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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Kirill Marchenko scored with 2:12 left in regulation, and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 on Monday night for their second straight home win, rallying after blowing a pair of two-goal leads. Dmitri Vorokov scored twice to extend his point streak to five games, and Kent Johnson added a goal. Jordan Harris netted his first goal for Columbus, while Zach Werenski and Sean Monahan each had three assists. Marchenko also had two assists. Jet Greaves made 27 saves, as the Blue Jackets snapped a seven-game losing streak against Montreal dating to Nov. 23, 2022. David Savard and Jake Evans each had a goal and an assist for the Canadiens, and Lane Hutson scored to stretch his point streak to six games. Joel Armia also scored, Cole Caufield contributed two assists, and Sam Montembeault made 27 saves. Montreal had won three straight. Takeaways Montreal: The Habs fought back after being down in the first two periods, but could not close the door. Trailing after the first period seems a sure sign the Canadiens are headed for a loss, as they are 0-11-1 when trying to come from behind. Columbus: The Blue Jackets showed intensity early and late. Despite wasting a two-goal lead for the second consecutive game, they brought the crowd to its feet with a pair of third-period goals and late-game heroics from Greaves. Key Moment Voronkov scored 14 seconds into a third period power-play to pull Columbus even after it fell behind with Armia's score 20 seconds into the last frame. Marchenko’s goal, his third point of the night, finally brought the win home. Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault, left, makes a stop in front of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko, center, and defenseman Lane Hutson during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. Credit: AP/Paul Vernon Key Stat Marchenko extended his point streak to six games, and Werenski set a franchise record with points in 11 straight home games. Up Next The Canadiens visit Florida on Saturday, and the Blue Jackets host Boston on Friday night.
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Al Qaeda affiliated HTS had remained in control of Idlib province for years under Turkish protection and in the latest push group has reached the center of Aleppo, reports said Saturday. Syrian army had only taken Aleppo back from rebels in a battle during the summer of 2016 with the help of Lebanese Hezbollah. The operations were launched with meticulous coordination among different factions of Islamist groups, focusing on strategic targets. Although the timing of the attacks was unexpected, evidence suggests that preparations had been underway for months, bolstered by advanced weaponry. Armed drones and other sophisticated tools played a pivotal role, enabling rebels to secure rapid territorial gains into Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city. Notably, the operations set aside internal factional disputes, presenting a rare display of unified military coordination. The Syrian military said it was“confronting terrorist organizations” and claimed to have inflicted“heavy losses” on the groups since Wednesday. Some analysts describe Aleppo offensive nearly the equivalent of October 7 for Israel.“But Syria has none of the advantages that Israel enjoyed in stabilizing the situation after the attack, going on the offensive, and pulverizing Hamas,” wrote Steven Simon in 'Responsible Statecraft'. “Although there are rumors of Russian airstrikes against rebels, the fact is that the Russians are stretched thin by their war against Ukraine and will find it hard to maintain support for Damascus. And there will be little help from either Iran or Lebanese Hezbollah. Tehran lacks the means and whatever it can muster will be in Israel's gunsights very quickly. And Hezbollah is reeling from Israel's recent offensive and couldn't mobilize the fighters needed to get heavily equipped Al Qaeda affiliates out of Aleppo let alone reach Aleppo on the ground”, according to Simon. The surprise Al-Qaeda offensive came after series of Israeli strikes on Syria just before a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect Wednesday morning. Former Israeli intelligence official and advisor on Arab affairs Avi Melamed said frequent Israeli air strikes on Iran-controlled forces and bases in Syria will not stop even after the recent ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Since 2017, Israel has conducted hundreds of air strikes to contain Iran's presence and shipment of arms to Hezbollah. IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a press conference Wednesday night that Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime would pay for aiding Hezbollah signifying Israel frustration with government in Damascus. Observers believe that shifting Israeli focus on Syria means Damascus has refused to snap supply link from Iran to Beirut. In his speech on the eve of ceasefire with Hezbollah Prime Minister Netanyahu warned that Bashar Assad was“playing with fire,” citing its continued military support for Hezbollah. Significantly senior Iranian military adviser in Syria, Brigadier General Kioumars Pourhashemi,was killed in Aleppo on the eve of rebel offensive. General Kioumars was senior most Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commander to die in rebel attack in recent years. More than 500 Iranian military commanders have been killed in Syria so far many of them in Israeli raids. The killing of Iranian general this week underscores continued Iranian presence in the Arab country which it considers crucial part of axis and a lifeline for Hezbollah and other resistance groups. Syrian link attains more significance to replenish Hezbollah which has been battered by a ferocious Israeli aerial and ground campaign in Lebanon after it decided to join war against Israel in support of Gaza. Hezbollah which was credited for helping foil plans to topple friendly Syrian government, is now significantly weakened, with most of its leaders assassinated. In a call with his Syrian counterpart to discuss the escalation, the Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States and Israel of“reactivating” the rebels, and stressed the continued support of Iran to the Syrian government and army. Weakened Axis of Resistance Analysts say the rebels are using a vacuum left by a weakened Hezbollah to advance in Syria. “The rebels see an opportunity to test the front lines with Hezbollah weakened, a pressured Iran and a Russia busy with Ukraine,” according to Nanar Hawach, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group. Iran and Russia have for more than a decade supplied forces and arms to help Syrian government to deal with terror funded and supported by West and its local allies. Turkey under Recep Tayyip Erdogan has supported rebel groups and has deployed Turkish forces to retain command over the rebel-held strongholds of northern Syria. Shifting balance of power According to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi the flare-up in Syria was part of a US and Israeli“plan to disrupt the stability and security of the region.” These developments indicate that the Syrian conflict may be entering a new phase of escalation. The rebel offensive may act as a leverage to potentially compell President Assad and his allies to reconsider their military and political strategies. Israel's Last Laugh A report meanwhile said Israeli intelligence officials were in a huddle to gauge the regional ramifications, and the potential domino effect of rebel advances could trigger across the Middle East. One scenario under consideration, according to the Jerusalem Post, involves Hezbollah moving forces and weaponry from Israeli border to Syria to bolster Assad government. Long term goal is to break Axis of Resistance developed as a unity of fronts strategy to engulf Israel. Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group : Join Now Be Part of Quality Journalism Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. CLICK FOR DETAILS MENAFN30112024000215011059ID1108941992 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. 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Transforming The Global Financial Architecture: New Report Advocates For International Monetary Fund (IMF) Reforms To Empower Low- And Middle-Income CountriesHugh Jackman may spend some of the Christmas holidays either without his two children or his rumored new girlfriend, Sutton Foster, because his ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness isn’t ready to created a “blended,” “modern-family” dynamic with all of them celebrating together. The 56-year-old Jackman reportedly wanted to introduce Foster, 49, to his adult children, Oscar, 24, and Ava,19, but Furness is not “keen” on the idea, “It’s going to take more time for loved ones to adjust to the new normal and so that means Hugh and Sutton are bracing themselves for way less time together than they’d like during the holidays,” an insider told Woman’s Day. Even without saying anything publicly, Furness, 68, has reportedly made it clear that she’s not happy with how her marriage ended. A report last month said she , his co-star in the hit Broadway revival of “The Music Man,” is the reason behind their divorce after 27 years of marriage. For that reason, Furness feels like Jackman is “moving on quickly” even after she “gave so much of herself to their marriage,” the Woman’s Day source said. She definitely doesn’t want a “blended” Christmas, in which she’d presumably include Foster and even her 7-year-old daughter in their family celebrations. “Hugh and Sutton would love to get together with their kids for the holidays, but it’s still awkward, and Hugh is conscious of respecting Deb’s feelings,” the source said. Tensions are “still simmering,” according to Woman’s Day. “Deb feels like Hugh hasn’t properly acknowledged the hurt he caused by moving on so quickly,” the insider also said. Jackman and Furness shocked fans when they announced their separation in September 2023. One of a few Hollywood couples known for a long and seemingly happy marriage, they issued a statement that sounded polite and amicable, saying that their journey together was “shifting,” and they had “decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.” But then came reports in October, saying that Jackman had developed a “close relationship” with Sutton when they starred together in “The Music Man,” which ran from late 2021 to January 2023 at the Winter Garden Theatre in Manhattan. At the time, both were married to other people. The reports about a rumored affair began as soon as the Tony Award-winning Foster filed for divorce from screenwriter Ted Griffin after 10 years of marriage. A source close to Foster told Us Weekly: “Sutton and Hugh’s relationship is the reason Hugh and Deb (separated).” In October, gossip blogger Tasha Lustig also said that Furness was “blindsided” by her husband’s romance with his co-star, even after she had given her “whole life and career to him,” Us Weekly also reported. Lustig said that the Broadway stars were planning to “soft launch” their relationship publicly. But even if Furness was “blindsided” by her husband’s alleged romance, she had concerns about him working with Foster, . A source told the Daily Mail that the relationship was “not a secret to her.” The relationship also was “not a secret” among the New York theater community. It was in fact an “open secret” in Broadway circles, multiple reports said. The romance allegedly developed while Jackman and Foster were working together on the classic musical comedy, which is set in small-town America at the turn of the 20th century. His conman and her librarian fall in love through a series of music and dance numbers. As Jackman and Foster promoted the show, they didn’t hide their regard for each other. During a 2022 interview on “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” Foster admitted that she and Jackman developed a very close bond and explained how they started a pre-performance ritual that took place when they were alone in her dressing room. “We call it carpet chat,” Foster revealed in the interview. Woman’s Day reported that Jackman and Furness’s children are handling the upheaval with “remarkable maturity.” The source said, “They just want peace and happiness for their parents. But they’re definitely aware of the tension.” Meanwhile, Jackman and Foster are “shocked by the backlash,” another insider told Woman’s Day. With a blended family Christmas off the table, the new couple are reportedly planning a romantic getaway in the New Year. “They’re determined to make it work, but for now, they’re trying to keep things as low-key as possible out of respect for everyone involved,” the source said.
https://arab.news/y63c9 DOHA: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan took part on Saturday in a high-level meeting on Syria involving regional and international stakeholders in Qatar. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 22nd Doha Forum, brought together foreign ministers from Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, and Egypt, alongside representatives from the Astana track countries — Iran, Turkiye, and Russia, Saudi Press Agency reported. The session also included the UN Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, underscoring the collaborative international effort to address the ongoing crisis in Syria, SPA added. Discussions focused on developments in the Syrian arena, reflecting the forum’s broader emphasis on fostering dialogue and finding solutions to regional challenges. Prince Faisal was accompanied by Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan, Saudi ambassador to Qatar, and Abdulrahman Al-Daoud, Director General of the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. According to a Qatari foreign ministry statement, the group affirmed the continuation of close consultations and coordination between them in order to effectively find a political solution to the Syrian crisis. They added this had to be in a way that protected and achieved the aspirations of the Syrian people for security, stability, and justice, in addition to enhancing efforts aimed at consolidating security and stability in the region. The ministers considered the continuation of the Syrian crisis as a dangerous development for the safety of the country and regional and international security. They reiterated the importance of strengthening joint international efforts to increase humanitarian aid to the Syrian people, and to ensure its sustainable and unhindered access to all affected areas. They urged an end to military operations in preparation for launching a comprehensive political process, based on Security Council Resolution 2254, which would protect it from slipping into chaos and terrorism and ensure the voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons.Arkansas receiver Andrew Armstrong said Tuesday that he is entering the NFL Draft. Later in the day, a school spokesman told reporters that Armstrong will skip the Razorbacks' bowl game. The destination isn't yet known. Armstrong led the Southeastern Conference in both receptions (78) and receiving yards (1,140) but caught just one touchdown in 11 games this season. His catches and yardage were both second-most in Arkansas history behind Cobi Hamilton, who had 90 receptions for 1,335 yards in 2012. "It's been a journey for the books and I wouldn't trade it for anything because it has made me into the man I am today," Armstrong said of his Razorbacks tenure in a social media post. "... I will never forget all the moments that were shared here in Fayetteville." Armstrong played two seasons at Texas A&M-Commerce before transferring to Arkansas ahead of the 2023 season. In two seasons with the Razorbacks, he caught 134 passes for 1,904 yards and six scores. --Field Level Media
TORONTO, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- POET Technologies Inc. (" POET " or the " Corporation ") (TSXV: PTK; NASDAQ: POET), the designer and developer of the POET Optical InterposerTM, Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) and light sources for the data center, tele-communication and artificial intelligence markets, is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced registered direct offering with a single institutional investor that qualifies as an "accredited investor" under National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions of the Canadian Securities Administrators. The Corporation issued 5,555,556 common shares (the " Common Shares ") and a warrant exercisable to acquire up to 2,777,778 Common Shares (the " Warrants ") to the investor for aggregate gross proceeds of US$25,000,002 (the “ Offering ”). The combined price of one Common Share and accompanying Warrant in respect of one-half of one Common Share was US$4.50 (or approximately C$6.29). The exercise price of the Warrant is US$6.00 (or approximately C$8.39) per Common Share, and the Warrant is exercisable for a period of five years from the date of issuance. The Corporation intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for working capital related to its recently announced intention to expand assembly operations into Malaysia and for other corporate purposes. No commission or finder's fee was paid by the Corporation, and no underwriter or sales agent was engaged by the Corporation in connection with the Offering. The Offering is being made pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated December 3, 2024 (the " Prospectus Supplement ") to the short form base shelf prospectus (the " Base Shelf Prospectus ") of the Corporation dated September 6, 2024 filed with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, as well as with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the Corporation’s U.S. registration statement on Form F-10 (" Form F-10 ") (Registration No. 333-280553) under the U.S.-Canada Multijurisdictional Disclosure System and General Instruction II.L, which included the Prospectus Supplement with such additions thereto and deletions therefrom as may be permitted or required by Form F-10. Copies of the Prospectus Supplement, including the Base Shelf Prospectus, are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. The Offering remains subject to the final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange (the " Exchange "). This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About POET Technologies Inc. POET is a design and development company offering high-speed optical engines, light source products and custom optical modules to the artificial intelligence systems market and to hyperscale data centers. POET’s photonic integration solutions are based on the POET Optical InterposerTM, a novel, patented platform that allows the seamless integration of electronic and photonic devices into a single chip using advanced wafer-level semiconductor manufacturing techniques. POET's Optical Interposer- based products are lower cost, consume less power than comparable products, are smaller in size and are readily scalable to high production volumes. In addition to providing high-speed (800G, 1.6T and above) optical engines and optical modules for AI clusters and hyperscale data centers, POET has designed and produced novel light source products for chip-to-chip data communication within and between AI servers, the next frontier for solving bandwidth and latency problems in AI systems. POET’s Optical Interposer platform also solves device integration challenges across a broad range of communication, computing and sensing applications. POET is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with operations in Allentown, PA, Shenzhen, China, and Singapore. More information about POET is available on our website at www.poet-technologies.com . Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and "forward-looking statements" (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements or information are identified with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "potential", "estimate", "propose", "project", "outlook", "foresee" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding any potential outcome. Such statements include, without limitation, the Corporation's expectations with respect to its products, the scalability of the POET Optical Interposer, the success of the Corporation's products, and the Corporation's use of proceeds for the Offering and the ability to obtain the final approval of the Exchange. Such forward-looking information or statements are based on a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions which may cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated and which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, management's expectations regarding the size of the market for its products, the capability of its joint venture to produce products on time and at the expected costs, the performance and availability of certain components, and the success of its customers in achieving market penetration for their products. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, the attractiveness of the Corporation's product offerings, performance of its technology, the performance of key components, and ability of its customers to sell their products into the market. For further information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to the Corporation's filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov . Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Corporation's securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Corporation can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release and the Corporation assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. 120 Eglinton Avenue, East, Suite 1107, Toronto, ON, M4P 1E2- Tel: 416-368-9411 - Fax: 416-322- 5075Stock market today: Tech stocks and AI pull Wall Street to more records
India News Today Live Updates: Trending India News brings you the most significant stories and developments from across the nation, covering everything from politics and economy to culture and technology. Whether it's a major policy change, a groundbreaking legal verdict, or the latest in entertainment and sports, we ensure you don't miss out on the news that's shaping the nation. Our in-depth coverage and timely updates keep you informed about the trends that are making headlines in India today. Stay connected to the pulse of the nation with Trending India News. India News Today Live: E-auction of sick business assets on dedicated platform may become compulsoryBEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the gates of the capital and that government forces had abandoned the central city of Homs. The government was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The loss of Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Assad. It stands at an important intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader’s base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The pro-government Sham FM news outlet reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. The insurgency announced later Saturday that it had taken over Homs. The city's capture is a major victory for the rebels, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama , as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said rebel control of Homs would be a game-changer. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. For the first time in the country’s long-running civil war, the government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Assad's erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.” In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. In a statement issued late Saturday, the participants affirmed their support for a political solution to the Syrian crisis “that would lead to the end of military activity and protect civilians.” They also agreed on the importance of strengthening international efforts to increase aid to the Syrian people. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group’s image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama , the country’s fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists." The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria; Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad; Josef Federman and Victoria Eastwood in Doha, Qatar; and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.
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Chad Chronister, Donald Trump's pick to run the Drug Enforcement Administration, said Tuesday he was withdrawing his name from consideration, becoming the second person selected by the president-elect to bow out quickly after being nominated for a position. Chronister, the top law enforcement officer in Hillsborough County, Florida, said in a post on X that he was backing away from the opportunity, which he called “the honor of a lifetime.” “Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration,” Chronister wrote. He did not elaborate, and Trump's transition team did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Trump's pick of Chronister for the post drew backlash from conservatives, including for past comments he made that his sheriff’s office was not focused on enforcing federal immigration laws. RELATED STORY | Trump nominates South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to lead Homeland Security Chronister follows former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz , Trump's first pick to serve as attorney general, in withdrawing his name for a post in the administration. Gaetz withdrew following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The DEA post requires Senate confirmation.