Former prime minister Gordon Brown and Scottish First Minister John Swinney were among those who remembered a “giant of a man” during a memorial service for Alex Salmond. Tributes were paid to the former Scottish first minister, who died suddenly in North Macedonia in October at the age of 69. A private family funeral has already taken place, with Saturday’s memorial service in Edinburgh held to celebrate his love of Scotland and his commitment to the cause of independence. But while some 500 people, including family, friends and politicians from across the spectrum attended the service at St Giles’ Cathedral, his successor Nicola Sturgeon was not present. A rift between her and Mr Salmond – who she had previously described as her mentor – developed during her term as SNP leader. Ms Sturgeon attended the funeral of Scottish comedian Janey Godley in Glasgow on Saturday morning. Her successor, Mr Swinney, was met with boos as he arrived at the service – held on St Andrew’s Day – with at least one person in the crowd outside on the Royal Mile shouting “traitor”. Mr Salmond stood down as SNP leader and first minister after the 2014 referendum in which Scots voted to stay part of the UK. He helped found and went on to lead another pro-independence party, Alba, with Kenny MacAskill, a long-time friend who served as justice secretary in Holyrood under Mr Salmond. Mr MacAskill, now the acting Alba leader, told the congregation – which included Mr Salmond’s widow Moira as well as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, former Labour first minister Henry McLeish and Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay – that Mr Salmond had been a “giant of man”. Mr MacAskill, who quit the SNP to join Alba, hailed Mr Salmond as “an inspiration, a political genius” and being “most of all a man who had the cause of independence burned into his heart and seared in his soul”. The cause of independence was Mr Salmond’s “guiding light, his north star”, the former justice secretary said, adding that “he came so close to achieving it”. He added: “Those of us who share his dream must conclude that journey on his behalf. That’s the legacy he’d expect and the duty we owe him.” Recalling Mr Salmond’s words from when he stood down as first minister that “the dream shall never die”, Mr MacAskill concluded his address with the words: “Your dream shall be delivered.” Former Conservative Brexit minister and long-time friend of Mr Salmond, David Davis, gave a reading as did former Scottish government minister SNP MSP Fergus Ewing. Scottish folk singer Dougie MacLean performed his famous song Caledonia, while singer Sheena Wellington led mourners in a rendition of Robert Burns’ classic A Man’s A Man For A’ That. Scottish rock duo the Proclaimers were applauded for their performance of Cap in Hand – a pro-independence song which features the line “I can’t understand why we let someone else rule our land, cap in hand”. Brothers Craig and Charlie Reid said: “We’re going to do this for Alex, with love and respect and eternal gratitude for everything you did for our country.” Christina Hendry described her Uncle Alex as a “political giant, a strong leader, a fearless campaigner” but also remembered his as a “dearly loved husband, brother and uncle”. While she said he had been “the top man in Scotland”, he had “always made time for his family”, recalling how he phoned her brother on his birthday – the day after the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 – to apologise for not posting a card “as he’d been busy”, before telling them he would “resigning in 10 minutes”. She told the congregation: “As his family, we always felt loved no matter how far away he was or the time that passed before we saw him next. “We always knew he was standing up for our country, and for that we were grateful.” Ms Hendry continued: “The world will be a much quieter place without Uncle Alex, for Moira, for the wider family and for Scotland. “Uncle Alex passing means a great loss for many. A loss of Scotland’s voice on the international stage. A loss of integrity in Scottish politics. And a great loss to Scotland’s independence movement. “As a family it is likely a loss we will never get over.” Duncan Hamilton KC, who was an SNP MSP after the first Scottish Parliament elections, but also served as a political adviser and legal counsel to Mr Salmond, said the former first minister had “rightly been hailed as one of the greatest Scottish politicians of this, or any, generation”. He told how Mr Salmond took the SNP from being “a fringe act trying to get onto the main stage” to a party of government. “In Scottish politics, his success was both spectacular and unrivalled,” Mr Hamilton said. “Alex Salmond will forever be a pivotal figure in Scotland’s story. He changed a nation. He inspired a country. “History will certainly remember him as a man of talent, charisma and substance. But also as a political leader of courage, vision and intelligence. “He dared to dream. And so should we.” As the service finished the crowd gathered outside applauded and chanted “Alex, Alex” before singing Flower Of Scotland.fortune rabbit estratégia 。

Amidst strong Islamophobic protests from their neighbhours, a doctor couple belonging to the minority community were forced to resell their newly brought house in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad district. The events unfolded on December 3, when the Hindu residents of TDI City, a residential society in Northern Moradabad, started protesting the recent sale of a house in the colony, which Dr Bajaj, a Hindu doctor had sold to a Dr Yusuf Malik and Dr Iqra Chaudhry, who belonged to the Muslim community. The residents claimed they fear demographic changes and potential shifts in the “community’s character”. The majoritarian protestors warned and threatened even Dr Bajaj with a demonstration at the colony gate holding banners ‘Dr Ashok Bajaj Apna Makan Wapas lo’ (take your house back). The incident sparked debate and outrage after videos of the Islamophobic neighbours and their protests went viral. Many residents even went to complain about the sale at the district magistrate’s office, where they chanted slogans against both parties who had made the sale on mutual consent. Though the Constitution of India states that no one can be deprived of their private property except by law, the Muslim couple were reportedly forced to sell their newly bought house to another Hindu family. Dr Bajaj, the old owner of the house told the BBC that in a resolution meeting mediated by the city’s elected representative, the Muslim couple agreed to sell the house to a Hindu family, residents of the housing society. Dr Bajaj, who runs an eye hospital and has known the Muslim doctor couple for over 40 years, said that the uproar over the sale was “uncalled for”, reports BBC. The Muslim couple are also not comfortable anymore to move into the Islamophobic housing society, BBC reports.

ADVFN Plc ( LON:AFN – Get Free Report )’s share price was down 9.8% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as GBX 13.13 ($0.17) and last traded at GBX 14.88 ($0.19). Approximately 193,186 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 675% from the average daily volume of 24,920 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 16.50 ($0.21). ADVFN Stock Down 10.0 % The stock has a market cap of £5.21 million, a P/E ratio of -281.25 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 3.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 18.12 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 17.44. About ADVFN ( Get Free Report ) ADVFN Plc, together with subsidiaries, develops and provides financial information through the internet and research services in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company offers forex, crypto, futures, stock, and commodity market services; and market data services. It also provides financial broking, financial conference event, and other internet services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for ADVFN Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ADVFN and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .The PGA Tour is making the most sweeping changes to its eligibility in more than 40 years by eliminating 25 tour cards, along with shrinking the size of its fields. The all-exempt tour had been in place since 1983, meaning the top 125 players from the official money list — now the FedEx Cup standings — kept a full PGA Tour card the following season. That changes in 2026 after the PGA Tour policy board approved a new priority list on Monday. Only the top 100 players will earn full tour cards for the following year. The top 30 from the developmental Korn Ferry Tour used to advance to the PGA Tour. That number now goes to 20. Five players from qualifying school will get cards — it previously was the top five and ties. The tour also is doing away with 156-man fields except for two tournaments held on multiple courses. Most tournaments will have 120 players before Daylight Saving Time, then 132 players in spring and a maximum of 144 players in the summer months. Here's a look at what's behind the changes and what it means: The all-exempt tour led to a bloated membership in which nearly 200 players were on the membership rolls through one exemption or another, and those toward the bottom of the priority list could not get into all the tournaments they wanted to play. Those who graduated from the Korn Ferry Tour, for example, could only get in three or four tournaments over the first few months of the season, giving them a disadvantage. The PGA Tour believes that limited full status to the top 100 instead of the top 125 will give everyone who earns a card a fair chance at getting into regular tournaments. Priority to get into tournaments starts with winners of the majors and The Players Championship over the last five years; winners of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Memorial and Genesis Invitational the last three years; tournament winners the last two years and career money leaders. Next are the top 125; players who have been given a medical extension; and then the 45 players who earned cards from the Korn Ferry Tour, European tour and Q-school. After that are those who finished from No. 126 to No. 150 in the FedEx Cup. All of them have PGA Tour cards. But there's not room for them in every tournament. The most common refrain in golf is to play better to get better status. Those who perennially finish in the top 100 should have no trouble keeping their cards, and they will have fewer players to beat because the fields will be smaller. It also helps newcomers from the Korn Ferry Tour, European tour and Q-school. They can expect to get into every regular tournament, increasing their odds of getting into some of the $20 million signature events. The PGA Tour, already the strongest circuit in golf, is likely to be even more competitive with a greater chance of the top names in contention. The tour also hopes — this is still to be determined — it will improve the pace of play and keep rounds from spilling over into the next day. Players like Peter Malnati and Taylor Pendrith come to mind. Under the new system, neither would have had a full PGA Tour card this year and likely would not have been in the fields for the tournaments they won — Malnati at the Valspar Championship and Pendrith at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Those wins make them exempt through 2026. Players who have not performed consistently well, who seem to struggle each year just to finish in the top 125, will have to be at their best to stay on tour. The PGA Tour also is reducing the four spots from Monday qualifiers at open tournaments. Now there will only two spots for the 132-man fields and none for fields of 120 players. One of golf's charms is how one week can change a career. Then again, there has been only one Monday qualifier to win in the last five years — Corey Conners in the 2019 Texas Open. The new eligibility starts in 2026, so that puts a huge emphasis on playing well this year knowing that only the top 100 will keep full status. The four majors are not run by the PGA Tour. The Masters has the smallest field, typically fewer than 100 players. The U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship have 156-man fields. The Players Championship, the premier event run by the PGA Tour, is reducing its field from 144 players to 120. AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Islanders take losing streak into matchup with the SabresSyria’s embassy in Lebanon suspends services as Lebanon hands over former Syrian army officers

NI Holdings, Inc. Announces Leadership TransitionAAP Rolling News Bulletin for December 8 at 0500 Synagogue (SYDNEY) A spate of attacks and protests at places of worship across the country has prompted Australia's most populous state to consider new laws to better protect religious freedoms. Worshippers at Melbourne's Adass Israel Synagogue said they were "traumatised" after the building was badly damaged in an alleged anti-Semitic attack in the early hours of Friday. The incident prompted Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hit out at the Australian government, saying he expected action to prevent future violence. NSW Premier Chris Minns appeared to be heeding the call, with his Labor government vowing to explore how the state could better protect people's right to gather at places of worship free from intimidation. "I am horrified by the attack at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, and the recent sight of protests out the front of a religious institution," he said in a statement on Saturday. Mideast Syria (AMMAN/BEIRUT) Syrian rebels have entered suburbs of the key city of Homs, sources say, pressing a lightning week-long advance as front lines collapse across the country and government forces battle to save President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year rule. A Homs resident, and army and rebel sources said the insurgents had breached government defences from the north and east of the city on Saturday. The Syrian military did not immediately comment on the reports. Fighting had raged around the north of strategically vital Homs since late on Friday with government forces reinforcing and using intense air strikes to hammer the rebels. Insurgents also seized almost the entire southwest within 24 hours and advanced to within 30km of Damascus as government forces fell back to more defensible positions, rebels said. Trump (PARIS) US President-elect Donald Trump is returning to the world stage to join leaders for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, still a private citizen but already preparing to tackle a host of international crises. It will be Trump's first trip overseas since he won the presidential election in November and it could offer French President Emmanuel Macron an opportunity to play the role of mediator between Europe and the unpredictable US politician - a role the French leader has relished in the past. The two are expected to meet on the sidelines of Saturday's visit. While no agenda for their talks has been announced, European leaders are concerned Trump could withdraw US military aid to Ukraine at a crucial juncture in its war to repel Russian invaders. Mardi Gras (SYDNEY) Police will continue to march in the Mardi Gras parade, with a series of resolutions designed to banish the force participating in the annual event narrowly defeated. The reprieve follows a decision to ban uniformed officers joining the 2024 march over concerns about their sometimes-fraught relationship with the queer community. Saturday's annual general meeting hosted by parade organisers decided 493 votes to 459 against barring police from marching until they "demonstrate a commitment to improving relationships with LGBTQIA communities". Motions to ban them without an option to later reconsider the merit of allowing them back in future and letting them march but not in uniform, were also defeated. NSW Police will need to apply to participate in the parade, along with every other participant. Warehouse (WODONGA) Picketers are continuing to prevent a major Woolworths distribution centre from resuming operations in defiance of an earlier Fair Work Commission ruling. The group assembled outside a distribution centre in Melbourne's south-east on Saturday morning despite a ruling on Friday by the industrial umpire barring workers from blocking access to the site. Woolworths said its team members attempted to return to work at the centre in Dandenong but were "met by picketers who physically blocked their entry to the site". "We call on these picketers to stand down and allow safe entry to the site for our Dandenong team members who want to get back to work after more than two weeks of strikes," a company spokesperson said in a statement on Saturday. Syria Unrest (AMMAN/BEIRUT) Syrian rebels say they have seized control of the southern city of Daraa, the birthplace of a 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad and the fourth city his forces have lost in a week. Rebel sources on Saturday said the military agreed to make an orderly withdrawal from Daraa under a deal giving army officials safe passage to the capital Damascus, about 100km north. Social media showed rebels on motorcycles and others mingling with residents on the streets. People fired shots into the air at the city's main square in celebration, according to the videos. There was no immediate comment from the military or Assad's government, and Reuters could not independently verify the rebels' claim. With the fall of Daraa, Assad's forces have surrendered four important centres to the insurgents in a week. SKorea (SEOUL) South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol will address the nation ahead of a planned impeachment vote over his attempt this week to impose martial law. The speech on Saturday would be the embattled leader's first public appearance since he rescinded the martial law order early on Wednesday just six hours after it was declared, after parliament defied military and police cordons to vote against the decree. On Friday the leader of Yoon's own People Power Party said the president was a danger to the country and needed to be removed from power, increasing the pressure on him to quit even though PPP members later reaffirmed its formal opposition to his impeachment. Lawmakers will vote on the main opposition Democratic Party's motion to impeach Yoon, who shocked the nation late on Tuesday when he gave the military sweeping emergency powers in order to root out what he called "anti-state forces" and overcome obstructionist political opponents. Synagogue (MELBOURNE) The Australian government is to blame for a firebombing attack on a Melbourne synagogue according to Israel's prime minister, as the hunt continues for two suspected arsonists. The Adass Israel synagogue at Ripponlea in the city's southeast was badly damaged after suspected masked intruders allegedly broke in and set it alight in the early hours of Friday. Two of its three buildings were gutted and two congregants who were inside at the time preparing for morning prayers were evacuated, one suffering minor injuries. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the fire as an "abhorrent act of antisemitism" and said he expected authorities "to use their full weight" to prevent future attacks. Mr Netanyahu hit out at the government's support for a UN resolution calling for an end to Israel's occupation of Gaza and denying a visa to Israel's former justice minister Ayelet Shaked in recent weeks. In finance ... Markets (NEW YORK) The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 rose to record closing highs on Friday following upbeat forecasts from Lululemon Athletica and other companies and as US jobs data fuelled expectations the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates this month. The Dow finished lower, as a 5.1 per cent drop in UnitedHealth Group shares weighed on the index. The S&P 500 consumer discretionary index rose 2.4 per cent to hit an all-time closing high. It led gains among sectors, boosted by Lululemon. Shares of Lululemon Athletica jumped 15.9 per cent after the sportswear maker increased full-year forecasts. Also in the consumer discretionary space, shares of cosmetics retailer Ulta Beauty advanced 9.0 per cent after the company raised its annual profit forecast. The US Labor Department report showed job growth surged in November, but an increase in the unemployment rate to 4.2 per cent pointed to an easing labour market. In entertainment ... VanDyke (LOS ANGELES) Entertainment legendAt a town hall meeting with the bureau workforce, Mr Wray said he would be stepping down “after weeks of careful thought”. Mr Wray’s intended resignation is not unexpected considering that Mr Trump had picked Mr Patel for the role in his new administration. Mr Wray had previously been named by Mr Trump and began the 10-year term — a length meant to insulate the agency from the political influence of changing administrations — in 2017, after Mr Trump fired then-FBI director James Comey. Mr Trump had demonstrated his anger with Mr Wray on multiple occasions, including after Mr Wray’s congressional testimony in September. “My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day,” Mr Wray told agency employees. “In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work.” Mr Wray continued: “It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway — this is not easy for me. I love this place, I love our mission, and I love our people — but my focus is, and always has been, on us and doing what’s right for the FBI.” Mr Wray received a standing ovation following his remarks before a standing-room-only crowd at FBI headquarters and some in the audience cried, according to an FBI official who was not authorised to discuss the private gathering and spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press. Mr Trump applauded the news on social media, calling it “a great day for America as it will end the weaponisation of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice” and saying that Mr Patel’s confirmation will begin “the process of Making the FBI Great Again”. If confirmed by the Senate, Mr Patel would herald a radical leadership transformation at the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency. He has advocated shutting down the FBI’s Washington headquarters and called for ridding the federal government of “conspirators”, raising alarm that he might seek to wield the FBI’s significant investigative powers as an instrument of retribution against Mr Trump’s perceived enemies. Mr Patel said in a statement Wednesday that he was looking forward to “a smooth transition. I will be ready to serve the American people on day one”.

Some elite U.S. universities — including Penn — favor wealthy students in admissions decisions, lawsuit alleges

Canadian tourist's dire warning to others as she's arrested in India over common tech device By SHEILA FLYNN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 22:19 GMT, 18 December 2024 | Updated: 22:24 GMT, 18 December 2024 e-mail View comments A Canadian trail runner enjoying a months-long trip to India found herself in trouble with airport authorities in Goa after they detected an illegal item in her bag – a mini GPS device, forbidden under Indian law by legislation that’s nearly a century old. Tina Lewis, who now lives in Colorado , had already been through multiple other Indian airports without problem when she caught the attention of security in Goa. ‘I brought my Garmin inReach device as I do for many of my international trips for camping, possible mountain adventures, and to use when there is no cell reception for safety as a solo female traveler,’ Lewis wrote on Instagram this week. ‘To check in with family/friends. I was detained at airport security (CISF) in Goa and escorted to the Goan police outpost to be investigated. I was not aware a GPS device was illegal. It is a 1933 (!!!) law. According to the Indian wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933, possession of wireless telegraphy equipment without a proper license is prohibited.’ The ban encompasses satellite technology, included in the Garmin inReach Mini device, described on the company’s site as a ‘go-to connection for maintaining off-the-grid contact. ‘It’s our palm-sized satellite communicator for adventures where size and weight matter. Need assistance? Send interactive SOS alerts anytime, globally,’ it continues. ‘No matter where you are, two-way messaging lets you connect to the ones who matter ... Get connectivity and peace of mind.’ Runner Tina Lewis was forced to spend thousands of dollars fighting her case in an Indian court after being arrested for her satellite GPS Lewis brought her Garmin inReach Mini with her to ensure safety while running The description is followed by a prominent message: ‘NOTICE: Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communications devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.’ Lewis wrote that, after ‘hours of investigation, she was bailed out by a friend’s ‘lawyer connection at midnight.’ After ‘days of court,’ her case ‘was finally cleared.’ She was just the latest in a string of tourists arrested under similar circumstances. A Czech traveler was also arrested in Goa with a Garmin device earlier this month, as was an American with an actual satellite phone in Dehradun, according to local reports. ‘This outdated law needs to be challenged at higher courts so other travelers do not experience what I and others have,’ Lewis posted on Instagram, adding: ‘WARNING: carrying a GPS device in India can get you arrested!’ Lewis said she was baffled by the decades-old law that didn't come up in the majority of airports in India It took six days for her passport to be returned, she told IRunFar, and she spent thousands in court fines and lawyer fees – in addition to surrendering her Garmin device. She continued her journey throughout India, however, posting updates with photos from other regions with accompanying words like ‘Trying to get back into my rhythm...’ ‘Since receiving my passport back, I did not want to make a rash decision and just fly home,’ Lewis wrote. ‘I was not letting this experience ruin my trip. 'I took a few days to rest & reset on the beach. 'I’m not sure I will feel the same way about the country as I did before but I’m willing to at least leave with a better experience, and some good stories.’ Colorado India Share or comment on this article: Canadian tourist's dire warning to others as she's arrested in India over common tech device e-mail Add comment"Will serve America very well...": Indian diaspora group denounces 'racist' attacks on Trump's appointee Sriram Krishnan