Pile burns planned at the start of the new yearAKRON, Ohio (AP) — Nate Johnson scored 25 points to help Akron defeat Alabama State 97-78 on Sunday. Johnson added five rebounds for the Zips (4-2). Bowen Hardman scored 19 points, shooting 6 for 7 from beyond the arc. Isaiah Gray went 4 of 7 from the field to finish with 11 points. The Hornets (3-3) were led by CJ Hines with 19 points. Tyler Mack added 18 points and Antonio Madlock scored 17. Akron took the lead with 6:46 left in the first half and did not relinquish it. Johnson led their team in scoring with 13 points in the first half to help put them up 50-41 at the break. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .With regards to a story on website, Tuesday, December 24: . or signup to continue reading All things being equal, Wodonga's adoption of the full rate rise of three per cent will see it maintain its extraordinary high level of rate charging. The new council and councillors should be very concerned regarding the high rates that Wodonga residents have had to pay for many years, not to mention the previous Ombudsman report in 2018 where higher rates were via a "backdoor" mechanism. It is very concerning that Wodonga ranks in the top five rate-charging councils given its many economic and logistical advantages and hence an unfair burden on ratepayers. Wodonga Council has several major competitive economic and logistical advantages, not to mention a high density of ratepayers and hence an ability to have lower rates than other council areas. Wodonga Council has very high rates compared to the other four top rate-charging councils, given the following considerable advantages: Wodonga also has a high population density and should have lower rates given there are more people to pay the rates. Bill Tilley has done nothing for the Wodonga and surrounding areas just like Justin Clancy over the border. That's why there's been no money for a proper border hospital big enough to service both sides and surrounding areas. Such a large area of service, large populations and two small hospitals that could be used for physio, rehabilitation, a mental health care institution fractures and day surgery whilst a much larger hospital for emergency care, surgery and ICU. Of course they will also have to get doctors, specialists and nurses to care for the patients. Actually Penny, Bill was one of the first to champion for a new, greenfield, built for purpose hospital for the Albury-Wodonga region. He has never stopped challenging the state Labor government to get commitment and services for our area. Even through FOIs that the state government has still failed to produce even though they have been ordered to do so. I have attached some information for you to read about why we need one health service for this region, and one fit for purpose hospital. The Victorian Liberal Party needs to stop listening to the old guard and start moving into the 21st century. It is still learning what the 20th century is all about, let alone moving forward. Same ol' hacks running it and rejects leading it. Why? The Gateway Lakes precinct is beyond doubt the jewel in the Border crown and so under-utilised! A stop, revive, survive 24-hour rest stop, that would include a secure off-leash park for pets, kids play zone and a 24-hour operational unmanned coffee-tea zone kitchenette and enclosed seating area that could include a manned day cafe area jutting out over the water for the broader community during the day. The TAC, including its equivalent in NSW, are immensely wealthy and begging for suitable locations to endorse and finance. Appropriate signage on the northbound and southbound Hume Freeway would remind folks to stop, revive and survive particularly those travelling with pets, more so after 300km north of Melbourne. A walking, exercise track around the lake precinct that includes barbecues, fishing and water activities could be further drawcards. A footbridge across the river at Noreuil would also open up access to the community gardens, further walking tracks on the southern riverbanks however serve as additional easy access and parking spots for folks attending major Gateway Lakes functions like Chryslers on the Murray, bands, etc. The list goes on and on that would be extremely popular and benefit far more people from the travelling community, providing yet another beautiful waterfront place for locals to visit with their pets or friends etc. How about fixing the roads so people can actually get here, that would be fantastic. Came into town from Kiewa and myself and people around me were swerving all over the road to miss potholes. How is that safe? I had to cross into an oncoming lane, but let's not forget the one hole I hit and now have a buckled rim, steering wheel now shakes due to buckled wheel and not being balanced and a clunk on that side. Spend the money where it needs to be, not where we think it should be. 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. 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WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. (AP) — Jordan Sears scored 25 points, Jalen Reed had 21 points and 13 rebounds, and LSU defeated UCF 109-102 in triple overtime on Sunday to take third place at the Greenbrier Tip-Off. LSU trailed by 18 points early in the second half, then failed to hold a lead at the end of regulation and each of the first two overtime periods. The Tigers went up by five with a minute to go in the third overtime. UCF cut it to three, then Vyctorius Miller made a driving layup, Jordan Sears followed with a dunk and the Tigers were able to hold on when leading by seven. Cam Carter scored 20 points, Miller had 16 and Dji Bailey 14 for LSU (5-1). Darius Johnson had 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds for UCF (4-2). Keyshawn Hall had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Jordan Ivy-Curry scored 20. South Florida led by 15 points at halftime and maintained a double-digit lead for all but a few possessions in the first 11 1/2 minutes of the second half. UCF led 62-48 with 8 1/2 minutes remaining but Sears hit three 3-pointers and LSU drew to within 64-59 with 6 minutes to go. The Tigers scored the last six points of regulation to force overtime. In the first half, LSU led 15-13 about eight minutes into the game but the Tigers missed 15 of 16 shots while being outscored 25-3 over the next 10 minutes. South Florida led 40-25 at halftime after shooting 46% to 25% for LSU. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballSyrian rebels free prisoners from Assad's notorious dungeons who celebrate in Damascus streets

Man City blows 3-goal lead and gets booed by fans in draw with Feyenoord in Champions LeagueFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Bashar Barhoum woke in his dungeon prison cell in Damascus at dawn Sunday, thinking it would be the last day of his life. The 63-year-old writer was supposed to have been executed after being imprisoned for seven months. But he soon realized the men at the door weren't from former Syrian President Bashar Assad 's notorious security forces, ready to take him to his death. Instead, they were rebels coming to set him free. As the insurgents swept across Syria in just 10 days to bring an end to the Assad family's 50-year rule, they broke into prisons and security facilities to free political prisoners and many of the tens of thousands of people who disappeared since the conflict began back in 2011. Barhoum was one of those freed who were celebrating in Damascus. "I haven't seen the sun until today," Barhoum told The Associated Press after walking in disbelief through the streets of Damascus. "Instead of being dead tomorrow, thank God, he gave me a new lease of life." Barhoum couldn't find his cellphone and belongings in the prison so set off to find a way to tell his wife and daughters that he's alive and well. Videos shared widely across social media showed dozens of prisoners running in celebration after the insurgents released them, some barefoot and others wearing little clothing. One of them screams in celebration after he finds out that the government has fallen. Torture, executions... Kareem Chehayeb

The U.S. State Department says it has “taken steps to secure the U.S. embassy” in Syria following the collapse of the Assad government. This comes after the toppling of more than 50 years of a dictatorship there, showing an uncertain way forward for any new government. "The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice," President Joe Biden said Sunday , but warned that the significant change will also mark a period of uncertainty for Syria and the region. "As we all turn to the question of what comes next, the United States will work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage the risks," President Biden said. The Biden administration plans to lend its support to establishing a transitional government in Syria. The White House is in close communication with stakeholders in the region, including Jordan's King Abdullah. More conversations with leaders are expected in the days ahead. RELATED STORY | Military command of Syria's opposition says Damascus is 'free' of Bashar Assad's rule Other countries and groups have a shared interest in continued stability in Syria, but officials also acknowledged the power vacuum carries risks. White House officials told Scripps News the administration is focused on preventing the ISIS terror group from taking advantage of the situation. "One of the things that we're going to work hard to avoid is ISIS being able to exploit this situation and somehow try to revitalize," White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said in an interview. "That is a message that we are sending to all the opposition groups through various means that this is not the opportunity — should not be the time — for a closer relationship, or any relationship, quite frankly, with Isis." "What we are backing is the Syrian people. And we want to make sure that again, through our interlocutors and through the United Nations, we're doing what we can to see legitimate governance there." The conflict in Syria has spanned multiple administrations and is often considered a proxy for the goals of other international actors, including Russia. Officials pointed in part to President Biden's support of Israel and Ukraine as factors that weakened Iran and Russia's ability to support Assad — and one senior administrator official explained that Assad's departure "changed the equation" in the Middle East. But Republican President-elect Donald Trump has indicated the U.S. relationship with Syria may change when he takes office. "Syria is a mess, but is not our friend," Trump wrote on social media over the weekend. "The United States should have nothing to do with it. This is not our fight." Kirby told Scripps News that for the remaining time the Biden Administration has to set U.S. foreign policy, it would continue its mission to suppress ISIS and support legitimate government in Syria.The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Zavian McLean scored 18 points to lead FGCU and Michael Duax secured the victory with a free throw with 21 seconds left as the Eagles defeated Florida International 60-59 on Sunday. McLean shot 7 for 12, including 2 for 5 from beyond the arc for the Eagles (2-5). Rahmir Barno scored 11 points and added five assists and three steals. Jevin Muniz shot 2 of 7 from the field and 5 for 5 from the line to finish with nine points. Jayden Brewer finished with 18 points and eight rebounds for the Panthers (2-5). Jonathan Aybar added 12 points for Florida International. Dashon Gittens also had seven points and eight rebounds. McLean scored 14 points in the first half and FGCU went into the break trailing 30-29. Barno scored a team-high nine points for FGCU in the second half. FGCU outscored Florida International by two points over the final half. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .None