TESS Daly has revealed the ‘number one hero product’ that she couldn't live without. The 55-year-old, who always looks wrinkle-free and was seen with her lookalike daughter Phoebe just a few days ago , claimed that her favourite beauty buy makes dry skin feel ‘supple and soft’. So if the weather is making your face look more lacklustre than ever before, you’ve come to the right place. Or, if you’re planning on heading out tonight to get some last minute stocking fillers , this affordable, purse-friendly find and is sure to make someone smile this Christmas . Luckily for you, the age-defying presenter, who is forever complimented on her glowing complexion and great skin, has finally spilt the tea on her skincare favourites. The Strictly Come Dancing co-host revealed to Good Housekeeping that her favourite moisturiser is actually less than £7 - yes, you heard that correctly. Read more celebrity stories The blonde beauty, whose real name is actually Helen , explained: “I've got really dry skin.“ “My number one hero product is the Simple Repairing Rich Cream Moisturiser, because my skin just drinks it.” Tess, who is married to Vernon Kay , 50, and mother to two teenage daughters, then added: “It’s gorgeous. “It really helps with the dryness, it makes my skin feel so supple and soft. Most read in Celebrity “For me, skin looks best when it’s moisturised.” Simple's best-selling Repairing Rich Face Cream , which you can order online now from Amazon for just £6.65, has an average rating of 4.5 out of five. It has been praised for being 'fast absorbing' and 'extremely hydrating', despite its very affordable price tag . You can also pick up the cheap beauty buy from Superdrug for £6.65 or Boots for £9.99. The wrinkle-free moisturiser is packed with skin-loving ingredients including hydrating actives and hyaluronic acid for fresh-looking skin in an instant. It really helps with the dryness, it makes my skin feel so supple and soft It can be easily slotted into both your day and night routine and despite being an 'ultra-rich' cream, the formula is non-greasy and lightweight. It absorbs into your complexion instantly for speedy plumping action and gives you a natural glow. The best part is it's packed with 22% ceramide boosters, which expertly help to repair your skin barrier. SHE shines every Saturday night as she takes to the BBC ballroom to host Strictly Come Dancing – a job she’s had since the very first series in 2004. But almost two decades on, 55-year-old presenter Tess Daly has never looked better and has managed to not only keep ageing at bay, but somehow look years younger. While Tess has a naturally slim physique – she’s a former teen model who worked in New York City – she’s also found exactly what works for her. And that means that in the past twenty years, Tess, who also hosts other big BBC shows like Children in Need , has perfected the products in her make-up bag and skincare cupboard. She’s also upped her fashion game further and steps out with her skin always glowing – something that’s not just down to the infamous Strictly tan. But what does Tess. who has two daughters with fellow TV star husband Vernon Kay , swear by, and what is her skincare, diet and exercise regime really like ? WHAT SKINCARE PRODUCTS DOES TESS USE? Tess credits her mum, Sylvia, with teaching her the importance of a good skincare routine from an early age. She said in a previous interview: “When it comes to cleansing, I use micellar water with a cotton pad to take my make-up off. “I also wouldn't dream of going to bed without moisturising and in the morning I moisturise after I cleanse because dry skin as we know looks a lot more aged than moisturised, luminous-looking skin.” In the chat with Evoke, Tess also said that while her products change from time to time, she had started to use Clarins Super Restorative Day Cream, which can be bought from for £77. Other products she’s raved about in the past include Estee Lauder's Instant Refinishing Facial Exfoliating Cream, which she revealed she used a couple of times a week. The product, which costs around £44 promises to “softly buff dead skin and debris with micro-refined particles, refining texture and renewing clarity and radiance.” They add: “[The] active extracts and nutrients work to boost moisture levels, visibly softening the look of pores and wrinkles.” WHAT EXERCISE DOES TESS DO? Despite presenting the most famous dancing show on TV, Tess’ exercise regime is less ballroom and latin and more yoga and skipping. The star said she used to exercise on a more “ad-hoc” basis, before now doing it much more regularly. Her favourite exercises include yoga – particularly a class she can do at home in between working and running a busy household. She explained: “I love Yoga with Adriene on YouTube. I've tried others but I just keep going back to her because she has a solution for everything I'm feeling. "If I skip it for, say, three days in a row, I start to feel twitchy – as though I've missed doing something that's good for me. I actually feel more flexible now.” The mum-of-two has also revealed she works with a personal trainer called Sam Shaw. Between the two of them they’ve come up with a tailored fitness plan for Tess, who prefers morning Her trainer told Women’s Health: “We usually train in the morning to get her ready to take on her day with a winning mindset after smashing training.” They get stuck into a varied line-up of workouts from intermittent skipping to get her heart rate up to jumping on a mini-trampoline. And Sam said her rest days are also important, as she usually has two a week. WHAT DIET DOES TESS FOLLOW? Tess has previously opened up about following a healthy, balanced diet, full of nutritious items. After reading a book called The Food Pharmacy by Jean Carper which she picked up at a flea market in New York, Tess said she started to think about food differently. She explained: “It was all about using food as an equivalent to medicine – for example, something as basic as rubbing half a garlic clove on a piece of sourdough bread and pouring olive oil on it. “That kind of thing is brilliant for your bloodstream and your immune system.” Since, she’s adapted this for her own busy lifestyle, and opened up about the dishes she likes to rustle up for both her and her family. Speaking about what she typically has for breakfast, Tess previously told Getthegloss.com: “Sometimes I have a power smoothie or juice but mostly I like Greek yoghurt with a handful of frozen blueberries. “I microwave them and make a puree to put on top of the yoghurt. It's like having pudding for breakfast – divine – or I'll have a banana on toast with honey.” But she also revealed that the key is, you guessed it, enjoying everything in moderation. And she’ll never hold herself back if she fancies a treat. Tess added: "At the weekend, I'll cook us all a nice big veggie breakfast with lots of eggs and grilled tomatoes. Lunch is usually a sandwich – I love bread, I would never ever give that up.” For best results, simply apply as the last step of your evening skincare routine to lock in any serums and ensure your skin is perfectly plump and dewy after some much-needed beauty sleep . Tess also shared her love for the affordable cream with GetTheGloss , as she added: "I swear by overnight masks. “You just wake up feeling hydrated and plumped, especially to counteract all of the central heating at the moment." Beauty fans beam But Tess isn’t the only shopper to love this affordable buy - as many beauty enthusiasts flocked to the Amazon website to praise the cheap cream . One person said: “I am 50 years old. This is a great budget product and I use it everyday. It’s a lightweight cream but very rich in moisture. Keeps my face hydrated without the oily look “My skin is lovely and soft and it can be used after needling as it’s a repair cream. Very soothing. Recommend.” Another added: “On my third tub of this now which is rare for me as I normally don't stick with the same product long. But, this ticks all my boxes! “Excellent product for the price point, it is great for locking in any serums/products you are using and skin actually feels hydrated after use which is great especially in winter . “It is not so heavy that it feels greasy but feels very nourishing. Really can't go wrong with this!” READ MORE SUN STORIES A third commented: “I must say this facial cream is really really good. It’s a lightweight cream but very rich in moisture. Keeps my face hydrated without the oily look. “I have sensitive skin and this cream caused NO issues at all. My skin is dry (only because of the cold season) and this moisturised my skin very well. I'm happy with this product overall. Will purchase again.”Democrats just can't stop losing... In the latest blow to the party, Lindy Li, a prominent Democratic National Committee (DNC) fundraiser and surrogate for Vice President Kamala Harris, announced her departure from the Democratic Party - labeling it a "cult" after facing a barrage of internal attacks for her recent criticisms of Harris. Li, who raised "tens of millions of dollars" for Democratic candidates and frequently appeared on national television as a Harris campaign advocate, became the target of relentless criticism after voicing concerns about the party’s trajectory and Harris’s political future. During an appearance on "Fox & Friends", Li argued that Harris was “indulging in delusions” of making a political comeback and criticized the Democratic Party for carrying what she called the “stench of loser” following their defeat in November's elections. The fallout was swift: within four days, Li lost 40,000 social media followers and was met with a wave of hostility from fellow Democrats. Speaking on "Piers Morgan Uncensored", Li described the backlash: “ People have called me a whore, the ‘C-word.’ They asked for me to be deported, " she said, adding that critics have accused her of being a "communist spy" - a particularly offensive accusation considering her family history, Fox News reports. “ They’re calling me a spy for the regime that killed my great-grandfather, ” she told Morgan. “They're going headfirst into racism anytime someone dares to disagree with them. I want to be a part of the team that says men are men and women are women and men shouldn't play in women's sports." "Leaving the Democratic Party is like leaving a cult!" Lindy Li tells Piers Morgan she's lost 40,000 followers and been called a "wh*re" and a "C-word" in the past four days. 📺 https://t.co/vzCu2MdkzC @piersmorgan | @lindyli pic.twitter.com/tiJO3M9IyH Li’s departure represents more than personal frustration—it signals a significant defection from the Democratic fundraising machine. Li, once integral to the party’s financial success, is now exploring her political options. Speaking candidly, she said: Li also accused the party of hypocrisy, claiming that questioning its leadership feels like leaving a cult. " My donors are pissed...it's my responsibility to ask what the hell happened with their money ...these are legitimate questions, but no, in the cult, you can't ask questions. And leaving the Democratic Party or even questioning the Democratic Party is like leaving a cult. It's terrifying . I don't want to be a part of this craziness anymore. They're accelerating my rightward shift," she said. Li's departure comes weeks after she revealed that former President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi opposed Harris becoming the 2024 presidential nominee . Li told NewsNation indubitably that both top Democrats would have rather held a primary than coronate Harris to fill Biden’s sudden vacancy atop the ticket. “I know they didn’t,” Li said when asked about Obama and Pelosi. “I have a lot of friends in Obama world and, actually, I’m friends with Speaker Pelosi. And I spoke with her before I actually, I actually went on air to encourage President Biden to step aside.” Li told NewsNation that many Democrats were hoping for a “lightning round” primary, which never came. Li revealed that members of Donald Trump’s team have already reached out to her, exploring whether she would consider switching parties. "People on Trump's team have already reached out to me to see if I'd be willing to switch." “ I’m not an orphan ,” she continued. “ People are actively trying to recruit me. ” Her departure follows a similar move in September, when an ex-Obama fundraiser who raised millions for his campaigns announced they were “divorcing” the Democratic Party and planned to vote for Trump.AP Business SummaryBrief at 4:40 p.m. EST
House Ethics Committee accuses Matt Gaetz of paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girlREFORM, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge ruled that the family of former NFL player Glenn Foster Jr., who died in law enforcement custody in Alabama, can pursue a lawsuit alleging his death was the result of excessive force. Foster, a former New Orleans Saints defensive end, died on Dec. 6, 2021, three days after being arrested and taken to jail in rural Pickens County for alleged speeding and attempting to elude police. A judge ordered Foster taken to a medical facility in Tuscaloosa for a mental evaluation. Foster was found unresponsive in the back of a law enforcement vehicle when he arrived at the facility. He was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later. His widow, Pamela Foster, filed a lawsuit against officers at the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and jail saying Foster had been beaten, shocked with a Taser and strangled while at the jail. The defendants then asked a federal judge to dismiss the case. U.S. District Judge Annemarie Carney Axon ruled Thursday refused to dismiss allegations of excessive force and failure to intervene. Axon dismissed other portions of the lawsuit. The ruling came a day before the third anniversary of Foster’s death. Foster appeared in 17 games for the Saints in 2013 and 2014.Over the last four years, as street fentanyl overdose deaths surged, the Biden administration scrambled to fund addiction treatment programs and expand use of opioid-treatment medications like buprenorphine and naloxone. There are signs those efforts may be helping, with fatal overdoses dropping 14.5% over the last year. But during the campaign that led to President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, he promised a very different approach, cracking down on fentanyl smugglers, securing the U.S.-Mexico border and executing drug dealers. “You know, I’d like to end the drug epidemic, if that’s okay,” Trump said . After the election, the man Trump named to serve as border czar threatened U.S. military action against Mexican drug cartels. Tom Homan said in a Fox News appearance the new administration will use “the full might of the United States special operations to take them out.” Critics say there’s no indication Trump’s efforts to secure the southern border during his first term were effective in stopping fentanyl. Studies show nearly ninety percent of people convicted of fentanyl smuggling are U.S. citizens , not migrants or Mexicans as Trump has suggested. “Everything got worse. The drug supply got worse and [fentanyl] became more readily available,” said Kassandra Frederique, who heads an organization called the Drug Policy Alliance that supports the decriminalization of addiction. During the campaign, President-elect Donald Trump promised sweeping change that would protect U.S. families from fentanyl overdose deaths. Critics say many of his ideas are unlikely to work and could do more harm than good. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/Getty Images North America) Still, many addiction experts said Trump’s tough talk — and the promise that his second term will bring a quick fix to the fentanyl crisis — appealed to voters at a time when 96,000 people in the U.S. are still dying from drug overdoses every year. New research from Philly ER doctors shows the ‘excruciating’ effect of xylazine withdrawal, and how to manage it The powerful animal tranquilizer has started appearing in the illicit heroin and fentanyl market in recent years. 2 weeks ago “People are tired of the theft, they’re tired of the open drug use and they want some accountability,” said Tom Wolf, an activist in California who is in recovery from opioid addiction. Keith Humphreys, a prominent drug policy researcher at Stanford University, agrees. He said there is a public perception that Biden era policies, treating fentanyl as a medical problem that should be “destigmatized” went too far. “I think there’s a bit of a backlash to the idea of seeing drug use as sort of an inalienable right,” Humphreys said. People who lost relatives to a drug overdose sit among imitation graves set up by the Trail of Truth, near the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 24, 2022. (STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images/AFP) From Drug War to quagmire? But even many addiction experts who want a tougher response to the fentanyl epidemic voiced concern at the Trump team’s rhetoric. Wolf said he fears the new administration could pivot too aggressively away from treatment and public health toward a full-scale drug war. “I’d like to see the pendulum stop in the middle,” Wolf said. “We all know the drug war of the 1980s was over draconian and as a result it failed.” Some of Trump’s most aggressive proposals have sparked alarm from drug policy analysts, who said they would do more harm than good. “Even invoking the idea of military action in Mexico against traffickers is the worst idea anyone has ever had,” said Jonathan Caulkins a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University. “If that is anything other than empty rhetoric, it is plain stupid.” The pipeline of deadly fentanyl into the U.S. may be drying up, experts say Street fentanyl has long been viewed as unstoppable. Now many experts say the supply of the deadly synthetic opioid is suddenly drying up in many parts of the U.S. 2 months ago Many experts believe U.S. military action against the cartels, which Trump also proposed during his first term , would do little to slow fentanyl smuggling or save American lives, but could shatter diplomatic relations and destabilize Mexico. “It’s quite difficult to control fentanyl because it’s so easy for the illegal supply chains to produce and distribute it,” Caulkins said. Experts say cartels or other drug gangs can easily rebuild illegal drug labs after they’re destroyed and can operate from almost any location. A recent investigation by CBC News found fentanyl production in Canada has already surged, with a growing number of “superlabs” now operating north of the U.S. border. In a critique published, last week , the libertarian Cato Institute said launching military strikes inside Mexico to target fentanyl production would lead to a “quagmire” without stemming “the flow of drugs across the U.S. southern border.” Experts have also condemned Trump’s plan to implement the death penalty against drug dealers, pointing out that many people experiencing addiction in the U.S. also traffic and sell drugs to support their habit. “There are thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of Americans who are our neighbors who are doing something illegal, dealing drugs,” said Brandon Del Pozo, a former police chief who studies drug policy at Brown University. “The idea we might execute them? That shocks the conscience.” Some experts said they believe Trump might implement more moderate drug policies, toning down his approach now that the political campaign is over. “You have very tough rhetoric, but then the actual policies are more of a bipartisan consensus which really is a balanced policy,” said Kevin Sabet, a long-time addiction policy researcher. Sabet noted that Trump signed a bipartisan measure in 2018 that increased funding for some drug treatment programs. “I actually come at this with a sense of hope,” he said. But Frederique with the Drug Policy Alliance predicted Trump will attempt to implement many of his most aggressive ideas in hope of a quick end to the crisis. “Someone is saying to you that we will just turn off the faucet, cut off the supply chain, arrest all the people and then we won’t have to deal with this anymore,” Frederique said. “While that can be attractive to people, it’s a mirage.” Philadelphia sees a decline in drug overdose deaths among residents for the first time in 5 years, data show Drug overdose deaths among Philadelphians have risen every year since 2018, but preliminary numbers for 2023 show a drop. 2 months ago Fentanyl deaths are dropping. Will that last? Another reason many experts voice concern over Trump’s apparent pivot toward a fentanyl crackdown is the growing evidence that the Biden administration’s public health approach may finally be helping. Drug deaths dropped sharply over the last year, a trend that saved about 16,000 lives according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The latest data show that our efforts are working,” said Dr. Rahul Gupta, head of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. “Every life saved means one less grieving family and community.” Researchers are divided over why drug deaths are dropping so rapidly. Some believe street fentanyl reaching the U.S. may be less potent , increasingly diluted with other chemicals that come with serious long-term health risks but trigger fewer fatal overdoses. Keith Humphreys at Stanford University said it would be a mistake for Trump’s team to cut programs developed by Democratic administrations, including the Affordable Care Act, that appear to be helping. “My fear would be that [Trump] continues chopping away at the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, which are the financial backbone of the American addiction treatment system,” Humphreys said. Vanda Felbab-Brown, a drug policy expert at The Brookings Institution, said what’s needed now is even more healthcare in Black, Native American and rural white communities that remain highly vulnerable to fentanyl overdoses. “That would take require sustained special focus by the next administration and it’s not clear there’s any thinking along those lines,” Feldbab-Brown said. One view shared by every expert interviewed by NPR is that Trump’s promise of a quick fix to the fentanyl crisis is unrealistic. Despite recent progress, all agreed that bringing drug deaths down to pre-fentanyl levels will take years if not decades. Never miss a moment with the WHYY Listen App! Play, pause, and rewind the live radio stream, access on-demand audio features, and dive into podcasts from both local and national sources. WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
These days, Matthieu Bonin is enjoying life and laughs easily. It was not always so as he points out in his book on pain and suffering. Light from Darkness was published in 2023. He brought lessons from his experiences - and the importance of joy - to his talk on Wednesday at Laurentian University in Sudbury. “This is a reboot of a lecture series after COVID,” said Bonin, who lives in Lively. “The series is focused on building healthy communities. My specific topic is one that should resonate with the audience.” Bonin was the first to speak at the reboot of the Dr. Dan Andrea Lectures on Living in Healthy Communities. The topic - The Importance of Trust and Belonging - is central to a healthy community, said Bonin, an author and inspirational speaker. “I value your well-being and hope that you value mine; it has to go both ways,” he said. “I was invited partly because of my book and also that I spoke at (Laurentian University’s) convocation. Bonin, 38, said he did as he always does: speak from the heart. “I have my general ideas and themes laid out for sharing and have worked it all out. I have been doing a lot of mental health advocacy lately. To talk about depression and anxiety is important, but there is the preventative piece, like joy and belonging. “Having a good group of friends and family is essential in this. We are social beings. One of the biggest triggers for the decline in mental health is isolation. I am not a mental health expert, but I am a guy who cares.” Bonin said his next book will move into new but related territory. “The next book I am writing is about joy,” he said. “This lecture is very much linked with that. It is the first time I am speaking specifically on joy, but I am planning something additional for January. “I have some philosophy and spirituality in my background. You know, for life and living, you have to have a plan and direction, but part of the plan is to forget the plan. Be open to opportunities.” The audience for his event may fall into one of two camps, or maybe both. “Those who are looking for connections and feeling lonely, and those who are part of a healthy community. November is kind of a grey month. Come out to meet some people.” Bonin is described as a public speaker, mental health advocate, author, and adventurer. In 2022, he stage-swam 154 km around Manitoulin Island to raise funds for MS research. His book, Light From Darkness, describes his struggles with mental health and how he overcame these challenges. Today, he is a sought-after speaker. The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible through funding from the federal government. sud.editorial@sunmedia.ca Bluesky: @sudburystar.bsky.social X: @SudburyStar
The main takeaway from the expression ‘every rose has its thorns’ is that everybody and everything, even something as beautiful and desired as a rose, has imperfections and struggles. — Photo by Pinkinesss / pexels.com WHAT is meant by ‘every rose has its thorns’? And no, I am not referring to the song by the rock band, ‘Poison’. The main takeaway from this expression is that everybody and everything, even something as beautiful and desired as a rose, has imperfections and struggles – the thorns symbolise the challenges and misfortunes in life. Everyone, including you and I, has flaws. Being human comes naturally with this. It is impossible to live a life devoid of mistakes and shortcomings. “No one is perfect.” “It is impossible to achieve perfection.” These two sayings make it evident that it is useless to pursue perfection in performances or appearances as it is unattainable. Yet, they are also often misinterpreted, and occasionally they are terribly misconstrued and misused. These phrases are intended to simply explain the existence of flaws that are natural or over which we have little control, but ironically, they are sometimes used to shield the current self from legitimate responsibility and blame, or as a means of cover-up. This makes it impossible to avoid criticism and accountability, as well as the humility and hard work that come with becoming a better person. Saying ‘nobody’s perfect’ is far easier than saying ‘I’m sorry for what I did; I take full responsibility; I’ll be better next time’. You could say the former after knowing you have hurt or annoyed someone, but that does not mean they were expecting too much (perfection) from you. Their feelings are fairly reasonable. It is acceptable for them to tell you what you did to them and how it affected them. We all have boundaries that should be respected and safeguarded, after all, and maintaining boundaries does not equate to demanding perfection. If we discount problems or issues as totally ‘human’ since ‘no one is perfect’, it transfers the guilt to our humanity. While it is true that no one is flawless, not everyone attacks people, takes things from others, or commits other types of mistakes. Those are personal decisions that cannot be attributed to anything else. Rather than trying too hard to defend or make excuses, it is wiser to genuinely apologise and work to change when your actions have hurt someone. This is because, despite the fact that none of us are perfect, we all have the potential to get better. The word ‘perfect’ refers to an idealised objective that is unachievable and constantly shifting. The word ‘potential’, on the other hand, is more empowering. It makes our unrealised capabilities clear to us and drives us to progress. Life has taught me that progress should always take priority over perfection since, in fact, there is always room for growth and new standards are always being set. After all, it is more important to enjoy the journey than just the final destination. I believe that fear of failure is another factor that contributes to perfectionism, as I am a perfectionist myself. A person with this ego-based fear is unable to try new things and take chances because they are terrified of seeming flawed and bad. I have been gradually starting to accept the notion that it is ‘okay’ to have numerous thorns, which consequently opens up a whole new world of experiences and boundless opportunities. Looking back, despite the constant discontent that I whine about, it is because of this realisation that I am where I am and have what I have today – my support system, my appearance, my responsibilities, the places I visited, and the good deeds I have been able to contribute to. For instance, I have heard comments about how timid and socially awkward I am with a lot of people for much of my life, and those comments honestly made me feel so judged. When I hear those comments now, I don’t feel much. Why? What has changed? In fact, those comments keep coming back to me, but I have come to the conclusion that accepting who you are makes life much simpler – this is the relationship between progress and perfection that I was talking about. As we approach the year’s last month, many of us take account of the last 12 months and reflect on our accomplishments – and, more often, our shortcomings and things that were not perfect. We also often make resolutions and goals for the upcoming year at this time. For perfectionists, this can be dreadful. We may focus less on the progress we made and more on what was missing between our goals and what we actually accomplished. But guess what? Something is better than nothing, and done is better than perfect, since progress is the more important objective here. Because nothing is perfect, you will also never be perfect. This is great news since it also means you will always have the potential to become a better person than you were a day before. Most people consider thorns to be dangerous since they cut and scratch us. However, every mark tells a story, a victory, and an indication of a person’s strength. Since I just finished watching ‘Arcane Season 2’, one of the best series I have seen this year, I will close my piece with one of the most memorable quotes from one of the characters: “There is no prize in perfection. Only an end to pursuit.” In Viktor’s ‘Glorious Evolution’, human suffering was eliminated, but there was also no longer striving and no triumph over hardship. Let this quote serve as a reminder to us of the true essence of being human. * The writer is a psychology graduate who enjoys sharing about how the human mind views the world. For feedback, email to [email protected] .Workers all over the world have every right to agitate for improved welfare. These rights are fully captured in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) charter, which grants the right of workers to bargain for better working conditions and welfare. Also, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), as well as Nigeria Labour Act (2004), all recognise these rights. In Nasarawa state, the Governor Abdullahi Sule administration has continuously recognised the right of workers to agitate for better welfare. There is ongoing agitation by workers across the country, Nasarawa state inclusive, regarding the implementation of the National Minimum Wage Act 2024, which pegged the new national minimum wage at N70,000. Consequently, it has become necessary to refresh the minds of workers in Nasarawa state, as well as the general public, on the various interventions by the Sule administration to improve the welfare of the state’s workers. This pertinent following concerted efforts to misinform the public, especially in the wake of the strike by state’s workers recently for the implementation of the new minimum wage. First and foremost, Governor Sule was elected into office from a background of the organised private sector where he rose to the enviable position of the Group Managing Director of the Dangote Sugar company. He came into office, therefore, with the knowledge and experience to handle issues relating to the workers’ welfare. Therefore, for Governor Sule, workers’ welfare is the top priority, given their critical role towards actualising the development agenda of the state government. When he came onboard in May 2019, the governor met a situation where civil servants both were paid in percentages. He swiftly ensured that workers received their full monthly wages. Governor Sule also implemented the N30,000 national minimum wage. He inherited a salary arrears of N726,000 million, which was paid to civil servants in three installments starting from January 2021 to March 2021. This was in fulfillment of the governor’s promise to labour to enhance workers’ welfare. Workers were also promoted, with Nasarawa state now among the few states in the country that are up to date in the promotions of workers. Over 8,000 workers were employed, 1,000 casual workers got permanent employment status, while residential quarters were given to civil servants on owner-occupier basis, with another 300 housing units in Luvu (Masaka) ready to be allocated to workers through mortgage financing. He has also cleared backlog of outstanding gratuities for retired workers in the state from 1996 to 2011, ensuring that retirees receive full payment. Governor Sule cleared the 26 years backlog of gratuities. Obviously, some civil servants in Nasarawa state are quick to forget all these well intentioned interventions and much more, particularly now that their focus is on the implementation of the 70,000 national minimum wage. While it is their right to agitate for the implementation of this new wage, they should also endeavour to appreciate that Governor Sule earned the name the labour union gave him as the ‘Most Labour Friendly Governor’. They should not to throw the baby with the bathe water as they jostled for the new wage. Already, Governor Sule has approved N70,500 minimum wage in the state and has demonstrated his willingness to implement a consequential adjustment for other category of workers. Leaders of organised labour in Nasarawa state should therefore have a rethink and consider all the laudable initiatives the present government executed purposely to enhance the welfare of workers in the state. Since the commencement of the debate on the new national minimum wage, Governor Sule has been forthright in dealing with members of the organised labour, always carrying them alone in all the meetings where the new wage would be discussed. At one of such meetings, where the Governor made known his intention to implement the new minimum wage, it was the organised labour in the state that intervened and urged him not to implement the new minimum wage. They instead asked him to implement their promotions, which he did. It is therefore unfair to Governor Sule for any worker to turn around and accuse him of failing to implement the new minimum wage. The new minimum wage is a law, and the governor has always been on the side of the law. According to Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, who doubles as the Chairman of the National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, Governor Sule has already directed the finance commissioner and the accountant general to facilitate the payment of the new wage this December. It is also worthy of note that the minimum wage is the lowest amount of money that an employer is legally required to pay an employee for their work. It is a wage floor, below which employers are not allowed to pay their employees. It therefore means that for those who already receive more than the minimum wage as salary such would only benefit in percentages. Indeed, workers in Nasarawa state should learn to appreciate Governor Sule for all that his administration is doing and would do to better the lives of not only civil servants but the entire population of the state.
Syria President Assad, his family arrive in Moscow after Russia grants them asylum: ReportsCEO Letter to Shareholders Issued by Tivic Health
Emerging tight end Noah Gray gives Mahomes and the Chiefs another option in passing gameTownsquare Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Valley National Bancorp ( NASDAQ:VLY – Free Report ) by 11.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,365 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 1,521 shares during the quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC’s holdings in Valley National Bancorp were worth $130,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of VLY. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in Valley National Bancorp by 193.2% in the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 10,173,791 shares of the company’s stock valued at $69,233,000 after purchasing an additional 6,703,552 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Valley National Bancorp by 1,501.7% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,676,685 shares of the company’s stock valued at $51,431,000 after buying an additional 5,322,278 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in Valley National Bancorp by 995.0% during the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 2,775,698 shares of the company’s stock worth $19,374,000 after buying an additional 2,522,204 shares during the period. Point72 Asset Management L.P. grew its holdings in Valley National Bancorp by 461.7% during the 2nd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 567,303 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,960,000 after acquiring an additional 466,303 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grew its holdings in Valley National Bancorp by 103.5% during the 2nd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 843,376 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,887,000 after acquiring an additional 428,851 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.00% of the company’s stock. Valley National Bancorp Price Performance Shares of VLY opened at $10.51 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $5.35 billion, a PE ratio of 16.95 and a beta of 1.09. Valley National Bancorp has a 52-week low of $6.47 and a 52-week high of $11.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 0.99. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $9.73 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $8.43. Valley National Bancorp Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 13th will be paid a $0.11 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 13th. This represents a $0.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.19%. Valley National Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio is presently 70.97%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have recently commented on VLY shares. StockNews.com lowered shares of Valley National Bancorp from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Barclays upped their price target on Valley National Bancorp from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday. Wedbush reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $10.00 price target on shares of Valley National Bancorp in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Valley National Bancorp from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Valley National Bancorp from $9.50 to $10.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, September 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $10.00. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Valley National Bancorp About Valley National Bancorp ( Free Report ) Valley National Bancorp operates as the holding company for Valley National Bank that provides various commercial, private banking, retail, insurance, and wealth management financial services products. It operates through Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Corporate other segments. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Valley National Bancorp ( NASDAQ:VLY – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Valley National Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Valley National Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
By EDDIE PELLS When the page turns on 2024, it will be time to say goodbye, once and for all, to the amateur athlete in college sports. Related Articles Sports | Connecticut High School Football Alliance schedule released for 2025 season Sports | Netflix is airing 2 NFL games on Christmas Day. Here’s what to know Sports | Caitlin Clark effect hasn’t reversed the decades-long decline in girls basketball participation Sports | Lock’s return at QB includes two pick-6s in Giants’ franchise-record 10th straight loss Sports | Callahan: It’s time to forget about Jerod Mayo getting fired In theory, the concept held on stubbornly via the quaint and now all-but-dead notion that student-athletes played only for pride, a scholarship and some meal money. In practice, the amateurs have been disappearing for years, washed away by the steady millions, now billions, that have flowed into college athletics, mostly through football and basketball both through legitimate and illicit means. In the coming year, the last vestiges of amateur college sports are expected to officially sputter out — the final step of a journey that has felt inevitable since 2021. That’s when the Supreme Court laid the foundation for paying college players in exchange for promotions — on social media, TV, video games, you name it — featuring their name, image or likeness (NIL). The changes have come in spasms so far, not always well thought out, not always fair and not regulated by any single entity like the NCAA or federal government, but rather by a collection of state laws, along with rules at individual schools and the leagues in which they play. But on April 7, the day final approval is expected for the landmark, $2.8 billion lawsuit settlement that lays the foundation for players to receive money directly from their schools, what was once considered anathema to the entire concept of college sports will become the norm. David Schnase, the NCAA’s vice president for academic and membership affairs, acknowledges that maintaining the unique essence of college sports is a challenge in the shifting landscape. “You can use the word ‘pro,’ you can use the word ‘amateur,’ you can attach whatever moniker you want to it, but those are just labels,” Schnase said. “It’s much less about labels and more about experiences and circumstances. Circumstances are different today than they were last year and they are likely going to be different in the foreseeable future.” Few would argue that college athletes should get something back for the billions they help produce in TV and ticket revenue, merchandise sales and the like. But is everyone going to cash in? Are college players really getting rich? Recent headlines suggest top quarterback recruit Bryce Underwood was lured to Michigan thanks to funding from billionaire Oracle founder Larry Ellison, and that a top basketball recruit, A.J. Dybantsa, is heading to BYU — not a hoops powerhouse — for the reported price of $7 million. For every Underwood or Dybantsa, though, there are even more Matthew Slukas and Beau Pribulas. Sluka’s agent says his son agreed to play quarterback at UNLV after a promise of receiving $100,000 and quit three games into the season after the checks never came. Pribula was the backup quarterback at Penn State who abruptly entered the transfer portal earlier this month, choosing the college version of free agency over a chance to play with the Nittany Lions in the College Football Playoff. He’s not the only one hitting the portal in hopes of getting rich before new regulations related to the NCAA settlement take effect. “We’ve got problems in college football,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. The settlement will overhaul the current system. Currently, players receive money via third-party collectives that are booster-funded groups affiliated with individual schools. Coming up fast: the schools paying the athletes directly — the term often used here is “revenue sharing” — with collectives still an option, but not the only one. “It’s going to be more transparent,” said Jeff Kessler, the plaintiffs’ attorney and antitrust veteran who helped shape the settlement. “If anything, having the schools handling all the payments is only going to improve the system.” The NCAA has started collecting data about NIL payments, which date to July 2021. Its first set of numbers, which includes data from more than 140 schools across more than 40 sports in 2024, show a bracing disconnect between have and have-nots. For instance, average earnings for football and men’s and women’s basketball players is nearly $38,000. But the median earning — the middle number among all the data points on the list — is only $1,328, a sign of how much the biggest contracts skew the average. The statistics also show a vast difference in earnings between men and women, an issue that could impact schools’ ability to comply with Title IX. That 1972 law requires schools to provide equal athletic scholarships and financial aid but not necessarily that they spend the same dollar amount on men and women. Heading into 2025, there is no clarity on how this issue will play out. Regardless, the numbers are jarring. The NCAA data set shows the average earnings for women in 16 sports was $8,624, compared with $33,321 for men in 11 sports. Men,’s basketball players averaged $56,000 compared with $11,500 for women. The biggest losers from this move toward a professional model could be all the swimmers and wrestlers and field hockey players — the athletes in the so-called non-revenue sports whose programs also happen to serve as the backbone of the U.S. Olympic team. Only a tiny percentage of those athletes are getting rich, and now that universities have to use revenue to pay the most sought-after players in their athletic programs, there could be cuts to the smaller sports. Also, someone’s going to have backfill the revenue that will now go to the players. Well-heeled donors like Ellison are not around for every school, nor have private equity firms started sending money. The average fan will have to pony up, and the last six months have seen dozens if not hundreds of athletic directors begging alumni for money and warning them of changes ahead. Already there are schools placing surcharges on tickets or concessions . How will fans respond to a more transactional model of college sports? “I don’t know that fans have this really great love for the idea of 100% pure amateurism,” said Nels Popp, a University of North Carolina sports business professor. “I think what they care about is the colors and the logos and the brand. I don’t know that it matters to them if the players are making a little bit of money or a lot of money. They’ve been making money for the last couple years, and I don’t know that that’s making fans really back off.” The last time amateurism came under such assault was in the 1980s, when the Olympics unwound the final remnants of pretending the vast majority of their athletes were anything other than full-time professionals. The transformation was tinged with a note of honesty: The people putting on the show should reap some benefits from it. Even 40 years later, there’s an good argument they remain underpaid. The contours of the same debate are shaping up in college sports. Athletes are pushing for a players’ association that would add more transparency to a business that, even with the changes coming, is still largely dictated by the schools. The NCAA, while acceding to the need to pay the players, wants nothing to do with turning them into actual employees of the schools they play for. It’s an expensive prospect that is winding its way through the legal system via lawsuits and labor hearings that many in college sports are desperate to avoid for fear it will push the entire industry off the financial cliff. Among the few things everyone agrees on is that things aren’t going back to a time when athletes pretended to play for pride while the money moved under tables and through shadows. And that this, in fact, could only be the start, not the end, of the transformation of college sports. “At some point, I think people might have to understand that maybe college athletes don’t go to college anymore,” Popp said. “Or maybe they don’t go to class during the season. There could be more radical changes, and as long as they’re wearing the right logo and the right colors, I’m not sure that fans really care.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballSyrian President Bashar al-Assad oversaw a merciless crackdown on a pro-democracy revolt that morphed into one of the bloodiest wars of the century. After facing down nationwide protests demanding his ouster and an armed rebellion that he all but crushed, he had until this month taken back control of much of Syria in the civil war that began in 2011. Quiet in his demeanour, Assad is a political survivor who for years excelled in his alliance-building with Russia and Iran, and who knew just how to present himself as Syria's only viable leader in the face of the Islamist threat. But since November 27, an Islamist-led rebel offensive has wrested from Assad's control city after city, including Aleppo and Hama for the first time since 2011, leaving his grip on power severely under threat. Assad has cast himself as the protector of Syria's minorities, a bulwark against extremism and the sole possible purveyor of stability for the war-ravaged country. In multiple votes held over the years, conducted solely on government-held territory, he has taken the vast majority of the ballots, amid accusations from Western countries that the wartime elections were neither free nor fair. In appearance, whether in person or in the many portraits of him in the capital Damascus, Assad has typically eschewed military garb, opting instead for a sharp-cut business suit and sober tie. In official meetings, during interviews and even on the frontlines, the 59-year-old ophthalmologist by training conducts himself calmly and can almost appear timid. Behind the facade, however, is an astonishing ability to hold onto power amid multiple waves of violence and transformative change in Syria and the wider region. One journalist, who met with Assad on several occasions before and after war broke out in 2011, told AFP the president is a "unique and complex figure". "Each time I met him he was calm... even during the most difficult moments of the war," said the journalist, who declined to be named. Assad has "the same qualities" as his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly three decades until his death in 2000, the journalist said. "In politics, it's important to know how to shuffle cards, not just how to arrange them," he added. "Assad has mastered the shuffling game." Hafez al-Assad, head of the Syrian Baath Party, imposed in the country a secretive, paranoid regime where even the slightest suspicion of dissent could land one in jail or worse. Bashar al-Assad was never meant to become president, but his life changed radically when his older brother Bassel, who was being groomed to inherit power, was killed in a road accident in 1994. Bashar quit his studies in ophthalmology and left London, where he had met his wife, Asma, a British-Syrian and Sunni Muslim who worked for financial services firm JP Morgan. Back home, he took a course in military studies and was tutored in politics by his father. Sign up to get our free daily email of the biggest stories! When the latter died, Bashar became president by referendum, running unopposed, then winning a second term in 2007. Sworn in at the age of 34, Assad was widely seen by Syrians pining for freedoms as a reformer, who could do away with years of repression and introduce economic liberalisation. In the early days, Assad would be seen driving his own car or having dinner at restaurants with his wife. He relaxed some of the heavy restrictions that existed under his father. But his initial image as a reformer quickly evaporated as authorities arrested and jailed academics, intellectuals and other members of what was then known as the Damascus Spring movement. When the Arab Spring reached Syria in March 2011, peaceful demonstrations broke out calling for change. Assad, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, responded by ordering a brutal crackdown on the protesters and civil war swiftly ensued. Throughout the war, which has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced half the population, Assad's position has not changed. He has been the subject of countless cartoons by dissident artists depicting him as a killer, not least in the aftermath of the 2013 chemical attacks on rebel bastions around Damascus. A Syrian researcher in Damascus, who asked to speak anonymously over security concerns, said: "Assad's personality played an undeniable role in his survival." His "persistence and rigour" were especially important in helping him "consolidate decision-making powers, and secure the army's full support", he added. Throughout the war, Assad has enjoyed military backing from staunch allies Iran and Russia, who helped him score a string of military victories. Since the start of the Islamist-led rebel offensive on November 27, Assad has echoed his long-held stance that the conflict in Syria is machinated from abroad. "The terrorist escalation reflects the far-reaching goals of dividing the region and fragmenting the countries in it and redraw the map in line with the objectives of the United States and the West," Assad said on Monday. He is the father of three children. His wife, Asma, was dubbed a "rose in the desert" by Vogue magazine before the revolt. bur/ser/jhb
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AP News Summary at 3:42 p.m. EST
MoU signed for JMC-H to produce power from waste
In the absence of clear answers from federal authorities about the reported drones that have mysteriously appeared in the skies over much of New Jersey and other parts of the Northeast in recent weeks, officials have begun banding together to pool resources and information in the hopes of preparing for what they described as “potential drone threats.” On Friday, almost 50 law enforcement professionals from 19 state, local and federal agencies gathered at Rutgers University for the inaugural meeting of a so-called “drone working group,” according to the New Jersey State Police, which co-hosted the event. Among the other groups represented were state police agencies in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Officials from two federal agencies — the Federal Aviation Administration and Naval Weapons Station Earle, a U.S. Navy base — also attended. A handful of non-law enforcement agencies, including the Network Contagion Research Institute, a nonprofit that assesses political threats and disinformation, were represented at the meeting. “The working group shared information, sifted fact from fiction, discussed drone and counter drone-technologies, addressed regulatory issues and the need for federal legislation, and explored online sentiment toward the sightings,” the state police reported in a news release. Officials also discussed the “potential drone threat to critical infrastructure and high-profile events,” including the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament’s final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey that summer. The release suggested that the working group would continue to meet, with the goal of being able “to draft a collaborative action plan, develop an interagency communication protocol, and identify training needs and equipment priorities,” according to John Farmer, director of the Miller Center for Policing and Community Resilience. Since the first sightings were reported in Morris County on Nov. 18, authorities have repeatedly emphasized the lack of evidence that the drones pose any kind of national security or public safety threat. The White House has said that the majority of the 5,000 sightings so far reported to the FBI have actually been legal drones, manned aircraft, helicopters, and even distant stars. Approximately 100 of those reports were deemed worthy of further investigation, a joint statement from the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, FAA and Department of Defense said earlier this month. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, neither of which was represented at the Rutgers meeting, continue to investigate the matter, as do state officials. Meanwhile, drone flights remain temporarily banned in 22 parts of New Jersey and 30 parts of New York through the middle of next month, an order imposed by the FAA at the request of federal security agencies. Authorities have also warned against pointing lasers at suspected drones, with accidental strikes on airplanes up 269% in New Jersey this month. Stories by AJ McDougall Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. AJ McDougall may be reached at amcdougall@njadvancemedia.com . Follow her on X at @oldmcdougall.Washington, Dec 8 (AP) The sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad is forcing the Biden administration and the incoming Trump team to confront intensifying questions about the possibility of greater conflicts across the Middle East. President-elect Donald Trump said Sunday that Assad had fled his country, which his family had ruled for decades, because close ally Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, “was not interested in protecting him any longer.” Also Read | Syria Crisis: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Declares Disengagement Agreement Defunct After Fall of Bashar al-Assad's Government. Those comments on Trump's social media platform came a day after he used another post to decry the possibility of the US intervening militarily in Syria to aid the rebels, declaring, “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT." The Biden administration had no intention of intervening, according to President Joe Biden's national security adviser. Biden was meeting with his national security team at the White House on Sunday. He was expected to make public comments later in the day. Also Read | Las Vegas Shocker: Football Coach Has Sex With Minor Student on Multiple Occasions, Films Act; Disturbing Videos Recovered. The US has about 900 troops in Syria, including forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held northeast to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group. Assad's fall adds to an already tense situation throughout much of region on many fronts, including Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza and its fragile cease-fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump, who takes office January 20, 2025, made a connection between the upheaval in Syria and Russia's war in Ukraine, noting that Assad's allies in Moscow, as well as in Iran, the main sponsor of Hamas and Hezbollah, “are in a weakened state right now.” The Syrian opposition that brought down Assad is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The Biden administration has designated the group as a terrorist organisation and says it has links to al-Qaida, although Hayat Tahrir al-Sham says it has since broken ties with al-Qaida. Vice President-elect JD Vance, a veteran of the US-led war in Iraq, wrote on own social media Sunday to express scepticism about the insurgents. “Many of the rebels' are a literal offshoot of ISIS. One can hope they've moderated. Time will tell,” he said, using another acronym for the group. Trump has suggested that Assad's ouster can advance the prospects for an end to fighting in Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022. Trump wrote that Putin's government “lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine” and the Republican called for an immediate cease-fire, a day after meeting in Paris with the French and Ukrainian leaders. Daniel B. Shapiro, a deputy assistant secretary of defence for the Middle East, said the American military presence will continue in eastern Syria but was “solely to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and has nothing to do with other aspects of this conflict.” “We call on all parties in Syria to protect civilians, particularly those from Syria's minority communities to respect international military norms and to work to achieve a resolution to include the political settlement,” Shapiro said. “Multiple actors in this conflict have a terrible track record to include Assad's horrific crimes, Russia's indiscriminate aerial bomb bombardment, Iranian-back militia involvement and the atrocities of ISIS," he added. Shapiro, however, was careful not to directly say Assad had been deposed by the insurgents. “If confirmed, no one should shed any tears over the Assad regime,” he said. As they pushed toward the Syrian capital of Damascus, the opposition freed political detainees from government prisons. The family of missing US journalist Austin Tice renewed calls to find him. “To everyone in Syria that hears this, please remind people that we're waiting for Austin,” Tice's mother, Debra, said in comments that hostage advocacy groups spread on social media. "We know that when he comes out, he's going to be fairly dazed & he's going to need lots of care & direction. Direct him to his family please!” Tice disappeared in 2012 outside Damascus, amid intensification of what became a civil war stretching more than a decade. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)