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For all of you who continue to moan and object to the casualties in Gaza, here is some historical perspective as well as some common-sense perspective. All wars produce civilian casualties, some inadvertent and some intentional. In World War II just prior to D-Day, the allies bombed numerous French cities in the area hoping to get at the German army. Many towns were destroyed, and thousands of Frenchmen were killed and wounded. Germany was repeatedly carpet-bombed, destroying cities and thousands of civilians. And then we have Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a deliberate attack on civilians in an attempt to convince the Empire of Japan that continuing the war was futile. These were not acts of genocide, but the gas chambers and ovens were. Hamas attacked Israel and Israel went to war with Hamas, the political terrorist government of Gaza whose people overwhelmingly support Hamas. It is Hamas who advocates genocide with their stated intention to wipe Israel from the face of the earth. Wake up! Dennis Abrams Northwest side Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star. Follow these steps to easily submit a letter to the editor or guest opinion to the Arizona Daily Star. Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!

The assassin who cooly gunned down the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in front of witnesses on Wednesday morning made a head-scratching stop before he carried out his hit. New photos released by police show that the suspect dipped into a nearby Starbucks just before he descended upon the Midtown Hilton around 6:45 a.m. to fatally shoot the 50-year-old Thompson as he walked there to give a speech at an investors meeting. The new photos—pulled from security footage—revealed only the alleged gunman’s eyes and hands, as he was wearing the same black facemask and black hoodie he wore during the shooting. Police did not say if the mystery man ordered anything at the coffee joint or if—by some extreme luck—he happened to give his first name for his hypothetical order. Police said the gunman “targeted” Thompson and fled the scene on an e-bike after shooting the health insurance CEO in his calf and back. He remained at large as of Wednesday afternoon. Donald Trump ’s coming back home...to NBC. The president-elect will sit down with Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker for his first network interview since he won the presidency again last month. The conversation will tape on Friday before it airs on Sunday, and the network plans to release the full interview and transcript after it concludes. The sit-down marks a turn for Trump, who effectively shunned traditional media outlets in the run-up to the election in favor of either gabs with Fox News or lengthy debates with Joe Rogan. The interview comes more than a year after Welker launched her show with a Trump interview in September 2023, which critics— including at the Daily Beast —derided as unchallenging and ineffective despite Welker’s skill as an interviewer. Trump has previously derided Welker as “terrible,” “horrible,” and a “radical left Democrat.” The nights are longer, the weather is colder, and there’s no better time to get some sleep. 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A 60-year-old California art teacher died after being bit by a bat in her classroom, according to officials. Leah Seneng died on Nov. 22, a month after removing a bat from her classroom at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos. Before class started, the teacher discovered the bat and “scooped it up to take it outside,” unaware that it had rabies, friend and family spokesperson Laura Splotch told NBC News. Seneng thought she had just been scratched, and didn’t seek immediate treatment, Splotch said. After not having any symptoms for weeks, Seneng went on Nov. 18 to the hospital, where it was determined that the classroom encounter likely gave her rabies. Her condition quickly worsened and she died four days later. NBC News reported that it was the first rabies death in Fresnno County since 1992. According to the CDC , less than 10 people die each year in the United States. The teacher is survived by her daughter and husband. “It’s very shocking, still, to think that she’s no longer around because of something so random,” Splotch said to NBC News. Donald Trump’s secretary of defense pick, Pete Hegseth, said he would quit drinking if confirmed to the position, CNN correspondent Manu Raju reported Wednesday. “He views the job as so important that he volunteered that,” Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger told Raju. “I didn’t ask him.” The New Yorker published a bombshell report Sunday that alleged Hegseth had a history of drinking heavily at work while the president of a veteran’s advocacy group. Then several former Fox News colleagues shared with NBC News that Hegseth’s drinking was concerning and affected his job as a morning host. Hegseth denied having a drinking problem in an interview with Megyn Kelly on Wednesday, though he did not address the allegations about his behavior at work. Hegseth’s candidacy has been marred by a number of scandals, including multiple sexual assault allegations, infidelities and a leaked letter written by his mother calling him an “abuser.” Pete Hegseth told incoming Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker that he wouldn’t drink if confirmed to the job. “He views the job as so important that he volunteered that,” Wicker told me. “I didn't ask him.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Whether you’re looking for sleep support, stress relief, a little physical relief, or just a little something to take the edge off, Kind Oasis’ premium, hemp-derived cannabis edibles are the perfect treat. to relax and unwind without the smoke and carcinogens you inhale with a joint, whether it be a Delta, CBD, or THC-forward product. 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Kind Oasis offers a slew of different treats, from THC-infused seltzers (and flavored syrups that can be added to green baked goods and spiked coffee drinks!) to full-spectrum CBD gummies for those who prefer a mild effect (or live in regions in which THC is not legal). Whatever your cannabis needs are, Kind Oasis has you covered with a product that will give you the right feeling, no matter what you prefer: an active candy or sweet or a flavorful and relaxing beverage. The Satanic Temple will begin offering a religious studies program at a public elementary school in Ohio after a parent’s request. Seeking an alternative to the school’s Christian release program, a concerned parent at Edgewood Elementary school in Marysville, Ohio requested for a different program to be implemented at the school for non-Christian students. The school’s initial release program, organized by LifeWise Academy, sees students being removed from classes for 55 minutes each week to study the Bible or visit local churches. With the Satanic Temple’s new program, the Hellion Academy of Independent Learning (Hail), students at Edgewood can instead partake in “self-directed learning” and “good works in the community” once every month, where they’ll also have “inspirational guest speakers” and “tons of fun,” per the organization’s Facebook page . The Satanic Temple identifies as a “non-theistic” church, meaning it doesn’t believe in deities like God or Satan, but rather claims it is instead on a mission to promote pluralism among different religious views. “We aren’t trying to shut the LifeWise Academy down,” June Everett, an ordained minister at the Temple, told WCMH . “But I do think a lot of school districts don’t realize when they open the door for one religion, they open it for all of them.” M issing woman Hannah Kobayashi ’s Venmo account has reportedly been flooded with donations after news broke that she recently crossed into Mexico. The Hawaii native was initially reported missing by family on Nov. 11 after failing to board a connecting flight from Los Angeles to New York three days prior. The LA Police Department swiftly commenced an investigation into Kobayashi’s disappearance to determine if there was any foul play. On Monday, however, surveillance footage from Customs and Border Protection showed Kobayashi crossing into Mexico alone with her luggage, seemingly unharmed, the day before. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell disclosed that Kobayashi had been “classified a voluntary missing person” in a press conference on Monday, adding that foul play is no longer suspected in her disappearance. Following the update, Venmo users have been sending money and recommendations to Kobayashi for her apparent trip to Mexico, according to The Daily Mail . “I hope you’re safe. You don’t owe an explanation. Here’s some taco money, girl. Have fun!,” one user wrote. Another said, “Way to make it to Mexico girlie! Have a chicharron on me!” Frasier star Kelsey Grammer is set to release a memoir in 2025 about his sister, Karen, and her murder in 1975. Karen, who was 18 at the time of her death, was kidnapped by multiple men from her job at Red Lobster. She was later stabbed to death after being raped. In a People exclusive , Grammer talked about his sister’s memory, and the healing journey he and his family have been on since the tragedy. “It is not a grief book. It is a life book, a celebration of Karen’s life,” Grammer, 69, told the outlet. “From a loving brother, I invite you to meet Karen. To know her and remember her with me.” Grammer has faced multiple other untimely deaths in his family. His father was killed by a trespasser on his property when the actor was just 13-years-old, which was five years before his sister’s death. Then in 1980, his two half brothers dying in a scuba diving incident. The memoir, entitled, “Karen: A Brother Remembers,” is expected to be released in May 2025. “Fifty years hence, I learned that love, that our love, is forever,” Grammer said. Prince William and Prince Harry are engaging in yet another very public display showing how toxic their relationship has become by refusing, once again, to appear together at an award ceremony honoring their mother’s legacy. While Harry will appear via pre-recorded video at the Diana Awards tomorrow, William will not attend and instead handed out letters to the winners on Wednesday. It’s arguably a slightly less absurd solution than that employed at another awards ceremony for the charity in March this year, which saw William speak live at the event with Harry’s speech delayed till after he had left. Adding to the sense of bitterness back then, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, announced the launch of her American Riviera Orchard brand on Instagram minutes before William took to the stage. Prince William’s new letter seemed to adopt some Sussex buzzwords, with the future king writing: “I am so proud of the impact every one of you has had on your communities and beyond. You are driven by kindness and compassion and through this you are all changing the world for the better.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. It’s not every day that you can score a deal on a high-quality printer at a lower cost. Investing in a quality printer for your home or office is a game-changer, and while it’s not the most fun purchase, it’ll pay for itself in a couple of months. Fortunately, you don’t have to pay full price for a solid printer, thanks to HP’s current sale . Right now, you can score the HP Envy Inspire 7955e , the brand’s premium at-home photo printer for $70 off. If you’re looking for a solid holiday gift that they’ll actually use, the deluxe multi-purpose printer is a great choice—especially for photographers and anyone who works from home. The all-in-one printer is also designed with HP’s Wolf Essential Security system to keep your information secure and keep hackers out. Plus, unlike other printers that require you to get your hands dirty to replenish the ink, this one offers a 15-second mess-free ink refill experience with bottles that can be plugged into the tank. Say goodbye to messes and hello to your new printer . Best of all? For a limited time, score three months of Instant Ink with HP+. Donald Trump picked tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA, the president-elect announced on Truth Social. Isaacman currently serves as the CEO of the payments-technology company Shift4 Payments. The billionaire has also helped pioneer private space travel by funding Elon Musk’s SpaceX flights. “Jared will drive NASA’s mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in Space science, technology, and exploration,” Trump said in a post. Isaacman has been on two SpaceX flights, first in 2021 and most recently in September. “On my last mission to space, my crew and I traveled farther from Earth than anyone in over half a century. I can confidently say this second space age has only just begun,” Isaacman wrote on X following the announcement. “At NASA, we will passionately pursue these possibilities and usher in an era where humanity becomes a true spacefaring civilization.” Donald Trump has named former White House aide Peter Navarro as a senior counselor in his impending administration after the MAGA loyalist spent four months in prison for refusing to testify to Congress about the Jan. 6 insurrection. Navarro will serve as senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, the president-elect announced in a pair of Wednesday Truth Social posts , hailing him as “a man who was treated horribly by the Deep State, or whatever else you would like to call it.” Navarro was convicted on two counts of contempt for refusing to comply with a subpoena from Congress—prosecutors said he “chose allegiance to former President Donald Trump over the rule of law.” Hours after his release from prison in July, Navarro delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention. Now, he will be back in the White House. “The Senior Counselor position leverages Peter’s broad range of White House experience, while harnessing his extensive Policy analytic and Media skills,” Trump wrote in his announcement. “His mission will be to help successfully advance and communicate the Trump Manufacturing, Tariff, and Trade Agendas.”At least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank around the city of Tulkarem on Tuesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, including three people it said were killed by Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a second somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of the war in Gaza, with most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent. Israel's bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel in October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage by Palestinian militants. Around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza , although only two thirds are believed to still be alive. Here’s the latest: NUR SHAMS REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank — The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in and around the city of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank on Tuesday. The ministry reported three of the dead were killed by airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. An Associated Press photojournalist captured images of Israeli forces detonating an explosive device planted by Palestinian militants during a raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp. Israel has carried out several large-scale raids in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, ignited by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. While airstrikes were once rare in the West Bank, they have grown more common since the outbreak of war as Israeli forces clamp down, saying they aim to prevent attacks on their citizens. Israeli fire has killed at least 800 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, Palestinian health officials say. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. SAYDNAYA, Syria — A large crowd of Syrians gathered near a historic monastery in Saydnaya on Christmas Eve to witness the lighting of a towering tree adorned with glowing green lights. Tuesday's celebration offered a rare moment of joy in a city scarred by over a decade of war and an infamous prison , where tens of thousands were held. Families and friends stood beneath the illuminated tree — some wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops — while a band played festive music and fireworks lit up the sky “This year is different, there’s happiness, victory and a new birth for Syria and a new birth for Christ,” said Houssam Saadeh, one attendee. Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed hope for unity across all sects and religions in Syria, dismissing recent Christmas tree vandalism as “isolated incidents.” Earlier in the afternoon, pilgrims visited the historic Our Lady of Saydnaya Monastery, one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries, believed to be built in the sixth century. In Homs, a similarly grand Christmas tree was illuminated as security officers patrolled the area to ensure a safe and peaceful gathering, according to Syria’s state media. UNITED NATIONS -- Recent attacks on hospitals in North Gaza, where Israel is carrying out an offensive, are having a devastating impact on Palestinian civilians still in the area, the U.N. humanitarian office says. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed deep concern at reports that the Israeli military entered the Indonesian Hospital on Tuesday, forcing its evacuation. The humanitarian office, known as OCHA, also expressed deep concern at attacks reported in recent days in and around the two other hospitals in North Gaza that are minimally functioning – Al Awda and Kamal Adwan. OCHA said the Israeli siege on Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia and parts of Jaballiya in North Gaza continued for a 79th day on Tuesday, and while the U.N. and its partners have made 52 attempts to coordinate humanitarian access to besieged areas in December 48 were rejected by Israel. While four missions were approved, OCHA said the U.N. and its partners faced impediments as a result of Israeli military operations and “none of the U.N.-coordinated attempts to access the area have been fully facilitated.” Throughout the Gaza Strip, OCHA said that Israeli authorities facilitated just 40% of requests for humanitarian movements requiring their approval in December. WASHINGTON — A leading global food crisis monitor says deaths from starvation will likely pass famine levels in north Gaza as soon as next month. The U.S.-created Famine Early Warning System Network says that’s because of a near-total Israeli blockade of food and other aid in that part of Gaza. The finding, however, appears to have exposed a rift within the Biden administration over the extent of starvation in northern Gaza. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, disputes part of the data used in reaching the conclusion and calls the intensified famine warning “irresponsible.” Northern Gaza has been one of the areas hardest-hit by fighting and Israel’s restrictions on aid throughout its 14-month war with Hamas militants. UNITED NATIONS — Israel’s foreign minister has requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to condemn recent missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and to condemn the group's Iranian allies for allegedly providing the group with weapons. Gideon Saar said in a letter Tuesday to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States, which holds the council presidency this month, that the Houthis are violating international law and council resolutions. “This Iranian-backed terrorist group continues to endanger Israel’s and other nations’ security, as well as the freedom of maritime navigation, in flagrant violation of international law,” Saar said. “All of this malign activity is done as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region.” The U.S. Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to an email asking when the council meeting will be held. The Houthis have said they launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea – and on Israel -- with the aim of ending Israel’s devastating air and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli war in Gaza followed Hamas’ deadly October 2023 attacks in southern Israel. TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli military investigation has concluded that the presence of troops inadvertently contributed to the deaths of six hostages killed by their Hamas captors in Gaza. The hostages' bodies were discovered in a tunnel in late August, an event that shook Israel and sparked some of the largest anti-war protests since the war began. The investigation found that the six hostages were killed by multiple gunshots from their captors after surviving for nearly 330 days. The Israeli military’s “ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists’ decision to murder the six hostages,” the report found. According to the investigation, the Israeli military began operating in the area where the hostages were being held in southern Gaza about two weeks before their discovery, under the assumption that the chances of hostages in the area was medium to low. On August 27, hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi was found alone in a tunnel , causing the Israeli military to halt operations for 24 hours to determine if there could be other hostages in the area. The military discovered the opening leading to the tunnel where the bodies of the six hostages were located on August 30. A pathological report estimated the six hostages were killed on August 29. The six hostages killed were Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin , whose American-Israeli parents became some of the most recognized spokespeople pleading for the hostages’ release, including addressing the Democratic National Convention days before their son’s killing. “The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal,” the Hostages Families Forum said in response to the investigation. “Every passing moment puts the hostages’ lives in immediate danger.” JERUSALEM — The Israeli negotiating team working on a ceasefire returned from Qatar to Israel on Tuesday, the prime minister’s office said, after what it called “a significant week” of talks. After months of deadlock, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt resumed their mediation efforts in recent weeks and reported greater willingness by the warring sides to reach a deal. According to Egyptian and Hamas officials, the proposed agreement would take place in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of captive Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel says Hamas is holding 100 hostages, over one-third of whom are believed to be dead. On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “some progress” in efforts to reach a deal, but added he did not know how long it would take. CAIRO — Israeli soldiers took control of a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcing all the patients and most of the doctors to leave, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. Some of the patients had to walk to another hospital while others were driven by paramedics, according to Health Ministry spokesperson Zaher al-Wahidi. He did not specify how many patients had evacuated. The Israeli military confirmed its troops had entered the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Jabaliya as part of an operation searching for Hamas fighters. The army later said its soldiers had left the hospital. The military said it had assisted with evacuating the patients and had not ordered the hospital closed. However, al-Wahidi said only one doctor and maintenance person were left behind. The Indonesian Hospital is one of three hospitals left largely inaccessible in the northernmost part of Gaza because Israel has imposed a tight siege there since launching an offensive in early October. The Israeli army said Tuesday’s operation at the Indonesian Hospital came after militants carried out attacks from the hospital for the past month, including launching anti-tank missiles and planting explosive devices in the surrounding area. The Health Ministry accused Israel of “besieging and directly targeting” the three hospitals in northern Gaza. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, said Israeli drones detonated explosives near the hospital and that 20 people were wounded, including five medical staff. The Israeli military declined to comment on the operation around the hospital. DAMASCUS — Scores of Syrian Christians protested in the capital Damascus on Tuesday, demanding greater protections for their religious minority after a Christmas tree was set on fire in the city of Hama a day earlier. Many of the insurgents who now rule Syria are jihadis, although Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the main rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and spent years depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. It remains unclear who set the Christmas tree on fire Monday, which was condemned by a representative of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham who visited the town and addressed the community. “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations," the HTS representative said in a video widely shared on social media. "The Christmas tree will be fully restored by this evening.” On Tuesday, protesters marched through the streets of Bab Touma in Damascus, shouting slogans against foreign fighters and carrying large wooden crosses. “We demand that Syria be for all Syrians. We want a voice in the future of our country,” said Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church as he addressed the crowd in a church courtyard, assuring them of Christians’ rights in Syria. Since HTS led a swift offensive that overthrew President Bashar Assad earlier this month, Syria’s minority communities have been on edge, uncertain of how they will be treated under the emerging rebel-led government. “We are here to demand a democratic and free government for one people and one nation,” another protester said. “We stand united — Muslims and Christians. No to sectarianism.” DOHA — Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said that ceasefire negotiations to end the war in Gaza were ongoing in Doha in cooperation with Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediators. “We will not leave any door unopened in pursuit of reaching an agreement,” said Majid al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday. Al Ansari added that rumors the ceasefire would be reached before Christmas are “speculation.” The ceasefire negotiations come at a time when winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. Families of the approximately 100 hostages who have been held for 445 days in Gaza are also worried their loved ones will not survive another winter. In a press conference, al-Ansari also called on the international community to lift sanctions on Syria as quickly as possible on Tuesday. “The reason was the crimes of the previous regime, and that regime, with all of its authority, is no longer in place, therefor the causes for these sanctions no longer exist today,” he said. DAMASCUS, Syria — American journalist Austin Tice is believed to be still alive, according to the head of an international aid group. Nizar Zakka, who runs the Hostage Aid Worldwide organization, said there has never been any proof that Tice, who has been missing since 2012, is dead. Zakka told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday that Tice was alive in January and being held by the authorities of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad. He added that U.S. President Joe Biden said in August that Tice was alive. Zakka said he believes Tice was transferred between security agencies over the past 12 years, including in an area where Iranian-backed fighters were operating. Asked if it was possible Tice had been taken out of the country, Zakka said Assad most likely kept him in Syria as a potential bargaining chip. Biden said Dec. 8 that his administration believed Tice was alive and was committed to bringing him home, although he also acknowledged that “we have no direct evidence” of his status. TEL AVIV, Israel — Hannah Katzir, an Israeli woman who was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, and freed in a brief ceasefire last year, has died. She was 78. The Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the families of people taken captive, confirmed the death Tuesday but did not disclose the cause. Her daughter, Carmit Palty Katzir, said in a statement that her mother’s “heart could not withstand the terrible suffering since Oct. 7.” Katzir’s husband, Rami, was killed during the attack by militants who raided their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her son Elad was also kidnapped and his body was recovered in April by the Israeli military, who said he had been killed in captivity. She spent 49 days in captivity and was freed in late November 2023. Shortly after Katzir was freed, her daughter told Israeli media that she had been hospitalized with heart issues attributed to “difficult conditions and starvation” while she was held captive. TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's military said the projectile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, but it set off air raid sirens overnight in the country's populous central area, sending residents looking for cover. Israel’s rescue service Magen David Adom said a 60-year-old woman was seriously wounded after being hurt on her way to a protected space. There was no immediate comment from Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. It was the third time in a week that fire from Yemen set off sirens in Israel. On Saturday, a missile slammed into a playground in Tel Aviv, injuring 16, after Israel’s air defense system failed to intercept it. Earlier last week, Israeli jets struck Yemen’s rebel-held capital and a port city, killing nine. Israel said the strikes were in response to previous Houthi attacks.

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Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a US withdrawal from NATO is possible

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Jonathan Greenard was gassed, gasping for breath and gulping some water late in the game on Minnesota's sideline, having chased around Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray to the point of sheer exhaustion after fighting through an illness all week. The Cardinals faced fourth down in those closing seconds on Sunday , trailing by one, and Greenard needed a break. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell let defensive coordinator Brian Flores see the formation the Cardinals sent out and deftly called timeout. The Vikings badly wanted Greenard, who'd been battling an illness all week, back in the game. “'You ready to go? You ready to go? You ready to go?'” O'Connell asked, smiling later as he reflected on his eagerness and the rarity of using a timeout to give a defensive player a rest. “No doubt, he was going back on the field and going to have a really impactful snap.” Greenard and the rest of the pass rush put enough heat on Murray to force a hurried throw that Shaquill Griffin intercepted to seal a 23-22 comeback victory that stretched Minnesota's winning streak to five. “He’s playing some high-level football. I don’t know where we’re at with postseason accolades, but he should be in the conversation for a number of those,” Flores said. “I feel like I say this every week: We’re lucky to have him.” Greenard is tied for fourth in the NFL with 32 pressures, according to Sportradar tracking. He's also tied for fourth in the league with 10 sacks. “He’s always popping off the tape, no matter what week it is,” teammate Harrison Smith said. “Especially in crunch time.” Those basic statistics only begin to show the impact Greenard has made on the Vikings, who made him their top priority in free agency this year once it was clear Danielle Hunter priced himself out of the plan. Greenard has not only blossomed into one of the league's most effective edge rushers after four injury-limited seasons with Houston, but he has also been a major part of Minnesota's success against the ground attack to the tune of an NFL-leading average allowance of 81.3 rushing yards per game. “The underrated part is just the all-down aspect of the physicality, setting edges, playing blocks and making some plays at or behind the line of scrimmage that set up his chances to then rush the passer,” O'Connell said. “He’s played a ton. We’re trying to be aware of just how much he’s played and see if we can give him some spurts here and there where we can kind of keep his play count where we want it, but at the same time he’s one of our best players. As I like to call him, he’s the closer.” Never was that nickname more evident than against the Cardinals. Pushed wide on his rush by left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., Greenard stabbed at Murray with his left hand to graze just enough of the ball to poke it loose. Murray fell on it to maintain possession, but the sack put the Cardinals in an uphill third-and-13 play. This time, Greenard deftly slid to the inside to keep full vision on one of the NFL’s most elusive quarterbacks. Pressure by Patrick Jones prompted Murray to take off as he barely avoided another sack, and Greenard was in ideal position to minimize the scramble. Once Murray hesitated to try to juke him and approaching cornerback Byron Murphy for more yardage, Greenard caught up and corralled him — inbounds, forcing the Cardinals to burn another timeout — for a 3-yard gain. Afterward, Greenard drew a straight line from those plays back to his offseason training. “If your tongue ain’t on the ground after your workouts, I feel like you’re not doing enough, especially the guys on the quarterbacks,” Greenard said. With the U.S. Bank Stadium crowd roaring, Greenard doubled over and asked to be subbed out. “I just wanted to show that I’m running my tail off to that football. It just so happened that he cut back and I was like, ‘Oh, perfect,'” Greenard said. “That was tough.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

At least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank around the city of Tulkarem on Tuesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, including three people it said were killed by Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a second somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of the war in Gaza, with most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent. Israel's bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel in October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage by Palestinian militants. Around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza , although only two thirds are believed to still be alive. Here’s the latest: NUR SHAMS REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank — The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in and around the city of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank on Tuesday. The ministry reported three of the dead were killed by airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. An Associated Press photojournalist captured images of Israeli forces detonating an explosive device planted by Palestinian militants during a raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp. Israel has carried out several large-scale raids in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, ignited by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. While airstrikes were once rare in the West Bank, they have grown more common since the outbreak of war as Israeli forces clamp down, saying they aim to prevent attacks on their citizens. Israeli fire has killed at least 800 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, Palestinian health officials say. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. SAYDNAYA, Syria — A large crowd of Syrians gathered near a historic monastery in Saydnaya on Christmas Eve to witness the lighting of a towering tree adorned with glowing green lights. Tuesday's celebration offered a rare moment of joy in a city scarred by over a decade of war and an infamous prison , where tens of thousands were held. Families and friends stood beneath the illuminated tree — some wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops — while a band played festive music and fireworks lit up the sky “This year is different, there’s happiness, victory and a new birth for Syria and a new birth for Christ,” said Houssam Saadeh, one attendee. Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed hope for unity across all sects and religions in Syria, dismissing recent Christmas tree vandalism as “isolated incidents.” Earlier in the afternoon, pilgrims visited the historic Our Lady of Saydnaya Monastery, one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries, believed to be built in the sixth century. In Homs, a similarly grand Christmas tree was illuminated as security officers patrolled the area to ensure a safe and peaceful gathering, according to Syria’s state media. UNITED NATIONS -- Recent attacks on hospitals in North Gaza, where Israel is carrying out an offensive, are having a devastating impact on Palestinian civilians still in the area, the U.N. humanitarian office says. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed deep concern at reports that the Israeli military entered the Indonesian Hospital on Tuesday, forcing its evacuation. The humanitarian office, known as OCHA, also expressed deep concern at attacks reported in recent days in and around the two other hospitals in North Gaza that are minimally functioning – Al Awda and Kamal Adwan. OCHA said the Israeli siege on Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia and parts of Jaballiya in North Gaza continued for a 79th day on Tuesday, and while the U.N. and its partners have made 52 attempts to coordinate humanitarian access to besieged areas in December 48 were rejected by Israel. While four missions were approved, OCHA said the U.N. and its partners faced impediments as a result of Israeli military operations and “none of the U.N.-coordinated attempts to access the area have been fully facilitated.” Throughout the Gaza Strip, OCHA said that Israeli authorities facilitated just 40% of requests for humanitarian movements requiring their approval in December. WASHINGTON — A leading global food crisis monitor says deaths from starvation will likely pass famine levels in north Gaza as soon as next month. The U.S.-created Famine Early Warning System Network says that’s because of a near-total Israeli blockade of food and other aid in that part of Gaza. The finding, however, appears to have exposed a rift within the Biden administration over the extent of starvation in northern Gaza. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, disputes part of the data used in reaching the conclusion and calls the intensified famine warning “irresponsible.” Northern Gaza has been one of the areas hardest-hit by fighting and Israel’s restrictions on aid throughout its 14-month war with Hamas militants. UNITED NATIONS — Israel’s foreign minister has requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to condemn recent missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and to condemn the group's Iranian allies for allegedly providing the group with weapons. Gideon Saar said in a letter Tuesday to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States, which holds the council presidency this month, that the Houthis are violating international law and council resolutions. “This Iranian-backed terrorist group continues to endanger Israel’s and other nations’ security, as well as the freedom of maritime navigation, in flagrant violation of international law,” Saar said. “All of this malign activity is done as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region.” The U.S. Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to an email asking when the council meeting will be held. The Houthis have said they launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea – and on Israel -- with the aim of ending Israel’s devastating air and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli war in Gaza followed Hamas’ deadly October 2023 attacks in southern Israel. TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli military investigation has concluded that the presence of troops inadvertently contributed to the deaths of six hostages killed by their Hamas captors in Gaza. The hostages' bodies were discovered in a tunnel in late August, an event that shook Israel and sparked some of the largest anti-war protests since the war began. The investigation found that the six hostages were killed by multiple gunshots from their captors after surviving for nearly 330 days. The Israeli military’s “ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists’ decision to murder the six hostages,” the report found. According to the investigation, the Israeli military began operating in the area where the hostages were being held in southern Gaza about two weeks before their discovery, under the assumption that the chances of hostages in the area was medium to low. On August 27, hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi was found alone in a tunnel , causing the Israeli military to halt operations for 24 hours to determine if there could be other hostages in the area. The military discovered the opening leading to the tunnel where the bodies of the six hostages were located on August 30. A pathological report estimated the six hostages were killed on August 29. The six hostages killed were Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin , whose American-Israeli parents became some of the most recognized spokespeople pleading for the hostages’ release, including addressing the Democratic National Convention days before their son’s killing. “The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal,” the Hostages Families Forum said in response to the investigation. “Every passing moment puts the hostages’ lives in immediate danger.” JERUSALEM — The Israeli negotiating team working on a ceasefire returned from Qatar to Israel on Tuesday, the prime minister’s office said, after what it called “a significant week” of talks. After months of deadlock, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt resumed their mediation efforts in recent weeks and reported greater willingness by the warring sides to reach a deal. According to Egyptian and Hamas officials, the proposed agreement would take place in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of captive Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel says Hamas is holding 100 hostages, over one-third of whom are believed to be dead. On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “some progress” in efforts to reach a deal, but added he did not know how long it would take. CAIRO — Israeli soldiers took control of a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcing all the patients and most of the doctors to leave, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. Some of the patients had to walk to another hospital while others were driven by paramedics, according to Health Ministry spokesperson Zaher al-Wahidi. He did not specify how many patients had evacuated. The Israeli military confirmed its troops had entered the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Jabaliya as part of an operation searching for Hamas fighters. The army later said its soldiers had left the hospital. The military said it had assisted with evacuating the patients and had not ordered the hospital closed. However, al-Wahidi said only one doctor and maintenance person were left behind. The Indonesian Hospital is one of three hospitals left largely inaccessible in the northernmost part of Gaza because Israel has imposed a tight siege there since launching an offensive in early October. The Israeli army said Tuesday’s operation at the Indonesian Hospital came after militants carried out attacks from the hospital for the past month, including launching anti-tank missiles and planting explosive devices in the surrounding area. The Health Ministry accused Israel of “besieging and directly targeting” the three hospitals in northern Gaza. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, said Israeli drones detonated explosives near the hospital and that 20 people were wounded, including five medical staff. The Israeli military declined to comment on the operation around the hospital. DAMASCUS — Scores of Syrian Christians protested in the capital Damascus on Tuesday, demanding greater protections for their religious minority after a Christmas tree was set on fire in the city of Hama a day earlier. Many of the insurgents who now rule Syria are jihadis, although Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the main rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and spent years depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. It remains unclear who set the Christmas tree on fire Monday, which was condemned by a representative of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham who visited the town and addressed the community. “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations," the HTS representative said in a video widely shared on social media. "The Christmas tree will be fully restored by this evening.” On Tuesday, protesters marched through the streets of Bab Touma in Damascus, shouting slogans against foreign fighters and carrying large wooden crosses. “We demand that Syria be for all Syrians. We want a voice in the future of our country,” said Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church as he addressed the crowd in a church courtyard, assuring them of Christians’ rights in Syria. Since HTS led a swift offensive that overthrew President Bashar Assad earlier this month, Syria’s minority communities have been on edge, uncertain of how they will be treated under the emerging rebel-led government. “We are here to demand a democratic and free government for one people and one nation,” another protester said. “We stand united — Muslims and Christians. No to sectarianism.” DOHA — Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said that ceasefire negotiations to end the war in Gaza were ongoing in Doha in cooperation with Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediators. “We will not leave any door unopened in pursuit of reaching an agreement,” said Majid al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday. Al Ansari added that rumors the ceasefire would be reached before Christmas are “speculation.” The ceasefire negotiations come at a time when winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. Families of the approximately 100 hostages who have been held for 445 days in Gaza are also worried their loved ones will not survive another winter. In a press conference, al-Ansari also called on the international community to lift sanctions on Syria as quickly as possible on Tuesday. “The reason was the crimes of the previous regime, and that regime, with all of its authority, is no longer in place, therefor the causes for these sanctions no longer exist today,” he said. DAMASCUS, Syria — American journalist Austin Tice is believed to be still alive, according to the head of an international aid group. Nizar Zakka, who runs the Hostage Aid Worldwide organization, said there has never been any proof that Tice, who has been missing since 2012, is dead. Zakka told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday that Tice was alive in January and being held by the authorities of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad. He added that U.S. President Joe Biden said in August that Tice was alive. Zakka said he believes Tice was transferred between security agencies over the past 12 years, including in an area where Iranian-backed fighters were operating. Asked if it was possible Tice had been taken out of the country, Zakka said Assad most likely kept him in Syria as a potential bargaining chip. Biden said Dec. 8 that his administration believed Tice was alive and was committed to bringing him home, although he also acknowledged that “we have no direct evidence” of his status. TEL AVIV, Israel — Hannah Katzir, an Israeli woman who was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, and freed in a brief ceasefire last year, has died. She was 78. The Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the families of people taken captive, confirmed the death Tuesday but did not disclose the cause. Her daughter, Carmit Palty Katzir, said in a statement that her mother’s “heart could not withstand the terrible suffering since Oct. 7.” Katzir’s husband, Rami, was killed during the attack by militants who raided their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her son Elad was also kidnapped and his body was recovered in April by the Israeli military, who said he had been killed in captivity. She spent 49 days in captivity and was freed in late November 2023. Shortly after Katzir was freed, her daughter told Israeli media that she had been hospitalized with heart issues attributed to “difficult conditions and starvation” while she was held captive. TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's military said the projectile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, but it set off air raid sirens overnight in the country's populous central area, sending residents looking for cover. Israel’s rescue service Magen David Adom said a 60-year-old woman was seriously wounded after being hurt on her way to a protected space. There was no immediate comment from Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. It was the third time in a week that fire from Yemen set off sirens in Israel. On Saturday, a missile slammed into a playground in Tel Aviv, injuring 16, after Israel’s air defense system failed to intercept it. Earlier last week, Israeli jets struck Yemen’s rebel-held capital and a port city, killing nine. Israel said the strikes were in response to previous Houthi attacks.

AFP – We’re familiar with terms like “helicopter parents” or “cosseting parents”, often used to describe overprotective parenting styles. However, this cautious approach has faced criticism from experts who argue that it can hinder a child’s emotional growth. Instead, they advocate for “lighthouse parenting”, a model that promotes greater independence and self-reliance. The concept of “lighthouse parenting” was introduced by paediatrician specialising in adolescent medicine Dr Ken Ginsburg. In particular, he outlined its benefits in the book Raising Kids to Thrive: Balancing Love With Expectations and Protection With Trust (2015). In it, he explained that parents must serve as a beacon for their offspring. “We must make certain they don’t crash against the rocks, but trust they have the capacity to learn to ride the waves on their own,” he writes. This educational model encourages parents to give their children more freedom in their actions, while clearly indicating the boundaries that must not be overstepped. Because helping children to become more autonomous doesn’t mean letting them do anything and everything. Children need to be guided and supported in their choices and questioning, without negative judgement or preconceived ideas. “By being there to provide (your kids) with support and guidance, but not just solving the problems for them, it allows them to feel like they have the tools to tackle things that life may throw at them,” said American psychotherapist Joe Farrell to Parents magazine. This way, once the child has left the family nest, they’ll be able to adapt. Unlike their peers who were overly cosseted during their early years. In a study published in 2019, a research team from Florida State University found that students with helicopter parents were more likely to experience school burnout than those with less control-ling upbringings. Experts agree that parental overprotection is detrimental to a child’s development. Adolescents and young adults who experienced helicopter parenting in most of their early years show more depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as socialisation difficulties. LETTING GO TO BE A BETTER PARENT One would think that all these research findings would be enough to discourage fathers and mothers from becoming “hyper-parents” who over-invest in their toddler’s life to ensure their absolute well-being. But it hasn’t had that effect. A survey conducted by Morning Consult for the New York Times revealed that 74 per cent of American parents have already made medical and other appointments for their adult children. This tendency to overprotect can be explained, in part, by the pressure on parents to ensure the safety, success and happiness of their offspring. Social networks and the comparison culture they promote have a lot to do with it. To foster children’s development and ease the burden on parents, the lighthouse parenting model advocates letting go. “I understand the desire to be very involved and wanting to know all the ins and outs of your child’s life. But you do get to that point, as they age, that they need to have their own life. “So, as they get older, you’re gradually stepping back,” psychotherapist Joe Farrell tells Parents. Like any parenting style, lighthouse parenting isn’t for every family. Some children need more attention than others, and will thrive best in a stricter, but not authoritarian, framework. Some Internet users are amused by the proliferation of parenting terms. Helicopter parents, bulldozer parents, tiger parents, snowplow parents and now light-house parents. The list goes on and on, attesting to the popularity of labelling everything to do with raising children. But when it comes to the latest buzzword, the main people involved are rather circumspect. “My husband (not on any social media) came across an article about this lighthouse thing and forwarded it to me with the comment: ‘...so, normal, regular parenting???’,” recounts a mother on the Reddit forum.

At age 32, we’d like to suggest is aging like fine wine. “I don’t know. I’m not a big wine guy,” the Canadiens’ winger said after Friday morning’s practice at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard. “I’m more a beer guy. “There’s been times where I haven’t played good hockey,” Gallagher continued. “There’s been times where I’ve played good hockey and been rewarded. Played poor hockey and got rewarded. Over the course of your career I think it all evens out. You put in the time in the summer, you take care of yourself and put in the work, you hope it pays off. But it’s too early in the year to be thinking like that. I feel confident. I feel comfortable. There’s still areas of my game where I’d like to improve and find ways to contribute a little bit more.” Heading into Saturday night’s Bell Centre match against the Vegas Golden Knights Gallagher has through 19 games. Only Cole Caufield, with 12 goals, has lit the lamp more. Gallagher signed a in October 2020. Perhaps this is just a continuation of last season’s late resurgence, when Gallagher scored five goals and added three assists over Montreal’s final five games, giving him 16 goals and 31 points in 77 contests. The 5-foot-9, 185-pounder has made a career from parking his body in front of the net, and has the bumps and bruises to show for his conviction. He’s now in his 13th season with the Canadiens, is the team’s longest-serving member, and understands better than anyone the rich tradition associated with the organization and its rabid fan base. Gallagher also seems to have found a comfort level with linemates Josh Anderson and Christian Dvorak. “Pucks are just finding a way to go in right now,” Gallagher said. “There’s times when they’re not. That’s why I look at my game in other regards. There’s other things I measure and like to do on the ice. Right now, I feel like I’m doing them and am being rewarded. But there’s times where that hasn’t been the case. “All I’m trying to do is be consistent for my coaches and my teammates. Be relied upon and hopefully be there every night. Every once in a while they go in. Everyone wants to contribute. There’s lots of ways to contribute. You can contribute to a team’s success in a lot of different ways. Sometimes it’s not always recognized or measured.” It certainly hasn’t hurt Gallagher’s cause that he has recovered from his litany of injuries. From the fractured jaw he suffered during the 2020 playoffs — while playing with a tear in his hip — to twice breaking his hand and twice fracturing his ankle, limiting him to 37 games during the 2022-23 season, Gallagher has paid the price for his style of play. In the past, Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis has expressed a desire to have Gallagher re-wire his approach to the game, relying on his experience and acumen to prosper rather than draining his physical energy. If the message has been slow to resonate, St. Louis has no qualms with the veteran’s play, suggesting he has improved his “software.” “It’s never too late,” St. Louis said, making an analogy to new and improved versions of Apple iPhones. “When you improve the software, you have more options. I know Gally’s really good in front of the net, but that’s not all he’s doing now. He’s doing way more. When you’re constantly battling with somebody in front of the net, it takes a toll and you’re probably prone to more injuries when that’s all you’re doing. “He understands ... sometimes it’s his turn to go. But it’s not his only job on the ice. He’s playing the whole game more. I think he’s having fun playing. Obviously he’s getting some results, which makes it fun. But it’s not luck.” The Canadiens will attempt to for the first time this season on Saturday — something they accomplished only once in 2023-24 in late March, defeating Seattle, Colorado and Philadelphia on the road. Montreal has been idle since Monday, while the Golden Knights will be playing their third road game in four nights. “We should come out with some good energy,” St. Louis said. “I think our start is very, very important.” Patrik Laine, recovering from an exhibition game knee injury, practised at full speed with his teammates and didn’t seem affected. He wasn’t made available to the media.

The Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) has awarded the contracts for the construction of new roads in the state in preparation for the yuletide season. This is aimed at ensuring a memorable Christmas for Ndi Anambra, who will be celebrating the season in the state, from across the country and other parts of the globe. In a release by the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, ANSEC at its 37th meeting, approved the construction of the 3.75 km Igwe Orizu Road, in Nnewi, to New Idea Construction Company Ltd, and to be completed within six months. According to the statement, the 10.8 km Nkwor Nnewi to Nkwor Oraifite was awarded to Infratech Construction Ltd at N7.2 billion, with a 12-month completion timeline, while the Oraukwu-Abatete-Nimo bypass in Idemili North measuring 4.922km was awarded to GMG Global Construction and Development Company Ltd, with a delivery date of six months. The statement further noted, “at the meeting, the council observed that many roads awarded at the last executive council meeting, including the New Tarzan road and the three roads whose contracts were revoked and re-awarded, have not been reported. “Recently, Governor Soludo kept his promise with the completion of the 12.5km Ezira-Umuomaku-Enugu Umuonyia-Achina Road, linking several communities, and the 11.9km Mmiata-Anam-Nzam road, linking the headquarters of Anambra West Local Government Area (LGA). “With the ongoing and completed road projects in the state, Governor Soludo has literally turned Anambra into a construction site in his pursuit of transforming the state into a country-wide destination brand”.This is Rumor Replay , a new weekly column at 9to5Mac that provides a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with my analysis and commentary. Today: Apple Television, AirTag 2 upgrades, iPhone 17 tidbits, and a new Pro Display XDR. Here are this week’s Apple rumors. Apple Television Rumors of an Apple TV set have abounded for years, and they’re back again after Mark Gurman said Apple is ‘evaluating’ building a device as part of its renewed home products initiative. I absolutely believe Apple should make a TV set , and it could even call it simply Apple Television to avoid confusion with the Apple TV app, Apple TV 4K box, and Apple TV+ service. But will it? I think the answer depends entirely on the forthcoming ‘HomePad’ I wrote about last week . If the HomePad helps turn home products into a meaningful business for Apple, then a TV set is a natural next step. But if it becomes the next HomePod or Apple TV 4K—a niche device overshadowed by the rest of Apple’s lineup—then an Apple Television would likely stay buried a while longer. AirTag 2 brings three upgrades Apple is reportedly planning to launch its AirTag 2 in mid-2025, four years after the original debuted. It will come with three key upgrades that, per Mark Gurman, provide “better range, bolster the onboard wireless chip and improve privacy.” I wrote yesterday about how the privacy piece will prove especially key . Launching an AirTag successor brings to the forefront all the baggage of stalking issues the company’s still grappling with. That said, outside of new privacy protections, I’m unsure how Apple can make AirTag 2 anything but an iterative, nice-to-have update. The improved range and wireless chip feel like no-brainers, and should enable better precision finding. But for the most part, despite years in the making, AirTag isn’t the kind of product that’s meant to wow. It’s a simple utility, and any small tweaks will be appreciated but likely nothing revolutionary. iPhone 17 tidbits Analyst Jeff Pu has shared a variety of expectations for next year’s iPhone 17 lineup. Notably, he highlights the iPhone 17 lineup having a: more complex aluminum design than the iPhone 16 line new fabrication process for the A19 and A19 Pro narrower Dynamic Island for the 17 Pro Max He also reiterates expectations for the ultra-thin 17 Air being around 6mm thick. There are a lot of unanswered questions his report raises. What does a ‘more complex’ aluminum design mean, for example? Why would the smaller Dynamic Island be exclusive to the Pro Max rather than coming to the 17 Pro too? Especially when both are expected to have the same TrueDepth Camera. With another 10 months until the iPhone 17 lineup launches, there’s plenty of time ahead for answers and clarity later. Pro Display XDR 2 Finally, display analyst Ross Young reports that the quantum dot technology found in the M4 MacBook Pro is expected to come to the next Pro Display XDR too. It’s been almost two years since the last report about a new Pro Display XDR, so despite being light on details, Young’s mention is noteworthy. If ever Apple were going to launch a successor to 2019’s Pro Display XDR, 2025 would be a great year to do so. That’s because a new M4 Mac Studio and Mac Pro are both launching the same year , making the perfect match for a new Apple display. Which rumors are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments. AirPods Pro 2 (currently just $159, discounted from $249) MagSafe iPhone Battery Pack 100W charging brick for fast charging Anker USB-C 8-in-1 hub with Ethernet, HDMI, SD, more ESR MagSafe Car Mount for iPhone

Bryce Young had the look he wanted. With 54 seconds to go, trailing by six and with no timeouts in his pocket against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Carolina Panthers quarterback saw the opposing secondary presenting a coverage that would allow Xavier Legette to sneak behind the defense on the post route head coach Dave Canales had dialed up. Young took the second-and-4 snap and from the Philadelphia 32-yard line. As the pocket formed around him, he confidently stepped up into the middle as Legette made his break toward the end zone. Young fired in his direction, and everything about the play had the makings of a touchdown that would tie the game at 22 prior to an extra point. The Panthers were on the cusp of knocking off arguably the NFL's hottest team in the Eagles, who entered with an eight-game winning streak. But the officials never signaled touchdown. Replay made it clear what they saw on the field; Legette, the 32nd overall pick in the draft out of South Carolina, never secured the ball before the pigskin hit the turf, and the ground clearly caused the ball to move. Incomplete. The Panthers had two more chances to gain 4 yards and secure a new set of downs. No dice. “(Expletive), I thought I caught that (expletive),” Legette told reporters after the game. All things Panthers: Latest Carolina Panthers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more. Legette said he didn’t know the ball hit the ground until a replay was shown on the Lincoln Financial Field jumbotron. Asked if he felt like he had control before the ball hit the ground he said: “Hell yeah.” Inside of two minutes, and without any timeouts, Canales had no way to ask for an official review. “I thought it would have been the protocol," Canales said of a potential review. "The ball moved around a little bit ... the officials saw it, we saw it on the sideline, it was close. Gonna have to look at it again.” Canales said that the mishap was "absolutely" a play he expects Legette to make. "That’s a big play we’re counting on. He’d be the first one to tell you he’s got to make that play," Canales said. "Bryce steps up, makes a beautiful throw in that situation, had the coverage we wanted. Those are the types of plays we have to make to get back in the winning column." The Panthers have been lining up Legette as the "X" receiver, a position that presents plenty of target opportunities, Canales said. Legette finished with two catches for 39 yards on eight targets. Legette was on the other side of Young's most impressive play of the day. As Carolina started the final drive from its own 3-yard line, Young evaded a sack that would have resulted in a safety and dropped a dime to Legette near the left sideline while almost throwing across his body. “Felt like we were gonna be 97 yards with a chance to win,” Canales said. Legette came up slow after the pickup of 31 yards and was briefly evaluated on the sideline before returning. "We're counting on him ... these are all things that we take and we learn and we grow (from), and I truly believe that we’re going to be in high-stakes games going against great teams and great players and we’re going to have to make those plays," said Canales, alluding to his team's loss last Sunday in overtime against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which came after running back Chuba Hubbard fumbled as the Panthers were in game-winning field-goal range. Young (19-for-34, 194 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception) said his belief in Legette remains strong and that he is a "great player" with a "super-bright future." "I know he knows I always believe in him," Canales said. "I always know he’s going to make the next one. I’m always going to have faith in that. I see how hard he works, the type of guy he is. Great for us, great in the locker room. It’s tough for us. We all miss things." Young said he will reinforce his words by showing him – the quarterback’s not going to stop throwing him the ball. “I trust him in every situation," Young said. "That’s not going to change.” Fellow Panthers wideout Adam Thielen hadn’t talked to the Legette yet when he met the media after the game, but the 11-year veteran wants the 23-year-old to know every receiver has experienced something similar at some point in their careers. “He’s a hard worker," Thielen said. "He does things the right way. We’re proud of him. He had a great game. Just keep working, and we’re there for him."

Axos financial EVP David Park sells $121,651 in stockEast Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., a potential first-round pick, declared for the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday. Revel, who sustained a torn left ACL in practice in September, had one season of eligibility remaining. "After an incredible journey at East Carolina, I am officially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft," the senior posted on social media. "... Pirates nation, thank you for your unwavering energy and support every game. Representing ECU is an honor, and I look forward to continuing to do so on Sundays!" Revel recorded two interceptions in three games this season, returning one 50 yards for a touchdown on Sept. 14 against Appalachian State. Over three seasons with the Pirates, Revel had three interceptions, 15 passes defensed and 70 tackles in 24 games. He was a second-team All-American Athletic Conference selection last season. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Revel as the No. 2 cornerback and No. 23 overall prospect in the 2025 draft class. --Field Level MediaTrump reveals HE forced Cabinet nominee out in scorched earth attack on the media and critics Trump Cabinet pick makes shocking announcement to withdraw after outrage By GEOFF EARLE, DEPUTY U.S. POLITICAL EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM IN WEST PALM BERACH, FLORIDA and KELLY LACO, EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF POLITICS Published: 20:13, 4 December 2024 | Updated: 21:16, 4 December 2024 e-mail 21 View comments Donald Trump revealed in a furious online post that he pulled the plug on his recent pick to run the Drug Enforcement Administration after he shockingly dropped out of consideration. 'I pulled him out,' Trump wrote after Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced his withdrawal. Chronister sparked MAGA controversy for ordering the arrest of a pastor for holding church services in the height of the COVID pandemic. What Trump didn't mention is that he had announced Chronister's nomination just four days before it imploded , which raises the question of why he put him forward in the first place. Chronister became the second Trump pick to pull out of Cabinet consideration, following former Rep. Matt Gaetz who withdrew after a sex scandal started plaguing his confirmation chances. Trump's secretary of defense nominee, Fox News host Pete Hegseth, is experiencing great difficulty in the Senate and there are even reports Trump is considering subbing in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump's comments about the exit of his DEA pick came during an attack on the Wall Street Journal. He included a thinly veiled threat to its powerful owner Rupert Murdoch , even as he continues to stock his administration with people connected to Fox News . The Journal is owned by Dow Jones , a Newscorp subsidiary, and the Fox Corporation is controlled by the Murdoch family. 'The Wall Street Journal is becoming more and more obnoxious and unreadable,' Trump began. 'Today’s main headline is: “Trump’s DEA Pick Pulls Out In Latest Setback.” With all that’s happening in the World, this is their Number One story of the day. Besides, he didn’t pull out, I pulled him out, because I did not like what he said to my pastors and other supporters,' Trump inveighed. President-elect Donald Trump issued a statement saying it was he who yanked the nomination fo Chad Chronister to run the Drug Enforcement Agency 'But, more importantly, what’s my “latest” setback??? I just won the Presidency of the United States! They haven’t written a good story about me in YEARS. Somebody over there ought to look at what they’re doing. The only one worse than them is stupid, China-centric Forbes Magazine!' Yet another Murdoch publication, the New York Post, cited a source who said 'Everyone knows President Trump calls the shots. The president heard the concerns about Sheriff Chronister and acted accordingly.' Another source said it 'was the president’s forceful hand that led him to remove his name' two days after putting forward the nomination. Read More Pete Hegseth breaks silence to Megyn Kelly on why he paid off rape accuser Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance have made taking on the fentanyl drug epidemic a major priority. MAGA ally Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who was leading the charge to get Chronister to step aside, said he simply 'lost his mind.' 'This sheriff ordered the arrest of a pastor for holding services during the COVID panic. He was tapped by Trump to head the DEA. Glad to see him withdraw from consideration,' he stated. 'Next time politicians lose their ever-lovin minds, he can redeem himself by following the Constitution.' Conservative Liz Wheeler called him a 'COVID tyrant' who 'abused his power and is unfit to lead the DEA' and urged him to withdraw. Another conservative influencer, Mike Cernovich, posted: 'Arresting a pastor?! This man can’t be near more power.' In March 2020 during the height of the pandemic, Chronister arrested pastor of The River at Tampa Bay Church Rodney Howard-Browne. The agency said he 'intentionally and repeatedly hosted church services with hundreds of members in attendance, despite knowing he was in violation of orders set in place by the President, the Governor of Florida , the CDC and the Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group.' Chronister confirmed his decision to step aside in a post on X, but didn't disclose what prompted him to exit from consideration. The sheriff would have worked closely with another controversial Trump choice, RFK Jr., who was tapped to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Chad Chronister, the Sheriff of Hillborough County, Florida was nominated to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration 'To have been nominated by President-Elect to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime,' Chronister said in a statement on Tuesday. 'Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I've concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration,' Chronister went on. Chad Chronister is a COVID tyrant who arrested a Christian pastor for holding church in person during the pandemic. Chronister held a press conference bragging about the arrest. Chronister abused his power; he’s unfit to lead the DEA. Trump should withdraw his nomination. pic.twitter.com/8jXtoPIX8q — Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) December 1, 2024 'There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling. I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County.' Chronister ordered the arrest of Tampa Bay pastor Rodney Howard-Browne in March 2020. He had allegedly violated a 'safer-at-home' order for the county. 'We received an anonymous tip that Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne refused a request to temporarily stop holding large gatherings at his church,' Chronister said during a press event announcing the arrest. 'And instead, he was encouraging his large congregation to meet at his church.' Chronister confirmed his decision to step aside in a post on X It is the honor of a lifetime to be nominated by President @realDonaldTrump to serve as the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and I am deeply humbled by this opportunity to serve our nation. pic.twitter.com/X5lslYyF1U — Chad Chronister (@ChadChronister) December 1, 2024 He went on to call it a 'reckless disregard for public safety.' The pastor ended up endorsing Chronister's bid for the DEA position in a stunning reversal. 'All good, the sheriff and I are friends, he has being doing an amazing job in Hillsborough County,' he said on X after Trump's decision to nominate him. 'I believe He and Pam Bondi will do an excellent job of cleaning up the place.' But it wasn't enough to save Chronister's chances at being Senate confirmed. His shocking exit came only days after his nomination by the president-elect who praised his numerous accolades. The sheriff would have worked closely with another controversial Trump choice, RFK Jr., who was tapped to lead the Department of Health and Human Services All good, the sheriff and I are friends, he has being doing an amazing job in Hillsborough County. I believe He and Pam Bondi will do an excellent job of cleaning up the place. https://t.co/dVvG5VlHBS — Rodney Howard-Browne (@rhowardbrowne) December 1, 2024 'I am pleased to nominate Sheriff Chad Chronister for Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA),' Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on November 30. 'For over 32 years, Sheriff Chad Chronister has served the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and received countless commendations and awards for keeping his community SAFE.' 'As DEA Administrator, Chad will work with our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to secure the Border, stop the flow of Fentanyl, and other Illegal Drugs, across the Southern Border, and SAVE LIVES,' Trump stated. Bondi was nominated to fill the position of attorney general after Gaetz's exit. She is the former attorney general of Florida and has been on Capitol Hill this week to meet with senators and shore up support for her bid. Donald Trump Politics Fox News Florida Share or comment on this article: Trump reveals HE forced Cabinet nominee out in scorched earth attack on the media and critics e-mail Add commentNone