BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the gates of the capital and that government forces had abandoned the central city of Homs. The government was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The loss of Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Assad. It 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 pro-government Sham FM news outlet reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. The insurgency announced later Saturday that it had taken over Homs. The city's capture is a major victory for the rebels, who have 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 around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, 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. For the first time in the country’s long-running civil war, the government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. The advances in the past week were among 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 rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Assad's erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called 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. 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 situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is 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 that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation 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 issued late Saturday, 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.” They also agreed on the importance of strengthening international efforts to increase aid to the Syrian people. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. 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. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists." The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. 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. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria; Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad; Josef Federman and Victoria Eastwood in Doha, Qatar; and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.Reports: Saints concerned over QB Derek Carr's hand injury
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings waived cornerback Akayleb Evans on Saturday in another setback for their beleaguered 2022 draft class. Evans started 15 games last season, but he had been relegated to a special teams role this year after the Vikings added veteran cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin. Evans was a fourth-round pick out of Missouri, one of three defensive backs among Minnesota's first five selections in 2022. Lewis Cine (first round) was waived and Andrew Booth (second round) was traded earlier this year. One of their second-round picks, guard Ed Ingram, lost his starting spot last week. Evans was let go to clear a roster spot for tight end Nick Muse, who was activated from injured reserve to play on Sunday at Chicago. The Vikings ruled tight end Josh Oliver out of the game with a sprained ankle. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
I have a short position on Coforge November futures initiated at ₹8,125.80. Should I hold or exit? Palani S Coforge (₹8,327.50): The stock has been in a strong uptrend since May. The latest leg of the rally began a month ago on the back of the support at ₹6,750. Last week, it comfortably closed above ₹8,000-mark. Also, the price action indicates that the upward momentum is strong and there are no signs of a reversal. Consequently, the November futures on Coforge (₹8,317.35), too, has been steadily gaining. As it stands, there are no indications of the uptrend losing steam. Only if the contract slips below ₹7,500, the outlook can turn bearish. Even if such a move is to happen, it is unlikely to pan out before November contracts expire. Therefore, we suggest exiting the trade now. You may consider going long on Coforge December futures. So that, you will be along with the trend and the probability of making profits will be higher. Send your queries to derivatives@thehindu.co.in CommentsWhen the Great Recession struck California 17 years ago and hundreds of thousands of workers lost their jobs, the state’s unemployment insurance system crashed. The employer-financed program quickly exhausted its thin reserves, due to a short-sighted political decision six years earlier. In 2001, the Unemployment Insurance Fund had a $6.5 billion positive balance. But the governor at the time, Democrat Gray Davis, owed big political debts to unions that financed his 1998 campaign. He repaid them by doubling unemployment insurance benefits, contending that the seemingly hefty reserve could cover them without raising payroll taxes on employers. When recession struck, the insurance fund soon leaked red ink and the state borrowed about $10 billion from the federal government to maintain cash payments. When the state didn’t repay the loan, the feds raised payroll taxes for nearly a decade to retire the loan. It should have been a lesson for political policymakers about instant gratification and financial responsibility, but it wasn’t. Shortly after the $10 billion loan was paid off, California was hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic, and upwards of 3 million workers lost their jobs as the state ordered workplace closures. Once again, the unemployment insurance program had virtually no reserves to cover the sharp increase in claims. Once again it borrowed from the federal government, this time for $20 billion, and once again its failure to repay forced the feds to increase payroll taxes. In addition to a double dose of financial problems, the Employment Development Department has also experienced managerial failures. In 2011, Elaine Howle, the state auditor, laid out the department’s shortcomings in a sharply worded report, but when the pandemic hit, they once again became evident. There were massive glitches in responding to legitimate claims for insurance benefits, while the department gave tens of billions of dollars to fraudsters. Meanwhile employers are still repaying the last loan, and the state’s insurance fund is continuing to run deficits, unable to cover current benefits of nearly $7 billion a year. With that history in mind, another watchdog agency, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, is urging a complete overhaul of unemployment insurance , declaring the system “is broken.” Noting that the current state payroll tax cannot fully cover current benefits, much less build reserves, the LAO report projects a “perpetually outstanding federal loan” to keep payments flowing that must be repaid with interest. The report proposes a four-part tough love approach to a crisis that has been building for more than two decades and cannot solve itself, to wit it advises the state to: • Increase the taxable wage base from $7,000 per worker to $46,800, tying it to the actual benefits of up to $450 a week. It “would place California among the ten states with taxable wages bases above $40,000 and all other Western states.” • Adopt two payroll tax rates, one to cover current benefits and another to rebuild reserves. The combined rate of 1.9% would be applied to the $46,800 wage base. • Base employers’ tax rates on their changes in employment, thus imposing higher costs on employers that reduce their number of workers. • Refinance the federal loan with a bond backed by payroll taxes and state loans from its internal sources to reduce overall interest costs. There may be other alternatives, perhaps affecting benefits, but the main thing is that doing nothing will just perpetuate this crisis — even though the politics of the issue are daunting. It’s been a political stalemate for nearly a quarter-century, pitting unions seeking to protect, or even increase, benefits against employers who don’t want to shoulder increased taxes. Successive governors and legislative leaders have shunned engagement, preferring to kick the can down the road. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers. His commentary comes via CalMatters.org, a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters. For more, go to calmatters.org/commentary.
Empowered Funds LLC raised its stake in shares of Caledonia Mining Co. Plc ( NYSEAMERICAN:CMCL – Free Report ) by 34.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 69,848 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 17,740 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in Caledonia Mining were worth $1,045,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its stake in Caledonia Mining by 144.7% during the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 2,239 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 1,324 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in shares of Caledonia Mining by 56.8% in the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 7,954 shares of the company’s stock valued at $88,000 after purchasing an additional 2,882 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers grew its holdings in shares of Caledonia Mining by 22.5% in the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 20,627 shares of the company’s stock valued at $200,000 after purchasing an additional 3,795 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in Caledonia Mining by 11.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 48,073 shares of the company’s stock worth $467,000 after buying an additional 5,087 shares during the period. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in shares of Caledonia Mining by 10.0% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 102,932 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,000,000 after acquiring an additional 9,318 shares in the last quarter. 31.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Caledonia Mining Trading Down 3.0 % NYSEAMERICAN:CMCL opened at $10.72 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. Caledonia Mining Co. Plc has a 12-month low of $8.91 and a 12-month high of $16.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $137.47 million, a P/E ratio of 22.27 and a beta of 0.72. Caledonia Mining Dividend Announcement Caledonia Mining Company Profile ( Free Report ) Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc primarily operates a gold mine. It also engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties for precious metals. The company holds a 64% interest in the Blanket Mine, a gold mine located in Zimbabwe. It also owns 100% interests in the Maligreen project, a brownfield gold exploration project located in the Gweru mining district in the Zimbabwe Midlands; the Bilboes, a gold deposit located to the north of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; and the Motapa, a gold exploration property located in Southern Zimbabwe. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMCL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Caledonia Mining Co. Plc ( NYSEAMERICAN:CMCL – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Caledonia Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Caledonia Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .CarExpert's top five premium mid-sized SUVs of 2024
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GAZIANTEP, Turkey — There was no place more feared in Bashar al-Assad’s Syria than Sednaya Military Prison. By Sunday, the guards had fled, its doors were flung open and this fortress of terrified silence was alive with the sounds of parents and children calling out for their missing. Videos on social media showed families streaming toward the prison they had known as a “slaughterhouse,” searching for loved ones who had disappeared there — ready, at long last, to bring them home, or to know with finality that they were gone.
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(Bloomberg) — Mexico is looking beyond the incoming Trump administration’s threats of tariffs, betting on a bright future for global merchandise trade no matter what actions its northern neighbor and biggest trading partner takes. While Donald Trump promises 60% levies on goods imported from China and 20% on the rest of the world, Mexico is making a substantial investment to more than double the capacity of its main commercial port — a show of confidence that imports and exports will increase significantly in the coming years. The 55 billion-peso ($2.7 billion) expansion of the Navy-run Port of Manzanillo, located in the western state of Colima on the Pacific Ocean, would vault it into the top 20 container ports in the world. That represents a huge leap from its current position of 53rd in the latest Lloyd’s List ranking and would position it as the busiest in Latin America. With completion targeted for 2030, the expanded port would cover more than 1,800 hectares (4,448 acres) compared with the existing 450 hectares. That additional land and more equipment will allow annual capacity to more than double to 10 million 20-foot containers, said retired Admiral Mario Alberto Gasque, general director of Asipona Manzanillo, the Navy agency that runs the facility. Annual volumes at that level would put Manzanillo on par with the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest US gateway for maritime trade. Among the main products the port receives from more than 140 countries are materials for the automotive industry, agricultural products and steel, Gasque said. The public sector will fund about a quarter of the investment, with the private sector financing the rest. The port has already received written expressions of investment interest from several private companies, including Mexico’s Ferromex, a Grupo Mexico Transportes railroad unit, said Cesar Sandoval, planning manager at Asipona Manzanillo. Increasingly, though, ports are getting entangled in geopolitical tensions. The US and Canada have both expressed concern about Mexico becoming a back door into North America for China. And US-based consulting firm Rhodium Group said in a report last month that Chinese direct investment in Mexico is six times higher than shown in official statistics. An adviser to Trump’s transition team has even threatened 60% tariffs on goods from anywhere shipped through Chinese ports across Latin America, a direct challenge to the new Chinese-owned port in Chancay, Peru, that was inaugurated this month by President Xi Jinping. The threat could also affect Mexico: China operates several port concessions from Ensenada in the north on the Baja California coast to Lazaro Cardenas and Veracruz in the south. But Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who is set to visit the Manzanillo facility on Saturday, insists her government has a plan to substitute many of its imports from China with goods made locally, both by Mexican and foreign firms. She is also pushing back forcefully against US and Canadian criticism. The idea China is using Mexico as a back door to the US “is not correct,” the president said Friday during her daily press briefing. “Automobiles manufactured in Mexico, whether they are exported to the United States or stay in Mexico, have only 7% content of products coming from China. In the United States, it is 9%,” Sheinbaum added. During a tour organized by the Navy at the Manzanillo port’s facilities, several Asipona officials said they weren’t concerned that Trump’s threats would affect the port’s expansion plans. Although China is the main country that moves merchandise through Manzanillo, the port also receives goods from other Asian countries like Japan and South Korea, according to Julieta Juarez Ochoa, the facility’s commercialization manager. That’s on top of goods from the US, Canada, Australia and Latin American nations including Chile and Ecuador, she added. “We are not really worried about it, because we are aware of the dynamism of Mexican ports,” Juarez said of Trump’s promised tariffs. “We continue growing, we continue seeking to be an efficient and dynamic port and there are going to be many options for Mexico.” Earlier this year, Mexico imposed tariffs designed to curb the flow of steel from China after the US complained it was ending up in products shipped north across the border, undermining fair competition. Sheinbaum’s officials have also been talking about how to close their own trade imbalance with China and strengthen ties with their North American partners. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also said his government has concerns about Mexico’s trade with China amid an upcoming review of the North American free-trade deal overhauled during Trump’s first administration scheduled for 2026. Trudeau remains hopeful the three countries can work constructively on the issues over the coming months. Some Canadian provincial leaders, including the premiers of Ontario and Alberta, argue Canada should pursue a bilateral trade deal with the US due to Mexico’s more open trade with China. But so far neither Trudeau nor Chrystia Freeland, his deputy prime minister who previously led continental trade talks, have backed that call. “We are seeking to continue moving forward without being slowed down by the geopolitical situation,” Gasque said. His agency wants Mexican ports to be able to “adapt to the political situation that exists at any given moment.” Drug interdiction is also among the incoming Trump administration’s priorities. And the Manzanillo port continues to work on improving its security protocols to attract more customers, especially after commitments made between Mexico and the US to reduce trafficking. “We have increased our technological capacity to detect illicit substances, including precursor chemicals for the manufacture of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and fentanyl,” said Captain Luis Martinez Cabrera, chief of information and risk analysis at the facility. —With assistance from Maya Averbuch, Robert Jameson, Brad Skillman and Travis Waldron.
Insurgents reach gates of Syria’s capital, threatening to upend decades of Assad rule BEIRUT (AP) — A Syrian opposition war monitor and a pro-government media outlet say government forces have withdrawn from much of the central city of Homs. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. Losing Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Syria’s embattled leader, Bashar Assad. An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on PARIS (AP) — France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral has formally reopened its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. The five-year restoration is widely seen as a boost for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline, and brings a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. World leaders, dignitaries, and worshippers gathered on Saturday evening for the celebrations under the cathedral's soaring arches. The celebration was attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full dose of presidential pomp. And they held a hastily arranged meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a day that's mixing pageantry with attention to pressing global problems. The president-elect's visit to France is part of a global a celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after a devastating fire. Macron and other European leaders are trying to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is making threats, traveling abroad, and negotiating with world leaders. He has more than a month-and-a-half to go before he’s sworn in for a second term. But the president-elect is already moving aggressively to not only fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but also to try to achieve his priorities. In recent days, Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the country’s largest trading partners. That led to emergency calls and a visit. And he's warned of “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas doesn't release the hostages still being held captive in Gaza. South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol has avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Most of Yoon's ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea. A survey suggests a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party. But the party also apparently fears losing the presidency to liberals. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting opens a door for many to vent frustrations over insurance The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has opened the door for many people to vent their frustrations and anger over the insurance industry. The feelings of exasperation, anger, resentment, and helplessness toward insurers aren’t new. But the shooting and the headlines around it have unleashed a new wave of patients sharing such sentiments and personal stories of interactions with insurance companies. Conversations at dinner tables, office water coolers, social gatherings and on social media have pivoted to the topic. Many say they hope the new amplified voices can bring about change for companies often accused of valuing profits over people. 2 Pearl Harbor survivors, ages 104 and 102, return to Hawaii to honor those killed in 1941 attack PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors have returned to the Hawaii military base for a remembrance ceremony on the attack's anniversary. Both are over 100 years old. They joined active-duty troops, veterans and members of the public for an observance hosted by the Navy and the National Park Service. A third survivor was planning to join them but had to cancel due to health issues. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 3 and injuring others THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An explosion and fire has rocked a neighborhood in the Dutch city of The Hague, killing three people and injuring other people and destroying several apartments. The cause of the disaster is unclear. Emergency authorities said four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital. The mayor said rescuers were no longer looking for survivors but for eventual bodies, but could not specify how many people might still be unaccounted for. Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. Dutch authorities have deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to find victims. How 'Mufasa' rose with Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy's voices along with new Lin-Manuel Miranda music SAN DIEGO (AP) — When Aaron Pierre was cast as Mufasa, the weight of following in the late James Earl Jones’ legendary footsteps was enough to rattle any actor. But instead of letting the pressure roar too loudly, he harnessed his nerves to breathe fresh life into his young lion character. Pierre found parallels between himself and his character while filming his leading role in “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which opens in theaters Dec. 20. He took the reigns as the new voice of Mufasa after Jones played the iconic King Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of Disney’s “The Lion King.” The prequel offers a fresh exploration into Mufasa’s origin story.
Celebrating the Holidays in N.Y.C.History Says the Nasdaq Will Surge in 2025. 1 Stock-Split Stock to Buy Before It Does.So much for the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) repeated assurances that it has been actively working on various infrastructure projects to address the metro’s perennial flood problem. The latest Commission on Audit (COA) report has exposed the agency for its “poor strategies” that deprived the public of much-needed benefits. In its 2023 report, the COA said that 22 projects worth over P510 million under the Metro Manila Flood Management Project Phase 1 were “not completed” on time under the contract. This crucial project, backed by a $415-million loan from the World Bank, aims to rehabilitate 36 pumping stations and build 20 new ones this year. However, only two stations have been rehabilitated and none of the new ones have been completed as of September. The COA said the delays of up to 310 days cost the government P32.9 million, covering five years from 2018 to 2023, in commitment fees—or the nonrefundable charge imposed on borrowers with an unwithdrawn loan balance—to creditor banks. State auditors said these funds could have been used for other priority programs and projects. In addition, there were 29 projects worth P371.03 million not implemented due to cancellations and failure to hold early bidding activities. “This resulted in the nonattainment of the intended objectives of the projects and deprived the public of benefits therefrom,” the COA report stated. The commission pointed to “poor strategies in the monitoring and implementation of programs and projects, resulting in significant revisions in the target completion time.” And while it approved 22 subprojects for a contract extension, it said that pushing back completion targets “may be an indication of ineffective planning.” This audit report covers projects that have been ongoing up to last year, but the impact of inadequate flood control infrastructure was certainly felt this year when several typhoons hit the National Capital Region and highlighted the lack of a flood control master plan. In July, Typhoon “Carina” and the enhanced southwest monsoon (“habagat”) showed the metro’s “antiquated” drainage system, which the MMDA said had been built in the 1970s and was already silted with waste. Ironically, the Carina flooding happened within days of President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address where he reported that over 5,500 flood control projects have been completed between July 2022 and May 2024. In November, after the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine,” the President admitted that the flood control infrastructure was not enough. “We have flood control infrastructure, but they’re not enough ... because in the whole history of the Philippines, we haven’t experienced anything like this,” Mr. Marcos said, attributing the floods to the changes in weather patterns that have brought increasingly severe and unpredictable storms. According to the Department of Science and Technology’s GeoRisk PH database, eight out of 10 residents in the National Capital Region are vulnerable to flooding while two out of 10 residents are affected by severe flooding that reaches at least one meter high and lasts for more than two days. The massive floods that were seen last year due to intermittent and heavy rains—not even typhoons—in many parts of Metro Manila should already have been a wake-up call. The government should have applied haste in upgrading and rehabilitating old infrastructure, particularly outdated drainage systems. There is simply no excuse for inefficiencies in implementing these projects considering that floods in Metro Manila have long been an issue. Some of the causes of delay cited in the COA report, such as customs clearances and port congestion, could easily be addressed by improving the process and removing red tape while reasons, such as changes of design and specifications for custom-made goods and reconceptualization, could be avoided if those in charge of the planning had solid strategy and foresight. MMDA officials should be held accountable for these delays—nearly half of its 58 flood control projects were stalled. Even worse, the agency only had a 12-percent accomplishment rate for its performance targets for “percentage decrease in flooded areas” under flood mitigation measures. Legislators must also act on the proposed National Land Use Act, which can help in addressing the flood problems by regulating urban development and institutionalizing proper utilization and management of land resources in the country. The measure has already passed the House of Representatives but has been stalled at the Senate committee level since 2022 despite Mr. Marcos tagging it as a priority since last year. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Unless these issues are addressed, the flooding problem will persist and the same excuses will be repeated every year at the expense of the greater public good.
The 21st Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka – Russia Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (SLRBC) was held recently at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo 03. The event was graced by the presence of H.E. Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka, who participated as the Chief Guest, a news release from the chamber said. Delivering his address, H.E. Dzhagaryan highlighted the significant trade, tourism, and cultural collaborations between Sri Lanka and Russia, emphasizing that Russia continues to play a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and export trade. The keynote speaker, Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Export Development Board, discussed strategies to enhance Sri Lanka’s export potential and foster stronger economic ties with Russia. His address included insights on Sri Lanka’s ambitious targets for merchandise and service exports, as well as initiatives to bolster the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector. In his speech, Mr. Jude Fernando, President of the SLRBC, reflected on the Council’s achievements, including facilitating greater trade collaboration and enhancing bilateral relationships. He outlined future plans focused on creating new opportunities for member engagement, strengthening support for small and medium exporters, and addressing trade challenges through innovative solutions and policy reforms. Mr. Jude Fernando, Director, Rhino Roofing Products Limited, continues as President of the SLRBC for 2024/25. Vice Presidents Mr. Buddhapriya Ramanayake, Managing Director, Maxims Overseas Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, and Mr. Prabath Harshakumar, Vice President – John Keells Holdings and Head of Business Development, Walkers Tours Ltd, were re-elected. Ms. Shamindi Kumarasinghe, Head of Exports, Nature’s Beauty Creations Limited, was re-elected Treasurer, while Mr. Kolitha Wickremasinghe, Managing Director, SALOTA International (Pvt) Ltd, continues as Immediate Past President. The newly elected committee includes representatives from Avian Technologies (Pvt) Ltd, Ceylon Fresh Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Freight Links International (Pte) Ltd, HVA Food PLC, Millennium Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Regency Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Scanwell Logistics Colombo (Pvt) Ltd, Shan Teas (Pvt) Ltd, and Unitrades (Pvt) Ltd. For membership inquiries, contact Council Manager – Aneesha at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce via 0115588856 or email industry@chamber.lk.Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has been ruled out for the second half of Saturday's SEC Championship Game against Texas after being injured on the final play of the first half. Texas' Trey Moore forced a fumble on Beck's pass attempt, appearing to injure the Georgia quarterback's throwing arm. Beck remained motionless on the field for a short time before joining the team in the locker room. Coach Kirby Smart told ESPN at halftime that Beck was done for the day. During the third quarter, Beck was seen with ice on his right elbow. Beck completed 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards and was sacked once before exiting. Georgia backup Gunner Stockton entered and led Georgia on a 10-play, 75-yard opening second-half drive, giving the Bulldogs their first lead at 10-6. Bulldogs punter Brett Thorson injured his left knee in the third quarter and was ruled out of the contest. He was taken off on a cart. --Field Level Media
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