DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally, Russian media said Sunday, hours after a stunning rebel advance seized control of Damascus and ended his family’s 50 years of iron rule . Thousands of Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire and waved the revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. The swiftly moving events raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. “Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East," President Joe Biden said , crediting action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syria’s backers — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He called the fall of Assad a “fundamental act of justice” but also a “moment of risk and uncertainty,” and said rebel groups are “saying the right things now” but the U.S. would assess their actions. Russia requested an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council to discuss Syria, according to Dmitry Polyansky, its deputy ambassador to the U.N., in a post on Telegram. The arrival of Assad and his family in Moscow was reported by Russian agencies Tass and RIA, citing an unidentified source at the Kremlin. A spokesman there didn't immediately respond to questions. RIA also said Syrian insurgents had guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria. Earlier, Russia said Assad left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. The leader of Syria's biggest rebel faction, Abu Mohammed al-Golani , is poised to chart the country’s future. The former al-Qaida commander cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance. His Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the U.N. In his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, al-Golani visited the Umayyad Mosque and described Assad's fall as “a victory to the Islamic nation.” Calling himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and not his nom de guerre, he said Assad had made Syria “a farm for Iran’s greed.” The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country ravaged by war and split among armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in remote areas. Syrian state television broadcast a rebel statement saying Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been released. They urged people to preserve the institutions of “the free Syrian state,” and announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. An online video purported to show rebels freeing dozens of women at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed . At least one small child was seen among them. “This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he,” said one relative, Bassam Masr. "I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years.” Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi appeared on state TV and sought to reassure religious and ethnic minorities, saying: “Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects.” “We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did," he added. Damascus residents prayed in mosques and celebrated in squares, calling, “God is great.” People chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Teenage boys picked up weapons apparently discarded by security forces and fired into the air. Soldiers and police fled their posts and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Families wandered the presidential palace, walking by damaged portraits of Assad. Other parts of the capital were empty and shops were closed. “It’s like a dream. I need someone to wake me up," said opposition fighter Abu Laith, adding the rebels were welcomed in Damascus with “love.” Rebels stood guard at the Justice Ministry, where Judge Khitam Haddad said he and colleagues were protecting documents. Outside, residents sought information about relatives who disappeared under Assad. The rebels “have felt the pain of the people,” said one woman, giving only her first name, Heba. She worried about possible revenge killings by the rebels, many of whom appeared to be underage. Syria’s historically pro-government newspaper al-Watan called it “a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood.” It added that media workers should not be blamed for publishing past government statements ordered from above. A statement from the Alawite sect that formed the core of Assad's base called on young Syrians to be “calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country.” The rebels mainly come from the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities. In Qamishli in the northeast, a Kurdish man slapped a statue of the late leader Hafez Assad with his shoe. The rebel advances since Nov. 27 were the largest in recent years, and saw the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs fall within days as the Syrian army melted away. The road to Damascus from the Lebanese border was littered with military uniforms and charred armored vehicles. Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, which provided crucial support to Assad, abandoned him as they reeled from other conflicts. The end of Assad’s rule was a major blow to Iran and its proxies, already weakened by conflict with Israel . Iran said Syrians should decide their future “without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention.” The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned. Hossein Akbari, Iran’s ambassador to Syria, said it was “effectively impossible” to help the Syrian government after it admitted the insurgents' military superiority. Speaking on Iranian state media from an undisclosed location, he said Syria's government decided Saturday night to hand over power peacefully. “When the army and the people could not resist, it was a good decision to let go to prevent bloodshed and destruction,” Akbari said, adding that some of his colleagues left Syria before sunrise. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking on state TV, said there were concerns about the “possibility of civil war, disintegration of Syria, total collapse and turning Syria into a shelter for terrorists.” Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali has said the government was ready to “extend its hand” to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. A video on Syrian opposition media showed armed men escorting him from his office to a hotel. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria late Saturday, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey. Majed al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, said they agreed on the need “to engage all parties on the ground," including the HTS, and that the main concern is “stability and safe transition.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned positions. Israel’s military later warned residents of five southern Syria communities to stay home for their safety, and didn’t respond to questions. Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the U.S., views it as occupied, and the Arab League on Sunday condemned what it called Israel’s efforts to take advantage of Assad’s downfall to occupy more territory. Sewell reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue, Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut; Samar Kassaballi, Omar Sanadiki and Ghaith Alsayed in Damascus; Jon Gambrell in Manama, Bahrain; Josef Federman in Doha, Qatar; and Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem, contributed.
The Photos You're Not Supposed to SeeWith the world's attention focused on the Singapore Sports Hub, the WTT Grand Slam 2025 promises to be a tournament to remember. Whether you're a die-hard table tennis fan or simply looking for an exciting sporting event to attend, this is an opportunity not to be missed.Stock market today: Wall Street drifts to a mixed close in thin trading following a holiday pause
Omar al-Bashir was born on January 1, 1944, in a small village in the River Nile State of Sudan. He received his education in the military, rising through the ranks to become a prominent army officer. In 1989, Bashir orchestrated a military coup that toppled the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi, thus propelling himself into power.Moreover, cooperation between Europe and China on global issues such as climate change and sustainable development has been instrumental in shaping the economic landscape of both regions. With a shared commitment to addressing environmental challenges, Europe and China have worked together to promote green technologies, reduce emissions, and foster sustainable practices. This collaboration has not only positioned both regions as leaders in the fight against climate change but has also opened up new opportunities for economic growth in renewable energy and other sustainable industries.
US cloud-based designer platform Figma is keen on tapping India’s vast pool of designers and product developers to better support its customers, its cofounder and chief executive, Dylan Field , told ET. Around 85% of Figma’s weekly active users are from outside the US, and a substantial number of them are from India, Field said on the sidelines of the Slush technology summit 2024 in Helsinki, Finland. “I look forward to spending more time in India and finding ways to do our part to help the tech and designing ecosystem there,” Field said without confirming any specific plan or timeline for the company’s expansion into India. He, however, noted that they may kickoff operations with sales and marketing to support new and existing customers in the region. Indian brands like Zomato , Swiggy , Cred and Groww are already using the platform to scale their design process. Also, India leads in the Asia Pacific region with 44% integration of the firm's cloud-based design tools, according to a recent report by the company. “There is a real revenue opportunity in India. It is a myth that you cannot monetise India,” said Field, adding that as Figma spends more time in India, it will be able to find areas to improve its services there. “Right now, the (India) market seems underserved and it is important for us to be there.” Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Web Development Java 21 Essentials for Beginners: Build Strong Programming Foundations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Marketing Marketing & Sales Strategies for Startups: From Concept to Conversion By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrow's Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Tabnine AI Masterclass: Optimize Your Coding Efficiency By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Tally Prime & GST Accounting: Complete Guide By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) ChatGPT Mastery from Zero to Hero: The Complete AI Course By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Master RESTful APIs with Python and Django REST Framework: Web API Development By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Web Development C++ Fundamentals for Absolute Beginners By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Strategy ESG and Business Sustainability Strategy By - Vipul Arora, Partner, ESG & Climate Solutions at Sattva Consulting Author I Speaker I Thought Leader View Program Office Productivity Advanced Excel Course - Financial Calculations & Excel Made Easy By - Anirudh Saraf, Founder- Saraf A & Associates, Chartered Accountant View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance AI and Generative AI for Finance By - Hariom Tatsat, Vice President- Quantitative Analytics at Barclays View Program Web Development Django & PostgreSQL Mastery: Build Professional Web Applications By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program San Francisco-headquartered Figma was founded in 2012 by Field and Evan Wallace—both computer science enthusiasts from Brown University, US as a visual design product. The platform is used by designers, product teams and developers to create user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX), and is known for its cloud-based accessibility and real-time collaboration features, akin to Google Docs. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Valued at around $12.5 billion, Figma also supports prototyping, shared design systems, and a range of plugins and integrations, besides being a community repository of templates and resources that enhance its functionality, positioning it as a strong competitor to older design players like Adobe and Sketch. Figma’s product suite includes FigJam for brainstorming and ideation, Figma Design for software design, and Dev Mode, which helps developers translate designs into code. Field said there is a possibility of building more services like a ‘loop’, where developers can think about what comes in the later stages after coding, and then eventually bring all that back into ideation on the Figma platform. “If we can accomplish that, then we are really special,” he said. Adobe deal falling through In 2022, the Photoshop maker Adobe announced plans to acquire Figma for $20 billion. However, last year, in a big blow to both companies, they jointly declared the termination of the deal following scrutiny from UK and EU regulators on antitrust issues . Adobe was obligated to pay Figma a reverse termination fee of $1 billion in cash. Field addressed the fallout, saying they will now build the products independently which they would have developed if the deal had gone through. “It is impossible to know the counterfactual, but here we are, and we have tons to build. And the same things we are going to build if the deal has gone through,” Field said. Impact of AI On the role of artificial intelligence in the design process, Field highlighted that AI has been effective in lowering entry barriers for newcomers by simplifying and automating the more basic aspects of design, making it more accessible and approachable for everyone. “Our general framework is to make it easier for people to facilitate more design process along with making sure that they only the work that experts can do,” he said. Figma recently faced a setback with its AI-powered design tool, ‘Make Design,’ after it generated outputs resembling the Apple weather app. This raised concerns about the tool's reliance on existing app designs during its training process. Some critics argued that it was too dependent on pre-existing designs. In response, Figma temporarily disabled the feature. The reporter was in Helsinki at the invite of Business Finland.
2024 top political stories: A year of political trouble and turmoil
Philadelphia's Joel Embiid scored 31 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in his return after missing seven games to spark the 76ers on Sunday in a 108-100 NBA victory at Chicago. Embiid had been sidelined by a left knee injury and personal reasons since a November 20 loss to Memphis, the Sixers going 4-3 in his absence. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr. trained and went through the NFL draft process together on the way to becoming two of the five quarterbacks taken in the top 10. After going off the board earlier with the second pick by the Washington Commanders, Daniels has been their starter all season and one of football's breakout stars . Penix, taken eighth in a move coach Raheem Morris joked “shocked the world," waited behind Kirk Cousins until usurping the veteran and making his first pro start last week. On Sunday night, they'll face off in the league's first prime-time showdown of rookie QBs selected in the first round, and the spotlight is bright with significant playoff implications at stake. “I'm happy for him — he waited his time,” Daniels said of Penix. “He's a phenomenal player in my eyes, and I'm excited to be able to match up against him.” Daniels and the Commanders (10-5) are in the playoffs with a win. They might already be in before kickoff if Tampa Bay loses at home to Carolina, though the Buccaneers are 8-point favorites on BetMGM Sportsbook. Washington is favored by 4 against the Falcons (8-7), who are vying with the Bucs for the NFC South title and a home playoff game and also in contention with the Commanders and others for the conference's wild-card spots. “The reality is that you fight, you fight, you fight and you put yourself in a position to go out there and win your division,” Penix said. "You put yourself in a chance to get yourself to qualify for extra play. We’re right in the mix of doing that, and we’ve got to go do it and finish.” Daniels, who threw five touchdown passes to beat Philadelphia last week and end the Eagles’ winning streak at 10 games, is the prohibitive favorite to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Penix completed 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards in a rout of the New York Giants that included two touchdowns by Atlanta's defense and two on the ground from running back Bijan Robinson. “I was really pleased with his composure, his poise, his ability to click through progressions,” Morris said. "Realistically, it was a pretty clean game at the quarterback position. I’m very pleased with what he did and how he did it and the support that he had around him.” Coaching connection Washington's Dan Quinn is facing the Falcons as a head coach for the first time since they fired him in 2020. He was replaced then on an interim basis by Morris, who was an assistant on his staff in Atlanta the entire time Quinn was in charge, including the run to the Super Bowl in the 2016 season. “It’s always fun to play against your friends, your confidants, your mentors — whatever you want to look at it as — that we’ve been able to grow up with throughout this whole process,” said Morris, who was an assistant in Washington from 2012-14 under Mike Shanahan and interviewed for the Commanders job last winter. “Dan coaching me in college," Morris added, "and then having a chance to work together and then having a chance to really follow the same path to the National Football League and then to now being in a fortunate position to be head coaches in this awesome league and having a chance to compete against each other at a very high level with high stakes on the line in prime time and all of those things — I just enjoy those moments of being able to go against guys that you care about.” Morris said conversations from their close working relationship, which dates to their time together at Hofstra, are on a break right now. “Obviously you swap texts on normal weeks,” Morris said. “I won’t talk to him this week. I’ll ban him. I’ll block him on the phone.” More zip leads to more drops Penix's results would have been even more impressive if not for some drops by receivers. Ray-Ray McCloud and Drake London had miscues on Atlanta’s opening drive. Tight end Kyle Pitts bobbled a pass later that led to Penix's interception. Serving as scout-team QB while Cousins was the starter , Penix had little practice time with the first-string offense before last week. As a left-hander, Penix gives receivers a different look, but perhaps the biggest adjustment was the added zip on his passes when compared with Cousins. “We kind of talked about that,” Morris said. “We figured that would happen. ... We talked about the reps with these guys, not having as many. So, things like that are going to happen. But I do like the fact that we’re able to keep playing and pushing and watch the guys get better and better as we went. Fuller strength The Commanders are expected to get two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen back after surgery in October to repair a torn pectoral muscle initially looked to be season-ending . “We know the caliber of Jon and what he can bring,” Quinn said. “He’s strong. He’s tough. So when that does happen, that’ll be something that will definitely bring energy to our defense.” Allen had 15 tackles and two sacks in five-plus games before getting injured at Baltimore on Oct. 13. Sacks on the rise After ranking last in the league with 10 sacks through the first 11 games, Atlanta’s long-struggling pass rush has enjoyed a dramatic surge. The Falcons have at least three in four consecutive games, the longest active streak in the league, with 16 total over this stretch. Arnold Ebiketie recorded his fifth sack and recovered a fumble against the Giants, and Kaden Elliss had a strip sack. Elliss also has five sacks and has dropped opposing QBs in four consecutive games: the longest streak by a Falcons defender since Patrick Kerney's five in a row in 2001. AP Sports Writer Charles Odum contributed. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLSouth Korean police considering overseas travel ban on President Yoon over martial lawDeion: Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter insured for bowl game
The key to Willow's success lies in its innovative error correction scheme, which leverages cutting-edge quantum error correction codes to protect quantum information from decoherence and errors. By encoding quantum information redundantly across multiple qubits and implementing error detection and correction mechanisms, Willow is able to maintain the integrity of quantum computations even in the presence of noise and errors.One notable clash between the two sides was in the group stages of the Champions League, where Barcelona delivered a masterclass performance to secure a convincing victory. The likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Andres Iniesta have starred in these encounters, showcasing their world-class abilities and ability to unlock opposition defenses. Barcelona's possession-based style of play has often found a way past Dortmund's defensive lines, leading to goals and ultimately, victories.The Centre for Pension Rights Advocacy has flayed the Federal Government over its decision to pay N44bn for accrued benefits for retirees between March and September 2023. In a chat with The PUNCH on Sunday, the director of the centre, Ivo Takor, expressed concerns about the fate of those not included in the payment and slammed the government for adopting a benevolent attitude towards benefits instead of simply meeting its legal obligations. The National Pension Commission on Friday announced the release of N44bn by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, which had been applied to settle the accrued pension rights of retirees, who were duly verified and enrolled, covering March to September 2023 and some deceased employees. Reacting to the development, Takor, who was an inaugural member of PenCom’s board, noted that while the development might seem like good news for those retirees, “It raises a critical question: What happens to those who retired between October 2023 and November 2024? They are left in uncertainty, waiting indefinitely until the Federal Government decides to act.. “The Pension Reform Act of 2004 was designed to ensure that pensioners do not retire into poverty. Its primary objective, as stated in Section 2(a) of the Act, is to guarantee that every person who worked in the public service of the federation, Federal Capital Territory, or private sector receives their retirement benefits as and when due. “This provision was reiterated in Section 1(c) of the Pension Reform Act of 2014, which replaced the 2004 Act. At the onset of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004, it was clear that both public and private sector employees with accrued pension rights under the old schemes could not be paid in one lump sum. To address this, the Pension Reform Act made provisions for transitional arrangements,” he explained. He noted that while the transitional provisions for accrued pension rights in the private sector had been working well, the same could not be said of the public sector. Takor noted that while PenCom had been able to regulate and supervise pension matters in Nigeria in the private sector, ensuring compliance with laws and penalising defaulters, the same could be said for the Federal Government. “The government has failed to comply with its laws on pension administration. PenCom, being an agency of the Federal Government, is left pleading with the government to fulfil its legal obligations. This ironic situation, where PenCom “begs” the government to honour its responsibilities, highlights a systemic flaw. He who pays the piper calls the tune. Related News FG partners Pakistan to boost food security Abia residents protest delayed road project, demand FG's intervention $90m FGN/IFAD/NDDC projects in nine states on course – Official “Instead of adhering to the provisions of the law and redeeming the bonds issued for accrued rights, the Federal Government has adopted a discretionary approach, releasing funds sporadically. For instance, the recent funds only cover retirees from March 2023 to September 2023, leaving others from October 2023 onwards in limbo,” he asserted. He noted that this piecemeal approach painted a distressing picture of federal retirees, many of whom were left in poverty after decades of service. “These retirees, waiting for their turn to be included in future batches, are forced to endure hardship and indignity,” averred. The pension rights activist, therefore, called on the Federal Government to lead by example and comply with its own laws. “Until then, federal retirees will remain at the mercy of an employer that acts as a benevolent giver rather than fulfilling its legal obligations. This situation not only undermines the integrity of the pension system but also calls into question the government’s commitment to the welfare of its retirees,” he maintained. Meanwhile, another retiree, Gbadebo Olatokunbo, expressed delight that the government seemed to be taking steps in the right direction with this payment. Olatokunbo, who is an NTA contributory pensioner, said, “The stated amount was those that retired within that period of the year and were waiting for their settlement with their PTAs, not for very old contributory pensioners. “Therefore, the issues of the very old contributory pensioners of 2007-2020 or more, were very heavy because PenCom of the old were on sabbatical on several issues on the plights of the contributory pensioners and it would take some time/economic power/political will to get things solved. “We hope that since things are now moving in the right direction and with time, all pensioners, including both old and new, will have cause to be happy,” he posited.
In a significant move, China has recently adjusted its monetary policy stance from being "prudent" to "moderately accommodative", signaling a shift towards supporting economic growth amidst global uncertainties. This change in approach not only reflects the changing dynamics of the domestic economy but also underscores the authorities’ commitment to ensuring stability and sustainability in the financial system.Title: Montolivo: Conte Rarely Trusts Substitutes, He Should Give Them More Playing Time