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Thousands flee as Syrian insurgents advance to the doorstep of the country's third-largest cityCARSON, Calif. — The LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls have been Major League Soccer mainstays since the league's inaugural season in 1996, signing glamorous players and regularly competing for championships through years of success and setbacks in a league that's perpetually improving and expanding. Yet just a year ago, both of these clubs appeared to be a very long way from the stage they'll share Saturday in the MLS Cup Final. The Galaxy were one of MLS' worst teams after a season of internal turmoil and public fan dissent, while the Red Bulls were merely a steady mediocrity seeking yet another coach to chart a new direction. A year later, these MLS founders are meeting in the league's first Cup final between teams from North America's two biggest markets. "Two original clubs being able to put themselves in this situation, I think it's great," Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. "To see two clubs that have been at it as long as this league has been around be here, I think it's a special moment. Couldn't be two more different and contrasting styles as well, which could make for an interesting game, and I would imagine a high-intensity game." Everything changed in 2024 after a dismal decade for the Galaxy, who are favored to cap their transformation by winning their team's record sixth MLS championship with a roster that's dramatically different from its past few groups — albeit with one massive injury absence in the final. The transformation of the Red Bulls happened only in the postseason, when a team that hadn't won a playoff game since 2017 suddenly turned into world-beaters under rookie coach Sandro Schwarz. New York struggled through the final three months of league play with only two wins before posting road playoff victories over defending champ Columbus, archrival New York City FC and conference finalist Orlando to storm into the Cup final. "We know about the history (of our club), and we know tomorrow will define what that could mean," Schwarz said Friday. "To feel the pressure for tomorrow, it's necessary, because it's a final, and without pressure it's not possible to bring the best quality on the field." The Red Bulls have never won an MLS Cup, only reaching the championship match once before. What's more, they've somehow never won a Cup in any tournament, although they've collected three Supporters' Shields for MLS' best regular-season record. The Galaxy's trophy case is large and loaded, and those five MLS Cups are on the top shelf. But not much of that team success happened in the past decade for the club that famously brought David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard and many other international stars to Hollywood. In fact, this season has ended a grim era for the Galaxy, who haven't lost all year at their frequently renamed home stadium — which was the site of protests and boycotts just a year ago. The club's fans were tired of LA's steady underachievement and ineptitude in the front office run by team president Chris Klein, who was fired in May 2023. One year ago Thursday, the Galaxy hired Will Kuntz, a longtime Los Angeles FC executive who engineered his new club's roster transformation, most dramatically by landing new designated players Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil — two international talents that LAFC also had in its sights. "I give Will and the group up there a ton of credit," Vanney said. "It's one thing to have players you like, and it's a whole other thing to get them here and get them to connect with your group." Pec and Paintsil combined for 32 goals and 27 assists while boosting the incumbent talents of striker Dejan Joveljic and Riqui Puig, the gifted Barcelona product who runs the offense from the midfield. The Galaxy clicked in the postseason, scoring a jaw-dropping 16 goals in four matches. Puig has been the Galaxy's most important player all season, but he won't be in the MLS Cup Final after tearing a knee ligament late in last week's conference final victory over Seattle. The loss of Puig — who somehow kept playing on his injured knee, and even delivered the game-winning pass to Joveljic — makes the Galaxy even more difficult to anticipate. "He played a lot in the regular season, so it was not so easy to analyze all these games now without him," Schwarz said. "But the main focus is to analyze what we need to do, because it's not clear now how they're playing without him." The Galaxy could give some of Puig's responsibilities to Marco Reus, the longtime Dortmund standout who joined LA in August. Reus is nursing a hamstring injury, but Vanney expects him to play. Get local news delivered to your inbox!South Carolina is off to an uneven start, but that hasn't obscured the steady rise of Collin Murray-Boyles. The 6-foot-7 sophomore will be the player to watch when South Carolina (6-3) hosts South Carolina Upstate (4-8) Saturday afternoon in Columbia. Murray-Boyles leads the Gamecocks in points (16.2), rebounds (9.4), steals (1.2) and blocks (1.1) per game. As South Carolina struggled to a 75-68 victory over East Carolina on Saturday, Murray-Boyles carried the Gamecocks, making all 10 of his shots from the floor and finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds. "He's been working on pivoting towards the basket and getting on balance and then making a strong move through some contact," South Carolina coach Lamont Paris said. The Gamecocks have been highly dependent on Murray-Boyles. In the two games in which he has fouled out, South Carolina lost to Xavier and Indiana. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks are unbeaten in the six games in which he has collected at least eight rebounds. "He's still growing and it's exciting to see," Paris said. "He's got phenomenal natural touch." Also emerging lately have been Norfolk State transfer Jamarii Thomas, who had season highs of 22 points and seven assists against East Carolina, and Morris Ugusuk, who has hit 10 of 14 shots from 3-point range in the last three games. South Carolina Upstate has been sparked by a pair of guards who each have won multiple Big South freshman of the week awards. Carmelo Adkins had 31 points and 12 rebounds in wins last week over Division III Brevard and at Western Carolina, while Mister Dean leads the Spartans in points (15.7), rebounds (5.6) and steals (2.0) per game. "He sparks runs because he'll make a dynamic dunk," Spartans coach Marty Richter said of Dean. "He brings energy with how he scores the basketball, in a hurry. He can score in bunches." The Spartans enter on a high as the win over Western Carolina was Richter's first over a Division I team. South Carolina Upstate is 1-8 all-time against South Carolina. This year, the Spartans are winless in four games against power conference schools. In an 85-80 loss a month ago at Wake Forest, however, they led for much of the second half. --Field Level Media

, /PRNewswire/ -- In 2024, added new tile and stone collections into its industry-leading product line along with launches of extra-large porcelain and quartz slabs. Daltile is the nation's largest manufacturer and marketer of tile, stone, and countertop products for both residential and commercial use. "Our Daltile tile and stone products that were launched in 2024 exemplify many of today's most popular interior design trends," said , senior vice president of research and development, Dal-Tile LLC. "These gorgeous new assortments represent a variety of looks, including dramatic marble, unique desert touch, and tranquil stone visuals to name a few, featured in the finest quality stone, porcelain, and ceramic tiles and mosaics. In addition to exceptional visuals, these new Daltile products also feature sophisticated texture as well as value added features like 50% greater slip resistance than traditional tile and 24/7 protection against bacteria on the tile surface. Combining our cutting-edge technological advances in tile production with our fashion-based mindset, Daltile's newest products provide a myriad of highly sophisticated designs, colors, textures, shapes, and sizes to help bring residential and commercial design visions to life." "On the extra-large slab front, our new 2024 Panoramic designs joined a fleet of existing Daltile products that provide 'the visuals and style of natural stone slabs with the performance of porcelain tile.' Panoramic is a great solution for designs that require a high-end look but are limited by budget or performance constraints. Panoramic easily brings the scale and style of natural stone slabs to projects where stone might be cost or installation prohibitive. Thanks to Daltile's proprietary printing technologies, designs are so realistic that it's hard to tell the difference between Panoramic and natural stone. Because Panoramic is made of authentic porcelain, each product is heat, stain, scratch, and chemical resistant as well as durable and easy to maintain." "Regarding our 2024 quartz offerings, these new Daltile products are among the largest quartz slab products in the world. These new extra-large slabs exemplify how the beauty of marble and stone visuals nicely combine with the durability and low-maintenance of quartz — and at a price that easily fits into both residential and commercial budgets. With quartz, you can add gorgeous natural stone looks to your home's design in a material that stands up to real life activity, perfect for kitchens. These quartz slabs are non-porous, scratch resistant, and stain resistant, and can be used on walls, backsplashes, and countertops. Our quartz slabs are an excellent way to bring both glamour and durability to commercial spaces also." Sovran epitomizes luxury and durability, marrying the opulence of three different natural marble visuals with the practicality of ColorBody porcelain. Each porcelain tile boasts a timeless elegance reminiscent of classic white and black marble, adorned with intricate veining that varies from piece to piece. Reinvent your space with Sovran's distinguished presence, also featuring eight bold art deco-inspired patterns that add a touch of grandeur to any setting. The expansive 24x48 size with rectified edges and a 3D satin polished finish creates seamless installations — designed with the discerning connoisseur in mind. Suitable for floor, wall, and countertop applications. A stunning tribute to reactive glaze use in ceramic tile and the time-honored Raku technique, this glazed porcelain wall tile series invites you to travel the isles of design excellence. Crafted in a linear 2x9 size and six sophisticated hues, the glossy finish and metallic lusters create a captivating allure, enhancing any space with shimmer. Whether you seek to infuse a sense of serenity or make a bold style statement, Iridescent Isles provides the perfect backdrop for your design aspirations. Suitable for wall and pool lining applications. Proudly Made In The . Inspired by travertine stone, Calligo embodies the natural essence of stone with the convenience and longevity of porcelain/ceramic tile. Build a dimensional environment with the 12x24 fluted wall tile, which introduces a play of light and shadow, or enjoy a relaxing space created with the 15x30 floor tile and 1x6 mosaic. Calligo also provides exceptional peace of mind by featuring Daltile's proprietary technology, DEFEND powered by Microban®, which continuously eliminates 99% of bacteria on the tile surface. Suitable for floor, wall, countertop, and shower floor applications. Proudly Made In The . Transform your surroundings into a haven of tranquility with Indoterra porcelain tile. A concrete look canvas of neutral tones, Indoterra offers a minimalistic design with large formats, dimensional surfaces, and StepWise technology that provides 50% greater slip resistance, making this product ideal for an immersive experience indoors and outdoors. Choose the timeless allure of the 2x9 brick with the choice of a fluted or flat surface, or the subtle sophistication of the 12x24 woven wall tile and circle mosaic. Indoterra invites you to play with textures and shapes in a color palette that will stand the test of time. This new collection allows for creativity and vision to come to life in any setting. Suitable for floor, wall, countertop, exterior floor, and shower floor applications. Proudly Made In The . Experience the refined luxury of Eclessia Marble. Rich variation and bold veining showcase the unique character of this natural marble stone series. Delve into a palette of four sumptuous shades, adorned with undertones of grey and hints of gold, available in 12x24 polished and honed surfaces. Embark on a journey of elegance with eight coordinating mosaics per color, each designed to inspire limitless creativity and sophistication. Mosaic shapes include arch, wave, feather, double herringbone, elongated fan, 6" circle, and 2" hexagon. Embrace the enduring beauty of Eclessia Marble — your path to luxury begins here. Suitable for floor, wall, countertop, and shower floor applications. This new 32x32 size has joined one of Daltile's most popular existing porcelain tile collections, Marble Attaché. Marble Attaché offers elegant, yet relaxing, marble visuals. With five colors and several large-format sizes, Marble Attaché emulates the finest and most unique marble colors found in nature. This product is available in multiple large format sizes including 32x32, 24x48 as well as a linear hex mosaic and offers matte, satin, and polished finishes. The Marble Attaché collection is suitable for floor, wall, countertop, and shower floor applications. Proudly Made In The . Daltile's existing Keystones porcelain tile collection has expanded into uncharted territory with its new Organic Keystones sub-collection that features ten nature-inspired colors, two new shapes, and five exclusive color blends. The new Organic Hex and Organic Penny mosaics pay homage to the unique, asymmetrical shapes found in nature. Curating ten biophilic hues from the original Keystones collection, the new Organic Keystones assortment offers a palette that encompasses nature's grandeur. Select the perfect hues to match your vision, from vibrant and energetic to calm and serene. These mosaics inspire a connection to the world outside, bridging the gap between the indoors and outdoors to experience the artistry of nature every day. Suitable for floor, wall, countertop, shower floor, exterior floor, and pool lining applications. Proudly Made In The . Take a dive into Color Wheel Splash, a curated assortment from the beloved Color Wheel collection, featuring eight gorgeous Mediterranean blue hues. The offering includes four glossy and four abrasive finishes, in 6x6 glazed ceramic tiles, complemented by two bullnose sizes. Whether enhancing the pool edge or accentuating pool steps, Color Wheel Splash brings a vibrant color accent into the water. Elevate your poolside experience with both style and functionality. Suitable for interior and exterior wall applications. Effortlessly enhance your space with Color Wheel Borders, designed to be the perfect finishing touch for any room. This brand new 96" (8 foot) cast stone wall trim is the first jolly of its size in the entire Daltile product line. In addition, the material is flexible making this trim piece easier to install and transport. Available in select colors from Daltile's existing Color Wheel tile collection, this jolly provides installation convenience and style, offering a seamless transition between wall and tile. Available in matte and glossy. Suitable for wall application. Proudly Made In The . A true design element for any space, Panoramic's Elestial porcelain slabs flawlessly replicate one of nature's most rare stones, Silver Root Marble, quarried from the Turkish landscape. Offering a warm, silver-grey backdrop accented with gold and dark charcoal veining, Elestial brings luxury and soothing elegance to any bathroom, kitchen, or outdoor kitchen. This 64"x127" ultra large slab provides the artistry of a natural marble with the durability, cleanability, and affordability of porcelain. Suitable for floor, wall, and countertop applications. Introducing a seamless design of contemporary opulence, Panoramic's Lemurian porcelain slab collection radiates luxurious charm. A breathtaking marble slab visual, Lemurian captivates and illuminates a room with its warm white backdrop and delicate gold veining. The subtle detailing woven throughout the glossy 48"x96" porcelain slab adds an eye-catching luster that redefines sophistication and elegance. Suitable for wall and floor applications. Illuminating a room with clean serenity, Panoramic's Selenite porcelain slab captures the delicate power of a marble look that sooths the soul. A cloudy white palette with soft gray veining mirrors the feel of water drizzling down a window, grounding and peaceful. Bringing in a natural element, Selenite's monochromatic detailing emulates a fluidity perfect for an oasis. The subtle dimension of this porcelain design elevates the composition of wall and floor applications. Available in 48"x96" slabs. This exotic marble design immediately adds intrigue to a space. Atop the rich onyx black background, several high-contrast thick white veins seem to dramatically cut through the darkness, complemented and tamed by additional thin gold, grey veining. The result is a deep, rich statement design. The 136"x79" Super Jumbo sized quartz slab is available in both 2 and 3 cm thicknesses, with a polished surface. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the with imported materials. The artistic flow of the rich marble-look of Calacatta Bolt is striking in any space. The depth of the contrast between the off-white slab and the thick black marble-like veining creates a unique and dramatic statement. This 136" x 79" Super Jumbo polished quartz slab comes in 2 cm and 3 cm thickness, making it an excellent selection for any wall, backsplash, or countertop application. Made in the with imported materials. Outer Banks combines the richness of delicate golds and sandy-colored veining with a polished, off-white background. The soft, intricate pattern adds dimension to this simple yet elegant stone-look visual. Outer Banks is available in both 2 cm and 3 cm thickness in the 136" x 79" Super Jumbo slab sizing, perfect for any countertop, backsplash, or wallcovering applications. Made in the with imported materials. The subtle, pencil-like details of Telluride effortlessly establish a unique visual that boasts purity of design. The understated simplicity of the polished off-white background combined with soft grey veining adds both modernity and serenity to a space. This marble-look design is available in 2 cm and 3 cm thickness and 136" x 79" Super Jumbo quartz slab dimensions. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the with imported materials. Daltile's Valor Gold melds beauty with understated luxury through the use of a clean, white background infused with warmer golden tones. The resulting cream palette is accented with slightly feathered veining for a marble design that provides depth and realism. Valor Gold is versatile, perfect for either a modern or traditional setting. The 136"x79" Super Jumbo sized quartz slab is available in both 2 and 3 cm thicknesses, with a polished or lava surface. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the with imported materials. Daltile's Monument White is a warm marble look background showcasing flowing veins that almost appear to be nature's version of kintsugi. Thin grey and gold veining is accented by tiny flecks of mirrored material to add a reflective quality to the surface. The 136"x79" Super Jumbo sized quartz slab is available in both 2 and 3 cm thicknesses, with a polished or matte surface. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the with imported materials. With overall soft appealing stone visual, the delight is in the details. Viewing from afar, the surface will appear a monochromatic white, but viewed more closely, a swirling pattern appears across the entire quartz slab. This enchanting movement offers further interest by blending in gentle streaks of off-white, sprinkled with flecks of glass, mirror, and cool grey colored shards. The 136"x79" Super Jumbo sized quartz slab is available in both 2 and 3 cm thicknesses, with a polished surface. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the with imported materials. Daltile's Acadia Black is a deep, pure black background swirled with a chalky black fusion that brings additional depth to the surface. Upon this backdrop, mirrored and dark flecks appear throughout, creating an elevated granite visual. The 136"x79" Super Jumbo sized quartz slab is available in both 2 and 3 cm thicknesses, with a polished surface. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the with imported materials. Daltile is the industry-leading brand of ceramic, porcelain, glass, metal, and stone tile as well as mosaics, extra-large slabs, countertops, exteriors, and roofing tile. Daltile products are distributed through over 250 company-owned sales service centers, stone slab yards, and gallery design centers that service a robust network of trade customers. Daltile products are also sold through independent flooring retailers. Dedicated to innovative product development and distinguished style, Daltile provides a rich palette of quality products created to inspire residential and commercial designs. For more information, visit and follow Daltile on , , , , , and . View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE DaltileA history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his ownBibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai NDC Asks Police To Deal With Violence Perpetrators

A train is due to arrive at the nation's busiest railway station five years late. Login or signup to continue reading After years of delays and disputes, the first service using a new fleet of intercity trains is due to pull in to Sydney's Central station shortly before 11am. The train left Newcastle at 8.21am on Tuesday - about five years after the first sets were originally due to enter service in NSW. The Korean-built trains were too wide to fit through some tunnels, too long for some platforms and faced opposition from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union due to plans for drivers to monitor platforms using CCTV, reducing staffing requirements. An agreement was eventually reached with the union after a long dispute with the former coalition government and modifications were made locally beginning in August 2023. Transport Minister Jo Haylen said it should not have taken so long for the trains to enter service, but they were finally taking passengers along the Newcastle and Central Coast lines. Passengers along the Blue Mountains, Illawarra and South Coast lines will have to wait a while longer, but Ms Haylen said it would be worth it. "These state-of-the-art trains will make travel between Sydney and our regional cities safer and more comfortable," she said. The trains are due to replace rolling stock that entered service almost five decades earlier. Early renders of the trains featured "NSW TrainLink" branding, which is being abolished as its operations merge with Sydney Trains. Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said getting the trains on the tracks was an incredibly complex project. "But we are pleased we have been able to work with the unions to locally modify these trains and get them into service," he said. "The Mariyung trains are quieter and roomier and will provide our passengers with a much improved and more comfortable travelling experience for decades to come." The electric trains, also known as the "D Set", have been given the name Mariyung after the Darug language word for emu. They will feature artwork from Indigenous artist Leanne Mulgo Watson. Australian Associated Press DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. WEEKLY Follow the Newcastle Knights in the NRL? Don't miss your weekly Knights update. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!

Myanmar has been facing over 70 years of instable situations, beginning with armed conflicts that emerged alongside its independence. Successive governments have attempted to achieve domestic peace through various means. However, due to ethnic, ideological, pride-driven, and ego-centred divisions, peace has remained elusive, appearing fleetingly like a glimmer of hope before disappearing again — an ongoing loss for the nation. Peace is a fundamental cornerstone for the economic development of the nation, the improvement of the social well-being of its people, the harmony and prosperity of the Union, and the rule of law. Mutual respect and understanding among ethnic groups foster collaboration and cooperation, reducing misunderstandings and conflicts, which can be resolved through negotiation. A relationship based on trust enables the resolution of numerous challenges together, ultimately fostering a more harmonious coexistence and paving the way for durable peace and stability. This is the time for all national brethren to foster mutual trust, free from suspicion and misunderstandings, and to set aside unnecessary ideologies. They must collaborate with mutual respect, trust, and affection to forge durable peace. If so, the Union will remain peaceful and respective regions flourish in harmony. By exercising the rights granted under the Constitution, everybody must work together in unity to achieve national stability, peace, and sustainable development. Due to the lack of peace, it is well-known that people are living in a state of great worry and concern. The consequences of these conflicts have severely impacted the socio-economic lives of local ethnic communities. Therefore, solutions must be sought through peaceful means to promote the well-being of one’s region and people. If political issues are not resolved through political means but rather through armed conflict, even in an independent nation, the people would find themselves living in poverty-stricken, turbulent lives. Although the nation may be independent, it is everyone’s responsibility to prevent a situation where its citizens are forced to live uncertain and unstable lives. Everybody must ensure that future generations can live peacefully, happily, and securely by making their lives a lasting part of history. The Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) is a historic pact for peace, and it is essential for all ethnic armed organizations to respect and adhere to it. The State Administration Council has been engaging in dialogue with political parties and ethnic armed organizations to achieve lasting peace. The outcomes and agreements reached during these bilateral discussions have been documented to ensure they can be deliberated and ratified in future parliamentary sessions. This is the time for all national brethren to foster mutual trust, free from suspicion and misunderstandings, and to set aside unnecessary ideologies. They must collaborate with mutual respect, trust, and affection to forge durable peace. If so, the Union will remain peaceful and respective regions flourish in harmony. By exercising the rights granted under the Constitution, everybody must work together in unity to achieve national stability, peace, and sustainable development.

Trump asks Supreme Court to pause TikTok ban, while Biden admin says app poses ‘grave’ threatGames rule: Chess to call of duty

DALLAS , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2024, Daltile added new tile and stone collections into its industry-leading product line along with launches of extra-large porcelain and quartz slabs. Daltile is the nation's largest manufacturer and marketer of tile, stone, and countertop products for both residential and commercial use. "Our Daltile tile and stone products that were launched in 2024 exemplify many of today's most popular interior design trends," said Claudio Caselli , senior vice president of research and development, Dal-Tile LLC. "These gorgeous new assortments represent a variety of looks, including dramatic marble, unique desert touch, and tranquil stone visuals to name a few, featured in the finest quality stone, porcelain, and ceramic tiles and mosaics. In addition to exceptional visuals, these new Daltile products also feature sophisticated texture as well as value added features like 50% greater slip resistance than traditional tile and 24/7 protection against bacteria on the tile surface. Combining our cutting-edge technological advances in tile production with our fashion-based mindset, Daltile's newest products provide a myriad of highly sophisticated designs, colors, textures, shapes, and sizes to help bring residential and commercial design visions to life." "On the extra-large slab front, our new 2024 Panoramic designs joined a fleet of existing Daltile products that provide 'the visuals and style of natural stone slabs with the performance of porcelain tile.' Panoramic is a great solution for designs that require a high-end look but are limited by budget or performance constraints. Panoramic easily brings the scale and style of natural stone slabs to projects where stone might be cost or installation prohibitive. Thanks to Daltile's proprietary printing technologies, designs are so realistic that it's hard to tell the difference between Panoramic and natural stone. Because Panoramic is made of authentic porcelain, each product is heat, stain, scratch, and chemical resistant as well as durable and easy to maintain." "Regarding our 2024 quartz offerings, these new Daltile products are among the largest quartz slab products in the world. These new extra-large slabs exemplify how the beauty of marble and stone visuals nicely combine with the durability and low-maintenance of quartz — and at a price that easily fits into both residential and commercial budgets. With quartz, you can add gorgeous natural stone looks to your home's design in a material that stands up to real life activity, perfect for kitchens. These quartz slabs are non-porous, scratch resistant, and stain resistant, and can be used on walls, backsplashes, and countertops. Our quartz slabs are an excellent way to bring both glamour and durability to commercial spaces also." TILE & STONE Sovran Sovran epitomizes luxury and durability, marrying the opulence of three different natural marble visuals with the practicality of ColorBody porcelain. Each porcelain tile boasts a timeless elegance reminiscent of classic white and black marble, adorned with intricate veining that varies from piece to piece. Reinvent your space with Sovran's distinguished presence, also featuring eight bold art deco-inspired patterns that add a touch of grandeur to any setting. The expansive 24x48 size with rectified edges and a 3D satin polished finish creates seamless installations — designed with the discerning connoisseur in mind. Suitable for floor, wall, and countertop applications. Sovran Images Iridescent Isles A stunning tribute to reactive glaze use in ceramic tile and the time-honored Raku technique, this glazed porcelain wall tile series invites you to travel the isles of design excellence. Crafted in a linear 2x9 size and six sophisticated hues, the glossy finish and metallic lusters create a captivating allure, enhancing any space with shimmer. Whether you seek to infuse a sense of serenity or make a bold style statement, Iridescent Isles provides the perfect backdrop for your design aspirations. Suitable for wall and pool lining applications. Proudly Made In The USA . Iridescent Isles Images Calligo Inspired by travertine stone, Calligo embodies the natural essence of stone with the convenience and longevity of porcelain/ceramic tile. Build a dimensional environment with the 12x24 fluted wall tile, which introduces a play of light and shadow, or enjoy a relaxing space created with the 15x30 floor tile and 1x6 mosaic. Calligo also provides exceptional peace of mind by featuring Daltile's proprietary technology, DEFEND powered by Microban®, which continuously eliminates 99% of bacteria on the tile surface. Suitable for floor, wall, countertop, and shower floor applications. Proudly Made In The USA . Calligo Images Indoterra Transform your surroundings into a haven of tranquility with Indoterra porcelain tile. A concrete look canvas of neutral tones, Indoterra offers a minimalistic design with large formats, dimensional surfaces, and StepWise technology that provides 50% greater slip resistance, making this product ideal for an immersive experience indoors and outdoors. Choose the timeless allure of the 2x9 brick with the choice of a fluted or flat surface, or the subtle sophistication of the 12x24 woven wall tile and circle mosaic. Indoterra invites you to play with textures and shapes in a color palette that will stand the test of time. This new collection allows for creativity and vision to come to life in any setting. Suitable for floor, wall, countertop, exterior floor, and shower floor applications. Proudly Made In The USA . Indoterra Images Eclessia Marble Experience the refined luxury of Eclessia Marble. Rich variation and bold veining showcase the unique character of this natural marble stone series. Delve into a palette of four sumptuous shades, adorned with undertones of grey and hints of gold, available in 12x24 polished and honed surfaces. Embark on a journey of elegance with eight coordinating mosaics per color, each designed to inspire limitless creativity and sophistication. Mosaic shapes include arch, wave, feather, double herringbone, elongated fan, 6" circle, and 2" hexagon. Embrace the enduring beauty of Eclessia Marble — your path to luxury begins here. Suitable for floor, wall, countertop, and shower floor applications. Eclessia Marble Images Marble Attaché (Size Extension) This new 32x32 size has joined one of Daltile's most popular existing porcelain tile collections, Marble Attaché. Marble Attaché offers elegant, yet relaxing, marble visuals. With five colors and several large-format sizes, Marble Attaché emulates the finest and most unique marble colors found in nature. This product is available in multiple large format sizes including 32x32, 24x48 as well as a linear hex mosaic and offers matte, satin, and polished finishes. The Marble Attaché collection is suitable for floor, wall, countertop, and shower floor applications. Proudly Made In The USA . Marble Attaché Images Organic Keystones Daltile's existing Keystones porcelain tile collection has expanded into uncharted territory with its new Organic Keystones sub-collection that features ten nature-inspired colors, two new shapes, and five exclusive color blends. The new Organic Hex and Organic Penny mosaics pay homage to the unique, asymmetrical shapes found in nature. Curating ten biophilic hues from the original Keystones collection, the new Organic Keystones assortment offers a palette that encompasses nature's grandeur. Select the perfect hues to match your vision, from vibrant and energetic to calm and serene. These mosaics inspire a connection to the world outside, bridging the gap between the indoors and outdoors to experience the artistry of nature every day. Suitable for floor, wall, countertop, shower floor, exterior floor, and pool lining applications. Proudly Made In The USA . Organic Keystones Images Color Wheel Splash Take a dive into Color Wheel Splash, a curated assortment from the beloved Color Wheel collection, featuring eight gorgeous Mediterranean blue hues. The offering includes four glossy and four abrasive finishes, in 6x6 glazed ceramic tiles, complemented by two bullnose sizes. Whether enhancing the pool edge or accentuating pool steps, Color Wheel Splash brings a vibrant color accent into the water. Elevate your poolside experience with both style and functionality. Suitable for interior and exterior wall applications. Color Wheel Splash Images Color Wheel Borders Effortlessly enhance your space with Color Wheel Borders, designed to be the perfect finishing touch for any room. This brand new 96" (8 foot) cast stone wall trim is the first jolly of its size in the entire Daltile product line. In addition, the material is flexible making this trim piece easier to install and transport. Available in select colors from Daltile's existing Color Wheel tile collection, this jolly provides installation convenience and style, offering a seamless transition between wall and tile. Available in matte and glossy. Suitable for wall application. Proudly Made In The USA . Color Wheel Borders Images PANORAMIC PORCELAIN SLABS Elestial A true design element for any space, Panoramic's Elestial porcelain slabs flawlessly replicate one of nature's most rare stones, Silver Root Marble, quarried from the Turkish landscape. Offering a warm, silver-grey backdrop accented with gold and dark charcoal veining, Elestial brings luxury and soothing elegance to any bathroom, kitchen, or outdoor kitchen. This 64"x127" ultra large slab provides the artistry of a natural marble with the durability, cleanability, and affordability of porcelain. Suitable for floor, wall, and countertop applications. Panoramic, Elestial Images Lemurian Introducing a seamless design of contemporary opulence, Panoramic's Lemurian porcelain slab collection radiates luxurious charm. A breathtaking marble slab visual, Lemurian captivates and illuminates a room with its warm white backdrop and delicate gold veining. The subtle detailing woven throughout the glossy 48"x96" porcelain slab adds an eye-catching luster that redefines sophistication and elegance. Suitable for wall and floor applications. Panoramic, Lemurian Images Selenite Illuminating a room with clean serenity, Panoramic's Selenite porcelain slab captures the delicate power of a marble look that sooths the soul. A cloudy white palette with soft gray veining mirrors the feel of water drizzling down a window, grounding and peaceful. Bringing in a natural element, Selenite's monochromatic detailing emulates a fluidity perfect for an oasis. The subtle dimension of this porcelain design elevates the composition of wall and floor applications. Available in 48"x96" slabs. Panoramic, Selenite Images ONE QUARTZ SLABS Black Canyon This exotic marble design immediately adds intrigue to a space. Atop the rich onyx black background, several high-contrast thick white veins seem to dramatically cut through the darkness, complemented and tamed by additional thin gold, grey veining. The result is a deep, rich statement design. The 136"x79" Super Jumbo sized quartz slab is available in both 2 and 3 cm thicknesses, with a polished surface. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the USA with imported materials. Black Canyon Images Calacatta Bolt The artistic flow of the rich marble-look of Calacatta Bolt is striking in any space. The depth of the contrast between the off-white slab and the thick black marble-like veining creates a unique and dramatic statement. This 136" x 79" Super Jumbo polished quartz slab comes in 2 cm and 3 cm thickness, making it an excellent selection for any wall, backsplash, or countertop application. Made in the USA with imported materials. Calacatta Bolt Images Outer Banks Outer Banks combines the richness of delicate golds and sandy-colored veining with a polished, off-white background. The soft, intricate pattern adds dimension to this simple yet elegant stone-look visual. Outer Banks is available in both 2 cm and 3 cm thickness in the 136" x 79" Super Jumbo slab sizing, perfect for any countertop, backsplash, or wallcovering applications. Made in the USA with imported materials. Outer Banks Images Telluride The subtle, pencil-like details of Telluride effortlessly establish a unique visual that boasts purity of design. The understated simplicity of the polished off-white background combined with soft grey veining adds both modernity and serenity to a space. This marble-look design is available in 2 cm and 3 cm thickness and 136" x 79" Super Jumbo quartz slab dimensions. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the USA with imported materials. Telluride Images Valor Gold Daltile's Valor Gold melds beauty with understated luxury through the use of a clean, white background infused with warmer golden tones. The resulting cream palette is accented with slightly feathered veining for a marble design that provides depth and realism. Valor Gold is versatile, perfect for either a modern or traditional setting. The 136"x79" Super Jumbo sized quartz slab is available in both 2 and 3 cm thicknesses, with a polished or lava surface. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the USA with imported materials. Valor Gold Images Monument White Daltile's Monument White is a warm marble look background showcasing flowing veins that almost appear to be nature's version of kintsugi. Thin grey and gold veining is accented by tiny flecks of mirrored material to add a reflective quality to the surface. The 136"x79" Super Jumbo sized quartz slab is available in both 2 and 3 cm thicknesses, with a polished or matte surface. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the USA with imported materials. Monument White Images Coronado White With Coronado White's overall soft appealing stone visual, the delight is in the details. Viewing from afar, the surface will appear a monochromatic white, but viewed more closely, a swirling pattern appears across the entire quartz slab. This enchanting movement offers further interest by blending in gentle streaks of off-white, sprinkled with flecks of glass, mirror, and cool grey colored shards. The 136"x79" Super Jumbo sized quartz slab is available in both 2 and 3 cm thicknesses, with a polished surface. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the USA with imported materials. Coronado White Images Acadia Black Daltile's Acadia Black is a deep, pure black background swirled with a chalky black fusion that brings additional depth to the surface. Upon this backdrop, mirrored and dark flecks appear throughout, creating an elevated granite visual. The 136"x79" Super Jumbo sized quartz slab is available in both 2 and 3 cm thicknesses, with a polished surface. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the USA with imported materials. Acadia Black Images About Daltile Daltile is the industry-leading brand of ceramic, porcelain, glass, metal, and stone tile as well as mosaics, extra-large slabs, countertops, exteriors, and roofing tile. Daltile products are distributed through over 250 company-owned sales service centers, stone slab yards, and gallery design centers that service a robust network of trade customers. Daltile products are also sold through independent flooring retailers. Dedicated to innovative product development and distinguished style, Daltile provides a rich palette of quality products created to inspire residential and commercial designs. For more information, visit daltile.com and follow Daltile on Instagram , Pinterest , LinkedIn , Facebook , X , and YouTube . Media Contact: Michelle Corley michelle.corley@daltile.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/daltile-highlights-2024-new-product-launches--end-of-year-recap-302339674.html SOURCE DaltileBEIRUT (AP) — Thousands of people fled the central Syrian city of Homs, the country’s third largest, as insurgents seized two towns on the outskirts Friday, positioning themselves for an assault on a potentially major prize in their march against President Bashar Assad. The move, reported by pro-government media and an opposition war monitor, was the latest in the stunning advances by opposition fighters over the past week that have so far met little resistance from Assad’s forces. A day earlier, fighters captured the central city of Hama , Syria’s fourth largest, after the army said it withdrew to avoid fighting inside the city and spare the lives of civilians. The insurgents, led by the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have vowed to march to Homs and the capital, Damascus, Assad’s seat of power. Videos circulating online showed a highway jammed with cars full of people fleeing Homs, a city with a large population belonging to Assad’s Alawite sect, seen as his core supporters. If Assad’s military loses Homs, it could be a crippling blow. The city, parts of which were controlled by insurgents until 2014, stands at an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, where Assad enjoys wide support. Homs province is Syria’s largest in size and borders Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. The city is also home to one of Syria’s two state-run oil refineries. Pressure on the government intensified from multiple directions. Opposition protesters stormed security posts and army positions in the southern province of Sweida, opposition activists said. U.S.-backed Kurdish forces who control eastern and northeastern Syria began to encroach on government-held territory. After years of largely being bottled up in a northwest corner of the country, the insurgents burst out a week ago, captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest , and have kept advancing since. Government troops have repeatedly fallen back. The sudden offensive has flipped the tables on a long-entrenched stalemate in Syria’s nearly 14-year-old civil war. Along with HTS, the fighters include forces of an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Turkey has denied backing the offensive , though experts say insurgents would not have launched it without the country's consent. HTS’s leader, Abu Mohammad al-Golani, told CNN in an exclusive interview Thursday from Syria that Assad’s government was on the path to falling, propped up only by Russia and Iran. “The seeds of the regime’s defeat have always been within it,” he said. “But the truth remains, this regime is dead.” A key question about Assad’s ability to fight back is how much top ally Russia — whose troops back Assad’s forces — will throw support his way at a time when it is tied up in the war in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he planned to discuss the developments in Syria with his Turkish and Iranian counterparts at a meeting Friday in the Qatari capital, Doha. In an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, he said international actors were backing the insurgents’ advances and that he would discuss “the way to cut the channels of financing and arming them.” Meanwhile, Russia’s embassy in Syria issued a notice reminding Russian citizens that they may use commercial flights to leave the country “in view of the difficult military-political situation.” The foreign ministers of Iran, Iraq and Syria — three close allies — gathered Friday in Baghdad to consult on the rapidly changing war. Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh said the current developments may pose “a serious threat to the security of the region as a whole.” The insurgent fighters on Friday took over the central towns of Rastan and Talbiseh, putting them 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Homs, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor. “The battle of Homs is the mother of all battles and will decide who will rule Syria,” said Rami Abdurrahman, the Observatory’s chief. Pro-government Sham FM said the insurgents entered Rastan and Talbiseh without facing any resistance. There was no immediate comment from the Syrian military. The Observatory said Syrian troops had left Homs. But the military denied that in comments reported by the state news agency SANA, saying troops were reinforcing their positions in the city and were “ready to repel” any assault. In eastern Syria, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces coalition said it had moved into the government-held half of the city of Deir el-Zour, apparently without resistance. One of the main cities in the east, Deir el-Zour had long been split between the government on the western side of the Euphrates River and the SDF on the eastern side. The SDF also said it took control of further parts of the border with Iraq. That appeared to bring it closer to the government-held Boukamal border crossing. The crossing is a vital for the government because it is the gateway to the corridor to Iran, a supply line for Iran-backed fighters, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah. At the same time, insurgents seized Syria’s sole crossing to Jordan, according to opposition activists. Jordan announced it was closing its side of the crossing. Lebanon also closed all but one of its border crossings with Syria. The opposition assault has struck a blow to Syria’s already decrepit economy. On Friday, the U.S. dollar was selling on Syria’s parallel market for about 18,000 pounds, a 25% drop from a week ago. When Syria’s conflict erupted in March 2011, a dollar was valued at 47 pounds. The drop further undermines the purchasing power of Syrians at a time when the U.N. has warned that 90% of the population is below the poverty line. Syria’s economy has been hammered for years by the war, Western sanctions, corruption and an economic meltdown in neighboring Lebanon, Syria’s main gate to the outside world. Damascus residents told The Associated Press that people are rushing to markets to buy food, fearing further escalation. The worsening economy could be undermining the ability of Syria’s military to fight, as the value of soldiers’ salaries melts away while the insurgents are flush with cash. Syria’s military has not appeared to put up a cohesive counteroffensive against the opposition advances. SANA on Friday quoted an unnamed military official as saying the Syrian and Russian air forces were striking insurgents in Hama province, killing dozens of fighters. Syria’s defense minister said in a televised statement late Thursday that government forces withdrew from Hama as “a temporary tactical measure” and vowed to gain back lost areas. “We are in a good position on the ground,” Gen. Ali Mahmoud Abbas said, saying troops remained “at the gates of Hama.” He spoke before the opposition advanced further south toward Homs. He said the insurgents, whom he described as “takfiri” or Muslim extremists, are backed by foreign countries. He did not name the countries but appeared to be referring to Turkey and the United States. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria, and Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report.

Teoscar Hernández, Dodgers agree to deal: Outfielder back in L.A. on $66 million contract, per report

3 Unstoppable Metal Stocks to Buy Right Now for Less Than $1,000The FTSE 100 ended in the green on Friday, despite a sell-off in US markets and poor Boxing Day footfall among retailers. London’s blue-chip index rose 12.79 points, or 0.16%, to end the day at 8,149.78. British Gas-owner Centrica made the biggest share price gain after it announced it has started a £300 million share buyback. Retailers were in the red, after a slump in footfall for the traditional Boxing Day sales, as fewer shoppers than last year headed out to bag bargains. Boxing Day shopper footfall was down 7.6% from last year across all UK retail destinations up until 8pm, MRI Software’s OnLocation Footfall Index found. However, this year’s data had been compared with an unusual spike in footfall as 2023 was the first “proper Christmas” period without Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, an analyst at the retail technology company said. Shares in the retailer Next fell 2.8%, while Marks & Spencer shares fell 0.81%. At the end of the day in Europe Frankfurt’s Dax index rose 0.68%, while the Cac 40 in Paris rose 1%. In New York a little while after markets had closed in Europe the S&P 500 had fallen 1.56%, while the Dow Jones was 1.16% lower. On currency markets the pound was trading 0.24% up against the dollar at 1.256 and was 0.29% up against the euro at 1.206. In company news, clothes retailer Quiz has warned it will run out of cash in early 2025 unless it gets more funding. The struggling retailer said sales had been “disappointing” in the Christmas trading period and that its cash reserves are “less than previously anticipated”. “As a result, the board anticipates that additional funding will be required by the group in early 2025,” it said. Shares fell 6.53% on Friday. Brent Crude Futures were up 0.71% to 73.37 US dollars at the close of trading. The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 were Centrica, up 2.85p to 131.85p, Diageo, up 37.5p to 2535p, BP, up 4.2p to 385.45p, Pearson, up 11.5p to 1290p, and Schroders, up 2.8p to 313.4p. The biggest fallers on the FTSE 100 were Next, down 256p to 9590p, Pershing Square, down 90p to 3764p, Croda, down 73p to 3379p, easyJet, down 10p to 563.4p, and Anglo American, down 39.5p to 2342p.NoneA man fatally stabbed his coworker — a father and high school football coach — during an argument at a Kroger distribution warehouse in Memphis, family and police said. Anderson Todd, 55, is charged with second-degree murder following the death of Jarcoby Hopson on Dec. 26, according to an arrest affidavit filed in Shelby County, Tennessee. That morning, witnesses saw and heard the two men arguing, but the fight later turned physical, police said. One witness said the men began pushing and shoving each other, then Todd began stabbing Hopson as Hopson yelled for him to stop, according to police. Another coworker intervened and stopped the fight, but then Hopson collapsed as Todd walked away, police said. A paramedic pronounced Hopson dead shortly before 9:30 a.m. Hopson was an assistant football coach at Lake Cormorant High School in Mississippi, where he coached one of his sons, a standout recruit headed to college, The Clarion Ledger reported. I thank you for everything you did for me pops you was my role model made sure I was always good and knew the game you was there for me forever i know u going to stay with me why I’m on my journey love you dad #LLPOPS I love you pops pic.twitter.com/sOv4oKrUj8 Jarcoby Hopson Jr., who recently signed with Ole Miss as a linebacker, took to social media to share the news of his father’s death. “I thank you for everything you did for me pops you was my role model,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Made sure I was always good and knew the game...” Hopson Jr. joins his older brother, Jarnorris Hopson, on the Ole Miss team , a feat their father proudly celebrated. “I’m trying hard to hold my tears,” the dad wrote on Facebook on Dec. 4, when his younger son signed to the school. Those who knew Hopson said he was dedicated to his children and the students he coached, with one friend sharing a recent memory highlighting his character. “Sat at the bar all night talking about our boys and their futures,” the friend wrote on Facebook. “He loved his kids.” Hopson received an outpouring of support on social media from loved ones and those who knew him through his coaching. “ Coby Hopson was always full of life and really cared about the kids,” one person wrote on Facebook. “‘The Swamp’ won’t be the same, I’m definitely going to miss him on the sideline.” The Gators are Lake Cormorant’s mascot. “Thanks for believing in our boys and pushing them to be the greatest,” another Facebook user wrote. “I will never forget what you taught my boy and told him to be the best he could be on that field , they will truly miss you.”

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ברקד: The Game-Changer? New Tech on the HorizonIt was an all-hands-on-deck situation at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland late Thursday, as a burst water main and fire made for a critical situation on the fourth floor of the hospital. A damaged section of wall near the fire location. (ALEX ROSE – DAILY TIMES) Crozer Health failed to respond to multiple requests for comment and did not provide any information on social media or through other channels Friday. Messages left for Upland officials were also not returned and employees approached on the campus at 1 Medical Center Blvd. Friday morning declined to comment. What was known could only be pieced together from fire radio traffic beginning shortly after 8:40 p.m. Thursday and from an account posted Friday on the Eddystone Fire Company’s Facebook page. According to those two sources: Numerous units responded to the facility, where a chief on scene soon reported that there was a fire in the electrical room in the loading dock along Upland Avenue. Personnel were working on darkening the fire with a dry chemical until it was clear that power was secured. Others were tasked with entering the main part of the hospital to determine if anything hazardous was getting in via the air flow system. A PECO crew was on scene shortly after 9 p.m. Eddystone indicated Engines 12, 12-1, and Ambulance 12 responded under the command of Fire Chief Allen Reeves III. Engine 12 crew were placed into service by incident command into the rear of the fire building to assist maintenance crews on securing a busted 3-inch water main. It was reported that a maintenance man went into a flooded area and that a rapid intervention team fire crew was monitoring him, ready to step in to take life-saving action if needed. The Eddystone crew, under the command of Deputy Chief Richard Myers, was directed to assist in evacuating the intensive care unit, surgical ICU, and neuro-ICU units on fourth floor. At 9:10 p.m., it was reported that the room on fire controls the intensive care unit on the fourth floor and that the patients in the ICU were being moved out. Eddystone reported the fourth floor was charged with smoke and was suffering partial power failures. Crews coordinated with ICU charge nurses in getting emergency medical services units to patient rooms for packaging and transfer to other areas of the hospital, as well as to an area for transfers to other locations by helicopter or ambulance. Nearly all of the ambulances in the county were in service for getting patients out. There were preparations for flights, if needed. At 10 p.m., it was reported that the fourth floor was evacuated. Labor and Delivery also moved all the newborns and their parents with the nurses to a different area. Fans were deployed and successfully cleared smoke from the hallways and patient units on the fourth floor. The big fan of Milmont Fire Company was set up to pull hazardous air out of the emergency department. “We experienced a small flood that resulted in a fire, but there is no longer an active fire,” Crozer Health CEO Tony Esposito said in a statement shortly after 10:30 p.m. “Critical care patients were evacuated from the facility to safe areas and we have been working with the county to ensure their safety. No injuries have been reported.” Numerous work trucks were parked outside of the area where the fire had been Friday morning, apparently still dealing with cleanup operations. Windows in that area were covered up and there were several industrial fans piled on the ground outside. Hospital beds were in the emergency department lobby and one employee indicated that entrance was closed. It was unknown Friday exactly how many personnel were involved in the incident, or when ICU patients would be able to return to either CCMC or the ICU unit on the fourth floor. Crozer Health was mum Friday, however, Patrick O’Connell, regional EMS director for Delaware County put the major incident in perspective for CBS 3 : “It was an all-hands-on-deck effort at Crozier-Chester Medical Center as emergency responders were in a race against time to get staff and patients out of harm’s way.” “Certainly in the 40-plus years I’ve been doing this, this was certainly in the one of the top five of incidents.” He added that the total number of patients evacuated was 38.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The biggest question facing the Baltimore Ravens right now has little to do with Lamar Jackson or even a defense that started the season poorly. It’s about a kicking conundrum that has turned into a crisis. Can the Ravens make it to the Super Bowl with Justin Tucker? One of the more surprising subplots of this NFL season has been Tucker’s decline from one of the greatest of all time to a week-in, week-out liability. Sunday’s loss to Philadelphia might have been the nadir — he missed two field goals and an extra point in a game the Ravens ultimately . “Points were at a premium in the game. They have been in a few of these games. Sometimes we haven’t made the most of our opportunity to score points,” coach John Harbaugh said Monday. “We’re racking our brains, talking to Justin, looking at what we’re doing. I’m very confident that it’s going to get fixed. I believe it will. It has to. “And he’s the guy to get it fixed.” Harbaugh has given every indication that he’s standing by Tucker, who is in his 13th season and is under contract through 2027. When he’s at his best, he’s the type of kicker that gives his team a clear advantage in close games, but this season he has missed eight field goals. Sunday showed that against a good defensive team, the Ravens (8-5) can’t simply assume their excellent offense will pile up points. There almost certainly will be close games in the weeks to come. Tucker’s ability to come through will be tested again, and for Baltimore to feel too confident at the moment. “When he was hitting, three or four years ago, hitting bombs, we were going 57, 58, 56 pretty regularly,” Harbaugh said. “That’s tightened up a little bit.” What’s working The Ravens continue to do a good job stopping the run. Although Saquon Barkley did eventually surpass the 100-yard mark late in the game, Baltimore held the Eagles to 140 yards on the ground, well below their usual output. What needs help Even beyond Tucker’s problems, Sunday wasn’t a great showing by Baltimore’s special teams. Tylan Wallace was shaky returning punts, and the Ravens had to start four drives inside their own 20 and two inside their own 10. “They had great bounces, and they downed right down in there,” Wallace said. “I’m pretty sure we’ll come back and talk about those and see what we can do to avoid those.” Stock up The Ravens’ defense continued to show signs of improvement, holding Philadelphia to 252 total yards. “I think we’ve just locked in on some things, and we’re playing our deep coverages better, bottom line,” Harbaugh said. “You watch the coverage, you watch the guys’ spacing, positioning, eyes, the communication, the checks that get made, and you just keep chasing doing the right things. It’s not (that we) changed the defense. We’re just playing it a lot better.” Stock down Harbaugh was vague on receiver Diontae Johnson’s situation. He was active Sunday but didn’t play, and he has only one catch in four games since the Ravens acquired him in a trade from Carolina. “I’m going to have to wait just to clarify it,” Harbaugh said. “There’s some moving parts there that we’re going to have to figure out and explore and just see where we’re at. I know that’s not the answer you want, but that’s the best I can do in fairness to everybody right now.” Injuries The Ravens were missing pass-rushing ace Kyle Van Noy (hamstring/neck) on Sunday, and WR Rashod Bateman was dealing with knee soreness. Key stats Through his first 12 seasons, Tucker made field goals at a 90% clip. That’s dropped to 70% this season. He had a 95% success rate from under 50 yards, and that’s dipped to 83%. Next steps The Ravens have this week off before a Dec. 15 road game against the New York Giants. Then comes a home matchup with Pittsburgh that may determine whether Baltimore has any shot to win the AFC North. ___ AP NFL:NUVVE HOLDING CORP. ANNOUNCES DATE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued Walmart and fintech company Branch Messenger for allegedly forcing more than a million delivery workers to use expensive deposit accounts to access their paychecks, the agency announced Monday. The companies opened deposit accounts for Walmart’s drivers with their personal information, such as Social Security numbers, without authorization, according to the agency’s complaint. Walmart’s Spark Drivers, who the company classes as independent contractors who bring packages from the company’s warehouses to customers’ doorsteps, could only have their pay deposited into the Branch accounts, the complaint says. Since 2021, Walmart told workers that they could lose their jobs for not using the accounts, according to the lawsuit. Accessing their earnings took a “complex process” that sometimes led to “weekslong” delays, the lawsuit said, despite assurances they would have instant access to their pay. And drivers paid a combined total of $10 million in “junk fees” to transfer those wages into other bank accounts, CFPB alleges. “Companies cannot force workers into getting paid through accounts that drain their earnings with junk fees,” CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a statement. The lawsuit described the typical Spark Driver as “a woman, has children, does not have a college degree, and is low income.” Walmart denied CFPB’s claims and said it would defend itself in court. “The CFPB’s rushed lawsuit is riddled with factual errors and contains exaggerations and blatant misstatements of settled principles of law,” the company said in a statement Monday. “The CFPB never allowed Walmart a fair opportunity to present its case during their rushed investigation. We look forward to vigorously defending the Company before a court that, unlike the CFPB, honors the due process of law.” Additionally, CFPB accused Branch of misleading advertising and failure to investigate and resolve errors, among other allegations. Branch also denied the claims in the lawsuit and said it provides “quick and easy access to funds.” “Despite the company’s extensive cooperation with its investigation, the CFPB refused to engage with Branch in any meaningful way about this matter, instead rushing to file a lawsuit,” the company said in a statement Monday, claiming that the lawsuit is more about “media attention” and “has nothing to do with the law or protecting workers.” The lawsuit joins the growing chorus for more protections and official classifications for gig workers , who have freelance jobs through apps like Uber, Lyft and Doordash. Earlier this month, the CFPB under the Biden administration sued JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo for allegedly failing to prevent fraud on money-sending app Zelle. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to choose a new CFPB director. It’s unclear what that means for this case, but “much will depend upon whom Trump picks as CFPB director,” Jaret Seiberg, financial services policy analyst at TD Cowen Washington Research Group, told CNN previously in an email . CNN’s Jeanne Sahadi contributed to this report.