sg777 casino It’s that time of year again. The days are short, the weather is miserable, and it seems like an eternity ago that you had some stress free time to yourself. It’s also the time of year when well-meaning contributors; be they friends, family or a stranger like myself, feel the need to offer you their best advice on how to get through the end of the semester. As students, we are all too familiar with the frequently rehashed, generic tips about minimising anxiety as exam season looms. I went digging through my emails from last year’s exams to find the stress-minimising tips the chemistry department offered us as we slogged through textbooks and notes just days before our first exam. It read; “Look after yourself – Sleep, eat, exercise, downtime”. This resembles more of a ‘how to be a human’ memo rather than helpful advice for exhausted, desperate students trying to get through the toughest weeks in the academic year. There is, of course, a reason why people offer up the same tips that we have heard since our school days – they’re tried and tested and prevent us from slipping into a state of study-induced delirium, by reminding us that we are only human and that this too shall pass. With that being said, I’d like to offer the generic, and personal, advice that I will utilise to manage my anxiety in the coming weeks, and how it might hopefully be of some help to you too. I think a good place to start when I feel anxiety kick in is to take my thoughts outside. The confines of a study space are often both literally and figuratively cluttered and unorganised, which prevents me from tackling my anxiety coherently. The physical act of moving; be it walking, running or playing a sport, has the ability to transform my outlook on a situation and help me shift my response to anxiety from emotional to logical. This is where I set out my goals and deadlines and how I’ll approach them. On the topic of messy study spaces, a surefire way to minimise academic anxiety is to have an organised and structured approach for the coming weeks. I find that keeping a folder of notes for each subject and a cache of past exam paper questions, with the necessary stationery and technology to complete your work, is the best place to start. If you study from home or a student accommodation, try to maintain a designated study space, that you keep clean and as distraction-free as possible. Those of you who frequent the library and are eager people watchers, pick a quiet spot away from high-traffic areas to keep yourself focused. It applies to everyone, but I really recommend keeping phone usage to a minimum. I think it’s a great idea to give your phone to a friend or study companion, or if you really have to, stash it away in your locker or somewhere you can’t easily access it. Having someone to hold you accountable makes it more difficult to deviate from the goals you set yourself. I believe studying with others is one of the most effective techniques that has helped me through many previous exam seasons, while maintaining some degree of sanity. Whether you choose to study a topic in a group or simply have a friend sit on the same floor of the library as you while you work through an assignment, it reinforces a sense of comradery and communal anxiety. Furthermore, having someone who you know you can talk to at a moment’s notice, or take a walk with to discuss your feelings, is often exactly the kind of reassurance that students need during this difficult period. Small gestures can go a long way, so remember to do something for a friend who might need a little boost to get them through an anxious patch. All of this is not to say that despair and panic cannot still overwhelm us, despite our best efforts. Something that I do every time I feel like I’m unable to control my academic outcomes is remind myself of a time I succeeded. It’s easy to forget the hard work and effort that got us to where we are in the first place. A reminder of that can be incredibly rejuvenating in times of desperation. It is normal to feel a loss of control in all aspects of our lives during the coming weeks, so if you feel this way, plan something small. It might include a celebration with your coursemates after exams or just a coffee meet up with a friend. It’s the small things we do that serve as proof that we can control our outcomes, and sometimes all we need is a nudge in the right direction to get us started. November can be a difficult month for students, however, it doesn’t have to be that way. As the semester comes to an end, allow yourself time to acknowledge your feelings and remember that while you are a student, you are also human. Try to be cognisant of the realities of academic anxiety so that you don’t get too swept up in the constant pressure of exam season. The Big Band Bash, organised by DU Alternative Music Society, was where the cool kids could be found on 19th November. Four bands, each... Throughout Irish history attempts have been made to hold fashion weeks, seeing limited success. Many consider the Irish Export Fashion Fair... Set within the beloved, gothic Graduates Memorial Building (GMB), Friday, November 15 saw Trinity Arts Festival (TAF) takeover the building... “Whatever you do, don’t use a bicycle in Dublin” a former student advised a visiting student. This warning raises some concerns about... Santis O’Garro is a hands-on money mentor who specialises in helping people manage and budget their finances. She also likes to call...

The cooking show's viewers were captivated by Xiang Zuo and Zhao Xiaohua's infectious energy and passion for food. The couple's ability to blend traditional flavors with modern techniques was on full display, as they whipped up a series of mouthwatering dishes that left the audience craving for more. From savory stir-fries to decadent desserts, Xiang Zuo and Zhao Xiaohua's culinary creations showcased their culinary prowess and creativity. - Antibiotics are commonly used to treat Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. However, due to the high resistance rate, it is essential to follow medical advice and complete the full course of antibiotics.With November being Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the Peeples Cancer Institute, Hamilton Diagnostics Center and Hamilton Physician Group – Specialty Care are reminding people that early detection can save the lives of those diagnosed with lung cancer. If you are a smoker or former smoker, ask your doctor if you should be screened for lung cancer. It is a painless, 10-minute test that could save your life. Low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screenings are available for those who are age 50 to 80, are active smokers or who quit smoking less than 15 years ago, or have a 20-pack-per-year smoking history. This screening is often covered under insurance policies. Please check with your insurance carrier. To calculate “pack per year” smoking history, multiply the number of packs per day you usually smoke by the number of years you have smoked. For example, two packs a day times 15 years would amount to 30 packs per year. If you or someone you love receives a cancer diagnosis, it is important to know that the Peeples Cancer Institute at Hamilton Medical Center provides quality cancer care with the latest cancer-fighting technology and compassionate cancer care, all under one roof. The institute includes: — Board-certified medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgeons. — State-of-the-art radiation therapies. — Customized treatment plans. — Genetic testing and counseling. — Patient navigation and oncology social work services. Ask your doctor about a lung cancer screening. If you need a primary care physician, please visit VitruvianHealth.com for a list of providers near you. To schedule a low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening, please call (706) 272-6565. An order from your healthcare provider is required for the test. If you are a smoker, you’re encouraged to get help to quit. The Peeples Cancer Institute hosts an eight-week quit smoking program each quarter throughout the year. Overseen by a certified facilitator, the program was developed by the American Lung Association. For more information, visit VitruvianHealth.com/quit . Submitted by Vitruvian Health.

Additionally, the renewed focus on "moderate easing" may also indicate a shift in thinking towards a more proactive and preemptive approach to economic management. Rather than waiting for crises to unfold before implementing policy measures, policymakers are now considering the preemptive application of "moderate easing" to address potential risks and vulnerabilities before they escalate. This proactive stance reflects a growing recognition of the need for nimble and responsive economic policies in an increasingly interconnected and complex global economy.None

Funding research for economic return sounds good – but that's not how science really works

Through sheer determination and unwavering perseverance, the granddaughter's efforts paid off when she stumbled upon her grandmother, weakened but alive, hidden in a secluded grove. The elderly woman had managed to survive by ingesting wild plants and herbs that her granddaughter had taught her about in the past.Amid claims that the controversial Tax Reform Bills propose a derivation formula for sharing Value Added Tax (VAT) skewed against the North, the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, has dismissed the allegations as unfounded saying it would favour the North. In a Christmas message personally signed by him, Senator Bamidele maintained that the proposed legislation is “guided purely by the principles of equity, fairness, and justice.” The Senate Leader noted that, contrary to the narrative being promoted in the public space by certain lawmakers from the North, the derivation formula on VAT actually favors certain states in the North West. “For the record, the Tax Reform Bills, when finally enacted, will utterly exempt all employees earning N1,000,000 annually or N83,000 monthly; exempt start-ups, shared services, and technologically driven services from taxation; and recommend zero VAT on essential services and consumables. “Even though it reviews the derivation formula to 60%, this proposal is guided purely by the principles of equity, fairness, and justice. “The new model will ultimately guarantee a significant increase in VAT distributable to every state in the federation. ALSO READ: BREAKING: Tax reform is here to stay — Tinubu “As credible data have shown, for instance, the new model recommends 6.17% for Kano compared to the current 0.89%. It recommends 1.21% for Zamfara compared to the current 0.05%. Meanwhile, Lagos, which currently gets 80.26%, will receive 15.28% under the new model, representing an 81% decrease. “Similarly, Rivers’ share will decline from 7.74% to 4.6%, accounting for a 41% reduction. With these figures, the narrative around the new derivation model is utterly incorrect and unfounded.” Senator Bamidele added, “Amid the debates about the Tax Reform Bills, as Christ our Lord has taught us, and as the Parliament of the people, we shall never pursue any agenda outside our oath of allegiance or undertake policy initiatives that are adversarial to or conflict with the interests and welfare of all our constituents and indeed our Fatherland.” The Senate Leader also appealed to Nigerians to embrace the spirit of the Christmas season to renew their hope in the country. “This is the season never to shy away from the eternal responsibilities God Almighty has committed to our hands. It is the season to renew our resolve to faithfully stand with the political leadership for the renewal of hope. “It is the season to halt the search for pastures that are never green and instead join hands to build our nation with conviction, rebranding it for the ceaseless inflow of global capital and the endless influx of global tourists.” NIGERIAN TRIBUNEShare a virtual helicopter with fair dinkum Hollywood royalty as the secrets of ancient landscapes are conquered by high-tech drones in Australia's vast, rugged northwest. or signup to continue reading "It gets under your skin. It's one of the last truly great wildernesses left on Earth," Luke Hemsworth, older brother to Liam and Chris, tells fellow explorers on a virtual flight into the Kimberley region. Isolation has helped to preserve the remote part of Western Australia as a biodiversity hotspot and keeper of deep-time stories. It is home to some of the world's biggest tides, rock formations that date back two billion years, and the world's oldest rock art galleries that have layers of images where artists have returned several thousand years after the first painters. Hemsworth says the area has always had an "inexplicable pull" for him, so when he finished high school in Melbourne he flew to the remote northwest region of Australia to work on a pearl farm and explore. He was also an obvious choice for the latest ground-breaking virtual reality (VR) documentary from award-winning Australian filmmaker Briege Whitehead. "There really is nowhere else like it on the planet," Hemsworth says, as narrator of The Great Kimberley Wilderness by White Spark Pictures. Whitehead says it took four years to create the 35-minute film, the first of a three-film deal with the National Museum of Australia, the Western Australian Museum, Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum and ScreenWest. "There's a lot of innovative technology that's going into it ... for the night-time lapses in particular," she said. A scene where the Milky Way perfectly aligns within Cathedral Gorge, which only happens for three nights of the year, required custom-built equipment they developed with tech giant Canon and local firm Camera Electronic. Otherwise, the cameras used for 360-degree filming look like giant soccer balls, with eight lenses around them to create the sense of immersion. "It is essentially eight cameras in one, to achieve shots like that," Whitehead explained. Nor was there a drone set-up available off the shelf that could carry a 6.5kg, 360-degree camera so they customised that with internationally renowned , which also worked with environmentalist Bob Brown on his recent film The Giants. White Spark Pictures says it is the first in the world to produce high-resolution video that is 360-degree and 3D, with drone shots that are then stabilised using their own technology. "We shoot everything between 8K and 12K, so as VR headsets get better and better, it's already future-proofed," Whitehead said. "We do all our sound mixing at Warner Bros in LA, and this was the first film that we've done theatrical VR sound mix - it's a first in the world for this medium, which is also why it sounds so amazing." Working with more than 11 Indigenous communities, Whitehead said creating the sense of presence required a "very fine balance" to be struck in what stories they wanted to tell - to simultaneously avert future foot traffic and welcome people to explore in the right way. The audience can journey to the three-tiered waterfalls in Carr-Boyd Ranges, filmed on Miriuwung Country, and to Oomari (King George Falls), filmed on Balanggarra Country, where a tourist could not go for cultural reasons. Aerial views of the pindan cliffs coastline at Walmadany (James Price Point), filmed on Jabirr Jabirr Country, take virtual explorers to the stunning headland north of Broome that was once a proposed location for a gas terminal. White Spark Pictures' head of operations Benn Ellard said the one thing they wanted people to take away from the film was a sense of belonging. "VR as a medium is a powerful tool for empathy ... by building a connection to country and to have people care for country as if it was their own," he said. The doco has debuted in Perth and opened on Boxing Day at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementSEOUL, South Korea — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who stunned the world this week by declaring martial law, has narrowly avoided being impeached, as his party's lawmakers boycotted the parliamentary vote on his ouster Saturday. The motion by opposition lawmakers accused him of insurrection, calling his decree an unconstitutional self-coup. "The president has betrayed the trust of the people and has lost the right to carry out state affairs," the impeachment motion read. Thousands of protesters had gathered outside the National Assembly to cheer on his removal. Now protests are expected to build. "We will not give up. We will prevail," liberal opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said after the motion fell through. "By Christmas, we will bring people the end-of-year gift of restoring the country to normalcy." The liberal party said it would submit the motion again at the next parliamentary session on Wednesday — and every week after that until it passes. The question is whether enough members of Yoon's conservative ruling party will vote to oust him while he still has two-and-a-half years remaining in his term, potentially ceding the presidency to the liberal opposition. Impeaching Yoon requires the support of at least two-thirds of the 300-member National Assembly — or 200 votes. Because the opposition coalition holds 192 seats, impeachment requires eight or more votes from Yoon's conservative People Power Party. In the days following the martial law declaration, a handful of ruling party legislators had indicated they would at least consider impeachment. But only three of them showed up for the vote Saturday, with the remaining 105 leaving the plenary hall in protest. Outside the National Assembly, the crowd gathered to call for Yoon's removal let out a cry of frustration. Among them were citizens who had traveled from hours away and college students studying for exams in the throng while keeping one eye on the news. "Arrest Yoon Suk-yeol!" they chanted as they marched down the promenade. In declaring martial law Tuesday, Yoon railed against the opposition-controlled National Assembly, which he accused of being a "den of criminals" and North Korea-sympathizers. Gen. Park An-su, whom Yoon designated as his martial law commander, subsequently suspended all political activity and declared the media under the military's control. For many in South Korea , the move chillingly harked to the country's past military dictatorships. But three hours after Yoon's decree, legislators — many of them scaling the gates of the locked-down National Assembly — unanimously voted to overrule Yoon, requiring him to lift the decree. On Saturday morning, in a two-minute address to the nation, Yoon apologized for inconveniencing the public and said that he had been motivated by "desperation." While Yoon reportedly told his officials and party members that his decree was meant to send a message to an adversarial legislature — which has filed numerous impeachments against his appointees and moved to investigate his wife on charges of graft and stock manipulation — many, including his own party members, say they believe he had much more sinister motives. Han Dong-hun, the leader of the People Power Party, said that there were signs that the special forces soldiers who had stormed the National Assembly were acting on orders to arrest him and other legislators. Opposition leader Lee, whom Yoon narrowly defeated in the presidential election two years ago, has said the same. "We've confirmed that President Yoon ordered the arrest of major politicians on the grounds that they were anti-state forces," Han said at a party meeting Friday. "I don't think we can pretend like nothing happened." While stating that this was based on "credible" sources, Han did not elaborate, offering only that these plans would be made public in due time "through various channels." In a meeting with Han that same day, Yoon denied giving such an order, Han said. Hong Jang-won, a senior official at the National Intelligence Service, the country's spy agency , told lawmakers Friday that Yoon called him to order the arrest of several lawmakers, including party leaders Lee and Han. Spy chief Cho Tae-yong has disputed Hong's allegations. Yet even while condemning the martial law declaration as unconstitutional and acknowledging that Yoon must ultimately be removed from office, Han and most of his party allies balked at impeachment. For the South Korean conservatives, impeachment is their exposed nerve, and they have reason to tread lightly. The first and only South Korean president to be successfully impeached was conservative Park Geun-hye, who was later investigated and jailed on corruption charges. Her downfall splintered the conservative camp and opened a path for liberal successor Moon Jae-in, whose term conservatives refer to as "the lost five years." Crucial to the success of Park's impeachment was a bloc of conservative legislators who joined the opposition to vote in favor. It is why many party stalwarts are determined to avoid the same fate this time around. "We cannot have any more traitors surrendering to the enemy, like the time with Park Geun-hye," Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo wrote on social media Wednesday. Instead, Yoon's party members have floated more moderate solutions that would make way for Yoon's "orderly resignation," such as revising the constitution to shorten Yoon's term, transferring some of his presidential powers to the prime minister or forming a bipartisan Cabinet. In his recent public address, Yoon said he would leave his fate to the party, hinting that he may relinquish much of his authority to Han, should he avoid impeachment. The liberal opposition has rejected any alternatives to impeachment, calling Yoon a "ticking time bomb." "He is in a very troubling mental state right now. We don't have time to discuss something like 'an orderly resignation,' " liberal party spokesperson Yoon Jong-kun told reporters Saturday morning. "Only Yoon's immediate removal from official duties and impeachment can alleviate the anger of the people and South Korea' s plummeting international credit rating." The liberal party has said that it would propose the motion again Wednesday. "We are going to propose it repeatedly," Lee Jae-myung said, "until it goes through." ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

In conclusion, the ongoing airstrikes by the Israeli military targeting Syrian air defense bases represent a dangerous escalation of tensions in the region, with the potential to spark a wider conflict with far-reaching consequences. Urgent diplomatic efforts are needed to defuse the situation and prevent a further deterioration of the already fragile security environment in the Middle East.

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Insurgents reach gates of Syria’s capital, threatening to upend decades of Assad ruleAs we reflect on the sale of the ruby slippers and the impact of movie memorabilia on popular culture, we are reminded of the lasting influence that cinema has on our lives. Films like "The Wizard of Oz" continue to resonate with audiences of all ages, inspiring us to follow our dreams and believe in the power of magic. The ruby slippers, now valued at $32.5 million, will continue to captivate and enchant generations to come, ensuring that the legacy of Dorothy and her unforgettable journey lives on.

In a significant development, the Mahayuti alliance has resolved the ongoing tussle over Maharashtra's leadership. On Saturday, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Ajit Pawar announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will appoint the Chief Minister, while NCP and Shiv Sena will each secure a Deputy Chief Minister role. The decision, which came after a series of meetings among coalition leaders, including a crucial gathering in Delhi with senior BJP officials like Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda, has set a clear path for forming the government. Despite earlier reports of discontent and delays, particularly allegations that caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had withdrawn due to frustrations, Shiv Sena leaders have assured that matters will proceed smoothly. Shinde, currently recuperating from a minor illness, is expected to return soon to finalize the cabinet. Amid these political maneuvers, BJP's state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced that the oath-taking ceremony for the new government will be held on December 5, 2023, at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. The event will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, further emphasizing the central support for the alliance. (With inputs from agencies.)

Israeli airstrikes killed a hospital director at his home in northeastern Lebanon and six others, while at least five paramedics were killed by Israeli strikes in the country's south on Friday, Lebanon's Health Ministry said. The United Nations reported heavy clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon. Four Italian peacekeepers were lightly wounded when a rocket, likely fired by Hezbollah, hit their base, the U.N. said. A full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in September after nearly a year of lower-intensity conflict. More than 3,640 people have been killed in Lebanon and 15,350 wounded, the majority following Israel’s escalation and ground invasion, the Health Ministry said Friday. In Gaza, Israeli strikes hit Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the northernmost part of the territory, wounding nine medical staff and damaging its generator and oxygen systems, the hospital director said Friday. More than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry said. It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but it has said that more than half of the fatalities are women and children. Israel launched the war in Gaza after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250 . Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Here’s the Latest: DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli strikes hit Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the northernmost part of Gaza, wounding nine medical staff and damaging its generator and oxygen systems, its director said Friday. Hossam Abu Safiya said strikes before dawn Friday hit the entrance of the emergency unit as well as in the hospital courtyard. He said six staff were wounded, including two critically. Friday night, he said an armed drone hit the entrance again, wounding three staffers. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Abu Safiya said the strikes caused damage to the functioning of the generator and disrupted oxygen supplies. The hospital is currently treating 85 wounded, 14 children in the pediatric ward and four newborns in the neonatal unit, he said. During the past month, Kamal Adwan Hospital has been hit several times, was put under siege and was raided by Israeli troops, who are waging a heavy offensive in the nearby Jabaliya refugee camp and towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya. The Israeli military says it detained Hamas fighters hiding in the hospital, a claim its staff denies. BEIRUT — An Israeli airstrike killed the director of a university hospital and six others at his home in northeastern Lebanon, state media said. The strike targeted Dr. Ali Allam’s house near Dar Al-Amal Hospital, the largest health center in Baalbek-Hermel province, which has provided vital health services amid Israel's campaign of airstrikes, the Health Ministry said. State-run media reported that the strike came without warning. The ministry described his death as a “great loss,” and provincial governor Bachir Khodr said in a post on X that, “Mr. Allam was one of the best citizens of Baalbek.” In two separate episodes on Friday, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed five paramedics with Hezbollah's medical arm, the Health Ministry said, describing it as “war crime.” The militant group provides extensive social services, including running schools and health clinics. In a report published Friday, the World Health Organization said nearly half of all attacks on health care in Lebanon since Oct. 7, 2023, have resulted in fatalities. “This is a higher percentage than in any active conflict today across the globe,” WHO said. In Lebanon, 226 health workers and patients were killed and 199 were injured between Oct. 7, 2023, and Nov. 18, 2024, the report said. The Health Ministry said Friday that 3,645 people have been killed in nearly 14 months of war between Hezbollah and Israel, while 15,356 were wounded, the majority following Israel’s escalation in late September. The death count includes 692 women and 231 children. UNITED NATIONS – Two rockets hit a headquarters of the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, injuring four Italian peacekeepers, the United Nations says. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the rockets were likely launched by Hezbollah militants or by affiliated groups Friday, impacting a bunker and a logistics area in the southwest headquarters at Chamaa. One of the structures that was hit caught fire, and the blaze was swiftly put out by U.N. staff, he said. According to Italy’s Defense Ministry, some glass shattered due to the explosion, hitting the four soldiers. Dujarric said the four injured peacekeepers were receiving treatment at the medical facility of the mission, known as UNIFIL. “Thankfully, none of the injuries are life-threatening,” he said. Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto called the attack on the UNIFIL base “intolerable.” He reiterated that the Italian contingent remains in southern Lebanon “to offer a window of opportunity for peace, and cannot become hostage to militia attacks.” Dujarric said Friday’s attack was the third on Chamaa in a week and came amid heavy shelling and ground skirmishes in the Chamaa and Naqoura areas in recent days. UNIFIL’s main headquarters is in Naqoura. Friday’s attack follows a rocket attack on a UNIFIL base east of the village of Ramyah on Tuesday that injured four peacekeepers from Ghana. Dujarric said UNIFIL strongly urges Hezbollah and its affiliates and Israel to avoid fighting near its positions, which are supposed to be protected. “We remind all parties that any attack against peacekeepers constitutes a serious violation of international law” and the U.N. Security Council resolution that ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, he said. BEIRUT — Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs and the southern port city of Tyre on Friday, after the Israeli army issued several evacuation warnings saying it is targeting Hezbollah sites. The strikes in Beirut came dangerously close to central Beirut and Christian neighborhoods. One strike hit a building housing a gym and medical and beauty clinics, located just meters (yards) from a Lebanese army base. “What is there in the building to target? This attack they carried out on us in this building is a criminal and vile act,” resident Hassan Najdi told The Associated Press. “Because if their intention is targeting Hezbollah, this building has nothing to do with Hezbollah.” Najdi said he purchased an apartment in the building last year but had not yet moved in. He allowed a displaced family to move in and urgently asked them to evacuate after receiving the Israeli warning. The blasts sent plumes of smoke into the air and shattered glass in the vicinity. No casualties have been reported, but the strikes caused damage to nearby infrastructure and a key road connecting central Beirut to its southern suburbs. “We remain steadfast,” said Ali Daher, an employee at a mall facing the targeted building. “Everything that is lost can be replaced, and whatever is destroyed can be rebuilt in (no time).” In Tyre city, the Israeli military conducted multiple airstrikes after a series of warnings, claiming the targets belonged to Hezbollah’s Aziz unit, accusing it of firing projectiles into Israel. The Israeli military carried out other airstrikes across Lebanon, many without warnings, as heavy fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah in villages along the Lebanon-Israel border intensified. ROME — Italy said Friday it plans to discuss the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court over the Israel-Hamas war when it hosts Group of Seven foreign ministers next week. Premier Giorgia Meloni insisted that one point remained clear for Italy: “There can be no equivalence between the responsibilities of the state of Israel and the terrorist organization of Hamas.” Italy is a founding member of the court and hosted the 1998 Rome conference that gave birth to it. But Meloni’s right-wing government has been a strong supporter of Israel after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, while also providing humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. In a statement Friday, Meloni said Italy would study the reasonings behind the decision to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas’ military chief. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy respects the ICC and supports it. “But at the same time we are also convinced that the court must have a judicial role, and should not take up a political role.” Tajani will host G7 foreign ministers Monday and Tuesday outside Rome for the final meeting of the Italian G7 presidency. “As far as decisions are concerned, we will take them together with our allies,” Tajani said. During the G7 meetings, “we will talk about this with my allies there, and we will see what to do next.” Another member of the governing coalition, the outspoken Transport Minister Matteo Salvini was more defiant in supporting Israel. “If Netanyahu comes to Italy he will be welcomed,” Salvini was quoted by Italian media as saying. This item has been updated to correct that Salvini spoke of a potential Netanyahu visit to Italy, not Israel. ROME — Four Italian soldiers were slightly injured after two exploding rockets hit the United Nations' peacekeeping mission base on Friday in Chamaa in southern Lebanon, Italy's defense ministry said. Initial information suggested that two rockets hit a bunker and a room of the mission base, damaging the surrounding infrastructure, the ministry said. Shattered glass hit the four soldiers. The incident was the latest in which UN peacekeeping posts have been hit since Israel began its ground invasion of Lebanon on Oct. 1, leaving a number of peacekeepers wounded. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto called Friday's attack “intolerable.” He said he will try to speak to the new Israeli Defense Minister to ask him “to avoid using the UNIFIL bases as a shield.” Crosetto said the conditions of the four Italian soldiers “did not cause concern.” He reiterated that the Italian contingent remains in southern Lebanon “to offer a window of opportunity for peace and cannot become hostage to militia attacks.” Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni on Friday said she learned about the new attack with “deep indignation and concern.” Meloni reiterated that “such attacks are unacceptable,” renewing her appeal for the parties on the ground “to guarantee, at all times, the safety of UNIFIL soldiers and to collaborate to quickly identify those responsible.” GENEVA — The World Health Organization says nearly half of the attacks on health care in Lebanon have been deadly since the Middle East conflict erupted in October last year, the highest such rate anywhere in the world. The U.N. health agency says 65 out of 137, or 47%, of recorded “attacks on health care” in Lebanon over that time period have proven fatal to at least one person, and often many more. WHO’s running global tally counts attacks, whether deliberate or not, that affect places like hospitals, clinics, medical transport, and warehouses for medical supplies, as well as medics, doctors, nurses and the patients they treat. Nearly half of attacks on health care in Lebanon since last October and the majority of deaths occurred since an intensified Israeli military campaign began against Hezbollah militants in the country two months ago. The health agency said 226 health workers and patients have been killed and 199 injured in Lebanon between Oct. 7, 2023 and this Monday. JERUSALEM — Israel’s new defense minister said Friday that he would stop issuing warrants to arrest West Bank settlers or hold them without charge or trial — a largely symbolic move that rights groups said risks emboldening settler violence in the Israeli-occupied territory. Israel Katz called the arrest warrants “severe” and said issuing them was “inappropriate” as Palestinian militant attacks on settlers in the territory grow more frequent. He said settlers could be “brought to justice” in other ways. The move protects Israeli settlers from being held in “administrative detention,” a shadowy form of incarceration where people are held without charge or trial. Settlers are rarely arrested in the West Bank, where settler violence against Palestinians has spiraled since the outbreak of the war Oct. 7. Katz’s decision was celebrated by far-right coalition allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. National Security Minister and settler firebrand Itamar Ben-Gvir applauded Katz and called the move a “correction of many years of mistreatment” and “justice for those who love the land.” Since Oct. 7, 2023, violence toward Palestinians by Israeli settlers has soared to new heights, displacing at least 19 entire Palestinian communities, according to Israeli rights group Peace Now. In that time, attacks by Palestinian militants on settlers and within Israel have also grown more common. An increasing number of Palestinians have been placed in administrative detention. Israel holds 3,443 administrative detainees in prison, according to data from the Israeli Prison Service, reported by rights group Hamoked. That figure stood around 1,200 just before the start of the war. The vast majority of them are Palestinian, with only a handful at any given time Israeli Jews, said Jessica Montell, the director of Hamoked. “All of these detentions without charge or trial are illegitimate, but to declare that this measure will only be used against Palestinians...is to explicitly entrench another form of ethnic discrimination,” said Montell. BERLIN — A German official has suggested that his country would be reluctant to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. The ICC’s warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant put Germany, a staunch ally of Israel, in an awkward position. The government said in a statement Friday that it is one of the ICC’s biggest supporters, but “at the same time, it is a consequence of German history that unique relations and a great responsibility connect us with Israel.” The government said it takes note of the arrest warrants and that “we will examine conscientiously the domestic steps.” It said that any further steps would only be an issue if a visit by Netanyahu or Gallant were “foreseeable.” Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit was pressed repeatedly at a regular news conference on whether it would be conceivable to arrest an Israeli prime minister. He replied: "It’s hard for me to imagine that we would carry out arrests in Germany on this basis.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Friday refused to comment on the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others, saying that the court's rulings are “insignificant” for Russia, which doesn’t recognizes the court’s jurisdiction. The ICC last year issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and a number of other top Russian officials, accusing them of war crimes in Ukraine. The Kremlin has brushed off the warrants, saying that in Moscow’s eyes they’re “null and void.” Asked if the ICC warrants for Netanyahu and others can help resolve the tensions in the Middle East, Peskov said: “Well, in general, the actions of the ICC are unlikely to help anything. That’s the first thing. And secondly, we don’t see any point in commenting on this in any way, because for us these rulings are insignificant.” DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Large crowds of displaced people crammed themselves in front of a bakery in the Gaza Strip for the second day in a row, desperate to get their share of bread after bakeries closed for five days due to a flour shortage and the lack of aid. “I am a 61-year-old man. This is the third day that I have come to Zadna Bakery and I still cannot get bread ... I have children to feed,” said Majdi Yaghi, a displaced man from Gaza City. The price of a small bag of pita bread increased to $16 by Friday, a stark increase from about 80 cents last month. A bag of pasta now costs $4 and a small bag of sugar costs nearly $14. That has left many Palestinian families surviving on one meal a day and reliant on charitable kitchens to survive. In Khan Younis, women and children lined up at the al-Dalu charitable kitchen for bulgur, the only food available at the makeshift charity. One of the workers there, Anas al-Dalu, told the AP that they cook ten pots every day of either rice, beans, or bulgur. But that hardly fills the need for the thousands of people displaced in the area. “The charity here is in a difficult situation. It is a drop in the ocean, and there is no aid or charities. There is nothing," said Nour Kanani, a displaced man from Khan Younis. “It is a crisis in every sense of the word. There is no flour, no charities, and no food.” BEIRUT — Israeli troops fought fierce battles with Hezbollah fighters on Friday in different areas in south Lebanon, including a coastal town that is home to the headquarters of U.N. peacekeepers. A spokesperson for the U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL told The Associated Press that they are monitoring “heavy clashes” in the coastal town of Naqoura and the village of Chamaa to the northeast. UNIFIL’s headquarters are located in Naqoura in Lebanon’s southern edge close to the border with Israel. “We are aware of heavy shelling in the vicinity of our bases,” UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said. Asked if the peacekeepers and staff at the headquarters are safe, Tenenti said: “Yes for the moment.” Several UNIFIL posts have been hit since Israel began its ground invasion of Lebanon on Oct. 1, leaving a number of peacekeepers wounded.However, recent incidents have tarnished the reputation of the 707 Special Forces unit. From failed operations to embarrassing blunders, the once-flawless elite forces have become the subject of jokes and ridicule in the public eye. Videos and memes mocking their missteps have gone viral, painting a picture of incompetence and ineptitude that stands in stark contrast to their past legacy.

In the end, John's persistence in the face of adversity only led him further away from his goal. His journey serves as a poignant reminder that true self-discipline requires more than just outward displays of commitment. It demands honesty, introspection, and a willingness to confront one's inner demons.2819 35th Ave., Greeley. $14,650,000. Buyer: Elk Lakes Owner LLC. Seller: Rainier Elk Lakes SC Acquisition. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.

Keith Jones: NHL Veteran Turned Commentator and Flyers Executive