Juanlu Sanchez scored without reply. However, Griezmann reduced the deficit before substitute Samuel Lino set up a grandstand finish during which the 33-year-old former France international scored the winner four minutes into stoppage time. Aitor Paredes and Inaki Williams struck either side of half-time as Athletic Bilbao got the better of the clash between the sides sitting in fourth and fifth places before kick-off with a 2-0 win over Villarreal. Goals from Brais Mendez, substitute Ander Barrenetxea and Mikel Oyarzabal handed Real Sociedad a routine 3-0 victory at Leganes. Kike Garcia’s doubled earned lowly Alaves a 2-2 draw at Osasuna, who had fought back from 1-0 down in the first minute to lead 2-1 through Ante Budimir and Ruben Garcia. Gustav Isaksen denied Napoli the chance to go top of Serie A as Lazio emerged from their trip to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium with a 1-0 victory. Isaksen’s 79th-minute goal left the second-placed hosts two points worse off than leaders Atalanta and as many ahead of Inter Milan and Fiorentina, who both have a game in hand. Danilo Cataldi’s long-range strike was enough to maintain Fiorentina’s promising start to the campaign with a 1-0 home win over Cagliari. Sebastiano Esposito’s double and further goals from Liberato Cacace and early substitute Lorenzo Colombo either side of Casper Tengstedt’s consolation saw Empoli win 4-1 at lowly Verona, with the scoring completed by half-time. Gaetano Oristanio’s equaliser ensured bottom-of-the-table Venezia emerged from their showdown with fellow strugglers Como with a 2-2 home draw. The hosts led through Hans Nicolussi Caviglia but found themselves 2-1 down after Antonio Candela’s own goal and a second for the visitors from Andrea Belotti before Oristanio intervened. Mason Greenwood had a penalty saved but scored from the rebound as Marseille climbed to within five points of Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain with a 2-0 win at St Etienne. The visitors were leading through Adrien Rabiot’s first-half opener when Greenwood’s spot-kick was repelled by Gautier Larsonneur, but the keeper could not prevent him from pouncing on the loose ball to claim his 10 league goal of the campaign, equalling his previous best for a season. Remy Labeau-Lacary’s opener and a late own goal from keeper Benjamin Lecomte eased Lens to a 2-0 win over basement boys Montpellier. Moses Simon fired home an 89th-minute winner as Nantes beat Rennes 1-0 after the visitors had played the entire second half down to 10 men following Mikayil Faye’s stoppage-time dismissal for a challenge on Kalvin Amian. Substitute Christopher Wooh thought he had levelled with a header in added time, but his effort was chalked off after a VAR review. Strasbourg substitute Jeremy Sebas hit the bar three minutes from time as his side drew 0-0 with Reims. Jonas Wind came off the bench to fire Wolfsburg to a dramatic 4-3 Bundesliga victory over Mainz. The hosts trailed 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 after Paul Nebel twice and Jonathan Burkardt had struck, but equalisers from Mohammed Amoura and Tiago Tomas set up substitute Wind to level at 3-3 before winning it deep into stoppage time. Freiburg’s Matthias Ginter and Hoffenheim’s Tom Bischof were both on target within five second-half minutes as it finished 1-1 at the PreZero Arena.
Former Home Minister Lamichhane's detention extended by another 15 daysProtesters end five-day blockade of KKH MANSEHRA: Muttahida Kohistan Jirga on Sunday announced to end the five-day-long blockade of Karakoram Highway (KKH) as a goodwill gesture after the unconditional release of its member Maulana Kareemdad who was arrested under Section-3 of the maintenance of public order last week. “We are united for the prosperity of all the three Kohistan districts. Though we have decided to end the blockade of the KKH as a goodwill gesture, we wouldn’t allow installations of transmission lines from Dasu dam to the national grid until the Wapda honours its 2022 agreement,” MPA Sajadullah Baqi told the protesters. He said that the commissioner Hazara division and deputy commissioners of Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan and Kolai-Pals were the guarantors. “As transmission line execution has been stopped, we are wrapping up our week-long blockade of KKH. We will hold talks with Wapda for free electricity supply, reconstructions of roads and buildings of schools and health facilities,” Baqi said. Earlier, the protesters gathered at RMP Chowk in the Pattan area of Lower Kohistan around 11 am resumed the blockade of the Karakoram Highway to traffic on the fifth consecutive day after the overnight suspension. The protesters warmly received Maulana Kareemdad after he reached the protest site upon release from the jail. “The Kohistanis setting aside their political affiliations and sympathies struggled peacefully for their rights and time is not far away when this region will emerge as one of the developed areas of the country,” he added. The other leaders and committee members of Muttahida Kohistan Jirga also addressed the protesters and termed the release of Maulana Kareemdad a big success of their ongoing agitation.
Syrians poured into streets in celebration on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule . Russian state news agencies were reporting that President Bashar Assad and his family had arrived in Moscow and were given asylum. Russia said Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag. Others ransacked the presidential palace and residence. Abu Mohammed al-Golani , a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago leads the biggest rebel faction in Syria and is poised to chart the country’s future. He made his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, at the capital’s sprawling Umayyad Mosque, and called himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa. He said Assad’s fall was “a victory to the Islamic nation.” 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. Israel has issued warnings to villages in southern Syria and its forces seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights. Here's the Latest: The Israeli military said on Sunday it was reinforcing a barrier along its border with Syria as part of its “enhanced preparedness” in the area following the fall of the Assad regime. Israel released images of the construction, which showed bulldozers digging what appeared to be a trench. The army said in a statement that the barrier was named “New East.” Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began building what could be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria . The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarized zone during the work. Over the weekend, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israel’s presence along the border with Syria. Russian state news agencies reported that ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family and been given asylum. The agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source. The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the reports but had contacted the Kremlin for comment. CAIRO — The Arab League on Sunday condemned Israel for taking advantage of Syrian President Bashar Assad's downfall by moving into more Syrian territory. Hours after Assad’s overthrow, Israel announced it had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights that was established by a cease-fire agreement with Syria in 1974. In a statement, the Arab League said Israel illegally sought to occupy more territories. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement regarding Syrian territory had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating Israel taking over as a “temporary defensive position.” UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations secretary-general is marking the “fall of the dictatorial regime” in Syria and says the future of the country is “is a matter for the Syrians to determine.” A statement by Antonio Guterres also called for calm and the protection of the rights of all Syrians as well as of diplomatic and consular facilities in Syria. He said there is much work ahead to ensure an “orderly political transition to renewed institutions,” and he called on the international community to ensure that “any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, in all their diversity.” KYIV, Ukraine - Ukraine’s top diplomat on Sunday responded to Assad’s ouster by describing him as a “dictator” who relied on Russia to prop up his rule - a reference to the military campaign Moscow has waged in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow Assad’s government to fight armed opposition groups and reclaim control over most of the country. "Assad has fallen. This has always been and will be the case with all dictators who bet on Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him,” foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X. In a separate update on the social network, Sybiha said Kyiv was ready to take steps towards restoring relations with Syria, severed months into Russia’s full-scale invasion of the neighboring state. Kyiv broke off diplomatic ties after Damascus in June 2022 recognized Kremlin-occupied parts of eastern Ukraine as independent territories, in a move welcomed by Moscow and decried by the West as a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. JERUSALEM — The Israeli military has issued a warning to residents of five villages and towns in southern Syria to stay inside their homes for their safety. “The fighting in your area is forcing the IDF to act,” the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman said on X. The military didn’t respond to questions. Earlier, Israel said its troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned their positions. Defense Minister Israel Katz said on X that the IDF has been instructed to “seize the buffer zone and control points to ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan Heights – Jewish and Druze – so that they are not exposed to threats from the other side.” Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied. BEIRUT - The leader of the largest insurgent group in Syria visited the Syrian capital’s sprawling Umayyad Mosque and declared that the victory against President Bashar Assad “is a victory to the Islamic nation.” Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, made his first public appearance and remarks since fighters entered Damascus. He told hundreds of people at the historic mosque that Assad had made Syria “a farm for Iran’s greed.” He added that Assad made Syria a base for the illegal amphetamine Captagon that brought cash to Assad’s circles. Al-Sharaa, the leader of the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, said Sunday that the victory was achieved because of “God and the blood of martyrs.” He said that he left Syria 20 years ago and since then his heart has longed for this movement. AMMAN, Jordan — The vast majority of the Jordanian people are welcoming the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the success of the Syrian revolution. “There is no doubt that I felt overwhelming joy at the fall of the Assad regime," said Badi Al-Rafaia, Engineer, union activist and member of the Islamic Action Front. "There is no doubt that we are happy with what happened in Syria, happy with the success of the revolution, happy with the Syrian people getting rid of an oppressor and criminal who treated the Syrian people and made the Syrian state a failed state.” Al-Rafaia said that Jordan is benefiting from what happened in Syria, and "we hope that Jordan will help the revolution succeed and not work against it.” Amman resident Muhab al-Majali said the fall of the Assad regime is “The end of every unjust and tyrannical rule, and more than that, it mortgaged the country and its people to the Iranians, who abandoned it in minutes... I believe that the future is beautiful and prosperous for the Syrians.” BERLIN — The International Committee of the Red Cross is calling for safe humanitarian access and protection of civilians in Syria after the fall of Bashir Assad’s government. “Our teams in Syria, including in Damascus, have been closely monitoring the fast-evolving security and humanitarian situation in coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent,” the ICRC’s head of delegation in Syria, Stephan Sakalian, said in a written statement Sunday. The ICRC is “responding wherever possible, with further efforts underway, as hundreds of thousands of people need care and humanitarian assistance,” he said. Sakalian called “on all parties to urgently enable safe and unhindered access for medical and humanitarian workers to reach those in need, to protect civilians, and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.” BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government said in a statement Sunday that it “supports all international and regional efforts seeking to open a dialogue” for Syria “leading to the adoption of a pluralistic constitution that preserves the human and civil rights of Syrians, and supports cultural, ethnic and religious diversity.” The statement from government spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi, said that Iraq understands “the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians, and stresses that the security of Syria, the unity of its territories, and the preservation of its independence are of utmost importance, not only for Iraq but also for its connection to the security and stability of the region.” It cautioned against “interfering in Syria’s internal affairs, or supporting one party for the benefit of another.” Iraq, which has a close relationship with Iran - once a strong ally of former Syrian President Bashar Assad - has taken in some 2,000 Syrian army soldiers who fled the country amid the advance of armed opposition groups. CAIRO — The head of Yemen’s internationally recognized government welcomed the fall of the government of President Bashar Assad of Syria. “It’s a historic moment,” Rashad al-Alimi, who chairs the ruling presidential council, wrote on X platform of Assad’s downfall. “It’s time for the Iranian regime to stop meddling in Yemen, respect its sovereignty and identity.” Al-Alimi, who is backed by Saudi Arabia, was referring to Iran’s support of Houthi rebels who are at war with Yemen’s internationally recognized government for a decade. DAMASCUS — Families wandered through the high-ceilinged halls of the presidential palace in Damascus on Sunday, along with some armed men. Some paused to take family portraits or selfies on the few remaining couches against the backdrop of mosaiced walls, while others walked out with chairs and other items under their arms. On the massive parking lot out front, cars drove in circles honking ecstatically. In central Damascus’ Umayyad Square, drivers passing by also honked jubilantly, while young men piled onto a tank abandoned in the square. But for some the celebration was bittersweet. “I am very happy, but this happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of the prison and know where is he is,” said Damascus resident Bassam Masr. “I have been searching for him for two hours - he has been detained for 13 years.” TEL AVIV, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria. He spoke from an overlook near the border between Syria and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, after Syrian rebels tore through the country and dramatically ended Assad’s rule on Sunday morning. Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover as a “temporary defensive position.” Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied Syrian territory. Satellite images analyzed by the Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began construction of what could possibly be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria . The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarized zone during the work. The United Nations maintains a peacekeeping force in the demilitarized zone called the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, or UNDOF, with around 1,100 peacekeepers from Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Nepal, and Uruguay. After the 1973 Mideast war, the U.N. Secretary Council voted to create UNDOF to patrol a roughly 400 square kilometer (155 square mile) demilitarized zone and maintain the peace there. DAMASCUS, Syria — An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported airstrikes in the area of the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the capital Sunday. The airport has previously been targeted in Israeli airstrikes, but it was not immediately clear who launched Sunday's strike. The Israeli military refused to comment on the airport strike. Israel often does not publicly claim responsibility for attacks in Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported that Israeli warplanes also targeted warehouses belonging to the Syrian army’s Fourth Division and another former military site outside of Damascus Sunday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israel’s presence along the border between Israel and Syria. Agricultural areas along the border were declared closed military zones and some schools shifted to online classes in anticipation of unrest.
AI camera helps save elephant herd from train collisionCanada thumped Trinidad and Tobago 38-0 to win the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens on Sunday and qualify for World Rugby’s second-tier Challenger Series. The tournament-favourite Canadian men outscored their opposition 169-0 over five matches in a first step back up the rugby sevens ladder since being relegated from the elite HSBC SVNS circuit in June. The top four teams from the three-event Challenger Series will face off against the bottom four from the HSBC SVNS at the SVNS World Championships May 3-4 in Carson, Calif., in a promotion/relegation playoff. “I think it’s just about continually building,” said Canada captain Elias Hancock. “We know what we’re capable of. We’ve shown it at times. It’s just time to get back to that place where we know we belong.” Prior to relegation, Canada had been a core team on the top sevens circuit since 2012-13 and lifted the trophy in Singapore in 2017. The Canadian men finished eighth at the Tokyo Olympics. Trinidad had plenty of the ball in the first half of Sunday’s final at Larry Gomes Stadium. But Canada, helped by several penalties, scored first with Hancock touching down under the posts for a try converted by Thomas Isherwood. Matt Oworu, beating two defenders, added another converted try for a 14-0 lead at the break. Cooper Coats added a converted try early in the second half. And Hancock, Jack Shaw and Noah Bain added late tries after Trinidad lost a man to the sin-bin for two minutes midway through the second half for an infraction off a Canadian kickoff. Earlier Sunday, the Canadians defeated Jamaica 26-0 in semifinal play and the Cayman Islands 38-0 in the quarterfinal. Trinidad and Tobago made it to the final — for the first time since 2013 — with a 19-7 comeback win over Mexico. Jamaica defeated Mexico 12-0 to finish third. Weather was a factor during the three-day tournament in Arima, some 30 kilometres east of Port of Spain. After enduring 30-plus C heat and humidity Friday, their final Pool A game against Barbados was abandoned Saturday due to a storm. On Sunday, the Canadians played the Cayman Islands in a downpour and the skies opened again at halftime of the Jamaica game. Alex Russell, Josiah Morra, Coats and Hancock scored tries against Jamaica for Canada, which led 12-0 at the break. Thomas Isherwood added three conversions. Morra and Hancock each scored two tries against the Caymans and Ethan Hager and D’Shawn Bowen added singles for Canada, which led 19-0 at the half. Canada added four conversions. Canada, which blanked Guyana 29-0 Friday, dispatched Bermuda 38-0 Saturday and was leading Barbados 10-0 when the game was halted in the first half due to heavy rain and high winds. While play eventually resumed, the interrupted Canada game was ruled a scoreless draw. The Canadian men are coming off a disastrous 3-36-0 HSBC SVNS season that ended with a 22-14 loss to Spain with relegation on the line. It was a 29th straight defeat. After being relegated, coach Sean White’s team fell short in an Olympic repechage tournament in late June in Monaco, finishing fourth after losing 26-0 to eventual winner South Africa in the semifinals. The Blitzboks went on to claim bronze in Paris. The 13-man roster for the RAN 7s includes six players who were part of the relegation playoff in Madrid: Hancock, Isherwood, Morra, Coats, Oworu and David Richard. Morra, Coats and Oworu joined the sevens team from Bucharest where they were part of Kingsley Jones’ Canadian 15s squad for test matches against Chile and Romania. The Canadian men are scheduled to play in an invitational men’s sevens tournament taking place at B.C. Place Stadium alongside the HSBC SVNS Vancouver stop in February. The Canadian women left Sunday for Dubai and the opening stop of the 2005 HSBC SVNS season. The Olympic silver-medallist Canadians open play next Saturday against Japan before facing Brazil and Olympic champion New Zealand.
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