AP News Summary at 3:08 p.m. ESTMALAGA, Spain (AP) — The last man to face — and beat — Rafael Nadal in professional tennis, 80th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp , converted his 10th match point Friday to finally close out a 6-4, 6-7 (12), 6-3 victory over Daniel Altmaier and help the Netherlands reach its first Davis Cup final by sweeping Germany. Tallon Griekspoor, who is ranked 40th, sealed the 2-0 win for the Dutch in the best-of-three-match semifinal by hitting 25 aces and coming back to defeat Jan-Lennard Struff 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4. When it ended, appropriately, on an ace, Griekspoor shut his eyes, dropped to his knees and spread his arms wide. “We have been talking about this for two, three years,” Griekspoor said. “We believed in ourselves so much. We always felt like this was possible. To do it now feels unbelievable.” The other semifinal is Saturday, with No. 1-ranked Jannik Sinner and defending champion Italy taking on Australia . The championship will be decided Sunday. “We don’t have that top 5 player. We don’t that top 10 player. We don’t have that top 15 player,” Dutch captain Paul Harhuuis said. “But it’s a team effort. ... So proud of these guys.” In Friday's opener, van de Zandschulp was up a set and just a point away from leading 5-2 in the second when Altmaier began playing more aggressively and interacting more with the German fans, yelling and throwing uppercuts or raising his arms after key points. In the tiebreaker, Altmaier managed to save five match points before converting his own fourth set point to extend the contest. But van de Zandschulp — who upset four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz at the U.S. Open — quickly moved out front in the final set, even if he eventually needed five more match points in the last game before serving it out. “At some point, I didn’t know what to do any more on the match points,” van de Zandschulp said. “I had the toughest match of my life on Tuesday (against Nadal), so everything that comes next is maybe a little bit easier.” In the quarterfinals, van de Zandschulp outplayed Nadal for a 6-4, 6-4 result that marked the end of the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s career because the Netherlands went on to eliminate Spain 2-1. The 38-year-old Nadal announced last month that the Davis Cup would be his final event before retiring. Presumably because people purchased tickets ahead of time with plans to watch Nadal compete in the semifinals, there were hundreds of unoccupied blue or gray seats surrounding the indoor hard court at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martina Carpena in southern Spain on Friday. Now truly a neutral site, the place was not nearly as loud and rowdy as on Tuesday, although there were shouts of “Vamos, Rafa!” that drew laughter while van de Zandschulp played the 88th-ranked Altmaier. It took Griekspoor more than 75 minutes and nearly two full sets to figure out how to break No. 43 Struff and then did it twice in a row — to lead 6-5 in the second set, and then go up 1-0 in the third. That was plenty, because Griekspoor saved the only two break points he faced. The Netherlands hadn’t been to the semifinals since 2001. The Germans — whose best current player, two-time major finalist Alexander Zverev, is not on the team in Malaga — have won three Davis Cups, but not since 1993, when 1991 Wimbledon champion Michael Stich led them to the title. ___ AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis Howard Fendrich, The Associated PressSyrians rejoice as Assad flees, ending brutal reign

Kansas City (14-1) at Pittsburgh (10-5) Wednesday, 1 p.m., EST, Netflix. BetMGM NFL Odds: Chiefs by 2 1/2. Against the spread: Chiefs 7-8; Steelers 10-5 Series record: Steelers lead 25-14. Last meeting: Chiefs beat Steelers 42-21 in the first round of the playoffs on Jan. 16, 2022, in Kansas City. Last week: Chiefs beat Texans 27-19; Steelers lost to Ravens 34-17 Chiefs offense: overall (13), rush (15), pass (12), scoring (11). Chiefs defense: overall (3), rush (3), pass (17), scoring (3). Steelers offense: overall (19), rush (11), pass (25), scoring (12). Steelers defense: overall (11), rush (8), pass (20), scoring (7). Turnover differential: Chiefs plus-4; Steelers plus-16. Chiefs player to watch WR Marquise Brown, who hurt his shoulder on the first play of the preseason and landed on injured reserve, made an impressive regular-season debut against Houston last week. “Hollywood” caught five passes for 45 yards, including an early 13-yarder that converted a fourth down and led to an eventual touchdown. But perhaps most importantly, Brown's mere presence kept Houston from double-teaming Xavier Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins and Travis Kelce all afternoon. Steelers player to watch LB T.J. Watt. The perennial All-Pro is dealing with an ankle injury and had a quiet game in the loss to Baltimore, finishing with just four tackles and didn’t have a single hit against Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. Pittsburgh's best chance at pulling the upset relies heavily on disrupting Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes at every turn. To do it, Watt will need to do some Watt-like things. The 30-year-old leads the NFL in forced fumbles for a defense that thrives on takeaways. Key matchup Steelers RBs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris against the Chiefs rush defense, which is ranked third in the NFL and allowing just 91.4 yards per game. The Chiefs held the Texans' Joe Mixon to just 57 yards rushing last week, the latest in a season-long trend of shutting down top running backs. The Browns' Nick Chubb had 41 yards the previous week, and the Ravens' Derrick Henry, the Falcons' Bijan Robinson and the Saints' Alvin Kamara are among those who have similarly struggled against Kansas City. Key injuries Chiefs: LT D.J. Humphries (hamstring) and CB Chamarri Conner (concussion) are likely to miss a second straight game. DT Chris Jones (calf) and RT Jawaan Taylor (knee) are iffy after getting hurt against Houston. Steelers: WR George Pickens (hamstring) should return after missing the past three games. S DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and DT Larry Ogunjobi (groin) may also be back after sitting the past two weeks. Starting CB Joey Porter Jr. (knee) and backup wide receiver/special teams ace Ben Skowronek (hip) are out. Series notes The Steelers have dominated the series, leading 23-14, but the Chiefs have won the past three games. That includes a 42-21 rout in their most recent matchup in the wild-card round of the playoffs on Jan. 16, 2022 — the last game played by Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Prior to the Chiefs' three-game win streak, the Steelers had won three in a row, including an 18-16 victory in the divisional round on Jan. 15, 2017, that they won despite not scoring a touchdown. Stats and stuff Kansas City can clinch the No. 1 seed and first-round playoff bye with a win over the Steelers, or if the Bills lose or tie when they play the Jets on Sunday. ... Pittsburgh has dropped two straight, but can still earn its first AFC North title since 2020 by winning its last two games. ... The Chiefs can set a franchise record for regular-season wins with their 15th by beating Pittsburgh or Denver in their regular-season finale, breaking a tie with the 2020 and ‘22 teams. ... The Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes needs three TD passes to break Peyton Manning’s record of 244 for a QB's first eight seasons. Mahomes did not start as a rookie and has played just 111 games while Manning played 128 over that span. ... Mahomes has dominated the Steelers so far in his career, throwing 14 touchdowns without a pick while leading Kansas City to three victories in as many tries. ... Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins has an NFL-leading 177 straight games with a catch. TE Travis Kelce is second with 173. ... Kelce has 76 TD catches, tied with Tony Gonzalez for the Chiefs record. Kelce has 79 total TDs, four shy of Priest Holmes' franchise record. ... WR Xavier Worthy has five TD catches, tied for the sixth most by a rookie in Chiefs history. Worthy also has three TD runs, and the eight total is also tied for sixth most in franchise history. ... Chiefs DB Trent McDuffie has intercepted a pass in back-to-back games. He did not have a pick in his first 48 games. ... This is the 12th game in Steelers history to be played on Wednesday and the first since 2020, when a showdown with the Ravens was repeatedly postponed because of COVID-19 issues. Pittsburgh is 5-6 all time on Wednesdays. ... A healthy Pickens will likely give the Steelers passing game a serious boost. QB Russell Wilson is averaging just 167.7 yards per game in Pickens' absence, down from 271 yards per game with Pickens in the lineup. ... This is Pittsburgh's first regular-season game against a team with 14 wins. ... The Steelers have five wins against the defending Super Bowl champions since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. ... Pittsburgh is 26-12 in Weeks 17 and 18 since the start of the 1990 season, the second-most wins in the NFL over that span behind Green Bay (28). ... The Steelers have won seven straight games and 12 of their past 13 the week following a loss of at least 17 points. ... Pittsburgh leads the NFL with 31 takeaways. and has forced at least two turnovers 11 times. Fantasy tip It might be championship week in your league, so why not turn to a championship quarterback. Mahomes has earned the benefit of the doubt even in a “down” season by his standards and with Pittsburgh missing its top cornerback and the pass rush slowed of late, give Mahomes a start against a team he has toyed with in his career. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl The Associated PressLegislature passes bill allowing collection of Ohio native plant seeds

South Korea imposes travel ban on president amid martial law falloutMumbai: Overseas investors sold Indian equities worth ₹30,774 crore across 13 sectors between November 1 and 15 according to data from NSDL. They sold the most in the oil & gas sector, to the tune of ₹7,214 crore, in the first half of the month after selling shares of these companies worth over ₹21,000 crore in October. From January to October, foreign investors pulled ₹32,000 crore out of the shares in the oil and gas sector . "The oil and gas sector witnessed the maximum decline in earnings (26% YoY) in the September quarter due to volatility in crude oil prices and falling gross refining margins," said Pankaj Pandey, head of retail research, ICICI Securities. The selling pressure is expected to continue as Donald Trump's return as the US President could push crude prices lower, he said. So far in November, foreign investors sold shares worth ₹25,254.6 crore. This comes after foreign outflows hit a record high of ₹1.04 lakh crore in October following a rebound in Chinese markets and a disappointing corporate earnings season Stock Trading Macroeconomics Made Easy: Online Certification Course By - Anirudh Saraf, Founder- Saraf A & Associates, Chartered Accountant View Program Stock Trading RSI Made Easy: RSI Trading Course By - Souradeep Dey, Equity and Commodity Trader, Trainer View Program Stock Trading Commodity Markets Made Easy: Commodity Trading Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Stock Trading Dow Theory Made Easy By - Vishal Mehta, Independent Systematic Trader View Program Stock Trading Point & Figure Chart Mastery: A Comprehensive Trading Guide By - Mukta Dhamankar, Full Time Trader, 15 Years Experience, Instructor View Program Stock Trading Renko Chart Patterns Made Easy By - Kaushik Akiwatkar, Derivative Trader and Investor View Program Stock Trading Advanced Strategies in Stock Market Mastery By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Stock Trading Technical Analysis Made Easy: Online Certification Course By - Souradeep Dey, Equity and Commodity Trader, Trainer View Program Stock Trading A2Z of Stock Market for Beginners: Stock Market Course For Beginners By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Stock Trading Heikin Ashi Trading Tactics: Master the Art of Trading By - Dinesh Nagpal, Full Time Trader, Ichimoku & Trading Psychology Expert View Program Stock Trading ROC Made Easy: Master Course for ROC Stock Indicator By - Souradeep Dey, Equity and Commodity Trader, Trainer View Program Stock Trading Options Scalping Made Easy By - Sivakumar Jayachandran, Ace Scalper View Program Agencies Financial services continued to bear the brunt of unabated foreign selling, as these investors dumped shares worth ₹7,092 crore in the first 15 days of November. Overseas investors have pulled out over ₹63,000 crore so far this year. "The financial services sector is a proxy to any economy and as the foreign sentiment remains subdued on India amid weaker earnings, no reversal selling is expected," said Siddarth Bhamre, head of institutional research, Asit C Mehta Intermediates. "The pace of selling though may slow down." Pandey said that since we are at an early stage of a rate cut cycle, no major incremental sell-off is likely in the sector post the heavy outflows witnessed already. Overseas investors bought shares worth ₹8,354 crore across 10 sectors in the first half of the month. The Information Technology (IT) sector witnessed a shift in sentiment from foreign investors, as they infused ₹3,087 crore in the sector after they dumped shares worth ₹2,899 crore in October. Automobiles and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors witnessed foreign outflows worth ₹4,411 crore and ₹3,589 crore, respectively, after global investors divested over ₹10,000 crore in October in each of the sectors. Foreign investors offloaded shares worth ₹2,136 crore in telecommunications in the first half of November and sold over ₹1,000 crore in metals & mining, services and capital goods. Bhamre said that from a valuation perspective, IT stocks were not as expensive as the markets were at the peaks. "The US Bond yields were factoring in Trump's victory which pushed the yields from 3.7% to 4.4%," said Bhamre. "Trump's fiscal imprudence could lead to higher spending which would be beneficial for IT companies in India that are heavily linked to the US economy." Construction and the sectors earmarked as 'Others' received inflows worth around Rs 1,500 crore each. "The intensity of foreign selling is expected to come down and the worst seems to be behind us," said Pandey. "No big incremental foreign sell off is likely to follow." US Election 2024 Maharashtra Poll Results Highlights 2024 (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel )As the 2025 chair of Asean, Malaysia aims to focus on business law reforms to ensure legal protections for businesses across Asean member countries, said Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department of Law and Institutional Reform. During a recent visit to Bangkok as part of a roadshow to foster consensus and strengthen legal cooperation, Ms Azalina emphasised the need for joint reforms, particularly in international business regulations. She said harmonised business laws are urgent for Asean members, as the region's countries are significant trade partners, often encountering cross-border disputes. "If all Asean members adopt similar clauses on dispute resolution, it would foster greater confidence in conducting cross-border trade," she said. Ms Azalina highlighted the importance of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms for the Asean community, as they provide an avenue for amicable settlements without resorting to costly litigation. "Going to court, especially in a foreign country, is expensive. A streamlined resolution process that bypasses many legal protocols would create an ideal environment for international business," she said. She said that while some lawyers work across borders, they often operate privately rather than at the government-to-government level. Implementing ADR at a governmental level would simplify lengthy legal processes and help businesses save money. Ms Azalina pointed to the European Union as a model for Asean to follow, noting that despite differing political standpoints, EU members share a unified approach to promoting business growth, supported by ADR mechanisms. Asean's trade relations now extend beyond member countries to partners such as China, India, and Japan through Asean+3 agreements, underscoring the importance of providing robust legal protections to achieve economic powerhouse status. "Language differences within Asean are recognised, but ADR can serve as a common, shared framework, fostering closer economic collaboration beyond agreements on paper," she said. Ms Azalina suggested greater collaboration between Thailand's arbitration centre and its Malaysian counterpart, particularly for business dealings between investors from both countries, to support Malaysia's aspirations for advancing business law during its Asean chairmanship. She also advocated for leveraging AI technology to improve access to justice across Asean's diverse linguistic landscape. "For instance, if I visit Thailand and inadvertently violate its laws, I may struggle to understand its legal procedures or find a Thai lawyer. A shared AI-driven system could provide basic legal FAQs, making justice more accessible," she said. The EU, she said, is already exploring AI applications in the justice system, suggesting that Asean law and justice ministers collaborate on such innovations at the 2025 Asean Law Ministers' Meeting. "I believe this system would benefit everyone in Asean," she said.

EAGLE-EYED fans are convinced that Marcus Rashford's time at Manchester United is coming to an end. The Red Devils star is facing an uncertain time at Old Trafford after a tough spell of form. Rashford , 27, struggled in Manchester United 's win over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League . The forward was unable to influence the game and was arguably fortunate to escape a red card in the second half. Rashford flew into a tackle when already on a yellow but avoided further punishment before being hooked by Ruben Amorim . He was not acknowledged by the manager when walking off the pitch and to the bench . READ MORE ON MAN UTD Fans spotted the moment and are now convinced that it means that the club will sell him in January. One wrote: "Looks like Rashford is certainly gonna be sold, Amorim didn’t even shake his hand when he came off." A second wrote: "Amorim acknowledges Malacia and Zirkzee. "No exchange between him and Rashford when he came off earlier." Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS Another commented: "He didn’t even look at him." While one summarised: "There was nothing to acknowledge about Rashfords game." Another sad fan added: "I wouldn't be devastated if Rashford left." Reports have been circulating that Man United would be willing to cash in on Rashford in January . The Daily Mail have reported that the club would accept a bid worth £40million to allow him to leave. The potential sale of Rashford would boost the club's PSR position as he is an academy profit and would count as 100 per cent profit. An influx of cash would also boost Amorim's fund to invest in new players to strengthen the squad for the second half of the season. However, finding a buyer could be difficult, with Rashford earning up to £325,000-per-week. His deal runs until 2028, having been signed only in July 2023. ANDRE ONANA had his blushes spared by Rasmus Hojlund as Manchester United fought back to win against Viktoria Plzen. Here’s how SunSport's Henry Tomlinson rated the Red Devils stars... Andre Onana - 4 It was a very shaky start to the game in which Onana hurt Casemiro and failed to deal with the host's crosses convincingly. He made a massive error that led to Plzen taking the lead with his poor pass, leaving his defenders with no chance of bailing him out. Diogo Dalot – 6 Dalot made some decent runs forward to join in with the attacks. Defensively was fairly solid and was not often caught out. Noussair Mazraoui - 6 Playing a bit more central, Mazraoui used his pace well to help out at the back. Matthijs de Ligt - 6 He was sold short by Onana's pass that led to the opener but otherwise was fine during the 90 minutes. Lisandro Martinez - 6 Made himself available when Man United got forward but struggled with the physicality of the Plzen attackers. Tyrell Malacia - 6 He offered very little going forward in the wing-back role as he struggled to combine with Marcus Rashford. Casemiro - 6 He moved the ball forward when he could and recovered from an early blow from Onana. Bruno Fernandes - 7 He was lucky to have escaped an early yellow card. Stung the goalkeeper's gloves in the first half with a good effort. His quick thinking set up Rasmus Hojlund to fire in a late winner. Amad Diallo - 8 Diallo was a rare bright spark in Man United's attack against Plzen. It was his run that led to the equaliser, and he used his pace and skill to get past his defender. Marcus Rashford - 4 Rashford was often loose on the ball and surrendered possession in the attacking third. He received the first booking of the game for a needless foul and was lucky not to be sent off in the second half before being hooked by Ruben Amorim. Joshua Zirkzee - 6 Took on the centre-forward role well, held the ball up and linked up play well enough. Subs Rasmus Hojlund 55' – 8 Hojlund showed his striker instincts by being in the right position to grab Man United's equaliser. He then latched onto Fernandes' clever pass to score the winner. Antony 60' - 6 He was involved in the equaliser by linking up with Diallo. Mason Mount 60' - 7 Made a positive impact after coming on and was unlucky not to score as he was denied twice by the goalkeeper after coming into the action. Alejandro Garnacho 80' - N/A Failed to make a positive impact on his short spell on the pitch. Manuel Ugarte 80' - N/A He slotted into the midfield as he replaced Casemiro late on.Trump names David Sacks as White House AI and crypto czar

RESTON, Va., Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The board of directors of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) today declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1.42 per share on the company's common stock, payable February 7, 2025, to shareholders of record on January 17, 2025. The board also provided management with the authority to repurchase an additional 10 million shares of the company's issued and outstanding common stock on the open market. General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 100,000 people across 65 countries worldwide and generated $42.3 billion in revenue in 2023. More information about General Dynamics is available at www.gd.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/general-dynamics-board-declares-dividend-authorizes-additional-share-repurchases-302322940.html SOURCE General Dynamics

Hundreds of open gangway subway cars to start rolling into NYC by 2027Syria's president Bashar al-Assad fled Syria as Islamist-led rebels swept into Damascus Sunday, triggering celebrations across the country and beyond at the end of his oppressive rule. Russian news agencies late Sunday said Assad and his family were in Moscow. Crowds toured Assad's luxurious home after the rebels declared he had fled, a spectacular end to five decades of brutal Baath party government. The government fell 11 days after the rebels began a surprise advance more than 13 years after Assad's crackdown on anti-government protests ignited Syria's civil war, which had become largely dormant until the rebel push. "This victory, my brothers, is historic for the region," Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS) that spearheaded the advance, said in an address at the landmark Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. US President Joe Biden said Assad should be "held accountable" but called the nation's political upheaval a "historic opportunity" for Syrians to rebuild their country. "The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice," Biden said from the White House. Residents cheered in the streets as the rebel factions heralded the departure of "tyrant" Assad, saying: "We declare the city of Damascus free." Celebratory gunfire sounded along with shouts of, "Syria is ours and not the Assad family's". AFP correspondents saw dozens of men, women and children wandering through Assad's modern, spacious home whose rooms had been stripped bare. "I can't believe I'm living this moment," tearful Damascus resident Amer Batha told AFP by phone. "We've been waiting a long time for this day," he said. The rebel factions on Telegram proclaimed the end to "50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and displacement". It is, they said, "the start of a new era for Syria." The foreign ministry of Assad's key backer, Russia, had announced earlier Sunday that Assad had resigned from the presidency and left Syria. The head of war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP: "Assad left Syria via Damascus international airport before the army security forces left" the facility. Later Sunday, a Kremlin source told Russian news agencies that he and his family had arrived in Moscow where they had been granted asylum "on humanitarian grounds". Around the country, people toppled statues of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad's father and the founder of the repressive system of government he inherited. For the past 50 years in Syria, even the slightest suspicion of dissent could land one in prison or get one killed. During their advance, the rebels said they had freed prisoners, including on Sunday at the Sednaya facility, notorious for the darkest abuses of Assad's era. UN war crimes investigators urged those taking charge in the country to ensure the "atrocities" committed under Assad's rule are not repeated. Amnesty International called this a "historic opportunity" for those responsible for the abuses in Syria to face justice. The end of Assad's rule came just hours after HTS said it had captured the strategic city of Homs. Homs was the third major city seized by the rebels, who began their advance on November 27, the same day a ceasefire took place in neighbouring Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. Hezbollah had supported Assad during the long civil war but has been severely weakened by Israeli strikes. The group's forces "vacated their positions around Damascus", a source close to the group said Sunday. HTS is rooted in the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda but has sought to soften its image in recent years. It remains listed as a terrorist organisation by Western governments. On Sunday afternoon the rebels announced a curfew in the capital until 5:00 am (0200 GMT) Monday. The commander of Syria's US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controls much of northeast Syria, hailed the fall of Assad's "authoritarian regime" as "historic". A military council affiliated with the SDF clashed Sunday with Turkish-backed Syrian fighters in Syria's north, leaving 26 fighters from both sides dead, the Observatory said, as the Turkish-backed group launched an offensive on the Manbij area. The Observatory said Israel had struck government security buildings and weapons depots Sunday on the outskirts of Damascus, as well as in the eastern Deir Ezzor province. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the overthrow of Assad was a "historic day in the... Middle East" and the fall of a "central link in Iran's axis of evil". "This is a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah, Assad's main supporters," he added. The UN envoy for Syria said the country was at "a watershed moment". Turkey, which has historically backed the opposition, called for a "smooth transition". Iran said it expected "friendly" ties with Syria to continue, even as its embassy in Damascus was vandalised. Since the start of the rebel offensive, at least 910 people, mostly combatants but also including 138 civilians, have been killed, the Observatory said. Syria's war has killed more than 500,000 people, and forced half of the population to flee their homes. Millions fled abroad. "I can barely remember Syria," said Reda al-Khedr, who was only five years old when he and his mother escaped Syria's Homs in 2014. "But now we're going to go home to a liberated Syria," he told AFP in Cairo. Liberated, but facing enormous challenges. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Sunday the bloc would help rebuild a Syria that safeguards minorities after Assad's fall. bur-it/jj

Small towns are made of numerous threads that keep them together. For some, acting as a single community thread isn’t enough and they choose to wear multiple hats. For Chris Vodopich, raising a family and leading a successful career was bolstered by 33 years spent with the Cañon City Volunteer Fire Department. Born and raised in Cañon City, Vodopich and his sister attended well-known schools, such as Washington Elementary and Cañon City Junior High School before attending Cañon City High School. Vodopich kept himself busy at CCHS while playing sports and also partaking in the choir. He found a special love in Mike Geesaman’s Design and Drafting class, which nurtured skills that Vodopich would use for a large part of his life. He also met his wife, Becky, while attending youth group at the local Methodist church and got married in 1988. After graduating from CCHS in 1981, Vodopich began courses in Industrial Technology at the University of Southern Colorado (now Colorado State University-Pueblo) and graduated in 1988. That same year, he began making wooden displays and opened Alpine Woodworks, a woodshop display factory, on Elm Avenue in 1990. He spent years making fixtures, cabinetry, and furniture for local businesses and has worked on numerous well-known projects. “I started woodworking in junior high,” he said “I loved doing woodworking even as a kid.” He built original furniture for Merlino’s Belvedere, and Waffle Wagon, and also made fixtures and cabinetry for local doctor’s offices and the social service buildings. By June 1991, he decided to venture into a new part of life and officially became a volunteer firefighter. “One of my friends was a fireman and he encouraged me to do it,” he said with a smile. “I always liked doing it because it was a way I could give back to the community and help people on their worst days.” During his early years as a volunteer firefighter, he and the other volunteers were kept quite busy and responded to five to six calls a month. Alongside the paid staff, which was only about four people at the time, Vodopich and his fellow volunteers responded to calls across Cañon City, including fires that destroyed the DeWeese Lodge in 2007, crippled Merlino’s Belvedere in 1991, and threatened to destroy the Royal Gorge Bridge in 2013. Through it all, Vodopich maintained a sunny attitude and developed lifelong friendships with his fellow firefighters. “It was really a family,” he said. “We did all kinds of things together and we were really tight.” Even when he responded to a bus crash on 8 Mile Hill that ultimately took the lives of three people during the winter of 1993, he kept his head up to help those in need. “The bus rolled over so it threw kids out everywhere so, we got there, and there were kids screaming and hollering in the snow — it was awful,” he said. When asked how he handled crises on a regular basis, his response was simple. “You just do it,” he said. “You just do it at the time and you think about it later.” In 2009, he returned to CSU-Pueblo and graduated in 2013 with a degree in Business Administration and an emphasis in Accounting. He also opened Canon Classic Homes to build and renovate homes in 2010. Ever since he’s kept busy working as an accountant at H&R Block during the winters and has built and renovated homes during the warmer months. “I hate sitting still, which is why I didn’t do full-time accounting,” he said. However, his work with the volunteer department has continued to be a cornerstone of his life. He’s served as the volunteer department’s treasurer and was also instrumental in bringing the fire department’s staple and beloved puppet show to Cañon City. Thousands of local children have learned about fire safety from the puppets and many thousands more are likely to do so in the future — thanks in no small part to Vodopich’s work on the project. All good things must come to an end, however, as Vodopich announced his retirement earlier this winter and celebrated by driving the volunteer fire truck for the last time during the 2024 Christmas Parade of Lights and getting together with his fire family. “I was just ready to take a step back,” he said. In addition to fishing, riding his bike, and playing guitar in the local band Applewood, Vodopich looks forward to spending time with Becky, his daughter, two sons and five grandchildren. Even though he won’t be running into Cañon City fires anymore, life still holds some sizzle for Vodopich.

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 3:35 p.m. ESTStock market today: Wall Street holds near breakeven ahead of Christmas

Sound point Meridian Capital director buys $10,132 in stockCOLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork said Thursday that he is "absolutely" confident that Ryan Day will be back as football coach in 2025. Calls to fire the sixth-year coach rose among Ohio State fans after the Buckeyes lost to Michigan for the fourth straight year. Bjork, in an interview on 97.1 The Fan, said Day is the man for the job, regardless of how the Buckeyes perform in the College Football Playoff. They host Tennessee in a first-round game Dec. 21. "Coach Day is awesome," said Bjork, who came from Texas A&M to replace the retiring Gene Smith last summer. "He's great to work with. He totally gets it. He loves being a Buckeye. So, we're going to support him at the highest level." The 13-10 loss to Michigan followed by an ugly melee between the teams put the coach in a precarious spot. He and his team were booed off the field by the home fans. Bjork ended up releasing a statement expressing his support for the coach. "The reason we had to say something after (the Michigan) game is, we're still breathing, we're still alive," Bjork said. "The season's not over. The book is not closed." Thanks to the playoff, Day has a chance to redeem himself with Ohio State's huge fanbase with a win against the Volunteers — and perhaps more in the 12-team tournament. Regardless of what happens, Day will be back next year, according to Bjork. "Coach Day and I just hit it off so well," Bjork said. "I've been really, really impressed. Every single time I talked to him, I learn something. He's innovative. He recruits at the highest level. He's got a great staff." Day wouldn't directly address his job status last weekend. "When you first come off those types of things, there's a lot of emotion," he said, referring to the Michigan loss. "And then as time goes on, you've got to get refocused because you know what you've done in the past does not affect what's going on moving forward. Everything is out in front of us." Failing to consistently beat Michigan is one of the few flaws in Day's coaching record. Hired as a member of coach Urban Meyer's staff in 2017, Day was the hand-picked successor when Meyer retired after the 2018 season. Compiling an overall 66-10 record, he is widely admired in the coaching community. "Great respect for what he's done in his coaching career, what he's done there at Ohio State and the success that they've had year-in and year-out," Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. Day is in trouble now because losing The Game is considered an unforgiveable sin by Buckeyes fans. "What we have to do is this whole 'championship or bust' mentality, you want that as the goal, but it has to be about the process," Bjork said. "To me, we've got to maybe change some conversations a little bit. I think we need to maybe just approach things a little bit differently."Delhi HC issues notice on PIL seeking cashless transactions acrossall India Post offices

( MENAFN - GetNews) Raising the standard in Kansas City has been the driving force behind Teachers Irrigation since its inception, and now, the company is making waves with its unparalleled commitment to customer satisfaction. In a city where lush lawns and thriving gardens are a point of pride, Teachers Irrigation has distinguished itself through expert irrigation solutions and a customer-centric approach that has earned them an A+ for service. This commitment has garnered significant praise, with customers highlighting the company's responsiveness, professionalism, and genuine dedication to ensuring complete satisfaction long after the initial installation. "We're in the business of taking the worry out of watering," says a spokesperson at Teachers Irrigation. "Our customers trust us to handle everything from system design and installation to ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting. And this trust is something we value and take very seriously. We understand the responsibility of caring for our customers' landscapes, and we are committed to fulfilling that responsibility with integrity and dedication." Kansas City's unique climate and landscape present specific challenges for homeowners seeking to maintain healthy and vibrant lawns and gardens. Fluctuating temperatures, periods of drought, and diverse soil conditions demand an irrigation system that can adapt and perform reliably. Teachers Irrigation excels in understanding these complexities, offering tailored sprinkler services in Kansas City, KS , that go beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. Their expert technicians meticulously assess each property, factoring in variables like soil type, sun exposure, and plant varieties to develop a customized irrigation plan. This approach ensures optimal water usage, promotes healthy plant growth, and helps conserve precious resources. Teachers Irrigation seamlessly blends advanced technology with local expertise, guaranteeing that each system they install delivers efficient and effective watering for years. Teachers Irrigation has been transforming lawns and landscapes across the Kansas City metro area for over 20 years. What began as a small local enterprise has blossomed into a leading Kansas City irrigation specialist , renowned for its comprehensive approach to outdoor solutions. Beyond their expertise in irrigation system design, installation, and maintenance, Teachers Irrigation offers a wide range of services, including drainage solutions, landscape lighting, and even professional training programs for industry professionals and homeowners. This commitment to expanding their knowledge and expertise reflects their dedication to providing holistic and sustainable solutions for their clients. To learn more about Teachers Irrigation and their commitment to unparalleled service, visit their website shared below. Explore their comprehensive range of services and experience the difference that expert care can make for Kansas City lawns or landscapes. MENAFN24122024003238003268ID1109028212 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Big News!! Best Sac Homes Group Partners with LPT RealtyElan Moriah , President at Verint Systems VRNT , executed a substantial insider sell on December 23, according to an SEC filing. What Happened: Moriah's decision to sell 35,556 shares of Verint Systems was revealed in a Form 4 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday. The total value of the sale is $985,437. Verint Systems 's shares are actively trading at $27.45, experiencing a up of 0.04% during Tuesday's morning session. Delving into Verint Systems's Background Verint Systems Inc with its subsidiaries helps brands provide Boundless Customer Engagement. The company's solutions help iconic brands close the gap created when it lacks the resources required to deliver experiences that fulfill customer expectations. Geographically, it derives a majority of its revenue from the United States. Verint Systems's Financial Performance Revenue Growth: Verint Systems displayed positive results in 3 months. As of 31 October, 2024, the company achieved a solid revenue growth rate of approximately 2.58% . This indicates a notable increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Information Technology sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers. Evaluating Earnings Performance: Gross Margin: With a low gross margin of 70.75% , the company exhibits below-average profitability, signaling potential struggles in cost efficiency compared to its industry peers. Earnings per Share (EPS): Verint Systems's EPS is below the industry average. The company faced challenges with a current EPS of 0.4 . This suggests a potential decline in earnings. Debt Management: Verint Systems's debt-to-equity ratio is notably higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 0.5 , the company relies more heavily on borrowed funds, indicating a higher level of financial risk. Assessing Valuation Metrics: Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio: The P/E ratio of 28.88 is lower than the industry average, implying a discounted valuation for Verint Systems's stock. Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio: With a lower-than-average P/S ratio of 1.88 , the stock presents an attractive valuation, potentially signaling a buying opportunity for investors interested in sales performance. EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation & Amortization): The company's EV/EBITDA ratio of 16.41 trails industry averages, indicating a potential disparity in market valuation that could be advantageous for investors. Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization is below the industry average, suggesting that it is relatively smaller compared to peers. This could be due to various factors, including perceived growth potential or operational scale. Now trade stocks online commission free with Charles Schwab, a trusted and complete investment firm. Uncovering the Importance of Insider Activity Emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach, considering insider transactions is valuable, but it's crucial to evaluate them in conjunction with other investment factors. Exploring the legal landscape, an "insider" is defined as any officer, director, or beneficial owner holding more than ten percent of a company's equity securities, as stipulated by Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This encompasses executives in the c-suite and major hedge funds. These insiders are required to report their transactions through a Form 4 filing, which must be submitted within two business days of the transaction. Highlighted by a company insider's new purchase, there's a positive anticipation for the stock to rise. But, insider sells may not necessarily indicate a bearish view and can be motivated by various factors. Exploring Key Transaction Codes In the domain of transactions, investors frequently turn their focus to those taking place in the open market, as meticulously outlined in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A P in Box 3 indicates a purchase, while S signifies a sale. Transaction code C signals the conversion of an option, and transaction code A denotes a grant, award, or other acquisition of securities from the company. Check Out The Full List Of Verint Systems's Insider Trades. Insider Buying Alert: Profit from C-Suite Moves Benzinga Edge reveals every insider trade in real-time. Don't miss the next big stock move driven by insider confidence. Unlock this ultimate sentiment indicator now. Click here for access . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.