7xm customer service Google removes several active Android "SpyLoan" apps, 8+ million downloads later

Netflix To Deliver Thrills, Drama With Seven Doors, Squid Game: Season 2, OthersFederal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok as soon as next month, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a meager gain of 36,000 jobs in October. The government also revised up its estimate of job growth in September and October by a combined 56,000. Friday’s report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% in October to a still-low 4.2%. The November data provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom, when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic recession. Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs report NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going, but not so strong that it raises immediate worries about inflation. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, just enough top the all-time high set on Wednesday, as it closed a third straight winning week in what looks to be one of its best years since the 2000 dot-com bust. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8% to set its own record. Treasury yields eased after the jobs report showed stronger hiring than expected but also an uptick in the unemployment rate. Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass NEW YORK (AP) — In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million to surround CEO Mark Zuckerberg with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. And experts say the task of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them is getting more difficult. One of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to decide what represents a real threat. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus The U.S. government has ordered testing of the nation’s milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows. The Agriculture Department on Friday said raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting Dec. 16. Testing will begin in six states — California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The move is aimed at eliminating the virus, which has infected more than 700 dairy herds in 15 states. Words on ammo in CEO shooting echo common phrase on insurer tactics: Delay, deny, defend A message left at the scene of an insurance executive’s fatal shooting echoes a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims. The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were written on the ammunition used to kill UnitedHealthcare's CEO. That's according to two officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday. The words are similar to the phrase “delay, deny, defend.” That's how attorneys describe insurers denying services and payment, and the title of a 2010 book critical of the industry. Police haven’t officially commented on the words. But Thompson’s shooting and the messages on the ammunition have sparked outrage on social media and elsewhere, reflecting frustration Americans have over the cost and complexity of getting care. Michigan Democrats move to protect reproductive health data before GOP takes control of House LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Democrats in Michigan are pressing to pass reproductive health care legislation before the party loses its majority with the new legislative session next year. A bill to protect digital reproductive health data including data logged on menstrual cycle tracking apps is a Democratic priority as lawmakers meet this month. Democratic women and supporters of the legislation say they are acting with new urgency before President-elect Donald Trump takes office because they don't believe his campaign promise to leave abortion to the states. The rush is also a reaction to Republicans taking control of the state House in January. Democrats kept control of the state Senate in the November election. Japan's Nippon Steel sets sights on a growing overseas market in its bid to acquire US Steel KASHIMA, Japan (AP) — The signs at Nippon Steel read: “The world through steel,” underlining why Japan’s top steelmaker is pursuing its $15 billion bid to acquire U.S. Steel. Japan's domestic market isn't growing, so Nippon Steel has its eyes on India, Southeast Asia and the United States, where populations are still growing. Nippon Steel gave reporters a tour of one of its plants in Japan on Friday. The bid for U.S. Steet is opposed by President-elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and American steelworkers. If the deal goes through, U.S. Steel will keep its name and its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but become subsidiary of Nippon Steel. China's ban on key high-tech materials could have broad impact on industries, economy BANGKOK (AP) — China has banned exports of key materials used for a wide range of products, including smartphones, electric vehicles, radar systems and CT scanners, swiping back at Washington after it expanded export controls to include dozens of Chinese companies that make equipment used to produce computer chips. Both sides say the controls are justified by national security concerns. Analysts say they could have a much wider impact on manufacturing in many industries and supply chains, depending on the ability of each side to compensate for loss of access to strategically important materials, equipment and components. Here's why this could be a tipping point in trade conflict between the two biggest economies.Trump seeks to have Georgia election case dismissed, citing presidential immunity

Delaware judge reaffirms ruling that invalidated massive Tesla pay package for Elon Musk

US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems? DALLAS (AP) — Delta and United Airlines have become the most profitable U.S. airlines by targeting premium customers while also winning a significant share of budget travelers. That is squeezing smaller low-fare carriers like Spirit Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday. Some travel industry experts think Spirit’s troubles indicate less-wealthy passengers will have fewer choices and higher prices. Other discount airlines are on better financial footing but also are lagging far behind the full-service airlines when it comes to recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Most industry experts think Frontier and other so-called ultra-low-cost carriers will fill the vacuum if Spirit shrinks, and that there's still plenty of competition to prevent prices from spiking. Bitcoin ticks closer to $100,000 in extended surge following US elections NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin is jumping again, setting another new high above $99,000 overnight. The cryptocurrency has been shattering records almost daily since the U.S. presidential election, and has rocketed more than 40% higher in just two weeks. It's now at the doorstep of $100,000. Cryptocurrencies and related investments like crypto exchange-traded funds have rallied because the incoming Trump administration is expected to be more “crypto-friendly.” Still, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is hard to predict. And while some are bullish, other experts continue to warn of investment risks. Australia rejects Elon Musk's claim that it plans to control access to the internet MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian Cabinet minister has rejected X Corp. owner Elon Musk’s allegation that the government intends to control all Australians' access to the internet through legislation that would ban young children from social media. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Friday that Musk’s criticism was “unsurprising” after the government introduced legislation to Parliament that would fine platforms including X up to $133 million for allowing children under 16 to hold social media accounts. The spat continues months of open hostility between the Australian government and the tech billionaire over regulators’ efforts to reduce public harm from social media. Parliament could pass the legislation as soon as next week. Oil company Phillips 66 faces federal charges related to alleged Clean Water Act violations LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oil company Phillips 66 has been federally indicted in connection with alleged violations of the Clean Water Act in California. The Texas-based company is accused of discharging hundreds of thousands of gallons of industrial wastewater containing excessive amounts of oil and grease. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment on Thursday. Phillips is charged with two counts of negligently violating the Clean Water Act and four counts of knowingly violating the Clean Water Act. An arraignment date has not been set. A spokesperson for the company said it was cooperating with prosecutors. US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment U.S. regulators want a federal judge to break up Google to prevent the company from continuing to squash competition through its dominant search engine after a court found it had maintained an abusive monopoly over the past decade. The proposed breakup floated in a 23-page document filed late Wednesday by the U.S. Justice Department calls for Google to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser and impose restrictions designed to prevent Android from favoring its search engine. Regulators also want to ban Google from forging multibillion-dollar deals to lock in its dominant search engine as the default option on Apple’s iPhone and other devices. What you need to know about the proposed measures designed to curb Google's search monopoly U.S. regulators are proposing aggressive measures to restore competition to the online search market after a federal judge ruled that Google maintained an illegal monopoly. The sweeping set of recommendations filed late Wednesday could radically alter Google’s business. Regulators want Google to sell off its industry-leading Chrome web browser. They outlined a range of behavioral measures such as prohibiting Google from using search results to favor its own services such as YouTube, and forcing it to license search index data to its rivals. They're not going as far as to demand Google spin off Android, but are leaving that door open if the remedies don't work. Stock market today: Wall Street edges higher as it heads for a winning week NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks edged higher on Wall Street, keeping the market on track for its fifth gain in a row. The S&P 500 was up 0.1% in midday trading Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 226 points and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.2%. Gap soared after reporting quarterly results that easily beat analysts' estimates. EchoStar, parent company of the Dish satellite television provider, fell after DirecTV called off its purchase of the company. European markets were mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. Crude oil prices gained ground. Apple and Google face UK investigation into mobile browser dominance LONDON (AP) — A British watchdog says Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers. The watchdog's report Friday recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year. The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker’s tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. The CMA’s report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers “the clearest or easiest option.” Apple said it disagreed with the findings. German auto supplier Bosch to cut 5,500 jobs in further sign of carmakers' woes FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Germany's technology and services company Bosch is cutting its automotive division workforce by as many as 5,500 jobs in the next several years, in another sign of the headwinds hitting the German and global auto industries. The company cited stagnating global auto sales, too much factory capacity in the auto industry compared to sales prospects and a slower than expected transition to electric-powered, software-controlled vehicles. Some 3,500 of the job reductions would come before the end of 2027 and would hit the part of the company that develops driver assistance and automated driving technologies. About half those job reductions would be at locations in Germany. At least 15 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 15 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 160,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat this week after Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, which can cause life-threatening infections. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration.

California Governor Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers returned to the state Capitol on Monday to begin a special session to protect the state's progressive policies ahead of another Trump presidency. The Democratic governor, a fierce critic of President-elect Donald Trump, is positioning California to once again be the center of a resistance effort against the conservative agenda. He is asking his Democratic allies in the Legislature, who hold supermajorities in both chambers, to approve additional funding to the attorney general's office to prepare for a robust legal fight against anticipated federal challenges. Democratic Assembly member Jesse Gabriel on Monday introduced legislation to set aside $25 million for legal fees to respond to potential attacks by the Trump administration on state policies regarding civil rights, climate change, immigration and abortion access. “While we always hope to collaborate with our federal partners, California will be ready to vigorously defend our interests and values from any unlawful action by the incoming Trump Administration,” Gabriel said in a statement. California sued the first Trump administration more than 120 times to various levels of success. “We’re not going to be caught flat-footed,” Newsom said at a recent news conference. Trump often depicts California as representing all he sees wrong in America. Democrats, which hold every statewide office in California and have commanding margins in the Legislature and congressional delegation, outnumber registered Republicans by nearly 2-to-1 statewide. Trump called the Democratic governor “New-scum” during a campaign stop in Southern California and has relentlessly lambasted the Democratic stronghold over its large number of immigrants in the U.S. illegally, homeless population and thicket of regulations. Trump also waded into a water rights battle over the endangered delta smelt, a tiny fish that has pitted environmentalists against farmers and threatened to withhold federal aid to a state increasingly under threat from wildfires. He also vowed to follow through with his campaign promise of carrying out the mass deportation of immigrants without legal status and prosecuting his political enemies. Before the special session was set to begin, state lawmakers swore in more than two dozen new members and elected leaders for the 2025 legislative session. Hundreds of people also demonstrated around the Capitol on Monday to urge the Legislature to try to stop Trump's mass deportation plans. They carried banners that said “Not one cent for mass deportation” and “MAGA out of California.” “With the results of the presidential election, we need our state elected officials to use every tool and every resource they have available to them to protect our immigrant Californians,” protester Deborah Lee said. State Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office will protect the state’s immigrant population, while Newsom last week unveiled a proposal to revive a rebate program for electric vehicle purchases if the incoming Trump administration eliminates a federal tax credit for people who buy electric cars. Newsom is also considering creating a backup disaster relief fund for the wildfire-prone state after Trump’s threats. Bonta announced legislation Monday aimed at bolstering reproductive rights in the state, including by allowing the attorney general to seek monetary penalties against local governments that infringe on those rights. The proposals are part of the state's efforts to safeguard against threats to abortion access after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Republican lawmakers blasted Newsom and his Democratic allies over the special session. Representative Vince Fong, who represents the state’s Central Valley farm belt, said California should work with the incoming Trump administration instead. “Gavin Newsom’s actions are tone-deaf to the concerns of Californians who disapprove of the direction of our state and country,” Fong said in a video on social media. Legislators also are expected to spend the year discussing ways to protect dozens of laws expected to be targeted by the Trump administration, including one that has made the state a sanctuary for people seeking abortions who live in states where such practices have been severely limited. California, the nation’s most populous state, was the first to mandate that by 2035 all new cars, pickup trucks and SUVs sold in California be electric, hydrogen-powered or plug-in hybrids. The state also extends state-funded health care to all low-income residents regardless of their immigration status. Newsom hasn't provided details about what actions the lawmakers will consider but said he wanted funding in place before Trump's inauguration day, January 20. The state spent roughly $42 million in litigation costs during the first Trump administration, officials said.Golden State Valkyries select 4 players to begin building roster through WNBA expansion draft SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Golden State Valkyries have selected center Iliana Rupert of Atlanta, guard Veronica Burton of Connecticut, guard Carla Leite of Dallas and forward Maria Conde of Chicago with their initial picks of the WNBA expansion draft. Those four became the first players for the new Bay Area franchise that’s set to begin play next season. Friday's expansion draft was the first for the WNBA in 16 years since the Atlanta Dream joined the league in 2008. Golden State is able to acquire the contract or negotiating rights to one player from each of the other 12 WNBA teams. Lionel Messi wins MLS MVP award, the latest trophy on a long list of honors for the Inter Miami star FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi is the MVP of Major League Soccer for 2024. The award comes after a season where he missed 15 of Inter Miami’s 34 regular-season matches with injuries or commitments to Argentina’s national team. He still factored into a league-high 36 goals by scoring 20 and assisting on 16 others. His 2.1 goal contributions per 90 minutes played is the best by any player in any season in MLS history. MLS revealed the voting results Friday. Messi edged out Columbus Crew forward Cucho Hernández for the award, which is determined by a poll of players, club technical staff and select media members. NFL ends investigation into sexual assault allegations against Browns QB Deshaun Watson CLEVELAND (AP) — The NFL has closed an investigation into sexual assault allegations against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. The league has been reviewing the case for months, trying to determine whether Watson should be punished. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email that "there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy.” Watson, who served an 11-game suspension in 2022, was accused of assault by a woman in September. She was seeking more than $1 million in damage before the sides reached a confidential settlement. Watson has played in just 19 games over three seasons for the Browns. Former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber returning to Cleveland Guardians on 1-year deal, AP source says CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that right-hander Shane Bieber is returning to the Cleveland Guardians after making just two starts and undergoing Tommy John surgery last season. Bieber had been expected to leave the AL Central champions, but will be back after agreeing to a one-year, $14 million contract that includes a $16 million player option for 2026. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced. The 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner made just starts in 2024 before having the surgery on his troublesome elbow that bothered him the previous campaign. The 29-year-old Bieber has spent all seven big-league seasons with Cleveland. NBA returning to China for pair of Suns-Nets preseason games in 2025 The NBA is returning to China next season. The league has struck a deal to play preseason games there more than five years after the league was effectively banned for Commissioner Adam Silver not punishing Daryl Morey for tweeting support of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. Brooklyn and Phoenix will play games in China’s gambling hub of Macao on Oct. 10, 2025, and again two days later. There are more games planned for China in 2026, a source told The Associated Press. American ski racer Lindsey Vonn is picking up speed in her comeback bid at 40 years old COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — American ski racer Lindsey Vonn darted through the shadows on the speed course at Copper Mountain on a frigid morning. She was on the hill Friday as she tries to make a comeback to skiing nearly six years after her last race. Vonn plans to enter a series of lower-tier FIS downhill and super-G races this weekend at Copper Mountain, Colorado. It could be the first step toward seeing her on the World Cup circuit again. Scottie Scheffler goes on a run of birdies in the Bahamas and leads by 2 NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Scottie Scheffler used a big run of birdies to take a two-shot lead in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. Scheffler had seven birdies on the front nine for a 29. The world No. 1 added one birdie on the back nine to lead by two over Justin Thomas and Akshay Bhatia. Scheffler found no need to apologize for only one birdie on the back nine. He says it simply was a matter of the ball being a little closer to the hole and a few more putts going in. Scheffler already has eight victories this year, including Olympic gold. A's GM David Forst says the team wanted to make a statement with Luis Severino's contract SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Athletics general manager David Forst says the team wanted to make a statement going into its new home. That was one the factors that led to its deal with Luis Severino. The 30-year-old Severino was formally introduced by his new club after finalizing a $67 million, three-year contract. The veteran right-hander was a free agent for the second straight offseason after going 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 182 innings during his only season with the New York Mets. It’s the largest deal ever for the low-budget A’s, topping a $66 million contract for third baseman Eric Chavez covering 2005-10. Hall of Famer Randy Moss is stepping away from ESPN for an extended time to deal with health issue Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss is stepping away from his ESPN analyst role for an extended time to focus on a personal health challenge, the network said in a statement. Moss revealed last week that he’s dealing with a health issue and asked fans to pray for him and his family. The 47-year-old ESPN football analyst made his announcement on Instagram from the set of the network’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” show. He directed his message to men and urged them to get checkups and bloodwork done, without specifying any particular illness. No Bevo? SEC tells Texas there's no room for its 1,700-pound longhorn at title game vs. Georgia ATLANTA (AP) — The Southeastern Conference championship game will not feature another mascot showdown. The league says there's not enough space on the sideline at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for No. 2 Texas to bring along its 1,700-pound longhorn Bevo XV for the game against No. 5 Georgia. The teams have two of college football’s most famous mascots. There should be enough sideline space for Georgia’s pure white English bulldog, Uga XI. Before the 2019 Sugar Bowl at the Superdome in New Orleans, Bevo XV toppled his barrier and began to charge at Uga X. Texas handlers were able to pull Bevo back before any harm.Goldmoney Insiders Placed Bullish Bets Worth CA$2.93m

PM looks to ‘brighter future’ at Christmas and ‘wishes for peace in Middle East’The world stands at the dawn of a “third nuclear age” in which Britain is threatened by multiple dilemmas, the head of the armed forces has warned. But alongside his stark warning of the threats facing Britain and its allies, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said there would be only a “remote chance” Russia would directly attack or invade the UK if the two countries were at war. The Chief of the Defence Staff laid out the landscape of British defence in a wide-ranging speech, after a minister warned the Army would be wiped out in as little as six months if forced to fight a war on the scale of the Ukraine conflict. The admiral cast doubt on the possibility as he gave a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) defence think tank in London. He told the audience Britain needed to be “clear-eyed in our assessment” of the threats it faces, adding: “That includes recognising that there is only a remote chance of a significant direct attack or invasion by Russia on the United Kingdom, and that’s the same for the whole of Nato.” Moscow “knows the response will be overwhelming”, he added, but warned the nuclear deterrent needed to be “kept strong and strengthened”. Sir Tony added: “We are at the dawn of a third nuclear age, which is altogether more complex. It is defined by multiple and concurrent dilemmas, proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before.” He listed the “wild threats of tactical nuclear use” by Russia, China building up its weapon stocks, Iran’s failure to co-operate with a nuclear deal, and North Korea’s “erratic behaviour” among the threats faced by the West. But Sir Tony said the UK’s nuclear arsenal is “the one part of our inventory of which Russia is most aware and has more impact on (President Vladimir) Putin than anything else”. Successive British governments had invested “substantial sums of money” in renewing nuclear submarines and warheads because of this, he added. The admiral described the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers on Ukraine’s border alongside Russian forces as the year’s “most extraordinary development”. He also signalled further deployments were possible, speaking of “tens of thousands more to follow as part of a new security pact with Russia”. Defence minister Alistair Carns earlier said a rate of casualties similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would lead to the army being “expended” within six to 12 months. He said it illustrated the need to “generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis”. In comments reported by Sky News, Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines colonel, said Russia was suffering losses of around 1,500 soldiers killed or injured a day. “In a war of scale – not a limited intervention, but one similar to Ukraine – our Army for example, on the current casualty rates, would be expended – as part of a broader multinational coalition – in six months to a year,” Mr Carns said in a speech at Rusi. He added: “That doesn’t mean we need a bigger Army, but it does mean you need to generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis.” Official figures show the Army had 109,245 personnel on October 1, including 25,814 volunteer reservists. Mr Carns, the minister for veterans and people, said the UK needed to “catch up with Nato allies” to place greater emphasis on the reserves. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Defence Secretary John Healey had previously spoken about “the state of the armed forces that were inherited from the previous government”. The spokesman said: “It’s why the Budget invested billions of pounds into defence, it’s why we’re undertaking a strategic defence review to ensure that we have the capabilities and the investment needed to defend this country.”

Syrian rebels push into Damascus: Bashar al-Assad 'nowhere to be seen' as his soldiers flee into Iraq and opposition fighters reach capital city's suburbs By MILO POPE Published: 07:19 AEDT, 8 December 2024 | Updated: 07:35 AEDT, 8 December 2024 e-mail View comments Syrian opposition fighters have reached the suburbs of the Damascus capital for the first time since the region was recaptured by government troops in 2018, as president Bashar al-Assad's regime nears collapse. One resident said the city was on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The Syrian army withdrew from much of the country's south on Saturday but later said it was fortifying positions in the Damascus suburbs and in the south. Syria's state news agency denied reports that Assad had already fled to Russia claiming he continued to govern from Damascus. However, following the statement claiming it was 'false news', a source has told CNN that Assad was 'nowhere to be found' at his usual residences in the capital. Lebanon said it is closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for a main one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria because of the security situation on the Syrian side. The rapidly developing events in Syria have again put the region on edge. Government forces reportedly withdrew as rebel groups amassed in the city's suburbs, wrestling for control after more than a week of intensified fighting. A giant portrait of Syrian president Bashar Assad sets on a building, as empty streets seen in Damascus, Syria A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces and seized by anti government forces burn after it was hit by regime forces in the Hama governorate A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces is pictured abandoned on the side of a road in the Hama governorate, on December 7 People ride a tank in the Syrian southern city of Daraa on December 7 A government armoured vehicle burns as rebels ride along the road south of Hama, in the south of Syria Anti-regime armed rebels fire their weapons into the air in victory after capturing Hama The fall of Bashar al-Assad's routine appeals all but assured (pictured: rebels ride past a damaged government vehicle in Hama) Armed groups reached the suburb of Darayya this afternoon, some five miles from the centre, according to the Turkish Anadolu Agency . 'Our forces have begun the final phase of encircling the capital, Damascus,' said rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani today, with the Islamist-led alliance that launched the offensive 10 days ago. 'Damascus awaits you,' HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, said in a statement Saturday addressed to rebel fighters on Telegram. Read More Syria rebels reach edge of Damascus as Russia and Iran abandon Assad Syrians still in the nominally government-controlled territory of Jaramana seized the opportunity to pull down a statue of Assad's father as the regime faces collapse. To the north, rebel troops made a lunge towards the strategic city of Homs, just days after they proclaimed a major victory in the taking of the city of Hama on Thursday. The staggering assault has seen rebels opposed to the regime make the fastest battlefield advance by either side since the civil war began almost 13 years ago. Assad's office said today that the President was staying put in the capital and continuing his duties after his children and British-born wife fled to Russia last week, and his brothers-in-law allegedly travelled to the UAE, per Syrian security officials. Assad's allies in Russia , Iran and Hezbollah, distracted or worn-down by other conflicts, meanwhile showed no signs of intervening . Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told CNN that Turkey wishes that neighboring Syria can 'quickly attain the peace and tranquility it has longed for' during 13 years of civil conflict. He said: 'I want to say this openly: We do not have our eyes on land — not even a pebble — that belongs to another country.' Local residents celebrate after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on December 6 Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow in July Asma al-Assad, wife of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, casts her vote during the country's presidential elections in Douma, Syria, with her husband in this file photo taken in 2021 People in Damascus topple a statue of Hafez al-Assad and wave a Druze flag as rebel forces approach the capital, on December 7 Charles Lister, director of the Syria and countering terrorism and extremism programs at the Middle East Institute, told Bloomberg that Assad's future has 'never looked more fragile' as the opposition encroaches on Homs and allied support withers. While capturing Homs could close the land route between the government and Tartus, home to Russia's only Mediterranean port, Russia appears not to be in a position to help Assad regain ground with focus and resources directed to Ukraine. 'Russia doesn't have a plan to save Assad and doesn't see one emerging as long as the Syrian president's army continues to abandon its positions,' a source 'close to the Kremlin' told Bloomberg. What is HTS? HTS, the group leading the rebel offensive in Syria, is a powerful Islamist organisation that has maintained de facto control of Idlib for several years. The group, led by Abu Mohammad al-Julani, solidified in 2017 as a conglomeration of various Islamist factions but traces its roots to al-Qaeda. HTS' core component arose from a group once known as Jabhat al-Nusra - al-Qaeda's Syrian branch - but later sought to reposition itself as a legitimate Syrian nationalist organisation. It officially severed ties with al-Qaeda and created a civilian arm known as the 'Salvation Government' through which it seeks to govern in Syria, insisting it has no ambition to expand beyond the nation's borders. Initial reports from civilians in Aleppo have appeared to suggest that HTS militants have treated inhabitants well after ousting Syrian government forces. But there are suspicions that HTS' jihadist origins remain and it is still designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), US, UK and the EU, among others. Advertisement Iran , likewise, has been hesitant, or unable, to funnel its support to Syria. On Friday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he would would only help Assad 'to the extent necessary', but previously promised to 'consider' sending troops. The capture of Hama has given rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), control of a strategic central city they never managed to seize before. Homs is the next target for the rebels, deemed crucial for Assad's hopes of staying in power. 'Assad now cannot afford to lose anything else. The big battle is the one coming against Homs. If Homs falls, we are talking of a potential change of regime,' Jihad Yazigi, editor of the Syria Report newsletter, told Reuters . It follows a staggering effort to seize Aleppo, the main northern city in Syria, last week as part of a blitz offensive beginning on November 27. The collapse of Syrian government control in the north has sharply illustrated a shift in the balance of power since Lebanon's Hezbollah group, a lynchpin of Assad's forces, suffered catastrophic losses in its war with Israel. While Hezbollah has reportedly sent 2,000 fighters to Syria, per a source close to the Iran-backed proxy group today, Assad's backing from allies continues to wither. Rebel forces were just 12 miles (20km) from Damascus by 11am GMT on Saturday, posing an imminent threat to the capital, according to a war monitor and rebels. The Syrian army reportedly withdrew its forces from all towns about 10km (6.2 miles) from the capital, a monitor reported soon after. The Syrian defence ministry, loyal to Assad, denied the army had fled positions. 'There is no truth to news claiming our armed forces, present in all areas of the Damascus countryside, have withdrawn,' it said. The Syrian government was also forced to evacuate from its positions in Quneitrea, near the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. The Syrian Democratic Forces, the main ally of the US against the regime, meanwhile seized key areas in Deir ez Zor and Raqqa on December 6, making it harder for Iran to move forces in to help Assad or resupply Iranian-backed forces like Hezbollah. Reported battlefield advances as of Friday, December 6. Claims are quickly changing In little over a week, the offensive has seen Syria's second city Aleppo and strategically located Hama fall from Assad's control for the first time since the civil war began in 2011 Assad's office said today that the President was staying put in the capital and continuing his duties after his children and British-born wife fled to Russia last week (pictured together 2021) Bashar al-Assad (L) with his wife Asma al-Assad arrive at New Delhi International airport, India, 17 June 2008 NEW - opposition fighters are currently advancing into #Homs city, as the advance into southern #Damascus appears to be triggering a sudden collapse of frontlines. pic.twitter.com/azUiaKPxQs — Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) December 7, 2024 A member of the Syrian opposition stands at an entrance to the Hama governorate on the Damascus-Aleppo International Highway, December 3 Video shared on social media by reporters claimed to show regime forces routing on foot from the town of Zakiah, a mere 16 miles (25.7km) from Damascus. President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly returned to the capital to continue carrying out duties, officials said today following reports he had left. Read More Syria tinderbox explained: A bloody new offensive that could spark the demise of Assad Meanwhile, Syrians in Jaramana - a suburb of the capital - tore down a statue of Bashar al-Assad's father, Hafez, as some waved the flag of the Druze. The suburb is still nominally controlled by the Assad regime at the time of writing, and it did not appear to be militant rebel groups (who are still several miles from Jaramana and Damascus) pulling down the statue, contrary to other reports. Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP that local rebel fighters now also controlled all of Daraa province. Rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani, with the Islamist-led alliance that launched the offensive in the country's northwest, said 'we are now less than 20 km from the southern gate of the capital Damascus'. 'The advance towards the capital continues,' he added. A truck pulls the head of another toppled statue of late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad through the streets of the city of Hama on December 6 An aerial picture shows a car driving past Syrian army military equipment and vehicles that were abandoned on the highway to Damascus, near the town of Suran, on December 3, 2024 Syria 's British-born first lady, Asma al-Assad (pictured, file photo), has been diagnosed with leukemia, the Syrian presidency said on Tuesday. The announcement came almost five years after the 48-year-old announced she had fully recovered from breast cancer A short while ago, an attack was carried out by armed individuals at a @UN post in the Hader area in #Syria . The IDF is currently assisting the UN forces in repelling the attack. The IDF is deployed with reinforced forces in the Golan Heights area and will continue to operate... — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 7, 2024 Israel's military now assesses that the rebels pose a direct threat to Assad's rule. While a weakened Assad regime plays to Israel's interests, there remains debate around sending troops in - amid an ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza and clashes with Iran - and anxiety around helping Sunni jihadists once aligned with al-Qaeda. Read More BREAKING NEWS Donald Trump takes swipe at Obama as he warns US should not intervene in Syria The IDF announced on Saturday afternoon that an attack had been carried out by 'armed individuals' at a UN post in the Hader area of Syria. It said it was assisting UN forces in repelling the attack and would continue to operate in the Golan Heights in order to protect Israel and its citizens. Assadist forces have been backed by intense Russian airstrikes, but rebels continue to push through Assad's lines. Since Russia does not share a land border with Syria, it also depends on Turkey's goodwill to allow warships to pass through the Bosporus. While Turkey and Russia were able to work together to broker a truce in May 2020, Turkish forces have backed opposition groups in an effort to displace ISIS. For Russia, Syria represents a strategic stronghold key to its efforts to project power in the Middle East. The loss of influence would be 'devastating' for Russia, Nicole Grajewski, fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the Wall Street Journal . 'To see Russian planes leave Syria as rebel forces move onward towards their air bases, and their assets in Damascus fall, this would be so devastating for the Russian image of itself,' she said. Anti-government fighters patrol the streets of Hama after they captured the central Syrian city, on December 6 Israeli soldiers sit atop an armoured vehicle near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria Saturday December 7, 2024 National Syrian Army soldiers celebrate in the city after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 'It would be akin to a Saigon moment for them,' she added. Ukrainian intelligence has assessed that Russian forces have 'suffered significant losses, with some units of the aggressor state surrounded'. Read More ANOTHER city falls to Islamist rebels in Syria, with Assad's forces fleeing Hama 'Hundreds of Moscow troops are listed as missing in Syria,' it reported. Rebel groups were rumoured to have received operational training from Ukrainian special forces, learning from tactics developed during the war in Ukraine, the Kyiv Post reported . Assad relied heavily on Russian and Iranian backing during the most intense years of the conflict, helping him to claw back most territory and Syria's biggest cities before front lines froze in 2020. But Russia has been focused on the war in Ukraine since 2022, and many in the top leadership of Hezbollah, the most powerful Iran-aligned force, were killed by Israel over the past two months. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by Israeli airstrikes. And Syrian troops are exhausted and hollowed out by 13 years of war and economic crises, with little will left to fight. 'The coming days and weeks will be critical in determining whether the rebel offensive poses an existential threat to the Assad regime or whether the regime manages to regain its footing and push back on recent rebel gains,' said Mona Yacoubian, an analyst with the United States Institute for Peace, as reported the Associated Press . 'While weakened and distracted, Assad's allies are unlikely to simply cave to the rebels' offensive,' she wrote in an analysis. National Syrian Army soldiers celebrate in the city after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 A view of a military airport seized by anti-regime groups in Hama, on December 6 National Syrian Army soldiers celebrate in the city after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 Abu Mohammed al-Golani (AKA Abu Mohammad al-Julani), the main insurgent commander, has vowed to protect Syria's religious minorities as HTS makes gains. In public remarks clearly intended to soften his image and reassure foreign countries, Golani has also emphasised his split years ago with Al Qaeda and Islamic State, and said he has always opposed attacks outside Syria. HTS and the other rebel groups are trying to consolidate their rule in Aleppo, bringing it under the administration of the so-called Salvation Government they established in their northwestern enclave. The Institute for the Study of War assessed 'support to the Assad regime will almost certainly fail to stop the opposition offensive at this time unless ground forces are deployed rapidly and in larger numbers'. Israel Ukraine Iran Syria Russia Share or comment on this article: Syrian rebels push into Damascus: Bashar al-Assad 'nowhere to be seen' as his soldiers flee into Iraq and opposition fighters reach capital city's suburbs e-mail Add commentNone

Democrats left fuming over Biden’s decision to pardon his son — after he repeatedly said he wouldn’t

TIOHTIÀ:KE ( MONTREAL ), QC , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Calling all youth in Canada , Mexico and the United States ! Are you ready to act now to support North American communities and preserve our shared waters, lands and air? The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is pleased to announce the launch of the second edition of its Generation of Environmental Leaders Program (GELP). This exciting program supports young leaders in accessing seed funding and developing the necessary skills to make a real and meaningful impact in their communities and beyond. The selected youth will benefit from a year-long mentorship program, networking opportunities across North America , receive C$15,000 in seed funding and the chance to present their solutions to North America's top environmental officials as part of the CEC's annual Council Session in the summer of 2025. It's time to act now. The GELP invites young people from North America to support communities and preserve our shared waters, lands and air. The program is aimed at youth who are 18–35 years old and are part of a team such as, but not exclusively, youth-led organizations, youth-led associations, nongovernmental organizations, not-for-profit youth-led businesses, and teams of youth innovators and entrepreneurs interested in building their businesses. Here's what the current GELP cohort is saying. "The mentorship provided by the GELP has greatly helped me grow as a person and has made me feel more comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone, especially in areas like preparing for presentations and managing stress. Today, I feel much more at ease speaking in front of an audience!"—Alexandre Savard, Encore! Biomatériaux, Canada . "The seed funding provided through the GELP was a wonderful opportunity to kickstart some of our project's most important activities. Thanks to this support, we were able to initiate the implementation of an Environmental Management Unit, a step that will foster restoration and conservation of the area." —Ana Cristina Posadas García, Strategy for the Restoration and Conservation of the Ciénega of Tamasopo Wetland, RAMSAR Site, Mexico . "As members of the inaugural GELP cohort, we have had the privilege of connecting with individuals and organizations driven to be a power for good in the environmental and climate space. These experiences have been the catalyst for additional award nominations and the formation of collaborative partnerships that we believe will further grow our work at the intersection of justice and an equitable energy transition."—McKenna Dunbar and Jake Barnet , Electrivive: An Equitable Building Electrification Workforce Redevelopment Tool, United States . We're giving youth the resources to succeed and lead. In addition to building capacity for youth, this program accelerates youth leadership by expanding youth environmental networks and providing seed funding for creative solutions to flourish, particularly at the local level. During the year-long mentorship program, youth leaders receive advice from experts to help advance their solutions and guidance on various elements of their projects, including how to pitch their solutions and other project development and management topics such as risk management, budgeting, outreach and fundraising. The program supports impactful and enduring community-driven activities and establishes a robust youth network across North America . The GELP also provides extended networking opportunities for participants. The selected solutions are presented to the public and selected teams can engage with the CEC's Joint Public Advisory Committee and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Expert Group , and Government officials and experts, during the CEC Council Session , an ideal platform to showcase the impactful ideas at the ministerial level. Requirements for participation. Applicants must demonstrate that their solutions can address or respond to critical issues related to supporting our communities and preserving our shared waters, lands and air across North America . Submissions should be practical, effective, achievable and propose sustainable solutions to an identifiable environmental problem. They should also be context-specific and consider the unique characteristics of the community or region targeted by the project. The eligibility and evaluation criteria prioritize solutions that have established a clear objective and will have a significant impact on local communities and their environment: Impact and community engagement (40%) Feasibility (25%) Alignment with CEC's strategic pillars and the program theme (15%) Identification of problem/issue (10%) Innovation (10%) Priority is given to proposals submitted by diverse youth who identified or developed their solutions jointly with communities, including community members who traditionally do not have access to decision-making spaces. Submission deadline : Completed submissions must be uploaded to the submission platform by 23:59 local time on 12 January 2025 . Click here to learn more about the program, the submission guidelines and criteria, and to apply. For more information about the Generation of Environmental Leaders Program and the submission process, please join us for a virtual information session on 17 December 2024 from 13:00–14:00 Eastern Time (12:00–13:00 Central Time) and (10:00–11:00 Pacific Time), available with simultaneous interpretation in English, French and Spanish. If you would like to know more about CEC initiatives, opportunities and efforts, you can sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media . Media Contact Patrick Tonissen Head of Communications +1 (438) 885-8463 SOURCE Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)Maureen Arndt, left, founding principal of 720 Design Consultants of Dallas, discusses potential elements for a new Northeast Regional Library at an open house Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at Dupuis Recreation Center in Lafayette, Louisiana. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Lafayette residents have until Nov. 30 to take an online survey telling planners what spaces and activities they want to be considered when designing the new Northeast Regional Library off Louisiana Avenue. The survey is available on the Lafayette Public Library website at https://lafayettepubliclibrary.libwizard.com/f/nerl1 . Committee member Alton Trahan asked residents to spread the word and encourage others to take the survey by Nov. 30. Participants are asked which library they use and how often, what they usually use it for, how they want the new library to feel, such as such as cozy, energetic or relaxing, and what services or spaces they want in the new library, like a computer lab, study rooms and teen area. As of Thursday, 1,099 people responded to the online survey, Larry Angelle, library system operations manager, told the Northeast Library Committee. Of the respondents: 31% are under 18 years old. 93% have a library card. 25% visit a library weekly or biweekly. 71% use the library mostly to check out books. Asked what library services are most valuable to them, Angelle said the top answers were fiction and best sellers selected No. 1 by 731 of the 1,099 respondents, followed by nonfiction materials chosen by 453 respondents. The top-ranked answer to how they want the new library to feel was "cozy," he said, ranked No. 1 by 406 online respondents. In addition to the online survey, design consultant Maureen Arndt, founding principal of 720 Design Consultants of Dallas, hosted an open house for residents of which 22 attended Nov. 6, as well as focus groups of which six educators attended, five community and business leaders attended and seven government leaders attended. Each participant voted on spaces they want designed into the new library. Their overall top responses were: Storytime/activity space Technology/training lab STE(A)M learning area Study window seats Walking paths Quiet reading room Interactives Study rooms High-tech maker space Garden There were some differences between how the 22 citizens attending the open house voted compared with the 18 who participated in the focus groups. For example, 10 votes were cast at the open house for quiet reading rooms and a community living room, while nobody in the focus groups selected those as priorities for the Northeast Regional Library. Ten votes at the open house went to study window seats, while only two from the focus groups made that selection. Storytime/activity space, the top overall vote-getter, received 16 open house votes compared with only four from the focus group attendees. Nine open house attendees voted for study rooms while only one in the focus groups did. Regarding outdoor spaces at the new library, 10 attending the open house want walking paths and six want a plaza compared with only 2 in the focus group selecting walking paths and none selecting a plaza. Those participating in the open house and focus groups were asked to rank broader categories they'd like to see the new library focus on, which also revealed differences between the residents and focus group participants. Residents at the open house selected learning and interactive as their top category, followed by community living and gathering space. Focus group participants also selected learning and interactive as their top category, but selected gathering as second and tech and trends as third. The consultant will compile these results and the online survey results into a draft master plan, Angelle said. Ideas will be prioritized based on public input, staff input and the library system's mission and compiled into a plan that will fit the budget and the "ideal library the community is telling us we need," he said. On Jan. 31, Angelle said, the draft plan goes to the Northeast Library Committee to review and to be discussed at its Feb. 13 meeting. The committee may recommend changes before the plan goes to the library board on Feb. 17 for a vote. Once the board finalizes the plan, a notice to proceed will be issued for the architects to begin schematic designs, he said. The former Lafayette City-Parish Council earmarked $8 million in 2019 to build the new library to the east of Evangeline Thruway, a socio-economically challenged area cut off from other libraries by interstates and Evangeline Thruway. In May, parish officials finalized the $339,000 cash purchase of six acres of land at 100 Shadow Bluff Drive near Louisiana Avenue for the new library.

Washington, Dec 3 (AP) President-elect Donald Trump has named billionaire investment banker Warren Stephens as his envoy to Britain, a prestigious posting for the Republican donor whose contributions this year included $2 million to a Trump-backing super PAC. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social site Monday evening, announced he was selecting Stephens to be the U.S. ambassador to the Court of Saint James. The Senate is required to confirm the choice. “Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full time. I am thrilled that he will now have that opportunity as the top Diplomat, representing the U.S.A. to one of America's most cherished and beloved Allies,” Trump said in in his post. Stephens is the chairman, president and CEO of Little Rock, Arkansas-based financial services firm Stephens Inc., having taken over the firm from his father. Trump has already named many of his nominees for his Cabinet and high-profile diplomatic posts, assembling a roster of staunch loyalists. Over the weekend, Trump announced he intends to nominate real estate developer Charles Kushner, father of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France. During his first term, Trump selected Robert “Woody” Johnson, a contributor to his campaign and the owner of the New York Jets football team, as his representative to the United Kingdom. (AP) NB NB (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)Albury man out of jail after making knife threats, assaulting womanUnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was one of several senior executives at the company under investigation by the Department of Justice when he was gunned down outside a Manhattan hotel on Wednesday. Thompson — who was killed in what police called a targeted shooting outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown — exercised stock options and sold shares worth $15.1 million on Feb. 16, less than two weeks before news of the federal antitrust probe went public, according to a Crain’s New York Business report from April. The stock price dropped sharply after the revelation that the DOJ was investigating whether the company had made acquisitions that consolidated its market position in violation of antitrust laws, a source familiar with the probe told the outlet. Thompson’s stock options reportedly had several years until expiration, and the sale of shares was his first since assuming the helm of parent company UnitedHealth’s insurance division in 2021. Thompson, 50, along with UnitedHealth Group chairman Stephen Helmsley, Chief People Officer Erin McSweeney and Chief Accounting Officer Tom Roos, sold a combined $101.5 million in shares, with Helmsley personally netting just shy of $85 million, according to the report. Charles Elson, founding director of the Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware, told Crain’s that share sales by firm principals are typically scrutinized by a company’s general counsel, who can determine whether any additional disclosures to the market may be required before the trades are executed. Earlier this year, UnitedHealth was hit by one of the largest healthcare data breaches in US history, the company estimating as many as one-third of Americans’ private data — potentially including Social Security numbers — were compromised in the ransomware attack. Follow the latest on the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson : The company wound up paying the hackers a $22 million ransom, CEO Andrew Witty told a Congressional panel in May. The massive firm — with annual revenue of around $372 billion — later said it estimated its financial cost as a result of the hack to be around $705 million, Reuters reported.

FORT WAYNE, Ind., Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Do it Best announces the successful acquisition of True Value, a long-time competitor with a legacy brand that benefits both organizations. This monumental transaction represents a transformative milestone for Do it Best, True Value, and the entire independent hardware industry. The acquisition brings significant assets to Do it Best, including inventory, brand rights, and paint manufacturing facilities. By acquiring these key resources, Do it Best is poised for substantial growth and increased capability to support independent retailers and bring operational stability to current True Value retailers, along with investment in the iconic brand. Reflecting on the accelerated journey that began on October 14, Do it Best CEO Dan Starr acknowledged the hard work and dedication required to complete the acquisition. “This has been a challenging process,” said Starr. “However, the shared commitment from our team and the True Value team has made today possible. We are now proud to be the world’s largest cooperative in our space, and that positions us to make a real difference for all our store owners.” Starr confirmed that True Value will operate as a separate subsidiary, allowing Do it Best to maintain high-quality service while carefully integrating True Value’s operations. He emphasized this approach ensures a smooth transition and continued reliability for both Do it Best members and the newly welcomed True Value retailers. “We’re excited to welcome True Value retailers and associates into the Do it Best family,” Starr added. “Our commitment to championing the independent retailer is at the heart of everything we do, and I know our True Value team joins us in this mission. This acquisition is about ensuring our collective success, now and in the future.” To support this transformation, Do it Best has established a new leadership team dedicated to stabilizing and growing the True Value business while maintaining a focus on Do it Best member growth. Starr appointed Nick Talarico as President of Do it Best and Dent Johnson as President of True Value. Johnson’s True Value leadership team includes: Bill Habegger, Vice President of Information Technology Justin Hanford, Vice President of Merchandising Eric Lane, Senior Vice President of Marketing Tim Miller, Senior Vice President of Logistics & Distribution Chris Okapal, Vice President of Sales & Business Development Steve Rose, Vice President of Distribution Matt Saines, Vice President of Finance Rob Schmiedel, Vice President of Operations & Sales Enablement Ken Sorg, Vice President of Supply Chain Celeste Stevens, Vice President of Human Resources John Vanderpool, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Jenna Grannan, Director of Marketing Randy Rusk, Director of Communications The acquisition is expected to be transformational for Do it Best, with a long-term vision that goes beyond growth for its own sake. By leveraging new efficiencies, deepening vendor relationships, and integrating key assets, Do it Best aims to position the expanded cooperative for long-term success. “This is a generational opportunity that will shape the future of our cooperative and our industry,” said Starr. “We’re focused on taking our time to get it right. We ask for patience as we integrate True Value and help everyone grow and achieve their dreams.” For additional updates and information, Do it Best will continue sharing developments with its store owners and vendors, ensuring transparency and clear communication as the stabilization and integration process moves forward. Attachments Do it Best President and CEO Dan Starr Do it Best Champions Independent Home Improvement Stores Kate Virag Ferguson Agency 260-414-2431 kate@fai2.com

PM looks to ‘brighter future’ at Christmas and ‘wishes for peace in Middle East’Britain is the “sick man of Europe” when it comes to accessing pharmacies locally, new analysis shows. The National Pharmacy Association says the UK has fallen behind countries such as Bulgaria and Romania after a decade of underfunding, forcing pharmacies to close for good. International OECD data shows the UK comes 22nd out of 31 nations for the number of community pharmacies for every 100,000 of the population. It has fewer by this measure than countries including Latvia, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and France. Separate data shows the average UK pharmacy serves around 5,700 patients which is more than double in France, at 3,238 patients, and the Republic of Ireland, at 2,500 patients. Also the UK spends less on its medicines per head of population than Australia , Ireland, Japan, the US, Spain, Germany and Italy. Germany spends double what the UK does, with the US nearly three times more. It comes after government real-term funding cuts of 40% in England over the last decade have forced over 1,500 community pharmacies to close and many more to cut back opening hours. The NPA says its analysis of the data suggests 1,000 more will close in the next three years in England alone if current funding levels persist. The Mirror is campaigning to save family chemists and stop the closures which are piling pressure on overstretched GPs. Nick Kaye, chair of the National Pharmacy Association said: “These shocking new figures show that the UK is the ‘sick man of Europe’ when it comes to spending on vital medicines and community pharmacies. It is damning that UK pharmacies serve more patients than comparative countries whilst also receiving ever reducing levels of funding.” It comes as pharmacies are set to launch their first ever industrial action with many across Britain cutting their opening hours from January. NPA members voted to conduct ‘work to rule’ actions which can also include stopping free medicine deliveries, emergency contraception services or addiction and stop smoking support. Mr Kaye added: “As our ballot result showed, many pharmacy owners feel pushed to breaking point thanks to the impact of 40% cuts to their funding and increases in their workload. Community pharmacies have the potential to deliver so much more for patients, including a wider range of clinical services that will help to keep pressure off other parts of our health system. “However this cannot happen with funding at its current levels and pharmacies shutting at record rates. The government must get round the table and start to deliver the funding necessary so we can stop the closures and deliver the best possible care for patients.”AP News Summary at 3:38 p.m. EST

DORAL, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 23, 2024-- NeueHealth, Inc. (“NeueHealth” or the “Company”) (NYSE: NEUE), the value-driven healthcare company, today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which the Company will be acquired by an affiliate of New Enterprise Associates (“NEA”) at an enterprise value of approximately $1.3 billion. Upon completion of the transaction, NeueHealth will become a privately held company with the flexibility and resources to continue advancing its value-driven, consumer-centric care model. Under the terms of the merger agreement, holders of NeueHealth common stock (other than shares that will be rolled over and certain excluded shares) will receive $7.33 per share in cash, which represents a premium of approximately 70% over the closing price of NeueHealth common stock on December 23, 2024. Certain stockholders of NeueHeath, including NEA and 12 existing NeueHealth investors (which collectively hold all of the outstanding shares of NeueHealth preferred stock), have entered into rollover agreements pursuant to which such stockholders will continue their investments by exchanging their shares of NeueHealth common stock and/or preferred stock for newly issued equity interests in the privately held company, and the Company’s existing secured loan facility with Hercules Capital, Inc. will remain in place. NeueHealth’s executive leadership team will continue in their roles upon completion of the transaction and intends to roll over 100% of their equity interests for newly issued equity interests in the privately held company. “We are pleased to announce this transaction as we believe it places NeueHealth in a strong position for continued growth while maximizing value for all of NeueHealth’s public stockholders,” said Mike Mikan, President and CEO of NeueHealth. “NEA has been a longstanding strategic partner, and we look forward to continuing to work together to build on NeueHealth’s success as a leader in value-based care.” “We believe NeueHealth has built a differentiated model of care that is uniquely positioned to drive value for consumers, providers, and payors and we have confidence in the NeueHealth team and their ability to continue to lead the Company,” said Mohamad Makhzoumi, Co-CEO of NEA. “We have had a strong partnership with NeueHealth since 2016 and share the Company’s commitment to making high-quality healthcare accessible and affordable for all Americans.” Transaction Details A special committee (the “Special Committee”) of the board of directors of NeueHealth (the “Board”), composed entirely of independent and disinterested directors and advised by its own independent legal and financial advisors, unanimously recommended that the Board approve the transaction and determined it was in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders that are not affiliated with NEA. Acting upon the recommendation of the Special Committee, the Board subsequently unanimously approved the transaction and determined to recommend that NeueHealth stockholders vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement. Certain NeueHealth stockholders have agreed to vote all of their shares of NeueHealth common stock and/or preferred stock to approve and adopt the merger agreement, subject to certain conditions. The merger is subject to approval by NeueHealth’s stockholders and other customary closing conditions, including receipt of certain regulatory approvals. NEA intends to finance the transaction with fully committed equity financing, and the transaction is not subject to any financing condition. Upon completion of the transaction, NeueHealth’s common stock will no longer be publicly traded or listed on any public market. The merger agreement includes a 30-day “go-shop” period that will expire at 12:01 AM New York City time on January 23, 2025, which permits the Special Committee and its financial advisors to solicit and consider alternative acquisition proposals. There can be no assurance that this process will result in a superior proposal, and NeueHealth does not intend to disclose developments with respect to the “go-shop” process unless and until it determines such disclosure is appropriate or is otherwise required. Lincoln International, LLC is acting as financial advisor, and Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. is acting as legal counsel, to the Special Committee. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is acting as legal counsel to NeueHealth. Latham and Watkins LLP is acting as legal counsel to NEA, with Sidley Austin LLP acting as insurance regulatory counsel to NEA. More information regarding the key terms will be included in a current report on Form 8-K to be filed by NeueHealth with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Important Information and Where to Find It In connection with the transaction, the Company will file with the SEC a proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Proxy Statement”), the definitive version of which will be sent or provided to Company stockholders. The Company, affiliates of the Company and affiliates of NEA intend to jointly file a transaction statement on Schedule 13E-3 (the "Schedule 13E-3") with the SEC. The Company may also file other documents with the SEC regarding the transaction. This release is not a substitute for the Proxy Statement, the Schedule 13E-3 or any other document which the Company may file with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT, THE SCHEDULE 13E-3 AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPANY OR THE TRANSACTION BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the Proxy Statement, the Schedule 13E-3 and other documents that are filed or will be filed with the SEC by the Company, when such documents become available, through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or through the Company's website at https://investors.neuehealth.com/home/default.aspx . The transaction will be implemented solely pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 23, 2024 (the “merger agreement”), among the Company, NH Holdings 2025, Inc. and NH Holdings Acquisition 2025, Inc., which contains the full terms and conditions of the transaction. Participants in the Solicitation The Company and certain of its directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders of the Company in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the Company’s directors and executive officers is available in the definitive proxy statement for the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company, which was filed by the Company with the SEC on April 1, 2024 (the “Annual Meeting Proxy Statement”), and will be available in the Proxy Statement. Please refer to the sections captioned “Executive Compensation,” “Director Compensation,” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Annual Meeting Proxy Statement. Holdings of the Company’s securities by certain of the Company’s employees, and any changes in the holdings of the Company’s securities by the Company’s directors or executive officers from the amounts described in the Annual Meeting Proxy Statement, have been reflected in the following Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC: Form 4, filed by George Lawrence Mikan III on May 6, 2024; Form 4, filed by Jay Matushak on May 6, 2024; Form 4, filed Tomas Orozco on May 6, 2024; Form 4, filed by Jeffery Michael Craig on May 6, 2024; Form 4, filed by Jeffrey J. Scherman on May 6, 2024; Form 4, filed by Jay Matushak on May 13, 2024; Form 4, filed by Jeffrey J. Scherman on May 13, 2024; Form 4, filed by Kedrick D. Adkins, Jr. on May 14, 2024; Form 4, filed by Andrew M. Slavitt on May 14, 2024; Form 4, filed by Linda Gooden on May 14, 2024; Form 4, filed by Mohamad Makhzoumi on May 14, 2024; Form 4, filed by Robert J. Sheehy on May 14, 2024; Form 4, filed by Matthew G. Manders on May 14, 2024; Form 4, filed by Stephen Kraus on May 14, 2024; Form 4, filed by Manuel Kadre on May 14, 2024; Form 4, filed by Jeffrey R. Immelt on May 14, 2024; Form 4, filed by Mohamad Makhzoumi on October 3, 2024; Form 4, filed by Jay Matushak on October 8, 2024; Form 4, filed by George Lawrence Mikan III on December 18, 2024. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the Proxy Statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction when they become available. Free copies of the Proxy Statement and such other materials may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph. About NeueHealth NeueHealth is a value-driven healthcare company grounded in the belief that all health consumers are entitled to high-quality, coordinated care. By uniquely aligning the interests of health consumers, providers, and payors, NeueHealth helps to make healthcare accessible and affordable to all populations across the ACA Marketplace, Medicare, and Medicaid. NeueHealth delivers high-quality clinical care to over 500,000 health consumers through owned clinics and unique partnerships with over 3,000 affiliated providers. We also enable independent providers and medical groups to thrive in performance-based arrangements through a suite of technology and services scaled centrally and deployed locally. We believe our value-driven, consumer-centric care model can transform the healthcare experience and maximize value across the healthcare system. For more information, visit: www.neuehealth.com . About NEA New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is a global venture capital firm focused on helping entrepreneurs build transformational businesses across multiple stages, sectors and geographies. Founded in 1977, NEA has more than $25 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2024 and invests in technology and healthcare companies at all stages in a company’s lifecycle, from seed stage through IPO. The firm's long track record of investing includes more than 280 portfolio company IPOs and more than 465 mergers and acquisitions. For more information, please visit www.nea.com . Forward-Looking Statements This release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements made in this release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and should be evaluated as such. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of our business plan and strategies, and statements as to the expected timing, completion and effects of the transaction. These statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “project,” “forecast,” “estimates,” “projections,” “outlook,” “ensure,” and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include any statements regarding our plans, expectations and financial guidance. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. Factors that might materially affect such forward-looking statements include: the failure to complete the transaction on the anticipated terms and within the anticipated timeframe, including as a result of failure to obtain required stockholder or regulatory approvals or to satisfy other closing conditions; potential litigation relating to the transaction that could be instituted against NEA, the Company or their respective affiliates, directors, managers, officers or employees, and the effects of any outcomes related thereto; potential adverse reactions or changes to our business relationships or operating results resulting from the announcement, pendency or completion of the transaction; the risk that our stock price may decline significantly if the transaction is not consummated; certain restrictions during the pendency of the transaction that may impact our ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; costs associated with the transaction, which may be significant; the occurrence of events, changes or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, including in circumstances requiring us to pay a termination fee; our ability to continue as a going concern; our ability to comply with the terms of our credit facilities­ or any credit facility into which we enter in the future; our ability to receive the remaining proceeds from the sale of our Medicare Advantage business in California in a timely manner; our ability to obtain any short or long term debt or equity financing needed to operate our business; our ability to quickly and efficiently complete the wind down of our remaining Individual and Family Plan (“IFP”) and MA businesses, including by satisfying liabilities of those businesses when due and payable; potential disruptions to our business due to the transaction or due to corporate restructuring and any resulting headcount reduction; our ability to accurately estimate and effectively manage the costs relating to changes in our business offerings and models; a delay or inability to withdraw regulated capital from our subsidiaries; a lack of acceptance or slow adoption of our business model; our ability to retain existing consumers and expand consumer enrollment; our and our care partner’s abilities to obtain and accurately assess, code, and report risk adjustment factor scores; our ability to contract with care providers and arrange for the provision of quality care; our ability to obtain claims information timely and accurately; the impact of any pandemic or epidemic on our business and results of operations; the risks associated with our reliance on third-party providers to operate our business; the impact of modifications or changes to the U.S. health insurance markets; our ability to manage any growth of our business; our ability to operate, update or implement our technology platform and other information technology systems; our ability to retain key executives; our ability to successfully pursue acquisitions, integrate acquired businesses, and quickly and efficiently divest businesses as needed; the occurrence of severe weather events, catastrophic health events, natural or man-made disasters, and social and political conditions or civil unrest; our ability to prevent and contain data security incidents and the impact of data security incidents on our members, patients, employees and financial results; our ability to comply with requirements to maintain effective internal controls; our ability to adapt to mitigate risks associated with our ACO businesses, including any unanticipated market or regulatory developments; and the other factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and Form 8-K (including all amendments to those reports) and our other filings with the SEC. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this release to conform these statements to actual results or changes in our expectations. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223595862/en/ CONTACT: Investor Contact: IR@neuehealth.comMedia Contact: media@neuehealth.com KEYWORD: FLORIDA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PRACTICE MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES MANAGED CARE HEALTH GENERAL HEALTH HEALTH TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INSURANCE HOSPITALS INSURANCE TELEMEDICINE/VIRTUAL MEDICINE FINANCE SOURCE: NeueHealth Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/23/2024 05:53 PM/DISC: 12/23/2024 05:53 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223595862/enTrump's surprising Labor pick