okbet 888 login
By Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Timour Azhari , for Reuters Syrian rebels battled government forces for control of the key city of Homs on Saturday and advanced towards the capital Damascus, as front lines collapsed across the country, throwing President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year rule into the balance. Since the rebels' sweep into Aleppo a week ago , government defences have crumbled at dizzying speed as insurgents seized a string of major cities and rose up in places where the rebellion had long seemed over. The twin threats to strategically vital Homs and the capital Damascus now pose an existential threat to Assad's decades of rule in Syria and the continued influence there of his main regional backer, Iran. A Homs resident, and army and rebel sources said the insurgents had breached government defences from the north and east of the city. A rebel commander said they had taken control of an army camp and villages outside the city. State television reported that the insurgents had not penetrated into Homs, although it said they were on the city outskirts, where it said the military was striking them with artillery and drones. Insurgents have seized almost the entire southwest within 24 hours, and they have advanced to within 30km of Damascus, as government forces fell back, rebels said. Underscoring the possibility of an uprising in the capital, protesters took to the streets in several Damascus suburbs, ripping up Assad posters and tearing down a statue of his father, former President Hafez al-Assad, uncontested by army or police. Some were joined by soldiers who had changed into civilian clothes and deserted, residents said. However, the state news agency reported that Assad remains in Damascus and the military said it was reinforcing around the capital and south. The pace of events has stunned Arab capitals and raised fears of a new wave of regional instability. Syria's civil war, which erupted in 2011 as an uprising against Assad's rule, dragged in big outside powers, created space for jihadist militants to plot attacks around the world and sent millions of refugees into neighbouring states. Assad had long relied on allies to subdue the rebels, with bombing by Russian warplanes, while Iran sent allied forces - including Lebanon's Hezbollah and Iraqi militia - to bolster the Syrian military and storm insurgent strongholds. But Russia has been focused on the war in Ukraine since 2022, and Hezbollah has suffered big losses in its own gruelling war with Israel, significantly limiting its ability or that of Iran to bolster Assad. US President-elect Donald Trump said the US should not be involved in the conflict and should "let it play out". Russia, Iran, Turkey The foreign ministers of Russia, Iran and the main rebels' backer Turkey met on Saturday and agreed on the importance of Syria's territorial integrity and on restarting a political process, they said. But there was no indication they agreed on any concrete steps, with the situation inside Syria changing by the hour. Russia has a naval base and airbase in Syria that have not only been important for its support of Assad, but also for its ability to project influence in the Mediterranean and Africa. Moscow has been supporting government forces with intense air strikes, but it was not clear if it could easily step up this campaign. Iran has said it would consider sending forces to Syria, but any immediate extra assistance would likely depend on Hezbollah and Iraqi militias. The Lebanese group sent some "supervising forces" to Homs on Friday but any significant deployment would risk exposure to Israeli airstrikes, Western officials said. Iran-backed Iraqi militias are on high alert, with thousands of heavily armed fighters ready to deploy to Syria, many of them amassed near the border. Iraq does not seek military intervention in Syria, a government spokesman said on Friday. Britain warned Assad that any chemical weapons use was a red line and would be met with "appropriate action". Battle for Homs The Homs resident said he had seen the rebels advance past a Syrian Air Force base in the north of the city that was considered a major defensive area. The resident later said fighting was audible in the city outskirts. An opposition figure in touch with rebel command and a Syrian army source both also said the insurgents were inside the city. Seizing Homs, an important crossroads between the capital and the Mediterranean, would cut off Damascus from the coastal stronghold of Assad's minority Alawite sect, and from Russia's air and naval base. In the south, the rapid collapse of government control could allow a concerted assault on the capital, the seat of Assad's power. The Syrian military pulled back as far as Saasa 30km from Damascus to regroup, a Syrian army officer said. Jarmana, where protesters pulled down a statue of Hafez al-Assad, is in the city's southern suburbs. Soldiers were deserting in the former rebel stronghold of Daraya and in Mezzeh, near a major airbase, residents said. The main rebel group, the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, said it had a duty to protect governmental, international and UN offices in Syria. In a sign of government forces' collapse in the east, around 2000 Syrian soldiers crossed the border into Iraq to seek sanctuary, the mayor of Iraqi border town al-Qaem said. Syrian Kurdish fighters had captured eastern Deir el-Zor on Friday, jeopardising Assad's land connection to allies in Iraq. - ReutersIf there's one thing that might just define Australia, it's invasion. From and to , and , our continent is no stranger to invasive species and the desecration they can bring. But few have been as successful as the fox. Covering some 80 per cent of Australia's continental landmass, it's estimated there are more than 1.7 million feral foxes in the country after first being brought over by European settlers. Part-time electrician and hunter Adam Wright is among those who are fighting back in his home state of Western Australia. What started as a hobby to help local farmers has developed into a fox-focused feral animal control business which sees his team help everyone from small property owners and hobby farmers to large-scale agricultural operators, caravan parks and even wildlife parks and bird zoos to keep the foxes at bay. "Our annual records indicate a steady increase in the number of animals removed each year," he told Yahoo News Australia. His team of licensed hunters meticulously record data on a majority of the animals, including sex, weight, and dietary habits through stomach content analysis and, according to Adam, prioritise ethical kills wherever possible. One of the main issues that drive demand for the service is predation on livestock. "Foxes prey on a wide range of livestock, including lambs, chickens, and young calves, causing significant economic losses for farmers," Adam said. "One example would be a farm we currently work on, which used to lose around 200 lambs a year. We have reduced that number to 19." Australia's has long been a key reason state governments have sought to control and reduce fox populations, which are estimated to kill . "Our biggest concern is the impact on native wildlife. Foxes are a major threat to native wildlife populations," Adam told Yahoo. 🦌 🚙 🏝️ "The last major problem we get called in for is disease transmission. Foxes can carry and transmit diseases. Mange is the main one, but they can also carry rabies and transmit it to farmers' working dogs, livestock, and even humans." While it's not an issue most Australians living in cities probably think about, the species are increasingly encroaching on more built up areas with foxes routinely spotted in places such as Melbourne. However Adam is painfully aware of the stigma such work has in the eyes of some Australians, saying there is a "disconnect between the reality of pest control work and the perceptions of those unfamiliar with the industry". Despite his apprehension, he the sometimes confronting images of hunts online to display the problem that shows little sign of abating. "We face constant online harassment and threats from animal activists. While it was initially upsetting, we've learned to use both positive and negative attention to raise awareness about our work and the importance of feral animal control," he said. "We understand that parading our kills may not be ideal, but we're also influencers in the development of new technologies to aid our work. We work hard to avoid showing blood and guts and use editing software to remove such images. This is one of our biggest tools for gaining views and spreading our message." He's certainly far from the only one. Self-described huntress Kirby Dickson runs an annual Williams community fox shoot in the Great Southern region of WA. On social media the event page boasts killing 4,706 foxes since 2019, this week sharing a video (seen below) of fox, cat and pig carcasses being discarded in a mass grave after a shoot. "Of course it's going to be confronting, but it's horrific for the farmers to come across these animals that we then have to put down," she previously told the ABC. "People don't see the first hand damage like us." Scientists and researchers have joined annual fox culling events in WA with landcare organisations actually reporting a fall in numbers, reported earlier this year. In Victoria a fox bounty scheme by the state government, which has provided $10 for each decapitated fox scalp presented by shooters (to be increased to $14 from next year) has drawn some criticism . Adam would like to see such a scheme reintroduced in WA as well as other options put on the table by the WA government to help drive down fox numbers. "While there are various small programs [such as bating], there's a lack of clear information and accessibility for recreational firearm owners. More opportunities, like responsible hunting on public land, should be explored," he argued. "Many recreational shooters would be willing to pay a yearly fee or participate in a lottery system to access public land, as is done in the US."
US: Biden pardons son Hunter, prepares handoverDonegal manager Jim McGuinness has revealed that players interact and engage in a very different way than when he first took over the Donegal footballers in 2011. McGuinness' first stint as Donegal manager saw his Donegal side win the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 2012. This also included the National Football League in 2014 and the Ulster Senior Football Championship in 2011, 2012, and 2014. McGuinness revolutionised Donegal's playing style, putting emphasis on a highly organised defensive system. After his tenure with the Donegal senior football team, Jim McGuinness became involved with Celtic Football Club in Scotland. He joined Celtic in 2015. He has since returned to Donegal for a second term to a very different Donegal side. Team styles and player outlooks change with the years that pass, and Donegal in 2023 and 2024 has been no different. This week, McGuinness sat down with the Irish News to talk about the Donegal footballers and other topics. McGuinness was asked specifically about what was the biggest difference between his first Donegal side and this one. The Donegal boss explained that there was a massive difference, and the likes of social media and mental health played a far more important factor than ever before. "There’s a massive difference in the players. Massive difference. Different generations, different thought processes, different intensity in their lives," s aid McGuinness to Irish News. Sat down with Jim McGuinness last week for a rare in-depth interview that will be published this weekend. Piece below touches on his thoughts on the proposed new rules and the return of Michael Murphy. https://t.co/HjTX8vJjKr — Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) November 27, 2024 "Reared on technology, the intensity of that, social media, and mental health—all those things are real. You don’t even want to acknowledge them sometimes because you’re coming from that different generation. "The last group was a totally different group. This group wants information; they want data; they want information on themselves. That’s how they engage and interact." Social media doesn't just affect players; managers are also affected by it all. However, McGuinness has admitted he is not someone who uses social media in that way. The Donegal native revealed that people masquerading as experts, when it is essentially opinion at the end of the day, is another reason why he hasn't warmed to it. "Trying to navigate your way through that is not easy; parents and agents have a huge impact. Social media’s there, and you could be ruined by a couple of comments," he added. "That’s why I just don’t go there, don’t like it, and don’t agree with it. It’s way too personal a lot of the time. Everybody’s an expert—well, you’re not, like. "You just aren’t. Experts are experts for a reason. Everybody’s entitled to their opinion, but you’re not an expert." See More: Jim McGuinness
Romania's PM tied with pro-Russia candidate in presidential vote
Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title with the Atlanta Braves, dies at 85THE HAGUE (AP) — The world’s top war-crimes court issued arrest warrants Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas’ military chief, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with the 13-month war in Gaza. The warrants said there was reason to believe Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and have intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza — charges Israeli officials deny. The action by the International Criminal Court came as the death toll from Israel’s campaign in Gaza passed 44,000 people, according to local health authorities, who say more than half of those killed were women and children. Their count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Experts say hunger has become widespread across Gaza and may have reached famine levels in the north of the territory, which is under siege by Israeli troops. Israel says it has been working hard to improve entry of aid, though the trickle of supplies into Gaza remains near the lowest levels of the war. Netanyahu condemned the warrant against him, saying Israel “rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions” by the court. In a statement released by his office, he said: “There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza.” Gallant, in a statement, said the decision "sets a dangerous precedent against the right to self-defense and moral warfare and encourages murderous terrorism.” The warrant marked the first time that a sitting leader of a major Western ally has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a global court of justice. The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects, putting them at risk of arrest when they travel abroad and potentially further isolating them . Israel and its top ally, the United States, are not members of the court. But others of Israel's allies, including some of its close European friends, are put in an awkward position. Several, including France, welcomed the court's decision and signaled they might arrest Netanyahu if he visited. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden's administration was “deeply concerned by the prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision.” The warrants represent "the most dramatic step yet in the court’s involvement in the conflict between Israel and Hamas," said Anthony Dworkin, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Israeli leaders, politicians and officials across the spectrum denounced the warrants and the ICC. The new defense minister, Israel Katz, who replaced Gallant earlier this month, said Thursday’s decision is “a moral disgrace, entirely tainted by antisemitism, and drags the international judicial system to an unprecedented low.” Human rights groups applauded the move. The warrants against both sides “break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law,” the associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, Balkees Jarrah, said in a statement. The decision came six months after ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested the warrants. The court issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas’ armed wing, over the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that triggered Israel’s offensive in Gaza. It said it found reasonable grounds to believe Deif was involved in murder, rape, torture and the taking of hostages amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity. In the Hamas-led attack, militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and taking some 250 others hostage. Around 100 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, around a third of them believed to be dead. Khan withdrew requests for warrants for two other senior Hamas figures, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh , who have both since been killed. Israel says it also killed Deif in an airstrike, but Hamas has never confirmed his death. The warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were issued by a three-judge panel in a unanimous decision. The panel said there were reasonable grounds to believe that both men bear responsibility for the war crime of starvation and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. The judges said the lack of food, water, electricity, fuel and specific medical supplies created conditions “calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza,” including the deaths of children due to malnutrition and dehydration. They also found that by preventing hospital supplies and medicine from getting into Gaza, doctors were forced to operate, including performing amputations, without anesthesia or with unsafe means of sedation that led to “great suffering.” Israeli diplomatic officials said the government is lobbying the international community to speak out against the warrants and is considering an appeal to the court. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal decision on how the government will proceed. Despite the warrants, none of the suspects is likely to face judges in The Hague anytime soon. Member countries are required to detain suspects facing a warrant if they set foot on their soil, but the court has no way to enforce that. For example, Russian President Vladimir Putin, wanted on an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, recently visited Mongolia, a member state in the court but also a Russian ally. He was not arrested. Still, the threat of arrest now complicates any travel abroad by Netanyahu and Gallant. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the warrants are binding on all 27 members countries of the European Union. France signaled it could arrest Netanyahu if he came to its territory. Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine called it a “complex legal issue” but said France supports the court’s actions. “Combating impunity is our priority,” he said. “Our response will align with these principles.” Hamas in a statement welcomed the warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant but made no mention of the one against Deif. Israel’s opposition leaders fiercely criticized the ICC’s move. Benny Gantz, a retired general and political rival to Netanyahu, said it showed “moral blindness” and was a “shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten.” Israel’s campaign has caused heavy destruction across Gaza and driven almost the entire population of 2.3 million people from their homes, leaving most dependent on aid to survive. Two days after Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, Gallant announced a total seal on Gaza, vowing not to let in food, fuel or other supplies. Under U.S. pressure, Israel began allowing a trickle of humanitarian aid to enter a few weeks later. Israel now says it puts no limit on the supplies permitted into Gaza, and it blames the U.N. distribution system. But Israel's official figures show the amount of aid it has let in has plunged since the beginning of October. The U.N has blamed Israeli military restrictions, along with widespread lawlessness that has led to theft of aid shipments. The case at the ICC is separate from another legal battle Israel is waging at the top U.N. court, the International Court of Justice, in which South Africa accuses Israel of genocide , an allegation Israeli leaders staunchly deny. Lawyers for Israel argued in court that the war in Gaza was a legitimate defense of its people and that it was Hamas militants who were guilty of genocide. Associated Press journalists Raf Casert in Brussels, Mike Corder in The Hague and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
If you're on the hunt for a new vacuum cleaner and fancy bagging a bargain in the sales, Amazon has got your back. For a limited time, the online retail giant is offering a whopping £300 off a Samsung cordless vacuum that shoppers can't stop raving about. The Samsung Jet 95 Pro 210W Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner is particularly handy for homes with pets due to its extra pet hair features. Originally priced at £649.99, this gadget can now be yours for just £349, making it the cheapest deal around with both Samsung and Currys selling it for £429. This 'versatile and efficient' cordless vacuum promises to effortlessly remove pet hair and dirt from all surfaces, leaving your home 'spotless and fresh'. It boasts a sleek lightweight design for easy handling and manoeuvrability, making navigating around furniture and reaching tight corners a breeze. The Samsung Jet 95 Pro comes equipped with advanced technology, including a spray spinning sweeper, which provides targeted cleaning for stubborn pet hair. This innovative feature sprays a fine mist onto surfaces, while the spinning sweeper brush loosens and picks up debris. Once you've charged the vacuum, simply switch it on and select the desired cleaning mode to suit your needs - whether you're tackling hardwood floors, carpets, or upholstery, it offers 'powerful suction and versatile functionality'. The Samsung Jet 95 Pro 210W Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner is an Amazon's Choice product and has an overall rating of 4.3 out of five stars, reports the Mirror . A thrilled customer who has already grabbed the popular gadget gave it top marks, commenting: "Absolutely fantastic pet hair vacuum cleaner. It came very well packaged and protected. I didn't find it difficult to put together and it came with a manual, which I didn't need to use. The amount of hair it picked up off one carpet was astounding. It is light and easy to use and doesn't give off that dusty vacuum cleaning smell when vacuuming." Another pleased purchaser stated: "Having come from a corded vacuum, this is a great device. I'm so much more likely to just pick it up and use it rather than going to get my old vacuum, plugging it in and trying to manoeuvre it around. Cleaning power is excellent, particularly on carpets, even on minimum power." Nevertheless, they did highlight some negatives further adding: "The grip is very uncomfortable, specifically on your index finger which fits through a hard plastic opening in the grip... Battery life isn't great, especially on higher power settings, and charging is pretty slow." Conversely, another Amazon buyer is in dissent, praising the item with a five-star review that reads: "I subscribe to Which? and this is one of their highest-rated stick vacuum cleaners... It deep cleans on the lowest setting so the battery lasts a long time if cleaning multiple rooms. Light and easy to manoeuvre with a comfortable handle." The Samsung Jet 95 Pro 210W Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner is currently available on Amazon for £349 during the sale. In addition, Shark has its Stratos Anti Hair Wrap Plus Cordless Vacuum on offer for £199.99, and Dyson's cordless V8 vacuum is now reduced to £209.99.Adele Doesn't Know When She'll 'Perform Again' After Vegas Residency
Up 29% Year to Date, Can Gold Outperform the S&P 500 Again in 2025?
The rapper was heavily involved in the Arizona Bowl match between Miami RedHawks and the Colorado State Rams Snoop Dogg took over an American football event in Arizona yesterday (December 28). READ MORE: Snoop Dogg – ‘Missionary’ review: an underwhelming sequel to a hip-hop classic The rapper was heavily involved in the Arizona Bowl match between Miami RedHawks and the Colorado State Rams, leading both schools’ marching bands before rolling out in a light green, lowrider Chevy Impala with gold rims. You can view footage below. In a match that he also sponsored, the rapper also performed the coin toss and directed the halftime show of the game, according to the Associated Press . “This is a seven-day-a-week thing with me, man,” Snoop said. “I guess I’m the people’s champ because I love the people as much as they love me.” Snoop Dogg rolling in his ‘64 Impala with the Arizona Bowl trophy. pic.twitter.com/PmoPyTVPQf — Justin Spears (@JustinESports) December 29, 2024 Snoop Dogg and the coin toss for the Arizona Bowl. Let the show begin! pic.twitter.com/J3Gw7vdwHH — Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) December 28, 2024 Snoop Dogg directing the cheerleaders at the Arizona Bowl🥁 pic.twitter.com/keWvhfAwIz — Shirley Ju (@shirju) December 29, 2024 After the ceremony, Snoop also handed out gold chains to the players and posed for pictures. The match ended with the Miami RedHawks beating the Colorado State Rams 43-17. It comes after it was revealed that Snoop and Dr. Dre sampled a song by a learning disabilities charity in London on their new album ‘Missionary’ . The duo recently shared energetic new single, ‘Outta Da Blue’ last month ahead of the album’s release on December 13 via Death Row Records. Now, it has come to light that the pair sampled the song ‘Watermelon Fantasy’, which was originally released by the charity Daylight Studio in 2018. ‘Missionary’ is the follow-up to Snoop’s debut album ‘Doggystyle’ in 1993. It featured a host of guest artists including the late Tom Petty , Jelly Roll , 50 Cent and Eminem . Reviewing the album, NME awarded the record three stars and said it “was an underwhelming sequel to a hip-hop classic.” It added: “Dre and Snoop forgot the legacy they created for the West Coast with ‘Doggystyle’ and – although there are flashes of fun – the forgettable collection barely scratches the surface of their legendary status.” Related Topics Rap Snoop DoggLebanese, Kuwaitis step up to support Lebanon’s recovery
Florida State continues torrid star with rout of UMassNeal Maupay: Whenever I’m having a bad day I check Everton score and smile
Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title with the Atlanta Braves, dies at 85Spurs travel to Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday reeling from a disappointing home loss to Ipswich before the international break. The club’s problems have multiplied during the past fortnight with midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur handed a seven-match domestic ban on Monday and Cristian Romero (toe) joining a lengthy list of absentees. However, Postecoglou remains bullish about Tottenham’s progress and acutely aware of the scrutiny set to come his way if they stay 10th. “Christmas is a joyous occasion, irrespective, and I think it should be celebrated. If we’re still 10th then people won’t be happy, I won’t be happy, but we might not be 10th,” Postecoglou pointed out before nine games in 30 days. “Certainly for us I think it’s a significant period because you look at those games and we’ve got the league where we’ve got to improve our position and a couple of important European fixtures that can set us up for the back half of the year, also a Carabao Cup quarter-final. “At the end of that period we could be in a decent position for a strong second half of the year, so for us it is an important period. “You know there’s no more international breaks, so the full focus is here. You can build some momentum through that, or if things don’t go well you could get yourself into a bit of a grind. Ready for #MCITOT 👊 Go behind the scenes of training ahead of our trip to Manchester 🎥⤵️ pic.twitter.com/4jFZTCIwSz — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 22, 2024 “Of course if we had beaten Ipswich, we’d be third and I reckon this press conference would be much different wouldn’t it? “I’m not going to let my life be dictated by one result, I’m sorry. I take a wider perspective on these things because I know how fickle it can be, but we need to address our position for sure. “And if we’re 10th at Christmas, yeah it won’t be great. There’d be a lot of scrutiny and probably a lot of scrutiny around me, which is fair enough, but that’s not where I plan for us to be.” Tottenham’s immediate efforts to move up the table will require them ending City’s two-year unbeaten home run in the Premier League. The champions have lost their last four matches in all competitions, but have some key personnel back for Saturday’s clash and will aim to toast Pep Guardiola’s new contract with a victory. Postecoglou was pleased to see Guardiola commit to a further two seasons in England, adding: “I love the fact that there’s a massive target out there that can seem insurmountable. “I look at it the other way. I go, ‘imagine if you knock him off, that’d be something’. “I’m at the stage of my life where I’d rather have the chance of knocking him off than missing that opportunity. “When greatness is around, you want to be around it. And hopefully it challenges you to be like that as well.” Saturday’s fixture will be Postecoglou’s 50th league game in charge of Spurs and he knows what is required to bring up three figures. A post shared by Premier League (@premierleague) “No European football, significant player turnover, change of playing style. Where did I think we’d be after 50 games? God knows. “It could have been a whole lot worse, but when you look at it in the current prism of we’re 10th, you’re going ‘it doesn’t look good’ and I understand that and we have to improve that. “But over the 50 games, I think there’s enough there that shows we are progressing as a team and we are developing into the team we want. “The key is the next 50 games, if they can be in totality better than the first 50? First, that means I’m here but second, I think we’ll be in a good space.”
Nov 21 (Reuters) - The NAACP and other civil rights groups want Donald Trump's Republican allies Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene to pay them more than $550,000 in legal fees after defeating a lawsuit that accused them of conspiring to cancel political events in California. The civil rights groups asked a federal judge in Los Angeles on Wednesday to award them fees as the prevailing parties in the case, arguing that Gaetz and Taylor Greene's lawsuit should never have been filed. Lawyers for Gaetz and Taylor Greene did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Taylor Greene is a current U.S. representative for Georgia. Gaetz stepped down as U.S. representative from Florida after President-Elect Trump nominated him as U.S. attorney general last week. Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration on Thursday amid opposition in the Senate. Gaetz and Taylor Greene sued , opens new tab nine nonprofit groups last year for allegedly pressuring the cities of Anaheim and Riverside to cancel a political rally in 2021. The complaint, alleging civil rights and other violations, also named the California cities as defendants. U.S. District Judge Hernán Vera dismissed the lawsuit in a pair of rulings in March and October. Vera called , opens new tab the claims against the nonprofits — including the NAACP, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), League of Women Voters — “unprecedented,” and said the lawsuit “should shock in equal measure civic members from across the political spectrum.” In a statement on Thursday, the California branch of LULAC called Gaetz and Taylor Greene's lawsuit "frivolous." The organization is seeking nearly $155,000 in fees. The NAACP in a court filing , opens new tab asked for nearly $185,000 in fees for 214 hours of legal work. Its law firm, Latham & Watkins, said it was providing discounted hourly rates to the NAACP. Gaetz, Taylor Greene and the other plaintiffs “relied entirely on conclusory allegations in a weak attempt to somehow connect the NAACP” to the cancellation of events in Riverside and Anaheim, Latham said. The NAACP and League of Women Voters did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The case is Matt Gaetz et al v. City of Riverside et al, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, No. 5:23-cv-01368-HDV-SHK. Read more: Colorado to pay web designer's legal fees after losing LGBTQ anti-bias law case Abortion rights group wins more legal fees in secret videos case US ordered to pay $2.2 million in fees to religious nonprofit in abortion lawsuit Louisiana to pay abortion case legal fees of $3.8 million Sign up here. Reporting by Mike Scarcella Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab
AMGEN TO PRESENT AT CITI'S 2024 GLOBAL HEALTHCARE CONFERENCEMartial law to miracle survival: South Korea's president Yoon