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www.99jili MILWAUKEE , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) Board of Directors has approved a cash dividend of $0.1725 per share for the fourth quarter of 2024. The dividend is payable December 23, 2024 to the shareholders of record of the Company's common stock as of December 10, 2024 . Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. ### (HOG-DIVIDEND) View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/harley-davidson-inc-declares-dividend-302317850.html SOURCE Harley-Davidson, Inc.

By Wendy Fry | CalMatters If you’ve hunted for apartments recently and felt like all the rents were equally high, you’re not crazy: Many landlords now use a single company’s software — which uses an algorithm based on proprietary lease information — to help set rent prices. Federal prosecutors say the practice amounts to “an unlawful information-sharing scheme” and some legislators throughout California are moving to curb it. San Diego’s city council president is the latest to do so, proposing to prevent local apartment owners from using the pricing software, which he maintains is driving up housing costs. Also see: California rent hikes: Where are the biggest increases in November? San Diego’s proposed ordinance, now being drafted by the city attorney, comes after San Francisco supervisors in July enacted a similar, first-in-the-nation ban on “the sale or use of algorithmic devices to set rents or manage occupancy levels” for residences. San Jose is considering a similar approach. And California and seven other states have also joined the federal prosecutors’ antitrust suit , which targets the leading rental pricing platform, Texas-based RealPage. The complaint alleges that “RealPage is an algorithmic intermediary that collects, combines, and exploits landlords’ competitively sensitive information. And in so doing, it enriches itself and compliant landlords at the expense of renters who pay inflated prices...” But state legislators this year failed to advance legislation by Bakersfield Democratic Sen. Melissa Hurtado that would have banned the use of any pricing algorithms based on nonpublic data provided by competing companies. She said she plans to bring the bill back during the next legislative session because of what she described as ongoing harms from such algorithms. “We’ve got to make sure the economy is fair and ... that every individual who wants a shot at creating a business has a shot without being destroyed along the way, and that we’re also protecting consumers because it is hurting the pocketbooks of everybody in one way or another,” said Hurtado. RealPage has been a greater impetus for all of the actions. The company counts as its customer landlords with thousands of apartment units across California. Some officials accuse the company of thwarting competition that would otherwise drive rents down, exacerbating the state’s housing shortage and driving up rents in the process. “Every day, millions of Californians worry about keeping a roof over their heads and RealPage has directly made it more difficult to do so,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta in a written statement. A RealPage spokesperson, Jennifer Bowcock, told CalMatters that a lack of housing supply, not the company’s technology, is the real problem — and that its technology benefits residents, property managers, and others associated with the rental market. The spokesperson later wrote that a “misplaced focus on nonpublic information is a distraction... that will only make San Francisco and San Diego’s historical problems worse.” As for the federal lawsuit, the company called the claims in it “devoid of merit” and said it plans to “vigorously defend ourselves against these accusations.” “We are disappointed that, after multiple years of education and cooperation on the antitrust matters concerning RealPage, the (Justice Department) has chosen this moment to pursue a lawsuit that seeks to scapegoat pro-competitive technology that has been used responsibly for years,” the company’s statement read in part. “RealPage’s revenue management software is purposely built to be legally compliant, and we have a long history of working constructively with the (department) to show that.” The company’s challenges will only grow if pricing software becomes another instance in which California lawmakers lead the nation. Following San Francisco’s ban, the Philadelphia City Council passed a ban on algorithmic rental price-fixing with a veto-proof vote last month. New Jersey has been considering its own ban. Is it price fixing — or coaching landlords? According to federal prosecutors, RealPage controls 80% of the market for commercial revenue management software. Its product is called YieldStar, and its successor is AI Revenue Management, which uses much of the same codebase as YieldStar, but has more precise forecasting. RealPage told CalMatters it serves only 10% of the rental markets in both San Francisco and San Diego, across its three revenue management software products. Here’s how it works: In order to use YieldStar and AIRM, landlords have historically provided RealPage with their own private data from their rental applications, rent prices, executed new leases, renewal offers and acceptances, and estimates of future occupancy, although a recent change allows landlords to choose to share only public data. This information from all participating landlords in an area is then pooled and run through mathematical forecasting to generate pricing recommendations for the landlords and for their competitors. The San Diego council president, Sean Elo-Rivera, explained it like this: “In the simplest terms, what this platform is doing is providing what we think of as that dark, smoky room for big companies to get together and set prices,” he said. “The technology is being used as a way of keeping an arm’s length from one big company to the other. But that’s an illusion.” In the company’s own words, from company documents included in the lawsuit, RealPage “ensures that (landlords) are driving every possible opportunity to increase price even in the most downward trending or unexpected conditions.” The company also said in the documents that it “helps curb (landlords’) instincts to respond to down-market conditions by either dramatically lowering price or by holding price.” Providing rent guidance isn’t the only service RealPage has offered landlords. In 2020, a Markup and New York Times investigation found that RealPage, alongside other companies, used faulty computer algorithms to do automated background checks on tenants. As a result, tenants were associated with criminal charges they never faced, and denied homes. Impact on tenants Thirty-one-year-old Navy veteran Alan Pickens and his wife move nearly every year “because the rent goes up, it gets unaffordable, so we look for a new place to stay,” he said. The northeastern San Diego apartment complex where they just relocated has two-bedroom apartments advertised for between $2,995 and $3,215. They live in an area of San Diego where the U.S. Justice Department says information-sharing agreements between landlords and RealPage have harmed or are likely to harm renters. The department in August filed its antitrust lawsuit against RealPage, alleging the company, through its legacy YieldStar software, engaged in an “ unlawful scheme to decrease competition among landlords in apartment pricing ”. The complaint names specific areas where rents are artificially high. Beyond the part of San Diego where Pickens lives, those areas include South Orange County, Rancho Cucamonga, Temecula, and Murrieta and northeastern San Diego. In the second quarter of 2020, the average rent in San Diego County was $1,926, reflecting a 26% increase over three years, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune . Rents have since risen even more in the city of San Diego, to $2,336 per month as of November 2024 – up 21% from 2020, according to RentCafe and the Tribune. That’s 50% higher than the national average rent. The attorneys general of eight states, including California, joined the Justice Department’s antitrust suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. The California Justice Department contends RealPage artificially inflated prices to keep them above a certain minimum level, said department spokesperson Elissa Perez. This was particularly harmful given the high cost of housing in the state, she added. “The illegally maintained profits that result from these price alignment schemes come out of the pockets of the people that can least afford it.” Renters make up a larger share of households in California than in the rest of the country — 44% here compared to 35% nationwide. The Golden State also has a higher percentage of renters than any state other than New York, according to the latest U.S. Census data . San Diego has the fourth-highest percentage of renters of any major city in the nation . The recent ranks of California legislators, however, have included few renters: As of 2019, CalMatters could find only one state lawmaker who did not own a home — and found that more than a quarter of legislators at the time were landlords. Studies show that low-income residents are more heavily impacted by rising rents. Nationally between 2000 and 2017, Americans without a college degree spent a higher percentage of their income on rent. That percentage ballooned from 30% to 42%. For college graduates, that percentage increased from 26% to 34%. “In my estimation, the only winners in this situation are the richest companies who are either using this technology or creating this technology,” said Elo-Rivera. “There couldn’t be a more clear example of the rich getting richer while the rest of us are struggling to get by.” The state has invested in RealPage Private equity giant Thoma Bravo acquired RealPage in January 2021 through two funds that have hundreds of millions of dollars in investments from California public pension funds, including the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, the Regents of the University of California and the Los Angeles police and fire pension funds, according to Private Equity Stakeholder Project. “They’re invested in things that are directly hurting their pensioners,” said K Agbebiyi, a senior housing campaign coordinator with the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, a nonprofit private equity watchdog that produced a report about corporate landlords ‘ impact on rental hikes in San Diego. RealPage argues that landlords are free to reject the price recommendations generated by its software. But the US Justice Department alleges that trying to do so requires a series of steps, including a conversation with a RealPage pricing adviser. The advisers try to “stop property managers from acting on emotions,” according to the department’s lawsuit. Related Articles Housing | California rent hikes: Where are the biggest increases in November? Housing | 20%-plus of US spends entire paychecks on rent, poll says Housing | Why US sued to stop landlords colluding on rents Housing | Rent inflation won’t cool until 2026, Cleveland Fed says Housing | California has 18 of 20 costliest US cities to rent a house Read this story in Spanish If a property manager disagrees with the price the algorithm suggests and wants to decrease rent rather than increase it, a pricing advisor will “escalate the dispute to the manager’s superior,” prosecutors allege in the suit. In San Diego, the Pickenses, who are expecting their first child, have given up their gym memberships and downsized their cars to remain in the area. They’ve considered moving to Denver. “All the extras pretty much have to go,” said Pickens. “I mean, we love San Diego, but it’s getting hard to live here.” “My wife is an attorney and I served in the Navy for 10 years and now work at Qualcomm,” he said. “Why are we struggling? Why are we struggling?”and appealed to the Australian Government on Tuesday through written submissions to delay a bill imposing a social media ban for children under 16 years old. In their submissions, both Google and Meta contended the bill should be delayed until the Government’s Age Assurance Trial results are obtained. The would “include methods that verify a user’s identity credentials to accurately determine their age” using “biometric markers or digital usage patterns.” Meta’s outlined several key points, including asserting the bill will “needlessly burden parents and young people” and “disempower Australian parents,” expressing doubts regarding the government’s proposition to place the burden on social media companies. Further, the submission considers the “omission of YouTube and online gaming fatal to the Bill’s purpose.” However, the government has to exclude messaging apps, gaming services, and health and education-related such as Google Classroom and YouTube. Meta’s submission additionally voices reservations about the new definition of ‘age-restricted social media platform,’ the “unclear technical requirements with significant penalties.” It raises concerns of “overlap and duplication” with the Privacy Act. Google’s proposed the bill “adopt a more targeted approach to covered services,” noting “digital platform regulation is complex and requires careful regulation,” expressing concerns that the speed of the bill’s development has “not allowed for adequate contemplation of the complexities,” and the “rushed approach” has “failed to allow adequate consultation with experts, industry, parents and caregivers and young people themselves,” suggesting it “does not reflect good regulatory practice.” Australia’s Labor government the on November 21, 2024, which sought to implement a minimum age of 16 for social media. The proposed bill, which received bipartisan support, in the House of Representatives with 102 votes to 13 and will proceed to the Senate for debate. The bill was referred to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, with submissions of opinions closing after one day. An amendment to the , the bill would place responsibility on social media companies, rather than parents or children, to ensure reasonable steps are taken to prevent children under 16 from the platforms. The broadened definition of ‘age-restricted social media platform’ noted in would include Facebook and Instagram owned by Meta Platforms, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, and X (formerly Twitter). Significant penalties could be imposed upon digital platforms for systemic breaches, such as failing to adhere to the minimum age obligation and incurring fines of up to AUD $49.5 million. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese the legislation as a “landmark reform,” acknowledging, “We know some kids will find workarounds, but we’re sending a message to social media companies to clean up their act.” Several organizations and individuals have expressed uncertainty and opposition to the bill, including , , , , and . Despite reservations about the bill expressed in submissions, a found an increase in Australian citizens’ support for the bill, with 77 percent backing the proposed ban. Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Pope Urban's address. Catholic Code of Canon Law revised On November 27, 1983, the revised of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect.Learn more about the history of Canon Law from of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law. Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the . about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.

TORONTO - Losses in the tech sector led Canada’s main stock index lower Friday, while U.S. stock markets also fell. The S&P/TSX composite index ended down 50.42 points at 24,796.40. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 333.59 points at 42,992.21. The S&P 500 index was down 66.75 points at 5,970.84, while the Nasdaq composite was down 298.33 points at 19,722.03. The Canadian dollar traded for 69.37 cents US, compared with 69.51 cents US on Tuesday. The February crude oil contract was up 98 cents at US$70.60 per barrel and the February natural gas contract was up six cents at US$3.38 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was down US$22 at US$2,631.90 an ounce and the March copper contract was down less than a penny at US$4.12 a pound. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)New hyperbaric oxygen chamber to benefit patients in Aruba

Chance of direct attack by Russia ‘remote’, says UK armed forces chief

Syrian government services come to a 'complete halt' as state workers stay homeNoneOTTAWA — The head of Canada's diplomatic service briefed international envoys on foreign interference last month as the intense focus on the issue across the country created confusion among some diplomats about where their work might cross the line from influence into meddling. David Morrison, the deputy minister of Global Affairs Canada, told The Canadian Press in an interview that there is a difference between interference and influence, the latter of which is the job of a diplomat. "The public inquiry and the coverage of it may have created some uncertainty," he said. "Diplomats had legitimate questions as to where we draw the line in Canada, and we tried to be very clear on that." The Liberals called a commission of inquiry into foreign interference last year following media reports and pressure from opposition parties. A final report is due by the end of January. An interim report released in May said foreign meddling by China, India, Russia or others did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections. Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue said it was possible — but not certain — that outcomes in a small number of ridings were affected by interference. In his interview on Tuesday, Morrison stressed that "Canadians can have absolute confidence in the integrity of our last two general elections." During his testimony at the inquiry in October, Morrison mentioned he planned to brief diplomats about the matter, and he held that briefing on Nov. 21. Ahead of each of the last three federal elections, Global Affairs Canada sent what's called a diplomatic circular, essentially a formal notice to all accredited diplomatic missions, outlining that Ottawa expects them not to endorse or finance any political parties or groups. At the Nov. 21 briefing, Morrison told foreign diplomats that they can publicly endorse or oppose a Canadian government policy, but they can't spread disinformation to discredit a particular party or "undermine public confidence" in Canadian democracy. A slideshow shared at the briefing notes that concerns about interference since 2021 "are broader than only elections" and the "strained geopolitical context ... heightens vulnerabilities" for Canada, with its many diaspora communities. The slideshow encourages "overt engagement" with Canadians and officials, such as hosting events or taking a position on Canada's national priorities. But it says that "clandestine influence" such as influencing a nomination race or running an online disinformation campaign is out of bounds, as is "clandestine, deceptive or threatening behaviour." Also wrong would be "obfuscating foreign-state involvement in activities," funding candidates directly or through in-kind contributions, and "deception meant to manipulate individuals in Canada." Larisa Galadza, who helps run the department's democratic resilience bureau, told foreign diplomats that more public awareness of interference makes clear that it is important to avoid even the perception of crossing the line. Her speaking notes, which Morrison provided, say that Canada is "increasing our efforts to set expectations." "This briefing is an indication of how seriously we are taking this issue," Galadza's notes said. She noted that "seeking to control or unduly influence members of a diaspora community" is unacceptable, and that immigrants have the right to be vocally critical of their homeland. Her notes say diplomats can lobby an MP but cannot "convey threats or offer rewards in exchange for their support." And all of these activities, she noted, are just as unacceptable if done through proxies. Morrison said such communication is necessary, as the international agreements governing the roles of diplomats apply everywhere but aren't consistently understood. "There's a wide range of opinions as to what is influence and what is interference," he said, noting some countries see the limit of what's acceptable as measures beyond what Canadians would tolerate. "In some national contexts, interference is taken to mean monkeying around with ballot boxes," he said. Morrison said the session started by "acknowledging that the definitions were not agreed, but that this was our home turf, and we wanted to make certain everyone understood the rules" in Canada. "We made it very clear that, having now given fair warning, if accredited diplomats engage in the kinds of behaviour that we described as being outside of the lines, they could expect to hear from us." Global Affairs does not monitor the behaviour of foreign diplomats in Canada, but the department's regional teams are in frequent contact with diplomatic missions and security officials alert the department whenever they find concerning activity. Morrison said his department uses a range of approaches to have foreign states understand Canada's perspective on acceptable activity. While a formal summons gets media attention, the department can also call in an ambassador to meet with someone ranking from Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly down to a junior desk officer, based on how serious the situation is. Global Affairs Canada can expel diplomats or close embassies abroad, but it can also try making its point in an informal chat at a cocktail reception. "The essence of diplomacy is to be constantly communicating and that happens classically in diplomatic circles at social events and dinners," he said. In February, senior diplomat Weldon Epp testified to Parliament that the Justice Department and the RCMP have undertaken workshops with the Indian government, "to explain what our standards legally would be" for extraditing people to India for terrorism charges. "How India defines extremism or even terrorism does not always compute in our legal system," Weldon Epp told MPs at the time. Looking ahead to the next federal election, Morrison said he's most concerned about emboldened hostile states using artificial intelligence in their attacks. He particularly worries about deepfakes, which are spoof videos and images that can dupe people into thinking politicians said or did certain things they didn't. "The foreign interference that we have seen is continuing to evolve," he said. "Our defences against it will need to continue to evolve as well." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2024. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press

S&P/TSX composite, U.S. markets end the trading day lower FridayPlayoff game at Ohio State has sold 34% more tickets than Notre Dame game on StubHub

Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster is the new Social Investment Secretary. He’ll oversee a multimillion-dollar fund advising the Government on commissioning services for vulnerable people. Coster sees his role as building a fence at the top of the cliff, describing a lot of policing as the “ambulance at the bottom of the cliff of social failure”. As a new era in policing unfolds under the watchful eye of a new commissioner , the country’s former top cop is relishing a chance to try to stop people ever embarking on a life of crime . Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has officially hung up his uniform, stepping into his new role as Social Investment Agency chief executive. He sees the role as much more than a so-called ambulance at the top of the cliff. “I don’t think it’s the ambulance, I think it’s the fence. Police spends a lot of its time at the bottom of the cliff of social failure. Social investment is about trying to get the settings right in order to avoid the need for that,” Coster said.Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math ... oh my! Did you know that there is a regular STEAM Team program for kids ages 6 and up at the Wando Mount Pleasant Library? The engaging program combines literacy and multimedia with hands-on experiences on a different STEAM topic each session, with instruction from a former elementary school teacher and current children’s librarian. Every session of STEAM Team follows a similar format: a fictional book, a song, an informational book, an educational video and a hands-on activity, all focused on a single STEAM topic. The different modes of learning are based on Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, which explains that people process and learn information in different ways. Participants engage in academic discussion throughout each session, answering questions based on the scientific method. The method incorporates activating prior knowledge, asking a question, forming a hypothesis, conducting an experiment and making a conclusion based on the data. The KWL Strategy focuses on the following questions: What do you Know? What do you Wonder? What did you Learn? What were your misconceptions? Read aloud portions of the program point out various text features within the books to enhance reading comprehension. Past STEAM Team sessions focused on a variety of topics. Children have investigated bubbles and experimented with bouncing bubbles using a homemade solution, learned about flight and experimented with different paper airplane designs, identified constellations and created take-home constellation projectors. Kids learned about mechanical engineering by designing their own catapults and learned about motion and forces by making their own bouncy balls. For October, participants all got their hands dirty dissecting pumpkins and took home pumpkin seeds to grow. Children learned about block coding on the computer for one STEAM Team session that was such a hit, it led to the creation of a new Coding Club program at the library for kids! Future topics include chemical reactions with volcanoes, states of matter with homemade ice cream, gravity with an egg drop challenge, buoyancy with boat building and more. You can find upcoming STEAM Team program dates and topics on our monthly program calendar at ccpl.org or by subscribing to our weekly children’s email newsletter. For further information, email us at WMTP-ChildrensServices@ccpl.org . Kristina Seiden is a former elementary school teacher and a Children’s Librarian at Wando Mount Pleasant Library located at 1400 Carolina Park Blvd. Call us at 843-805-6888.

Basil Rahmy, CEO of Egypt’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA), met with Mohamed El-Zamalout, Governor of New Valley, to discuss collaborative efforts aimed at expanding developmental activities in the region, particularly in agricultural production, and fostering the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The meeting emphasized encouraging youth and local residents to initiate new projects or expand existing ones, thus generating more job opportunities and stimulating the region’s economic growth. Rahmy noted that the meeting centered around the implementation of directives from Egypt’s political leadership to localize silk production in the country. The plan involves a partnership between the SME Development Agency and New Valley Governorate, with support from international partners and coordination with national entities, especially the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. A comprehensive roadmap for the production and manufacturing of silk is being developed as part of the initiative. Rahmy shared that a feasibility study is currently underway, with a pilot model set to be tested in two villages per district. This model will serve as a foundation for potential expansion across New Valley and beyond. The plan includes providing machinery for silk-thread production, establishing a laboratory for silkworm egg production, and reducing Egypt’s reliance on raw silk imports by cultivating Indian mulberry trees. This initiative, in partnership with specialized research centers, will ensure a steady supply of mulberry leaves, the primary food source for silkworms. El-Zamalout highlighted that New Valley has already launched an initiative to localize silk production as part of efforts to revive the industry. The governorate has allocated around 2,500 acres for mulberry cultivation and set up 25 fully equipped laboratories for silk production and silkworm farming. Collaborations with local and international experts are underway to secure rare, high-quality mulberry saplings. Furthermore, training programmes will be implemented to develop a skilled workforce in the silk sector. The governor expressed his deep appreciation for the ongoing partnership with the SME Development Agency, acknowledging its pivotal role in job creation and supporting the growth of youth-led SMEs, which contribute significantly to the economic development of the governorate.After his impressive 2024 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, outfielder Teoscar Hernández is staying put in Hollywood for the foreseeable future. According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, Hernández agreed to re-sign with the Dodgers on a three-year, $66 million contract on Friday. ESPN's Jeff Passan added that the deal includes a fourth-year option worth $15 million. Additionally, Hernández's contract includes $23 million in deferred money and a $23 million signing bonus, per Passan. The news comes after Hernández appeared to confirm he was returning to the Dodgers on his Instagram story: Los Angeles is Hernández's third team in the last four years, as he was traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Seattle Mariners after the 2022 season before signing with the Dodgers ahead of the 2024 campaign. Hernández is coming off a strong season in which he earned his second career All-Star selection and helped lead the Dodgers to a 98-64 finish, the best record in the National League. He was the 2024 Home Run Derby champion and finished the year with a career-high 33 home runs while adding 99 RBI and batting .272. During the playoffs, he hit .250 with three homers and 12 RBI as the Dodgers won the World Series by defeating the New York Yankees in five games. After the season, Hernández was named a Silver Slugger Award winner for the third time in his career. The 2025 season will be the 10th year in Hernández's major-league career. He made his MLB debut in 2016 as a member of the Houston Astros before being traded to the Blue Jays the following year. He hit 20 or more home runs in six of the last eight years. By holding onto Hernández, the Dodgers are retaining an experienced slugger who is entering the prime of his career. The 32-year-old should continue to produce at a high level as a member of a talented lineup that also includes 2024 NL MVP Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad, but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country's public sector came "to a complete and abrupt halt." Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Assad's brutal rule. The rebel alliance now in control of much of the country is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and promises representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said Monday they would not tell women how to dress. Syrian citizens stand on a government forces tank that was left on a street Monday as they celebrate in Damascus, Syria. "It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women's dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty," the command said on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the U.N. official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was long known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met for the first time with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali, who stayed in Syria when Assad fled. Israel said it carried out airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets to keep them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Syrian troops withdrew. Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey on Monday at the Oncupinar border gate near the town of Kilis, southern Turkey. In northern Syria, Turkey said allied opposition forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States, a reminder that even after Assad's departure, the country remains split among armed groups that have fought in the past. The Kremlin said Russia granted political asylum to Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad's specific whereabouts and said Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people still celebrated. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence, though in some areas small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets. Syrian citizens celebrate Monday during the second day of the takeover of the city by the insurgents in Damascus, Syria. Across swathes of Syria, families are now waiting outside prisons, security offices and courts, hoping for news of loved ones who were imprisoned or who disappeared. Just north of Damascus in the feared Saydnaya military prison, women detainees, some with their children, screamed as rebels broke locks off their cell doors. Amnesty International and other groups say dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, and they estimate that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016. "Don't be afraid," one rebel said as he ushered women from packed cells. "Bashar Assad has fallen!" In southern Turkey, Mustafa Sultan was among hundreds of Syrian refugees waiting at border crossings to head home. He was searching for his older brother, who was imprisoned under Assad. "I haven't seen him for 13 years," he said. "I am going to go see whether he's alive." Jalali, the prime minister, sought to project normalcy since Assad fled. "We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth," he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation already improved from the day before. Israeli soldiers sit on top of a tank Monday along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said Sunday that judges were ready to resume work quickly. "We want to give everyone their rights," Haddad said outside the courthouse. "We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods." But a U.N. official said some government services were paralyzed as worried state employees stayed home. The public sector "has just come to a complete and abrupt halt," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies was put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. "This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonized by the public media are now in charge in the nation's capital," Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. "I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again." People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Members of the Syrian community in Finland wave a Syrian flag and celebrate in Helsinki, Finland, Dec. 8, 2024. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Syrians wave opposition flags and give out sweets during a spontaneous rally in Wuppertal, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa/dpa via AP) Syrians celebrate the fall of the Assad regime in Syria at a demonstration in Stockholm, Sweden, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Jonas Ekstroemer/TT News Agency via AP) A Syrian man waves a flag during a spontaneous demonstration celebrating the fall of the Assad regime, in Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) Syrians wave Syrian opposition flags at a rally in Wuppertal, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa/dpa via AP) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) Syrians living in France gather on Republique square after the Syrian government fell early today in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government's fall, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) Syrians living in France hug during a rally on Republique square after the Syrian government fell early today in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) A Syrian man waves a flag during a spontaneous demonstration celebrating the fall of the Assad regime in Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) Get local news delivered to your inbox!Brainy, 'normal guy': the suspect in US insurance CEO's slaying

WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. Trump emerges indisputably victorious, having successfully delayed the investigations through legal maneuvers and then winning reelection despite indictments that described his actions as a threat to the country’s constitutional foundations. “I persevered, against all odds, and WON,” Trump exulted in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He also said that “these cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought.” The judge in the election case granted prosecutors’ dismissal request. A decision in the documents case was still pending on Monday evening. The outcome makes it clear that, when it comes to a president and criminal accusations, nothing supersedes the voters’ own verdict. In court filings, Smith’s team emphasized that the move to end their prosecutions was not a reflection of the merit of the cases but a recognition of the legal shield that surrounds any commander in chief. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” prosecutors said in one of their filings. They wrote that Trump’s return to the White House “sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: on the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law.” In this situation, “the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated,” they concluded. Smith’s team said it was leaving intact charges against two co-defendants in the classified documents case — Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira — because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” Steven Cheung, Trump’s incoming White House communications director, said Americans “want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” Trump has long described the investigations as politically motivated, and he has vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. Now he will start his second term free from criminal scrutiny by the government that he will lead. The election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing Trump as he tried to reclaim the White House. He was indicted for plotting to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, an effort that climaxed with his supporters’ violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But the case quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence it planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. In dismissing the case, Chutkan acknowledged prosecutors’ request to do so “without prejudice,” raising the possibility that they could try to bring charges against Trump when his term is over. She wrote that is “consistent with the Government’s understanding that the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office.” But such a move may be barred by the statute of limitations, and Trump may also try to pardon himself while in office. The separate case involving classified documents had been widely seen as legally clear cut, especially because the conduct in question occurred after Trump left the White House and lost the powers of the presidency. The indictment included dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing federal efforts to get them back. He has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. The case quickly became snarled by delays, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon slow to issue rulings — which favored Trump’s strategy of pushing off deadlines in all his criminal cases — while also entertaining defense motions and arguments that experts said other judges would have dispensed with without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues before dismissing the case outright two months later. Smith’s team appealed the decision, but now has given up that effort. Trump faced two other state prosecutions while running for president. One of them, a New York case involving hush money payments, resulted in a conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. It was the first time a former president had been found guilty of a crime. The sentencing in that case is on hold as Trump’s lawyers try to have the conviction dismissed before he takes office, arguing that letting the verdict stand will interfere with his presidential transition and duties. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office is fighting the dismissal but has indicated that it would be open to delaying sentencing until Trump leaves office. Bragg, a Democrat, has said the solution needs to balance the obligations of the presidency with “the sanctity of the jury verdict.” Trump was also indicted in Georgia along with 18 others accused of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election there. Any trial appears unlikely there while Trump holds office. The prosecution already was on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Four defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty.

VICTORIA, Seychelles, Dec. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are thrilled to announce that KEC (Kaichain) will be listed on XT . KEC/USDT trading pair will be opened in Innovation Zone. opening up new opportunities for traders and enthusiasts alike. Mark your calendars for the following go-live schedule: Deposit: 11:00 on January 04, 2025 (UTC) Trading: 10:00 on December 30, 2024 (UTC) Withdrawal: 11:00 on January 04, 2025 (UTC) About KEC (Kaichain) Kaichain is an innovative blockchain network designed to address the limitations of existing major ecosystems by offering higher TPS, lower operational costs, and eco-friendly transactions. With a focus on sustainability, Kaichain aims to support the increasing loads on advanced blockchain ecosystems as adoption grows. It boasts a TPS of about 100,000, significantly outperforming top DeFi and GameFi networks, and employs an energy-efficient Proof of Authority consensus mechanism. Kaichain is built to be accessible to developers and non-technical users alike, offering quick transactions that are over 1000x faster than Ethereum, with minimal fees and no carbon footprint. Additionally, it is EVM compatible, which means developers can deploy existing smart contracts with ease. The Kaichain (KEC) listing on XT exchange is a pivotal moment, enhancing KEC's market presence and credibility while also enricg more users hing XT's offerings. This collaboration increases KEC's global accessibility, attractinand liquidity, and signifies XT's commitment to supporting innovative blockchain projects, bolstering its reputation as a forward-thinking exchange. Website: https://kaichain.net/ Blockchain Browser: https://explorer.kaichain.net/ Whitepaper Link: https://kaichain.net/documents/KaiChain_Whitepaper_v2.3.pdf About XT.COM Established in 2018, XT.COM is a leading social-infused digital asset trading platform, serving nearly 8 million registered users and over 1 million monthly active traders globally. With support for 800+ high-quality tokens and 1,000+ trading pairs, XT.COM provides a comprehensive suite of trading services, including spot, margin, and futures trading. Our mission is to empower users to unlock the infinite potential of blockchain technology through secure, intuitive, and reliable trading experiences. Website : xt.com X : twitter.com/XTexchange Telegram : t.me/XTsupport_EN Stay tuned for the KASBOT trading launch and get ready to join the Meme Guardian's exciting journey! XT Exchange Bella Wei Listing@xt.com KEC (Kaichain) admin@kaichain.net Disclaimer: This content is provided by XT exchange. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f74261dc-922c-4ee5-a5b2-a1d920a223b5 © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

NoneFianna Fáil has edged ahead in the last opinion poll before Friday’s general election. Fianna Fáil is unchanged at 21pc, while the trend of Fine Gael support falling has continued in the latest Business Post/Red C poll , which shows the party at 20pc, down 2pc. Fine Gael support is the lowest since Simon Harris took over as leader last March. Sinn Féin is also up by 2pc and ranks at 20pc. Fine Gael has now had a series of bad polls, with last weekend’s Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll showing the party drop by 4pc and the Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll showing it is down by 6pc. While tonight’s Business Post poll does not show as a dramatic drop, it shows a continued trend in a drop of public support for Fine Gael ahead of the general election on Friday. The Fine Gael campaign has been dogged by controversies, starting with Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary making controversial remarks about teachers, Mr Harris’s interaction with a disability worker in Cork, as well as poor performances in leaders’ debates. Fine Gael has also faced questions over its handling of Independent general election candidate Cllr Patsy O’Brien, who was expelled from the party after sending pornographic material to a party staffer. Some 14pc of respondents said they would give Independents their first-preference vote, while 6pc said they would give their No.1 to the Social Democrats. Labour, the Greens, Aontú and Independent Ireland all rank at 4pc. People Before Profit-Solidarity come in at 2pc. Some 21pc of respondents to the latest poll said they will give their second preferences to Fianna Fáil, while 17pc said Fine Gael and 13pc said Sinn Féin. Red C interviewed a random sample of adults aged over 18 between Wednesday November 20 and Tuesday November 26. The margin of error in the Business Post/Red C poll is 3pc. The results come as political parties have just one day left of campaigning before Friday’s election.

BOARDWALKTECH REPORTS SECOND QUARTER FISCAL 2025 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Indian Railways to launch first hydrogen train trials in DecemberConor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rulesNone

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