AI’s challenge to universities: What happens when EQ trumps IQ?The Foreign Ministry appointed Ambassador to Nouakchott Burhan Köroğlu as a temporary charge d'affaires for Türkiye's Embassy in Syria's capital Damascus in light of recent developments. The embassy was closed in March 2012 following clashes between Assad regime forces and pro-democracy protestors. The appointment of Köroğlu came shortly after Türkiye's top intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalın visited the Syrian capital on Thursday. Syria's anti-regime forces entered the capital Damascus early Sunday ending the Bashar Assad regime's decadeslong rule. The capture also overthrew the Baath Party, the Arab socialist group that had come to power in Syria in a 1963 coup. The anti-regime forces also dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in Syria in the heart of the region, allies who propped up Assad during critical periods in the conflict. Türkiye, which said it gave no support and had no involvement in the offensive led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), said it wanted the new Syrian administration to be inclusive and for Syrians to determine their own future. Ankara openly backed the Syrian opposition to the Assad regime since the unrest evolved into a civil war in the neighboring country more than a decade ago. Until Assad’s fall, Ankara sought to normalize ties with Damascus and find a political solution to the civil war. While several countries, including Egypt, Iraq and Italy, swiftly reopened their diplomatic missions in Damascus following the opposition offensive, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara was waiting for the “right conditions to emerge” to reopen its embassy in the Syrian capital. Dr. Köroğlu was appointed as ambassador to Mauritania in Dec. 2023. He completed his master's degree in Jordan and received his PhD in Islamic Philosophy from Marmara University. He worked as an academic in several universities and headed various research centers. He is fluent in English and Arabic.Askew scores 28 as Long Beach State beats Hawaii 76-68

CUPERTINO, Calif. , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - (TSXV: BWLK) (OTCQB: BWLKF) – Boardwalktech Software Corp. ("Boardwalktech" or the "Company"), a leading digital ledger platform and enterprise software solutions company, is pleased to report its financial results for the three-month period ended September 30, 2024 ("Q2-FY25"). All figures are reported in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Boardwalktech's financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Please refer to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis (" MD&A ") for the three and six month period ended September 30, 2024 , filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca for more information. Financial Highlights: "We continue to execute on our updated strategy and positioning established at the beginning of this year," said Andrew T. Duncan , Chief Executive Officer of Boardwalktech. "In the banking sector, the Velocity product continues to grow within our largest customer, a top 5 US bank. We now have over 70 trained and dedicated people from three different partners working on this deployment, which is now in use by over 1,000 professionals within the bank. Velocity is producing the expected ROI and compliance required and this customer is now accelerating the deployment which will be a multi-year engagement. We continue to sign contracts with new partners as we expand our channel sales strategy. We are in multiple later stage deals with several partners and are enthusiastic about the pipeline of opportunities through the partner channel. We continue to see growth and expansion from existing customers and will see both new direct sales and channel sales contracts based on interest in the Boardwalk's software solutions. The foundation has now been set for growth in 2025, including an anticipated increase in revenue and an overall improvement in the business." Earnings Conference Call Details Boardwalktech management will be hosting its earnings conference call today (Novembert 27, 2024) Time: at 4:30 PM Eastern Time / 1:30 PM Pacific Time . To join the call, please use the following dial-in information: US/ Canada : 1-888-510-2154 (toll free) or 437-900-0527 (Local – Toronto ) Audience URL: https://app.webinar.net/A2zRLJKnBDe (copy & paste to your browser) Replay : A replay of the call will be available until December 4, 2024 and can be accessed by dialing 1-888-660-6345 and entering access code 57639# About Boardwalktech Software Corp. Boardwalktech has developed a patented Digital Ledger Technology Platform currently used by Fortune 500 companies running mission-critical applications worldwide. Boardwalktech's digital ledger technology and its unique method of managing vast amounts of structured and unstructured data is the only platform on the market today where multiple parties can effectively work on the same data simultaneously while preserving the fidelity and provenance of the data. Boardwalktech can deliver collaborative, purpose-built enterprise information management applications on any device or user interface with full integration with enterprise systems of record in a fraction of the time it takes other non-digital ledger technology-based platforms. Boardwalktech is headquartered in Cupertino, California with offices in India and operations in North America . For more information on Boardwalktech, visit our website at www.boardwalktech.com . Forward-Looking Information and Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". By identifying such information and statements in this manner, the Company is alerting the reader that such information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements. An investment in securities of the Company is speculative and subject to several risks including, without limitation, the risks discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's filing statement dated May 30, 2018 . Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. In connection with the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information and statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boardwalktech-reports-second-quarter-fiscal-2025-financial-results-302317774.html SOURCE Boardwalktech Software Corp.2 Reasons to Buy British American Tobacco Stock at the End of 2024 and 2 Reasons to Avoid It for NowWisconsin faces its first losing season in 23 years and the end of a bowl streak when the Badgers host arch-rival Minnesota on Friday in the annual Big Ten battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe. Minnesota (6-5, 4-4) lost to No. 4 Penn State 26-25. Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) lost its fourth straight, 44-25, at Nebraska in a game that was not as close as the score. "Well 1890 is the first time we played this football team coming up and this is what it's all about," Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said of the rivalry. "And you wouldn't want to have it any other way, being able to end the season with one of your biggest rivals. I know our guys will be ready to go, ready to play." Wisconsin has 22 consecutive winning seasons since going 5-7 under Barry Alvarez in 2001, the longest active streak among Power 4 teams. The Badgers also have played in a bowl game in each of the last 22 seasons, the longest active streak in the Big Ten and third-longest in FBS. Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell is more concerned with the rivalry game than the winning season and bowl streaks. "I'm not downplaying it, I'm not saying it's not important, I'm not saying it's another thing that's on our plate," Fickell said Monday. "But when it gets down to this last week, it's about one thing, it's about the rivalry. It's about preparing to play in the most important game of the year." The Gophers have dropped their last two games after winning four in a row. Minnesota averages 26.6 points per game, while allowing 18.5, 15th-best in the country. Max Brosmer has completed 67 percent of his passes for 221 per game with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. Daniel Jackson is the top target with 69 catches for 802 yards and three scores, and Darius Taylor is the top rusher with 730 yards at 4.8 per carry with nine touchdowns. One week after leading Oregon after three quarters, the Wisconsin defense was shredded for 473 yards and five touchdowns by Nebraska. Braedyn Locke, who took over at quarterback when Tyler Van Dyke suffered an early season-ending knee injury, has thrown at least one interception in eight consecutive games. Locke has completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 180.6 yards per game, with 12 touchdowns and 10 picks. Tawee Walker is the leading rusher with 828 yards at 4.7 per carry with 10 touchdowns. He has failed to reach 60 yards in three of the last four games. Former Wisconsin and NFL standout JJ Watt posted on social media his assessment - and frustration - with the Badgers after the Nebraska game. "Losing happens, it's part of the game. Hearing announcers talk about how much tougher and more physical Nebraska & Iowa are while getting blown out ... that's the issue," Watt wrote on X. "We are Wisconsin. Physicality, running game, great O-Line and great defense. That is our identity." Wisconsin defeated the Gophers 28-14 last after Minnesota had won the previous two meetings. The Badgers have won 7 of the last 10 and lead the storied series 63-62-8. --Field Level Media

As robotics investing climbs out of its 2023 slump, humanoid robotics pioneer WorkFar — which has not received any funding from venture capital — is ready to produce at the level of competitors already receiving billions of investment dollars. SANTA CLARA, Calif. , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- There's nothing quite like the tenacity of a new company with a unique value proposition that directly addresses the needs of its target customer base. WorkFar Robotics, a business specializing in commercial humanoid service robots for industrial applications, has yet to get on the radar of today's venture capitalists — but that hasn't stopped them from reaching the mass-producing stage. Many companies, particularly those in the robotics industry, are reliant on venture capital, and they can go for years — or even a decade — without turning a profit. Building a cash-flowing robotics company with no investment aside from hard work, creativity, and business acumen is a feat rarely accomplished. Yet WorkFar has managed to achieve the same level of progress as competitors receiving $100 million to over $1 billion in investment funding. WorkFar's Business Model: An Autonomous, Remote-operatable Robot for $0 down WorkFar's offering is unique in the world of industrial robotics. The industry's most common business model is to sell an expensive product to a manufacturer and possibly provide some integration services. For companies unable to afford the high price tag, certain robotics manufacturers offer a subscription-based "Robot-as-a-Service." WorkFar takes this a step further by allowing clients to lease both a robot and a trained, remote operator on a monthly basis without a down payment. The combination of sophisticated humanoid robot, AI-enhanced programming, and an optional human operator constitutes a turnkey solution for warehouses and manufacturers dealing with aggravating challenges like long-lasting labor shortages, concerns around worker safety and burnout, and issues with efficiency and consistency. Since the optional teleoperator is remote-based, WorkFar can leverage the global workforce to support its customers. The WorkFar "Syntro" robot uses virtual reality eye tracking and AI algorithms to target and grasp objects at the operator's direction, and the operator gets feedback on object pick-up through haptic gloves. The robot's "core logic" is human intelligence, which — despite rapid advances in AI — still can't be beat. WorkFar's Manufacturing Expertise goes back Decades Although the 'Syntro' robot is brand-new, WorkFar's US based manufacturing facility has over 40 years of experience producing plastic and metal parts for industrial machinery and consumer products. This expertise is now being leveraged to mass produce humanoid robot in-house — an arrangement that cuts out the middleman and leads to more efficient operations. With supply chain issues wreaking havoc on robotics companies' operations for the past several years, this is a major advantage. Robotics Investing dipped in 2023, but it's Coming Back strong with AI and Humanoid Technology Investment in the robotics industry hit a five-year low last year, particularly in the area of autonomous vehicles (AVs). This was partially a result of a widespread market correction within venture capital investing, but the legislative concerns and negative press surrounding AVs didn't help. The slump was temporary, however, and robotics venture capital is starting to rise again rapidly, with vertical-specific robotics companies focusing on logistics, security, and medical applications leading the way. One thing that's making robotics investing much more appealing is the awe-inspiring takeoff in artificial intelligence capabilities. AI models give robots the capacity to execute complex tasks like grasping unpredictably shaped objects much more smoothly and accurately. Even better, AI allows the robots to learn from each effort, rapidly increasing their accuracy and efficiency over time. Robot vision will gain clarity with improved object detection and image segmentation — essential tools for interacting "intuitively" with the environment. With a design meant to evoke their maker, humanoid robots are poised to reap the greatest benefits from this rapid growth in AI. They show promise across multiple industries, ranging from manufacturing to healthcare to personal assistance. Once AI's transformative capabilities became apparent, projections for the humanoid robot market ten years from now shot up from just $6 billion to almost $200 billion — or in some estimates, well over $24 trillion . Sheer Business Acumen has propelled WorkFar to the point of Mass Production Although the robotics investment outlook is getting brighter, the recent dip has prompted investors to be more discerning and focus on areas where robotic solutions can make important strides right now. Venture capitalists have seen plenty of technology demos that turn heads; now it's time to back these up with solid business plans that show real returns on investment. With its robot-as-a-service offering at $0 down payment, this is WorkFar's strong suit. Even with rapid AI advances, this model will always benefit from the authority and decision-making power of human intelligence. This is central to WorkFar's vision: a human-robot team that will unleash a new era of productivity, bringing collaborative efficiency to factories and facilities worldwide. This innovative solution takes into account what other solutions overlook: the fact that true productivity depends on human decision-making and robotic efficiency being intertwined, not isolated. This vision is what has enabled WorkFar to grow on its own revenue in an industry that usually requires millions or even billions of dollars in venture capital. No longer a startup, this company has now pushed into a higher corporate level of investment based on business acumen alone. With a market-ready product that can be manufactured in WorkFar's own factory, the humanoid robotics pioneer is stronger because it does not rely on venture capital. To inquire, contact us via www.WorkFar.com now! Contact: info@workfar.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/workfar-robotics-mass-produces-humanoid-robots-without-venture-capital-302317854.html SOURCE WorkFar Inc

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Apple CEO Tim Cook (C) laughs while inspecting a new iPhone (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) As Apple prepares to update the beloved iPhone SE , the community expects a cut-down version of the iPhone 16 to reach the mid-range price point. Tim Cook and his team have other ideas, and this iPhone SE comes with more risk than any of the previous smartphones. What Makes An iPhone An iPhone SE? The next iPhone will be the fourth generation of the SE. Launched in 2016, the SE range is Apple’s iPhone for the mid-range market. Priced around $450, it offers a significant price cut compared to the vanilla iPhone in the main range. To achieve that, Apple reduces key specifications on the handset, leans into older parts, and offers an older design, all to bring down the bill of materials while doing its best to hold on to what makes an iPhone. This year, Tim Cook and his team are taking a different approach, a riskier approach and one that could damage the brand. The iPhone SE stakes include acting as a testbed for the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, cannibalizing the iPhone 16, and the Flavor du année that is generative AI. Apple’s First Modem Belongs To The iPhone SE Since the purchase of Intel's modem division for $1 billion in 2019 , Apple’s ambition is to eliminate the need to use Qualcomm’s modem technology and supply itself. Apple’s modem will arrive in the iPhone SE six years after the purchase. It’s not without compromise, though. The new 5G circuity will be limited to the Sub-6 standard, with mmWave unavailable, while only four-carrier bands will be available for carrier aggregation, compared to six bands in Qualcomm’s hardware. iOS 18.2—Update Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users Microsoft Warns 400 Million Windows Users—Do Not Update Your PC Selena Gomez And Benny Blanco Are Engaged—And The Internet Has Opinions It also represents one of the biggest risks Apple is taking with the iPhone SE. This is the first public rollout of that modem . Apple has made the sensible decision to introduce the new technology not on the main iPhone line, but in the SE line. If there are issues that only become apparent on a mass deployment, then the main iPhone and iPhone Pro line will not be damaged... but the SE line will. Apple Intelligence’s Impact On The iPhone SE And while Apple will have tested the new iPhone SE before launch, it wouldn’t be the first time that a flaw has not become apparent till after the launch. I don’t think holding the phone wrong will disrupt the modem, but this is a new part of the iPhone package. With previous iPhone SE handsets, Apple has matched the core specifications of chipset, memory and storage to the vanilla iPhone of that year. For the iPhone SE in 2025, that means the iPhone 16 launched in September 2024. That handset already saw its memory and chipset boosted to allow it to run the awkwardly backronymed Apple Intelligence software. Given Apple's PR focus on its generative AI system, I can’t see the iPhone SE launch without support for Apple Intelligence. That choice means the specifications of the SE will have to match the already elevated iPhone 16. The iPhone SE will be smaller, cheaper, and just as powerful as the iPhone 16. Why would the market consider the iPhone 16? A significant number of consumers could switch to the smaller handset and reduce Apple’s turnover. Apple’s iPhone SE Redefined Thanks to its consistent name, the iPhone SE is a beloved variant of the iPhone, no matter the generation you started with. The same will be true in 2025 with the fourth-generation iOS smartphone. It’s rare to see Apple push the technological boundaries with the SE, yet in this brave new world of modems, AI, and matching specs, the iPhone SE has a starring role. Now read more about the new camera Apple is using in the iPhone SE...

Prince Harry is set to spread some festive cheer with a special Christmas party on December 10 via video call, in what will be another solo engagement. The Duke of Sussex has extended invitations for an intimate virtual gathering with children involved with Scotty's Little Soldiers, a charity supporting children affected by the loss of a parent serving in the military. This heartwarming event follows his recent efforts when he penned a heartfelt letter for Remembrance and provided treats for kids marching at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. Read more: Meghan Markle's statement in FULL after professional 'separation' from Prince Harry Read more: Royal Family's Christmas plans thrown into chaos by unlikely arrivals An email from the charity inviting members stated: "Prince Harry would like to jump on a call with as many of our members as possible to wish them all a Merry Christmas . He appreciates that the festive season can be hard for our members and wants them to know he is thinking of them." Not only will the occasion offer warm holiday wishes, but it's also a chance for charity members to submit questions to Harry , encouraging them to: "This is your chance to get to know the Duke loads better and find out what Christmas is like for a Prince!". The uplifting virtual event comes right before both Harry and Meghan are due to make more solo public appearances. On December 4, Harry is scheduled to attend the New York Times DealBook Conference in NYC, reports the Mirror . Harry is set to join forces with journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin at the annual conference, an event Meghan graced back in 2021. Coincidentally, the conference clashes with the 2024 Paley Honors Fall Gala, where their friend Tyler Perry will receive The Paley Honors Award. As members of the hosting committee, Harry and Meghan were anticipated to be present at the gala. However, with Harry's New York engagement now confirmed, it appears Meghan may be the only one attending. Just last week, Harry was seen in Vancouver on his own, championing his Invictus Games for injured service personnel and veterans, scheduled for February 2025. This follows a pattern of separate engagements for the couple over recent months, despite Meghan once famously comparing them to "salt and pepper" that always "move together". Earlier this autumn, Harry embarked on a two-week solo journey, touching down in New York, London, and Southern Africa, while Meghan dazzled on the red carpet alone. These solo ventures have sparked conversation, particularly as Meghan had previously accompanied Harry on a trip to Vancouver in February. However, it appears there was a tactical motive behind Meghan's journey, with insiders revealing to HELLO! that the Sussexes are planning to focus on solo projects. They shared: "Harry and Meghan have consistently pursued solo ventures in connection with their individual interests, but remain deeply committed to their joint efforts through Archewell. Together they have exciting projects in the pipeline, all driving forward their shared mission for positive global impact."Trump dominates Washington’s agenda – weeks before he takes the oath of officeEx-Colorado footballer Bloom dedicates time to fulfilling wishes for older adultsSEI Expands Horizons with New Personalized SMA Strategies

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Efforts by US antitrust regulators to break up Alphabet by forcing a sale of its Google Chrome browser and other proposals to limit its search dominance are likely to run into legal challenges on grounds the remedies are extreme. After a ruling in August that Google illegally monopolised the search market, US Department of Justice (DoJ) prosecutors argued to a judge last Wednesday that the company must sell Chrome, share data and search results with rivals and possibly sell its Android smartphone software. Alphabet shares closed nearly 5% lower on Thursday. The proposals are part of a landmark case aimed at reshaping how users find information. But a new pro-business administration of President-elect Donald Trump next year could change that effort and legal proceedings could last years, experts said. “It would strike me as an over-ask,” said Kevin Walkush at Jensen Investment Management, which holds Google stock and is sceptical a Chrome divestiture will happen. “You ask for everything possible, not necessarily with an eye towards what would be probable and proportional, and then see what sticks.” The DoJ sought and won a breakup of Microsoft in the early 2000s after alleging it illegally monopolised the web browser market. That ruling was overturned by an appeals court, and Microsoft and the DoJ eventually settled. Walkush expects the Google case to take years to play out as the company appeals. “The wheels of justice do not turn quickly,” he said. Google called the DoJ’s approach “unprecedented government overreach that would harm American consumers, developers, and small businesses,” giving as examples diminished user privacy and less funding for companies such as browser maker Mozilla when they feature Google search. The case could also face challenges from Trump. While Trump’s administration originally filed the search case against Google during his first term, he indicated in October he might not break up the company because it could hurt the American tech industry at a time competition is heating up with China in areas including AI. Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chrome, the most widely used web browser, is a pillar of Google’s business, providing the company with valuable user data that helps it target ads. The search ads business brought in more than half of Alphabet’s total revenue of $88.3bn in the latest quarter. The value of Chrome, estimated to hold about two-thirds of the global browser market, diminishes sharply as a standalone browser. “The reason why it’s valuable to Google is because Google uses it to enhance its ad business and its search business,” said Megan Gray, former general counsel at search rival DuckDuckGO who has also worked as an attorney at the Federal Trade Commission. “If you don’t have those, then Chrome would just be a data broker.” A forced sale would not address several key issues raised in the DoJ lawsuit, including a search monopoly, critics say. US antitrust enforcers, who are also pursuing Apple and Amazon in other monopoly cases, would have to approve any potential Chrome buyer. “DoJ will face substantial headwinds with this remedy,” because Chrome can run search engines other than Google, said Gus Hurwitz, senior fellow and academic director at University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. “Courts expect any remedy to have a causal connection to the underlying antitrust concern. Divesting Chrome does absolutely nothing to address this concern.” The DoJ proposed a blanket ban on Google offering incentives to give its search engine preferential treatment. That would include Google’s lucrative partnership with Apple, where it pays the smartphone maker billions of dollars annually to make Google Search the default on Apple smartphones. Evercore analysts called the proposed curbs “draconian.” Given Google Search’s popularity, Apple is likely to continue with Google as the default search engine even without any agreement or payments, Hurwitz said. DoJ’s proposals also include demands for Google to license search results at a nominal cost and share the user data it gathers with competitors for free. DA Davidson analyst Gil Luria said it was harder to ascertain the impact of Google having to open up its search data until the terms are clearer. The Center for Journalism & Liberty said Google licensing its search data would be “transformative” for news publishers because it would help them better understand their audiences. – Reuters Related Story Google launches new version of redesigned chrome browser for computers Google launches ChromeOS update with important features

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a new chapter for Syria can begin that's free of terrorism and suffering for its people. In a social media post on X on Sunday, Trudeau said the fall of the Assad dictatorship "ends decades of brutal oppression." Syrian President Bashar Assad fled the country on Sunday and is now reported to be in Moscow, bringing to a dramatic close his nearly 14-year struggle to hold onto control as his country fragmented in a brutal civil war. The toppling of Assad comes after opposition forces entered the Syrian capital of Damascus, ending half a century of rule by his family. Trudeau said Canada is monitoring the transition closely, and he urged "order, stability, and respect for human rights." Ottawa is urging Canadians to avoid all travel to Syria and to consider leaving the country if it's safe to do so. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre told a news conference on Sunday that Assad "was a puppet for the tyrants of Tehran." "He has carried out genocides against the Sunni people in his own country, and now he appears to have been toppled," Poilievre said in Ottawa. Poilievre said it's unknown who will replace Assad, adding it isn't Canada's fight and that he doesn't believe Canada should get involved. "We should stand with our allies, including Israel, against the terrorists. We should focus on protecting our own country." Ottawa describes the security situation as volatile, and said the Damascus and Aleppo airports as well as some border crossings are closed. An updated travel advisory from the Canadian government warns people to avoid the Middle Eastern country due to what it calls "ongoing armed conflict, terrorism, criminality, arbitrary detention, torture and forced disappearance." Canada has urged its citizens to leave Syria since November 2011, and its embassy in Damascus suspended its operations in 2012. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press. The Canadian Press

6 quick interior design tweaks to make before guests arrive to elevate your homeSINGAPORE: The year was 1990. And in about a minute at Lakeside Country Club in Surrey, England, Paul Lim accomplished the extraordinary. It is a feat which has lived in the record books of darting history – the first player to hit a perfect nine-dart finish at a world championship. The accomplishment landed him £52,000 – about US$92,600 then – and while he was eliminated in the quarter-finals, Lim won the hearts of darts fans worldwide. Fast forward 34 years, and Lim was back where it all started. His features were no longer as youthful, his vision was no longer as sharp, and his polo t-shirt bore the flag of a different country. But it's the same man – the "Singapore Slinger". On Dec 8, Lim lost in the final of the WDF World Darts Championship after a fairytale run. Ireland's Shane McGuirk, 29, beat the 70-year-old Singaporean 6-3 at Lakeside. FROM LOCAL PUB TO WORLD STAGE In the past decades, Lim has travelled the globe, but his story started in England. After he completed his National Service in the 1970s, Lim packed his bags and headed to London. "I went through different jobs just to survive," he told CNA. "Eventually I was able to hunt down a hotel because I wanted to be a chef." With the help of the hotel's head chef, Lim enrolled himself in a cookery course. "Every morning I would go to college ... After I finished college, I would go back to the hotel and work from afternoon to dinner service, which was about 10 to 11 at night," he recalled. It was at a local pub where he was first introduced to darts by other chefs. They competed every Friday night, with everybody chipping in with 50 pence. The winner's prize? A bottle of whisky. Playing a number of sports as a youngster meant that Lim had good hand-eye coordination, and he was quickly drawn to the dartboard. "I found that darts is a very interesting sport ... I straightaway bought a dartboard and put it in the apartment," he said. "And I could practice whether it was snowing, whether it was raining, whenever I wanted. I spent a lot of time doing that, and I eventually just became good." A number of years later, Lim returned to Singapore where he worked as a chef at the now-defunct Marco Polo hotel. During his time back, he competed in his first Singapore Open and won the tournament. But the opportunity to further his career as a head chef of a French restaurant came knocking and Lim moved to Papua New Guinea. A CHANGE OF SCENERY Lim enjoyed the change in environment. "It was different but I've always loved the sea, I loved fishing and Papua New Guinea is a great place for that," he said. Lim represented Papua New Guinea in his first international competition, the Asia-Pacific Cup, where he won his event. It was during that tournament that he met American darts player Jerry Umberger, who recommended that Lim move to the United States and compete in the professional darts circuit. "He said that in the USA we have the darts circuit where there is prize money. Every week there's a tournament somewhere in America and you just have to find where to go," recalled Lim. Lim first moved to Boston. But with the weather proving too cold, he settled down in California and worked at a pub restaurant as a chef. "It was in a darting environment so it really kind of suited me very well ... I worked from Monday to Thursday and on Friday I would fly to tournaments," he said. "I didn't know how I was going to be doing (on the circuit) ... so I had to have a job to sustain my travel and pay my rent and things like that." As Lim made a name for himself on the circuit, sponsors eventually came on board. ONE STEP AT A TIME Prior to that historic showing at the 1990 World Championship, Lim had never made it past the early stages of the competition. But that year, everything changed. "It was a blast. I can't describe it. Until this very day, I still get goosebumps thinking about it," said Lim, who represented the United States at that tournament. He remembers his achievement vividly to this day. The money he earned, which far exceeded the amount awarded to the tournament winner, also came in handy for Lim, who used it to start his own darts business. Over the years, he has continued to compete in major tournaments while working as a consultant for an electronic darts company. But Lakeside Country Club has always had a special place in his heart. "I was excited to be back there again after so many years," he said, this time wearing the Singapore flag. Going into this year's WDF World Darts Championship, Lim's goal was to take it one game at a time – and he saw off challenge after challenge. "What's going to happen, you never know. But I go with the intent that I want to do well," he said. Lim first beat the Netherlands' Moreno Blom 2-0, then Hong Kong's Leung Kai Fan 3-2. The match against Leung, a close friend of Lim's, was particularly tough, he said. Prior to the tournament draw, Leung had invited Lim to stay at his home and prepare for the event. "He's the guy I spent time with and he's the guy who looked after me ... It's always difficult," added Lim. Lim's fairytale run continued, as he beat Scotland's Gary Stone 3-2, Dutchman Jarno Bottenberg 4-3 and American Jason Brandon 5-0. "I always think one step at a time. If I win one step at a time, I'll be in the final," said Lim. But he fell short in his bid to become the oldest darts world champion on Dec 8. McGuirk took home the winner's cheque of £50,000 (US$63,500), while Lim collected £16,000. "I did prove a point that age is not really a vital thing," he said. POWERED BY PASSION Things have changed over the years, admitted Lim. These days, he no longer has as much stamina to compete in a full-day tournament. "Stamina is very important," he said. "(A) 70-year-old gets tired a lot easier. The funny thing is I have gone through this (sport) for over 40 years now and I've never felt that I could get tired. Until maybe when I was about 68." Earlier this year, he switched to using glasses after experiencing blurred vision. "It was a struggle to get used to it," Lim admitted. "I kept practising with my glasses on at home until it became secondary." While physical problems can be an issue when it comes to darts, having a strong mindset is key, he stressed. "A lot of people can be great dart players but if your mindset is weak, you're going (to be) rattled ... and you're going to do everything differently." He wants to continue competing for as long as he can. "At the back of my mind, I know one day it will stop. But as of right now, I just don't feel that day is coming," said Lim. What helps is that Lim enjoys not just the competitive nature of darts but interacting with supporters. "In every sport, (it is) for yourself but you've got to think about the fans out there and the people that support you. It gives me a lot of joy, it really does," he added. "(People ask me): 'How come you're always smiling?' It's supposed to be a happy moment. I'm able to play a sport that I love, and I'm able to make a living out of it. What else would you want to ask for?" When he decides to call it a day competitively, Lim intends to keep promoting the sport. "I want to bring joy to other people (through) darts and I think it's good for them," he said. "I'm living proof. I'm 70 years old right now, I can still move around and I'm happy doing it ... My passion actually makes me feel younger."

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Google is ramping up its push into smart glasses and augmented reality headgear, taking on rivals Apple and Meta with help from its sophisticated Gemini artificial intelligence. The internet titan on Thursday unveiled an Android XR operating system created in a collaboration with Samsung, which will use it in a device being built in what is called internally "Project Moohan," according to Google. The software is designed to power augmented and virtual reality experiences enhanced with artificial intelligence, XR vice president Shahram Izadi said in a blog post. "With headsets, you can effortlessly switch between being fully immersed in a virtual environment and staying present in the real world," Izadi said. "You can fill the space around you with apps and content, and with Gemini, our AI assistant, you can even have conversations about what you're seeing or control your device." Google this week announced the launch of Gemini 2.0, its most advanced artificial intelligence model to date, as the world's tech giants race to take the lead in the fast-developing technology. CEO Sundar Pichai said the new model would mark what the company calls "a new agentic era" in AI development, with AI models designed to understand and make decisions about the world around you. Android XR infused with Gemini promises to put digital assistants into eyewear, tapping into what users are seeing and hearing. An AI "agent," the latest Silicon Valley trend, is a digital helper that is supposed to sense surroundings, make decisions, and take actions to achieve specific goals. "Gemini can understand your intent, helping you plan, research topics and guide you through tasks," Izadi said. "Android XR will first launch on headsets that transform how you watch, work and explore." The Android XR release was a preview for developers so they can start building games and other apps for headgear, ideally fun or useful enough to get people to buy the hardware. This is not Google's first foray into smart eyewear. Its first offering, Google Glass, debuted in 2013 only to be treated as an unflattering tech status symbol and met with privacy concerns due to camera capabilities. The market has evolved since then, with Meta investing heavily in a Quest virtual reality headgear line priced for mainstream adoption and Apple hitting the market with pricey Vision Pro "spacial reality" gear. Google plans to soon begin testing prototype Android XR-powered glasses with a small group of users. Google will also adapt popular apps such as YouTube, Photos, Maps, and Google TV for immersive experiences using Android XR, according to Izadi. Gemini AI in glasses will enable tasks like directions and language translations, he added. "It's all within your line of sight, or directly in your ear," Izadi said. gc/dwLeeds boss Daniel Farke hails "old man" for wonder goal in win over LutonWisconsin faces its first losing season in 23 years and the end of a bowl streak when the Badgers host arch-rival Minnesota on Friday in the annual Big Ten battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe. Minnesota (6-5, 4-4) lost to No. 4 Penn State 26-25. Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) lost its fourth straight, 44-25, at Nebraska in a game that was not as close as the score. "Well 1890 is the first time we played this football team coming up and this is what it's all about," Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said of the rivalry. "And you wouldn't want to have it any other way, being able to end the season with one of your biggest rivals. I know our guys will be ready to go, ready to play." Wisconsin has 22 consecutive winning seasons since going 5-7 under Barry Alvarez in 2001, the longest active streak among Power 4 teams. The Badgers also have played in a bowl game in each of the last 22 seasons, the longest active streak in the Big Ten and third-longest in FBS. Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell is more concerned with the rivalry game than the winning season and bowl streaks. "I'm not downplaying it, I'm not saying it's not important, I'm not saying it's another thing that's on our plate," Fickell said Monday. "But when it gets down to this last week, it's about one thing, it's about the rivalry. It's about preparing to play in the most important game of the year." The Gophers have dropped their last two games after winning four in a row. Minnesota averages 26.6 points per game, while allowing 18.5, 15th-best in the country. Max Brosmer has completed 67 percent of his passes for 221 per game with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. Daniel Jackson is the top target with 69 catches for 802 yards and three scores, and Darius Taylor is the top rusher with 730 yards at 4.8 per carry with nine touchdowns. One week after leading Oregon after three quarters, the Wisconsin defense was shredded for 473 yards and five touchdowns by Nebraska. Braedyn Locke, who took over at quarterback when Tyler Van Dyke suffered an early season-ending knee injury, has thrown at least one interception in eight consecutive games. Locke has completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 180.6 yards per game, with 12 touchdowns and 10 picks. Tawee Walker is the leading rusher with 828 yards at 4.7 per carry with 10 touchdowns. He has failed to reach 60 yards in three of the last four games. Former Wisconsin and NFL standout JJ Watt posted on social media his assessment - and frustration - with the Badgers after the Nebraska game. "Losing happens, it's part of the game. Hearing announcers talk about how much tougher and more physical Nebraska & Iowa are while getting blown out ... that's the issue," Watt wrote on X. "We are Wisconsin. Physicality, running game, great O-Line and great defense. That is our identity." Wisconsin defeated the Gophers 28-14 last after Minnesota had won the previous two meetings. The Badgers have won 7 of the last 10 and lead the storied series 63-62-8. --Field Level Media

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