Pratik Gandhi’s formula for success is simple: “I am not competing with anybody. I need to constantly push myself and my boundaries to create my place, and continue to be as fearless as I have been,” says the 44-year-old actor. Letting go of a thriving corporate job to try to make a career in acting was the biggest trial by fire in his life, he says. “It wasn’t easy to discard a full-time job to become a full-time actor. It took me a while to make this decision. It wasn’t that I liked one profession over the other, I loved both. But there came a point in 2016 when I had to decide on one or the other, because I was losing out on opportunities in my job, as well as in Gujarati films. Hindi was not even on my radar,” he shares, adding, “My family told me to do whatever makes me happy.” Pratik, who won acclaim for his performance in Rahul Dholakia’s action thriller Agni, which brings to life the struggles and strife of firefighters, confesses that he was ashamed of how little he knew about them. “We never pay attention to their life. As an engineer, I set up cement plants and interacted with various people, but I never had any insights into their lives. The film gave me that perspective,” he says. The actor broke new ground in his career with his raw and real portrayal of stock broker Harshad Mehta in Hansal Mehra’s Scam 1992. 2024 is a landmark year for him. Besides completing a decade in the industry, he came up with three back-to-back hits - the rom-com Do Aur Do Pyaar, Madgaon Express and Agni. His recent body of work proves his versatility as a performer. “It has been a phenomenal experience for me because I was striving to make every character different from the other. Post Scam 1992, I was perceived as a serious actor, and I am glad people have accepted me in different worlds and genres.” Asserting that surviving in the film industry is a constantly evolving process, he says, “You can’t bank on the success of one project. You have to keep reinventing yourself and look for new opportunities. There is no standard route. Your craft has to be compelling enough that people have reasons to watch and cast you. I credit the audience for being accepting of new actors and talent. It is the makers who need to let go of their fears, because the viewer is discerning enough.” Has his success made it easier to navigate the slippery slope of Bollywood? “The struggle will always be there, it never ends. But yes, success helps bring in some kind of star factor, though not power,” he says. “People come with expectations, and it is those expectations one needs to keep working on. You need a strong core.” Pratik and Hansal Mehta come together once again for the screen adaptation of historian Ramachandra Guha’s books Gandhi Before India and Gandhi: The Years that Changed the World. Stepping into the shoes of Bapu can be a daunting task, but Pratik says he was struck by his humanness. “It is amazing how Gandhiji himself has chronicled his strengths and weaknesses. He didn’t want you to celebrate him, he just emphasised that he was as ordinary as anyone else,” he says.
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Carol Marie (Einspahr) Rasmussen, 89 of Grand Island, formerly of St. Paul, went to her heavenly home on December 11, 2024, at the Howard County Medical Center in St Paul, Nebraska, after experiencing complications from a heart attack, congestive heart failure and Covid. Carol was the daughter of Victor and Edna (Leopold) Einspahr and was born November 16, 1935, in Kenesaw, Nebraska. She grew up on a farm near Doniphan and Trumbull and graduated from Trumbull High School in 1953. On March 28, 1954, Carol married Don Hollister, and they had four children. The family lived in Hastings where she was a nurse's aide at the Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings, Nebraska. The couple later divorced. She later delivered and stocked the L’eggs pantyhose stands throughout Kansas and Nebraska and was introduced to a kind-hearted veterinarian from St Paul, Nebraska. Lyle Eldon Rasmussen and Carol were married on July 8, 1977, beginning a joyful life in St Paul. The couple shared a love for traveling by car to various locations for veterinarian conferences, adding side trips to explore more of the country. Carol and Lyle especially liked staying at bed and breakfasts meeting fascinating people and savoring the local cuisine. At home, Carol was a good cook, utilizing her multitude of cookbooks and magazines. She had an eye for decorating spaces and shopped for beautiful items with which to entertain. A devoted partner, Carol worked alongside Lyle at the St Paul Veterinary Clinic. She was a current member of PEO Chapter AP, former member of the American Veterinary Auxiliary, and served twenty-three years on the Howard County Medical Center board. Her deep faith in God was central to her life and she was passionate about sharing her hope of eternal life with others. Carol is survived by her loving husband, Lyle, who was her steadfast companion and dearest friend. She took great pride in her four children; seven grandchildren; and eleven great grandchildren. Children are Deb (Bob) Karle of Waterloo, NE, Kevin (Kim Kelley) Hollister of San Antonio, Texas, Doug (Sherrie) Hollister of Hastings, NE and Tricia (Jeff) Buchanan of St. Paul, NE. Her grandchildren who gave her immense joy include Liz (Matt) Dibbern, with Natalie and Simon from Lincoln, NE, Kate (Chris) Fuller, with Kayla and Callie from Elkhorn, NE, Chandra (Jason) Hawley, with Wayde, Ada, and Oden from Aurora, NE, Brant (Deidre) Hollister, with Lydia and Violet from Kearney, NE, Chris (Brittany) Hollister, with Collins and Londyn from Hastings, NE, Justin Buchanan from Madison, WI and Travis Buchanan from San Francisco, CA. Carol is also survived by her brother, Lamoine (Emaline) Einspahr from Hastings; and nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Janis Brunken. Her celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 11, at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul, NE. Pastor John Dolittle will be officiating. Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Christ Lutheran Church or the Howard County Medical Center. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.jacobsengreenway.comSportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78There is no question that Pella makes some of the best windows on the market. They’re energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and stylish. The company has been around since 1925, and today is one of the leading manufacturers of new construction and replacement windows, available through the brand’s 200 affiliated “Pella Stores.” Pella Windows are also widely available through retailers throughout the country. One of those retailers is Lowe’s Home Improvement , the home improvement and building material giant, with a history that reaches back to 1946 and a network of stores that includes over 1,700 locations in the US. RELATED: How much does window replacement cost? Current pricing and what to expect So, the question is, if you’re going to buy Pella Windows, where should you get them? Through Pella or Lowe’s? Find out in this guide. What are Pella Windows? Pella Windows is a brand of high-quality, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly windows offered by Pella Corporation. The company was first formed in Pella, Iowa, and has been in business for almost 100 years. Pella has a history of innovation, developing highly efficient windows that offer energy efficiency, noise reduction, UV protection, and premium security. Several of the brand’s windows meet or exceed Energy Star standards and can be customized to the customer’s preferences. Pella offers eight product lines of windows. They include Reserve Traditional, Reserve Contemporary, Lifestyle Series, Impervia, 250 Series, Encompass, Hurricane Shield Series, and Defender Series. They’re available in double-hung, single-hung, casement, awning, picture, sliding, bay, bow, custom, and specialty designs. One aspect of Pella Windows that helps its products stand out from competitors is its eco-friendliness. Several models meet or exceed Energy Star standards, proving the company’s dedication to energy efficiency. Also, several of Pella’s windows are made from recycled materials, such as recycled sawdust, aluminum, and glass, reducing the carbon footprint associated with production and making it a great choice for eco-conscious homeowners. Pella Windows are available through Lowe’s or through one of its 200 other Pella Stores, which are independently operated businesses throughout the country. Despite the relatively small number of stores, they are available in all 50 states. Pella Windows warranties are relatively generous compared to other major window manufacturers. Pella offers a limited lifetime warranty on many of its products and up to two years on labor related to installation. Many other companies only offer 20-year limited warranties, and because most windows last 15 to 30 years, there will be several years during which the windows will not be under any warranty. What are the benefits of buying Pella Windows at Lowe’s vs. Pella Stores? Pella Windows are obviously excellent products, and most customers will be quite happy with their purchase regardless of where they buy them. However, there are a few benefits of purchasing Pella Windows at Lowe’s. For one, Lowe’s has over 1,700 locations across the U.S. In most cases, this means that a homeowner will be closer to their local Lowe’s than they would be to one of the 200 Pella Stores. They can speak with a product specialist at Lowe’s, get their questions answered, compare the multiple lines, and decide, all without the hassle of travel. Lowe’s can also help customers with the installation. One of its teams of contractors can install your windows, allowing you to shop for the windows you like and let someone else do the hard work for you. Some Pella Stores might have contractors or services that can handle installation, but it’s not a guarantee like it is with Lowe’s. The labor is then covered by Lowe’s Double Lifetime Window Warranty, which covers the labor to replace a window that Pella warranties. Also, Lowe’s will help customers finance their projects. Lowe’s can help set up a credit card or another third-party loan with fixed payments. Customers can then have their windows installed for an affordable price rather than coming up with the lump amount themselves. Again, some Pella Stores might offer financing, but there is no guarantee. Another major benefit to Lowe’s is convenience. Lowe’s can ship your windows directly to your house. Pella Stores can also deliver your windows, but we compared the delivery fees, and on average, Lowe’s is less than half the cost. If we had chosen to pick our windows up instead, we would’ve had to drive over an hour and a half to our closest Pella Store, while we have three Lowe’s within 30 minutes of us. Finally, it’s quite likely that you’ll receive the same access to the same product lines, styles, and materials from Lowe’s as you would any Pella Store. In fact, Lowe’s access to a large network of stores and warehouses could mean better access and faster delivery on in-stock items — something we’ve noticed while placing orders through both companies. Lowe’s Window Replacement and Installation for Pella Windows Before deciding if Lowe’s windows and window replacement services are the best for you, let’s take a deeper look into what the company offers. Price ranges and costs for window installation , replacement, or individual purchase are difficult to truly nail down because each window line, size, and style commands a different price. However, the least expensive Pella Windows model available at Lowe’s is a new white vinyl construction window featuring Low-E glass for $238. The most expensive window is the Lifestyle Wood double-hung window, which costs $1,116. As for double-hung windows, we found that customers could expect to pay an average of $525 per window. At the time of writing this comparison, over 1,900 Pella models are available at Lowe’s. Of these options, customers can choose double-hung, single-hung, casement, sliding, and bay or bow windows. There aren’t any awning windows or custom or specialty options available online, but the stores may be able to order them. Lowe’s does in-house consultations for its window installation services. A customer interested in having Pella windows installed will meet with a rep, discuss their options, and get questions answered. Within a few days, the customer will hear back with a quote, at which point they can decide if they’d like to move forward. Lowe’s has a handy breakdown available on its website to explain installation prices. Here’s the breakdown, which includes the cost of the window: Warranties with Lowe’s are excellent, but they’re a little confusing. First, Lowe’s warranties its labor for 1 year after installation. However, Pella covers labor for up to two years after installation. After the first year is up, Lowe’s Double Lifetime Warranty kicks in. This warranty covers the labor required to replace a window installed by Lowe’s installers if a manufacturer-covered repair needs to be performed. So, if there’s an issue with a Pella window that Lowe’s installed, Lowe’s Double Lifetime Warranty will cover the labor required to repair the window. Between Pella Windows’ warranty and Lowe’s, customers should feel confident that their windows will be covered. If you purchase your windows through Lowe’s, you’ll have access to Lowe’s customer service department. Having personally dealt with customer service, they’re quite helpful when it comes to answering the questions they can, but more often than not, they’ll connect you with the store from which you purchased your windows. But if you have issues with the windows themselves, you can contact Pella’s customer service for answers, as well. Depending on what you need, your local Lowe’s may have them in stock. If that’s the case, you can order them online and set them up for pickup. Lowe’s will receive the order, pick the windows out of the rack, and alert you that the order is ready. When you drive the story, they’ll bring them to the customer pick-up desk or, if available, curbside for easy loading. Final Verdict: Where To Buy Pella Windows Ultimately, we think Lowe’s is the best place to buy Pella windows. While Pella Stores might offer some of the same benefits, we think Lowe’s access to a large network of stores, lots of stock, help with financing, and installation crews make it a better fit for most folks. Lowe’s can help customers plan their entire window project with one-stop shopping (plus an in-home consultation). How We Tested We know that purchasing windows for your home is a big investment and that any home improvement project on that scale can be quite an undertaking. For that reason, we wanted to make sure we really dug into both Pella Stores and Lowe’s to find out which is the best place to buy Pella Windows. We compared both based on several factors: Considering those factors, we determined that Lowe’s is the best place to buy Pella Windows . For more information, contact your local Lowe’s store. Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance . We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products , and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
Rural communities push back on clean-energy projectsAP News Summary at 4:32 p.m. ESTSEATTLE (AP) — It wasn’t pretty, but the Seattle Seahawks pulled off a 6-3 slog of a victory Thursday over the Chicago Bears. The win featured an outstanding effort from Seattle's defense, a near disappearance from the offense and a game-sealing pick that ended Caleb Williams' rookie record for the most pass attempts without an interception at 353. The Seahawks sacked Williams seven times to tie the team’s season high as the Bears lost their 10th consecutive game in the lowest scoring contest of the season. The Bears had a chance to pull off an upset when they had the ball at Seattle's 40-yard line late in the fourth quarter, but Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen picked off Williams with 20 seconds left. It was a nice bounce-back win for Seattle, but had little impact on their postseason outlook. The more important game will come Saturday, when the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals face off with Seattle’s postseason fortunes on the line. A win by Arizona keeps the Seahawks in the hunt — but still needing a win over the Rams next weekend to clinch the NFC West. A Rams win this weekend would dash Seattle’s hopes as Los Angeles would win the tiebreaker over Seattle even if the Seahawks win the regular-season finale. “We’re in the mode of controlling what we can control,” coach Mike Macdonald said. “We know what’s coming next week. We’re going to spend this weekend getting our minds and bodies and spirits right to go play a game. "Yeah, we’re praying that it’s for the division championship.” What’s working Leonard Williams continues to be a force for the Seahawks. The defensive tackle dominated the Bears' offensive line with two of Seattle’s seven sacks, four quarterback hits and three tackles for loss. Williams been the key to Seattle’s defensive resurgence. A unit that was among the worst in the league earlier in the season has become one of the NFL's most productive in the second half with Williams' big-time impact up front being a major reason Seattle is still in the playoff hunt. “He should be up for all the accolades,” Macdonald said. “I don’t know what the awards are out there, but I would give it to him,” Macdonald said. “He’s just a phenomenal player, phenomenal human being. I’m glad he’s a Seahawk. Glad he’s with us.” What needs help Seattle’s offense was full of stops and starts, but two field goals proved to be enough. Geno Smith managed just 160 passing yards and nearly threw yet another interception in the red zone on Seattle’s first drive of the game. Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh combined for 103 yards on 22 carries, with McIntosh’s 25-yard first-quarter run marking Seattle’s longest offensive play of the day. Charbonnet, starting in place of the injured Kenneth Walker III, was held to just 3.8 yards per carry. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has spent the season trying to figure out how to get the running game going, with little success. Stock up The Seahawks' defense put up a lockdown performance after struggling in losses against Green Bay and Minnesota, holding the Bears to just 179 yards of total offense and finishing with 10 quarterback hits. Along with Leonard Williams big day, Devon Witherspoon had six tackles with a sack and three tackles for loss as the Seahawks recaptured some of the momentum it had lost the past two weeks. Under constant pressure from Seattle’s pass rush, Caleb Williams threw for 122 yards, while completing 16 of 28 pass attempts. Stock down WR DK Metcalf. He had a tough day, with just three receptions for 43 yards. He also drew a pair of personal fouls on a single play, one coming after he head-butted Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson in the second quarter. Metcalf hasn’t had more than 70 yards receiving in a game since Seattle’s win over Atlanta on Oct. 20. He has only had more than four receptions in three games this year, and has just four touchdown catches in what has been a bit of a disappointing season for the sixth-year receiver. Injuries The Seahawks put Walker (ankle) on injured reserve Thursday, marking the end of his regular season. Walker has to miss at least the next four games, but could return if Seattle makes it deep into the playoffs. Key number 7 — Seattle’s seven sacks made it 67 on the year for Caleb Williams, 15 more than any other quarterback in the league and fourth-most in league history. Up next The Seahawks finish the regular season at the Los Angeles Rams on either Jan. 4 or 5. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Shane Lantz, The Associated Press
Thousands of Syrians gathered in Damascus’ main square and a historic mosque for the first Muslim Friday prayers since former President Bashar Assad was overthrown , a major symbolic moment for the country’s dramatic change of power. The rebels are now working to establish security and start a political transition after seizing the capital on Sunday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Friday, pressing ahead with efforts to unify Middle East nations in support of a peaceful political transition in Syria. It’s part of Blinken’s 12th trip to the Mideast since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year in Gaza but his first after Assad was ousted. The U.S. is also making a renewed push for an ceasefire in Gaza, where the war has plunged more than 2 million Palestinians into a severe humanitarian crisis. Israel’s war against Hamas has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The October 2023 attack by Hamas in southern Israel that sparked the war killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and around 250 others were taken hostage. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Here's the latest: THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A Dutch court on Friday rejected a bid from human rights groups to block weapons exports to Israel and trading with the occupied territories, after finding there were sufficient checks already in place to comply with international law. The ten organizations told The Hague District Court last month that they thought the Netherlands was in violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention, drawn up following World War II, by continuing to sell weapons to Israel more than a year into the conflict in Gaza. “The government uses my own tax money, that I pay, to kill my own family. I’ve lost 18 members of my own family,” Ahmed Abofoul, a legal adviser for the pro-Palestinian organization Al-Haq, one of the groups involved in the lawsuit, told the court during a hearing in November . The court ruling said that “it is not up to the interim relief judge to order the state to reconsider government policy. That is primarily a political responsibility.” Lawyers for the government argued it wasn’t up to a judge to decide foreign policy for the Netherlands. The activist groups pointed to several emergency orders from another court, the International Court of Justice, as confirming the obligation to stop weapons sales. In January, the top U.N. court said it was plausible Palestinians were being deprived of some rights protected under the Genocide Convention. The coalition said it will review the court’s ruling and is considering an appeal. CAIRO — Israeli attacks in and around a hospital in northern Gaza wounded three medical staff overnight into Friday and caused damage to the isolated medical facility, according to its director. Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya said Israeli quadcopter drones carrying explosives deliberately targeted the emergency and reception area of Kamal Adwan Hospital, where one doctor was wounded for a third time. Abu Safiya said “relentless” drone and artillery strikes throughout the night exploded “alarmingly close” to the hospital, heavily damaging nearby buildings and destroying most of the water tanks on the hospital’s roof and blowing out doors and windows. Kamal Adwan Hospital in the town of Beit Lahiya has been hit multiple times over the past two months since Israel launched a fierce military operation against Hamas in northern Gaza. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the strikes. “We demand international protection for the hospital and its staff,” Abu Safiya said in a statement released via the U.K.-based aid group Medical Aid for Palestinians, “as well as the entry of delegations with surgical expertise, medical supplies, and essential medications to ensure we can adequately serve the people we are treating.” Abu Safiya said there were 72 wounded patients at the hospital, one of the few medical facilities left in northern Gaza. He said he expected Israeli forces would allow a World Health Organization aid convoy to bring supplies to the hospital on Friday or Saturday, as well as a team of doctors from Indonesia. Israel has allowed almost no humanitarian or medical aid to enter the three besieged communities in northern Gaza — Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun and the urban Jabaliya refugee camp — and ordered tens of thousands to flee to nearby Gaza City. Israeli officials have said the three communities are mostly deserted, but the United Nations humanitarian office said Tuesday it believes around 65,000 to 75,000 people are still there, with little access to food, water, electricity or health care. Experts have warned that the north may be experiencing famine . BAGHDAD — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced stop in Iraq on Friday on his latest visit to the Middle East aimed at stabilizing the situation in Syria to prevent further regional turmoil. Blinken met in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani as part of the hastily arranged trip, his 12th to the region since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year but his first since the weekend ouster of Syrian strongman Bashar Assad. Blinken has already been to Jordan and Turkey on his current tour and will return to Jordan for urgent meetings on Saturday with Arab foreign ministers to try to unify support for an inclusive post-Assad transition that does not allow the Islamic State group to take advantage of the political vacuum in Syria and secures suspected chemical weapons stocks. In Baghdad, Blinken “will underscore U.S. commitment to the U.S.-Iraq strategic partnership and to Iraq’s security, stability, and sovereignty,” the State Department said. “He will also discuss regional security opportunities and challenges, as well as enduring U.S. support for engagement with all communities in Syria to establish an inclusive transition,” it said in a statement. His trip comes as the Biden administration winds down with just over a month left before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Trump has been highly critical of Biden’s approach to the Middle East and skeptical of the U.S. military presence in both Iraq and Syria. The U.S. and Iraq agreed in September to wrap up U.S.-led military operations against the Islamic State in Iraq next year, although Assad’s ouster and the potential for the group taking advantage of a political vacuum in Syria could complicate the timing of the withdrawal, according to American officials. DAMASCUS — The kingdom of Bahrain sent a message Friday to Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It said Bahrain is “fully prepared to consult with you continuously and to provide support in regional and international organizations to achieve what is in the interest of the brotherly Syrian people.” It added, “We look forward to Syria regaining its authentic role in the Arab League.” Bahrain is the current head of the Arab summit. Syria was readmitted to the Arab League last year after 12 years of ostracization. It is still unclear how the international community will deal officially with the new interim government in Syria. JERUSALEM - Israel’s defense minister told troops to prepare to remain through the winter months on the peak of Mount Hermon, Syria’s highest point, located in a swath of southern Syria that Israeli troops moved into after the fall of Damascus to insurgents. The comments by Defense Minister Israel Katz signaled that the military will extend its occupation of the zone along the border, which Israel says it seized to create a buffer zone. In a statement Friday, Katz said that holding the peak was of major importance for Israel’s security and that it would be necessary to build facilities there to sustain troops through the winter. The summit of Mount Hermon, the highest peak on the eastern Mediterranean coast at 2,814 meters (9,232 feet), gives a commanding view over the plains of southern Syria. It also positions Israeli troops about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the center of Damascus. The mount is divided between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Lebanon and Syria. Only the United States recognizes Israel’s control of the Golan Heights. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israeli troops would remain in the zone until another force across the border in Syria could guarantee security. Israeli troops moved into the zone -– set as a demilitarized area inside Syrian territory under truce deals that ended the 1973 Mideast war -- after the regime of Bashar al-Assad fell last weekend. ANKARA, Turkey -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday there was “broad agreement” between Turkey and the United States on what they would like to see in Syria following the ouster of President Bashar Assad. “There’s broad agreement on what we would like to see going forward, starting with the interim government in Syria, one that is inclusive and non-sectarian and one that protects the rights of minorities and women” and does not “pose any kind of threat to any of Syria’s neighbors,” Blinken said in joint statements with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The insurgent groups that toppled Assad in Syria have not made clear their policy or stance on Israel, whose military in recent days has bombed sites all over the country, saying it is trying to prevent weapons from falling into extremist hands. Blinken also said it was crucial to keep the Islamic State group under control. “We also discussed the imperative of continuing the efforts to keep ISIS down. Our countries worked very hard and gave a lot over many years to ensure the elimination of the territorial caliphate of ISIS to ensure that that threat doesn’t rear its head again,” Blinken said. The Turkish foreign minister said the two discussed ways of establishing prosperity in Syria and ending terrorism in the country. “Our priority is establishing stability in Syria as soon as possible, preventing terrorism from gaining ground, and ensuring that IS and the PKK aren’t dominant,” Fidan said, in a reference to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party. Blinken said: “We’re very focused on Syria, very focused on the opportunity that now is before us and before the Syrian people to move from out from under the shackles of Bashar al-Assad to a different and better future for the Syrian people, one that the Syrian people decide for themselves.” Blinken and Fidan said they had also discussed a ceasefire for Gaza. “We’ve seen in the last couple of weeks more encouraging signs that (a ceasefire) is possible,” Blinken said. Blinken, who is making his 12th trip to the Mideast since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year but first since the weekend ouster of Assad, met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan late Thursday. The outgoing Biden administration is particularly concerned that a power vacuum in Syria could exacerbate already heightened tensions in the region, which is already wracked by multiple conflicts, and create conditions for the Islamic State group to regain territory and influence. Later Friday, Blinken is to return to Jordan for meetings on Saturday with Arab foreign ministers and senior officials from the European Union, the Arab League and the United Nations. ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey has appointed a temporary charge d’affaires to reopen its embassy in Syria, Turkey’s state-run news agency reported. The Turkish Embassy in Damascus had suspended operations in 2012 due to the escalating security problems during the Syrian civil war and embassy staff and their families were recalled to Turkey. The Anadolu Agency said late Thursday that Turkey appointed Burhan Koroglu, its ambassador in Mauritania, to the post. UNITED NATIONS- – Two U.N. aid convoys were violently attacked in Gaza, making it virtually impossible for humanitarian agencies to operate without putting staff and civilians at risk, the U.N. food agency says. On Wednesday, a 70-truck convoy from Kerem Shalom was waiting for personnel to safeguard the food and other aid destined for central Gaza when there were reported attacks by Israeli forces in the nearby humanitarian zone, the U.N. World Food Program said Thursday. More than 50 people are now estimated to have died in the attacks, including civilians and local security personnel who had been expected to ensure the convoy’s safety, WFP said. The Rome-based agency said the convoy was forced to proceed from Kerem Shalom to central Gaza without any security arrangements, using the Philadelphi corridor, an Israeli-controlled route that had been recently approved and successfully utilized twice. On the way, WFP said, conflict and insecurity led to a loss of communication with the convoy for more than 12 hours. ”Eventually, the trucks were found but all food and aid supplies were looted,” the U.N. agency said. In a second incident, Israeli soldiers approached a WFP convoy moving out of the Kissufim crossing into central Gaza, fired warning shots, conducted extensive security checks, and temporarily detained drivers and staff, the agency said. “As the trucks were delayed, four out of the five trucks were lost to violent armed looting,” WFP said. UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations chief has a message for Israel: Stop the attacks on Syria. Secretary-General António Guterres is particularly concerned about several hundred Israeli airstrikes on several Syrian locations and stresses “the urgent need to de-escalate violence on all fronts throughout the country," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Thursday. The Israeli military said Tuesday it carried out more than 350 strikes in Syria over the previous 48 hours, hitting “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in the country to stop them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also acknowledged pushing into a buffer zone inside Syria following last week’s overthrow of President Bashar Assad. The buffer zone was established after Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1973 war. Dujarric said Guterres condemns all actions violating the 1974 ceasefire agreement between the two countries that remain in force. And the U.N. chief calls on the parties to uphold the agreement and end “all unauthorized presence in the area of separation” and refrain from any action undermining the ceasefire and stability in the Golan Heights, the spokesman said.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — If the Giants' franchise-record 10th straight loss proved anything, it's that New York could use a young franchise quarterback. Rookie Michael Penix Jr. showed what a young QB can do on Sunday against the Giants, who need to learn from it. The No. 8 overall pick in the draft, Penix played a nearly flawless game in his first career start to help the Falcons thrash the woeful Giants 34-7 in their best performance in weeks. The Giants gambled in 2019 that Daniel Jones would be their franchise QB and it really never panned out. The one exception was the 2022 season, when the No. 6 overall pick had a career year and led New York to a 9-7-1 record and a playoff berth in the first season after Joe Schoen was hired as general manager and Brian Daboll was named coach. The Giants even won a playoff game. With the release of Jones last month, the Giants (2-13) are now a team without a quarterback who can perform at the level required of an NFL starter. Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock have split the last four starts but neither has provided much of a spark for the league's worst offense. Lock handed the Falcons the game with two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns. To turn things around next season, the Giants must find a quarterback. “I’d say it’s very important,” Daboll said Monday. New York is going to have a high pick in the draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in late April. It could even be the No. 1 overall selection. Choosing the right quarterback is going to be hard. There isn't a can't-miss choice in 2025 draft and forcing one early would be a mistake. Unless the Giants are convinced that Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe or someone else is the next franchise player, they have have so many needs that it would be better to wheel and deal and fill as many holes as possible. Even if the Giants take a quarterback in the second round, there's bound to be someone available who has a chance to be better than what they have now. The calendar. The season ends in less than two weeks. The franchise is in disarray, and a shakeup appears likely. Daboll's future as the coach is not bright, considering the current skid and two straight losing seasons. Schoen has to share the blame and so do co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, who hired the GM and coach. LB Darius Muasau. The sixth-round draft pick out of UCLA has started the last three games since Bobby Okereke (back) was hurt and eventually put on injured reserve last week. Muasau had 11 tackles Sunday along with a quarterback hit and a tackle for a loss. He made the defensive calls after LB Micah McFadden left with a neck injury. Lock. In his starts, Lock has had three interceptions returned for touchdowns. He also lost a fumble on a strip-sack at Atlanta. Lock sustained a shoulder injury during the game and had an MRI on Monday. Besides Lock and McFadden, S Jason Pinnock (eye) also left the game. C John Michael Schmitz and RB Tyrone Tracy were evaluated for ankle injuries on Monday. 1 — Thanks to the Raiders' victory over the Jaguars, the Giants will have the No. 1 overall pick in the draft with two more losses. For the ninth and final time, the Giants will try to find a way to win at MetLife Stadium. New York is 0-8 heading into Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. Its only other winless season at home was in 1974 when New York played at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut, while Giants Stadium was being built. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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How major US stock indexes fared Monday, 12/23/2024
Ukraine finished 6th in mixed relay at the World Cup in Kontiolahti