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Closing the year with Ayaz Melo: Part - I There were dozens of sessions that attracted thousands of participants who remained engaged with discussions Participants enjoying music at Ayaz Melo Hyderabad. — Facebook@AyazMelo/File November and December appear to be favourite months for cultural and literary festivals in the various cities of Pakistan: Islamabad Literary Festival (ILF), Multan Literary Festival (MLF) that the organisers had to postpone at the last moment due to smog, Faisalabad Literary Festival (FLF), International Cultural Festival and Aalami Urdu Conference in Karachi, and finally Ayaz Melo in Hyderabad from December 20 to 22. It was the 10th Ayaz Melo that has become a hallmark of Hyderabad , the second largest city of Sindh. The moving forces behind this Melo are four women: Amar Sindhu, Arfana Mallah, Haseen Musarrat, and Zakia Aijaz. Men such as Imdad Chandio, Majeed Chandio, and Taj Joyo provide ample support to the team helping them navigate through the arrangements. Speakers come from across Pakistan, making this festival truly cosmopolitan. This year too, there were dozens of sessions and book launches that attracted thousands of participants who remained engaged with the discussions. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); For the 10th Ayaz Melo, the organisers extended the invitation to this columnist to be the keynote speaker at the inaugural session. I gladly accepted the invitation and delivered the keynote address discussing the increasing extremism in Sindh and in the rest of the country. I also outlined some avenues to build a pathway towards a more tolerant society. I began by giving some background to extremist tendencies in Sindh citing examples from history and then moved on to define and delineate the concepts of extremism and toleration. Here I present a summary of what I said in my keynote address at the Ayaz Melo. Traditionally, Sindh and other provinces of Pakistan – and the rest of the Indian subcontinent – have remained overall tolerant societies for ages. Nearly all areas of Pakistan have experienced influxes of people coming from other countries located on eastern and western borders. The intermingling of cultures and genes inculcated a sense of diversity among the local people who mostly welcomed people from outside, especially when they came to seek refuge from atrocities in their own lands. Sindh, perhaps, was the most tolerant of the areas that now constitute Pakistan. So if the local people have been tolerant and welcoming, how come this region is witnessing the worst kind of extremism and intolerance now? It appears that some myopic rulers and sectarian leaders at various times in history have tried to impose some strict codes of conduct that led to extremism. For example, the reign of Jam Nizamuddin II – commonly known as Jam Nindo – in Sindh was a fairly tolerant period in the 15th and 16th centuries. But after the end of the Samma dynasty in the early 1500s, Sindh came under the rule of the Arghuns and the Tarkhans in quick succession. That was followed by nearly a century of Mughal rule starting in the 1590s when Sindh became a province of the Mughal empire known as Thatta Suba. The Mughals appointed subedars (provincial administrators) who were not always tolerant rulers. Ultimately when Kalhoro subedars declared independence and formed their own dynasty of rulers in the 18th century, an intolerant course became the official policy in Sindh. GM Syed in his book ‘Peghaam-e-Lateef’ has reproduced orders by Kalhoro rulers announcing strict imposition of religious codes of conduct across his domain. That was the time when Makhdoom Bilawal, Inaayat Shah Sufi, and Shah Lateef emerged as sane voices of tolerance promoting harmony in society. Shah Lateef delivered messages of diversity and did not confine himself to any one religion or sect. He followed the path of Shah Inaayat and Makhdoom Bilawal who believed in the supremacy of common people over some exalted castes and creeds. The universality of Shah Lateef’s message resonates throughout his Risalo (poetry collection) which contains over 30 surs. Reading and comprehending the poetry of Shah Lateef can play an essential role in trying to counter extremism and promoting tolerance in Sindh. With this background, we may try to identify and understand several types of extremism prevalent in our society such as cultural, ethnic, gender-based, political, religious and social extremisms. Cultural extremism can be defined as a form of extremism that promotes one particular culture but does not tolerate any other culture. Cultural extremism promotes hatred against cultural diversity and the expression of different ideas. The organisers of Ayaz Melo have faced such extremism from the beginning but this year there was outright onslaught criticising the Melo for its content, funding, and presentations. The main thrust of this criticism was against the partial funding that the Melo receives from the culture department of Sindh. Some claimed that the Melo had become a mouthpiece of the PPP government – I for one can vouch that there has been no soft corner for the PPP government in the discussions and speeches at the Melo. Most speakers pointed out the shortcomings of the provincial government, but this was not enough for the critics of the Melo. Cultural extremism was also evident when the songs and dances at the Melo also came under close scrutiny and some people objected to the festive mood of a literary festival that according to them should have been more serious. This cultural extremism also reflected itself in gender-based extremism as the main organisers of the Ayaz Melo are overwhelmingly women. Amar Sindhu, Arfana Mallah, Haseen Musarrat, Zakia Aijaz and others were all at the receiving end of this gender-based extremism. There were social media campaigns against them, but these courageous women continued their marvellous work and once again proved that no cultural or gender-based extremism could halt their progress or dampen their spirits. This was tantamount to gender-based violence that may not be physical but was verbal. Ethnic extremism often takes the form of narrow nationalism in which one ethnic group claims superiority or exclusive rights to a city, province, or territory. This ethnic extremism tries to exclude other ethnic or linguistic groups from their sphere of influence to impose a uniform ethnic code with a single identity. Such extremism is not new in countries such as Pakistan where ethnicity has played a crucial role in recent history. The organised profiling and targeting of various groups such as students studying in a province other than their own is an example of ethnic extremism. Political extremism in Pakistan manifests itself when one or more political groups do not allow other political entities to function freely and consistently target them as enemies. Altaf Hussain and his politics in Sindh is an example of political extremism as he promoted the use of arms against his opponents and organised gangs that tortured and maimed activists belonging to other ethnic groups and political parties. Imran Khan and his fascist tendencies are another example of this political extremism, which has been an integral part of PTI politics since its inception. Religious extremism is perhaps the most devastating type of intolerance as it encourages common people to follow a certain interpretation of a particular religion or sect. From younger to older people in Pakistan, all segments of society appear to have taken a lead from various extremist groups that use slogans promoting violence. Lynching and targeted killings have been on the rise in the country. From Dr Shahnawaz Kunbhar in Sindh to Priyantha Kumara in Punjab to Mishal Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there are thousands of victims of this religious extremism that has even affected security personnel who at times violate the law to target the accused. Social extremism promotes an ideology that is based on intolerance, hatred or violence aiming to deny or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. This type of extremism is interconnected with other types as we notice increasing incidents in which all types of extremism come together to make this society a hellish place for those who dare to differ in any cultural, political, religious or social ways. To be continued The writer holds a PhD from the University of Birmingham, UK. He tweets/posts @NaazirMahmood and can be reached at: mnazir1964@yahoo.co.ukJimmy Carter had the longest post-presidency of anyone to hold the office, and one of the most active. Here is a look back at his life. 1924 — Jimmy Carter was born on Oct. 1 to Earl and Lillian Carter in the small town of Plains, Georgia. 1928 — Earl Carter bought a 350-acre farm 3 miles from Plains in the tiny community of Archery. The Carter family lived in a house on the farm without running water or electricity. 1941 — He graduated from Plains High School and enrolled at Georgia Southwestern College in Americus. 1942 — He transferred to Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. 1943 — Carter’s boyhood dream of being in the Navy becomes a reality as he is appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. 1946 — He received his naval commission and on July 7 married Rosalynn Smith of Plains. They moved to Norfolk, Virginia. 1946-1952 — Carter’s three sons are born, Jack in 1947, Chip in 1950 and Jeff in 1952. 1962-66 — Carter is elected to the Georgia State Senate and serves two terms. 1953 — Carter’s father died and he cut his naval career short to save the family farm. Due to a limited income, Jimmy, Rosalynn and their three sons moved into Public Housing Apartment 9A in Plains. 1966 — He ran for governor, but lost. 1967 — Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s fourth child, Amy, is born. 1971 — He ran for governor again and won the election, becoming Georgia’s 76th governor on Jan. 12. 1974 — Carter announced his candidacy for president. 1976 — Carter was elected 39th president on Nov. 2, narrowly defeating incumbent Gerald Ford. 1978 — U.S. and the Peoples’ Republic of China establish full diplomatic relations. President Carter negotiates and mediates an accord between Egypt and Israel at Camp David. 1979 — The Department of Education is formed. Iranian radicals overrun the U.S. Embassy and seize American hostages. The Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty is signed. 1980 — On March 21, Carter announces that the U.S. will boycott the Olympic Games scheduled in Moscow. A rescue attempt to get American hostages out of Iran is unsuccessful. Carter was defeated in his bid for a second term as president by Ronald Reagan in November. 1981 — President Carter continues to negotiate the release of the American hostages in Iran. Minutes before his term as president is over, the hostages are released. 1982 — Carter became a distinguished professor at Emory University in Atlanta, and founded The Carter Center. The nonpartisan and nonprofit center addresses national and international issues of public policy. 1984 — Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter volunteer one week a year for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that helps needy people in the United States and in other countries renovate and build homes, until 2020. He also taught Sunday school in the Maranatha Baptist Church of Plains from the mid-’80s until 2020. 2002 — Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 2015 — Carter announced in August he had been diagnosed with melanoma that spread to his brain. 2016 — He said in March that he no longer needed cancer treatment. 2024 — Carter dies at 100 years old. Sources: Cartercenter.org, Plains Historical Preservation Trust, The Associated Press; The Brookings Institution; U.S. Navy; WhiteHouse.gov, Gallupbet365 alternative link 。

On the shimmering waters of Myanmar's Ayeyarwady River, fishermen tap a wooden stick against the side of a boat and sing out a rhythmic sound of "kroo kroo". It's a call to summon their unlikely partners — Irrawaddy dolphins. Together, they perform a delicate choreography. The dolphins herd shoals of fish toward the fishermen's boat. When the lead dolphin approaches, it signals by flapping its fin. A fisherman throws the net, trapping fish between the approaching dolphin and the boat. It's a win-win situation: The dolphins catch any escaping fish from the net, while the fishermen benefit from the fish driven toward their boat and catch more to sell at market. "These dolphins take care of us and help meet our needs," 53-year-old fisherman U Kyi told the ABC. "I feel a sense of pride in the close bond we share, like they're family." This cooperative relationship between fishermen and dolphins in central Myanmar is as intricate as it is rare and has been passed down over generations. "My first experience was when I joined my father on a fishing trip as a kid," said U Kyi. "When there were no boats or other noise around, the dolphins would come to us right away." But this ancient bond is under threat. A historic bond in peril Irrawaddy dolphins, charismatic and uniquely adapted to freshwater, are endangered. Found only in a few rivers — Myanmar's Ayeyarwady, Cambodia's Mekong, and Indonesia's Mahakam River — their survival is threatened by harmful fishing practices and environmental degradation. "Illegal fishing is a worsening problem," says Win Hte, a program officer for the Myanmar branch of the Swiss environmental NGO Helvetas. Some fishermen use destructive methods that indiscriminately kill fish, like detonating dynamite sticks or electrifying waters with car batteries connected to rods or nets, known as "electro-fishing". "A lot of fish go to waste — many sink to the bottom and only float up once they start to rot," U Kyi said. Gill nets, toxic chemical use and increased boat traffic have further jeopardised the dolphins' survival. According to a 2020 report by the Wildlife Conservation Society, 79 Irrawaddy dolphins remained in the Ayeyarwady River — a slight improvement from 69 in the previous year. However, the situation has deteriorated since Myanmar's military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government in 2021, destabilising the nation and halting many government-backed conservation initiatives. "After 2018, we started getting much more reliable data as experts brought their knowledge to Myanmar," Win Hte said. "But now, it's nearly impossible." The instability has driven many researchers away. For three years, Win Hte has studied dolphin and porpoise populations at the river mouth of the Ayeyarwaddy in the Gulf of Mottama, but his monitoring has been increasingly hampered by the security situation. "Tracking the exact population is now very challenging," he said. The rise of 'Dolphin Guardians' In the absence of formal conservation efforts, community-based conservation efforts have stepped up. A group of local fishers, known as the "Dolphin Guardians", monitor dolphin populations and report illegal fishing. The program involves about 75 fishers, including 15 women, across several communities. Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has helped fill the gap left by halted government monitoring. "We educate people that the number of dolphins reflects the health of the river — they are interconnected," said U Kyi, who is a member of the group. The guardians patrol the river, counting dolphins and keeping an eye out for illegal activities like electro-fishing. However, the war has made river monitoring risky. "There's ongoing conflict in our area, so we have to check with each other before heading out to the river to avoid trouble," says U Kyi. Burma Dolphins, a social enterprise that supports the guardians, once offered alternative livelihood programs for fishing families to reduce pressure on fish populations but many of these programs have stalled. The challenges of cracking down on illegal fishing Illegal fishing practices, particularly electro-fishing, have devastated fish populations and harmed dolphins. U Kyi has witnessed species like Gagata catfish decline from areas where he once fished. He said confronting the illegal fishers was impossible. "They have more people with dangerous equipment," he said. Instead, he gathers information on their activities and reports it to the Burma Dolphins who map illegal fishing hotspots. Although the monitoring was not perfect, it kept communities engaged in conservation, said network co-founder Paul Eshoo. "We're just trying to do our part and keep our staff fed," Mr Eshoo said, referring to network members like U Kyi who are paid for their participation. Hope through community efforts Win Hte said community education, particularly for young people, was important despite the country's despite instability. "We inform villages along the coast, and they also help us with information like if they find any [dolphins or porpoises] dead, so we can map the incidents," he says. Before the military coup, conservation initiatives showed promise. Protected zones were established along the Ayeyarwady, and eco-tourism allowed tourists to watch a dolphin-fisher cooperative for a fee, generating a significant income and awareness. More women were becoming involved too. With such programs on hold, grassroots efforts like the Dolphin Guardians' community monitoring provide a glimmer of hope. "These dolphins have taken care of us and taught us so much," U Kyi said. "When I see dolphins while fishing, it feels like meeting a relative," he added. ABCThousands of protesters marched through Barcelona on Saturday demanding lower rents in Spain's second city. Barcelona, which has already taken action to stop the spread of holiday rental apartments, is the latest Spanish city to see protests for cheaper housing. Backed by left-wing parties and unions, the demonstrators gathered in central Barcelona behind a giant banner declaring "Lower the rents". "Today a new political cycle starts concerning housing," Carme Arcarazo, spokesperson for the Catalan Tenants Union, the main organiser, told reporters. "Investors must not be allowed to come to our cities and play with the apartments like a game of Monopoly," she added. The union would target "profiteers" who are taking "half of our salaries", Arcarazo said. The demonstrators demanded a 50 percent cut in rents, leases with an unlimited term and a ban on "speculative" sales of buildings. They threatened to start a rent strike. An estimated 22,000 people took part in a similar demonstration in Madrid on October 13. Campaigns have been launched in other cities. According to the Idealista specialised website, rental prices per square metre have risen 82 percent across Spain over the past decade. The average salary has gone up by 17 percent in that time, according to the national statistics institute. Facing pressure over a housing crisis, the government in 2023 passed legislation calling for more social housing, greater restrictions on rents in high demand areas and penalties for owners who do not occupy properties. But rents have continued to rise while the government has battled city and regional authorities to get some parts of the law applied. vid-vab/tw/jm

How co-writing a book threatened the Carters’ marriageLongest-lived US president was always happy to speak his mindThe Latest: Former President Jimmy Carter is dead at age 100

Here are 10 highly-paid AI jobs aimed to revolutionise every industry in 2025Linq Blue Automates and Personalizes iMessage Outreach to Boost Engagement and Efficiency BIRMINGHAM, Ala. , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Linq, the world's leading mobile CRM and lead capture platform, announces Linq Blue — an iMessage automation tool designed to revolutionize sales communication. This breakthrough feature empowers businesses to automate and personalize customer outreach via iMessage—without requiring an iPhone. Launching January 2025 , Linq Blue offers seamless messaging capabilities that drive higher response rates and unlock new levels of sales efficiency. Why Linq Blue is a Game-Changer Reserve Your Spot Today Linq Blue is now open for early access reservations to a closed beta. Learn more and reserve your spot at https://linqapp.com/s/imessage-automation/ About Linq: Founded in Birmingham, AL , Linq is a rapidly growing tech company that transforms the way businesses manage contacts, relationships, and workflows. With a focus on mobile-first solutions, Linq integrates seamlessly with existing CRM platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot, offering an easy-to-use interface that enables teams to work effectively, no matter where they are. For more information, visit www.linqapp.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/linq-launches-blue-messages-for-sales-302314658.html SOURCE Linq

Thousands of protesters marched through Barcelona on Saturday demanding lower rents in Spain’s second city. Barcelona, which has already taken action to stop the spread of holiday rental apartments, is the latest Spanish city to see protests for cheaper housing. Backed by left-wing parties and unions, the demonstrators gathered in central Barcelona behind a giant banner declaring “Lower the rents”. “Today a new political cycle starts concerning housing,” Carme Arcarazo, spokesperson for the Catalan Tenants Union, the main organiser, told reporters. “Investors must not be allowed to come to our cities and play with the apartments like a game of Monopoly,” she added. The union would target “profiteers” who are taking “half of our salaries”, Arcarazo said. The demonstrators demanded a 50 percent cut in rents, leases with an unlimited term and a ban on “speculative” sales of buildings. They threatened to start a rent strike. An estimated 22,000 people took part in a similar demonstration in Madrid on October 13. Campaigns have been launched in other cities. According to the Idealista specialised website, rental prices per square metre have risen 82 percent across Spain over the past decade. The average salary has gone up by 17 percent in that time, according to the national statistics institute. Facing pressure over a housing crisis, the government in 2023 passed legislation calling for more social housing, greater restrictions on rents in high demand areas and penalties for owners who do not occupy properties. But rents have continued to rise while the government has battled city and regional authorities to get some parts of the law applied. With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

Bangkok Airways Leads AAPA 69th Assembly of Presidents with Focus on Asia Pacific Aviation’s Future

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who instituted economic reforms, cremated in New Delhi

( ) shares have returned from their trading halt on Friday with a thud. In morning trade, the ASX stock's shares are down 12% to $5.82. Why is this ASX lithium stock crashing? The weakness in the Vulcan share price today has been driven by the of a fully underwritten institutional placement and strategic placement. According to the release, the placement raised 100 million euros (A$164 million) at an offer price of A$5.85 per new share. This represents an 11.9% discount to its last close price. Management advised that the placement was strongly supported by existing and new institutional investors, including a number of local and global institutions. Commenting on the placement, Vulcan's managing director and CEO, Cris Moreno, said: The Placement positions us to continue to commence execution for Phase One Lionheart Project, in line with Vulcan's strategy to implement the world's first carbon neutral integrated lithium and renewable energy project. The Lionheart Project, strategically located, strongly supported locally and with very low target production costs, is well-positioned to capitalise on the dynamic transition to electric mobility and renewable energy in Europe. Our in-house expertise and strong execution team are dedicated to delivering our integrated renewable energy and lithium execution strategy. The ASX lithium stock will now push ahead with a non-underwritten share purchase plan aiming to raise a further 12.2 million euros (A$20 million) at the same price. Other big news Vulcan has also released a separate relating to potential funding. Earlier this year, the company advised that its Phase One Project was potentially suitable for European Investment Bank (EIB) financing and had advanced to the under appraisal stage of the process. The EIB board has now approved its participation, with the financing potentially amounting to up to 500 million euros (~A$819 million). It notes that the EIB is the lending arm of the European Union (EU) and one of the largest climate finance providers globally. It seeks to provide support through a financial pathway toward sustainable and resilient domestic supply chain development for Europe. Commenting on the news, the ASX lithium stock's chief financial officer, Felicity Gooding, said: Approval by the EIB to participate in Vulcan's debt financing process strongly reflects the significance of this project in Germany and broader Europe. Our aim of building a fully domestic, sustainable lithium supply chain in Europe, for Europe, ultimately requires the support of financiers such as the EIB, and confirmation of its participation is a welcome and timely development. Despite today's pullback, Vulcan shares are still smashing the market in 2024. They are up approximately 180% since this time last year.Jeff D'Alessio | Winners and losers: New state lawsJimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 ATLANTA (AP) — 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 then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most internationally engaged of former presidents. The center said he died peacefully Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’ PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — The 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, James Earl Carter Jr., died Sunday at the age of 100. His life ended where it began, in Plains, Georgia. He left and returned to the tiny town many times as he climbed to the nation’s highest office and lost it after four tumultuous years. Carter spent the next 40 years setting new standards for what a former president can do. Carter wrote nearly a decade ago that he found all the phases of his life challenging but also successful and enjoyable. The Democrat's principled but pragmatic approach defied American political labels, especially the idea that one-term presidents are failures. The Latest: Former President Jimmy Carter is Dead at age 100 Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. He left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Jimmy Carter: A brief bio Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died at his home in Plains, Georgia. His death comes more than a year after the former president entered hospice care. He was 100 years old. Jetliner skids off runway and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. Officials said all but two of the 181 people on board were killed Sunday in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters. The 737-800 operated by Jeju Air plane arrived from Bangkok and crashed while attempting to land in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Seoul. Footage of the crash aired by South Korean television channels showed the plane skidding across the airstrip at high speed, evidently with its landing gear still closed. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east HOUSTON (AP) — A strong storm system is threatening to whip up tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Southeast, a day after severe weather claimed at least two lives as twisters touched down in Texas and Mississippi. Strong storms moving eastward Sunday are expected to continue producing gusty, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes through Sunday. That is according to National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira. So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, Pereira said, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed. Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli hospital says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery. Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center said his prostate was removed late Sunday and that he was recovering. Netanyahu’s office had said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Doctors ordered the operation after detecting an infection last week. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. Syria's de facto leader says it could take up to 4 years to hold elections BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s de facto leader has said it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans on dissolving his Islamist group that led the country’s insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview Sunday. That's according to the Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad’s decades-long rule, ending the country’s uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011. A fourth infant dies of the winter cold in Gaza as families share blankets in seaside tents DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fourth infant has died of hypothermia in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by nearly 15 months of war are huddled in tents along the rainy, windswept coast as winter arrives. The baby's father says the 20-day-old child was found with his head as “cold as ice” Sunday morning in their tent. The baby’s twin brother was moved to the intensive care unit of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father says the twins were born one month premature and spent just a day in hospital, which like other Gaza health centers has been overwhelmed and only partially functions. Musk causes uproar for backing Germany's far-right party ahead of key elections BERLIN (AP) — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in an early election on Feb. 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s stagnant economy. Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag, published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD.

Can This E-Commerce Giant Join the $1 Trillion Club?