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BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza. The excitement and cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found. The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists that usually fill the square. Palestinian scouts marched silently through the streets, a departure from their usual raucous brass marching band. Security forces arranged barriers near the Church of the Nativity, built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The cancellation of Christmas festivities is a severe blow to the town's economy. Tourism accounts for an estimated 70% of Bethlehem’s income — almost all from the Christmas season. Salman said unemployment is hovering around 50% — higher than the 30% unemployment across the rest of the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Finance Ministry. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, noted the shuttered shops and empty streets and expressed hope that next year would be better. “This has to be the last Christmas that is so sad,” he told hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square, where normally tens of thousands would congregate. Pizzaballa held a special pre-Christmas Mass in the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City. Several Palestinian Christians told the Associated Press that they have been displaced in the church since the war began in October of last year with barely enough food and water. “We hope by next year at the same day we’d be able to celebrate Christmas at our homes and go to Bethlehem,” said Najla Tarazi, a displaced woman. “We hope to celebrate in Jerusalem ... and for the war to end. This is the most important thing for us and the most important demand we have these days because the situation is really hard. We don’t feel happy.” Bethlehem is an important center in the history of Christianity, but Christians make up only a small percentage of the roughly 14 million people spread across the Holy Land. There are about 182,000 in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank and Jerusalem and 1,300 in Gaza, according to the U.S. State Department. The number of visitors to the town plunged from a pre-COVID high of around 2 million per year in 2019 to fewer than 100,000 in 2024, said Jiries Qumsiyeh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Tourism Ministry. After nightfall, the golden walls of the Church of the Nativity were illuminated as a few dozen people quietly milled about. A young boy stood holding a pile of balloons for sale, but gave up because there were no customers to buy them. The war in Gaza has deterred tourists and has prompted a surge of violence in the West Bank, with more than 800 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire and dozens of Israelis killed in militant attacks. Palestinian officials do not provide a breakdown of how many of the deceased are civilians and how many are fighters. Since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that sparked the war, access to and from Bethlehem and other towns in the West Bank has been difficult, with long lines of motorists waiting to pass through Israeli military checkpoints. The restrictions have prevented some 150,000 Palestinians from leaving the territory to work in Israel, causing the economy there to contract by 25%. In the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel, Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took more than 250 Israeli hostages. Israeli officials believe that around 100 hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Elsewhere, Christmas celebrations were also subdued. Syrians protest after Christmas tree burned Scores of Syrian Christians protested Tuesday in Damascus, demanding protection after the burning of a Christmas tree in Hama the day before. Videos and images shared on social media showed the large, decorated tree burning at a roundabout in Suqalabiyah, a town in the Hama countryside. It remains unclear who was responsible for setting the tree on fire. In a video that circulated on social media, a representative of Syria’s new leadership, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, could be seen visiting the site and addressing the community. He said: “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations.” Germans mourn after Christmas market attack German celebrations were darkened by a car attack on a Christmas market on Friday that left five people dead and 200 people injured. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rewrote his annual recorded Christmas Day speech to address the attack. He plans to acknowledge that “there is grief, pain, horror and incomprehension over what took place in Magdeburg,” while urging Germans to “stand together,” according to an early copy of the speech. Heavy snow hits the Balkans A snowstorm in the Balkans stranded drivers and downed power lines, but some saw the beauty in it. “I’m actually glad its falling, especially because of Christmas,” said Mirsad Jasarevic in Zenica, Bosnia. “We did not have snow for Christmas for 17 years here, and now is the time for wonderful white Christmas.” Planes grounded in the United States American Airlines briefly grounded flights across the U.S. on Tuesday due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive. Winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 1,447 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 28 flights canceled. Spanish ministries bring seafarers holiday cheer In the port of Barcelona, Spain, volunteers from the faith-based ministry Stella Maris visited seven ships docked there on Christmas Eve to deliver Nativity scenes and the local specialty of turrón (nougat candy) to seafarers. The volunteers met seafarers from India, the Philippines, Turkey and elsewhere, said Ricard Rodríguez-Martos, a Catholic deacon and former merchant marine captain who leads Stella Maris in this major Mediterranean harbor. ___ Associated Press writers Wafaa Shurafa in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City and Giovanna Dell’Orto in Minneapolis contributed to this report. Jalal Bwaitel, The Associated Presscasino live hotel 。

Man City blow three-goal lead in Champions League, Bayern beat PSGIfedi starts at left tackle for Browns in prime-time matchup against AFC North-leading SteelersWhat happens if technology disrupts morality and traditional Thai customs? Discover the answers in “Tomorrow And I”, which premiers on Netflix on Dec 4 is an anthology series that takes viewers on a journey through a futuristic Thailand where technology has become an inescapable part of daily life. The series explores a reimagined Thailand across four distinct episodes, each exploring pressing issues that stretch the imagination. For more than three years, director Paween Purijitpanya, renowned for his futuristic sci-fi works in Thailand, and his production team meticulously crafted the series. “Each topic is thought-provoking and philosophical. With an anthology format, we can explore and question each issue more deeply. It’s like giving audiences the experience of watching four different movies,” he says of the four-episode series. The series employs challenging filming techniques, requiring meticulous attention to detail at every step to achieve the intended futuristic vision. “It was challenging because everything had to be newly created — the appearance of the city, clothing, technology and the shape of various devices,” Paween reflects. In the end, these elements were essential for building a realistic world and helped the actors understand their characters better. • Bringing your loved ones back from the dead. Imagine a future where innovation has reached its peak, testing the boundaries of life and death. In this world, the cycle of birth, death, and being reborn may become an everyday reality through the technology of cloning. Begin your journey with Black Sheep , an intense drama featuring Pakorn “Boy” Chatborrirak, Waruntorn “Ink” Paonil and Treechada “Poyd” Hongsyok. When a Thai astronaut’s life is tragically cut short in an accident, extraordinary efforts are made to bring her back through cloning. The premiere episode prompts viewers to question their beliefs about Karma and the moral implications of altering fate. • Welcome to a place where technology meets intimacy. Have you ever felt that your partner couldn't quite meet your desires, or felt uncertain because you're still new to relationships? What if there's a city where technology might provide the solution? Enter a world where intelligent sex robots are designed to cater to every emotional and physical need. In Paradistopia , a paradise on Earth that challenges society’s taboos. In the episode, all sexual desires are fulfilled by intelligent sex robots trained by national-level sex experts, starring Violette Wautier and Timethai. • What if a techno-monk joined the Buddha and the dharma in the triple gem, replacing the Sangha? Imagine artificial intelligence continuing ancient teachings preserved and upheld for over 2,500 years, revolutionising Buddhism. Could this challenge traditional faith, or signal the end of the monastic order? Buddha Data tackles a topic deeply rooted in Thai society: religion. When ancient beliefs accumulated over thousands of years collide with futuristic artificial intelligence, can traditional ways coexist with advanced technology? Explore this modern reinterpretation with Ray Macdonald, Aelm Thavornsiri and Pongsatorn Jongwilas. • If an entire city were submerged underwater after years of relentless rainfall, how would humanity survive? Would people fall into despair as the waters rose, or would they have to rely on “octopuses", potentially the last hope for survival? When this moment arrives, everyone will face a crisis beyond our species' abilities. Closing the series is Octopus Girl , which is set in a world facing unending rains — a consequence of the global warming crisis. The story follows two young best friends living in a neglected slum in a country where those in power prioritise personal gain over public welfare. As a waterborne pandemic ravages their community, how will they survive? Wade through the waters with Chananticha “Tangkwa” Chaipa, Wanichaya “Minna” Pornpanarittichai, and Thongchai “Pingpong" Thongkuntom. “Beyond just entertainment, I hope each episode prompts the audience to reflect on what the best answer is for each situation,” Wautier says. “This exploration could lead us to broader perspectives, even beyond what unfolds in the series.” Unveil the future in Tomorrow And I , the series that will spark imagination and challenge perceptions of a world where technology seamlessly integrates into every facet of life. Premieres on Netflix on Dec 4.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to top the all-time high it set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 123 points, or 0.3%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.6% as Microsoft and Big Tech led the way. People are also reading... 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Stock markets abroad mostly fell after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China once he takes office. But the movements were mostly modest. Stock indexes were down 0.1% in Shanghai and nearly flat in Hong Kong, while Canada’s main index edged down by less than 0.1%. Trump has often praised the use of tariffs , but investors are weighing whether his latest threat will actually become policy or is just an opening point for negotiations. For now, the market seems to be taking it more as the latter. The consequences otherwise for markets and the global economy could be painful. Unless the United States can prepare alternatives for the autos, energy products and other goods that come from Mexico, Canada and China, such tariffs would raise the price of imported items all at once and make households poorer, according to Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics. They would also hurt profit margins for U.S. companies, while raising the threat of retaliatory tariffs by other countries. And unlike tariffs in Trump’s first term, his latest proposal would affect products across the board. General Motors sank 9%, and Ford Motor fell 2.6% because both import automobiles from Mexico. Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States, dropped 3.3%. The value of the Mexican peso fell 1.8% against the U.S. dollar. Beyond the pain such tariffs would cause U.S. households and businesses, they could also push the Federal Reserve to slow or even halt its cuts to interest rates. The Fed had just begun easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high a couple months ago to offer support for the job market . While lower interest rates can boost the economy, they can also offer more fuel for inflation. “Many” officials at the Fed’s last meeting earlier this month said they should lower rates gradually, according to minutes of the meeting released Tuesday afternoon. The talk about tariffs overshadowed another mixed set of profit reports from U.S. retailers that answered few questions about how much more shoppers can keep spending. They’ll need to stay resilient after helping the economy avoid a recession, despite the high interest rates imposed by the Fed to get inflation under control. A report on Tuesday from the Conference Board said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. Kohl’s tumbled 17% after its results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Tom Kingsbury said sales remain soft for apparel and footwear. A day earlier, Kingsbury said he plans to step down as CEO in January. Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Michaels and a retail veteran, will replace him. Best Buy fell 4.9% after likewise falling short of analysts’ expectations. Dick’s Sporting Goods topped forecasts for the latest quarter thanks to a strong back-to-school season, but its stock lost an early gain to fall 1.4%. Still, more stocks rose in the S&P 500 than fell. J.M. Smucker had one of the biggest gains and climbed 5.7% after topping analysts’ expectations for the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker credited strength for its Uncrustables, Meow Mix, Café Bustelo and Jif brands. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up U.S. indexes. Gains of 3.2% for Amazon and 2.2% for Microsoft were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. All told, the S&P 500 rose 34.26 points to 6,021.63. The Dow gained 123.74 to 44,860.31, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 119.46 to 19,174.30. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady following their big drop from a day before driven by relief following Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary. The yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.29% from 4.28% late Monday, but it’s still well below the 4.41% level where it ended last week. In the crypto market, bitcoin continued to pull back after topping $99,000 for the first time late last week. It’s since dipped back toward $91,000, according to CoinDesk. It’s a sharp turnaround from the bonanza that initially took over the crypto market following Trump’s election. That boom had also appeared to have spilled into some corners of the stock market. Strategists at Barclays Capital pointed to stocks of unprofitable companies, along with other areas that can be caught up in bursts of optimism by smaller-pocketed “retail” investors. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.NoneMDWerks' RF Specialties Subsidiary Awarded New Contract to Maintain Mann-Russell Tube Based Radio Frequency Equipment Across USNR's Global Installed BaseFormer Shakhtar Donetsk captain Anatolii Tymoshchuk cynically called on Ukraine to start negotiations with Russia to end the current war. The assistant head coach of Zenit St. Petersburg called it a political manipulation to deprive him of all his awards and titles for his shameful silence about the Russian invasion of our country on February 24, 2022. Tymoshchuk stated this in a letter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne (CAS), speaking about the war for the first time, according to the CAS website . The former athlete accused the Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) of allegedly imposing illegal sanctions and also spoke out "for peace in his native land," forgetting that it was Russia, where he continues to work, that unleashed the unmotivated war. "I strongly advocate peace in my native land, and the only thing I can think about now is for the parties to sit down at the negotiating table as soon as possible and find a consensus that will restore peace. If the UAF believes that sanctions against me will somehow help this, then I myself am ready to give up everything. But as a professional, an athlete, and a person for whom a football reputation is more than just words, I will never allow myself to be made an instrument of political manipulation," Tymoshchuk said. This looks especially cynical because earlier he took part in an auction that raised money for the Russian army in the Kursk region, where the Ukrainian army has established a bridgehead. The traitor also had a business in Ukraine. Anatolii refused to condemn Russia for the attack on Ukraine and only managed to squeeze out a small Instagram story in which he simply called for peace. In addition, it was reported that Tymoshchuk is trying to obtain a Romanian passport. The Zenit coach is trying to circumvent the sanctions imposed on him by the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC). Earlier, it was reported that the traitor to Ukraine was recruited by the Federal Security Service (FSB), which is the reason for his silence on the war in Ukraine. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!

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Bharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood. Read More ​How to make Masala Chicken Curry at home​ 10 beautiful animals that are pink in colour 10 easy-to-care-for beautiful freshwater fish for home aquariums 9 vegetarian dishes shine in the ‘100 Best Dishes in the World’ list ​10 rare animals found only in Asia​ In pics: Sai Pallavi's vacation to Australia 8 books that will help develop discipline and good habits in 2025 Sanskrit names for baby boy that sound modern 18 stews and soups shine among the '100 Best Dishes in the World' 9 foods that provide over 30 grams of protein when cooked