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circus halloween costumes CHENNAI: With the IPL mega auction looming, teams will be looking to break the bank, aiming to assemble a balanced side. A Total of 577 players up for grabs in this auction which promises to be a money-fuelled frenzy, setting new records and sparking fierce bidding wars — just like the jaw-dropping buys we’ve seen since the league’s inception in 2008. The inaugural season saw teams operating with a modest budget cap of $ 5 million (20 crore). Back then, MS Dhoni was the priciest buy at $ 1.5 million by Chennai Super Kings. Fast forward to 2024, Mitchell Starc shattered all records, fetching Rs 24.75 crore from Kolkata Knight Riders — more than an entire team’s budget in 2008. It was an era when franchise ownership deals were sealed for massive sums, with Mumbai Indians top of the pile selling at $111.9 million to Reliance Industries Ltd. This year, the record Rs 24.75 crore bid is likely to be shattered, especially with the Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant entering the auction pool. Teams like Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, armed with hefty purses, could make history by producing the league’s most expensive player yet — potentially an Indian. Such a feat would be groundbreaking, considering only two Indians, Yuvaraj Singh (16 crore in 2016) and Ishan Kishan (15.25 crore in 2022), feature among the top 10 costliest buys in IPL history. In the 17 IPL auctions so far, Indian players became the most expensive buys only seven times. After MS Dhoni topped the ranks in the inaugural edition, it was in 2011 when Gautam Gambhir broke the record at the first mega auction of the league to become the highest valued Indian with $ 2.4 million to Kolkata Knight Riders. It was an all-Indian top three costliest buys that year as Yusuf Pathan and Robin Uthappa also fetched $2.1 million. That was the start of the trend where Indian players have gone on to shine bright at mega auctions whereas overseas players tend to steal the show at mini auctions, amassing massive paychecks. However, the new regulations from BCCI to put a cost cap and exclusion from the mini-auction if they fail to register for the mega auction will put a halt to overseas players draining money out of franchises. Only in the 2018 mega auction did an overseas player become the costliest buy in IPL history with Rajasthan Royals splurging Rs 12.5 crore on English all-rounder Ben Stokes. However, the next year in mini auction saw uncapped Tamil Nadu bowler Varun Charkravarthy alongside pacer Jayadev Unadkat shock the auction table with a whopping Rs 8.4 crore bid, the highest that year. The next surprise was in 2022 when Mumbai Indians bought Ishan Kishan for Rs 15.25 crore, making him the second highest Indian player in IPL history. As this would be the first mega action in the Impact Player-era, the approach all 10 franchises take to spend the purse to build its 25-member roster will be one to look forward to. With there being many unknowns as to how the auction will unfold, let’s take a look at the top buys every season in IPL history from 2008 to 2024: 2008 (Inaugural season) MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) - $1.5 million Andrew Symonds (Deccan Chargers)- $ 1.35 million Sanath Jayasuriya (Mumbai Indians)- $975,000 2009 Kevin Pieterson (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) - $ 1.55 million Andrew Flintoff (Chennai Super Kings) - $1.55 million JP Duminy (Mumbai Indians) - $950,000 2010 Shane Bond (Kolkata Knight Riders) - $750,000 Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians) - $750,000 Kemar Roach (Deccan Chargers) - $720,000 2011 (Mega Auction) Gautam Gambhir (Kolkata Knight Riders) - $ 2.4 million Yusuf Pathan (Kolkata Knight Riders) - $2.1 million Robin Uthappa - $2.1 million 2012 Ravindra Jadeja (Chennai Super Kings) - $ 2 million Mahela Jayawardene (Delhi Daredevils) - $1.4 million Brendon McCullum (Kolkata Knight Riders) - $900,000 2013 Glenn Maxwell (Mumbai Indians) - $ 1 million Ajantha Mendis (Pune Warriors India) - $725,000 Kane Richardson (Pune Warriors India) - $700,000 2014 (Mega Auction) Yuvraj Singh (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) - Rs 14 crore Dinesh Karthik (Delhi Daredevils) - Rs 12.5 crore Kevin Pietersen (Delhi Daredevils) - Rs 9 crore 2015 Yuvraj Singh (Delhi Daredevils) - Rs 16 crore Dinesh Karthik (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) - Rs 10.5 crore Angelo Mathews (Delhi Daredevils) - Rs 7.5 crore 2016 Shane Watson (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) - Rs 9.5 crore Pawan Negi (Delhi Daredevils) - Rs 8.5 crore Yuvraj Singh (Sunrisers Hyderabad) - Rs 7 crore 2017 Ben Stokes (Rising Pune Supergiants) - Rs 14.5 crore Tymal Mills (Royal Challengers Bangalore) - Rs 12 crore Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Daredevils) - Rs 5 crore 2018 (Mega Auction) Ben Stokes (Rajasthan Royals) - Rs 12.5 crore Jaydev Unadkat (Rajasthan Royals) - Rs 11.5 crore Manish Pandey (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and KL Rahul (Kings XI Punjab) - Rs 11 crore 2019 Varun Chakravarthy (Kings XI Punjab) - Rs 8.4 crore Jaydev Unadkat (Rajasthan Royals) - Rs 8.4 crore Sam Curran (Royal Challengers Bangalore) - Rs 7.2 crore 2020 Pat Cummins (Kolkata Knight Riders) - Rs 15.5 crore Glenn Maxwell (Kings XI Punjab) - Rs 10.75 crore Chris Morris (Royal Challengers Bangalore) - Rs 10 crore 2021 Chris Morris (Rajasthan Royals) - Rs 16.25 crore Kyle Jamieson (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) - Rs 15 crore Glenn Maxwell (Royal Challengers Bangalore) - Rs 14.25 crores 2022 (Mega Auction) Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians) - Rs 15.25 crore Deepak Chahar (Chennai Super Kings) - Rs 14 crore Shreyas Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders) - Rs 12.25 crore 2023 Sam Curran (Punjab Kings) - Rs 18.5 crore Cameron Green (Mumbai Indians) - Rs 17.5 crore Ben Stokes (Chennai Super Kings) - Rs 16.25) 2024 Mitchell Starc (Kolkata Knight Riders) - Rs 24.75 crore Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad) - Rs 20.5 crore Daryl Mitchell (Chennai Super Kings) - Rs 14 croreIsrael cracks down on Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza UMM AL-FAHM, Israel (AP) — In the year since the war in Gaza broke out, Israel's government has been cracking down on dissent among its Palestinian citizens. Authorities have charged Palestinians with “supporting terrorism” because of posts online or for demonstrating against the war. Activists and rights watchdogs say Palestinians have also lost jobs, been suspended from schools and faced police interrogations. Palestinians make up about 20% of Israel's population. Many feel forced to self-censor out of fear of being jailed and further marginalized in society. Others still find ways to dissent, but carefully. Israel's National Security Ministry counters that, “Freedom of speech is not the freedom to incite.” Israel says rabbi who went missing in the UAE was killed TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel says the body of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found, citing Emirati authorities. The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Sunday said Zvi Kogan was killed, calling it a “heinous antisemitic terror incident.” It said: “The state of Israel will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death." Kogan went missing on Thursday, and there were suspicions he had been kidnapped. His disappearance comes as Iran has been threatening to retaliate against Israel after the two countries traded fire in October. Hezbollah fires more than 180 rockets and other projectiles into Israel, wounding at least 7 BEIRUT (AP) — Hezbollah has fired at least 185 rockets and other projectiles into Israel, wounding seven people in the militant group's heaviest barrage in several days. The attacks in northern and central Israel happened Sunday in response to deadly Israeli strikes in central Beirut on Saturday. Meanwhile, negotiators pressed on with cease-fire efforts to halt the all-out war. Lebanon's military says an Israeli strike on a Lebanese army center in the southwest killed one soldier and wounded 18 others. Israel's military has expressed regret and said its operations are directed solely against the militants. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister condemned the latest strike as an assault on the U.S.-led cease-fire efforts. The rising price of paying the national debt is a risk for Trump's promises on growth and inflation WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has big plans for the economy. He also has big debt problem that'll be a hurdle to delivering on those plan. Trump has bold ambitions on tax cuts, tariffs and other programs. But high interest rates and the price of repaying the federal government’s existing debt could limit what he’s able to do. The federal debt stands at roughly $36 trillion, and the spike in inflation after the pandemic has pushed up the government’s borrowing costs such that debt service next year will easily exceed spending on national security. After Trump's Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key roles WASHINGTON (AP) — During the campaign, President-elect Donald Trump had hailed what would become Project 2025 as a conservative roadmap for “exactly what our movement will do." Trump pulled an about-face when Project 2025 became a political liability. He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans, even though some were written by his former aides and many allies. Now, after winning the 2024 election, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the effort he temporarily shunned. Trump has tapped Russell Vought for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as “border czar;” and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy. Forecasts warn of possible winter storms across US during Thanksgiving week WINDSOR, Calif. (AP) — Forecasters in the U.S. have warned of another round of winter weather that could complicate travel leading up to Thanksgiving. California is bracing for more snow and rain this weekend while still grappling with some flooding and small landslides from a previous storm. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for California's Sierra Nevada through Tuesday, with heavy snow expected at high elevations. Thousands remained without power in the Seattle area on Saturday after a “bomb cyclone” storm system hit the West Coast earlier in the week, killing two people. Parts of the Northeast and Appalachia also began the weekend with heavy precipitation. Pakistan partially stops mobile and internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns” as supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan gear up for a protest in the capital. The government and Interior Ministry made the announcement on X, which is banned in Pakistan. Sunday's protest is to demand Khan's release. He has been in prison for more than a year but remains popular. His supporters rely heavily on social media and messaging apps to coordinate with each other. Pakistan has already sealed off Islamabad and shut down major roads and highways connecting the city with Khan's power bases. Here's what to know about the new funding deal that countries agreed to at UN climate talks BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — In the wee hours Sunday at the United Nations climate talks, countries from around the world reached an agreement on how rich countries can cough up the funds to support poor countries in the face of climate change. But it’s a far-from-perfect arrangement, with many parties still unsatisfied but hopeful that the deal will be a step in the right direction. Japan holds Sado mines memorial despite South Korean boycott amid lingering historical tensions SADO, Japan (AP) — Japan has held a memorial ceremony near the Sado Island Gold Mines despite a last-minute boycott of the event by South Korea that highlighted tensions between the neighbors over the brutal wartime use of Korean laborers. South Korea’s absence at Sunday’s memorial, to which Seoul government officials and Korean victims’ families were invited, is a major setback in the rapidly improving ties between the countries. The Sado mines were listed in July as a UNESCO World Heritage Site after Japan moved past years of disputes with South Korea and reluctantly acknowledged the mines’ dark history. Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83 NEW YORK (AP) — Chuck Woolery, the affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster, skewering liberals and accusing the government of lying about COVID-19, has died. He was 83. Mark Young, Woolery’s podcast co-host and friend, said in an email early Sunday that Woolery died at his home in Texas with his wife, Kristen, present. Woolery, with his matinee idol looks, coiffed hair and ease with witty banter, was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. He teamed up with Young for the podcast “Blunt Force Truth” and became a full supporter Donald Trump.

Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise prices, won't rule out revenge prosecutions

The Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team has gotten off to a fast start this season in more ways than one. The No. 16 Bearcats have raced to a 5-0 record while outscoring their opponents by more than 31 points per game, with just one team (Northern Kentucky) coming within 16 points. Cincinnati is averaging a robust 87 points per game with one of the more efficient offenses in college basketball. Cincinnati will look to continue that hot streak when it plays host to Alabama State in nonconference action Wednesday evening. Cincinnati has punished opposing defenses in a variety of ways this season. Despite being the No. 14 offense in the nation in Ken Pomeroy's efficiency ratings, the Bearcats aren't among the nation's leaders in pace. Still, they take advantage of those opportunities when they are there. "Us playing fast is something we want to do," Cincinnati forward Dillon Mitchell said. "When I was being recruited here, that was something Coach (Wes) Miller wanted to do. "There could be games where we're not making shots or something is off, but one thing is we're gonna push the ball, play hard and play fast. That's something he preaches. We'll be in shape and get rebounds." Mitchell is fresh off a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in Cincinnati's 81-58 road win at Georgia Tech Saturday. He is one of four Bearcats to average double figures in scoring this season. That balance was on display once again against the Yellow Jackets, with Connor Hickman and Jizzle James also scoring 14 points each and Simas Lukosius contributing 12 points. In that game, Cincinnati sank 51.6 percent of its shots while regularly getting out into transition with 16 fastbreak points, while winning the rebounding battle 36-29. "Any time you get a road win over a quality, Power 4 team, you're gonna feel good about it," Miller said. "I was pleased with our effort." Lukosius is scoring 16.6 points per game, while James is at 14.0 points, followed by Mitchell at 12.4, while he also grabs a team-best 8.6 rebounds. Alabama State (3-3) has a tough task ahead, especially when considering its 97-78 loss at Akron Sunday, which ended a three-game winning streak. The Hornets allowed the Zips to shoot 46.4 percent from the field and were 53-32 in the rebounding battle. Alabama State gave up a season high in points, after playing the likes of LSU and UNLV earlier this season. Akron standout Nate Johnson lit up Alabama State for 25 points, as the game got away from the Hornets in the second half to keep them winless in true road games. Alabama leading scorers CJ Hines and TJ Madlock still got theirs against Akron, scoring 19 and 17 points, respectively. They were joined in double figures by reserve Tyler Mack (18 points), but recent history says they'll need more help to keep up with the Bearcats. Hines leads the Hornets with 15.7 points per game, while Madlock contributes 14.5 points. In previous Akron Basketball Classic wins last week against Omaha and Lamar, Alabama State featured at least four double-digit scorers in each game. --Field Level MediaWEST LAYFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Trey Kaufman-Renn had 18 points and Myles Colvin and Camden Heide each scored 13 to lead No. 6 Purdue to an 80-45 rout of Marshall on Saturday. Colvin and Heide were making their first starts of the season for Purdue (5-1). Braden Smith, who was averaging 14.6 points, was scoreless on an 0-for-4 shooting day. Smith had a team-high nine assists. Nate Martin led Marshall (3-2) with nine points, playing 24 minutes before fouling out with several minutes left in the game. The Boilermakers shot 55% in the first half to take a 39-24 halftime lead. However, Purdue made only one field goal in the final nine minutes of the first half. Purdue picked up the intensity in the second half, leading by as many as 41 points. The Boilermakers shot 50% for the game and held the Thundering Herd to 30%. No. 10 NORTH CAROLINA 87, HAWAII 69 HONOLULU (AP) — R.J. Davis scored 14 of his 18 points in the first half and No. 10 North Carolina pulled away from Hawaii. Elliot Cadeau had 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting, Seth Trimble scored 11 of his 13 points after halftime and Ian Jackson added 11 for the Tar Heels (3-1). Davis, an All-American guard, moved into fourth place on North Carolina’s all-time career scoring list. He overtook Sam Perkins with his free throw at the 11:59 mark of the first half. Gytis Nemeiksa led Hawaii with 16 points and had 10 rebounds. Akira Jacobs made three 3-pointers and scored 13 points off the bench. Tanner Christensen had 10 points and 10 rebounds and Marcus Green added 10 points for the Rainbow Warriors (4-1). No. 15 MARQUETTE 880, GEORGIA 69 NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — David Joplin scored a career-high 29 points and made six 3-pointers, Chase Ross had 14 points and five steals, and No. 15 Marquette beat Georgia. Joplin scored five straight Marquette points to begin a 12-3 run that Stevie Mitchell capped by banking in a shot with 1:33 remaining for a 78-66 lead. Mitchell made a steal at the other end to help seal it. Ben Gold scored a career-high 14 points and Kam Jones had 10 points and seven assists for Marquette (6-0). Jones was coming off the program’s third triple-double in more than 100 seasons when he had 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in 36 minutes against No. 6 Purdue on Tuesday. Gold’s previous high was 12 points at UConn on Feb. 7, 2023, while Joplin’s was 28 at DePaul on Jan. 28, 2023. Blue Cain scored 17 points and Tyrin Lawrence added 15 for Georgia (5-1). Dakota Leffew had 11 and Silas Demary Jr. 10. The Bulldogs turned it over 18 times, leading to 27 points by Marquette. No. 18 CINCINNATI 81, GEORGIA TECH 58 ATLANTA (AP) — Dillon Mitchell had 14 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season, and No. 18 Cincinnati beat Georgia Tech. Jizzle James and Cole Hickman also scored 14 points apiece for the Bearcats (5-0), who passed the first true test of the young season against their first major conference opponent in the Yellow Jackets of the ACC. Naithan George made three 3-pointers while scoring 13 points for Georgia Tech (2-3). Duncan Powell added 10 points, while leading scorer Baye Ndogo finished with just five points. No. 25 ILLINOIS 87, Md-Eastern Shire 40 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Will Riley scored his 19 points in the second half and No. 25 Illinois beat Maryland Eastern Shore. Kylan Boswell added 13 points, Tomislav Ivisic had 11 and Morez Johnson Jr. finished with 10 for the Illini (4-1), who shot 25% (10 for 40) from 3-point range but committed just nine turnovers. Tre White grabbed 11 rebounds and Kasparas Jakucionis seven for Illinois, which outrebounded the Hawks 59-38. Jalen Ware scored 10 points and Christopher Flippin had 10 rebounds for Maryland Eastern Shore (2-6), which had its lowest point total of the season. The team’s previous low came in 102-63 loss to Vanderbilt on Nov. 4.By Llazar Semini TIRANA, Albania — Albanian opposition lawmakers and their supporters blocked the capital’s main streets for hours Tuesday accusing the government of corruption and demanding it be replaced by a technocratic caretaker Cabinet until 2025 parliamentary elections. Hundreds of activists blocked traffic at Tirana’s main intersections accusing the Socialist Party of Prime Minister Edi Rama of corruption, manipulating earlier elections and usurping the powers of the judiciary. Led by lawmakers, opposition supporters — some coming from other cities — were involved in sporadic clashes with anti-riot police trying to clear the streets. Others sat down in the street or tried to push police officers away. “Rama go away,” was a call repeated by protesters in many places. Riot police wear their gas masks during a protest, in Tirana, Albania, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024 over the arrests of their leader Sali Berisha and former President Ilir Meta in separate corruption cases, saying the charges are politically motivated. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj) Police use water canons against opposition supporters in Tirana, Albania, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024 during an anti-government protest over the arrests of their leader Sali Berisha and former President Ilir Meta in separate corruption cases, saying the charges are politically motivated. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj) Supporters of the Albanian opposition clash with riot police in Tirana, Albania , Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024 during an anti-government protest over the arrests of their leader Sali Berisha and former President Ilir Meta in separate corruption cases, saying the charges are politically motivated. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj) Supporters of the Albanian opposition take part in an anti-government protest in Tirana, Albania, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024 over the arrests of their leader Sali Berisha and former President Ilir Meta in separate corruption cases, saying the charges are politically motivated. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj) Riot police stand guard a street in central Tirana, Albania, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024 during an anti-government protest over the arrests of their leader Sali Berisha and former President Ilir Meta in separate corruption cases, saying the charges are politically motivated. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj) Police officers help a woman after a clash between riot police and opposition supporters in Tirana, Albania, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024 during an anti-government protest over the arrests of their leader Sali Berisha and former President Ilir Meta in separate corruption cases, saying the charges are politically motivated. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj) Police use water canons against opposition supporters in Tirana, Albania, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024 during an anti-government protest over the arrests of their leader Sali Berisha and former President Ilir Meta in separate corruption cases, saying the charges are politically motivated. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj) An elderly woman is being cared after clashes between riot police and opposition supporters in Tirana, Albania, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024 during an anti-government protest over the arrests of their leader Sali Berisha and former President Ilir Meta in separate corruption cases, saying the charges are politically motivated. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj) Police use water canons against opposition supporters in Tirana, Albania , Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024 during an anti-government protest over the arrests of their leader Sali Berisha and former President Ilir Meta in separate corruption cases, saying the charges are politically motivated. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj) Riot police wear their gas masks during a protest, in Tirana, Albania, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024 over the arrests of their leader Sali Berisha and former President Ilir Meta in separate corruption cases, saying the charges are politically motivated. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj) Hundreds of police officers were deployed to protect government buildings and keep streets clear for traffic and preserve order. They used water guns mounted on trucks to keep protesters away from City Hall and Wilson Square, and tear gas in at least in one case. The conservative Democratic Party and its supporters in an opposition coalition also have been holding protests over the arrests of their leader Sali Berisha and former President Ilir Meta in separate corruption cases , saying the charges are politically motivated. “The Albanians’ revolt and civil disobedience cannot be stopped,” said the Democrats’ Secretary-General Flamur Noka, the most senior leader while Berisha is under house arrest. As Noka was addressing journalists, he stopped speaking out of respect when a prayer was heard from the new Muslim mosque nearby. Albania’s 2.4 million population is more than half Muslim. They live peacefully alongside Catholic and Orthodox Christians and other smaller religious communities. The protest ended after three hours with the opposition leaders pledging to continue with rallies all around the country. Albania holds parliamentary elections next spring, which Rama’s Socialists are poised to win, according to polls, partly because the opposition is divided. The United States and the European Union have urged the opposition to resume dialogue with the government, saying violence won’t help the country integrate into the 27-nation European Union. In October, Tirana started discussions with the bloc on how the country aligns with EU stances on the rule of law, the functioning of democratic institutions and the fight against corruption. Albania aims to join the bloc by 2030, according to Rama.

MOSCOW: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Russia and have been granted asylum by the Russian authorities following his ouster, Russian news agencies reported on Sunday, citing a Kremlin source. The Interfax news agency quoted the unnamed source as saying: “President Assad of Syria has arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them (him and his family) asylum on humanitarian grounds.” Earlier, Two Syrian sources said there was a very high probability that Assad may have been killed in a plane crash as it was a mystery why the plane took a surprise U-turn and disappeared off the map according to data from the Flightradar website. Israel has pushed tanks over the border into the buffer zone with Syria after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was ousted earlier on Sunday after rebel forces captured the capital Damasus. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he has ordered the military to “seize” a UN-patrolled buffer zone between the Israeli-occupied and Syrian-controlled Golan Heights. He said a 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria “has collapsed”, so he “directed the [military] yesterday to seize the buffer zone and the commanding positions nearby.” “We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border,” he added. Earlier the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Assad had left office and departed the country after being ousted by Syrian rebels, who ended the 50-year Assad dynasty in a lightning offensive that has raised fears of a new wave of instability in the Middle East. In a statement, the ministry said that Assad had ordered a peaceful handover but did not say where he was now. The ministry denied Russia’s role in talks about his departure and added that Russian military bases in Syria were at a state of high alert, although there was no serious threat to them at the current time. Syria’s army command notified officers that Assad’s regime had ended, a Syrian officer who was informed of the move told Reuters. But the Syrian army later said it was continuing operations against “terrorist groups” in the towns of Hama and Homs and Deraa countryside. Dozens of Syrians entered Assad’s luxurious Damascus home after it was looted on Sunday, an AFP correspondent said, following the fall of the capital to rebel forces. Women, children and men could be seen inspecting the six-storey home and its large garden, with the entrance to the residence burnt down and the rooms completely empty, save some furniture and a portrait of Assad thrown on the floor. Assad, who had crushed all forms of dissent, flew out of Damascus for an unknown destination earlier on Sunday, two senior army officers told Reuters, as rebels said they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments. “We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison,” the rebels said, referring to a large military prison on the outskirts of Damascus where the Syrian government detained thousands. Thousands in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting “Freedom” from a half-century of Assad family rule, witnesses said. The dramatic collapse also marks a seismic moment for the Middle East, dealing a massive blow to Russia and Iran, which have lost a key ally at the heart of the region and creating more uncertainty as the Gaza offensive rages. The pace of events has stunned Arab capitals and raised fears of a new wave of regional instability. It marks a turning point for Syria, shattered by more than 13 years of war which has turned cities to rubble, killed hundreds of thousands of people, and forced millions abroad as refugees. Stabilising western areas of Syria captured in the rebels’ advance will be key. Western governments, which have shunned the Assad-led state for years, must decide how to deal with a new administration in which a globally designated terrorist group — Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — looks set to have influence. HTS, which spearheaded the rebel advances across western Syria, was formerly an al Qaeda affiliate known as the Nusra Front until its leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, severed ties with the global jihadist movement in 2016. “The real question is how orderly will this transition be, and it seems quite clear that Golani is very eager for it to be an orderly one,” said Joshua Landis, a Syria expert and Director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma. Golani will not want a repeat of the chaos that swept Iraq after US-led forces toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. “They are going to have to rebuild ... they will need Europe and the US to lift sanctions,” Landis said. HTS is Syria’s strongest rebel group and some Syrians remain fearful it will impose draconian religious rule or instigate reprisals. A Syrian Air plane took off from Damascus airport around the time the capital was reported to have been taken by rebels, according to data from the Flightradar website. The aircraft initially flew towards Syria’s coastal region, a stronghold of Assad’s Alawite sect, but then made an abrupt U-turn and flew in the opposite direction for a few minutes before disappearing off the map. Reuters could not immediately ascertain who was on board. “It disappeared off the radar, possibly the transponder was switched off, but I believe the bigger probability is that the aircraft was taken down...,” said one Syrian source without elaborating. As Syrians expressed joy, Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said the country should have free elections so Syrians can choose who they want. But that would require a smooth transition in a country with complex competing interests, from fighters to groups with links to the United States, Russia and Turkey. Jalali also said he had been in contact with rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani to discuss managing the current transitional period, marking a notable development in efforts to shape Syria’s political future. Jordan affirmed on Sunday the importance of preserving the stability and security of Syria, the state news agency reported. US President Joe Biden and his team were monitoring the “extraordinary events in Syria” and were in touch with regional partners, the White House said. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Assad left office and departed the country after ordering a peaceful handover of power. In a statement, the ministry did not say where Assad was now and said Russia had not taken part in the talks about his departure. It added that Russia’s military bases in Syria had been put on a state of high alert, but that there was no serious threat to them at the current time. Syria’s civil war, which erupted in 2011 as an uprising against Assad’s rule, dragged in big outside powers, created space for militants to plot attacks around the world and sent millions of refugees into neighbouring states. The frontlines of Syria’s complex civil war were dormant for years. Then fighters once affiliated with Al Qaeda suddenly burst into action, posing the biggest challenge to Assad, who had survived years of gruelling war and international isolation with the help of Russia, Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. But Assad’s allies were focused on and weakened by other crises, leaving Assad at the mercy of his opponents with an army that was not prepared to defend him. Israel, which has severely weakened Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, will likely celebrate the fall of Assad, another of Iran’s key regional allies. But the prospects of a hardline religious group ruling Syria will likely raise concerns. Thousands of Homs residents poured onto the streets after the army withdrew from the central city, dancing and chanting “Assad is gone, Homs is free” and “Long live Syria and down with Bashar al-Assad”. Men hold flags as people celebrate, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in Qamishli, Syria on December 8. — Reuters Rebels fired into the air in celebration, and youths tore down posters of the Syrian president, whose territorial control has collapsed in a dizzying week-long retreat by the military. The fall of Homs gave the insurgents control over Syria’s strategic heartland and a key highway crossroads, severing Damascus from the coastal region that is the stronghold of Assad’s Alawite sect and where his Russian allies have a naval base and air base. Homs’ capture is also a powerful symbol of the rebel movement’s dramatic comeback. Swathes of Homs were destroyed by gruelling siege warfare between the rebels and the army years ago. The fighting ground down the insurgents, who were forced out. Rebels freed thousands of detainees from the city prison. Security forces left in haste after burning their documents. The head of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces Mazloum Abdi said on Sunday on X: “We are witnessing historic moments in Syria as the authoritarian regime in Damascus falls. This change presents an opportunity to build a new Syria founded on democracy and justice, ensuring the rights of all Syrians.” Iranian embassy stormed in Damascus Iran’s embassy in the Syrian capital was stormed by rebels on Sunday following their capture of Damascus and the fall of Iran-allied Bashar al-Assad, Iranian state TV reported. “It is said that the Iranian embassy was stormed alongside nearby stores by an armed group different from the group now controlling [most of] Syria,” Iranian state TV said, referring to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which spearheaded the rebel advances across western Syria. Footage from inside the embassy’s premises was shared by Saudi Arabia’s al-Arabiya channel, showing that assailants had rummaged through furniture and documents inside the building and damaged some windows. Reuters could not verify the videos. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Sunday that Iranian diplomats had vacated the embassy in the early morning, prior to any assault. Iran’s state TV said HTS had guaranteed there would be no disturbance to the Sayeda Zeinab and Sayeda Ruqqaya shrines in Damascus. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said on Sunday that all Iranian servants of the shrines returned to Iran prior to the capture of Damascus by rebels. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );

John Parker Romo made a 29-yard field goal to lift the Minnesota Vikings to a 30-27 overtime win against the host Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon. Romo buried the game-winning kick in his third career game for Minnesota (9-2), which won its fourth game in a row. The score capped a 10-play, 68-yard drive for the Vikings after the Bears went three-and-out on the first overtime possession. Sam Darnold completed 22 of 34 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Vikings. Wideout Jordan Addison finished with eight catches for a career-high 162 yards and a touchdown. The overtime defeat spoiled an impressive performance from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who completed 32 of 47 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns for Chicago (4-7). D.J. Moore had seven catches for 106 yards and a touchdown, and Keenan Allen finished with nine catches for 86 yards and a score. Chicago erased an 11-point deficit in the final 22 seconds of regulation to send the game to overtime. Romo had put Minnesota on top 27-16 when he made a 26-yard field goal with 1:56 remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams trimmed the Bears' deficit to 27-24 with 22 seconds to go. He rolled right and found Allen wide open in the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown, and moments later he fired a strike to Moore for a two-point conversion. The Bears recovered an onside kick on the next play to regain possession at their 43-yard line with 21 seconds left. Cairo Santos' onside kick bounced off the foot of Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt, and Tarvarius Moore recovered it. D.J. Moore put the Bears in field-goal position with a 27-yard reception across the middle of the field, and Santos made a 48-yarder as time expired to even the score at 27-all. Minnesota led 24-10 after three quarters. Romo made a 40-yard field goal early in the third quarter, and Aaron Jones punched in a 2-yard run with 1:22 left in the period to put the Vikings on top by two touchdowns. Addison and Jalen Nailor each had receiving touchdowns in the first half for Minnesota. Roschon Johnson scored on a 1-yard run for the Bears' only touchdown of the first half. Chicago trailed 14-10 at the break. --Field Level MediaSometimes the bye week allows a struggling team to regroup and come out looking refreshed. That's not how it played out for the Giants. New York spent the week after its bye ditching former starting quarterback Daniel Jones, ultimately releasing the sixth-year pro after a humiliating few days that saw him get demoted to No. 4 on the depth chart and play scout team safety in practice . Coach Brian Daboll said he elevated Tommy DeVito to the starting role because the Giants needed a "spark," but there was no spark to be found on Sunday against the Buccaneers, who came out much more prepared after a bye of their own. After the 30-7 loss, Malik Nabers was one of a handful of players who sounded off on the Giants and their lack of preparation. Here's what they had to say. NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule Malik Nabers, teammates rip Giants after loss Nabers called the Giants "soft as f—" after Sunday's loss, complaining about his usage, as well. "First, second quarter, I don't get the ball ... I mean, I can't do nothing," Nabers said, explaining that he didn't start seeing regular targets until New York was trailing 30-0. His first target didn't come until the third quarter. MORE: Will Giants fire Brian Daboll? | Baker Mayfield mocks Tomm DeVito's TD celebration Nabers called out Daboll and the offensive staff, imploring reporters to "talk to Dabes" when asked why he wasn't seeing early-game targets from DeVito. "Obviously, it ain't the quarterback," Nabers said. "Same outcome when we had [Jones] at quarterback. Take a look. It ain't the quarterback." Malik Nabers: “I know I’m tired of losing” Says it’s not the quarterback pic.twitter.com/CA6tH0r87x Pass-rusher Brian Burns had a more succinct take when asked how it felt to trail 30-0, telling reporters, "It's a—." Burns, who was in Carolina for a 2-15 season last year, added that he addressed the team after the game. MORE: Top landing spots for Daniel Jones after release DL Dexter Lawrence echoed some of Nabers' sentiments, telling reporters the Giants were "soft" and calling his frustration level a 10 out of 10. OT Jermaine Eluemunor, meanwhile, said he doesn't think everybody on the team is "giving 100 percent." Dexter Lawrence saying #Giants played “soft.” Malik Nabers with a similar assessment of team being soft. Jermaine Eluemunor saying “I personally don’t think everybody is giving 100%” The 2-9 Giants lost 30-7 to the Bucs. They play again on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys. Still, Lawrence took the high road and expressed his determination to get the team back on track. "It's a long process ... and I'm here for it," he said. "I'm going to lead." The biggest question surrounding the Giants over the final six weeks of the season might be whether that process will include Daboll. The embattled coach wasn't necessarily expected to lead New York to the playoffs this season, but the year has spiraled out of control faster than most expected. The Giants are tied for the NFL's worst record at 2-9, and comments like Nabers' about the effort level of the team don't reflect well on the coaching staff. Daboll would be the fourth consecutive Giants coach to last three seasons or fewer, but each blowout loss makes it tougher for owner John Mara to justify keeping the team's braintrust intact.

DUP minister rejected suggestion licensing laws could be relaxed for jubileeDUP minister rejected suggestion licensing laws could be relaxed for jubilee

(From left) Wee, Mohamad Razi and Ko join the participants in a Zumba session before the flag off. KUCHING (Nov 25): More than 1,000 people took part in the Silent Run 4.0 Kuching Edition yesterday morning in support of athletes with hearing disability. They were flagged off by Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) compound in Jalan Padungan. The run, divided into the 3km and 5km categories, was organised to heighten public awareness of deaf athletes and also raise funds for Sarawak Deaf Sports Association (SSDeaf) to send athletes to competitions. The Sibu and Miri editions of Silent Run 4.0 were held on May 5 and Sept 8 this year, respectively. In his brief speech, Mohamad Razi urged everyone to support SSDeaf’s efforts to raise funds to help finance deaf athletes competing in deaf sports at national and international levels. “I understand that this charity run was also held in Sibu and Miri before the Kuching edition today, with all three editions attracting a total participation of more than 2,000,” he said. Also present were Kuching South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, SSDeaf president Ko Ming Liang, and event organising chairman Hii Lik Nyuong. In his speech, Ko thanked all parties who made this charity run a success, saying all funds collected would be used to finance deaf athletes competing in sports events. He also said for next year, Kuching will host the Malaysian Deaf Games and hoped that the public would support the event.

DUP minister rejected suggestion licensing laws could be relaxed for jubileeJalen Hurts threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as Philadelphia outlasted upset-minded Carolina on Sunday while Minnesota routed Atlanta as both 11-2 teams neared an NFL playoff berth. Hurts completed 14-of-21 passes for 108 yards and ran eight times for 59 yards to hold off stubborn Carolina, which fell to 3-10. He scored on a 1-yard plunge early in the second quarter, connected with DeVonta Smith on a 4-yard touchdown pass 14 seconds before half-time for a 14-10 lead. After the Panthers grabbed the lead on Chuba Hubbard's 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, the Eagles answered with 75 seconds elapsed in the fourth quarter on a 4-yard Hurts touchdown pass to Grant Calcaterra and a 2-point conversion run by Saquon Barkley, who ran 20 times for 124 yards. At Minneapolis, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold completed 22-of-28 passes for 347 yards and five touchdown to power Minnesota over the Atlanta Falcons 42-21. The Vikings spoiled the return of ex-Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins, who threw for 344 yards but was intercepted twice. Minnesota needs losses by the Arizona Cardinals to Seattle and the Los Angeles Rams to Buffalo in later games to clinch a playoff berth. The Eagles need only an Arizona loss to secure their spot in the post-season. Later games also include the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) entertaining the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4). Tua Tagovailoa threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith in overtime to give the Miami Dolphins a 32-26 home triumph over the New York Jets. The Pittsburgh Steelers improved to 10-3 as Russell Wilson threw for two touchdowns and Najee Harris ran for another in a 27-14 home victory over Cleveland. Baker Mayfield threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns to spark the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over visiting Las Vegas 28-13. Derek Carr threw for 219 yards and a touchdown as the New Orleans Saints edged the host New York Giants 14-11 while Tank Bigsby's 8-yard touchdown run with 6:46 remaining gave Jacksonville a 10-6 victory at Tennessee. js/bsp