NEW YORK (AP) — Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa scored 27 points as Columbia beat Fairfield 85-72 on Saturday night. De La Rosa shot 8 of 15 from the field, including 5 for 11 from 3-point range, and went 6 for 6 from the line for the Lions (11-1). Avery Brown shot 5 of 8 from the field and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line to add 16 points. Kenny Noland went 5 of 12 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) to finish with 15 points. The Stags (5-8, 1-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) were led by Louis Bleechmore, who recorded 12 points. Fairfield also got 12 points and seven assists from Jamie Bergens. Deon Perry had 12 points and five assists. Columbia's next game is Monday against Rutgers on the road, and Fairfield visits Merrimack on Friday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
The passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh, architect of economic reforms is truly the end of an era. His style of leadership exemplified simplicity, dignity and grace, and of seeking consensus. As Prime Minister for two terms from 2004 till 2014, he led two coalition governments but achieved a lot in terms of landmark legislations and a high economic growth. In that aspect, his tenure can be compared to that of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who too led a government with 23 coalition partners. This week marked the 100 th birth anniversary of Vajpayee. There is a telling comment that Vajpayee left in the visitors’ book after the death of Vice President Krishna Kant. Paying a tribute to Kant, Vajpayee wrote in Hindi, in his decorative impeccable handwriting, “here was a beautiful lotus flower which bloomed despite being in the cesspool of politics”. These remarks are equally applicable to Manmohan Singh—a scholar, economist, and statesman whose life embodied dignity, intellect, and humility. From humble beginnings to eminence Dr. Singh’s journey is truly inspirational. Born in a small village in undivided Punjab, he was raised by his grandparents under frugal means. His early life was shaped by the upheaval of Partition. Displaced by the chaos, Singh rose through sheer perseverance to achieve academic excellence. He earned scholarships to study at Cambridge and Oxford. At Cambridge, he topped the Economics Tripos and received the Adam Smith Prize, a rare accolade for an Indian. At Cambridge, Singh’s intellectual rigor won him admiration from renowned economists like Joan Robinson and Nicholas Kaldor. His doctoral thesis on India’s export prospects challenged the prevalent pessimism. His book, “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth” (1964), became a seminal work. It advocated for export-driven growth. Decades later, India’s economic trajectory would vindicate his vision. Singh’s career spanned academia, administration, and politics. He began as a professor at the Delhi School of Economics. Later, he held roles like Chief Economic Advisor, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission. After that was as Finance Minister and then two terms as Prime Minister. His career reflected academic brilliance, administrative acumen, political savvy and governance expertise. No other economist has had such a breathtaking career and meteoric rise. Architect of economic reforms Dr. Singh’s appointment as Finance Minister in 1991 was a turning point for India. Faced with a severe balance-of-payments crisis, Singh unleashed bold economic reforms. These included dismantling the license raj, deregulating banking, and opening the economy to trade and foreign investment. In his maiden budget speech in 1991, Singh quoted Victor Hugo: “No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come.” That idea was the emergence of India as an economic power. He ensured that the bold reforms were supported by expert committees and consultation which gave a robust foundation. The committees included the Raja Chelliah Committee for tax reforms and the Narasimham Committee for financial sector reforms. These reforms resolved the crisis and paved the way for sustained growth. India’s GDP growth rates soared. By the end of Singh’s two terms as Prime Minister, India had joined the league of $2 trillion economies. Decency and statesmanship in leadership Dr. Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister (2004–2014) further cemented his legacy. His leadership style, marked by consensus-building and quiet determination, led to landmark legislation. These included the Right to Information Act, MGNREGA, and the rollout of Aadhaar. He also showed political courage by staking his government’s survival on the Indo-US civil nuclear deal. Singh’s integrity and humility were his hallmarks. Stories abound of his simple lifestyle and ethical conduct. As Finance Minister, after devaluing the rupee, he donated the windfall to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. When he lost a Lok Sabha election and had borrowed funds for his campaign, he promptly repaid the loan. A scholar’s evolving vision Singh’s views evolved over time. Early in his career, he was a staunch advocate of free trade and market-oriented reforms. As Prime Minister, his policies leaned toward welfarism. This reflected a nuanced understanding of growing income inequalities and the need for a safety net. His balance between market liberalization and social welfare showed pragmatism and intellectual honesty. His open-mindedness echoed John Maynard Keynes’s dictum: “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?” Singh’s readiness to adapt ensured that his policies remained relevant. He addressed both economic crises and social inequities. Global leadership and legacy Dr. Singh’s influence extended beyond India. As Secretary-General of the South Commission, he championed South-South cooperation. This role prepared him for leading coalition governments at home. It also shaped his approach to multilateral diplomacy. Under his leadership, India became a key player in global forums like the G20. His tenure amplified India’s voice on issues like climate change and trade. His commitment to inclusive and sustainable development was evident. Criticism and the judgment of history Like any public figure, Singh faced criticism. His tenure as Prime Minister saw allegations of corruption within his coalition government. This led to a perception of weakness. Yet, even his harshest critics acknowledged his personal incorruptibility and sincerity. He often responded to detractors with silence, describing it as maintaining their dignity. Dr. Singh’s career is a testament to the genius of India’s democracy. It shows how individuals from modest beginnings can rise to power. His legacy is one of dedication, scholarship, and decency. He believed in the transformative power of ideas and hard work. As the nation bids farewell to this “gentleman leader,” his words resonate: history will judge him kindly. For in Dr. Manmohan Singh, India had a leader who symbolized quiet strength, relentless intellect, and unshakable integrity. Dr. Ajit Ranade is a noted economist. (Syndicate: The Billion Press), /PRNewswire/ -- We will release our fourth-quarter 2024 results on , and webcast a conference call to discuss results. (NYSE:T) will release its fourth-quarter 2024 results before the New York Stock Exchange opens on . The company's earnings release and related materials will be available at . 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COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Tafara Gapare scored 19 points, freshman Derik Queen had 15 points and eight rebounds and Maryland beat Bucknell 91-67 on Wednesday night. Maryland opened the game on a 15-2 run, extended it to 25-7 with 10:38 left and led 51-28 at the break. The Terrapins led by at least 16 points the entire second half, which included runs of 12-0 and 9-0. Gapare scored the 10 straight points during the second-half run. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest sports news delivered right to your inbox six days a week.Rams WR Demarcus Robinson not suspended, will play Sunday after arrest on DUI suspicionSeventy-five years ago, on November 26, the Constitution of India was adopted. The longest-written Constitution of any sovereign country in the world embodies the sacrifices, hopes, and ideals of a nation reborn. Two manuscripts, one in English and another in Hindi, meticulously crafted by Prem Behari Narain Raizada and brought to life with the artistry of Nandalal Bose, are more than ink and parchment papers. Its pages come alive with the imagery that journeys from the ancient marvels of Mohenjo Daro and the spiritual wisdom of the Vedic age to the indomitable spirit of India’s freedom movement. Every stroke of ink represents the promise of a democratic republic. As we celebrate the 75th Samvidhan Diwas, we must also acknowledge the potential fragility of these nation’s treasures. Time, indifferent to sentiment, threatens even the most resilient creations, and the original calligraphed copies of the Constitution, bearing the signatures of its founding fathers, are no exception. While high-quality digital versions are readily available online, and countless transcripts exist in books and manuscripts, the two original copies remain invaluable treasures that must be preserved for posterity. This is where science plays a crucial role. In the mid-1980s, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) stepped in to safeguard these legacies. Over the next few years, CSIR-NPL navigated through the challenging aspects of constructing safe receptacles that can preserve the original hand written manuscripts of the Constitution of India. The display cases needed a hermetic seal with mechanical strength to withstand varying humidity, temperatures and oxygen level and the durability to endure the test of time. After years of meticulous effort, the CSIR-NPL, in collaboration with the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), US, successfully installed the ‘hermetically sealed glass cases’ at the Parliament Library in 1994. These hermetically sealed receptacles are designed to maintain a controlled micro-environment of less than 1% oxygen and humidified nitrogen with 40-50% relative humidity. The display cases, containing the English and Hindi versions of the Constitution of India, are placed in a vault-like climate-controlled room in the library of the Parliament of India. Each case is individually mounted on polished stainless-steel stands, enclosed in varnished teak cabinets that conceal the metal frames. The stands and cabinets were custom-built at CSIR-NPL. Furthermore, these receptacles are evaluated periodically by a team of NPL scientists, and the Parliament Library monitors them every week. By preserving the Constitution of India for posterity, we honour the dreams of those who envisioned a free and democratic India and reaffirm our commitment to the values that continue to shape our nation today and forever. Jitendra Singh is Union minister of state (independent charge) ministry of science & technology, (independent charge) ministry of earth sciences; MoS PMO, ministry of personnel DoPT, administrative reforms, public grievances & pensions, department of atomic energy and department of space, Government of India. The views expressed are personal
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PLYMOUTH — A 76-yard rushing score from Foxboro High’s Ben Angelini with 36 seconds to go in the game lifted the Warriors over Hanover High to punch No. 3 Foxboro’s ticket for the Division 5 Super Bowl with a 14-7 victory last Friday. The play, which was a draw to Angelini, was one that brought Foxboro head coach Jack Martinelli a jubilant outlook on the sideline. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Pope to skip Notre Dame opening in Paris for Corsica visit
In the ever-evolving world of gaming and technology, Tesla’s influence extends beyond its revolutionary electric vehicles. The recent surge in Tesla’s after-hours stock price has caught the attention of investors worldwide, and gamers have reasons to take note as well. Tesla’s performance in after-hours trading has shown a strong upward trend, spurred by innovative strides in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and gaming technologies within the automotive sector. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, recently unveiled new features that bridge the gap between gaming and driving, making Tesla cars even more attractive to tech-savvy users. Game developers are exploring opportunities to collaborate with Tesla, leveraging its advanced AI systems to create immersive, in-car gaming experiences. These potential partnerships could revolutionize the gaming industry, offering gamers a new platform to engage with interactive content while on the move. Enhanced in-car gaming has prompted analysts to predict an increase in Tesla’s stock value, contributing to its surge in after-hours trading. The rise in Tesla’s stock can also be attributed to speculation about future technological advancements that might further blur the lines between traditional gaming rigs and vehicle entertainment systems. As developers design games optimized for Tesla’s onboard technology, gamers stand to benefit from these pioneering advances. The implications of Tesla’s stock surge extend beyond financial markets. This shift towards integrating AI and gaming in vehicles could herald a new era for the industry, inviting gamers to look at Tesla not just as a car manufacturer, but as a vital player in the future of gaming technology. Tesla’s New Game-Changing Move: The Future of In-Car Gaming Unveiled In a bold leap that ties together automotive innovation and the gaming industry, Tesla is once again at the forefront of technological advancements, impacting both investors and gaming enthusiasts alike. This convergence of interests presents a myriad of exciting possibilities and intriguing challenges. Features: The Integration of AI and Gaming Tesla’s foray into blending artificial intelligence with gaming is paving the way for a highly interactive driving experience. The vehicles are becoming sophisticated platforms for immersive entertainment, using cutting-edge AI to enhance gameplay and personalization. The potential for seamless integration of these features proposes a revolutionary shift in both automotive and gaming experiences. Innovations: A Collaborative Future Game developers are eyeing this burgeoning opportunity to create games specifically designed for Tesla’s advanced operating systems. Collaborations with Tesla could lead to the creation of unique, in-car gaming experiences that take advantage of the hardware and software capabilities inherent in Tesla vehicles. These partnerships may redefine in-car entertainment, setting new standards across the industry. Market Analysis: Impact on Tesla’s Stock Tesla’s exploration into gaming has had noticeable effects on its stock performance, particularly with its recent after-hours trading surge. This movement can be tied to investor confidence in Tesla’s ability to innovate and capture emerging market opportunities. With its stock gaining value, Tesla proves its appeal not only as a leading electric vehicle manufacturer but also as a groundbreaking tech innovator. Potential Limitations and Controversies Despite the enthusiasm surrounding Tesla’s expansion into gaming, this new venture is not without its limitations and debates. Concerns about driver distraction and the safety implications of in-car gaming must be addressed head-on. Regulations and technological safeguards will be critical to ensure that gameplay does not interfere with driving functionality. Predictions: The Road Ahead Looking forward, there is a strong possibility that Tesla will continue to expand its influence in the gaming sector. The developments of AI-driven, engaging in-vehicle entertainment systems may set a trend that other car manufacturers follow, creating an entirely new niche market. As Tesla forges this path, it could become a key player in the future of gaming technology and vehicular experiences. For those interested in further exploring Tesla’s technological advancements and market trajectory, more information can be found on the Tesla website .
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Saturday decided to constitute a high-powered commission to settle land disputes between warring tribes in Kurram district amid a prevalent tense situation that saw 18 killed in fresh clashes. Efforts were underway today with a jirga meeting held to restore peace in Kurram district as 18 more people were killed and another 30 injured in fresh clashes. The violence followed Thursday’s deadly attack , when a convoy of around 200 vehicles came under heavy gunfire in Kurram’s densely populated Bagan town, killing at least 43 people and injuring 16 others. The convoy was carrying passengers between Peshawar and Parachinar city, which is in Kurram, a district near the Afghanistan border with a history of sectarian violence and land disputes. Kurram District Health Officer Dr Qaisar Abbas confirmed the casualties to Dawn.com , adding that nine patients would be referred to Peshawar by air ambulance as they were in serious condition. The KP government sent a high-level delegation to Kurram to improve the security situation in the area, comprising KP Law Minister Aftab Alam, KP Chief Secretary (CS) Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, the Kohat Division commissioner and deputy inspector general of police, and other high-level officials. The delegation was tasked to take measures to improve the security situation and also make efforts to utilise the local jirga for the purpose. Alam said that recommendations would be forwarded to the chief minister. He said that all departments were making tireless efforts to improve the law and order situation in Kurram. Talking to Dawn.com after a jirga meeting comprising high-level officials, Alam said: “KP government [has] decided to constitute a high-powered commission to settle land disputes among the warring tribes in Kurram.” He said a government delegation held a meeting with and spoke to various stakeholders in Kurram, saying that the biggest issue in the district was land disputes. “There were very positive meetings with one stakeholder group and the government delegation was assured of cooperation. “A report will be made on all the incidents taking place in Kurram and presented to the chief minister and other senior officials,” he said. Alam said a new high-level commission would be established to resolve the Kurram disputes since all commissions and committees previously formed were not acceptable to any of the parties. “This time, the commission will be formed according to the wishes of the parties,” he said, adding that it would be acceptable to everyone. Alam said the land disputes between the various groups in Kurram were being given the colour of sectarian riots, adding that it was wrong to do so. The provincial law minister said the report on Kurram’s issues would also be presented in a meeting of the apex committee. Meanwhile, KP government spokesperson Barrister Dr Muhammad Ali Saif said the government delegation held a jirga with district elders on KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s instructions. “Efforts are being made to resolve all issues amicably to end the tension. Detailed meetings were held with Shia leaders today, positive discussions were held to resolve the issues. Meetings will also be held with Sunni leaders in the next phase,” he said. Saif added that the government’s first priority was to establish a ceasefire between the warring sides and establish lasting peace. “The KP CM has clear instructions that all issues should be resolved through dialogue.” Sajid Hussain Turi, a former PPP MNA from Kurram and one of the meeting’s participants, told Dawn.com after the jirga that KP Inspector General of Police (IG) Akhtar Hayat Khan Gandapur, CS Chaudhry and others attended the jirga meeting. He lamented that the security provided to the convoy that was attacked was less than the required amount. Turi said another round of talks was scheduled for tomorrow, with provincial government officials, military officials and others expected to attend. “The jirga came to a decision that they will discuss with the chief minister, the corps commander and the federal government,” Turi said. “It is very important to have both sides present.” He added that there was a jirga being planned in lower Kurram, but maintained that there needed to be a ceasefire for that to happen. “We have been very clear, we will not do anything without a ceasefire,” he said. “We have ceased fire from our side.” He said the KP chief secretary, Barrister Saif, Alam, KP IG and brigade commander would also attend tomorrow’s meeting. Turi did not confirm if CM Gandapur would be present. “The government needs to ensure that there is peace like there was five years ago,” Turi added. “We will not do anything without a peaceful environment.” He added that the above was a key demand from local residents in the region. “The locals’ biggest demand is peace and safety,” he said. “Locals have demanded that we open roads. The locals want the roads opened and the state responsible for their security.” According to Turi, all roads in the district were currently closed. He added that the Turi tribe was “open to negotiations, but will not negotiate with the TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) or Daesh (Islamic State)”, mentioning that they have a presence in lower and central Kurram. Turi added that there were no demands for the withdrawal of army or Rangers personnel. When asked if he was in contact with CM Gandapur, Turi replied that Barrister Saif said he would speak with the chief minister. He added that he already had channels of communication open with the corps commander. Turi continued, “We will speak with the interior ministry, so far they have not indicated that they will come to KP.” He said the Turi and Bangash tribes were part of today’s talks. Kurram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Javedullah Mehsud said efforts were being made to re-establish peace in the area, reiterating yesterday’s statement. DC Mehsud said officials of security forces and local administration attended the meeting convened at the DC Conference Hall. “With the help of local elders, forces and the administration, peace will be established as soon as possible,” the official said. According to witnesses, the vehicles in Thursday’s attack were ambushed from four sides. Muhammad, a 14-year-old survivor, told Dawn that the assault lasted around 30 minutes. Authorities said that the victims included seven women and three children, with 16 others injured — 11 of whom are in critical condition. Sajid Kazmi, a leader of Majlis-i-Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, demanded the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate the attack. No group had immediately claimed responsibility for the incident. Speculation also surrounds the involvement of the TTP, which has recently been active in Lower Kurram, prompting fears among the residents. But government officials attributed the incident to the ongoing land dispute, ruling out sectarian motives. A press release issued from CM Gandapur’s office said that he held an online meeting via video link with the government delegation after the jirga and reviewed the current situation in the district while being briefed on today’s developments. The government delegation also presented its initial report to the chief minister. It informed the chief minister about the suggestions and demands of the Shia elders it met today, adding that a similar meeting would be held with Sunni elders on Sunday. “The provincial government is making serious efforts for a peaceful and sustainable solution to the Kurram conflict. I am personally monitoring the situation in Kurram,” CM Gandapur said, adding that Thursday’s incident was “extremely regrettable and condemnable” and he shared in the grief of the affected families. “Efforts are being made to ensure that such tragic incidents do not recur. The provincial government will decide the future course of action in the light of consultation with the elders of the area. “Whatever the legitimate demands of the parties are will definitely be fulfilled. The government delegation should sit with the parties and the elders of the area and present final proposals,” he said. CM Gandapur stressed that a ceasefire in the area was indispensable to move towards resolving the conflict and urged all parties to observe one so that progress could be made towards ending current tensions. “Regional elders and elders should fully cooperate with the government delegation and local administration in this regard. Establishing peace in the region is the top priority of the provincial government at present, all available options will be utilised for this purpose. “Negotiation is the best way to resolve all issues, we will find a peaceful solution to the issue through a jirga,” he was quoted as saying by the statement. Earlier today, reports circulated in the media about an alleged firing attack on the government delegation’s helicopter in Parachinar, causing it to land. A statement was also issued from the KP governor’s office condemning the alleged incident. However, Alam told Dawn.com that the news was “baseless” and nothing of the sort happened. “No such incident has occurred. The news of the firing on the helicopter is false. The government delegation, including me, is safe,” he said. Turi, who was also aboard the helicopter, similarly denied any firing incident to Dawn.com . According to him, the reports of a firing incident were entirely baseless and a product of propaganda spread by news channels without proper authentication. Businesses, educational institutions and markets remained closed across Parachinar and surrounding areas on Friday. An administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that mobile signals across the Kurram district had been shut down, describing the situation as “extremely tense”. The official also said a curfew had been “imposed on the main road connecting Upper and Lower Kurram”. Thousands of people participated in a sit-in in Parachinar, where protesters criticised the government’s failure to protect civilians. Hundreds also demonstrated in Lahore and Karachi. Funerals for the victims, including journalist Janan Hussain, a member of the Parachinar Press Club, were held in their respective villages before Friday prayers. Hussain had recently returned from Malaysia. The attack was widely condemned, including by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari, as well as political parties . Previous clashes in July and September had claimed dozens of lives and were resolved only after tribal councils brokered ceasefires. Additional input from APP.Barkley says he and Eagles offensive line players are in rhythmShedeur Sanders sends a clear NFL Draft message with his final Buffaloes game cleats
DAMASCUS (AP) — Exuberant Syrians observed the first Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad , gathering in the capital's historic main mosque, its largest square and around the country to celebrate the end of half a century of authoritarian rule. The newly installed interim prime minister delivered the sermon at the Umayyad Mosque, declaring that a new era of “freedom, dignity and justice” was dawning for Syria. The gatherings illustrated the dramatic changes that have swept over Syria less than a week after insurgents marched into Damascus and toppled Assad. Amid the jubilation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with allies around the region and called for an “inclusive and non-sectarian” interim government. Blinken arrived in Iraq on a previously unannounced stop after talks in Jordan and Turkey, which backs some of the Syrian insurgent factions. So far, U.S. officials have not talked of direct meetings with Syria's new rulers. The main insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has worked to establish security and start a political transition after seizing Damascus early Sunday. The group has tried to reassure a public both stunned by Assad's fall and concerned about extremist jihadis among the rebels. Insurgent leaders say the group has broken with its extremist past, though HTS is still labeled a terrorist group by the United States and European countries. HTS's leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, appeared in a video message Friday congratulating “the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution.” “I invite them to head to the squares to show their happiness without shooting bullets and scaring people,” he said. “And then after, we will work to build this country, and as I said in the beginning, we will be victorious by the help of God.” Huge crowds, including some insurgents, packed the historic Umayyad Mosque in the capital's old city, many waving the rebel opposition flag — with its three red stars — which has swiftly replaced the Assad-era flag with with its two green stars. Syrian state television reported that the sermon was delivered by Mohammed al-Bashir, the interim prime minister installed by HTS this week. The scene resonated on multiple levels. The mosque, one of the world's oldest dating back some 1,200 years, is a beloved symbol of Syria, and sermons there like all mosque sermons across Syria were tightly controlled under Assad's rule. Also, in the early days of the anti-government uprising in 2011, protesters would leave Friday prayers to march in rallies against Assad before he launched a brutal crackdown that turned the uprising into a long and bloody civil war. “I didn’t step foot in Umayyad Mosque since 2011," because of the tight security controls around it, said one worshipper, Ibrahim al-Araby. “Since 11 or 12 years, I haven’t been this happy.” Another worshipper, Khair Taha, said there was “fear and trepidation for what’s to come. But there is also a lot of hope that now we have a say and we can try to build.” Blocks away in Damascus' biggest roundabout, named Umayyad Square, thousands gathered, including many families with small children — a sign of how, so far at least, the country's transformation has not caused violent instability. “Unified Syria to build Syria,” the crowd chanted. Some shouted slurs against Assad and his late father, calling them pigs, an insult that would have previously led to offenders being hauled off to one of the feared detention centers of Assad’s security forces. One man in the crowd, 51-year-old Khaled Abu Chahine — originally from the southern province of Daraa, where the 2011 uprising first erupted — said he hoped for “freedom and coexistence between all Syrians, Alawites, Sunnis, Shiites and Druze.” The interim prime minister, al-Bashir, had been the head of a de facto administration created by HTS in Idlib, the opposition's enclave in northwest Syria. The rebels were bottled up in Idlib for years before fighters broke out in a shock offensive and marched across Syria in 10 days. Story continues below video Similar scenes of joy unfolded in other major cities, including in Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Raqqa. Al-Sharaa, HTS' leader, has promised to bring a pluralistic government to Syria, seeking to dispel fears among many Syrians — especially its many minority communities — that the insurgents will impose a hard-line, extremist rule. Another key factor will be winning international recognition for a new government in a country where multiple foreign powers have their hands in the mix. The Sunni Arab insurgents who overthrew Assad did so with vital help from Turkey, a longtime foe of the U.S.-backed Kurds . Turkey controls a strip of Syrian territory along the shared border and backs an insurgent faction uneasily allied to HTS — and is deeply opposed to any gains by Syria's Kurds. In other developments, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey’s Embassy in Damascus would reopen Saturday for the first time since 2012, when it closed due to the Syrian civil war. The U.S. has troops in eastern Syria to combat remnants of the Islamic State group and supports Kurdish-led fighters who rule most of the east. Since Assad's fall, Israel has bombed sites all over Syria, saying it is trying to prevent weapons from falling into extremist hands. It has also seized a swath of southern Syria along the border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, calling it a buffer zone. After talks with Fidan, Blinken said there was “broad agreement” between Turkey and the U.S. on what they would like to see in Syria. That starts with an "interim government in Syria, one that is inclusive and non-sectarian and one that protects the rights of minorities and women” and does not “pose any kind of threat to any of Syria’s neighbors,” Blinken said. Fidan said the priority was “establishing stability in Syria as soon as possible, preventing terrorism from gaining ground, and ensuring that IS and the PKK aren’t dominant” — referring to the Islamic State group and the Kurdistan Workers Party. Ankara considers the PKK within Turkey's borders a terrorist group, as it does the Kurdish-backed forces in Syria backed by the U.S. A U.S. official said that in Ankara, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Fidan both told Blinken that Kurdish attacks on Turkish positions would require a response. The official spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss private diplomatic talks. The U.S. has been trying to limit such incidents in recent days and had helped organize an agreement to prevent confrontations around the northern Syrian town of Manbij, which was taken by Turkey-backed opposition fighters from the U.S.-backed Kurdish forces earlier this week. In Baghdad, Blinken met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, saying both countries wanted to ensure the Islamic State group — also known by its Arabic acronym Daesh — doesn't exploit Syria's transition to re-emerge. “Having put Daesh back in its box, we can’t let it out, and we’re determined to make sure that that doesn’t happen," Blinken said. The U.S. official who briefed reporters said that Blinken had impressed upon al-Sudani the importance of Iraq exercising its full sovereignty over its territory and airspace to stop Iran from transporting weapons and equipment to Syria, either for Assad supporters or onward to the militant Hezbollah group in Lebanon. Lee reported from Ankara, Turkey. Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed to this report.
Daily Post Nigeria Buni approves N70,000 minimum wage in Yobe Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport News Buni approves N70,000 minimum wage in Yobe Published on November 23, 2024 By Shehu Usman Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni has approved the payment of N70,000 as minimum wage to civil servants in the state. The implementation of the new salary scale will commence in December 2024. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesman, Mamman Mohammed, and made available to newsmen on Saturday. According to the statement, the approval is contained in a memo signed by the governor following recommendations by the Committee on Minimum Wage constituted by the state government. “The committee had recommended for a reconciliation of local government finances to ensure a hitch free transition process of the local government councils from the existing salary structure to the new minimum wage. “The reconciliation process, which is nearing completion, is expected to be concluded soon for approval, and quick enrolment of the local government employees into the new minimum wage salary structure,” the statement added. The statement noted that civil servants in the state are expected to reciprocate the gesture by putting in their best to ensure effective and efficient service delivery. Related Topics: Buni Minimum wage yobe Don't Miss NECO accredits more foreign schools for SSCE, BECE You may like Ignore fake strike notice, we did not issue it – NLC to civil servants in Yobe Minimum wage: Zamfara NLC threatens indefinite strike Troops kill notorious terrorist in Yobe, neutralise 114 others nationwide Yobe: NSCDC arrests four suspected vandals, uncover over 100 motorcycles hidden in FG’s silos Hisbah destroys 170 bottles of confiscated liquor in Yobe Minimum Wage: Labour postpones planned strike in Cross River Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media LtdTuesday's Transactions