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J&K cop shoots dead colleague after tiff, then kills himselfDAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally, Russian media said Sunday, hours after a stunning rebel advance seized control of Damascus and ended his family’s 50 years of iron rule . Thousands of Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire and waved the revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. The swiftly moving events raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. “Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East," President Joe Biden said , crediting action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syria’s backers — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He called the fall of Assad a “fundamental act of justice” but also a “moment of risk and uncertainty,” and said rebel groups are “saying the right things now” but the U.S. would assess their actions. Russia requested an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council to discuss Syria, according to Dmitry Polyansky, its deputy ambassador to the U.N., in a post on Telegram. The arrival of Assad and his family in Moscow was reported by Russian agencies Tass and RIA, citing an unidentified source at the Kremlin. A spokesman there didn't immediately respond to questions. RIA also said Syrian insurgents had guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria. Earlier, Russia said Assad left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. The leader of Syria's biggest rebel faction, Abu Mohammed al-Golani , is poised to chart the country’s future. The former al-Qaida commander cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance. His Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the U.N. In his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, al-Golani visited the Umayyad Mosque and described Assad's fall as “a victory to the Islamic nation.” Calling himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and not his nom de guerre, he said Assad had made Syria “a farm for Iran’s greed.” The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country ravaged by war and split among armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in remote areas. Syrian state television broadcast a rebel statement saying Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been released. They urged people to preserve the institutions of “the free Syrian state,” and announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. An online video purported to show rebels freeing dozens of women at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed . At least one small child was seen among them. “This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he,” said one relative, Bassam Masr. "I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years.” Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi appeared on state TV and sought to reassure religious and ethnic minorities, saying: “Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects.” “We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did," he added. Celebrations in the capital Damascus residents prayed in mosques and celebrated in squares, calling, “God is great.” People chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Teenage boys picked up weapons apparently discarded by security forces and fired into the air. Soldiers and police fled their posts and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Families wandered the presidential palace, walking by damaged portraits of Assad. Other parts of the capital were empty and shops were closed. “It’s like a dream. I need someone to wake me up," said opposition fighter Abu Laith, adding the rebels were welcomed in Damascus with “love.” Rebels stood guard at the Justice Ministry, where Judge Khitam Haddad said he and colleagues were protecting documents. Outside, residents sought information about relatives who disappeared under Assad. The rebels “have felt the pain of the people,” said one woman, giving only her first name, Heba. She worried about possible revenge killings by the rebels, many of whom appeared to be underage. Syria’s historically pro-government newspaper al-Watan called it “a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood.” It added that media workers should not be blamed for publishing past government statements ordered from above. A statement from the Alawite sect that formed the core of Assad's base called on young Syrians to be “calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country.” The rebels mainly come from the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities. In Qamishli in the northeast, a Kurdish man slapped a statue of the late leader Hafez Assad with his shoe. Calls for an orderly transition The rebel advances since Nov. 27 were the largest in recent years, and saw the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs fall within days as the Syrian army melted away. The road to Damascus from the Lebanese border was littered with military uniforms and charred armored vehicles. Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, which provided crucial support to Assad, abandoned him as they reeled from other conflicts. The end of Assad’s rule was a major blow to Iran and its proxies, already weakened by conflict with Israel . Iran said Syrians should decide their future “without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention.” The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned. Hossein Akbari, Iran’s ambassador to Syria, said it was “effectively impossible” to help the Syrian government after it admitted the insurgents' military superiority. Speaking on Iranian state media from an undisclosed location, he said Syria's government decided Saturday night to hand over power peacefully. “When the army and the people could not resist, it was a good decision to let go to prevent bloodshed and destruction,” Akbari said, adding that some of his colleagues left Syria before sunrise. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking on state TV, said there were concerns about the “possibility of civil war, disintegration of Syria, total collapse and turning Syria into a shelter for terrorists.” Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali has said the government was ready to “extend its hand” to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. A video on Syrian opposition media showed armed men escorting him from his office to a hotel. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria late Saturday, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey. Majed al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, said they agreed on the need “to engage all parties on the ground," including the HTS, and that the main concern is “stability and safe transition.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned positions. Israel’s military later warned residents of five southern Syria communities to stay home for their safety, and didn’t respond to questions. Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the U.S., views it as occupied, and the Arab League on Sunday condemned what it called Israel’s efforts to take advantage of Assad’s downfall to occupy more territory. ___ Sewell reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue, Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut; Samar Kassaballi, Omar Sanadiki and Ghaith Alsayed in Damascus; Jon Gambrell in Manama, Bahrain; Josef Federman in Doha, Qatar; and Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem, contributed. Abdulrahman Shaheen, Sarah El Deeb And Abby Sewell, The Associated Pressfortune gems/wow super win slot jili 。

Published 10:06 am Tuesday, December 24, 2024 By Associated Press American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday due to a technical issue just as the Christmas travel season kicks into overdrive and winter weather is threatening more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. American flights were cleared to fly by federal regulators about one hour after a national ground stop order was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. There were 1,447 delays for flights entering or leaving the U.S. early in the day, with 28 cancellations. Snow was falling early in New York and Dallas-Fort Worth International, which is American Airlines’ main hub, was getting hit with rain. Dallas-Fort Worth had the most delays, followed by Charlotte, North Carolina, Washington, New York, Chicago and Miami Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. And any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have “interline agreements” that let them put stranded customers on another carrier’s flights. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. That’s because finding a last-minute flight on another airline yourself tends to be very expensive. Just before 7 a.m. Eastern time, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered all American Airlines flights grounded in the U.S. at the airline’s request. American had reported a technical issue affecting its entire system with millions traveling for the holiday. American said in an email that the problem Tuesday morning was caused by a vendor technology issue that “impacted systems needed to release flights.” The groundings couldn’t come at a worse time for the millions of travelers expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers over the holidays and through January 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Friday and Sunday, and on Dec. 26, Dec. 27 and Dec. 29. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. “Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday,” AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation’s highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. Boston, New York City, Seattle and Washington, D.C., are the metropolitan areas primed for the greatest delays, according to the company.

Peering Into Joby Aviation's Recent Short InterestThe earnings calendar is home to a few interesting prospects as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, including ( ). Dell stock has been working its way higher, showing some signs of accumulation as it tries to clear a handle buy point of 141.33. Dell still sells PCs and laptops, but it's become a big player in the field of artificial intelligence as a provider of hardware, including servers, that power AI workloads. Workloads are tasks performed by AI systems, which entails processing large amounts of data and performing complex computations. Also in the technology sector, investors will listen closely to what ( ) has to say when the company reports earnings Tuesday after the close. The FactSet consensus is for adjusted profit to fall 1% to 81 cents a share, with revenue up 25% to $982.8 million. The stock has recovered well after a breakdown in July that saw the security software firm lose nearly 40% of its value. A faulty software update from CrowdStrike caused a widespread outage and resulted in the cancellation of 7,000 ( ) flights. Delta sued CrowdStrike for $500 million. CrowdStrike countersued, blaming Delta's older IT systems. Dell Vies For Breakout After a harrowing 50% pullback from May to August, Dell was trading just above a 141.33 buy point Friday morning. Dell could be right for a call-option trade, so long as the stock isn't too far below or above the entry just before earnings. Results are due Tuesday after the close. Look for adjusted profit to be up 10% to $2.07 a share. Revenue growth is expected to accelerate for the third straight quarter, up 11% to $24.7 billion. When Dell reported earnings in August, shares popped 4% after the company said AI server sales jumped 82% sequentially to $3.1 billion. AI sales are part of Dell's Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG), which makes servers and systems for data centers. It's Dell's fastest-growing unit. Total ISG revenue grew 38% to $11.65 billion. In an interview earlier this year at SXSW 2024, CEO Michael Dell told Patrick Moorhead from Moor Insights & Strategy that AI is still nascent and that data center capacity will have to expand by 100 times from current levels over the next 10 years. Watching Workday And Burlington Separately, results from ( ) will also be out late Tuesday. It's been a bit of a laggard in the enterprise software group with a of 56. Nonetheless, Workday is in position for a breakout try after a heavy-volume move above its 10-day moving average Thursday. Workday boasts a strong record of earnings and revenue growth. The stock gapped up sharply on Aug. 23 after the company reported better-than-expected bottom-line and top-line growth. Investors were also encouraged by comments from CFO Zane Rowe, who said the company's adjusted operating margin will expand to 30% in the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years. That was up from a prior forecast in September 2023, where the company said it was targeting a 25% adjusted operating margin. Meanwhile, after a string of positive earnings reports in the retail sector from ( ), ( ), ( ) and ( ), attention turns to top performer ( ). Burlington gapped out of a cup-with-handle base Friday, with earnings due early Tuesday. It's another retailer with a consistent track record of growth. Quarterly profit is seen rising 58% to $1.55 a share, with revenue up 12% to $2.55 billion. Annual return on equity is stellar at 44%. Options Trading Strategy A basic options trading strategy around earnings — using call options — allows you to buy a stock at a predetermined price without taking a lot of risk. Here's how the option trading strategy works, and what a call-option trade recently looked like for Dell stock. First, identify top-rated stocks with a bullish chart. Some might be setting up in sound early-stage bases. Further, others already might have broken out and are getting support at their for the first time. And a few might be trading tightly near highs and refusing to give up much ground. Avoid extended stocks that are too far past proper entry points. A call option is a bullish bet on a stock. Put options are bearish bets. One call option contract gives the holder the right to buy 100 shares of a stock at a specified price, known as the strike price. Once you've identified a bullish setup in the earnings calendar, check strike prices with your online trading platform, or at . Also, make sure the option is liquid with a relatively tight spread between the bid and ask. Look for a strike price just above the underlying stock price — that's out of the money — and check the premium. Ideally, the premium should not exceed 4% of the underlying stock price at the time. In some cases, an in-the-money strike price is OK as long as the premium isn't too expensive. Choose an expiration date that fits your risk objective. But keep in mind that time is money in the options market. Near-term expiration dates will have cheaper premiums than those further out. Buying time in the options market comes at a higher cost. Dell Stock Option Trade When Dell traded at around 143, a slightly out-of-the-money weekly call option with a 144 strike price and a Nov. 29 expiration came with a premium of around $7.25 per contract. That was 5% of the underlying stock price at the time and just above the 4% threshold of IBD's strategy. One contract gave the holder the right to buy 100 shares of Dell at 144 per share. The most that could be lost was $725 — the amount paid for the 100-share contract. To break even, Dell stock would need to rise to 151.25, factoring in the premium paid. The expected move in the options market for Dell, based on the at-the-money strike price of 143, was about 16 points up or down. This was determined by adding the at-the-money call premium to the put premium for the Nov. 22 contract, the expiration nearest the earnings report.

TMC the metals company Inc. Investors: Please contact the Portnoy Law Firm to recover your losses. January 7, 2025 Deadline to file Lead Plaintiff Motion.Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter plans to turn pro and prefers to continue a dual role, playing wide receiver and cornerback in the NFL. Hunter could be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and is the favorite for the Heisman Trophy. Speculation about his future quieted as he gained notoriety by the week this season. Field Level Media projects Hunter as a top-three pick in the draft, and he confirmed Thursday this will be his last season at the college level. "That's definitely for sure," Hunter said on a conference call with reporters. Hunter is consistently playing between 100 and 125 snaps per game for Colorado. He has three interceptions on defense with 74 receptions, 911 yards and nine touchdowns playing wideout for quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Also a projected early first-round pick, Sanders committed to play in the East-West Shrine Game in Dallas. The son of Colorado head coach and Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, Shedeur Sanders said Thursday he would cast a Heisman vote for Hunter. "If it's between me and him, I would want him to get it," Sanders said. "He does a lot of amazing things and things that haven't been done before. I'm not a selfish guy. I know what he's capable of, so I would rather him win." Hunter said he would invite his QB to New York if he's not named a Heisman finalist before they go about the business of finishing the season, possibly in the 12-team College Football Playoff. Shedeur Sanders said he's the best quarterback in the draft, and doesn't believe that's anything new. "I feel like I was the best quarterback in the last draft, too," said Shedeur Sanders. "Ever since I was draft eligible, I knew I'm the best quarterback. It's not up for me to prove myself to talking about why." Former teammates at Jackson State where Deion Sanders also coached, Hunter said he felt his draft stock began to rise only after critics moved past "the hate" for his coach. A flashy, charismatic cornerback in the NFL after starring at Florida State, Deion Sanders was the fifth overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Hall of Famers Troy Aikman (first, Cowboys), Barry Sanders (third, Lions) and Derrick Thomas (fourth, Chiefs) were chosen ahead of "Prime Time" along with offensive tackle Tony Mandarich (second, Packers). Hunter has picked the brain of Deion Sanders about a dual role in pro sports. Sanders was used selectively as a wide receiver and returned punts but was primarily a cornerback in addition to playing Major League Baseball. There's no base-stealing in Hunter's future, but he does believe he can push the envelope as a full-time two-way NFL player. "It's never been done," Hunter said. "I understand that it will be a high risk, (teams) don't want their top pick to go down too early, and I know they're going to want me to be in a couple packages. But I believe I can do it. Nobody has stopped me from doing it thus far. I like when people tell me I can't do it." --Field Level Media

The market cap of top six listed companies jumped ₹ 2 lakh crore last week while the Indian stock market benchmark indices — Sensex and Nifty 50 — extended their rally for a third consecutive week. The Canada police have arrested two people following the murder of an Indian student in the Edmonton area. Meanwhile Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a congratulatory message on Sunday as Pope Francis elevated an Indian priest to the post of cardinal. Farmers temporarily suspended their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on Sunday afternoon after several people were injured in a clash with the police. Syria civil war Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire on Sunday after a rapidfire rebellion ended 54 years of the Assad family. Syrian state television broadcast a video statement early Sunday by a group of rebels saying that Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been released. They called on people to preserve the institutions of “the free Syrian state”. The rebels later announced a curfew in Damascus from 4:00 pm to 5:00 am. Indian student shot dead in Canada An Indian Sikh student was shot dead in Edmonton while working as a security guard at an apartment building. The deceased was identified as 20-year-old Harshandeep Singh. The Canadian police have arrested two accused — Evan Rain and Judith Saulteaux, both 30-years-old — and charged them with first-degree murder. Pope Francis elevates Indian priest as cardinal Indian priest George Jacob Koovakad was elevated as a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church by Pope Francis on Sunday. PM Modi shared a congratulatory message via social media and dubbed it a matter of great joy and pride for India. Farmers protest suspended Protesting farmers temporarily suspended their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on Sunday afternoon after several people were injured in a clash with security personnel. A jatha of 101 farmers were stopped by the Haryana police soon after resuming their foot march from the Shambhu protest site to Delhi. Teargas shells were lobbed and water jets were shot through cannons to disperse the protesters after they reached the barricades. Market cap jumps by over ₹ 2 lakh crore The combined market valuation of six out of the top 10 most-valued Indian companies soared by ₹ 2,03,116.81 crore last week. Tata Consultancy Services and HDFC Bank emerged as the biggest gainers, riding the wave of a bullish trend that saw the BSE Sensex climbing 1,906.33 points (2.38%) and the NSE Nifty 50 advancing 546.7 points (2.26%). Stock market update Sensex and Nifty 50 extended their rally for the third consecutive week — ending December 6 with their largest weekly gains in six months. The uptrend was driven by positive momentum in global markets and an RBI policy announcement that aligned with market expectations. The domestic equity market received additional support from Foreign Portfolio Investors, who turned net buyers of Indian equities in the first week of December. Sonia Gandhi linked to George Soros Foundation The BJP has linked senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation. “Sonia Gandhi, as the Co-President of the FDL-AP Foundation, is linked to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation...This association between Sonia Gandhi and an organisation that has backed the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation expresses the influence of foreign entities on India’s internal affairs and the political impact of such connections,” the party wrote on X. Iltija Mufti sparks debate PDP leader Iltija Mufti sparked debate on Sunday after dubbing Hindutva a ‘disease’. The daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti however insisted that her comments had been deliberately distorted. The remarks came in response to a video where three minor boys were allegedly forced to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' and beaten by a man. (With inputs from agencies)

On Saturday, Nov. 23, two of hockey’s most promising youngsters will face off for the first time in the NHL. This matchup, between Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks and Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers, both 19 years old, has been a long time coming. What exactly makes this game, which will be at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, such a special one? Though taken six spots apart in the 2023 NHL Draft, they have been big names for quite some time . This won’t be the first time they’ve played against one another, either. 2021 Under-18 World Championship: Bedard and Michkov Clash for Gold The last time we were exposed to a Bedard and Michkov showdown was during this tournament. But for context, let’s rewind a bit. In their 2020-21 seasons at 15 and 16 years of age, these two were already top-end players for their junior leagues. Bedard was one of the top scorers in the Western Hockey League (WHL) as an exceptional status player . Albeit over a shortened campaign, he put up 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points in 15 games. Good for a rate of 1.87 points per game, he was already in the 99th percentile for scoring in a league with players up to five years older than him. Bedard’s unprecedented scoring pace made him a generational prospect—nobody has ever touched these numbers. Michkov, on the other hand, lit up Russia’s Junior Hockey League (MHL) to the tune of 38 goals and 56 points in 56 games, putting him first in the goal-scoring category despite being among the minority of players in their age-16 campaign. For reference, only three players in the MHL have scored at least 20 goals at that age: Michkov, 2025 draft-eligible Ivan Ryabkin (29), and reigning Art Ross Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov (24). Additionally, those are the only players with at least five games played to reach a point-per-game pace at 16 years old. This set up the 2021 World Championship for under-18 players, which took place from April 26 to May 6, 2021. How did our two superstar prospects perform, you may ask? The two “rivals” dominated. Connor Bedard says he and Matvei Michkov talk and text sometimes. They'll face each other tomorrow. "It's funny: When you're playing against people, you try to create a rivalry, but usually you're friends or you want to see the other guy succeed. I'm always rooting for him." In the end, the World Championship’s top three scorers were the following: Michkov (16 points; 12 goals, four assists), Bedard (14 points; seven goals, seven assists), and Shane Wright (14 points; nine goals, five assists). Because of their incredible showings, Michkov’s Russian club and Bedard’s Canadian club faced off for a chance at gold to seal what was an amazing tournament. The kids put together one of the most intense hockey games you’ll ever see. In a back-and-forth contest that saw both countries lead, Canada pulled away with the victory, 5-3. Michkov scored the opening goal and tallied two assists for three points, while Bedard answered Michkov’s goal with a beauty of his own and set up Wright for an empty-net heartbreaker in the final minute. While he had to settle for silver, Michkov was still named the tournament’s MVP for his jaw-dropping performances. Bedard led his country to the ultimate prize and put up similar numbers, so both sides showed the world that they’d be a fun duo to go first and second overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. Blackhawks and Flyers Hit the Jackpot Except, the last part didn’t happen. Bedard went first overall to the Blackhawks, a team on a mission to land him , but Michkov wasn’t taken until seventh overall by the Flyers. Why? Well, it certainly wasn’t performance. Bedard cruised to 143 points in 57 games in 2022-23 in the WHL, the highest point-per-game total for a 17-year-old in history. He was a human highlight reel for the Regina Pats, putting on a clinic for a rather underwhelming team (they barely won half of their games). As for Michkov, he moved on to the Supreme Hockey League (VHL), playing with professionals. In 12 games, his 10 goals and four assists for 14 points made him one of the best players in the league despite his young age. Among players with at least 10 games played, he was first in goals per game and second in points per game. Clearly too talented for the VHL, he moved on to Russia’s top league, the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). There, he put up the best point-per-game pace (0.67) of a player in their draft year in history, with 20 points in 30 games. If we just look at the numbers and the talent of Michkov as a player, he probably should’ve been regarded as highly as Bedard. However, there were a variety of reasons why he wasn’t. Russian politics, being under contract through the 2025-26 season in the KHL, seen as a bad teammate , and in a draft class with many high-end talents who had lower risk attached to them, the Flyers got to scoop him up at seventh. But that doesn’t erase the history. In 2023-24, Bedard got a head start on his NHL career, winning the Calder Trophy by putting up 61 points in 68 games with the Blackhawks. Serving his contract in the KHL, Michkov had 41 points in 48 games, putting him in the 96th percentile in points per game (0.85) among forwards with at least 10 appearances. Bedard was pulling ahead, but Michkov was still on a superstar trajectory. Bedard and Michkov in the Present Thankfully for the NHL world, Michkov’s KHL contract was terminated two years early . This meant he was able to join the Flyers in 2024-25, setting us up for where we are today—awaiting his duel with Bedard. Now that they’re in the same league, we can compare the two youngsters. Michkov has been red-hot, putting up six goals and nine assists for 15 points in 18 games with a minus-3 rating. Bedard is right there with him, sitting on three goals and 12 assists for 15 points in 20 games with a minus-6 rating. Both the Flyers (8-10-2 record) and Blackhawks (7-12-1 record) have had underwhelming offenses to this point, but these two have done all they can to fix that. This matchup could be one of many. Though it’s a contest between clubs at the bottom of the standings, there will be eyes on both Bedard and Michkov as they face one another for the first time in over three years. Stats courtesy of QuantHockey This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.PARIS — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. People stand outside Notre-Dame Cathedral on Nov. 29 in Paris. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The vaulted ceiling of the Notre-Dame cathedral is seen Nov. 29 in Paris. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, US first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. France's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral is formally reopening its doors on Saturday for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed ... As the cathedral’s largest bell, the 13-ton Emmanuel — which was not named after the French leader — tolled into the Paris night, signaling the start of the ceremony, the crowd inside Notre Dame fell into an expectant hush. Emmanuel, a legacy of King Louis XIV, had rung through centuries of French history, and its peal now resonated as a call to witness another epochal moment. Outside the cathedral’s monumental doors, Ulrich raised his fire-scarred crosier. “Brothers and sisters, let us enter now into Notre Dame,” he declared. “It is she who accompanies us on our path to peace.” With the congregation of over 2,500 people watching in silence, Ulrich struck the floodlit doors, the base of his crosier reverberating against the wood. Inside, the choir answered with soaring hymns, their voices filling the nave. Illuminations on the cathedral facade heightened the drama. On the final strike, the heavy doors swung open, revealing the glowing interior of restored blond Lutetian limestone. Adding to the ceremony’s visual splendor, Ulrich and the clergy wore vibrant liturgical garments designed by French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Known for his signature pop-art aesthetic, Castelbajac created 2,000 colorful pieces for 700 celebrants, blending modern elements with medieval touches. Flooded with light and song, the cathedral came alive in a moment of breathtaking spectacle. What had been a silent, soot-blackened ruin five years ago now blazed with renewed vitality, marking the culmination of a nearly $1 billion global effort to resurrect it. Speaking inside the cathedral, Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped, and rebuilt Notre Dame, his voice reverberating through the nave. People gather near France's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, hours before formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, on Saturday in Paris. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” he said, before voices flooded the space with song, harmonies not heard in over five years. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” cascading through the luminous interior to Parisians, France, and the world beyond, he said. The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to the embattled French leader, whose prime minister was ousted this week, plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. Macron has called Notre Dame’s reopening “a jolt of hope.” Observers say he hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership — a rare moment of grace in a presidency now facing a grave crisis. Inside Notre Dame, 42,000 square meters of stonework—equivalent to six soccer pitches—gleamed anew, revealing intricate carvings and luminous limestone. Above, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” restored the cathedral’s iconic spire and roof. The great organ, dormant for over five years, roared back to life like a slumbering giant. With its 7,952 pipes—ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide—and a renovated console featuring five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, it responded to Archbishop Laurent Ulrich’s command: “Wake up, organ, sacred instrument.” Notre Dame's thunderous great organ was heard in public for the first time since 2019 at the cathedral's reopening ceremony Saturday night. The first low rumble grew into a triumphant symphony as four organists pulled out the stops, weaving improvised responses to the archbishop’s invocations. Eight times, Ulrich addressed the organ; eight times, its voice filled the nave with breathtaking sound. Guests marveled at the spectacle, many capturing the moment on their phones. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, who last saw the cathedral cloaked in scaffolding in 2021. “It was somber then. Now, it’s night and day.” The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian priest who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Olivier Ribadeau Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument — it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail followed Trump. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. People stand outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, Friday Nov. 29 2024 before French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8. (Sarah Meyssonnier, Pool via AP) The tabernacle of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) The vaulted ceiling of the Notre-Dame cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Paris. (Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool via AP) Windows in the heart of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral are seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) People stroll in Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors the monument, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) French President Emmanuel Macron, center, and his wife Brigitte Macron visit the restored interiors of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) French President Emmanuel Macron, third right, and his wife Brigitte Macron visit the restored interiors of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) People gather as French President Emmanuel Macron visits the renovated Notre Dame Cathedral Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he visits the restored interiors of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) The nave, the western Rose window and the organ of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral are seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) A man takes a picture of Notre Dame Cathedral as French President Emmanuel Macron visits the renovated cathedral, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) The nave of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) People stroll in Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors the monument, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) The South Rose stainglass window of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) The South Rose stainglass window of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) The nave of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Part of the nave and the organ of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral are seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) The altar designed by French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet is seen in the heart of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) The altar designed by French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet is seen in the heart of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) The facade of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris, is seen Friday Nov. 29, 2024, ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) The facade of Notre-Dame Cathedral is seen in Paris, Friday Nov., 29 2024 ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Part of the facade of Notre-Dame Cathedral is seen in Paris, Friday Nov., 29 2024 ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) People stand inside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, Friday Nov. 29 2024 before French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8. (Sarah Meyssonnier, Pool via AP) Get local news delivered to your inbox!ACA.stmgirlshoops.112624.567.jpg