bet9ja nigeria sport betting Bashar al-Assad’s quarter century in power PARIS: AFP looks back at almost a quarter century of rule by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since he was propelled to power following the death of his father Hafez in 2000. 2000: takes over from father On July 17, 2000, Assad becomes Syria ́s new head of state, after the death of his father, aged 69, who ruled Syria with an iron grip for 30 years. He won a referendum with more than 97 percent of the vote at which he was the only candidate. On June 10, 2000, the day of Hafez ́s death, parliament had amended the constitution to lower the minimum age required to become president -- a tailor-made change for Bashar who was born in 1965. 2000: ‘Damascus Spring’ In September that year, 100 intellectuals call for the lifting of martial law, in place since 1963, more freedom and political pluralism. This becomes known as the “Damascus Spring”. An ensuing period of apparent openness is short-lived. Assad ́s government cracks down on dissent and arrests 10 opponents in July 2001. 2005: withdrawal from Lebanon In February 2005, former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri is assassinated in a massive Beirut bombing. Major Western powers and Lebanese opposition blame Syria, which has a strong military presence in Lebanon, and call for the withdrawal of its troops. Damascus denies responsibility.In April, the last of tens of thousands of Syrian troops leave Lebanon, ending 29 years of military and political domination. 2005: ‘Damascus Declaration’ In October 2005, opposition parties unite to launch a joint “Damascus Declaration” calling for radical and democratic change, and criticising “a totalitarian-style and sectarian regime”. 2011: rebellion leads to war In March 2011, in the turmoil of the Arab Spring that sees people rise up against autocratic rulers, protests break out in Syria calling for civil liberties and the release of political prisoners. In 2012, the regime uses heavy weapons against the rebels, including airstrikes. It will be accused on numerous occasions of using chemical weapons, charges it denies. Assad clings on to power with massive military backing from Russia and Iran and Tehran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, managing to win back most of the territory his regime lost. A truce is declared in March 2020 after an accord between Russia and Turkey, but the country is dogged by bombardments and sporadic jihadist attacks. The war has killed more than 500,000 people, displaced half the country ́s pre-war population and makes Assad a global pariah. 2021: fourth term On May 26, 2021, Assad is re-elected as expected for a fourth term, with 95.1 percent of the vote. 2023: Return to the Arab diplomatic scene Syria had been expelled in 2011 in response to its crackdown on the popular uprising. 2023: international arrest warrant In November 2023, France issues an international arrest warrant for Assad, suspected of complicity in crimes against humanity for chemical attacks in 2013 in Syria blamed on his regime.Overall, the Fourth China-Latin America Political Parties Forum provided a valuable platform for political parties from both regions to exchange ideas, explore opportunities for cooperation, and strengthen mutual understanding. By working together towards a common vision of a community with a shared future, China and Latin America can make greater contributions to global peace, prosperity, and progress. The forum concluded with a renewed commitment to deepening cooperation and collaboration, paving the way for a stronger and more dynamic partnership between the two regions.

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When the Ireland team were presented jerseys for the final Test of 2024 against Australia at their Shelbourne Hotel base on Wednesday evening, they were given them by legendary former fly-half Ollie Campbell. The irony will not have been lost on experienced watchers of Irish Rugby. It was Campbell, after all, who formed one half of Ireland's first great number 10 debate. His back-and-forth with Tony Ward was perhaps the side's most famous divide over the most important jersey in the sport, but sequels would include David Humphreys over Ronan O'Gara and then O'Gara versus Johnny Sexton. That the latter would become the first name on the teamsheet for over a decade put a temporary halt to such chatter, but the skipper's retirement after last year's World Cup has brought about a widespread renaissance. Munster's Jack Crowley got the first crack and led the side to a fantastic win against France in the first game of the post-Sexton era that set up a Six Nations title triumph. The 24-year-old was still in situ by the summer tour to South Africa but the trip ended with replacement Ciaran Frawley snatching glory with a pair of late drop-goals to beat the back-to-back world champions in Durban. Crowley still started the defeat by the All Blacks to begin this month but underperformed in a showing that was down across the board. Against Argentina a week later, his strong first-half showing was seemingly lost in the shuffle after the debut of Sam Prendergast off the bench set tongues wagging. The Leinsterman was handed a first start against Fiji in game three of the autumn, his performance featuring a yellow card, a few mistakes, but plenty of the classy touches that have had the former under-20s standout marked as one to watch for quite some time. Conventional wisdom still indicated Crowley would return along with a group of frontliners against the Wallabies, especially when he was sat in front of the media in Dublin on Tuesday. If some attending journalists felt Crowley was downbeat that day, the reason for his demeanour became clear on Thursday when Farrell revealed his team and, a selection that otherwise was a return to the tried and tested, featured Prendergast's name nestled between Jamison Gibson-Park and Bundee Aki. Some, perhaps those looking through Munster red-tinted glasses, have already grown weary of the discourse surrounding the latest next big thing. Yet, in a game full of subplots, from the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour featuring the two head coaches to an Irish cap record for Cian Healy, come kick-off it felt like all eyes were trained on the 21-year-old in the green 10 jersey. In the main, Prendergast looked exactly what he is - a hugely promising player with just three caps to his name. There were some lovely touches, and more evidence of that languid style that seems to give him that extra split-second on the ball, as well as a few moments he would like back, namely a missed conversion and contestable kicks that yard or two too long. When, with 14 minutes remaining, Crowley entered the fray, he did so with the game in the balance. Ireland were 19-15 behind and pressing to avoid having their 150th anniversary celebrations spoiled by defeat. After what was surely a difficult week for a player without an abundance of Test experience himself, he contributed to the comeback with a prod in behind that set-up the line-out from which Gus McCarthy scored the winning try. His heart, though, will have been in his mouth when a kick out on the full gave Australia a chance to launch a late attack from halfway. "I thought Sam had some lovely stuff. He made some errors, some kicks that weren't perfect," said Andy Farrell. "But equally I thought Jack was excellent when he came on. "He took hold of the game. The little ball that he put into the corner, nice weighted kick, rather than just putting it out. We got the lineout from that that really kicked us on. "So delighted with them both." Questions about both have been a feature of this November, with Australia head coach Joe Schmidt neatly summing up how one will now be viewed through the prism of the other. When asked about the performance of Prendergast, the former Irish coach spoke about a player with "great potential" who had occasionally looked "a little bit flustered, which is unusual for him" against his Wallabies. Unprompted, he then added he "would be a fan of Jack Crowley as well", calling him he "a super player". Both now return to their provinces but to differing situations. Crowley is the undisputed first-choice at Munster. The man who finished the autumn in the Irish ten jersey, however, is yet to nail down that jersey at Leinster. It will be another two months before both are back in green. There will be no prizes for guessing the main topic of debate ahead of Ireland's Six Nations opener against England.None

NoneFormer Trump senior adviser Jared Kushner joined 'The Next Revolution' to weigh in on how former President Donald Trump 'ran the country like a businessman.' President-elect Trump has nominated Charles Kushner, the father of Jared Kushner, to serve in his new administration as the U.S. ambassador to France. "I am pleased to nominate Charles Kushner, of New Jersey, to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to France," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Saturday. "He is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests." In 2020, Kushner was pardoned by Trump 15 years after being found guilty of falsifying tax returns, witness tampering and illegal campaign contributions. Kushner, the founder of Kushner Companies, served a two-year sentence for his conviction. The witness tampering charge stemmed from an incident where he paid a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law into an encounter that was recorded on video. Kushner then sent the footage to the man's wife, Kushner's sister, in order to prevent her from testifying before a grand jury. NEW YORK JUDGE GRANTS TRUMP REQUEST TO FILE MOTION TO DISMISS CHARGES, CANCELS SENTENCING INDEFINITELY Trump has nominated Charles Kushner, father of Jared Kushner, to serve in his new administration. (Getty Images) Kushner was prosecuted by then-U.S. Attorney General Chris Christie in 2005. Christie later called the case "one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was U.S. attorney," during a 2019 PBS interview . Trump touted Kushner's accomplishments in his statement on Saturday, calling Kushner Companies "one of the largest & most successful privately held Real Estate firms in the Nation." "He was recognized as New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, appointed to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, & served as a Commissioner, & Chairman, of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, as well as on the Boards of our top institutions, including NYU," Trump said. TRUMP APPOINTS TULSI GABBARD AS DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE: 'FEARLESS SPIRIT' Charles Kushner, founder and former chairman of Kushner Cos, left, arrives at the funeral of Ivana Trump in New York City, July 20, 2022. (Getty Images) "His son, Jared, worked closely with me in the White House, in particular on Operation Warp Speed, Criminal Justice Reform, & the Abraham Accords," his statement concluded. "Together, we will strengthen America’s partnership with France, our oldest Ally, & one of our greatest!" In 2018, Jared Kushner worked to get the First Step Act passed by Congress, which focused on reforming federal prisons. Kushner became passionate about the issue after witnessing how his father had been treated in prison. Jared Kushner, left, Charles Kushner and Joseph Meyer attend The New York Observer's New Look event in New York City, April 1, 2014. (Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "President Trump promised to fight for the forgotten men and women of this country — and that includes those in prison," Jared Kushner wrote in the Wall Street Journal at the time. Fox News Digital's Ronn Blitzer contributed to this report. Andrea Margolis is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Readers can send story tips to andrea.margolis@fox.com .With each passing moment, her desperation grew, and in her haste, she took a wrong turn, finding herself lost in the maze of unfamiliar roads and intersections. Panic gripped her as she realized she was running in circles, her father's life hanging in the balance. The weight of her responsibility bore down on her, the thought of failing to save her father unbearable.

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Southampton boss Russell Martin has said that Jack Stephens' red card "cost" his side in their 5-1 defeat by Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday. Replays showed that the Saints captain pulled Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella by his hair as Southampton had an attacking corner. Referee Tony Harrington referred to the pitchside monitor before showing Stephens a straight red card for the incident. "I don't think anyone will be more disappointed than Jack," Martin said. "He'll be hurt more than anyone and it changed the game a bit for us tonight. "I'm disappointed for him and us, it's a moment of madness that has really cost us." This was Stephens' second sending-off of the season, having previously been dismissed when Manchester United won at St Mary's in September. He is the first Southampton player to be sent off twice in a Premier League season since Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in 2018-19. "I've not even seen it but they explained to me what happened," Martin added. "I don't think it's really violent conduct but there's no explanation for it really, is there?"

Dutton takes the lead, but is he defying gravity?In a fateful encounter on a bustling city street, John came face to face with the embodiment of everything he despised - the CEO of a powerful insurance corporation, whose policies and practices had contributed to the suffering of countless families like his own. In a moment of reckless abandon, fueled by a cocktail of resentment, desperation, and a twisted sense of justice, John made the impulsive decision to confront the CEO and deliver a chilling message in the form of a loaded gun.

In conclusion, while the video of the Alibaba Cloud data center fire may have caused alarm, the company's swift response and assurance of no impact on their cloud services should put customers at ease. The incident underscores the need for continuous vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard data centers against potential threats, ensuring the reliability and security of cloud services in an increasingly digital world.In the end, the village emerged stronger and more united than ever, ready to face whatever challenges nature may throw their way, armed with the knowledge that, together, they could overcome any obstacle and protect the beauty of their harmonious coexistence with the wild world around them.Harlow's rise to fame has been meteoric, with his unique blend of witty lyrics and infectious beats capturing the attention of fans around the world. But behind the scenes, it's mentors like Marresca who have helped him stay grounded and focused on his goals.