Hubris is the characteristic of demagogues and autocrats. Chaos, paralogism and the eclipsis of democracy should not become the antidote to political ethos, symmetry, logic and harmony. In the Bible’s, the Talmud’s and the Koran’s historic gaia, the oikos of the Israelis and the Palestinians, the ellipsis of anthropocentric policies and the catachresis of polemical rhetoric and practices, should not become the canon. Peace and empathy cannot be an anathema. Tragedy and catastrophe prevail in the Ukrainian polis –martyrs of Mariupol, Kyiv, Kherson, Kharkiv and many others. Episodes of despotic apophasis and the antidrome to democracy. The pandect of Russia’s pathetic polemics result from monocratic and autocratic policies. They aim at expanding the spheres of energy, emporium and echo the geopolitics aiming at the dichotomy of Europe. Peace can be elliptic, shattered or glοοmy. Yet, “true peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” This is my preferred definition proposed by Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace is not the prologue or the epilogue to an armed conflict and should not be confronted to a truce or to a ceasefire. There is no genuine peace while your neighbor illegally occupies your territory or threatens you daily with the declaration of war (casus belli). Peace is based on international law and justice. Therefore, peace cannot be limited to a ceasefire agreement between the aggressor and the aggressed. Ukraine should not be compelled by Kremlin or advised tomorrow by its Euro-Atlantic friends who today help them to preserve their territorial integrity to concede territory, sovereignty or its residuals. Such an “occupy my territory for peace” agreement exclusively rewards the aggressor. Yes to pragmatism, no to unprincipled docility. If defeatism, fatigue and docility prevail only a handful of states will feel and be secure. Six points on the Western Balkans: 1. Notwithstanding gentle talk, our region will not look much different tomorrow unless a genuine sense of political accountability is developed. Politics is meant to serve, not the other way around. Change will require the eradication of unreliable and corrupted politics. Political egotism, nepotism and corruption adversely affect legitimate citizen aspirations and expectations. In some cases leaders appear to be failing their peoples, jeopardizing thus the European Union accession process. 2. An unprecedented population exodus – mostly of the young, educated, skillful and talented generation – from Western Balkan countries shows an alarming lack of confidence and trust. Those political leaders appealing to them to return back home are those who are mostly responsible and should be held accountable for this exodus, generally faced with fatalism and apathy. 3. The rule of law and independent judiciaries are needed as in much of the Western Balkans the courts are subject to political and partisan influence. In one case (Albania) a special anticorruption court was misused to persecute and sentence the elected ethnic minority mayor. 4. Today’s regional architecture is founded on a set of agreements and treaties – including the Dayton and Paris accords, the Ohrid and Prespa agreements and the arrangements between Belgrade and Pristina. Therefore, their systemic and systematic violation leads to crisis and potential instability. 5. Initiated by the June 2003 Thessaloniki Summit, the EU accession process offers the appropriate stick-and-carrot policy. Aristotle put it well in his “Nicomachean Ethics”: “Impose punishments and penalties upon malefactors and bestow honors on those doing fine actions.” Compliance to the conditionality will be rewarded. Any deviation will be reprimanded. 6. Fresh ideas and talk for new changes in borders in Southeast Europe, including territory and population swaps, will open the Pandora’s box in Europe. It will become pandemic. The bad precedent will become the prototype. It always starts from a known beginning but goes on with an unpredictable end. I am aware of arguments echoing that history recent or past and relevant agreements were unfair. This is exactly the “rationale” behind Mr Putin’s revisionist dogma and expansionism in Europe. Border arrangements, territory and population swaps may not stand and may not be recognized unless they are: a) Proposed and approved by the United Nations Security Council; b) Take the shape of a multilateral treaty and are endorsed by the means of a relevant UNSC Resolution with the formal consent of directly interested and concerned parties. Attachment to the principles and purposes enshrined in the United Nations Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and in the November 1990 Charter of Paris for a New Europe, adopted in the aftermath of the collapse of the Berlin Wall, has eroded. Restoring the international collective security system has a name: the United Nations. As long as the permanent members of Security Council are reluctant or unable to act as mandated by the charter, it will be impossible to prevent threats against peace, justice and stability. The Aristotelian metron and ethics are the antidote to hubris. Alexandros P. Mallias is a former ambassador of Greece to Washington, Skopje and Tirana. The comment is based on his remarks at the relevant High-Level international conference organized by Greece’s Ministry of National Defense on November 28.Stories that dominate the pages of this newspaper are often negative. So many articles in the region are about controversies and bleak stories about crime, budget woes and political bickering. From murder and mayhem to fatal car crashes and fires, bad news often dominates our headlines. Throughout the year, we report a lot of good stories as well. As we celebrate the holiday season, we reflect on some of the positive news that appeared this year in our paper. Gilmartin returns to Scranton a hero Triumph emerged from tragedy in March when Scranton police detective Kyle Gilmartin was discharged from a Philadelphia-area rehabilitation hospital and returned to Scranton seven weeks after he was shot twice in the head in the line of duty. Hundreds of supporters and well-wishers gathered at Scranton police headquarters to welcome Gilmartin home. “That night I was just an ordinary man who was placed in an extraordinary circumstance in which I faced evil and won due to the grace of God,” Gilmartin said. “My family and I are beyond proud of Northeast Pennsylvania and how its people responded to this senseless tragedy. We thank you for the prayers, which have worked, as well as the donations which will be needed greatly in the future.” Gilmartin and two other detectives were working to prevent a gang-related shooting early Jan. 11 when a suspect fired five rounds from point-blank range into their unmarked police sedan. Two of the rounds hit Gilmartin above his right eye before a colleague returned fire and downed the suspect, who was arrested. Yuengling celebrates 195th with Stars & Stripes celebration Yuengling, the oldest brewery in America, hosted its annual Stars & Stripes Summer Celebration in Pottsville in July with a free concert by country music star Lee Brice. Thousands flocked to the city for the daylong celebration, which included the 90-minute concert and a fireworks show. The event coincided with the brewery’s 195th anniversary and supported the brewery’s longtime partner Team Red, White & Blue, a nonprofit that supports better mental, emotional and physical health among America’s veterans. Brice, who previously performed at the event in 2022, said he was glad to be back. “The fans here in Pottsville really know how to have a good time,” he said prior to the concert. “Pottsville is a special place for us, and we look forward to being here.” Wawa arrives in Luzerne County, more stores planned for NEPA After years of waiting, Luzerne County finally got a modern Wawa store – and several others are on the way. A Wawa convenience store and gas station celebrated a grand opening this month in the Union Center Plaza along Route 309 in Wilkes-Barre Twp., the former KMart Plaza. Shortly after, a new Aldi discount grocery store opened in the plaza and a Cloud 9 car wash will open there next. In addition, Wawa broke ground on a new store in Dallas Twp., submitted plans for one in Plains Twp. near the Mohegan Pennsylvania casino, and is eyeing one for Market Street in Kingston. Wawa is in the planning stages of three stores in Lackawanna County, off Cold Spring Road in Dickson City, on Meredith Street in Carbondale Twp. and at Moosic Street and Meadow Avenue in Scranton. Elsewhere in the region, Wawa has stores in Kidder Twp. in Carbon County and Blakeslee in Monroe County. Hazle Twp. Little Leaguer meets the majors A badly injured Hazle Twp. Little League player had a dream come true this summer by getting to meet members of his favorite team, the Houston Astros, and its star player, Jose Altuve. The young player, Aiken, badly injured his face and lost several teeth when he rammed into an outfield fence to catch a fly ball for the final out in a game. Three weeks later, the recovering 12-year-old found himself at an Astros game against the Philadelphia Phillies. After weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations, the Astros organization invited Aiken and his group to the field for batting practice to meet some players who heard of his ordeal. Altuve was scheduled for a day off, but came out to the field and surprised Aiken with a signed bat, baseballs and a card. The Astros later posted photos of the experience on Facebook, writing “Moments that matter most.” NEPA’s new ‘pizza trail’ Following the lead of Lackawanna County, Luzerne County’s tourism bureau launched its own “pizza trail” competition this year. More than 40 pizza shops from Pittston to Wilkes-Barre to Hazleton signed up to be part of the contest to see who could visit all participating businesses. “Everyone knows that Northeastern Pennsylvania has the best pizza in the country, and many of those great pizzerias are right here in Luzerne County,” said Alan K. Stout, executive director of Visit Luzerne County. “How many times have we all heard from people that have moved out of the area say that the first thing they do when they come home for a visit is order a pizza? They often say that they just can’t find great pizza outside of this area.” Nearly 60 pizza places participated in the Lackawanna County pizza trail that was launched several years ago by the Lackawanna County Visitors Bureau, which called it “the cheesiest tour you’ll ever take.”
SMU is accustomed to road-like environment it’ll face in ACC championship game vs. Clemson
As snow blankets the Colorado mountains, outdoor enthusiasts have a unique opportunity: the winter hut trip. Whether you’re a skier or a snowshoer, a hut trip offers an excellent opportunity to connect with nature while exploring the rugged beauty of the state’s wilderness and enjoying the warmth and camaraderie of a cozy mountain hut. From the towering peaks of the San Juan Mountains to the snow-covered trails in Summit County, Colorado’s winter hut trips provide an unforgettable experience for adventurers of all levels. Huts fill up fast, so check each property’s for pricing and availability. Located between Telluride and Silverton near the top of Ophir Pass in the San Juan Mountains, the Opus Hut was built for backcountry skiers, mountaineers, hikers and mountain bikers. At 11,700 feet, the hut sits at treeline with low-angle glades below and open slopes above. While intermediate powder skiing is available out the back door of the hut, owner Travis Mohrman said the terrain is best suited for experienced backcountry skiers. Mohrman estimates that 15% to 20% of the groups visiting Opus Hut do so with guides. “They’re not personally comfortable with the terrain or they’re not from the area,” Mohrman said. “They guides are knowledgeable about local conditions — what the snow is, what’s safe and what’s not safe.” The cabin accommodates up to 20 people in five rooms. Some visitors book the whole hut and bring friends and family, while others reserve available beds in unbooked rooms. The hut features solar-powered lighting and 110-volt outlets for charging electronic devices. It also has filtered drinking water, hot and cold tap water, and indoor composting toilets. It provides full bedding and clean sleeping bag liners. During winter, the hut has four to six employees who sleep in a separate cabin. They prepare meals with natural, organic, and, when possible, locally grown products. The hut accommodates vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets–just be sure to inform the staff beforehand. It also offers beer, wine, and a limited selection of spirits for purchase. “You can travel much lighter if you don’t have to bring in your food,” said Mohrman, who took over the hut three years ago. “You don’t have to focus on the upkeep of being in the backcountry.” Reservations for Opus Hut open Aug. 1. “The winter fills up quick,” Mohrman said. “Every winter weekend books in the first five minutes.” Nestled at 11,200 feet in the San Juan National Forest, Campfire Ranch Red Mountain Pass is the perfect base for exploring world-class skiing, split boarding, snowshoeing, and ice climbing. Located between Silverton and Ouray, it’s is accessible during the winter via a half-mile backcountry over-snow approach. Campfire Ranch is an ideal choice for novices. While other Colorado hut systems require you to carry your own food, bring sleeping bags, and live off-grid, this one provides food service, solar-powered electricity, Wi-Fi, and bedding. The dog-friendly cabin accommodates eight people. “We took a hospitality approach to remove barriers to entry for people who want to have the experience but don’t have the gear or the knowledge,” said Katrin Meiusi, director of marketing for the properties. Campfire Ranch first opened a campground on the Taylor River in Almont near Crested Butte. RVs are not permitted at the campground, which is open from May to October. Amenities include unlimited firewood, clean bathrooms, and drinkable well water. The 38 backcountry huts managed by the non-profit 10th Mountain Division Hut Association are connected by 350 miles of trails among some of the tallest peaks in the lower 48 states. All huts, some of which accommodate up to 17 people, have kitchens with propane burners for cooking — propane is provided. They provide pots, pans, potholders, dishware, cooking and eating utensils, a percolator or French press for coffee, salt and pepper, paper towels, dish soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies and trash bags. Some huts have ovens and propane grills. All huts provide lighting from on-site solar power, propane or a generator. A few huts also have outlets for charging small devices such as phones. The huts have either an outhouse or an indoor bathroom with toilet paper supplied. All huts include mattresses and pillows, but you must bring your sleeping bag and pillowcase. Summit Hut Association operates five backcountry huts open for winter from November to May. Francie’s and Janet’s cabins are also open for summer use from July to September. All huts have solar-powered lights, fully stocked kitchens, and wood-burning stoves. Francie’s, Janet’s, and Sisters’ cabins have saunas and indoor toilets. The association hosts its annual Backcountry Ball fundraiser in October at The Maggie on Peak to kick off the season. The event includes dinner, drinks, a silent auction and entertainment. Proceeds help maintain the network of backcountry cabins.
As snow blankets the Colorado mountains, outdoor enthusiasts have a unique opportunity: the winter hut trip. Whether you’re a skier or a snowshoer, a hut trip offers an excellent opportunity to connect with nature while exploring the rugged beauty of the state’s wilderness and enjoying the warmth and camaraderie of a cozy mountain hut. From the towering peaks of the San Juan Mountains to the snow-covered trails in Summit County, Colorado’s winter hut trips provide an unforgettable experience for adventurers of all levels. Huts fill up fast, so check each property’s for pricing and availability. Located between Telluride and Silverton near the top of Ophir Pass in the San Juan Mountains, the Opus Hut was built for backcountry skiers, mountaineers, hikers and mountain bikers. At 11,700 feet, the hut sits at treeline with low-angle glades below and open slopes above. While intermediate powder skiing is available out the back door of the hut, owner Travis Mohrman said the terrain is best suited for experienced backcountry skiers. Mohrman estimates that 15% to 20% of the groups visiting Opus Hut do so with guides. “They’re not personally comfortable with the terrain or they’re not from the area,” Mohrman said. “They guides are knowledgeable about local conditions — what the snow is, what’s safe and what’s not safe.” The cabin accommodates up to 20 people in five rooms. Some visitors book the whole hut and bring friends and family, while others reserve available beds in unbooked rooms. The hut features solar-powered lighting and 110-volt outlets for charging electronic devices. It also has filtered drinking water, hot and cold tap water, and indoor composting toilets. It provides full bedding and clean sleeping bag liners. During winter, the hut has four to six employees who sleep in a separate cabin. They prepare meals with natural, organic, and, when possible, locally grown products. The hut accommodates vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets–just be sure to inform the staff beforehand. It also offers beer, wine, and a limited selection of spirits for purchase. “You can travel much lighter if you don’t have to bring in your food,” said Mohrman, who took over the hut three years ago. “You don’t have to focus on the upkeep of being in the backcountry.” Reservations for Opus Hut open Aug. 1. “The winter fills up quick,” Mohrman said. “Every winter weekend books in the first five minutes.” Nestled at 11,200 feet in the San Juan National Forest, Campfire Ranch Red Mountain Pass is the perfect base for exploring world-class skiing, split boarding, snowshoeing, and ice climbing. Located between Silverton and Ouray, it’s is accessible during the winter via a half-mile backcountry over-snow approach. Campfire Ranch is an ideal choice for novices. While other Colorado hut systems require you to carry your own food, bring sleeping bags, and live off-grid, this one provides food service, solar-powered electricity, Wi-Fi, and bedding. The dog-friendly cabin accommodates eight people. “We took a hospitality approach to remove barriers to entry for people who want to have the experience but don’t have the gear or the knowledge,” said Katrin Meiusi, director of marketing for the properties. Campfire Ranch first opened a campground on the Taylor River in Almont near Crested Butte. RVs are not permitted at the campground, which is open from May to October. Amenities include unlimited firewood, clean bathrooms, and drinkable well water. The 38 backcountry huts managed by the non-profit 10th Mountain Division Hut Association are connected by 350 miles of trails among some of the tallest peaks in the lower 48 states. All huts, some of which accommodate up to 17 people, have kitchens with propane burners for cooking — propane is provided. They provide pots, pans, potholders, dishware, cooking and eating utensils, a percolator or French press for coffee, salt and pepper, paper towels, dish soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies and trash bags. Some huts have ovens and propane grills. All huts provide lighting from on-site solar power, propane or a generator. A few huts also have outlets for charging small devices such as phones. The huts have either an outhouse or an indoor bathroom with toilet paper supplied. All huts include mattresses and pillows, but you must bring your sleeping bag and pillowcase. Summit Hut Association operates five backcountry huts open for winter from November to May. Francie’s and Janet’s cabins are also open for summer use from July to September. All huts have solar-powered lights, fully stocked kitchens, and wood-burning stoves. Francie’s, Janet’s, and Sisters’ cabins have saunas and indoor toilets. The association hosts its annual Backcountry Ball fundraiser in October at The Maggie on Peak to kick off the season. The event includes dinner, drinks, a silent auction and entertainment. Proceeds help maintain the network of backcountry cabins.
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Dolphins want to re-sign backup QB Tyler HuntleyGeorgia's ombudsman accuses police of torturing pro-EU protestersNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to top the all-time high it set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 123 points, or 0.3%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.6% as Microsoft and Big Tech led the way. Stock markets abroad mostly fell after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China once he takes office. But the movements were mostly modest. Stock indexes were down 0.1% in Shanghai and nearly flat in Hong Kong, while Canada’s main index edged down by less than 0.1%. Trump has often praised the use of tariffs , but investors are weighing whether his latest threat will actually become policy or is just an opening point for negotiations. For now, the market seems to be taking it more as the latter. The consequences otherwise for markets and the global economy could be painful. Unless the United States can prepare alternatives for the autos, energy products and other goods that come from Mexico, Canada and China, such tariffs would raise the price of imported items all at once and make households poorer, according to Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics. They would also hurt profit margins for U.S. companies, while raising the threat of retaliatory tariffs by other countries. And unlike tariffs in Trump’s first term, his latest proposal would affect products across the board. General Motors sank 9%, and Ford Motor fell 2.6% because both import automobiles from Mexico. Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States, dropped 3.3%. The value of the Mexican peso fell 1.8% against the U.S. dollar. Beyond the pain such tariffs would cause U.S. households and businesses, they could also push the Federal Reserve to slow or even halt its cuts to interest rates. The Fed had just begun easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high a couple months ago to offer support for the job market . While lower interest rates can boost the economy, they can also offer more fuel for inflation. “Many” officials at the Fed’s last meeting earlier this month said they should lower rates gradually, according to minutes of the meeting released Tuesday afternoon. The talk about tariffs overshadowed another mixed set of profit reports from U.S. retailers that answered few questions about how much more shoppers can keep spending. They’ll need to stay resilient after helping the economy avoid a recession, despite the high interest rates imposed by the Fed to get inflation under control. A report on Tuesday from the Conference Board said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. Kohl’s tumbled 17% after its results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Tom Kingsbury said sales remain soft for apparel and footwear. A day earlier, Kingsbury said he plans to step down as CEO in January. Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Michaels and a retail veteran, will replace him. Best Buy fell 4.9% after likewise falling short of analysts’ expectations. Dick’s Sporting Goods topped forecasts for the latest quarter thanks to a strong back-to-school season, but its stock lost an early gain to fall 1.4%. Still, more stocks rose in the S&P 500 than fell. J.M. Smucker had one of the biggest gains and climbed 5.7% after topping analysts’ expectations for the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker credited strength for its Uncrustables, Meow Mix, Café Bustelo and Jif brands. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up U.S. indexes. Gains of 3.2% for Amazon and 2.2% for Microsoft were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. All told, the S&P 500 rose 34.26 points to 6,021.63. The Dow gained 123.74 to 44,860.31, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 119.46 to 19,174.30. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady following their big drop from a day before driven by relief following Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary. The yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.29% from 4.28% late Monday, but it’s still well below the 4.41% level where it ended last week. In the crypto market, bitcoin continued to pull back after topping $99,000 for the first time late last week. It’s since dipped back toward $91,000, according to CoinDesk. It’s a sharp turnaround from the bonanza that initially took over the crypto market following Trump’s election. That boom had also appeared to have spilled into some corners of the stock market. Strategists at Barclays Capital pointed to stocks of unprofitable companies, along with other areas that can be caught up in bursts of optimism by smaller-pocketed “retail” investors. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.Midfielder Dante Polvara has thanked boss Jimmy Thelin for considering his mental health as well as his physical rehabilitation from long-term injury. American Polvara missed the first five months of the campaign after suffering a hamstring tear which required surgery during pre-season. To keep Polvara involved with the first-team, and limit any feelings of isolation, Thelin made him a set-piece coach. Polvara revealed this personal touch from the Swede meant a lot – particularly as he was more than 3,000 miles from his family in New York. The midfielder’s set-piece expertise even led to a number of goals during the Dons’ record breaking 16-game unbeaten start to the season. Now, the Reds have hit a six-game winless slump and Polvara aims to do his bit on the pitch to get the campaign back on track. He said: “It was a big boost to me to still be involved as a lot of managers can forget about players when they are out for so long. “However, the gaffer emphasises the importance of our mental health as well. “We are all still people and it was maybe harder for me than someone else who could have family here. “To keep me involved like that really meant a lot. It made me feel closer to the staff and more trusted. “I’ve been at the club for a while now and I’m close with a lot of people here, so to not be around them every day as much and have different schedules can be tough. “For the manager to keep me involved was a big boost for me. “I think the manager saw an opportunity for me to maybe work on leadership, tactics and organisation. “I tried to make the most of it. It gave me a completely different perspective – especially when I was in the coaches room and hearing what they’re talking about and thinking. “I’ve spent a lot of time, of course, analysing.” Satisfaction at goal from set-pieces Polvara returned to action when he was introduced as a substitute in the 83rd minute of the 1-0 Premiership loss to Celtic at Parkhead. It was the first time he had played under Thelin. His second appearance after long-term injury was at the weekend. is determined to be back in the thick of the action after so long on the sidelines. He said: “It did take a few weeks of trying to get them to take me seriously wearing the coaches kit and having the papers. “I would get nervous when we had corners as it was a really bad feeling when the set-pieces went wrong. “But it was a great feeling when we scored from them! “Now I’m just excited to play, and be grateful for it. “I’ve obviously watched everything from the sidelines for a few months. “That’s a lot of time analysing on how I can help and provide something different.” Aberdeen can rediscover top form Polvara is in contention to as the Dons bid to end the winless slump. It has been a season of contrast for Aberdeen. A sensational start where they were level on points with Celtic at the top of the Premiership after 11 games, and now a slump which has resulted in the Reds being overtaken by Rangers in second spot. Polvara said: “I just want to make as much of an impact as I can and play as much as possible. “There are a lot of games coming up and there are always injuries and suspensions coming up. “But I think the best is yet to come from me and the same is true of the team. “The first few months of the season showed what this team is capable of and we need to get back to that standard. “You’re always going to have a dip as there aren’t many teams in the world that can keep that perfect season going. “It’s all about getting out of the recent disappointing run – and the Kilmarnock game is a great chance to do that. “They are a really tough team with an experienced manager, so we have to be fully at it to win. “That’s what we need to do to get back to our very best again. “Let’s have a really strong and consistent second half to the season and make it very exciting along the way.”
Military Drone Market to Grow by USD 8.51 Billion (2024-2028), Advancements in Drone Technology Driving Revenue, Report on AI-Powered Market Evolution - TechnavioBETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza . The excitement and cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found. The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists that usually fill the square. Palestinian scouts marched silently through the streets, a departure from their usual raucous brass marching band. Security forces arranged barriers near the Church of the Nativity, built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The cancellation of Christmas festivities is a severe blow to the town's economy. Tourism accounts for an estimated 70% of Bethlehem’s income — almost all from the Christmas season. Salman said unemployment is hovering around 50% — higher than the 30% unemployment across the rest of the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Finance Ministry. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, noted the shuttered shops and empty streets and expressed hope that next year would be better. “This has to be the last Christmas that is so sad,” he told hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square, where normally tens of thousands would congregate. Pizzaballa held a special pre-Christmas Mass in the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City. Several Palestinian Christians told the Associated Press that they have been displaced in the church since the war began in October of last year with barely enough food and water. “We hope by next year at the same day we’d be able to celebrate Christmas at our homes and go to Bethlehem,” said Najla Tarazi, a displaced woman. “We hope to celebrate in Jerusalem ... and for the war to end. This is the most important thing for us and the most important demand we have these days because the situation is really hard. We don’t feel happy.” Bethlehem is an important center in the history of Christianity, but Christians make up only a small percentage of the roughly 14 million people spread across the Holy Land. There are about 182,000 in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank and Jerusalem and 1,300 in Gaza, according to the U.S. State Department. The number of visitors to the town plunged from a pre-COVID high of around 2 million per year in 2019 to fewer than 100,000 in 2024, said Jiries Qumsiyeh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Tourism Ministry. After nightfall, the golden walls of the Church of the Nativity were illuminated as a few dozen people quietly milled about. A young boy stood holding a pile of balloons for sale, but gave up because there were no customers to buy them. The war in Gaza has deterred tourists and has prompted a surge of violence in the West Bank , with more than 800 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire and dozens of Israelis killed in militant attacks. Palestinian officials do not provide a breakdown of how many of the deceased are civilians and how many are fighters. Since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that sparked the war , access to and from Bethlehem and other towns in the West Bank has been difficult, with long lines of motorists waiting to pass through Israeli military checkpoints. The restrictions have prevented some 150,000 Palestinians from leaving the territory to work in Israel, causing the economy there to contract by 25%. In the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel, Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took more than 250 Israeli hostages. Israeli officials believe that around 100 hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Elsewhere, Christmas celebrations were also subdued. Scores of Syrian Christians protested Tuesday in Damascus, demanding protection after the burning of a Christmas tree in Hama the day before. Videos and images shared on social media showed the large, decorated tree burning at a roundabout in Suqalabiyah, a town in the Hama countryside. It remains unclear who was responsible for setting the tree on fire. In a video that circulated on social media, a representative of Syria’s new leadership, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, could be seen visiting the site and addressing the community. He said: “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations.” German celebrations were darkened by a car attack on a Christmas market on Friday that left five people dead and 200 people injured. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rewrote his annual recorded Christmas Day speech to address the attack. He plans to acknowledge that “there is grief, pain, horror and incomprehension over what took place in Magdeburg,” while urging Germans to “stand together,” according to an early copy of the speech. A snowstorm in the Balkans stranded drivers and downed power lines, but some saw the beauty in it. “I’m actually glad its falling, especially because of Christmas,” said Mirsad Jasarevic in Zenica, Bosnia. “We did not have snow for Christmas for 17 years here, and now is the time for wonderful white Christmas.” American Airlines briefly grounded flights across the U.S. on Tuesday due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive. Winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 1,447 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 28 flights canceled. In the port of Barcelona, Spain, volunteers from the faith-based ministry Stella Maris visited seven ships docked there on Christmas Eve to deliver Nativity scenes and the local specialty of turrón (nougat candy) to seafarers. The volunteers met seafarers from India, the Philippines, Turkey and elsewhere, said Ricard Rodríguez-Martos, a Catholic deacon and former merchant marine captain who leads Stella Maris in this major Mediterranean harbor. Associated Press writers Wafaa Shurafa in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City and Giovanna Dell’Orto in Minneapolis contributed to this report.
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to top the all-time high it set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 123 points, or 0.3%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.6% as Microsoft and Big Tech led the way. Stock markets abroad mostly fell after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China once he takes office. But the movements were mostly modest. Stock indexes were down 0.1% in Shanghai and nearly flat in Hong Kong, while Canada’s main index edged down by less than 0.1%. Trump has often praised the use of tariffs , but investors are weighing whether his latest threat will actually become policy or is just an opening point for negotiations. For now, the market seems to be taking it more as the latter. The consequences otherwise for markets and the global economy could be painful. Unless the United States can prepare alternatives for the autos, energy products and other goods that come from Mexico, Canada and China, such tariffs would raise the price of imported items all at once and make households poorer, according to Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics. They would also hurt profit margins for U.S. companies, while raising the threat of retaliatory tariffs by other countries. And unlike tariffs in Trump’s first term, his latest proposal would affect products across the board. General Motors sank 9%, and Ford Motor fell 2.6% because both import automobiles from Mexico. Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States, dropped 3.3%. The value of the Mexican peso fell 1.8% against the U.S. dollar. Beyond the pain such tariffs would cause U.S. households and businesses, they could also push the Federal Reserve to slow or even halt its cuts to interest rates. The Fed had just begun easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high a couple months ago to offer support for the job market . While lower interest rates can boost the economy, they can also offer more fuel for inflation. “Many” officials at the Fed’s last meeting earlier this month said they should lower rates gradually, according to minutes of the meeting released Tuesday afternoon. The talk about tariffs overshadowed another mixed set of profit reports from U.S. retailers that answered few questions about how much more shoppers can keep spending. They’ll need to stay resilient after helping the economy avoid a recession, despite the high interest rates imposed by the Fed to get inflation under control. A report on Tuesday from the Conference Board said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. Kohl’s tumbled 17% after its results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Tom Kingsbury said sales remain soft for apparel and footwear. A day earlier, Kingsbury said he plans to step down as CEO in January. Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Michaels and a retail veteran, will replace him. Best Buy fell 4.9% after likewise falling short of analysts’ expectations. Dick’s Sporting Goods topped forecasts for the latest quarter thanks to a strong back-to-school season, but its stock lost an early gain to fall 1.4%. Still, more stocks rose in the S&P 500 than fell. J.M. Smucker had one of the biggest gains and climbed 5.7% after topping analysts’ expectations for the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker credited strength for its Uncrustables, Meow Mix, Café Bustelo and Jif brands. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up U.S. indexes. Gains of 3.2% for Amazon and 2.2% for Microsoft were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. All told, the S&P 500 rose 34.26 points to 6,021.63. The Dow gained 123.74 to 44,860.31, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 119.46 to 19,174.30. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady following their big drop from a day before driven by relief following Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary. The yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.29% from 4.28% late Monday, but it’s still well below the 4.41% level where it ended last week. In the crypto market, bitcoin continued to pull back after topping $99,000 for the first time late last week. It’s since dipped back toward $91,000, according to CoinDesk. It’s a sharp turnaround from the bonanza that initially took over the crypto market following Trump’s election. That boom had also appeared to have spilled into some corners of the stock market. Strategists at Barclays Capital pointed to stocks of unprofitable companies, along with other areas that can be caught up in bursts of optimism by smaller-pocketed “retail” investors. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.
HAL to start trial of new Tejas fighter jet in January next yearVodafone Qatar announces launch of all-new brovi 5G Mobile WiFi Pro 5By LINDSEY BAHR Christopher Nolan is following his Oscar-winning “Oppenheimer” with a true epic: Homer’s “The Odyssey.” It will open in theaters on July 17, 2026, Universal Pictures said Monday. Related Articles Entertainment | Prosecutors withdraw appeal of dismissed case against Alec Baldwin in fatal movie set shooting Entertainment | ‘Squid Game’ returns looking for win with season 2 Entertainment | Taylor Swift surprises fan who dubbed her hospital-visit outfit ‘tea’ with special gift Entertainment | Blake Lively sues 'It Ends with Us' director Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment Entertainment | 10 options from Santa’s big bag of Christmas TV programming Details remain scarce, but the studio teased that it will be a “mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX technology.” It will also be the first time that an adaptation of Homer’s saga will play on IMAX film screens. Nolan has been an IMAX enthusiast for years, going back to “The Dark Knight,” and has made his last three films exclusively using large format film and the highest resolution film cameras. For “Oppenheimer,” the first black-and-white IMAX film stock was developed. Nolan hasn’t said specifically what the new technology for “The Odyssey” will be, but earlier this month he told The Associated Press that they’re in an intensive testing phase with IMAX to prepare for the new production. “They have an incredible engineering staff, really brilliant minds doing extraordinary work,” Nolan said. “It’s wonderful to see innovation in the celluloid film arena still happening and happening at the highest level possible.” “The Odyssey” will be Nolan’s second collaboration with Universal Pictures following “Oppenheimer,” which earned nearly $1 billion at the box office and won the filmmaker his first Oscars, including for best director and best picture . Rumors about his next project have been swirling ever since, with near-daily speculations about plot — none of which turned out to be true — and casting. While there are many reports about actors joining the ensemble, none has been officially confirmed by the studio.At least 21 people have been killed in unrest after Mozambique's top court on Monday confirmed long-ruling party Frelimo's victory in the election, the country's interior minister said late on Tuesday. The decision by Mozambique's Constitutional Council sparked fresh nationwide protests by opposition groups and their supporters who say the vote was rigged. Seventy-eight people have been arrested so far and security measures have been tightened across the country, Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda told public broadcaster TVM. "The armed and defense force will increase its presence in critical and key points," he said. Frelimo has been repeatedly accused by opponents and election observers of rigging votes. It has denied those accusations. (This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
