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Syrian insurgents reach the capital's suburbs. Worried residents flee and stock up on supplies BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents’ stunning march across Syria is gaining speed with news that they have reached the suburbs of the capital of Damascus. The government on Saturday was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels’ moves around Damascus were reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander. They came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions. The factions are by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. 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 a dose of presidential pomp. And they held a hastically-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. 100-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor recalls confusion and chaos during Japanese bombing 83 years ago PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors are planning to return to the Hawaii military base on Saturday for a remembrance ceremony on the attack's anniversary. They are each over 100 years old. They will join active-duty troops, veterans and members of the public for a remembrance ceremony 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.top646 slot 。

Xu Zhengyuan, affectionately known as the "Master of Rongcheng," has been a prominent figure in the football scene in Chengdu for years. His strategic tactics and motivational leadership have led the team to numerous victories and championships. However, Xu Zhengyuan believes that there is always room for improvement and learning, regardless of one's experience and achievements.But it was in the small village of Sintra that Gu Jia's journey took an unexpected turn. Nestled in the hills overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Sintra was like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. As she explored the narrow alleys and ancient ruins of the village, Gu Jia felt a sense of peace and tranquility wash over her.Striking a rare conciliatory tone, senior PML-N leader and PM's Adviser on Political Affair Rana Sanaullah on Saturday called on the top political leaders of the country - PML-N's Nawaz Sharif, PPP's Asif Ali Zardari and PTI's Imran Khan - to sit together to steer the country out of its current crises. Sana was one of the speakers at an event organised in Lahore to commemorate slain politician Khawaja Muhammad Rafique, the father of PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique. At the event that took place amid the ongoing dialogue between the ruling PML-N and the PTI, the speakers recognised the urgency of the political dialogue while voicing their cautious support for committee level engagement between the two political rivals. The former interior minister noted that according to his understanding if the dialogue is to move forward it must include the three big names of the political arena, Nawaz, Zardari and Imran. "The committees won't be able to move forward without taking their respective leaderships into confidence [so why not include the leaders in the consultation process]," he said. According to Sanaullah, the PTI demands of the PML-N to give up its government formed on the basis of rigged elections but the question is as to why the PTI did not give up their mandate when they were accused of the same crime. While stating that his party wants the negotiation to succeed, Sana expressed some astonishment at the sudden change of heart at the PTI which till November 26 was staging a protest march in Islamabad to pressure the government into accepting its demands. Addressing the event, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif claimed that he was never consulted on the question of engaging with the PTI as he cautioned his fellow leaders to remain on guard and to not to trust PTI founder Imran Khan, who, he said, is "eternally unfaithful". Asif who was the closing speaker of the ceremony said he does not buy the idea of the PTI opening up to the dialogue process all of sudden. He asked as to what changed in the last fifteen days that the PTI went from all guns blazing to pushing for negotiation. Just fifteen days back, they were bashing the government, and all of sudden they formed a committee unilaterally and knocked the NA speaker's door, he said. "The PTI cannot be trusted. The PML-N is all for dialogue as we believe dialogue is the only way forward but it was difficult to buy the sudden change of heart in the PTI camp. Imran Khan is an unfaithful person, who has even betrayed his benefactors," he added. On a lighter vein, he complained that he was not even consulted before the PML-N formed a committee to hold talks with the PTI, apparently referring to his opposing stance on the issue, saying that "they didn't even let me near this discussion". He said the government's sincerity is unquestionable as it is entering in this dialogue from a position of power whereas the other side is beset with problems. "Their intention has to be seen with some skepticism," he said. Khawaja Asif claimed that in Pakistan only three leaders sought western support—two of them, General Ziaul Haq and General Pervez Musharraf, were military dictators while Imran is the only political leader to do so. "The country is facing consequences of this tendency to seek western support." He said the Jihad call in Afghanistan was all made up by a dictator to accentuate his rule in the country. "A person who seeks help from the power [apparently USA] that is responsible for the death of fifty thousand Palestinian and devastation of five Muslim countries has no morals. Imran Khan is their stooge," he alleged. Asif stated that all power centers should be included in the dialogue process. He claimed that all political parties have used the crutches of the establishment at some stage. Bashing the judiciary, he said people should thank lord that Pakistan has survived for 75 years with this kind of judiciary. He said the adage that people should engage judges not lawyers is correct. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said his office has a limited role in the dialogue process. "I appreciate the government for agreeing to the dialogue process. This dialogue process should also include a charter of economy," he said. Bashing PTI supporters residing the west, he said that those who could not say a word regarding Genocide in Gaza or occupation of Kashmir are working against the country's interest. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our

Fulham vs. Bournemouth: What feat could the Cottagers achieve for the first time in 92 years?

As the season progresses, the title race is shaping up to be a thrilling contest, with Liverpool looking like the team to beat. Their consistency and form have made them the favorites among fans and pundits alike, with many tipping them to go all the way and lift the Premier League trophy at the end of the season.Title: Arrest of Ivy League Graduate in Shooting of American Corporate Executive Reveals Motive

South Korea's declaration of martial law, as well as the sudden upheaval in Syria, have caught the United States off guard, leaving key allies in turmoil and the Middle East in a state of flux. These unprecedented events have further exacerbated the already complex geopolitical landscape, with implications that are far-reaching and difficult to predict.WASHINGTON: The US economy added more jobs than expected last month, government data showed Friday, bouncing back from a dramatic slowdown triggered by hurricanes and labor strikes. The world’s biggest economy gained 227,000 jobs in November, up from a revised 36,000 in October, said the Department of Labor. The overall jobless rate ticked up to 4.2 percent from 4.1 percent. The rise in hiring was likely due to a return of Boeing workers and others who had gone on strike, and came as the cumulative impact of hurricanes Helene and Milton faded. “This has been a hard-fought recovery, but we are making progress for working families,” said President Joe Biden in a statement. Analysts warn, however, that job growth has been narrowly based across just a few sectors. Friday’s figure “marks only a moderate-sized bounce back” from the strikes and disasters, said Nationwide chief economist Kathy Bostjancic. Average job gains over the last two months remains soft, she added. Last month “employment trended up in health care, leisure and hospitality, government, and social assistance,” said the Labor Department. But the retail trade sector lost jobs, the department added in its report. The hiring figure was above a market consensus expectation of 200,000 according to Briefing.com. Average hourly earnings rose more than expected too from a month prior, by 0.4 percent to $35.61. From the same period a year ago, wages were up 4.0 percent. Strong wage growth should help boost consumer spending during the holiday season, Bostjancic said. Rate cut? EY senior economist Lydia Boussour said in a recent note that she expects job growth to settle “below trend” as the labor market cools gradually. But she believes “a labor market downturn isn’t on the near-term horizon” with layoffs remaining relatively low. Companies have also been managing their workforces using other means like holding back wages and resizing instead of letting people go. The report is one of the final major economic indicators that the US central bank is taking into consideration as officials enter a policy meeting in the coming weeks. Many expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates a third time in a row, after its meeting from December 17-18. But Fed Chair Jerome Powell said this week that policymakers could “afford to be a little more cautious,” noting that the US economy remains strong. One factor is US inflation data, which came in a little bit hotter than expected recently, ZipRecruiter chief economist Julia Pollak told AFP. This points to the difficulty of bringing down consumer price increases sustainably, with the Fed previously holding interest rates high to cool demand and fight price surges. Fed policymakers will be weighing this against the risks of a weakening labor market if they pause their rate cuts, given a “steady slowdown in job growth” and that hiring gains have been increasingly concentrated in just a few key sectors recently, Pollak added. For now, barring surprises in inflation data, analysts generally expect the Fed to lower rates by a quarter percentage point in December. But it is likely to “proceed more cautiously in 2025 and skip cutting rates in January,” said Nancy Vanden Houten, lead economist at Oxford Economics. – AFPIn the meantime, it is essential for investors to exercise caution and prudence when trading cryptocurrencies, especially in such a volatile market environment. Diversification, risk management, and thorough research are key strategies for navigating the ups and downs of the digital currency landscape.Title: "Thread the Needle Accident: Small Car Driver Blames Truck - Why Didn't You Brake?"

In the world of table tennis, the Chinese national team once again proves their exceptional talent and skill as Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha maintain their reign as the world's number one mixed doubles pair. With their outstanding performances on the international stage, they have solidified their position at the top, showcasing their dominance and prowess in the sport.In recent news, there have been reports circulating that a student set fire to a car after failing their driving test, allegedly in retaliation for not passing the second part of the exam. However, the driving school involved has come forward to clarify that the incident was actually a result of an old vehicle experiencing a short circuit and catching fire, rather than an act of vandalism by a disgruntled student.