lucky fortune apk Ten of thousands of Syrians have been celebrating after the first Friday prayers since the fall of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad. or signup to continue reading The lightning victory by an opposition rebel alliance, which took control of Damascus last weekend, ended more than 53 years of rule by the al-Assad family. Clapping, raising victory signs and waving flags of the Syrian opposition, people in major squares across the country on Friday chanted "God bless Free Syria". "Raise your head up high you are a free Syrian now," said the crowds who gathered after the traditional weekly prayers. According to eyewitnesses, tens of thousands of people gathered at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus alone. "All the doors were open for the first time to allow everyone to do Friday prayers inside the mosque," a resident of the capital told the DPA news agency. The leader of the Islamist insurgency alliance Ahmed al-Sharaa - still widely known by his nom-de-guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani - earlier called on Syrians to celebrate peacefully. "Celebrate without firing celebratory gunfire and do not terrify people," al-Sharaa said in a video message where he was dressed with a white shirt, rather than his previous military fatigues. Eyewitnesses in various cities told DPA that strict security measures were being taken to monitor the celebrations. "Public security will deal firmly with anyone proven to be involved in shooting during the celebration," a statement from the Syrian opposition groups said. "We call for adherence to peaceful behaviour during demonstrations to preserve everyone's safety," the statement added. Khaled al-Imam, a resident of the Daraya suburb of Damascus, said he was going out "to celebrate the victory over the regime of Bashar al-Assad, who killed two of my brothers and more than 15 of my family members". Until his ouster, al-Assad had been in power in Syria for 24 years and had fought a brutal civil war against rebel groups for more than 13 years. The war seemed to have been at a stalemate, with the rebels beaten back in most areas, until a lightning offensive spearheaded by jihadist groups at the end of November revealed that the government's hold on power was far weaker than many thought. Al-Sharaa's force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, and its allied insurgents have been working to establish security and start a political transition after seizing the capital early on Sunday. At the same time, they have tried to reassure a public that is both stunned by the fall of the state that had long ruled with an iron hand and concerned over extremist jihadis among the insurgents. The Friday prayers have a particular symbolism because in the early days of the anti-government uprising-turned-civil-war in Syria in 2011, protesters would turn out en masse after going to the mosque. "Unified Syria to build Syria," the crowd gathered in Damascus' Umayyad Square chanted. Some shouted slurs about the former president and his late father, calling them pigs, an insult that would have previously led to offenders being hauled off to one of the feared detention centres of Assad's security forces. As the gathering took place, the top US diplomat was in the region discussing the United States view on the developments in Syria with regional powers. In the Turkish capital Ankara, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there was "broad agreement" between Turkey and the United States on what they would like to see in Syria. That starts with an "interim government in Syria, one that is inclusive and non-sectarian and one that protects the rights of minorities and women" and does not "pose any kind of threat to any of Syria's neighbours," Blinken said during joint statements with Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The insurgent groups that toppled Assad in Syria have not made clear their policy or stance on Israel, whose military in recent days has bombed sites all over the country. Israel says it is trying to prevent weapons from falling into extremist hands and has seized a swath of southern Syria along the border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, calling it a buffer zone. with AP 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. 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Article content A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and prevent an artificial intelligence “dictatorship” is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing shift into a for-profit company. Recommended Videos Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging it had betrayed its founding aims as a nonprofit research lab benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. The world’s richest man, whose companies include Tesla, SpaceX and social media platform X, last year started his own rival AI company, xAI. Musk says it faces unfair competition from OpenAI and its close business partner Microsoft, which has supplied the huge computing resources needed to build AI systems such as ChatGPT. “OpenAI and Microsoft together exploiting Musk’s donations so they can build a for-profit monopoly, one now specifically targeting xAI, is just too much,” says Musk’s filing that alleges the companies are violating the terms of Musk’s foundational contributions to the charity. OpenAI is filing a response Friday opposing Musk’s requested order, saying it would cripple OpenAI’s business and mission to the advantage of Musk and his own AI company. A hearing is set for January before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. At the heart of the dispute is a 2017 internal power struggle at the fledgling startup that led to Altman becoming OpenAI’s CEO. Musk also wanted the job, according to emails revealed as part of the court case, but grew frustrated after two other OpenAI co-founders said he would hold too much power as a major shareholder and chief executive if the startup succeeded in its goal to achieve better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence, or AGI. Musk has long voiced concerns about how advanced forms of AI could threaten humanity. “The current structure provides you with a path where you end up with unilateral absolute control over the AGI,” said a 2017 email to Musk from co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman. “You stated that you don’t want to control the final AGI, but during this negotiation, you’ve shown to us that absolute control is extremely important to you.” In the same email, titled “Honest Thoughts,” Sutskever and Brockman also voiced concerns about Altman’s desire to be CEO and whether he was motivated by “political goals.” Altman eventually succeeded in becoming CEO, and has remained so except for a period last year when he was fired and then reinstated days later after the board that ousted him was replaced. OpenAI published the messages Friday in a blog post meant to show its side of the story, particularly Musk’s early support for the idea of making OpenAI a for-profit business so it could raise money for the hardware and computer power that AI needs. It was Musk, through his wealth manager Jared Birchall, who first registered “Open Artificial Technologies Technologies, Inc.”, a public benefit corporation, in September 2017. Then came the “Honest Thoughts” email that Musk described as the “final straw.” “Either go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit,” Musk wrote back. OpenAI said Musk later proposed merging the startup into Tesla before resigning as the co-chair of OpenAI’s board in early 2018. Musk didn’t immediately respond to emailed requests for comment sent to his companies Friday. Asked about his frayed relationship with Musk at a New York Times conference last week, Altman said he felt “tremendously sad” but also characterized Musk’s legal fight as one about business competition. “He’s a competitor and we’re doing well,” Altman said. He also said at the conference that he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence with President-elect Donald Trump. OpenAI said Friday that Altman plans to make a $1 million personal donation to Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships with the incoming administration. — The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the AP’s text archives.The three performances will be on February 25 at 8pm, and February 26 at 2pm and 8pm. After 25 years in the harsh and unforgiving spotlight of politics, The Wharf Revue has decided to step away from public life. The Wharf Revue: The End of the Wharf as We Know It will see the return of Phillip Scott on the stage, along with the extremely talented cast consisting of Jonathan Biggins, Mandy Bishop, Drew Forsythe and David Whitney. Many public figures who’ve appeared in the show regularly over the years are lining up for a place in the final hurrah: Keating, Howard, Downer, Costello, Gillard, Abbott, Carr and other throwbacks too numerous to mention. “It’s an opportunity to spend more time with family – at the end of the day, this is about the need for renewal,” a spokesperson said earlier this year. “We’ll serve one last term to max out the super and then try to pick up some kind of consultancy work or do a series of Survivor – look, it’s too early to say but it has been an honour to serve the Australian people.” The Art House is honoured to be hosting this end of an era event by much loved Aussie performers. On opening night at the Canberra Theatre Centre, The End of the Wharf as We Know It was met with standing ovations and a lot of emotion as audiences bid farewell to an enduring legend in the world of musical theatre. The revue is always funny, always current and always expertly performed, this production has been at the top of its game for the past 25 years and Central Coast audiences will be able to choose from three performances close to home. Tickets are selling fast however, and with Christmas around the corner, tickets could make the ideal present. Tickets are adult: $69, concession: $65 and Encore Member: $62. Visit or call 4335 1485.Pittsburgh Steelers defensive starters DeShon Elliott and Larry Ogunjobi have both been ruled out for this Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, despite being spotted at practice on Friday. Both players were listed as did not practice for the third straight day on Friday, despite a somewhat increased level of participation. Elliott ran off to the side, while Ogunjobi worked in some individual drills. Ogunjobi suffered his groin injury in last Sunday’s 27-14 win over the Cleveland Browns . He came back in for one play, but was not able to continue. Ogunjobi has played after not practicing early in the week before, so his status for Friday should be closely monitored. Montravius Adams appears ready to come off the injured reserve list to replace him, if necessary. Adams was a full participant for the third straight practice and has been officially listed as questionable. Strong safety DeShon Elliott has also been ruled out after he missed practice for the third straight day. He finished the game with the Browns after suffering the hamstring injury mid-game, but has not practiced since. Damontae Kazee and Cam Sutton expect to replace Elliott. PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY REPORT Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliot at practice on Dec. 13, 2024. — Alan Saunders / Steelers Now STEELERS INJURED RESERVE This article first appeared on Steelers Now and was syndicated with permission.

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TEHRAN - In a note, Hamshahri dealt with the increase of Iran's infiltration into Israel's security structures. It wrote: These days, concern about Iran's increasing infiltration into various structures of the Zionist regime has become one of the most important political-security concerns of Tel Aviv in facing the Islamic Republic. It seems that after the implementation of the "True Promise II" operation, the Zionist authorities were more worried about Iran's security infiltration into the occupied territories. Although the Zionists tried to hide the strikes by launching a propaganda campaign after Operation "True Promise I", during "True Promise II", the high volume of hits could not be hidden. More than anything else, the accurate hitting of the missile depots indicated Iran's precise information about the military-security goals of the Zionist regime. An issue that seems to have faced the security authorities of this regime with an important challenge called “Iran's security penetration.” In an article, Ettelaat addressed the developments in the Middle East, especially in Syria, and the performance of Iran after these events. The paper said: The Middle East has become the center of strange political and social developments. In such a situation, we need to know what direction the future conditions in the region will take and what the Islamic Republic of Iran can do. It seems that threats and sabotage attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran will intensify based on the expansionist and aggressive strategies of the Israeli regime. In such a situation, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Resistance Front should put themselves in a position of renewal and strength. The Islamic Republic of Iran is the leader of the resistance groups and more than others it is most exposed to threats and conspiracies. Therefore, it must take serious measures to strengthen its internal power because inciting and equipping forces opposed to the Islamic Republic, launching media wars and cyberattacks, creating public discontent among the people, etc. are on the list of programs of this regime against Iran. In an analysis, Etemad discussed the role of Syria in the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. It wrote: The developments in the Middle East and the confrontation between Tel Aviv and Hezbollah changed the balance of power between Iran and Israel, and now the fall of Bashar al-Assad can affect the position of Iran and the resistance front. However, the wider consequence of recent developments is a change in the balance of power between Turkey and other regional and extra-regional actors. What is clear is that Turkey's achievements in Syria have been highlighted and Ankara's influence in Lebanon and Iraq may increase. Turkey's achievements may affect Tehran's interactions and have consequences for other regional actors. From Iran's point of view, the fall of Assad may provide the basis for changing Tehran’s strategy. But as observers say, Turkey's achievements in Syria can be worrying signs for the whole region. Iran sees Turkey as a regional competitor. A rival who secretly challenges Tehran's influence in the Middle East and the Caucasus. A geography where the two players have been competing for a long time. In an explanation, Arman-e-Emrooz analyzed Iran's future policy after Assad and wrote: Considering the anti-Israeli nature of the Islamist movement in Syria and the closeness of some of them to Hamas, perhaps this channel will provide an opportunity for Tehran to play a role in this regard in the future. The continuation of Israel's attacks on Syria and serious hatred toward the occupation and apartheid regime can increase the chance of creating this opportunity for Iran. Considering the escalation of tension in the future, Tehran may be led to redefine its regional priorities and strengthen relations with Syria’s actors to pass this stage. It is also possible that the Iranian government will focus more on strengthening its internal front and solving its problems and negotiations to lift sanctions. Of course, before the formation of such negotiations, it is not unlikely that Israel will take action against Iran's nuclear program with a green light from the United States. Apart from these goals, another goal may be to remove Iran's nuclear leverage in order to get concessions in the negotiations.Eastern Kentucky secures 77-72 win over Southern Illinois