super ace casino link Indian Cities Witness Office Market Growth With Record Leasing In 2024: ColliersJust about everyone dreams about cars they wish they could own, and there’s no better time than the holidays to make a list of vehicles you’d love to have in your driveway. The car pros at Edmunds rounded up five of their favorite dream-worthy vehicles. But rather than just list the most outlandish and expensive exotics, they focused on highlighting models that are expensive but not so pricey that it’d be completely unrealistic for you to own one one day. The vehicles are ordered in ascending order of price and include destination fees. Off-road trucks look fantastic and are extremely capable. What truck enthusiast wouldn’t have one topping their wish list? The king of the hill for 2025 is the F-150 Raptor R. The regular Raptor is already impressive, and the R takes it to the next level with a bonkers 720-horsepower supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine, upgraded Fox dual-value shock absorbers, and massive 37-inch all-terrain tires. An R-specific grille and hood are also part of the R’s upgrades. Thankfully, the Raptor R isn’t all bark and bite. It also has plenty of features to make it a livable truck for daily driving. Standard features include leather upholstery, cooling front seats, a premium sound system, and a surround-view camera to help make this big truck easier to park. Starting Price: $112,825 Few sedans can match the Mercedes-Benz S-Class for opulence, luxury and prestige. This grand sedan showcases nearly every luxury, technology and performance innovation that Mercedes-Benz has concocted. Everything you touch inside is likely covered in leather, heated, or bathed in disco-worthy ambient light. A novel could be written about all of the S-Class’ luxury and comfort features, but one of the most notable is the E-Active Body Control system. It scans the road surface ahead and adjusts the suspension to deliver the best ride possible. The S-Class also boasts an extensive list of advanced safety features and has an augmented reality head-up display that projects images that appear to float in front of the car. For the ultimate S-Class, get the 791-horsepower AMG S 63 E Performance model. Starting Price: $118,900 Who needs a European exotic car when the Corvette ZR1 is just as capable? A sports car fanatic’s wish list wouldn’t be right without the ZR1. The new Corvette hit a record-setting top speed of 233 mph, making it the fastest car ever built by an American automaker and the fastest current production car priced under $1 million, according to Chevrolet. The top speed record was possible thanks to the ZR1’s turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 engine that cranks out a staggering 1,064 horsepower. Its carbon-fiber aero package kept it glued to the track by generating over 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed. Chevrolet also says the ZR1 can accelerate through the quarter mile in less than 10 seconds. We expect the Corvette ZR1 to go on sale in early 2025. Estimated starting price: $150,000 Does your wish list include a big and powerful SUV? If it does, the Escalade-V should top it. The big Caddy roars like a muscle car thanks to its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that churns out 682 horsepower and helps it hit 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. The Escalade-V also boasts enormous 24-inch wheels and large Brembo brakes that help bring the three-ton SUV to a stop. But the Escalade-V isn’t only about brute power. It also has three rows of seating, plenty of cargo space and offers impressive tech like Super Cruise, a hands-free highway driving system, and an enormous 55-inch curved display that spans the dashboard. Starting Price: $161,990 What if we told you there was a car that could outpace almost anything on a drag strip, keep up with high-end sports cars on a racetrack, and be comfortable enough for daily errands? Well, if that sounds amazing, add the Air Sapphire to your dream list. The Air Sapphire is a high-performance electric luxury sedan made by Lucid, an electric vehicle startup. It’s one of the most powerful production cars in the world, producing an astonishing 1,234 horsepower from its three electric motors. Lucid says it has a top speed of 205 mph and can rocket to 60 mph in a mind-numbing 1.9 seconds. You can adjust the vehicle’s setting for exceptional track performance or simply provide a comfortable ride around town. Starting price: $250,500 Edmunds says Even if you can’t afford any of these vehicles, you can still picture one sitting in your driveway or imagine yourself cruising around town in it. And who knows, maybe holiday magic will give you the opportunity to own one in the future. ____ This story was provided to by the automotive website . is a contributor at Edmunds.CLEVELAND (AP) — Shortly after doing a face-down snow angel, firing a few celebratory snowballs and singing “Jingle Bells” on his way to the media room, Jameis Winston ended his postgame news conference with a simple question. “Am I a Brown yet?” he asked. He is now. And who knows? Maybe for a lot longer than expected. Winston entered Cleveland football folklore on Thursday night by leading the Browns to Pittsburgh Steelers, who had their five-game winning streak stopped. Winston's performance at Huntington Bank Field, which transformed into the world's largest snow globe, not only made him an instantaneous hero in the eyes of Browns fans but added another wrinkle to the team's ever-changing, never-ending quarterback conundrum. In his fourth start since Deshaun Watson's season-ending Achilles tendon injury, Winston made enough big plays to help the Browns (3-8) get a victory that should quiet conjecture about coach Kevin Stefanski's job. Some wins mean more than others. In Cleveland, beating the Steelers is as big as it gets. But beyond any instant gratification, Winston has given the Browns more to consider as they move forward. Watson's future with Cleveland is highly uncertain since it will still be months before the team has a grip on whether he's even an option in 2025, his fourth year since signing a $230 million, fully guaranteed contract that has proven calamitous. It's also possible the Browns will cut ties with Watson. They signed Winston to a one-year contract to be Watson's backup. But the unexpected events of 2024 have changed plans and led to the possibility that the 30-year-old Winston could become Cleveland's full-time QB or a bridge to their next young one. So much is unclear. What's not is that Winston, who leaped into the end zone on fourth-and-2 for a TD to put the Browns ahead 18-6 in the fourth quarter, is a difference maker. With his larger-than-life personality and the joy he shows whether practicing or throwing three touchdown passes, he has lifted the Browns. A man of faith, he's made his teammates believe. Winston has done what Watson couldn't: made the Browns better. “A very, very authentic person,” Stefanski said Friday on a Zoom call. “He’s the same guy every single day. He's the same guy at 5 a.m. as he at 5 p.m. He brings great energy to everything he does, and I think his teammates appreciate that about him.” Winston, who is 2-2 as a starter with wins over the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, has a knack for inspiring through fiery, preacher-like pregame speeches. But what has impressed the Browns is his ability to stay calm in the storm. “He doesn’t get rattled,” said . “He’s just tuned in and focused as anyone I’ve seen at that position. Turn the page. There was a turnover, came back to the sideline, ‘Love you. I’m sorry. We’re going to get it back.’ He was already on to the next one, ‘How can we complete the mission?’ “I have a lot of respect for him. First was from afar and now seeing it on the field in front of me, it’s a blessing to have someone who plays a game with such a passion and want-to. You can’t ask for a better teammate when they take those things to heart and they want to play for you like we’re actually brothers and that’s what we have to attain. That brotherhood.” What's working Winston has done something else Watson couldn't: move the offense. The Browns scored more than 20 points for just the second time this season, and like Joe Flacco a year ago, Winston has shown that Stefanski's system works with a quarterback patient enough to let plays develop and unafraid to take shots downfield. What needs help The conditions certainly were a factor, but the Browns were a miserable 1 of 10 on third down, a season-long trend. However, Cleveland converted all four fourth-down tries, including a fourth-and-3 pass from Winston to Jerry Jeudy with 2:36 left that helped set up Nick Chubb's go-ahead TD run. Stock up RT Jack Conklin. Garrett outplayed Steelers star T.J. Watt in their rivalry within the rivalry partly because Conklin did a nice job containing Pittsburgh's edge rusher, who was held without a sack and had one tackle for loss. Conklin has made a remarkable comeback since undergoing reconstructive knee surgery last year. Stock down Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam. Their desire to build a dome is well intended, but an indoor game could never come close to matching the surreal setting of Thursday night, when snow swirled throughout the stadium and covered nearly all the yard lines and hash marks. “It was beautiful,” Winston said. Injuries WR Cedric Tillman is in the concussion protocol. He had two catches before taking a big hit on the final play of the third quarter. Key numbers 9 — Consecutive home wins for the Browns in Thursday night games. Three of those have come against Pittsburgh. What's next An extended break before visiting the Denver Broncos on Dec. 2. ___ AP NFL: Tom Withers, The Associated Press

LG Energy Solution Hosts 'Battery Innovation Contest (BIC) 2025' to Foster Breakthrough Battery TechnologiesSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Once-promising seasons hit new lows for the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers last week. Another late-game meltdown sent the Bears to their sixth straight loss and led to the firing of coach Matt Eberflus. The 49ers suffered their second straight blowout loss and more crushing injuries to go from Super Bowl contenders to outside the playoff picture in a matter of weeks.

Citigroup Inc. increased its stake in shares of Watsco, Inc. ( NYSE:WSO – Free Report ) by 35.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 16,219 shares of the construction company’s stock after buying an additional 4,204 shares during the quarter. Citigroup Inc.’s holdings in Watsco were worth $7,978,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of WSO. J. W. Coons Advisors LLC grew its position in Watsco by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. J. W. Coons Advisors LLC now owns 2,999 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $1,475,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its stake in Watsco by 30.6% during the 3rd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 94 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 22 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC boosted its position in Watsco by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 952 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $468,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares during the period. MCF Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Watsco by 27.8% during the third quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 115 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $57,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the period. Finally, Equitable Trust Co. raised its stake in shares of Watsco by 2.2% during the third quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 1,166 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $574,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.71% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth WSO has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on shares of Watsco from $550.00 to $540.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Northcoast Research assumed coverage on shares of Watsco in a report on Friday, November 22nd. They issued a “neutral” rating for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Watsco currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $491.25. Watsco Price Performance Shares of WSO opened at $551.60 on Friday. Watsco, Inc. has a one year low of $373.33 and a one year high of $571.41. The company has a 50-day moving average of $505.23 and a two-hundred day moving average of $487.40. The stock has a market cap of $22.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 43.18 and a beta of 0.88. Watsco ( NYSE:WSO – Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 23rd. The construction company reported $4.22 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.73 by ($0.51). Watsco had a return on equity of 17.77% and a net margin of 6.99%. The firm had revenue of $2.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.24 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $4.35 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Watsco, Inc. will post 13.06 earnings per share for the current year. Watsco Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 31st. Investors of record on Wednesday, October 16th were given a dividend of $2.70 per share. This represents a $10.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, October 16th. Watsco’s payout ratio is 83.46%. Watsco Company Profile ( Free Report ) Watsco, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution of air conditioning, heating, refrigeration equipment, and related parts and supplies in the United States and internationally. The company distributes equipment, including residential ducted and ductless air conditioners, such as gas, electric, and oil furnaces; commercial air conditioning and heating equipment systems; and other specialized equipment. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WSO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Watsco, Inc. ( NYSE:WSO – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Watsco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Watsco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while WHO chief says he was meters awayResearchers hope to turn algae, which piles up along the Portuguese coast and would otherwise end up in landfills, into a bioplastic that decomposes and has fertilising qualities that can be used on agricultural soils. The team also plans to address the accumulation of non-biodegradable plastics and their "poorly controlled" use. Raquel Vaz of the University of Coimbra , who is presently working towards a portion of her doctorate at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine and Environment Research at the University of Porto (CIIMAR), explained, “We are developing a bioplastic with fertilising properties to cover the soil and which degrades over time”. The researcher explained that the project’s goal is to turn the algae that grow in coastal areas into “sustainable and valuable resources for society”, particularly for agriculture. “Our idea is to try to solve these two problems”. The initiative, called AlgaBioTec , won the fourth iteration of BluAct, a program run by the Matosinhos City Council with assistance from the University of Porto’s Science and Technology Park (UPTEC). Along with Raquel Vaz, the AlgaBioTec team consists of a manager and two CIIMAR researchers, Isabel Cunha and Isabel Oliveira. The company will be able to improve the solution prototype that has already been produced thanks to the 5 thousand euro reward, free enrolment in the UPTEC start-up school, and a year of incubation at UPTEC Mar. Therefore, optimising the bioplastic's breakdown time and the properties of this marine resource, by the researchers words "reducing waste and improving efficiency" are the major goals.CLEVELAND (AP) — Shortly after doing a face-down snow angel, firing a few celebratory snowballs and singing “Jingle Bells” on his way to the media room, Jameis Winston ended his postgame news conference with a simple question. “Am I a Brown yet?” he asked. He is now. And who knows? Maybe for a lot longer than expected. Winston entered Cleveland football folklore on Thursday night by leading the Browns to a 24-19 win over the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers, who had their five-game winning streak stopped. Winston's performance at Huntington Bank Field, which transformed into the world's largest snow globe, not only made him an instantaneous hero in the eyes of Browns fans but added another wrinkle to the team's ever-changing, never-ending quarterback conundrum. In his fourth start since Deshaun Watson's season-ending Achilles tendon injury, Winston made enough big plays to help the Browns (3-8) get a victory that should quiet conjecture about coach Kevin Stefanski's job. Some wins mean more than others. In Cleveland, beating the Steelers is as big as it gets. But beyond any instant gratification, Winston has given the Browns more to consider as they move forward. Watson's future with Cleveland is highly uncertain since it will still be months before the team has a grip on whether he's even an option in 2025, his fourth year since signing a $230 million, fully guaranteed contract that has proven calamitous. It's also possible the Browns will cut ties with Watson. They signed Winston to a one-year contract to be Watson's backup. But the unexpected events of 2024 have changed plans and led to the possibility that the 30-year-old Winston could become Cleveland's full-time QB or a bridge to their next young one. So much is unclear. What's not is that Winston, who leaped into the end zone on fourth-and-2 for a TD to put the Browns ahead 18-6 in the fourth quarter, is a difference maker. With his larger-than-life personality and the joy he shows whether practicing or throwing three touchdown passes, he has lifted the Browns. A man of faith, he's made his teammates believe. Winston has done what Watson couldn't: made the Browns better. “A very, very authentic person,” Stefanski said Friday on a Zoom call. “He’s the same guy every single day. He's the same guy at 5 a.m. as he at 5 p.m. He brings great energy to everything he does, and I think his teammates appreciate that about him.” Winston, who is 2-2 as a starter with wins over the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, has a knack for inspiring through fiery, preacher-like pregame speeches. But what has impressed the Browns is his ability to stay calm in the storm. “He doesn’t get rattled,” said Myles Garrett, who had three sacks against the Steelers . “He’s just tuned in and focused as anyone I’ve seen at that position. Turn the page. There was a turnover, came back to the sideline, ‘Love you. I’m sorry. We’re going to get it back.’ He was already on to the next one, ‘How can we complete the mission?’ “I have a lot of respect for him. First was from afar and now seeing it on the field in front of me, it’s a blessing to have someone who plays a game with such a passion and want-to. You can’t ask for a better teammate when they take those things to heart and they want to play for you like we’re actually brothers and that’s what we have to attain. That brotherhood.” What's working Winston has done something else Watson couldn't: move the offense. The Browns scored more than 20 points for just the second time this season, and like Joe Flacco a year ago, Winston has shown that Stefanski's system works with a quarterback patient enough to let plays develop and unafraid to take shots downfield. What needs help The conditions certainly were a factor, but the Browns were a miserable 1 of 10 on third down, a season-long trend. However, Cleveland converted all four fourth-down tries, including a fourth-and-3 pass from Winston to Jerry Jeudy with 2:36 left that helped set up Nick Chubb's go-ahead TD run. Stock up RT Jack Conklin. Garrett outplayed Steelers star T.J. Watt in their rivalry within the rivalry partly because Conklin did a nice job containing Pittsburgh's edge rusher, who was held without a sack and had one tackle for loss. Conklin has made a remarkable comeback since undergoing reconstructive knee surgery last year. Stock down Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam. Their desire to build a dome is well intended, but an indoor game could never come close to matching the surreal setting of Thursday night, when snow swirled throughout the stadium and covered nearly all the yard lines and hash marks. “It was beautiful,” Winston said. Injuries WR Cedric Tillman is in the concussion protocol. He had two catches before taking a big hit on the final play of the third quarter. Key numbers 9 — Consecutive home wins for the Browns in Thursday night games. Three of those have come against Pittsburgh. What's next An extended break before visiting the Denver Broncos on Dec. 2. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Tom Withers, The Associated Press

Bangladesh on Friday, November 29 claimed that India is hypocritical when it comes to the safety of the minorities especially with tensions soaring high after Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das’ arrest on charges of sedition. These sentiments were voiced by Asif Nazrul, the Law Affairs Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government in a Facebook post where he accused India of “double standards”, criticizing India’s perceived hypocrisy in addressing minority rights. Nazrul listed some incidents of violence against minority groups in India, especially targeted attacks on the Muslim community, stating that “there is no regret” from the Indian political leaders and authorities for these discriminative actions which he described as “shameful” and “condemnable”. “In India, numerous incidents of brutality on minority Muslim community is going on. But they don’t have any remorse or embarrassment (over those incidents). This double standard of India is condemnable and objectionable,” Nazrul wrote. His statement was also endorsed by a Voice of America Bangla poll wherein respondents revealed that 64.1 per cent of Bangladeshi minorities feel that the current interim government offers a greater security guarantee than what the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government provided. Citing a survey by Voice of America Bangla, Nazrul wrote: “The majority of Bangladeshis (64.1%) believe that the interim government has been able to provide better security to the country’s minority communities compared to the previous Awami League government.” However, this poll sharply contrasts with India’s narrative conceding minority safety in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Bangladesh interim government of Muhammad Yunus urged the country’s journalists to counter “misinformation” in Indian media with “truth”. Chief Adviser Yunus’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said, “We must tell our stories our way else they (Indian media) will set our narrative according to their liking.” Alam, a former journalist, said in a Facebook post that several Bangladeshi journalists now realised it was time to confront an “industrial scale misinformation campaign” coming from some Indian media outlets and their social media platforms. His comments came as a group of students staged a demonstration at the Dhaka University campus calling for resisting India’s alleged interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs. They also demanded the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who had fled to India in August amid massive student-led protests, and a ban on International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh. The students accused India of “border killings”, religious persecution and attempts to instigate communal strife in Bangladesh. They also accused the Indian government of inciting communal tensions in Bangladesh and exploiting religious differences to destabilise the country. “India is killing people on our border every week. Minorities in their own country are being persecuted daily. Recently, several Muslims were killed in an incident centred around a mosque,” president of the Student Rights Council, Bin Yamin Molla, alleged. The background to this diplomatic tension is rising concerns about the rights of ethnic communities in both nations. India has expressed serious concerns about the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh following the arrest of Das who is accused of raising a saffron flag while disrespecting Bangalesh’s national flag. On October 30, a sedition case was filed against 19 people, including Das, at Chattogram’s Kotwali Police Station, accusing them of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag in Chattogram’s New Market area during a rally of the Hindu community. Das, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday for alleged sedition. He was denied bail and sent to jail by a Chattogram court on Tuesday, triggering protests by his supporters. He has also been accused of making provocative speeches and influencing the public against the country’s government. He was finally arrested on November 25 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka while intending to travel to Chattogram. India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that Bangladesh should do everything possible to protect all citizens, including the rights of minorities. He stated Hindus are being subjected to violence and extremist rhetoric in Bangladesh and urged Dhaka to take immediate action. (With PTI inputs)

Makkah, a city that sees millions of visitors every year, quietly holds a piece of Hyderabad ’s history that often goes unnoticed. Nestled in the heart of this busy city is the Nizam’s Rubath, a legacy that dates back centuries. Established with the purpose of providing free accommodation for pilgrims traveling from the Deccan region, the Rubath has long been a symbol of Hyderabadi hospitality and philanthropy. Its origins, deeply rooted in the vision of the Nizams, reflect their commitment to supporting their people on this holy journey. The Rubath Nizam Hyderabad in Makkah traces its origins to the mid-19th century during the reign of Afzal-ud-Daula, Asaf Jah V. Recognizing the challenges faced by pilgrims journeying from Hyderabad and surrounding regions to Makkah, the Nizam decided to create a sanctuary for them. While there is no historical evidence to support the number, legend has it that Afzal-ud-Daula established 42 Rubath buildings in 1860 to provide instant relief to those who faced long journeys. Notably, at that time Saudi Arabia was undergoing a financial crisis, as the country had yet to discover the oil reserves that would later transform its economy. The government was struggling to provide adequate facilities to the influx of pilgrims arriving for Hajj. The Nizam’s Rubath proved to be an invaluable resource, offering refuge and much-needed comfort to not only Hyderabadis but visitors from Marathwada and Karnataka. To ensure easy access to the Kaaba, the Rubath was strategically established near the haram. Over time, the Rubath only grew in importance and became a significant symbol of Hyderabad’s connection to Makkah. The Nizam’s Rubath in Makkah today is a blend of tradition and modernity. It continues to be a cornerstone for pilgrims during the Hajj pilgrimage. However, with the expansion of Makkah’s Grand Mosque and urban development, the number of Rubath buildings has significantly decreased and relocated further from the mosque. Today, only three buildings remain with a total capacity of about 1,200 people. Due to the shortage of accommodation, every year a limited number of Hajj pilgrims are selected through a draw. While the property provides modern-day amenities like air conditioning, free WiFi, free laundry, and much more, visitors remain unsatisfied. Speaking to Siasat.com , a doctor from Hyderabad said, “I stayed in the Nizam’s Rubath in Ramadan this year and the management was subpar with issues like maintenance. Though the facilities are decent, they do not reflect the kind of standard one might expect from such an iconic institution.” Another challenge facing Nizam’s Rubath is the expansion of the hospitality industry in Makkah. Despite offering free or subsidized accommodation, Hyderabadi visitors are opting for private hotels that provide better proximity to the Haram, shuttle services, and buffet options, which the Rubath struggles to match. Additionally, online booking platforms have made it easier for pilgrims to secure accommodations tailored to their needs, further reducing reliance on the Rubath. For a young Ruqia Fatima, comfort is the most important when choosing a hotel. “It is fascinating to learn about the Rubath’s history but the practicality of choosing a hotel closer to the Kaaba with better services makes it more appealing which is why I did not opt for the Rubath for my Umrah trip. The lack of information and reviews about the Rubath online also influenced my choice,” she says. It is to be noted that, despite these trends, the Rubath continues to serve as a symbol of Hyderabad’s enduring legacy in Makkah, reflecting a tradition of hospitality that has spanned over a century.The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has described 2024 as a successful year toward the provision of essential technical support and enhancing migration governance architecture in Nigeria. The IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Ms Paola Pace, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja. She said although the organisation overcame challenges in the past due to commitment to humanitarian cause, it would continue to support Nigeria to do much better. “Our greatest success stories has been our ability to adapt quickly and continue our core mission of supporting vulnerable populations. “This is amidst crises such as displacement resulting from the compounded effects of insecurity and natural disasters. “This is a good example of how IOM’s emphasis on evidence-based policy making has a direct, positive impact on individuals.” She reiterated that the organisation would continue to lead good data collection and analysis that informed wide range of interventions across the humanitarian-development and peace building nexus. This, according to her, has been notable through data collection on the numbers of people affected by floods, which is instrumental for state governments to shape disaster response strategies. Pace said, “Additionally, our Transhumance Tracking Tool (TTT) played a key role in resolving over 100 conflicts in northwest Nigeria, demonstrating the effectiveness of our integrated approach to conflict prevention and resolution. “We have continued to support Nigeria protect people, including international migrants like Blessing, who returned from Libya in 2017 and received comprehensive support including mental-health and psychosocial support, business skills training and start-up kit to rebuild her life, despite traumatic situation she went through. “As the UN Migration Organisation, 2024 is a successful year, in terms of providing essential technical support to Nigeria in enhancing its migration governance architecture. “A significant milestone is the review of Nigeria’s National Migration Policy, a process that commenced in November 2022 and involved extensive consultations across the country’s six geopolitical zones.” The head of mission described Nigeria as one of very few countries worldwide, to have revised a National Migration Policy after the adoption of Global Compact for Migration, commonly known as the GCM. “It is poised to be model for other countries to emulate, as the review process unfolds. “It can show the world what a comprehensive migration policy that takes into account, the core principles of the GCM (and also the Global Compact on Refugees and other relevant international migration law instruments) looks like. “When applied alongside the robust national policies on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and the Diaspora, this suite of policies will position Nigeria as a true leader in maximising the interplay between these interlinked issues. “We also made significant progress through partnerships with both local and international organisations, which enabled us to provide comprehensive solutions that go beyond immediate relief, to achieve sustainable recovery and provide durable solutions.” “As we look toward 2025, our plans focus on scaling response by leveraging technology, strengthening local partnerships and enhancing capacity to create long-term impact through education, job creation, and advocacy for legislative change,” she added.

"The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few meters from where we were — and the runway were damaged," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media. He added that he and U.N. colleagues were safe. "We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave," he said, without mentioning the source of the bombardment. U.N. spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay later said the injured person was with the U.N. Humanitarian Air Service. Israel's army later told The Associated Press it wasn't aware that the WHO chief or delegation were at the location in Yemen. The Israeli strikes followed several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel. The Israeli military said in a statement it attacked infrastructure used by the Iran-backed Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports in Hodeida, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib, along with power stations, claiming they were used to smuggle in Iranian weapons and for the entry of senior Iranian officials. Israel's military added it had "capabilities to strike very far from Israel's territory — precisely, powerfully, and repetitively." The strikes, carried out more than 1,000 miles from Jerusalem, came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad's regime and others learned" as his military has battled those more powerful proxies of Iran. The Houthi-controlled satellite channel al-Masirah reported multiple deaths and showed broken windows, collapsed ceilings and a bloodstained floor and vehicle. Iran's foreign ministry condemned the strikes. The U.S. military also targeted the Houthis in recent days. The U.N. says the targeted ports are important entryways for humanitarian aid for Yemen, the poorest Arab nation that plunged into a civil war in 2014. Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, while other missiles and drones were shot down. Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor, calling it solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The U.N. Security Council has an emergency meeting Monday in response to an Israeli request that it condemn the Houthi attacks and Iran for supplying them weapons. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike killed five Palestinian journalists outside a hospital in Gaza overnight, the territory's Health Ministry said. The strike hit a car outside Al-Awda Hospital in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The journalists worked for local news outlet Al-Quds Today, a television channel affiliated with the Islamic Jihad militant group. Islamic Jihad is a smaller and more extreme ally of Hamas and took part in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack in southern Israel that ignited the war. Israel's military identified four of the men as combat propagandists and said that intelligence, including a list of Islamic Jihad operatives found by soldiers in Gaza, confirmed that all five were affiliated with the group. Associated Press footage showed the incinerated shell of a van, with press markings visible on the back doors. The Committee to Protect Journalists says more than 130 Palestinian reporters have been killed since the start of the war. Israel hasn't allowed foreign reporters to enter Gaza except on military embeds. Israel banned the pan-Arab Al Jazeera network and accuses six of its Gaza reporters of being militants. The Qatar-based broadcaster denies the allegations and accuses Israel of trying to silence its war coverage, which has focused heavily on civilian casualties from Israeli military operations. Separately, Israel's military said a 35-year-old reserve soldier was killed during fighting in central Gaza. A total of 389 soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the ground operation. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed across the border, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250. About 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israel's air and ground offensive has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry. It says more than half the fatalities are women and children, but doesn't say how many of the dead were fighters. The offensive caused widespread destruction and hunger and drove around 90% of the population of 2.3 million from their homes. Hundreds of thousands are packed into squalid camps along the coast, with little protection from the cold, wet winter. Also Thursday, people mourned eight Palestinians killed by Israeli military operations in and around Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid.NEW YORK, Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Outbrain Inc. (NASDAQ: OB) (“Outbrain”), a leading technology platform that drives business results by engaging people across the Open Internet, announced today that, at its special meeting of shareholders (the “Special Meeting”) held earlier today, Outbrain shareholders voted to approve the issuance of 35 million shares of common stock and 10.5 million Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, which are convertible into common stock, in connection with the acquisition of Teads S.A. (the “Share Issuance Proposal”). The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close during the first quarter of 2025. “We are pleased with the outcome of today’s special meeting and extend our appreciation to our shareholders for supporting the combination with Teads,” said David Kostman, Chief Executive Officer of Outbrain. “Today’s shareholder approval marks a major milestone in the process to combine our two complementary businesses. We look forward to the closing of the transaction and becoming a global leader on the Open Internet delivering our full funnel value proposition to drive great outcomes for brands and media owners,” added Kostman. At the Special Meeting, more than 64% of the outstanding shares of common stock were present or represented by proxy, and more than 99% of these shares voted in favor of the Share Issuance Proposal. The final voting results of the Special Meeting will be reported in a Form 8-K to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements generally relating to possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, plans and objectives and statements relating to the transaction to acquire Teads (“Transaction”). You can generally identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “foresee,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions that concern our expectations, strategy, plans or intentions, or are not statements of historical fact. The outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements is subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited to: the risk that the conditions to the consummation of the transaction will not be satisfied (or waived); uncertainty as to the timing of the consummation of the transaction and Outbrain and Teads’ ability to complete the transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance or condition that could give rise to the termination of the share purchase agreement; the failure to obtain, or delays in obtaining, required regulatory approvals or clearances; the risk that any such approval may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect Outbrain or Teads, or the expected benefits of the transaction; the failure to obtain the necessary debt financing to complete the transaction; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on Outbrain’s or Teads’ operating results and business generally; risks that the transaction disrupts current plans and operations or diverts management’s attention from its ongoing business; the initiation or outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Outbrain or Teads, or their respective directors or officers, related to the transaction; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the transaction; the risk that Outbrain’s stock price may decline significantly if the transaction is not consummated; the effect of the announcement of the transaction on the ability of Outbrain and Teads to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their customers, suppliers and others with whom they do business; the ability of Outbrain to successfully integrate Teads’ operations, technologies and employees; the ability to realize anticipated benefits and synergies of the transaction, including the expectation of enhancements to Outbrain’s services, greater revenue or growth opportunities, operating efficiencies and cost savings; overall advertising demand and traffic generated by Outbrain and the combined company’s media partners; factors that affect advertising demand and spending, such as the continuation or worsening of unfavorable economic or business conditions or downturns, instability or volatility in financial markets, and other events or factors outside of Outbrain and the combined company’s control, such as U.S. and global recession concerns; geopolitical concerns, including the ongoing war between Ukraine-Russia and conditions in Israel and the Middle East; supply chain issues; inflationary pressures; labor market volatility; bank closures or disruptions; the impact of challenging economic conditions; political and policy uncertainties resulting from the U.S. presidential election; and other factors that have and may further impact advertisers’ ability to pay; Outbrain and the combined company’s ability to continue to innovate, and adoption by Outbrain and the combined company’s advertisers and media partners of expanding solutions; the success of Outbrain and the combined company’s sales and marketing investments, which may require significant investments and may involve long sales cycles; Outbrain and the combined company’s ability to grow their business and manage growth effectively; the ability to compete effectively against current and future competitors; the loss or decline of one or more large media partners, and Outbrain and the combined company’s ability to expand advertiser and media partner relationships; conditions in Israel, including the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and other terrorist organizations, may limit Outbrain and the combined company’s ability to market, support and innovate their products due to the impact on employees as well as advertisers and advertising markets; Outbrain and the combined company’s ability to maintain revenues or profitability despite quarterly fluctuations in results, whether due to seasonality, large cyclical events or other causes; the risk that research and development efforts may not meet the demands of a rapidly evolving technology market; any failure of Outbrain or the combined company’s recommendation engine to accurately predict attention or engagement, any deterioration in the quality of Outbrain or the combined company’s recommendations or failure to present interesting content to users or other factors which may cause us to experience a decline in user engagement or loss of media partners; limits on Outbrain and the combined company’s ability to collect, use and disclose data to deliver advertisements; Outbrain and the combined company’s ability to extend their reach into evolving digital media platforms; Outbrain and the combined company’s ability to maintain and scale their technology platform; the ability to meet demands on our infrastructure and resources due to future growth or otherwise; the failure or the failure of third parties to protect Outbrain and the combined company’s sites, networks and systems against security breaches, or otherwise to protect the confidential information of Outbrain and the combined company; outages or disruptions that impact Outbrain or the combined company or their service providers, resulting from cyber incidents, or failures or loss of our infrastructure; significant fluctuations in currency exchange rates; political and regulatory risks in the various markets in which Outbrain and the combined company operate; the challenges of compliance with differing and changing regulatory requirements; the timing and execution of any cost-saving measures and the impact on Outbrain and the combined company’s business or strategy; and the other risk factors and additional information described in the definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on October 31, 2024, in the section entitled “Risk Factors”, and under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Outbrain’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2024 for the year ended December 31, 2023 and Outbrain’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 8, 2024 for the period ended June 30, 2024, and in subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as an indication of future performance. We cannot assure you that the results, events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur, and actual results, events, or circumstances could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation and do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise, except as required by law. About Outbrain Outbrain is a leading technology platform that drives business results by engaging people across the Open Internet. Outbrain predicts moments of engagement to drive measurable outcomes for advertisers and publishers using AI and machine learning across more than 8,000 online properties globally. Founded in 2006, Outbrain is headquartered in New York with offices in Israel and across the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America. For more information, visit https://www.outbrain.com . Media Contact press@outbrain.com Investor Relations Contact IR@outbrain.com (332) 205-8999

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( MENAFN - Investor Brand Network) SportLync , a technology company focused on fostering community-driven platforms within the sports world, is charting a bold course for 2025. Known for its fast-growing flagship app, GolfLync, which connects golfers based on shared interests and skill levels, the company is now setting its sights on expanding into new sports. In its 2025 roadmap, detailed in a company news release, SportLync outlined plans to broaden its reach, improve user experiences, and solidify its position as a hub for sports enthusiasts ( ). The company's foray into new sports will begin in Q1 2025, offering users the opportunity to connect, compete and collaborate across a wider range of athletic pursuits. While golf remains a core focus, the platform will cater to team and individual sports, preserving the seamless connectivity and... Read More>> For additional investor information, visit SportLync Investment . About InvestorWire InvestorWire (“IW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on advanced wire-grade press release syndication for private and public companies and the investment community. It is one of 70+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers : (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries ; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets ; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact ; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers ; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions . With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, IW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today's market, IW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. IW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge. For more information, please visit Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorWire website applicable to all content provided by IW, wherever published or re-published: /Disclaimer InvestorWire Los Angeles, CA 310.299.1717 Office [email protected] InvestorWire is powered by IBN MENAFN26122024000224011066ID1109033802 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

It looked like a recipe for disaster. So, when his country's swimmers were being accused of doping earlier this year, one Chinese official cooked up something fast. He blamed it on contaminated noodles. In fact, he argued, it could have been a culinary conspiracy concocted by criminals, whose actions led to the cooking wine used to prepare the noodles being laced with a banned heart drug that found its way into an athlete's system. This theory was spelled out to international anti-doping officials during a meeting and, after weeks of wrangling, finally made it into the thousands of pages of data handed over to the lawyer who investigated the case involving 23 Chinese swimmers who had tested positive for that same drug. The attorney, appointed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, refused to consider that scenario as he sifted through the evidence. In spelling out his reasoning, lawyer Eric Cottier paid heed to the half-baked nature of the theory. "The Investigator considers this scenario, which he has described in the conditional tense, to be possible, no less, no more," Cottier wrote. Even without the contaminated-noodles theory, Cottier found problems with the way WADA and the Chinese handled the case but ultimately determined WADA had acted reasonably in not appealing China's conclusion that its athletes had been inadvertently contaminated. Critics of the way the China case was handled can't help but wonder if a wider exploration of the noodle theory, details of which were discovered by The Associated Press via notes and emails from after the meeting where it was delivered, might have lent a different flavor to Cottier's conclusions. "There are more story twists to the ways the Chinese explain the TMZ case than a James Bond movie," said Rob Koehler, the director general of the advocacy group Global Athlete. "And all of it is complete fiction." In April, reporting from the New York Times and the German broadcaster ARD revealed that the 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for the banned heart medication trimetazidine, also known as TMZ. China's anti-doping agency determined the athletes had been contaminated, and so, did not sanction them. WADA accepted that explanation, did not press the case further, and China was never made to deliver a public notice about the "no-fault findings," as is often seen in similar cases. The stock explanation for the contamination was that traces of TMZ were found in the kitchen of a hotel where the swimmers were staying. In his 58-page report, Cottier relayed some suspicions about the feasibility of that chain of events — noting that WADA's chief scientist "saw no other solution than to accept it, even if he continued to have doubts about the reality of contamination as described by the Chinese authorities." But without evidence to support pursuing the case, and with the chance of winning an appeal at almost nil, Cottier determined WADA's "decision not to appeal appears indisputably reasonable." A mystery remained: How did those traces of TMZ get into the kitchen? Shortly after the doping positives were revealed, the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organizations held a meeting on April 30 where it heard from the leader of China's agency, Li Zhiquan. Li's presentation was mostly filled with the same talking points that have been delivered throughout the saga — that the positive tests resulted from contamination from the kitchen. But he expanded on one way the kitchen might have become contaminated, harkening to another case in China involving a low-level TMZ positive. A pharmaceutical factory, he explained, had used industrial alcohol in the distillation process for producing TMZ. The industrial alcohol laced with the drug "then entered the market through illegal channels," he said. The alcohol "was re-used by the perpetrators to process and produce cooking wine, which is an important seasoning used locally to make beef noodles," Li said. "The contaminated beef noodles were consumed by that athlete, resulting in an extremely low concentration of TMZ in the positive sample. "The wrongdoers involved have been brought to justice." This new information raised eyebrows among the anti-doping leaders listening to Li's report. So much so that over the next month, several emails ensued to make sure the details about the noodles and wine made their way to WADA lawyers, who could then pass it onto Cottier. Eventually, Li did pass on the information to WADA general counsel Ross Wenzel and, just to be sure, one of the anti-doping leaders forwarded it, as well, according to the emails seen by the AP. All this came with Li's request that the noodles story be kept confidential. Turns out, it made it into Cottier's report, though he took the information with a grain of salt. "Indeed, giving it more attention would have required it to be documented, then scientifically verified and validated," he wrote. Neither Wenzel nor officials at the Chinese anti-doping agency returned messages from AP asking about the noodles conspiracy and the other athlete who Li suggested had been contaminated by them. Meanwhile, 11 of the swimmers who originally tested positive competed at the Paris Games earlier this year in a meet held under the cloud of the Chinese doping case. Though WADA considers the case closed, Koehler and others point to situations like this as one of many reasons that an investigation by someone other than Cottier, who was hired by WADA, is still needed. "It gives the appearance that people are just making things up as they go along on this, and hoping the story just goes away," Koehler said. "Which clearly it has not." Get local news delivered to your inbox!

A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Civil Society Coalition for Educational Development, said the protest over the emergence of Prof Aisha Mekudi as Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, is a direct attack on due process, an assault on the global demand agenda to have more women and youths in leadership. The group in a statement by Dr. Wisdom Ohalete Chinedu, stated the protest over Prof. Mekudi’s emergence was sponsored by individuals who have a vested interest in the system and are resistant to change. “After careful investigation, our intel reveals that the protest was sponsored and engineered by vested interests for nefarious intentions, and not out of genuine concerns to reposition the sector. “We wonder why highly educated and knowledgeable individuals will allow themselves to be used for sinister purposes,” the group stated. It noted that the selection of the vice-chancellor of the university has been a recurring issue, recalling that the same scenario played out during the appointment of the former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adelabu until its recommendations to the Minister of Education then saved the situation. “We recall also with nostalgia, our role in the appointment of the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah,” it stated. The group called on the Nigerian Police to investigate and prosecute persons who attempted to cause chaos to paint the Vice Chancellor in a bad light before the member’s public. “We observed with incontrovertible evidence that the entire protest is about the orchestrated plan to discredit Prof. Aisha Maikudi, the acting Vice Chancellor who had previously served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor without any record of failure or non-qualification. “The desperation to pull her down because she is a woman, a youth and a northerner is antithetical to the development of education in Nigeria, especially at a time the global attention is on harnessing the numerous potentials of young people, especially women to boost growth,” it stated. According to the group, the recurring crisis over leadership selection at the University of Abuja suggests that many have been victims of manipulation which has denied them their rights. “After looking dispassionately at the allegations, we discovered that the claim that southerners were not included in the selecting committee was untrue and a desperate attempt to discredit the process, acting the script of their sponsors. “The council members from the South West and South East are acting a script and this must be clearly spelt out. “Their grouse is that they were given assignments that would prevent them from serving on the selection board. ‘’Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye and Mrs. Chisom Dorcas Obih have no right, as Council members of the university to decide which assignment suits them, unless they have interests they are yet to tell the academic community and indeed Nigerians,” the coalition stated. It wondered why Prof. Aisha Mekudi’s appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, or as acting Vice Chancellor was not challenged if qualification is the issue. “Why is it now that a productive younger female professor is involved that her colleagues have remembered that they have a protesting skill to display? “This is pettiness taken too far. As stakeholders in this sector, we must urge the honourable Minister of Education not to bow to pressure from these anti-development quarters. We find the qualification allegation very strange, unbelievable and distracting. “This is so because Prof. Aisha Mekudi has served meritoriously as a Deputy Vice-Chancellor, a position that has almost equal qualifications as Vice Chancellor, yet not challenged by anyone then. The same person here is also the current Acting Vice-Chancellor. “It is therefore baffling that same person who is a sitting Vice Chancellor in acting capacity could suddenly become unqualified for a position she is still holding,” the group noted. It called on President Bola Tinubu to wade into the matter “and give needed protection to the acting Vice Chancellor who is obviously a victim of ethnic gang-up, political orchestration and desperate power mongers in the University of Abuja, to stop those who are desperately attempting to ridicule his efforts in getting youths and women involved in leadership, maintaining that women have so much to offer in raising the bar of national development. “We demand that the Nigeria Police invite trouble makers as espoused in our petition to the force to serve as a deterrent to others. “We demand that the Minister (of Education), after announcing Prof Aisha Mekudi as recommended by us, should set up a truth and reconciliation panel for post VC tussle era.”

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Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while WHO chief says he was meters awayFact Check: Did RFK Jr. Call Trump Fans 'Belligerent Idiots?'SAN DIEGO (AP) — Syracuse coach Fran Brown and Washington State acting coach Pete Kaligis shared a heartfelt hug after their Holiday Bowl news conference on Thursday. Kaligis can certainly use all the support he can get, especially an embrace and some encouraging words from the opposing coach. No. 22 Syracuse (9-3, No. 21 CFP), led by national passing leader Kyle McCord, is a 17-point favorite according to BetMGM in Friday night's Holiday Bowl against the depleted Cougars (8-4), whose season has nosedived since mid-November. After beating future Pac-12 opponent San Diego State 29-26 on Oct. 26 at Snapdragon Stadium, coach Jake Dickert, quarterback John Mateer and the rest of the Cougars were 7-1 and about to jump into The Associated Press Top 25. Now the Cougars are barely recognizable as they return to Snapdragon. Dickert was hired away by Wake Forest, Mateer transferred to Oklahoma and running back Wayshawn Parker left for Utah. Numerous coaches, including the offensive and defensive coordinators, are gone, and more than 20 players have entered the transfer portal. The Cougars, who lost their last three games, are a prime example of how college football's rapidly changing landscape can dramatically affect a program. “Going into the ins-and-outs of the game tomorrow doesn’t matter,” Kaligis said. “We are who we are, we have what we have. I know that’s for both of us.” Kaligis said players who entered the portal after Dickert left can suit up Friday night. “I know we came here with 98 guys. That's who we’re going to show up on the field with.” Kaligis said relationships between players and coaches are more important than ever, even if there's less time to develop trust “and coach them the right way.” “When a staff (member) leaves and guys get in the portal, it’s because of the relationships they have garnered with their position coaches. When that position coach isn’t guaranteed he’s going to be there, that’s who that young man trusts,” Kaligis said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time," he added. "What’s been hard for me, I spent 13 years at Wyoming, I saw three graduating classes. I remember I was the longest-tenured coach there. To see them all the way through. When I came to Wazzu, I was their fourth D-line coach." The Cougs improved to 8-1 by beating Utah State 49-28 on Nov. 9 but then lost three straight, including to Oregon State in the de facto championship game between the two teams left in the Pac-12. They also lost to New Mexico and Wyoming, two of the Mountain West teams that weren't invited to join the reconstituted Pac-12 starting in 2026. McCord, who transferred from Ohio State, rewrote the Orange's record book this season with 4,326 yards passing, 29 touchdowns and 367 completions. He's well within range of breaking Deshaun Watson's ACC single-season record of 4,593, which he set in 15 games in 2016. A win will give Syracuse 10 wins for the first time since 2018 and just the third time since 2000. Brown can become the second Syracuse coach since World War II to record 10 wins in his first season, joining Paul Pasqualoni, who did it in 1991. In their final regular-season game, the Orange rallied from a 21-0 deficit for a 42-38 win against then-No. 6 Miami that knocked the Hurricanes out of ACC title contention and ended their College Football Playoff hopes. McCord threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns. “We want to go out and have a good game,” Brown said. “We have an opportunity of winning 10 games, which means you’re starting to become a successful program, right? Our players haven’t had a chance of winning a bowl game. So there’s a lot of things that are on the line for us to really be able to build our program and being able to move forward.” This will be the teams' second meeting. Syracuse beat Washington State 52-25 in 1979. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football