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Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former prime minister and head of the Awam Pakistan Party, has called for dialogue between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and the Army Chief to resolve the pressing challenges faced by the country. Speaking to the media in Kallar Syedan, Abbasi emphasised that Pakistan's development hinges on respecting public opinion. "The country will progress only when the people's voice is honoured," he said, criticising the election process. He remarked that the results displayed on Form 47 have turned elections into a mockery. Abbasi expressed concern over the country’s governance, stating, "A nation cannot be run in the manner Pakistan is being managed." He also criticised the manipulation of the stock market, saying, "Artificially raising the stock index benefits no one, even if it soars to the skies." Highlighting the influence of the military in Pakistan's political landscape, Abbasi stated, "The Army Chief holds the real power. The challenges facing the country will only be resolved when Imran Khan and the Army Chief sit together to find solutions." Abbasi's remarks come amid ongoing debates over political reconciliation and governance in Pakistan. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see ourThe Foreign Ministers of a number of Arab countries met with their counterparts from the countries participating in the Astana Process, at the Sheraton Hotel in Doha on December 7, 2024, to discuss the situation in Syria, especially the recent developments. The meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers of the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Iraq from the Arab countries. The Foreign Ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Türkiye and representative of the Russian Federation from the Astana Process. The participants stressed in a joint statement regarding the recent events in Syria, that the continuation of the Syrian crisis constitutes a dangerous development for the safety of the country and regional and international security, which requires all parties to seek a political solution to the Syrian crisis that leads to end of military operations, and protection of civilians from the repercussions of this crisis. They also agreed on the importance of strengthening joint international efforts to increase humanitarian aid to the Syrian people, and ensuring its sustainable and unhindered access to all affected areas. The Ministers stressed the need to stop military operations in preparation for launching a comprehensive political process, based on Security Council Resolution 2254, to put an end to the military escalation that leads to the shedding of more innocent and defenseless blood and prolonging the crisis, and to preserve the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria and to Protect it from slipping into chaos and terrorism and ensure the voluntary return of refugees and the displaced. The attendees stressed the importance to continue close consultation and coordination among them in order to contribute effectively to finding a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis, in a way that achieves the aspirations of the Syrian people for security, stability and justice, in addition to enhancing efforts aimed at consolidating security and stability in the region. At the end of the meeting, the attendees listened to a briefing from the UN Secretary- General's Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pederson, and affirmed their support for the UN efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis based on Security Council Resolution 2254. Related Story Qatar calls for dialogue to end Syrian crisis Al Nahda for Palestine heldTime is running out to provide feedback on government plans that could see rural postal deliveries cut from five days a week to just three and the number of post shops down from 880 to 500. The proposals are among a raft of planned changes to NZ Post’s mail service that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has been consulting on, the deadline for which is 5pm on Tuesday, December 10. The plans, which would also allow NZ Post to deliver to new rural communal collection points instead of mailboxes, have come under fire from Rural Women New Zealand, which it says will disproportionately impact people living in rural areas. Chief executive Marie Fitzpatrick said NZ Post was abandoning the quality of its service and putting commercial viability ahead of the need for rural communities to access basic postal services. “These proposals will disproportionately impact rural communities, as well as the elderly and those with health issues and disabilities, who will be forced to wait longer and travel greater distances to do basic things like clear their mailboxes and send a letter or parcel,” she said. “These communities often suffer from poor digital connectivity, which makes it difficult to do administrative tasks online. “Our rural communities play a vital role in New Zealand’s economy and deserve better – especially from a state-owned enterprise, which should include a large element of social responsibility.” Fitzpatrick added that NZ Post also needed to be upfront about which post outlets it was planning to close, and that the proposals needed to be scaled back. “The consultation document says rural communities will not be disproportionately affected, but there is no detail on where services will be cut,” she said. “We are also concerned the consultation is being run online only, with no face-to-face community engagement and a short consultation window. This has made it difficult for rural people to have their say.” Info and feedback form:

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Perhaps the biggest improvement in Bryce Young’s game in Year 2 has been his ability to improvise and use his legs to create plays. On Sunday, Young ran five times for a career-high 68 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown on a scramble in Carolina’s 36-30 overtime win over Arizona , which eliminated the Cardinals from playoff contention . It was Young’s fourth rushing touchdown of the season after failing to score on the ground in 2023 as a rookie. Aside from the touchdowns, his rushing numbers are similar to 2023, but it’s clear Young is making better decisions and getting out of the pocket quicker when his protection begins to breaks down. “I'm trying to take what the defense gives me,” Young said. “As a passer, I always try to remain a passer as long as possible. We talk about all the time just extending above the 2.7 (seconds) and starting the second play, and doing whatever it takes. For me, it's just being more comfortable in the system and playing with the guys. I want to do everything I can to continue to be efficient by moving the chains and doing what’s best for the team. The last couple of weeks have been a little more than that." Young played one of his better games against the Cardinals, finishing 17 of 26 passing for 158 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions one week after turning the ball over four times in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Carolina scored TDs on its first three possessions, the first time that has happened in six years. Panthers coach Dave Canales said Young played “fast” and was “really decisive." “You saw some of the scrambles early in the first half where he was able to pick up some critical third downs for us there and run one in for a touchdown,” Canales said. “It was about just being decisive, knowing where all the bones are buried in his concepts and being able to get to the scramble when those windows opened up for him. Again, just making some really nice throws when we needed him to.” What’s working Carolina's offensive line was outstanding on Sunday in the run-blocking game as the Panthers racked up 243 yards with Chuba Hubbard running for 152 yards and two TDs. Hubbard has 1,195 yards rushing, which ranks as the fourth most in a season in team history behind DeAngelo Williams (1,515) in 2008, Stephen Davis (1,444) in 2003 and Christian McCaffrey (1,387) in 2019. His 10 touchdowns on the ground are tied for the fifth most in franchise history. What needs help The Panthers run defense. It's the same old refrain and it isn't going to get any better until next season. Carolina allowed James Conner to run for 117 yards and a touchdown as Arizona put up 206 yards on the ground. The Panthers have now allowed an average of nearly 200 yards rushing over the past seven weeks under defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Injuries have played a major role in that as the team lost defensive lineman Derrick Brown and linebacker Shaq Thompson early in the season, but it's obvious that adding help on the front seven will be a major priority for general manager Dan Morgan in the offseason. Stock up Hubbard got the redemption he sought on Sunday when he ran 21 yards for the winning touchdown in overtime to knock the Cardinals out of playoff contention. Three weeks earlier, Hubbard fumbled in overtime against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while the Panthers were driving for the winning field goal, costing his team the game. The left Hubbard sitting on the team's bench on the sideline in disbelief. But Hubbard told himself at the time he would get another shot — and make the most of it. Hubbard had all 49 yards on the team's winning drive in OT and finished with 152 yards — 1 shy of a career high — and two touchdowns. Stock down Getting plays in on time to the huddle and getting them off before the play clock expires has been a challenge at times this season, and it crept up again against the Cardinals. On third-and-goal at the Arizona 3, the Panthers were flagged for delay of game after spending too much time reviewing whether Jalen Coker had hauled in a TD catch on the previous play. Replays showed Coker made the catch, but was out of bounds. The play call got in late to Young and he didn't get it off in time and no timeout was called. The penalty moved the Panthers back 5 yards, but the Cardinals bailed them out when they were flagged for roughing the passer. That gave the Panthers a new set of downs at the 4, and Hubbard scored on the next play. Injuries The Panthers came out of Sunday's game relatively injury-free. There had been an illness running through the team's locker room last week and it forced center Cade Mays to sit out the game. Brady Christensen stepped in and played well, helping aid in Hubbard's big day. Key number 1 — The NFL wanted to emphasize taking hip-drop tackles out of the game. Well, for the first time this season a flag was thrown on Sunday, coming against Panthers rookie linebacker Jacoby Windmon with just under eight minutes remaining in the second quarter when he brought down Conner. Conner was not injured on that play, but later left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury. Next steps The Panthers play their final two games on the road at Tampa Bay and Atlanta, so they'll play a factor in who wins the NFC South. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Steve Reed, The Associated Press

Abee's 25 lead UNC Asheville over Saint Andrews 120-64

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.

SolarEdge shares fall on new CEO appointmentAfter another close loss, No. 14 Gonzaga opens WCC play at Pepperdine

King scores 28, North Carolina Central downs Gardner-Webb 78-77WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee on Monday accused Matt Gaetz of “regularly” paying for sex, including once with a 17-year-old girl, and purchasing and using illicit drugs as a member of Congress, as lawmakers released the conclusions of a nearly four-year investigation that helped sink his nomination for attorney general. The 37-page report by the bipartisan panel includes explicit details of sex-filled parties and vacations that Gaetz, now 42, took part in from 2017 to 2020 while the Republican represented Florida's western Panhandle. Congressional investigators concluded that Gaetz violated multiple state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office, though not federal sex trafficking laws. They also found that Gaetz “knowingly and willfully sought to impede and obstruct” the committee's work. “The Committee determined there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” the report said. Before the report came out, Gaetz denied any wrongdoing and criticized the committee's process. “Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn’t ask for — and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” he posted on X, the website formerly known as Twitter. “There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses.” Gaetz , who was first elected in 2017, spent the majority of his time in Washington enmeshed in scandals that ultimately derailed his selection by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Justice Department . Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress last month. His political future is uncertain, although Gaetz has indicated interest in running for the open Senate seat in Florida. The committee painted a damning portrait of Gaetz's conduct, using dozens of pages of exhibits, including text messages, financial records, travel receipts, checks and online payments, to document a party and drug-fueled lifestyle. The committee said it compiled the evidence after issuing 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony and contacting more than two dozen witnesses. In addition to soliciting prostitution, the report said Gaetz “accepted gifts, including transportation and lodging in connection with a 2018 trip to the Bahamas, in excess of permissible amounts.” That same year, investigators said, Gaetz arranged for a staffer to obtain a passport for a woman with whom he was sexually involved, falsely telling the State Department that she was his constituent. In some of the text exchanges made public, he appeared to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. At one point he asked one woman if she had a “cute black dress” to wear. There were also discussions of shipping goods. One of the exhibits was a text exchange that appeared to be between two of the women concerned about their cash flow and payments. In another, a person asked Gaetz for help to pay an educational expense. Regarding the 17-year-old girl, the report said there was no evidence Gaetz knew she was a minor when he had sex with her. The woman told the committee she did not tell Gaetz she was under 18 at the time and that he learned she was a minor more than a month after the party. But Gaetz stayed in touch with her after that and met up with her for “commercial sex” again less than six months after she turned 18, according to the committee. Florida law says it is a felony for a person 24 or older to have sex with a minor. The law does not allow a claim of ignorance or misrepresentation of a minor's age as a defense. Joel Leppard, who represents two women who told the committee that Gaetz paid them for sex, said the findings “vindicate” the accounts of his clients and “demonstrate their credibility.” “We appreciate the Committee’s commitment to transparency in releasing this comprehensive report so the truth can be known,” Leppard said in a statement. At least one Republican joined all five Democrats on the committee earlier this month in voting to release the report despite initial opposition from GOP lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, to publishing findings about a former member of Congress. While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare. On behalf of the Republicans who voted against making the report public, the committee chairman, Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi, wrote that while the members did not challenge the findings, “we take great exception that the majority deviated from the Committee’s well-established standards,” to drop any investigation when a person is not longer a member of the chamber. Guest added that releasing this report sets a precedent that “is a dangerous departure with potentially catastrophic consequences.” But Maryland Rep. Glenn Ivey, a Democratic member of the committee, said that for transparency, it was crucial for the public and Congress as an institution to read the findings. "I think that’s important for my colleagues here in the House to know how the committee reviews certain acts," he told The Associated Press. "Some of these were obviously conduct that crossed the line, but some of them weren’t.” Mounting a last-ditch effort to halt the publication of the report, Gaetz filed a lawsuit Monday asking a federal court to intervene. He cited what he called “untruthful and defamatory information” that would “significantly damage” his “standing and reputation in the community.” Gaetz’s complaint argued that he was no longer under the committee’s jurisdiction because he had resigned from Congress. The often secretive, bipartisan committee has investigated claims against Gaetz since 2021. But its work became more urgent last month when Trump picked him shortly after the Nov. 5 election Day to be the nation's top law enforcement officer. Gaetz resigned from Congress that same day, putting him outside the purview of the committee's jurisdiction. But Democrats had pressed to make the report public even after Gaetz was no longer in the House and had withdrawn from consideration for Trump's Cabinet. A vote on the House floor this month to force the report’s release failed; all but one Republican voted against it. The committee detailed its start-and-stop investigation over the past several years, which was halted for a time as the Justice Department conducted its own inquiry of Gaetz. Federal prosecutors never brought a case against him. Lawmakers said they asked the Justice Department for information about its investigation, but the agency refused to hand over information, saying it does not disclose information about investigations that do not result in charges. The committee then subpoenaed the department for records. After a back-and-forth between department officials and the committee, the department only handed over “publicly reported information about the testimony of a deceased individual,” according to the committee's report. The report said Gaetz was “uncooperative" throughout the committee's investigation. He provided “minimal documentation” in response to the committee’s requests, it said. “He also did not agree to a voluntary interview.” ___ Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report.

Want to send a special message straight from the North Pole this year? AI video developer Synthesia has you covered with festive greetings with a dash of AI magic. You can get a digital Santa Claus speaking right to you or whoever you wish using Synthesia’s AI-powered video platform, The personalized video messages stars a lifelike AI-generated Santa and even less tech-savvy well-wishers can use it easily. You can pick from an array of templates showing cozy living rooms adorned with Christmas trees and a comfy chair with Santa sitting and sharing your message. Synthesia’s virtual elves work their magic and your message is sent. Your heartfelt greeting is processed with Synthesia’s platform of advanced AI-powered text-to-speech and video generation technology. Santa is the latest of Synthesia's more than 230 pre-designed AI avatars, including custom creations. Synthesia has the most comprehensive AI Santa message, but it's not alone. debuted last week, giving the AI chatbot a simulated version of Santa's voice for Advanced Voice Mode, which is described as "merry and bright." Santa delivers a dose of Christmas spirit with striking realism and can speak 140 different languages. To maintain its family-friendly charm, Synthesia screens all user-submitted scripts to prevent any untoward or non-jolly messages. You can see my example below. How to send a message from Santa If you want to send a video from Santa, go to this then: 1. Choose a Template: Visit Synthesia's Santa video generator page and select from festive templates. 2. Craft Your Message: Write a personalized message for your recipient. If you're unsure what to say, consider using an AI writing assistant for inspiration. 3. Submit and Generate: After finalizing your message, submit it through the platform. In just a few minutes, Synthesia's AI processes the text, generating a lifelike video featuring Santa delivering your message. 4. Share the Joy: Once the video is ready, it will be emailed directly to you. You can then share it with your loved ones, bringing a personalized touch to your holiday greetings.AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:57 p.m. ESTALPHA PRO TECH, LTD. ANNOUNCES $2 MILLION EXPANSION OF SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

CreateAI Announces Results of 2024 Annual Meeting of StockholdersJan. 20th is just around the corner. It is Day 1 in the tariff wars that our next president is intent on launching. The corporate world is trying to dissuade him from that course of action, with no success. It is an economic fact that the cost of tariffs is passed on to the consumer. If tariffs are high enough, some imported products simply cease to be available, which can cause supply chain interruptions. At some point, buyers balk at paying higher prices. When that happens, tariff costs hit business profit margins directly. Everyone loses. In the last column, I explained why Donald Trump is adamant that tariffs are the only way to turn around the trade imbalances that have plagued our country as far back as the aftermath of World War II. In his first term, Trump's tariff policies were partially successful but not without a cost. In his first term, Trump's tariff policies were partially successful but not without a cost. Some countries hit back with their own tariffs. Our farmers were hurt so badly that Trump was forced to authorize a multibillion-dollar package of direct aid to keep many farmers afloat. Yet, the MAGA math suggests that whatever harm is done will be worth it in the long run. However, an important element in this equation is being ignored by Trump and many economists. We will use Germany as just one example. As the powerhouse of Europe, Germany has been enjoying large trade surpluses with the U.S. for many years. Back in the heyday of mercantilism (16th to 18th centuries), a country would take these trade surpluses and convert them into piles of silver and gold that would sit in their monarch's coffers for years. That is not the case today. Germany, as well as China, Japan, and most other European nations have much higher savings and investment rates than we do in the U.S. Why should that matter? Because instead of hoarding their cash profits on trade (the modern-day equivalent of precious metals), they have been taking their current account trade surpluses and recycling those capital flows back into the U.S. and other countries. Those flows find their way into building new plants and equipment in the U.S., creating jobs, investing in our technology, and purchasing our stocks and bonds. This flow of funds allows the American consumer to continue to save less and spend more. The risk is that by raising tariffs, we reverse this process. These offending nations would see their current account trade surplus go down as their exports to the U.S. slowed. That means they would have less capital to invest back in America. I see other differences between the Trump approach and the mercantilists of old. Back in those days of colonial expansion, currencies did not represent the value they do today. Only gold and silver were considered stores of wealth. Today, nations can do more than just raise tariffs in response to a burgeoning tariff war. President-elect Donald Trump, shown during a recent news conference, has already telegraphed his intent to levy tariffs on America's trading partners. Since Trump has already telegraphed his intent to levy tariffs on America's trading partners, exporters have already acted by using their currency to lessen the impact on their trade balance. How? By reducing the value of their currencies against the dollar. If Mexico, for example, is hit with a 10 percent tariff on exports and allows its' currency to depreciate versus the dollar by 10 percent, the price to importers remains the same. No harm is done, and it is business as usual. This is why the U.S. dollar has been strengthening against just about every currency all year. Another area where Trump departs from the mercantilist model is government control. He believes in the heavy hand of government as far as trade is concerned, but he is in the opposite camp where rules, regulations, and taxes by the same government are concerned. Unlike the nations of old, he does not believe that wealth is finite, nor should it be measured by the amount of gold, silver, or even crypto that a nation holds. That puts him at odds with the core belief that supported mercantilism. As for acquiring colonies, his policy appears to be both nationalist and anti-imperialistic. Trump has shown himself to be against foreign entanglements and has no interest in acquiring territory (unlike China, Iran, Russia, and other quasi-mercantilist societies). He does not see it as America's role to right every wrong or spend money or American lives on people and causes which he believes has nothing to do with our interests. That does not mean he plans to withdraw America from the global scene as many might fear. The U.S. is just too big an entity to accomplish that. Instead, because of his mercantilist leanings, if other nations want us to intervene then they must be prepared to pay for that privilege. He has made that point with Taiwan, and with the countries that comprise NATO, and will do so at every opportunity, in my opinion. Many voters see our new president as a strong leader. They applaud his desire to wield more power and authority than others have done in his office. Given the present populist era where distrust of government and our economic system are at historical highs, this is not surprising. Although he has a soft spot for pomp and circumstance and may envy autocratic leaders, he seems less interested in power for power's sake. Time and again, the mercantilist in him, appears to support one conclusion: if there is an advantage to be had (whether in finance, economics, or policy) by simply cutting a deal, that is what he will do.

ITV I'm a Celeb fans joke 'Wagatha Christie strikes again' as Coleen Rooney calls out liesFormer President Jimmy Carter dies at age 100

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