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Darnold gives Vikings another gem with career-high 377 yards in 27-25 win over Packers MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Sam Darnold added another exploit to his career-altering season, passing for a personal-best 377 yards and three touchdowns as the Minnesota Vikings hung on to beat the Green Bay Packers 27-25 for their ninth consecutive victory. The Vikings are 14-2. They set up a final-week showdown in Detroit for both the division title and the No. 1 seed for the playoffs in the NFC. Jordan Love’s only touchdown pass for the Packers came with 2:18 left to pull the Packers within two points. Darnold responded with two completions for first downs to seal the game. Saquon Barkley tops 2,000 yards rushing and moves within 100 of Dickerson's record PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley became the ninth running back in NFL history to top 2,000 yards rushing in a season, reaching the milestone with a 23-yard run in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys. That rush gave Barkley 2,005 yards with one game left and left him exactly 100 yards from Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105, set in 1984 for the Los Angeles Rams. Barkley could potentially top the record in next week’s finale against the New York Giants. However, that game will be mostly meaningless for the Eagles, who could opt to rest Barkley to protect him from injury ahead of the playoffs. Moment of silence for former President Jimmy Carter held before the Falcons-Commanders game LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — A moment of silence was held for former President Jimmy Carter before the Atlanta Falcons' game at the Washington Commanders. The Georgia native served as the 39th president of the United States at the White House less than 10 miles away from 1977-81. Falcons owner Arthur Blank in a statement called Carter an inspirational global humanitarian. Carter died earlier Sunday at the age of 100 in Plains, Georgia. He also has a connection to the NFL as the first president to host the Super Bowl champions at the White House when he welcomed the Pittsburgh Steelers there in 1980. NFC's No. 1 seed comes down to Vikings-Lions showdown at Detroit in Week 18 The NFC’s No. 1 seed will come down to the final week when the Detroit Lions host the Minnesota Vikings. The winner takes the NFC North and gets a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage until the Super Bowl. The loser gets the No. 5 seed and must play on the road in the wild-card round. The Vikings held on for a 27-25 victory over the Green Bay Packers to set up the high-stakes showdown in Week 18. The Lions visit the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. Win, lose or tie, they have to beat the Vikings for a second time this season. Herro leads Heat over Rockets in game marred by fight and ejections in final minute HOUSTON (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 27 points before being one of six people ejected after a fight in the final minute of the Miami Heat’s 104-100 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night. Herro was thrown to the ground by the Rockets’ Amen Thompson with 35 seconds left and the Heat leading 99-94. Players and coaches from both benches then came onto the court. Both players were thrown out along with Rockets guard Jalen Green, coach Ime Udoka and assistant coach Ben Sullivan. Terry Rozier was also ejected for Miami. Bills clinch the AFC's No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the undisciplined Jets ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score and the Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the New York Jets. The Bills put the game away by capitalizing on two Jets turnovers and scoring three touchdowns over a 5:01 span in the closing minutes of the third quarter. Buffalo’s defense forced three takeaways overall and sacked Aaron Rodgers four times, including a 2-yard loss for a safety in the second quarter. The five-time defending AFC East champion Bills improved to 13-3 to match a franchise single-season record. Saquon Barkley tops 2,000 yards rushing as Eagles beat Cowboys 41-7 to clinch NFC East PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley rushed for 167 yards to top 2,000 on the season, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett ran and threw for scores before departing with injured ribs, and the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East title by routing the Dallas Cowboys 41-7. Barkley has 2,005 yards and needs 101 in next week’s mostly meaningless regular-season finale to top Eric Dickerson and his 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. The Eagles led 24-7 in the third quarter when Pickett was drilled by defensive end Micah Parsons, ending his first start in place of the concussed Jalen Hurts. Penn State coach James Franklin says Nick Saban should be college football's commissioner SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Penn State coach James Franklin believes college football needs a commissioner and he even has a candidate in mind: former Alabama coach Nick Saban. Franklin made the suggestion Sunday at Penn State’s College Football Playoff quarterfinals media day ahead of the Fiesta Bowl. The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions are preparing for their game against No. 3 seed Boise State on Tuesday. The veteran coach was responding to a question about Penn State’s backup quarterback situation after Beau Pribula transferred to Missouri before the playoff. Pribula’s decision highlighted some of the frustrating aspects of a new college football world in the Name, Image and Likeness era and the transfer portal, forcing players to make tough decisions at inopportune times. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. Finland beats US 4-3 in OT in world junior hockey; Canada rebounds from loss to top Germany 3-0 OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Tuomas Uronen scored at 1:46 of overtime to give Finland a 4-3 victory over the defending champion United States on Sunday in the world junior hockey championship. Uronen, who plays for the Kingston Frontenacs in the Ontario Hockey League, came down the right side on a rush and beat goalie Trey Augustine high to the glove side. The Americans lost for the first time in three games. They’ll finish Group A play Tuesday night against Canada. Finland has won two straight after an opening loss to Canada. In the late game at Canadian Tire Centre, Carter George made 18 saves to help Canada rebound from an overtime loss to Latvia with a 3-0 victory over Germany.Tension is already brewing in the I'm A Celebrity camp, and eagle-eyed viewers have taken notice. On Thursday night, Dean McCullough, a BBC Radio One presenter, embarked on his third trial of the series, seeking redemption after his previous attempts yielded disappointing results. In his first trial, he cried out "I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! " and failed to secure any stars in his second challenge alongside social media personality GK Barry. Dean's goal for Thursday's trial was to secure a satisfying meal for the camp, but things didn't quite go as planned. He participated in the Lethal Lab trial, where he had to use his mouth to release stars while his head was enclosed in boxes filled with creepy crawlies. Ultimately, Dean managed to collect four stars before deciding to quit the trial when confronted with a box filled with fish guts. Upon returning to camp, Dean seemed elated with his four-star achievement and was met with praise from his fellow campmates. However, viewers observed that McFly's Danny Jones appeared unimpressed, failing to crack a smile or offer any words of encouragement, reports the Mirror . Fans of the show sympathized with Danny's apparent frustration, with one commenting: "Danny is absolutely not impressed." Another viewer noted: "Oop Danny does not look pleased." A third observer stated: "I think Danny is p***ed off which is completely understandable." A fourth fan wrote: "Danny McFly looks like he wants to kill him. Not buying his 4-star bulls**t at all." Another fan echoed the sentiment, saying: "Danny didn't look too impressed at failing at fishguts." I'm A Celebrity viewers have rallied around I'm A Celebrity contestant Dean Gaffney, urging others to stop voting for him to participate in the gruelling Bushtucker Trials. Following his dramatic exit from Tuesday night's Sinister Sarcophagus challenge, just minutes into it, viewers have taken to social media to plead with fellow fans to give Dean a break. One fan implored: "I'm begging you all please leave dean and grace alone let someone else do the trials they have been through ENOUGH." Another echoed this sentiment, saying: "Can we agree as a collective to leave dean out of trials." A third fan chimed in: "Guys PLEASE stop voting dean in i feel so bad for him, don't make my fav leave before he even gets the chance to win." A fourth viewer simply stated: "Idk who keeps voting for dean but it's getting boring lads, leave him alone." The show's hosts, Ant and Dec, also expressed their disappointment that viewers were denied the opportunity to see the full trial due to Dean's early exit. Speaking on I'm A Celebrity Unpacked, Dec shared: "We are genuinely disappointed because you are prepared to do the whole trial and you want to see the whole thing. There's a lot of time gone into the trials so when it's called early your like, 'oh'." I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! airs at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVXThe Detroit Lions beat the Green Bay Packers in one of the best games of the year. The Lions were able to score 34 points despite their run game struggling. Jared Goff had a very efficient game and made big plays when needed and the Packers offense struggled in the first half but got going in the second half to put up 31 points. Jordan Love didn’t turn the ball over but failed to find his top receiver, Jayden Reed. There are many winners from this huge win and a couple of losers. Winners Tim Patrick Tim Patrick was Goff’s go-to guy this week and had his best game as a Lion. He finished with 6 catches for 43 yards and 2 touchdowns, playing a large part in the Detroit Lions victory. Patrick has been an excellent signing for Detroit and has stepped into the wide receiver No. 3 role well not only as a pass catcher but also as a blocking receiver. He has been a huge part of the success of the offense so far, and if Detroit wants to win a Super Bowl, he will need to continue contributing. Terrion Arnold Arnold has been great the last few games and this week was no exception. He held the Packers receivers to just 2 catches for 9 yards. After starting the season rough, Arnold has been great over the past few games, looking like he can be a true lockdown corner in the NFL. He has been a huge upgrade to the Lions secondary and if the Detroit Lions want to continue winning, he will need to continue his top-tier play. Linebackers The Detroit Lions entered the day with Jack Campbell being the only linebacker from the beginning of the season healthy, but you wouldn’t be able to tell with how they were playing. Campbell made big plays, but so did recent additions like Ezekiel Turner and David Long. Turner was all over the field making plays, including bringing Jordan Love down on a crucial third down at the end of the game that held Green Bay to a field goal. He was the highest-graded PFF player for the Detroit Lions this week and made a huge difference. Long also made a big play recovering a fumble off Christian Watson that resulted in 3 points for Detroit. The Lions have been battling injuries the whole year, but if the new additions can continue to make an impact, they will be able to go far in the playoffs. Losers Carlton Davis Davis has been great for Detroit this year, but this week he struggled. Davis gave up a chunk play to Christian Watson to open the second half followed by a TD just a few plays later. Although he gave up 4 catches for 120 yards, he did make a big play to force a fumble. Davis has been good this year so there’s not much to worry about. He needs to play better than if the Lions want to win. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs The Lions have gotten their running game going almost every game, but this week was an exception. The Packers did a great job holding both Gibbs and Montgomery to under 4 yards per carry, forcing Detroit to have to win the game in the air. Taylor Decker was out again, which likely played a big role in how the run game operated, but they still need to succeed. The Lions offense runs on the two running backs, so they will need to have a better game come playoff time if the Detroit Lions want to win. Final Thoughts With the Detroit Lions clinching a playoff spot in Thursday’s victory, they must ensure the Minnesota Vikings do not overtake them in the NFC North standings. Detroit has a difficult game next week as the Buffalo Bills come to town in what may be a Super Bowl preview. This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.
The Miami Dolphins took care of business on Sunday as they secured a hard-fought home 32-16 win against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets in overtime. This was a nice bounceback win for the Dolphins following their 30-17 loss against Rodgers' former team, the Green Bay Packers in Week 13. Tyreek Hill turned in a noteworthy performance in this one, which could potentially prompt an imminent breakout from the five-time All-Pro wide receiver. Hill caught 10 passes against the Jets for a game-high 115 yards and one touchdown. The 30-year-old also added one carry for an additional six yards. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.Long waits for NHS services could lead people to take matters into their own hands by buying potentially unsafe weight-loss jabs online, Britain’s top GP has said. Prof Kamila Hawthorne, the chair of the Royal College of GPs, warned that buying drugs online from unregulated retailers could put people at risk and they may also miss out on wraparound support offered alongside the medication. She also expressed concerns about the safety of cheaper alternatives to the pre-filled injection pens, which involve preparing part of the medicine at home. Her warning came as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) cautioned against buying illegal weight-loss medicines without a prescription through beauty salons, fake pharmacy websites or on social media, saying these products could contain “toxins and other ingredients that could cause real harm”. Andy Morling, the MHRA’s deputy director of criminal enforcement, said: “At this time of year, with many of us thinking about shedding a little excess weight, we see people offering weight-loss medicines for sale as a quick fix, without a healthcare professional’s prescription.” Urging people to exercise caution, he said “criminals go to great lengths to make their website storefronts look authentic and convincing”. “These are not cosmetic treatments; they are powerful medicines that can only be legally and safely dispensed against a prescription issued by a healthcare professional,” he added. Hawthorne said the population was “gradually getting bigger and bigger,” leading to widespread chronic illness. In an interview with the PA Media news agency, she said she had “serious concerns” about “quite a lot of people” buying weight-loss drugs privately, as “some of these places are not fully regulated”. The demand was in part being driven by very long waits for weight-loss support, she added, calling on the government to adequately fund services. “If you’re faced with a two-year waiting time and you want to lose weight now, and you know that there is a way that you can lose weight, you know that drug works because nobody’s denying that they don’t work, you might well decide that you’re going to just sort it out yourself,” Hawthorne said. “I would definitely suggest that you come and talk to your doctor or practice nurse about what you’re intending to do and let them help you,” she said. “Please don’t go off and buy a [weight-loss injection] unless it is under the supervision of a medically qualified doctor.” A recent Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) report revealed some patients were having to wait for up to five years for specialist support, while some services are so overstretched that they have closed their waiting lists entirely. Katharine Jenner, the OHA’s director, told PA Media the drugs “offer hope of tangible improvements in the lives of people with severe, chronic obesity”, but they were “only safe and effective for those for whom they are medically appropriate, as prescribed by a legitimate prescriber, and are not a long-term solution for the millions of people living with obesity”. An NHS rollout of the so-called “King Kong” of weight-loss jabs, Mounjaro, is scheduled to take 12 years. An estimated 220,000 people could benefit from the drug in the first three years, out of about 3.4 million people estimated to be eligible, with those at highest need prioritised. The latest Health Survey for England shows 64% of adults were overweight or obese in 2022.
By JUAN A. LOZANO, Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — An elaborate parody appears to be behind an effort to resurrect Enron, the Houston-based energy company that exemplified the worst in American corporate fraud and greed after it went bankrupt in 2001. If its return is comedic, some former employees who lost everything in Enron’s collapse aren’t laughing. “It’s a pretty sick joke and it disparages the people that did work there. And why would you want to even bring it back up again?” said former Enron employee Diana Peters, who represented workers in the company’s bankruptcy proceedings. Here’s what to know about the history of Enron and the purported effort to bring it back. Once the nation’s seventh-largest company, Enron filed for bankruptcy protection on Dec. 2, 2001, after years of accounting tricks could no longer hide billions of dollars in debt or make failing ventures appear profitable. The energy company’s collapse put more than 5,000 people out of work, wiped out more than $2 billion in employee pensions and rendered $60 billion in Enron stock worthless. Its aftershocks were felt throughout the energy sector. Twenty-four Enron executives , including former CEO Jeffrey Skilling , were eventually convicted for their roles in the fraud. Enron founder Ken Lay’s convictions were vacated after he died of heart disease following his 2006 trial. On Monday — the 23rd anniversary of the bankruptcy filing — a company representing itself as Enron announced in a news release that it was relaunching as a “company dedicated to solving the global energy crisis.” It also posted a video on social media, advertised on at least one Houston billboard and a took out a full-page ad in the Houston Chronicle In the minute-long video that was full of generic corporate jargon, the company talks about “growth” and “rebirth.” It ends with the words, “We’re back. Can we talk?” Enron’s new website features a company store, where various items featuring the brand’s tilted “E” logo are for sale, including a $118 hoodie. In an email, company spokesperson Will Chabot said the new Enron was not doing any interviews yet, but that “We’ll have more to share soon.” Signs point to the comeback being a joke. In the “terms of use and conditions of sale” on the company’s website, it says “the information on the website about Enron is First Amendment protected parody, represents performance art, and is for entertainment purposes only.” Documents filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office show that College Company, an Arkansas-based LLC, owns the Enron trademark. The co-founder of College Company is Connor Gaydos, who helped create a joke conspiracy theory that claims all birds are actually surveillance drones for the government. Peters said that since learning about the “relaunch” of Enron, she has spoken with several other former employees and they are also upset by it. She said the apparent stunt was “in poor taste.” “If it’s a joke, it’s rude, extremely rude. And I hope that they realize it and apologize to all of the Enron employees,” Peters said. Peters, who is 74 years old, said she is still working in information technology because “I lost everything in Enron, and so my Social Security doesn’t always take care of things I need done.” “Enron’s downfall taught us critical lessons about corporate ethics, accountability, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Enron’s legacy was the employees in the trenches. Leave Enron buried,” she said. Follow Juan A. Lozano on X at https://x.com/juanlozano70Ousted Syrian leader Assad in Moscow and given asylum, Russian state news agencies sayDETROIT — China will soon see a massive expansion of electric vehicle battery swapping, as global battery maker CATL said Wednesday it is investing heavily in stations there next year. Battery swapping is not new — but it's had a challenging journey. Adoption of electric vehicles has varied in regions across the globe over the past several years, and that doesn't always bode well for building new infrastructure. While the technology could do well in China, it's uncertain whether it could work in other countries. What is battery swapping? Battery swapping allows EV drivers to pull into a station on a low battery and receive a swapped, fully-charged battery within minutes. An EV has to be equipped with the right technology to receive a swap — and not many models around the world currently have it. Automakers have to buy into the idea, and EV adoption among consumers also has to grow, so that investing in new infrastructure seems worthwhile. Consumers also have to be comfortable not owning their battery. Why could it work in China? China is much further along in adopting EVs than other countries. Not only is it the world's largest auto market, but in July, the country hit a milestone with 50% of new sales electric — and it accounts for most of this year's global EV sales. China supports EV growth through government subsidies and mandates. So it makes more sense for companies to invest in unique EV infrastructure there because that's more likely to be needed. What other attempts at battery swapping have occurred? The most notable example might be Israeli startup Better Place, which tried its hand at swapping in 2007. But the company shut down a few years later after investing a lot of money and coming up against roadblocks with logistics. EV adoption was especially low at the time. Could it work in the United States? Europe? Startup Ample, for example, has a modular battery swapping station that it says can complete a swap in 5 minutes. That’s important as charging time remains a point of concern for prospective EV buyers. Even the fastest fast chargers could take at least 15 minutes for a decent charge. But in the U.S., pure EVs only accounted for 8% of new vehicle sales as of November. Meanwhile Nio, a rival Chinese EV brand, has about 60 swap stations in northern Europe, and the EV adoption is higher there than the U.S., but the same challenges remain. Different automakers put different batteries in their various EV models, so a station would need all of those available if the industry didn't agree to a standardized battery, and not all of those models are out yet in volume. This is something that really needs scale. Swapping could help with EV cost — currently a barrier to adoption for many — because a driver wouldn’t necessarily own the most expensive part of an EV: the battery. Greg Less, director of the University of Michigan Battery Lab, said with proper framing and education, people might like the idea of battery swapping. To him, it's not unlike buying a propane-fueled grill and purchasing a refilled tank every so often. But it would require a rethinking of car ownership. "Where I could see it working is if we went entirely away from vehicle ownership and we went to a use-on-demand model," Less added. “I don’t think we’re there yet.” What vehicle uses might be best for swapping? Battery swapping might make most sense for ride-sharing or other fleet vehicles. Drivers of buses, taxis, Uber or Lyft vehicles want to spend as much time on the road as possible, transporting customers and making money. If battery swapping can shorten the time needed to charge EVs, that makes driving one less disruptive to their business. ___ Alexa St. John is an Associated Press climate solutions reporter. Follow her on X: @alexa_stjohn . Reach her at ast.john@ap.org .
Matt Gaetz Says He Won't Return to Congress Next Year After Withdrawing Name for Attorney General
Finland beats US 4-3 in OT in world junior hockey; Canada rebounds from loss to top Germany 3-0A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in a few short months, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied TikTok's petition to overturn the law — which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — and rebuffed the company's challenge of the statute, which it argued had ran afoul of the First Amendment. “The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States,” said the court's opinion, which was written by Judge Douglas Ginsburg. “Here the Government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary’s ability to gather data on people in the United States.” TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court, though its unclear whether the court will take up the case. “The Supreme Court has an established historical record of protecting Americans’ right to free speech, and we expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue," TikTok spokesperson Michael Hughes said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the TikTok ban was conceived and pushed through based upon inaccurate, flawed and hypothetical information, resulting in outright censorship of the American people,” Hughes said. Unless stopped, he argued the statute “will silence the voices of over 170 million Americans here in the US and around the world on January 19th, 2025.” Though the case is squarely in the court system, its also possible the two companies might be thrown some sort of a lifeline by President-elect Donald Trump, who tried to ban TikTok during his first term but said during the presidential campaign that he is now against such action . The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, was the culmination of a years-long saga in Washington over the short-form video-sharing app, which the government sees as a national security threat due to its connections to China. “Today’s decision is an important step in blocking the Chinese government from weaponizing TikTok to collect sensitive information about millions of Americans, to covertly manipulate the content delivered to American audiences, and to undermine our national security,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement Friday. The U.S. has said it’s concerned about TikTok collecting vast swaths of user data, including sensitive information on viewing habits , that could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion. Officials have also warned the proprietary algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way that’s difficult to detect — a concern mirrored by the European Union on Friday as it scrutinizes the video-sharing app’s role in the Romanian elections. TikTok, which sued the government over the law in May, has long denied it could be used by Beijing to spy on or manipulate Americans. Its attorneys have accurately pointed out that the U.S. hasn’t provided evidence to show that the company handed over user data to the Chinese government, or manipulated content for Beijing’s benefit in the U.S. They have also argued the law is predicated on future risks, which the Department of Justice has emphasized pointing in part to unspecified action it claims the two companies have taken in the past due to demands from the Chinese government. Friday’s ruling came after the appeals court panel, composed of two Republican and one Democrat appointed judges, heard oral arguments in September. In the hearing, which lasted more than two hours, the panel appeared to grapple with how TikTok’s foreign ownership affects its rights under the Constitution and how far the government could go to curtail potential influence from abroad on a foreign-owned platform. On Friday, all three of them denied TikTok’s petition. In the court's ruling, Ginsburg, a Republican appointee, rejected TikTok's main legal arguments against the law, including that the statute was an unlawful bill of attainder or a taking of property in violation of the Fifth Amendment. He also said the law did not violate the First Amendment because the government is not looking to "suppress content or require a certain mix of content” on TikTok. “Content on the platform could in principle remain unchanged after divestiture, and people in the United States would remain free to read and share as much PRC propaganda (or any other content) as they desire on TikTok or any other platform of their choosing,” Ginsburg wrote, using the abbreviation for the People’s Republic of China. Judge Sri Srinivasan, the chief judge on the court, issued a concurring opinion. TikTok’s lawsuit was consolidated with a second legal challenge brought by several content creators - for which the company is covering legal costs - as well as a third one filed on behalf of conservative creators who work with a nonprofit called BASED Politics Inc. Other organizations, including the Knight First Amendment Institute, had also filed amicus briefs supporting TikTok. “This is a deeply misguided ruling that reads important First Amendment precedents too narrowly and gives the government sweeping power to restrict Americans’ access to information, ideas, and media from abroad,” said Jameel Jaffer, the executive director of the organization. “We hope that the appeals court’s ruling won’t be the last word.” Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, lawmakers who had pushed for the legislation celebrated the court's ruling. "I am optimistic that President Trump will facilitate an American takeover of TikTok to allow its continued use in the United States and I look forward to welcoming the app in America under new ownership,” said Republican Rep. John Moolenaar of Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on China. Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who co-authored the law, said “it's time for ByteDance to accept” the law. To assuage concerns about the company’s owners, TikTok says it has invested more than $2 billion to bolster protections around U.S. user data. The company has also argued the government’s broader concerns could have been resolved in a draft agreement it provided the Biden administration more than two years ago during talks between the two sides. It has blamed the government for walking away from further negotiations on the agreement, which the Justice Department argues is insufficient. Attorneys for the two companies have claimed it’s impossible to divest the platform commercially and technologically. They also say any sale of TikTok without the coveted algorithm - the platform’s secret sauce that Chinese authorities would likely block under any divesture plan - would turn the U.S. version of TikTok into an island disconnected from other global content. Still, some investors, including Trump’s former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and billionaire Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in purchasing the platform. Both men said earlier this year that they were launching a consortium to purchase TikTok’s U.S. business. This week, a spokesperson for McCourt’s Project Liberty initiative, which aims to protect online privacy, said unnamed participants in their bid have made informal commitments of more than $20 billion in capital.Wexford teen avoids jail after gang attack on male he believed had molested girl
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Over the past two seasons, Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon has hit at an All-Star level . But that statement should come with an asterisk. Because in each of those seasons, McMahon would consistently endure a second-half slump. His production fell off a cliff once the Midsummer Classic passed. Since Nolan Arenado was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals , McMahon has played excellent defense at the hot corner. With the offensive production he has shown at times, McMahon has a high ceiling. But in 2025, he has to work on putting a full season together at the plate. Ryan McMahon First-Half/Second-Half Splits 2023-24 When McMahon plays at his best, he is a solid anchor for the Rockies’ lineup, which is full of young players who sorely need that production from McMahon. Center fielder Brenton Doyle , shortstop Ezequiel Tovar , and outfielder Nolan Jones are forming a solid, young core in Colorado. If McMahon can put together a full season offensively, the Rockies now have enough weapons around him on paper to be dangerous. Below are the first-half/second-half splits for McMahon during 2023-24. 2023 First Half 88 games .260/.341/.471 20 doubles 14 home runs 45 RBI 2023 Second Half 64 games .211/.297/.375 11 doubles nine home runs 25 RBI 2024 First Half 95 games .272/.350/.447 21 doubles 14 home runs 45 RBI 2024 Second Half 58 games .188/.283/.309 seven doubles six home runs 20 RBI In both seasons, McMahon saw a steep drop-off in almost every offensive category. His stellar 2024 first-half performance earned him his first career All-Star appearance. He ranked near the top in several offensive categories among National League third basemen. He was taking full advantage of Coors Field, using its spacious outfield and high altitude to the tune of 14 home runs and 45 RBI. But his second-half drop-off was even more pronounced than in 2023. His production vanished from the Rockies lineup. As a hitter who already ranks near the bottom of the league in whiff % and K% per Statcast , McMahon can’t afford the drop in production. Possible Reasons for Second-Half Slump McMahon will be entering his ninth season in Major League Baseball in 2025, which provides plenty of sample size. The 30-year-old has spent his entire career in Colorado. McMahon is an extraordinarily durable player, playing in at least 151 games in each of the last four seasons. He truly is the Rockies everyday third baseman. He is always a top-tier defender, finishing as a Gold Glove finalist in 2024. However, the drastic ball movement difference in Colorado compared to other ballparks can make it very difficult for Colorado hitters. But McMahon was fairly even in his performances at home and away in 2024. He finished with 16 doubles and 11 home runs on the road compared to 12 and nine at home in 2024, respectively. If McMahon replicates his 2024 performance on the road, that will not be the main reason for another second-half slump. Instead, where the Rockies are in the standings could play a big factor. The Rockies were nowhere near contention by the All-Star break the last two seasons. Since they are rebuilding, the second half was devoted to getting younger players as much development as possible. But McMahon plays every day, no matter what. Perhaps being surrounded by young, unproven players in the second half allowed opposing pitchers to focus more on him. Outlook for McMahon Moving Forward Ryan McMahon, during his career, has been an average hitter with a high ceiling and an elite defender. He has hit .243/.324/.422 with a career WAR of 15.0 over his eight seasons. In 2024, he hit .242/.325/.397. Perhaps the second-half slump is inevitable, and McMahon will continue to regress towards the mean after above-average first halves offensively. But in 2022, he hit .246/.306/.459 with 13 home runs and 26 RBI in the second half compared to .246/.341/.382 with seven home runs and 41 RBI in the first half. While he never put up earth-shattering numbers, he gave the Rockies consistent, solid production all season. If he can do that in 2025, supplementing the young emerging stars in the Rockies lineup, it could do wonders for the overall outlook for McMahon and the Rockies offense. This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.End of Clean Car discount, road user charges see EV sales declineMaybe 15 minutes before the Wild hosted and defeated the Nashville Predators on Saturday, general manager Bill Guerin took a few minutes to talk to the media about his first noteworthy acquisition of the season—the trade with Columbus, which will bring David Jiricek to the State of Hockey in the first few days of December. ADVERTISEMENT Maybe it’s just the pessimistic nature of a fanbase that hasn’t seen a men’s professional team play for a championship in more than three decades, but the grumbling had begun even before the collected media had reached the press box for Saturday’s game. “Seems like a lot to pay for a minor-leaguer,” was one of the comments overheard at the rink on Saturday. Indeed, to get Jiricek – the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft – and a lower-round pick, Guerin surrendered defenseman Daemon Hunt and four draft picks, including Minnesota’s 2025 first-rounder and a second round pick in 2027. He wasted no time in getting an up-close look at the new guy, calling Jiricek up to the NHL level on Sunday, and sending former Gophers forward Travis Boyd back down to Iowa. Guerin and Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell are old friends from their time working together with the Pittsburgh Penguins. But there was no discount offered from Waddell to his old pal in Minnesota. “It took awhile. Donny,” Guerin said with an exasperated grin. “He played with me. He’s one of my old mentors. He made me work for it. He’s the best.” ADVERTISEMENT Still, Guerin would not have pulled the trigger had he not believed in two things: 1) The Wild can turn all of Jiricek’s size (6-foot-4) and potential into another piece of their bright future on the blue line. 2) The price they paid was not as steep as it might look on the surface. To that second point, consider that Hunt was not really part of the Wild’s NHL-level defensive picture, even at a time like this when Jonas Brodin’s long-term viability is a serious question mark. And after getting two points with an overtime win over the Predators on Saturday, the Wild were tied for the most points in the NHL, meaning that at this pace, that 2025 first-round draft pick is going to come in the 25th spot or later. If the Wild go into a tailspin this season, the pick sent to Columbus is lottery protected, meaning the Blue Jackets will not get to pick in the top 10 at the Wild’s expense. ADVERTISEMENT To the first point, Jiricek is a player Guerin and his assistants have had their eye on for some time, even before he was named the top defenseman in the tournament while playing for Czechia in the 2023 World Juniors. “He’s not 30, he’s not a rental. He’s a 21-year-old defenseman that we can invest in. And we did. That’s how I look at it. It’s an investment,” Guerin said. In 2022, the Wild grabbed Liam Ohgren with the 19th overall pick, more than a dozen selections after Jiricek was picked by Columbus and was posing for pictures in a new red-white-and-blue sweater. ADVERTISEMENT “He was somebody that we really liked (during) his draft year. We knew we weren’t going to get him, but we liked him,” Guerin said. “And, you know, when this became available, I did my due diligence and asked our staff what they thought. They were all on board with it. So it’s good.” Perhaps in hopes of getting the fans on board, Guerin also stressed patience. Jiricek has not yet been a star in the NHL, despite his high draft stock. But the Wild are confident that their system of developing players — especially defensemen — is the change the new guy needs. “He’s a young player. He’s got a lot to learn. He’s going to continue to improve, just like all young players,” Guerin said, name-dropping two youthful every-night members of the Wild roster who still have ample room to grow. “Brock Faber’s got to get better. Matt Boldy’s still going to get better. All these guys are going to continue to improve because they’re so young. So just because they’re in the NHL doesn’t mean they’re not going to develop their game and get better. That’s our job as the coaches, management. That’s our job to help him get better.” If he has to spend some future draft capital to put those pieces in place, that is clearly a chance Guerin is willing to take. ADVERTISEMENT ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .
Capitals, finding their way without Alex Ovechkin, tangle with Devils
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( ) stock rocketed higher late Tuesday after the enterprise data storage company reported third-quarter earnings and sales that beat expectations. The company also said it had won a "design win" with a top-four hyperscale cloud provider for its DirectFlash data storage technology. Pure Storage said in a news release that it earned an adjusted 50 cents per share on sales of $831 million for its quarter that ended Nov. 3. Analysts polled by FactSet projected the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company would post adjusted earnings of 41 cents per share on sales of $815 million. For the same period a year earlier, Pure Storage posted adjusted earnings of 50 cents per share on sales of $763 million. For the current quarter, Pure Storage guided for sales of $867 million. Analysts were previously projecting $856 million January ending quarter, according to FactSet. The company now expects fiscal year sales of $3.15 billion, up from guidance for $3 billion it gave in August. On the , Pure Storage stock rallied more than 23% to 65.93 in after-hours action. Cloud Hyperscale Design Win Along with posting better-than-expected results, Pure Storage stock is likely being helped by announcing what it called a design win with a top-four hyperscaler. Pure Storage did not name the company in its press release, but the term is typically applied to tech giants ( ), ( ), ( ) and ( ). "Pure Storage has achieved another industry first in our journey of data storage innovation with a transformational design win for our DirectFlash technology in a top-four hyperscaler," CEO . "This win is the vanguard for Pure Flash technology to become the standard for all hyperscaler online storage, providing unparalleled performance and scalability while also reducing operating costs and power consumption." Pure Storage at an analyst presentation in June. Analysts viewed the news at the time as a positive step for the flash storage technology that Pure Storage offers. Hyperscalers typically rely on traditional hard disk storage. Pure Storage Stock Up 53% This Year Prior to earnings, Pure Storage gained 1% in Tuesday trading. Shares have gained 53% this year but are down about 12% since Pure Storage last reported earnings in late August. The company lowered its annual guidance for subscription-as-a-service contracts . Before that, Pure Storage stock was gaining momentum as a potential AI play on the increased needs for data storage. Coming into the report, Pure Storage stock had an IBD Composite Rating of 70 out of 99, according to . The score combines five separate proprietary ratings into one rating. The best growth stocks have a Composite Rating of 90 or better.Trimmers are essential grooming tools that help maintain a polished and confident appearance. With advancements in technology, modern trimmers offer convenience, precision, and versatility. This guide explores some of the top trimmers designed to meet various grooming needs. 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WINSTON 4 in 1 Bikini & Body Trimmer with Free Aloe Toner Image Credit: Marvelof.com Order Now The WINSTON 4 in 1 Bikini & Body Trimmer is a comprehensive grooming solution tailored for women. With its multiple functionalities and a free aloe toner, it ensures smooth and irritation-free grooming for sensitive areas. Key Features: -Four attachments for versatile grooming needs -Gentle and precise trimming for sensitive skin -Ergonomic design for comfortable usage -Cordless operation with rechargeable battery -Comes with a soothing aloe toner for post-grooming care -May not be ideal for heavy-duty trimming tasks. 4. Groomiist CS-42 IPX6 Waterproof Corded & Cordless Beard Trimmer Image Credit: Marvelof.com Order Now The Groomiist CS-42 is a robust and versatile trimmer designed to deliver consistent performance. Its waterproof build and dual functionality make it a convenient tool for both dry and wet grooming sessions. Key Features: -IPX6 waterproof design for hassle-free cleaning -Corded and cordless operation for flexibility -High-performance motor for precise trimming -Multiple length settings for various grooming styles -Long battery life with fast charging capability -Slightly bulkier compared to other compact models. Conclusion: A good trimmer is an essential tool for maintaining a neat and confident appearance, whether for everyday grooming or special occasions. The products mentioned in this article offer a variety of features tailored to different needs, ensuring comfort, precision, and convenience. From skin-friendly designs to versatile attachments and long-lasting performance, these trimmers cater to diverse preferences. Selecting the right trimmer can simplify your grooming routine while helping you achieve a polished look effortlessly. Explore these options and find the one that suits your requirements best, ensuring you always put your best self forward. Disclaimer: Above mentioned article is a sponsored feature. This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of IDPL, and IDPL claims no responsibility whatsoever. Stay informed on all the latest news , real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world News on Zee News.None
This article will detail the F-15C its aging issues and its chosen replacement, the F-15EX. The latter is the newest iteration in the F-15 family of aircraft, and it is considerably more advanced than its predecessor. While the replacement process will be somewhat lengthy, it is ultimately needed as the F-15C performs a central role in the defense of both Japan and other regional allies in Asia. A look back at the early development of the F-15 The F-15 was born out of the competition that took place during the Cold War. Both Soviet Russia and the United States were in a high-stakes race to outperform the other in terms of technological advancement, and this spanned the entirety of military weapons and equipment. One of the most visible areas of this competition was in the continual development and production of ever more capable and lethal aircraft, particularly fighters. A key moment that really pushed the F-15 into development was the Mig-25 Foxbat. This aircraft had a large airframe, two powerful engines and what was believed to be a top speed of Mach 2. The Cold War was all about competition, for the first time this included competing for dominance in space. ...seventy-five percent of this fleet has exceeded their 9,000-hour certified lifespan. In response, the USAF put out a request for proposals to major aerospace companies for a single-seat fighter. The request stipulated that the aircraft have a maximum take-off weight of 40,000 lbs. For its air-to-air role, the aircraft should have a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 and thrust-to-weight ratio of nearly 1:1 at mission weight. By 1969, McDonnell Douglas won the contract with an order for 20 units, the first flight and testing began in 1972. The F-15 C and Ds have served well, however issues remain Initial rate production and entry into service for the F-15A/B models occurred between 1974 and 1979. This would begin the phasing out of the, by now, aging and battle-tested F-4 Phantoms , which entered into service in 1960 with the US Navy. Hot on the heels of the A and B models were the upgraded C and D models, which began replacing their predecessors in 1979. The F-15C/Ds offered superior maneuverability, acceleration, operating range, weapons stowage and avionics. Additionally, the C and D models incorporated internal Electronic Warfare capabilities and an additional 2,000 lbs. of internal fuel capacity. By now, after 45 years of service with the USAF, with most aircraft in this fleet, on average, 38 years old, the C and D models have become structurally exhausted, resulting in speed restrictions. In fact, seventy-five percent of this fleet has exceeded their 9,000-hour certified lifespan. As a result, the USAF has determined that the Service Live Extension Program is not cost-effective, and its reducing modifications to only 63 airframes through FY2024. As a response to the aging F-15C/D models was their full replacement by the F-22 , beginning in the mid-2000s. However, in 2010, then Secretary Robert Gates halted the F-22 production before half of the production goal was met. The move to begin drawing down the F-15Cs from their forward base in Japan came with raised eyebrows... Recent developments amid the drawdown of F-15Cs commences from Kadena Air Base, Japan Some of the biggest news regarding the fleet of F-15Cs is their departure from Kadena Air Base in Japan, which began in 2022. As part of the drawdown, a four-ship formation of F-15Cs departed the air base in August 2024, signifying a milestone in the replacement of this aircraft in the Asia theater of operations. One of the F-15Cs that left Kadena was disassembled, this is presumably due to is airframe being so structurally degraded that it could not be flown across the Pacific. Despite the advent of the 5th Generation multirole F-35, the 4th Generation F-15E is still going strong in air-to-air and air-to-ground combat alike. The move to begin drawing down the F-15Cs from their forward base in Japan came with raised eyebrows, as the USAF didn’t have an immediate replacement ready to fill the void. This lack of permanently stationed aircraft could be seen as creating an operational weak spot in the regional combat airpower. However, as a stopgap solution, the USAF has been rotating F-15Es, F-16s, F-35s, and F-22s through Okinawa to make up for the reduction in F-15Cs. The Specifications of the F-15C The current inventory of the F-15C stands at 211 units. This aircraft has a wingspan of 43.8 ft., a length of 63.8 ft., and its height is 18.7 ft. In order to get airborne, the F-15C is powered by two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 turbofan engines with afterburners, each producing 23,450 lbs. The USAF plans on an initial first lot of F-15EXs to include 98 units... All of this power gives the F-15C the ability to achieve speeds of Mach 2.5 and a range of 2,878 miles, this can be extended to 3,450 miles with conformal fuel tanks and three external tanks. Finally, the ceiling is an impressive 60,000 feet. Details provided by Air & Space Forces Magazine According to the USAF the F-15Cs armament is as follows: "One internally mounted M-61A1 20-mm, six-barrel cannon with 940 rounds of ammunition; four AIM-9 Sidewinder and four AIM-120 AMRAAMs or eight AIM-120 AMRAAMs, carried externally.” Why replacing the F-15C is going to be a challenge The largest challenge to replacing the F-15C is its sheer numbers, but as we have already seen it needs a replacement due to its age and structural issues. In lieu of the F-22, the USAF has decided to make the F-15EX its replacement. The F-15EX production is expedited to meet increasing demand. Boeing's deliveries suggest potential overlaps between military and commercial contracts The USAF plans on an initial first lot of F-15EXs to include 98 units, with a total of approximately 200 units when the replenishment program is concluded. While this is a laudable plan, and one that is sorely needed, it will take time, and that will be measured in years, possibly many years. Each F-15 EX will cost $93.95 million While the replacement process will be a long, the F-15 EX will be an incredible addition to the USAF fleet. This aircraft will be capable of carrying 30,000 lbs. of munitions. This could include 22 air-to-air missiles with its new AMBER missile racks and a seventy percent parts commonality with existing F-15s. Additionally as reported by Air & Space Forces Magazine : “The new airplanes would have a substantially more powerful mission computer, new cockpit displays, a digital backbone, and the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System...an electronic warfare and threat identification system.” The future F-15(EX) fleet As we have seen, the current fleet of F-15s is aging and continuing to push their airframes through more flying hours is untenable. Their worn-out airframes reduce their flight capabilities and will become dangerous to operate in the near future. The USAF has decided that the F-15EX is the future of the fleet, it is both advanced and capable of carrying a substantial payload that will make it a force to be reckoned with in any future fight. While it will take many years to get all the necessary F-15EXs into the fleet, the time spend will be worth it, when its great capabilities are on standby awaiting a threat to the US or its allied partners.Enerpac Tool Group Schedules First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Earnings Release and Conference Call
NoneDeclassified files show the note to former MP John Spellar also said the republican party had ignored the “visceral component of sectarianism” in responding to a new government good relations strategy. Mr Spellar, then a Northern Ireland Office minister, had launched a consultation on the “A Shared Future” document, an attempt to address community divisions, segregation and sectarianism in the region at a time when the devolved powersharing institutions were suspended. A file at the Public Record Office in Belfast shows that OFMDFM official Chris Stewart wrote to the minister in July about a response to the document from Sinn Fein representative Bairbre de Brun. Mr Stewart told Mr Spellar that Ms de Brun’s letter had been critical of the document and was clearly intended to “mark your card”. He said among a number of points raised by de Brun was that “the promotion of equality is the key to improving community relations”. His memo adds: “Sinn Fein is clearly seeking to position or align the issue of community relations within its equality and human rights agenda. “This general Sinn Fein position has resulted in a simplistic analysis of community relations, which is flawed in its description of the causes and necessary policy response. “There is of course, no doubt that a lack of equality has been a contributing factor to poor community relations. “However, Sinn Fein ignores the many other factors, not least the violent conflict that resulted in over 3,000 deaths. “Sinn Fein also portrays poor community relations (for nationalists) as being a purely rational response to the political situation. “This ignores the more visceral component of sectarianism, which is all too prevalent in both communities.” Mr Stewart continues: “To suggest, as Sinn Fein does, that the promotion of equality should be the key component of good relations policy is to ignore the key message in A Shared Future, that indirect approaches alone are insufficient to deal with sectarianism and the abnormal relationship between sections of the Northern Ireland community.” The official recommended the minister invite representatives of Sinn Fein to a meeting to discuss the policy. The file also contains a note about Mr Spellar’s meeting with DUP representatives Maurice Morrow and Peter Weir the following month to discuss the document. The note says: “Morrow said he had no problem with sharing the future and suggested that the first step to that would be an election to decide who spoke for whom – though he was quick to say he didn’t want politics to dominate the meeting.” It adds: “Weir said that the biggest step towards improving community relations would be the creation of a political environment that had the broad support of both unionism and nationalism, and the GFA (Good Friday Agreement) could not create that environment.”LONDON (AP) — Half a century of rule by the Assad family in Syria crumbled with astonishing speed after insurgents burst out of a rebel-held enclave and converged on the capital, Damascus, taking city after city in a matter of days. Opposition forces swept across the country and entered Damascus with little or no resistance as the Syrian army melted away. President Bashar Assad, Syria’s ruler for 24 years — succeeding his father, Hafez Assad — fled the country. Russian state media reported that he was in Moscow. It’s a stunning development in Syria’s devastating 13-year conflict . Anti-government protests in 2011 met with a brutal crackdown, escalating into a civil war that has killed more than half a million people and displaced half of Syria’s prewar population of 23 million. Assad, backed by Iran and Russia, gradually regained control of more than two-thirds of Syria, leaving the rebels with one stronghold in the northwest of the country. And there the conflict remained, largely frozen, for years until late November. Here’s a look at a seismic two weeks for the Middle East. Armed opposition groups launch a large-scale attack on areas controlled by government forces in northwestern Syria and claim to have wrested control of over 15 villages from government forces in northwestern Aleppo province. The government and its allies respond with airstrikes and shelling in an attempt to halt the insurgent advances. The offensive is led by the jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. Formerly the Syrian branch of al-Qaida and known as the Nusra Front, HTS later distanced itself from al-Qaida, seeking to market itself as a more moderate group. It is classed as a terrorist group by the United Nations and the U.S. The attack on Aleppo follows weeks of simmering low-level violence, including government attacks on opposition-held areas. Turkey, a main backer of Syrian opposition groups , says the rebels began a limited offensive to stop the attacks, but it expanded as government forces began to retreat. The offensive expands to reach the countryside of Idlib province amid reports government troops are retreating. The insurgents enter Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, for the first time since they were pushed out in 2016 after a grueling military campaign by Syrian government forces backed by Russia and Iran. They meet with little resistance. The rebels say they control Aleppo, raising a flag over the city’s citadel and occupying the international airport. The Syrian armed forces claim to have redeployed troops and equipment in preparation for a counterattack. By evening, the insurgents have seized at least four towns in the central Hama province and claim to have entered the provincial capital. The Syrian military launches a counterattack with troops and airstrikes on Idlib and Aleppo. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visits Damascus, telling Assad that Tehran will support the counteroffensive. But Assad receives little, if any, help from his allies. Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine , and Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular airstrikes. Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad’s forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. The insurgents push south, advancing to within 10 kilometers (6 miles) of Hama, the country’s fourth-largest city and a key crossroads in central Syria, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Damascus. State media reports fierce fighting in the province, and both state media and a U.K.-based observer group say government forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, have recaptured some territory . Turkey urges Assad to hold talks with the opposition . After several days of fighting the rebels sweep into Hama . Dozens of jubilant fighters are seen firing into the air in celebration in Assi Square, the site of massive anti-government protests in the early days of the uprising in 2011. The Syrian army says it has redeployed to positions outside the city to protect civilians. Rapidly advancing now, the rebels seize two towns on the outskirts of Homs , Syria’s third-largest city. About 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Hama, Homs is the gateway to Damascus and the location of one of Syria’s two state-owned oil refineries. Capturing it would cut the link between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support. The government denies reports that its military has withdrawn from the city. Top diplomats from countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Iran and Russia, hold talks on Syria in the Qatari capital, Doha. Opposition forces take Homs after government forces abandon it. The insurgents say they have encircled Damascus and are carrying out the “final stage” of their offensive. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition,” as Syrian state media denies Assad has fled the country. Syrian state television airs a video statement by a group of men saying that President Bashar Assad has been overthrown and all prisoners have been set free. HTS commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani visits the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus and calls Assad’s fall a victory for “the Islamic nation.” Russian officials and Iranian state TV say Assad has left Syria. Russian state news agencies later report he and his family are in Moscow and were granted asylum. Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali says Syria's government is ready to “extend its hand” to the opposition and hand over its functions to a transitional government.
Coleen Rooney set to be new queen of daytime TV with HUGE pay deal after I’m A Celebrity final