www haha777 host ISD 518 Operations Committee continue high school facility discussionNo. 22 Illinois reaches 9 wins for first time in 17 years with 38-28 victory over Northwestern

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally, Russian media said Sunday, hours after a stunning rebel advance seized control of Damascus and ended his family’s 50 years of iron rule . Thousands of Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire and waved the revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. The swiftly moving events raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. “Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East," President Joe Biden said , crediting action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syria’s backers — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He called the fall of Assad a “fundamental act of justice” but also a “moment of risk and uncertainty,” and said rebel groups are “saying the right things now” but the U.S. would assess their actions. Russia requested an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council to discuss Syria, according to Dmitry Polyansky, its deputy ambassador to the U.N., in a post on Telegram. The arrival of Assad and his family in Moscow was reported by Russian agencies Tass and RIA, citing an unidentified source at the Kremlin. A spokesman there didn't immediately respond to questions. RIA also said Syrian insurgents had guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria. Earlier, Russia said Assad left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. The leader of Syria's biggest rebel faction, Abu Mohammed al-Golani , is poised to chart the country’s future. The former al-Qaida commander cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance. His Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the U.N. In his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, al-Golani visited the Umayyad Mosque and described Assad's fall as “a victory to the Islamic nation.” Calling himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and not his nom de guerre, he said Assad had made Syria “a farm for Iran’s greed.” The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country ravaged by war and split among armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in remote areas. Syrian state television broadcast a rebel statement saying Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been released. They urged people to preserve the institutions of “the free Syrian state,” and announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. An online video purported to show rebels freeing dozens of women at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed . At least one small child was seen among them. “This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he,” said one relative, Bassam Masr. "I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years.” Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi appeared on state TV and sought to reassure religious and ethnic minorities, saying: “Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects.” “We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did," he added. Celebrations in the capital Damascus residents prayed in mosques and celebrated in squares, calling, “God is great.” People chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Teenage boys picked up weapons apparently discarded by security forces and fired into the air. Soldiers and police fled their posts and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Families wandered the presidential palace, walking by damaged portraits of Assad. Other parts of the capital were empty and shops were closed. “It’s like a dream. I need someone to wake me up," said opposition fighter Abu Laith, adding the rebels were welcomed in Damascus with “love.” Rebels stood guard at the Justice Ministry, where Judge Khitam Haddad said he and colleagues were protecting documents. Outside, residents sought information about relatives who disappeared under Assad. The rebels “have felt the pain of the people,” said one woman, giving only her first name, Heba. She worried about possible revenge killings by the rebels, many of whom appeared to be underage. Syria’s historically pro-government newspaper al-Watan called it “a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood.” It added that media workers should not be blamed for publishing past government statements ordered from above. A statement from the Alawite sect that formed the core of Assad's base called on young Syrians to be “calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country.” The rebels mainly come from the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities. In Qamishli in the northeast, a Kurdish man slapped a statue of the late leader Hafez Assad with his shoe. Calls for an orderly transition The rebel advances since Nov. 27 were the largest in recent years, and saw the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs fall within days as the Syrian army melted away. The road to Damascus from the Lebanese border was littered with military uniforms and charred armored vehicles. Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, which provided crucial support to Assad, abandoned him as they reeled from other conflicts. The end of Assad’s rule was a major blow to Iran and its proxies, already weakened by conflict with Israel . Iran said Syrians should decide their future “without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention.” The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned. Hossein Akbari, Iran’s ambassador to Syria, said it was “effectively impossible” to help the Syrian government after it admitted the insurgents' military superiority. Speaking on Iranian state media from an undisclosed location, he said Syria's government decided Saturday night to hand over power peacefully. “When the army and the people could not resist, it was a good decision to let go to prevent bloodshed and destruction,” Akbari said, adding that some of his colleagues left Syria before sunrise. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking on state TV, said there were concerns about the “possibility of civil war, disintegration of Syria, total collapse and turning Syria into a shelter for terrorists.” Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali has said the government was ready to “extend its hand” to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. A video on Syrian opposition media showed armed men escorting him from his office to a hotel. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria late Saturday, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey. Majed al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, said they agreed on the need “to engage all parties on the ground," including the HTS, and that the main concern is “stability and safe transition.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned positions. Israel’s military later warned residents of five southern Syria communities to stay home for their safety, and didn’t respond to questions. Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the U.S., views it as occupied, and the Arab League on Sunday condemned what it called Israel’s efforts to take advantage of Assad’s downfall to occupy more territory. ___ Sewell reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue, Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut; Samar Kassaballi, Omar Sanadiki and Ghaith Alsayed in Damascus; Jon Gambrell in Manama, Bahrain; Josef Federman in Doha, Qatar; and Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem, contributed. Abdulrahman Shaheen, Sarah El Deeb And Abby Sewell, The Associated Press

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In October, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola launched the 2024/2025 national Safer Festive Season operations. Until 31 January 2025, citizens can expect to see heightened law enforcement visibility in their communities. “We will continue with intensifying our operations full steam ahead to ensure all people in our country, including those who will be visiting our shores during the festive season, are and feel safe,” said Masemola at the launch. ALSO READ: Road safety plan: Alcohol and cellphone use targeted over festive season “South Africa is not a playground for criminals and we will be stamping the authority of the State during the festive season and beyond.” Festive season extortion Police will be deployed to combat theft, gender-based violence (GBV), housebreaking, extortion, hijackings and other crimes. According to police committee chairperson Ian Cameron, extortionists take advantage of the festive season due to the surge in economic activities. ALSO READ: Watch out for credit scams this festive season They target large and small, retail, hospitality and construction sector as they experience an increase in cashflow. The extortionists also thrive during the festive season due to a reduction in law enforcement officers as some take leave or are reassigned to monitor tourist hotspots. “This creates a temporary gap in security coverage which criminals may exploit,” said Cameron. During this time, businesses are also more inclined to comply with extortion demands in an effort to avoid disruptions to their operations. Masemola assured South Africans that the police would prioritise the safety of businesses and communities during the holidays. ALSO READ: Extortionists in SA now target disabled and elderly for their grant money “The crime of extortion is rearing its ugly head in the country and we want to assure all South Africans that extortionists will meet law enforcement head on as we move with speed to crackdown on this form of criminality which has endangered the safety of business people and ordinary citizens alike.” Safety tips from police The South African Police Service (SAPS) shared advice to help citizens avoid becoming “soft targets” for criminals during the festive season: Be crime conscious – be aware of crime opportunities at all times! Never walk around alone and don’t talk to strangers. Be on the lookout for strange cars or people. Walk in well-lit busy streets and in a group, if possible. Make sure your home is secure, and become a member of an armed response service. Be sure that you know all the emergency numbers or have them displayed in an accessible area. Always let someone know where you are going and how long you will be gone. But think twice before advertising your impending absence on social media. Criminals also have access to Facebook and Twitter. Know all emergency numbers. Trust your instinct. Avoid going onto a congested street where you cannot even walk properly, that is where you will find criminals pick pocketing. Avoid displaying valuables where criminals can see them. ALSO READ: More than 50% of calls to Eastern Cape extortion hotline were pranks

Chip Chirimbes @chipperwins Last week: 4-1 Season: 33-27 Virginia +10 Kansas +21⁄2 Oklahoma State +41⁄2 Auburn +2 Oklahoma +131⁄2 Joe D’Amico @JoeDamicoWins Last week: 1-4 Season: 27-33 Colorado -21⁄2 Penn State -111⁄2 Indiana +101⁄2 Iowa State -61⁄2 Alabama -131⁄2 Dana Lane PickDawgz.com Last week: 3-2 Season: 33-24-3 Louisville -71⁄2 Florida +12 Indiana +101⁄2 Troy +91⁄2 Fresno State -31⁄2 Bruce Marshall CBS Sportsline Last week: 4-1 Season: 37-21-2 Virginia +10 Florida +12 Air Force +3 Mississippi State +8 Notre Dame -14 Scott Pritchard Pritchardspicks.com Last week: 2-3 Season: 30-30 Central Florida-West Virginia U631⁄2 Northwestern-Michigan U361⁄2 UTEP-Tennessee U52 New Mexico State-Middle Tennessee State O531⁄2 Colorado State-Fresno State U44 Wes Reynolds @WesReynolds1 Last week: 4-1 Season: 29-29-2 Virginia +10 Kansas +21⁄2 Minnesota +111⁄2 Louisiana Monroe-Arkansas State U52 Fresno State -31⁄2 David Schoen Review-Journal Last week: 3-2 Season: 32-28 Boston College +2 Duke +3 Illinois +11⁄2 Stanford +141⁄2 Air Force +3 Lee Sterling Paramount Sports.com Last week: 1-4 Season: 24-35-1 Miami (Florida) -231⁄2 West Virginia +31⁄2 Syracuse -101⁄2 Maryland +4 Ohio State -101⁄2 Paul Stone @PaulStoneSports Last week: 4-1 Season: 34-26 Virginia +10 Duke +3 Kentucky +201⁄2 Kentucky-Texas U47 Notre Dame -14 Alex White @sportsbythebook Last week: 1-4 Season: 39-20-1 Georgia Southern +21⁄2 West Virginia +31⁄2 Florida Atlantic +3 USC -41⁄2

CHICAGO (AP) — Aidan Laughery rushed for three touchdowns and No. 22 Illinois topped Northwestern 38-28 on Saturday to reach nine victories for the first time since its 2007 Rose Bowl season. Pat Bryant dashed in to score off Luke Altmyer’s 43-yard pass early in the third quarter as Illinois (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten) struck for touchdowns just over 4 minutes apart early in the third quarter to open a 28-10 lead in what had been a tight game. Bryant's 10th receiving touchdown tied a school record. Altmyer, who threw for 170 yards, had a TD himself on a keeper from the 1-yard line early in the second quarter. David Olano added a field goal in the fourth to cap Illinois' scoring. Laughery, a sophomore running back, rushed for a career-best 172 yards and topped 100 for the first time. He entered with only one TD this season and two for his career. He had a career-long 64-yard run for a score early in the second half. Coach Bret Bielema said he wasn't surprised by Laughery's explosive performance as the Gibson City, Illinois product rounded back into form after being hampered by a hamstring injury earlier this season. “I thought today would be a day that could happen,” Bielema said. “Today some of those turned into big home run hits we've kind of been waiting on all year.” Laughery said he's been prepping for this kind of game, when he carried the ball 12 times for an average of 14.3 yards. “Finally, the opportunity was there,” said Laughery, who got the game ball. “You know you gotta' hit one and it came together today.” He credited the Illini offensive line with opening space for his breakout performance. “Those guys were covering them (Northwestern's defense) all day long,” Laughery said. “It was awesome running behind the looks we were getting” Northwestern’s Devin Turner intercepted Altmyer twice, including for a 13-yard touchdown return late in the first quarter. Thomas Gordon caught Jack Lausch's 15-yard TD pass with a minute left, then the Wildcats added a two-point conversion to complete the scoring. Northwestern (4-8, 2-7 Big Ten) didn’t pack it in as hosted its second game this season at Wrigley Field, this time on a breezy sunny day with game-time temperature of 20 degrees. It looked like the Illini might run away after Bryant’s 10th receiving touchdown 4:52 into the third. He entered tied for the Big Ten lead. But Luke Akers kicked his second field goal of the game, a 34-yarder, with 5:35 left in the third quarter to cut it to 28-13. Lausch led the Wildcats on their next possession and finished it with an 11-yard touchdown toss to A.J. Henning to narrow the Illini lead to 28-20. Then Mac Resetich intercepted Lausch’s pass 50 seconds into the fourth quarter. Laughery powered up the middle for 31 yards and his third TD about two minutes later to quell the Wildcats' momentum. Northwestern dominated in possession time — 34:32 to 25:28 —and plays — 90 to 53. The margin was even more pronounced in the first half, but the Wildcats settled for a 13-yard touchdown return on Turner’s second pick of the game with 2:14 left in the first quarter and Akers’ 21-yard field goal that opened the scoring 6:29 in. Illinois led 14-10 at the half on Laughery’s 30-yard TD run midway through the first quarter and Altmyer’s keeper 1:39 into the second. Akers missed wide to the right on a 44-yard attempt as time ran out in the half. Both teams’ leading pass receivers were injured. Northwestern’s Bryce Kirtz was knocked out of the game in the first quarter with a lower-body injury after two receptions that upped his total yards to 598. Illinois’ Bryant went to the locker room with about 5 minutes left in the first half after Turner collided with him as he plucked his second interception. Bryant returned, however, for the second half. Illinois: Is in line for a prestigious bowl game appearance and a chance to tie the school record of 10 wins, most recently set during their 2001 Sugar Bowl season. “We wanted to put ourselves in a good position on this day to get to nine wins and see where it can go,” Bielema said. “Just a fun day overall. I don't know what the future holds. It think we're a team that can play with anybody in the country.” Northwestern: Finished its second season under coach David Braun at 4-8 overall and 2-7 in the Big Ten. The Wildcats dropped their final three and five of the last six. Illinois is headed to a bowl game. Northwestern opens its 2025 season at Tulane on Aug. 30. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25In October, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola launched the 2024/2025 national Safer Festive Season operations. Until 31 January 2025, citizens can expect to see heightened law enforcement visibility in their communities. “We will continue with intensifying our operations full steam ahead to ensure all people in our country, including those who will be visiting our shores during the festive season, are and feel safe,” said Masemola at the launch. ALSO READ: Road safety plan: Alcohol and cellphone use targeted over festive season “South Africa is not a playground for criminals and we will be stamping the authority of the State during the festive season and beyond.” Festive season extortion Police will be deployed to combat theft, gender-based violence (GBV), housebreaking, extortion, hijackings and other crimes. According to police committee chairperson Ian Cameron, extortionists take advantage of the festive season due to the surge in economic activities. ALSO READ: Watch out for credit scams this festive season They target large and small, retail, hospitality and construction sector as they experience an increase in cashflow. The extortionists also thrive during the festive season due to a reduction in law enforcement officers as some take leave or are reassigned to monitor tourist hotspots. “This creates a temporary gap in security coverage which criminals may exploit,” said Cameron. During this time, businesses are also more inclined to comply with extortion demands in an effort to avoid disruptions to their operations. Masemola assured South Africans that the police would prioritise the safety of businesses and communities during the holidays. ALSO READ: Extortionists in SA now target disabled and elderly for their grant money “The crime of extortion is rearing its ugly head in the country and we want to assure all South Africans that extortionists will meet law enforcement head on as we move with speed to crackdown on this form of criminality which has endangered the safety of business people and ordinary citizens alike.” Safety tips from police The South African Police Service (SAPS) shared advice to help citizens avoid becoming “soft targets” for criminals during the festive season: Be crime conscious – be aware of crime opportunities at all times! Never walk around alone and don’t talk to strangers. Be on the lookout for strange cars or people. Walk in well-lit busy streets and in a group, if possible. Make sure your home is secure, and become a member of an armed response service. Be sure that you know all the emergency numbers or have them displayed in an accessible area. Always let someone know where you are going and how long you will be gone. But think twice before advertising your impending absence on social media. Criminals also have access to Facebook and Twitter. Know all emergency numbers. Trust your instinct. Avoid going onto a congested street where you cannot even walk properly, that is where you will find criminals pick pocketing. Avoid displaying valuables where criminals can see them. ALSO READ: More than 50% of calls to Eastern Cape extortion hotline were pranks

Gano Forum central committee has been announced with Dr Kamal Hossain as the Emeritus President, Mostofa Mohsin Montu as the president, and Dr Mohammad Mizanur Rahman as the general secretary. The announcement was made after the 7th National Conference of Gana Forum, held on Saturday, at the Engineers Institution Auditorium in Ramna, Dhaka. The conference was held with the slogan: "Let's unite to build an egalitarian Bangladesh in the spirit of the sacrifice of the students and people of July-August." The program was inaugurated at 10:00am by Shahidul Islam Bhuiyan, father of Shaheed Mohammad Farhanul Islam Bhuiyan, who was killed at College Gate area in the capital during the student led anti-discrimination movement. The founding and Emeritus President of Gano Forum Dr Kamal Hossain presided over the event. After the opening session, the council session took place at 3:00pm, chaired by Mostofa Mohsin Montu. During the session, various district and upazila representatives discussed the organizational proposals, political proposals, and financial proposals. Based on the opinions of the council members, an electoral committee was formed to elect the new committee. The electoral committee, by unanimous consent, announced the partial central committee of Gano Forum with a total of 151 members.