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Idlib, Syria – Nearly three million Syrians living in the northwestern province of Idlib are bracing for a possible government assault, which neighbouring Turkey has warned would result in a large-scale humanitarian disaster.

Idlib is the last remaining opposition stronghold in the country. It is home to about three million people, half of whom are internally displaced.  

If the forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad press ahead with an offensive, observers say as many as 2.5 million Syrians could try to flee to the shuttered Turkish border, creating a new refugee crisis.

On Friday, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned against the possible assault, while offering to work with Syria’s ally, Russia, to pursue a ceasefire in the area and prevent a mass exodus. 

Many in Idlib are already preparing themselves for the worst case scenario.

“We won’t leave our nation alone again, we will defend our people until the last breath,” Ahmad Ghajar, an Idlib resident, told Al Jazeera.  

Meanwhile, Muhammad al-Hajj Marai, owner of a candy shop, said the possible Syrian government assault “does no difference”. 

“Why should I be scared? Assad has already been killing us for seven years – our families, brothers, and sisters, even the children.”

‘A catastrophe’

Since the conflict, Idlib has provided a refuge for many Syrians fleeing other parts of the country, including after government offensives targeting other rebel-held parts of the country.

The so-called Syrian Salvation Government is a civil authority formed in Idlib last year, and is backed by Hay’et Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the dominant rebel group in the province.

“It will be a disaster and a catastrophe if such an attack happens, because even rich and able governments can’t evacuate three or four million people quickly in such difficult conditions that we are living in,” said Jamal Shahoud, deputy prime minister of the Syrian Salvation Government.

Opposition groups in Idlib are attempting to unify into a “National Army”, with Turkey’s help, to try and overcome any divisions to fight the Syrian government. Some 70,000 fighters have pledged to fight against Assad’s forces.

But HTS has not offered its support yet.

Syrian forces have already dropped leaflets over Idlib, calling for rebel groups to surrender.

For now, those living in Syria’s last opposition stronghold can only wait and see what happens next.

With the Royal Wedding now in the rearview mirror, Prince Harry and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle are taking the next big step in their marriage: They’re adopting a dog.

The newlyweds have reportedly adopted a Labrador according to People.

According to the entertainment magazine, the two adopted the dog in “early summer” and the assuredly adorable pup has “been joining them at their country getaway in the Cotswolds area and Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace in London.”

So what does this new canine addition to the family look like? I mean, it’s gotta be adorable, right? 

Unfortunately, photos of the Labrador haven’t been released (or leaked) yet. Neither has the dog’s name. 

Markle is a known pup lover. Prior to joining the British royal family, she had two — a rescue dog named Bogart and a beagle named Guy.

Guy made the trip to his new home in the UK, but Bogart apparently didn’t and now resides with one of Markle’s friends in Los Angeles, according to E! News.

We’re sure photos of the mysterious new Labrador will surface eventually, but if you don’t know what they look like (maybe you’re not a dog person!), here are some cuties to get stare at:

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We asked a handful of the NBA’s top rookies some trivia questions about the league and here’s how they did.
USA TODAY Sports

NBA free agent Nick Young was arrested late Friday night in Hollywood and charged with a misdemeanor for not cooperating during a routine traffic stop, the Los Angeles Police Department told USA TODAY Sports on Saturday. 

LAPD officer Mike Lopez said Young argued at the traffic stop and delayed officers, prompting his removal from the vehicle and arrest around 11:45 p.m. 

According to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department online records, Young was booked in jail shortly after midnight before being released on $10,000 bail. Young’s official court date in the case is set for Sept. 19.

Young averaged 7.3 points a game last season in a reserve role for the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors. He has yet to sign with a team for the 2018-19 season.

MORE: JJ Redick: Clippers were derailed by ‘Donald Trump-level pettiness’

MORE: Paul George says Lakers were upset there was no free-agency meeting

Catalans Dragons pulled off one of Wembley’s biggest upsets as the unfancied French side beat Warrington to win their first Challenge Cup.

No team from outside England had ever won the trophy in its 122-year history.

But from the moment that Lewis Tierney went over in the second minute, the Dragons looked capable of defying the odds.

Ben Garcia and Brayden Wiliame got their other tries, while Josh Drinkwater kicked four goals.

Warrington crossed twice, through Ben Murdoch-Masila and George King, who both began the game on the bench, while Tyrone Roberts kicked three goals.

But in front of 50,672 – Wembley’s lowest Challenge Cup final crowd since World War Two – former England coach Steve McNamara’s Dragons were deserved winners.

Even allowing for the way they stunned Super League leaders St Helens right from the kick-off in the semi-final, Catalans would surely never have dared to dream they could make the sort of start they did at the national football stadium.

Stefan Ratchford did not deal with the first high ball, Benjamin Jullien offloaded and Tierney, son of dual code rugby legend Jason Robinson, was over in the right corner – scoring a try at Wembley, just as his dad did in 1995, with two against Leeds in the last of Wigan’s famous eight successive wins.

After kicking the goal, Drinkwater quickly added two more points with a penalty.

And from 8-0 down with 10 minutes gone, suddenly it was an unexpectedly uphill battle for the Wire and there looked a distinct chance that the Dragons, beaten 30-8 here by St Helens in the first final at the rebuilt Wembley in 2007, might this time go one better.

Perhaps the idea that it might not be Warrington’s day began to formulate when, in a short space of time, so many little first-half breaks failed to go their way.

Lineham had a try chalked off in the right corner, 37-year-old Benny Westwood briefly had to go off, Dragons forward Mickael Simon got away with a high shot and Roberts made a mess of a promising break when he threw a loose pass.

But luck finally turned their way when, from Ratchford’s high ball, Daryl Clark put pressure on winger Fouad Yaha, who spilled backwards, and Murdoch-Masila was allowed to run in the easiest of tries under the posts.

Roberts’ conversion cut the gap back to two points, only for Garcia to then dive over and, when Drinkwater successfully kicked again, restore that eight-point cushion.

Worse was to follow at the start of the second half for the Wolves when Tony Gigot’s 40/20 kick to the left corner created the attacking platform for Wiliame to go over for the Dragons’ third try.

King’s try reduced the deficit, Roberts kicked the goal and then added a penalty to make it 20-14.

Despite Warrington’s best efforts late on, the French defended frenetically and held on for the historic win.

And it was a particularly personal triumph for three Englishmen – try scorer Tierney, coach McNamara, a loser at Wembley as a player with Bradford in 1997, and hooker Michael McIlorum, who picked up his third winner’s medal after successes with Wigan in 2011 and 2013.

Reaction

Catalans Dragons hooker Michael McIlorum told BBC Sport:

“It’s unbelievable. It’ll take a while to sink in but it will when we fly back and see the fans in Perpignan.

“The first three or four months of our season was one of the toughest periods of my career but it brought us closer together and we started working for each other and got our rewards.

“We made hard work of it today and kept dropping the ball but thankfully the boys dug in and we came away with a win.”

Catalans Dragons captain Remi Casty told BBC Sport:

“The progression of the club and the team through the 11 years is awesome and a great achievement for Catalans and for rugby league in France.

“Warrington came back well but we never gave up and we kept fighting to win.”

Warrington Wolves’ Chris Hill told BBC Sport:

“It hurts, the first 20 minutes broke us. We weren’t sensible enough and what they did to us was what we wanted to do to them.

“We have got to learn our lessons and got to stick together.”

Catalans Dragons: Gigot; Tierney, Mead, Wiliame, Yaha; Langi, Drinkwater; Simon, McIlorum, Moa, Jullien, Garcia, Casty.

Interchanges: Bousquet, Baiteri, Goudemand, Edwards.

Warrington Wolves: Ratchford; Lineham, Goodwin, King, Charnley; Brown, Roberts; Hill, Clark, Cooper, Livett, Hughes, Westwood.

Interchanges: Murdoch-Masila, King, Patton, Philbin.

Referee: Robert Hicks.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly delayed its plans to list shares of its state-owned oil company Aramco on the stock market.

Media reports say the initial public offering (IPO), scheduled for 2018, has been postponed indefinitely – claims denied by the Saudi government. 

Khalid al-Falih, the kingdom’s energy minister, said the government “remains committed” to conducting the IPO, and that the “timing will depend on multiple factors”. 

The plan to float around five percent of the oil company is expected to be the world’s largest stock sale.

It lies at the heart of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s vision to transform the economy.

So, where does this leave Saudi Arabia’s efforts to raise money and diversify its economy?

Presenter: Richelle Carey

Guests:

Mahjoub Zweiri – professor of contemporary history of the Middle East at Qatar University

Mohammed Cherkaoui – professor of conflict resolution at George Mason University

James Dorsey – senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University

Source: Al Jazeera News

Kyle Pavone, vocalist of the band We Came As Romans, has died. He was 28.

The band shared the sad news on social media Saturday, saying “music lost another great” with Pavone’s passing.

“Kyle’s tragic loss came too early in his life and those of his bandmates. All are devastated by his passing. We will miss his smiles, his sincerity, his concern for others, and his impressive musical talent,” the statement read. “In lieu of flowers, we will be providing information regarding charity donations this coming week. The family and the band wish to thank their fans and the music community for all of their love and support as they navigate their grief.”

Pavone’s cause of death was not immediately clear.

Bandmate Joshua Moore confirmed the news on Instagram, sharing a picture of himself and Pavone.

“I love this picture so much because it shows you how I’ll always remember you,” he captioned the image. “The craziest, goofiest, most funny and lovable kid. I miss you so much.”

We Came As Romans is an American metalcore band founded in Troy, Michigan in 2005.

A haunting lyric from the band’s 2017 song “Promise Me” was one of the last things Pavone tweeted.

“Will i be remembered or will i be lost in loving eyes,” he shared in mid-August.

The music world is already reacting to Pavone’s death.

Artist Trevor Wentworth tweeted his condolences.

“Wow. RIP @kylepavone we were just talking a few days ago about writing some music together.,” he wrote.

Beartooth guitarist Taylor Lumley also shared kind words.

“RIP @kylepavone, thankful for your friendship in life and glad we were able to share some truly fun and memorable times together,” he tweeted. “I’ll see you on the otherside (sic), Here’s to hoping they’ll have a fresh copy of NHL for us to play together.”

Of Mice & Men vocalist and bassist Aaron Pauley said, “RIP @kylepavone. You were an energy all your own.”

Of Mice & Men’s Alan Ashby shared his last memory with Pavone.

“RIP @kylepavone … gone too soon. We were just talking about Fortnite tactics a few weeks ago at @InkcarFestival … didn’t know that would be the last time i would see you.,” he wrote. “My love and thoughts are with all the WCAR dudes and kyle’s friends and family”

More: Lindsay Kemp, British dancer, David Bowie mentor and mime, dead at 80

More: Former Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist and ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ co-writer Ed King dead at 68 

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The annual Burning Man event centers on building an almost-anything-goes city in the desert for just a week.
Trevor Hughes/USA TODAY

RENO, Nevada — Tens of thousands of costumed participants flooding into Nevada for the annual Burning Man festival are facing newly toughened law enforcement scrutiny as they wind their way into the remote desert to build a temporary city for 70,000 people for a week of all-night dance parties and with a strong dose of nudity.

The event is being held for the first time since two notable deaths, including that of founder Larry Harvey, who passed away this summer following a stroke. Participants will also be mourning the death of man who during the final days of last year’s event shockingly ran into a massive fire in view of thousands of participants. The event officially runs Aug. 26-Sept. 3 and culminates in two days of massive fires, first the raucous burning of a 100-foot-tall wooden effigy amid a blazing fireworks display, and then the solemn burn of a wooden “temple” stuffed with notes and letters to loved ones. 

More: The 10 Principles of Burning Man and other playa facts

About half the participants are returners, and the other half, like fulltime digital nomad Brittney Gustin, are brimming mix of excitement and anxiety. Burning Man participants must provide all of their own food and water for the event; the only things for sale will be coffee and ice. Friday found Gustin loading her van with supplies in a Walmart parking lot, surrounded by dozens of similarly occupied “Burners.”

“I have no expectations. And that seems like a good thing,” said Gustin, a health care consultant who lives in her van. General admission tickets for the eight-day event cost nearly $400 and sold out within minutes. Participants routinely give food or trinkets to each other, but bartering and the exchange of money is frowned upon.

The festival itself is facing a crossroads, driven by organizers’ eventual desire to increase annual participation to 100,000 people while maintaining the ethos that made it special in the first place: an “almost anything goes” atmosphere of nudity, drugs and all-night dance parties. Organizers are also trying to balance a culture of consent and the #MeToo movement with the festival’s longstanding tradition of strangers hugging hello. 

The event has drawn criticism over the past several years for the growth of special camps for the ultra-wealthy, where hired staff cater to their every need, including customized Instagram-ready costumes, and private planes whisk them in and out without the inconvenience of waiting in line. Executives from Google, Apple, Facebook and Tesla have all attended previously.

More: Celebrity Burners: See who made appearances at Burning Man

But before it has even officially started, this year’s festival is already facing controversy: Federal police are targeting participants heading from Reno north into the desert, pulling over drivers for minor traffic infractions and searching for drugs.  Burning Man officials are threatening to sue the federal government over the traffic stops, complaining they are unwarranted and unconstitutional. Federal officials say the timing of the extra-tough traffic stops is merely a coincidence as the Trump Administration cracks down on opioid abuse. 

“The real gauntlet is getting to the playa,” said Mike Harden, a member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, whose lands most Burners must cross via a two-lane road to reach the event. It’s unclear whether the get-tough law enforcement attitude will extend to the playa itself, which is federal land rented by Burning Man for the event. Federal cops circulate within the festival, and have been searching arriving vehicles to enforce the federal ban on marijuana, which is otherwise legal in Nevada.

Longtime participant AleXander Hirka of New York City said the “amazing” level of freedom at Burning Man is a major draw for participants, who adopt playa names, wear costumes and take on roles they might never consider in the outside world. That freedom means people are welcome to walk around naked without judgement or fear or arrest. As he usually does, Hirka is camping with a group of polyamorous friends, who celebrate unconventional romantic relationships. Still, Hirka said he’s noticed an increased law enforcement presence over his 11 years attending: “It does feel more oppressive.”

Crimson Rose, one of the event’s founders, last year said there’s always been a struggle to balance safety and freedom.

More: Burning Man-bound? Show a little respect for the locals

“It’s easy to dismiss the idea of strangers peacefully existing on a barren lakebed,” she said. “How do you explain it? It’s about community coming together. Sometimes people don’t know how to handle the extremes. There’s so much freedom here.”

Dozens of participants are usually arrested each year, mostly for drug possession, and the Burning Man organization officially disavows any illegal activity. In their threat to sue over the traffic stops, Burning Man organizers said the harsh policing seemed designed to stifle participants’ First Amendment rights to peaceably assemble and express themselves.

Free expression and the art accompanying it is what draws Tammy Remington of New York. Fantastic and whimsical art installations are scattered around the seven-square-mile “city” in the desert, and lighted vehicles circulate constantly, dance music pumping from massive speakers. There’s nothing else like it on Earth, she said.

“I don’t go because it’s cool. I don’t even think of it as cool,” Remington said. “It’s just that you go and there are these sublime moments you have that you know will never happen anywhere else and will never happen again.”

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