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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Sunday that the U.S. government believes missing American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared 12 years ago near the Syrian capital, is alive and that Washington is committed to bringing him home after Bashar Assad’s ouster from power in Damascus. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Sunday that the U.S. government believes missing American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared 12 years ago near the Syrian capital, is alive and that Washington is committed to bringing him home after Bashar Assad’s ouster from power in Damascus. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Sunday that the U.S. government believes missing American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared 12 years ago near the Syrian capital, is alive and that Washington is committed to bringing him home after Bashar Assad’s ouster from power in Damascus. “We think we can get him back,” Biden told reporters at the White House, while acknowledging that “we have no direct evidence” of his status. “Assad should be held accountable.” Biden said officials must still identify exactly where Tice is after his disappearance in August 2012 at a checkpoint in a contested area west of Damascus. “We’ve remained committed to returning him to his family,” he said. Tice, who is from Houston and whose work had been published by The Washington Post, McClatchy newspapers and other outlets. A video released weeks after Tice went missing showed him blindfolded and held by armed men and saying, “Oh, Jesus.” He has not been heard from since. Syria has publicly denied that it was holding him. The United States has no new evidence that Tice is alive, but continues to operate under the assumption he is alive, according to a U.S. official. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. will continue to work to identify where he is and to try to bring him home. His mother, Debra, said at a news conference Friday in Washington that the family had information from a “significant source,” whom she did not identify, establishing that her son was alive. “He is being cared for and he is well — we do know that,” she said. The Tice family met this past week with officials at the State Department and the White House. “To everyone in Syria that hears this, please remind people that we’re waiting for Austin,” Debra Tice said in comments that hostage advocacy groups spread on social media Sunday. “We know that when he comes out, he’s going to be fairly dazed & he’s going to need lots of care & direction. Direct him to his family please!” AdvertisementWednesday, December 18, 2024 The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Cvent have announced a three-year partnership, with Cvent joining as AHLA’s latest silver premier partner. Under this collaboration, Cvent will serve as the preferred registration technology platform and event registration sponsor for AHLA’s key signature events. As a global leader in event and hospitality technology, Cvent will enhance AHLA’s capabilities as the association continues to expand its portfolio of trade shows and conferences. The partnership also includes thought-leadership initiatives, offering AHLA members essential industry insights, expert event management strategies, and best practices for innovative technology solutions. “Cvent is a longtime global leader in meetings, events, and hospitality technology, and we are thrilled to be working hand-in-hand with them to foster meaningful connections across our industry,” said AHLA Chief Operating Officer and Senior Executive Vice President Kevin Carey . “Cvent will be a vital collaborator as AHLA continues to unite hoteliers, employees, vendors, and other industry partners via our world-class events and conferences.” “As the largest hotel association representing all segments of the U.S. lodging industry with a highly engaged network of hospitality professionals, we are incredibly excited to embark on this partnership with AHLA,” said Cvent Head of Hospitality Bharet Malhotra . “Over the last 25 years, Cvent has become a global marketplace where hoteliers and event professionals collaborate to create exceptional event experiences, and we are honored to bring our expertise to AHLA’s distinguished events. We look forward to collaborating with AHLA to support their member community and accelerate their success.” Through this partnership, Cvent will soon provide comprehensive support for AHLA and AHLA Foundation events, including registration, event diagramming, attendee management, engagement tools, a mobile event app, and onsite check-in with badging. Events benefiting from this technology include ForWard, Night of a Thousand Stars, OFF-SITE The Classic, and regional editions of The Hospitality Show.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has said his administration is committed to the implementation of a Food System Transformation Pathways which promotes access to safe and nutritious food for all Nigerians. A Government House statement made available on Sunday said that the governor spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, during a two-day bi-annual zonal review meeting on implementation of FSTP, organised by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic planning. Food System Transformation Pathways was introduced by the United Nations following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and the attendant food crisis. It is to address food security issues in countries all over the world. It is anchored on three core pillars: home garden, school garden, and farm estate practices. According to the statement by the Assistant Press Secretary, state Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Afolabi Temple, the zonal meeting, which took place between Thursday November 21 and Friday, November 22, drew participants from 13 Northern and Southern states including Ogun, Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo, Nassarawa, Plateau, Niger, Kogi, Oyo, Osun, FCT, Benue and Kwara which is the host. AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, said Kwara is leaving no stone unturned to achieve the objectives of the programme. “Over 300 public primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools have school farms which also include Animal husbandry like poultry, fishery and hoat and sheep rearing,” he said. He said there is a synergy between the State Committee for Food and Nutrition and the Committee for the Food Systems Transformation Pathways to strengthen nutrition activities and ensure that nutritious food is available to eradicate malnutrition in the state. Related News NYSC deploys 1700 corps members for batch C orientation in Kwara Kwara pledges support for tech startups Cult war: Okpebholo pledges to ensure security during Yuletide He commended the Federal Government for the choice of Kwara State as the host, calling the convention a significant milestone in the journey to transform Nigeria. The Commissioner for Finance, Dr Hauwa Nuru, said the state under AbdulRazaq is already championing the food security programme through numerous supports for crop farmers in the state. “The meeting is about food security. Our state is already doing a lot with the governor championing this. Our cluster farmers are regularly supported with land allocation and farm inputs, the same way the government is encouraging backyard farming. So, a lot will be achieved in terms of increasing our food production,” Dr Nuru said. On his part, the commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Olohuntoyosi Thomas said Kwara is doing greatly in term of farm estate, home garden and school farming, adding that over three hundred schools are already being supported by state government on crop production and animal husbandry. “So far in Kwara State, we have over one hundred clusters which are the same as farm estates. That ranges between 20 to 5 hectares. As a result of that we have been able to improve our productivity. We have done four interventions out of which 70 percent went to clusters,” she said. The National Convener for FSTP and Director of Social Development, Federal Military of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Sanjo Faniran, said climate change, erosion, unwillingness of youth to farm, and drought are some of the challenges facing the agriculture sector in the country that can be addressed through FSTP. “All the states of federation are included and brought together. Each state is expected to implement those tractions and value chains that will change the narrative in the food system so that the food security can be guaranteed”, he said. “Nigerians should be involved in planting instead of crying that there is no food. When you are involved in planting at the back of your house, if you don’t have land, you can use plastic to plant vegetables. You can use a sack to plant yam”, she said.New Complaint Contends 'Vaporware' Strategy and Systematic Anti-Competitive Practices Destroyed Competition for Internet Connectivity in Business Aviation CHARLOTTE, N.C. , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartSky Networks, LLC today filed a comprehensive antitrust lawsuit against Gogo, Inc. and Gogo Business Aviation, LLC ($GOGO) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (Case 3:24-cv-01087), alleging illegal monopolistic practices in the air-to-ground (ATG) broadband inflight connectivity market for business aviation. The lawsuit alleges multiple violations of federal antitrust laws, including the Sherman Act and Clayton Act, as well as North Carolina state tort laws and the Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, claiming that Gogo engaged in predatory pricing, misleading advertising, and exclusive dealing agreements to maintain its monopoly position in the ATG market. SmartSky is pursuing this case to protect innovation as well as to seek justice for unfair business practices. The company's complaint contends that a systematic campaign of misinformation and exclusive dealing arrangements effectively blocked SmartSky's access to critical distribution channels and created insurmountable barriers to market entry, stifling the innovation and competition customers depend on. The lawsuit seeks substantial damages potentially exceeding $1 billion . The legal action aims to address the alleged harm to competition and consumers in the aviation connectivity market. This new Complaint is separate and apart from the Intellectual Property case (Case 1:22-cv-00266-JLH) SmartSky previously filed against Gogo in Delaware . The trial of that case is scheduled to begin in April, 2025. SmartSky is represented by Rik Tozzi , of Burr & Forman, LLP. About SmartSky Until ceasing business operations in August, 2024, SmartSky Networks, LLC was an aviation technology company that developed and launched an innovative air-to-ground network for business aviation, offering superior connectivity solutions through advanced telecommunications technology and infrastructure. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smartsky-files-1b-antitrust-lawsuit-alleging-gogo-business-aviation-acted-as-an-abusive-monopolist-302334142.html SOURCE SmartSky Networks

NoneJudge Arun Subramanian said at a hearing that he will release his decision on Combs' latest request for bail after Combs’ lawyers and federal prosecutors file letters addressing outstanding issues. Those letters are due at noon on Monday, Subramanian said. Combs’ lawyers pitched having him await trial under around-the-clock surveillance either his mansion on an island near Miami Beach or — after the judge scoffed at that location — an apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Their plan essentially amounts to putting Combs on house arrest, with strict limits on who he has contact with. But prosecutors argue that Combs has routinely flouted jail rules and can't be trusted not to interfere with witnesses or the judicial process. “The argument that he’s a lawless person who doesn’t follow instructions isn’t factually accurate,” Combs lawyer Anthony Ricco argued. “The idea that he’s an out-of-control individual who has to be detained isn’t factually accurate.” Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years with help from a network of associates and employees while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings. His trial is slated to begin May 5. The Bad Boy Records founder remains locked up at a Brooklyn federal jail, where he spent his Nov. 4 birthday. Two other judges previously concluded that Combs would be a danger to the community if he is released and an appeals court judge last month denied Combs’ immediate release while a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals weighs his bail request. Friday's hearing was the second time Combs was in court this week. On Tuesday, a judge blocked prosecutors from using as evidence papers that were seized from his cell during jail-wide sweep for contraband and weapons at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. As he entered through a side door, Combs waved to relatives including his mother and several of his children in the courtroom gallery, tapping his hand to his heart and blowing kisses at them. He then hugged his lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, before taking a seat at the defense table. He was not handcuffed or shackled and wore a beige jail uniform, occasionally pulling a pair of reading glasses from his pocket as he peered at papers in front of him. Prosecutors maintain that no bail conditions will mitigate the “risk of obstruction and dangerousness to others” of releasing Combs from jail. Prosecutors contend that while locked up the “I'll Be Missing You” artist has orchestrated social media campaigns aimed at tainting the jury pool. They allege that he has also attempted to publicly leak materials he thinks would be helpful to his case and is contacting potential witnesses via third parties. “Simply put, the defendant cannot be trusted,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik argued. Combs’ lawyer Teny Geragos countered that, given the strict release conditions proposed, “it would be impossible for him not to follow rules.”

5 reasons why Penn State's offense is averaging almost 450 yards per game

BEREA, Ohio — If Dustin Hopkins had to have someone breathing down his neck at a time like this, he’d just assume it be young kicker Riley Patterson, to whom he opened up his home after the Browns signed him last Christmas. Patterson, 25, was signed by the Browns a day after Hopkins pulled his hamstring chasing down Dameon Pierce on a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Christmas Eve victory over the Texans. He kicked in the final two regular-season games, making his lone field 33-yard field goal attempt in the playoff-clinching victory over the Jets, and 4 of 5 extra points. In the 45-14 playoff loss to the Texans, Patterson made both of his PATs. No one was happier for him than his temporary roomie Hopkins. “Riley’s a great dude, so I’m glad if they’re going to have somebody in, that it’s somebody that I think is a good person,” Hopkins said Wednesday. “Riley’s great. Obviously I’m aware of it, and it’s part of our job. It never feels good when typically a position with one person in the building, there’s two. So it’s not like I’m acting like it’s a great thing. But at the same time I just don’t purposely think about the things that are out of my control, and that includes decisions that the team makes.” More Cleveland Browns coverage Who is next man up in the Browns' cornerback room with Greg Newsome II on season-ending injured reserve? How will the Browns handle their kicking situation this week? Berea Report (Video) Talking Browns decisions, Cavs who stepped up, and Guardians trades: Wednesday’s Sports 4 CLE Week 15 NFL Preview: Find everything you need to know with our Week 15 NFL preview. Likewise, Patterson, in his fourth-year out of Memphis, is an enthusiastic member of the mutual admiration society. “To be clear, Dustin is the man,” Patterson said. “He’s awesome. I’m a huge fan of him. You guys all know him. Dustin’s awesome. I was here last year with him. I mean, he let me stay at his place. He’s awesome. But I’ve just been a big fan of his in general. And I’ve also, everywhere that I’ve been, I haven’t been the only kicker on the roster. So I’m very well aware of how these situations work. So there’s a good way to do it and not a good way to do it. And between me and him, it will be awesome. So we’ll just get better together. The fact that Patterson, in his third year out of Memphis, showed up on the doorstep at all this week is at least a mild surprise. After Hopkins missed two more kicks during Sunday’s 27-14 loss to the Steelers, Kevin Stefanski stated emphatically twice, “He’s our kicker.” He doubled down on that sentiment on Monday, saying, “we’ll get through it together. He’s a veteran. He’s been through a lot in his career already and this is something we’ll continue to work through.” On Tuesday, the Browns brought Patterson in for a tryout, and signed him to the practice squad that afternoon to possibly be available to kick Sunday against the Chiefs. On Wednesday, Stefanski explained the thinking process for bringing in Patterson, 25, and didn’t guarantee that Hopkins will kick vs. the Chiefs. “A guy that we know was in here last year,” Stefanski said. “We’ll work through all those types of decisions this week. Don’t have a final decision. Dustin’s our kicker, but we’ll work through all that.” Might Hopkins benefit from a break after missing 6 of his last 9 kicks to fall to 16 of 25 (64%) on the season? Last season, he made 33 of 36 field goals and set the Browns record for most in a season. He also went a remarkable 8-for-8 from 50 plus. The performance was stellar, the Brown signed him to a three-year extension through 2027 worth $5.3 million a year, making the fifth-highest paid kicker in the NFL at the time. He’s currently tied for 8th. “It’s all those things we need to just work through,” Stefanski said. “And like I told you guys the other day, Dustin’s a guy that I trust. He’s a veteran that has been through a lot in his career and he will work through this. We’ll work through this one together.” Patterson, signed by the Vikings as an undrafted rookie out of Memphis in 2021, has appeared in 40 career games with the Lions (2021 and 2023), Jaguars (2022), Browns (2023) and Jets (2024). He’s made 59 of 67 field goal attempts and 96 of 100 PATs. This season, he played one game for the Jets against the Texans, making all three of his extra point attempts. “You’re always preparing to make every kick that you’re asked to go out there for, whether it’s practice or games,” he said. “I have no idea, but my job is to be ready for anything, and if they pull me up, they do. If they don’t, then they don’t. So I’m just thankful to be here. I’ll be ready to go if they need me to do for anything. So that’s my position on it.” Hopkins, deeply religious, isn’t kicking himself while he’s down. “If I didn’t have my identity in the Lord and it was wrapped up in just who I was as a football player, when something like this would happen, your whole life crumbles,” he said. “As opposed to this being a storm that I’m weathering, and I’m not acting like it’s an easy thing, but at the same time, my whole world is not crumbling. It’s something that I’m navigating, that you’re pushing through, and that you’re drawing strength from the most important thing.” Stories by Mary Kay Cabot How will the Browns handle their kicking situation this week? Berea Report (Video) Browns TE David Njoku in jeopardy of missing Chiefs game; WR Cedric Tillman returns to practice Does Deshaun Watson have a future with the Browns? Orange and Brown Talk He vowed to keep working to be the best version of himself, including trying to find a swing thought that will shake him out of the slump. “Even when something really, quite frankly, sucky is going on in your life, you can trust that it’s for your good,” he said. “And it might just mean building character and perseverance, a number of things that are working on me as a man. It doesn’t guarantee success on the field or anything else you’re trying to pursue in life, but you can draw strength in knowing that, ‘hey, I’ll be better off on the back end of this than I am right now.’” Hopkins’ close friend Jameis Winston, who goes all the way back to Florida State with him, noted that Hopkins’ wife, Gabrielle, has been back home taking care of their autistic son, Wake, and their infant son by herself and that it’s been tough on the family. “We had a great talk on Thanksgiving because it’s been challenging for Dustin because his family hasn’t been able to be with him because his amazing wife has been taking care of Wake and their youngest son back home,” Winston said. “So Dustin is a family man, and I think in terms of his schedule, in terms of his preparation, he requires to have his loved ones around him. That’s how he functions. So I know that has been definitely challenging him, but he also knows that the responsibility that he has in this building. “So I just continue to lift him up and continue to encourage him, ‘Hey, man, look who you’re doing in for. You are strong and courageous. You are an amazing human being, so don’t focus on what you’re lacking.’ And right now he’s lacking that love and affection from his family. ‘Just focus on what you have, man. And I know I can’t give to you what your wife can give to you, but, man, I love you and I’m going to be there for you regardless of the circumstances.’” Hopkins has tried to keep his slump in perspective. “People’s jobs and careers are important, so I’m not trying to discount not only my own, but anybody’s job or career,” he said. “It’s an important part of our life. But we shouldn’t be crushed when something isn’t going our way, knowing that know 20 years from now, my family is not going to care about my stat line from when I played ball back in the day. I still want to excel at this game, and that’s part of the job and I want to do well, and it sucks not doing well. But at the same time, I just reflect on what’s important.” He might even have a new temporary roommate again to help him through the rough patch. Football Insider newsletter free trial: Take a minute and sign up for a free trial of our Football Insider newsletter, featuring exclusive content from cleveland.com's Browns reporters.Pakistani police arrest thousands of Imran Khan supporters ahead of rally in the capital

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