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50 jili winning streak BEIRUT — Insurgents’ stunning march across Syria gained speed on Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and with the government forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels’ moves around Damascus, reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. As they have advanced, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. For the first time in the country’s long-running civil war, the government now has control of only four of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Homs, Latakia and Tartus. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad’s chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.” In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to the Syria border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those that remained open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Assad’s status Amid the developments, Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine. Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad’s forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation of U.N. Resolution 2254 would be announced later. The resolution, adopted in 2015, called for a Syrian-led political process, starting with the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later in the day, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. No details were immediately available. The insurgents’ march Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were also marching from eastern Syria toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. Syria’s military, meanwhile, sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama, the country’s fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that insurgents had entered the historic central town of Palmyra, home to invaluable archaeological sites, a day earlier. Palmyra had been in government hands since it was taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told CNN in an interview Thursday from Syria that the aim is to overthrow Assad’s government. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, al-Golani has sought to remake the group’s image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces and are sending reinforcements to Homs, where a battle loomed. If the insurgents capture Homs, they would cut the link between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where the president enjoys wide support. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists." The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. Diplomacy in Doha The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar’s top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report. Updated at 1:13 p.m.

Recent events globally have unfolded at a breathtaking speed. After nearly 14 years of conflict in Syria, it is remarkable that within a single week, the opposition managed to dismantle a long-lasting dictatorship and restore peace and stability in the majority of the country. This week, regime change in Syria dominated the global agenda, marking a pivotal moment in the Middle East geopolitics. The opposition achieved legitimacy and drastically shifted the balance of power, making the previous rulers and their allies increasingly illegitimate. A decade ago, during the Geneva peace process, Russia, Iran and the regime of Bashar Assad were regarded as the legitimate representatives of Syria. However, their treatment of the Syrian people, marked by actions akin to those of occupiers, has eroded their standing. Today, the Assad regime, along with Russia and Iran, has shifted from a position of legitimacy to one of profound illegitimacy. The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian National Army (SNA), once regarded with suspicion, have unexpectedly emerged as the most legitimate actors in the region. In contrast, Türkiye, despite its active role, appears to be positioned as a more peripheral element in the evolving regional dynamics. Legitimacy is a valuable quality for the future of societies and states. I think all nations of the world should learn lessons from the behavior of Iran, Russia and the Assad regime in Syria. In fact, Russia initially played a more rational role in Syria. However, the involvement of Iran in radicalizing Shiite militias and Hezbollah, pushing them into a position of anger and violence reminiscent of Daesh, effectively poisoned the stance of Russia within the climate shaped by the Assad regime. The actions of Iran have arguably pushed Russia into a position where it perceives all Sunnis as terrorists and views a broad swath of the population as adversaries. Russia will likely reconsider its alliance with Iran and be more cautious in its affinity next time. On the other hand, Trump, believing that it is useless to invest trillions of dollars in the Middle East without any tangible returns, as seen in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, declared that "the Syrian issue belongs to the Syrians" and that the United States would not intervene further. He emphasized his intention to shift focus toward securing peace in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The Damascus regime has collapsed and lost its legitimacy, while the PKK terrorist organization and its Syrian wing YPG have increasingly come to resemble the Assad regime in their actions and approach. As a result, they will also gradually lose their foothold over time. Israel's occupation and immoral policies, along with its disregard for international law, have compounded its aggression toward Syria, particularly at a time when the Syrian people were uniting to secure their future, change the regime and build a new state. In fact, the issue of illegitimacy, previously applicable to Russia, Iran and the Assad regime, will soon extend to Israel as well. Just as Assad oppressed his own people, with Iran supporting him through terrorist organizations, leading to their loss of legitimacy, Israel, as a state, has over the past year adopted policies that impudently violate international law, the laws of war, fundamental human rights, including to access essential food. In doing so, Israel has fallen into an illegitimate position both in the West Bank and Gaza. As if all this illegality and aggression were not enough, Israel directly violated Syria's borders and launched attacks while the Syrian state was in the process of formation. A country's defense industry plays a crucial role in shaping its future, yet Israel launched unlawful attacks on the defense industry and technology of Syria, aiming to cripple its economy. Every nation faces difficult times, and in such moments, some countries offer support, helping others through challenges. In contrast, some nations betray and occupy, exploiting vulnerable periods of transition for their own gain. It remains unclear, for now, which countries will align with the new Syrian government and which will oppose it. However, the new government and the Syrian people are unlikely to hold any significant sympathy for Iran, particularly in light of the actions that it conducted in Syria. Meanwhile, Israel's behavior has been deeply concerning. Besides consistently disregarding international law in Gaza and ignoring United Nations resolutions, Netanyahu has manipulated Biden and the U.S., playing them like a cat does with a mouse. Every time the U.S. takes steps toward peace, Netanyahu escalates the situation – whether by bombing hospitals, attacking places of worship or initiating military invasions. This war will eventually come to an end, and a state will be established in Syria. Just as Israel has made enemies of nations worldwide, its invasion of Syria has made 30 million Syrians its enemies for eternity. While Syria may not be the wealthiest state in the Arab world, it stands out for its profound historical legacy. Aleppo has a 5,000-year history, and Damascus, with its 10,000 years, was also the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate, one of the most significant states in history. Syria is the cultural and historical homeland of all Arabs, and Syrians have been pioneers in education and intellectualism across the Arab world. By attempting to occupy Syria, Israel is effectively declaring to the world, "Muslims and Arabs should hate and oppose us until the end of time." It is hard to imagine a more significant self-destructive impact on a nation's future and on the Jewish people than the course of actions taken by Israel in this conflict.Lanka Milk Foods (CWE) PLC (LMF) has set an extraordinary benchmark at its Ambewela Farms, achieving a record-breaking daily milk production of 62,000 litres from a single source. This represents a truly massive growth from the 3,000 litres to 60,000 liters per day recorded. When the company took over the facility from the state sector in 2001 it started with less than 3000 liters daily production. Now contributing 20 million litres of milk annually to Sri Lanka’s national supply, Ambewela Farms exemplifies the transformative power of modernisation, expertise, and relentless dedication. This achievement is the result of years of meticulous planning, significant investments and implementing innovative farming practices. A major milestone was reached in 2019 with the introduction of two automated dairy housing and milking systems, part of a 5-billion-rupee investment in modernisation. The farms’ success stems not only from infrastructure but also from forward-thinking practices. An advanced breeding programme using sexed semen from globally renowned stud bulls has enabled the production of high-yielding cows locally. These genetically superior cows, comparable to the best commercial herds worldwide, produce an impressive 12,000 litres per 305-day lactation cycle. Nutrition also plays a vital role in sustaining these high yields. With guidance from international nutritionists, the farm employs precision feeding systems tailored to meet the needs of high-yielding cows. Additionally, purpose-bred grass varieties, imported and cultivated on the farm’s pastures, provide optimal nutrition. Advanced feeding and care systems for calves ensure superior growth and early maturity, resulting in continual improvements in herd productivity. This has resulted in dairy cows at Ambewela Farms producing an average of up to 40 litres of milk per cow, per day. General Manager Farms, Sarath Bandara said, “This milestone has been made possible through a collaborative approach, blending international expertise with the knowledge and dedication of our local teams. Having combined global knowledge with local expertise and commitment, we’ve set a new standard for dairy production in Sri Lanka. We remain committed to uplifting the dairy industry and supporting national self-sufficiency through improved productivity and quality excellence.” The impact of the developments at Ambewela Farms reaches far beyond its own operations, as LMF shares its success with local farmers by providing high-quality offspring from its herds, empowering them to enhance productivity and adopt best practices. This is improving efficiency and self-sufficiency across Sri Lanka’s dairy industry, while bolstering Island’s food security, and highlights the potential of combining advanced technology, expert guidance, and sustainable practices.The World's First High-Capacity Electric Water Heater, the Essency EXR, Now Available in Eighteen U.S. StatesLHSC expands pediatric emergency, reduces wait times for children & families

NEW YORK, Dec. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Marqeta, Inc. (NASDAQ: MQ) resulting from allegations that Marqeta may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. SO WHAT: If you purchased Marqeta securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32001 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On November 4, 2024, Marqeta, Inc. issued a press release entitled “Marqeta Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results.” In addition to reporting its third quarter results, Marqeta announced lower fourth quarter guidance which reflected “several changes that became apparent over the last few months with regards to the heightened scrutiny of the banking environment and specific customer program changes.” On this news, the price of Marqeta common stock fell 42.5% on November 5, 2024. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.comInsurgents reach gates of Syria’s capital, threatening to upend decades of Assad rule BEIRUT (AP) — A Syrian opposition war monitor and a pro-government media outlet say government forces have withdrawn from much of the central city of Homs. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. Losing Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Syria’s embattled leader, Bashar Assad. An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on PARIS (AP) — France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral has formally reopened its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. The five-year restoration is widely seen as a boost for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline, and brings a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. World leaders, dignitaries, and worshippers gathered on Saturday evening for the celebrations under the cathedral's soaring arches. The celebration was attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full dose of presidential pomp. And they held a hastily arranged meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a day that's mixing pageantry with attention to pressing global problems. The president-elect's visit to France is part of a global a celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after a devastating fire. Macron and other European leaders are trying to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is making threats, traveling abroad, and negotiating with world leaders. He has more than a month-and-a-half to go before he’s sworn in for a second term. But the president-elect is already moving aggressively to not only fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but also to try to achieve his priorities. In recent days, Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the country’s largest trading partners. That led to emergency calls and a visit. And he's warned of “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas doesn't release the hostages still being held captive in Gaza. South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol has avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Most of Yoon's ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea. A survey suggests a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party. But the party also apparently fears losing the presidency to liberals. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting opens a door for many to vent frustrations over insurance The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has opened the door for many people to vent their frustrations and anger over the insurance industry. The feelings of exasperation, anger, resentment, and helplessness toward insurers aren’t new. But the shooting and the headlines around it have unleashed a new wave of patients sharing such sentiments and personal stories of interactions with insurance companies. Conversations at dinner tables, office water coolers, social gatherings and on social media have pivoted to the topic. Many say they hope the new amplified voices can bring about change for companies often accused of valuing profits over people. 2 Pearl Harbor survivors, ages 104 and 102, return to Hawaii to honor those killed in 1941 attack PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors returned to the Hawaii military base on Saturday for a remembrance ceremony on the attack's anniversary. Both are over 100 years old. They joined active-duty troops, veterans and members of the public for an observance hosted by the Navy and the National Park Service. A third survivor was planning to join them but had to cancel due to health issues. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 3 and injuring others THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An explosion and fire has rocked a neighborhood in the Dutch city of The Hague, killing three people and injuring other people and destroying several apartments. The cause of the disaster is unclear. Emergency authorities said four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital. The mayor said rescuers were no longer looking for survivors but for eventual bodies, but could not specify how many people might still be unaccounted for. Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. Dutch authorities have deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to find victims. How 'Mufasa' rose with Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy's voices along with new Lin-Manuel Miranda music SAN DIEGO (AP) — When Aaron Pierre was cast as Mufasa, the weight of following in the late James Earl Jones’ legendary footsteps was enough to rattle any actor. But instead of letting the pressure roar too loudly, he harnessed his nerves to breathe fresh life into his young lion character. Pierre found parallels between himself and his character while filming his leading role in “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which opens in theaters Dec. 20. He took the reigns as the new voice of Mufasa after Jones played the iconic King Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of Disney’s “The Lion King.” The prequel offers a fresh exploration into Mufasa’s origin story.Coleen Rooney has revealed Wayne Rooney wasn't her first boyfriend. The mum-of-four has been candid about her life while on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, leaving viewers feeling more connected with the WAG. And now, during a campfire chat with her fellow finalists including Oti Mabuse, Reverend Richard Coles and Danny Jones, she has revealed even more secrets about her life. While sat around an open fire, Richard quizzed the McFly rocker on what he was like at school. And Danny revealed: "I was cheeky, I was a teacher’s mate, not a pet. RE was my favourite subject, the reason why, the teacher was so chilled I could flirt with the girls and he’d never tell me off!" And Richard responded saying: "Blimey, early starter!" Danny then revealed that he had fancied a girl called Rachel who was "the year older so I ran across and he kissed her." And it was at this point Richard then asked Coleen if the former premiere league footballer Wayne Rooney was her first boyfriend. Candidly, the mum of four replied: "Yeah, well no, when I was growing up I’d date, he was my first serious one that I took home." Coleen became headline news after she was embroiled in a high-profile legal battle with Rebekah Vardy , stemming from allegations from 2019. Back then, Rebekah took offence to Coleen accusing her of leaking stories to the press from her private social media account. This was then followed by a libel lawsuit which saw the two women go head to head in court. But unfortunately, Rebekah, who is married to Leicester City footie star Jamie Vardy , was ordered to pay all of Coleen's legal costs after she lost the case. But it seems as though Rebekah may be defrosting towards Coleen as she recently made a nice remark about the I'm A Celeb star. In her column with The Sun she recently said: "It was also lovely to see Coleen with her boys. It's such a great experience for the children, especially if they’re old enough to visit the set. It’s quite a distance from the hotel, over an hour, and you have to leave super early before the show goes live." This came after Rebekah made a veiled comment about Coleen in her previous column earlier this week, as the stars found out who was in the final. She wrote on Wednesday: "A few people looked shocked to be in the final that's for sure but someone definitely looked a bit smug and not surprised, hmm... Well, looking forward to tonight's show to see who ends up in the final." Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and ThreadsWashington, Nov 22 (AP) Former Rep. Matt Gaetz said on Friday that he will not be returning to Congress after withdrawing his name from consideration to be attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump amid growing allegations of sexual misconduct. “I'm still going to be in the fight, but it's going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, adding that he has “some other goals in life that I'm eager to pursue with my wife and my family”. The announcement comes a day after Gaetz, a Florida Republican, stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process amid growing fallout from federal and House Ethics investigations that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer. The 42-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him. Gaetz's nomination as attorney general had stunned many career lawyers inside the Justice Department, but reflected Trump's desire to place a loyalist in a department he has marked for retribution following the criminal cases against him. Hours after Gaetz withdrew, Trump nominated Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, who would come to the job with years of legal work under her belt and that other trait Trump prizes above all: loyalty. It's unclear what's next for Gaetz, who is no longer a member of the House. He surprised colleagues by resigning from Congress the same day that Trump nominated him for attorney general. Some speculated he could still be sworn into office for another two-year term on January 3, given that he had just won reelection earlier this month. But Gaetz, who has been in state and national politics for 14 years, said he's done with Congress. “I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress," he said. (AP) PY (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)

BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria gained speed on Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and with the government forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. As they have advanced, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands rushed the Syria border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those that remained open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some shops were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reach the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. Amid the developments, Syria’s state media denied rumors flooding social media that Assad has left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. Assad's chief international backer, Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. Pedersen said a date for the talks in Geneva on the implementation of U.N. Resolution 2254 would be announced later. The resolution, adopted in 2015, called for a Syrian-led political process, starting with the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were also marching from eastern Syria toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. Syria’s military, meanwhile, sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama , the country’s fourth largest city. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told CNN in an interview Thursday from Syria that the aim is to overthrow Assad’s government. The Britain-based Observatory said Syrian troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces and are sending reinforcements to Homs, where a battle is looming. If the insurgents capture Homs, they would cut the link between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where the president enjoys wide support. The Syrian army said in a statement Saturday that it has carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists.” The army said it is setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. After the fall of the cities of Daraa and Sweida early Saturday, Syrian government forces remained in control of five provincial capitals — Damascus, Homs and Quneitra, as well as Latakia and Tartus on the Mediterranean coast. Tartus is home to the only Russian naval base outside the former Soviet Union while Latakia is home to a major Russian air base. In the gas-rich nation of Qatar, the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey met to discuss the situation in Syria. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. After the fall of the cities of Daraa and Sweida early Saturday, Syrian government forces remained in control of five provincial capitals — Damascus, Homs and Quneitra, as well as Latakia and Tartus on the Mediterranean coast. On Friday, U.S.-backed fighters of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces captured wide parts of the eastern province of Deir el-Zour that borders Iraq as well as the provincial capital that carries the same name. The capture of areas in Deir el-Zour is a blow to Iran’s influence in the region as the area is the gateway to the corridor linking the Mediterranean to Iran, a supply line for Iran-backed fighters, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah. With the capture of a main border crossing with Iraq by the SDF and after opposition fighters took control of the Naseeb border crossing to Jordan in southern Syria, the Syrian government's only gateway to the outside world is the Masnaa border crossing with Lebanon. Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report.WASHINGTON — Former Rep. Matt Gaetz said Friday that he will not be returning to Congress after withdrawing his name from consideration to be attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump amid growing allegations of sexual misconduct. “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, adding that he has “some other goals in life that I’m eager to pursue with my wife and my family.” The announcement comes a day after Gaetz, a Florida Republican, stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process amid growing fallout from federal and House Ethics investigations that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The 42-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him. Gaetz's nomination as attorney general had stunned many career lawyers inside the Justice Department, but reflected Trump's desire to place a loyalist in a department he has marked for retribution following the criminal cases against him. Hours after Gaetz withdrew, Trump nominated Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, who would come to the job with years of legal work under her belt and that other trait Trump prizes above all: loyalty. It's unclear what's next for Gaetz, who is no longer a member of the House. He surprised colleagues by resigning from Congress the same day that Trump nominated him for attorney general. Some speculated he could still be sworn into office for another two-year term on Jan. 3, given that he had just won reelection earlier this month. But Gaetz, who has been in state and national politics for 14 years, said he's done with Congress. “I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress," he said.

DNA Confirms Identity of Suspected Killer in 1979 Cold CaseNoneChristmas will be here sooner than you think which means any shoppers looking for some last minute bargains better act quick. If you’ve been tasked with organising Christmas dinner this year then you’re in luck as Aldi currently has a cheap deal on a selection of festive food items. The supermarket has confirmed it will be bringing back its Christmas ‘Super Six’ deal in stores this December, but for a limited time only. The super six refers to a selection of fresh festive veg staples - all sourced from British suppliers - which will be available from just 15p. From December 19, shoppers can pick up any of the following six items for a mere 15p: White Potatoes - 15p, 2kg const loadOvpScript=()=>{let el=document.createElement('script');el.setAttribute('src','https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=118222&playerApiId=v118222');document.getElementById('ovp-primis').appendChild(el)};window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v118222"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}});window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',()=>{setTimeout(()=>{if(typeof flagTcfLoaded!=='undefined'&&flagTcfLoaded===!0){loadOvpScript();ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP flagTcfLoaded',new Date())}else{document.addEventListener("tcfLoaded",()=>{loadOvpScript();ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP tcfLoaded',new Date())})}},1500)}) Carrots - 15p, 1kg Parsnips - 15p, 500g Red and white cabbages - 15p each Brussels Sprouts - 15p, 500g Broccoli - 15p each Aldi has warned that the Festive Super Six will only be available in stores for six days - from December 19 to 24 - while stocks last, so shoppers don’t have long to snap up the deal. Aldi said it hopes the 15p prices will help families to keep the costs down this festive season, while still being able to enjoy high quality produce. The supermarket added that shoppers can rest assured that the vegetable deals don’t come at a cost to suppliers as it uses fixed-cost pricing to ensure British suppliers receive a fair price, no matter the season. Aldi said this means that growers receive the same fair price as normal, regardless of any promotions available in stores, and shoppers can make big savings without compromising on quality. An Aldi spokesperson said: “Which? recently named Aldi the best place to shop for Christmas dinner essentials, with 85% of those surveyed endorsing the supermarket’s value and quality. “True to form, the supermarket is making it easy for families to enjoy a delicious and affordable Christmas dinner with these fantastic price cuts. “Shoppers are guaranteed a tree-mendous Christmas feast with a selection of Aldi’s fresh and delicious British-sourced veggies including White Potatoes (15p, 2kg), Carrots (15p, 1kg), Parsnips (15p, 500g), Red and White Cabbages (15p each), Brussels Sprouts (15p, 500g) and Broccoli (15p each).”

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