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NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks tiptoed to more records amid a mixed Tuesday of trading, tacking a touch more onto what’s already been a stellar year so far. The S&P 500 edged up by 2 points, or less than 0.1%, to set an all-time high for the 55th time this year. It’s climbed in 10 of the last 11 days and is on track for one of its best years since the turn of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 76 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.4% to its own record set a day earlier. AT&T rose 4.6% after it boosted its profit forecast for the year. It also announced a $10 billion plan to send cash to its investors by buying back its own stock, while saying it expects to authorize another $10 billion of repurchases in 2027. On the losing end of Wall Street was U.S. Steel, which fell 8%. President-elect Donald Trump reiterated on social media that he would not let Japan’s Nippon Steel take over the iconic Pennsylvania steelmaker. Nippon Steel announced plans last December to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden also came out against the acquisition. Tesla sank 1.6% after a judge in Delaware reaffirmed a previous ruling that the electric car maker must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package. The judge denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. All told, the S&P 500 rose 2.73 points to 6,049.88. The Dow fell 76.47 to 44,705.53, and the Nasdaq composite gained 76.96 to 19,480.91. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. employers were advertising slightly more job openings at the end of October than a month earlier. Continued strength there would raise optimism that the economy could remain out of a recession that many investors had earlier worried was inevitable. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.23% from 4.20% from late Monday. Yields have seesawed since Election Day amid worries that Trump’s preferences for lower tax rates and bigger tariffs could spur higher inflation along with economic growth. But traders are still confident the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again at its next meeting in two weeks. They’re betting on a nearly three-in-four chance of that, according to data from CME Group. Lower rates can give the economy more juice, but they can also give inflation more fuel. The key report this week that could guide the Fed’s next move will arrive on Friday. It’s the monthly jobs report , which will show how many workers U.S. employers hired and fired during November. It could be difficult to parse given how much storms and strikes distorted figures in October. Based on trading in the options market, Friday’s jobs report appears to be the biggest potential market mover until the Fed announces its next decision on interest rates Dec. 18, according to strategists at Barclays Capital. In financial markets abroad, the value of South Korea’s currency fell 1.1% against the U.S. dollar following a frenetic night where President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and then later said he’d lift it after lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Stocks of Korean companies that trade in the United States also fell, including a 1.6% drop for SK Telecom. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9% to help lead global markets. Some analysts think Japanese stocks could end up benefiting from Trump’s threats to raise tariffs , including for goods coming from China . Trade relations between the U.S. and China took another step backward after China said it is banning exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications. The counterpunch came swiftly after the U.S. Commerce Department expanded the list of Chinese technology companies subject to export controls to include many that make equipment used to make computer chips, chipmaking tools and software. The 140 companies newly included in the so-called “entity list” are nearly all based in China. In China, stock indexes rose 1% in Hong Kong and 0.4% in Shanghai amid unconfirmed reports that Chinese leaders would meet next week to discuss planning for the coming year. Investors are hoping it may bring fresh stimulus to help spur growth in the world’s second-largest economy. In France, the CAC 40 rose 0.3% amid continued worries about politics in Paris , where the government is battling over the budget. AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed.NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 6, 2024-- Certain BlackRock closed-end funds (the “Funds”) announced distributions today as detailed below. Municipal Funds: Declaration- 12/6/2024 Ex-Date- 12/16/2024 Record- 12/16/2024 Payable- 12/31/2024 National Funds Ticker Distribution Change From Prior Distribution BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust * BYM $0.055500 - BlackRock Long-Term Municipal Advantage Trust * BTA $0.049500 - BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc .* MUA $0.055500 - BlackRock Municipal Income Fund, Inc. * MUI $0.055000 - BlackRock Municipal Income Trust * BFK $0.050000 - BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust, Inc. * BKN $0.057000 - BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II * BLE $0.054000 - BlackRock Municipal 2030 Target Term Trust BTT $0.046400 - BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund * MHD $0.059500 - BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund II, Inc. * MQT $0.051000 - BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc .* MQY $0.058000 - BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. * MUE $0.051000 - BlackRock MuniVest Fund II, Inc. * MVT $0.054000 - BlackRock MuniYield Fund, Inc .* MYD $0.054500 - BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. * MYI $0.055500 - BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. * MVF $0.036000 - BlackRock 2037 Municipal Target Term Trust BMN $0.093750 - State-Specific Funds Ticker Distribution Change From Prior Distribution BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc. * MUC $0.053500 - BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust * BFZ $0.059000 - BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund, Inc .* MIY $0.054500 - BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund, Inc. * MUJ $0.054000 - BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund, Inc. * MHN $0.051500 - BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. * MYN $0.051200 - BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust * BNY $0.051000 - BlackRock MuniYield Pennsylvania Quality Fund * MPA $0.066000 - BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust * BHV $0.051500 - Taxable Municipal Fund: Declaration- 12/6/2024 Ex-Date- 12/16/2024 Record- 12/16/2024 Payable- 12/23/2024 Fund Ticker Distribution Change From Prior Distribution BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust * BBN $0.092900 - Taxable Fixed Income Funds: Declaration- 12/6/2024 Ex-Date- 12/16/2024 Record- 12/16/2024 Payable- 12/23/2024 Fund Ticker Distribution Change From Prior Distribution BlackRock Floating Rate Income Trust * BGT $0.120280 - BlackRock Core Bond Trust * BHK $0.074600 - BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust * BIT $0.123700 - BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. * BKT $0.088200 - BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust * BLW $0.113200 - BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust * BTZ $0.083900 - BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. * DSU $0.098730 - BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc .* EGF $0.041000 - BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc. * FRA $0.123840 - BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. * HYT $0.077900 - Equity Funds: Declaration- 12/6/2024 Ex-Date- 12/16/2024 Record- 12/16/2024 Payable- 12/23/2024 Fund Ticker Distribution Change From Prior Distribution BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust* BMEZ $0.178090 0.001190 BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust* BSTZ $0.218000 0.002510 BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust * BIGZ $0.086760 0.000430 Multi-Asset Funds: Declaration- 12/6/2024 Ex-Date- 12/16/2024 Record- 12/16/2024 Payable- 12/23/2024 Fund Ticker Distribution Change From Prior Distribution BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust* BCAT $0.289190 0.000650 BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust * ECAT $0.306840 0.001810 * In order to comply with the requirements of Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), each of the Funds noted above posted to the DTC bulletin board and sent to its shareholders of record as of the applicable record date a Section 19 notice with the previous distribution payment. The Section 19 notice was provided for informational purposes only and not for tax reporting purposes. This information can be found in the “Closed-End Funds” section of www.blackrock.com . As applicable, the final determination of the source and tax characteristics of all distributions in 2024 will be made after the end of the year. BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust (NYSE: BCAT), BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust (NYSE: ECAT), BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (NYSE: BSTZ), BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (NYSE: BMEZ) and BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (NYSE: BIGZ) have adopted a managed distribution plan (a “Plan”) to support a level monthly distribution of income, capital gains and/or return of capital, or in the case of BMEZ, BSTZ, BIGZ, ECAT and BCAT a monthly distribution based on an annual rate of 12% (for BMEZ, BSTZ and BIGZ) and 20% (for ECAT and BCAT) of the Fund’s 12-month rolling average daily net asset value calculated 5 business days prior to declaration date of each distribution. The December 2024 distribution for each of BMEZ, BSTZ, BIGZ, ECAT and BCAT was calculated based on the average net asset value from 11/28/2023 to 11/27/2024. Below are the 12-month rolling average daily net asset values used to calculate BMEZ, BSTZ, BIGZ, ECAT and BCAT’s December distributions: BMEZ: $17.808095 BSTZ: $21.799921 BIGZ: $8.675040 ECAT: $18.410000 BCAT: $17.351032 The fixed amounts distributed per share or distribution rate, as applicable, are subject to change at the discretion of each Fund’s Board of Directors/Trustees. Under its Plan, each Fund will distribute all available investment income to its shareholders, consistent with its investment objectives and as required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). If sufficient income (inclusive of net investment income and short-term capital gains) is not available on a monthly basis, a Fund will distribute long-term capital gains and/or return capital to its shareholders in order to maintain a level distribution. Each Fund’s estimated sources of the distributions paid as of November 29, 2024 and for its current fiscal year are as follows: Estimated Allocations as of November 29, 2024 Fund Distribution Net Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital BMEZ 1 $0.176900 $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.176900 (100%) BSTZ 1 $0.215490 $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.215490 (100%) BIGZ 1 $0.086330 $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.086330 (100%) BCAT 1 $0.288540 $0.032627 (11%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.255913 (89%) ECAT 1 $0.305030 $0.015937 (5%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.289093 (95%) Estimated Allocations for the Fiscal Year through November 29, 2024 Fund Distribution Net Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital BMEZ 1 $1.512960 $0.040694 (3%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $1.472266 (97%) BSTZ 1 $1.801010 $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.619326 (34%) $1.181684 (66%) BIGZ 1 $0.747140 $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.747140 (100%) BCAT 1 $2.359050 $0.244754 (10%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $2.114296 (90%) ECAT 1 $2.554050 $0.163438 (6%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $2.390612 (94%) 1 The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net-realized capital gains in the current fiscal year; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment is paid back to the shareholder. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with ‘yield’ or ‘income’. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share. The amounts and sources of distributions reported are only estimates and are being provided to you pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information: Fund Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5-year period ending on 10/31/2024 Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of 10/31/2024 Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through 10/31/2024 Cumulative fiscal year distributions as a percentage of NAV as of 10/31/2024 BMEZ* 5.15% 12.30% 4.83% 7.74% BSTZ 11.57% 11.80% 11.18% 7.24% BIGZ* (14.24%) 12.60% (0.66%) 8.04% BCAT* 4.90% 20.66% 10.23% 12.35% ECAT* 6.70% 20.43% 12.89% 12.55% * Portfolio launched within the past 5 years; the performance and distribution rate information presented for this Fund reflects data from inception to 10/31/2024. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about a Fund’s investment performance from the amount of the Fund’s current distributions or from the terms of the Fund’s Plan. BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (NYSE: EGF), BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE: DSU), BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE: FRA), BlackRock Floating Rate Income Trust (NYSE: BGT), BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (NYSE: HYT), BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust (NYSE: BTZ), BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust (NYSE: BLW), BlackRock Core Bond Trust (NYSE: BHK), BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust (NYSE: BIT), BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (NYSE: BKT) and BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust (NYSE: BBN) have adopted a Plan to support a level monthly distribution of income, capital gains and/or return of capital. The fixed amounts distributed per share are subject to change at the discretion of each Fund’s Board of Directors/Trustees. Under its Plan, each Fund will distribute all available net income to its shareholders, consistent with its investment objectives and as required by the Code. If sufficient income (inclusive of net investment income and short-term capital gains) is not available on a monthly basis, a Fund will distribute long-term capital gains and/or return capital to its stockholders in order to maintain a level distribution. Each of the above-listed Funds is currently not relying on any exemptive relief from Section 19(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Each Fund expects that distributions under the Plan will exceed current income and capital gains and therefore will likely include a return of capital. Each Fund may make additional distributions from time to time, including additional capital gain distributions at the end of the taxable year, if required to meet requirements imposed by the Code and/or the 1940 Act. Each Fund’s estimated sources of the distributions paid as of November 29, 2024 and for its current fiscal year are as follows: Estimated Allocations as of November 29, 2024 Fund Distribution Net Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital EGF 2 $0.041000 $0.030660 (75%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.010340 (25%) BKT 2 $0.088200 $0.040551 (46%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.047649 (54%) DSU 2 $0.098730 $0.077696 (79%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.021034 (21%) FRA 2 $0.123840 $0.096014 (78%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.027826 (22%) BBN 2 $0.092900 $0.084923 (91%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.007977 (9%) BGT 2 $0.120280 $0.091087 (76%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.029193 (24%) HYT 2 $0.077900 $0.065724 (84%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.012176 (16%) BTZ 2 $0.083900 $0.060993 (73%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.022907 (27%) BLW 2 $0.113200 $0.099226 (88%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.013974 (12%) BHK 2 $0.074600 $0.048859 (65%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.025741 (35%) BIT 2 $0.123700 $0.083688 (68%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.040012 (32%) Estimated Allocations for the Fiscal Year through November 29, 2024 Fund Distribution Net Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital EGF 2 $0.451000 $0.331478 (73%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.119522 (27%) BKT 2 $0.970200 $0.375393 (39%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.594807 (61%) DSU 2 $1.086030 $0.814092 (75%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.271938 (25%) FRA 2 $1.362240 $1.085287 (80%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.276953 (20%) BBN 2 $1.021900 $0.834551 (82%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.187349 (18%) BGT 2 $1.323080 $0.982460 (74%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.340620 (26%) HYT 2 $0.856900 $0.660644 (77%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.196256 (23%) BTZ 2 $0.922900 $0.620538 (67%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.302362 (33%) BLW 2 $1.213400 $1.026867 (85%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.186533 (15%) BHK 2 $0.820600 $0.519873 (63%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.300727 (37%) BIT 2 $1.360700 $0.846067 (62%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.514633 (38%) 2 The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net-realized capital gains in the current fiscal year; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment is paid back to the shareholder. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with ‘yield’ or ‘income’. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share. The amounts and sources of distributions reported are only estimates and are being provided to you pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Each Fund will send its stockholders a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will illustrate how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information: Fund Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5-year period ending on 10/31/2024 Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of 10/31/2024 Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through 10/31/2024 Cumulative fiscal year distributions as a percentage of NAV as 10/31/2024 EGF (1.59%) 4.90% 1.39% 4.08% BKT (1.52%) 8.78% 1.76% 7.32% DSU 6.42% 11.08% 7.55% 9.24% FRA 6.63% 11.46% 7.56% 9.55% BBN (0.57%) 6.35% 2.66% 5.29% BGT 6.71% 11.42% 7.65% 9.52% HYT 5.53% 9.61% 8.34% 8.01% BTZ 2.98% 8.81% 6.47% 7.34% BLW 4.81% 9.62% 8.22% 7.79% BHK (0.49%) 8.45% 2.97% 7.04% BIT 5.58% 10.16% 7.65% 8.47% No conclusions should be drawn about a Fund’s investment performance from the amount of the Fund’s distributions or from the terms of the Fund’s Plan. The amount distributed per share under a Plan is subject to change at the discretion of the applicable Fund’s Board. Each Plan will be subject to ongoing review by the Board to determine whether the Plan should be continued, modified or terminated. The Board may amend the terms of a Plan or suspend or terminate a Plan at any time without prior notice to the Fund’s shareholders if it deems such actions to be in the best interest of the Fund or its shareholders. The amendment or termination of a Plan could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund's shares. About BlackRock BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate Availability of Fund Updates BlackRock will update performance and certain other data for the Funds on a monthly basis on its website in the “Closed-end Funds” section of www.blackrock.com as well as certain other material information as necessary from time to time. Investors and others are advised to check the website for updated performance information and the release of other material information about the Funds. This reference to BlackRock’s website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Funds and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release, and other statements that BlackRock or a Fund may make, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to a Fund’s or BlackRock’s future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “trend,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “comfortable,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions. BlackRock cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and BlackRock assumes no duty to and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance. With respect to the Funds, the following factors, among others, could cause actual events to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: (1) changes and volatility in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment, foreign exchange rates or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for the Funds or in a Fund’s net asset value; (2) the relative and absolute investment performance of a Fund and its investments; (3) the impact of increased competition; (4) the unfavorable resolution of any legal proceedings; (5) the extent and timing of any distributions or share repurchases; (6) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; (7) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to a Fund or BlackRock, as applicable; (8) terrorist activities, international hostilities, health epidemics and/or pandemics and natural disasters, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or BlackRock; (9) BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (10) the impact of BlackRock electing to provide support to its products from time to time; and (11) the impact of problems at other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products at other financial institutions. Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and other regulatory filings of the Funds with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on BlackRock’s website at www.blackrock.com , and may discuss these or other factors that affect the Funds. The information contained on BlackRock’s website is not a part of this press release. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206448100/en/ 1-800-882-0052 KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ASSET MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: BlackRock Closed-End Funds Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/06/2024 04:56 PM/DISC: 12/06/2024 04:56 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206448100/en

BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s embassy in Lebanon suspended consular services Saturday, a day after two relatives of deposed Syrian President Bashar Assad were arrested at the Beirut airport with allegedly forged passports. Also on Saturday, Lebanese authorities handed over dozens of Syrians — including former officers in the Syrian army under Assad — to the new Syrian authorities after they were caught illegally entering Lebanon, a war monitor and Lebanese officials said. The embassy announced on its Facebook page that consular work was suspended “until further notice” at the order of the Syrian foreign ministry. The announcement did not give a reason for the suspension. Two Lebanese security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said the suspension was ordered because the passports belonging to Assad’s relatives — the wife and daughter of one of his cousins — were believed to have been forged at the embassy. Assad’s uncle, Rifaat Assad — who has been indicted in Switzerland on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity — had flown out the day before on his real passport and was not stopped, the officials said. The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported Saturday that 70 Syrians, including former army officers, were handed over by a Lebanese security delegation to the security forces of the new Syrian government, led by the former insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. Three Lebanese judicial officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the report. Regional countries have been quick to establish ties with Syria’s new rulers. Delegations of Libyan and Bahraini officials arrived in Damascus on Saturday on official visits. HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has largely succeeded in calming fears within and outside of Syria that his group would unleash collective punishment against communities that supported Assad’s rule or attempt to impose strict Islamic law on the country’s religious minorities. However, in recent days, sporadic clashes have broken out between the HTS-led security forces and pro-Assad armed groups. The country’s new security forces have launched a series of raids targeting officials affiliated with Assad and have set up checkpoints in areas with significant populations of the Alawite religious minority to which the former president belongs to search for weapons. There have also been ongoing tensions and clashes in northeastern Syria between Kurdish-led forces and armed groups backed by Turkey. Many Kurds have viewed the new order in Damascus, which appears to have strengthened Turkey’s hand in Syria, with anxiety. Ankara sees the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces — a key U.S. ally in the fight against the Islamic State group — as an affiliate of its sworn enemy, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which it classifies as a terrorist organization. The U.S. State Department said Saturday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had spoken with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to “discuss the latest developments in Syria.” “Secretary Blinken emphasized the need to support a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that upholds human rights and prioritizes an inclusive and representative government,” the statement said, adding that they “also discussed the shared goal of preventing terrorism from endangering the security” of Turkey and Syria. On Saturday, hundreds of protesters convened by Kurdish women’s groups participated in a demonstration in the northeastern city of Hasaka to demand women’s rights in the new Syria. Perishan Ramadan, a participant from Hasaka, said the new government “is worse than Bashar” and that its leaders are Islamist extremists who “don’t accept any role for women.” While the country’s new leaders have not attempted to impose Islamic dress or other conventions, it remains to be seen what role women will have in the new order and whether they will hold political or government positions. "Women must be present in the new constitution for Syria,” said Rihan Loqo, spokeswoman for the Kongra Star women’s organization. "... Women’s rights should not be ignored.” Associated Press writers Hogir Abdo in Hasaka, Syria, and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.

The Jury May Allow Mangione to Get Away with MurderLove Island's Chyna Mills reveals she's living on a BOAT with Strictly Come Dancing fiancé Neil Jones and their daughter Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By RUTH FRANCIS FOR MAILONLINE Published: 23:16 GMT, 28 December 2024 | Updated: 23:17 GMT, 28 December 2024 e-mail View comments Love Island star Chyna Mills has revealed she is currently living on a boat with her fiancé Neil Jones and their daughter Havana, due to difficulty in finding a permanent home. Chyna, 24, and Strictly star Neil, 42, sold their previous homes with plans to move into a new property together, but have been left 'in limbo' as they search for the right place. Replying to a Q&A on Instagram, Chyna described the house-hunting process as 'hell,' explaining they were avoiding complications from property chains. She wrote: 'I sold my house so me and Neil could buy something together. 'Neil bought his boat before we got together and now its conveniently there for us to stay on while in limbo. '(Annoyingly) we just haven't found a house we like yet and I also didn't want to be in a chain because the process of buying a house is hell so hopefully we find something soon.' Love Island star Chyna Mills has revealed she, her fiancé - Strictly's Neil Jones - and their daughter Havana are currently living on a boat, due to difficulty in finding a permanent home The couple sold their previous homes with plans to move into a new property but have been left 'in limbo' as they search for the right place She confirmed the boat, initially intended as a holiday retreat or Airbnb rental, had become their temporary home adding: 'The plan was never to live on the boat. It was just supposed to be a holiday home and Airbnb for when we aren't using it'. Chyna then revealed that while the boat is currently moored, the young family plan to 'cruise around' during the summer. Talking about how the family spent their second Christmas together her and Neil told her followers: 'We had a relaxing time. We did Christmas morning here. I made dinner. '[Neil] was supposed to make pancakes, he was meant to wake up earlier than me to make them but he made bacon sandwiches and then we went to my families house.' Neil added: 'In the evening we played games, me and Havana had a nice swim. It was a really nice, wholesome, relaxing Christmas.' It comes after the couple attended the Mufasa: The Lion King screening in Leicester Square at the beginning of December. The ballroom pro, 42, appeared smitten as he posed on the red carpet with his family following the Strictly Come Dancing final where Chris McCausland and his pro partner Dianne Buswell were crowned 2024's champions . Neil looked chic for the outing as he wore a black jumper layered under a knee-length double-breasted trench coat. Replying to a Q&A on Instagram, Chyna described the house-hunting process as 'hell,' explaining they were avoiding complications from property chains She confirmed the boat, initially intended as a holiday retreat or Airbnb rental, had become their temporary home which was currently moored, but they were hoping to 'cruise around' in the summer The couple also revealed how the family spent their second Christmas together, spending it with Chyna's family where they played games Neil also revealed that he and Havana had a swim and added that the whole day was 'a really nice, wholesome, relaxing Christmas.' Read More Strictly's Katya Jones opens up on staying friends with her ex-husband Neil as she says they have a 'profound connection you can't throw away' Cutting a casual figure, he paired his coat with baggy blue jeans and black chunky boots. Alongside him Chyna, 24, also looked classy as she stepped out in a black woollen jumper layered under a black trench coat. The pair looked happy as they posed for red carpet photos with Havana, who they welcomed in October 2023 after first going public with their romance in August 2022. Mufasa is a prequel to the 2019 live action movie, which follows the lion before the birth of his son Simba . Exploring the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands, Rafiki relays the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumba a lending their signature schtick. It comes as Neil and the family made a sweet appearance as they attended the Mufasa: The Lion King screening earlier in December It followed the Strictly Come Dancing final where Chris McCausland and his pro partner Dianne Buswell were crowned 2024's champions Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe. The Strictly Come Dancing final was the 'highest scoring' in the programme's history. The BBC Latin and ballroom show celebrated 20 years on air this year. Love Island Instagram Airbnb Neil Jones Share or comment on this article: Love Island's Chyna Mills reveals she's living on a BOAT with Strictly Come Dancing fiancé Neil Jones and their daughter e-mail Add commentSquid Game’s Creator Explains Why The Games Were Split Up Into Two Seasons, And Honestly, It Makes Me More Pumped For Season 3