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Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president who inherited power in 2000 with promises of reform, only to brutally suppress his opponents in a war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, has been toppled in a lightning rebel advance. Assad fled Damascus as Islamist-led opposition forces entered the capital and put an end to more than half-a-century of his family’s rule. Assad and his family arrived in Moscow, where they were granted asylum by the Russian government, Russian state agency TASS reported Sunday. Once courted by European governments, Assad’s transformation from a potential Western ally to a ruler who responded ruthlessly to peaceful protests against his rule took many by surprise. From using chemical weapons against civilians to widespread torture, Assad faced grave accusations during the Syrian war, but managed to survive the unrest thanks to strong support from Moscow and Tehran. During his last days in power, Assad’s backers were unwilling or unable to support him in the face of a shock military advance Syrian rebels embarked on just about 10 days earlier. Unlikely ruler Bashar Hafez Al-Assad was born on Sept. 11, 1965, in Damascus, the third child and second son of Hafez al-Assad and Aniseh Makhlouf. The family’s roots were in the minority Alawite sect, a small part of the Shiite school of Islam. Assad’s father was an air force officer who helped lead the 1963 takeover of government by the socialist Baath Party before seizing power himself in a bloodless military coup in 1970. Assad grew up in the capital and graduated from medical school at Damascus University in 1988, according to his official biography. Fluent in English, he was getting advanced training as an ophthalmologist in London in 1994 when Bassel, his father’s first choice for president, died. Assad went back home to be groomed to lead Syria. Taking over the authoritarian government at age 34, the tall and soft-spoken Assad pledged to pursue a path of reform and economic liberalization. Youthful image Many Syrians, and Arab and Western leaders, were willing to give him a chance partly because he projected a youthful image willing to loosen the government’s grip. Assad crossed sectarian lines to marry Asma al-Akhras, a Sunni Muslim and the daughter of Syrian expatriates who grew up in Britain. They had two sons, Hafez, born in 2001, and Kareem, born in 2004, and a daughter, Zein, born in 2003. The couple’s populist touch contrasted with Hafez’s remote and austere approach. At home, Asma, a graduate of King’s College London who worked for New York-based JPMorgan Chase & Co. for three years, championed women’s rights and education. Abroad, the Assads were given red-carpet welcomes on official visits to Arab and European countries. In his first months as president in 2000, Assad ordered the release of 600 political prisoners, some of whom were members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood, a Sunni Islamist group. Assad said Syria needed constructive criticism, a radical notion at the time in a country that jailed political opponents. Intellectuals openly called for greater civil liberties and democratic reform. The first months of Assad’s rule were optimistically dubbed the Damascus Spring. Changing tone About a year into his presidency, however, the government snuffed out the pro-democracy movement, throwing its leaders in jail. Charges ranged from attempting to change the constitution to inciting sectarian conflicts. In 2005, opposition groups came together to issue a declaration demanding free parliamentary elections, a national conference on democracy and an end to emergency laws and other forms of political repression. Assad responded by imprisoning its leading signatories. Then began the street protests of early 2011 at the onset of the Arab Spring. Around that time, Arab heads of state in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Yemen succumbed to uprisings that swept through North Africa and the Middle East. Assad’s violent reaction to the demonstrators escalated the conflict into a prolonged civil war and emboldened radical groups, including the Islamic State, or ISIS. Determined not to join the list of deposed Arab rulers, Assad opted to use brutal force including barrel bombs, torture and chemical weapons, to quash dissent, according to the U.S. and other Western nations. He benefited from the fact that the opposition was fragmented into hundreds of mainly Islamist groups, which the U.S. and its allies supported only warily. Former President Barack Obama and his successor, Donald Trump, ordered waves of airstrikes against Assad strongholds but had little appetite for deeper intervention. Chemical weapons In 2013, the U.S. blamed Assad for the death of more than 1,400 people near Damascus in an attack using the nerve agent sarin. The Assad government blamed the assault on Islamic extremists, but agreed to a U.S.-Russian plan for international monitors to take control of Syria’s chemical weapons. Meanwhile, Iran and Russia propped Assad up with money, personnel and weapons. A turning point in the war came in 2015, when Russia joined on Assad’s behalf and, along with Iranian forces, helped Assad halt the advance of opposition troops and begin to recapture territory. Forces loyal to Assad, with the help of Russia, Iran and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, had managed by 2020 to confine the territory held by militant groups to less than half of the country, replacing all-out war with sporadic fighting. In 2021, Assad secured a fourth term as president in an election that international observers considered neither free nor fair. The insurgent threat to Assad’s rule erupted again suddenly at the end of last month, starting with a surprise advance by opposition fighters on the city of Aleppo. The rebellion was led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former affiliate of al-Qaeda that’s designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and others. “Our goal is to liberate Syria from this oppressive regime,” Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of the group also known as HTS, told the New York Times. He occasionally goes by his real name, Ahmed Al-Sharaa. During his last days in power, Assad ordered his army to fall back to defend Damascus, essentially ceding much of the country to the insurgents. His last-ditch attempts to remain in power included indirect diplomatic overtures to the U.S. and President-elect Trump. Iran and Hezbollah, which had reinforced the regime earlier in the civil war, were now significantly weakened by strikes carried out by Israel in its conflict with Iran. Assad’s downfall ultimately eliminates one of Iran’s main allies in the Middle East and represents a big blow to Tehran’s influence in the region. Many in neighboring Lebanon blamed Assad for his support of Hezbollah and alleged him of playing a role in the killing of top officials, including former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri in 2005. A displaced society More than 600,000 people had been killed in Syria’s civil war as of March 2024, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based group that closely monitors the conflict. More than half of the prewar population of 23 million had been displaced, either to other regions inside Syria or to other countries, according to the United Nations. That made it one of the gravest refugee crises since World War II. “Assad is the man who presided over the end of modern Syria,” said Paul Salem, president of the Washington-based Middle East Institute. “The ferocious attacks on the protesters forced it from a discussion about political reform into a shooting war, forcing people to pick up arms and giving advantage to the radicals who have vast experience in warfare,” he said. (With assistance from Dana Khraiche, Dan Williams, Mike Cohen, Chris Miller, Laurence Arnold and Donna Abu-Nasr.) ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Is it safe to eat turkey this Thanksgiving amid bird flu outbreak? Here’s what experts say
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Edmunds: Five dream-worthy vehicles you wish you got for the holidays Just about everyone dreams about cars they wish they could own, and there’s no better time than the holidays to make a list of vehicles you’d love to have in your driveway. Michael Cantu, The Associated Press Dec 25, 2024 5:14 AM Dec 25, 2024 5:35 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message This photo provided by Ford shows the 2025 F-150 Raptor R. The Raptor R has a V8 engine and a specialized suspension that helps it stay in control when driving off-road at high speed. (Courtesy of Ford Motor Co. via AP) Just about everyone dreams about cars they wish they could own, and there’s no better time than the holidays to make a list of vehicles you’d love to have in your driveway. The car pros at Edmunds rounded up five of their favorite dream-worthy vehicles. But rather than just list the most outlandish and expensive exotics, they focused on highlighting models that are expensive but not so pricey that it’d be completely unrealistic for you to own one one day. The vehicles are ordered in ascending order of price and include destination fees. Ford F-150 Raptor R Off-road trucks look fantastic and are extremely capable. What truck enthusiast wouldn’t have one topping their wish list? The king of the hill for 2025 is the F-150 Raptor R. The regular Raptor is already impressive, and the R takes it to the next level with a bonkers 720-horsepower supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine, upgraded Fox dual-value shock absorbers, and massive 37-inch all-terrain tires. An R-specific grille and hood are also part of the R’s upgrades. Thankfully, the Raptor R isn’t all bark and bite. It also has plenty of features to make it a livable truck for daily driving. Standard features include leather upholstery, cooling front seats, a premium sound system, and a surround-view camera to help make this big truck easier to park. Starting Price: $112,825 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Few sedans can match the Mercedes-Benz S-Class for opulence, luxury and prestige. This grand sedan showcases nearly every luxury, technology and performance innovation that Mercedes-Benz has concocted. Everything you touch inside is likely covered in leather, heated, or bathed in disco-worthy ambient light. A novel could be written about all of the S-Class’ luxury and comfort features, but one of the most notable is the E-Active Body Control system. It scans the road surface ahead and adjusts the suspension to deliver the best ride possible. The S-Class also boasts an extensive list of advanced safety features and has an augmented reality head-up display that projects images that appear to float in front of the car. For the ultimate S-Class, get the 791-horsepower AMG S 63 E Performance model. Starting Price: $118,900 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Who needs a European exotic car when the Corvette ZR1 is just as capable? A sports car fanatic’s wish list wouldn’t be right without the ZR1. The new Corvette hit a record-setting top speed of 233 mph, making it the fastest car ever built by an American automaker and the fastest current production car priced under $1 million, according to Chevrolet. The top speed record was possible thanks to the ZR1’s turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 engine that cranks out a staggering 1,064 horsepower. Its carbon-fiber aero package kept it glued to the track by generating over 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed. Chevrolet also says the ZR1 can accelerate through the quarter mile in less than 10 seconds. We expect the Corvette ZR1 to go on sale in early 2025. Estimated starting price: $150,000 Cadillac Escalade-V Does your wish list include a big and powerful SUV? If it does, the Escalade-V should top it. The big Caddy roars like a muscle car thanks to its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that churns out 682 horsepower and helps it hit 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. The Escalade-V also boasts enormous 24-inch wheels and large Brembo brakes that help bring the three-ton SUV to a stop. But the Escalade-V isn’t only about brute power. It also has three rows of seating, plenty of cargo space and offers impressive tech like Super Cruise, a hands-free highway driving system, and an enormous 55-inch curved display that spans the dashboard. Starting Price: $161,990 Lucid Air Sapphire What if we told you there was a car that could outpace almost anything on a drag strip, keep up with high-end sports cars on a racetrack, and be comfortable enough for daily errands? Well, if that sounds amazing, add the Air Sapphire to your dream list. The Air Sapphire is a high-performance electric luxury sedan made by Lucid, an electric vehicle startup. It’s one of the most powerful production cars in the world, producing an astonishing 1,234 horsepower from its three electric motors. Lucid says it has a top speed of 205 mph and can rocket to 60 mph in a mind-numbing 1.9 seconds. You can adjust the vehicle’s setting for exceptional track performance or simply provide a comfortable ride around town. Starting price: $250,500 Edmunds says Even if you can’t afford any of these vehicles, you can still picture one sitting in your driveway or imagine yourself cruising around town in it. And who knows, maybe holiday magic will give you the opportunity to own one in the future. ____ This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds . Michael Cantu is a contributor at Edmunds. Michael Cantu, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More The Mix Alberta premier hopes for health reform payoff in 2025, regrets deferring tax cut Dec 25, 2024 5:00 AM Solar burgers: How agrivoltaics is marrying food production with green energy Dec 25, 2024 3:00 AM Legendary Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal dies at age 90 Dec 24, 2024 7:19 PM Featured FlyerMultifunctional Waterproof Drone Market Poised for Growth with Expanding Applications in Industrial and Commercial Sectors | Valuates Reports 12-08-2024 06:55 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: Valuates Reports Multifunctional Waterproof Drone Market The global Multifunctional Waterproof Drone market was valued at US$ million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach US$ million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of % during the forecast period 2024-2030. Get Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-25W12807/Global_Multifunctional_Waterproof_Drone_Market_Research_Report_2023 Major Trends: 1.Integration of Advanced Sensors: The integration of high-performance sensors, such as thermal, LiDAR, and HD cameras, is driving multifunctional waterproof drones' ability to operate in diverse environments, including search and rescue, surveillance, and agriculture. 2.Increased Use in Harsh Environments: These drones are becoming increasingly popular in industries such as marine, oil and gas, and disaster management, where drones are required to operate in wet or hazardous conditions, supporting a wider range of applications. 3.Technological Advancements in Battery Life: Improved battery technology is enabling longer flight times, which is essential for industries such as agriculture, mapping, and infrastructure inspections, where drones need extended operational periods. 4.Growth in Environmental and Agriculture Applications: Waterproof drones are increasingly being used in precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, and conservation efforts, where weatherproof capabilities are crucial for collecting data in challenging outdoor conditions. 5.Regulatory Advancements: As regulatory frameworks for drones evolve, there is a greater focus on safety standards, airspace management, and commercial use, enabling more widespread deployment of multifunctional waterproof drones in various industries. Challenges: 1.High Cost of Drones: Multifunctional waterproof drones often come with higher price tags due to their advanced technology and materials, which may limit adoption in certain markets, especially for small businesses. 2.Limited Battery Life: While battery life is improving, drones still face limitations when it comes to long-duration flights. Extended flight times are critical for commercial applications, such as surveying large areas. By Type •Silicone Waterproofing •Acrylic Waterproofing By Application •Commercial •Military Key Companies Swellpro, LiDiRC, DIODON Drone Technology, GPTOYS, Autel Robotics, JJRC View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-25W12807/global-multifunctional-waterproof-drone Please reach us at sales@valuates.com Address: Valuates, 4th Floor, Balaraj's Arcade, Whitefield Main road, Bangalore 560066 Valuates offers an extensive collection of market research reports that helps companies to take intelligent strategical decisions based on current and forecasted Market trends. This release was published on openPR.
The top two squads in the AFC West, both projected to make the playoffs, face off in Week 14's edition of "Sunday Night Football." The Chiefs (11-1) have continued their reign over the conference through the majority of the 2024 regular season, potentially on their way to a third consecutive Super Bowl. However, they'll get a strong test against Jim Harbaugh's Chargers (8-4) in prime time this week. Having won five of its last six games, Los Angeles is sizzling hot at the right time, now seeking a return to the playoffs behind Justin Herbert. The Chargers' success under Harbaugh has largely come from the defensive side of the ball, as they've allowed the fewest points per game (15.7) in the NFL entering Week 14. As Los Angeles has caused problems for opposing offenses, its own unit has found momentum behind Herbert (2,551 yards, 13 touchdowns, one interception) and his connection with rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey (815 receiving yards, four touchdowns.) As McConkey has inserted himself into Offensive Rookie of the Year conversations, Herbert seems to have found a go-to target. Kansas City, though, remains the league's toughest team to beat. Somehow, some way, the Chiefs find a way to win on a weekly basis. Following a loss to Buffalo in Week 11, Andy Reid's squad squeezed by Carolina, 30-27, thanks to a game-winning field goal as time expired. Then, just last week, Kansas City held on for a 19-17 win over Las Vegas by recovering a last-minute fumble during a potential game-winning drive for the Raiders. Patrick Mahomes hasn't had his best year (2,979 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, 11 interceptions), yet a combination of impactful defense and clutch plays has helped the Chiefs already clinch a playoff spot. A win over the Chargers in Week 14 could help them lock down the AFC West title, their potential ninth-straight season holding the division crown. The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Chargers vs. Chiefs on "Sunday Night Football." Follow along with the action below. NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule Chargers vs. Chiefs score Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F Chargers - - - - - Chiefs - - - - - Chargers vs. Chiefs live updates, results, highlights from Week 14 'Sunday Night Football' matchup (All times ET) 6:06 p.m. — Patrick Mahomes has arrived for Chiefs vs. Chargers. With a win tonight, Kansas City will secure the 2024 AFC West crown. A prime Patrick fit 🔥 @PatrickMahomes pic.twitter.com/KErflqtijn MORE: Chiefs break NFL record after another one-possession win Chargers vs. Chiefs start time Date: Sunday, Dec. 8 Time: 8:20 p.m. ET The AFC West matchup between Los Angeles and Kansas City will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday. The contest will be played at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. MORE: What to know about the Chiefs' holiday movie What channel is Chargers vs. Chiefs on today? TV channel: NBC (U.S.) | TSN 1/4, CTV (Canada) Streaming: Peacock, Fubo (U.S.) | DAZN (Canada) As usual, NBC will carry "Sunday Night Football" in Week 14, with the game also available for streaming through Peacock and Fubo. STREAM: Watch Chargers vs. Chiefs live with Fubo Canadian viewers can turn toward TSN1/4 or CTV, with a streaming option being DAZN. Chargers schedule 2024 Date Matchup Time (ET) Dec. 15 vs. Buccaneers 4:25 p.m. Dec. 19 vs. Broncos 8:15 p.m. TBD at Patriots TBD TBD at Raiders TBD MORE: How Ladd McConkey is on pace to shatter Chargers rookie records Chiefs schedule 2024 Date Matchup Time (ET) Dec. 15 at Browns 1 p.m. Dec. 21 vs. Texans 1 p.m. Dec. 25 at Steelers 1 p.m. TBD at Broncos TBD If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >Winless in rivalry, Dan Lanning, No. 1 Oregon determined to tame Huskies
RIVERDALE — Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024 was a special day for Clayton County Board of Education Chair Dr. Jessie Goree. It not only was her 70th birthday but it was a day that Clayton County Public Schools broke ground on the Riverdale Early Learning Center, a project that has long been a priority for Goree. Goree said there is a need in the northern part of Clayton County and a need to provide something for children before pre-kindgergarten. “This is going to be a fabulous building,” Goree said. The facility at the old Riverdale Elementary School site at 6630 Camp St. will not only provide educational services for young children but it will offer wrap-around services for the community. Some of the wrap-around services will include vision and dental care, employment services and social services. “This is one of the most unique educational initiatives in the state of Georgia and I’m so proud that it is happening right here in Clayton County,” Clayton County School Superintendent Dr. Anthony Smith said. The facility will have a capacity of 500 and will include four classroom pods with six classrooms each and collaboration space. The construction also includes a media center; a STEM lab; play, art and music room and a fully-functional kitchen and cafeteria. The two-story administration wing will include offices and conference rooms. In August, the School Board approved a bid from MEJA Construction and the total cost is expected to be just under $49 million.