The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved resolutions Wednesday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and expressing support for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban. General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, although they reflect world opinion. Israel has faced growing international criticism over its conduct in Gaza as it fights Hamas militants, especially when it comes to humanitarian aid for desperate people in the besieged and heavily destroyed territory. Israeli airstrikes in northern and central Gaza killed at least 33 people overnight and into Wednesday, Palestinian medical officials said. Hospital records show one Israeli strike in northern Gaza killed 19 people in a home, including a family of eight — four children, their parents and two grandparents. The Israeli military said it targeted a Hamas militant in the vicinity of the hospital, part of a blistering offensive in Gaza’s isolated and heavily destroyed north . The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 people, including children and older adults. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health officials. They say women and children make up more than half the dead but do not distinguish between fighters and civilians in their count. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. Here's the latest: JERUSALEM — Israeli hospital officials say a young boy is fighting for his life after a shooting attack in the occupied West Bank. An Israeli bus came under fire from a suspected Palestinian attacker late Wednesday, the military said, and Israeli forces are searching for the shooter. Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem says at least three people were wounded in the shooting, which took place just outside the city in an area near major Israeli settlements. The hospital says the boy, who is about 10, is in grave condition. It says two other people, ages 24 and 55, were also hurt. UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved resolutions Wednesday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and backing the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban . The votes in the 193-nation world body were 158-9 with 13 abstentions to demand a ceasefire now and 159-9 with 11 abstentions to support the agency known as UNRWA. The votes culminated two days of speeches overwhelmingly calling for an end to the 14-month war between Israel and the militant Hamas group . General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, though they reflect world opinion. There are no vetoes in the assembly. Israel and its close ally, the United States, were in a tiny minority speaking and voting against the resolutions. BEIRUT — Israeli forces withdrew from a strategic town in southern Lebanon and handed it back to the Lebanese army in coordination with U.N. peacekeepers, the two militaries said Wednesday, marking an important test of the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah militants. It appeared to be Israel's first pullout from a Lebanese border town captured during this fall’s ground invasion, and comes as part of the initial phase of the ceasefire. The Lebanese army said Wednesday it has deployed units to five positions around the town of Khiam coinciding with the Israeli army’s withdrawal. Israel's military confirmed this was the first town it has turned over to the Lebanese army under the truce, which — if it endures — would end nearly 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has said the truce deal gives it the right to use military force against perceived ceasefire violations. Israel has launched near-daily strikes, mostly in southern Lebanon, that have killed at least 28 people and wounded 25 others since the ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27. Still, the shaky truce appears to be holding. Five people were killed Wednesday by at least three Israeli strikes in different towns in the southern municipality of Bint Jbeil, Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state news agency said. The Lebanese army warned civilians to stay out of Khiam until it can clear the area of any unexploded munitions. The strategic hilltop town, located less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the border with Israel, saw some of the most intense fighting during the war. Thousands of Lebanese displaced by the war returned home two weeks ago after a ceasefire took hold , driving cars stacked with personal belongings and defying warnings from Lebanese and Israeli troops to avoid some areas. WASHINGTON — All Russian naval ships that were docked at the Syrian port of Tartus have left and it appears Moscow is now looking for a new base along the coast now that its key ally, Bashar Assad, has been ousted a ruler of Syria, a U.S. official said. It’s not clear where the ships will go, but Russia may seek a new port on the Mediterranean Sea along the African shoreline, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss U.S. assessments. The official did not say how many vessels Russia had in Syria at the time Assad was overthrown. Moscow has dedicated the bulk of its military assets to the war in Ukraine. Asked about Tartus on Wednesday, Sabrina Singh, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said that the U.S. is seeing some Russian forces and naval vessels leaving Syria. “They just had one of their key political allies, ousted,” said Singh. “We’re seeing Russia consolidate assets.” — By Lolita C. Baldor UNITED NATIONS – The Palestinians are urging United Nations member countries to vote in favor of resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and supporting the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees, which Israel has moved to ban in Palestinian territories. The Palestinian mission to the United Nations issued the urgent appeal to the 193 U.N. member nations ahead of Wednesday afternoon’s votes on the resolutions in the General Assembly, whose members have has been listening to two days of speeches overwhelmingly supporting the measures. Israel and close ally the United States have spoken against the resolutions. The Palestinians and their supporters went to the General Assembly after the U.S. vetoed a Security Council resolution last month demanding an immediate ceasefire in the war in Gaza. It was supported by the 14 other Security Councilmember nations, but the U.S. objected because the resolution did not include a link to an immediate release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The General Assembly resolution being voted on Wednesday mirrors the Security Council language: It “demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire to be respected by all parties, and further reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.” Unlike the Security Council, there are no vetoes in the General Assembly. But while council resolutions are legally binding, assembly resolutions are not, though they do reflect world opinion. The second resolution being voted on supports the mandate of the U.N. agency caring for Palestinian refugees known as UNRWA which was established by the General Assembly in 1949. It “deplores” legislation adopted by Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, on Oct. 28 banning UNRWA’s activities in the Palestinian territories, which takes effect in 90 days. It calls on the Israeli government “to abide by its international obligations, respect the privileges and immunities of UNRWA and uphold its responsibility to allow and facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance in all its forms into and throughout the entire Gaza Strip.” JERUSALEM — Israel has lifted restrictions on public gatherings and outdoor activities in areas near the Lebanese border in the northern Golan Heights, two weeks after a ceasefire with Hezbollah. The army’s Home Front Command said it was changing its public safety guidelines to “full activity” from “partial activity.” Israel had tightened restrictions on Nov. 25, reflecting concerns that fighting could intensify ahead of any possible cease-fire between Israel and Lebanese militants. The truce went into effect on Nov. 27. In recent days, Israeli tanks and troops have advanced out of Israeli-held territory in the Golan Heights and pushed into a buffer zone inside Syria — a move Israel said it took to prevent attacks on its citizens. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally, except by the United States. BEIRUT - Syria-based Palestinian factions have formed a unified delegation to meet with the country's new rebel-led authorities. The factions said in a statement after their meeting Wednesday at the Palestinian Embassy that they stand by the side of the Syrian people. The factions condemned Israel’s airstrikes on Syria over the past few days that have destroyed much of the assets of the Syrian army. The factions decided to form a joint committee to run the affairs of Palestinians in Syria as well as to be in contact with the new insurgent-led transitional government, following the ouster of President Bashar Assad. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians live in Syria, many of them refugees, and the factions that have been based in Damascus were close to Assad’s government. Hamas was based in Syria until it left in 2012 a year after the county's civil war began. PRETORIA, South Africa — The United Nations chief says the fall of Syria’s authoritarian government has brought hope to the troubled Middle East, and pledged the global body’s support to the country's new leaders to ensure a smooth transition. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that the U.N. wants to see “an inclusive political process in which the rights of all minorities will be fully respected, and paving the way towards a united sovereign Syria, with its territorial integrity fully re-established.” The jihadi-led Syrian rebels took control of the capital Damascus after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving many areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. A Kurdish-led, U.S.-backed force also controls large parts of northeastern Syria. Guterres said he fully trusts the people of Syria to be able “to choose their own destiny”. “I think it is our duty to do everything to support the different Syrian leaders in order to make sure that they come together and are able to guarantee a smooth transition, an inclusive transition in which all Syrians can feel that they belong," Guterres said. “The alternative does not make any sense.” Guterres is in South Africa to discuss the country’s role as it takes over the G20 presidency, among other issues. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — An Israeli strike in central Gaza Strip killed four people and injured 16 others Wednesday, health officials said. Those killed and injured were taken to Awda Hospital after the strike hit a house in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp, according to the press center at the hospital. Since Israel’s war in Gaza began in October last year, at least 44,805 people have been killed and 106,257 others have been injured, according to the latest update by the Gaza Health ministry. BEIRUT — The top U.S. military commander for the Middle East was in Lebanon on Wednesday meeting with the head of the Lebanese army. In the wake of shocking overthrow of the government in neighboring Syria, the two military leaders discussed the security situation in Lebanon, a statement from the country's army said. U.S. Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, who leads U.S. Central Command, met with the head of the Lebanese army Gen. Joseph Aoun to discuss ongoing American support for the implementation of the U.S.-and French-brokered ceasefire agreement, which ended more than a year of war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Israel has said the truce deal gives it the right to use military force against perceived ceasefire violations. Israel has launched near-daily strikes, mostly in southern Lebanon, that have killed at least 28 people and wounded 25 others since the ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27. Still, the shaky truce appears to be holding. Five people were killed Wednesday by at least three Israeli strikes in different towns in the southern municipality of Bint Jbeil, Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state news agency said. On Tuesday, Kurilla was in eastern Syria visiting U.S. military bases and meeting with members of a Kurdish-led Syrian force that is backed by the U.S. He was assessing what CENTCOM described as efforts to counter a resurgence of the Islamic State group. He also visited Baghdad for talks with Iraqi officials on regional security and counter-IS operations. DAMASCUS — With the fall of Damascus, security forces of the deposed Bashar Assad government and staff withdrew from the Damascus International airport, grounding flights and stranding passengers. The airport has not been functional since. Now, security members of the rebel alliance in control of Syria have taken control of the airport, hoping to restore security, a sense of confidence, and the legitimacy needed to restart flights out of the capital, and from one of the country’s three international airports. “Damascus international airport is the heart of the city because it is the gateway for international delegations and missions,” Omar al-Shami, a security official with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the faction that led the shock offensive that led to the fall of Assad, told The Associated Press, calling it "the passage for Syria to breathe.” Al-Shami said security was restored at the international airport nearly 12 hours after the fall of Damascus. The factions entered the capital before dawn, and security members of the rebel alliance took charge before sunset on Sunday. He said he hoped the airport would be operational in less than a week. On Wednesday, a handful of engineers were inspecting four planes that were on the tarmac. Cleaning staff were removing broken furniture, glass windows, and trash from ransacking by looters following the fall of Damascus. The attack, reportedly by mobs and looters from the neighboring areas, left parts of the airport halls destroyed, with smashed furniture and merchandise. “There was a lot damage in the airport’s equipment and facilities in 90% of the sections,” Anis Fallouh, the head of the airport, told the AP. Fallouh said the operations to clean up the airport aim to convince international airlines to resume their flights to Damascus. “Soon in the coming days, flights will resume when we reopen air traffic to Syria and inform countries that Damascus airport is operational. We may start with domestic or test flights to ensure that everything in the airport is operational and avoid any mistakes. Then we can resume international flights.” Engineers were inspecting the four planes on the tarmac, from two Syrian airlines. Some administrative staff were visiting the airport as the new administrators of Damascus work to convince state officials to return to their posts. “We are on the Airbus 320, the technical team. Because of the security vacuum that happened on Sunday, some ill-intentioned people tried to cause damage but thank God the plane is fine — the body, the engines and its systems. Some things are missing and we are trying to fix that,” said Bassam Radi, the engineer in charge of maintenance, said. BERLIN — German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Wednesday addressed Berlin's reservations but also willingness to work the Syrian militant group in control of Damascus, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. “Nobody overlooks the origins of HTS in the al-Qaeda ideology. It is therefore clear that we will measure HTS by its actions,” Baerbock told reporters in Berlin. “Any cooperation presupposes that ethnic and religious minorities are protected, women’s rights are respected and acts of revenge are prevented.” She said that “whether we like it or not, the HTS militia ... is one of the decisive actors for the future of Syria.” “Together with our partners, we are therefore looking for an adequate way of dealing with HTS, with whom many have had no direct contact for good reasons,” she added. Ahmad al-Sharaa, the insurgent leader also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicted himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. BEIRUT — An Israeli airstrike near the southern Lebanese town of Bin Jbeil killed one person and wounded another, the state news agency reported. National News Agency said Wednesday’s airstrike hit a home. It gave no further details and there was no immediate comment from Israeli military. More than a dozen people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since a ceasefire went into effect on Nov. 27, ending the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war. WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is returning to the Middle East this week on his 12th visit since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year but his first since the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad . Assad's departure has sparked new fears of instability in the region now wracked by three conflicts despite a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. Blinken will travel to Jordan and Turkey on Thursday and Friday for talks expected to focus largely on Syria but also touch on long-elusive hopes for a deal to end the fighting in Gaza that has devastated the territory since October 2023. The State Department said Blinken would meet Jordanian officials, including King Abdullah II, in the port of Aqaba on Thursday before flying to Ankara for meetings with Turkish officials Friday. Other stops in the region are also possible, officials said. Blinken “will reiterate the United States’ support for an inclusive, Syrian-led transition to an accountable and representative government,” department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. BEIRUT — Insurgents have set on fire the tomb of Syria’s former President Hafez Assad in his hometown in the northwest, a war monitor and a local journalist said Wednesday. Hafez Assad had ruled Syria for 30 years until his death in 2000, when his son, Bashar, succeeded him. Both ruled Syria with an iron fist and were blamed for crackdowns that left tens of thousands dead, mainly in the central city of Hama in 1982, and in much of the country since the civil war in 2011. Bashar Assad was ousted over the weekend and fled to Russia where he was given political asylum. Rami Abdurrahman of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syrian journalist Qusay Noor told The Associated Press that the tomb was set on fire Wednesday in the town of Qardaha in Latakia province. JERUSALEM — The United Nations is asking donors for over $4 billion to fund humanitarian operations in the Palestinian territories, most of it earmarked for war-ravaged Gaza. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also called for the “lifting all impediments to the entry of aid” in its appeal issued Wednesday. U.N. agencies say aid operations in Gaza are hindered by Israeli restrictions and the breakdown of law and order. Israel says it allows enough aid to enter and blames the U.N. for not distributing it within the territory. The appeal for 2025 includes $3.6 billion for Gaza and about $450 million for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel’s offensive, launched after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, has destroyed vast areas of the besieged territory and displaced around 90% of its population of 2.3 million. Many have been displaced multiple times and are now crammed into squalid tent camps with little in the way of food or other essentials. Most of the population relies on international aid. JERUSALEM — The president of Paraguay addressed the Israeli parliament Wednesday ahead of the reopening of the country’s embassy in Jerusalem. The decision to reopen the embassy in Jerusalem and recognize the city as the capital of Israel is a diplomatic win for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and puts Paraguay in a small group of countries that have taken the move. Israel annexed east Jerusalem in 1967 but it wasn't recognized by the international community, and most countries run their embassies out of Tel Aviv. “Without Jerusalem, the land of Israel is a body without a soul,” President Santiago Peña said in a speech to the Knesset. “So I say here today that without an embassy in Jerusalem, diplomatic relations with Israel do not have a real heart.” He said he hoped the move would inspire other countries to do the same. The embassy is set to open Thursday. Pena’s move was welcomed by Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, along with other Israeli leaders. “Tomorrow we will inaugurate together the embassy of Paraguay in our eternal capital, and that will happen not for the first time, but for the second time,” Netanyahu said. Paraguay had an embassy in Jerusalem in 2018, under Former President Horacio Cartes. That embassy was moved back to Tel Aviv by Cartes’ successor, Mario Abdo Benitez, prompting Israel to close its embassy in Asuncion. Israel reopened its embassy in September. MOSCOW — Russia said Wednesday it has maintained contacts with the new authorities in Syria. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “we are monitoring most closely what is happening in Syria.” “We, of course, maintain contacts with those who are currently controlling the situation in Syria,” Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. “This is necessary because our bases are located there, our diplomatic mission is located there and, of course, the issue related to ensuring the security of these facilities is extremely important and of primary significance.” Peskov wouldn’t give details of those contacts, saying only that Russia has contacted “those who are controlling the situation on the ground.” He wouldn’t give the number of Russian troops in Syria. Asked to comment about Israel’s seizure of a buffer zone on the border with Syria, Peskov called them destabilizing. “The strikes and actions in the Golan Heights area, in the buffer zone area, are unlikely to help stabilize the situation in an already destabilized Syria,” he said. Russia has granted political asylum to ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad and his family after they fled rebels who seized Damascus over the weekend. TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the recent events in Syria, including the fall of its government, were part of a joint plan by the United States and Israel. “There should be no doubt that what has happened in Syria is the result of a joint American and Zionist plan," Khamenei said in a speech in Tehran on Wednesday that was broadcast on state TV. “We have evidence, and this evidence leaves no room for doubt.” The Supreme leader added: “A neighboring state of Syria has played a clear role in this matter, and it continues to do so. Everyone can see this.” Khamenei also rejected speculation by analysts who have said that Iran will be weakened by the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government. “Those ignorant analysts are unaware of the meaning of resistance. They think that if resistance weakens, Islamic Iran will also weaken. But I say, with the help and power of God — by the will of Almighty Allah — Iran is powerful and it will become even more powerful," he said.

2024 in review: From new King to flood tragedies, highlights and key moments defining Malaysia this yearMARSHALL, Mo. — The Hastings College men's soccer team was on the other end Thursday of the shutouts it had recently been recording down the stretch of the season. The Broncos were the ones without a goal on the scoreboard in a 1-0 loss to Louisiana Christian in the first round of the NAIA men's soccer national tournament in Marshall, Missouri. Adrian Amoros Navarro's goal in the 54th minute stood for Louisiana Christian, which recorded its second-ever national tournament victory. Navarro was assisted by Lucas Lima. Hastings (11-8-2) lacked on the attack as a whole in its return trip to nationals after snapping a seven-year streak a season ago. The Broncos, who reached the tourney by winning the Great Plains Athletic Conference tournament championship, were outshot 15-6 (5-1 on goal). HC didn't have its first try on net until there were 13 seconds left in the game. Louisiana Christian (15-4-3) entered the game 23rd in the NAIA with its 0.94 goals against average. HC was dominant in the physicality aspect, evident in the Broncos receiving 20 fouls and four yellow cards. Each team took five corners. Hastings keeper Pablo Arce-Salinas made four saves.ESPN's latest FPI has dropped into Week 14, the final week of the regular season and a month before the College Football Playoff tournament begins. Despite moving up to No. 22 in Sunday's AP Poll, the Illini are now No. 12 in the Big Ten in the FPI. While this would likely be good for most teams in an expanded conference, it should shock those who have followed the team from the start. For one, its three losses are all in the conference, including to the fourth-best and top-rated teams (Penn State and Oregon). It also lost to bowl-eligible Minnesota, which has had a respectable season under coach P.J. Fleck. Illinois has been ranked in the AP poll for nine weeks and has victories against three then-ranked teams (Michigan, Nebraska, and Kansas). It is one win away from clinching its best season since 2007, where it finished 9-4. Even crazier, even with Illinois' struggles, it still has an outside chance of making the College Football Playoff. Although the chances of that happening are under one percent, coach Bret Bielema said Monday he is fully aware of how the Illini could impact the College Football Playoff even if they aren't directly involved. According to Action Network , if all goes as expected, Illinois will likely face Alabama in the Citrus Bowl on New Year's Eve in Orlando, Fla. Bret Bielema is in favor of a 12-team College Football Playoff Bielema is focused on knocking off coach David Braun and the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday at Wrigley Field. The game aside, Bielema said he fully supports an expanded College Football Playoff and the parity it brings to the sport. "Going into the Minnesota game, we were at a certain point," Bielema said. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to win that game but didn't know, at that point, there would be a narrative about three-loss teams being in the CFP. I thought we'd have a chance to earn our way back into the rankings...I got dialogue from other coaches, right? I watch that stuff." Illinois-Northwestern kicks off at noon ET from Wrigley Field on Big Ten Network.

Unimpressive All Blacks labour to 29-11 win over Italy

SINGAPORE, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has announced its integration of Vietnamese Dong (VND) transfer through VietQR, making it the first cryptocurrency exchange to adopt this groundbreaking payment method. The integration simplifies access to the crypto market, removing traditional barriers and ensuring a seamless experience for its users. VietQR is a standardized QR code system designed to facilitate secure and instant digital payments across Vietnam enabling real-time money transfers by scanning a QR code. This system has become a cornerstone of Vietnam’s shift toward a cashless economy, offering unparalleled convenience and security. By integrating VietQR, Bitget is leveraging this advanced infrastructure to make crypto more accessible to everyday users. With this launch, Bitget users in Vietnam can now deposit VND through VietQR and withdraw funds via bank transfers. Deposited VND can be used to purchase popular crypto such as BTC, ETH, USDT, SOL, and BGB through Bitget’s cash conversion feature. The exchange has implemented top-tier security measures to protect deposits while ensuring a fast and efficient trading experience. “We’re continuously working on lowering the entry barriers for our users to access crypto. Be it via fiat or general payment applications, we want to deliver seamless reach worldwide. With VietQR we open up easy accessibility to all our users in the region. South East Asia has a strong potential to take over the west as potential crypto hubs, with integrating crypto with apps that we use in our everyday lives will bring us closer to mass adoption,” said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget. To celebrate the launch, Bitget has introduced an exclusive campaign offering users a transaction fee rebate for their deposits using VND via cash conversion, capped at 100 USDT per user. Additionally, traders can earn a 5 USDT bonus for completing trades of at least 200 USDT on both Spot and Futures markets. The campaign is limited to the first 1,000 users, rewarding early adopters for joining the platform. This integration shows Bitget’s continuous efforts to enhance user experience with driving financial inclusion in various regions. By connecting with local payment technologies like VietQR, Bitget continues to bridge the gap between traditional finance and crypto. For more details and to begin trading with VND, visit www.bitget.com . About Bitget Established in 2018, Bitget is the world's leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 45 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price , Ethereum price , and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more. Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World's Top Football League, LALIGA , in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM market, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency. For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1c799938-2d04-4956-a6ad-3d7825d48ce9Kucheza Gaming, in partnership with Ukie Digital School House and French Embassy in Nigeria, has successfully hosted the Kucheza School Esports Championship, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering public school students through competitive gaming and career education in Lagos State. The event took place at Lagos City College, bringing together 163 students from 16 public schools in the State and it was sponsored by three French Embassy in Nigeria. The tournament featured two highly engaging esports titles—EA FC25 (Football) and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Racing). Students competed for glory and developed essential skills such as teamwork, strategic thinking, and problem-solving—qualities critical for thriving in a rapidly evolving digital world. Eric-Moore Senior High School emerged as Winners of EA FC25 and Birrel Avenue Senior High School became winners of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The atmosphere was electric as the students showcased their passion and talent, supported by teachers, peers, and enthusiastic spectators. The event served as a platform to highlight the untapped potential within public school students, demonstrating the significant role esports can play in education and youth development. Speaking on the success of the event, Gbenga Folorunsho, Impact as a Service Lead at Kucheza Gaming, said: “The Kucheza School Esports Championship goes beyond just playing games; it is about unlocking the potential of the next generation.” He added that, “by engaging students in Esports, we are equipping them with relevant digital and collaborative skills needed for the future. Seeing these young minds compete, innovate, and work together shows the immense possibilities esports offers as a tool for education and empowerment.” The initiative underscores Kucheza Gaming’s commitment to bridging digital skill gaps and nurturing creativity among youth. With the partnership of Ukie Digital Schoolhouse renowned for integrating games-based learning into education—the event exemplifies a global approach to transforming learning through esports. “The French Embassy is proud to support Kucheza’s School Esports Championship, as it reflects our commitment to empowering youth through technology and creativity. “Esports is not only a cultural and entertainment phenomenon but also a valuable asset for economic, technological, and social development.” The Kucheza School Esports Championship celebrates youth, collaboration, and competitiveness while highlighting educational opportunities and career pathways in the video game industry. It aims to accelerate access, enhance quality, and improve learning outcomes for Nigerian teens and youth.

The Latest: UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect contests his extradition back to New YorkThe 26-year-old man charged in last week’s killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO appeared in a Pennsylvania courtroom on Tuesday, where he was denied bail and his lawyer said he'd fight extradition to New York City, where the attack happened. Luigi Nicholas Mangione was arrested Monday in last Wednesday's attack on Brian Thompson after they say a worker at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, alerted authorities to a customer who resembled the suspected gunman. When arrested, Mangione had on him a gun that investigators believe was used in the attack and writings expressing anger at corporate America, police said. As Mangione arrived at the courthouse Tuesday, he struggled with officers and shouted something that was partly unintelligible but referred to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people.” Mangione is being held on Pennsylvania charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Manhattan prosecutors have charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Here are some of the latest developments: Wearing an orange jumpsuit, Mangione mostly stared straight ahead during the hearing, occasionally consulting papers, rocking in his chair, or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion but was quieted by his lawyer. Judge David Consiglio denied bail to Mangione, whose attorney, Thomas Dickey, told the court that his client did not agree to extradition and wants a hearing on the matter. Blair County (Pennsylvania) District Attorney Peter Weeks said that although Mangione's fighting extradition will create “extra hoops” for law enforcement to jump through, it won’t be a substantial barrier to sending him to New York. In addition to a three-page, handwritten document that suggests he harbored “ill will toward corporate America,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Monday that Mangione also had a ghost gun, a type of weapon that can be assembled at home and is difficult to trace. Officers questioned Mangione, who was acting suspiciously and carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a U.S. passport, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Officers also found a sound suppressor, or silencer, “consistent with the weapon used in the murder,” she said. He had clothing and a mask similar to those worn by the shooter and a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching one the suspect used to check into a New York City hostel before the shooting, the commissioner said. Kenny said Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco and that his last known address is in Honolulu. Mangione, who was valedictorian of his Maryland prep school, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a university spokesman told The Associated Press on Monday. Mangione comes from a prominent Maryland family. His grandfather Nick Mangione, who died in 2008, was a successful real estate developer. One of his best-known projects was Turf Valley Resort, a sprawling luxury retreat and conference center outside Baltimore that he purchased in 1978. Mangione likely was motivated by his anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain with corporate greed, said a law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system in the world and that the profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin, which was based on a review of the suspect’s hand-written notes and social media postings. The defendant appeared to view the targeted killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO as a symbolic takedown and may have been inspired by “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski, whom he called a “political revolutionary,” the document said. Police said the person who killed Thompson left a hostel on Manhattan's Upper West Side at 5:41 a.m. on Wednesday. Eleven minutes later, he was seen on surveillance video walking back and forth in front of the New York Hilton Midtown, wearing a distinctive backpack. At 6:44 a.m., he shot Thompson at a side entrance to the hotel, fled on foot, then climbed aboard a bicycle and within four minutes had entered Central Park, according to police. Another security camera recorded the gunman leaving the park near the American Museum of Natural History at 6:56 a.m. still on the bicycle but without the backpack, police said. After getting in a taxi, he headed north to a bus terminal near the George Washington Bridge, arriving at around 7:30 a.m. From there, the trail of video evidence runs cold. Police have not located video of the suspect exiting the building, leading them to believe he likely took a bus out of town. Police said they are still investigating the path the suspect took to Pennsylvania. “This just happened this morning," Kenny said. "We’ll be working, backtracking his steps from New York to Altoona, Pennsylvania,” Kenny said. Associated Press reporters Lea Skene, Matt O'Brien, Sean Murphy and Cedar Attanasio contributed to this report.Luigi Nicholas Mangione, the suspect in the fatal shooting of a healthcare executive in New York City, apparently was living a charmed life: the grandson of a wealthy real estate developer, valedictorian of his elite Baltimore prep school and with degrees from one of the nation's top private universities. Friends at an exclusive co-living space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Hawaii where the 26-year-old Mangione once lived widely considered him a “great guy,” and pictures on his social media accounts show a fit, smiling, handsome young man on beaches and at parties.

The Buffalo Bills have been one of the most injured teams in the NFL this season. It hasn't deterred them from reigning supreme in the AFC East, though. As the Bills prepare for the next step of their scheduling gauntlet, they are gearing up for a top contest against the San Francisco 49ers, they are getting some good news on the injury front. Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images Linebacker Matt Milano, and pass catchers Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid are all on the positive track to return to the team with the potential of coming back in Week 13. “There’s this pool of players that they’re kind of tiered as to when we expect to get each one of them back,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said. “Again this week being kind of a rehab week for the players that are banged up, the message I’m getting from our training room is ‘hey we’ll let you know kind of how this week goes and then what that looks like for next week’ so you know the challenge is not really knowing as we start to game plan a little bit towards the end of this week who’s available..." Related: 'No Surprise' Who Bills Midseason MVP Is Milano had been on injured reserve for most of the season with a torn biceps injury that he suffered during training camp. While Buffalo's defense hasn't missed a beat without him for the most part, the Bills would still welcome the return of an All-Pro player. In regard to Coleman and Kincaid, Buffalo lost their young pass catchers to wrist and knee injuries respectively. Their returns will help the Bills' offense in key moments with quarterback Josh Allen leading the way. There's no guarantee that Milano, Coleman, and Kincaid will return for Sunday's contest against the 49ers, but the fact the team is nearing the return of all three could be massive for their championship hopes. Related: Who Should Bills Fans Root for in Week 12?

The holidays are creeping up on us and next week we will all be eating turkey, hopefully surrounded by family, to kick off the season of festive cheer that will start soon. In fact, Thanksgiving is one of the reasons why retirees worry during the month of November, but there are some good news for those who still have not received their Social Security check. Between the food purchases to feed a small army, or a family, and the mad rush of Black Friday and Cyber Monday to get the best deals on Christmas presents, it is a month with a lot of expenses, and many worry that their check will not make it in time for the turkey or the shopping. But this year it will not be the case. Social Security payments in November Most beneficiaries will have already gotten their check for the month, so they are covered for all the expenses they are going to make, but there is one collective that has still not received their retirement check, and that is those born between the 21st and 31st of any month who will receive their November deposit on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. This is the normal date for the disbursement of this payment, but many are worried that the holidays will impact its timely arrival. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is responsible for many payments throughout the year, and this will not be the time to fail. The well-oiled machine that is the SSA will have all checks ready to be deposited in accounts and mailboxes on time for you to spend them. Every year, especially during the winter months, the same issues arise. Unpredictable snowfalls, system collapses, natural disasters, etc. and while these cannot be made better, there are mechanisms in place to ensure that the money does not get lost in the way and makes it to its designated recipient on time for such important times of the year. This year there are some additional good news just after Turkey Day. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments will make their way into people’s accounts and mailboxes as well! Just in time to go shopping. SSI provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income or resources, so not every retiree will receive this extra payment, but for those who qualify, their SSI payment for December will be advanced and will get distributed on Friday the 29 of November. Regrettably this is not an effort to ease shopping by the federal government, although it would be nice. This is in accordance with the protocol that the SSA enacts when a distribution date coincides with a weekend or a National Holiday. In this case, December 1 st , which is the date SSI should be distributed in, is a Sunday and thus the payment needs to be moved to the prior day banks are open and the US Postal Service delivers mail. Contrary to popular belief, Black Friday is not actually a federal holiday (banks are open and the mail is delivered) even though most companies make the best of the long weekend, and so the distribution of SSI checks is scheduled for Friday 29 of November. For those who have received heir checks already or are still waiting, just remember not to spend the whole balance in one go, as there is still Christmas to think about and there will be no more SSI checks until December 31 st , just after most of the expenses have been made, although it will still be a nice present to ring in the new year.

Franklin Opera House hosts Festival of Trees on Dec. 6-8The Ravens looked better defensively last week, but now Roquan Smith's injury is a concernRoss Barkley’s 85th-minute winner gave them victory after they had twice squandered the lead in Germany. John McGinn and Jhon Duran goals at the start of each half were cancelled out by Lois Openda and Christoph Baumgartner. But Barkley had the final say less than two minutes after coming off the bench as his deflected effort earned the points which sent his side third in the new Champions League league phase. The top eight automatically qualify for the next stage and with games against Monaco and Celtic to come, Unai Emery’s men are a good bet to avoid the need for a play-off round in their first foray in this competition. Leipzig are out, having lost all six of their games. Villa enjoyed a dream start and were ahead with less than three minutes on the clock. Matty Cash, playing in a more advanced position on the right, crossed for Ollie Watkins, who nodded down into the path of McGinn and the skipper made no mistake from close range. That gave the visitors confidence and they had enough chances in the first 15 minutes to have the game wrapped up. Lucas Digne’s cross from the left was begging to be converted but Watkins could not make contact from close range and then Morgan Rogers shot straight at Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. Then Youri Tielemans found himself with time and space on the edge of the area from Watkins’ tee-up but the Belgium international disappointingly dragged wide. All that good work was undone in the 27th minute, though, as Emiliano Martinez was left red-faced. The Argentinian was too casual waiting to collect Nicolas Seiwald’s long ball and Openda nipped in to get the ball first and tap into an empty net. pic.twitter.com/LGoAMrLkQy — Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 10, 2024 Duran was introduced at the break and needed just a couple of minutes to fire a warning when he drilled wide after a loose ball fell to him 14 yards out. But the Colombian got his goal in the 52nd minute, though it was another moment for the goalkeeper to forget. Duran was invited to drive forward and unleashed a 25-yard shot, which was hardly an Exocet, but still was too much for Gulacsi, who barely even jumped. It was his 10th goal of the season and sixth from the bench as he continues his super-sub role. 😍 pic.twitter.com/ZHeVFiYUW9 — Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 10, 2024 The striker was not complaining and he thought he had doubled his tally shortly after when he converted Cash’s centre but the provider was ruled offside by VAR. Five minutes later, Villa found themselves pegged back again with a finish of real quality. Openda was sent clear by another long ball and his cross was perfect for Baumgartner to cushion a far-post volley back across goal and into the corner. Digne brought a save out of Gulacsi and then Openda shot straight at Martinez as both sides pushed for a winner. It was Villa who got it as Barkley saw his deflected effort wrong-foot Gulacsi and hit the back of the net.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The long lines at polling places in the weeks leading up to the election suggested high voter turnout, and Chicago election officials early on said they expected near record numbers. But that wasn't the case. The Chicago Board of Elections reported that only about 67.9% of registered voters turned out in this election. The only presidential election that was worse was in 1996. The highest turnout among age groups was those 25-to-34. "We matched some of the trends that happen nationally and across the state of Illinois, far less voters showing up on Election Day," Max Bever with the Chicago Board of Elections said. "When the dust settled, it looks like we have only around 45% of voters who showed up." Another possible factor was Kamala Harris' early support may have plateaued too soon. "I think it's because we are such a deeply blue state that there was a presumption that, you know, the Democratic candidate was going to win hands down," ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington said. "There was a lot of optimism about Kamala Harris, and maybe that led people to believe they didn't have to show up at the polls." A bright spot in this election was in the 44th Ward where the Chicago Board of Elections said more than 96% of registered voters cast their ballot. That high level of interest is something that was readily evident to Ellen Rosenfeld who capitalized on it to win a seat in the 4th district school board race. "I had voters say to me, 'I came out just to vote for the elected school board.' So, I believe it drove quite a bit of the voters out to make their voices heard, because they care about CPS, they care about the kids, and they care about what happens to our city," Rosenfeld said. "Out of everyone would cast their ballots. Nearly 80% of people voted within those school board races. That is a very high percentage, wise, when you look at school board races across the country," Bever added. That data reaffirming the old mantra that "all politics is local."Stock market today: Wall Street drifts lower as it waits for inflation dataRelated Articles

Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Camila Cabello to perform at College Football National ChampionshipFluent (NASDAQ:FLNT) Earns Hold Rating from Analysts at StockNews.com

None

Bastiaan Slabbers via ZUMA Press Seven Democratic senators are demanding answers from Dr. Mehmet Oz, Donald Trump’s nominee to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, over his long-held support for private Medicare plans and his financial ties to those programs. In a letter first obtained by NBC News , Democrats referred to a 2020 op-ed Oz published wherein he called on the US to shift all Americans to Medicare Advantage, a private coverage option favored by Trump and the authors of Project 2025, and effectively eliminate traditional Medicare. As the Quartz reported last month, Oz has disclosed owning as much as $600,000 of stocks in companies that benefit from private Medicare services. The TV personality, who over the years has been fiercely condemned within the medical community for promoting unfounded medical cures, also reportedly has invested millions in businesses that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is charged with regulating. “Your advocacy for eliminating the Traditional Medicare program and replacing it with MedicareAdvantage also raises questions about your own financial conflicts of interest,” the letter from Democratic lawmakers read. The letter comes one week after Public Citizen, a progressive watchdog group, sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, alleging that Oz violated the organization’s influencer marketing ethics while pushing herbal supplements on his social media accounts. Three days after the letter’s release, Oz vowed to stop promoting wellness products if he’s confirmed, according to ABC News.