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Lawyers for a voting machine company that’s suing Fox News want to question founder Rupert Murdoch about his contentious efforts to change his family trust , the attorneys told a court Monday. Election-tech company Smartmatic's $2.7 billion defamation suit regards Fox's reporting on 2020 voting fraud claims. But Smartmatic’s attorneys suggest the separate succession fight over Murdoch's media empire might shed light on any Fox Corp. involvement in editorial matters. It's an important, if technical, question as Smartmatic seeks to hold the deep-pocketed Fox parent company responsible for statements that the news network aired. Fox contends that there's no such liability and that it was engaging in journalism, not defamation, when it broadcast election-fraud allegations made by then-President Donald Trump 's attorneys. Rupert Murdoch may already have given a deposition — out-of-court questioning under oath — in the defamation suit. Such records aren't public at this stage, but plans for his deposition were briefly mentioned at a 2022 hearing. Smartmatic now is seeking to talk to Murdoch about his efforts to rewrite his plans for his businesses after his death. The matter is playing out behind closed doors and in sealed files in a Nevada probate court. The New York Times has reported that Rupert Murdoch wants to keep his eldest son, Lachlan , in charge of the conglomerate's newspapers and television networks in order to ensure a continued conservative editorial outlook . Smartmatic wants to get the 93-year-old patriarch on record while the probate matter plays out, company attorney Edward Wipper told a judge Monday. Fox News lawyer K. Winn Allen said the probate case “has nothing at all to do with” Smartmatic's claims and is “not appropriate” fodder for the suit. Fox Corp. declined to comment after court. Fox News' lawyers, meanwhile, want Smartmatic to provide records about a U.S. federal criminal case against people, including Smartmatic co-founder Roger Piñate, accused of scheming to bribe a Filipino election official . Piñate has pleaded not guilty. Smartmatic isn't charged in the criminal case, and Smartmatic attorneys have said the matter was irrelevant to the defamation suit. Fox lost prior bids for a court order to get the information, but a hearing on the network's renewed request is set next week. It's unclear how soon Judge David B. Cohen will decide on that request or on Smartmatic's bid to dig into the Murdoch family trust case. Both requests are part of pretrial information-gathering, and no trial date has been set. Smartmatic says it was a small player, working only with California's heavily Democratic Los Angeles County, in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. In subsequent Fox News appearances, Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell portrayed Smartmatic as part of a multi-state scheme to steal the vote from the Republican. Federal and state election officials , exhaustive reviews in battleground states and Trump’s own attorney general found no widespread fraud that could have changed the outcome of the 2020 election. Nor did they uncover any credible evidence that the vote was tainted. Dozens of courts, including by judges whom Trump had appointed, rejected his fraud claims. Fox News ultimately aired an interview with an election technology expert who refuted the allegations against Smartmatic — an interview done after the company demanded a retraction . The network is countersuing Smartmatic , claiming it violated a New York law against baseless suits aimed at squelching reporting or criticism on public issues. The New York defamation suit is one of several stemming from conservative-oriented news outlets' reports on Trump’s 2020 vote-rigging claims. Smartmatic recently settled with One America News Network and Newsmax . Fox News settled for $787 million last year with Dominion Voting Systems, another election-technology company that sued over conspiracy theories blaming its election equipment for Trump’s 2020 loss.Small fish, pig Pond: Lakers excited for tougher waters in Central Lakes Conference
BUFFALO, N.Y. — On average, 15 plows per year have been hit by vehicles along the New York State Thruway. “Just be courteous, pay attention [and] keep alert," said Thruway Authority Buffalo District Director Matthew Latko. Nevertheless, Latko and company have been gearing up for the inevitable lake-effect snow. "We're going to have staff on and we're going to be ready,” said Latko. “Wherever it hits, we'll be ready for it." New measures are in place this year to avoid incidents, like bright green lights added to 250 of the authority's heavy-duty rigs. "They'll only be on when they'll be plowing or spreading salt," he said. "The green light is used to enhance visibility to the plow trucks during low lighting conditions or snowy extreme weather." They are also piloting an 'iCone' program that will let drivers be more reliant on their screens to help bring down contact. "It'll send a signal, this will be on our trucks that are along the 190," Latko remarked on the pilot program. "If you have on your Google app, driving app or if you have Waze on, it'll let you know that there is a plow truck up ahead." Every winter, the message is repeated ad nauseam, but becomes no less paramount. "The safest place to be is behind the trucks, a safe distance back. The public should keep in mind our trucks will only go 35 mph. They're not going to go faster than that,” he said. “So the conditions may dictate that you could go a little bit faster, but you're taking a risk, and you're putting yourself in danger and you're putting our operators in danger." This winter weather will be nothing new to upstate New Yorkers. "There's no one who plows snow or keeps the road better than we do," said Latko. "So the Thruway is the place to be during the wintertime. Just take your time and be safe."
South Korea's Yoon: Embittered survivor staggers on after impeachment vote'If something is too good to be true...': Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath reveals the ugly side of markets
Even with technology taking over much of our day-to-day lives, board games still offer quality entertainment that can’t be beaten. Of course, the popular board games of today are a far cry from the games your parents grew up playing. Board games are perfect for encouraging your family to work together or for bringing your group of friends around the table for an evening. If you’d like to start up a weekly game night, let this helpful list of the most popular board games be your guide. Utter Nonsense Ages 8+ This game will have every player rolling in stitches with each ridiculous phrase that’s uttered. Combine crazy accents and hilarious phrases to impress the Nonsense Judge and win the round. The player with the highest number of wins ultimately wins the game, but the true fun of this card game is listening to your fellow players trying to say some of the most entertaining phrases of all time. This game is perfect for game nights or parties. Speak Out Ages 8+ This hilarious game is perfect if you have teenagers or are hosting a party with all adults. To play, you insert a mouthpiece that alters the sound of your speech, making every word sound silly. Set the timer and read one of the phrases on the cards and try to help your teammate guess what you’re saying. Speak Out easily provides hours of fun that even grandparents will love. Escape Room in a Box Ages 13+ What’s the next best thing to trying to break out of a room? Escape Room in a Box, of course. This thrilling, immersive game involves solving 2D and 3D puzzles in order to prevent a mad scientist from turning you and your friends or family into werewolves. Work together to escape your fate and use Amazon Alexa to enhance the experience. Codenames Ages 14+ This fun strategy game is perfect for anyone with teenagers. Form two teams and select a spymaster on each team. Using clues, spymasters try to help their teammates find all 25 of the agents they’re in contact with, hopefully without selecting the other team’s agents or running into the deadly assassin. This innovative game offers a challenging and rewarding time working together. Harry Potter Clue Ages 9+ Excite your kids on game night with this modern twist on a classic. Play as six recognizable Hogwarts characters — Harry, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Ginny or Neville — to solve the mystery behind a fellow student’s disappearance. It’s up to you to figure out who attacked the student, what bewitching spell they used and where it occurred. Watch out for the Dark Mark, moving staircases and secret passages as you travel along in this magical family game. Pandemic Ages 8+ If you’ve ever wanted to save humanity from a deadly outbreak, you’ll love spending an hour playing Pandemic. You and your teammates must fight to contain four deadly diseases threatening the human race. Players must learn to work with their teammates to control outbreak hotspots and treat diseases. Win the game by curing all diseases without wiping out humanity first. Catan Ages 10+ This tactical 60-minute game will push your imagination to its limits as you embark on a journey across Catan. Acquire crucial resources as you travel, build roads, buildings, and cities, and be wary of the ruthless robber and other players halting you on your own road. Through careful trading and clever decisions, you can lead your travelers to victory in this role-playing game of limitless possibilities. Play again and again. Every game is different. Ticket to Ride Ages 8+ Train lovers will enjoy this innovative board game which has won numerous awards. This cross-country train adventure game mimics the concept of traveling around the world in 80 days. Collect train cars and claim railways across the country. Players earn the most points by establishing long train routes and connecting distant cities. Each game takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes to complete, and every adventure is different. 5 Second Rule Ages 10+ This quick-paced game gives each player five seconds to name items on a certain topic. Although the topics are objectively easy —“Name 3 Mountains,” “Name 3 Types of Hats” or “Name 3 Super Heroes,” the pressure of the time crunch is likely to put you on edge. Race the clock and remain composed to win this game. You can even make up your own topics if you prefer. Half the fun is just hearing what other people blurt out, whether it’s relevant to the topic or not. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.Kimberly-Clark Corp. stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitorsUrinary Catheters Market Size: Strong Growth Ahead (2024-2032) 12-24-2024 06:40 PM CET | Health & Medicine Press release from: Cognate Insights Urinary Catheters Market Latest Market Overview The global urinary catheters market is poised to reach USD 3.7 billion by 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2032. The increasing prevalence of urinary incontinence, rising geriatric population, and the growing number of surgical procedures worldwide are key factors driving the demand for urinary catheters. Furthermore, advancements in catheter materials and the development of catheterization techniques are expected to contribute significantly to market growth. With a rising focus on minimizing healthcare-associated infections and improving patient comfort, the urinary catheters market continues to evolve. The Urinary Catheters Market has experienced steady growth in recent years and is expected to continue expanding at a strong pace from 2024 to 2032. This analysis offers a comprehensive overview, providing valuable insights into key trends and developments within the Urinary Catheters industry. These findings equip business leaders with the necessary knowledge to devise more effective strategies and enhance profitability. Furthermore, the report serves as a useful resource for new and emerging businesses, helping them make informed decisions as they navigate the market and seek growth opportunities. Major Players of Urinary Catheters Market are: Coloplast A/S (Denmark) - Revenue: USD 3.6 billion (2023) B. Braun Melsungen AG (Germany) - Revenue: USD 8.4 billion (2023) Boston Scientific Corporation (USA) - Revenue: USD 12.7 billion (2023) Teleflex Incorporated (USA) - Revenue: USD 2.8 billion (2023) Hollister Incorporated (USA) - Revenue: USD 1.1 billion (2023) Medtronic plc (Ireland) - Revenue: USD 32.5 billion (2023) Get Latest PDF Sample Report @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/request-sample/urinary-catheters-market-research Our Report covers global as well as regional markets and provides an in-depth analysis of the overall growth prospects of the market. Global market trend analysis including historical data, estimates to 2024, and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) forecast to 2032 is given based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market segments involving economic and non-economic factors. Furthermore, it reveals the comprehensive competitive landscape of the global market, the current and future market prospects of the industry, and the growth opportunities and drivers as well as challenges and constraints in emerging and emerging markets. Global Urinary Catheters Market Landscape and Future Pathways: North America: United States Canada Europe: Germany France U.K. Italy Russia Asia-Pacific: China Japan South Korea India Australia China Taiwan Indonesia Thailand Malaysia Latin America: Mexico Brazil Argentina Korea Colombia Middle East & Africa: Turkey Saudi Arabia UAE Korea Speak to Our Analyst for A Discussion on The Above Findings, And Ask for A Discount on The Report @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/check-discount/urinary-catheters-market-research Key drivers and challenges influencing the Urinary Catheters market: Regional Analysis: The report involves examining the Urinary Catheters market at a regional or national level. Report analyses regional factors such as government incentives, infrastructure development, economic conditions, and consumer behaviour to identify variations and opportunities within different markets. Market Projections: Report covers the gathered data and analysis to make future projections and forecasts for the Urinary Catheters market. This may include estimating market growth rates, predicting market demand, and identifying emerging trends. Company Analysis: Report covers individual Urinary Catheters manufacturers, suppliers, and other relevant industry players. This analysis includes studying their financial performance, market positioning, product portfolios, partnerships, and strategies. Consumer Analysis: Report covers data on consumer behaviour, preferences, and attitudes towards Urinary Catheters This may involve surveys, interviews, and analysis of consumer reviews and feedback from different by Application. 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Reason to Buy this Report: -Analysis of the impact of technological advancements on the market and the emerging trends shaping the industry in the coming years. -Examination of the regulatory and policy changes affecting the market and the implications of these changes for market participants. -Overview of the competitive landscape in the Urinary Catheters market, including profiles of the key players, their market share, and strategies for growth. -Identification of the major challenges facing the market, such as supply chain disruptions, environmental concerns, and changing consumer preferences, and analysis of how these challenges will affect market growth. -Evaluation of the potential of new products and applications in the market, and analysis of the investment opportunities for market participants. For In-Depth Competitive Analysis - Purchase this Report now at @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/purchase-report/urinary-catheters-market-research Contact Us: Cognate Insights Web: www.cognateinsights.com Email: info@cognateinsights.com Phone: +91 8424946476 About Us: We are leaders in market analytics, business research, and consulting services for Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, financial & government institutions. Since we understand the criticality of data and insights, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. To be at our client's disposal whenever they need help on market research and consulting services. We also aim to be their business partners when it comes to making critical business decisions around new market entry, M&A, competitive Intelligence and strategy. This release was published on openPR.
The sight was a common one for Andrew Kolpacki. For many a Sunday, he would watch NFL games on TV and see quarterbacks putting their hands on their helmets, desperately trying to hear the play call from the sideline or booth as tens of thousands of fans screamed at the tops of their lungs. When the NCAA’s playing rules oversight committee this past spring approved the use of coach-to-player helmet communications in games for the 2024 season, Kolpacki, Michigan State’s head football equipment manager, knew the Spartans’ QBs and linebackers were going to have a problem. “There had to be some sort of solution,” he said. As it turns out, there was. And it was right across the street. Kolpacki reached out to Tamara Reid Bush, a mechanical engineering professor who not only heads the school’s Biomechanical Design Research Laboratory but also is a football season ticket-holder. Kolpacki “showed me some photos and said that other teams had just put duct tape inside the (earhole), and he asked me, ‘Do you think we can do anything better than duct tape,?” Bush said. “And I said, ‘Oh, absolutely.’” Bush and Rylie DuBois, a sophomore biosystems engineering major and undergraduate research assistant at the lab, set out to produce earhole inserts made from polylactic acid, a bio-based plastic, using a 3D printer. Part of the challenge was accounting for the earhole sizes and shapes that vary depending on helmet style. Once the season got underway with a Friday night home game against Florida Atlantic on Aug. 30, the helmets of starting quarterback Aidan Chiles and linebacker Jordan Turner were outfitted with the inserts, which helped mitigate crowd noise. DuBois attended the game, sitting in the student section. “I felt such a strong sense of accomplishment and pride,” DuBois said. “And I told all my friends around me about how I designed what they were wearing on the field.” All told, Bush and DuBois have produced around 180 sets of the inserts, a number that grew in part due to the variety of helmet designs and colors that are available to be worn by Spartan players any given Saturday. Plus, the engineering folks have been fine-tuning their design throughout the season. Dozens of Bowl Subdivision programs are doing something similar. In many cases, they’re getting 3D-printed earhole covers from XO Armor Technologies, which provides on-site, on-demand 3D printing of athletic wearables. The Auburn, Alabama-based company has donated its version of the earhole covers to the equipment managers of programs ranging from Georgia and Clemson to Boise State and Arizona State in the hope the schools would consider doing business with XO Armor in the future, said Jeff Klosterman, vice president of business development. XO Armor first was approached by the Houston Texans at the end of last season about creating something to assist quarterback C.J. Stroud in better hearing play calls delivered to his helmet during road games. XO Armor worked on a solution and had completed one when it received another inquiry: Ohio State, which had heard Michigan State was moving forward with helmet inserts, wondered if XO Armor had anything in the works. “We kind of just did this as a one-off favor to the Texans and honestly didn’t forecast it becoming our viral moment in college football,” Klosterman said. “We’ve now got about 60 teams across college football and the NFL wearing our sound-deadening earhole covers every weekend.” The rules state that only one player for each team is permitted to be in communication with coaches while on the field. For the Spartans, it’s typically Chiles on offense and Turner on defense. Turner prefers to have an insert in both earholes, but Chiles has asked that the insert be used in only one on his helmet. Chiles “likes to be able to feel like he has some sort of outward exposure,” Kolpacki said. Exposure is something the sophomore signal-caller from Long Beach, California, had in away games against Michigan and Oregon this season. Michigan Stadium welcomed 110,000-plus fans for the Oct. 26 matchup between the in-state rivals. And while just under 60,000 packed Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, for the Ducks' 31-10 win over Michigan State three weeks earlier, it was plenty loud. “The Big Ten has some pretty impressive venues,” Kolpacki said. “It can be just deafening,” he said. “That's what those fans are there for is to create havoc and make it difficult for coaches to get a play call off.” Something that is a bit easier to handle, thanks to Bush and her team. She called the inserts a “win-win-win" for everyone. “It’s exciting for me to work with athletics and the football team," she said. "I think it’s really exciting for our students as well to take what they’ve learned and develop and design something and see it being used and executed.”
‘History has to come to life’: Washington Crossing hosts annual historic reenactmentSynchrony Financial stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitors
1 2 Varanasi: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said a secure nation ensures the safety of religion and individuals and added that Sanatan has the power to unite all. Participating in the 25,000 Kundiya Yajna organised at Swarveda temple as part of the centenary celebrations of the Vihangam Yoga Society on Saturday, Yogi said, "A secure nation ensures the security of religion and individuals. If the nation is secure, religion and Sanatan are also safe. Sanatan and Indianness have the power to unite all." Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the vision to dedicate every action to the nation, Yogi urged everyone to prioritise national interests, transcending personal, social, or religious boundaries, while staying connected to India's Vedic and spiritual traditions rooted in Sanatan dharma . "Good leadership brings positive outcomes while combining heritage respect with public welfare initiatives," he said. Highlighting PM Modi's role in promoting yoga globally, Yogi mentioned how over 175 countries now observe June 21 as World Yoga Day.He also praised PM Modi's efforts in ensuring that the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj is recognised as an intangible cultural heritage and in the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Yogi praised the PM for transforming his parliamentary constituency, Kashi, over the last 10 years. "Namo Ghat has been equipped with a helipad, allowing big events to take place. The ghats of Kashi have been renovated and now present a grand and majestic form," he remarked. Yogi said that since 2014, road, rail and air connectivity in Kashi improved by 100 times, and waterways connecting Kashi to Haldia expanded travel opportunities. "Kashi has now emerged as a prominent pilgrimage destination, witnessing remarkable development in sectors such as health and education," he said. Yogi said that under the PM's leadership, UP was witnessing unprecedented growth, symbolising the vision of ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat'. Yogi said that on the commencement of the centenary year celebration of the Vihangam Yoga Society on Dec 18, 2023, the PM inaugurated the Swarved Mahamandir and commended the works of the Vihangam Yoga Sant Samaj and Swarved Mahamandir Trust. Referring to the congregation of lakhs of devotees for Kundiya Mahayajna, Yogi commended the smooth arrangements made for the grand celebrations to mark the centenary year celebration of the Vihangam Yoga Sant Samaj founded by Sadguru Sadafal Dev Maharaj in 1924. Yogi highlighted his contributions and spiritual vision, mentioning that Sadguru Sadafal Dev Maharaj was born in 1888 in a small village in Ballia and dedicated his life to promoting yoga and spiritual practices. Yogi said that Sadguru composed ‘Swarved' in Uttarakhand, a practice that continues to thrive today. "A true yogi and seer cannot remain idle," he said, emphasising the role of spiritual traditions in fostering nationalism and social service. He credited Acharya Swatantra Dev Maharaj and Vigyan Dev Maharaj for continuing this legacy and leading campaigns to spread awareness. Acharya Swatantra Dev, Swatantra Pravar Vigyan Dev, and UP minister Anil Rajbhar were present at the event. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Manufacturing sector's struggle for revival
What To Know About USAF Aircraft Testing At Eglin Air Force BaseInsurgents' stunning march across Syria gained speed on Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and with the government forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Mr. Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. For the first time in the country's long-running civil war, the government now has control of only four of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Homs, Latakia and Tartus. The U.N.'s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an "orderly political transition." Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Mr. Assad's chief international backer, said he feels "sorry for the Syrian people." In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. "The situation is very strange. We are not used to that," the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. "People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not." It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Syria's state media denied social media rumors that Mr. Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine. Lebanon's Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Mr. Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Mr. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Mr. Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. No details were immediately available. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the "final stage" of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a "salvation government" to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, al-Golani has sought to remake the group's image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. Syria's military, meanwhile, sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria's third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria's largest, and the central city of Hama, the country's fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces and are sending reinforcements to Homs, where a battle loomed. If the insurgents capture Homs, they would cut the link between Damascus, Mr. Assad's seat of power, and the coastal region where the president enjoys wide support. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by "terrorists." The army said it was setting up a "strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area," apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Mr. Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country's underlying problems. "Assad didn't seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people," he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria's "territorial integrity." He said the war could "damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency" to start a political process. This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writer Zeina Karam reported from London. Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. President Biden has pardoned his son out of the love that a father has for his son. In the political turmoil of the recent past, what harm is it that Hunter Biden is pardoned? President-elect Trump has pardoned many of his political friends to reward their loyalty. Presidents have done this religiously in the past, why not President Biden pardoning his son? It may seem narrow-minded that one can condone events or acts that please them, at the same time chastising the events or acts that they do not agree with. Opposite opinions will always be in our being, that is human. Do we execute the vanquished 50% of our population as was done in biblical times? If so, there will be little left of us to carry on. The glass that is half empty is the same glass that is half full. The glass is full of Americans. Ed LeGendre East side Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star. Follow these steps to easily submit a letter to the editor or guest opinion to the Arizona Daily Star. Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!
Remembering ABS Jafri Part - II Author says perhaps his best book is ‘Behind the killing fields of Karachi: A city refuses to surrender’ ABS Jafri’s first book that I read was ‘Here lies India’, containing his columns about the India-Pakistan War of 1965. During and after the war he wrote columns seven days a week blending grave news with humour. One can’t imagine how in that inflammable atmosphere he could harness his muse and achieve the remarkable feat of producing a column a day, nearly always with something laughable. Reading these columns, I wondered how a steadfast journalist like ABS Jafri could overnight turn into a patriot and wholeheartedly support all war efforts without presenting or questioning the background to the war. The answer Jafri gives in his apology at the beginning of the book: “War is a serious business: the act of the aggressor, diabolical; as the struggle of the defender, angelic. Particularly so, when the aggressor is several times the more powerful. And that is always the case. So it was on the morning of September 6, 1965... Of course, you can’t laugh in times of war unless you see something funny about the enemy. In our case, the enemy’s lies were so surpassingly amusing. And so, reader, all I can say about the pages that follow is that ‘here lies India’. Just that.” In his first column ‘India Attacks’ on September 6, this is how ABS outlines the day’s journey: “The treacherous, desperate, three-pronged Indian invasion on Pakistan has been repulsed and the indiscriminate enemy air attack has been beaten back with 22 Indian fighter-bombers in ashes at a cost of two Pakistani F-86 (Sabre) fighters. The Indians launched their unprovoked, undeclared, unannounced attack on Pakistan in the vicinity of Lahore, the country’s second largest city, under the cover of pre-dawn darkness. Their aircraft strafed undefended land targets, finding nothing better than two stationary railway trains for a strike.” Perhaps his best book is ‘Behind the killing fields of Karachi: A city refuses to surrender’. Though the book is mostly about the Karachi of the 1990s, it offers much more than just the killing fields of Karachi. For instance, just read the following extract: “...look at this incredible spectacle: Dr Khan Saheb, the traitor and Indian agent of 1947, rising to be the chief minister of One Unit, that is, the whole of what is now Pakistan. “H S Suhrawardy, the traitor of 1947-49, rising to be the fifth prime minister of Pakistan in 1956; Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the Indian citizen and Indian agent and traitor of 1967-69, rising to be the first elected Prime Minister of Pakistan in 1971; the terror chief of AZO {Al-Zulfikar Organization} an Indian agent, Benazir Bhutto of early 1980s, becoming prime minister in 1988; then once again becoming an AZO chief and Indian agent...until elected a second time Prime Minister in 1993...” This is the sad story of calling political leaders ‘traitors’ and when need be co-opting them to serve as cogs in the state machinery and then declaring them Indian agents to malign their credentials and again whitewashing them for the benefit of the state. The story is succinctly presented with examples by ABS Jafri in the above excerpt. ‘Behind the killing fields of Karachi’ offers not only views but a well-reasoned theory too about the character of the ‘Karachi crisis’ that dominated the journalistic and political parlance of the 1990s. The book begins with a brief and crisp introduction to the Karachi phenomenon by refreshing the memory of the reader with pertinent developments and events which had a decisive bearing on Karachi. Then it gives chronologies of events spanning nearly 50 pages and covering the 1990-94 half decade. The first chronology, ‘Waltzing with criminals’, refers to editorials and news stories published in major English and Urdu newspapers discussing criminal activities during the early 1990s. The second chronology, ‘Criminals in the administration/ politics’, outlines the criminal activities of public officials both in and out of uniform. The third chronology is ‘Army operation: all adrift’, which charts the journey of the army operation that began in January 1990 and the repeated and prolonged curfews that Karachi had to endure for years. We get to know that prime minister Benazir Bhutto opposed extraordinary powers for the army deployed in Sindh but by July president Ghulam Ishaq Khan (GIK) and army chief Gen Aslam Beg somehow managed to arm-twist or persuade the PM to grant such powers to the army. The stage was being set to topple the PPP government in August 1990 after just 20 months in power. The fourth chronology, ‘Living in their own paradise’, caricatures personalities such as General Asif Nawaz, president GIK, chief ministers Jam Sadiq and Muzaffar Ali Shah, prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and Chaudhry Shujaat Ali. The last chronology, ‘Some significant landmarks’, narrates the story of nearly all major events taking place during the early 1990s in Karachi or related to its management or lack thereof. These chronologies are very well-researched and make this book an invaluable source for researchers and students of the history and politics of Karachi as both the federal and provincial governments tried to control -- or rather mismanage -- the city. Then in the chapter, ‘The true story’, the book moves back to the Karachi of the pre-partition days when “...Karachi was a non-Muslim majority city. It was almost totally owned and almost exclusively run as a non-Muslim city by non-Muslims for non-Muslims. A majority of these [were] Hindus. Then there were Sikhs, Parsis, Christians and other smaller non-Muslim minorities. It was a flourishing seaport, a big financial, industrial and banking centre. Karachi was then rated as the cleanest city in the subcontinent. And indeed it was not only clean, but also orderly, quiet, even leisurely. The other most remarkable aspect of [] Karachi’s character was that it was without any notable presence of Muslims in any significant sense.” The book concludes with more than 50 pages of an appendix containing details and photos of governors-general of Pakistan, presidents, chief ministers, and important documents and speeches by prominent leaders from G M Syed to Altaf Hussain, and the MQM’s Charter of Demands. Finally, the postscript adds some more details about the developments taking place in 1995 just before the book went to the press. This book is a treasure trove of information and analysis about the Karachi of the early 1990s. I wonder how many college libraries have the privilege of having this book in their collection. ‘Snapshots of Shame: 1996’ published in 1997 is a sort of sequel to the previous book about Karachi. The book recounts events in 1996 involving the government, the nation, and the state in a less than flattering light. It was an eventful year as it saw the dismissal of the second Benazir government by its old guard Farooq Leghari who was president of Pakistan. Then the caretaker administration by Malik Meraj Khalid took over. Before that in the 1990s, the country had witnessed three caretaker governments. The first was sworn in under the prime ministership of Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, the second under Balkh Sher Mazari (April 18-May 26, 1993), and the third under Moeen Qureshi (July 8-October 19, 1993). ‘Snapshots...’ is a collection of columns ABS Jafri wrote from January to December 1996 commenting on nearly all major developments of the year. In the first column of the year in January 1996, Jafri writes: “The killing fields of Karachi began the new year 1996 with what looks very much like a record. That, too, with a difference: two army officers among 18 killed on January 1. This is to greet Interior Minister Gen Babar, if you please. He says he has made a conquest of Karachi and its terrorists. So much then for Emperor Babar’s triumphs over terror.” ‘Jinnah Betrayed’ carries the journey forward to the late 1990s as most of the columns included in this collection ABS Jafri wrote in 1999. Just to give you some flavour of his writings: “This country is now among the most corrupt, most cruel, most crime-ridden, poverty-stricken, frustrated, and benighted in the world. Nature has so lavishly endowed it that this Pakistan could be rich, beautiful, and secure. It was not meant to be so wretched. But that is just what it is. Every aspect of life in Pakistan mocks [] its inimitable founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah...” The last book by Jafri, ‘Diary of a wicked war’, chronicles the three months from March to May 2003 when the US and its allies invaded and conquered Iraq and removed Saddam Hussain from power on the pretext that he was developing ‘weapons of mass destruction’. In short, the books by ABS Jafri – not all discussed here -- remain highly useful in understanding political developments in Karachi, Pakistan, and the region. Concluded The writer holds a PhD from the University of Birmingham, UK. He tweets/posts @NaazirMahmood and can be reached at: mnazir1964@yahoo.co.ukGwamnatin Benue ta ba da hutun mako 2
Farmers in Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, including from the Adivasi communities, are showing increasing interest in cultivating apples in the mandals of Kerameri, Wankidi, Tiryani, and Sirpur (U), thanks to the district’s favourable climate. Dubbed the "Kashmir of Telangana," the old Adilabad region experience cold weather during winter that supports the growth of apples. Apple trees require cold temperatures for sapling growth and flowering. Once flowering begins, it takes approximately 120 days for the apples to mature. Pruning typically starts in December, and the harvest begins in May. The first crop of apples in Dhanora village, Kerameri mandal, is notable for its sweetness and vibrant red colour, drawing significant attention. Minimum temperature in the region drops to 3oC in December and remains below 6oC for many nights until February. In December 2017, Kerameri recorded 2.5oC. A scientist from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) stated that the weather and soil in Kerameri mandal are well-suited for apple farming. The area's natural features, including hillocks, forests, and perennial streams, further enhance its potential. Farmers are eager to explore apple cultivation if the state government provides support, including the free distribution of saplings. Currently, apple saplings, costing around ₹300 each, are sourced from Kashmir. Some progressive farmers already succeeded in growing apple orchards. A farmer belonging to the backward community in Dhanora, Kendre Balaji, was recognised with the Farm Innovation Award by the ICAR-Agriculture Technology Application Research Institute, Hyderabad, in 2018. Balaji first planted 10 apple saplings in 2014, purchasing them for ₹50 each through an friend who was in the Army. The plants have now reached the flowering stage. Balaji shared that CCMB scientists Veerabadhrarao and Ramesh Agarwal tested the soil in his fields and confirmed its suitability for apple cultivation. Since 2015, Balaji has planted 450 hybrid Hariman-99 apple trees, provided free of cost by CCMB, Hyderabad. The institute distributed a total of 4,000 apple saplings to interested farmers in the region. However, Balaji noted that apple plants' growth is hindered when intercropped with other plants. While he has harvested apples weighing around 150 grams, the ideal weight for commercial sale is approximately 200 grams. An Adivasi farmer from Dhanora named Sidam Mahadu has cultivated 50 apple plants. Mahadu stated that many farmers are now willing to raise apple orchards if the government supplies free saplings and provides technical support.
TJ Bamba led Oregon with 22 points and five assists in the Ducks' 78-68 victory over San Diego State on Wednesday in pool play of the Players Era Festival at Las Vegas. The Ducks (7-0) won both games in the "Power Group" and will play in the championship Saturday against the top team from the "Impact Group." San Diego State (3-2) will await its opponent for one of the secondary games Saturday. The matchups are based on seeding dependent on performance of the first two games. Bamba made 7 of 14 shots from the field, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range. Keeshawn Barthelemy had 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and hit 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. Nate Bittle finished with 11 points and nine rebounds, Brandon Angel 12 points and six rebounds and Jackson Shelstad paired 12 points with four assists. BJ Davis led San Diego State with 18 points before fouling out. Nick Boyd finished with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Neither team led by more than four points until Oregon scored nine unanswered to take a 34-27 lead with 2:20 left in the first half. Barthelemy started the run with a jumper and finished it with a 3-pointer. Oregon outscored San Diego State 16-4 in the last 4:23 of the half to take a 41-31 lead into the break. Bamba and Barthelemy combined for 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting in the first half. Boyd led San Diego State with 13 points, making all three of his 3-point attempts and going 5-of-6 overall. A 7-2 run for Oregon increased its advantage to 48-35 with 17:36 remaining, but San Diego State cut the lead to 56-53 with 10:58 left following a 9-0 run. A Bamba 3-pointer closed an 8-2 stretch with 4:15 remaining to increase Oregon's lead to 73-63. San Diego State did not get closer than eight points the rest of the way. Davis fouled out with 31 seconds left and Oregon leading 77-68. --Field Level Media