Calandra Turkey Challenge donates 800 birds to Rome Rescue MissionHowever, some state workers failed to return to their jobs and a United Nations official said the country’s public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt”. Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighbouring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Mr Assad’s brutal rule. There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant, who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said they would not tell women how to dress. “It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women’s dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty,” the command said in a statement on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services had shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the UN official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali for the first time. Mr Jalali stayed in Syria when Mr Assad fled and has sought to project normalcy since. “We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth,” he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said that judges were ready to resume work quickly. “We want to give everyone their rights,” Mr Haddad said outside the courthouse. “We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods.” But a UN official said some government services had been paralysed as worried state employees stayed at home. The public sector “has just come to a complete and abrupt halt,” said Adam Abdelmoula, UN resident and humanitarian co-ordinator for Syria, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. “This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonised by the public media are now in charge in the nation’s capital,” Mr Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. “I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again.” In a video shared on a rebel messaging channel, Mr al-Sharaa said: “You will see there are skills” among the rebels. The Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Mr Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Mr Assad’s specific whereabouts and said Mr Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence though in some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets.
Recently, a significant shift has occurred within the App Store’s utility category, where Phantom, a crypto wallet designed for decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), has surpassed Google Chrome to take the second spot in the United States’ rankings. Phantom’s ascent is not just a triumph for the application itself but also a clear indicator of the growing mainstream interest in Web3 technologies. As a non-custodial wallet, Phantom offers users full control over their keys, which resonates with the ethos of decentralization that is central to the crypto community. The wallet’s integration with the Solana ecosystem and its support for various networks and NFTs have contributed to its rising popularity. This remarkable achievement comes amidst a surge in decentralized applications (DApps) on the Solana blockchain, which has seen record fee generation. Protocols like Jito and Raydium have reported substantial fees, highlighting the vibrant activity within the Solana ecosystem. Phantom’s user-centric approach, including a fraud detection system and compatibility with Ledger hardware wallets, has undoubtedly played a role in its success. Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025 ) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts. Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here. Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and i nvest in Africa’s finest startups here . Phantom distinguishes itself with a focus on security and user experience. It supports Solana-based tokens and provides a seamless interface for managing NFTs and DeFi applications. One of the key advantages of Phantom is its mobile and browser extension availability, offering convenience for users on-the-go. SolFlare , similar to Phantom, offers strong security and an intuitive design. It is also available as a mobile and browser extension wallet, targeting both beginner and intermediate users. When it comes to user interface, both Phantom and SolFlare provide a modern and intuitive design, while Sollet’s browser extension approach caters to a more advanced audience, including developers. In terms of token support, Phantom and SolFlare are limited to Solana-based tokens, whereas Sollet supports both Solana and Ethereum tokens. SolFlare’s integration with the Solrise Investment Platform and direct integration with Serum DEX are notable features that appeal to users looking for more than just a wallet. However, the journey has not been without challenges. Phantom recently navigated a technical hiccup with an iOS update that temporarily locked some users out of their wallets. The swift response and resolution of this issue underscore the wallet’s commitment to its user base. Phantom’s rise in the App Store is a testament to the potential of Web3 technologies to reshape the financial landscape. It signals a pivotal moment for decentralized technologies as they penetrate broader consumer markets, offering a glimpse into a future where digital asset management is accessible, secure, and in the hands of the user. As we witness this shift, it’s essential to recognize the implications for the broader tech industry. The success of Phantom and the increasing interest in DApps suggest a growing consumer demand for more control over personal data and finances, a trend that could redefine the role of traditional tech giants and financial institutions. The story of Phantom’s rise is not just about an app’s ranking but about the changing tides in technology and finance. It’s a narrative about innovation, user empowerment, and the relentless pursuit of a decentralized future. As we continue to monitor the evolution of the App Store and the crypto space, one thing is certain: the landscape is changing, and Phantom is at the forefront of this transformation.LONDON (AP) — West Ham players showed their support for seriously injured teammate Michail Antonio before and during their Premier League home win against Wolverhampton on Monday, two days after his car crash. The players warmed up in “Antonio 9” jerseys and walked on to the field in tops adorning his name. The club will put the walk-out tops up for auction along with every match jersey worn against Wolves, with the proceeds going to medical charities and matched by the club’s board. West Ham fans stood in London Stadium and applauded for Antonio in the ninth, and when captain Jarrod Bowen scored the 2-1 winner in the second half, he approached supporters behind the goal carrying an Antonio jersey. “To share that moment, he's not here with us but I'm sure (Antonio) was watching and the fans, you heard them,” Bowen told broadcaster Sky Sports. “An emotional couple of days.” Before the game, Bowen said, “Everyone loves Mic, he is a big character. “He is not just a teammate, he is a friend and has been for many years. A dad as well to beautiful children. It is one of those things where life is bigger than football. The main thing is Mic is safe and well and here to tell the story. Saturday was a really difficult time. He is a warrior and a fighter, he always has been, and I know he will be back stronger for this." Antonio, a 34-year-old Jamaica international, was recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery on what West Ham described as a “lower limb fracture.” He was involved in a one-car incident outside London on Saturday, after which he was hospitalized and kept under close supervision. He wished the team well by video before the match. Antonio has made more than 300 appearances for West Ham since joining the club from Nottingham Forest in 2015, and played in all 14 games this season before the incident. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent more than a year in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most active and internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said the former president died Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia.
Barcelona grabs last quarterfinal spot in Women's Champions League with 3-0 win in StockholmBilly Long speaks during a press conference before filing for election during the Missouri Senate primary in 2022 in Jefferson City (Madeline Carter/Missouri Independent) Former Missouri Congressman Billy Long has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Internal Revenue Service. Trump called Long — who served six terms representing a Southwest Missouri district — a “consummate people person,” adding “taxpayers and the wonderful employees of the IRS will love having Billy at the helm.” Oregon’s senior U.S. senator, Democrat Ron Wyden, called President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of former Missouri congressman Billy Long to head the IRS alarming. He said the current IRS commissioner, Danny Werfel, is doing a good job and that the only reason for Trump to name Long likely would be to weaponize the IRS against his political enemies. Wyden said Long also was a “bizarre” choice for other reasons: “What’s most concerning is that Mr. Long left office and jumped into the scam-plagued industry involving the Employee Retention Tax Credit. These ERTC mills that have popped up over the last few years are essentially fraud on an industrial scale, conning small businesses and ripping off American taxpayers to the tune of billions of dollars.” The current IRS commissioner’s term doesn’t expire until 2027. Long was one of the first elected officials to jump on the “Trump train,” a phrase he claims to have coined . When most considered Trump’s candidacy a joke or publicity stunt, Long said he was all in, touting Trump to foreign leaders and GOP insiders who snickered at the notion that the real estate mogul and reality TV star would be the next president. “Trump, I saw it early on,” Long told The Independent in 2022, “he has the ‘it’ factor.” After a long career as an auctioneer, and a few years as a conservative talk radio host, Long decided to jump into the 2010 race for the congressional seat being vacated when Roy Blunt decided to run for U.S. Senate. Long said no one took him seriously. “It was an eight-way race,” Long said, “and I was supposed to come in ninth. I was the Donald Trump of the race.” He was pegged as a candidate who was only in the race “for publicity,” Long said, “to help my business and blah, blah, blah, the same things they said about Trump.” His own campaign consultants told him he was “too fat to put on TV,” he said. “And you can put that in the newspaper. They said, ‘You’re too fat. You can’t go on TV. You’ll scare people.’” In the end, Long won the primary by around 7.5 percentage points. He cruised to victory that fall, joining a massive class of freshmen Republicans who swept into office in the Tea Party wave. He says the key to his victory was authenticity. “I may not look the part,” Long said. “But I guaranteed to voters that I would be the part, that I would do the right thing for the right reason every day. And that resonated with people.” His first year in Congress, according to The Lever , Long signed a letter urging the IRS to launch a probe of the tax-exempt status of the Humane Society of the United States, a nonprofit that focuses on animal welfare and opposes animal cruelty. The letter followed the Humane Society’s support of a successful Missouri ballot measure strengthening regulations on dog breeders. In 2022, Long gave up his congressional seat to run for U.S. Senate, finishing fourth in the GOP primary behind the eventual winner, Eric Schmitt. According to Trump’s Wednesday announcement, since leaving Congress Long has worked as a business and tax advisor, “helping small businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” “I have known Billy since 2011,” Trump said. “He is an extremely hard worker, and respected by all, especially by those who know him in Congress... Congratulations Billy!” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Missouri Independent , like Oregon Capital Chronicle, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com . Follow Missouri Independent on Facebook and X .LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California's notorious Santa Ana winds were predicted to return Monday night and utilities said they are prepared to cut power to hundreds of thousands of customers in areas where strong gusts could damage electrical equipment and spark wildfires. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for high fire risk with a rare “particularly dangerous situation,” or PDS, designation starting at 8 p.m. Monday into Tuesday for Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The last time PDS red flags went up was the first week of November, when powerful, dry winds fed the Mountain Fire , which destroyed at least 240 buildings, mostly homes, in Ventura County. Before that, a PDS red flag warning hadn't been issued for the region since 2020. “This event has the potential to be as strong as the November 5th-6th Santa Ana event that led to the Mountain Fire,” the weather service office for Los Angeles said Sunday on social media. Southern California Edison said it was considering targeted power shut-offs for more than 250,000 homes and businesses across seven counties starting Monday evening. Meanwhile San Diego Gas & Electric said it has notified nearly 117,500 customers that they might temporarily lose service to reduce the chance of wildfires. Santa Anas are dry, warm and gusty northeast winds that blow from the interior of Southern California toward the coast and offshore. They typically occur during the fall months and continue through winter and into early spring. In Northern California, the weather service said chances were increasing for an “impactful rainfall event” late in the week for the San Francisco Bay Area. 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Shares of Kovitz Core Equity ETF ( NYSEARCA:EQTY – Get Free Report ) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Friday . Approximately 79,605 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 62% from the previous session’s volume of 49,051 shares.The stock last traded at $23.99 and had previously closed at $24.26. Kovitz Core Equity ETF Stock Down 1.2 % The stock’s fifty day moving average is $24.10 and its 200-day moving average is $22.91. The stock has a market cap of $1.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.36 and a beta of 1.00. Kovitz Core Equity ETF Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) The Kovitz Core Equity ETF (EQTY) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund is a narrow, core equity portfolio of companies believed by the adviser to be high quality and undervalued. The actively managed fund invests in large- and mid-cap companies around the globe. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Kovitz Core Equity ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kovitz Core Equity ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Unlock Hidden Features! Transform Your Data Experience NowNEW ORLEANS (AP) — Saints quarterback Derek Carr was willing to risk his health to improve New Orleans’ chances of playing meaningful football in mid-December. Now the Saints, who’ve remained mathematically alive in the playoff race by winning three of four, might have to play without Carr again — and it didn’t go well the last time. Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi declined on Monday to rule out Carr for any of New Orleans’ final four games because of his . Both injuries occurred when he tried to leap for a first down and crashed hard to the turf during the fourth quarter of on Sunday. “We’re not going to rule him out just yet,” Rizzi said. “We have to see in the next day or two what the healing process is like and see if he can function. “The good news it’s not his throwing hand,” Rizzi said. “The bad news is we’re obviously dealing with an injury here that we have to kind of play it by ear.” Rizzi noted that Carr must clear the concussion protocol first. After that, he said, the Saints can see how well Carr can operate with his hand injury. “It’s been done before,” Rizzi said when asked about the prospect of an NFL QB playing with an injured non-throwing hand. “It appears at moment that it’s non-surgical, which is a big aspect of it. ... That’s why we’re going to discuss the options.” Last season, Los Angeles Chargers QB . Buffalo Bills QB . If Carr can’t play, his replacement will be either second-year pro Jake Haener or rookie Spencer Rattler. Rattler started three games earlier this season when Carr had an oblique injury — all losses by New Orleans, which was in the midst of a seven-game skid. “We’ve just got to surround whomever it is and pick him up and get him rolling with the rest of us,” guard Lucas Patrick said. “It’s just another step of adversity in this long season that we’ve had.” What’s working New Orleans’ interior defensive line is coming off one of its better games. Defensive tackles Bryan Bresee and Khalen Saunders accounted for both New Orleans’ sacks in New York. The Saints also held the Giants to 112 yards rushing — a lower opponent rushing total than in seven other games this season. What needs help The Saints’ 92 yards rushing offensively was their fourth-lowest total all season and the lowest in any of their victories. Stock up Running back Kendre Miller’s future is looking a bit brighter now. He has played in just three games this season because of hamstring injuries and his lack of readiness was criticized by since-fired coach Dennis Allen earlier this season. Miller also has yet to rush for more than 36 yards in a game. But against the Giants, he earned praise for the speed, strength and elusiveness he was able to show on a couple of clutch runs, including an 8-yard run for his first and only touchdown this season. Patrick said Miller deserved credit on his scoring run for staying upright and continuing to push forward — with the help of some teammates — after he was met at the 5-yard line by a Giants defender. Patrick said if Miller didn’t give the extra effort and stay on his feet, his teammates would not have had the chance to help push him across the goal line. “Kendre’s definitely a bright, young runner and he’s exciting to block for,” Patrick said. Stock down Blake Grupe was 0 for 2 on field goal attempts, although both were from beyond 50 yards and one was blocked. Those were Grupe’s first two failures from beyond 50 yards this season. Injuries In addition to Carr, reserve linebacker D’Marco Jackson left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury. Key number 0 — The number of games the Saints have won when Carr does not play. They’ve gone 5-5 in his starts this season. Next steps The Saints are back home Sunday against Washington in what could be ex-New Orleans cornerback Marshon Lattimore’s first game with the Commanders. The game also marks the return to Louisiana of quarterback Jayden Daniels, who won the Heisman Troply last year at LSU. ___ AP NFL:
Visa Inc. Cl A stock rises Friday, still underperforms marketElastic Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial ResultsWhy world is paying dearly for absurd 76-day gap between Trump’s win & him taking office...are we now headed for WW3?
Here's what to know about the new funding deal that countries agreed to at UN climate talksStockWatch: Moderna Seeks to Reassure Investors on RFK Jr.Here Comes the Next OneREDWOOD SHORES, Calif. , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg LLP (RJLF) has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a coalition of manufacturers, businesses, affordable housing interests, and workers seeking to prevent enforcement of South Coast Air Quality Management District regulations that effectively ban certain gas appliances. The plaintiffs, representing thousands of California residents, businesses, and workers, include Rinnai America Corporation , Noritz America Corporation , National Association of Homebuilders , California Manufacturers & Technology Association , California Restaurant Association , California Hotel & Lodging Association , and California Apartment Association , all represented by RJLF and Sean Kneafsey of the Kneafsey Law Firm . Californians for Homeownership is represented by Matt Gelfand , Restaurant Law Center is represented by Angelo Amador , and the California State Pipe Trades Council by McCracken, Stemerman & Holsberry . The coalition's suit asserts that the District's zero-NOx emissions rule for certain appliances, which effectively bans those gas appliances, is preempted by the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) and should be blocked. The District's rule not only effectively mandates the use of electric appliances in new buildings but also forces costly retrofits to electric in existing buildings when appliances are replaced. This rule threatens the reliability and affordability of energy for millions of Californians, will impose enormous costs and disruption on businesses and workers, and will reduce the availability of affordable housing. Earlier this year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that Berkeley, California's ban on gas piping in new buildings was preempted by EPCA ( California Restaurant Association v. City of Berkeley , 89 F.4th 1094 (9th Cir. 2024)) . The District's rule is legally indistinguishable, and the same result applies. "This case is pivotal to reinforcing the federal and state roles in setting national energy policy," said Sarah Jorgensen , lead counsel for the plaintiffs at RJLF. "The District's mandate for electric appliances in both new construction and forced retrofits not only jeopardizes our clients' work, business, and interests but also disregards established federal law. California must comply with the law." The case is Rinnai America Corp. et al. v. South Coast Air Quality Management District , No. 2:24-cv-10482 , in the United States District Court for the Central District of California . About Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg LLP Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg LLP (RJLF) is a national trial firm that handles high-stakes energy, commercial, intellectual property, and white collar disputes. The firm is majority women-owned, reinventing the practice of law without the billable hour in favor of fee arrangements that align client interests. RJLF's attorneys are diverse, exceptionally credentialed, and passionate about trial advocacy. From offices in Silicon Valley, New York , Washington, D.C. , Austin , and Atlanta , the firm tries cases and argues appeals throughout the country. For more information, visit www.reichmanjorgensen.com . Contact Sarah Jorgensen [email protected] (650) 623-1403 SOURCE Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg LLP
Perella Weinberg chairman Peter A. Weinberg sells $3.58m in stockGiants' offense explodes in 45-33 win, knocking Colts out of playoff race