what does vrr do for gaming
Struggling Lakers return home looking to right the ship
Midwest city's real estate market is in crisis as billionaire sells off homes and crime soarsPeople In USA Left Amazed When They're Calling 1-800-242-8478. Here's Why
Askew scores 28 as Long Beach State beats Hawaii 76-68A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces and seized by anti-government forces burns after it was hit by regime forces, in the Hama governorate, on December 7, 2024. Syria’s embattled government said on December 7 it was setting up a ring of steel around Damascus, state media reported, as rebels on a lightning advance said they were bearing down on the city. The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group which has headed the assault, told fighters to prepare to take Damascus, just over a week into a renewed offensive in the long-dormant conflict. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP) BEIRUT, Lebanon — A war monitor said late Saturday that Islamist-led rebels had entered the strategic city of Homs, on the way towards Damascus where Syria’s embattled government said it was setting up an impenetrable security cordon. The defence ministry denied rebels had entered Homs, describing the situation there as “safe and stable.” The capture of Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, would cut the seat of power in the capital Damascus from the Mediterranean coast, a key bastion of the Assad clan which has ruled Syria for the past five decades. Homs would be the third major city seized by the rebels who began their advance 10 days ago, reigniting a years-long war that had become largely dormant. “Rebel factions entered the city of Homs and took control of some neighbourhoods after the withdrawal of security forces and the army from their last positions in the city,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Commander Hassan Abdel Ghani, of the rebel alliance that launched the offensive, said on Telegram that “our forces have begun advancing into the city of Homs.” Syria’s defence ministry, however, said that news “about terrorists entering the city of Homs is unfounded.” The ministry said “armed forces are deployed around the city, positioned in strong defensive lines reinforced with various types of weapons.” Aron Lund, a fellow of the Century International think tank, has said that should the government of President Bashar al-Assad lose Homs, it wouldn’t mean the end of his rule, but “with no secure route from Damascus to the coast, I’d say it’s over as a credible state entity.” In Damascus, about 140 kilometres (85 miles) south of Homs, Interior Minister Mohammed al-Rahmoun told state television that “a very strong security and military cordon” was being established around the capital “and no one... can penetrate this defensive line that we, the armed forces, are building.” Earlier, Assad’s government denied the army had withdrawn from areas around Damascus. ‘Scared’ Rebel commander Ghani had said his forced had “begun the final phase of encircling the capital”. The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group which heads the assault, told fighters to prepare to take the capital. “Damascus awaits you,” he said on Telegram, using his real name instead of his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. But the defence ministry insisted: “There is no truth to news claiming our armed forces... have withdrawn” from positions near Damascus. The Syrian army said that, in addition to the area around Damascus, it was reinforcing positions in the south, and operations against the rebels were beginning in the Hama, Homs and Daraa areas. AFP has been unable to independently verify some of the information provided by the government and the rebels, as its journalists cannot reach the areas around Damascus where the rebels say they are present. Residents of the capital described to AFP a state of panic as traffic jams clogged the city centre, people sought supplies and queued to withdraw money from ATMs. “The situation was not like this when I left my house this morning... suddenly everyone was scared,” said one woman, Rania. A few kilometres (miles) away, the mood was starkly different. In a Damascus suburb, witnesses said protesters toppled a statue of Assad’s father, the late president Hafez al-Assad. AFPTV images from Hama, Syria’s fourth-largest city, showed abandoned tanks and other armoured vehicles, one of them on fire. Hama resident Kharfan Mansour said he was “happy with the liberation of Hama and the liberation of Syria from the Assad regime.” The president’s office denied reports Assad had left Damascus, saying he was “following up on his work and national and constitutional duties from the capital.” Soldiers ‘fled’ As government forces fall back, a war monitor and Abdel Ghani said rebels were within 20 kilometres (12 miles) of Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government forces had ceded more key ground, losing control of all southern Daraa province, cradle of the 2011 uprising. The army said it was “redeploying and repositioning” in Daraa and another southern province, Sweida. The Britain-based Observatory said troops were also evacuating posts in Quneitra, near the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. Jordan has urged its citizens to leave neighbouring Syria “as soon as possible” as have Assad ally Russia and the United States, which both keep troops in Syria. An AFP correspondent in Daraa saw local fighters guarding public property and civil institutions. In Sweida, a local fighter told AFP that after government forces withdrew “from their positions and headquarters, we are now securing and protecting vital facilities”. An Iraqi security source told AFP that Baghdad has allowed in hundreds of Syrian soldiers, who “fled the front lines” through the Al-Qaim border crossing. A second source put the figure at 2,000 troops, including officers. ‘Tired of war’ HTS is rooted in the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda. Proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Western governments, it has sought to soften its image in recent years, and told minority groups living in areas they now control not to worry. Since the offensive began, at least 826 people, mostly combatants but also including 111 civilians, have been killed, the Observatory said. The United Nations said the violence has displaced 370,000 people. UN special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, called for “urgent political talks” to implement Security Council Resolution 2254 of 2015, which set out a roadmap for a negotiated settlement. US President-elect Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that the United States should “not get involved”, after outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Friday for a “political solution to the conflict”, in a call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. After Fidan and his Iranian and Russian counterparts discussed Syria in Qatar on Saturday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said they agreed on the initiation of “political dialogue between the Syrian government and legitimate opposition groups.” Russia’s Sergei Lavrov said it was “inadmissible” to allow a “terrorist group to take control” of Syrian territory. Moscow and Tehran have supported Assad’s government and army during the war, as has the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. A source close to Hezbollah said it had sent 2,000 fighters into Syria, to an area near the Lebanese border, “to defend its positions.” Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government backs some armed groups in northern Syria, said Saturday that Syria “is tired of war, blood and tears.”
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has been ruled out for the second half of Saturday's SEC Championship Game against Texas after being injured on the final play of the first half. Texas' Trey Moore forced a fumble on Beck's pass attempt, appearing to injure the Georgia quarterback's throwing arm. Beck remained motionless on the field for a short time before joining the team in the locker room. Coach Kirby Smart told ESPN at halftime that Beck was done for the day. During the third quarter, Beck was seen with ice on his right elbow. Beck completed 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards and was sacked once before exiting. Georgia backup Gunner Stockton entered and led Georgia on a 10-play, 75-yard opening second-half drive, giving the Bulldogs their first lead at 10-6. Bulldogs punter Brett Thorson injured his left knee in the third quarter and was ruled out of the contest. He was taken off on a cart. --Field Level Media
Youth camp promotes teamwork
By Cara Anna | Associated Press Opposition fighters are closing in on Syria’s capital in a swiftly developing crisis that has taken much of the world by surprise. Syria’s army has abandoned key cities with little resistance. Nervous residents in Damascus describe security forces on the streets. The state news agency has been forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad has left the country. Who are these opposition fighters ? If they enter Damascus after taking some of Syria’s largest cities , what then? Here’s a look at the stunning reversal of fortune for Assad and his government in just the past 10 days, and what might lie ahead as Syria’s 13-year civil war reignites . This is the first time that opposition forces have reached the outskirts of the Syrian capital since 2018, when the country’s troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The approaching fighters are led by the most powerful insurgent group in Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham , or HTS, along with an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Both have been entrenched in the northwest. They launched the shock offensive on Nov. 27 with gunmen capturing Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, and the central city of Hama, the fourth largest. The HTS has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. But the group said in recent years it cut ties with al-Qaida, and experts say HTS has sought to remake itself in recent years by focusing on promoting civilian government in their territory as well as military action. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told CNN in an exclusive interview Thursday from Syria that the aim of the offensive is to overthrow Assad’s government. The HTS and Syrian National Army have been allies at times and rivals at times, and their aims might diverge. The Turkish-backed militias also have an interest in creating a buffer zone near the Turkish border to keep away Kurdish militants at odds with Ankara. Turkey has been a main backer of the fighters seeking to overthrow Assad but more recently has urged reconciliation, and Turkish officials have strongly rejected claims of any involvement in the current offensive. Whether the HTS and the Syrian National Army will work together if they succeed in overthrowing Assad or turn on each other again is a major question. While the flash offensive against Syria’s government began in the north, armed opposition groups have also mobilized elsewhere. The southern areas of Sweida and Daraa have both been taken locally. Sweida is the heartland of Syria’s Druze religious minority and had been the site of regular anti-government protests even after Assad seemingly consolidated his control over the area. Daraa is a Sunni Muslim area that was widely seen as the cradle of the uprising against Assad’s rule that erupted in 2011. Daraa was recaptured by Syrian government troops in 2018, but rebels remained in some areas. In recent years, Daraa was in a state of uneasy quiet under a Russian-mediated ceasefire deal. And much of Syria’s east is controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group backed by the United States that in the past has clashed with most other armed groups in the country. Syria’s government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. Much depends on Assad’s next moves and his forces’ will to fight the rebels. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces have started carrying out the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. And Syrian troops withdrew Saturday from much of the central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, according to a pro-government outlet and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. If that city is captured, the link would be cut between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support. “Homs to the coastal cities will be a very huge red line politically and socially. Politically, if this line is crossed, then we are talking about the end of the entire Syria, the one that we knew in the past,” said a Damascus resident, Anas Joudeh. Assad appears to be largely on his own as allies Russia and Iran are distracted by other conflicts and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah has been weakened by its war with Israel, now under a fragile ceasefire. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition,” saying the situation is changing by the minute. He met with foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. President-elect Donald Trump in his first extensive comments on the developments in Syria said the besieged Assad didn’t deserve U.S. support to stay in power. “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump posted on social media. ___ Associated Press writer Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed.Stock market today: Dow jumps 426 points as stocks end the week higher amid risk-on rally
State eyes new way to count students in need, /PRNewswire/ -- The China Fund, Inc. (NYSE: CHN) (the "Fund") announced today that the Fund's annual stockholder meeting (the "Meeting") will be scheduled for , via a virtual forum at . Stockholders of record as of will be entitled to notice of, and to attend and vote at, the Meeting. The notice for the Meeting will be mailed to shareholders on or about . The Fund is a closed-end management investment company with the objective of seeking long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities (i) of companies for which the principal securities trading market is in (" "), or (ii) of companies for which the principal securities trading market is outside of , or constituting direct equity investments in companies organized outside of , that in both cases derive at least 50% of their revenues from goods and services sold or produced, or have at least 50% of their assets, in . While the Fund is permitted to invest in direct equity investments of companies organized in , it presently holds no such investments. Shares of the Fund are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CHN". The Fund's investment manager is Matthews International Capital Management, LLC. For further information regarding the Fund and the Fund's holdings, please call (888)-CHN-CALL (246-2255) or visit the Fund's website at . View original content: SOURCE The China Fund, Inc.
ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — Jackson Paveletzke scored 23 points as Ohio beat Morehead State 88-76 on Saturday night. Paveletzke also contributed eight rebounds for the Bobcats (4-5). Elmore James scored 16 points, shooting 6 for 8, including 2 for 4 from beyond the arc. AJ Clayton went 5 of 10 from the field (2 for 7 from 3-point range) to finish with 14 points. The Eagles (3-6) were led in scoring by Tyler Brelsford, who finished with 16 points, six rebounds and five assists. Jalen Breazeale added 13 points for Morehead State. Kade Ruegsegger also had 12 points, six rebounds and three steals. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from .
Existing global system becoming increasingly irrelevant: Ahsan Islamabad : Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives has said that the existing post-World War-II global system became increasingly irrelevant particularly its financial and multilateral structures, which fail to address the economic challenges of developing nations. Mr Ahsan was addressing as chief guest the closing session of Islamabad Conclave on the theme “Pakistan and the evolving global order” organised here by Institute of Strategic Studies (ISS). Mr Ahsan highlighted that Pakistan’s geostrategic location at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East offers unparalleled opportunities for regional trade, energy and connectivity. He cited the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as a key enabler in this transformation, having already delivered critical infrastructure projects including 8,000 MW of energy and over 500 kilometres of highways. These developments position Pakistan as a pivotal hub for regional integration, trade and economic collaboration. The minister outlined five strategic priorities for Pakistan to secure its place in the evolving global order. First, economic strength is fundamental to national resilience. Structural reforms, investment in human capital, and regional trade must be prioritised to reduce reliance on external aid and foster innovation-led growth. Second, the nation must embrace technological advancements to remain competitive globally. Initiatives like the National AI Policy and investments in emerging technologies including cybersecurity and green energy will be critical. Third, Pakistan must reclaim its leadership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), championing issues such as Palestine and Kashmir while fostering collective economic growth among Muslim nations. Fourth, regional cooperation with neighbours such as India Iran, and Afghanistan are vital for stability and prosperity. Expanding initiatives like CPEC to include Afghanistan and Central Asia can promote peace and economic integration. Finally, domestic unity remains the cornerstone of an effective foreign policy. He said building bridges across ethnic, religious, and regional divides will ensure internal cohesion and a stronger international presence. He concluded by emphasising that Pakistan’s future lies in economic diplomacy, innovation and proactive policies that leverage its geostrategic strengths, ensuring its rightful place in a dynamic global landscape. emphasising the need for revitalised UN-centered multilateralism to address global crises. Hina Rabbani Khar, Chairperson, NA Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, in her keynote address said that the world is transforming and people are fighting for primacy to rule the world. The conflict in the Middle East has exposed the major powers. She further said that South Asia suffered due to a lack of good bilateral relationships. The People’s Party leader said that Pakistan is centrally located in South Asia and collectively the region did not perform well in addressing the challenges. Countries that do not learn from their mistakes are continuously suffering and history and geography are two constants that cannot be changed, she concluded. Dr Moonis Ahmar from University of Karachi stated that while the world moved from a unipolar to a multipolar world, growing Sino-Russian engagement was increasingly important. Major regional fault lines lie in the Indo-Pak unresolved conflicts. Unless there was betterment of Indo-Pak relations, peace and stability will remain elusive, he said. Earlier, Amina Khan, Director, ISS, in her welcome remarks stated that the regional strategic landscape fundamentally reshaped by great power competition, events in neighbouring Afghanistan as well as regional connectivity in South and Central Asia. She further said that these developments prompted Pakistan to reevaluate its diplomatic strategies and find ways to navigate its national interests while maintaining its regional influence.Kay Patterson, who rose from janitor at segregated South Carolina capitol to state senator, diesRAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 22, 2024-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, has been notified that TRC Capital Investment Corporation (TRC Capital) has commenced an unsolicited “mini-tender” offer, dated November 12, 2024, to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of Merck common stock at $96.38 per share. The offer price is approximately 4.32% below the closing price of the Merck common stock on November 11, 2024 ($100.73), the last trading day before the date of the offer, and approximately 3.48% below the closing price of the Merck common stock on November 21, 2024 ($99.86), the day prior to this release. Merck does not endorse TRC Capital’s offer and recommends that Merck shareholders reject the offer and not tender their shares in response to TRC Capital’s unsolicited mini-tender offer. This mini-tender offer is at a price below the closing price for Merck’s shares (as of the day prior to this release) and is subject to numerous conditions, including TRC Capital’s ability to obtain financing. Merck is not associated in any way with TRC Capital, its mini-tender offer or the offer documentation. TRC Capital has made similar unsolicited mini-tender offers for shares of other publicly traded companies. Mini-tender offers seek to acquire less than 5% of a company's outstanding shares. This lets the offering company avoid many of the disclosure and procedural requirements the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires for tender offers. As a result, mini-tender offers do not provide investors the same level of protections as provided by larger tender offers under U.S. federal securities laws. On its website , the SEC advises that the people behind mini tender-offers “frequently use mini-tender offers to catch shareholders off guard” and that investors “may end up selling at below-market prices.” The SEC's website also contains important tips for investors regarding mini-tender offers. Like TRC Capital’s other offers, this one puts individual investors at risk because they may not realize they are selling their shares at a discount. Merck urges shareholders to obtain current stock quotes for their shares of Merck common stock, to review the terms and conditions of the offer, to consult with their brokers or financial advisers, and to exercise caution with respect to TRC Capital’s mini-tender offer. Merck shareholders who have already tendered are advised they may withdraw their shares by following the procedures for withdrawal described in the TRC Capital offer documents prior to the expiration of the offer, which is currently scheduled for 11:59 a.m. EST on December 11, 2024. Merck encourages brokers, dealers, and other investors to review the SEC’s letter regarding broker-dealer mini-tender offer dissemination and disclosure. Merck requests that a copy of this news release be included with all distribution of materials related to TRC Capital’s offer for shares of Merck common stock. About Merck At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on X (formerly Twitter) , Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and LinkedIn . Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site ( www.sec.gov ). View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122275388/en/ CONTACT: Media Contacts:Robert Josephson (203) 914-2372 robert.josephson@merck.comMichael Levey (215) 872-1462 michael.levey@merck.comInvestor Contacts:Peter Dannenbaum (732) 594-1579 peter.dannenbaum@merck.comSteven Graziano (732) 594-1583 steven.graziano@merck.com KEYWORD: NEW JERSEY UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES HEALTH FINANCE GENERAL HEALTH PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY SOURCE: Merck & Co., Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/22/2024 04:17 PM/DISC: 11/22/2024 04:17 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122275388/en
The Conservatives have chosen their candidate for next year's Greater Lincolnshire mayoral election. Former Mansfield MP and Nottinghamshire County Council leader Ben Bradley was in the running but at Saturday (December 7) afternoon's nomination meeting at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln, leader of North Lincolnshire Council Rob Waltham was voted in as Conservative candidate, according to BBC political reporter Sharon Edwards. Prior to the nomination meeting, Mr Waltham had said: "Many residents from across Lincolnshire have been in touch asking me stand to be mayor and it will be for them to decide who the best person for the job is. "I would like to think I bring proven leadership and a strong vision. As the leader of one of England’s highest performing local authorities, I’ve delivered outstanding results, improving lives and protecting communities from inappropriate development. "The creation of a mayor for Lincolnshire is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure better paid jobs, improve travel times, and create a brighter future for our children and young people." Five candidates went into Saturday's contest and had the chance to make their final pitches to party members, who could ask questions before casting their vote. The following five political figures contested the candidature: Marc Jones, the Lincolnshire Police & Crime Commissioner, dropped out of the race this week, saying he wouldn’t be able to balance a five-month campaign with his work commitments. Prior to the contest, Mr Bradley had said: “My name is in the hat. I’d love to be selected by Conservative members as their candidate, but that’s not my decision, so I look forward to that process playing out over the coming weeks.” Mr Bradley lost his Mansfield seat in the July General Election and stepped down from as leader of Nottinghamshire County Council last Thursday, when Sam Smith took over the position. Former Conservative MP Dame Andrea Jenkyns has been confirmed as the candidate for Reform UK, while Labour will be represented by Jason Stockwood, vice-chairman of Grimsby Town Football Club. The Liberal Democrats have also indicated they will announce a candidate in the New Year. The mayoral election will be held on Thursday, May 1, alongside local elections. The newly-created role will devolve a broad range of powers from central government to Lincolnshire, including transport, housing skills and investment. They will have a budget of £24m, which is guaranteed for the next 30 years. The election will be the final stage in Lincolnshire’s long-running devolution saga. Plans for a £450m deal were originally drawn up in 2016, but were scrapped after Lincolnshire County Councillors objected to the idea of having a directly-elected mayor. A new deal was signed in 2023 after several more authorities had already gone through the process.
Barry Keoghan deactivates Instagram account after shock Sabrina Carpenter 'split'A look back at 2024 in photosEmilia Clarke Once Caused Delays Filming A Violent Sex Scene With Jason Momoa On GoT- Here’s What Happened!