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slot machine okada The Golden State Valkyries have selected Kate Martin and Kayla Thornton in their expansion draft, per Sabreena Merchant and Marcus Thompson II of the Athletic . The Las Vegas Aces rookie and New York Liberty veteran will both be headed to the Bay as part of the inaugural team on the WNBA’s 15th team. Neither selection comes as a massive shock. SB Nation’s official expansion draft predictions had Golden State selecting Kayla Thornton. The versatile veteran is a proven playoff contributor and a reliable shooter, but the Liberty had to protect Nyara Sabally after her postseason surge. Kate Martin could have easily been on the protected list, but the Aces went in a different direction, ultimately leaving her unprotected. Martin didn’t play much in her rookie season once the Aces rotation was whole, but she showed flashes of potential during the season. Related Martin appeared in 34 games, averaging 2.6 points in 11.5 minutes a night. Her teammates were impressed by her quick instincts and how quickly she adjusted to life as a professional. “Kate Martin is awesome. Kate Martin picks up things so quickly, she’s an amazing sponge,” Kelsey Plum said in May. “I think Becky nicknamed her Kate ‘Money’ Martin. I think that’s gonna stick.” Martin fell out of the rotation in the second half of the season, her minutes taking a dip after Chelsea Gray returned from her early-season absence. While she was a fan favorite in Las Vegas — and was regularly lauded for her effort and seamless integration — she ultimately wasn’t one of the Aces’ rotation players when they were whole. Related Ultimately, her fit in Golden State makes perfect sense for a couple of reasons: Kate Martin’s developmental timeline likely aligns better with Golden State The Aces are a veteran team, and their championship window is now. Three-time MVP A’ja Wilson is in her prime at 28 years old, while several of the Aces’ rotation players from 2024 are in the latter portion of their careers, including Tiffany Hayes (35), Sydney Colson (35), and Kelsey Plum (30). It’s not that the team’s championship window is closing — but if the Aces were between protecting a more veteran player and Martin, it’s understandable why they opted to let one of their intriguing young pieces walk. Though she was often praised for her emotional maturity, Martin is still fresh off of her rookie season. Like most WNBA players, it will probably be a few years until she is a reliable playoff contributor. The Valkyries’ roster will likely be younger than the Aces’, and Martin’s developmental timeline will align with theirs. Natalie Nakase will make the transition particularly seamless The Golden State Valkyries’ head coach, Natalie Nakase, already had a close relationship with Martin. Nakase was one of Becky Hammon’s lead assistants in Las Vegas this past season, and her experiences working with the 2024 No. 18 overall pick likely played a part in the franchise's decision to select her. For Martin, having to change franchises after a single season is an unusual situation, but having a familiar face in her new city will make the transition less tumultuous. Kate Martin’s popularity will help the Valkyries generate buzz There’s plenty of buzz around the Valkyries already, but the Iowa star joining the squad will help generate even more. Kate Martin sold the 4th-most jerseys of any WNBA player this season, and she will undoubtedly be one of the most well-known names on the Valkyries roster right off the bat. What better way to start a new organization than with one of the most popular players in the league?

Syria's Assad: the president who led a bloody crackdown

The Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday ordered transfers, with immediate effect, of six IAS officers in the interest of administration. According to an order, Shantmanu, IAS (AGMUT: 1991), awating orders of posting in General Administration Department, has been transferred and posted as Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Higher Education Department relieving Dr. Rashmi Singh, IAS of the additional charge. “Shantmanu, IAS (AGMUT:1991) shall also hold the additional charge of the post of Administrative Secretary, Information Technology relieving Sh. Santosh D. Vaidya, IAS of the additional charge”. Shailendra Kumar, IAS (AGMUT: 1995) Principal Secretary to the Governent, Agriculture Production Department has been asked to hold additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Floriculture, Parks and Gardens Department with effect from 01.01.2025, in addition to this own duties. Sanjeev Verma, IAS (AGMUT:2001), Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department. M. Raju, JAS (AGMUT 2005), awaiting orders of posting in General Administration Department, has been posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department, “He shall also hold additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Information Department bill further orders.” Ms. Sheetal Nanda, IAS (AGMUT:2006), Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment relieving Shailendra Kumar, IAS of the additional charge. Ms. Rehana Batul, IAS (AGMUT: 2010), Secretary to the Government, Information Department has been transferred and posted as Director, Jammu and Kashmir Institute of Management, Public Administration & Rural Development.For Makenzie Gilkison, spelling is such a struggle that a word like rhinoceros might come out as "rineanswsaurs" or sarcastic as "srkastik". or signup to continue reading The 14-year-old from suburban Indianapolis can sound out words, but her dyslexia makes the process so draining that she often struggles with comprehension. "I just assumed I was stupid," she recalled of her early primary school education. However assistive technology powered by artificial intelligence has helped her keep up with classmates. Last year, Makenzie was named to the National Junior Honour Society. She credits a customised AI-powered chatbot, a word prediction program and other tools that can read for her. "I would have just probably given up if I didn't have them," she said. Artificial intelligence holds the promise of helping countless other students with a range of visual, speech, language and hearing impairments to execute tasks that come easily to others. Schools everywhere have been wrestling with how and where to incorporate AI, but many are fast-tracking applications for students with disabilities. Getting the latest technology into the hands of students with disabilities is a priority for the US Education Department, which has told schools they must consider whether students need tools like text-to-speech and alternative communication devices. New rules from the Department of Justice also will require schools and other government entities to make apps and online content accessible to those with disabilities. There is concern about how to ensure students using it — including those with disabilities — are still learning. Students can use artificial intelligence to summarise jumbled thoughts into an outline, summarise complicated passages, or even translate Shakespeare into common English. And computer-generated voices that can read passages for visually impaired and dyslexic students are becoming less robotic and more natural. "I'm seeing that a lot of students are kind of exploring on their own, almost feeling like they've found a cheat code in a video game," said Alexis Reid, an educational therapist in the Boston area who works with students with learning disabilities. But in her view, it is far from cheating: "we're meeting students where they are". Ben Snyder, a 14-year-old from Larchmont, New York, who was recently diagnosed with a learning disability, has been increasingly using AI to help with homework. "Sometimes in maths, my teachers will explain a problem to me, but it just makes absolutely no sense," he said. "So if I plug that problem into AI, it'll give me multiple different ways of explaining how to do that." He likes a program called Question AI. Earlier in the day, he asked the program to help him write an outline for a book report — a task he completed in 15 minutes that otherwise would have taken him an hour and a half because of his struggles with writing and organisation. But he does think using AI to write the whole report crosses a line. "That's just cheating," Ben said. Schools have been trying to balance the technology's benefits against the risk that it will do too much. If a special education plan sets reading growth as a goal, the student needs to improve that skill. AI can't do it for them, said Mary Lawson, general counsel at the Council of the Great City Schools. But the technology can help level the playing field for students with disabilities, said Paul Sanft, director of a Minnesota-based centre where families can try out different assistive technology tools and borrow devices. "There are definitely going to be people who use some of these tools in nefarious ways. That's always going to happen," Sanft said. "But I don't think that's the biggest concern with people with disabilities, who are just trying to do something that they couldn't do before." Another risk is that AI will track students into less rigourous courses of study. And, because it is so good at identifying patterns, AI might be able to figure out a student has a disability. Having that disclosed by AI and not the student or their family could create ethical dilemmas, said Luis Pérez, the disability and digital inclusion lead at CAST, formerly the Centre for Applied Specialised Technology. Schools are using the technology to help students who struggle academically, even if they do not qualify for special education services. In Iowa, a new law requires students deemed not proficient — about a quarter of them — to get an individualised reading plan. As part of that effort, the state's education department spent $US3 million ($A4.8 million) on an AI-driven personalised tutoring program. When students struggle, a digital avatar intervenes. In September, Makenzie's district rolled out chatbots to help special education students in high school. She said teachers, who sometimes struggled to provide students the help they needed, became emotional when they heard about the program. Until now, students were reliant on someone to help them, unable to move ahead on their own. "Now we don't need to wait anymore," she said. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. 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East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., a potential first-round pick, declared for the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday. Revel, who sustained a torn left ACL in practice in September, had one season of eligibility remaining. "After an incredible journey at East Carolina, I am officially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft," the senior posted on social media. "... Pirates nation, thank you for your unwavering energy and support every game. Representing ECU is an honor, and I look forward to continuing to do so on Sundays!" Revel recorded two interceptions in three games this season, returning one 50 yards for a touchdown on Sept. 14 against Appalachian State. Over three seasons with the Pirates, Revel had three interceptions, 15 passes defensed and 70 tackles in 24 games. He was a second-team All-American Athletic Conference selection last season. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Revel as the No. 2 cornerback and No. 23 overall prospect in the 2025 draft class. --Field Level MediaDallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns Current Records: Dallas 19-11, Phoenix 15-14 When: Friday, December 27, 2024 at 9 p.m. ET Where: Footprint Center -- Phoenix, Arizona TV: Arizona Family Sports Network Follow: CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $94.00 The Mavericks have enjoyed a four-game homestand but will soon have to dust off their road jerseys. They and the Phoenix Suns will round out the year against one another at 9:00 p.m. ET on Friday at at Footprint Center. Coming off a loss in a game the Mavericks were expected to win, they now face the more daunting task of proving themselves against unfavorable odds. The Mavericks are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week's over/under low at 222.5, but even that wound up being too high. They fell to the Timberwolves 105-99. Having soared to a lofty 132 points in the game before, Dallas' point total in this one was quite the letdown. The losing side was boosted by Kyrie Irving, who posted 39 points. The Mavericks are 14-3 when Irving posts 25 or more points, but 5-8 otherwise. The Mavericks struggled to work together and finished the game with only 15 assists. That's the fewest assists they've posted since back in June. Meanwhile, the Suns had to suffer through a three-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They came out on top against the Nuggets by a score of 110-100 on Wednesday. The Suns' win was the result of several impressive offensive performances. One of the most notable came from Kevin Durant, who scored 27 points along with six assists and two steals. Dallas' loss dropped their record down to 19-11. As for Phoenix, they now have a winning record of 15-14. The Mavericks and the Suns were neck-and-neck in their previous meeting back in November, but the Mavericks came up empty-handed after a 114-113 defeat. Can the Mavericks avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough. Phoenix is a slight 1.5-point favorite against Dallas, according to the latest NBA odds . The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Suns as a 1-point favorite. The over/under is 225.5 points. See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine's advanced computer model. Get picks now . Phoenix and Dallas both have 5 wins in their last 10 games. Nov 08, 2024 - Phoenix 114 vs. Dallas 113 Oct 26, 2024 - Phoenix 114 vs. Dallas 102 Feb 22, 2024 - Dallas 123 vs. Phoenix 113 Jan 24, 2024 - Phoenix 132 vs. Dallas 109 Dec 25, 2023 - Dallas 128 vs. Phoenix 114 Mar 05, 2023 - Phoenix 130 vs. Dallas 126 Jan 26, 2023 - Dallas 99 vs. Phoenix 95 Dec 05, 2022 - Dallas 130 vs. Phoenix 111 Oct 19, 2022 - Phoenix 107 vs. Dallas 105 May 15, 2022 - Dallas 123 vs. Phoenix 90An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition

Bill Belichick didn't wait around for a call that he might not get from an NFL team. With no guarantees that another opportunity might come his way — only the Atlanta Falcons interviewed Belichick last offseason — and unsure whether he could find the right fit in the NFL, the 72-year-old future Hall of Fame coach decided to go back to school. Belichick took his eight Super Bowl rings to North Carolina on a mission to build a college program the way he constructed two dynasties during 24 seasons with the New England Patriots. It starts with doing things his way. The Patriot Way is legendary. Perhaps it'll translate into the Tar Heel way. That's to be determined. But Belichick is back doing what he loves: coaching. And, he's going to run the show with his guys around him. An NFL team giving Belichick full control the way he had in New England seemed unlikely. Success at North Carolina could change that thinking. For now, Belichick's quest to break Don Shula's all-time record for most wins in the NFL is on hold. He's 15 victories short but the buyout clause in his college contract — a $10 million fee if done before June 2025 and $1 million after that date — leaves the window open for a return to the league. If Belichick stays in college or retires without returning to the NFL, his legacy is already cemented. Winning at North Carolina will only enhance his reputation. Losing won't impact his NFL resume. "He's one of the all-time great coaches. What he's done for the NFL and the game, we all know where he'll end up — in the Hall of Fame with a gold jacket," Dallas Cowboys executive Stephen Jones said Wednesday shortly before Belichick agreed on a five-year deal with North Carolina that pays him $10 million in base and supplemental salary annually with up to $3.5 million in bonuses per year. Belichick has his detractors. There's no denying he couldn't win without Tom Brady. He was 29-39 and had no playoff wins without No. 12 in his final four seasons with the Patriots. Critics have labeled him a cheater because of the Spygate and Deflategate scandals. He overlooked Aaron Hernandez's issues. He was tough on players, even alienating Brady in the end and letting him walk him away in free agency in 2020 only to see him lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl in his first season there. But Belichick instilled in players the importance of doing their job and presided over an unprecedented two-decade run of dominance that withstood changing times, free agency, salary-cap restrictions and much more. Brady has always maintained how important Belichick was for his career, giving him credit for helping him become one of the best players in sports. Now, Belichick is onto Chapel Hill in a surprise twist after he spent most of the NFL season reinventing himself as an entertaining and engaging analyst. Belichick is a football genius and his knowledge came across on television. But he also displayed a fun personality, trading quips with the Mannings and cracking jokes with Pat McAffee. "College kind of came to me this year," Belichick said at his introductory news conference. "I didn't necessarily go and seek it out. I had many coaches, probably a couple dozen coaches, talk to me and say, 'Can we come down and talk to you about these things?' Let's call it the salary cap of pro football relative to college football. The headsets, the green dot, the two-minute warning, the tablets on the sideline. Those were all rules changes this year for college football that were either or the same or similar to what we had in the NFL. These coaches said, 'Hey coach can we talk to you about how you did this? How you did that? How did you use this?'. "As those conversations started and then the personnel conversations started relative to salary cap and how you spend whatever the allotment of money you have. I'd say that started to make me a lot more aware of it because the first thing I would have to do is learn about it. .... As you learn different things about different programs you start to put it all together. There is some common threads and there's some variables." How will he do as a college coach? Nobody knows yet. Three of Belichick's former players were skeptical before he took the job. "There's a lot of things he can do, and obviously he's tremendous, and even showing his personality. But getting out there on the recruiting trail and dealing with all these college kids, that would be ..." Brady said before trailing off during a conversation on Fox's NFL pregame show last Sunday. Fellow former Patriots Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman also wondered the same. "Can you imagine NIL, and all that nonsense?" Gronkowski said. Edelman added: "Can you imagine Bill on a couch recruiting an 18-year-old?" But Belichick doesn't have to recruit kids on visits. These are new times in college sports. The NIL has dramatically changed the landscape. Plus, Belichick's name is enough. Just like Deion Sanders at Colorado. "I think it could be great for this game, honestly, if he can find a way to make college football more like this in terms of what's being asked of the coaches, the recruiting staff, the personnel, the NIL, and all those different things," Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Cohen said. "If he can make it a little bit less demanding on some of the coaches and create a great atmosphere and have success, I think it's great for our game. It's pretty cool to see, actually." Time for Belichick to do his job. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

'Minecraft' to come to life in UK and U.S. under theme park dealFRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys are shutting down CeeDee Lamb with two games remaining after their 2023 All-Pro receiver spent the second half of the season dealing with a sprained right shoulder. The team said Thursday that additional exams revealed enough damage to keep Lamb off the field Sunday at Philadelphia and in the final game at home against Washington. The team said surgery was not expected to be required. Dallas was eliminated from playoff contention a few hours before last weekend's 26-24 victory over Tampa Bay . The decision on Lamb means the Cowboys will finish the regular season with at least five former Pro Bowlers on injured reserve. Among the others are quarterback Dak Prescott, who was limited to eight games before a season-ending hamstring tear, and right guard Zack Martin. The seven-time All-Pro made it through 10 games before deciding on season-ending ankle surgery. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence didn't playing after Week 4 because of a foot injury, and cornerback Trevon Diggs battled a variety of injuries while playing 11 games before a knee injury ended his season. Lamb initially injured his right shoulder when it hit the turf hard twice in a 27-21 loss at Atlanta on Nov. 3. He kept playing and had at least 100 yards in each of his last two games — both victories — before getting shut down. The 25-year-old Lamb sat out the entire offseason and preseason in a contract dispute after getting career highs in catches (an NFL-best 135), yards receiving (club-record 1,749) and touchdowns (12) in 2023. The holdout finally ended with a $136 million, four-year extension in late August, but neither the Cowboys nor their star receiver could get that production going again this season. Dallas (7-8) is missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020, Lamb's rookie year. Lamb finishes the season with 101 catches for 1,194 yards and six TDs. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – An online spat between factions of Donald Trump's supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump's movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump's Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. Recommended Videos The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer's comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar." Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry's need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump's world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift, and his presidential transition team did not respond to a message seeking comment. Musk, the world's richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump's movement but his stance on the tech industry's hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry's need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent," he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Trump's own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump's businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country" and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country," he told the “All-In" podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump's budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.Syrian President Bashar al-Assad oversaw a merciless crackdown on a pro-democracy revolt that morphed into one of the bloodiest wars of the century. After facing down nationwide protests demanding his ouster and an armed rebellion that he all but crushed, he had until this month taken back control of much of Syria in the civil war that began in 2011. Quiet in his demeanour, Assad is a political survivor who for years excelled in his alliance-building with Russia and Iran, and who knew just how to present himself as Syria's only viable leader in the face of the Islamist threat. But since November 27, an Islamist-led rebel offensive has wrested from Assad's control city after city, including Aleppo and Hama for the first time since 2011, leaving his grip on power severely under threat. Assad has cast himself as the protector of Syria's minorities, a bulwark against extremism and the sole possible purveyor of stability for the war-ravaged country. In multiple votes held over the years, conducted solely on government-held territory, he has taken the vast majority of the ballots, amid accusations from Western countries that the wartime elections were neither free nor fair. In appearance, whether in person or in the many portraits of him in the capital Damascus, Assad has typically eschewed military garb, opting instead for a sharp-cut business suit and sober tie. In official meetings, during interviews and even on the frontlines, the 59-year-old ophthalmologist by training conducts himself calmly and can almost appear timid. Behind the facade, however, is an astonishing ability to hold onto power amid multiple waves of violence and transformative change in Syria and the wider region. One journalist, who met with Assad on several occasions before and after war broke out in 2011, told AFP the president is a "unique and complex figure". "Each time I met him he was calm... even during the most difficult moments of the war," said the journalist, who declined to be named. Assad has "the same qualities" as his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly three decades until his death in 2000, the journalist said. "In politics, it's important to know how to shuffle cards, not just how to arrange them," he added. "Assad has mastered the shuffling game." Hafez al-Assad, head of the Syrian Baath Party, imposed in the country a secretive, paranoid regime where even the slightest suspicion of dissent could land one in jail or worse. Bashar al-Assad was never meant to become president, but his life changed radically when his older brother Bassel, who was being groomed to inherit power, was killed in a road accident in 1994. Bashar quit his studies in ophthalmology and left London, where he had met his wife, Asma, a British-Syrian and Sunni Muslim who worked for financial services firm JP Morgan. Back home, he took a course in military studies and was tutored in politics by his father. When the latter died, Bashar became president by referendum, running unopposed, then winning a second term in 2007. Sworn in at the age of 34, Assad was widely seen by Syrians pining for freedoms as a reformer, who could do away with years of repression and introduce economic liberalisation. In the early days, Assad would be seen driving his own car or having dinner at restaurants with his wife. He relaxed some of the heavy restrictions that existed under his father. But his initial image as a reformer quickly evaporated as authorities arrested and jailed academics, intellectuals and other members of what was then known as the Damascus Spring movement. When the Arab Spring reached Syria in March 2011, peaceful demonstrations broke out calling for change. Assad, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, responded by ordering a brutal crackdown on the protesters and civil war swiftly ensued. Throughout the war, which has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced half the population, Assad's position has not changed. He has been the subject of countless cartoons by dissident artists depicting him as a killer, not least in the aftermath of the 2013 chemical attacks on rebel bastions around Damascus. A Syrian researcher in Damascus, who asked to speak anonymously over security concerns, said: "Assad's personality played an undeniable role in his survival." His "persistence and rigour" were especially important in helping him "consolidate decision-making powers, and secure the army's full support", he added. Throughout the war, Assad has enjoyed military backing from staunch allies Iran and Russia, who helped him score a string of military victories. Since the start of the Islamist-led rebel offensive on November 27, Assad has echoed his long-held stance that the conflict in Syria is machinated from abroad. "The terrorist escalation reflects the far-reaching goals of dividing the region and fragmenting the countries in it and redraw the map in line with the objectives of the United States and the West," Assad said on Monday. He is the father of three children. His wife, Asma, was dubbed a "rose in the desert" by Vogue magazine before the revolt. bur/ser/jhbMELBOURNE: Spotify has just released its 2024 Spotify Wrapped, the music streaming site’s annual presentation of each user’s yearly listening habits. It gives you a fun recap of your most listened to songs, artists and genres from the past year – complete with stats like how many minutes you listened and your top genre “phases” or “moments”. The tradition has seized the cultural zeitgeist throughout the whole year, with a lot of online discourse surrounding what music will top your listens for the year. In addition to the exciting way the list is presented (aesthetically pleasing tiles, interactive elements), the answer to its ability to captivate may be found in one simple idea: We inherently like understanding ourselves. But what does this mean? We can unpack this further in the psychological theories of self-concept, social comparison and social connection. SELF-CONCEPT Self-concept is how we see ourselves. It develops from our experiences and our responses to these experiences. Music is one of those unique mediums that reflects what we’ve experienced (for example, a break-up) and how we feel (sadness and yearning). So, when we see a yearly list of our top artists, genres and songs, it’s like looking into a mirror that tells us who we’ve been throughout the year. This drive towards self-reflection is likely because it fulfils some of our most fundamental human needs. Remember that time when everyone was doing the Myers-Briggs personality test? In 1943, the American psychologist Abraham Maslow developed his theory of human needs. According to this theory, humans have a need for esteem (gaining respect and recognition within our communities) and self-actualisation (realisation of one’s potential). Neither of these can occur without first an understanding of who we currently are. Sharing a list, then, is a way of saying to others, “this is me!”. But sharing your Wrapped list serves more functions than simply self-expression. It facilitates social comparison and social connection. SOCIAL COMPARISON In 1954, American social psychologist Leon Festinger published his social comparison theory. He believed humans are naturally inclined to compare themselves to others. We constantly evaluate where we stand in relation to those around us. When you post your Wrapped list, you aren’t just saying, “this is what I listened to” or “this is who I am”. You’re also inviting others to engage in a subtle social dialogue. Seeing someone else with the same song on their list might spark a sense of connection. Seeing that you’re in the top 1 per cent of Taylor Swift fans might make you feel even a little superior (and others a little envious). (As a side note, I hope this happens to me again this year.) Seeing someone else’s Wrapped can also inspire and validate. If a friend’s list includes a mix of genres you’ve never explored, you might feel encouraged to branch out. Or you might see someone else’s list and feel relieved you’re not the only one obsessed with an artist. Whether conscious or subconscious, these comparisons drive engagement with Spotify. SOCIAL CONNECTION Sharing our Spotify Wrapped satisfies another fundamental human need: Belonging. Humans are inherently social creatures who want to feel loved and accepted. Music is one of the oldest ways we’ve connected with one another. Sharing our Wrapped lists isn’t just about showing off who we are, but about finding common ground. It’s about finding your tribe, a group of people we can feel safely connected to. This is even more important during a period in which people’s opinions are becoming more divided and for a younger generation where loneliness is becoming an increasing problem. BUILDING ON YOUR OWN WRAP This urge to know about yourself and to share is very human. This year, however, I challenge you to go beyond just dropping a like on someone’s story. Sure, the dopamine hit is great and is part of what keeps us coming back to this yearly ritual. But it takes more than that to meet our need for connection. This year, use Spotify Wrapped to start up a conversation with someone. Maybe about how their experiences and feelings this year led to the songs appearing on their list. You might learn something new about them and create or revitalise a meaningful connection. And that’s a wrap. Kelvin Shiu Fung Wong is Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at Swinburne University of Technology. This commentary first appeared on The Conversation.

WASHINGTON , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridge Defense, a defense-technology company, has made a strategic investment in Federated IT, a trusted provider of mission-critical services to the U.S. government. Founded in 2002, Federated IT has built a reputation as a trusted partner to the U.S. Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense. With expertise optimizing cloud computing, data center operations and migration, enterprise architecture, scientific research and analyses, and cybersecurity solutions, Federated IT consistently delivers technically excellent, secure, and reliable solutions that empower national security clients to achieve their objectives. "This investment represents a pivotal step in Bridge Defense's mission to create the next-generation systems integrator," said Jack Kilcoyne , co-founder of Bridge Defense. "We will combine the critical services Federated IT provides with in-house software development capabilities to build a hybrid organization capable of delivering exceptional services and developing innovative solutions that address our customers' most pressing challenges." Kyle von Bucholz , CEO of Federated IT, added: "For over 20 years, Federated IT has focused on solving our clients' most complex challenges with integrity and technical excellence. Partnering with Bridge Defense will enable us to take that commitment to the next level by leveraging cutting-edge development capabilities and delivering an even greater impact for the federal agencies we serve." About Bridge Defense Bridge Defense is focused on delivering mission-critical services and innovative software solutions to national security customers. A hybrid systems integrator, Bridge Defense combines excellence in technical services with native development capabilities to deliver comprehensive and transformative solutions to address the rapidly evolving needs of national security customers. Bridge Defense is led by a team of Special Operations veterans with deep expertise in technology and government services. The company is headquartered in the Northeast, with a growing presence in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit Bridge-Defense.com . About Federated IT Federated IT is a leading provider of mission-critical IT and cybersecurity services to the U.S. government. Federated IT enables defense, national security, and federal law enforcement clients to expand, improve, and strengthen critical IT infrastructure and mission system capabilities within the Tier Ill - IV Enterprise IT Operations and Cyber Security domains. Federated IT's project portfolio includes the customization and delivery of optimized cloud computing, data center operations and migration, enterprise architecture, scientific research and analyses, and cybersecurity solutions. Federated IT is headquartered in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit FederatedIT.com . View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bridge-defense-announces-strategic-investment-in-federated-it-302314581.html SOURCE Bridge DefenseHave you ever wished there was a smart ring that's a little less "smart" and a lot more "watch"? You probably haven't, but Casio is offering an answer for those who have. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its iconic digital watch, the company is releasing a tiny, ring-sized version that fits around your finger. The $120 device might seem like a smart ring at first, but it certainly doesn't look the part, and it doesn't do the things most smart rings do. Also: The best smart rings It features the 1970s classic square face, a stainless steel band, an LCD screen that shows the time and date, and three physical (and functional) buttons. It will have an alarm feature, but instead of sounding an actual alarm, the device's backlight will flash. The watch is waterproof and has a battery that Casio says should last two years and is easily replaceable when it dies. What it doesn't have is fitness tracking , heart rate monitoring , or, well, any other "smart" feature. It's literally a scaled-down digital watch. It's hard to imagine this device appealing to people looking for the functionality of a smart ring, but it will certainly appeal to fans of retro technology (and fans of pretending you're a giant who wears a wristwatch around their finger). Also: The best smartwatches Unfortunately, despite the appearance of a flexible, linked band, the watch is available in one size -- 10.5. Casio is offering spacers to make the fit a little more snug for smaller fingers (sizes 9 and 6), but there's no alternative for larger fingers. Where to buy Casio's CRW-001 Ring Watch Casio's press release didn't give a specific time but said the watch would be for sale in the US at casio.com on Dec. 26. The landing page for the watch on Casio's site currently offers a "Notify me" button and eBay has confirmed orders listed for nearly $500. Since some people were able to order, it appears stock may already be gone. Casio has already released the watch in Mexico and Japan, where it sold out quickly in both markets. If you're interested, your options seem to be either paying a premium to scalpers or signing up to be notified of a restock. ZDNET's product of the year: Why Oura Ring 4 bested Samsung, Apple, and others in 2024 15 surprising ways I used AI to save me weeks of work in 2024 If your Windows 10 PC can't be upgraded, you have 5 options before time runs out I test wearable tech for a living. These are my favorite products of 2024

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SEOUL, South Korea , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SOLVIT System, a recognized leader in innovative technology, will participate in CES 2025, taking place January 7–10 in Las Vegas . The company's iSARTM (intelligent Search and Rescue) has been honored with the prestigious CES Innovation Award in the "Smart Cities" category. At CES, SOLVIT System will showcase its groundbreaking technology to dramatically reduce search areas for individuals lost in radio shadow zones. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Vext Announces Voting Results Of Annual General Meeting

“The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few metres from where we were — and the runway were damaged,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on the social media platform X. He added that he and UN colleagues were safe. “We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave,” he said. UN spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay later said the injured person was with the UN Humanitarian Air Service. Israel’s army later told The Associated Press it was not aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. The Israeli strikes followed several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel. The Israeli military in a statement said it attacked infrastructure used by the Iran-backed Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports in Hodeida, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib, along with power stations, asserting they were used to smuggle in Iranian weapons and for the entry of senior Iranian officials. Israel’s military added it had “capabilities to strike very far from Israel’s territory — precisely, powerfully, and repetitively”. The strikes, carried out over 1,000 miles from Jerusalem, came a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad’s regime and others learned” as his military has battled those more powerful proxies of Iran. The Houthi-controlled satellite channel al-Masirah reported multiple deaths and showed broken windows, collapsed ceilings and a bloodstained floor and vehicle. Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the strikes. The US military has also targeted the Houthis in recent days. The UN has said the targeted ports are important entry points for humanitarian aid for Yemen, the poorest Arab nation that plunged into a civil war in 2014. Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, while other missiles and drones have been shot down. Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor in what it says is an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The UN Security Council has an emergency meeting on Monday in response to an Israeli request that it condemn the Houthi attacks and Iran for supplying them with weapons.Musk's millions for Trump make him biggest US political donor

Japan Unemployment Rate meets forecasts (2.5%) in November

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