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DAMASCUS (AP) — Exuberant Syrians observed the first Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad , gathering in the capital's historic main mosque, its largest square and around the country to celebrate the end of half a century of authoritarian rule. The newly installed interim prime minister delivered the sermon at the Umayyad Mosque, declaring that a new era of “freedom, dignity and justice” was dawning for Syria. The gatherings illustrated the dramatic changes that have swept over Syria less than a week after insurgents marched into Damascus and toppled Assad. Amid the jubilation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with allies around the region and called for an “inclusive and non-sectarian” interim government. Blinken arrived in Iraq on a previously unannounced stop after talks in Jordan and Turkey, which backs some of the Syrian insurgent factions. So far, U.S. officials have not talked of direct meetings with Syria's new rulers. The main insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has worked to establish security and start a political transition after seizing Damascus early Sunday. The group has tried to reassure a public both stunned by Assad's fall and concerned about extremist jihadis among the rebels. Insurgent leaders say the group has broken with its extremist past, though HTS is still labeled a terrorist group by the United States and European countries. HTS's leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, appeared in a video message Friday congratulating “the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution.” “I invite them to head to the squares to show their happiness without shooting bullets and scaring people,” he said. “And then after, we will work to build this country, and as I said in the beginning, we will be victorious by the help of God.” Huge crowds, including some insurgents, packed the historic Umayyad Mosque in the capital's old city, many waving the rebel opposition flag — with its three red stars — which has swiftly replaced the Assad-era flag with with its two green stars. Syrian state television reported that the sermon was delivered by Mohammed al-Bashir, the interim prime minister installed by HTS this week. The scene resonated on multiple levels. The mosque, one of the world's oldest dating back some 1,200 years, is a beloved symbol of Syria, and sermons there like all mosque sermons across Syria were tightly controlled under Assad's rule. Also, in the early days of the anti-government uprising in 2011, protesters would leave Friday prayers to march in rallies against Assad before he launched a brutal crackdown that turned the uprising into a long and bloody civil war. “I didn’t step foot in Umayyad Mosque since 2011," because of the tight security controls around it, said one worshipper, Ibrahim al-Araby. “Since 11 or 12 years, I haven’t been this happy.” Another worshipper, Khair Taha, said there was “fear and trepidation for what’s to come. But there is also a lot of hope that now we have a say and we can try to build.” Blocks away in Damascus' biggest roundabout, named Umayyad Square, thousands gathered, including many families with small children — a sign of how, so far at least, the country's transformation has not caused violent instability. “Unified Syria to build Syria,” the crowd chanted. Some shouted slurs against Assad and his late father, calling them pigs, an insult that would have previously led to offenders being hauled off to one of the feared detention centers of Assad’s security forces. One man in the crowd, 51-year-old Khaled Abu Chahine — originally from the southern province of Daraa, where the 2011 uprising first erupted — said he hoped for “freedom and coexistence between all Syrians, Alawites, Sunnis, Shiites and Druze.” The interim prime minister, al-Bashir, had been the head of a de facto administration created by HTS in Idlib, the opposition's enclave in northwest Syria. The rebels were bottled up in Idlib for years before fighters broke out in a shock offensive and marched across Syria in 10 days. Similar scenes of joy unfolded in other major cities, including in Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Raqqa. Al-Sharaa, HTS' leader, has promised to bring a pluralistic government to Syria, seeking to dispel fears among many Syrians — especially its many minority communities — that the insurgents will impose a hard-line, extremist rule. Another key factor will be winning international recognition for a new government in a country where multiple foreign powers have their hands in the mix. The Sunni Arab insurgents who overthrew Assad did so with vital help from Turkey, a longtime foe of the U.S.-backed Kurds . Turkey controls a strip of Syrian territory along the shared border and backs an insurgent faction uneasily allied to HTS — and is deeply opposed to any gains by Syria's Kurds. In other developments, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey’s Embassy in Damascus would reopen Saturday for the first time since 2012, when it closed due to the Syrian civil war. The U.S. has troops in eastern Syria to combat remnants of the Islamic State group and supports Kurdish-led fighters who rule most of the east. Since Assad's fall, Israel has bombed sites all over Syria, saying it is trying to prevent weapons from falling into extremist hands. It has also seized a swath of southern Syria along the border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, calling it a buffer zone. After talks with Fidan, Blinken said there was “broad agreement” between Turkey and the U.S. on what they would like to see in Syria. That starts with an "interim government in Syria, one that is inclusive and non-sectarian and one that protects the rights of minorities and women” and does not “pose any kind of threat to any of Syria’s neighbors,” Blinken said. Fidan said the priority was “establishing stability in Syria as soon as possible, preventing terrorism from gaining ground, and ensuring that IS and the PKK aren’t dominant” — referring to the Islamic State group and the Kurdistan Workers Party. Ankara considers the PKK within Turkey's borders a terrorist group, as it does the Kurdish-backed forces in Syria backed by the U.S. A U.S. official said that in Ankara, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Fidan both told Blinken that Kurdish attacks on Turkish positions would require a response. The official spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss private diplomatic talks. The U.S. has been trying to limit such incidents in recent days and had helped organize an agreement to prevent confrontations around the northern Syrian town of Manbij, which was taken by Turkey-backed opposition fighters from the U.S.-backed Kurdish forces earlier this week. In Baghdad, Blinken met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, saying both countries wanted to ensure the Islamic State group — also known by its Arabic acronym Daesh — doesn't exploit Syria's transition to re-emerge. “Having put Daesh back in its box, we can’t let it out, and we’re determined to make sure that that doesn’t happen," Blinken said. The U.S. official who briefed reporters said that Blinken had impressed upon al-Sudani the importance of Iraq exercising its full sovereignty over its territory and airspace to stop Iran from transporting weapons and equipment to Syria, either for Assad supporters or onward to the militant Hezbollah group in Lebanon. Lee reported from Ankara, Turkey. Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed to this report.
Lawyer Bryan Freedman told Us Weekly in a statement: "TAG PR operated as any other crisis management firm would when hired by a client experiencing threats by two extremely powerful people with unlimited resources. "The standard scenario planning TAG PR drafted proved unnecessary as audiences found Lively's own actions, interviews and marketing during the promotional tour distasteful, and responded organically to that which the media themselves picked up on. "It's ironic that the New York Times, through their effort to 'uncover' an insidious PR effort, played directly into the hands of Lively's own dubious PR tactics by publishing leaked personal text exchanges that lack critical context - the very same tactics she's accusing the firm of implementing." Blake filed her lawsuit on Friday (20.12.24) and her claims were made public by the New York Times the following day, revealing references to "thousands of pages of text messages and emails". While it was reported the actress had obtained them through a subpoena, Baldoni's lawyer has claimed they were leaked. But a member of the 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' star's own legal team told Us Weekly: "The subpoena disclosed and referenced in the Complaint was served on Jonesworks LLC. The internal documents referred to in the Complaint were produced subject to that subpoena. We expect that further details regarding the subpoena process will be disclosed during discovery." Among the alleged text messages referenced in the suit include a publicist working with Baldoni - who also directed 'It Ends With Us' - and the studio writing to a crisis management expert: "He wants to feel like she can be buried." The documents also alleged "this plan went well beyond standard crisis PR," and Baldoni's team suggested a tactic known as "astroturfing", which is defined as "the practice of publishing opinions or comments on the internet, in the media, etc. that appear to come from ordinary members of the public but actually come from a particular company or political group." In the paperwork, Baldoni is accused of having "set the narrative for the social media campaign", citing a post about Hailey Bieber that had "accused another female celebrity of bullying women." Baldoni wrote in an accompanying text: "This is what we would need." A scenario planning document allegedly stated: "Our team can also explore planting stories about the weaponisation of feminism and how people like Taylor Swift, have been accused of utilizing these tactics to 'bully' into getting what they want." Blake - who has also accused Baldoni of making crude comments and adding sex scenes and nudity to the script - alleged her co-star "became concerned" when "nearly all cast members chose to appear in public separately from Mr. Baldoni given his on-set behaviour" so changed his own social media strategy. Her lawsuit stated: "After the Film's premiere, Mr. Baldoni changed his Instagram profile, cancelled lighthearted social media posts, and instructed his team to look for survivors reactions and support - all in an effort to quickly shift his own public narrative to focus solely on survivors and domestic violence organisations." In the wake of the lawsuit being filed, Baldoni's lawyer branded the allegations "completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious" and accused Blake of trying to "fix her own negative reputation".( MENAFN - EIN Presswire) From a landmark deal to fund conservation to chilling news about greenhouse gas emissions, 2024 was a rollercoaster year for the planet. Here's a closer look at some of the most memorable environmental moments of the last 12 months, shaped by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs)UNEP hosts that underpin the global environmental movement. Hundreds of migratory species in peril February Nearly half of the migratory species listed in a key UN treaty are in decline, finds a report from the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre. More than one in five of those species are facing extinction, say researchers, who pin much of the blame on human-induced habitat loss. UN lauds groundbreaking efforts to restore nature February UNEP and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN recognize seven landmark initiatives that are reviving the natural world. From Pakistan to Peru, the efforts are expected to restore 40 million hectares of landscapes and seascapes and create 500,000 jobs. Torrent of trash inundating the planet February A UNEP-backed study finds that municipal waste is set to rise by two-thirds by 2050, with all that rubbish expected to weigh heavily on the environment and human health. Technology helps expose murky world of sand dredging February A new global monitoring system offers an unprecedented look at the shadowy – and environmentally destructive – world of sand dredging. The Marine Sand Watch uses satellite data, ground tracking stations and artificial intelligence to follow dredging ships around the world. Among other things, it finds that 16 per cent of dredging has occurred in marine reserves designed to protect plants and animals. UN Environment Assembly brings nations together March The sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) comes to a close, with countries agreeing to 15 resolutions designed to protect the planet. Among other things, nations promise to rein in pollution from chemicals, combat desertification, protect the ocean, reduce air pollution and better manage freshwater supplies. The result, observers say, demonstrates that despite deep geopolitical divisions, countries can still work together on the environment. Nations vow to limit emissions from building sector March Seventy countries agree to a set of principles designed to reduce the greenhouse emissions that come from the construction and operation of buildings. The sector is responsible for more than one-fifth of greenhouse gas emissions. UN launches effort to increase sustainability in minerals supply chain April UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres convenes a panel charged with developing a set of voluntary global principles covering the use of minerals critical to renewable energy technology . In September, the panel would release a report, Resourcing the Energy Transition , outlining its recommendations. New fund backs conservation efforts May China and UNEP launch the Kunming Biodiversity Fund , which is designed to support conservation-related projects around the world and support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework , a landmark 2022 deal to halt and reverse nature loss. Island nations call for climate justice May More than three-dozen small-island developing states come together to hash out a plan for spurring sustainable development and tackling climate change, an existential threat for many nations. Courts order action on greenhouse gas emissions May In a series of precedent-setting decisions , courts and international tribunals rule that governments have a legal obligation to address climate change. The rulings come with environmental activists increasingly appealing to the courts to compel countries and businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A 2023 UNEP report found the number of such cases more than doubled from 2017 to 2022. Planet celebrates World Environment Day June World Environment Day showcases solutions to drought, desertification and land degradation. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosts the official celebrations on 5 June, while 4,000 other events take place in 150-plus countries. Heads of state and celebrities from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to actor Leonardo DiCaprio voiced their support for repairing damaged ecosystems. Report reveals depth of environmental crisis in Gaza June A UNEP environmental assessment finds the territory has been swamped in unprecedented levels of pollution, with sewage, debris and often-toxic munitions contaminating soil, water and the air caused by the unfolding conflict. The assessment says that environmental degradation is contributing to humanitarian suffering and risks irreversible damage to Gaza's natural ecosystems, noting that the conflict-related environmental impact could only be fully understood through more detailed sampling and analysis, which should be undertaken as soon as conditions permit. . Science-policy panel takes shape June During talks in Switzerland, countries move closer to creating a new body that would provide policymakers with science-based recommendations for dealing with pollution, chemicals and waste. The effort is designed to limit the often-catastrophic effects of pollution, which is responsible for 9 million premature deaths a year, according to the Lancet. In Nepal, tigers stage a comeback July Nepal's long-threatened population of tigers continues to grow thanks in a large part to an award-winning effort to restore their primary habitat. The initiative, which covers a part of the Himalayan foothills known as the Terai Arc, has helped tiger numbers triple since 2009. Preparing for the environmental challenges of tomorrow July UNEP's Navigating New Horizons identifies eight critical global shifts, including the emergence of digital technologies, that have major implications for the shared environment. The report is part of UNEP's growing efforts to anticipate and prepare for future challenges and opportunities. Swimmers return to Paris' Seine River August During the Summer Olympics in Paris, the Seine River plays host to several swimming events, marking the first time in a century the long-polluted waterway has been officially open to swimmers. The Seine's rebound – result of a US$1.5 billion cleanup operation – is seen as a sign of hope for other neglected waterways. Countries ink landmark deal to rekindle sustainable development September World leaders adopt the Pact for the Future, a ground-breaking international agreement designed to lay the foundation for a just, sustainable and peaceful global order. The environment features prominently in the accord, which emphasizes the need to transition away from fossil fuels, curtail plastic and chemical pollution, and safeguard biodiversity. Nations confront growing threat of superbugs September During the UN General Assembly in New York, countries vow to cut the number of deaths due to antimicrobial resistance, which claims nearly 5 million lives annually. Publication charts environmental fallout of AI September An issues note from UNEP casts a spotlight on the growing environmental footprint of artificial intelligence. The publication says the sprawling data centres that house AI servers churn out toxic electronic waste and are voracious consumers of water and electricity. It calls for a systemic global effort to catalogue those impacts. World tracking towards debilitating warming October UNEP's Emissions Gap Report 2024 reveals that the world is on pace for a potentially catastrophic temperature rise of between 2.6°C and 3.1°C this century, and that to keep alive the most ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement, greenhouse gas emissions must fall by more than 40 per cent by 2030. The report came just days before the World Meteorological Organization predicted 2024 would be the hottest year on record. Countries finalize long-awaited deal on financing conservation November At the UN Biodiversity Conference , nations reach a landmark agreement on digitally held genetic data that could channel tens of billions of dollars to conservation. Countries also make a milestone decision to strengthen the role of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent in safeguarding biodiversity. On the sidelines of the conference, UNEP launches the Protected Planet Report , which concludes countries are making tangible progress in the effort to safeguard 30 per cent of the Earth by 2030 but need to speed up their work. Report calls for massive investments in climate adaption November Amid scorching heat, punishing droughts and record floods, UNEP's Adaptation Gap Report 2024 calls for countries to dramatically scale up the amount of money they devote to adapting to climate change. A few weeks later, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), the world would agree to triple the amount of climate-related financing for developing countries and launch a centralized market for carbon trading. New system charts releases of potent greenhouse gas November With COP29 in full swing, UNEP reveals that a high-tech system it developed has pinpointed 1,200 major leaks of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. However action to now plug these leaks must accelerate. Countries advance agreement on plastic pollution December During talks in the Republic of Korea, countries move closer to finalizing a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. Representatives from more than 170 nations agree to a so-called Chair's Text , which will serve as starting point for renewed negotiations in 2025. Nations resolve to take on drought December At a UN conference to combat desertification, countries agree to commit US$12 billion to restoring land and improving drought resilience, while promising to ramp public and private financing for 80 drought-wracked nations. Dramatic changes needed to protect web of life December Fundamental shifts in how people interact with the natural world are urgently needed to safeguard life on Earth, warns a report by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The report comes amid a biodiversity crisis that is seeing 1 million species pushed towards extinction. Meanwhile, another IPBES report examines the links between environmental, social and economic crises, and offers policymakers a suite of potential solutions. UNEP honours environmental pioneers December UNEP announces the six winners of the 2024 Champions of the Earth award, the UN's highest environmental honour. The awards recognize environmental pioneers helping to restore land, combat desertification and build resilience to drought. Laureates include Brazil's first female indigenous minister, and a Romanian environmental defender who has undertaken a decades-long campaign against illegal logging. Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above. MENAFN29122024003118003196ID1109040371 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. 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Baylor wins 6th straight as Sawyer Robertson throws 4 TDs in 45-17 win to end Kansas seasonEPL table: Arsenal go second with 5-2 win over West Ham
Dayle Haddon shared powerful message few days before her tragic deathOne of the few things left that the Las Vegas Raiders fan base had to look forward to, outside of the No. 1 pick, which was ruined, was a potential reunion between Derek Carr and the New Orleans Saints. That rematch, or revenge game, whatever you want to call it, was something every fan wanted to see. And this fan base has been pretty split on Carr, whether they wanted to keep him or get rid of him. But everyone wanted to see that game. But, of course, we soon figured out that the Saints will not be playing Carr, as he has been injured for some time now, and while he just got healthy, he still isn't ready for game action yet. The Saints will instead be playing Spencer Rattler as their starting QB. And, you'd think some of the players would be excited for this game against Carr, too, but then you think about it, and, not many of his former teammates are even on the team. When Antonio Pierce was asked about that, he kept it real. Antonio Pierce comments on Raiders potentially facing Derek Carr this Sunday: "It's not the same team here. To be honest, it hasn't been talked about." #RaiderNation | #Saints pic.twitter.com/d7EjSnP65X "It's not the same team here. To be honest, it hasn't been talked about," Pierce said to the media earlier this week. And, he's right -- it's been two years and there has been a lot of turnover. No more Josh Jacobs, no more Hunter Renfrow, Darren Waller, Foster Moreau, and you can keep going honestly. I'll give you a beat of coach speak here and say, they are just worried about getting a win, even though they don't need need to win it. The Raiders should actually be trying to lose this game, and if they do, at least it's not against Carr. After this game, the Raiders will finish out their season against the Los Angeles Chargers. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.
The King and the Prime Minister have paid tribute to Jimmy Carter following the former US president’s death on Sunday aged 100. In a message to the American people, the King expressed “great sadness” at the news of Mr Carter’s death, describing him as “a committed public servant” who “devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights”. He added: “His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977. “My thoughts and prayers are with President Carter’s family and the American people at this time.” Mr Carter, a former peanut farmer, served one term in the White House between 1977 and 1981 and spent his post-presidency years as a global humanitarian, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Carter had “lived his values in the service of others to the very end” through “decades of selfless public service”. Praising a “lifelong dedication to peace” that saw him win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Sir Keir added: “Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad.” Tributes to Mr Carter followed the announcement of his death by his family on Sunday, more than a year after he decided to enter hospice care. His son, Chip Carter, said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love.” US President Joe Biden, one of the first elected politicians to endorse Mr Carter’s bid for the presidency in 1976, said the world had “lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian”. He said: “Over six decades, we had the honour of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. “With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us.” Other UK politicians also paid tribute to Mr Carter. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he was “an inspiration” who “led a truly remarkable life dedicated to public service with a genuine care for people”. Scottish First Minister John Swinney described the former president as “a good, decent, honest man who strove for peace in all that he did”, while Welsh First Minister said he was “a remarkable man” and “a humanitarian and scholar”. Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair said Mr Carter’s “life was a testament to public service”. He added: “I always had the greatest respect for him, his spirit and his dedication. He fundamentally cared and consistently toiled to help those in need.” Mr Carter is expected to receive a state funeral featuring public observances in Atlanta, Georgia, and Washington DC before being buried in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. A moderate democrat born in Plains in October 1924, Mr Carter’s political career took him from the Georgia state senate to the state governorship and, finally, the White House, where he took office as 39th president in the wake of the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. His presidency saw economic disruption amid volatile oil prices, along with social tensions at home and challenges abroad including the Iranian revolution that sparked a 444-day hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. But he also brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, which led to a peace treaty between the two countries in 1979. After his defeat in the 1980 presidential election, he worked more than four decades leading The Carter Centre, which he and his late wife Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope”. Under his leadership, the Carter Center virtually eliminated Guinea Worm disease, which has gone from affecting 3.5 million people in Africa and Asia in 1986 to just 14 in 2023. Mrs Carter, who died last year aged 96, had played a more active role in her husband’s presidency than previous first ladies, with Mr Carter saying she had been “my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished”. Earlier this year, on his 100th birthday, Mr Carter received a private congratulatory message from the King, expressing admiration for his life of public service
Climate Change in the Himalayas
If you're one of the millions of shoppers browsing for Black Friday offers this weekend, you may want to check out a little-known cashback deal that can see you save even more. Website TopCashback is currently offering up to 45% cashback on all Superdrug purchases, as well as a £15 sign-up bonus for new members - but you'll have to be quick to take advantage of the offer, as it comes to an end at midnight tonight (Saturday, November 30). For one day only, both new and existing TopCashback members can stack this huge cashback deal when browsing the Superdrug Black Friday sale, spelling massive discounts on big beauty brands. One of the biggest savings at Superdrug discovered by shopping experts at The Mirror is on the Oral-B iO3 Matt Black Electric Toothbrush with Travel Case , which has seen its price drop from £159.99 down to just £49.95 for Black Friday. By snapping up the TopCashback deal too, shoppers who also get the sign-up bonus can snag the toothbrush for just £16.22 after cashback, almost 90% off its full price tag. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get the deal: Head over to the TopCashback website and sign up for an account for free using this link In your TopCashback account, search for Superdrug in the search bar at the top Once you're on the TopCashback Superdrug page, click 'Get Cashback Now' which will redirect you to the Superdrug website Make your purchase on the Oral-B iO3 Matt Black Electric Toothbrush , or choose another Superdrug product you have your eye on, and your cashback will appear within your TopCashback account within seven working days Once your cashback lands in your account, you will have the choice to withdraw it via bank transfer or PayPal, or alternatively you can choose to transfer it to your Reward Wallet to spend on gift cards via TopCashback. TopCashback features over 4,000 major retailers across fashion, electricals, utilities, travel and more, which pay TopCashback commission for referring shoppers to their website at no extra cost to you - in fact, this commission is passed back to customers as cashback, meaning there are plenty of discounts and deals to snap up. To shop on TopCashback, you just need to find the retailer you want to buy from on the site and click through, and then shop online with your chosen retailer as you normally would. Once TopCashback receives its commission from the retailer, it will deposit your promised cashback into your account so you can withdraw it to spend. The website has an overall rating of 4.5 out of five stars on Trustpilot, based on over 140,000 reviews from customers. Another Superdrug bargain is on the Remington S3500 Ceramic Straight Straighteners , which can be all yours for just £2.49 after cashback - less than the price of a takeaway coffee. Or for shoppers who really want to splash out, the Shark Flexstyle 5-In-1 Air Styler & Dryer is currently reduced to £219.99, but new TopCashback members who take advantage of the Saturday deal can get it for £122.49. Molly Mileham-Chappell, consumer savings expert at TopCashback, said: "Black Friday can be a great time to take advantage of promotions on high-ticket items you've had your eye on and had been planning to purchase. This might include the likes of premium perfume or hair tools, which you might have ordinarily waited to buy from Duty Free if you travel internationally. "Additionally, this time of year is chock full of bargains on health and beauty promotions, with bundles and gift sets of popular products often on offer - just make sure you price compare between retailers before hitting that 'checkout' button - sites like PriceSpy can help with this. Splitting sets up into individual items, you can create perfect Christmas gifts for your friends and stocking fillers for your family, and they will be none the wiser!" Elsewhere on the high street, Boots is also running a deal on the Limited Edition Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer Gift Set , which has seen its price slashed from £329.99 down to £249.99 with £80 off. Even better, the retailer is offering shoppers £10 worth of Advantage Card points for every £60 spent on selected electrical beauty favourites - meaning with this purchase you will get £40 back to spend on your reward card. ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities. We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all! To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice . Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community Join our Court & Crime community Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community Join our Northumberland community Join our County Durham community Join our Sunderland community Join our NUFC community Join our SAFC community Join our Great North Run community'Wee Gav' inspired Hibs to defeat Hearts - the story of bad jokes, dancing and team spirit
Donald Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A high-speed passenger train collided with a fire truck at a crossing Saturday morning in Florida, injuring three firefighters and at least a dozen train passengers, authorities said. The crash happened at 10:45 a.m. in crowded downtown Delray Beach, multiple news outlets reported. The Brightline train was stopped on the tracks, its front destroyed, about a block away from the Delray Beach Fire Rescue truck, its ladder ripped off and strewn in the grass several yards away, The Sun-Sentinel reported . The Delray Beach Fire Rescue said in a social media post that three Delray Beach firefighters were in stable condition at a hospital. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue took 12 people from the train to the hospital with minor injuries. Emmanuel Amaral rushed to the scene on his golf cart after hearing a loud crash and screeching train brakes from where he was having breakfast a couple of blocks away. He saw firefighters climbing out of the window of their damaged truck and pulling injured colleagues away from the tracks. One of their helmets came to rest several hundred feet away from the crash. “The front of that train is completely smashed, and there was even some of the parts to the fire truck stuck in the front of the train, but it split the car right in half. It split the fire truck right in half, and the debris was everywhere,” Amaral said. RELATED COVERAGE Student marches, traffic blockades in Serbia as protests persist over concrete canopy fall Man indicted in burning death of woman inside a New York City subway train, prosecutors say Striking students in Serbia tell chief prosecutor to ‘fight for law and justice’ Brightline officials did not immediately comment on the crash. A spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board said it was still gathering information about the crash and had not decided yet whether it will investigate. The NTSB is already investigating two crashes involving Brightline’s high-speed trains that killed three people early this year at the same crossing along the railroad’s route between Miami and Orlando. More than 100 people have died after being hit by trains since Brightline began operations in July 2017 — giving the railroad the worst death rate in the nation. But most of those deaths have been either suicides, pedestrians who tried to run across the tracks ahead of a train or drivers who went around crossing gates instead of waiting for a train to pass. Brightline has not been found to be at fault in those previous deaths. Railroad safety has been a concern since a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023, spilling toxic chemicals that caught fire. Regulators urged the industry to improve safety and members of Congress proposed a package of reforms, but railroads have not made many major changes to their operations and the bill has stalled. Earlier this month the two operators of a Union Pacific train were killed after it collided with a semitrailer truck that was blocking a crossing in the small West Texas town of Pecos. Three other people were injured, and the local Chamber of Commerce building was damaged. ___ Associated Press writers Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, Chevel Johnson in New Orleans and Julie Walker in New York contributed.This picturesque seaside village in regional Victoria lures food lovers for its annual Wild Harvest Seafood Festival and, year round, delights those looking for a stay that combines the bush, fishing and relaxation. The cruise Take a cruise on the historic M.V. Loch-Ard. To really appreciate the beauty and size of the surrounding lakes get on board the MV Loch-Ard, which has been beetling around the Victorian waterways since it was first built, from Huon pine and kauri, in 1910. It is a snugly romantic vessel and during a sunset cruise you can watch the changing colours of the skies, see white sea eagles dive for an evening meal and hear some great local stories from Captain Dale Winward. See mallacootacruises.com The historic stay Karbeethong Lodge was built in 1922 and offers a slice of nostalgia. Karbeethong Lodge has the distinction of being favourably compared to heaven by A Sentimental Bloke author C.J. Dennis when he stayed here in 1932. It is hard to argue with him as you sit on the balcony of this 1920s-built seaside guesthouse with a local Gippsland drop in hand, looking across the grassy slope of a yard to the tranquil East Gippsland waters. Owners Graeme and Jenny Mitchell keep things warm and inviting with a retro collection of furnishings that populate the communal spaces of the huge living room and the help-yourself kitchen. Rooms are quirky and often have more beds than you need, but this is a very special place from which to explore the region. See karbeethonglodge.com.au The local dinner Lucy’s Cantonese fare is legendary in Mallacoota. Lucy’s, on the main street of Mallacoota, is an order-at-the-counter, family-working-all-stations affair that is packed on a weekend with visitors and locals sharing tables full of simple but utterly delicious dishes in serves that often require a take-away container. The go-tos here are the fresh, handmade noodles teamed with locally caught abalone and homegrown herbs, generously stuffed prawn har gau and rolled-up newspaper-sized spring rolls. The museum Mallacoota’s Bunker Museum was once part of a group of World War II-era military installations. The Bunker Museum was originally part of a chain of military installations that protected this exposed easterly part of the Australian coast during World War II. Now visitors descend the stairs into the rainbow-roofed bunker for a taste of military and local history with displays of “trench art” made from shell casings, the story of the sinking of British ship the SS Cumberland and a full-scale replica of home life in the 1940s complete with a mannequin looking like she has come off the set of Dad’s Army . See mallacootabunker.com.au The market Located near The Muddie, the mud brick pavilion at the centre of the Lions Park in town, this local market is full of the freshest local produce, local arts and crafts and community groups. It is a regularly changing roster of stallholders but keep an eye out for The Travelling Squid with its signature salt-and-pepper calamari and “prawn twists”. See mallacootamarkets.com The festival The Wild Harvest Seafood Festival was created to celebrate some of the less-loved creatures of the sea, such as the abalone and sea urchin that Mallacoota is known for. Started in 2022 (after some delays), the “whelk-om” dinner might have local oysters cooked over fire by Noel Butler from First Nations social enterprise Black Duck Foods, and pesce crudo using locally caught fish by guest chefs such as Stefano de Pieri. You might catch a live band, learn a sea shanty or enter a sandcastle making competition. It is an intimate introduction to this special part of Victoria. See wildharvestseafoodfestival.com The creative hub The Mallacoota Art Space, inside the Croajingolong Centre, often hosts an artist-in-residence. Tucked in behind the local radio station, inside the Croajingolong Centre, is the Mallacoota Art Space that is not only hung with works from local artists but, more often that not, will have an artist-in-residence producing works who is up for a chat about the local area and the wild coast that provides much of the inspiration for the local makers and creators. See visitmallacoota.com.au The nature walk Croajingalong National Park is great for bathing, walking or just taking in the view. It is a short drive to Genoa Falls in the Croajingolong National Park, just outside of Mallacoota, where the water runs down a long, flat slope packed full of water dragons that dart away into the rocks as soon as they see you. It is a great spot for bathing or simply wandering through the walking trails. If you have extra time the walk to Genoa Peak gives you a killer view of the surrounding bush and waterways. See visitmallacoota.com.au One more thing ... Abalone is now being processed locally. Mallacoota is the abalone capital of Victoria and the Australian Wild Abalone plant recently opened after the previous operation was devastated by the 2019 Gippsland bushfires. In the past, most of the popular aquatic meat was sent straight to Asia, but there is a renewed interest in using the fresh meat at home, so keep an eye out for it on local menus and at markets. See ex1191.com.au Paul Chai was a guest of Wild Harvest Festival and Destination Gippsland.
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Scholz, rival trade blows as German election campaign kicks offNW_FG Akers 21, 9:31. ILL_Laughery 30 run (Olano kick), 8:12. NW_D.Turner 13 interception return (Akers kick), 2:14. ILL_Altmyer 1 run (Olano kick), 13:21. ILL_Laughery 64 run (Olano kick), 14:15. ILL_Altmyer 43 run (Olano kick), 10:08. NW_FG Akers 34, 5:35. NW_Henning 11 pass from Lausch (Akers kick), 1:34. ILL_Laughery 31 run (Olano kick), 12:15. ILL_FG Olano 24, 11:06. NW_Gordon 15 pass from Lausch (Lang pass from Lausch), 1:00. RUSHING_Illinois, Laughery 12-172, McCray 11-46, Altmyer 4-20, Valentine 7-16, Anderson 1-4, (Team) 2-(minus 3). Northwestern, Porter 12-53, Komolafe 8-32, Lausch 5-22, Himon 3-21, Boe 1-0. PASSING_Illinois, Altmyer 9-16-2-127. Northwestern, Lausch 26-50-2-293, Boe 3-11-1-33. RECEIVING_Illinois, Franklin 3-54, P.Bryant 3-27, Dixon 1-38, McCray 1-5, Arkin 1-3. Northwestern, Henning 10-119, Gordon 7-54, C.Johnson 3-38, Eligon 2-35, Kirtz 2-25, Wagner 2-24, Porter 1-25, Himon 1-4, Arthurs 1-2. MISSED FIELD GOALS_Northwestern, Akers 44.
Lance Terry scored a game-high 22 points, helping lead Georgia Tech to a 92-49 rout of visiting Alabama A&M on Saturday in Atlanta. Javian McCollum added 18 points, while Jaeden Mustaf chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds, as Georgia Tech (6-7) won its second game in three outings. Baye Ndongo had 10 points for the Yellow Jackets, who shot 54.1 percent (33 of 61) from the field and made 10 of 21 (47.6 percent) on 3-pointers. AC Bryant and Bilal Abdur-Rahman each led the Bulldogs (4-9) with 11 points. Alabama A&M managed to shoot just 20.8 percent (15 of 72) from the field en route to its sixth straight loss. After London Riley's 3-pointer cut the Bulldogs' deficit to 16-15, McCollum's triple began a 12-0 scoring run, extending Georgia Tech's lead to 28-15 with 5:30 remaining in the opening half. Bryant's layup stopped the Yellow Jackets' run, but McCollum scored five straight points to push Georgia Tech's advantage to 15 at the 4:13 mark. The lead expanded to 18 points before Quincy McGriff's layup trimmed the Bulldogs' deficit to 16. Terry's back-to-back triples jump-started a 12-3 run to close the first half with Georgia Tech ahead 50-25. McCollum led all scorers with 18 first-half points, while McGriff led Alabama A&M with seven. Ndongo's dunk to open the second half started a 10-1 Georgia Tech run, stamped with Duncan Powell's triple with 17 minutes left to push the Yellow Jackets' lead to 60-26. After Angok Anyang knocked down a pair of free throws for the Bulldogs, Terry's fourth triple was followed by Naithan George's layup, extending Georgia Tech's lead to 68-35 with 11:49 left. Jaylen Colon and Terry then traded triples, before Georgia Tech's 13-6 spurt was stamped with Ndongo's layup at the 3:33 mark, giving the Yellow Jackets an 84-44 edge. Georgia Tech's dominant day was stamped with baskets from a pair of Yellow Jacket walk-ons, as Emmers Nichols and Marcos San Miguel each tallied their first career points in the closing minutes. --Field Level MediaMadeline Gaudreau, the widow of Matthew Gaudreau, gave birth to their son, she announced on Instagram on Sunday. The birth of their son, Tripp, comes four months after Matthew Gaudreau and his brother, Johnny, of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, were tragically killed after a vehicle hit them while they were riding their bikes in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, in August. In December, the driver of the vehicle was charged by a grand jury with two counts of reckless vehicular homicide, two counts of aggravated manslaughter, tampering with physical evidence and leaving the scene of a fatal accident, per CNN's Jacob Lev . Matthew was 29 and Johnny was 31. "The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement in August. "While Johnny's infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname 'Johnny Hockey,' he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path." Matthew played professional hockey in the ECHL, spending four years with the Worcester Railers and one season with the Reading Royals. Johnny played 11 seasons in the NHL for the Calgary Flames and the Blue Jackets. He scored 743 points across his career, collecting a career-high 115 during the 2021-22 season.