NoneSascha Yeomans is proof a mother's love knows no bounds. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue When her now 15-year-old son Angel was born with cerebral palsy , doctors told her he would never walk, talk, eat or move independently. She even had to fight to take her newborn home from the hospital. The Victorian mum has spent years researching and implementing new strategies to improve Angel's mobility and independence. She found horse riding to be the most effective therapy for helping Angel physically and inspiring his confidence and understanding of his potential. Now, Angel is having the adventure of a lifetime. He and his mum and her 14-year-old god-daughter, Iluka Thieme, with four horses and an assistance dog called Celeste, are horseback riding the National Trail, this week stopping in Canberra for Christmas. Angel Cropley on his horse Pippin with mum Sascha Yeomans at one of their stopovers while riding the National Trail, Pegasus Riding for the Disabled in Canberra. Picture by Gary Ramage And, like everywhere else on the National Trail, they have been moved by the kindness of strangers. Pegasus Rising for the Disabled in Holt put them up in a common room, giving them the luxury over the Christmas break of a roof overhead, showers, toilets and a kettle (!) for tea. "What else do you need?" a gleeful Sascha said. And a random encounter at the post office in Yarralumla delivered them a beautiful Christmas lunch with new friends. Angel Cropley, 15, has gained so much confidence horse riding on the National Trail he's now talking about travelling overseas with friends one day. Picture by Gary Ramage Sasha had sent ahead a box of dehydrated food to the post office in Yarralumla and got talking to a local woman, Tash Leonard, when she went to pick it up. "She asked us what we were doing for Christmas and we said we didn't have plans; she invited us for lunch with her family, which was amazing," Sascha said. "We've had just so many kind offers." Sascha, Angel and Iluka had Christmas lunch in Yarralumla with Tash Leonard and her family after Tash met Sascha in the local post office. Picture supplied Persistent rain in winter played havoc with the horses' hooves and the little party stayed for two weeks at the showgrounds in Taralga, north-east of Canberra, so the horses could rest and heal. "Somebody put a notice on their community Facebook page, and I think the whole town turned out. People just came past with meals and wines and coffee and wood and meat. So much meat! It was incredible," Sascha said. On an earlier visit to Canberra, they had also tried to connect with the Kambah Pony Club to find a place to stay, but couldn't find any contact numbers or get any responses from emails or social media messages. "Then this car stopped by the side of the road, and it was this young woman and she went, 'Oh you've got horses, what are you doing?' So we told her what we were doing and that we were hoping to stay at the Kamba pony club and she said, 'Oh, my mum's the secretary, I'll bring the key around, just message me when you arrive'," Sascha said. "And it just feels like the whole trail has been like that. "Every day you are walking into the unknown and every morning there is that little anxious feeling of, 'What are we going to face? and 'What's ahead"'. And, every day, unexpected doors open and it's incredible." Sascha Yeomans (right) with son Angel Cropley, 15, and god-daughter Iluka Thieme, 14, at Pegasus in Canberra this week during a break from their horse riding adventures. Picture by Megan Doherty The National Trail runs along the Great Dividing Range, covering 5330km from Healesville in Victoria to Cooktown in Queensland. The trail follows old stock routes and bush tracks as well as cutting through private property. Former National Party member for Monaro, Peter Cochran, one of the volunteer trail coordinators, also invited Sascha, Angel and Iluka to stay on his property in the Snowy Mountains, which includes part of the trail. Sascha, who is from Beechworth in Victoria, has been preparing Angel for the ride for six years, gradually getting him used to horses and being in the saddle solo. As puberty hit, Angel was facing musculoskeletal-skeletal issues that his mum wanted to do "everything to prevent", including scoliosis . Ahead of riding the trail, mother and son rode the 480km Tasmanian Trail, from Devonport to Dover, raising more than $16,000 for Riding for the Disabled Australia. They have now been riding the southern parts of the National Trail, on and off, over the past year. Six hours in the saddle every day riding the trail has strengthened Angel, both physically and mentally. And he's progressed in leaps and bounds. From hardly balancing on the horse to being able to get up in the saddle by himself and then ride for hours "In Kosciuszko, he was off the lead, normally I lead him, and he was rising trot for three or four hours of the day and singing loudly. I never would have thought that was possible. Unbelievable," Sasha said. "Angel's walk has also improved dramatically. It was actually the Children's Hospital in Melbourne that first suggested we try horse riding to improve a whole lot of issues that were going on. And it's been better than we ever imagined. Not just physically, but emotionally. Learning how to put animals first and take responsibility for things." Angel and his horse Pippin. Picture by Gary Ramage Angel has also grown in confidence and is now talking about one day traveling to Europe with Iluka. "I think being a disabled person in a regional area like we were, you're very limited," Sascha said. "This has given him such a sense of the world being possible." The dog, one of the horses and Angel all have satellite tracking collars on them in case were lose them. - Angel's mum Sascha Yeomans After Canberra, they are heading north, taking each day as it comes, but then taking a break for the hottest part of summer, resuming in autumn. "If we could ride the whole of NSW, that would be good. We'll go into Queensland and see. I'm not thrilled with crocodiles," Sascha said, with a laugh. "But we might just get in the groove." The little party is heading north after Canberra. Picture by Megan Doherty The ride takes enormous preparation and planning by Sascha and her husband, Tom, who coordinates it all from back home in Victoria. That includes making sure Angel, who has a big appetite, remains well-fed. Amazonia protein powders ended up as a sponsor, helping them keep up Angel's energy. Sascha also sends ahead boxes of freeze-dried meats and dehydrated vegetables from Campers Pantry to various locations on the trail. She and Angel have, over the years, also learnt how to do a myriad of practical things, from how to tie a good knot to put together a light pack. And Sasha works hard to prevent, as much as possible, anything from going wrong on the trail. "Safety is so important," she said. "We've got packs on every horse, not just one horse. Every horse has some form of shelter on them and some form of food for a night or two. And some form of warmth on them. And we've all got backpacks that have compasses and water and first aid, snake bandages, whistles, an emergency SOS device. "The dog, one of the horses and Angel all have satellite tracking collars on them in case were lose them. The horses have bells on them at night. Our whole campsite is reflective and high-vis." The travelling party includes Celetes the dog, four horses, Sascha and her son Angel and god-daughter Iluka. Picture by Gary Ramage Sascha, like any teenage boy, is not one to heap praise on his mum. But it's clear he loves his "fun" mum. "She's a good mum," he said. And Iluka will soon be heading back home to resume school. "It's been so incredible to be on this journey with people I love," she said. They're also very appreciative of the help they received from Pegasus. Pegasus Riding for the Disabled in the ACT has for decades known the joys and benefits of horse riding for people with disabilities. The much-loved organisation will in 2025 celebrate its 50 th birthday, the first meeting of the association that would become Pegasus taking place in June, 1975. Pegasus CEO Matt Watson said it was more than happy to help Angel, Sasha and Iluka - and their horses and Celeste the dog - have a place to stay at its Holt headquarters over Christmas. Mr Watson actually met Sascha at a conference a year ago. "Once I heard about what they were doing, I said 'Make sure when you get to Canberra you come and say g'day'," he said. "It was fantastic talking to them and hearing about their trip. I think it just shows, again, the magic of horse riding and how it can open up a new world for people with disabilities." You can follow Angel's adventures on the National Trail on his Instagram page roughandstumble Donations to Pegasus Riding for the Disabled in Canberra can be made at www. pegasusact.com.au/ Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Megan Doherty Journalist I like telling local stories and celebrating Canberra. Email: megan.doherty@canberratimes.com.au I like telling local stories and celebrating Canberra. Email: megan.doherty@canberratimes.com.au More from Canberra The secret revealed: where to get the best fish and chips on the South Coast 16m ago No comment s 'It's incredible': Angel is riding tall in the saddle on the National Trail 16m ago No comment s We need to know more about why women are murdered. This program could help 16m ago No comment s How a quiet Sunday boat tour descended into a police rescue operation on the lake 16m ago Fifty years on, the storm still haunts me No comment s Boxing Day blog: Classless Kohli's Konstas clash dominates as Test locked in balance No comment s Newsletters & Alerts View all DAILY Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Loading... WEEKDAYS The lunch break Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Loading... DAILY Sport The latest news, results & expert analysis. Loading... 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Kate Middleton's carol service body language shows major change as Prince George 'in charge'World News | Look at How Some of Trump's Picks to Lead Health Agencies Could Help Carry out Kennedy's Overhaul
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to top the all-time high it set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 123 points, or 0.3%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.6% as Microsoft and Big Tech led the way. People are also reading... Stock markets abroad mostly fell after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China once he takes office. But the movements were mostly modest. Stock indexes were down 0.1% in Shanghai and nearly flat in Hong Kong, while Canada’s main index edged down by less than 0.1%. Trump has often praised the use of tariffs , but investors are weighing whether his latest threat will actually become policy or is just an opening point for negotiations. For now, the market seems to be taking it more as the latter. The consequences otherwise for markets and the global economy could be painful. Unless the United States can prepare alternatives for the autos, energy products and other goods that come from Mexico, Canada and China, such tariffs would raise the price of imported items all at once and make households poorer, according to Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics. They would also hurt profit margins for U.S. companies, while raising the threat of retaliatory tariffs by other countries. And unlike tariffs in Trump’s first term, his latest proposal would affect products across the board. General Motors sank 9%, and Ford Motor fell 2.6% because both import automobiles from Mexico. Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States, dropped 3.3%. The value of the Mexican peso fell 1.8% against the U.S. dollar. Beyond the pain such tariffs would cause U.S. households and businesses, they could also push the Federal Reserve to slow or even halt its cuts to interest rates. The Fed had just begun easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high a couple months ago to offer support for the job market . While lower interest rates can boost the economy, they can also offer more fuel for inflation. “Many” officials at the Fed’s last meeting earlier this month said they should lower rates gradually, according to minutes of the meeting released Tuesday afternoon. The talk about tariffs overshadowed another mixed set of profit reports from U.S. retailers that answered few questions about how much more shoppers can keep spending. They’ll need to stay resilient after helping the economy avoid a recession, despite the high interest rates imposed by the Fed to get inflation under control. A report on Tuesday from the Conference Board said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. Kohl’s tumbled 17% after its results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Tom Kingsbury said sales remain soft for apparel and footwear. A day earlier, Kingsbury said he plans to step down as CEO in January. Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Michaels and a retail veteran, will replace him. Best Buy fell 4.9% after likewise falling short of analysts’ expectations. Dick’s Sporting Goods topped forecasts for the latest quarter thanks to a strong back-to-school season, but its stock lost an early gain to fall 1.4%. Still, more stocks rose in the S&P 500 than fell. J.M. Smucker had one of the biggest gains and climbed 5.7% after topping analysts’ expectations for the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker credited strength for its Uncrustables, Meow Mix, Café Bustelo and Jif brands. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up U.S. indexes. Gains of 3.2% for Amazon and 2.2% for Microsoft were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. All told, the S&P 500 rose 34.26 points to 6,021.63. The Dow gained 123.74 to 44,860.31, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 119.46 to 19,174.30. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady following their big drop from a day before driven by relief following Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary. The yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.29% from 4.28% late Monday, but it’s still well below the 4.41% level where it ended last week. In the crypto market, bitcoin continued to pull back after topping $99,000 for the first time late last week. It’s since dipped back toward $91,000, according to CoinDesk. It’s a sharp turnaround from the bonanza that initially took over the crypto market following Trump’s election. That boom had also appeared to have spilled into some corners of the stock market. Strategists at Barclays Capital pointed to stocks of unprofitable companies, along with other areas that can be caught up in bursts of optimism by smaller-pocketed “retail” investors. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.As the year draws to a close, the Waikato Herald is taking stock of 2024. What moved readers most? As part of a 12-day series, Waikato Herald reporter Danielle Zollickhofer looks at the top stories from each month. Welcome to day eight: August. Nationally, August 2024 was the month in which Kīngi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII died at the age of 69 – only a few days after his 18th koroneihana celebrations. Also, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith issued an extradition order against entrepreneur Kim Dotcom , and meth-laced lollies were donated to Auckland City Mission , which then distributed them in food parcels. Australian and New Zealand police announced they had arrested 190 people and seized more than $100 million worth of drugs in a week as part of a major transtasman operation. In the Waikato, police launched a homicide investigation following the death of two people at a Tūrangi address . Another investigation has been launched following an unexplained death at a Waikato retirement village .
Intech Investment Management LLC trimmed its stake in Synovus Financial Corp. ( NYSE:SNV – Free Report ) by 60.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 17,363 shares of the bank’s stock after selling 26,197 shares during the quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Synovus Financial were worth $772,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Synovus Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its holdings in shares of Synovus Financial by 87.2% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 747 shares of the bank’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 348 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Synovus Financial in the second quarter worth approximately $43,000. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Synovus Financial by 43.5% during the first quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,224 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 371 shares during the period. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC lifted its position in shares of Synovus Financial by 404.8% in the 2nd quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 1,378 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $55,000 after acquiring an additional 1,105 shares in the last quarter. 83.85% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Synovus Financial Stock Down 0.6 % SNV stock opened at $57.08 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The firm has a market cap of $8.09 billion, a PE ratio of 25.83, a PEG ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 1.37. Synovus Financial Corp. has a 1 year low of $30.52 and a 1 year high of $59.92. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $50.09 and a 200 day simple moving average of $44.61. Synovus Financial Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 19th were given a $0.38 dividend. This represents a $1.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 19th. Synovus Financial’s dividend payout ratio is 68.78%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Stephens lifted their price objective on shares of Synovus Financial from $46.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, October 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Synovus Financial from $52.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday. Citigroup set a $59.00 price target on Synovus Financial in a research report on Friday, October 18th. Raymond James upgraded Synovus Financial from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $49.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, September 17th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company downgraded Synovus Financial from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and dropped their target price for the company from $48.00 to $46.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 1st. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $53.94. Get Our Latest Research Report on SNV Synovus Financial Profile ( Free Report ) Synovus Financial Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Synovus Bank that provides commercial and consumer banking products and services. It operates through four segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, Consumer Banking, and Financial Management Services. The company's commercial banking services include treasury and asset management, capital market, and institutional trust services, as well as commercial, financial, and real estate lending services. Read More Five stocks we like better than Synovus Financial What is a support level? The Latest 13F Filings Are In: See Where Big Money Is Flowing How to Invest in Biotech Stocks 3 Penny Stocks Ready to Break Out in 2025 How to Invest in Insurance Companies: A Guide FMC, Mosaic, Nutrien: Top Agricultural Stocks With Big Potential Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SNV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Synovus Financial Corp. ( NYSE:SNV – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Synovus Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Synovus Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Natixis Advisors LLC Raises Stock Position in Qorvo, Inc. (NASDAQ:QRVO)
Messi's son debuts at Argentina youth tournament as grandparents watch
HOME Alone’s ‘pigeon lady’ looks worlds away from her film character 32 years after the iconic movie. Irish actress Brenda Fricker , now 79, starred in the 1992 Christmas favourite, playing a homeless woman who forms a bond with Macaulay Culkin ’s part, Kevin McCallister. Despite her mysterious introduction, the vagrant later comes to Kevin’s rescue when he faces trouble in New York City 's Central Park . Over the years, she has inspired a flurry of fan theories, including comparisons to The Sun columnist Piers Morgan . Many have joked online that Piers bears a striking resemblance to the bird-loving character, leading to playful jibes each festive season. In a recent appearance on The Tommy Tiernan Show, Brenda opened up about her career and her quiet life away from the spotlight. read more on Home Alone Brenda shared, “I live a very quiet life well under the radar. I drive a tiny car, own a cottage, and that’s about it. "I spend a lot of time talking to the wall or the dog, writing poetry, reading books, and watching television. "It’s nothing different from anyone else’s life, except maybe I talk to the wall a little more than most.” During her conversation with Tommy, she also touched on her struggles with mental health and why she stepped back from acting. Most read in Film Brenda explained, “Just yesterday, the doctor said, ‘We’re going to put you on stronger antidepressants.’ I’ve always been somewhat of a recluse, but being told to stay indoors makes me want to do the opposite.” She reflected on the challenging period she spent at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Dublin , crediting a prominent psychiatrist, Dr. Anthony Clare, with helping her through her darkest moments. Brenda said, “He saved my life. He had such an incredible mind and really understood me. I’d always leave his office feeling lighter, like he had reached something deep inside me.” She has previously spoken about the financial and emotional struggles she’s faced over her career. In 2012, she revealed she had depleted her savings and was living modestly. Brenda admitted, “I’m broke. But as long as I have a roof over my head and can feed myself and the dog, I’m content.” She also revealed the toll of battling depression for decades. Brenda said, “I’ve suffered from depression for 50 years. Now, I see a therapist every week—not necessarily for therapy but just to hear another human voice.” Meanwhile, Piers has continued to address the recurring fan theory linking him to Brenda’s role in Home Alone 2. Recently, a social media user posted a photo of the Pigeon Lady, joking, “This is @piersmorgan’s finest work.” Piers replied, “It’s. Not. Me.” Despite his denials, the jokes persist, with fans teasingly urging him to embrace the comparison. One user wrote, “Just take the credit and move on!” Piers has even discussed the claims on air. On Good Morning Britain , his former co-host Susanna Reid once teased, “Lots of people watch Home Alone 2 and wonder if this is you.” Piers retorted, “Why does this keep coming back? I’m not the bag lady from Home Alone 2!” Brenda's filmography Brenda's career has spanned six decades on stage and screen, having appeared in more than 30 films and television roles. Before becoming an actress, Brenda was assistant to the art editor of the Irish Times, with hopes of becoming a reporter. At age 19, she became an actress "by chance", and her feature film career began with a small uncredited part in the 1964 film Of Human Bondage, based on the 1915 novel by W. Somerset Maugham. She also appeared in Tolka Row, Ireland 's first soap opera. In 1990, she became the first Irish actress to win an Academy Award, picking up Best Supporting Actress for the biopic My Left Foot (1989). She was honoured with the inaugural Maureen O'Hara Award at the Kerry Film Festival in 2008 - the award is offered to women who have excelled in their chosen field in film. In 2020, she was listed at number 26 on The Irish Times list of Ireland's greatest film actors. In 1989, she became the first Irish actress to win an Academy Award for her role in My Left Foot. Brenda is best known for film roles, but she also starred in Casualty in the late 80s. In 2022 she returned to TV in ITV's Holding, playing Lizzie Meany . On the big screen, are biggest roles include The Field (1990), So I Married An Axe Murderer (1993), Veronica Guerin (2003), Inside I'm Dancing (2004) and Albert Nobbs (2011). Personal life Brenda was married to director Barry Davies for almost a decade. They tied the knot in 1979 before divorcing in 1988. After they ended their marriage due to his health issues, they decided to still remain friends. Brenda said in a radio interview: “He was a wonderful, interesting, lovely man. He became an alcoholic and I couldn’t live with it. “I tried, I did everything and eventually I thought, ‘I will divorce him and see if that frightens him’, but it didn’t. “We kept seeing each other, we were madly in love. READ MORE SUN STORIES "On the day we got divorced we held hands and went off to the movies, it was ridiculous.” She doesn't have children.DUBAI: For Father Iyad Ghanem, a Catholic priest at the Syriac Archdiocese of Homs and Hama, two of Syria’s four largest cities, this Christmas represents both new beginnings and the end of a dark chapter in Syria’s history. In the wake of the dramatic developments that led to the ousting of Syria’s long-time President Bashar Assad on Dec. 8, Christians in the country are celebrating Christmas under the transitional government of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) for the first time. HTS, a rebel group led by Ahmad Al-Sharaa, Syria’s de facto leader, has sought to reassure minority communities, including Kurds, Alawites and Shiites, as it distances itself from its hardline Islamist roots. For many Christians, the end of the Assad era has come as a veritable Christmas gift. “Our churches are at peace, and we, as clergymen, are free to conduct our masses. Yet, it is too early for the parish to pass judgment on HTS. The atmosphere remains uncertain, and much is left to unfold,” Father Iyad told Arab News. “Our country and community have endured so much over the past 13 years. With this new era upon us, we must free ourselves from fear, find the voices that were silenced for so long, and eliminate radicalism in all its forms. This is all unfamiliar territory, and we are still adjusting.” Syria is part of a region often referred to as the “cradle of Christianity,” making it one of the earliest places in the world to host a Christian community. In the town of Maaloula, a handful of villages still speak Aramaic, the ancient dialect of Christ, to this day. Once numbering over a million, Syria’s Christian population has dwindled to just 3 percent owing to the prolonged war that began in 2011 and the rise of Daesh in 2014. The violence and persecution left them vulnerable, forcing a large-scale exodus to Western countries. Rassem Sairafi, a Christian from Homs, said he is optimistic about Syria’s future and hopes for a democratic and free nation. “Many educated Syrians are returning from abroad. If they are included in the new government, I believe we will be in safe hands,” he told Arab News. “Historically, Syria’s Sunni majority has been moderate. It was only during the war that began in 2011 that sectarianism took root. Hopefully, we can leave that behind and ensure we do not replace one dictatorship with another.” The Assad regime left Syria in ruins. Its legacy is starkly evident in decimated infrastructure, a deeply entrenched corrupt political system, and a bankrupt economy that has pushed 90 percent of the population below the poverty line. In a report for the US public broadcaster PBS on Dec. 12, correspondent Simona Foltyn said: “Streets are getting busier by the day and shops and government institutions are slowly returning to work. “The opposition has taken over government institutions in the capital, Damascus, and has begun the task of governing the country, using its experience in Idlib as a blueprint. But administrating a whole country, as opposed to a province, is quite a different matter, and it remains to be seen how easily it can be scaled.” She added: “Apart from the joy and relief, the mundane but vital work of making a country function is job number one for many.” With Assad’s fall, Christians face additional uncertainty as a religious minority about their fate under the country’s new rulers. They feel that their future hangs in the delicate balance of a new era and constitution. The Christian community, like all Syrians, endured severe hardships under Assad’s regime and so regards the new government with a mix of caution and optimism. “We are nervous because we are unsure. We do not know what the future holds,” said Rawaa, a Christian from Damascus. “But we are aware of HTS’s history. While their recent legislative decisions are comforting, we remain eager to see if they will uphold these commitments over time.” Despite being hailed as Syria’s “liberators” and Al-Sharaa’s recent efforts to rebrand himself — shedding his military persona as Abu Mohamad Al-Jolani to adopt the image of a statesman — the country’s stability and economic recovery remain precarious. HTS is still designated as a terrorist group by the UN, US, EU, and UK, among many others, as it started as a splinter group of Al-Qaeda, which it broke away from in 2016. Once confined to the overcrowded and impoverished northwestern region of Idlib but now acting as the self-imposed caretaker government in Damascus, HTS faces the daunting challenge of rebuilding a nation devastated by years of corruption and mismanagement under Assad. In an effort to stave off chaos, Al-Sharaa has taken steps to restore basic services in some areas, called for the preservation of state institutions, and promoted the vision of an inclusive society and a peaceful transition to new governance. Senior leaders of the transitional government continue to meet with representatives of various religious communities, emphasizing their commitment to protecting minority rights as part of broader efforts to reassure both Syrians and the international community. Both Father Iyad and Rawaa voiced their aversion to the use of the term “minority” when describing their community, insisting they are an integral part of Syria’s fabric and one of the essential components that define the country. This year, across various parts of the country, only churches have adorned their doors and squares with Christmas decorations — a gesture that Rawaa interprets as a sign of hope for the future. However, celebrations remain subdued. Many, including Rawaa’s family and friends, are opting for private gatherings. “My neighborhood hasn’t put up Christmas decorations since the war began 13 years ago, and this year is no different,” Rawaa told Arab News. “But it’s not out of fear of HTS. It’s because of the shortages we face and the hardships we endure. We lack electricity, fuel, and financial resources. The population is struggling, and the festive spirit is hard to find in such conditions.” “Our celebrations will be within our homes, with close family and friends,” Rawaa said. “This is a new experience for us. While there has been no persecution from HTS, we are proceeding cautiously. The transitional government has promised to launch awareness campaigns to combat radicalism if necessary. Time will tell if they fulfill that promise.” Mary Bitar, a Christian from Damascus, saw reason for optimism amid the adversities in the lead-up to Christmas. “People are out and about. No one is being harassed. We may lack Christmas lights because of the electricity shortages, but our hearts are full, and we remain hopeful,” she said. In his comments, Father Iyad emphasized that isolated acts of terrorism must be addressed before they escalate, citing a recent incident in Hama where armed men desecrated a Christian graveyard and set crosses in town squares ablaze. “Small factions that align themselves with HTS must be controlled,” he told Arab News. “Those seeking to sow chaos must be stopped. We will not tolerate any radicalized behavior.” Despite these challenges, Father Iyad remains steadfast in his message of hope. “My wish is for unity — a just legislation that provides equal rights to all Syrians. A peaceful, beautiful Syria for everyone.”NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to top the all-time high it set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 123 points, or 0.3%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.6% as Microsoft and Big Tech led the way. Stock markets abroad mostly fell after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China once he takes office. But the movements were mostly modest. Stock indexes were down 0.1% in Shanghai and nearly flat in Hong Kong, while Canada’s main index edged down by less than 0.1%. Trump has often praised the use of tariffs , but investors are weighing whether his latest threat will actually become policy or is just an opening point for negotiations. For now, the market seems to be taking it more as the latter. The consequences otherwise for markets and the global economy could be painful. Unless the United States can prepare alternatives for the autos, energy products and other goods that come from Mexico, Canada and China, such tariffs would raise the price of imported items all at once and make households poorer, according to Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics. They would also hurt profit margins for U.S. companies, while raising the threat of retaliatory tariffs by other countries. And unlike tariffs in Trump’s first term, his latest proposal would affect products across the board. General Motors sank 9%, and Ford Motor fell 2.6% because both import automobiles from Mexico. Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States, dropped 3.3%. The value of the Mexican peso fell 1.8% against the U.S. dollar. Beyond the pain such tariffs would cause U.S. households and businesses, they could also push the Federal Reserve to slow or even halt its cuts to interest rates. The Fed had just begun easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high a couple months ago to offer support for the job market . While lower interest rates can boost the economy, they can also offer more fuel for inflation. “Many” officials at the Fed’s last meeting earlier this month said they should lower rates gradually, according to minutes of the meeting released Tuesday afternoon. The talk about tariffs overshadowed another mixed set of profit reports from U.S. retailers that answered few questions about how much more shoppers can keep spending. They’ll need to stay resilient after helping the economy avoid a recession, despite the high interest rates imposed by the Fed to get inflation under control. A report on Tuesday from the Conference Board said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. Kohl’s tumbled 17% after its results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Tom Kingsbury said sales remain soft for apparel and footwear. A day earlier, Kingsbury said he plans to step down as CEO in January. Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Michaels and a retail veteran, will replace him. Best Buy fell 4.9% after likewise falling short of analysts’ expectations. Dick’s Sporting Goods topped forecasts for the latest quarter thanks to a strong back-to-school season, but its stock lost an early gain to fall 1.4%. Still, more stocks rose in the S&P 500 than fell. J.M. Smucker had one of the biggest gains and climbed 5.7% after topping analysts’ expectations for the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker credited strength for its Uncrustables, Meow Mix, Café Bustelo and Jif brands. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up U.S. indexes. Gains of 3.2% for Amazon and 2.2% for Microsoft were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. All told, the S&P 500 rose 34.26 points to 6,021.63. The Dow gained 123.74 to 44,860.31, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 119.46 to 19,174.30. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady following their big drop from a day before driven by relief following Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary. The yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.29% from 4.28% late Monday, but it’s still well below the 4.41% level where it ended last week. In the crypto market, bitcoin continued to pull back after topping $99,000 for the first time late last week. It’s since dipped back toward $91,000, according to CoinDesk. It’s a sharp turnaround from the bonanza that initially took over the crypto market following Trump’s election. That boom had also appeared to have spilled into some corners of the stock market. Strategists at Barclays Capital pointed to stocks of unprofitable companies, along with other areas that can be caught up in bursts of optimism by smaller-pocketed “retail” investors. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. 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