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Trump threatens 100% tariff on the BRIC bloc of nations if they act to undermine US dollar WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is threatening 100% tariffs against a bloc of nine nations if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. His threat was directed at countries in the so-called BRIC alliance, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.. Trump says he wants a commitment from the bloc that it will not create a new currency or otherwise try to undermine the U.S. dollar. Emboldened 'manosphere' accelerates threats and demeaning language toward women after US election CHICAGO (AP) — An emboldened fringe of right-wing “manosphere” influencers has seized on Donald Trump’s presidential win to justify and amplify misogynistic derision and threats online. Many have appropriated a 1960s abortion rights rallying cry, declaring “Your body, my choice,” and have been using it publicly on college campuses and even in public schools. While none of the current online rhetoric is being amplified by Trump, experts say many young men see the former president’s return to the White House as vindication of their views on women. For many women, the words are a worrying sign of what might lie ahead as some men perceive the election results as a rebuke of reproductive rights and women’s rights. Young men swung to the right for Trump after a campaign dominated by masculine appeals WASHINGTON (AP) — Young men shifted toward Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election in a change from recent years, when most young male voters backed the Democratic candidate. Young white men already supported him in 2020 and shifted slightly farther right this time. Young Latino men were about evenly split between the two candidates. Most young Black men backed Democrat Kamala Harris, though about a third supported Trump. Trump's campaign for the Oval Office was dominated by appeals to traditional masculinity, conveyed in appearances in nontraditional media. His campaign believed that tactic would boost his support among men who otherwise do not pay attention to political media. After entering Aleppo, Syrian insurgents advance to a nearby province. Assad says he'll defeat them BEIRUT (AP) — Thousands of Syrian insurgents have taken over most of Aleppo, establishing positions in the country’s largest city and controlling its airport before expanding their shock offensive to a nearby province. They faced little to no resistance from government troops Saturday, according to fighters and activists. Thousands of fighters also moved on, facing almost no defense from government forces. They seized towns and villages in northern Hama, a province where they had a presence before being expelled by government troops in 2016. They claimed to have entered the city of Hama. In his first public comments since the offensive began, President Bashar Assad said Syria will continue to “defend its stability and territorial integrity against terrorists and their supporters.” An Israeli strike in Gaza kills World Central Kitchen workers. Israel says 1 was an Oct. 7 attacker DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike on a car in the Gaza Strip killed five people including employees of World Central Kitchen. The charity says it is “urgently seeking more details” Saturday after Israel’s military said it targeted a World Central Kitchen worker who had been part of the Hamas attack that sparked the war. The charity says it is “heartbroken” and adds that it had no knowledge anyone in the car had alleged ties to the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. It says it is pausing operations in Gaza. It paused them earlier this year after an Israeli strike killed seven of its workers. Also on Saturday, Hamas released a new hostage video of Israeli-American Edan Alexander. Lebanese fishermen hope ceasefire with Israel means normal life returning TYRE, Lebanon (AP) — The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is bringing hope for normality back to many in southern Lebanon. That includes fishermen who’ve long launched their single-engine wooden boats into the Mediterranean at dawn. For months, Israel imposed a siege that kept hundreds of fishermen at this ancient Phoenician port ashore. That upended their lives and dealt the industry a major blow. The port siege also cut people off from key ingredients for traditional Lebanese dishes. As war devastated their country, the loss of fish damaged a deep association with home. Now, the possibility of renewed fishing is helping fuel hope. Heavy snow blankets parts of the US during busy holiday travel weekend BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The first big snowfall of the season is blanketing towns in upstate New York and northwestern Pennsylvania as the hectic holiday travel and shopping weekend winds down. Numbing cold and heavy snow could persist into next week and cause hazards in the Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest regions. A state of emergency has been declared for parts of New York, making it problematic for Thanksgiving travelers. This week’s blast of frigid Arctic air also brought bitterly cold temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit below average to the Northern Plains. Cold air is expected to move over the eastern third of the U.S. by Monday with temperatures about 10 degrees below average. Southwest Airlines says it is ending cabin service earlier to reduce chance of injury Southwest Airlines is ending its cabin service earlier starting next month. Beginning on Dec. 4, a company spokesperson says flight attendants will begin preparing the cabin for landing at an altitude of 18,000 feet instead of 10,000 feet. The company says it's making the changes to reduce the risk of in-flight turbulence injuries. For passengers, that means they will need to return their seats to an upright position or do other pre-landing procedures earlier than before. While turbulence-related fatalities are quite rare, injuries have piled up over the years. What to know about the plastic pollution crisis as treaty talks conclude in South Korea BUSAN, South Korea (AP) — The world’s nations will wrap up negotiating a treaty this weekend to address the global crisis of plastic pollution. The world produces more than 400 million tons of new plastic yearly. That could climb about 70% by 2040 without policy changes. China was by far the biggest exporter of plastic products in 2023, followed by Germany and the United States. Less than 10% of plastics are recycled. Many plastics are used for packaging. Every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans, rivers and lakes. Romania's parliamentary vote risks being overshadowed by presidential race chaos BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanians are preparing to go to the polls in a parliamentary vote that will determine a new government and prime minister to lead the European Union and NATO member country. However, Sunday's vote is sandwiched between a two-round presidential race and is overshadowed by controversies and chaos following the outcome of the first vote. While the president has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security and foreign policy, the prime minister is the head of the nation’s government. Sunday’s vote will determine the formation of the country’s 466-seat legislature.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.
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Love 'em or hate 'em, you can't deny how popular Crocs are. The iconic clog has been one of Amazon's top-selling shoes for years. And so what could be better than upgrading those comfy slides of yours with a deal you won't want to miss? Right now, you can snag a pair of faux fur-lined for $15 off. That means you can have this winterized version for just $45 on Just when you thought it wasn't possible for Crocs to get even more comfortable ... these lightweight lookers are lined to cradle your feet in cushy heaven. Stock up for holiday gifts! Like most name-brand shoes, Crocs are on the pricier side. These normally retail for $60, but right now they are down to $45. Just note that sale prices vary from color to color. On the fence about taking the leap? It’s not uncommon. The cult of Croc is made up largely of skeptics and converts who now swear by these shoes — especially when they're all warm and fuzzy with faux fur lining like these. The reasons for Crocs’ adoration are myriad. They’re designed with a shock-absorbing foam resin sole, which helps ward off foot pain, backaches, muscle strain and any other byproducts of standing and walking all day. They’re also ventilated, and their upper gently conforms to the curves of your feet. They’re slip-ons, but their gentle back strap provides adequate support without too much pressure. Simply put, they’re a dream. On top of that, the is special in that you can wear these to run errands but you can also use them as the most supportive house shoes imaginable. 90,000 Amazon shoppers love to keep their tootsies warm with the cuddly . Pros 👍 "I've ordered and worn all manner of faux-fur lined slippers, but never have I ever worn a pair as comfortable as these," explained . "Aside from the obvious factors that make these Crocs warm and comfy, they also compensate very well for the arthritis in my left big toe and the plantar fasciitis (heel pain) in my right foot." "Best all-around house shoe," proclaimed this : "I use these Crocs as comfortable sturdy house shoes, both indoors and outdoors. ... I have sensitive feet from diabetes and these do not cause any discomfort. ... My feet generally feel cold, so the lined Crocs also help with this. "I bought these Crocs for my sister who is a nurse," explained a . "She absolutely loves them. During her 12-hour shifts, specifically in the cool weather, they keep her feet warm and supported." Cons 👎 Shoppers really love these shoes — but a few fans had a quibble. "They are so warm," explained . "Only downside is washing; you can’t take the soles out, so they get dirty fast and you can’t do much about it." that sentiment, noting that the "inside liner can become soiled if worn outside with leaves and twigs, etc.." At this price, you may as well grab two pairs of these cozy clogs, one for indoors and one for out. If you have , you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. . (And by the way, those without still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)A FURIOUS shopper has received an apology from Target after they questioned the value of store membership following poor service. Taking to social media , the customer ranted about the chain's delivery service asking the chain, "What's going on?" "I pay for @Target SAME DAY DELIVERY SUBSCRIPTION," she wrote on X. "I placed a SAME DAY DELIVERY on Wednesday. 2 days later I still haven’t received my items. "I’ve tried to reach someone all day. Finally get someone, and the representative was rude and refused to help me. What’s going on?" The shopper gave no further details about how the staff member was rude but Target swiftly responded to her complaint. read more on target "We're sorry to hear you still haven't received your same-day delivery order," the chain said, adding it would look into the issue for her. Target urged the shopper to privately message them the order details so they could follow up on the issue. No further update has been given publicly by either Target or the X user on the delivery or if she still pays for the subscription. Target offers shoppers same-day delivery under the Target Circle 360 membership. Most read in Money Members get unlimited same-day delivery on orders over $35 if they pay a monthly fee of $10.99 or a yearly fee of $99. Or, shoppers can pay $9.99 at checkout to get same-day delivery on individual orders. But, the shopper on X was not alone in feeling cheated with the membership as others complained about not getting the service they are paying for. "I have to say I'm VERY disappointed in the way @Target has managed my order," another member said . "The order was placed Saturday afternoon, I have Target Circle 360, & the order was over $350! "Yet the package wasn’t even seen by UPS until Tuesday evening!? Now won’t be to me until Friday afternoon!" Target's customer support page replied to apologize and offer more information. In April, Target launched its first-ever paid membership program, Target Circle 360. For $99 a year, members get access to the following perks: Unlimited, free same-day delivery on orders over $35 An extra 30 days to return your items Free two-day shipping on 100,000s of items 5% off in-store and online Automatic deals and exclusive partner perks Others vowed never to use the service again after being confronted by rude staff. "I’m never doing same-day delivery from @Target EVER again," another shopper said . "Worst and rude customer service that hangs up on customers." Meanwhile, Walmart shoppers have also been left disappointed and threatening to change stores due to delivery issues. Read More on The US Sun One shopper said "No more Walmart" after the retailer "forgot" to deliver 22 items and it was not the first time such an issue took place. Other Walmart shoppers complained about issues with one of the chain's delivery policies regarding substitutions.
Education a key to Nigeria’s economic growth – TinubuNo. 16 Iowa State falls short in Big 12 title game again, this time with CFP at stake
Mikaela Shiffrin suffers abrasion on hip during crash on final run of World Cup giant slalom
Nawaz asks Shehbaz to address Fazl’s concerns on madrassa bill PM assured Nawaz that JUIF leader would be taken into confidence on bill LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-N (PMLN) supremo Nawaz Sharif on Sunday directed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUIF) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s concerns on the madrasa registration bill. Both the brothers met at their Jati Umrah residence and discussed the overall political situation of the country. The PM assured Nawaz that the JUIF leader would be taken into confidence on the bill. In the meeting, PM Shehbaz Sharif presented a report on his visit to Saudi Arabia to the party head Nawaz Sharif. Sources said Nawaz Sharif congratulated his brother on ‘improvements’ in the country’s economic situation, particularly for setting a new record in the stock exchange. The PM informed Nawaz Sharif about progress in foreign investment in the context of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). They also deliberated on the political and economic landscape, including the events of November 26 and jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s potential call for civil disobedience. The prime minister also briefed Nawaz Sharif about the interest shown by Saudi Arabia and other countries in investing in Pakistan. Both leaders paid tribute to the martyrs of the Pakistan armed forces and other law-enforcement agencies. Later, PM Shehbaz Sharif met Federal Interior Minister and Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi and expressed full confidence in him regarding the ICC Champions Trophy. The interior minister briefed the PM about the progress of ICC Champions Trophy tournament. Shehbaz appreciated the principled stand of PCB chairman regarding the Champions Trophy. He said his stand was the voice of every Pakistani. He said honour of Pakistan comes first. Naqvi said the PCB was fully prepared to hold the Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan. “We want Pakistan and cricket to win and InshaAllah, good news will come out regarding the Champions Trophy.” PM Shehbaz Sharif also met members of National and Punjab Assembly separately, including Mudassar Qayyum Nahra, Azhar Qayyum Nahra, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhinder and leaders of PMLN Mian Marghoob Ahmed and Hafiz Mian Muhammad Noman. Discussions on issues of relevant constituencies and the overall political situation of the country were discussed in the meetings. Rana Sanaullah Khan, Adviser to Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination, also called on PM Shehbaz Sharif. He said he talked to the PM about the overall political situation of the country. Shehbaz Sharif also visited MNA Raza Hayat Hiraj to offer his condolences on the demise of his father.
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Mikaela Shiffrin suffers abrasion on hip during crash on final run of World Cup giant slalom
The U.S. on Saturday announced a new $988 million military assistance package for Ukraine in its war with Russia as Washington races to provide aid to Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office . Trump's victory in the November election has cast doubt on the future of U.S. aid for Ukraine , providing a limited window for billions of dollars in already authorized assistance to be provided before he is sworn in next month. The package features drones, ammunition for precision HIMARS rocket launchers, and equipment and spare parts for artillery systems, tanks and armored vehicles, the Pentagon said in a statement. The aid will be funded via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, under which military equipment is procured from the defense industry or partners rather than drawn from American stocks, meaning it will not immediately arrive on the battlefield. It follows a $725 million package announced on Monday that included a second tranche of landmines as well as anti-air and anti-armor weapons. The outgoing Biden administration is working to get as much aid as possible to Ukraine before Trump — who has repeatedly criticized U.S. assistance for Kyiv — begins his second White House term in January. It also comes on the same day that Trump held a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron after he traveled to Paris to attend the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral following its extensive renovation from the 2019 fire. Details of what transpired in the meeting were not immediately known. Trump's comments have triggered fears in Kyiv and Europe about the future of U.S. aid and Ukraine's ability to withstand Russian attacks in the absence of further American support. The U.S. has spearheaded the push for international support for Ukraine, quickly forging a coalition to back Kyiv after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022 and coordinating aid from dozens of countries. Ukraine's international supporters have since then provided tens of billions of dollars in weapons, ammunition, training and other security aid that has been key to helping Kyiv resist Russian forces. Last month, President Biden lifted restrictions that allow Ukraine to use U.S.-provided long-range weapons to strike deep into Russian territory, marking a significant U.S. policy shift in the war. The Biden administration in November also began the process of supplying Ukraine with controversial anti-personnel mines that are designed to be used against people, not vehicles.Reading time 1 min The cocoa industry in Haiti is one of the few bright spots in an economy that's suffocating amid gang violence and political instability. Exports of fermented cocoa to Europe are having a significant impact for small Haitian producers, and helping to create jobs. Carys Garland reports from the Paris Chocolate Show. Also in the show: we speak to Tony's Chocolonely, a chocolate company that has pioneered efforts to expose exploitation and child labour in the cocoa industry. Joke Aerts, Director of Credible Sourcing at... Kate MOODY , Farah BOUCHERAK , Carys GARLAND
Saint Bonaventure wins 65-55 over BuffaloNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Carter Whitt scored 14 points as Belmont beat Middle Tennessee 82-79 on Saturday. Whitt also added eight rebounds, eight assists, and three steals for the Bruins (8-2). Isaiah Walker also scored 14 points while going 6 of 12 and 2 of 4 from the free-throw line while they also had eight rebounds. Sam Orme had 12 points and went 5 of 11 from the field (1 for 3 from 3-point range). The Blue Raiders (7-3) were led by Jlynn Counter, who recorded 22 points and five assists. Middle Tennessee also got 21 points and two blocks from Jestin Porter. Essam Mostafa finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Belmont went into the half ahead of Middle Tennessee 38-30. Walker scored eight points in the half. Belmont pulled off the victory after a 19-2 run spanning both halves erased a three-point deficit and gave them the lead at 44-30 with 19:01 remaining in the second half. Whitt scored 10 second-half points and his four free throws in the final half-minute helped the Bruins maintain their lead. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from . The Associated Press