'I feel dodgy face fillers have scarred me for life - I don’t want to look in mirror'Robert “Buddy” Murray Jr. was a freshman at Boston College when he learned that President Jimmy Carter would be sleeping in his bed on the night of Feb. 17, 1978. He and his older brother, the Rev. Frank Murray, a seminarian at Catholic University, and three sisters rushed to the family home on Maple Street in Bangor for the event. Frank Murray would catch a ride back to school in Washington, D.C., on Air Force One with the president. The former president’s decision announced Feb. 19, 2023, to go into hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia , brought memories flooding back, the brothers said shortly after. Carter died on Sunday at age 100 , more than a year after entering hospice care, The Carter Center said. Carter and a member of his staff stayed at the house with the Murray boys’ parents, Robert Murray Sr. and Laura Murray, who had lived there since the early 1950s. Their children stayed with relatives and friends around town. “Since the four oldest of us had moved out of the house and Buddy was only home for college vacations, there was no trouble finding a bedroom for the president,” Frank Murray, now 72, said. “But there was no room for the five of us. We disappeared to different places.” Buddy Murray, now 62, called Carter’s visit “a unique experience” that has stayed with him and his siblings after his parents’ deaths. “President Carter was very warm and engaging and made everyone feel at ease,” he said. Robert Murray Sr. was chairman of the Penobscot County Democratic Committee in 1978. He had been influential in reviving the party in Maine and electing Edmund Muskie governor in 1954. Muskie, who was a U.S. senator when Carter visited, was the first Democratic governor in Maine in nearly 100 years. He would serve as Carter’s Secretary of State from May 1980 until President Ronald Reagan took office in January the following year. But the patriarch of the Murray family said that politics had little or nothing to do with why the Carter White House picked the four-bedroom home at the corner Maple Street and Mount Hope Avenue in Bangor. “We just thought we were average Americans and I guess they decided we were,” he told the New York Times. Robert Murray Sr. sold appliances at Sears, which was still located in downtown Bangor. Laura Murray had returned to work as a secretary and bookkeeper after raising her children. Not everyone in town was as excited about Carter’s visit as the Murray family was. Their next door neighbor, Donald Taylor, was a printer at the Bangor Daily News in 1978, according to a New York Times article. Taylor spray painted and hung a bedsheet on his house that read, “Welcome to Cohen Country, Mr. President.” During his presidency, Carter held a series of town hall-style meetings around the country. His visit to New England on Feb. 17 and 18, 1978, included campaign stops to support Democratic candidates in Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine. He also heard from Mainers about their concerns in a 90-minute session at the Bangor Auditorium. Approximately 2,200 people attended. He touched down at Bangor International Airport at 6:16 p.m., according to the president’s daily diary. Carter attended a fundraiser at the Penobscot Valley Country Club in Orono for U.S. Sen. William D. Hathaway, who 51⁄2 years earlier had unseated Republican Sen. Margaret Chase Smith. Hathaway would lose by 22 votes to Bangor native U.S. William S. Cohen. The president arrived at the Bangor Auditorium at 7:49 p.m. and was at the podium addressing the crowd at 8 p.m. Carter’s opening remarks focused on his comprehensive national energy plan, according to a recording in University of Maine’s digital library recorded by WLBZ radio. He told the crowd that reliance on oil and the resulting high heating costs may ultimately cost Maine jobs. Area residents asked about an array of issues including business regulation, the proposed Dickey Lincoln Hydroelectric Project that ultimately was rejected, progress toward national health insurance, mental health care, funding to parochial schools, the plan to create a separate Department of Education, the appointment of women to decision-making positions, abortion, the Indian Land Claims, the Equal Rights Amendment, arms sales in the Middle East, the impact of malpractice insurance on the healthcare industry and steps taken to prevent another oil embargo in the United States like what caused gas shortages in 1973 and 1974. That is not what the national press, who traveled to Bangor with Carter during a coal miners’ strike, were interested in, according to Frank Murray. “All they wanted to know was if the president was going to invoke the emergency provision of the Taft-Hartley Act and force the miners back to work,” he said. On March, 9, 1978, Carter ordered the miners back to work but they ignored the order. The strike ended in a settlement 10 days later and the miners were back at work on March 26, 1978. Five weeks earlier, Carter arrived at the Murray house at 9:41 p.m. on Feb. 17, 1978, according to the White House daily diary. He spent some time with the family, spoke with First Lady Rosalynn Carter about 10 p.m. and was in Buddy Murray’s bed by 10:30 p.m. The next morning, Carter greeted the Murrays’ neighbors gathered outside before he headed to a breakfast at Husson College and another fundraiser for Hathaway. Air Force One took off at 9:10 a.m. for Manchester, New Hampshire. Carter was back at the White House about 2 p.m. and Frank Murray, too, was back at seminary that afternoon after his ride on Air Force One and a conversation with the president. The retired priest shared his memories of that trip in an interview about Maine politics that is archived at the Edmund S. Muskie Archives at Bates College in Lewiston. Murray served in the Maine House of Representatives from 1970 to 1974 before deciding to pursue the priesthood. “When he discovered that I was a student at Catholic U, he said to me, ‘Well gee, Frank, you might as well come back with me on Air Force One,’” Frank Murray said. “So, I flew with him, you know, from Bangor to Manchester where he had another speech, and then from Manchester to Washington.” On the plane with Carter were former Maine Gov. Kenneth Curtis and the senators from New Hampshire, the priest said. “We just had this wonderful flight, just like you’re old buddies you know, and yet, you know, this really is the president of the United States,” Frank Murray said. “You’d never, never picture yourself flying on Air Force One or having that type of casual time, chit-chatting with the president.” Carter was very interested in the seminarian’s decision to become a Catholic priest. “He spent a lot of time just talking to me about it, [asking] what’s behind all this,” the priest said. “And not just because he’s curious but more because he has a desire to be really connecting with you.” In retirement, Frank Murray lives in the family home. His brother, the judge, lives on the same street. Buddy Murray’s bedroom, where Carter slept, is a guest bedroom. The scrapbook Laura Murray kept that included photos, newspaper clippings and a handwritten thank you note left for the family from the 39th president is in a box in the attic. But there is a plaque on the front door of the house, given to the priest as a Christmas gift by one of his sisters that says: “The Murray House: Home of Robert and Laura Murray where President Jimmy Carter was an overnight guest on February 17, 1978.” More articles from the BDNslots 365 。

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Getting blown out at Green Bay following another squandered late lead the previous week against Seattle has quickly turned the San Francisco 49ers from a Super Bowl contender into a team just fighting to get back to the playoffs. If San Francisco doesn't get healthy and eliminate the errors that led to Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Packers, the focus will turn from playoff permutations to what offseason changes are necessary. “I think everyone understands completely outside and inside what the situation is,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday. “That’s why the Seattle game was so tough of a loss and that’s why last night was even worse. We know what we got ahead of us. We know exactly what the playoff situation is. That is what it is. But really, all that matters is this week when you do need to go on a run and put a lot of wins to even think of that.” The task doesn't get any easier as the Niners (5-6) get set to play at Buffalo on Sunday night. The 49ers are hoping to get injured stars Brock Purdy , Nick Bosa and Trent Williams back for that game, but their presence alone won't fix everything that went wrong on Sunday . The defense got repeatedly gashed early and put San Francisco in a 17-0 hole before the offense even generated a first down. The running game never got going as Christian McCaffrey has looked nothing like the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year in his three games back from Achilles tendinitis. And whenever the Niners appeared to do something right, a penalty came back to haunt them. It added up to the most lopsided loss for San Francisco since the 2018 season, before Shanahan had turned the Niners into perennial contenders. “It’s probably one of the worst ones I’ve been a part of,” linebacker Fred Warner said. “It is embarrassing. You’ve got to take it on the chin, take it like a man and move on.” Despite the doom and gloom, the 49ers are only one game behind Seattle and Arizona in the NFC West standings with six games to go. But San Francisco already has three division losses and a difficult schedule featuring games against the Bills this week and Detroit in Week 17. “My optimism is not broken by any means,” tight end George Kittle said. “We still have a lot of very talented players. We will get some guys back and I still have full trust in the coaching staff to put our guys in position to make plays. I have no worry about that. But definitely an uphill grind. We'll see what we’re made of, which I’m looking forward to.” Red-zone passes to Kittle. Backup QB Brandon Allen connected on a 3-yard TD pass to Kittle late in the second quarter for San Francisco's only TD. Kittle leads the NFL with eight touchdown catches in the red zone, which is tied with Vernon Davis (2013) for the most in a season for a Niners player since 2000. Kittle was the only consistent part of the San Francisco offense with six catches for 82 yards. Avoiding penalties. San Francisco had nine penalties for 77 yards and they were costly and sloppy. The Niners had 12 men on the field on defense on back-to-back plays, three false starts, a pass interference in the end zone and three penalties on special teams, including a holding on Eric Saubert that negated an 87-yard kickoff return by Deebo Samuel to open the second half. Rookie Dominick Puni had three penalties after being penalized just once in the first 10 games. DE Leonard Floyd. There were few positive performances on defense, but Floyd had both of the team's sacks. Run defense. San Francisco allowed 169 yards rushing, including 87 in the first quarter for the team's second-worst performance in the opening quarter since 1991. The Niners missed 19 tackles, according to Pro Football Focus, as Josh Jacobs gained 83 of his 106 yards rushing after contact. Purdy took part in a light throwing session without pain on Monday and Shanahan is hopeful he can return to practice Wednesday after missing the Green Bay game with a shoulder injury. ... Bosa (hip, oblique) and Williams (ankle) also could return this week after sitting out Sunday. ... LG Aaron Banks, DT Jordan Elliott and WR Jacob Cowing all in the concussion protocol. ... RG Dominick Puni (shoulder) and CB Deommodore Lenoir (knee) underwent MRIs on Monday and the team is waiting for results. ... CB Renardo Green (neck) and LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee) are day to day. 11 — The Niners generated only 11 first downs, tied for the fewest in any game in eight seasons under Shanahan. They also had 11 in the 2022 NFC title game loss at Philadelphia when Purdy hurt his elbow and in Week 2 against Seattle in Shanahan's first season in 2017. The 49ers visit Buffalo on Sunday night. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

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DTX Exchange (DTX) is gradually becoming a high-demand ERC-20 token following the successful presale rounds that sold out before time. Currently standing at a giant $9.6 million stage, DTX Exchange is poised to outshine crypto giants with its skyrocketing presale rally. Investors and retail traders rush to cash in on this emerging opportunity before it breaks out. Despite the growing number of Solana ETF applications, many in the industry have maintained skepticism regarding potential approvals. While the update from Terrett places a temporary roadblock on the Solana ETF, the regulator is not ready to entertain any new crypto ETF applications for now. Notably, there has yet to be any official rejection of the 19b-4 applications submitted by Bitwise, Canary Capital, and 21Shares, among others. With the current U.S. SEC chairman counting down the days to his departure, new possibilities are on the horizon for Solana and crypto ETFs. The update is already generating commentary on X, with community members puzzled at the resistance of collaboration by the regulator. A major conviction for many crypto ETF proponents is that the market is quickly maturing and will benefit from SEC oversight. Thus, many believe the resistance does not align with the current ecosystem progression. Paul Atkins, a former pro-crypto SEC commissioner, is set to take over from Gary Gensler in January. With his nomination, there is growing confidence that more proactive crypto policies will emerge. Recent trading activity indicates that BONK is maintaining stability at the critical $0.00004002 support level. This stabilization comes after a period of downward pressure, raising speculations of a rebound on the horizon. With bulls showing signs of resilience, the stage is set for a comeback that could redefine BONK’s near-term trajectory. As market sentiment teeters between caution and optimism, determining the meme coin’s recent hold at the $0.00004002 support level is crucial in order for investors and traders to reevaluate their positions ahead of potential volatility. On the 4-hour chart, BONK is exhibiting a steady upward trajectory despite trading below the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA). After rebounding strongly from the critical $0.00004002 support level, the asset is making strides to extend its gains, aiming toward the $0.00006247 resistance zone. A successful breach above the 100-day SMA could further validate its recovery, possibly opening the door to higher levels. DTX Exchange (DTX) has all eyes on its skyrocketing presale that’s gaining massive volumes with each passing day. As a Layer1 blockchain platform, DTX Exchange enables investors to trade cryptos, forex, equities, and contract-for-differences (CFDs). The platform features cutting-edge infrastructure and insane trading features to offer 25x opportunities. With access to over 120,000 assets across crypto, stocks and bonds, forex, and commodities, DTX Exchange (DTX) offers the pinnacle of high-velocity trading with no complex know-your-customer requirements. DTX Exchange (DTX) has secured over $2 million in a private seeding round and sold over 100 million tokens, reflecting its growing adoption. Given its current performance trajectory, expert crypto analysts think DTX Exchange (DTX) could become a game-changer for the majority of investors and retail traders as we advance to 2025. The surging demand of its highly bullish presale rally is hinting at a potential breakout for the platform, which could skyrocket its $0.12 token to 30,000% gains by January. As DTX Exchange (DTX) overshadows crypto giants Solana and BONK with its mind-blowing presale performance, investors increasingly offload other digital assets to diversify their portfolios and invest in what could become the next big thing in the volatile crypto market. Join now! Buy Presale Visit DTX Website Join The DTX Community Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.Vikings, Eagles win and move nearer to clinching playoff spots

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It's been an interesting year for the stock market. The broader benchmark S&P 500 ( ^GSPC -1.11% ) blazed roughly 24.5% higher (as of Dec. 27), thanks largely to eight high-flying tech stocks with market caps exceeding $1 trillion. Market breadth has not been good this year. The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF is only up about 12%. Roughly 360 stocks in the S&P 500 have posted returns below the broader market's average. Of those, 168 stocks are trading in the red this year. This means the market is fairly lopsided right now and there are plenty of opportunities to find good stock bargains if you do your homework. According to Wall Street analysts, there are at least two high-yielding dividend stocks that have trailed the broader market in 2024 but are expected to perform well in 2025. Pfizer: Down 7.5% in 2024 The drugmaker Pfizer ( PFE 0.23% ) has been struggling with a hangover ever since the COVID-19 pandemic eased and there is now less demand for its vaccines and Paxlovid drug treatment. Shares are down roughly 7.5% this year and 48% since the end of 2022. While markets have outperformed, Pfizer has gone in the opposite direction. However, Pfizer is working hard to take the revenue it earned from its COVID-19 business and develop new drugs in a range of medical conditions, including cancer. Management is forecasting the company may be able to create eight landmark medications by 2030. Analysts are also encouraged by the company's 2025 guidance of $61 billion to $64 billion of revenue, with analysts at BMO saying the guidance implies earnings growth in 2025 and seems conservative. Nineteen analysts have published research reports on Pfizer over the last three months, with eight giving the company a buy rating, 10 hold, and one sell. The average implied price target suggests about 19% upside from current levels, according to TipRanks. The best part is that Pfizer has an annualized dividend yield close to 6.5%. After cutting its dividend in 2009, Pfizer has consistently paid a steadily growing dividend that is now up nearly 169% since mid-2010. On the company's most recent earnings call, management said it's committed to maintaining and growing the company's dividend, while analysts expect diluted and operating earnings to outpace the company's $1.73 of annual dividends for the foreseeable future, according to data from Visible Alpha. Realty Income: Down 8.3% in 2024 The commercial real estate investment trust (REIT) Realty Income ( O -0.77% ) has also missed out on the bull run this year, with its stock price down roughly 8.3%. Rising interest rates have hit Realty Income hard in recent years. Higher rates make the cost of capital that REITs tend to borrow more expensive while also putting pressure on tenants. Realty Income has been around for over five decades and now is the seventh-largest REIT in the world with roughly $58 billion of gross real estate value. The company also describes 90% of its properties as resilient when faced with economic downturns and/or e-commerce pressures. Its three largest industries are grocery, convenience, and dollar stores. Twelve analysts have issued a research report on Realty Income over the last three months, with three giving the company a buy rating and nine saying hold. The average price target implies about 19% upside over the next year or so, according to TipRanks. While risks from higher yields and a potential recession always seem prevalent for REITs, Realty Income has a strong balance sheet and is one of eight public REITs in the S&P 500 with investment-grade credit ratings. The company has also begun to invest in new verticals like data centers that have significant growth opportunities, given what's happening with artificial intelligence . Realty Income has also been rock solid with its dividend and has paid 652 consecutive monthly dividends (that's more than 54 years). The yield is near 6%, and Realty Income has a 4.3% compound annual growth rate on its dividend since 1994.COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Maryland turned the ball over 25 times, blew a 17-point lead and was outrebounded in the second half. Coach Brenda Frese still had plenty to be happy about. “I thought it was a phenomenal game from two really competitive teams,” Frese said. “Credit Michigan State. We knew they were going to play hard for 40 minutes.” No. 8 Maryland faced its biggest test in a while Sunday, and the Terrapins held off the No. 19 Spartans 72-66 . It wasn’t a pretty game from an offensive standpoint, but the Terps were able to execute when they needed to at the end. Up by two in the final minute, Shyanne Sellers found Christina Dalce on a pick-and-roll for an easy layup with 36.3 seconds left — her only points of the game. Michigan State didn’t score again, falling short in this matchup between two ranked Big Ten teams. This was nearly a clash of unbeatens, but the Spartans (11-2, 1-1 Big Ten) lost to Alabama in their last game before this one. Maryland (12-0, 2-0) has equaled the second-best start in team history. “It’s one of the most competitive groups I’ve ever coached,” Frese said. “It’s not really about being undefeated. Of course we love it. I think it shows just the work that they’re putting in. But for us, as long as we just continue to keep our head down and work hard through this process, I think that’s where you’re seeing the results pay off.” The Terrapins beat Duke last month, but this was their first ranked opponent since. It was a physical game in which rebounds were not for the faint of heart. “One thing I’ve loved about our team all year is our effort’s always been in a great space,” said Michigan State coach Robyn Fralick, whose team had a 10-1 edge in offensive rebounds in the second half. Maryland let a big lead get away, but with the score tied at 57, Saylor Poffenbarger and Bri McDaniel made 3-pointers to put the Terps up by six. McDaniel had to leave the game earlier in the fourth after falling to the ground with a thud, but she was able to return. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball Read more NCAA basketball at thestar.comSyrians poured into streets in celebration on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule . Russian state news agencies were reporting that President Bashar Assad and his family had arrived in Moscow and were given asylum. Russia said Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag. Others ransacked the presidential palace and residence. Abu Mohammed al-Golani , a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago leads the biggest rebel faction in Syria and is poised to chart the country’s future. He made his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, at the capital’s sprawling Umayyad Mosque, and called himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa. He said Assad’s fall was “a victory to the Islamic nation.” The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Israel has issued warnings to villages in southern Syria and its forces seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights. Here's the Latest: The Israeli military said on Sunday it was reinforcing a barrier along its border with Syria as part of its “enhanced preparedness” in the area following the fall of the Assad regime. Israel released images of the construction, which showed bulldozers digging what appeared to be a trench. The army said in a statement that the barrier was named “New East.” Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began building what could be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria . The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarized zone during the work. Over the weekend, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israel’s presence along the border with Syria. Russian state news agencies reported that ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family and been given asylum. The agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source. The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the reports but had contacted the Kremlin for comment. CAIRO — The Arab League on Sunday condemned Israel for taking advantage of Syrian President Bashar Assad's downfall by moving into more Syrian territory. Hours after Assad’s overthrow, Israel announced it had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights that was established by a cease-fire agreement with Syria in 1974. In a statement, the Arab League said Israel illegally sought to occupy more territories. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement regarding Syrian territory had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating Israel taking over as a “temporary defensive position.” UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations secretary-general is marking the “fall of the dictatorial regime” in Syria and says the future of the country is “is a matter for the Syrians to determine.” A statement by Antonio Guterres also called for calm and the protection of the rights of all Syrians as well as of diplomatic and consular facilities in Syria. He said there is much work ahead to ensure an “orderly political transition to renewed institutions,” and he called on the international community to ensure that “any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, in all their diversity.” KYIV, Ukraine - Ukraine’s top diplomat on Sunday responded to Assad’s ouster by describing him as a “dictator” who relied on Russia to prop up his rule - a reference to the military campaign Moscow has waged in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow Assad’s government to fight armed opposition groups and reclaim control over most of the country. "Assad has fallen. This has always been and will be the case with all dictators who bet on Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him,” foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X. In a separate update on the social network, Sybiha said Kyiv was ready to take steps towards restoring relations with Syria, severed months into Russia’s full-scale invasion of the neighboring state. Kyiv broke off diplomatic ties after Damascus in June 2022 recognized Kremlin-occupied parts of eastern Ukraine as independent territories, in a move welcomed by Moscow and decried by the West as a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. JERUSALEM — The Israeli military has issued a warning to residents of five villages and towns in southern Syria to stay inside their homes for their safety. “The fighting in your area is forcing the IDF to act,” the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman said on X. The military didn’t respond to questions. Earlier, Israel said its troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned their positions. Defense Minister Israel Katz said on X that the IDF has been instructed to “seize the buffer zone and control points to ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan Heights – Jewish and Druze – so that they are not exposed to threats from the other side.” Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied. BEIRUT - The leader of the largest insurgent group in Syria visited the Syrian capital’s sprawling Umayyad Mosque and declared that the victory against President Bashar Assad “is a victory to the Islamic nation.” Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, made his first public appearance and remarks since fighters entered Damascus. He told hundreds of people at the historic mosque that Assad had made Syria “a farm for Iran’s greed.” He added that Assad made Syria a base for the illegal amphetamine Captagon that brought cash to Assad’s circles. Al-Sharaa, the leader of the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, said Sunday that the victory was achieved because of “God and the blood of martyrs.” He said that he left Syria 20 years ago and since then his heart has longed for this movement. AMMAN, Jordan — The vast majority of the Jordanian people are welcoming the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the success of the Syrian revolution. “There is no doubt that I felt overwhelming joy at the fall of the Assad regime," said Badi Al-Rafaia, Engineer, union activist and member of the Islamic Action Front. "There is no doubt that we are happy with what happened in Syria, happy with the success of the revolution, happy with the Syrian people getting rid of an oppressor and criminal who treated the Syrian people and made the Syrian state a failed state.” Al-Rafaia said that Jordan is benefiting from what happened in Syria, and "we hope that Jordan will help the revolution succeed and not work against it.” Amman resident Muhab al-Majali said the fall of the Assad regime is “The end of every unjust and tyrannical rule, and more than that, it mortgaged the country and its people to the Iranians, who abandoned it in minutes... I believe that the future is beautiful and prosperous for the Syrians.” BERLIN — The International Committee of the Red Cross is calling for safe humanitarian access and protection of civilians in Syria after the fall of Bashir Assad’s government. “Our teams in Syria, including in Damascus, have been closely monitoring the fast-evolving security and humanitarian situation in coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent,” the ICRC’s head of delegation in Syria, Stephan Sakalian, said in a written statement Sunday. The ICRC is “responding wherever possible, with further efforts underway, as hundreds of thousands of people need care and humanitarian assistance,” he said. Sakalian called “on all parties to urgently enable safe and unhindered access for medical and humanitarian workers to reach those in need, to protect civilians, and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.” BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government said in a statement Sunday that it “supports all international and regional efforts seeking to open a dialogue” for Syria “leading to the adoption of a pluralistic constitution that preserves the human and civil rights of Syrians, and supports cultural, ethnic and religious diversity.” The statement from government spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi, said that Iraq understands “the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians, and stresses that the security of Syria, the unity of its territories, and the preservation of its independence are of utmost importance, not only for Iraq but also for its connection to the security and stability of the region.” It cautioned against “interfering in Syria’s internal affairs, or supporting one party for the benefit of another.” Iraq, which has a close relationship with Iran - once a strong ally of former Syrian President Bashar Assad - has taken in some 2,000 Syrian army soldiers who fled the country amid the advance of armed opposition groups. CAIRO — The head of Yemen’s internationally recognized government welcomed the fall of the government of President Bashar Assad of Syria. “It’s a historic moment,” Rashad al-Alimi, who chairs the ruling presidential council, wrote on X platform of Assad’s downfall. “It’s time for the Iranian regime to stop meddling in Yemen, respect its sovereignty and identity.” Al-Alimi, who is backed by Saudi Arabia, was referring to Iran’s support of Houthi rebels who are at war with Yemen’s internationally recognized government for a decade. DAMASCUS — Families wandered through the high-ceilinged halls of the presidential palace in Damascus on Sunday, along with some armed men. Some paused to take family portraits or selfies on the few remaining couches against the backdrop of mosaiced walls, while others walked out with chairs and other items under their arms. On the massive parking lot out front, cars drove in circles honking ecstatically. In central Damascus’ Umayyad Square, drivers passing by also honked jubilantly, while young men piled onto a tank abandoned in the square. But for some the celebration was bittersweet. “I am very happy, but this happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of the prison and know where is he is,” said Damascus resident Bassam Masr. “I have been searching for him for two hours - he has been detained for 13 years.” TEL AVIV, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria. He spoke from an overlook near the border between Syria and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, after Syrian rebels tore through the country and dramatically ended Assad’s rule on Sunday morning. Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover as a “temporary defensive position.” Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied Syrian territory. Satellite images analyzed by the Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began construction of what could possibly be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria . The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarized zone during the work. The United Nations maintains a peacekeeping force in the demilitarized zone called the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, or UNDOF, with around 1,100 peacekeepers from Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Nepal, and Uruguay. After the 1973 Mideast war, the U.N. Secretary Council voted to create UNDOF to patrol a roughly 400 square kilometer (155 square mile) demilitarized zone and maintain the peace there. DAMASCUS, Syria — An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported airstrikes in the area of the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the capital Sunday. The airport has previously been targeted in Israeli airstrikes, but it was not immediately clear who launched Sunday's strike. The Israeli military refused to comment on the airport strike. Israel often does not publicly claim responsibility for attacks in Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported that Israeli warplanes also targeted warehouses belonging to the Syrian army’s Fourth Division and another former military site outside of Damascus Sunday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israel’s presence along the border between Israel and Syria. Agricultural areas along the border were declared closed military zones and some schools shifted to online classes in anticipation of unrest.

A man accused of stealing military weaponry will face court over the alleged theft of a missile launcher and firearm parts. or signup to continue reading Police searched the home of the 55-year-old from South Plympton, a suburb southwest of CBD, on December 28 after receiving a tip that stolen weapons were stashed in his house. A decommissioned missile launcher and an empty dual carrier for missiles were allegedly found at the Jervois Street home. A "large amount of firearms" including rifle barrels, magazines, firing pins and trigger assemblies were also seized, investigators said. A number of and a military backpack were found with the weapons, police said. The seized items were allegedly stolen from another house in South Plympton. The 55-year-old man has been charged with serious criminal trespass and theft along with a number of other offences. He was refused bail to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on December 30. Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au 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 AdvertisementTikTok is worked up over Kraft’s gluten-free mac and cheese. Here’s the scoopJimmy Carter: Nobel-winning humanitarian and ex-US president dies aged 100