Merrimack Valley High School senior Keighen Duppong knows attending the University of New Hampshire would likely cost thousands of dollars less per year than most of the schools on his college list. Duppong, who plans to study applied physics, has sent in his application to UNH but doesn’t expect to enroll there. His top choices are public universities hundreds of miles away. “I would love to stay local if we had a tech school that was comparable to something like Georgia Tech and their program or the University of Michigan, which is currently number one in the country for nuclear fission,” Duppong said. “These colleges have the resources, while UNH is lacking in that regard.” Duppong’s good friend, Gage Caswell, is also a high-achieving student who plans to pursue a college degree in a STEM field. He too anticipates he’ll be in another state next year. “I want to say that I’m considering UNH pretty heavily because it is a really good school,” said Caswell, who hopes to major in applied mathematics. “But honestly I think I would go somewhere like Clarkson University because New Hampshire really isn’t a state designed for young people. It’s just not that appealing.” For Caswell, the choice is also financial: Many of the elite private schools he is applying to, including several in the Ivy League, guarantee full financial aid to those in his family’s income bracket. His mother is also an employee at Southern New Hampshire University, which gives Caswell the opportunity for free tuition through an exchange program at several schools on his list, including Boston University and Tulane University. Duppong and Caswell, who met as second graders at Penacook Elementary School, share the views of many New Hampshire high school students contemplating where they will go to college. The state trails only Vermont in the percentage of students who leave their home state for higher education. In 2020, 57% of college freshmen from New Hampshire left the state to enroll elsewhere. That’s more than double the national average of 26% of students who leave their home state to attend college, according to the National Center for Education Statistics data from 2020, the most recent year for which the numbers were available. Article continues after... Cross|Word Flipart Typeshift SpellTower Really Bad Chess The reasons are multi-faceted, but primarily economic. In a survey of 1,000 recent college enrollees conducted by BestColleges in 2023, affordability was considered the most important factor in making a college decision. Professional outcomes, which is a prime factor in Duppong’s decision, came in second. The student life factors that Caswell mentioned were further down the list. New Hampshire ranks last in the country in the amount of per-pupil funding for higher education, according to a study conducted by the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute last year that relied on data from 2021-22. That year, New Hampshire’s in-state tuition was the second highest, trailing only Vermont’s, according to Forbes . Geography also plays a role: New Hampshire is a relatively small state in close proximity to a number of universities across state lines. The state’s public university system – comprised of UNH, Plymouth State, and Keene State – has in recent years attempted to make inroads. The Granite Guarantee program, which began in 2018, covers the full cost of tuition at state universities for students who are Pell Grant-eligible, a threshold that varies by family and is calculated via a complex formula. Kim DeRego, UNH’s vice president of enrollment management, said in an interview that the state’s flagship is considering transitioning to a set income threshold instead of employing Pell Granite eligibility to offer families more clarity earlier in the financial aid process. UNH also touts its Hamel Scholars program, which provides merit-based scholarships and special access to faculty to New Hampshire students. In addition, UNH and Plymouth State are also piloting a direct admission program this year, which allows students who meet certain qualifications to be automatically accepted without having to submit a formal application. DeRego said that prospective students sometimes underestimate what UNH has to offer. “Unfortunately, I think people don’t realize what an excellent school UNH is,” DeRego said, citing UNH’s status as the “top value” public university in New England, according to U.S. News & World Report , among other accolades . Though applications to New Hampshire’s flagship university have increased in recent years, undergraduate enrollment has dropped about 8%, from 12,313 in 2019 to 11,365 this year – a trend reflected in declining college enrollment nationally. At an event last month hosted at Merrimack Valley High School’s library by the non-profit higher education and career support organization Granite Edvance, only one student out of six who spoke with the Monitor said she was planning to attend a university in-state. The student, Hannah Walden of Loudon, grew up attending hockey games at UNH in part because her father is an alumnus. “It just feels like home to me,” said Walden, who hopes to head to Durham next fall to study nursing. The event that Walden was at, called ApplyNH, gives students the opportunity to apply to any school in New Hampshire without having to pay the application fee. About 80 high schools across the state held similar days this fall, according to Christiana Thornton, the president and CEO of Granite Edvance. Thornton said the program, which has been ongoing since at least 2014, is not specifically designed to encourage students to stay in New Hampshire. “Our goal really is to provide support to students to pursue either college or career pathways – really just ensuring that they have educational opportunities,” Thornton said. “And whether that’s in-state or out-of-state, you know, we really think it’s an individual choice.” Shanyn Grenier, the college and career counselor at Merrimack Valley High School, said multiple factors – with cost being a primary one – explain why so many students leave New Hampshire for school. “Unless I qualify for a Pell Grant and can get my tuition free, for some kids if they do their research and they’re a little bit adventurous ... they can find deals in other places,” Grenier said. Somewhat counter-intuitively, the deal-searching process has led Caswell – whose family has a lower income – to private schools, and Duppong – whose family won’t qualify for significant need-based aid – to public schools in other states. Though elite private schools generally have the highest sticker price, in recent years some of them have offered free tuition to families who have incomes as high as $140,000. “That was my ethos going into this process: to limit my tuition as much as I can because I don’t want to be a burden to my parents financially,” Caswell said. Duppong’s family will not qualify for those need-based thresholds, he said, so he is targeting merit-based aid at public universities. He estimates that they will cost about one-third more than UNH but he feels that is a worthwhile investment – in part because of the physical amenities, such as nuclear reactors and quantum computers, that they have, and in part because of the people. “If you attend one of these colleges that has a network, then you have far more opportunities,” Duppong said. “You will have a greater chance of getting a job in a field like physics, so I would say that’s worth the extra cost.” Grenier said that Caswell and Duppong have targeted their college lists to their families’ specific financial situations more than most students, but that it makes sense for some students to do so. “What those two children are trying to do is a great example of how to try and make the system that’s kind of gotten out of control work the best for their individual circumstances,” said Grenier, whose own daughter chose to attend a public university in the South this year in part because the merit aid she received made it about as expensive as UNH. Newly-elected state Rep. Sanjeev Manohar, a Nashua Democrat, believes it is time to address that system to incentivize talented students to stay in the state. Manohar, a chemical engineering professor at the University of Massachusetts–Lowell, said he noticed that many of his students were coming from just across the border in Nashua. “Families are moving here, while our students are moving out,” he said in an interview. “It’s kind of weird.” Manohar has filed a legislative service request that he hopes could help. The bill he has proposed would create a monetary incentive of between $500 and $750 for students to attend college in New Hampshire, as well as a monetary incentive for businesses to hire in-state residents after they graduate. “I see this as not political at all,” Manohar said. “I think both parties can benefit from a program like this.” Manohar has a vision that southern New Hampshire – from Concord to Nashua – can ultimately become a biotech corridor for the region. “The attraction of Massachusetts and Connecticut will be diminished a little bit if we become the tech hub ourselves,” he said. Jeremy Margolis can be contacted at jmargolis@cmonitor.com.Jayden Daniels and the offense stalling have the Commanders on a three-game losing streak#ssbet77 。

Federal prosecutors on Monday (November 25) filed motions to dismiss criminal charges against President-elect Donald Trump, including allegations of attempting to overturn the 2020 election and illegally retaining classified documents. The decision was based on longstanding Justice Department policy that prohibits the prosecution of sitting presidents. Justice Department’s policy cited Special counsel Jack Smith, who pursued the charges against Trump with vigor, emphasized that the decision was not a reflection on the merits of the cases but rather adherence to Justice Department protocol. "That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind," prosecutors stated in filings. Legal and political context The move effectively concludes two high-profile federal cases that posed significant legal threats to Trump: one involving allegations of election interference and another related to the alleged hoarding of classified documents . Both cases were being tried in federal courts in Washington, D.C., and Florida, respectively. Trump, who has consistently labeled the cases as politically motivated, had pledged to dismiss Smith as special counsel upon taking office in January. Impact of the Supreme Court ruling The decision to drop the cases also reflects the practical impact of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in July, which granted former presidents broad immunity from prosecution for actions taken while in office. The ruling stalled the 2020 election interference case, forcing prosecutors to reassess their strategy. A return to the White House Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in this month’s election ensures his return to the White House without the looming threat of federal scrutiny for the dismissed cases. The announcement marks the end of a legal saga that had once been seen as a defining moment in the accountability of a former president.Dow ends at fresh record as oil prices pull back on ceasefire hopes

ATLANTA (AP) — Jalen Johnson scored 28 points and the Atlanta Hawks closed out a four-game homestand, winning a third straight contest, 120-110 over the Miami Heat on Saturday. Trae Young added his 22nd double-double of the season, with 11 point and 15 assist, and De'Andre Hunter scored 26 points in his 14th consecutive game with at least 15 points coming off the bench. Tyler Herro scored 28 points and dished out 10 assists and Bam Adebayo added 17 points and 10 rebounds. It was the Heat's fourth game in a row without star Jimmy Butler , who sat out for what the team called “return to competition reconditioning.” Heat: Miami lost despite five players finishing with double-digit point totals. The Heat shot 44.4% from the field, but it wasn't enough to overcome a Hawks team that hit over half of its shots, 51.2% from the field. Hawks: Johnson has been on an offensive tear in his last two games. He finished two points shy of his single-game career high of 30 points, set in his last game, on Thursday against the Chicago Bulls. Hunter also finished just one point shy of his single-game career high of 27 points. After a close first half that featured nine lead changes, Atlanta seized control early in the second half. With five minutes to go in the third quarter, Atlanta’s Garrison Mathews and Hunter hit back-to-back 3s to give Atlanta an 81-72 lead, their biggest of the night, and forcing a Miami timeout. Young finished one assist shy of a franchise single-game record for assists against the Miami Heat, set by Mookie Blaylock in 1993. The Hawks begin a six-game road trip in Toronto on Sunday, while the Heat visits the Rockets on Sunday. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA3 Takeaways from Iowa men’s loss to Michigan: Hawkeyes dig too deep a deficit

The Greens will wave through two Labor housing bills, ending a lengthy stand-off after attempting to pressure the Albanese government to dig deeper for the housing crisis. What we know: The Greens will vote for Labor's Help to Buy scheme, which will allow up to 40,000 first home buyers to co-purchase homes with the government ( ABC ); The minor party will also vote for the Build to Rent legislation, which offers a tax incentive for apartment complexes designed for renters, and commits at least 10% of the dwellings to affordable housing; Greens leader Adam Bandt said: “There comes a point where you’ve pushed as far as you can. We tried hard to get Labor to shift on soaring rents and negative gearing, but we couldn’t get there this time” ( The Conversation ); The Greens had made a final effort to negotiate on the bill to secure more money for social housing, but Labor rebuffed the offer; Housing Minister Clare O’Neil welcomed the shift but said it “did not excuse” the Greens’ lengthy delay; It comes as the Better Renting group sounds the alarm on rental conditions, finding that 59% of renters feared retaliation and failed to report issues with their homes as a result in the last 12 months alone ( SBS ); Meanwhile experts warn that governments are ignoring the role of shrinking households in exacerbating the housing crisis, which are also contributing to social isolation ( The Saturday Paper ). The federal government has responded to the Senate inquiry into missing and murdered First Nations women and children, as the NT coroner hands down a report into the deaths of four Aboriginal women. What we know: Three months after the release of the inquiry, Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy vowed the findings would “inform a range of work currently under way to address the horrific rates of violence against First Nations women and children” ( NIT ); She specified that the inquiry findings would guide the inaugural National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan to be launched next year ( ABC ); McCarthy also vowed to write to the Australian Press Council on clear guidance for coverage, with the report highlighting “disproportionately little media coverage ... given to missing and murdered First Nations women and children”; She also referenced the $4.4bn announced in September to tackle gender-based violence and other initiatives, including $194m set aside to support the safety of First Nations women and children; At the time the package was met with scepticism by frustrated peak bodies across the sector, who claimed the funding has, in reality, gone backwards ( The Saturday Paper ); Greens senator Dorinda Cox, who established the inquiry, said she was “somewhat disappointed” that the government only addressed two of the 10 recommendations, with no mention of the inquiry’s call to review police practices; Nationally, First Nations women are seven times more likely to be homicide victims than non-Indigenous women, and 33 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family and domestic violence; It comes as NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage handed down her findings into the inquest of four Aboriginal women who were killed due to domestic violence ( NITV ); Armitage made 35 recommendations, including better funding for frontline services, changes to the way police follow up domestic violence reports and targeted training for police and health workers. The Albanese government is set to establish a new university watchdog to crack down on excessive salaries for vice-chancellors.In the coming days Federal Education Minister Jason Clare will announce a national expert university governance council ( The Australian $). The body will set independent rules for executive ­remuneration, and also crack down on systemic wage theft from academics and lecturers. “It will focus on making sure universities demonstrate and maintain a rigorous and transparent process for developing ­remuneration policies and settings for senior university staff,’’ a spokesperson for Clare said. It follows a report by the National Tertiary Education Union last week that revealed 306 senior academic leaders are paid more than state premiers, amid widespread wage theft issues for lower-level staff. Australian vice-chancellors are among the world’s highest paid, pocketing an average of $1.048m across 37 universities last year. Stolen wages for university staff has risen to $388m, while staff are increasingly employed under tenuous conditions, with casual or fixed-term contracts now the dominant form of employment ( The Saturday Paper ). A Senate inquiry into the Albanese government’s proposed ban on children using social media has been flooded with 15,000 submissions in just one day. Most submissions are reportedly variants of a template response, with Senate inquiries more typically receiving tens or hundreds of submissions ( ABC ). The surge of responses may also be linked to an Elon Musk X post about the bill that was viewed by millions of X users. Musk suggested the bill seemed “like a backdoor way to control access to the internet by all Australians”. His company made a formal submission claiming the bill would have a negative impact on the rights of children and breaches international human rights treaties ( The Guardian ). Other respondents included Google, who urged that the legislation should be delayed until the government’s trial of age-assurance technology is completed. Facebook owner Meta backed Google’s call for a delay, warning the bill would be “inconsistent and ineffective” without more consultation, as the government rushes to pass the legislation this week before parliament rises for the year. Internal analysis by the Reserve Bank of Australia has found that Donald Trump’s plan for an “extreme” trade war between the US and China would drive down Australian share prices and push the dollar lower. The research, released under freedom of information laws, found that Chinese economic growth would slow due to the sharp rise in tariffs, in turn delivering “relatively strong negative implications for Australia given the strength of export trade links” ( AFR $). “In the extreme scenario, weaker export demand, and slower growth would be disinflationary, putting downward pressure on policy rate expectations, government bond yields and the Australian dollar,” the RBA analysis said. It comes as Trump’s victory emboldens Gina Rinehart in her plan to cultivate a right-wing network with sympathy for her own political objectives ( The Saturday Paper ). NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley criticises kayakers who blockaded coal ships at the Port of Newcastle over the weekend. As it happens, “all over red rover” is also the official climate forecast if those coal ships keep hauling for many years longer ( ABC ). The machine resembles a jet fighter (or a massive helmet), with a transparent canopy that opens from the back. Once you settle into the central seat, sensors monitor your vitals to ensure the perfect wash temperature. There's even an AI system that analyses if you're feeling calm or excited, then projects custom visuals on the inside of the transparent cover to help the person feel refreshed. The whole wash and dry process takes 15 minutes ( Techspot ).Sleighing the Digital Divide with Black Friday Tech Deals

Releasing Aaron Rodgers prior to June 1 would be a shortsighted move by the New York Jets , immediately hamstringing the new general manager with a devastating 2025 salary cap hit. In "What I'm hearing," The Athletic's Dianna Russini suggested that New York could send Rodgers packing sooner than later. "Some around the league say they won’t be surprised if Rodgers is cut in-season," said Russini . Other than embarrass Rodgers, releasing the quarterback within the next few weeks accomplishes nothing except put the Jets on the hook for $49 million in dead salary cap space in 2025. According to figures posted by sports news outlet uStadium , a pre-June 1 cut would mean New York would have to absorb the full dead cap hit next season. If they wait until after June 1 in the new league year, the Jets can spread the charge out in the form of $14 million in 2025 and $35 million in 2026. The salary cap will escalate over the next two years as the NFL continues to build its media rights revenues, so $35 million in 2025 will hit harder than in 2026. Right now, each team must comply with a $255.4 million spending limit. That number is projected to jump to $273.3 million next season. In 2026, it's scheduled to increase to $290 million. Cutting Rodgers right now would mean that the quarterback would occupy 18 percent of the Jets' 2025 salary cap space despite not even being on the team. RELATED: Jets' next game could be the last for 'disastrous' Aaron Rodgers experiment If New York is content with low expectations next year, owner Woody Johnson could elect to dismiss Rodgers early and all but sacrifice the 2025 campaign before it starts. There's speculation from multiple sources that Rodgers has been playing hurt over the past seven games. He ranks 30th amongst qualifying quarterbacks in yards per attempt (6.4) and hasn't shown the ability to stretch the field. Rodgers and the Jets (3-8) will be playing for their postseason lives on December 1 against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium. More New York Jets News: • Ex-Jets' QB Ryan Fitzpatrick drags Aaron Rodgers, Jets • Why Woody Johnson finally fired Joe Douglas • Jets urged to make smart personnel move now with eye on future • Who is New York Jets' interim general manager Phil Savage? • Three serious candidates for Jets' head coaching job

Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital

Authored by Eric Utter via AmericanThinker.com, This is going to be controversial to many, but I am going to tell it like I see it, so damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. The Biden administration, set up as it was by the Obama administration, has been a clear and present danger to the United States of America. In almost every way imaginable. It has tanked an economy that otherwise was on the way to (an almost inevitable) rapid, post-pandemic recovery, causing pain to countless American families. Speaking of the pandemic, its ludicrous lockdown policy, and a host of other counterproductive and destructive policies, caused immeasurable physical, mental, and emotional harm to millions of people—and summarily destroyed many small businesses, particularly restaurants. It fostered a growing oligarchy by ensuring certain government-approved giant corporations prospered while the small businesses were devastated. It nourished this budding fascism even as it took every opportunity to baselessly label Donald Trump and his supporters as “fascists.” Similarly, it incessantly talked of “saving our democracy” even as it tried to destroy it by pushing for the end of the Electoral College and the filibuster, supporting the advent of congressional representation for Washington, D.C., urging the granting of statehood to Puerto Rico, and, most egregiously, going to any and all lengths to get rid of its chief political opponent, Donald J. Trump. It is still doing all it can to obstruct the will of the people, as was evident in its post-election auctioning off materials for the border wall for pennies on the dollar, as well as in placing various other roadblocks in front of the incoming administration. (In other words, it is doing everything possible to counteract the will of the people. Doesn’t sound very democratic to me.) Leaving the border wide open for years has created the greatest current—and latent—security threat the nation has ever faced. Period. In colluding with the social media giants to suppress the Hunter Biden laptop story, or with foreign agents to concoct the Russian-collusion hoax, Democrats have shown, time and again, they will do anything to attain and retain power. The Biden administration made that abundantly clear...seven ways from Sunday. In its constant use of lawfare and its “accountability for thee but not for me” perversion of the justice system, it has created a two-tiered system of justice that is deeply anti-American and monstrously pernicious. And that is troubling—and frightening—to most Americans. The Biden administration has helped make a mockery of common sense—if not of reality itself —with its official inability to define what a woman is, and to simultaneously approve of “gender reassignment” surgeries and procedures (even for the very young)...and biological men in women’s locker-rooms, bathrooms, and on their sports teams. It has done grievous damage to our culture—and unity—by endlessly promoting the absurd ideologies of DEI and CRT. Its unwillingness to ever be available, accountable, or transparent is only matched by its overwhelming desire and propensity to lie to the very citizens it is supposed to serve. Which we have seen in its attempts to protect itself, smear Trump and his supporters, give a pass to the Chinese spy balloon, and in its flat-out refusal to tell Americans anything resembling the truth about the drone fiasco that has been ongoing for over a month. The non-answers and gibberish that has spewed from the mouths of “government officials,” has been truly mind-blowing...on this and numerous other matters. As if all of this weren’t enough, its foreign policy may yet lead to our destruction. It essentially surrendered to goat-herders in Afghanistan, leaving behind billions of dollars of high-end military equipment, more than a dozen dead Americans, and our reputation and dignity. It has bizarrely coddled Iran while playing hardball with Israel, the only liberal democracy in the Middle East. And it seems almost determined to get us directly involved in a shooting war with Russia, if not a nuclear one. To me, this is far worse than incompetence, more than malfeasance. To me, it spells T-R-E-A-S-O-N . Were this an age of reason , what other conclusion could be reached?By BASSEM MROUE and ZEINA KARAM BEIRUT (AP) — The Syrian government fell early Sunday in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family after a sudden rebel offensive sprinted across government-held territory and entered the capital in 10 days. Syrian state television aired a video statement by a group of men saying that President Bashar Assad has been overthrown and all detainees in jails have been set free. The man who read the statement said the Operations Room to Conquer Damascus, an opposition group, called on all opposition fighters and citizens to preserve state institutions of “the free Syrian state.” The statement emerged hours after the head of a Syrian opposition war monitor said Assad had left the country for an undisclosed location, fleeing ahead of insurgents who said they had entered Damascus following the remarkably swift advance across the country. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said the government was ready to “extend its hand” to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. “I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country,” Jalili said in a video statement. He said he would go to his office to continue work in the morning and called on Syrian citizens not to deface public property. He did not address reports that Assad had fled. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told The Associated Press that Assad took a flight Sunday from Damascus. State television in Iran, Assad’s main backer in the years of war in Syria, reported that Assad had left the capital. It cited Qatar’s Al Jazeera news network for the information and did not elaborate. There was no immediate statement from the Syrian government. As daylight broke over Damascus, crowds gathered to pray in the city’s mosques and to celebrate in the squares, chanting “God is great.” People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. In some areas, celebratory gunshots rang out. Soldiers and police officers left their posts and fled, and looters broke into the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense. “My feelings are indescribable,” said Omar Daher, a 29-year-old lawyer. “After the fear that he (Assad) and his father made us live in for many years, and the panic and state of terror that I was living in, I can’t believe it.” Daher said his father was killed by security forces and his brother was in detention, his fate unknown. Assad “is a criminal, a tyrant and a dog,” he said.” “Damn his soul and the soul of the entire Assad family,” said Ghazal al-Sharif, another reveler in central Damascus. “It is the prayer of every oppressed person and God answered it today. We thought we would never see it, but thank God, we saw it.” The police headquarters in the capital appeared to be abandoned, its door left ajar with no officers outside. An Associated Press journalist shot footage of an abandoned army checkpoint where uniforms were discarded on the ground under a poster of Assad’s face. Footage broadcast on opposition-linked media showed a tank in one of the capital’s central squares. It was the first time opposition forces had reached Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a yearslong siege. The pro-government Sham FM radio reported that the Damascus airport had been evacuated and all flights halted. The insurgents also announced they had entered the notorious Saydnaya military prison north of the capital and “liberated” their prisoners there. The night before, opposition forces took the central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as government forces abandoned it. The city stands at an important intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader’s base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The rebels had already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama , as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said rebel control of Homs would be a game-changer. The rebels’ moves into Damascus 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 by far 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 Assad’s government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called Saturday 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 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. Lebanese border officials closed the main Masnaa border crossing late Saturday, leaving many stuck waiting. 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 U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Assad’s status Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he was 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 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 the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria . Separately, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser said the Biden administration had no intention of intervening there. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation of 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 Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. In a statement, the participants affirmed their support for a political solution to the Syrian crisis “that would lead to the end of military activity and protect civilians.” The insurgents’ march 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, HTS leader Abu Mohammed 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. 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. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. Qatar’s top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized 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. ____ Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Abdulrahman Shaheen and Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria; Abby Sewell in Beirut; Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad; Josef Federman and Victoria Eastwood in Doha, Qatar; and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.

Melvin OlsenDIYARBAKIR, Turkiye: A Turkish court on Saturday sentenced three suspects including family members to life in prison over the mysterious death of an eight-year-old girl in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir, an AFP journalist saw. The body of Narin Guran, who had been missing for 19 days, was found in September in a bag in a river around one kilometer (0.6 miles) from the village where she lived with her family. After a tense day-long hearing, the court in Diyarbakir handed Narin’s mother, elder brother and uncle an aggravated life sentence on charges of “deliberate murder in collaboration,” according to the journalist at the courthouse. The judge sentenced another suspect Nevzat Bahtiyar, who had confessed to the murder, to four years and six months in prison. Police heightened security measures inside and outside the tribunal as the judge read out the verdict. The court said that Bahtiyar found the body at Narin’s home, adding that he carried and hid it. Abdulkadir Gulec, head of the bar association in Diyarbakir, told reporters the court verdict was near what they had expected. “Bahtiyar should have received the same penalty,” he said. Lawyers Nait Eren said they would object to the court’s ruling on Bahtiyar. No motive was given for Narin’s murder. Narin disappeared on August 21, sparking a huge search effort in Turkiye, with a number of well-known figures joining a “Find Narin” social media campaign. Soon after the body was found, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed profound sadness and said he would “personally follow the judicial process” so that those who took Narin’s life received the harshest punishment. Prosecutors said in the indictment that the murder was likely committed by those close to Narin. They also accused Narin’s uncle — who is the highest local administrator in the village — of misleading authorities during the initial manhunt. Speaking to the court during the hearing, Narin’s mother Yuksel denied the charges, lamenting that she would never see her daughter get married. “They didn’t let my daughter wear a wedding dress, they put her in a shroud,” she told the judge. “I didn’t even see her shroud or her grave,” she said. “My daughter was brutally killed.” Yuksel also denied claims that she killed her other daughter, saying that she was physically handicapped and died in hospital.

Holiday Mix & Match Deal puts tech and accessories under your tree for $200 or less! DETROIT , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, Human-I-T, a nonprofit dedicated to providing equitable access to technology, is making it easier than ever for holiday shoppers to access affordable tech while giving back to their community. The "Mix and Match Deal," allows individuals to purchase devices and accessories at prices that fit any budget—all while supporting efforts to close the digital divide. "For the past 12 years, Human-I-T has been laser-focused on three things: making technology accessible and affordable, offering digital navigation support to those who need it most, and saving our planet by keeping e-waste out of landfills," said Graeme Jackson , Marketing and Content Manager at Human-I-T. "The 'Holiday Mix & Match Deal' helps us achieve all three goals, and the best part is that everyone benefits." Available from Friday, November 29th , through Monday, December 30th , the deal offers customers the chance to bundle one device—a tablet, Chromebook, or 2-in-1 device—with one accessory of their choice, including JBL speakers, headphones, a protective laptop sleeve, or a wireless keyboard for $200 or less. For families, students, or job seekers who may struggle to afford essential technology, this initiative is more than a sale—it's a lifeline. Human-I-T believes that in today's digital world, access to reliable technology isn't a luxury; it's a basic human right. "This isn't just about shopping," added Jackson. "It's about providing hope, opportunity, and connection to those who need it most. When you shop with us, you're not only getting a great deal—you're helping to change lives." The Mix & Match Deal is only available for a limited time. By shopping at Human-I-T's online store customers can brighten their holiday while directly supporting underserved communities. Don't wait—login to the Human-I-T store today and give the gift of technology that gives back! View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sleighing-the-digital-divide-with-black-friday-tech-deals-302314632.html SOURCE Human-I-TSK Telecom tops customer satisfaction index for 27th consecutive yearNPC unveils survey to tackle child, maternal mortalityLate surge helps Baylor beat Villanova, claim third place at Battle 4 Atlantis

SIVAGIRI: The great Sivagiri Pilgrimage, blessed by Sree Narayana Gudevan, will begin tomorrow. The ceremonies will begin with a special Guru Puja at the Mahasamadhi Peeth after the Shanti Havan at Parnashala at 4.30 am. Swami Satchidananda, President of Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust, will hoist the Dharma flag at 7.30 am. Minister MB Rajesh will inaugurate the conference at 10 am. Swami Satchidananda will preside. Dharma Sangham Trust General Secretary Swami Subhangananda will deliver the benediction address. Adoor Prakash MP, former Union Minister V Muraleedharan and Pilgrimage Committee Chairman K Muraleedharan will speak. Pilgrimage Committee Secretary Swami Rithambarananda will deliver the welcome speech and Trust Treasurer Swami Saradananda will deliver the vote of thanks. Minister V Sivankutty will inaugurate the education conference at 11 am. Minister GR Anil will preside. Sree Narayana Gurukulam President Swami Muni Narayana Prasad will be felicitated on the occasion. Former Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, SNDP Yogam President MN Soman, Intelligence ADGP P Vijayan, Mons Joseph MLA and others will participate. Swami Vishalananda will give the welcome speech and Swami Satyananda Tirtha will give the vote of thanks. Minister KN Balagopal will inaugurate the science and technology conference at 2.30 pm. Dr. Anandharamakrishnan will preside. Dr Kuruvila Joseph, Prof Achuthsankar S Nair and Dr Senthil Kumar KB will speak on various topics. Minister Veena George will inaugurate the Sanitation Health and Higher Education Conference to be held at 5 pm. Kadakampally Surendran MLA will preside. Dr. Marthandapilla, Prof. Ciza Thomas, Prof. Chandradas Narayana, Dr. S. Harikrishnan, Rishiraj Singh etc. will speak. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the pilgrimage meeting on the 31st. Swami Satchidananda will preside. Swami Sookshmananda, Swami Saradananda, Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, Minister VN Vasavan, SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan, Lulu Group Chairman MA Yusuf Ali, V Joy MLA, Chandy Oommen MLA, Gokulam Group Chairman Gokulam Gopalan etc will participate. Holiday for SN Trust Educational Institutions KOLLAM: All educational institutions in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts under the control of SNDP Yogam and SN Trust will be closed on December 31 and January 1 in observance of the 92nd Sivagiri Pilgrimage. SNDP Yogam General Secretary and Trust Secretary Vellappally Natesan informed about this.

Intelligent Waves’ SHADOW Wins 2024 Cybersecurity Excellence Award by TMC MagazineArch Manning could finally get his chance to become Texas’ full-time starter next season. Quinn Ewers reportedly plans to enter the NFL draft, according to Orangebloods , which would open a route for the Longhorns to begin the 2025 campaign with Manning — the nephew of former NFL stars Peyton and Eli — as their signal-caller. Manning also has “no plans” to enter the transfer portal, the outlet added. At this point last year, though, that seemed as if it could at least be a possibility after Manning sat behind Ewers as a true freshman and then watched as Ewers decided to return for another collegiate season. Ewers, who reportedly still has one year of eligibility remaining, began his career as an Ohio State backup in 2021 before transferring to Texas and becoming their starter the next season. He threw for 3,479 yards last year with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions while adding another 2,665 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 2024 to help Texas clinch a spot in the College Football Playoff. Manning still appeared in eight games this season, though, and even made a pair of starts — against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State on Sept. 21 and 28, respectively — when an oblique injury sidelined Ewers. He threw for 583 yards and four touchdowns in those games, and across his eight cameos, which includes the one he made briefly Saturday during the Longhorns’ loss to Georgia in the SEC championship game , Manning has thrown for 939 and nine touchdowns while rushing for an additional four. Ewers was also briefly benched by head coach Steve Sarkisian on Oct. 19 against the Bulldogs. Still, despite inevitable questions of a potential quarterback controversy brewing , Ewers has been pegged as one of the top quarterbacks available in the 2025 NFL Draft alongside Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward. And before that, he’ll have a chance to guide the Longhorns through the first edition of the expanded College Football Playoff bracket , with Texas — the No. 5 seed — set to host No. 12 seed Clemson on Dec. 21. If the Longhorns survive, they’ll keep advancing. But if the Tigers pull the upset, then Texas’ elimination could also double as the beginning of the Manning era in Austin.

How the stock market defied expectations again this yearBTS Jin aka Kim Seokjin has once again proven why he holds a special place in the hearts of ARMYs worldwide. The talented vocalist recently showcased his impeccable character, sense of humour and enduring friendships, leaving fans in awe of his many qualities. Here's a glimpse into why Jin continues to earn praise and admiration. In a heartwarming video shared by fans during promotions for his debut solo album Happy, Jin reflected on RM's role as BTS' leader. He said, “RM was the smartest, the best speaker, thoughtful and inspired by his direction in music, so I don't think there was any disagreement that he should be the leader.” His heartfelt acknowledgement of RM's leadership emphasized the camaraderie and mutual respect shared within the group, leaving ARMYs teary-eyed and proud. SEOKJIN: "(RM) was the smartest, the best speaker, thoughtful, and inspired by his direction in music, so I don't think there was any disagreement that he should be the leader."🥹 JINxAIBA SINCE THOSE DAYS #Jinxあの頃からわたしたちは #JIN #BTSJIN #RM pic.twitter.com/xwRcudWrE8 BTS' Jin shares new photo with RM, Suga and J-Hope via Instagram. pic.twitter.com/J2XtStrtUS Jin's gentlemanly nature came to the forefront in a recent episode of his variety show, Run Jin. During the episode, comedian Yoo Min Sang made a joke about fellow guest Yoon Hwa’s appearance, commenting on the length of her legs. Jin quickly intervened, lightheartedly asserting that only he had the privilege of making such remarks about his guests. His humorous but firm response diffused the situation, earning applause for his tactful defence. This gesture has gone viral in Japan, particularly among feminist communities, who praised him for standing up against unnecessary remarks. Seokjin has went viral on Japanese side for standing up for women. He heard the guy making fun of her appearance and told him to shut up, in nicer words Near 100k likes and a lot of positive comments from Japanese feminist locals https://t.co/Htl8XUJ0IB pic.twitter.com/NNSCPnzWKw Once again, Jin delighted fans by becoming the master of ceremonies at a friend’s wedding. Known for his warmth and wit, Jin even adapted his viral hit Super Tuna to suit the joyous occasion. ARMYs couldn’t help but gush over how he brought his unique charm to the event, with many calling him the "sweetest friend anyone could have." Seokjin is the emcee for a friend’s wedding again 🤩 And the way they modified Super Tuna for the wedding 😂😂😂 Argh Seokjin is the sweetest 🥹 pic.twitter.com/AyUSGJCtPJ In another interview snippet, Jin shared how he remains connected with the other BTS members despite their individual schedules. “When the members get together, we think we are gonna do a live performance together,” he revealed. Jin also mentioned contacting J-Hope, saying, “I asked him if he wants to eat with me if he has time... We ate together twice, but not as often as before.” Fans were touched by his enduring bond with the group, which continues to thrive even as they pursue solo projects. Seokjin was asked what BTS members will do once reunited again: 🐹when the members get together we think we are gonna do a live performance together They still contact me. They want to perform together,I'm sure everyone is waiting. 🐹: I talked to Hobi today as well, I asked him... pic.twitter.com/8idBMtoKik From praising RM’s leadership to protecting a woman with his quick wit, Jin’s actions have left ARMYs filled with admiration. Fans took to social media to share their love for the BTS member, with one commenting, “ARMYs sure chose the right man!” Another wrote, “Kim Seokjin, you’re truly one of a kind.” Also Read: BTS Jungkook Reveals Reason Behind Considering Ian As His Stage Name; ARMYs Say 'How Beautiful...' Also Read: BTS Jin's Post Military Life: Kpop Group's Hyung Keeps ARMYs Entertained With Debut Album And Variety Shows

A judge on Monday rejected a request to block a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member from playing in a conference tournament on grounds that she is transgender. Monday’s ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver will allow the player, who has played all season, to continue competing in the Mountain West Conference women’s championship scheduled for later this week in Las Vegas. The ruling comes after a lawsuit was filed by nine current players who are suing the Mountain West Conference to challenge the league’s policies for allowing transgender players to participate. The players argued that letting her compete was a safety risk and unfair. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans women’s volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity. School officials also have declined an interview request with the player. Judge Crews referred to the athlete as an “alleged transgender” player in his ruling and noted that no defendant disputed that San Jose State rosters a transgender woman volleyball player. He said the players who filed the complaint could have sought relief much earlier, noting that the individual universities had acknowledged that not playing their games against San Jose State this season would result in a forfeit in league standings. He also said injunctions are meant to preserve the status quo. The conference policy regarding forfeiting for refusing to play against a team with a transgender player had been in effect since 2022 and the San Jose State player has been on the roster since 2022 – making that the status quo. The player competed at the college level three previous seasons, including two for San Jose State, drawing little attention. This season’s awareness of her identity led to an uproar among some players, pundits, parents and politicians in a political campaign year. The tournament starts Wednesday and continues Friday and Saturday. San Jose State is seeded second. The judge's order maints the seedings and pairings for the tournament. With a 12-6 conference record, San Jose State is ranked fourth among the 11 teams in the conference. The team’s overall record of 14-6 is best in the league. Several teams refused to play against San Jose State during the season, earning losses in the official standings. Boise State and Wyoming each had two forfeits while Utah State and Nevada both had one. Southern Utah, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, was first to cancel against San Jose State this year. Nevada’s players stated they “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes,” without providing further details. Crews served as a magistrate judge in Colorado’s U.S. District Court for more than five years before President Joe Biden appointed him to serve as a federal judge in January of this year.The initial public offering (IPO) of Inventurus Knowledge Solutions (IKS Health) is set to open for subscription on December 12 and will close on December 16. The bidding window for anchor investors will open a day earlier, on December 11. The IPO for the healthcare solutions provider is structured as a book-built issue, offering a total of 1.88 crore shares, all through an offer-for-sale (OFS) mechanism. Share allotment for the IPO is expected to be finalised by December 17, with a tentative listing date on the BSE and NSE scheduled for December 19. Importantly, Inventurus Knowledge Solutions will not receive any funds from the IPO proceeds. The net proceeds, after deducting expenses related to the offer, will be transferred directly to the selling shareholders. The IPO is supported by a team of book-running lead managers, including leading financial institutions such as ICICI Securities Ltd , Jefferies India Pvt Ltd, JM Financial Ltd , J.P. Morgan India Pvt Ltd, and Nomura Financial Advisory and Securities (India) Pvt Ltd. Additionally, Link Intime India Pvt Ltd has been appointed as the registrar for the IPO process. 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Founded in 2006, Inventurus Knowledge Solutions offers critical support services to healthcare companies, specialising in areas such as administrative tasks, clinical support, medical documentation management , and virtual medical scribing. The company’s technology-driven solutions aim to streamline healthcare operations, enhance efficiency, and alleviate administrative burdens, ensuring that healthcare providers can focus more on delivering quality patient care. Also read | Jane Street’s Rs 4.3 crore job offer to IIT student sheds light on options trading inequities ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times) (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel )

Prediction: 2 Stocks That Will Be Worth More Than Palantir Technologies 1 Year From Now

'Billionaire' Selena Gomez marks major milestone amid whirlwind year Selena Gomez reaches new heights with latest achievement Selena Gomez expresses gratitude over latest win Selena Gomez is expressing gratitude for her latest win as she marks another major milestone in the same year. The 32-year-old singer, who previously made it to the billionaire list this year as well as received an accolade for her spectacular performance in Emilia Perez, is getting her hands on another award given to her by IndieWire . googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); The Lose You To Love Me hitmaker took to her Instagram Stories to reflect on her massive win as she posed in an ethereal black ensemble, showcasing her award with a beaming smile. Reposting a photo from one of her many fan accounts, @archiveofgomez, the former Disney star wrote in the caption, “Thank you IndieWire for the support and kindness.” Meanwhile, the original post featured a caption with read, “December 5th, 2024┊ Selena with the Spotlight Award for "Emilia Perez" onstage at the IndieWire Honors event // @selenagomez” This comes on the heels of Gomez's recognition with the prestigious Spotlight Award for her outstanding performance in Emilia Perez. In the photos, the multi-hyphenate star was spotted twinning with her award, keeping up with her ‘all-black’ look alongside a pair of transparent black stockings. Selenators couldn’t stop swooning over her looks as well as her back-to-back achievements as they thronged the comments section with heartwarming messages for the singer. One fan commented, “She looks so good. I’m so happy for her.” Another chimed in, adding, “So proud of her.”