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In April, just 12 weeks into her pregnancy, Kathleen Clark was standing at the receptionist window of her OB-GYN’s office when she was asked to pay $960, the total the office estimated she would owe after she delivered. Clark, 39, was shocked that she was asked to pay that amount during this second prenatal visit. Normally, patients receive the bill after insurance has paid its part, and for pregnant women that’s usually only when the pregnancy ends. It would be months before the office filed the claim with her health insurer. Clark said she felt stuck. The Cleveland, Tennessee, obstetrics practice was affiliated with a birthing center where she wanted to deliver. Plus, she and her husband had been wanting to have a baby for a long time. And Clark was emotional, because just weeks earlier her mother had died. “You’re standing there at the window, and there’s people all around, and you’re trying to be really nice,” recalled Clark, through tears. “So, I paid it.” On online and other , pregnant women say they are being asked by their providers to pay out-of-pocket fees earlier than expected. The practice is legal, but patient advocacy groups call it unethical. Medical providers argue that asking for payment up front ensures they get compensated for their services. How frequently this happens is hard to track because it is considered a private transaction between the provider and the patient. Therefore, the payments are not recorded in insurance claims data and are not studied by researchers. Patients, medical billing experts, and patient advocates say the billing practice causes unexpected anxiety at a time of already heightened stress and financial pressure. Estimates can sometimes be higher than what a patient might ultimately owe and force people to fight for refunds if they miscarry or the amount paid was higher than the final bill. Up-front payments also create hurdles for women who may want to switch providers if they are unhappy with their care. In some cases, they may cause women to forgo prenatal care altogether, especially in places where few other maternity care options exist. It’s “holding their treatment hostage,” said Caitlin Donovan, a senior director at the . Medical billing and women’s health experts believe OB-GYN offices adopted the practice to manage the high cost of maternity care and the way it is billed for in the U.S. When a pregnancy ends, OB-GYNs typically file a single insurance claim for routine prenatal care, labor, delivery, and, often, postpartum care. That practice of bundling all maternity care into one billing code began three decades ago, said Lisa Satterfield, senior director of health and payment policy at the . But such bundled billing has become outdated, she said. Previously, pregnant patients had been subject to copayments for each prenatal visit, which might lead them to skip crucial appointments to save money. But the Affordable Care Act now requires all commercial insurers to fully cover certain prenatal services. Plus, it’s become more common for pregnant women to switch providers, or have different providers handle prenatal care, labor, and delivery — especially in rural areas where patient transfers are common. Some providers say prepayments allow them to over the course of the pregnancy to ensure that they are compensated for the care they do provide, even if they don’t ultimately deliver the baby. “You have people who, unfortunately, are not getting paid for the work that they do,” said Pamela Boatner, who works as a midwife in a Georgia hospital. While she believes women should receive pregnancy care regardless of their ability to pay, she also understands that some providers want to make sure their bill isn’t ignored after the baby is delivered. New parents might be overloaded with hospital bills and the costs of caring for a new child, and they may lack income if a parent isn’t working, Boatner said. In the U.S., having a baby can be expensive. People who obtain health insurance through large employers pay an average of nearly $3,000 out-of-pocket for pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, according to the . In addition, many people are opting for high-deductible health insurance plans, leaving them to shoulder a larger share of the costs. Of the with health care debt, 12% attribute at least some of it to maternity care, according to . Families need time to save money for the high costs of pregnancy, childbirth, and child care, especially if they lack paid maternity leave, said , CEO of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, a Los Angeles-based policy think tank. Asking them to prepay “is another gut punch,” she said. “What if you don’t have the money? Do you put it on credit cards and hope your credit card goes through?” Calculating the final costs of childbirth depends on multiple factors, such as the , plan benefits, and health complications, said , a health policy researcher at the University of Southern California’s Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. The final bill for the patient is unclear until a health plan decides how much of the claim it will cover, she said. But sometimes the option to wait for the insurer is taken away. During Jamie Daw’s first pregnancy in 2020, her OB-GYN accepted her refusal to pay in advance because Daw wanted to see the final bill. But in 2023, during her second pregnancy, a private midwifery practice in New York told her that since she had a high-deductible plan, it was mandatory to pay $2,000 spread out with monthly payments. Daw, a health policy researcher at Columbia University, delivered in September 2023 and got a refund check that November for $640 to cover the difference between the estimate and the final bill. “I study health insurance,” she said. “But, as most of us know, it’s so complicated when you’re really living it.” While the Affordable Care Act requires insurers to cover some prenatal services, it doesn’t prohibit providers from sending their final bill to patients early. It would be a challenge politically and practically for state and federal governments to attempt to regulate the timing of the payment request, said , a co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University. Medical lobbying groups are powerful and contracts between insurers and medical providers are proprietary. Because of the legal gray area, , an insurance broker at Rapha Health and Life in Texas, advises clients to ask their insurer if they can refuse to prepay their deductible. Some insurance plans prohibit providers in their network from requiring payment up front. If the insurer says they can refuse to pay up front, Marshall said, she tells clients to get established with a practice before declining to pay, so that the provider can’t refuse treatment. Clark said she met her insurance deductible after paying for genetic testing, extra ultrasounds, and other services out of her health care flexible spending account. Then she called her OB-GYN’s office and asked for a refund. “I got my spine back,” said Clark, who had previously worked at a health insurer and a medical office. She got an initial check for about half the $960 she originally paid. In August, Clark was sent to the hospital after her blood pressure spiked. A high-risk pregnancy specialist — not her original OB-GYN practice — delivered her son, Peter, prematurely via emergency cesarean section at 30 weeks. It was only after she resolved most of the bills from the delivery that she received the rest of her refund from the other OB-GYN practice. This final check came in October, just days after Clark brought Peter home from the hospital, and after multiple calls to the office. She said it all added stress to an already stressful period. “Why am I having to pay the price as a patient?” she said. “I’m just trying to have a baby.” ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.The social media games: why sports teams and leagues aren’t just competing on the fieldzac wild rift 。

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Notation Labs Secures $2 Million Credit Facility to Accelerate Production of QwelTM, a Cutting-Edge Lead Detection and Prevention SystemIn a massive blow to the Northern Territory's ambitious space program, Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA) has ceased operations of the Arnhem Space Centre and announced it would relocate the spaceport to a new site in Queensland. or signup to continue reading The ELA-run spaceport saw NASA launch rockets from Arnhem Land in 2022 - for the first time from a commercial port outside of the US. Now, ELA has laid the blame on the Northern Land Council for having been "forced" to make its decision to abandon the NT site on Gumatj land near the town of Nhulunbuy. "This decision has been forced by the inability of the Company to finalise a lease for the expansion of the Arnhem Space Centre," the company said in a statement. "The decision came after the Northern Land Council (NLC) failed to meet its own specified deadline for the approval of the Head Lease for the fourth time over the last 12 months in October 2024." ELA claims it had made "desperate appeals", together with the Northern Territory Chief Minister's Department and the Gumatj Corporation since February 2024, but the NLC "would not issue a Head Lease or provide any official reasons for the delays". "Accordingly, Management and the Board of ELA were left with no option other than to act in the best interest of its customers and shareholders, abandon negotiations, and seek an alternate equatorial site in Queensland." But the Northern Land Council has hit back to "set the record straight on falsehoods shared by Equatorial Launch Australia". "ELA provided inaccurate, unrealistic timelines and unfairly blamed the NLC for delays as the reason for their decision," the Land Council said in a statement. "The NLC has engaged proactively and positively to facilitate a substantial, swift and, most crucially, safe agreement being made between ASC and Traditional Owners." Under its statutory obligations, the NLC is required to facilitate land use agreements between Aboriginal people and entities wishing to conduct business on their land, across the Top End of the NT. The Land Council said since September 2023 it had been in negotiations with ELA in regards to the planned space centre expansion in Arnhem Land, "consistently request(ing) essential information and terms to be provided, so that it could facilitate informative consultations with all Traditional Owners affected, including progressing the work of independent expert consultants". The NLC said negotiations had been "complicated", alleging ELA's "attempts to circumvent sacred sites protection requirements, breaches of previous agreement conditions, requiring confidentiality agreements, and significantly delaying responses to crucial correspondence". Matthew Ryan, NLC Chair, said it was "vital for Countrymen, and in the interest of all Australians", that sacred and cultural sites are protected and at the same time Aboriginal people are included in and benefit from economic developments on their Country". "Our people will not be pushed into cutting corners for outside business timelines, nor can we jeopardise cultural obligations, our Country, or the hard-won Land Rights of our people," he said. "We stand with our East Arnhem-based Council Members and all the clans of East Arnhem Land, when we say that we are very disappointed with how ELA has handled this. Especially the false timeline they are sharing and how they have obviously been working behind-the-scenes with Queensland - where they don't have the Aboriginal Land Rights Act to make sure Aboriginal Lands are respected and protected, and where they already have that appointed coordinator to dangerously rush things through." Mr Ryan said the NLC had "worked hard" to keep the Arnhem Space Centre's agreement moving, acknowledging the "opportunities the ASC could present to Aboriginal people across the Top End in terms of economic development and education". ELA said it had worked with the Queensland Government to move its spaceport to Weipa, hoping it will have regulatory clearances for contracted launches in late 2025. Meanwhile, the NT Government - a financial supporter of the space port - said it was "exploring legal options regarding our 5 per cent shareholding in ELA", which is believed to be worth about $5 million. I am an award-winning media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcast, as well as photography and videography. I am the NT Correspondent at Australian Community Media and I write for my hometown newspaper, the Katherine Times. I love telling people's stories, and I am passionate about giving those a voice who may otherwise remain unheard. When I am not busy putting pen to paper, I spend time in my garden, go bushwalking or travel across the Northern Territory, Australia or the world. In my spare time I write, illustrate and publish books. I am an award-winning media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcast, as well as photography and videography. I am the NT Correspondent at Australian Community Media and I write for my hometown newspaper, the Katherine Times. I love telling people's stories, and I am passionate about giving those a voice who may otherwise remain unheard. When I am not busy putting pen to paper, I spend time in my garden, go bushwalking or travel across the Northern Territory, Australia or the world. In my spare time I write, illustrate and publish books. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementScheffler goes on a run of birdies in the Bahamas and leads by 2

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The Supreme Court With NGOs and social activists trying to perpetuate Covid-time free ration to migrant labour, Centre on Monday told SC that it continued to provide foodgrain to the needy under Food Safety Act but strongly resisted what it called attempts by petitioners to run the country through PILs. Appearing for a PIL petitioner, activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan said the govt may be giving free ration to 80 crore people but had illegally left out 2-3 crore poor people from the scheme by telling states that stock of foodgrain meant to be distributed under the scheme was exhausted. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Manmohan said it may fall under the govt's policy domain to decide its food security scheme, but suggested to SG Tushar Mehta that if the financial status of 80 crore beneficiaries of free ration was re-evaluated and if a few crore people had crossed the below poverty line parameters, it could consider including those left out from the scheme. The bench said states were indiscriminately issuing ration cards for free foodgrain knowing full well that it was the Centre's liability to provide grains. "If states are asked to provide free ration, then most of them would run away citing financial crunch," it said. Mehta said these proceedings were initiated suo motu by SC in 2020 when the pandemic was at its peak to ensure that no one went hungry. "Bhushan is riding on that and trying to run the govt and frame policies," he said. "These NGOs and activists must file affidavits detailing what they did to help ameliorate the condition of the poor during the pandemic," the SG added. A hurt Bhushan said, "Mehta has a habit of making comments against me in every case he opposes me in SC as I had made public damaging emails featuring him." SG replied, "He cannot attempt to run govt. We have and will always oppose such attempts from him." Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .

Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the USPHILADELPHIA — Former Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller sat for a long interview with the NCAA as it looked into concerns about unusual gambling activity, his lawyer said Friday amid reports a federal probe is now under way. "Hysier Miller fully cooperated with the NCAA's investigation. He sat for a five-hour interview and answered every question the NCAA asked. He also produced every document the NCAA requested," lawyer Jason Bologna said in a statement. "Hysier did these things because he wanted to play basketball this season, and he is devastated that he cannot." Miller, a three-year starter from South Philadelphia, transferred to Virginia Tech this spring. However, the Hokies released him last month due to what the program called "circumstances prior to his enrollment at Virginia Tech." Bologna declined to confirm that a federal investigation had been opened, as did spokespeople for both the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Philadelphia. ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported Thursday that authorities were investigating whether Miller bet on games he played in at Temple, and whether he adjusted his performance accordingly. "Hysier Miller has overcome more adversity in his 22 years than most people face in their lifetime. He will meet and overcome whatever obstacles lay ahead," Bologna said. Miller scored eight points — about half his season average of 15.9 — in a 100-72 loss to UAB on March 7 that was later flagged for unusual betting activity. Temple said it has been aware of those allegations since they became public in March, and has been cooperative. "We have been fully responsive and cooperative with the NCAA since the moment we learned of the investigation," Temple President John Fry said in a letter Thursday to the school community. However, Fry said Temple had not received any requests for information from state or federal law enforcement agencies. He vowed to cooperate fully if they did. "Coaches, student-athletes and staff members receive mandatory training on NCAA rules and regulations, including prohibitions on involvement in sports wagering," Fry said in the letter. The same week the Temple-UAB game raised concerns, Loyola (Maryland) said it had removed a person from its basketball program after it became aware of a gambling violation. Temple played UAB again on March 17, losing 85-69 in the finals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament. League spokesman Tom Fenstermaker also declined comment on Friday.Adobe Inc. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitors

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Rep. Matt Gaetz said Friday that he will not be returning to Congress after withdrawing his name from consideration to be attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump amid growing allegations of sexual misconduct. “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, adding that he has “some other goals in life that I’m eager to pursue with my wife and my family.” The announcement comes a day after Gaetz, a Florida Republican, stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process amid growing fallout from federal and House Ethics investigations that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The 42-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him. Gaetz's nomination as attorney general had stunned many career lawyers inside the Justice Department, but reflected Trump's desire to place a loyalist in a department he has marked for retribution following the criminal cases against him. Hours after Gaetz withdrew, Trump nominated Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, who would come to the job with years of legal work under her belt and that other trait Trump prizes above all: loyalty. It's unclear what's next for Gaetz, who is no longer a member of the House. He surprised colleagues by resigning from Congress the same day that Trump nominated him for attorney general. Some speculated he could still be sworn into office for another two-year term on Jan. 3, given that he had just won reelection earlier this month. But Gaetz, who has been in state and national politics for 14 years, said he's done with Congress. “I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress," he said.

The suspect in the high-profile killing of a health insurance CEO that has gripped the United States graduated from an Ivy League university, reportedly hails from a wealthy family, and wrote social media posts brimming with cerebral musings. Luigi Mangione, 26, was thrust into the spotlight Monday after police revealed he is their person of interest in the brutal murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a father of two, last week in broad daylight in Manhattan in a case that laid bare deep frustration and anger with America's privatized medical system. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Talks with parties necessary before placing reportsA MAXIMUM of 10 digital banks will now be allowed to operate in the Philippines as a result of the lifting of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) moratorium on the establishment of these banks. Beginning on Wednesday, January 1st, the moratorium set by the BSP on the issuance of digital bank licenses is lifted. The move includes the conversion of an existing bank’s license to a digital bank license. The BSP will accept applications to establish other types of banks to offer financial products and services that are processed from end-to-end through a digital platform or an electronic channel. “Existing banks that are assessed by the Bangko Sentral as having a highly digital-centric business model shall be required to comply with the requirements applicable to a digital bank, as may be determined by the Bangko Sentral,” BSP said. The BSP said that existing banks that apply for conversion to a digital bank must comply with the requirements set for digital banks, including the minimum capital requirement. These banks must also submit an acceptable plan to address how the transition to a digital bank will be undertaken. The BSP said these banks will be given three years from the approval of their digital banking license by the Monetary Board to implement its transition plan. This timeframe for banks that will convert to become digital banks also covers the divestment or closure of a bank’s branches, subbranches or branch lite units. The pre-approval process to establish a digital bank includes the presentation of the feasibility study of the monthly projected financial statement for the first five years of the new bank’s operation. The feasibility study, the BSP said, should contain “realistic assumptions” that are consistent with the proposed business model and the corporate strategy of the bank. The applicant must also provide a detailed review and assessment of its information technology systems and infrastructure vis-a-vis its digital banking business model. This review and assessment should be conducted by a third-party IT expert and include a comprehensive assessment of the design, security controls, scalability and resilience capability of the infrastructure. The same parameters will also be required in the assessment of the applicant’s network, application, database, security systems, anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) measures and other technologies. The applicant should also submit the requirements for offering electronic payments and financial services and a list and nature of material outsourcing arrangements. In the evaluation proper, the banks will be evaluated according to their capital requirements/stockholdings, among other parameters required for all new banks. First candidates Earlier, the BSP said a rural bank that is partly owned by a foreign firm and a European digital bank could be among those that could be granted digital banking licenses next year. BSP Financial Supervision Sector Deputy Governor Chuchi G. Fonacier recently told reporters, however, that these institutions have not yet applied but were among those that have a digital bank-like operation or have expressed keen interest. The BSP recently opened four more digital banking license slots and applicants may start submitting their requirements starting January 1, 2025. The Central Bank may also include existing banks that are operating like digital banks on the list of banks to evaluate. Cai U. Ordinario writes macroeconomic and urban development stories. She has received awards for excellence in reporting on the macroeconomy and statistics. Ordinario is also a Jefferson Fellow of the East West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. She completed her Masters degree in Communication at the University of the Philippines and Bachelor of Arts Major in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas.

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Investing in top through a has been a smart strategy for generating worry-free, tax-free passive income since 2009. This is because dividends, capital gains, or interest are exempt from tax in a TFSA, thereby enhancing overall returns. With this background, let’s look at the three worth buying and holding in a TFSA for worry-free passive income. These companies have stable businesses and a growing earnings base, enabling them to reward their shareholders with higher dividend distributions consistently. Moreover, these stocks offer attractive yields. ( ) is known for its consistent payouts and high yield, making it a top choice for TFSA investors looking to earn worry-free passive income. Canada’s leading wireless service provider has consistently rewarded its shareholders through its multi-year dividend-growth program. For instance, it has paid about $21 billion in dividends in the past two decades and raised its dividend 27 times in the past 14 years. Notably, the telecom giant recently raised its quarterly dividend by 7%. Meanwhile, it expects its annual dividend to increase by 7-10% from 2023 through 2025. Further, it has a payout ratio of 60-75% of free cash flow, which implies its dividend distributions are sustainable in the long run. Telus also offers an attractive yield of 7.3%. The telecom giant’s durable payouts reflect its ability to deliver profitable growth driven by significant broadband network investments. It is investing in expanding its PureFibre Network and 5G infrastructure and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), which bodes well for future growth. Telus also focuses on high-growth segments such as cybersecurity and digital transformation, which will likely boost its financials and accelerate its growth. Further, its growing customer base and focus on increasing average revenue per user, reducing the churn rate, and lowering costs will continue to support its earnings, driving higher payouts. TFSA investors could consider ( ) stock for its stellar dividend growth and payments. The energy infrastructure company has consistently raised its dividend since 2000 at a CAGR of 7%. The company’s resilient business model, led by its highly regulated and contracted assets, supports its payouts, making it a reliable dividend stock for steady and growing passive income. TC Energy stock also offers a healthy yield of 5.6%. TC Energy is well-positioned to consistently pay and increase its dividend by 3-5% annually in the coming years. Its long-term contracts and regulated asset base will likely generate low-risk earnings and cash flow and support future payouts. The energy company is set to benefit from higher system utilization, a secured capital program, and growing demand for natural gas, power, and energy solutions. Further, the company’s focus on productivity savings and debt reduction will fuel its earnings and cash flows, enhancing its shareholder value through higher payouts. TFSA investors can also consider the top Canadian for worry-free income. These financial services giants have a proven record of consistently distributing dividends for more than a century. ( ) is an appealing choice among the leading Canadian banks due to its lucrative yield. Notably, this financial services giant has consistently paid dividends since 1833 and raised them at a CAGR of 6% since 2013. Moreover, it offers an attractive yield of 5.4%. Scotiabank’s solid dividend history reflects its ability to grow earnings across various market conditions. The financial services company’s diversified revenue streams, exposure to high-growth markets, growing loans and deposit base, steady credit performance, and improved operational efficiency boost its earnings and support its dividend payouts. Scotiabank’s solid earnings base and conservative payout ratio imply that its payouts are sustainable in the long term.St. Francis women allow 18 offensive rebounds in loss to Maryland-Baltimore County

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Matt Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney generalThe Syrian rebel forces that toppled Bashar Assad said Wednesday they have advanced farther into the eastern portion of the country as they continue to redraw the map and fill the vacuum left by Assad’s ousting. The news comes a day after Syria’s new interim leader Mohammed al-Bashir announced he was assuming the role of the country’s caretaker prime minister until March 1. Bashir previously served as the head of the rebel administration’s self-formed “salvation government.” As Syria and the rest of the world come to terms with the end of Assad’s rule, the U.S. and Syrian rebels are moving quickly to hold members of his regime accountable for war crimes. READ: Here’s a look back on the rise and fall of Assad and how he transformed from a beacon of hope into an iron-fisted leader. Born in 1965 in Damascus, Syria, Assad is the second son of former Syrian ruler Hafez Assad. Hafez Assad rose through the ranks of the Arab socialist Baath party, taking control of the Syrian branch of the party before becoming president. He led Syria for 30 years, enforcing his totalitarian rule through control of the military, security forces and a secret police force. Bashar Assad, second in the line of succession, was not expected to become president. His older brother Basil, a trained engineer turned politician, had been groomed to take over. Bashar Assad instead became a doctor in the 1980s and was studying in London to be an ophthalmologist in the early 1990s. But when Basil Assad died in a car accident in 1994, Bashar Assad was recalled to Syria to replace his brother as heir apparent. He entered the military academy in 1994 and was given control of Syria’s occupation of Lebanon in 1998. Following the death of Hafez Assad in June 2000, Bashar Assad became president that July. Reuters Dec. 11, 2024 Quick Descent Into Dictatorship Assad’s rise to power encouraged many in the Middle East and in the West, who were hopeful that the youthful, educated leader would bring reform and modernization to Syria. Assad initially pursued reform through economic change rather than political change, prioritizing free markets in place of state monopolies. He also released a large number of political prisoners in 2001 to show Western countries that Syria was evolving and progressing. But Assad’s reforms proved superficial, and his government quickly descended into autocracy backed by the military, while his economic plan mostly benefited the elite who were loyal to his family. Soon after his taking office, a reform movement known as the Damascus Spring led by writers, intellectuals and activists began. The movement called for transparency and democracy but was quickly suppressed. Assad’s favorability on the world stage further eroded in 2005 after Rafik Hariri, the former prime minister of Lebanon, was assassinated in a truck bomb explosion in Beirut. Syria was widely believed to be behind the killing, and a United Nations international independent investigation commission report found “probable cause” to believe high-ranking members of Syrian intelligence and the Assad family directly supervised the assassination. Hariri’s death set off a period of massive unrest in Lebanon, leading to former President George W. Bush singling out Syria and Iran as the “root cause” of the attacks. In December 2010, a Tunisian fruit vendor set himself on fire in protest of widespread corruption, kicking off waves of demonstrations across the Middle East in what is now known as the Arab Spring. Protests soon swelled beyond Tunisia into North Africa and the Levant, forcing longtime dictators in Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen to step down. The protests spread into Syria after 15 boys in the city of Deraa spray-painted a slogan associated with the demonstrations on a school wall. The boys were arrested and tortured, setting off a firestorm. Protesters took to the streets calling for an end to the Assad regime, more freedom and an end to corruption. Assad responded immediately, directing security forces to fire on demonstrators. Civilians who were arrested were subject to torture and extrajudicial killings in detention centers. The Syrian army in 2011 deployed tanks to Deraa, killing thousands and cutting survivors off from food, water, medicine and more for 11 days. The fighting quickly spread to other cities in and around Damascus, escalating the conflict into a full-blown civil war. Assad drew international condemnation when reports emerged in August 2013 that his forces used the chemical agent Sarin against an area held by rebel forces. The State Department says more than 1,400 people died in the rocket strike. The attack infamously crossed former President Barack Obama’s “red line” for U.S. intervention in the conflict, yet after much consideration Obama opted against direct U.S. military involvement. The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has estimated 162,390 civilians were killed, and the Syrian government and its allies are held responsible for 139,609 of those deaths. The U.N. Refugee Agency says the ongoing crisis has resulted in more than 5 million refugees who have fled – most of whom have been taken in by neighboring countries in the region – and 7.2 million more people internally displaced within Syria. After Assad’s hold over Syria almost collapsed twice in 2013 and 2015, outside forces helped him claw back control. Iran directed Hezbollah fighters and military advisers from its Revolutionary Guard Corps to help bolster him, while Russia, Syria’s historic patron, provided financial support and diplomatic cover. Moscow also operates military bases within Syria that are crucial to its ability to project power globally. The creation of the Islamic State group’s caliphate that claimed one-third of Syria’s territory prompted support from the U.S. in the form of fighters. And in 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent weaponry and air defense systems to help Assad beat back rebel factions. But the rebel groups maintained a stronghold in the northwest portion of the country and the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham emerged from the Syrian branch of al-Qaida. The U.S. and the United Nations designated it a terrorist organization, but it has since moved to adopt a less extreme ideology. With Russia preoccupied by its war on Ukraine and Iran reeling from the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, launched a lightning offensive that saw them take the cities of Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Damascus in rapid succession after the conflict had been largely frozen for a decade. On Sunday, Assad and his family fled to Russia where they were granted asylum, ending his 24 years in power.Game industry predictions for 2025 | The DeanBeat

Game industry predictions for 2025 | The DeanBeatJerry Yang didn’t speak English when he started school at L.A. Nelson Elementary. Now, as a Guyer High School sophomore, Yang is a budding teacher, and among 18 Denton ISD students qualified to advance to nationals from their work in Texas Association of Future Educators contests. Yang and his peers are also eligible for the Educators Rising National Conference. How did the high school student go from being a Mandarin speaker in an English as a second language program to a competitive aspiring teacher? Yang credits Denton ISD’s Teach Denton and how it channeled his enthusiasm for learning in elementary school. “I believe it’s because I was not a native speaker,” he said. “And I usually excel more, like faster than others. So then I helped others, and then it clicked for me at the same time.” Guyer High School sophomore Jerry Yang qualified for a national competition for future educators. Yang is a member of both Teach Denton, a Denton ISD program that offers training and development for students who want to be teachers, and his campus chapter of Texas Association of Future Educators. Yang said his ESL teacher nominated him for the program. “I was like ‘OK,’” he said. In elementary school classrooms across Denton ISD, teachers notice when some students help their classmates out. They might explain part of a small group activity, or help a friend stand in the right spot. They are eager to learn, too. Since the 2016-17 school year, teachers have tapped those students to join Teach Denton, a program that introduces students — some of them as young as prekindergarten — to teaching. Since its founding, Teach Denton has fed campus chapters of the Texas Association of Future Educators, a three-year education training program at LaGrone Academy that certifies students to work as classroom aides. Teach Denton is also a pathway to LaGrone’s teaching internship, a program that gives students professional development and student teaching experience ahead of college programs. Since the program was founded, 88 of Teach Denton’s alumni have returned to Denton ISD in full-time teaching positions. Denton ISD leaders are proud of that number, and officials from the Texas Education Agency have visited campuses to meet Teach Denton students and the school leaders who are shepherding them toward a career in the classroom or administrators’ offices. “We’re planting these seeds; we’re planting Christmas trees,” said Leah Zavala, the coordinator of Teach Denton. “We’re not going to have all of our vacancies and spots filled tomorrow. But this is that long-term goal. It’s building Rome, you know?” Leah Zavala, Denton ISD’s Teach Denton coordinator, speaks at a event for Teach Denton students in February. Zavala said the program has attracted attention from school districts across the country. The program grew out of a campus improvement plan, a sprawling project that the leaders of each campus complete regularly to align classrooms with everything from state standards to the needs of the regional and national labor market. Zavala said a deputy superintendent likened the initiative to planting trees that would bear fruit generations later. District leaders routinely consider the challenges that face public schools. Texas has been dealing with a teaching shortage for more than a decade, a situation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and political upheavals. Denton ISD has fared better than other Texas schools. It’s a destination district, and boasts an 81.8% teacher retention rate. But the program isn’t about filling vacancies, Zavala said. It’s about connecting students who excel in the classroom and who show leadership traits to a vocation that makes an impact on lives, and on a granular level. Texas public schools act on a 2019 mandate from state lawmakers to make sure students can graduate from high school ready for college, a career or the military. Denton ISD has the typical pathways for students to pursue those outcomes. LaGrone Academy, the district’s advanced technology complex, offers certifications in longstanding trades, such as cosmetology, nursing, auto mechanics and welding. The campus also has a menu of newer certification programs, such as commercial photography, animation, law and forensics. Zavala said the campus improvement plan process sparked conversations about teaching. Every teacher and administrator knows students who are clever, curious and willing to lead. “The questions came up: Why are we not marketing our profession?’” Zavala said. “We have the career-tech complex. We have law enforcement, we have health science. All of these were feeding into a profession. And education is feeding into that same profession, but there was this disconnect with students dropping off and not going into education [in their] postsecondary [education]. And so we started asking, ‘Why are we not doing this?’ “It was really just an idea from [a Denton ISD deputy superintendent] of, like, ‘Hey, why don’t we?’ And if we are in the business of education, why are we not marketing for education?” Zavala said elementary school students and even prekindergarten students who demonstrate empathy can be considered. The youngest students can take part in activities that develop empathy and positive interactions. When they get into kindergarten, Zavala said, they can start attending monthly Teach Denton meetings. Middle and high school students in the program can join their campus chapter of Texas Association of Future Educators. Student in the Teach Denton program at Denton ISD are set on education and career paths in teaching, with the ultimate goal of returning to Denton ISD for their careers. Among their peers and with their faculty advisers, those students drill down on teaching and focus on things like differentiation in education, which prepares them for a typical classroom and its varied students and abilities, to classroom management. Yang will compete in the Area 10 TAFE Conference at Texas Woman’s University over the weekend. The conference at TWU, hosted by the College of Professional Education and the Educator Preparation Program, includes students from Cooke, Denton, Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant and Wise counties. Staci Scott, one of the two coordinators of the LaGrone Academy education internship program and campus TAFE chapter, is helping guide 85 students through the internship, which offers dual credit to students who plan to become certified teachers. The program, separate from Teach Denton, starts with five weeks of preparation, and then interns travel to Denton ISD campuses, where they do hands-on work and student teaching with younger students. “The more that I meet other teachers from other districts, I feel like our district is leading the way with this program,” Scott said. “So many districts want to get it going, but they’re not where we are.” Scott is in her third year sharing the helm of the internship, and she said she’s seeing some important things happen for the interns. “I think starting at an elementary level, keeping kids engaged and excited through their entire [school] career matters,” she said. “I think the fact that they are in classrooms actually teaching — it’s not for everyone, right? Teaching? I tell them, ‘This is such an opportunity for you to spend $75 to take this course and get to do what juniors in college do.’ “Because let’s be real, some people make it that far in college and then they do their student teaching and they’re like, ‘Oh, maybe this is not the route that I want to take.’ So the opportunity to be able to try it out and see is huge.” She also sees that the internship puts students in the classroom, a challenging place that is changing fast, early. By the time alumni are in collegiate teacher preparation programs, they’ve seen how students learn and interact. They’ve had a front-row seat to the challenges and the triumphs that students start experiencing the moment they start school. Scott said she sees room for growth in Teach Denton. “I think the earlier we can get kids in TAFE, and keep building that, we’ll be even better.” Students as young as pre-K can enter Denton ISD’s Teach Denton program. Many times, teachers notice certain characteristics, like helping others and a passion for learning, and recommend them for Teach Denton. An event in February honored the hundreds of Teach Denton students in the program. Yang is two years from graduation from Guyer High, but he’s already considering teacher preparation programs at the University of Texas and University of California. He’s also thinking of a career teaching high school biology and perhaps trying his hand as a public school administrator or college professor. And when he thinks of the future, he imagines teaching in a public school. Until then, Yang said, he’s going to mentor new TAFE students and continue competing while studying honors courses. As a Teach Denton student, Yang is already thinking about what the classroom will be like when he starts his career. “Our world is changing right now,” he said. “Technologies are more advanced, and new generations are coming up. We have to adapt to like the ever-changing present. I believe we should use resources, like AI, to help us, because that’s becoming a big thing. And I know ... teachers think that AI is cheating or something like that. But I think that in the future, AI is going to become like a useful resource.” Yang said both Teach Denton and TAFE have created a community for its members. Just like in team sports, Teach Denton students forge friendships. The students have built a support system for one another. And Yang said the skills students develop in Teach Denton don’t have to stay in classrooms. “I think a lot of people think that you’re in the program, you’re going to be kind of teacher and stuff, but I don’t think that I think that you’re in the program just to become a teacher,” Yang said. “You can do [work] in the program just to build your relationship with others, and basically strengthen your skills.” Zavala said Teach Denton has attracted attention from districts across the country. “Dr. [Robert] Stewart used to be our assistant superintendent of human resources, and he used to tell me all the time, ‘We’re going to take Teach Denton on the road, we’re going to take Teach Denton on the road!’” she said. “And we essentially have. We have gone to several different states in the U.S and talked about Teach Denton, and helped other education agencies in different states develop their grow your own program. Teach Denton is an exemplar for other districts.” Success! 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From President Cyril Ramaphosa to former president Jacob Zuma, to John Steenhuisen, Julius Malema, Bantu Holomisa and Herman Mashaba, South Africa's top political leaders have wished millions of South Africans a Merry Christmas. Ramaphosa extended his festive season wishes to South Africans for the very first time as the leader of the Government of National Unity (GNU), which was constituted after the ANC failed to secure 50% of the vote for the first time in May. This resulted in the ANC being forced to form a coalition government, for the first time at the national level. This saw the formation of a bloated Cabinet, with almost every portfolio having one or two deputy ministers. The GNU consists of 10 parties, led by the ANC. The parties include the DA, IFP, PA, UDM, FF+, Good Party, PAC, Rise Mzansi, Al Jama-ah and the NFP in KZN. In a video, Ramaphosa conveyed his festive wishes, alongside pictures, including the one featuring the Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers of the GNU. The year 2024, also marked 30 years since the end of apartheid era and the birth of freedom in South Africa. "As we mark the end of a year of momentous change at home and globally, let us come together as family, friends and neighbours to close out 2024 as our milestone of 30 years of freedom and democracy," Ramaphosa said in the video. Ramaphosa stressed the importance of supporting those in need during the festive holidays as the country prepares for the year 2025. "Let us make this festive season one of togetherness, safety and care for people in... Simon MajadiboduDolphins Injury Report for Week 16: The Rollercoaster of Wrist Drama, and Knee WoesOn Sunday morning, Ole Miss fans held onto a sliver of hope that they could somehow sneak into the College Football Playoffs. However, it wasn't meant to be, and at the end of the season, the rankings placed them at No. 14. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.

Wall Street’s main indexes closed lower today, driven by a drop in AI leader Nvidia that weighed on tech stocks, as investors looked ahead to a crucial inflation report set for later this week. Nvidia fell 2.5% after China’s market regulator launched an investigation into the chipmaker over a suspected violation of antimonopoly law, dragging the information technology sector down 0.45%. Advanced Micro Devices slipped 5.7% after BofA Global Research downgraded its rating on the stock, weighing on the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, which slipped 0.87%. “The market was taken a bit by surprise regarding China’s investigating (Nvidia) as a possible antimonopoly-law violation. So that’s one thing that’s putting a little damper on the market,” said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research in New York. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 240.59 points, or 0.54%, to 44,401.93, the S&P 500 lost 37.42 points, or 0.61%, to 6,052.85 and the Nasdaq Composite lost 123.08 points, or 0.62%, to 19,736.69. Nine out of 11 S&P 500 sectors lost ground, led by declines in financial stocks. Comcast slid 9.5% after forecasting a loss of more than 100,000 broadband subscribers in the fourth quarter, denting the communication services sector by 1.3%. Shares of Hershey surged 10.9% following a media report that Cadbury parent Mondelez was exploring an acquisition of the chocolate maker. Mondelez shares fell 2.3%. Investors are anticipating the consumer price index (CPI) data set for release on Wednesday, along with the producer price index (PPI) on Thursday, ahead of the Federal Reserve’s meeting on Dec. 17-18. Bets of a 25-basis-point rate cut at the upcoming meeting shot up to more than 85% after data on Friday showed a rise in the unemployment rate to 4.2% in November, indicating an easing labor market. Several Fed officials, including Chair Jerome Powell, emphasized caution regarding the central bank’s approach to easing monetary policy due to the economy’s resilience. Wall Street’s main indexes started December on a positive note, with the benchmark S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq both gaining in their first week, while the blue-chip Dow ended the week slightly lower. today, Workday rose 5.1% after S&P Dow Jones Indices said last week the company would be added to the S&P 500 index. Interpublic Group climbed 3.6% following a report that marketing giant Omnicom was in advanced talks to acquire the advertising company. Omnicom shares fell 10.3%. U.S. stocks soared in November after Donald Trump won the presidential election and his party secured control of both houses of Congress, raising expectations for a more business-friendly policy agenda. Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 1.24-to-1 ratio on the NYSE. There were 216 new highs and 35 new lows on the NYSE. The S&P 500 posted 21 new 52-week highs and 2 new lows while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 122 new highs and 60 new lows. Volume on U.S. exchanges was 15.11 billion shares, compared with the 14.46 billion average for the full session over the last 20 trading days. Additional reporting by Purvi Agarwal and Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru.Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has already found a new program in Duke, while Mississippi State's Michael Van Buren Jr., Wisconsin's Braedyn Locke and Cal's Fernando Mendoza are exploring changes of their own in the transfer portal. Mensah, a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining, told ESPN on Wednesday he has transferred to Duke. He attended the Blue Devils men's basketball game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils (9-3) will face Mississippi in the Gator Bowl, but without 2024 starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and backup Grayson Loftis, who also entered the portal. Mensah, viewed as one of the top players in the portal, threw for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns and completed 65.9% of his passes. He led the Green Wave to a 9-4 record and the American Athletic Conference championship game, where they lost 35-14 to Army. Tulane will play Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl on Sunday. Van Buren, Mendoza and Locke announced on social media they had entered the portal. Van Buren started eight games as a true freshmen for the Bulldogs. He threw for 1,886 yards on 55% passing with 16 total touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Bulldogs (2-10, 0-8 Southeastern Conference). He took over as the starter when Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in a 45-28 loss to Florida on Sept. 21. Shapen has said he plans to return next season. Van Buren, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound passer from St. Frances Academy in Maryland, had two 300-yard performances for the Bulldogs, including 306 yards and three touchdown passes in a 41-31 road loss against Georgia. Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards in 2024 with 16 TDs, six interceptions and a 68.7 completion percentage. "For the sake of my football future this is the decision I have reached," he posted. Locke passed for 1,936 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Wisconsin this season. He said he will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school. Michigan duo enters draft ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan cornerback Will Johnson has joined defensive tackle Mason Graham in the NFL draft. Johnson declared for the draft on Wednesday, one day after Graham decided he would also skip his senior season with the Wolverines. Both preseason All-America players are expected to be first-round picks. Johnson was limited to six games this year due to an injury. He had two interceptions, returning them both for touchdowns to set a school record with three scores off interceptions. Johnson picked off nine passes in three seasons. Graham played in all 12 games this season, finishing with 3 1/2 sacks and seven tackles for losses. He had 18 tackles for losses, including nine sacks, in his three-year career. AP announces All-SEC team Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is The Associated Press offensive player of the year in the Southeastern Conference and South Carolina defensive lineman Kyle Kennard is the top defensive player. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was voted the top newcomer on Wednesday while the Gamecocks' Shane Beamer is coach of the year in voting by the panel of 17 media members who cover the league. Sampson led the SEC and set school records by rushing for 1,485 yards and 22 touchdowns. He is tied for third nationally in rushing touchdowns, recording the league's fifth-most in a season. Sampson was chosen on all but two ballots. Mississippi wide receiver Tre Harris and his quarterback, Jaxson Dart, each got a vote. Kennard led the SEC with 11-1/2 sacks and 15-1/2 tackles for loss. He also had 10 quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles. Beamer led the Gamecocks to just their fifth nine-win season, including a school-record four wins over Top 25 opponents. They've won their last six games and ended the regular season with a win over eventual ACC champion Clemson. South Carolina plays Illinois on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl. Pavia helped lead Vandy to its first bowl game since 2018 after transferring from New Mexico State. He passed for 2,133 yards and 17 touchdowns with four interceptions. He ran for another 716 yards and six touchdowns, directing an upset of Alabama. Campbell gets new deal with ISU AMES, Iowa — Matt Campbell, who led Iowa State to its first 10-win season and became the program's all-time leader in coaching victories, has agreed to an eight-year contract that would keep him with the Cyclones through 2032. University president Wendy Wintersteen and athletic director Jamie Pollard made the announcement Wednesday, four days after the Cyclones lost to Arizona State in the Big 12 championship game. “Given all the uncertainty currently facing college athletics, it was critical that we moved quickly to solidify the future of our football program,” Pollard said. “Matt is the perfect fit for Iowa State University and I am thrilled he wants to continue to lead our program. Leadership continuity is essential to any organization’s long-term success." The Cyclones won their first seven games for their best start since 1938 and are 10-3 heading into their game against Miami in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 28. BRIEFLY FLAG PLANT: Ohio Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. MALZAHN: Gus Malzahn, who resigned as UCF’s coach last month to become Mike Norvell’s offensive coordinator at Florida State, said he chose to return to his coaching roots rather than remain a head coach distracted by a myriad of responsibilities."Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.