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Lebanon is closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for a main one that links Beirut with the Syrian capital Damascus, the General Security Directorate said Friday. The decision came hours after an Israeli airstrike damaged a border crossing in northern Lebanon just days after it was reopened. Separately, Jordan’s interior minister said the Naseeb border crossing with Syria had been closed because of the security situation on the Syrian side. He spoke after Syrian opposition activists said insurgents had captured the main border crossing with Jordan, forcing the Syrian authorities to leave. Israel’s military said it planned to reinforce its positions in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights and near the border with Syria. Israel said it was “monitoring developments and is prepared for all scenarios, offensive and defensive alike.” Meanwhile, Syrian insurgents entered the central towns of Rastan and Talbiseh early Friday just north of the central city of Homs, bringing them closer Syria’s third largest city, an opposition war monitor and pro-government media both reported. The breakthrough came a day after jihiadi-led opposition fighters captured the central city of Hama , Syria’s fourth largest. In other developments, a Hamas official said international mediators have resumed negotiations with the Palestinian militant group and Israel over a ceasefire in Gaza, and he was hopeful a deal to end the 14-month war is within reach. Israel's war against Hamas has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced 90% of the population of 2.3 million, often multiple times. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel in October 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 people hostage . Israel’s blistering retaliatory offensive has killed at least 44,600 Palestinians , more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were combatants. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. Here's the Latest: DEIR AL-Balah, Gaza Strip — An Israeli strike hit a residential building in central Gaza's Nuseirat refugee camp on Friday evening, killing at least 12 people, including six children and four women, according to officials at Awda Hospital. The strike wounded at least 46 others, including 13 children and 12 women, and damaged several neighboring houses, the hospital said. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,600 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. CAIRO — Israel said Friday that “thousands of food packages and sacks of flour” were delivered to the isolated northernmost reaches of Gaza, where hunger experts warn famine could be underway. The delivery would mark one of the first successful convoys to the area, which is besieged by Israeli troops that have mounted a fierce offensive in Gaza’s north since early October. COGAT, the Israeli military agency that controls the border crossings into Gaza, said the aid was delivered to the town of Beit Hanoun. Israeli authorities did not publicly say who delivered the aid, and did not provide details on the exact amount of aid involved. COGAT released photos of flatbed trucks driving past rubble, some carrying what appeared to be 25-kilogram (55 pound) sacks of aid and others with cargo covered under tarps. The U.N. has struggled to deliver aid to the area in recent weeks. Alia Zaki, a spokesperson for the World Food Program, told The Associated Press that nearly no food has entered the area for two months, and that the agency’s daily requests to enter the area have been denied by Israel. Of two missions that have been approved since Oct. 6, Zaki said, only two trucks of aid were delivered to a shelter that Israeli soldiers ordered to evacuate soon after and then burned. The situation in northern Gaza has prompted hunger experts to warn that famine is either near or may already be underway. BEIRUT — A Kurdish-led force in Syria that's backed by the United States says it has taken positions along the border with Iraq, replacing Syrian government forces. The move by the Syrian Democratic Forces to capture areas on the west bank of the Euphrates River is likely to cut the land line that links Iran with the Mediterranean coast. The SDF said in a statement that its fighters were deployed in the eastern city of Deir el-Zour and west of the Euphrates for the safety of civilians. “Our primary objective is to protect our security and the security of our people,” it said about the deployment. SDF spokesman Farhad Shami told The Associated Press that their fighters are not in control of the Boukamal border crossing with Iraq. Rami Abdurrahman of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said Iran-backed fighters have evacuated the border crossing point of Boukamal and the SDF is expected to control it later. The Boukamal border crossing has been a main supply line for Iran-backed fighters, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, who had opened the corridor that links Iran with the Mediterranean in 2017. The developments come as jihadi-led insurgents in northwestern Syria have made stunning advances over the past week that have so far met little resistance from government troops. KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Crowds of displaced Palestinians, some carrying cooking pots and crying children, gathered at an aid kitchen in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Friday, but many left with nothing. “The food ran out,” said Adel Mohammad, who was hoping to get a meal of rice – the only food being served — for his children. “At night they wake up hungry.” After the kitchen shut down, children used their hands to scoop bits of rice left in large empty cooking pots. The World Food Program has warned that the humanitarian response in Gaza is “nearing collapse as famine looms.” The U.N. agency says Israeli restrictions on aid deliveries, along with the breakdown of law and order in Gaza, has made it difficult for aid convoys to reach displaced Palestinians. Concerns are growing with the onset of another winter of war. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, many displaced repeatedly by Israeli attacks, are living in tent camps, reliant on international aid. Experts have already warned of famine in northern Gaza, which Israeli forces have almost completely isolated since early October. BEIRUT -- Lebanon’s General Security Directorate said Friday the country is closing all land border crossing with Syria except for a main one that links Beirut with the Syrian capital Damascus. The decision by the security agency in charge of border crossings came hours after an Israeli airstrike damaged the Arida border crossing with Syria in north Lebanon, days after it was reopened. “Border crossings will be closed until further notice for the safety of travelers,” the agency said in a statement posted on X. It said that the only border crossing that will be kept open is Masnaa in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley. Lebanon’s state news agency said Friday the airstrike on the Arida crossing caused heavy material damage and cut the road. The Israeli military said fighter jets attacked the border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, adding that they were used to transfer munitions for Lebanon’s Hezbollah group. BEIRUT - Syrian opposition activists say insurgents have captured a main border crossing with Jordan forcing Syrian authorities to leave it. Shortly afterward, Jordan’s Interior Minister al-Frayeh said the Naseeb border crossing with Syria had been closed because of the security situation on the Syrian side. Opposition activists posted videos online showing people storming the border crossing with Jordan, which was in rebel hands until government forces regained control of it in 2018. Ahmad al-Masalmeh, an opposition activist based in France who covers events in southern Syria, told The Associated Press that local gunmen have captured the Naseeb crossing as well as several other areas in the southern province of Daraa where the uprising against President Bashar Assad began in March 2011. Syrian troops have evacuated checkpoints in several areas including the villages of Inkhil, Nawa and Jassem, he added. JERUSALEM — Israel’s military said on Friday that it planned to reinforce its forces stationed in the Golan Heights and near the border with Syria, where civil war has reignited between the government and rebel groups. The Israeli military said in a statement that it was “monitoring developments and is prepared for all scenarios, offensive and defensive alike.” After 13 years of civil war, Syrian insurgents are gaining ground, first taking cities in the country’s north and on Friday entering cities in central Syria. It comes as rebel groups mount new challenges to Russia- and Iran-backed Syrian forces, including in Aleppo, the country’s largest city. Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has intermittently struck areas in Syria seen as strongholds of Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group it is at war with in Lebanon. The advances of the Syrian insurgents adds new instability on Israel’s northern border, two months after it invaded neighboring Lebanon. Israel’s defense minister and military chief of staff met to discuss the situation Thursday. Israeli media reported there is concern in the country’s security establishment that the rebels would advance until they reached the Golan Heights, territory occupied by Israel, gaining control of Syrian weapons stockpiles along the way. Writing in the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahoronoth Friday, veteran military correspondent Ron Ben-Yishai wrote that Israel may “prefer” to destroy the weapons storehouses so they won’t fall into the hands of the rebels. Israel seized control of the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war. Syria has constantly accused Israel of launching attacks against it from territory it occupies in the Golan Heights. Israel has frequently struck Syria over the years. BEIRUT — Syrian insurgents entered two central towns early Friday just north of the central city of Homs, bringing them closer Syria’s third largest city, an opposition war monitor and pro-government media both reported. The break into Rastan and Talbiseh came a day after opposition gunmen captured the central city of Hama , Syria’s fourth largest, after the Syrian army said it withdrew to avoid fighting inside the city and spare the lives of civilians. The insurgents, led by the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have said that they will march to Homs and Damascus, President Bashar Assad’s seat of power. The city of Homs, parts of which were controlled by insurgents until 2014, is a major intersection point between the capital, Damascus, and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus where Assad enjoys wide support. Homs province is Syria’s largest in size and borders Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. Insurgents are now 5 kilometers (3 miles) away from Homs, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor. “The battle of Homs is the mother of all battles and will decide who will rule Syria,” said Rami Abdurrahman, the Observatory’s chief. MANAMA, Bahrain — Iran said Friday it conducted a successful space launch, the latest for its program the West alleges improves Tehran’s ballistic missile technology. Iran conducted the launch using its Simorgh program , a satellite-carrying rocket that had had a series of failed launches, at Iran’s Imam Khomeini Spaceport in rural Semnan province. That’s the site of Iran’s civilian space program. The Simorgh carried what Iran described as an “orbital propulsion system,” as well as two research systems to a 400-kilometer (250-mile) orbit above the Earth. A system that could change the orbit of a spacecraft would allow Iran to geo-synchronize the orbits of its satellites. Tehran has long sought that ability. Iran also put the payload of the Simorgh at 300 kilograms (660 pounds), heavier than its previous successful launches. There was no immediate independent confirmation the launch was successful. The U.S. military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The announcement comes as heightened tensions grip the wider Middle East over Israel’s continued war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip and as an uneasy ceasefire holds in Lebanon. MELBOURNE, Australia — Arsonists extensively damaged a Melbourne synagogue on Friday in what Australia’s prime minister condemned as an antisemitic attack on Australian values. The blaze in the Adass Israel Synagogue is an escalation in targeted attacks in Australia since the war began between Israel and Hamas last year. Cars and buildings have been vandalized and torched around Australia in protests inspired by the war. A witness who had come to the synagogue to pray saw two masked men spreading a liquid accelerant with brooms inside the building at 4:10 a.m., officials said. About 60 firefighters with 17 fire trucks responded to the blaze, which police said caused extensive damage. Investigators have yet to identify a motive, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese blamed antisemitism. “This was a shocking incident to be unequivocally condemned. There is no place in Australia for an outrage such as this,” Albanese told reporters. “To attack a place of worship is an attack on Australian values. To attack a synagogue is an act of antisemitism, is attacking the right that all Australians should have to practice their faith in peace and security,” he added. ISTANBUL — A Hamas official says international mediators have resumed negotiating with the militant group and Israel over a ceasefire in Gaza, and that he was hopeful a deal to end the 14-month war was within reach. Ceasefire negotiations were halted last month when Qatar suspended talks with mediators from Egypt and the United States because of frustration over a lack of progress between Israel and Hamas. But there has been a “reactivation” of efforts in recent days to end the fighting, release hostages from Gaza and free Palestinian prisoners in Israel, according to Bassem Naim, an official in Hamas’ political bureau who spoke with The Associated Press in Turkey on Thursday. Another official familiar with the talks confirmed the return of Qatari mediators. The official spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the negotiations with the media. Since the talks broke down, there have been significant shifts in the global and regional landscape. Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election, and a ceasefire was declared last week between Israel and Hamas ally Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump is a staunch supporter of Israel, but Naim said he believes the incoming administration could “affect the situation positively” given that Trump had made halting wars in the region part of his campaign platform. Trump this week called for the release of all hostages held in Gaza by the time he takes office on Jan. 20, saying there would be “hell to pay” if that doesn’t happen. WASHINGTON -- Three U.S. service members were being evaluated for potential traumatic brain injuries following an attack near a base in eastern Syria this week, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Thursday. Ryder said U.S. Central Command is still evaluating who was behind the attack near Mission Support Site Euphrates, which prompted the U.S. to conduct counter strikes on Tuesday. At the time, the Pentagon said rockets and mortars had landed in the vicinity of the base. The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria to conduct missions to counter the Islamic Stage group. By Lolita BaldorLabor stares down 'it's time' factor as govt turns 10Capital project: plugging in profits from a big battery
Chelsea’s surprise defeat by Fulham meant victory over the Foxes stretched their lead to seven points, with a match in hand, with the halfway point of the campaign fast approaching. But Slot is maintaining his level-headed approach despite the clamour growing around their chances of adding another title to the one won in 2020. “If you are in this game for a long time like the players and I am then 20 games before the end you don’t look at it as there are so many challenges ahead of you,” he said after Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah scored to turn around an early deficit following Jordan Ayew’s strike. “Injuries and and a bit of bad luck can happen to any team, it is far too early to be already celebrating – but it is nice for us to be where we are. “I don’t think there was any easy win for us in any of these games; it could have been an easy win against Tottenham but we conceded two and it was then 5-2 – that tells you how difficult it is to win even when you have all your players available. “That is why we have to take it one game at a time. The league table is something of course we are aware of but we always understand how many games there are to go.” Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy felt his side held their own until Salah scored in the 82nd minute. “I think we were in the contest for a result for a long time,” he said. “Three-one was the turning point in the sense the game was done there to get a result. “I think the 60th minute I remember a chanced for Daka to score the equaliser so we were in the game to get a surprising result. “We did well, we did what we could: a good start with the goal but if you speak of a turning point, 3-1 with Salah, the game was done.” Van Nistelrooy left goalkeeper Danny Ward out of the squad after he struggled in the defeat to Wolves and was jeered by his own fans. “The change in goal was one to make and the conversation with Wardy was impressive, the way he was thinking of the team and the club,” added the Dutchman. “I insisted on a conversation and of course it is a private conversation but what I want to share is the person and the professional he is. “I was impressed with that and his willingness for the team and the club to do well. “Really tough what happened for him. We are professionals but human beings as well, when frustration is being directed towards one person that is difficult.”Robert Griffin III said his wife, Grete Griffin “did it on purpose” when she posted a zoomed-in photo of him eating a giant croissant at the Summer Olympics in Paris, which led to the former ESPN analyst getting viciously trolled on social media. During an appearance on the “Pardon My Take” podcast on Friday, Griffin explained what led to the couple taking the viral photo and how he handled the internet going “ballistic” on him back in August. “We’re at the Olympics and we find out in Paris that they had these giant croissants. So I’m like ‘hey we gotta go get one of these things,'” Griffin, who was fired from ESPN as part of financial cuts in August, recalled. “Actually, TikTok worked with us to get the giant croissants and take content with them at their headquarters in France. So that was an incredible experience with me and my wife.” “... But then when we got the croissant back at home, I’m like, ‘We have to take a picture eating this croissant.’ You guys have had a situation where your wife kind of, or your lady friend, throws you under the bus a little bit — I’m not blaming my wife for saying that she threw my under the bus. But what I’m saying is that, when we took the picture, we were both supposed to be eating it. “I was eating it and she didn’t do that and then she posted it on Instagram with a Zoom in on me. So she kind of set everything in motion.” Griffin said it was a “long day” after the croissant photos took off on social media. “She did it on purpose! She took the picture and then it was three frames and the second one was zoomed in and the third one was zoomed in even more,” Griffin said. “So then when I posted it on Twitter I got all the zoomed in pictures from instagram that came over and in 10 minutes it was like yeah it’s gonna be a long day.'” Dan “Big Cat” Katz and PFT Commenter, hosts of the Barstool podcast, continued to joke with Griffin that the photo looked inappropriate because of the way he was holding it. “The croissant was so big, I had no choice... but to have my hand underneath [it],” he said. “The croissant was super heavy.” Griffin chose to have fun with the viral moment. “You have to be able to have fun in a way that people can relate to,” he said. “When you see that picture of me eating that picture — I saw Josh Hart, the forward for the Knicks — he said, ‘Jesus himself could not get me to post this picture.’ “But guess what? He’s engaging with the picture because he understands that it is funny. He understands that you have to have a sense of humor in life. The internet took it and went with it. The way I captioned it wasn’t like ‘watch me at this giant croissant that looks like whatever.’ It was, ‘Enjoying a croissant with my life. The internet will alway internet.” Griffin added that he saw some comments from people warning him to take the photo down, but he stood by it. “It’s like, no man the internet is going to do what the internet is going to do. I’m not at fault for them taking it and making it whatever,” he said. “It’s a croissant. I’m eating. I can’t eat pastries now? You just have fun, laugh it off and move on.” Griffin was a good sport about it at the time. “Can’t even eat a croissant with your wife anymore on this app,” he wrote, including a crying laughing emoji, at the time. In another photo, Griffin showed him and his wife holding the croissant. “Not gon lie.....y’all got us in stitches over here with these replies and quotes,” Griffin wrote at the time.TikTok's future uncertain after appeals court rejects its bid to overturn possible US ban A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in a few short months, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January - is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Police believe gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO has left New York City NEW YORK (AP) — Police officials believe the gunman who killed the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer may have fled the city on a bus. Video of the suspected shooter leaving the scene of Wednesday's shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson showed him riding a bicycle to Central Park and later taking a taxi cab to a bus depot, the chief of detectives told CNN on Friday. The police commissioner said investigators believe he left New York City. The gunman made sure to conceal his identity with a mask during the shooting yet left a trail of evidence in view of the nation’s biggest city and its network of security cameras. The reason for the killing remains unknown. Trump offers a public show of support for Pete Hegseth, his embattled nominee to lead the Pentagon WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is offering a public show of support for Pete Hegseth, his embattled choice to lead the Pentagon. Hegseth's ability to win confirmation by the Senate is wavering as he faces questions over allegations of excessive drinking, sexual assault and his views on women in combat. Trump posted on social media that Hegseth is a winner “and there is nothing that can be done to change that.” Hegseth spent much of the week on Capitol Hill trying to salvage his Cabinet nomination and reassure Republican senators that he is fit to lead the Pentagon. IAEA chief: Iran is poised to 'quite dramatically' increase stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Iran is poised to “quite dramatically” increase its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium. That's according to comments by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Friday. Rafael Mariano Grossi spoke in Bahrain, on the sidelines of the International Institute of Strategic Studies’ Manama Dialogue. He says Iran had begun preparing advanced centrifuge cascades to spin at nuclear facilities to increase its supply of 60% enriched uranium. That kind of material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. Grossi says this is “very concerning." Iran did not immediately acknowledge the preparations, which Grossi said had begun on Friday. Inspectors hope to examine what’s going on. US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a meager gain of 36,000 jobs in October. The government also revised up its estimate of job growth in September and October by a combined 56,000. Friday’s report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% in October to a still-low 4.2%. The November data provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom, when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic recession. Trump taps forceful ally of hard-line immigration policies to head Customs and Border Protection WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump's immigration and border team is filling out. Trump has announced a former Border Patrol chief, Rodney Scott, to head the Customs and Border Protection agency. Scott is a career Border Patrol agent who rose to head the agency during Trump's first term. He's been a vocal supporter of tougher enforcement measures. At CBP he'll head a department of roughly 60,000 employees responsible for protecting the country’s borders while also facilitating trade and travel. Trump also said he’d nominate Caleb Vitello as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency that, among other things, arrests migrants in the U.S. illegally. Vitello is a career ICE official with more than 23 years in the agency. Romania's top court annuls first round of presidential vote won by far-right candidate BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A top Romanian court has annulled the first round of the country’s presidential election, days after declassified intelligence alleged Russia ran a coordinated online campaign to promote the far-right outsider who won the first round. Friday's unprecedented and final decision by the Constitutional Court came after President Klaus Iohannis declassified intelligence on Wednesday that alleged Russia ran a sprawling campaign comprising thousands of social media accounts to promote Calin Georgescu across platforms like TikTok and Telegram. Despite being a huge outsider who declared zero campaign spending, Georgescu emerged as the frontrunner on Nov. 24. He was due to face reformist Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union party in a runoff on Sunday. Crews recover the body of a woman from a Pennsylvania sinkhole after a 4-day search Police say the remains of a woman who fell into a sinkhole have been recovered four days after she went missing while searching for her cat. Trooper Steve Limani said Friday that the body of 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard is being taken to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy. Pollard disappeared while looking for her cat on Monday evening, and authorities found her car close to what is thought to be a newly opened sinkhole above a long abandoned coal mine a few hours later. The sinkhole is in the village of Marguerite, about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh. Judge urges NYC subway chokehold jury to keep deliberating after it struggles to reach verdict NEW YORK (AP) — The judge in Daniel Penny’s subway chokehold manslaughter trial has urged jurors to continue their deliberations after they told him they couldn’t reach a unanimous vote on the top charge. The panelists sent Judge Maxwell Wiley a note in the morning stating they were unable to agree on a verdict on the manslaughter charge. Penny is facing charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the death of Jordan Neely, who Penny held in a chokehold for about six minutes on a New York City subway in 2023. Penny’s lawyers say he was protecting himself and others. Prosecutors say Penny reacted too forcefully to someone he perceived as a peril, not a person. Vance tells residents in hurricane-stricken North Carolina that they haven't been forgotten FAIRVIEW, N.C. (AP) — Vice President-elect JD Vance is surveying hurricane damage in western North Carolina in one of his first public appearances since the November election. Vance and his wife, Usha, visited the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department, which was flooded with 4 to 6 inches of water in the storm. They heard that roughly a dozen people contracted walking pneumonia while responding to the hurricane's destruction and that power outages prevented some first responders from talking with their families. Vance said, “My simple message to the people of Appalachia is that we haven’t forgotten you — we love you.” Vance has largely stayed out of the public eye since the election aside from shepherding Trump’s Cabinet nominees around Capitol Hill.
The son of a founding member of Hamas has warned Israel must not “rejuvenate” the terrorist group by releasing its most dangerous members – including his father – from jail as part of a hostage deal. Mosab Hassan Yousef, 46, is the eldest son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, one of Hamas’s foremost leaders in the . It had been expected that he would follow in his father’s footsteps and rise through the ranks to become a leading figure within Hamas. But instead he was recruited to work for the , Israel’s internal security service, at the age of 17, and went on to work as a spy for Israel’s security service for a decade. During that time he attempted to break the “cycle of violence against innocent people” , and the intelligence he provided helped Israel to thwart terrorist attacks at the height of the second intifada. Mr Yousef’s father has spent over 25 years in Israeli jails, according to the Palestinian Information Centre, having been arrested several times over the past two decades by the Israeli security services. He is currently in an Israeli prison after being arrested on Oct 19, 2023 as part of the in which over 1,200 people were killed, and 254 taken into Gaza as hostages. As reports emerge that could be reached in the coming weeks, Mr Yousef urged Israel not to release Hamas terrorists from its jails as part of the agreement, including his father and others who he said he helped to “bring to justice”. He told The Telegraph: “The only card in Hamas’s hands today is the hostages – they want the release of hundreds if not thousands of mass murderers from Israeli prisons. “The most dangerous Hamas leaders today are not in Qatar or Turkey – they are in Israeli prisons. That includes my father. “And Hamas wants to force Israel – using the international community and the global pressure – to release mass murderers of the calibre of . They want them released back to the streets, can you imagine?” Mr Yousef warned that releasing senior Hamas members from Israeli jails as part of an exchange deal for Israeli hostages “could actually rejuvenate Hamas and bring us to square one”. He added: “We are talking about some very dangerous people – even if they are released abroad they can continue forming and creating terrorist cells and attacking Jews worldwide.” Last November, Israel and Hamas reached a temporary ceasefire agreement in which 81 hostages were released in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. In August of this year, one of the Palestinian prisoners freed in the swap carried out a terrorist attack, shooting and seriously wounding an Israeli man along with two Palestinians in the West Bank. During his time as a spy, Mr Yousef was considered to be one of Israel’s most valuable sources operating from inside the Hamas leadership, and his recruitment was kept a secret even within the Shin Bet. But after emigrating to America in 2007, and claiming political asylum, Mr Yousef decided to reveal his identity and publish his memoirs. Last month, he travelled to the UK last month to speak at the Oxford Union in a debate on the motion: “This house believes Israel is an apartheid state responsible for genocide.” He said that as he entered the debating chamber he was “mobbed, insulted and intimidated”, adding: “Some people were doing signs to cut our throats, we were accused of ‘treason’ and called bad names in Arabic.” He said it gave him flashbacks of his time in the West Bank, explaining: “All of a sudden I realised, am I back in Ramallah? Am I back in Palestinian territory where I am condemned to death?” Last week, Hamas and Israel accused each other of sabotaging a potential ceasefire and hostage deal despite both sides reporting “significant” progress in past days. Negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the US, have taken place in Doha this week, rekindling hope for an agreement that has proved elusive. Hamas accused Israel of laying down “new conditions”, while Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, claimed the Palestinian terror group was going back on understandings already reached.
Rajkot: Amreli police busted a racket to defame BJP MLA Kaushik Vekariya after a complaint was lodged with Amreli city police station by Kishor Kanpariya, who is the president of Amreli Taluka Panchayat. He stated that his fake letterhead was created and circulated with a defamatory message about Vekariya. The police arrested Manish Vaghasiya and Ashok Mangroliya, both BJP workers, and Mangroliya is also a sarpanch of Jasvantgadh village. The police also arrested their aide Jeetu Khatra and Payal Goti, a computer operator, on Saturday. The police took all the accused for reconstruction of crime scene at Vaghasiya's office on Sunday in Amreli town. Talking to media persons, Sanjay Kharat, superintendent of police Amreli, said, "These four people committed this crime in connivance with each other. In a very short period of time, the district police arrested the accused with the help of technical analysis and human intelligence. We are investigating where this fake letterhead was created, who provided the guidance, and who else is involved in this." According to the FIR, a letter went viral on social media in which serious allegations were made. This letter was made using a fake letter pad of the Amreli Taluka Panchayat president and went viral. The letter was addressed to the state BJP office, in which it was written that "Vekariya was doing the administration of taluka panchayat and I have to sign the papers as per the instruction of Vekariya." The letter also allegedly stated that "Vekariya is promoting Congress people and BJP workers are upset with him and nobody is able to speak against him." The letter also alleged a nexus between the MLA and police. As this letter circulated Kanpariya told police that completely false allegations have been made to tarnish the reputation of the local MLA by misusing my fake letter pad and forging signatures.The police registered the offence under various sections of BNS and the Information Technology Act. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss the yearly horoscope 2025 and Chinese horoscope 2025 for Rat , Ox , Tiger , Rabbit , Dragon , Snake , Horse , Goat , Monkey , Rooster , Dog , and Pig zodiac signs. Spread love this holiday season with these New Year wishes and messages .Former US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100
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Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. ( NYSE:MSGE – Get Free Report ) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,610,000 shares, an increase of 28.8% from the November 30th total of 1,250,000 shares. Approximately 4.0% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 370,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.3 days. Madison Square Garden Entertainment Price Performance MSGE stock opened at $33.25 on Friday. The business’s 50-day moving average is $37.56 and its two-hundred day moving average is $38.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.08, a P/E/G ratio of 3.13 and a beta of -0.04. Madison Square Garden Entertainment has a 1 year low of $30.10 and a 1 year high of $44.14. Madison Square Garden Entertainment ( NYSE:MSGE – Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, November 8th. The company reported ($0.40) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.79) by $0.39. Madison Square Garden Entertainment had a net margin of 18.38% and a negative return on equity of 261.70%. The firm had revenue of $138.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $139.46 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned ($0.73) earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Madison Square Garden Entertainment will post 1.58 EPS for the current year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Madison Square Garden Entertainment Insiders Place Their Bets In other Madison Square Garden Entertainment news, EVP Philip Gerard D’ambrosio sold 6,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, September 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.43, for a total transaction of $254,580.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,192 shares in the company, valued at $517,306.56. This represents a 32.98 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . 17.85% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Madison Square Garden Entertainment Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Principal Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Madison Square Garden Entertainment in the third quarter valued at $788,000. FMR LLC raised its position in shares of Madison Square Garden Entertainment by 76.3% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 110,035 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,680,000 after acquiring an additional 47,635 shares in the last quarter. Maverick Capital Ltd. purchased a new stake in Madison Square Garden Entertainment during the second quarter worth approximately $1,494,000. Zacks Investment Management boosted its holdings in Madison Square Garden Entertainment by 15.3% in the third quarter. Zacks Investment Management now owns 111,687 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,750,000 after purchasing an additional 14,812 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC increased its stake in Madison Square Garden Entertainment by 295.6% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 66,045 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,809,000 after purchasing an additional 49,351 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.86% of the company’s stock. About Madison Square Garden Entertainment ( Get Free Report ) Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. engages in live entertainment business. The company produces, presents, and hosts live entertainment events, including concerts, sports events, and other live events, such as family shows, performing arts events, and special events. Its operations include a collection of venues, the entertainment and sports bookings business, and the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes production. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Madison Square Garden Entertainment Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Madison Square Garden Entertainment and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Come 2025, Kinshasa must act in good faith for peace to returnLuke Littler gets ultimate revenge on Ian White but darts wonderkid given reality check
Those with limited kitchen space will understand the need for effective cookware . Rather than multiple gadgets taking up room across kitchen counters, there are a few multi-use devices that can save you time and space. That includes Instant Pot , the electric multi-cookers, designed to give you a helping hand in the kitchen. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today If you’re on the market for a new cooking device, Instant Pot Duo is currently 54 per cent off on Amazon Australia . For just $99, you can get your hands on a 5.7L multi-cooker , that does everything seven other appliances can. That includes a slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, food warmer and electric pressure cooker . The classic Instant Pot Duo is able to make your life so much easier when it comes to prepping and cooking for the week ahead . This clever device can adjust pressure, temperature, time, plus heat and cook food up to 70 per cent faster than other methods of cooking. Thanks to the large 5.7L, the stainless steel pot is perfect for cooking up to six generous servings. Instant Pot devices have a free Instant Connect app , loaded with hundreds of recipes for any cuisine. Browse through to find your next meal, and then follow the recipe step-by-step using your multi-use cooker. From soups to stews, meat and more, there’s so many delicious dishes you can create using the Instant Pot Duo. Shoppers have raved about the Instant Pot Duo . “ I love this electric pressure cooker! It saves so much time and makes cooking easy and delicious. From tender meats to flavorful stews, every meal turns out perfect,” one shopper commented. “The Instant Pot is a versatile kitchen appliance that combines pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, and more into one device. It cooks meals quickly and consistently, ideal for saving time,” another shopper said. “This cooker does many different things and brilliantly. I am not a chef by any means and this has made my dinners foolproof and very easy ,” a third shopper commented. To purchase the Instant Pot Duo , head to Amazon Australia . Want more deals? Bose Quiet Comfort Headphones are $200 off For those seeking an oasis of calm from the constant clamour of noisy traffic, children or even in-office chatter, the Bose QuietComfort SC wireless noise-cancelling headphones offer a compelling solution. These headphones are a technological marvel , boasting industry-leading noise cancellation that promises to transport you to a world of pure, unadulterated sound. Bose’s QuietComfort series has long been a leader in the noise-cancelling headphone market and the QuietComfort SC upholds that reputation. Tiny microphones embedded within the headphones detect ambient sounds and then the headphones generate an opposing sound wave to effectively neutralise those unwanted noises. Imagine being on a noisy aeroplane but instead of the roar of engines, you’re enveloped in the serene sounds of your favourite music or audiobook. Craving focus while working in a bustling coffee shop? The QuietComfort SC headphones can transform that environment into a library of quiet concentration. Get them for $299.95 instead of their usual $499.95 outside of Black Friday. Apple iPhone 15 with savings of $230 Amazon Australia has surprised its customers with a very rare deal on the Apple iPhone 15 . Usually priced at $2,299 on the website , for a limited time only you can get it for just $2,069 — a saving of $230 . And if you trade in your old smartphone with the retailer you can get as much as $800 off the purchase price. It’s listed as “Amazon’s Choice” of Apple iPhone and is renowned for its superior camera quality. Shark hair device ‘like a Dyson’ is a bestseller on Amazon and it is on sale The latest innovation in hair styling has arrived with the Shark FlexStyle which is an all-in-one device that combines the power of a hair dryer with the versatility of a multi-styler. It’s quickly becoming the go-to choice for hair enthusiasts everywhere and it’s currently on sale for $297, normally $449.99 on Amazon Australia. The Shark FlexStyle is truly a game-changer, offering the performance of a professional-grade hair dryer with the added bonus of multiple styling attachments to suit every hair type. This ultra-versatile styling system allows you to curl, smooth, volumise, or dry your hair — all with just one tool. Whether your hair is straight, wavy or curly, the FlexStyle has a solution to suit your needs, making it perfect for anyone looking to simplify their routine. The innovative styling tool includes interchangeable attachments giving you the freedom to create a variety of styles. Need bouncy curls or beachy waves? Simply attach the curling barrels to the styling wand. Looking to smooth out frizz and add volume? Use the round brush or smoothing brush to style while you dry. The powerful airflow ensures fast drying, while the precision attachments allow you to experiment with different looks — from sleek, polished styles to voluminous, textured hair. Dyson hairdryer I use every day down to $579 The recently-released Dyson Nural hairdryer claims it is Dyson’s “most intelligent hairdryer for healthier scalp and hair” yet. And for a limited time only you can pick it up from Amazon Australia for $579, down from its usual $749 price tag . What does this mean and how does this make it better than the regular Supersonic dryer , I hear you ask? Well, the Supersonic Nural takes everything we know and love about the regular Supersonic hairdryer and supercharges it. Clever intuitive sensor technology works to adjust the temperature of the hairdryer , depending on how close it is to your scalp. This means the hairdryer not only gives you a salon blow-dry from home, it also works to protect your scalp health and enhance your natural shine at the same time. In basic terms, it’s less heat damage, less broken hair and an altogether sleeker, more professional-standard blow dry . Viral snail mucin serum on sale for $17 This cult-favourite, viral skin serum is on sale on Amazon Australia for just $17. It’s the cheapest I have ever seen it. This serum went viral for a reason, it is an absolute game-changer. I’ve used it myself many times and it honestly gives you the most radiant, hydrated and smooth skin. The COSRX Snail Mucin 96 per cent Power Repairing Essence has gained immense popularity in Australia, with more than 10,000 Aussies snapping up this 100ml hydrating serum for just $17. With its powerful blend of ingredients and proven benefits, it’s easy to see why this Korean skincare sensation is flying off the shelves. At the heart of COSRX’s Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is snail secretion filtrate — a powerhouse ingredient packed with nutrients, peptides, and antioxidants. Dyson drops V11 price by $263 Shoppers are loving the Dyson V11 Advanced Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Nickel/Blue) and its strong suction abilities as well as its impressive performance. More than 500 units of the product have sold on Amazon Australia this month alone. This incredible vacuum is normally $1199 but it is currently on sale on Amazon Australia with 22 per cent off at $936. The advanced vacuum cleaner is a game changer when it comes to cleaning the house and it has 60 per cent more suction than the Dyson V8 vacuum. The vacuum also has up to 60 minutes of fade-free power and its LCD screen shows you the remaining run time and performance updates. Instant Pot that’s ‘like a Thermomix’ is $10 off This all-in-one device is currently available at an unbeatable price of just $143.99 on Amazon Australia. For those seeking a versatile kitchen companion, this Instant Pot has become a must-have item. The Instant Pot Duo Plus 5.7L is not just any pressure cooker, it’s a powerhouse , packed with 13 smart programs that eliminate the need for multiple devices in your kitchen. The 5.7L capacity is big enough to prepare meals for up to six people, making it the perfect size for big families, batch cooking, or hosting a dinner party. The delay start feature, which allows you to set it up to 24 hours in advance, ensures that your meal is ready exactly when you need it, while the 10-hour keep warm function ensures your dish stays at the perfect temperature until you’re ready to serve. Cleaning up after cooking can often be the worst part, but this Instant Pot makes it easy. The cooking pot and lid are both dishwasher safe, so you can spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your meals. Get two for the price of one on Philips toothbrushes For a limited time, you can get two Philips toothbrushes for the price of one while they’re 50 per cent off. The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 Black and Pink Electric Toothbrush Bundle Pack is currently on sale on Amazon Australia for $289.98. This offer gives you the opportunity to invest in improved oral health and enjoy a personalised brushing experience with top-of-the-line technology — all at a fraction of its regular price. Philips electric toothbrushes are designed to provide superior oral care, helping you achieve a healthier smile. One of the standout features is its ability to whiten teeth in just one week. Whether you have stubborn stains or simply want a brighter smile, these toothbrushes are equipped with advanced features to deliver noticeable results. What makes these toothbrushes so effective is that Philips recognises that every person’s brushing needs are unique, which is why Philips has integrated personalised brushing technology into its electric toothbrushes. With BrushSync Technology, the toothbrush automatically selects the optimal brushing mode for you, ensuring the most effective clean every time. Dyson Airstrait is $170 cheaper The Dyson Airstrait is available for $579 instead of its usual price of $749 on Amazon Australia. This limited-time deal means you can save $170 on this innovative styling tool that promises to revolutionise the way you dry and straighten your hair. The Dyson Airstrait is a cutting-edge hair care device that’s designed to transform your hair styling routine. Unlike traditional flat irons or straighteners, which use intense heat to straighten hair, the Airstrait uses powerful, directional airflow to smooth and align strands for a sleek finish. This means no hot plates, no heat damage, and faster styling — a true win for your hair’s health and your time. Gordon Ramsay’s favourite kitchen pan is on sale Celebrity chef and entrepreneur Gordon Ramsay’s favourite kitchen pans are on sale. Known for its groundbreaking hybrid technology, HexClad pans are designed to offer the best of both worlds, the searing power of stainless steel, the durability of cast iron, and the convenience of nonstick cooking. And now, you can grab these kitchen essentials at a discounted price. In an exclusive Boxing Day deal, Amazon Australia is offering HexClad’s Hybrid Nonstick 20cm Frying Pan for $109. The brand’s patented hybrid technology combines tri-ply construction — aluminium sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel — with a laser-etched hexagonal nonstick surface. This innovative design creates a versatile cooking experience, allowing you to achieve perfect searing while maintaining durability. It doesn’t matter whether you’re flipping eggs, searing fish, or sautéing vegetables, HexClad pans provide a balance of heat retention and even cooking. Gamers ‘rejoice’ over PlayStation 5 deal The PlayStation 5 is the latest revolution in gaming. It delivers breathtaking visuals, lightning-fast load times and a truly immersive experience. It’s perfect for any gaming enthusiasts and would make an incredible Christmas present for both kids and adults. The PlayStation PS5 is currently on sale for $759 on Amazon Australia so now is the ideal time to purchase it. It features a custom-designed processor and ultra-fast storage to make your gaming experience better than ever before. Not only will your load times be incredibly fast but the PS5 redefines gaming visuals. The graphics on the PS5 take gaming to a new level, offering incredible visual clarity that allows players to experience stunning realism and different environments. Whether it’s a highly detailed cityscape or a lush landscape, the PS5 brings your gaming experience to life in ways that you’ve never imagined. The PlayStation 5’s 3D Audio technology, will make you feel as though you’re right in the centre of the action. With compatible headphones, you can experience a true, multi-dimensional soundscape, making every sound directionally precise. The 3D audio creates a more lifelike experience that pulls you deeper into your game’s world. Shoppers on Amazon Australia’s website have given the console a 4.6-star rating and are calling it, “the best platform out there”. “Highly recommend, such a great console,” one person said. “Bought it for the kids and they absolutely love it,” another shopper added. “Such great value for money,” a third shopper said. To purchase the PlayStation 5, head to Amazon Australia’s website here. Best-selling projector joins list of sales Get ready to bring cinematic experiences to your own home with this best-selling portable projector. It’s currently on sale for only $128.99 on Amazon Australia. The XuanPad Mini Projector features upgraded Electric Focus function, which provides better image clarity than manual focus projectors on the market. With the included remote control, you can quickly adjust the focus for a sharper, more defined picture. This is especially convenient when setting up in different environments or distances. More than $50 off AirPods A pair of Apple AirPods have had their price slashed by 13 per cent on Amazon Australia this week, taking them from $399 to just $348. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) , which feature much of Apple’s top tech, have been described as the “perfect earphone” on Amazon from hundreds of reviews. Some of the earbuds’ standout features include active noise cancellation to reduce unwanted background noise, a sweat and water-resistant finish, up to six hours of listening time with active noise cancellation on and up to 30 hours of total listening time with the MagSafe charging case. Many also love that the AirPods are easy to set up, they feature in-ear detection and automatic switching between devices - so you can seamlessly move from your iPad to laptop when moving in and out of meetings. 50% off R.M. Williams-style boot Shoppers are loving a pair of R.M. Williams lookalike boots from Hush Puppies currently selling on Amazon for half the regular price. The Men’s Chelsea Boot is an ankle boot that normally sells for $179.95 but is now available for $84. The boots look very similar to R.M. Williams’ best-selling Craftsman Boot which sells for as much as $649. The Chelsea Boot comes in brown, black, mahogany and tan burnish and range from sizes 7-16. Unlike the R.M. Williams boot, the Chelsea boot is not made from yearling leather but synthetic material instead. The boot features padded lining and in-built arch support for 24/7 comfort. The boots contain in-built bounce comfort pods which create maximum shock absorption and energy return when you’re walking. The lightweight sole will also make sure your feet are comfy all day and night long. The boots have a 4.4-star rating on Amazon’s website and shoppers are loving the quality. “These are the best shoes I’ve ever bought, fits as well as it says and very comfortable,” one buyer said. “These have become my everyday work boot. Comfortable enough for all day wear, durable and without a crazy price tag,” another person added. “Love these boots, great value, comfortable and well-made,” someone else said. ‘Lowest price’ for the new Kindle If you’re an avid reader looking for the perfect device to enhance your reading experience, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) is the ultimate solution. The All-new Amazon Kindle Paperweight Signature Edition is currently on sale for $279, normally $329, on Amazon Australia. This epic Kindle offers a range of impressive features designed for convenience, speed, and immersion, is Amazon’s fastest Kindle ever and takes your reading experience to the next level. Whether you’re reading at home, on holiday, or lounging by the pool, this ultra-thin, high-performance e-reader has everything you could want. This next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio with 25 per cent faster page turns and a larger glare-free screen in comparison to previous models. You’ll be able to fully switch off and immerse yourself in your books because the Kindle doesn’t have any distracting apps, social media nor notifications. With its auto-adjusting front light, your Kindle adjusts its screen brightness based on your environment, ensuring you can read comfortably day or night. A single charge of your Kindle will last up to 12 weeks, plus you can access over 15 million different titles in the Kindle Store Worldwide. Shoppers have given the Kindle a 4.5-star rating on Amazon Australia’s website. “Love my new Kindle, it is better than my earlier model,” one impressed shopper said. Half-price, cafe-quality coffee machine This Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine is currently on sale for $547, normally $999 on Amazon Australia. And for a limited time, you can receive six free bags of coffee and a Shake & Take when you purchase the Oracle Jet or Oracle Touch — or up to four free bags with any other machine. The express espresso machine is designed to take your espresso-making skills to new heights, whether you’re a seasoned barista or just getting started. One of the machine’s stand-out features is its integrated precision conical burr grinder which grinds coffee on demand. This delivers just the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter and means no more pre-ground coffee or stale beans. This feature ensures that you’ll enjoy a fresh, aromatic cup every time, and the grind size dial gives you complete control over the grind — whether you’re working with a light or dark roast. Robot vacuum reduced by 32 per cent I’m quietly obsessed with the Roborock Qrevo MaxV Robot Vacuum . This $2199 device — which is currently on sale for $1448 for Boxing Day — is a must-have for those who want to clean their house faster. I’ve come to rely on its quiet but all-powerful motor to scoot around our floorboards and tidy them up in mere minutes. It took just moments to set up, connecting to the free-to- download Roborock app and popping in the serial number before “Rocky”, as the device nicknames itself, burst to life and began visually mapping our apartment. We don’t have huge open spaces, so I was worried our new friend Rocky would have issues with spatial awareness. But it got to work in no time visually digesting the couches, tables, chairs and extra shoes lying around on the floor. The integration of structured light and a camera allows the robot to identify and avoid 62 types of objects across 20 categories, so there won’t be a single product it hasn’t come in contact with in the past. The Qrevo MaxV has “hyperforce suction” equivalent to 7000 Pa, meaning no crumb or tiny fleck of dust will be able to escape as the Roborock glides quietly over the top of it. ‘Cheapest’ Dyson Airwrap price The iconic Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler and Dryer is currently on sale for $709, normally $749 on Amazon Australia for Boxing Day. This viral hair tool from Dyson does it all — it dries, curls, shapes and hides flyaways with no heat damage. With the Dyson Airwrap you can also recreate Matilda Djerf’s iconic blow-dry in a few simple steps at home. The hair tool’s powerful airflow quickly rough-dries your hair in preparation for styling, saving you time but not compromising your hairstyle. The Airwrap is engineered for all hair types and will help protect your hair’s shine. Amazon Australia shoppers have given the Dyson Airwrap a 4.6-star rating on the website, and you’ll want to get your hands on this deal fast as it’s only for a limited time. Boxing Day sales Traditionally, retailers would start their Boxing Day sales on the 26th and they would last for only a day. However, now the sales often go on for as long as a week, and they are both online and in physical stores.Roy brushes off Hegseth allegations, saying everyone has 'indiscretions'
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with the United States National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, in Washington, DC, on Thursday. In a post on X, Mr Jaishankar said that the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on the progress of the India-US strategic partnership and exchanged views on current regional and global developments. "Good to meet US NSA @JakeSullivan46 in Washington D.C. this morning. A wide ranging discussion on the progress of India-US strategic partnership. Also exchanged views on current regional and global developments", Mr Jaishankar wrote on X. Good to meet US NSA @JakeSullivan46 in Washington D.C. this morning. A wide ranging discussion on the progress of 🇮🇳 🇺🇸 strategic partnership. Also exchanged views on current regional and global developments. pic.twitter.com/RtvTNAlHq7 — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 26, 2024 As per a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs, S Jaishankar is visiting the United States of America from December 24 to December 29. The External Affairs Minister will meet counterparts to discuss key bilateral, regional and global issues. During the visit, Jaishankar will also chair a conference of the Consul Generals of India in the USA, the MEA noted in its press release. The visit by the External Affairs Minister comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the US earlier in September and participated in the fourth Quad Leaders' Summit in Wilmington, Delaware. The US and India have seen frequent high-level interactions. Earlier on Tuesday, senior diplomats from India and the United States, including Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma, highlighted the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries. India-US bilateral relations have developed into a "global strategic partnership," based on shared democratic values and increasing convergence of interests on bilateral, regional and global issues. Regular exchange of high-level political visits has provided sustained momentum to bilateral cooperation, while the wide-ranging and ever-expanding dialogue architecture has established a long-term framework for India-US engagement. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
PRAYAGRAJ (India), Dec 27 — Beside India’s holy rivers, a makeshift city is being built for a Hindu religious festival expected to be so vast it will be seen from space, the largest gathering in history. Line after line of pontoon bridges span the rivers at Prayagraj, as Indian authorities prepare for 400 million pilgrims — more than the combined population of the United States and Canada — during the six-week-long Kumbh Mela. The millennia-old sacred show of religious piety and ritual bathing is held once every 12 years at the site where the holy Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers meet. But this edition from January 13 to February 26 is expected to be a mega draw, as it is set to coincide with a special alignment of the planets. Beads of sweat glisten on labourer Babu Chand’s forehead as he digs a trench for seemingly endless electrical cables, one of an army of workers toiling day and night at a venue sprawling over 4,000 hectares (15 square miles). “So many devotees are going to come,” 48-year-old Chand told AFP, who says he is working for a noble cause for the mela, or fair. “I feel I am contributing my bit — what I am doing seems like a pious act.” ‘Pure faith’ A humongous tent city, two-thirds the area of Manhattan, is being built on the floodplains of Prayagraj, formerly called Allahabad, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. “Some 350 to 400 million devotees are going to visit the mela, so you can imagine the scale of preparations,” said Vivek Chaturvedi, the spokesman for the festival. Preparing for the Kumbh is like setting up a new country, requiring roads, lighting, housing and sewerage. “What makes this event unique is its magnitude and the fact that no invitations are sent to anybody... Everyone comes on their own, driven by pure faith,” Chaturvedi told AFP. “Nowhere in the world will you see a gathering of this size, not even one-tenth of it.” Around 1.8 million Muslims take part in the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The Kumbh numbers, according to Chaturvedi, are mind-boggling. Some 150,000 toilets have been built, 68,000 LED lighting poles have been erected, and community kitchens can feed up to 50,000 people at the same time. Alongside religious preparations, Prayagraj has undergone a major infrastructure overhaul, and huge posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath dot the city. Both are from the ruling Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with politics and religion deeply intertwined. Nectar of Immortality The Kumbh Mela is an ancient celebration, with its origins rooted in Hindu mythology. Hindus believe that taking a dip in Sangam, the confluence of the rivers, will cleanse them of their sins and help them attain “moksha”, setting them free from the cycle of birth and death. According to legends, deities and demons fought over a pitcher — or “kumbh” — containing the nectar of immortality. During the battle, four drops fell to Earth. One drop landed in Prayagraj. The others fell at Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain — the three other cities where the rotating Kumbh Mela is held on other years. But the one in Prayagraj — held every 12 years — is the largest. Organising authorities are calling it the great, or “Maha” Kumbh Mela. The last Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj in 2019 saw 240 million devotees, according to authorities — but that was the smaller “Ardh” or half festival, spaced in between the main event. “When you talk about the Kumbh, you have to talk about astronomy,” said historian Heramb Chaturvedi, 69. “Jupiter transits one zodiac sign in a single year,” he added. “Therefore, when it completes 12 zodiac signs, then it is Kumbh.” Core to celebrations is giving alms to the “wise and learned, the poor and the needy”, he said. Naked monks Some pilgrims have already arrived, including naked naga sadhus — wandering monks who have walked for weeks from the remote mountains and forests where they are usually devoted to meditation. They will lead the dawn charge into the chilly river waters on the six most auspicious bathing dates, starting with the first on January 13. “I have come here to give my blessings to the public,” 90-year-old naga sadhu Digambar Ramesh Giri, naked with dread-locked hair in a bun, told AFP. “Whatever you long for in your heart you get at Kumbh.” — AFPRussia threat distracting us from counterterrorism