slots sites The India-Australia rivalry continues to intensify on the final day of the fourth Test match at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) December 30, 2024. Rising star for India, Yashasvi Jaiswal again was at the center of things, going back-to-back with Mitchell Starc of Australia with banter this time over an unusual superstition-related incident involving bails. During the second session of the fifth day, Starc, while getting ready for his run-up, flipped the bails over, an act that’s become a superstition with some of the bowlers. This tradition was begun by Stuart Broad of England during the Ashes. It’s believed to be lucky for the bowling side and result in a wicket. Not one for such superstitions, Jaiswal flips the bails back over immediately. Starc Questions Jaiswal’s Superstition Beliefs Starc, noticing Jaiswal’s action, decided to ask the 23-year-old if he believed in superstitions. Jaiswal’s reply was razor-sharp and full of conviction: “I believe in myself, that is why I am here.” Starc, intrigued, countered, “Then why change it back if you are not superstitious?” Jaiswal, composed as ever, said, “I am just enjoying this moment in my life.” The whole conversation on the stump mic became a rage on social media as a proud declaration of this young Indian’s unwavering belief in himself. Watch the video here: Match Onto Suspenseful Final Day It was not going to be an easy match out there in the field, however. India had already faced a testing target set by Australia as 340 runs. Batting had turned out to be extremely hard for Indians as single-digit scores by Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, while Pant showed signs of resilience only to fall prey to Travis Head in the end. However, Jaiswal was batting solidly for India’s revival and making a notable half-century which was his 12th of the year. And his indomitable effort with the other members of the Indian team has indeed given them a fair chance to win this game. Jaiswal’s Fine Batting Jaiswal has had an excellent series so far. Being the highest run scorer for India in the series, he has established himself as a key player in the team. Starc has been a great asset for Australia and has bagged 16 wickets so far. He had dismissed Jaiswal three times in the series so far. With the series poised at 1-1 level, the final Test action between India and Australia on January 3, 2025, will play out in Sydney. On the eve of the final thriller, the Starc v Jaiswal rivalry would only add more drama along with the many interesting moves on the field. ALSO READ | Conor McGregor And Logan Paul Match Fees Finally Revealed, Mukesh Ambani Will Pay Them $250 Million Each To Fight In Mumbai

Giants release quarterback Daniel Jones just days after benching him EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Daniel Jones era in New York is over. The Giants quarterback was granted his release by the team just days after the franchise said it was benching him in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito. New York president John Mara said Jones approached the team about releasing him and the club obliged. Mara added he was “disappointed” at the quick dissolution of a once-promising relationship between Jones and the team. Giants coach Brian Daboll benched Jones in favor of DeVito following a loss to the Panthers in Germany that dropped New York's record to 2-8. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. Week 16 game between Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers flexed to Thursday night spot The Los Angeles Chargers have played their way into another prime time appearance. Justin Herbert and company have had their Dec. 22 game against the Denver Broncos flexed to Thursday night, Dec. 19. Friday’s announcement makes this the first time a game has been flexed to the Thursday night spot. The league amended its policy last season where Thursday night games in Weeks 13 through 17 could be flexed with at least 28 days notice prior to the game. The matchup of AFC West division rivals bumps the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals to Sunday afternoon. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game for the 49ers with a shoulder injury SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers with a sore throwing shoulder. Purdy injured his right shoulder in last Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Purdy underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage but the shoulder didn’t improve during the week and Purdy was ruled out for the game. Coach Kyle Shanahan said star defensive end Nick Bosa also will miss the game with injuries to his left hip and oblique. Left tackle Trent Williams is questionable with an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision. Red Bull brings wrong rear wing to Las Vegas in mistake that could stall Verstappen's title chances LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen is suddenly in jeopardy of being denied a fourth consecutive Formula 1 title Saturday night. Red Bull apparently brought the wrong rear wing to Las Vegas and GPS data showed its two cars to be significantly slower on the straights than both McLaren and Mercedes, which led both practice sessions. Red Bull says it doesn’t have a replacement rear wing in Las Vegas to fix the issue and little chance of getting two flown in from England ahead of the race. Lawyer says ex-Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller met with NCAA for hours amid gambling probe PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A lawyer for former Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller says the 22-year-old sat for a long interview with the NCAA amid an investigation into unusual gambling activity. But neither the lawyer nor federal law enforcement officials on Friday would confirm reports that a federal probe is now under way. Lawyer Jason Bologna says Miller cooperated because he hopes to play again. Miller was released last month after transferring to Virginia Tech. Temple President John Fry says the Philadelphia school has not been asked for any information from federal law enforcement officials. Caitlin Clark to join Cincinnati bid for 16th National Women's Soccer League team WNBA star Caitlin Clark has joined Cincinnati’s bid for an expansion National Women’s Soccer League team. Major League Soccer franchise FC Cincinnati is heading the group vying to bring a women’s pro team to the city. The club issued a statement confirming Clark had joined the bid group. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman has said the league plans to announce the league’s 16th team by the end of the year. The league's 15th team will begin play in 2026 in Boston. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Aaron Judge won't be bothered if Juan Soto gets bigger contract from Yankees than his $360M deal NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge won’t be bothered if Juan Soto gets a bigger deal from the New York Yankees than the captain’s $360 million, nine-year contract. Speaking a day after he was a unanimous winner of his second MVP, Judge says “It ain’t my money” and adds "that’s never been something on my mind about who gets paid the most.” Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBIs and 129 walks in his first season with the Yankees, then became a free agent at age 26.

Syrian government services come to a 'complete halt' as state workers stay homeAP Sports SummaryBrief at 4:45 p.m. ESTDAMASCUS, Syria — Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad, but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country's public sector came "to a complete and abrupt halt." Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Assad's brutal rule. The rebel alliance now in control of much of the country is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and promises representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said Monday they would not tell women how to dress. Syrian citizens stand on a government forces tank that was left on a street Monday as they celebrate in Damascus, Syria. "It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women's dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty," the command said on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the U.N. official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was long known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met for the first time with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali, who stayed in Syria when Assad fled. Israel said it carried out airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets to keep them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Syrian troops withdrew. Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey on Monday at the Oncupinar border gate near the town of Kilis, southern Turkey. In northern Syria, Turkey said allied opposition forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States, a reminder that even after Assad's departure, the country remains split among armed groups that have fought in the past. The Kremlin said Russia granted political asylum to Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad's specific whereabouts and said Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people still celebrated. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence, though in some areas small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets. Syrian citizens celebrate Monday during the second day of the takeover of the city by the insurgents in Damascus, Syria. Across swathes of Syria, families are now waiting outside prisons, security offices and courts, hoping for news of loved ones who were imprisoned or who disappeared. Just north of Damascus in the feared Saydnaya military prison, women detainees, some with their children, screamed as rebels broke locks off their cell doors. Amnesty International and other groups say dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, and they estimate that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016. "Don't be afraid," one rebel said as he ushered women from packed cells. "Bashar Assad has fallen!" In southern Turkey, Mustafa Sultan was among hundreds of Syrian refugees waiting at border crossings to head home. He was searching for his older brother, who was imprisoned under Assad. "I haven't seen him for 13 years," he said. "I am going to go see whether he's alive." Jalali, the prime minister, sought to project normalcy since Assad fled. "We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth," he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation already improved from the day before. Israeli soldiers sit on top of a tank Monday along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said Sunday that judges were ready to resume work quickly. "We want to give everyone their rights," Haddad said outside the courthouse. "We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods." But a U.N. official said some government services were paralyzed as worried state employees stayed home. The public sector "has just come to a complete and abrupt halt," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies was put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. "This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonized by the public media are now in charge in the nation's capital," Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. "I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again." People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Members of the Syrian community in Finland wave a Syrian flag and celebrate in Helsinki, Finland, Dec. 8, 2024. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Syrians wave opposition flags and give out sweets during a spontaneous rally in Wuppertal, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa/dpa via AP) Syrians celebrate the fall of the Assad regime in Syria at a demonstration in Stockholm, Sweden, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Jonas Ekstroemer/TT News Agency via AP) A Syrian man waves a flag during a spontaneous demonstration celebrating the fall of the Assad regime, in Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) Syrians wave Syrian opposition flags at a rally in Wuppertal, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa/dpa via AP) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) Syrians living in France gather on Republique square after the Syrian government fell early today in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government's fall, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) Syrians living in France hug during a rally on Republique square after the Syrian government fell early today in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) A Syrian man waves a flag during a spontaneous demonstration celebrating the fall of the Assad regime in Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) Get local news delivered to your inbox!

4 easy, comforting bean dishes for fallScotland defender Kieran Tierney has ended a five-month injury absence after being named in Arsenal's first-team squad for the London's club's Champions League visit to Sporting on Tuesday. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since June after suffering a hamstring tear against Switzerland at Euro 2024 but has been out of favour under manager Mikel Arteta since summer 2023. The Spaniard told Monday's media conference in Lisbon: "We have Kieran Tierney with us after a long injury. "It’s great news that he is back. He's been training with us and he is available to participate." Tierney has not played for Arsenal since a substitute appearance in their penalty shoot-out Community Shield victory over Manchester City after a 1-1 draw in August 2023. Having fallen out of the first-team picture, he spent the rest of the season on loan to Real Sociedad, making 26 appearances for the La Liga side, but remains under contract with Arsenal until 2026. Tierney has missed seven Scotland games since his latest injury, including all their Nations League group games. The news of his return from injury comes two days after Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn's return to the Norwich City side after missing six club games and four internationals. The 28-year-old helped the Canaries to a 2-2 draw away to West Bromwich Albion in the Championship after recovering from his rib injury. Scotland next face a double header play-off against Greece in March as they aim to retain their place in League A.

Heisman Trophy finalist and two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter was named The Associated Press Big 12 defensive player of the year while also being a first-team selection at wide receiver on Thursday. Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders is the league's top offensive player. Kenny Dillingham, the 34-year-old in his second season at Arizona State, was the unanimous choice as Big 12 coach of the year after leading his alma mater to a championship and a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff. The Sun Devils (11-2) went into their league debut as the preseason pick to finish last among the 16 teams. At cornerback, Hunter had 31 tackles, tied for the Big 12 lead with 11 pass breakups and was tied for second with four interceptions. On offense, he leads the Big 12 with 92 receptions and 14 receiving touchdowns, and is second with 1,152 yards receiving. His 21 catches of at least 20 yards are the most nationally. He is also the AP's player of the year. Sanders is the Big 12 passing leader, completing 337 of 454 passes (74.2%) for 3,926 yards and a school-record 35 touchdowns with eight interceptions for the Buffaloes (10-2) Arizona State freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt, who is 11-1 as a starter, is the league’s top newcomer. The Michigan State transfer has 2,663 yards passing with 24 touchdowns and only five picks in 304 attempts. LAS VEGAS — Former Florida and Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen has agreed to lead UNLV's 24th-ranked football program, two people with knowledge of the hire said Wednesday. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement has been made. The 52-year-old Mullen replaces Barry Odom, who left for Purdue on Sunday after going 19-8 and helping the Rebels receive back-to-back bowl invitations for the first time in program history. UNLV will play California in the LA Bowl on Wednesday. UNLV athletic director Erick Harper wasted little time in finding Odom's replacement. Mullen, most recently an ESPN college football analyst, went 103-61 at Florida and Mississippi State. Rich Rodriguez is returning to West Virginia for a second stint as head coach at his alma mater. Athletic director Wren Baker announced the hiring on Thursday, 17 years after Rodriguez made a hasty exit for what became a disastrous three-year experiment at Michigan. “We are thrilled to welcome Coach Rich Rodriguez and his family back home,” Baker said in a statement. “Coach Rodriguez understands what it takes to win at West Virginia, and I believe he will pour his heart, soul and every ounce of his energy into our program. I am convinced Coach Rodriguez wants what is best for West Virginia, WVU and West Virginia football, and I am excited about the future of our program.” Rodriguez, who is the current coach at Jacksonville State, an architect of the spread offense and a polarizing figure in his home state, replaces Neal Brown, who was fired on Dec. 1 after going 37-35 in six seasons, including 6-6 this year. BRIEFLY FCS: The NCAA is taking its Football Championship Subdivision title game back to Tennessee. The FCS championship games at the end of the 2025 and 2026 seasons will be played in Nashville on the Vanderbilt campus. This season’s game will be played Jan. 6 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, which will host the game for a record 15th season in a row and was set for at least two more. OC: UCLA announced Tino Sunseri’s hiring as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Sunseri replaces Eric Bieniemy, who was fired on Dec. 5 after fielding one of the nation’s worst offenses this season. Sunseri spent one season as Indiana’s co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach after following Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti from James Madison. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria falloutMinor league pitchers Luis Moreno, Alejandro Crisostomo suspended after positive drug tests

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad, but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country's public sector came "to a complete and abrupt halt." Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Assad's brutal rule. The rebel alliance now in control of much of the country is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and promises representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said Monday they would not tell women how to dress. Syrian citizens stand on a government forces tank that was left on a street Monday as they celebrate in Damascus, Syria. "It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women's dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty," the command said on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the U.N. official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was long known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met for the first time with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali, who stayed in Syria when Assad fled. Israel said it carried out airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets to keep them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Syrian troops withdrew. Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey on Monday at the Oncupinar border gate near the town of Kilis, southern Turkey. In northern Syria, Turkey said allied opposition forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States, a reminder that even after Assad's departure, the country remains split among armed groups that have fought in the past. The Kremlin said Russia granted political asylum to Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad's specific whereabouts and said Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people still celebrated. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence, though in some areas small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets. Syrian citizens celebrate Monday during the second day of the takeover of the city by the insurgents in Damascus, Syria. Across swathes of Syria, families are now waiting outside prisons, security offices and courts, hoping for news of loved ones who were imprisoned or who disappeared. Just north of Damascus in the feared Saydnaya military prison, women detainees, some with their children, screamed as rebels broke locks off their cell doors. Amnesty International and other groups say dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, and they estimate that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016. "Don't be afraid," one rebel said as he ushered women from packed cells. "Bashar Assad has fallen!" In southern Turkey, Mustafa Sultan was among hundreds of Syrian refugees waiting at border crossings to head home. He was searching for his older brother, who was imprisoned under Assad. "I haven't seen him for 13 years," he said. "I am going to go see whether he's alive." Jalali, the prime minister, sought to project normalcy since Assad fled. "We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth," he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation already improved from the day before. Israeli soldiers sit on top of a tank Monday along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said Sunday that judges were ready to resume work quickly. "We want to give everyone their rights," Haddad said outside the courthouse. "We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods." But a U.N. official said some government services were paralyzed as worried state employees stayed home. The public sector "has just come to a complete and abrupt halt," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies was put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. "This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonized by the public media are now in charge in the nation's capital," Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. "I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again." People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Members of the Syrian community in Finland wave a Syrian flag and celebrate in Helsinki, Finland, Dec. 8, 2024. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Syrians wave opposition flags and give out sweets during a spontaneous rally in Wuppertal, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa/dpa via AP) Syrians celebrate the fall of the Assad regime in Syria at a demonstration in Stockholm, Sweden, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Jonas Ekstroemer/TT News Agency via AP) A Syrian man waves a flag during a spontaneous demonstration celebrating the fall of the Assad regime, in Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) Syrians wave Syrian opposition flags at a rally in Wuppertal, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa/dpa via AP) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) Syrians living in France gather on Republique square after the Syrian government fell early today in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government's fall, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) Syrians living in France hug during a rally on Republique square after the Syrian government fell early today in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) A Syrian man waves a flag during a spontaneous demonstration celebrating the fall of the Assad regime in Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) Get local news delivered to your inbox!Brainy, 'normal guy': the suspect in US insurance CEO's slaying

Clayton scores 34 as Ohio knocks off Portland 85-73Xiaomi 16 set to feature a game-changing periscope telephoto lens; ReportMumbai, December 30 : The Indian stock market opened lower on Monday as selling was seen in the auto, IT, PSU bank, financial service, FMCG, media, energy and metal sectors on Nifty in early trade. At around 9:30 am, Sensex was trading at 78,523.25 after declining 175.82 points or 0.22 per cent, while the Nifty was trading at 23,758.20 after declining 55.20 points or 0.23 per cent. The market trend remained negative. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), 815 stocks were trading in green, while 1,454 stocks were in red. According to experts, "as investors leave 2024 behind and look forward to the New Year, there will be more concerns than confidence, at least in the early days of 2025." "The biggest concern for stock markets, globally, is uncertainty surrounding Trump 2.0. The concern is that since market valuations are high any negative news might cause corrections," they added. Stocks To Buy or Sell Today, December 30: HDFC Bank, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra Among Shares That May Remain in Focus on Thursday, Know Which Stocks to Buy or Sell on December 30. Nifty Bank was down 74.80 points or 0.15 per cent at 51,236.50. Nifty Midcap 100 index was trading at 56,796.90 after dropping 182.90 points or 0.32 per cent. Nifty Smallcap 100 index was at 18,673.75 after dropping 82.10 points or 0.44 per cent. On the sectoral front, buying was seen in the Pharma and Healthcare sector. In the Sensex pack, Tata Steel, M&M, HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Finserv, Titan, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Reliance were the top losers. Adani Ports, Bharti Airtel, ITC, Zomato, Nestle India, ICICI Bank, NTPC and UltraTech Cement were the top gainers. The Dow Jones declined 0.77 per cent to close at 42,992.21. The S&P 500 declined 1.11 per cent to 5,970.84 and the Nasdaq declined 1.49 per cent to close at 19,722.03 in the previous trading session on Friday. JSW Energy Share Price Today, December 30: JSW Energy Stock Opens in Green in Early Trade, Surges 5.50%. In the Asian markets, Bangkok and Seoul were trading in green while China, Japan, Jakarta and Hong Kong were trading in red. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 1,323.29 crore on December 27, while domestic institutional investors bought equities worth Rs 2,544.64 crore on the same day. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2024 11:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).

SA intensifies operations along border amid political unrest in neighbouring Mozambique

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Tuesday gained as much as 75 points in key index and about QR3bn in capitalisation, tracking sentiments in the regional markets ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decision. The transport and banking counters witnessed higher than average demand as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.72% to 10,496.82 points, although it touched an intraday high of 10,510 points. The foreign funds were increasingly net buyers in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR2.96bn or 0.47% to QR618.88bn on the back of small cap segments. The domestic institutions were also increasingly bullish in the main market, which saw as many as 0.01mn ETFs or the exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank), valued at QR0.1mn change hands across nine deals. As much as 64% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the increase. The Islamic index was seen gaining slower than the other indices of the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Arab retail investors were seen increasingly net buyers in the main market, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. The Total Return Index rose 0.72%, the All Share Index by 0.65% and the All Islamic Index by 0.58% in the main market. The transport sector index shot up 1%, banks and financial services (0.95%), insurance (0.51%), industrials (0.42%), realty (0.08%) and consumer goods and services (0.05%); while telecom declined 0.63%. Major movers in the main market included Doha Bank, AlRayan Bank, Milaha, Commercial Bank, Qatar Islamic Bank, Inma Holding, Qatar Islamic Insurance, Barwa, Vodafone Qatar and Nakilat. In the junior bourse, Techno Q saw its shares appreciate in value. Nevertheless, Ooredoo, Mazaya Qatar, Ahlibank Qatar, Mekdam Holding and Ezdan were among the losers in the main bourse. In the venture market, Al Mahhar Holding saw its shares depreciate in value. The foreign institutions’ net buying increased substantially to QR25.04mn compared to QR0.04mn on December 9. The domestic institutions’ net buying strengthened markedly to QR10.38mn against QR8.93mn the previous day. The Arab retail investors’ net buying strengthened perceptibly to QR4.42mn compared to QR3.54mn on Monday. The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking declined noticeably to QR0.32mn against QR1.64mn on December 9. The Gulf retail investors’ net selling shrank remarkably to QR2.22mn compared to QR4.24mn the previous day. However, the Qatari individual investors’ net selling expanded significantly to QR33.88mn against QR7.73mn on Monday. The foreign individuals were net sellers to the tune of QR3.43mn compared with net buyers of QR1.06mn on December 9. The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the fifth straight session. Trade volumes in the main market soared 31% to 138.32mn shares, value by 27% to QR404.36mn and transactions by 4% to 14,597. The venture market saw 50% contraction in trade volumes to 0.05mn equities, 54% in value to QR0.13mn and 32% in deals to 15.

LONDON, Dec. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StealthCore, a company recognized for developing tools for game modifications, has officially ceased creating scripts for League of Legends. The decision stems from mounting difficulties in circumventing modern anti-cheat systems, particularly Riot Games' Vanguard. The StealthCore team outlined the increasing complexities introduced by current anti-cheat technologies. "Vanguard has fundamentally changed the landscape," a spokesperson stated. "Bypassing these measures now requires intricate modifications, such as adjusting BIOS configurations. Many users lack the technical expertise to handle these steps, and others face hardware limitations, especially on laptops. These challenges have created barriers that significantly impact both developers and users." Vanguard employs sophisticated techniques to prevent unauthorized modifications in gaming environments. Among these are hardware bans enforced through TPM chips, which make circumventing detection increasingly difficult. Even tools designed to evade such restrictions, like spoofers, have a short lifespan and are often rendered ineffective within days of deployment. Additionally, Vanguard's hardware bans, which typically last 120 days, serve as a strong deterrent to repeated infractions. The growing effectiveness of anti-cheat systems underscores the heightened focus on ensuring fair play in online gaming. Developers of modification tools are finding it increasingly difficult to keep pace with the advancements in detection and prevention technologies. As Vanguard continues to secure Windows platforms, some developers have turned their attention to macOS systems, where similar anti-cheat measures are not currently enforced. While this shift provides a potential alternative, its viability is limited. "The number of gamers using macOS for competitive play is minimal," the spokesperson explained. "Few players are likely to invest in a Mac solely for this purpose, making it an impractical solution for most users." Private cheat tools have also seen increased interest. These are typically distributed to a restricted group of users, often capped at 25 participants, to reduce the likelihood of detection. However, their exclusivity and high cost make them inaccessible to the broader gaming community. StealthCore highlighted deceptive practices within this space where public tools are falsely marketed as "private" at elevated prices. "Such claims mislead users," the representative added. "These tools are no safer than public options and often result in quick bans." The cumulative challenges associated with anti-cheat advancements have led to a significant decline in StealthCore's user base, which has reportedly dropped by 95%. In light of these developments, the company has opted to terminate its support for League of Legends scripts entirely. StealthCore's decision mirrors broader trends within the game modification community. As security technologies evolve, the feasibility of creating undetected tools has diminished, signaling a shift toward more secure gaming ecosystems. For players, this change reflects the growing emphasis on integrity and fairness in competitive gaming. The increasing sophistication of anti-cheat systems leaves little room for unauthorized modifications, reinforcing the importance of adhering to established rules. About StealthCore StealthCore has been a longstanding developer of tools for game modifications, recognized for its contributions to enhancing gameplay experiences. The company's decision to discontinue League of Legends scripts underscores its acknowledgment of the challenges posed by evolving security technologies and its alignment with the broader movement toward fair play in gaming. Media Contact Company Name: StealthCore Contact Person Name: Matthew Mason Email: admin@stealth-core.com Phone: +44 7882 152671 Address: 1 Clove Crescent, London, E14 Website: https://stealth-core.com/ Disclaimer: This content is provided by the StealthCore. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information shared in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment, financial, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended that you conduct thorough research and consult with a professional financial advisor before making any investment or trading decisions. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.None

Hyderabad: Numaish exhibition postponed to January 3; Here’s why

Seventh-seeded Mizzou volleyball lost to SEC rival and No. 3 seed Kentucky 3-1 (25-20, 25-20, 16-25, 25-13) on Thursday in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, ending the Tigers' 2024 season. The biggest challenge for Mizzou during the regional semifinal was putting a defensive stop to Kentucky sophomore outside-hitter Brooklyn DeLeye. DeLeye had a strong performance, ending the match with 22 kills, three service aces and six digs. After MU was handed losses in the first two sets, Mizzou Coach Dawn Sullivan told her squad to "play our volleyball." The Tigers responded in the third set with adjustments at the service line, focusing more on putting the ball in the back row of the Wildcats' defense. The Tigers went on a 8-0 tear with senior libero Kiaraliz Perez Catala serving the ball at the line. Catala surpassed 50 service aces this season during the third set of the match, ending the game with three, all during that run. "We've seen how capable Missouri is on beating top-10 teams, and, you know, they made adjustments," Kentucky volleyball Coach Craig Skinner said in a postgame news conference. During this momentum-building third set, Mizzou right-side hitter Jordan Iliff was putting up a strong offensive effort, effectively using the Kentucky block against it to extend the Tigers' lead. Iliff ended the third set with a 17 kills in the game and a hitting percentage of .400. She finished the game with 20 kills, two service aces and nine digs. "She's unstoppable," ESPN broadcaster Anne Marie Anderson said of Iliff during the third set of the match. However, Kentucky, the SEC regular-season champ, would shut down the Tigers' offense in the fourth and final set, going on a 5-2 scoring run to force Sullivan to take a timeout with the Wildcats leading 12-6. Kentucky's blockers were aggressive toward outside-hitter Mychael Vernon, who was held to just one kill and six errors in Set 4. After the loss, Vernon took to social media reflecting on her final season playing college volleyball as a Tiger. "So proud of this team," Vernon said on an Instagram story following the game. "Couldn't have had a better last year. M.I.Z." The loss eliminates Mizzou from the NCAA Tournament after its fifth Sweet 16 appearance in program history. The Tigers fell in four of those in the regional semifinals, advancing to an Elite Eight only once, in 2005. Throughout their season, the Tigers were a strong Southeastern Conference competitor, ending with a record of 22-9 overall and 11-5 in the SEC. In the other NCAA Tournament Pittsburgh Regional semifinal, No. 1 overall seed Pitt survived a scare from No. 4 seed Oregon, winning in five sets (25-19, 24-26, 25-16, 21-25, 15-12). The host Panthers take on Kentucky for a trip to the Final Four at 4 p.m. Saturday in Pittsburgh.Explosions in the LA sky were art, not cloud seeding experiments