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#top646 Wondering how to bring a unique touch to your festive menu? If so, allow us to relieve some of your holiday-related stress. While we may not be able to assist you with wrapping all of your gifts, we can help you decide what to serve for lunch, dinner, or as a snack to serve your loved ones when they visit your household. Check out this enticing list of timeless recipes that will surely be loved by the whole family. Scotch eggs Boiled eggs 100g sausages Parsley Salt and pepper to taste Cheese Egg yolk (beaten) Breadcrumbs Tomato sauce Corn flour Wheat flour Coconut oil Method Put the sausages, parsley, cheese, tomato sauce, salt and pepper in a grinder and grind well. Add a bit of corn flour to this mixture. Prick the boiled and shelled eggs with a fork. Roll the eggs on wheat flour and then take a handful of the mixture we made and cover it around the egg. Pat well to form the shape of a ball so that all the sides are well covered. Coat the eggs in the beaten egg yolk mixture and roll on the bread crumbs till well covered. Deep fry these balls and put them on a rack to cool them. Cut each in half and garnish with tomato sauce and parsley. **** Baked capsicum & eggplants Eggplants Capsicum 200g fish, chicken or prawns (optional) 1 B onion / Celery Green chillies Salt / Pepper Chilli powder Tomato sauce 2 boiled potatoes Butter / Milk / Cheese Oil Method Slice the eggplants into half, sprinkle with salt and remove the flesh using a knife. Chop the flesh, add turmeric and deep fry in oil. Add some oil into a saucepan and fry the fish, chicken or prawns. Add the chopped B onion, celery and green chillies and sprinkle some salt, chilli powder and pepper to taste. Add some tomato sauce. Place the eggplants and sliced and seeded capsicum on a baking tray. Stuff them with the mixture. Smash the potatoes well and mix them with butter, salt, cheese and a little milk. Put this mixture in an icing nozzle and pipe on top of the mixture. You can sprinkle more cheese on top of this. Place a prawn on top of this mixture. Brake inside an oven which has been heated to 180°C for about 10 to 15 minutes. **** Festive macaroni salad 1 packet of boiled macaroni Cheese / 3 cups of milk 2 tbsp wheat flour Salt / Pepper / Parsley Boiled vegetables Green peas Lettuce 1 tsp chopped ginger and garlic 1 B onion / Margarine Method Add the margarine into a pan and add the chopped ginger and garlic. Once these are golden brown add the boiled macaroni, green peas, parsley, salt, and pepper and fry. Sprinkle some wheat flour and add the milk to make the white sauce. Let the mixture cool and keep in a refrigerator for a few minutes. Take a dish and place the lettuce around it. Sprinkle salt and pepper. Add the chilled macaroni mixture into the middle. **** Strawberry MarshmEllow pudding 1 1⁄2 sugar 4 tsp gelatin 1 1⁄2 cups of water 4 egg whites 2-3 tbsp strawberry jam Chopped strawberries 1tsp strawberry essence Red food colouring Method Use the double boil method to dissolve the gelatin with the water. Beat the egg whites well till they resemble snow. Add the sugar and gelatin mixture and beat till it becomes a creamy texture. Add the strawberry essence and strawberry jam and mix. Add the strawberry pieces and a drop of red colouring to get a pink colour. Spread this mixture in a dish and chill it in a refrigerator. **** Fish balls 500g sailfish (talapath) or any white fish variety Parsley or celery 1⁄2 tsp ginger and garlic 1⁄2 B onion Salt to taste 1 tsp pepper 2 egg yolks 1 tbsp tomato sauce A few sesame seeds Oil Bread crumbs Method Wash the fish. Add the fish, celery or parsley, ginger, garlic and B onions into a grinder and grind well. Add salt, pepper, egg yolks and tomato sauce to this mixture. Form the mixture into balls and coat with egg yolks. Mix the sesame seeds with the bread crumbs and roll the balls in this mixture. Fry till golden brown. **** Cashew and mushroom stir fry 1 packet of mushrooms 100g cashew nuts 1 beaten egg Corn flour 1 tsp chopped ginger and garlic 1tsp chilli paste For the sauce 5 tbsp tomato sauce 1 1⁄2 cups water or stock 1 tbsp soya sauce Sugar 1 tbsp 1⁄2 tsp salt 1 tbsp corn flour Method Wash the mushrooms, drain and tear them into thin pieces. Mix these pieces in beaten egg yolk and then corn flour. Fry till golden. Fry the cashews too. Put 2-3 tbsp oil in a pan and add the ginger and garlic. Add chilli paste. Mix all the ingredients in the sauce mixture together and add them to the pan. Once the mixture starts to thicken, add the fried mushrooms and cashews.

'Y'all Street': Here's where the temporary home of the Texas Stock Exchange will be this springA new study highlights the unexpected ways AI is transforming everyday tasks, making them more efficient and convenient. For example, research forecasts that 45 percent of grocery shopping activities will be handled by AI within five years. As a specific area, smart AI integration in retail and homes can reduce food waste by 30 percent through precise demand forecasting and expiration monitoring. Research from the firm ZeroBounce , reveals how AI quietly helps in everyday tasks—proving itself not just a tool for tech enthusiasts but an ally in the modern home and workspace. Digital Journal assesses the highlights: Grocery Shopping – Smart Grocery Shopping with AI With the power of AI-powered apps , consumers can get tailored grocery lists, price comparisons, and real-time stock updates. Research shows that AI could reduce grocery prices by up to 20 percent through optimized inventory and logistics. Within five years, an estimated 45 percent of grocery shopping tasks will be automated, thanks to AI’s ability to predict consumer needs with uncanny accuracy. Dish Washing – Efficient Cleaning Made Easy Modern dishwashers are making household chores smarter by assessing dish types and quantities and then automatically adjusting water temperature, pressure, and cycle duration for the best clean. Within the next five years, automation is expected to take over 33 percent of dishwashing tasks, making everyday life more convenient. The dishwasher industry is projected to reach a revenue of $14.9 billion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 7.1 percent, driven by the increasing demand for automated home appliances. Cooking – Intelligent Meal Prep AI-driven cooking systems enhance kitchen efficiency and sustainability by helping chefs optimize menu planning, forecast ingredient needs, and reduce food waste. AI can even factor in external conditions, like weather or local events, that might affect ingredient availability or customer demand. Research shows that integrating AI-based systems to track waste could cut food waste by up to 30 percent within just one year. As an example, 32 percent of cooking tasks are set to be automated in the coming years, making the kitchen much more efficient and user-friendly. Laundry – Smarter Fabric Care The integration of AI in washers and dryers ensures that detergent use and cycle settings are personalized, improving overall laundry care. Washing machine producers (Samsung, LG) state that by tailoring wash parameters to fabric specifics, AI machines ensure more efficient and gentle processes, extending garment life and reducing environmental impact. Smart machines also estimate energy and water consumption, improving efficiency. Automation is expected to handle 29 percent of laundry tasks in the next five years, making laundry care more convenient and efficient. Pet Care – Simplified Health and Feeding Advanced pet care devices, including smart feeders and activity monitors, are transforming how we care for our pets by automating feeding schedules and tracking health. Research from the American Veterinary Medical Association highlights that more veterinarians are adopting AI tools for diagnostic imaging and managing medical records. With these innovations, it is projected that 21 percent of pet care tasks will be automated in the next five years, enhancing both convenience and the quality of care for pets. Commenting on the findings, Liviu Tanase, CEO at ZeroBounce tells Digital Journal: “AI is turning everyday chores into effortless experiences—whether it’s grocery shopping tailored to your preferences or dishwashing cycles optimized without a second thought. It’s all about making life easier, freeing up time, and letting people focus on what truly matters. As technology continues to evolve, it’s simplifying routines in ways we never imagined. This transformation is not just about convenience; it’s about redefining how we live and interact with the world around.” Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.Omnicom Declares Dividend

Sir Keir Starmer and John Swinney will discuss financing action to tackle climate change at a summit bringing together leaders from the devolved nations and Ireland. Financing a just transition will be the main topic at the British-Irish Council (BIC) meeting in Edinburgh on Friday. Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris will be present at the summit, as will Tanaiste Micheal Martin. As well as Scotland’s First Minister, Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan and Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill will also take part along with other ministers from the devolved administrations. The chief ministers of the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey also attend the BIC. Alongside the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden will represent the UK Government. Formed in the wake of the Good Friday Agreement, this will be the 42nd meeting of the intergovernmental forum. Discussions are expected to cover the opportunity clean power presents for the economy and how to share best practice across the British Isles. Mr Swinney said: “Scotland will welcome political leaders to our capital city as we gather for the 42nd summit of the British-Irish Council – a meeting which also marks 25 years since the first council was held following the Good Friday Agreement. “As we reflect on 25 years, it is testament to the value of the British-Irish Council that the partnership conceived a quarter of a century ago has prevailed in the midst of unprecedented change and challenge. “The meeting in Edinburgh provides a forum for us to discuss the greatest challenge facing the next 25 years – that of climate change and delivering a just transition. “The need to share our knowledge, our efforts and our actions is no less urgent today than it was when the first British-Irish Council meeting was held in 1999.”

The AP Top 25 women’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Addison O’Grady scored 12 points and No. 24 Iowa defeated Purdue 84-63 on Sunday in a game in which only two players reached double figures in scoring. O’Grady made 4 of 7 shots and 4 of 6 free throws for the Hawkeyes (10-3, 1-1 Big Ten). Iowa’s balanced scoring was so thorough that five players scored nine points and one had eight. Among that group, Sydney Affolter had nine points, seven rebounds and six assists. Ava Heiden had nine points and eight rebounds. Destini Lombard had 12 points for Purdue (7-6, 0-2). Iowa shot 67% in the first quarter, seven players scored, and the Hawkeyes led 27-13. Iowa outscored the Boilermakers 15-3 over the final 4 1/2 minutes of the second quarter to take a 50-32 lead at the half. Five players scored in that run. In the third quarter, the Hawkeyes again dominated the final few minutes, outscoring Purdue 11-0 over the final 3 1/2 minutes. The Hawkeyes made 6 of their last 8 shots in the fourth quarter. Coming up, Iowa has a road game against Penn State on Wednesday and a home game against No. 8 Maryland on Jan. 5. Purdue will be at No. 19 Michigan State on Wednesday. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketballThe NFL alerted their players to take caution and be on high alert following a string of burglaries at the homes of three NFL players in recent weeks, a memo obtained by NFL Network said. Police suspect the crimes may be connected to a South American crime ring and are currently investigating the matter, but no suspect information has been released at this time. The NFL put their players on notice after the residences of Kansas City Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were targeted by alleged burglars, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Dallas Cowboys defensive linesman Linval Joseph also recently fell victim, police said. The football league dispatched a memo to all of its teams on Wednesday. KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 04: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs yells before kickoff against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 4, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said the alert was put forward when law enforcement and NFL authorities began to suspect that the robberies were part of a sophisticated crime ring. Pelissero reported that the league is advising its players to enhance their security, hide their valuables and refrain from posting on social media in real time. Kelce has not issued public comment on the burglary at his Kansas estate, according to TMZ . Mahomes said the incident at his Missouri residence was “frustrating” and “disappointing.” Multiple sources told Fox4 law enforcement suspect members of a South American criminal organization were involved in a number of high-profile robberies. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 27: Tight end Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs walks to the sidelines during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, at Allegiant Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) “This is a sophisticated operation, it’s not some guy that’s going down to the local pawn shop,” security professional Mike Barbieri told the outlet. “It doesn’t surprise me at all that this crime spree that is going across the entire country is designed by some very sophisticated people in somewhat of a cartel,” he said. Barbieri added that he believed weeks of intelligence-gathering were part of the crimes and claimed workers that attended the homes of the elite may possibly be linked to the suspects, according to Fox 4. Pelissero reported that one of his sources told him, “It’s legit.” (RELATED: South American Crime Ring Suspected In Robberies Of NFL Stars: REPORT) “It’s a transnational crime ring, and over the last three weeks, they’ve focused on NBA and NFL players, and it’s all over the country,” the source told him.

Donald Trump has an "aching thirst to monetize the presidency," according to the president elect's own biographer. Tim O'Brien, who spent massive amounts of time with Trump before writing TrumpNation: The Art of Being the Donald , appeared on MSNBC on Saturday to discuss Trump's recent transition moves. O'Brien, who has previously commented on how he perceives that Trump's brain is "degrading," was asked about the items Trump sells on his social media site, Truth Social. ALSO READ: America's dark past and the key to stopping Trump's authoritarian rule Saying Trump is preparing to "fatten his wallet" in the new administration, O'Brien notes that the former and incoming president's habit of selling merchandize with his name on it is "low-hanging fruit." The writer said that private citizens are given broad discretion to engage in legitimate LLC transactions, but that Trump is taking things to a new level. "There is a lot of freedom there," he said, noting that the founders "never anticipated someone would enter the White House both with his wallet wide open and with the aching thirst to monetize the presidency." "So, when you don't have transparency under who the investors are or who the beneficiaries are in these LLCs, it raises an obvious financial conflict of interest that voters and policymakers should be concerned about." Watch below or click here.

Former President Jimmy Carter died Sunday at the age of 100. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were married for 77 years, making them the longest-married presidential couple in U.S. history. They credited reconciliation, communication, shared faith, and personal space as keys to their enduring partnership. PLAINS, Ga. - Former President Jimmy Carter once said there were only two secrets to a long and happy marriage. "First of all, choose the right person to marry," Carter said in 2021, the year he and wife Rosalynn celebrated 75 years of marriage. "And every night, we try to make sure we’re completely reconciled from all the arguments during the day." Jimmy Carter died on Sunday after entering hospice care on Feb. 18, 2023. He was 100 years old. Rosalynn Carter died Nov. 19, 2023, also in her hometown of Plains, Georgia, after entering hospice care a few days earlier. She was 96. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were married for 77 years, the longest-married presidential couple in American history. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and Jimmy Carter attend Former President Jimmy Carter surprise 70th. birthday party at The Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta Georgia October, 1994 (Photo By Rick Diamond/Getty Images) The 39th president often said the most important decision he ever made wasn’t as head of state, commander in chief or even executive officer of a nuclear submarine in the early years of the Cold War. Rather, it was falling for Eleanor Rosalynn Smith in 1945 and marrying her the following summer. The two met in their hometown of Plains, Georgia when Jimmy Carter, at the time a young midshipman, was home from the U.S. Navy Academy . His younger sister set him up on a date with Rosalynn, a family friend who already had a crush on the future Georgia governor and U.S. president. Jimmy Carter, Democratic presidential candidate, and his wife, Rosalynn, share a moment aboard his campaign plane (Getty Images) Before she met Jimmy, Rosalynn didn’t care for dating young men while growing up and never thought she’d get married. "I didn’t know how to talk to them, I didn’t want to go out with them," she recalled. Rosalynn said she used to urge her mother to tell suitors calling on the phone that she wasn’t around. "And then, along came Jimmy Carter and my life has been an adventure ever since," she said. FROM THE ARCHIVES: LiveNOW's Andrew Craft discusses the life and legacy of former first lady Rosalynn Carter with The First Ladies Man Andrew Och and Barbara Perry, the Director of Presidential Studies at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center. The couple married on July 7, 1946, in Plains, a town of fewer than 1,000 residents. They had their first child, Jack, within a year of their marriage, and would eventually have three more children: Donnel, James and Amy. READ MORE: US at risk of 'losing our precious democracy,' Jimmy Carter says in op-ed "It’s a full partnership," Jimmy Carter told The Associated Press before he and Rosalynn celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2021. The couple acknowledged that the marriage wasn’t seamless, but "reconciliation, communication" and their devotion to faith kept them going for nearly 80 years. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter shaking hands w/ children at Indonesian elections June 5-9, 1999. (Credit: The Carter Center) "We developed a partnership when we were working in the farm supply business, and it continued when Jimmy got involved in politics," Rosalynn Carter told AP. "I knew more on paper about the business than he did. He would take my advice about things," she added, drawing a laugh and affirmation from her husband. In 2021, Rosalynn Carter noted the importance of finding common interests, but with a caveat: "Each (person) should have some space. That’s really important." READ MORE: Jimmy Carter, trounced in 1980, gets fresh look from history As first lady, Rosalynn Carter carved her own identity even as she supported her husband. She went to work in her own East Wing office, setting a standard for first ladies by working alongside her husband’s West Wing aides on key legislation, especially dealing with health care and mental health. She continued that focus as the couple built the Carter Center in Atlanta after their White House years. Jimmy Carter was an outspoken voice for women’s rights, including within Christianity. Carter left the Southern Baptist Convention in 2006, denouncing what he called "rigid" views that "subjugated" women in the church and in their own marriages. FOX 5 Atlanta and the Associated Press contributed to this report. This story draws from a range of sources, including remarks by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter during interviews with the Associated Press, details from their public appearances and milestones as documented in Getty Images and The Carter Center archives.

PESHAWAR: The Kurram grand jirga failed to reach an agreement as deadlock persisted over several unresolved issues related to the ongoing peace efforts in restive tribal district. The members of the grand Jirga, convened in Kohat, however, agree to continue efforts for a last peace in the region. As per sources, despite intensive consultations, the deadlock persisted, particularly concerning the contentious clause requiring the surrender of heavy weaponry to national advisors, preventing the signing of a peace agreement. The lack of consensus on this key matter has left the region’s peace process in limbo. While both sides have largely agreed on most aspects of the agreement, the issue of weapons storage continues to cause division. Despite repeated consultations with local elders, one side has yet to reach a decision on the matter, maintaining the deadlock. The Jirga meeting, held at Kohat Fort under the leadership of Commissioner Mutasim Bilal Shah, various points were discussed. Government officials clarified that, until heavy weapons are surrendered, the risk of opening roads cannot be taken. One of the sides has demanded that all weapons from both parties be handed over to the government, and that decisions from the Apex Committee be followed. Discussions on this demand are ongoing. Government representatives also informed the Jirga members that helicopter services have been launched to deliver medicines and other supplies to Kurram. Health Advisor Ihtesham Ali stated that since December 13, over 16,000 patients have been treated at the Parachinar DHQ Hospital and health facilities across Kurram are providing timely services, including medicines. Ali further explained that there is a sufficient stock of medicines at all health centers, including Upper Kurram’s DHQ in Parachinar. The Parachinar DHQ has also seen the highest number of OPD patients in its history, with the majority being women and children. For patients unable to visit hospitals, medicines are being delivered to their homes, and insulin for diabetic patients will be dispatched on Monday. He added that diapers for children have been sent, and medication supplies will continue until roads are reopened. Earlier, it was reported that a peace agreement had been reached during a long-delayed grand jirga, held amid escalating violence that had gripped the entire region. Meanwhile protests against the closure of roads in Kurram district had begun to spread in other parts of the country aswell as the sit-in in Parachinar has entered its sixth day. Roads blockages in the tribal district of Kurram, including Parachinar, continue. In Parachinar itself, the sit-in on the main Kachehri Road in front of the Press Club has entered its sixth day. Philanthropist Faisal Edhi has urged the government to take appropriate steps to resolve the crisis in Kurram district, warning that it may ignite unrest across the country. He made this statement while addressing members of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) at the HRCP Karachi office on Friday. Expressing concerns over the gravity of the situation, Faisal said that if proper records were maintained, it would reveal that more than a hundred children have already died due to the ongoing conflict. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );

The reigning Super Bowl champions saw their run of 15 straight wins ended by the Buffalo Bills last week, but got back to winning ways thanks to star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. After a late Chuba Hubbard touchdown and two-point conversion had made it 27-27, the Chiefs got the ball back with less than two minutes on the clock and a 33-yard run from Mahomes helped set up Spencer Shrader for a game-winning field goal. THE CHIEFS SURVIVE AGAIN. 🔥 Patrick Mahomes comes up CLUTCH with a 33-yard run late, before Spencer Shrader wins it as time expires! Get your #NFL action on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/POt57HQYig — ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) November 24, 2024 Mahomes finished the game with 269 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to Noah Gray in the first half. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs scored two touchdowns as the Detroit Lions beat the Indianapolis Colts 24-6 to improve their record to 10-1, matching that of the Chiefs. David Montgomery also ran for a score before having to leave the game with a shoulder injury. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended a four-game losing streak with a 30-7 win over the New York Giants, who “mutually agreed” to terminate the contract of quarterback Daniel Jones earlier this week. Jones’ replacement Tommy DeVito was sacked four times while opposite number Baker Mayfield ran for a touchdown and completed 24 of 30 pass attempts for 294 yards. Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker also ran for touchdowns in a one-sided contest. The Dallas Cowboys ended their five-game losing streak with a remarkable 34-26 win over the Washington Commanders, with 30 points scored in the final three minutes. KaVontae Turpin’s 99-yard kick-off return for a touchdown looked to have sealed victory for the Cowboys, only for the Commanders to respond with a field goal before getting the ball back with 33 seconds remaining. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin sprinted 86 yards through the Dallas defence for a touchdown, only for Austin Seibert to miss the extra point. 99 YARDS TO THE 🏡 @KaVontaeTurpin was gone!! 📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LvklCbYJ1e pic.twitter.com/4ckMWDEDPL — Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 24, 2024 The Commanders tried an onside kick and Juanyeh Thomas returned it 43 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw four touchdown passes as the Miami Dolphins cruised to a 34-15 win over the New England Patriots, while the Tennessee Titans pulled off a surprise 32-27 victory at the Houston Texans. The Minnesota Vikings improved to 9-2 thanks to a 30-27 overtime win against the Chicago Bears, Parker Romo kicking the decisive field goal from 29 yards.

Milan are ready to fire coach Paulo Fonseca following , although there were already reports the situation was beyond salvation before that, with Sergio Conceicao lined up. , the contract for Sergio Conceicao will only be until the end of the season. There is also an option for Milan to extend, which leaves the door open for them to find a more long-term alternative. Fonseca was sent off for dissent during the first half of the Roma game and Sky Sport Italia claim Zlatan Ibrahimovic and other directors went to the locker room after the match. Ismael Bennacer told DAZN he did not speak to Fonseca after the game. were swirling this evening that Fonseca would be sacked due to an increasingly tense rapport with club owners RedBird and special advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Sky Sport Italia, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sportitalia, Calciomercato.com and more all had the same details, that Sergio Conceicao had been lined up to take over at San Siro. Fonseca had only been hired in July following a long process with many different names discussed and debated, including Julen Lopetegui. He oversaw 12 victories, six draws and six defeats between Serie A, the Champions League and Coppa Italia. The debut for the new coach would be on January 3 against Juventus in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Football enthusiasts, Liam Payne admirers, and fans of Adrian Chiles have rallied around following some criticisms of Chiles' outfit at Liam's funeral earlier this week. The sombre occasion marked the final farewell to Liam, who tragically died at the young age of 31 on October 16, after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Following weeks of pain and effort by his father Geoff to bring his son's body home, loved ones gathered in old Amersham , including ITV's Adrian Chiles, who stood out with his football-themed attire. Opting to wear a football jacket emblazoned with both Adidas and West Bromwich Albion badges, Adrian's apparel choice sparked debate online. One person took to Twitter to scathingly comment: "Bizarre going to a funeral wearing football gear. Shocking," igniting a flurry of defence for Adrian and Liam. Among the supporters, one particularly vehement response was: "You know exactly what you're doing here. Trying to hint that this is funny and odd when it's because Liam was a massive Baggies (West Bromwich Albion) fan and they used to watch games together. Shame on you," underpinning the sentiment behind Adrian's chosen garb. Get the latest news straight to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp "Liam Payne was a massive West Brom fan, he would have loved Adrian Chile's turning up at his funeral in that club jacket," another fan noted, highlighting the touching tribute to Liam's dedication to the team. One person defended the situation, saying: "Even as a Villa fan I can appreciate this. Liam Payne was a massive West Brom fan and Chiles is one of their most high profile supporters. It was also brass monkeys weather today. This tweet is a bit of a low blow," according to the Mirror, reports the Irish Mirror . After Liam's death, Adrian Chiles discussed their friendship on his BBC Radio 5 Live show, stating: "I got to know him when he first did X Factor. He came up to me and said 'up the Albion' - he was a West Brom fan. "Just as a sign as to how massive he was, I remember we snuck him into a Boxing Day game and I think his mum and dad came and sat with me. But we managed to secrete our man up in the commentary gantry so he didn't get bothered. "Then a friend of mine texted me to ask 'why are West Brom trending number one on Twitter? ' I went, well it could be because Liam Payne is here and he tweeted he was here and the whole world went mad for it." Liam, a former member of One Direction, was a season ticket holder at the Hawthorns, and the club shared a heartfelt tribute to him after hearing the news of his passing. "We're shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Baggies fan and musician, Liam Payne," the club posted on social media. "Our thoughts are with Liam's family, friends and loved ones at this tragic time," added the club.

Toronto, Canada, Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dione Protocol , a pioneering leader at the intersection of blockchain technology and renewable energy, announces the launch of DIONE SPARK , an ambitious Grants & Accelerator Program aimed at accelerating the development of eco-conscious projects in the Web3 ecosystem. This initiative reflects Dione's steadfast commitment to sustainable technology and innovative solutions in decentralized energy and blockchain applications. About Dione Protocol Dione Protocol is setting new standards for sustainable energy solutions in the blockchain space. With a mission to redefine energy production and consumption, Dione offers an ecosystem of products that harness renewable energy to support a greener future. This includes Orion, a decentralized infrastructure powered by AI that validates green energy sources; Odyssey, a renewable-energy-driven Layer 1 blockchain; and Nebra, a peer-to-peer energy marketplace, often called the "Uber for energy," enabling users to share and trade renewable resources. As part of its mission, Dione Protocol's latest program, DIONE SPARK , empowers developers and entrepreneurs to leverage blockchain and decentralized technology for environmental impact. About the DIONE SPARK Program DIONE SPARK is designed to fuel the creation of forward-thinking green projects on the Dione Protocol blockchain. With grants, mentorship, and resources, the program is structured to support projects through three distinct categories: Dione's Vision and Selection Criteria Dione Protocol prioritizes projects that align with its core mission to drive blockchain innovation for a sustainable future. In selecting participants for DIONE SPARK, the team looks for projects demonstrating: DIONE SPARK's First Cohort Dione Protocol's first cohort of projects selected for DIONE SPARK represents a groundbreaking mix of Web3 solutions designed to address pressing environmental and infrastructure needs: Dione Protocol's commitment to sustainability and technological advancement is evident in its partnerships and its overarching mission to support developers in building a cleaner future through blockchain. Parth Kedia, Head of Energy at Dione Protocol, emphasized the program's strategic importance: " Our mission at SPARK is to fuel the brightest minds building at the intersection of Web3 and clean energy. We focus on two critical success pathways: enabling decentralized product innovation for the power and utilities sector, and fostering volume-generating technologies such as AI, DePIN, DeFi, Web3 gaming, and others that will shape our meta-first, clean energy future. Each project selected will join our global community of millions of DIONISTS, tap into our strong KOL network, and ultimately contribute to the value and revenue of our open ecosystem. " DIONE SPARK aims to ignite a new era in sustainable blockchain technology by bridging the gap between cutting-edge Web3 development and eco-friendly solutions. By empowering developers to build applications that prioritize sustainability, Dione Protocol is not only advancing blockchain innovation but also making significant strides towards a more sustainable global infrastructure. For more information on DIONE SPARK and application details, please visit Dione Protocol's official website or DIONE SPARK website. About Dione Protocol: Dione Protocol merges blockchain with renewable energy solutions, pushing the boundaries of sustainable technology through products like Orion, Odyssey, and Nebra. With a clear focus on green innovation, Dione Protocol envisions a decentralized, eco-friendly future where energy and blockchain technology harmonize to address global environmental challenges. CONTACT: Brandon K Vice President Dione Protocol pr(at)dioneprootocol.comFortnite players 'tricked' into unwanted purchases are starting to get refunds

Trump Hints at His Next Legal Target in Truth Social PostSPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — Jeremy Lorenz scored 20 points as Wofford beat Kentucky Christian 100-55 on Saturday. Lorenz shot 8 for 10 (2 for 4 from 3-point range) and 2 of 3 from the free-throw line for the Terriers (6-7). Dillon Bailey scored 16 points while going 5 of 13 from the floor, including 3 for 10 from 3-point range, and 3 for 3 from the line. Anthony Arrington, Jr. shot 4 of 10 from the field, including 2 for 7 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 3 from the line to finish with 12 points. D'Angelo Stoxstill led the Knights in scoring, finishing with 15 points and six rebounds. Kentucky Christian also got 12 points from Dejuan Johnson. LeMar Northington also had 12 points. Wofford hosts UNC Greensboro in its next matchup on Wednesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Israel said Tuesday it had bombed more than 350 military sites in Syria during the previous 48 hours, targeting “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the wave of airstrikes in neighboring Syria was necessary to keep the weapons from being used against Israel following the Syrian government’s stunning collapse . Israel also acknowledged its troops were pushing into a border buffer zone inside Syria, which was established after the 1973 Mideast war. However, Israel denied its forces were advancing Tuesday toward the Syrian capital of Damascus. Life in the capital was slowly returning to normal after jihadi-led Syrian insurgents ousted President Bashar Assad over the weekend. People celebrated for a third day in a main square, and shops and banks reopened. The United States said Tuesday it would recognize and support a new Syrian government that renounces terrorism, destroys chemical weapons stocks and protects the rights of minorities and women. Syria's nearly 14-year civil war killed nearly half a million people and displaced half of the country’s prewar population of 23 million, becoming a proxy battlefield for regional and international powers. Here's the Latest: BEIRUT — Insurgents who overthrew the Syrian government now say they have wrested control of the eastern city of Deir el-Zour after intense battles with a Kurdish-led, U.S.-backed force. Syria’s rebel military command announced Tuesday evening that they had completely captured the city of Deir el-Zour. A member of the jihadi group Hayat al-Tahrir, which leads the insurgent alliance, said in a recorded video that the group would soon conduct a thorough sweep of the city’s neighborhoods to secure the area, adding that the strategic nearby town of Boukamal has also fallen to opposition forces. “We will advance toward Raqqa and Hasakah and other areas in eastern Syria,” the HTS fighters said. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces had only held the city for a few days. The SDF said it deployed to Deir el-Zour and west of the Euphrates River on Friday, replacing Syrian government forces. At the time, the SDF said its fighters were not in control of the Boukamal border crossing with Iraq. Earlier Tuesday, the top U.S. military commander for the Middle East was in eastern Syria for meetings with the SDF. It wasn’t clear if he met with SDF leader Mazloum Abdi. BEIRUT — Syria’s transitional government will made up of members from the rebel-led administration that ruled an insurgent stronghold in the country's northwest, the new prime minister said Tuesday, who called the task “a great challenge.” The caretaker Syrian government, which will oversee the country’s affairs until March, held its first meeting Tuesday since overthrowing former President Bashar Assad. It was attended by the departing Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali and other ministers along with new Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir. He had led the so-called “salvation government” in areas controlled by rebel groups — led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS — that have taken control of much of the country. “We were tasked by the general command with managing the affairs of the Syrian government during a transitional period,” Bashir said in a statement following the meeting in Damascus. He added that he hopes ministers in the former Syrian government will assist the new government during this transitional period. “The caretaker government was formed from a number of ministers of the revolutionary government, which is the Syrian Salvation Government, and this government is a temporary caretaker government that will last until March 2025, until the constitutional issues are resolved,” Bashir said. The insurgent alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant , Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who cut ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. SAYDNAYA, Syria — Tens of thousands came to Saydnaya Prison from all over Syria after the fall of former President Bashar Assad to search for their loved ones. The place so notorious for its horrors was long known as “the slaughterhouse.” For the past two days, all have been looking for signs of loved ones who disappeared years or even decades ago into the secretive, sprawling prison just outside Damascus. But hope gave way to despair Monday. People opened the heavy iron doors lining the hallways to find cells inside empty. With sledgehammers, shovels and drills, men pounded holes in floors and walls, looking for what they believed were secret dungeons, or chasing sounds they thought they heard from underground. They found nothing. Insurgents freed dozens of people from the Saydnaya military prison on Sunday when Damascus fell. Since then, almost no one has been found. “Where is everyone? Where are everyone’s children? Where are they?” said Ghada Assad, breaking down in tears. An estimated 150,000 people were detained or went missing in Syria since 2011 — and tens of thousands of them are believed to have gone through Saydnaya. WASHINGTON — The top U.S. military commander for the Middle East was on the ground in Syria on Tuesday, meeting with a Kurish-led, U.S.-allied force at several bases in the country's east, U.S. Central Command said. Army Gen. Erik Kurilla visited with U.S. military commanders and troops as well as the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. It wasn’t clear if he met with SDF leader Mazloum Abdi, and U.S. Central Command did not respond to a request for details about his visit or with whom he met. U.S. officials said they did not know what his message to the SDF was. The U.S has about 900 troops in Syria, including forces working with Kurdish allies in the northeast to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group. In a press release, Central Command said Kurilla received an “assessment of force protection measures, the rapidly evolving situation, and ongoing efforts to prevent ISIS from exploiting the current situation.” Kurilla then went on to Iraq where he met with leaders in Baghdad. UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations says it still getting reports about the looting of warehouses with humanitarian aid in a number of areas in Syria, including around the capital Damascus. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Tuesday that U.N. agencies and their partners are working to identify the extent of looting at the warehouses, including those of U.N. agencies and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. Dujarric said U.N. aid officials report that “the humanitarian situation remains volatile across Syria, with reports of people continuing to be displaced.” Humanitarian officials reported that 25 trucks carrying U.N. aid crossed from Turkey to northwest Syria, which the situation is now relatively calm, the U.N. spokesman said. All 11 receptions opened in Idlib in the northwest to host newly displaced families were empty as of Monday, Dujarric said. In the northeast, he said, authorities report that as of Tuesday 100,000 people have been displaced due to fighting in Tal Rifaat and other parts of Aleppo governorate. Dujarric said the U.N.’s partners report that “reception centers in Tabqa and Raqqa have reached full capacity, and more than 200 sites – including municipal buildings, schools, mosques, and stadiums – are being used to accommodate newly displaced people.” BEIRUT — The Lebanese army said Tuesday that “unidentified gunmen” crossed the border from Syria into eastern Lebanon's Bekaa province and approached a Lebanese border post. In a statement, the army said the gunmen fired into the air and seized equipment from an evacuated Syrian army post in the outskirts of Kfar Fouq, near Rashaya al-Wadi, in the western part of Bekaa province. Lebanese army personnel responded with warning shots, forcing the group to retreat back into Syrian territory. The Lebanese army did not report any injuries or provide further details about the identity of the gunmen. WASHINGTON — Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched multiple drones and a missile at three commercial ships being escorted in the Gulf of Aden by U.S. Navy ships, a U.S. official said Tuesday. There was no damage and no injuries. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations, said U.S. Navy destroyers, and Navy helicopter and a French Air Force aircraft shot down four of the drones and the missile. The three U.S. affiliated flagged ships were sailing east toward Djibouti. The Iran-backed Houthis have targeted shipping through the key waterway for more than a year, attacks they say are meant to force an end to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. JERUSALEM — Israel’s military said it bombed more than 350 sites in Syria during the previous 48 hours, targeting “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in the country. There is concern that, with the sudden collapse of the Syrian government, weapons stockpiles could be seized by jihadi militants. Warplanes hit what Israel said were Syrian air defense systems, military airfields, missile depots, and dozens of weapons production sites in the cities of Damascus, Homs, Tartus, Latakia, and Palmyra, the Israeli army statement said. In naval operations overnight Monday, Israeli missile ships struck two Syrian navy facilities simultaneously — Al-Bayda port and Latakia port — where the army said 15 Syrian naval vessels were docked. Israeli did not specify how many Syrian naval vessels were hit. The private security firm Ambrey said it had seen evidence that at least six Soviet-era Syrian navy missile ships were hit. Israeli officials said earlier that Israel also targeted alleged chemical weapons sites. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Tuesday that his country’s military launched a wave of airstrikes across Syria to destroy the toppled government’s leftover “military capabilities,” and said Israel wants relations with the new government emerging Syria. Hours after Israeli warplanes pounded Syria, Netanyahu said Israeli doesn’t want to meddle in Syria’s internal affairs, but would take necessary steps to protect Israel's security and prevent jihadi militants from seizing the Syrian army assets. He warned that if the new Syrian government “allows Iran to re-establish itself in Syria or allows the transfer of Iranian weapons or any other weapons to Hezbollah, or attacks us -- we will respond forcefully and we will exact a heavy price from it.” He spoke in a video statement recorded at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, after his first day of testimony in his corruption trial. DAMASCUS, Syria — In Umayyad Square in Damascus, Syrians celebrated the fall of President Bashar Assad for the third day on Tuesday despite Israeli airstrikes across the country. Insurgents who recently took control of the capital city tried to impose a new rule banning the celebratory gunfire. There were a few violators, and much less deafening gunfire. Protesters climbed the square's central monument to wave the Syrian revolutionary flag. On the ground, crowds chanted: “Out with Bashar! Out with Bashar!” Assad fled to Russia over the weekend after a lightning rebel offensive toppled his brutal police state. Demonstrators from different provinces marched in the square in groups, celebrating Assad's fall. Men on motorcycles and horses paraded into the square. One woman from Idlib province shouted that the Israeli strikes ruined the joy of ousting Assad. “Why are you striking us? We just deposed a tyrant,” she said. “Give us peace. Leave us alone,” said Ahmed Jreida, 22, a dentist student, when asked about the Israeli airstrikes. Hamzeh Hamada, 22, said this was the first time he had gone out to a demonstration. “We want the country to get better, to live in dignity and be like other countries that respect citizens’ rights and where there are no bribes,” he said. “We have suffered a lot from bribes. ... We had to bribe people for very minor things; things that should be our right.” Abdul-Jalil Diab was taking a stroll with his brothers in another square in western Damascus. He said he came back from Jordan the day Damascus fell. He was there studying German to prepare to move to Germany and said he is now reconsidering his plans. He was ecstatic, saying words can’t describe how he feels. “We are happy to get rid of the corrupt regime that was based on bribes. The whole country feels better. Everyone is happy and celebrating,” Abdul-Jalil Diab said. QAMISHLI, Syria — Residents of northeast Syria in the area around Qamishli airport said Tuesday they heard explosions overnight after an airstrike hit trucks loaded with rockets and ammunition that were heading to a military base in Tartab. “We don’t know the story. It was only in the morning when we realized they are trucks loaded with ammunition, leftovers of the former army, the regime,” said Ibrahim al-Thalaj, who lives near the base. He said residents assumed that the strikes were Israeli. Israel has carried out a heavy wave of airstrikes across Syria targeting military infrastructure after Syrian insurgents toppled the government of Bashar Assad. However, Turkish security officials said Tuesday that the strike in Qamishli was carried out by Turkey, targeting weapons and ammunition that were abandoned by the Syrian army and seized by Syrian Kurdish militants. The explosions lasted for over 20 minutes after the strike, and many houses in the surrounding area were damaged as a result, residents of the area said. “We just felt a strike hitting. It hit the first one (truck) and we saw the other trucks retreating back, and from there rockets and shells started flying over,” said Hamid al-Asaad, an eyewitness from Qub al-Zeki village in Qamishli. “We were sitting when these explosions started to hit the house,” said Mahmoud Hamza of Tartab. “It was hitting randomly and we didn’t know where it was coming from. ... Once we got out of our house, a rocket hit the house.” There were no details released by the local Kurdish administration regarding the explosions, but members of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces blocked the road to the base. BRUSSELS — The European Union’s top diplomat is concerned that Syria might violently fall apart like neighboring Iraq, or Libya and Afghanistan if its territorial integrity and the rights of minorities are not protected. “The transition will present huge challenges in Syria and in the region,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told European lawmakers on Tuesday during a special hearing. “There are legitimate concerns about the risks of sectarian violence, extremist resurgence and the governance vacuum, all of which must be averted. We must avoid a repeat of the horrific scenarios of Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan,” she said. “The rights of all Syrians, including those of many minority groups, must be protected,” she said. “It is crucial to preserve the territorial integrity of Syria, and to respect its independence, its sovereignty, as well as the state institutions.” Kallas also said the collapse of the government has shown that Assad’s backers in Russia and Iran “could neither afford to do it any longer, nor had any interest of being present in the aftermath.” “They are weakened, distracted and overstretched in other theaters in the broader Middle East, but also in Ukraine,” she said. ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s intelligence agency, MIT, has attacked a convoy of trucks that was allegedly carrying missiles, heavy weapons and ammunition that were abandoned by the Syrian government and reportedly seized by Syrian Kurdish militias, Turkish security officials said Tuesday. The officials said 12 trucks, two tanks and two ammunition depots were “destroyed” in aerial strikes in the city of Qamishli, near the border with Turkey in northeast Syria. The officials provided the information on condition of anonymity in line with Turkish regulations. They did not say when the attack occurred. The officials said the intelligence agency detected that weapons left by the Syrian government forces were being moved to warehouses belonging to the Syrian Kurdish People’s Defense Units, or YPG. Turkey views the group as a terrorist organization because of its links to the banned Kurdish militants that have led a decadeslong insurgency in Turkey. According to the officials, he group was allegedly planning to use the equipment and supplies against Turkish security forces. By Suzan Fraser WASHINGTON — The White House is signaling its approval of Israel’s strikes against Syrian military and alleged chemical weapons targets and the seizure of a buffer zone in the Syrian Golan Heights after the fall of the Assad government. “These are exigent operations to eliminate what they believe are imminent threats to their national security,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday, saying the U.S. would leave it up to the Israelis to discuss details of their operations. “They have as always the right to defend themselves,” Kirby said. He declined to detail and U.S. intelligence cooperation with the Israelis that went into the strikes. Kirby said the White House was reasserting its support of the 1974 Golan Heights disengagement agreement, but didn’t criticize the Israeli seizure of the demilitarized zone. Israel has a long history of seizing territory during wars with its neighbors and occupying it indefinitely , citing security concerns. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally, except by the United States. WASHINGTON — The Biden administration says it will recognize and support a new Syrian government that renounces terrorism, destroys chemical weapons stocks and protects the rights of minorities and women. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Tuesday that the U.S. would work with groups in Syria and regional partners to ensure that the transition from President Bashar Assad’s deposed government runs smoothly. He was not specific about which groups the U.S. would work with. Blinken says Syrians should decide their future and that other countries should “support an inclusive and transparent process” and not interfere. “The United States will recognize and fully support a future Syria government that results from this process,” he said. “We stand prepared to lend all appropriate support to all of Syria’s diverse communities and constituencies.” DAMASCUS, Syria — Jihad Mustafa Shibani was taking his new motorcycle for a spin with a friend around the house of the deposed Syrian president in western Damascus on Tuesday. Shibani was released from prison a week before the capital Damascus fell, after he served two years on charges of buying his motorcycle using foreign currency on accusations he was dealing in dollars. He was tortured for 15 days and and given a quick trial where he was sentenced for two years, he said. He was released the day Aleppo fell to the insurgents. “Everything was banned in Syria. The (Assad loyalists) only could use it,” Shibani said. He said he has never been to this neighborhood, because it was taken over by Assad, his family and supporters. “For 50 years, my family’s house is near here, and we don’t know anything about it. ... The Syrian people had been oppressed, you can’t imagine.” Shibani said he has no fear of the rebel newcomers who have taken control of the country. “We are not afraid. There can be no one more unjust than Bashar. Impossible.” BEIRUT — Lebanon’s prime minister is in contact with security and judicial officials to follow up on reports that senior members of President Bashar Assad’s government have fled to Lebanon. Najib Mikati’s office quoted him as saying that Lebanon abides by international laws regarding people who cross its borders. Rami Abdurrahman of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said that several top security officials have entered Lebanon over the past two days. Abdurrahman added that Syria’s former intelligence chief Ali Mamlouk, who is wanted in Lebanon over two bombings in 2012 in the northern city of Tripoli that killed dozens, was allegedly brought to Lebanon by the Hezbollah militant group and was staying in a southern suburb of Beirut where the group has deep support. Lebanon’s Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi, whose ministry is in charge of border crossings, told reporters Tuesday that no person who is wanted in Lebanon entered the country through legal border crossings. There are dozens of illegal border crossings between Lebanon and Syria where people are usually smuggled in and out of Lebanon, but it was not possible to independently confirm whether Mamlouk had entered Lebanon. GENEVA — The United Nations says humanitarian operations in two major areas in northwestern Syria have resumed, deploying food, medical supplies, fuel and other needed services and supplies. Spokesman Jens Laerke of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that some health facilities were “overwhelmed” – in part due to staff shortages – and many border crossings have been closed, disrupting supply chains. OCHA said humanitarian operations in some parts of northwestern Syria were put on hold in the early days of the recent escalation, and resumed on Monday. “As of yesterday, all humanitarian organizations in Idlib and northern Aleppo have resumed operations,” Laerke told reporters at a U.N. briefing in Geneva. He said the three border crossings from Turkey used by the U.N. to deliver assistance into Syria remain open and “we are providing assistance in the northwest, including to those who have been newly displaced.” Even before the latest escalation, which led President Bashar Assad to flee the country, nearly 17 million people in Syria needed humanitarian assistance. More than 1 million have been displaced across Idlib, Aleppo, Hama and Homs since the escalation. JERUSALEM — Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday that Israel's military destroyed Syria’s fleet overnight and intends to establish a demilitarized zone “in southern Syria” to prevent attacks on Israel. He also issued a warning to Syria’s rebels, saying that “whoever follows Assad’s path will end up like Assad — we will not allow an extremist Islamic terrorist entity to act against Israel across its border while putting its citizens at risk.” Speaking at a naval base in Haifa, Katz said the Israeli navy “operated last night to destroy the Syrian fleet and with great success.” Video showing the smoking wreckage of what appeared to be small Syrian naval ships in the port at Latakia was broadcast by Saudi-owned television station Al-Hadath on Tuesday. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has closely tracked the conflict since the civil war erupted in 2011, said Israel targeted Syrian warships, military warehouses and an air-defense facility on the coast. Katz added that he had instructed the army to establish a “defense zone free of weapons and terrorist threats in southern Syria, without a permanent Israeli presence, in order to prevent terrorism in Syria from taking root and organizing.” It was unclear if the demilitarized zone would reach beyond the buffer zone that Israel has taken over in the border area. Israel has a long history of seizing territory during wars with its neighbors and occupying it indefinitely , citing security concerns. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally, except by the United States. DAMASCUS, Syria — Members of the Syrian government under ousted President Bashar Assad will gradually transfer power to a new transitional cabinet headed by Mohammed al-Bashir. The departing government met with al-Bashir for the first time since Assad fled Damascus over the weekend. Al-Bashir had previously led the “salvation government” running the rebel stronghold in northwest Syria. Al-Bashir told reporters after the meeting that the ministers discussed transferring the portfolios to the interim government during the transitional period until the beginning of March. He said that in the coming days the new government will decide on each ministry. DAMASCUS, Syria — Banks and shops are reopening in Damascus after the chaos and confusion of the first two days following the ouster of President Bashar Assad. Sadi Ahmad, manager of Syria Gulf Bank, said life is returning to normal. A customer who came to withdraw money from an ATM was surprised to see it functioning. At the historic Hamadiyeh market, fighters who seized power were still standing guard but shops had reopened — even an ice cream stand. Resident Maysoun Al-Qurabi said she was initially “against what happened,” referring to the insurgency, but changed her mind after seeing footage of rebels releasing inmates from the notorious Saydnaya prison. “People are at ease and secure now,” she said. “Before, people were hungry and scared.” DAMASCUS, Syria — Minority Christians in Syria have been living in a state of uneasy anticipation since insurgents headed by the Islamic militant group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham took control after ousting President Bashar Assad. Mazen Kalash, a resident of Bab Touma, a Christian neighborhood in Damascus, said he wants to know the plans of the new government that will be formed by the rebels. “The important thing is to feel safe, bring order, law and respect to the citizens,” he said. “We need to be able to work whatever we want and do whatever we want without any interference from anyone.” The insurgents have so far attempted to reassure minorities that they will be protected. Large numbers of Syrian Christians, who made up 10% of the population, fled after the civil war erupted in 2011. Many of those who stayed supported Assad out of fear they might be targeted by Islamist insurgents. TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at media during testimony at his corruption trial, which involves media moguls. “There has never been such a biased media in any democracy ... as there is in Israel,” Netanyahu told the court, describing his testy relationship with the press. He is accused of exchanging regulatory favors with media bosses for more positive coverage of himself and his family. He has denied wrongdoing. GENEVA — The U.N. envoy for Syria says armed groups that drove out President Bashar Assad have “been sending good messages” about national unity and inclusiveness but acknowledges that a Security Council resolution still counts the leading one as a terrorist group. With Syria’s future and stability still very much in flux since Assad’s departure over the weekend, Geir Pedersen suggested that the international community needs to help the country get through this turbulent moment. “We are still in what I would call a very fluid period. Things are not settled,” Pedersen told reporters at U.N. offices in Geneva on Tuesday. “There is a real opportunity for change, but this opportunity needs to be grasped by the Syrians themselves and supported by the U.N. and the international community.” Referring to Israeli military strikes in Syria, Pedersen said it was “extremely important that we now don’t see any action from any international country that destroys the possibility for this transformation in Syria to take place.” The insurgents are led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, which grew out of an al-Qaida-affiliate called the Nusra Front that the Security Council listed as a terror group in a 2015 resolution. “This is obviously a complicating factor for all of us,” Pedersen said. “But we also have to be honest, we have to look at the facts and to see what has happened during the last nine years.” “The reality so far is that the HTS and also the other armed groups have been sending good messages to the Syrian people,” he said. “They have been sending messages of unity, of inclusiveness, and frankly speaking, also, we have seen in (the captured cities of) Aleppo and in Hama ... reassuring things on the ground." Ahmad al-Sharaa, previously known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency and the founder of both groups Nusra and HTS, cut ties with al-Qaida in 2016 and says he is committed to pluralism and religious tolerance. ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey has “strongly” condemned Israel’s advance into Syrian territory, saying it was in violation of a 1974 agreement on a buffer zone inside Syria. “We strongly condemn Israel’s violation of the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement, its entry into the separation zone between Israel and Syria, and its advance into Syrian territory,” Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The ministry accused Israel of “displaying a mentality of an occupier” at a time when the possibility of peace and stability had emerged in Syria. The statement also reiterated Turkey’s support to Syria’s “sovereignty, political unity, and territorial integrity.” Israeli troops on Sunday entered the buffer zone that had been established after the 1973 Mideast war and the military said it would deploy in “several other places necessary for (Israel’s’) defense.” TEL AVIV, Israel — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he works 17 to 18 hours a day and that he is engulfed in meetings, especially during the past year that Israel has been fighting wars. Netanyahu was testifying in his long-running corruption trial. He has denied charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases. “If only I could steal away five minutes to enjoy some time with my wife,” he told the court Tuesday. TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli military official says troops plan to seize a buffer zone inside Syria as well as “a few more points that have strategic meaning.” The official spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. The official dismissed reports of a larger Israeli invasion as “rumors.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israeli forces were moving to control a roughly 400-square-kilometer (155-square-mile) demilitarized buffer zone in Syrian territory. The buffer zone between Syria and the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights was created by the U.N. after the 1973 Mideast war. Following the overthrow of President Bashar Assad, Israel sent troops into the buffer zone. It said the move was temporary and was aimed at preventing attacks. It said the 1974 agreement establishing the zone had collapsed and that Syrian troops had withdrawn from their positions. Israel has also carried out airstrikes across Syria in recent days targeting what it says are suspected chemical weapons and long-range rockets. Egypt and Saudi Arabia have condemned Israel’s incursion, accusing it of exploiting the disarray in Syria and violating international law. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it in a move not recognized by the international community, except for the United States. The rest of the world views the strategic plateau as occupied Syrian territory. — By Joseph Krauss DAMASCUS, Syria — Israel’s air force has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in different parts of Syria as its ground forces move north of the Golan Heights along the border with Lebanon, according to an opposition war monitor. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Tuesday that since the fall of President Bashar Assad’s government, Israel’s air force has carried out more than 300 airstrikes against research centers, arms depots and military infrastructure across Syria, as well as a naval base along the Mediterranean coast. Associated Press journalists in Damascus witnessed intense airstrikes on the city and its suburbs overnight into Tuesday morning. Photographs posted online by activists showed destroyed missile launchers, helicopters and warplanes. Meanwhile, Israeli troops marched along the border with Lebanon and now control a long stretch on the Syrian side facing Lebanon’s Rashaya region, according to the war monitor's head, Rami Abdurrahman, and the Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV, which has reporters in Syria. Israeli troops are now about 25 kilometers (15 miles) southwest of Damascus, according to the monitor. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia has condemned Israel’s incursion into a buffer zone in Syria and a wave of Israeli airstrikes launched after the overthrow of President Bashar Assad. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that “the assaults carried out by the Israeli occupation government, including the seizure of the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, and the targeting of Syrian territory confirm Israel’s continued violation of the principles of international law and its determination to sabotage Syria’s chances of restoring its security, stability and territorial integrity.” Israel sent troops into a buffer zone inside Syria that had been established after the 1973 Mideast war. It said the move was temporary and was taken to prevent any cross-border attacks after Syrian troops withdrew. Israel has also carried out heavy airstrikes that it says are aimed at preventing suspected chemical weapons and long-range rockets from falling into the hands of extremists. Saudi Arabia has been in talks with the United States in recent years over normalizing relations with Israel in exchange for a U.S. defense pact, American assistance in establishing a civilian nuclear program and a pathway to the establishment of a Palestinian state. But the kingdom has also repeatedly condemned Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip, where it is at war with the Hamas militant group. Last month, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and day-to-day ruler Mohammed bin Salman accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza , allegations Israel adamantly rejects.

Omnicom Declares DividendBy Political Reporter- Local government Minister and Zanu PF Mashonaland East Chairman Daniel Garwe has attacked Vice President Constation Chiwenga and crashed his Presidential ambitions. Garwe Sunday addressed a meeting in Chivhu and told the gathering that the “ED2030” campaign is irreversible. The “2030 ED Vachitonga was adopted at the party conference after all our nine party provincial structures had endosed it. At the conference it was then present by the party’s secretary for legal affairs Cde Patrick Chinamasa. I want to tell you here that that resolution its possible and its irreversible,” Garewe told a district feedback meeting in Chihu’s Chikomba district. Two weeks ago, President Mnangagwa’s allies in his home province, the Midlands, also reignited the push to extend his term of office despite Mnangagwa having stated that he would step down in 2028. This renewed ambition for a term extension has rekindled tensions between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga, following a temporary truce at the Zanu PF conference in Bulawayo in October.Vertex director John Stamm sells $214,059 in stock

AKRON, Ohio , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BIT Mining Limited (NYSE: BTCM) ("BIT Mining" or the "Company"), a leading technology-driven cryptocurrency mining company, today announced that it will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders at 428 South Seiberling Street, Akron, Ohio , US on January 7, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., New York time. Holders of record of ordinary shares and Class A preference shares of the Company at the close of business on December 20, 2024 , New York time (the "Record Date") are entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at, the annual general meeting or any adjournment thereof. Holders of the Company's American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") who wish to exercise their voting rights for the underlying ordinary shares must act through the depositary of the Company's ADS program, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. The notice of the annual general meeting, which sets forth the resolutions to be submitted to shareholder approval at the annual general meeting is available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at https://ir.btcm.group . The Company filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on May 15, 2024 . Shareholders may obtain a copy of the Company's annual report, free of charge, from the Company's website at https://ir.btcm.group and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov , or by contacting BIT Mining Limited at 428 South Seiberling Street, Akron, Ohio , US, attention: Victor He , telephone: +1 (330) 676-2680, email: ir@btcm.group . About BIT Mining Limited BIT Mining (NYSE: BTCM) is a leading technology-driven cryptocurrency mining company with operations in cryptocurrency mining, data center operation and mining machine manufacturing. The Company is strategically creating long-term value across the industry with its cryptocurrency ecosystem. Anchored by its cost-efficient data centers that strengthen its profitability with steady cash flow, the Company also conducts self-mining operations that enhance its marketplace resilience by leveraging self-developed and purchased mining machines to seamlessly adapt to dynamic cryptocurrency pricing. The Company also owns 7-nanometer BTC chips and has strong capabilities in the development of LTC/ DOGE miners and ETC miners. Safe Harbor Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "future", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", "target", "going forward", "outlook" and similar statements. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under law. For more information: BIT Mining Limited ir@btcm.group ir.btcm.group www.btcm.group Piacente Financial Communications Victor He Tel: +1 (330) 676-2680 Email: BITMining@thepiacentegroup.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bit-mining-limited-to-hold-annual-general-meeting-on-january-7-2025-302327447.html SOURCE BIT Mining Limited