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fortuno dental clinic NEW YORK, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Several key players in President-elect Donald Trump's new cryptocurrency venture head to Abu Dhabi on Monday for the largest bitcoin gathering in the Gulf region as the digital currency sets record highs. Speakers include the president-elect's son Eric and billionaire Steve Witkoff, the new White House envoy for the Middle East and co-founder of World Liberty Financial, a crypto platform launched in September that Donald Trump and his family helped form. Eric Trump will deliver Tuesday's keynote address at the Bitcoin MENA conference, which is projected to draw more than 6,000 people, and will then hold a "whale-only" chat in the conference's VIP lounge, according to the event's agenda. Witkoff will also speak separately to that more exclusive crowd, which requires a $9,999 "whale" pass, a nickname for large players who have potential to move a market. The president-elect is World Liberty Financial's chief crypto advocate, and sons Eric, Don Jr. and Barron are ambassadors, according to the WLF website. Company filings show Donald Trump is entitled to 22.5 billion WLF tokens and a share of its revenues. "The bitcoin conference carries a lot of significance for crypto as it's one of the longest-running conferences focused on bringing our industry together," said Marshall Beard, chief operating officer of Gemini, the crypto exchange founded by Trump backers Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. "It’s been incredible to see the rise of bitcoin alongside the growth of the conference ... and crypto became a major campaign issue in this year’s presidential election." Other speakers also have close ties to World Liberty Financial, including Justin Sun, the 32-year-old Chinese founder of blockchain platform Tron. Three weeks after Trump won the Nov. 5 election, Sun posted on X that he bought $30 million worth of WLF tokens, making him the venture's largest investor. Sun was charged with crypto-related fraud and securities violations under the Biden administration. The Gulf gathering is occurring at an inflection point for the industry as Trump, once a crypto skeptic, has vowed he will be the " crypto president" and make America the new "crypto capital of the planet." Buoyed by these promises, bitcoin smashed records last week when it hit $100,000 . Trump also named a White House czar for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies, former PayPal executive David Sacks, a close friend of Trump adviser and megadonor Elon Musk. Musk, whose companies include X, SpaceX and Tesla, spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars to help elect Trump in 2024, records show. Other technology and digital asset veterans also gave millions to candidates friendly to the industry, according to analytics firm Breadcrumbs. Trump's 2016 campaign manager, Paul Manafort, will address the conference on "A Life of Politics with the Man Closest to Donald Trump." Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who served a four-month U.S. prison sentence this year for crypto-tied money-laundering law violations, will also hold a whale session at the conference. Trump, his family members, other speakers and their firms did not respond to requests for comment. Sign up here. Reporting By Michelle Conlin; editing by Megan Davies and Cynthia Osterman Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Thomson Reuters Michelle Conlin is an award-winning journalist at Reuters, where she has covered Americans in debt, the 2016 presidential election, mortgage fraud, the foreclosure epidemic, pandemic evictions and national breaking news. Her reporting at Reuters has had wide-ranging impact, including contributing to new legislation addressing zombie homes, new rules banning banks’ practice of gagging homeowners, and the end of governmental financing support of bonds backed by Wall Street’s foray into single-family homes.Digital dystopia

No water left in system: Murad CM says that his primary purpose was to oversee preparations for December 27 anniversary and meet officials SUKKUR: Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday discussed water shortage, canals and PTI talks during a visit to Garhi Khuda Bakhsh. He focused on acute water shortage and challenges of canal construction while reviewing arrangements for the 17th death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh. He laid floral wreaths at the graves of Benazir, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Nusrat Bhutto and others, offering Fateha. He emphasized that his primary purpose was to oversee the preparations for the December 27 anniversary and meet officials. He discussed Karachi’s dire water needs, stating that the city requires over 50% more water to meet the demand of its citizens. He mentioned a minor issue during the repair of a new pipeline at Dhabeji, adding that the federal government was working on one component of the K-4 project while the Sindh government was handling three others. He announced that a canal was being constructed to bring 1,000 MGD of water from the Hub Dam, entirely funded by the Sindh government. Work began in August and is expected to be completed by April, May, or June next year. Regarding the construction of new canals, he said: “There is no water left in the system, so how can canals be built? Our objection to the Kalabagh Dam has always been about the lack of water. We need to focus on water conservation first.” He praised the PPP’s efforts in water lining and other conservation initiatives, noting that President Asif Ali Zardari prioritized water-saving projects. Speaking on employment, he criticized the delays caused by court rulings on job advertisements for grades 1 to 4. “These jobs are for the poor, not the rich,” he said, pledging to restart recruitment now that the legal hurdles have been cleared. He also highlighted improvements in law and order, particularly in districts like Kashmore, Kandhkot, Shikarpur, and Ghotki, where actions against criminal elements have restored some stability. “The situation is not perfect, but we are committed to providing a peaceful environment for people to work and live,” he remarked. Commenting on the national political climate, he welcomed the PTI’s willingness to engage in talks. “As a student of politics, I believe all differences can be resolved through dialogue. Unfortunately, the PTI put the entire country at stake for one person,” he said, referencing the events of May 9 and November 26. He described the PTI’s previous indecisiveness regarding talks as a sign of political immaturity, but expressed the hope that they had now understood the importance of resolving issues democratically. Provincial Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, PPP District Larkana President MNA Khursheed Ahmed Junejo, MPA Larkana Jamil Ahmed Soomro, and other officials accompanied the CM during the visit.

INDIANAPOLIS — It was just a 10-yard completion, easy to overlook in the wake of a record-setting rushing day and easy to dismiss as one of just 11 pass attempts throughout the Indianapolis Colts’ 38-30 victory Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. But Anthony Richardson’s third-and-8 pass to wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. just after the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter was pivotal to holding off the visitors’ late rally. If the Colts were forced to punt in that situation, a defense that had allowed touchdowns on three consecutive drives — of 70, 55 and 71 yards — would be back on the field with tremendous pressure to prevent the game going to overtime. Richardson was cold and out of rhythm. He’d been sacked on his most recent pass attempt — on third-and-9 with 6:51 remaining — and he hadn’t gotten a pass off since throwing an incompletion intended for wide receiver Josh Downs at the 11:20 mark. With the dual-threat quarterback and running back Jonathan Taylor combining for 270 of Indianapolis’ single-game franchise-record 335 rushing yards, Richardson had not completed a pass since the 8:33 mark of the third quarter, and he was just 1-for-2 in the second half. Still, he was calm and composed on the crucial third down — hitting Pittman on a simple out pattern to move the chains and keep the clock moving. When the Colts finally did punt the ball back to Tennessee, there were only three seconds remaining for the Titans to work with, It was a forgettable play in the grand scheme of the game, but it was also the most recent evidence of the 22-year-old quarterback’s ability to raise his level of play in the clutch. He’s 3-2 as a starter since taking the role back from veteran Joe Flacco, and the other two victories featured game-winning touchdown drives in the fourth quarter. “I think that’s a special trait — obviously as a young player — that he doesn’t flinch in those times, to lead those comebacks,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said. “Obviously, the (New York) Jets, the New England (Patriots) game, I mean, those are big-time drives to go win games. “You want that out of young players, especially (when) you see the veteran guys do it around the league all the time, but to do it as a young player speaks volumes of the person that he is.” Despite Richardson’s up-and-down season, Indianapolis has maintained steadfast belief in his potential. Even when he was benched for Flacco, the organization repeatedly stated it was not giving up on the quarterback as its future leader. There’s still plenty of work to be done. Richardon has completed just 47.7% of his passes, and he’s thrown 12 interceptions in 11 starts. His rushing ability again was evident Sunday, and he’s set franchise single-season records for a quarterback with 499 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. And he has proven his big-play ability with a league-leading 14.4 yards per completion. The Colts still believe improved consistency will come with increased reps, and they hold out hope the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft can still become the long-term answer at the game’s most important position. For now, Richardson’s late-game heroics offer the most compelling argument in his favor. “I think it’s just me just playing all the way until the clock hits zero,” Richardson said of his mindset. “I never think about fourth quarter moments or anything like that. I just try to play until the game’s over. And it just happens sometimes that most of it happens in the fourth quarter. So I just try to play through the whistle and just play through the whole game.” After rushing for 218 yards and three touchdowns against the Titans – both the second-highest single-game totals of his career – Taylor has been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. It was a major bounce-back performance after Taylor’s unforced fumble just short of the goal line cost the Colts dearly in a pivotal loss against the Denver Broncos a week prior. “It’s always exciting to see that dude just do what he does,” Richardson said. “It’s fascinating, honestly, just to see him hit a gap and just take it to the house. It’s just amazing, especially thinking about what happened in the Denver game. It honestly like wiped my mind. I wasn’t even thinking about it until people were talking about him coming back and having the game he did. “It’s like ‘OK, that’s the type of player he is, the type of person he is.’ He always wants to do better for the team and for himself. And just to see him do that and get what he did on Sunday is just a blessing.” The Colts officially signed right guard Mark Glowinski to the 53-man roster Tuesday after he’d been called up for game day in each of the past three weeks. Guard Antonio Mafi was re-signed to the practice squad after being released from the 53-man roster Monday.

Drake eases by Stetson 49-10 to secure a second straight outright Pioneer Football League titleMONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Brandon Gilliam made field goals of 42, 29 and 30 yards and Alabama State beat Prairie View A&M 9-6 on Saturday to secure a third straight winning season under coach Eddie Robinson. The last time Alabama State had three straight winnings seasons was under coach Reggie Barlow, who had five consecutive from 2010-15. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Stochastic Equilibrium and the Role of Economic Growth in Non-Stochastic ModelsATHLETICS Bendigo Region's rising stars were in great form across last weekend's Australian All Schools field and track championships at Mt Gravatt near Brisbane. or signup to continue reading An outstanding haul of two gold, four silver and a bronze was collected across the three-day meet which involved hundreds of students. Two Bendigo residential records were also broken on the track at the titles. Six schools in central and northern Victoria were represented in the Big V team. Gold was struck by Bendigo South East Secondary College's Jordyn Lewis in the under-14 pole vault final. The year 7 seven student who competes for South Bendigo in AV Shield League cleared a mark of 2.75m. It was a one-two result in the under-17 girls 2000m steeplechase as Girton Grammar's Abbey Reid charged to victory in 7:13.40. Silver went the way of Sarah Fitzpatrick from Sacred Heart College Kyneton in a season-best 7:17.98. Reid competes for Bendigo University, and Fitzpatrick with South Bendigo. Silver and bronze were won by Bendigo South East's Avery McDermid in the under-17 1500m and 800m. A great meet for the BSE Dragons' gun began with second placing in the 1500m in 3:52.53. The University Pride athlete then ran the 800m in 1:52.55 to claim bronze and also broke the Bendigo under-17 residential record. A great track season for BSE's Chelsea Tickell kept rolling as she adapted to the hot conditions and fast pace in the under-16 1500m final to be runner-up in 4:34.89. The South Bendigo athlete set a Bendigo under-16 residential record in a season-best time. Bloods' clubmate Kai Norton excelled in the under-16 hammer and javelin finals. The Weeroona College student marked a season-best of 54.58m to claim silver at javelin. Norton's best of 48.68m with the 4kg hammer earned fourth place. Sacred Heart Kyneton's Hailey Stubbs hurled the hammer to a mark of 46.96m to be fifth in the under-17 contest. A great competitor in various field disciplines, Stubbs represents Bendigo Harriers in Shield League. Girton Grammar's Kate Wilson achieved a season-best of 1.63m to be fifth in the under-16 high jump. Wilson is a member of the strong Eaglehawk Athletics Club. A season-best time of 8:14.76 by Marist College Bendigo's Charlise McQueen in the 2000m steeplechase earned fourth place in the under-15 category. McQueen will be a key player in Eaglehawk's quest to again be number one at next month's Victoria Country field and track championships at Lar Birpa in Bendigo. St Joseph's College Echuca's Scarlett Southern ran in the under-18 400m. A season-best of 58.12 earned third place in her heat. Now racing for Echuca Moama in AVSL, Southern ran the final in 58.53 to be fifth. Sacred Heart College's Tyler Fynch will be in Brisbane this Saturday to contest the 3000m for the under-15 boys class. Meanwhile, University's Michael Fanning "wiped out" the opposition as he won the 5000m leg in the latest round of the Parker Electrical-backed Tuesday Night Series for athletes at Lar Birpa in Flora Hill. A race of 12 1/2 laps drew eight starters in which Fanning powered away to take honours in a time of 16:58. Runner-up was Eaglehawk's Trevor Kelly, 19:47, as Bendigo Harriers' Thomas Hobson clocked 19:57 to be third. In the 3000m it was University's Mitch Fitzgerald who won a closely-fought first heat. Fitzgerald crossed the line in 10:58 as Daniel Ryan, racing on invitation basis, was next best in 11 minutes. Third placegetter was University's Lee McCullagh in 11:56. Fastest female and fourth overall was Vansessa Garry in 12:23 on another great night for University Pride. Heat two of the 3000m was led by invitation runners, David Stevens and Ryan Hon. Victory went to Stevens in 9:44 as Hon clocked 9:46. Third placegetter was University's Shaun White in 9:50. South Bendigo's Jake Hilson warmed up for this weekend's Zatopek 10 challenge by winning the first of the 1000m races in 2:33. Hilson will make his way to Lakeside Stadium this Saturday to team up with Bloods' clubmate Oliver Muggleton and Eaglehawk's Angus McKindlay and Fletch Watchman in the open 4 x 400m final. Runner-up in the first of Tuesday night's 1000m heats was University's Milanke Haasbroek in 3:28 as clubmate Lyla Edwards ran the 2 1/2 laps in 3:33 to be third. It was a Bendigo Little Athletics treble in heat two as Chloe Jackson led the way from Pippa Coleman and Airlie Intamanon. Another leg in the Tuesday Night Series will be run next week from 7pm at Lar Birpa in Flora Hill's Retreat Road. Meanwhile, round four in the Bendigo Athletics Club's distance series will be run on Thursday night at the Tom Flood Sports Centre in Barnard Street. Athletes will race 1000 metres as the BAC teams up with the Bendigo and District Cycling Club to continue the long-running tradition. It's a 10-leg series in which athletes vie to qualify for the George Flack final of 1000m to be run on February 27. Athletes to enter by 6.45pm on Thursday for a start about 7.30pm. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. 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RTE star Maura Derrane stepped out on air in a stunning festive dress that wowed fans. The Today host was back on air alongside her usual co-host Daithi O Se for another fun-filled show. Maura is renowned for her chic and classy outfits on air and last week's look was no different. The 54-year-old took to Instagram to share a snap of herself in the stunning work frock. The mum-of-one looked fabulous as she posed in a very festive RTE studios. The Galway native donned a beautiful red dress from Carraig Donn. The fabulous frock features a deep v neck and three quarter length sleeves. Currently, the dress is sold out on Carraig Donn's website... And we understand why! Maura's ideal Christmas Day dress initially retailed for €50 but had its price slashed during a sale - dropping down to just €35! Maura donned on a pair of black tights underneath the frock and paired them with some "old" black ankle boots from Zara . To finish off her on-air look, Maura popped on a pink lipstick and opted for a natural glam look for the telly. Maura captioned her stylish post: "Feeling part of our RTE Today set in my festive dress." Friends and fans flocked to the presenter's comment section to swoon over her. Anne said: "Love the dress, saw it in Carraig Donn... Red looks good on you." Peter joked: "Wearing the Munster colours for tomorrow Maura. Looking sensational." Another fan added: "Beautiful Maura." Yesterday, Maura stepped out on air in a "stunning" velvet power suit, with a hefty price tag. Maura donned a chic navy velvet suit from popular designer Joseph Ribkoff. The suit was comprised of a single breasted blazer and pants combo. Maura got the full kit from Sheena's Boutique in Cork, where the fitted navy blazer retails on it's own for €349. Currently, Maura's matching navy velour pants for the blazer aren't listed on Sheenas Botique's website, however it is available in Arnott's. The wide leg velvet pants retail on Arnott's website for the cool price of €179.00. Bringing the full price of Maura's on-air look to €528!

What’s next for TikTok after US court ruling mandates ByteDance divestment by Jan 19?King Charles joins celebs at Royal Variety Performance without Camilla as Queen recovers from chest infection

Alabama State tops Prairie View to secure a third straight winning season under coach Eddie RobinsonAt least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank around the city of Tulkarem on Tuesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, including three people it said were killed by Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a second somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of the war in Gaza, with most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent. Israel's bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel in October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage by Palestinian militants. Around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza , although only two thirds are believed to still be alive. Here’s the latest: NUR SHAMS REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank — The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in and around the city of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank on Tuesday. The ministry reported three of the dead were killed by airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. An Associated Press photojournalist captured images of Israeli forces detonating an explosive device planted by Palestinian militants during a raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp. Israel has carried out several large-scale raids in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, ignited by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. While airstrikes were once rare in the West Bank, they have grown more common since the outbreak of war as Israeli forces clamp down, saying they aim to prevent attacks on their citizens. Israeli fire has killed at least 800 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, Palestinian health officials say. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. SAYDNAYA, Syria — A large crowd of Syrians gathered near a historic monastery in Saydnaya on Christmas Eve to witness the lighting of a towering tree adorned with glowing green lights. Tuesday's celebration offered a rare moment of joy in a city scarred by over a decade of war and an infamous prison , where tens of thousands were held. Families and friends stood beneath the illuminated tree — some wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops — while a band played festive music and fireworks lit up the sky “This year is different, there’s happiness, victory and a new birth for Syria and a new birth for Christ,” said Houssam Saadeh, one attendee. Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed hope for unity across all sects and religions in Syria, dismissing recent Christmas tree vandalism as “isolated incidents.” Earlier in the afternoon, pilgrims visited the historic Our Lady of Saydnaya Monastery, one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries, believed to be built in the sixth century. In Homs, a similarly grand Christmas tree was illuminated as security officers patrolled the area to ensure a safe and peaceful gathering, according to Syria’s state media. UNITED NATIONS -- Recent attacks on hospitals in North Gaza, where Israel is carrying out an offensive, are having a devastating impact on Palestinian civilians still in the area, the U.N. humanitarian office says. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed deep concern at reports that the Israeli military entered the Indonesian Hospital on Tuesday, forcing its evacuation. The humanitarian office, known as OCHA, also expressed deep concern at attacks reported in recent days in and around the two other hospitals in North Gaza that are minimally functioning – Al Awda and Kamal Adwan. OCHA said the Israeli siege on Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia and parts of Jaballiya in North Gaza continued for a 79th day on Tuesday, and while the U.N. and its partners have made 52 attempts to coordinate humanitarian access to besieged areas in December 48 were rejected by Israel. While four missions were approved, OCHA said the U.N. and its partners faced impediments as a result of Israeli military operations and “none of the U.N.-coordinated attempts to access the area have been fully facilitated.” Throughout the Gaza Strip, OCHA said that Israeli authorities facilitated just 40% of requests for humanitarian movements requiring their approval in December. WASHINGTON — A leading global food crisis monitor says deaths from starvation will likely pass famine levels in north Gaza as soon as next month. The U.S.-created Famine Early Warning System Network says that’s because of a near-total Israeli blockade of food and other aid in that part of Gaza. The finding, however, appears to have exposed a rift within the Biden administration over the extent of starvation in northern Gaza. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, disputes part of the data used in reaching the conclusion and calls the intensified famine warning “irresponsible.” Northern Gaza has been one of the areas hardest-hit by fighting and Israel’s restrictions on aid throughout its 14-month war with Hamas militants. UNITED NATIONS — Israel’s foreign minister has requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to condemn recent missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and to condemn the group's Iranian allies for allegedly providing the group with weapons. Gideon Saar said in a letter Tuesday to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States, which holds the council presidency this month, that the Houthis are violating international law and council resolutions. “This Iranian-backed terrorist group continues to endanger Israel’s and other nations’ security, as well as the freedom of maritime navigation, in flagrant violation of international law,” Saar said. “All of this malign activity is done as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region.” The U.S. Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to an email asking when the council meeting will be held. The Houthis have said they launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea – and on Israel -- with the aim of ending Israel’s devastating air and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli war in Gaza followed Hamas’ deadly October 2023 attacks in southern Israel. TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli military investigation has concluded that the presence of troops inadvertently contributed to the deaths of six hostages killed by their Hamas captors in Gaza. The hostages' bodies were discovered in a tunnel in late August, an event that shook Israel and sparked some of the largest anti-war protests since the war began. The investigation found that the six hostages were killed by multiple gunshots from their captors after surviving for nearly 330 days. The Israeli military’s “ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists’ decision to murder the six hostages,” the report found. According to the investigation, the Israeli military began operating in the area where the hostages were being held in southern Gaza about two weeks before their discovery, under the assumption that the chances of hostages in the area was medium to low. On August 27, hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi was found alone in a tunnel , causing the Israeli military to halt operations for 24 hours to determine if there could be other hostages in the area. The military discovered the opening leading to the tunnel where the bodies of the six hostages were located on August 30. A pathological report estimated the six hostages were killed on August 29. The six hostages killed were Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin , whose American-Israeli parents became some of the most recognized spokespeople pleading for the hostages’ release, including addressing the Democratic National Convention days before their son’s killing. “The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal,” the Hostages Families Forum said in response to the investigation. “Every passing moment puts the hostages’ lives in immediate danger.” JERUSALEM — The Israeli negotiating team working on a ceasefire returned from Qatar to Israel on Tuesday, the prime minister’s office said, after what it called “a significant week” of talks. After months of deadlock, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt resumed their mediation efforts in recent weeks and reported greater willingness by the warring sides to reach a deal. According to Egyptian and Hamas officials, the proposed agreement would take place in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of captive Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel says Hamas is holding 100 hostages, over one-third of whom are believed to be dead. On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “some progress” in efforts to reach a deal, but added he did not know how long it would take. CAIRO — Israeli soldiers took control of a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcing all the patients and most of the doctors to leave, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. Some of the patients had to walk to another hospital while others were driven by paramedics, according to Health Ministry spokesperson Zaher al-Wahidi. He did not specify how many patients had evacuated. The Israeli military confirmed its troops had entered the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Jabaliya as part of an operation searching for Hamas fighters. The army later said its soldiers had left the hospital. The military said it had assisted with evacuating the patients and had not ordered the hospital closed. However, al-Wahidi said only one doctor and maintenance person were left behind. The Indonesian Hospital is one of three hospitals left largely inaccessible in the northernmost part of Gaza because Israel has imposed a tight siege there since launching an offensive in early October. The Israeli army said Tuesday’s operation at the Indonesian Hospital came after militants carried out attacks from the hospital for the past month, including launching anti-tank missiles and planting explosive devices in the surrounding area. The Health Ministry accused Israel of “besieging and directly targeting” the three hospitals in northern Gaza. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, said Israeli drones detonated explosives near the hospital and that 20 people were wounded, including five medical staff. The Israeli military declined to comment on the operation around the hospital. DAMASCUS — Scores of Syrian Christians protested in the capital Damascus on Tuesday, demanding greater protections for their religious minority after a Christmas tree was set on fire in the city of Hama a day earlier. Many of the insurgents who now rule Syria are jihadis, although Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the main rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and spent years depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. It remains unclear who set the Christmas tree on fire Monday, which was condemned by a representative of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham who visited the town and addressed the community. “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations," the HTS representative said in a video widely shared on social media. "The Christmas tree will be fully restored by this evening.” On Tuesday, protesters marched through the streets of Bab Touma in Damascus, shouting slogans against foreign fighters and carrying large wooden crosses. “We demand that Syria be for all Syrians. We want a voice in the future of our country,” said Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church as he addressed the crowd in a church courtyard, assuring them of Christians’ rights in Syria. Since HTS led a swift offensive that overthrew President Bashar Assad earlier this month, Syria’s minority communities have been on edge, uncertain of how they will be treated under the emerging rebel-led government. “We are here to demand a democratic and free government for one people and one nation,” another protester said. “We stand united — Muslims and Christians. No to sectarianism.” DOHA — Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said that ceasefire negotiations to end the war in Gaza were ongoing in Doha in cooperation with Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediators. “We will not leave any door unopened in pursuit of reaching an agreement,” said Majid al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday. Al Ansari added that rumors the ceasefire would be reached before Christmas are “speculation.” The ceasefire negotiations come at a time when winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. Families of the approximately 100 hostages who have been held for 445 days in Gaza are also worried their loved ones will not survive another winter. In a press conference, al-Ansari also called on the international community to lift sanctions on Syria as quickly as possible on Tuesday. “The reason was the crimes of the previous regime, and that regime, with all of its authority, is no longer in place, therefor the causes for these sanctions no longer exist today,” he said. DAMASCUS, Syria — American journalist Austin Tice is believed to be still alive, according to the head of an international aid group. Nizar Zakka, who runs the Hostage Aid Worldwide organization, said there has never been any proof that Tice, who has been missing since 2012, is dead. Zakka told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday that Tice was alive in January and being held by the authorities of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad. He added that U.S. President Joe Biden said in August that Tice was alive. Zakka said he believes Tice was transferred between security agencies over the past 12 years, including in an area where Iranian-backed fighters were operating. Asked if it was possible Tice had been taken out of the country, Zakka said Assad most likely kept him in Syria as a potential bargaining chip. Biden said Dec. 8 that his administration believed Tice was alive and was committed to bringing him home, although he also acknowledged that “we have no direct evidence” of his status. TEL AVIV, Israel — Hannah Katzir, an Israeli woman who was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, and freed in a brief ceasefire last year, has died. She was 78. The Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the families of people taken captive, confirmed the death Tuesday but did not disclose the cause. Her daughter, Carmit Palty Katzir, said in a statement that her mother’s “heart could not withstand the terrible suffering since Oct. 7.” Katzir’s husband, Rami, was killed during the attack by militants who raided their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her son Elad was also kidnapped and his body was recovered in April by the Israeli military, who said he had been killed in captivity. She spent 49 days in captivity and was freed in late November 2023. Shortly after Katzir was freed, her daughter told Israeli media that she had been hospitalized with heart issues attributed to “difficult conditions and starvation” while she was held captive. TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's military said the projectile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, but it set off air raid sirens overnight in the country's populous central area, sending residents looking for cover. Israel’s rescue service Magen David Adom said a 60-year-old woman was seriously wounded after being hurt on her way to a protected space. There was no immediate comment from Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. It was the third time in a week that fire from Yemen set off sirens in Israel. On Saturday, a missile slammed into a playground in Tel Aviv, injuring 16, after Israel’s air defense system failed to intercept it. Earlier last week, Israeli jets struck Yemen’s rebel-held capital and a port city, killing nine. Israel said the strikes were in response to previous Houthi attacks.

Rosemond Obeng, the former National TESCON Coordinator and assistant to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has made headlines for switching allegiance to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) just days before Ghana’s general elections. Her defection adds to the growing list of prominent political figures who have shifted loyalty between the two major parties in Ghana, with Obeng joining individuals like Alhaji Inusah Issaka, Kakra Essamuah, and Frances Essiam. In an appearance on GHOne’s State of Affairs program, Rosemond Obeng revealed that her decision to leave the NPP was due to her belief that Dr. Bawumia lacks the necessary leadership qualities to lead the country effectively. “We require crucial leadership, and I am aware that my former boss is unable to provide it. We get bad results, output, and performance from bad leadership,” she said, citing her personal experience working closely with Dr. Bawumia. Her defection and subsequent remarks have sparked significant backlash on social media, with many questioning her loyalty and motives, especially considering that just two years ago, she publicly expressed gratitude towards Dr. Bawumia for supporting her further studies. Obeng’s defection follows a pattern seen in Ghanaian politics, where key figures from both the NPP and NDC have switched parties, often causing political ripples. In 2005, Frances Essiam, the former National Women’s Organiser of the NDC, also left the party after an alleged assault by party supporters, later joining the NPP. Perhaps the most controversial defection occurred in the 1990s when Alhaji Inusah Issaka, after accusing the NPP of rigging the 1996 elections, joined the NDC, leading political analysts to label him as a “political prostitute.” Rosemond Obeng’s defection has drawn attention as she shifts from her previous position close to the NPP leadership to publicly criticizing Dr. Bawumia. It remains to be seen how this will influence the political landscape in the lead-up to the December elections.34 Indulgent Products That Are Honestly Much Better Than Treating Yourself To Caviar

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Kino Lilly Jr.'s 21 points helped Brown defeat Canisius 83-76 on Saturday. Lilly shot 5 of 13 from the field, including 5 for 9 from 3-point range, and went 6 for 7 from the line for the Bears (3-3). Landon Lewis scored 17 points and added eight rebounds. Lyndel Erold shot 5 for 9 (3 for 6 from 3-point range) and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line to finish with 16 points. Paul McMillan IV finished with 25 points for the Golden Griffins (0-7). Cam Palesse added 22 points for Canisius. Anthony Benard had seven points, eight assists and two steals. The Golden Griffins prolonged their losing streak to seven in a row. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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I’m A Celebrity viewers react as new ‘fantastic’ celebrities join ITV showWhoscall, a global anti-scam application, has identified three primary channels used by investment scammers targeting Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Investment scams are among the most common types of scams, where people are deceived into investing their money. OFWs are often prime targets, as scammers use social engineering techniques to exploit their vulnerability. “They (scammers) may promise investment opportunities in stocks, bonds, commodities, currency, or even real estate to their victims,” said Gogolook Philippines Country Head, Mel Migriño. “These scams typically involve enticing victims with promises of high returns on investments, often using fake or misleading information to lure them (victims) in,” she added. Whoscall, developed by Gogolook, a global leader in TrustTech, aims to protect individuals from online fraud and scams. As a tool that protects its users against potential online scams, Whoscall has identified three key channels commonly used by scammers to target OFWs. Messaging Apps Messaging platforms are often used by scammers to directly communicate with potential victims. They commonly use unknown numbers, often obtained through illegal SIM card sales, to carry out their schemes. “These scammers, like in other scam cases, exploit the vulnerabilities of OFWs by promising that they won’t need to work abroad if they invest,” said Migriño. This strategy helps scammers build personal relationships and gain trust before presenting their fraudulent investment offers. Social Media As leading platforms in the digital age, social media has become a key channel for scammers targeting OFWs through investment scams. Using fake accounts, scammers exploit platforms like Facebook and Instagram to promote fraudulent investment opportunities. They create groups or pages that build a false sense of community and urgency, pressuring OFWs to invest quickly without proper research. “Because of its accessibility to OFWs, scammers nest on these platforms with convincing ads. Many OFWs are lured into clicking unverified links that lead them to fake investment platforms. Once they invest, the money is gone, and they become victims of these schemes,” Migriño explained. Email While many platforms have entered the market, email remains one of the top tools’ scammers use to execute investment scams. “One red flag for OFWs to watch out for is an offer that seems too good to be true, like a ‘no-risk’ investment. Scammers often use email to make their schemes appear more formal and convincing,” said Gogolook Philippines’ Country Head. “Scammers also rely on email to reach OFWs, frequently sending unsolicited messages with promises of lucrative investment opportunities,” she added. These emails often contain fake testimonials or exaggerated claims to entice recipients into investing. How to avoid investment scams One of the best ways OFWs can maintain cyber hygiene is by downloading anti-scam applications like the Whoscall App. With the app’s URL Scanner feature, users are alerted if the websites they are about to engage with are safe or potentially fraudulent. Protection of personal data and community protection are key thrusts of the Whoscall anti scam application. “With this, we can help protect our beloved modern heroes from falling victim to investment scams,” said Migriño. She also urged OFWs to stay vigilant, especially during the holiday season when generosity is high due to tradition. “To all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), we urge you to stay alert against investment scams. Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always research and verify before investing your hard-earned money,” she advised. Illegal use of AI Migriño also highlighted the unethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) by scammers to profile potential victims online. “AI is one of the most powerful tools humans can use to fight online scams,” she said, “but we must remember it’s a double-edged sword—it can be used for good or exploited for harm.” She added, “With AI, scammers can quickly and easily profile potential victims online. This should remind us to always be mindful of online safety and think carefully about what personal information we share online.” Being business-savvy should be fun, attainable and A+. BMPlus is BusinessMirror's digital arm with practical tips & success stories for aspiring and thriving millennial entrepreneurs.George Mason defeats Ferrum 100-55