New Data from PROMMIS Study Highlights the Power of SKY92 in Identifying High-Risk Multiple Myeloma PatientsRams WR Demarcus Robinson not suspended, will play Sunday after arrest on DUI suspicionWORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — Jordan Jones scored 20 points as Cent. Conn. St. beat Holy Cross 69-56 on Saturday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — Jordan Jones scored 20 points as Cent. Conn. St. beat Holy Cross 69-56 on Saturday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — Jordan Jones scored 20 points as Cent. Conn. St. beat Holy Cross 69-56 on Saturday. Jones added six steals for the Blue Devils (6-3). Abdul Momoh scored 12 points and added three steals. Devin Haid had 12 points and shot 4 for 8, including 3 for 5 from beyond the arc. Max Green led the Crusaders (5-5) in scoring, finishing with 15 points and seven rebounds. Tyler Boston added 13 points and five assists for Holy Cross. Caleb Kenney finished with 12 points, nine rebounds, two steals and three blocks. Cent. Conn. St. took the lead with 6:53 remaining in the first half and did not give it up. The score was 38-25 at halftime, with Haid racking up 12 points. Cent. Conn. St. pulled away with an 11-3 run in the second half to extend a six-point lead to 14 points. They closed out the victory over Holy Cross from there, as Jones led the way with a team-high 14 second-half points. NEXT UP Cent. Conn. St.’s next game is Sunday against Rhode Island on the road, and Holy Cross visits Quinnipiac on Tuesday. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement
How to watch Hornets vs. Pistons basketball gameThanasi Kokkinakis didn’t think he was ready when he was asked to step up for Australia two years ago in the Davis Cup finals. But this time he was and the now 28-year-old, who captain Lleyton Hewitt said would be “dangerous for anybody” after the shock decision to pick him ahead of Alexei Popyrin for the opening singles clash against the USA, delivered. Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Kokkinakis defended four match points and a endured a marathon third-set tie-breaker before taking down Ben Shelton 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (16/14) with a gripping tie-break triumph. World No.4 Taylor Fritz then pulled the US level by beating Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4 in the second singles rubber before Matt Ebden and Jordan Thompson scored a 6-4, 6-4 win over Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul to secure the epic win and passage to the semi-finals. Hewitt said he had “full belief” in picking Kokkinakis over Popyrin and he “played like the winner of the NSW Open Challenger about a month ago”. “Me and the rest of the team know what Thanasi’s level is like, and if we can get him going out there and playing at his highest level, he’s dangerous for anybody. I don’t care who it is,” Hewitt said. “You know, I had full belief in him. I know the rest of the boys did to go out there today. He was hitting it a treat all week leading in. He got what he deserved. He put a very tough training block in for us to get that win today, which was bloody important.” For Kokkinakis, the win was “massive” and reaffirmed in his mind that after a horror run of injuries his capacity to tackle the world’s best was growing and he was starting to overcome doubts in his own ability. “It’s massive. Massive for me, for the team,” he said. “I played two years ago when we made the final, but I wasn’t ready. I had a sinus surgery sort of a few weeks before that, so this is the first time I feel like I have been able to be healthy and at least give the team a chance and put my best food forward. “Happy that Lleyton had faith in me again to put me in. “I think it’s been pretty well documented sort of the troubles I have had throughout my career. I’m 28 now, but I feel like I’ve seen a lot. I came onto the scene young. I still feel like there is a lot of good tennis in me left. I feel like I can cause an upset and play big matches and have big wins, as I have shown this year. “So for me it’s just about trying to be consistent and playing more events. I’ve always struggled with that. Doing it for the country always seems to bring out a different sort of intensity and effort.” The final set tie-breaker was the longest of Kokkinakis’ career and the world No.77 fell to the floor after finally converting match point. “I have had a lot of emotional matches. Some for good; some for bad,” he said. “But to win a match like that for Australia is huge in the finals. “I know what I can do when I’m locked in and playing well, I thought I was practising really well all week. Maybe they believed in me there. A lot of times they believe in me more than I do myself. “ Australia will next play either nemesis Italy or Argentina in the semi-finals, with that tie ongoing. SINNER SAVES ITALIANS World No.1 Jannik Sinner rescued Davis Cup holders Italy in the quarter-finals, tying their quarter-final battle with Argentina at 1-1 and forcing a doubles decider. Sinner won his first two Grand Slams this season, as well as triumphing at the ATP Finals last week without dropping a set, and blew Sebastian Baez away 6-2, 6-1 in the second singles rubber. Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo swept to a convincing 6-4, 6-1 victory over Lorenzo Musetti in the opening singles clash. “It was a must-win match, it’s very different conditions, the court is very fast and tough to play, I haven’t had much time to adapt to it, but (I’m) happy to keep Italy alive,” said Sinner. “Last year we had great memories, now let’s see what’s coming.” Italy, aiming for a third consecutive return to the semi-finals, are favourites to win the Davis Cup for a second year running, largely because of Sinner’s presence. The 23-year-old is still waiting for the outcome of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s appeal against his initial exoneration for twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March. Sinner beat Novak Djokovic in singles and doubles in last year’s semi-finals on the way to helping Italy end a 47-year wait to lift the trophy again. Despite not playing at his best level, Sinner was still streets ahead of Baez. Sinner broke for a 3-1 lead, with the Argentinian unable to cope with the power of his strokes. The Italian spurned five set points before finally getting the job done with another break as Baez tried to cling on. Sinner broke in the second and fourth games of the second set, before facing heavy pressure on his serve in the fifth. The Italian defended four break points on his way to a tough hold and then wrapped up the match on his next service game, sealing it with his 10th winner in 72 minutes. - Cerundolo at his ‘best’ - Cerundolo outclassed Musetti with ease in the opening rubber, buoyed by fervent Argentine support at the Martin Carpena Arena, hoping their team can add to their solitary Davis Cup conquest in 2016. “I played one of the best matches of the year for sure... I knew I had to win because the tie is super close,” said Cerundolo. “I knew I had to play my best today and I think I did it.” However, things did not start perfectly for the Argentinian who double-faulted to hand Italy an early break for 2-0, but he worked his way back on serve straight away when Musetti whipped a forehand wide. Cerundolo broke in the seventh and ninth games, with Musetti replying in the eighth, and it was enough for the 26-year-old to claim the topsy-turvy first set by holding to love. Cerundolo stepped up a gear in the second set with his powerful forehand a constant thorn in Musetti’s side. The world number 30 broke in the first game and again in the fifth for a 4-1 lead, which he consolidated with ease with the Italian’s spirit broken. Musetti, ranked 17th, was unable to offer any resistance and capitulated to love in his final service game. “I couldn’t manage to play as I imagined,” lamented Musetti. “I didn’t expect him to play like this, it was a little bit surprising for me. “In the second set he really found confidence in his game, he was really solid... he deserved to win.” The first semi-final between Netherlands, who defeated Rafa Nadal’s Spain, and Germany will be played on Friday
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(Bloomberg) — Human plasma is a protein-rich compound made by spinning blood so fast that the heavier red blood cells are flung aside like clothes on the side of a washing machine, leaving behind a straw-colored liquid. It is also the basis of CSL Ltd.’s $88 billion health-care empire. Australia’s largest biotechnology company delivered a 750% return for investors in the decade before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic by dominating the global market for the critical substance. However, since the start of 2020, the stock has plateaued for the longest period since its listing. The firm first had difficulty getting people to both sell and gather blood from which to make plasma during lockdowns and then struggled with its largest-ever acquisition. Chief Executive Paul McKenzie, who is a year and a half in the job, needs to find a way to boost profits from CSL’s 2022 purchase of Switzerland-based Vifor to revive the shares. The $11.7 billion acquisition was designed to diversify the company’s portfolio by adding treatments for iron deficiency and kidney disease. However, generic competition in the European Union has eroded margins for Vifor’s best-selling medication and slashed returns on invested capital, convincing some investors that CSL overpaid for the business. Still, the acquisition has catapulted CSL into the position of the world’s largest provider of iron therapies. One in four people globally don’t have enough of the mineral, which is essential to transport oxygen in the blood and make muscles work. Demand for iron supplements will help boost the unit’s sales over the next five years, according to McKenzie. In particular, he expects iron infusions to provide plenty of opportunities for growth by treating various ailments. “There are so many things that iron could benefit,” said McKenzie in an interview in Melbourne. “Heart failure we believe is a big one. Anemia is a big one. Women’s health is a big one.” He has yet to convince the market. Since the deal closed in August 2022, the company’s shares have dropped 5.5% compared with a 20% gain for the broader ASX200 index, weighed down by disappointment in the Vifor acquisition. CSL “absolutely paid too much,” said Jun Bei Liu, a portfolio manager at Tribeca Investment Partners. “In time, they will generate a return. It’s just they should have done their due diligence a bit better. For such a large acquisition, investors put a lot of faith in the management.” She said the purchase made strategic sense. The company’s move into iron supplements was spurred in part by a growing need for the treatments. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2021, anemia affected roughly 2 billion people, with the vast majority of cases attributed to iron deficiency. Children and women of reproductive age suffer at the highest rates. That same year, the WHO began urging hospitals to screen for anemia and optimize iron levels in patients ahead of planned surgeries, aiming to reduce the reliance on higher-risk blood transfusions. A study published this month highlighted the growing importance of this approach, finding that a single intravenous iron treatment reduces hospitalization risk by 17% for anemic heart failure patients. Plasma is still the company’s biggest business, accounting for about 72% of sales and 66% of profit. It is ubiquitous in hospitals’ operating rooms globally and is used for bleeding disorders and burns. Plasma is also the basis for immunoglobulin, which is used to treat autoimmune diseases, such as Stiff Person Syndrome, which affects Canadian-born singer Celine Dion. With almost 350 plasma collection centers in the US, Europe and China, CSL is one of the world’s largest and most efficient producers of the material. The company is also the world’s second-largest maker of flu vaccines. Its success in plasma stems from a series of acquisitions orchestrated by former CEO and current chairman Brian McNamee. Over the course of a 23-year career, he snapped up rivals including businesses founded by Switzerland’s Red Cross and German Nobel laureate Emil von Behring, the father of serum therapy. CSL traces its roots to 1916, when the Australian government set up Commonwealth Serum Laboratories in response to World War I cutting off the country’s access to life-saving medicines from overseas. It was listed in 1994 as part of a wave of initial public offerings of state-owned companies that included Qantas Airways Ltd., Telstra Group Ltd. and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. “There was a lot of skepticism for an ex-government group, that it would be very fat and very lazy,” said Michael Glenane, who was an analyst for McIntosh Securities, the lead manager on the CSL listing. “At that stage there was very limited understanding of what the actual company did.” Some forward-looking investors could see CSL was “a cash machine because of high depreciation charges and pretty lucrative government contracts,” said Glenane. That turned it into a favorite for both retail and institutional investors. Australia’s A$4 trillion ($2.6 trillion) pension industry poured into the stock with some of the largest funds among the top 10 owners. So did small individual investors, drawn to CSL’s capital appreciation. “It has an incredibly loyal retail shareholder base,” said Michael Muntisov, who has monitored the company for five years for the Australian Shareholders Association, which represents thousands of individual investors. “And you see that at the AGM, when it can sometimes resemble a love fest.” The love was lacking this year. At the company’s AGM in October, frustrated with the company’s performance more than 26% of shareholders opposed the pay package for top management. Under Australia’s corporate governance rules, this is termed a “first strike”. This is important because if a quarter or more of shareholders vote against executives’ pay the following year, it will trigger a subsequent vote on whether the board should be dissolved. “We will go back and look in detail and say, ‘look, are there further things that we can modify that would satisfy people?’” said Chairman McNamee. “But do I ever think we’re going to get a hundred percent support for remuneration? No.” Vifor’s top seller is Ferinject, a treatment for anemia that is infused rather than swallowed. Putting iron compounds straight into the bloodstream makes it easier for the body to absorb them. In the EU, Ferinject faces increased competition from generics and has had to cut prices in response. In the US, the company has been hit by what’s known as step edits, a way in which insurers prioritize less expensive medicines. This has held sales below the company’s initial expectations. While the business has not been as profitable as anticipated, CSL defends the acquisition, arguing that the long-term outlook for iron treatments makes it an attractive market to be involved in. “There’s no doubt that we underestimated some of the competitive challenges,’’ said McNamee, citing the competition from generics and US step edits as examples. “But that doesn’t mean the categories in which (Vifor) operates aren’t ones in which we want to compete in.” The company’s specialized treatments for people with kidney disease took a hit from Covid, which has been particularly deadly for people on dialysis. Some studies have suggested that GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, such as Wegovy, could also curb kidney disease. McKenzie said CSL is monitoring the development of those medicines but does not currently see them as a threat. The US is the company’s largest market and CSL does not expect the incoming Trump administration to have a significant impact on its business in the country. Even if vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is confirmed as Secretary of Health, the company anticipates continued demand for its products. “At the end of the day, Americans care about people being well and healthy and I really don’t have any significant concern for our life-saving drugs and our life-saving vaccines being impacted,” McNamee said. While CSL’s expansion into iron treatments has not gone to plan, it is still expanding the business. The company recently started selling Ferinject in Canada and has started operations in China. CEO McKenzie calls the market for iron treatments “underserved” and says demand for the element’s medicinal uses will eventually offset Vifor’s lower-than-expected earnings. Some of the company’s long-term investors back his assessment. “CSL has an outstanding track record over the long term,” said David Grace of the Australian Foundation Investment Company, which owns about A$629 million of the company’s shares and has been invested since at least 2005. “We haven’t seen that in Vifor yet, but we’re confident we will.”Snell, Dodgers agree to $182M, 5-year contract
JAMAICA, N.Y. , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) today announced that Turkish Airlines will begin operations at the new terminal when it opens in 2026. Turkish Airlines will also unveil a brand new, state-of-the-art lounge for its premium customers, launching the next phase of the award-winning airline's growth at its top U.S. gateway. The New Terminal One, set to be the largest international terminal in the United States , will offer best-in-class amenities and innovative technology for a transformational and efficient travel experience. The New Terminal One is a key component of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's $19 billion transformation of JFK Airport into a world-class gateway, which will include two new terminals, the modernization and expansion of two existing terminals, a new ground transportation center, and an entirely new, simplified roadway network. Turkish Airlines, which currently flies 19 times weekly from JFK Airport to its hub at Istanbul , providing seamless connections to its extensive global network, will continue to offer top-tier service from the new terminal. As part of its expansion in the JFK market, Turkish Airlines will open an 11,000-square-foot lounge in the New Terminal One – twice the size of the airline's lounge at the existing Terminal 1. The new lounge will feature premium amenities, expansive views of JFK Airport's airfield and provide direct boarding access to aircraft, offering unmatched convenience for Turkish Airlines' business class customers and top-tier frequent flyers. Recognized for its exceptional in-flight service, Turkish Airlines recently received the World Class Award from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) for the fourth consecutive year, placing it among just 10 airlines in the world to have received this prestigious recognition. Turkish Airlines was also chosen as the Best Airline in Europe nine times by Skytrax. Over the years Turkish Airlines also received accolades from Skytrax and other prestigious organizations numerous times for its Business and Economy Class offerings and Lounges. Turkish Airlines offers service to 351 destinations, including 25 in the Americas. Turkish is a member of the Star Alliance and will join other alliance members at the New Terminal One: LOT Polish Airlines, EVA Air and Air China. "We are thrilled to welcome Turkish Airlines to the New Terminal One at JFK, where their commitment to world-class customer service aligns perfectly with our mission to provide an unparalleled customer experience," said The New Terminal One Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Aument . "We look forward to working closely with our colleagues at Turkish Airlines to elevate the travel experience for customers from 2026 and beyond." Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Prof. Ahmet Bolat stated: "We are excited to bring Turkish Airlines' world-class service to the New Terminal One at JFK, further enhancing our passengers' travel experience with a state-of-the-art-lounge. This move underlines our commitment to continue our growth in the U.S market." In addition to Turkish Airlines, the New Terminal One has partnered with several other global carriers, including Air France, KLM, Etihad, LOT Polish Airlines, Korean Air, EVA Air, Air Serbia, SAS, Neos and Philippine Airlines. Air China is also partnering with the terminal on elevating the travel experience for Chinese customers visiting New York . The New Terminal One is focused on improving the customer experience by collaborating with potential airline partners. This includes working with airline teams across all customer journey touchpoints. Set to be JFK Airport's largest terminal when complete, the New Terminal One will offer a world-class customer experience and additional widebody aircraft gate capacity – providing international airlines a unique opportunity to grow their service at JFK, the top global gateway to the U.S. About The New Terminal One The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport is a bold and exciting project to develop a world-class international terminal that will serve as an anchor terminal in the Port Authority's $19 billion transformation of JFK into a global gateway to the New York metropolitan area and the United States . The New Terminal One will set a new standard for design and service, aspiring to obtain a Top 5 Skytrax ranking and be considered one of the finest airport terminals in the world. The New Terminal One is being built on sites now occupied by Terminal 1 and the former Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, where it will anchor JFK's south side. Construction is taking place in phases. The first phase, including the new arrivals and departures halls and first set of 14 new gates, is expected to open in 2026. At completion, anticipated in 2030, the New Terminal One will be 2.6 million square feet, making it the largest terminal at JFK and nearly the same size as LaGuardia Airport's two new terminals combined. The New Terminal One will be a 23-gate, state-of-the-art, international-only terminal. Sustainably designed and future-focused, the terminal will feature expansive, naturally lit public spaces, cutting-edge technology, and an array of amenities, all designed to enhance the customer experience and compete with some of the highest-rated airport terminals in the world. The New Terminal One consortium of labor, operating, and financial partners is led by Ferrovial, JLC Infrastructure, Ullico, and Carlyle. The New Terminal One is being built by union labor and is committed to local inclusion and labor participation, focusing on diversity and capacity-building opportunities, including ambitious participation goals of 30% for minority and women-owned enterprises, 10% for local business enterprises and 3% for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. To learn more about the New Terminal One at JFK International Airport, visit https://www.anewjfk.com/projects/the-new-terminal-one/ About Turkish Airlines Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 491 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 351 worldwide destinations in 130 countries (298 international destinations and 53 domestic destinations within Turkiye). More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on its official website www.turkishairlines.com or its social media accounts on Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/turkish-airlines-to-begin-operations-at-the-new-terminal-one-at-jfk-and-unveil-world-class-lounge-302331710.html SOURCE The New Terminal One at JFK
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Rangers Looking to Trade Veterans: Predators Should InquireDonald Trump Jr. has already had an outsized impact on the next White House“One of the major problems we have faced in Nigeria as a filmmaking industry has been funding,” said Ini Edo, star and co-producer of Nigerian Netflix series Shanty Town . “So, the success of [ Shanty Town ] really made people in the private sector start to realize that this can actually be a commercial success, and this is a business worth investing in and...we can actually get global acceptability.” Stepping into Deadline’s Red Sea Studio in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Nollywood star said that the experience of making Shanty Town , which is now Netflix Africa’s most watched Nigerian drama on the streamer, was “pretty intense...and something, perhaps for us, that had never been done before.” The series, which was co-produced with Chichi Nworah, also stars Chidi Mokeme, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Sola Sobowale, Nancy Isime, Shaffy Bellow and Ali Nuhu and more. It follows a group of courtesans attempts to escape the grasp of a notorious kingpin, but political corruption and blood ties make freedom a near-impossible goal. It ended up sitting in the Top 10 in 8 countries, including the UK. “I think the originality of the story was a driving factor and also, we did a lot of upscaling with the technical quality of the [series],” she said. “We took very special interest in the cinematography, the sound, the scoring and it was a story that resonated a lot with the times that we filmed it. It did also touch on a lot of social vices and what we’re dealing with presently in the continent as Africans and even the world at large.” Edo continued: “The subject of the story is something that a lot of other countries could relate to because those were the ills that were happening in society at the time and are still happening. It just really shed light on the underworld as much as you’re trying to drive the original narrative of the Nigerian story.” She admits the project has caused “investors to open up some more” in the industry and said that Nigeria’s government is “taking us more seriously and has started paying attention to the industry.” Edo also talked about her latest projects, which includes upcoming Christmas comedy One Night Guests so for more on that news, check out the full interview above.
Opposition fighters are closing in on Syria’s capital in a swiftly developing crisis that has taken much of the world by surprise. Syria's army has abandoned key cities in the west and south with little resistance. Nervous residents in Damascus describe security forces on the streets. The state news agency has been forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad has left the country. Who are these opposition fighters ? If they enter Damascus after taking two of Syria’s largest cities , what then? Here’s a look at the stunning reversal of fortune for Assad and his government in just the past 10 days, and what might lie ahead as Syria’s 13-year civil war reignites . Recommended Videos The aim? Overthrow the government This is the first time that opposition forces have reached the outskirts of the Syrian capital since 2018, when the country’s troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The approaching fighters are led by the most powerful insurgent group in Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham , or HTS, along with an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Both have been entrenched in the northwest. They launched the shock offensive on Nov. 27 with gunmen capturing Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, and the central city of Hama, the fourth largest. The HTS has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. But the group said in recent years it cut ties with al-Qaida, and experts say HTS has sought to remake itself in recent years by focusing on promoting civilian government in their territory as well as military action. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told CNN in an exclusive interview Thursday from Syria that the aim of the offensive is to overthrow Assad’s government. Possible rifts ahead The HTS and Syrian National Army have been allies at times and rivals at times, and their aims might diverge. The Turkish-backed militias also have an interest in creating a buffer zone near the Turkish border to keep away Kurdish militants at odds with Ankara. Turkey has been a main backer of the fighters seeking to overthrow Assad but more recently has urged reconciliation, and Turkish officials have strongly rejected claims of any involvement in the current offensive. Whether the HTS and the Syrian National Army will work together if they succeed in overthrowing Assad or turn on each other again is a major question. Others take advantage While the flash offensive against Syria’s government began in the north, armed opposition groups have also mobilized elsewhere. The southern areas of Sweida and Daraa have both been taken locally. Sweida is the heartland of Syria’s Druze religious minority and had been the site of regular anti-government protests even after Assad seemingly consolidated his control over the area. Daraa is a Sunni Muslim area that was widely seen as the cradle of the uprising against Assad’s rule that erupted in 2011. Daraa was recaptured by Syrian government troops in 2018, but rebels remained in some areas. In recent years, Daraa was in a state of uneasy quiet under a Russian-mediated ceasefire deal. And much of Syria's east is controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group backed by the United States that in the past has clashed with most other armed groups in the country. Syria’s government now controls just four of 14 provincial capitals. What’s next? Much depends on Assad’s next moves and his forces' will to fight. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces have started carrying out the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Syrian troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces and are sending reinforcements to Homs. If that city is captured, the link would be cut between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support. “Homs to the coastal cities will be a very huge red line politically and socially. Politically, if this line is crossed, then we are talking about the end of the entire Syria, the one that we knew in the past,” said a Damascus resident, Anas Joudeh. Assad appears to be largely on his own as allies Russia and Iran are distracted by other conflicts and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah has been weakened by its war with Israel, now under a fragile ceasefire. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, is calling for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition,” saying the situation is changing by the minute. He met with foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. President-elect Donald Trump in his first extensive comments on the developments in Syria said the besieged Assad didn’t deserve U.S. support to stay in power. “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump posted on social media.SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — A political party in North Macedonia on Saturday demanded authorities ban social networks whose content incites violence and self-destructive behavior after several young people were seriously injured in connection with the popular “Superman challenge” on TikTok. Health authorities said at least 17 students, ages 10 to 17, were brought to hospitals in the capital Skopje and other towns over the past week with broken bones, contusions and bruises. The children were injured after being thrown into the air by their friends to fly like superheroes and get applause on the internet. The Liberal-Democratic Party, which was part of the left-led coalition that ruled the country from 2016 to earlier in 2024, issued a press statement Saturday strongly condemning “the irresponsible spread of dangerous content on social media, such as the latest TikTok ‘challenge’ known as ‘Superman,’ which has injured six children across (the country) in the past 24 hours.” “The lack of adequate control over the content of social media allows such ‘games’ to reach the most vulnerable users,” the party statement said. It demanded the “immediate introduction of measures to ban content that incites violence and self-destructive behavior, increase surveillance, and sanction platforms that enable dangerous trends.” North Macedonia’s education minister Vesna Janevska said students should focus on education, not TikTok challenges. “The ban on mobile phones in schools will not have an effect. Phones will be available to children in their homes, neighborhoods and other environments,” she said. Psychologists have warned that the desire to be “in” with the trends on social networks, combined with excessive use of mobile phones, is the main reason for the rise in risky behaviors among children. They urged parents and schools to talk with students. Konstantin Testorides, The Associated PressJAMAICA, N.Y. , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) today announced that Turkish Airlines will begin operations at the new terminal when it opens in 2026. Turkish Airlines will also unveil a brand new, state-of-the-art lounge for its premium customers, launching the next phase of the award-winning airline's growth at its top U.S. gateway. The New Terminal One, set to be the largest international terminal in the United States , will offer best-in-class amenities and innovative technology for a transformational and efficient travel experience. The New Terminal One is a key component of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's $19 billion transformation of JFK Airport into a world-class gateway, which will include two new terminals, the modernization and expansion of two existing terminals, a new ground transportation center, and an entirely new, simplified roadway network. Turkish Airlines, which currently flies 19 times weekly from JFK Airport to its hub at Istanbul , providing seamless connections to its extensive global network, will continue to offer top-tier service from the new terminal. As part of its expansion in the JFK market, Turkish Airlines will open an 11,000-square-foot lounge in the New Terminal One – twice the size of the airline's lounge at the existing Terminal 1. The new lounge will feature premium amenities, expansive views of JFK Airport's airfield and provide direct boarding access to aircraft, offering unmatched convenience for Turkish Airlines' business class customers and top-tier frequent flyers. Recognized for its exceptional in-flight service, Turkish Airlines recently received the World Class Award from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) for the fourth consecutive year, placing it among just 10 airlines in the world to have received this prestigious recognition. Turkish Airlines was also chosen as the Best Airline in Europe nine times by Skytrax. Over the years Turkish Airlines also received accolades from Skytrax and other prestigious organizations numerous times for its Business and Economy Class offerings and Lounges. Turkish Airlines offers service to 351 destinations, including 25 in the Americas. Turkish is a member of the Star Alliance and will join other alliance members at the New Terminal One: LOT Polish Airlines, EVA Air and Air China. "We are thrilled to welcome Turkish Airlines to the New Terminal One at JFK, where their commitment to world-class customer service aligns perfectly with our mission to provide an unparalleled customer experience," said The New Terminal One Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Aument . "We look forward to working closely with our colleagues at Turkish Airlines to elevate the travel experience for customers from 2026 and beyond." Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Prof. Ahmet Bolat stated: "We are excited to bring Turkish Airlines' world-class service to the New Terminal One at JFK, further enhancing our passengers' travel experience with a state-of-the-art-lounge. This move underlines our commitment to continue our growth in the U.S market." In addition to Turkish Airlines, the New Terminal One has partnered with several other global carriers, including Air France, KLM, Etihad, LOT Polish Airlines, Korean Air, EVA Air, Air Serbia, SAS, Neos and Philippine Airlines. Air China is also partnering with the terminal on elevating the travel experience for Chinese customers visiting New York . The New Terminal One is focused on improving the customer experience by collaborating with potential airline partners. This includes working with airline teams across all customer journey touchpoints. Set to be JFK Airport's largest terminal when complete, the New Terminal One will offer a world-class customer experience and additional widebody aircraft gate capacity – providing international airlines a unique opportunity to grow their service at JFK, the top global gateway to the U.S. About The New Terminal One The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport is a bold and exciting project to develop a world-class international terminal that will serve as an anchor terminal in the Port Authority's $19 billion transformation of JFK into a global gateway to the New York metropolitan area and the United States . The New Terminal One will set a new standard for design and service, aspiring to obtain a Top 5 Skytrax ranking and be considered one of the finest airport terminals in the world. The New Terminal One is being built on sites now occupied by Terminal 1 and the former Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, where it will anchor JFK's south side. Construction is taking place in phases. The first phase, including the new arrivals and departures halls and first set of 14 new gates, is expected to open in 2026. At completion, anticipated in 2030, the New Terminal One will be 2.6 million square feet, making it the largest terminal at JFK and nearly the same size as LaGuardia Airport's two new terminals combined. The New Terminal One will be a 23-gate, state-of-the-art, international-only terminal. Sustainably designed and future-focused, the terminal will feature expansive, naturally lit public spaces, cutting-edge technology, and an array of amenities, all designed to enhance the customer experience and compete with some of the highest-rated airport terminals in the world. The New Terminal One consortium of labor, operating, and financial partners is led by Ferrovial, JLC Infrastructure, Ullico, and Carlyle. The New Terminal One is being built by union labor and is committed to local inclusion and labor participation, focusing on diversity and capacity-building opportunities, including ambitious participation goals of 30% for minority and women-owned enterprises, 10% for local business enterprises and 3% for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. To learn more about the New Terminal One at JFK International Airport, visit https://www.anewjfk.com/projects/the-new-terminal-one/ About Turkish Airlines Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 491 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 351 worldwide destinations in 130 countries (298 international destinations and 53 domestic destinations within Turkiye). More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on its official website www.turkishairlines.com or its social media accounts on Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/turkish-airlines-to-begin-operations-at-the-new-terminal-one-at-jfk-and-unveil-world-class-lounge-302331710.html SOURCE The New Terminal One at JFK
Liverpool vs Man City: Prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, oddsFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The NFL removed New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers from the commissioner exempt list on Monday, making him eligible to participate in practice and play in the team’s games. Peppers missed seven games since being placed on the list on Oct. 9 after he was arrested and charged with shoving his girlfriend’s head into a wall and choking her. The league said its review is ongoing and is not affected by the change in Peppers’ roster status.Amidst a deteriorating social and political landscape, sexual violence survivors in Haiti find themselves increasingly vulnerable. A recent report highlights the impact of armed gangs and the collapse of healthcare and justice systems on these individuals, underlining a severe humanitarian crisis. According to Human Rights Watch, almost 4,000 women and girls have reported sexual violence in Haiti in 2024. Fear of retaliation and inadequate medical assistance deter many from seeking help. Many victims cannot access essential medical care within the crucial 72-hour window for treatments like HIV prophylaxis due to inaccessible healthcare facilities. International bodies and local organizations are sounding the alarm, but systemic issues and political instability further complicate resolution efforts. The situation has led leading feminist groups to demand government action, though political tensions seem to stifle meaningful progress. (With inputs from agencies.)