phwin9

phwin9 Turkey could be one of the big winners from the new Syria crisis, giving it a chance to tackle its Syrian refugee problem and the Kurdish threat along its border, observers say. Although Syrian President Bashar al-Assad spurned an offer of help from his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ankara now appears to have an increasingly important role in decisions that will affect Syria's immediate future. Omer Ozkizilcik, an Atlantic Council associate researcher in Ankara, said Turkey has a "complex and difficult relationship" with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the jihadist alliance that led last week's rebel offensive. "We can clearly say there was indirect Turkish support (for the offensive) but no direct Turkish involvement," he told AFP. Although the attack was due to take place "seven weeks ago... Turkey stopped the rebels from launching this military offensive," he added. Assad's ally Russia has also been "heavily" bombing rebel positions in the northwest to stymie an attack on his government. Charles Lister, an expert at Washington's Middle East Institute agreed, saying "the Aleppo offensive was initially planned for mid-October but Turkey put a stop to it". It was only after Ankara's efforts to normalise ties with the Assad regime were rebuffed as it pushed for a political solution, that Turkey gave its green light, Ozkizilcik said. Turkey has pushed back against the expansion of HTS into the "security zone" in northwest Syria it has carved out for itself, and has put pressure on the radical Islamist group to drop its Al-Qaeda affiliation. It has also pressed it to avoid attacking Christian and Druze minorities, analysts say. "The HTS of today is not what it was in 2020," Ozkizilcik said. Although Turkey has some influence over the group, Firas Kontar, a Syrian opposition figure of Druze origin and author of "Syria, the Impossible Revolution", believes Erdogan "no longer has the means to stop HTS". Ankara and Damascus broke off ties in 2011 when the war started with Erdogan backing the rebels and denouncing Assad as a "murderer". However, since late 2022 the Turkish leader has been seeking a rapprochement, saying in July he was ready to host Assad "at any time". But Assad said he would only meet if Turkish forces withdrew from Syria. Ankara is hoping a rapprochement would pave the way for the return of the 3.2 million Syrian refugees still on its soil, whose presence has become a major domestic hot potato. "Now with the changing situation on the ground, the balance of power in Syria has shifted: Turkey is the most powerful actor at the moment inside Syria, and Iran and Russia will likely try to negotiate with Turkey," Ozkizilcik said. Since 2016, Turkey has staged multiple operations against Kurdish forces in northern Syria which has given it a foothold in areas bordering the frontier. The aim is to oust Kurdish fighters from the border zone, notably the YPG (People's Protection Units) which are backed by Washington as bulwark against Islamic State group jihadists. But Ankara views the YPG as an extension of the PKK which has fought a decades-long insurgency inside Turkey and is banned as a terror group by Washington and Brussels. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, pro-Turkey rebels on Sunday seized Tal Rifaat, a town north of Aleppo and the surrounding villages, where some 200,000 Syrian Kurds were living. Tal Rifaat lies just outside Turkey's "security zone" with the move prompting Kurdish residents to flee to a safe zone further east. Turkey's secret service said it had killed a PKK leader in the area. "Turkey has already made and probably will make many gains against the YPG terror group to secure its national security," said Ozkizilcik. ach/hmw/fg

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is underscoring his intention to block the purchase of U.S. Steel by Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel Corp. , and he's pledging to use tax incentives and tariffs to strengthen the iconic American steelmaker. Trump had vowed early in the presidential campaign that he would “instantaneously” block the deal, and he reiterated that sentiment in a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday night. “I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company” and will use tax incentives and tariffs to make U.S. Steel “Strong and Great Again, and it will happen FAST!” he wrote. “As President," he continued, "I will block this deal from happening. Buyer Beware!!!” President Joe Biden , like Trump, also opposes Nippon Steel's purchase of Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel. Biden’s White House in September said that it had yet to see a report from the secretive Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States , which was reviewing the transaction for national security concerns. The committee, which is chaired by the treasury secretary and includes other Cabinet members, can recommend that the president block a transaction, and federal law gives the president that power. Ahead of the November election, the proposed merger carried political importance in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state that Trump eventually won. Biden publicly sided with the United Steelworkers, the labor union, in seeking to reject the deal. When he announced his opposition in a March statement, Biden said: “U.S. Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated.” Nippon Steel has said it is the only company that can make the necessary investment in U.S. Steel's factories and strengthen the American steel industry. Both Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel on Tuesday released statements in support of the acquisition. "This transaction should be approved on its merits. The benefits are overwhelmingly clear. Our communities, customers, investors, and employees strongly support this transaction, and we will continue to advocate for them and adherence to the rule of law," U.S. Steel said. The deal follows a long stretch of protectionist U.S. tariffs that analysts say has helped reinvigorate domestic steel, including U.S. Steel. U.S. Steel's shareholders have approved the deal, but the United Steelworkers oppose it. In a statement Tuesday, the union said the deal carries “serious long-term implications for U.S. economic and national security.” “It’s clear that President Trump understands the vital role a strong domestic steel industry plays in our national security, as well as the importance of the jobs and communities the industry supports," the union said. The deal has drawn bipartisan opposition in the U.S. Senate, including from the incoming vice president, Republican Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, although the federal government's objections to the deal have drawn criticism that the opposition is political. Some U.S. Steel workers would prefer Nippon Steel acquire the company, given that it appears to have a better financial balance sheet than another potential buyer, Cleveland-Cliffs. U.S. Steel “provided a very, very good life for our families for a lot of years,” said Jack Maskil, a vice president at the Steelworkers local branch in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. “And we feel that with the Nippon deal that a lot more families for futures to come will be able to share the same.” West Mifflin Mayor Chris Kelly said he met with Nippon Steel executives and found himself satisfied by their commitments. Located southeast of Pittsburgh, West Mifflin is home to U.S. Steel's Mon Valley Works–Irvin Plant. “There’s no question in my mind that it’s the best deal moving forward,” Kelly said at a panel hosted on Tuesday by the conservative think tank Hudson Institute, where Maskil was also speaking. The Biden administration committee vetting the merger is scheduled later this month to decide on the acquisition or possibly extend the ongoing review. William Chou, a deputy director at the Hudson Institute specializing in relations with Japan, said that "President-elect Trump's view on the deal are important." But given the upcoming deadline, “It's up to President Biden to recognize how this deal will advance the interests of future generations of U.S. Steel union steelworkers.” Trump’s statement came two weeks after Nippon Steel’s vice chairman, Takahiro Mori, visited Pittsburgh and Washington to meet with lawmakers, local officials and workers in an ongoing persuasion campaign. That campaign has included Nippon Steel's promises to boost its capital commitments beyond the original deal and, more recently, a pledge that it won’t import steel slabs that would compete with U.S. Steel’s blast furnaces. As part of its proposed $14.9 billion purchase of U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel also pledged to invest at least $1.4 billion in USW-represented facilities, not to conduct layoffs or plant closings during the term of the basic labor agreement, and to protect the best interests of U.S. Steel in trade matters. Boak reported from Washington.By Khari A. Thompson Derrick White sat at the podium with the hood of his black Celtics sweatshirt on his head. He rubbed his forehead as he was asked about Boston’s lack of defensive intensity in it’s 123-114 loss to Indiana Sunday night. The loss concluded a rough December for the defending NBA champions. After winning 16 of their first 19 games, the Celtics began to backslide and finished the month 7-6. They’ve lost four of their last six games, three of them against teams that are at eighth place or lower in the conference standings. Boston let Tyrese Haliburton (31 points, 7 assists, 11-19 shooting) slash into the paint and carve up its defense like a holiday ham. The Pacers, whom the Celtics demolished by 37 points on Friday night, earned a taste of revenge on their way back to the Midwest. “I think this might be the toughest stretch that I’ve been on since I’ve been here with the Celtics. It’s just going going to bring us closer together,” White said. “You’ve just got to know that everybody’s got their best interests in mind and just have each other’s back. It’s going to bring us closer. There’s ups-and-downs in every season, so it’s one of those downs and we’ve got to figure it out together.” The Celtics traded for White in February of 2022. They lost five out of six during mid-December in 2023, dropping contests against Golden State, the Clippers, the Pacers, and two against Orlando. They also lost four out of five that March. But, White’s point is still clear. These stretches don’t happen often for the Celtics. They didn’t see anything like it last year, and they have to figure out how to stop the slide. The competition will only get tougher next week. After a New Year’s Eve tilt with the struggling Raptors, the Celtics will hit the road to take on Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves.Then, they’ll travel to Houston and Oklahoma City, who are both top-3 in the West right now. The road trip concludes with a tilt against three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. “I’m actually really excited about it,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of the upcoming stretch. “It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be great.” Defensive issues have been at the forefront, particularly with point guards who are adept at getting into the lane. Ja Morant dropped 32 on the Celtics in a win earlier this month. Tyrese Maxey torched Celtics on Christmas Day, posting 32 points and 12 assists against three turnovers. Haliburton was just the latest guard the Celtics struggled to stay in front of. “We just have to pay attention to the tendencies, No. 1,” Mazzulla said. “And we have to know where we can help from No. 2 and force more kick outs and more multiple efforts there. But, it starts at the point of attack with our individual defense and it moves to our team defense off the ball where we can help.” Playing without Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis certainly didn’t help, but it’s not an excuse considering how Boston handled Indiana in the previous game. “I think communicating,” Jaylen Brown said. “Tendencies are one thing, but it’s a lot different when you’re out there and they’re coming at you full-speed, especially a team like Indiana. I think we’ve got to be more alert and comunicative to help each other. It seems like they got a lot of layups because we weren’t recognizing where we could help from.” “They didn’t shoot a lot of threes, so that means that they shouldn’t have gotten that many layups,” he added. “We could have protected the basket a little bit better and we didn’t tonight. But, I think we see it. Recognizing where we could be better and and build from there. We’ve got a tough stretch coming.” Last week, Mazzulla said the Celtics were playing inconsistent basketball. The trend has continued, especially on defense. “We’ve just got to do a better job,” Mazzulla said. “We’ve got to do a better job coaching defense, we’ve got to do a better job in our individual defense, we’ve got to do a better job in our team defense.” White said he is not concerned about this Celtics group, which is just a game in front of the third-place Knicks. “Just trust the character in the locker room,” White said. “I know the type of guys that are in that locker room and those are the type of guys that I want to go to war with. So, I’m confident in that.” Khari A. Thompson Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss. Sign up for Celtics updates🏀 Get breaking news and analysis delivered to your inbox during basketball season. Be civil. Be kind.

NEW YORK — Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally gunning down health insurance executive Brian Thompson on a Manhattan street, pleaded not guilty on Monday to New York state murder charges that brand him a terrorist. Mangione, 26, was escorted into Judge Gregory Carro's 13th-floor courtroom in the New York state criminal courthouse in lower Manhattan with a court officer on each arm, and a procession of a half dozen officers following him. He was in handcuffs and shackles, and wore a burgundy sweater over a white-collared shirt. ADVERTISEMENT Mangione leaned into a microphone and said "not guilty" when Carro asked how he pleaded to the 11-count indictment charging him with murder as an act of terrorism and weapons offenses. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth Group's UNH.N insurance unit UnitedHealthcare, was shot dead on Dec. 4 outside a hotel in midtown Manhattan where the company was gathering for an investor conference. The brazen killing and ensuing five-day manhunt captivated Americans. While public officials have condemned the killing, some Americans who decry the steep costs of healthcare and insurance companies' power to deny paying for some medical treatments have feted Mangione as a folk hero. Mangione was arrested at a McDonald's restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9. After deciding last week not to fight extradition, he was transferred to New York, where he was led off a helicopter in lower Manhattan by a large phalanx of police officers and New York City Mayor Eric Adams. That spectacle and other statements by public officials suggest Mangione may not be able to get a fair trial, his lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said at Monday's hearing. "They are treating him like he is some sort of political fodder, some sort of spectacle," Agnifilo said. "He is not a symbol, he is someone who is afforded a right to a fair trial." ADVERTISEMENT Several dozen people gathered outside the courthouse in freezing temperatures to express support for Mangione and anger at healthcare companies. One person held a sign with the words "DENY, DEFEND, DEPOSE," a phrase that echoes tactics some accuse insurers of using to avoid paying out claims. Authorities say the words "deny," "delay," and "depose" were found written on shell casings at the crime scene. Kara Hay, a 42-year-old schoolteacher, said she believed it was wrong for Mangione to be charged with terrorism. "Shooting one CEO does not make him a terrorist, and I do not feel terrorized," said Hay, who held a sign reading "innocent until proven guilty." After the 30-minute hearing, officers once again shackled Mangione and led him out of the courtroom. He is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal lockup in Brooklyn. Carro set Mangione's next court appearance for Feb. 21. Dual state, federal cases Monday's arraignment was the second court appearance in New York for Mangione, who also faces a four-count federal criminal complaint charging him with stalking and killing Thompson. ADVERTISEMENT He has not yet been asked to enter a plea in that case. U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker ordered Mangione detained at a Dec. 19 hearing in Manhattan federal court. The federal charges would make him eligible for the death penalty, should the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan decide to pursue it. The separate federal and state cases will proceed in parallel. The state case is currently expected to go to trial first, federal prosecutors said. At the hearing, Friedman Agnifilo said it was difficult to defend her client in dual state and federal cases. "He is being treated like a human ping-pong ball between these two jurisdictions," Friedman Agnifilo said. She also said the Manhattan District Attorney's office, which brought the charges, has not handed over any evidence to the defense to help prepare for trial, a process known as discovery. A prosecutor responded that the office would begin handing over evidence soon. According to the federal criminal complaint, the police who arrested Mangione found a notebook that contained several handwritten pages that "express hostility towards the health insurance industry and wealthy executives in particular." ADVERTISEMENT A notebook entry dated Oct. 22 allegedly described an intent to "wack" the chief executive of an insurance company at its investor conference. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .Provident Bancorp, Inc. Adopts Stock Repurchase Program

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Set to host the Ravens on Christmas Day, the Houston Texans claimed wide receiver Diontae Johnson off waivers on Monday after Baltimore waived him last week, ESPN reported. Thin at receiver behind star Nico Collins due to season-ending injuries to Stefon Diggs (torn ACL) and Tank Dell (torn ACL, dislocated kneecap), the Texans are hoping Johnson, 28, can provide depth at the position alongside Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie III. With the Ravens, Johnson reeled in just one catch for 6 yards and received a one-game suspension for what the team said was refusing to enter a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 1. Baltimore waived him on Friday. An unrestricted free agent after this season, Johnson is joining his fourth team this calendar year after he was traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to Carolina in March and then moved from the Panthers to the Ravens in October. A third-round draft pick in 2019, Johnson had 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games (all starts) for the Panthers earlier this season. In six career seasons, the 2021 Pro Bowl selection has 422 receptions for 4,726 yards and 28 TDs for the Steelers (2019-23), Panthers and Ravens. --Field Level MediaSiliguri witnessed its sixth Pride Walk today, organised by members of the LGBT community, who marched through the city demanding their fundamental rights, including those for adoption, marriage, and the recognition of love. The LGBT group first united in Siliguri in 2018 and has since been organising such pride rallies to raise awareness about their issues. Despite a turnout of fewer than 100 participants this year, organisers noted that many others were unable to join due to social stigma and pressures. One participant highlighted their challenges, saying, “We are often victims of molestation, torture, rape, and assault. Sadly, when we seek justice, the police often dismiss our complaints. The recent incident at R.G. Kar Medical College has shocked us deeply, as it reflects the continued marginalisation of our community.” Diksha Kundu, one of the organisers, explained: “This is the sixth Pride Rally in Siliguri since we started in 2018. Similar rallies are held across the country, all demanding basic human rights for the LGBT community. Our primary focus is on securing legal recognition for adoption and marriage, as these are fundamental to our lives and love.” Another member expressed hope for change, adding: “We appeal to the Supreme Court to grant us marriage rights. While there is a 1% reservation for transgender individuals, local authorities have yet to implement this appropriately.” The rally, which included slogans demanding justice for the R.G. Kar incident, served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by the LGBT community and their determination to achieve equality. Advertisement Advertisement AdvertisementTransfer: Adams reacts to AC Milan move rumour

NEW YORK — Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally gunning down health insurance executive Brian Thompson on a Manhattan street, pleaded not guilty on Monday to New York state murder charges that brand him a terrorist. Mangione, 26, was escorted into Judge Gregory Carro's 13th-floor courtroom in the New York state criminal courthouse in lower Manhattan with a court officer on each arm, and a procession of a half dozen officers following him. He was in handcuffs and shackles, and wore a burgundy sweater over a white-collared shirt. Mangione leaned into a microphone and said "not guilty" when Carro asked how he pleaded to the 11-count indictment charging him with murder as an act of terrorism and weapons offenses. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth Group's UNH.N insurance unit UnitedHealthcare, was shot dead on Dec. 4 outside a hotel in midtown Manhattan where the company was gathering for an investor conference. The brazen killing and ensuing five-day manhunt captivated Americans. While public officials have condemned the killing, some Americans who decry the steep costs of healthcare and insurance companies' power to deny paying for some medical treatments have feted Mangione as a folk hero. Mangione was arrested at a McDonald's restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9. After deciding last week not to fight extradition, he was transferred to New York, where he was led off a helicopter in lower Manhattan by a large phalanx of police officers and New York City Mayor Eric Adams. That spectacle and other statements by public officials suggest Mangione may not be able to get a fair trial, his lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said at Monday's hearing. "They are treating him like he is some sort of political fodder, some sort of spectacle," Agnifilo said. "He is not a symbol, he is someone who is afforded a right to a fair trial." Several dozen people gathered outside the courthouse in freezing temperatures to express support for Mangione and anger at healthcare companies. One person held a sign with the words "DENY, DEFEND, DEPOSE," a phrase that echoes tactics some accuse insurers of using to avoid paying out claims. Authorities say the words "deny," "delay," and "depose" were found written on shell casings at the crime scene. Kara Hay, a 42-year-old schoolteacher, said she believed it was wrong for Mangione to be charged with terrorism. "Shooting one CEO does not make him a terrorist, and I do not feel terrorized," said Hay, who held a sign reading "innocent until proven guilty." After the 30-minute hearing, officers once again shackled Mangione and led him out of the courtroom. He is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal lockup in Brooklyn. Carro set Mangione's next court appearance for Feb. 21. Monday's arraignment was the second court appearance in New York for Mangione, who also faces a four-count federal criminal complaint charging him with stalking and killing Thompson. He has not yet been asked to enter a plea in that case. U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker ordered Mangione detained at a Dec. 19 hearing in Manhattan federal court. The federal charges would make him eligible for the death penalty, should the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan decide to pursue it. The separate federal and state cases will proceed in parallel. The state case is currently expected to go to trial first, federal prosecutors said. At the hearing, Friedman Agnifilo said it was difficult to defend her client in dual state and federal cases. "He is being treated like a human ping-pong ball between these two jurisdictions," Friedman Agnifilo said. She also said the Manhattan District Attorney's office, which brought the charges, has not handed over any evidence to the defense to help prepare for trial, a process known as discovery. A prosecutor responded that the office would begin handing over evidence soon. According to the federal criminal complaint, the police who arrested Mangione found a notebook that contained several handwritten pages that "express hostility towards the health insurance industry and wealthy executives in particular." A notebook entry dated Oct. 22 allegedly described an intent to "wack" the chief executive of an insurance company at its investor conference. ______________________________________________________Federal loan to struggling EV automaker under fire

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