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human slot machine Opinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes a mix of guest commentaries online and in print each day. To contribute, click here . ••• You can learn something about a city by just walking through it. Most of New York City’s Manhattan core feels bustling, whereas a San Francisco block can seem dormant. In Rome, it is common to see groups of men standing around, chatting or arguing. We are all familiar with such casual generalizations, but what might the data show more explicitly? Fortunately, there is new research. We have entered the age where innovative methods of measurement, such as computer vision and deep learning, can reveal how American life has changed. Researchers at the National Bureau of Economic Research compiled footage of four urban public spaces, two in New York and one each in Philadelphia and Boston, from 1979 to 1980 and again in 2008-2010. These snapshots of American life, roughly 30 years apart, reveal how changes in work and culture might have shaped the way people move and interact on the street. The videos capture people circulating in two busy Manhattan locations, in Bryant Park in midtown and outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Upper East Side; around Boston’s Downtown Crossing shopping district; and on Chestnut Street in downtown Philadelphia. One piece of good news is that, at least when it comes to our street behavior, we don’t seem to have become more solitary. From 1980 to 2010 there was hardly any change in the share of pedestrians walking alone, rising from 67% to 68%. A bigger change is that average walking speed rose by 15%. So the pace of American life has accelerated, at least in public spaces in the Northeast. Most economists would predict such a result, since the growth in wages has increased the opportunity cost of just walking around. Better to have a quick stroll and get back to your work desk. The biggest change in behavior was that lingering fell dramatically. The amount of time spent just hanging out dropped by about half across the measured locations. Note that this was seen in places where crime rates have fallen, so this trend was unlikely to have resulted from fear of being mugged. Instead, Americans just don’t use public spaces as they used to. These places now tend to be for moving through, to get somewhere, rather than for enjoying life or hoping to meet other people. There was especially a shift at Boston’s Downtown Crossing. In 1980, 54% of the people there were lingering, whereas by 2010 that had fallen to 14%. Consistent with this observation, the number of public encounters also fell. You might be no less likely to set off with another person in tow, but you won’t meet up with others as often while you are underway. The notion of downtown as a “public square,” rife with spontaneous or planned encounters, is not what it used to be. The internet and mobile phones are likely driving this change in behavior. If there is someone you want to meet up with, it is today much easier to arrange that in advance, rather than hoping for chance encounters. Anecdotally, I have noticed that the notion of a “hangout” is less central to daily life than when I was growing up, though people will talk about “hanging out” on social media such as X or Bluesky. Another driver of change could be the aging of America. In the 1980s, when I was in my 20s, I sometimes would hang out at the Downtown Crossing area in Boston, but it is unlikely, if I still lived nearby, that I would do so today. As an older person, I am busier and have more preestablished social networks, including in other cities and online. I also find that more people in public spaces are on their cellphones, so what’s the point? American cities have devoted considerable attention to developing public spaces as a place to meet up and socialize. Some pedestrian-oriented spaces, such as New York City’s Times Square and downtown areas in Cleveland and Philadelphia, among others, are far more animated than they were three decades ago. But perhaps the emphasis on the public square is less appropriate than it used to be, and traffic management, in the broad sense of that term, should be the new priority. Should we prefer this new world to the old? There is probably no going back, but in the meantime I will be observing public spaces in a new and different way. I am more likely to see the velocity of movement and take stock of the social thinness of what is before me, and thus be all the more in a hurry to get to my next destination. Tyler Cowen is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist, a professor of economics at George Mason University and host of the Marginal Revolution blog.Syrians cheer end of 50 years of Assad rule at first Friday prayers since government fellYoung regional Australians trailing city peers in digital skills

Each week, we'll dive into four good (ups) and bad (downs) things across the NFL. This week we look at Bryce Young's improvement, Jameson Williams big plays, quarterback processing, and more. All stats from TruMedia unless noted otherwise. Up: Bryce Young Between The Numbers Bryce Young’s improvement since his return from benching has a few things behind it. We’ve talked a lot in 1st & 10 and the quarterback rankings about how his comfort in the pocket has allowed him to avoid sacks when pressured. He has one of the lowest pressure-to-sack rates in the league. That comfort has also increased for his throws between the numbers. During the first two weeks of the season, Young threw 41.1 percent of his passes between the numbers. On those plays, he averaged -0.42 EPA per play with a 34.8 percent success rate. Since his return, Young has kept the rate of throws about the same at 42.9 percent but he’s been more successful throwing to that area, averaging 0.16 EPA per play with a 49.4 percent success rate. Those numbers aren’t overwhelming on their own, but they do highlight his processing improvement and comfortability in the offense. Production could also be better if receivers caught some passes to that area. He’s not overthinking these throws and that led to a confidence that has allowed him to fit the ball into some tight spaces. Here’s a 13-yard throw to Adam Thielen against Philadelphia on a third-and-13. It’s placed just high and outside enough to be out of reach of the defender. pic.twitter.com/X4n38hlxjI The comfort has also eliminated negative plays. During the first two weeks of the season he threw two picks to that area. Even last season when he had moderate success between the numbers, he threw seven interceptions. Young doesn’t have a rocket arm like some of the other top quarterbacks in the league and doesn’t have the receivers right now who win on the outside consistently, so having this success in the middle of the field is going to go a long in way in his continued development and can be a safety net as he progresses and more talent can eventually be added on the outside. Down: Deebo Samuel rushes It hasn’t been a great season for Deebo Samuel as a receiver. He’s only averaging 1.66 yards per route run with a 19.6 percent target share. Over the past five games, his high in receiving yards is 22. He finished with 16 on Thursday night against the Rams, along with a few drops, one that could have changed the game. What’s made Samuel so valuable during his tenure with the 49ers has been his versatility. He can line up anywhere, which has been a big part of the San Francisco offense being able to move everyone around. With that, Samuel has become a threat as a runner. Occasionally it’s been jet sweeps and end-arounds but when the 49ers need it, he’s also taken direct handoffs from the backfield. That hasn’t worked this season. Samuel leads all wide receivers with 34 carries this season. That includes having an extra game on Thursday night but he’s 20 attempts ahead of the next receiver. On rushing attempts, Samuel has averaged -0.25 EPA per play with a 35.5 percent success rate. Last year on 37 carries, he had a 62.2 percent success rate. The suddenness and agility do not seem to be there, especially on the traditional handoffs when Samuel is running straight into the line. pic.twitter.com/byFKGizsD9 It’s been a rough go for Samuel in what’s likely his last as a 49er. Up: Jameson Williams, varied big plays One of the questions for the Detroit offense coming into the season was if there would be a second receiver who emerged as a threat. The passing offense had been funneled through Amon-Ra St. Brown and then Sam LaPorta helped as a second option last season. Most of that was done through the short-middle area of the field. If the Lions could have Jameson Williams develop into an explosive option down the field, it could open up so many things for the offense. Well, Williams has been able to be the explosive player down the field... and he’s also been able to do it on throws to the middle of the field to fit in with the rest of the Detroit offense. Williams is tied for seventh among receivers with 14 plays of 20 or more yards. He’s been able to win deep but also take crossers and run with them for big gains. Here’s where Williams’s big plays have been caught: Williams can turn anything into a big play. Of the 65 receivers with an average depth of target of at least 10.0, no one has a higher average yards after the catch per reception than Williams at 8.8. His speed plays to both get down the field and eliminate defenders’ angles once he gets the ball in his hands. pic.twitter.com/ehdgIlHjpz Overall, Williams is 17th in yards per route run and has a higher figure than St. Brown. Down: Russell Wilson Extending Plays There has been a lot of good for the Pittsburgh offense since Russell Wilson took over as the starting quarterback. Wilson, in many aspects, has looked more like the player we saw in Seattle than having any resemblance to the struggling quarterback we saw in Denver. Wilson has gotten the deep ball back and a connection with George Pickens has created enough explosives to carry the offense through the second half of the season. Those famous Wilson moonballs are working in structure but they haven’t had the same success when out of structure. When Wilson holds the ball for at least four seconds this season, he’s 33rd of 34 qualified quarterbacks in EPA per play with the third-lowest success rate. On those plays, Wilson has an 11.6-yard aDOT but averages just 3.4 yards per attempt. The rhythm and precision that come when he reaches the top of his drop and throws deep isn’t there once he’s on the run. pic.twitter.com/qwQ4rNl7Vk This is also an area where Wilson’s relative lack of mobility has come up. He doesn’t have the same athleticism to avoid defenders when he’s trying to extend plays. He’s already taken 22 hits on plays that last at least four seasons. That’s the fourth most in the league and Wilson hasn’t been starting for a full season. He’s the only quarterback to take a hit on more than 50 percent of those plays (52.4 percent). Up: Zack Baun Downhill The emergence of Zack Baun has been one of the most unexpected developments on an Eagles defense that currently ranks first in weighted DVOA. Baun was a pass-rusher and special-teamer with the New Orleans Saints. When the Eagles, a team that has historically not invested much at the linebacker position, needed an answer, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio believed Baun could make the transition off the ball. That’s resulted in Baun's potential All-Pro season. He’s been one of the best all-around linebackers in the league and has been a central piece of the Philadelphia defense's improvement. His coverage has been impressive. Through Week 14, he’s 10th among linebackers in yards allowed per coverage snap. But the area where he’s flashed his dominance is when he can get downhill. That’s closer to the skill set he had when playing on the edge but he’s taken that a step further and been a bullet in run fits. He leads all linebackers with seven tackles for loss against the run. Give him an open lane and Baun is going to take it. pic.twitter.com/9G5WF5IVJC Baun currently leads the league in tackles that produce a positive play for the defense. His 83 such tackles are 13 more than the next defender. He’s a high-volume tackler, but 64.3 percent of his total tackles have produced positive EPA for the defense, which is the second-highest rate for linebackers. Down: The extra Caleb Williams hitch Throwing deep has been an issue for Caleb Williams all season. The timing and touch in this offense have not come quite as naturally as some other aspects of his game, even in the sports when things were going well. There’s just been a tick of hesitation when Williams has tried to let it rip. In some cases, it’s been when he’s been too stubborn to stay in the pocket and make things work. He knows what’s supposed to be happening in the progression and he’s going to make it happen . But often it’s not going to work and he’d be better off trying to get outside and extend the play that way. Against the 49ers, there were two plays where Williams knew what he wanted to do but it wasn’t open. Instead of moving on, he took an extra hitch to wait it out and fired it anyway. The first came with Rome Odunze running a double move against Fred Warner. Odunze ran toward Warner before breaking vertically. Instead of ripping the ball when Odunze was making his break, Williams held on for an extra tick until Odunze cleared Warner but by that time the window to fit the ball was nonexistent. pic.twitter.com/7WfUhHZPJW Later in the game, he had a dig to DJ Moore off a hard play-action from under center. Williams knew he had to move the linebacker to open the throwing lane, but as he tried to do so, it took a few extra hitches. By the time he released the ball, the corner was able to drive on the route and break up the pass. pic.twitter.com/bVeaoHPt9S Williams has been at his best when playing free and loose. We saw that in the first games under Thomas Brown as offensive coordinator. The whole process looked clunkier with Brown serving as head coach, so we’ll see if some of the process can be sped up in a positive way going forward. Up: Christian Benford’s Coverage Christian Benford has been one of the best cornerbacks in the league this season. He’s currently fifth among corners in adjusted yards allowed per coverage snap, which adjusts for touchdowns and interceptions. Benford’s play can be overlooked because he doesn’t have a ton of splash plays in coverage. He only has eight passes defensed and one interception. But his down-to-down consistency in coverage has been huge on the outside for Buffalo. He plays on both sides of the field and because the Bills play so often in zone coverage, his responsibilities on a given play can vary wildly. But whatever he’s been tasked to do, he’s been sticky in coverage. pic.twitter.com/X09nnwWHGY Despite not having many plays on the ball, Benford has allowed a -4.0 percent catch rate over expectation and has forced a tight window on 24.5 percent of his targets, per Next Gen Stats. On plays lasting longer than 2.5 seconds, Benford has forced a tight window on 38.5 percent of targets, which is the fifth-highest among 96 defensive backs with at least 200 such coverage snaps. His skill will be needed this week against the Lions, as Rasul Douglas and Taylor Rapp have already been ruled out for Sunday. Down: Misrepresenting the end of Bill Belichick’s Patriots Tenure With Bill Belichick taking the head coach job at the University of North Carolina, there has been much talk about the end of Belichick’s time in New England and what that could mean for his time at the college level. There are two things that have stuck out to me as misrepresentations of some of Belichick’s shortcomings. The first is the idea that he stopped being a good coach in the final years with the Patriots. New England won 10 games with a rookie Mac Jones. There’s no excuse for what happened in Year 2 with putting Matt Patricia in charge of the offense but it’s not as if there was no offensive success after Tom Brady left. Last season, the New England defense ranked fourth in EPA per play. Many of the same players are on this year’s defense, which ranks 26th. Then there’s harping on how Bill Belichick the general manager didn’t do many favors for Belichick the coach. That’s true but I struggle to see how that’s going to impact his college roster. Sure, the receiver picks were bad, but we’re basing that on things like drafting N’Keal Harry in the first round. You know what N’Keal Harry did in his final two years in college? 2,230 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. Recruiting college players and drafting for the NFL are two very different skills. There’s no guarantee that Belichick will thrive in that area at North Carolina, but his track record as an NFL general manager and drafter is not going to be the reason why he does or doesn’t. This article first appeared on The 33rd Team and was syndicated with permission.

By Ja'han Jones Happy Tuesday. Here’s your Tuesday Tech Drop, a curated list of the past week’s top stories from the intersection of politics and the all-inclusive world of technology. Rapper Drake — who once dismissed artists who take legal action with the lyric, “a cease-and-desist is for hoes” — seems to have had a change of heart after taking a lyrical drubbing from Pulitzer-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar this summer. In a petition filed Monday in New York, Drake launched a legal attack against his own record label, Universal Music Group, and Spotify, which he accuses of harming him by allegedly boosting Lamar’s song “They Not Like Us,” a scathing diss track aimed at Drake and his associates. (Lamar is also signed to UMG.) Drake’s petition, which seeks information to support a potential lawsuit, claims that UMG and Spotify engaged in a high-tech “scheme” using bots, reduced licensing fees and paid influencers to boost the song illegally. A second petition , filed in Texas, alleges UMG engaged in a pay-for-play scheme with iHeartMedia to help boost the song, which the petition also claims defamed Drake. UMG provided NBC News with a pretty scathing response to the first suit: The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue. We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.” Spotify declined to comment Tuesday to NBC News, but its website says the platform has practices in place to prevent artificial streaming. As you might imagine, Drake resorting to the courts for help in the midst of a rap beef has been met with some pretty savage mockery . After all, Drake himself has put baseless claims about other artists, including Lamar , in his tracks, and he’s used social media influencers to hype his music . And he’s also taken advantage of shifts in the infrastructure of the music industry throughout his career, so in some ways, it seems Drake is raging against the machine that made him. Now it looks like a messy legal battle is on the horizon, which could shake loose all sorts of details about the inner workings of the music industry. One thing is for certain: Drake has made history as the first rapper to take legal action against Big Tech for the L he took during a beef. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has a plan to counter President-elect Donald Trump’s threats to undermine investment in electric vehicles . But the plan could exclude Elon Musk, and Musk is outraged. Read more at The Daily Beast . Axios reports Trump is searching for someone to serve as his “AI czar” and lead his administration’s efforts around artificial intelligence. Musk, who seems to have his hand in every aspect of the incoming Trump administration, is reportedly involved in this decision, as well. Remember last week when Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy wrote that their “department” of “government efficiency” would rely on “advanced technology” to root out government waste? Axios suggests the AI czar is going to help with that. Read more at Axios . CNBC dropped a report on the hundreds of millions of dollars the cryptocurrency industry plunged into this year’s elections, and its success in “buying” the most pro-crypto Congress in history. Read more at CNBC . Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Communications Committee won’t stop issuing threats. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has spent his first couple of weeks in the spotlight threatening media companies’ broadcast licenses and has vowed to end what he portrayed as governmental “lawfare” against Musk. Read more at Mediaite . Sunday night’s episode of “60 Minutes” featured a story on the disturbingly exploitative gigs, outsourced to countries across the globe, that involve employees training artificial intelligence tools to recognize items. Watch the segment below: Ja'han Jones is The ReidOut Blog writer. He's a futurist and multimedia producer focused on culture and politics. His previous projects include "Black Hair Defined" and the "Black Obituary Project."Middle East latest: Lebanon closes all its land border crossings with Syria except oneThe National Basketball Association (NBA) is taking a first step back into the huge Chinese market with two preseason games set to take place in Macao next October, five years after the league was effectively blocked from China. The Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns will play the preseason games on October 10 and 12 at the Venetian Arena next year, while an NBA Flagship Store will also open in Macao. "Bringing preseason games to Macao will showcase the excitement of the NBA to fans in one of the world's emerging hubs for sports," NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO Mark Tatum said in a press release. "The Nets and the Suns feature an exciting mix of established and rising stars, and we look forward to engaging fans, aspiring players and the local community in Macao through these games and a variety of interactive events, youth development programs and social impact initiatives." NBA teams command a huge following in China, where basketball is wildly popular. The league has not staged a game in the country since 2019, when a tweet in support of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong from the Houston Rockets' then general manager Daryl Morey sparked a political firestorm. At the time, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver refused to punish or censor Morey – who is currently the Philadelphia 76ers' president of basketball operations – prompting ire from Beijing and leading the sports station of China's central broadcaster to stop showing the league's games for a year. Hong Kong was roiled by pro-democracy protests in 2019, which at times brought several hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets to push for democracy in the city. Like Macao, Hong Kong is considered a special administrative region of China, partly distinct from the mainland. Beijing repeatedly accused Western democratic forces of working to fuel the popular Hong Kong protests and lashed out at any support for the movement, which died out in 2020 when the capital imposed a sweeping national security law on the city. Silver said two years ago that the NBA had lost "hundreds of millions of dollars" in revenue following the fallout with China, with whom the league had shared a long-standing relationship. According to Reuters, 17 NBA teams played 28 games in China between 2004 and 2019. However, tensions between the league and the country now appear to have thawed, with a legends game featuring six former NBA stars set be held in Macao on Saturday. "We always love the opportunity to compete on the global stage and we are grateful to participate in the NBA China Games 2025," said Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks. "The Brooklyn Nets have an incredible fanbase around the globe and we can't wait to bring our love of the game directly to our fans while giving our players and coaches the opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture." Phoenix Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein, meanwhile, added that playing in Macao is part of the team's vision to "bring the Suns to a global audience and impact fans across the world."

Chloroprene Rubber Market In 2024: Developing Innovations Like Chloroprene Latex FormulationsSANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 13, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In a groundbreaking move for the property management and inspection industry, DrBalcony ( drbalcony.com ) introduces its cutting-edge app, a pioneering digital platform designed to revolutionize the balcony inspection process. This innovative tool empowers homeowners, property managers, and Homeowner Associations (HOAs) with a streamlined, intuitive experience, eliminating inefficiencies and redefining how inspections are managed. With a user-friendly interface and advanced features, the DrBalcony App transforms what was once a complex, time-consuming process into one that is seamless and efficient. Users can now obtain instant quotes, create and manage projects, and schedule inspections—all with just a few taps on their devices. “At DrBalcony, we are passionate about reimagining property management through technology,” said Greg, VP of Sales of DrBalcony. “The app reflects our dedication to simplifying inspections while upholding safety and compliance standards. With over 2,500 inspections completed, we’re proud to offer a solution that sets a new benchmark for convenience and reliability.” FEATURES THAT SET THE DRBALCONY APP APART The DrBalcony App is tailored to meet the specific needs of California property owners, offering features designed to ensure the integrity of balcony structures while making compliance with state laws like SB 721 and SB 326 more accessible than ever. Learn more: https://drbalcony.com/services/ A SOLUTION BACKED BY REAL RESULTS “For years, the balcony inspection process has been frustrating and inefficient,” shared Omid, CEO of DrBalcony. “This app eliminates unnecessary complications. From instant quotes to straightforward scheduling, it’s a game-changer.” DOWNLOAD THE DRBALCONY APP TODAY The DrBalcony App is now available for download and marks a significant leap forward in property management. By addressing common pain points in the inspection process, DrBalcony ensures peace of mind for property owners, engineers, and HOAs, all while maintaining safety and compliance with California’s strict balcony safety regulations . About DrBalcony: DrBalcony leverages innovative technology to enhance balcony inspection, focusing on efficiency, safety, and customer-centric solutions. With a mission to simplify the complex, DrBalcony has become a trusted name in the balcony inspection industry, ensuring compliance and safety standards are met with ease. Learn more: https://drbalcony.com/ . Your property’s safety has never been simpler—download the DrBalcony App today! NEWS SOURCE: DrBalcony Keywords: Real Estate, DrBalcony, Balcony Inspections, home inspection, safety, app, solution, service, SB 326, SB 721, SANTA ANA, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (DrBalcony) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P122836 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/drbalcony-app-redefines-balcony-inspections-with-unparalleled-efficiency/ © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.

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Israel has agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon that will take effect at 4 a.m. Wednesday. Moments after U.S. President Joe Biden announced the ceasefire deal , which Israel's Cabinet approved late Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike slammed into the Lebanese capital. Residents of Beirut and its southern suburbs have endured the most intense day of Israeli strikes since the war began nearly 14 months ago, as Israel's nationwide onslaught of bombings signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah before the ceasefire is set to take hold. At least 42 people have killed by Israeli strikes across Lebanon on Tuesday, according to local authorities. Hezbollah also fired rockets into Israel on Tuesday, triggering air raid sirens in the country’s north. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. Hezbollah began attacking Israel a day after Hamas’ attack. The fighting in Lebanon escalated into all-out war in September with massive Israeli airstrikes across the country and an Israeli ground invasion of the south. In Gaza, more than 44,000 people have been killed and more than 104,000 wounded in the nearly 14-month war between Israel and Hamas, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Here's the Latest: BEIRUT — The Health Ministry in Lebanon says 18 more people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes across the country, bringing the total death toll on Tuesday to at least 42 people. Eleven people were killed by Israeli bombing in eastern Lebanon, four were killed by strikes on border crossings between northern Lebanon and Syria, and three people were killed in southern Lebanon, the Health Ministry said early Wednesday. In the hours before a ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect, Israel launched its most intense wave of strikes on the capital Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict. Strikes have targeted what Israel said were Hezbollah-related targets in several other parts of the country as well. Israel’s military issued a record number of evacuation warnings in Beirut, sending people fleeing from their homes. Hezbollah also fired rockets into Israel on Tuesday, triggering air raid sirens across the country’s north. UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations chief welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, and hopes it can end the violence and suffering of people in both countries, the U.N. spokesman says. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel and Hezbollah to swiftly implement all commitments under the agreement, and take immediate steps toward fully implementing the 2006 U.N. Security Council resolution that ended the last Israel-Hezbollah war, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said late Tuesday. Resolution 1701 called for the deployment of Lebanese forces throughout the south, which borders Israel and is now mainly controlled by Hezbollah, and it calls for all armed groups including Hezbollah to be disarmed. Neither has happened in the past 17 years. Dujarric said U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon “both stand ready to support the implementation of this agreement, in line with their respective mandates.” WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump’s senior national security team was briefed by the Biden administration as negotiations unfolded, according to the senior U.S. official. The official, who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity in a White House-organized call, added that the incoming Trump administration officials were not directly involved in the talks, but that it was important that the incoming administration knew “what we were negotiating and what the commitments were.” The official said “all fire will stop from all parties” at 4 a.m. local time. The next step would be what the official described as a “phased withdrawal” by the Israeli military. As the Israelis pull back, Lebanese national forces will occupy the territories. The process is slated to finish within 60 days. Lebanese forces is supposed to patrol the area and remove Hezbollah weaponry and infrastructure there. “Hezbollah is incredibly weak at this moment, both militarily and politically,” the official said. “And this is the opportunity for Lebanon to re-establish its sovereignty over its territory.” The official said the ceasefire agreement will strengthen what’s known as the “tripartite mechanism” by including the United States and France. The goal is to address violations of the ceasefire without a return to hostilities. UNITED NATIONS – The top U.N. envoy for Lebanon welcomed the ceasefire announcement and urged Israel and Hezbollah militants to take concrete actions to fully implement the 2006 agreement that ended their last war. U.N. Special Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said the agreement “marks the starting point of a critical process” that must see both sides fully implement U.N. Security Council resolution 1701. It called for the deployment of Lebanese armed forces in the south bordering Israel and the disarmament of all armed groups including Hezbollah – neither of which has happened in the past 17 years. “Nothing less than the full and unwavering commitment of both parties is required,” Hennis-Plasschaert said. “Neither side can afford another period of disingenuous implementation under the guise of ostensible calm.” She commended the parties for “seizing the opportunity to close this devastating chapter,” stressing that “Now is the time to deliver, through concrete actions, to consolidate today’s achievement.” UNITED NATIONS — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is calling for urgent international intervention to stop what he described as “an ongoing genocidal war” in Gaza. Abbas heads the Palestinian Authority which has limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but not Gaza, which has been controlled by Hamas. The U.S. and others want a reinvigorated Palestinian Authority to run Gaza when the war ends. In a speech on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Abbas accused Israel of repeating what happened to the Palestinians in 1948 and 1967 – displacing them and seizing their land and resources. Abbas demanded to know how long the world will remain silent and refuse to compel Israel to abide by international law. The speech to U.N. member nations was read by Palestinian U.N. ambassador Riyad Mansour. “The only way to halt the halt the dangerous escalation we are witnessing in the region, and maintain regional and international stability, security and peace, is to resolve the question of Palestine,” Abbas' speech said. This must be done in accordance with U.N. Security Council resolutions which call for a two-state solution, he said. BEIRUT -- Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hezbollah, describing it as a crucial step toward stability, the return of displaced people to their homes and regional calm. Mikati made these comments in a statement issued just after U.S. President Joe announced the truce deal. Mikati said he discussed the ceasefire agreement with Biden by phone earlier Tuesday. The prime minister reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to implementing U.N. resolution 1701, strengthening the Lebanese army’s presence in the south, and cooperating with the U.N. peacekeeping force. He also called on Israel to fully comply with the ceasefire and withdraw from southern Lebanon in accordance the U.N. resolution. JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet has approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, clearing the way for the truce to take effect. Netanyahu’s office said the plan was approved by a 10-1 margin. The late-night vote came shortly before President Joe Biden was expected to announced details of the deal in Washington. Earlier, Netanyahu defended the ceasefire, saying Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah and could now focus its efforts on Hamas militants in Gaza and his top security concern, Iran. Netanyahu vowed to strike Hezbollah hard if it violates the expected deal. WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Waltz, President-elect Donald Trump’s designate to be national security adviser, credited Trump’s victory with helping bring the parties together toward a ceasefire in Lebanon. “Everyone is coming to the table because of President Trump,” he said in a post on X on Tuesday. “His resounding victory sent a clear message to the rest of the world that chaos won’t be tolerated. I’m glad to see concrete steps towards deescalation in the Middle East.” He added: “But let’s be clear: The Iran Regime is the root cause of the chaos & terror that has been unleashed across the region. We will not tolerate the status quo of their support for terrorism.” BEIRUT — Israeli jets targeted a building in a bustling commercial area of Beirut for the first time since the start of the 13-month war between Hezbollah and Israel. The strike on Hamra is around 400 meters (yards) from the country’s central bank. A separate strike hit the Mar Elias neighborhood in the country’s capital Tuesday. There was no immediate word on casualties from either strike, part of the biggest wave of attacks on the capital since the war started. Residents in central Beirut were seen fleeing after the Israeli army issued evacuation warnings for four targets in the city. Meanwhile, the Israeli army carried out airstrikes on at least 30 targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including two strikes in the Jnah neighborhood near the Kuwaiti Embassy. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that 13 people were injured in the strikes on the southern suburbs. BEIRUT — Hezbollah has said it accepts the ceasefire proposal with Israel, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state.” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Among the issues that may remain is an Israeli demand to reserve the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations under the emerging deal. The deal seeks to push Hezbollah and Israeli troops out of southern Lebanon. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he would recommend his Cabinet adopt a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as Israeli warplanes struck across Lebanon, killing at least 23 people. The Israeli military also issued a flurry of evacuation warnings — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah down to the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. For the first time in the conflict, Israeli ground troops reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River, a focal point of the emerging deal. In a televised statement, Netanyahu said he would present the ceasefire to Cabinet ministers later on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting. Netanyahu said the vote was expected later Tuesday. It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal does not affect Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which shows no signs of ending. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s state media said Israeli strikes on Tuesday killed at least 10 people in Baalbek province the country’s east. At least three people were killed in the southern city of Tyre when Israel bombed a Palestinian refugee camp, said Mohammed Bikai, a representative of the Fatah group in the area. He said several more people were missing and at least three children were among the wounded. He said the sites struck inside the camp were “completely civilian places” and included a kitchen that was being used to cook food for displaced people. JERUSALEM — Dozens of Israeli protesters took to a major highway in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening to call for the return of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as the country awaited news of a potential ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Protesters chanted “We are all hostages,” and “Deal now!” waving signs with faces of some of the roughly 100 hostages believed to be still held in Gaza, at least a third of whom are thought to be dead. Most of the other hostages Hamas captured in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack were released during a ceasefire last year. The prospect of a ceasefire deal in Lebanon has raised desperation among the relatives of captives still held in Gaza, who once hoped that the release of hostages from Gaza would be included. Instead of a comprehensive deal, the ceasefire on the table is instead narrowly confined to Lebanon. Dozens of Israelis were also demonstrating against the expected cease-fire, gathering outside Israel’s military headquarters in central Tel Aviv. One of the protesters, Yair Ansbacher, says the deal is merely a return to the failed 2006 U.N. resolution that was meant to uproot Hezbollah from the area. “Of course that didn’t happen,” he says. “This agreement is not worth the paper it is written on.” FIUGGI, Italy — Foreign ministers from the world’s industrialized countries said Tuesday they strongly supported an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and insisted that Israel comply with international law in its ongoing military operations in the region. At the end of their two-day summit, the ministers didn’t refer directly to the International Criminal Court and its recent arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over crimes against humanity . Italy had put the ICC warrants on the official meeting agenda, even though the G7 was split on the issue. The U.S., Israel’s closest ally, isn’t a signatory to the court and has called the warrants “outrageous.” However, the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell said all the other G7 countries were signatories and therefore obliged to respect the warrants. In the end, the final statement adopted by the ministers said Israel, in exercising its right to defend itself, “must fully comply with its obligations under international law in all circumstances, including international humanitarian law.” And it said all G7 members — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – “reiterate our commitment to international humanitarian law and will comply with our respective obligations.” It stressed that “there can be no equivalence between the terrorist group Hamas and the State of Israel.” The ICC warrants say there's reason to believe Netanyahu used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza — charges Israeli officials deny. BEIRUT — An Israeli strike on Tuesday levelled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded in Beirut, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. It was not immediately clear if anyone in particular was targeted, though Israel says its airstrikes target Hezbollah officials and assets. The Israeli military spokesman issued a flurry of evacuation warnings for many areas, including areas in Beirut that have not been targeted throughout the war, like the capital’s commercial Hamra district, where many people displaced by the war have been staying. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks in Lebanon during the final hours before a ceasefire is reached, sparked panic and sent residents fleeing in their cars to safer areas. In areas close to Hamra, families including women and children were seen running away toward the Mediterranean Sea’s beaches carrying their belongings. Traffic was completely gridlocked as people tried to get away, honking their car horns as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. The Israeli military also issued warnings for 20 more buildings in Beirut’s suburbs to evacuate before they too were struck — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah in the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. TEL AVIV, Israel — The independent civilian commission of inquiry into the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has found Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly responsible for the failures leading up to the attack, alongside former defense ministers, the army chief and the heads of the security services. The civil commission presented its findings today after a four-month probe in which it heard some 120 witnesses. It was set up by relatives of victims of the Hamas attack, in response to the absence of any state probe. The commission determined that the Israeli government, its army and security services “failed in their primary mission of protecting the citizens of Israel.” It said Netanyahu was responsible for ignoring “repeated warnings” ahead of Oct. 7, 2023 for what it described as his appeasing approach over the years toward Hamas, and for “undermining all decision-making centers, including the cabinet and the National Security Council, in a way that prevented any serious discussion” on security issues. The commission further determined that the military and defense leaders bear blame for ignoring warnings from within the army, and for reducing the army’s presence along the Gaza border while relying excessively on technological means. On the day of the Hamas attack, the report says, the army’s response was both slow and lacking. The civil commission called for the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 attack. Netanyahu has opposed launching a state commission of inquiry, arguing that such an investigation should begin only once the war is over. JERUSALEM -- The Israeli military says its ground troops have reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River — a focal point of the emerging ceasefire. In a statement Tuesday, the army said it had reached the Wadi Slouqi area in southern Lebanon and clashed with Hezbollah forces. Under a proposed ceasefire, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the Israeli border. The military says the clashes with Hezbollah took place on the eastern end of the Litani, just a few kilometers (miles) from the border. It is one of the deepest places Israeli forces have reached in a nearly two-month ground operation. The military says soldiers destroyed rocket launchers and missiles and engaged in “close-quarters combat” with Hezbollah forces. The announcement came hours before Israel’s security Cabinet is expected to approve a ceasefire that would end nearly 14 months of fighting. BEIRUT — Israeli jets Tuesday struck at least six buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including one that slammed near the country’s only airport. Large plumes of smoke could be seen around the airport near the Mediterranean coast, which has continued to function despite its location beside the densely populated suburbs where many of Hezbollah’s operations are based. The strikes come hours before Israel’s cabinet was scheduled to meet to discuss a proposal to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The proposal calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. There were no immediate reports of casualties from Tuesday’s airstrikes. FIUGGI, Italy — EU top diplomat Josep Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. (edited)

Cisco Systems, Inc. ( NASDAQ: CSCO ) Barclays 22nd Annual Global Technology Conference December 12, 2024 2:35 PM ET Company Participants Chuck Robbins - Chairman and CEO Conference Call Participants Tim Long - Barclays Bank Unidentified Company Representative Good morning, everybody and welcome to Barclays' 22nd Annual Global Technology Conference. It's a real pleasure to be here with you all this morning and it is my distinct privilege to be interviewing Chuck Robbins, the Chairman and CEO of Cisco. Chuck, welcome. It's great that you're with us. Chuck Robbins Thank you. It's great to be here. Unidentified Company Representative Thank you very much. And I know you all know Chuck and are probably very familiar with his resume, but I might just spend a moment just to run through because there's some points in the resume that are going to sort of be relevant to the conversation. So Chuck was born in Grayson, Georgia. He went -- he achieved a bachelor of mathematics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He started his career as an application developer at the North Carolina National Bank, which is now a part of what is Bank of America. He did a number of roles, Wellfleet Communications, Ascend Communications before he joined Cisco in 1997. He then did a number of very senior roles inside of Cisco, which culminated in 2015 when Cisco announced that the CEO and Chairman, John Chambers, would be stepping down and that Chuck would be his successor. Chuck was then elected to Chairman of the Board in 2017 and has really been sort of understood to be transformative in terms of the software, the services, cyber and innovative technologies. He wears a number of different hats outside of his being the CEO of Cisco. He's also the Chairman of the BusinessSANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 13, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In a groundbreaking move for the property management and inspection industry, DrBalcony ( drbalcony.com ) introduces its cutting-edge app, a pioneering digital platform designed to revolutionize the balcony inspection process. This innovative tool empowers homeowners, property managers, and Homeowner Associations (HOAs) with a streamlined, intuitive experience, eliminating inefficiencies and redefining how inspections are managed. With a user-friendly interface and advanced features, the DrBalcony App transforms what was once a complex, time-consuming process into one that is seamless and efficient. Users can now obtain instant quotes, create and manage projects, and schedule inspections—all with just a few taps on their devices. “At DrBalcony, we are passionate about reimagining property management through technology,” said Greg, VP of Sales of DrBalcony. “The app reflects our dedication to simplifying inspections while upholding safety and compliance standards. With over 2,500 inspections completed, we’re proud to offer a solution that sets a new benchmark for convenience and reliability.” FEATURES THAT SET THE DRBALCONY APP APART The DrBalcony App is tailored to meet the specific needs of California property owners, offering features designed to ensure the integrity of balcony structures while making compliance with state laws like SB 721 and SB 326 more accessible than ever. Learn more: https://drbalcony.com/services/ A SOLUTION BACKED BY REAL RESULTS “For years, the balcony inspection process has been frustrating and inefficient,” shared Omid, CEO of DrBalcony. “This app eliminates unnecessary complications. From instant quotes to straightforward scheduling, it’s a game-changer.” DOWNLOAD THE DRBALCONY APP TODAY The DrBalcony App is now available for download and marks a significant leap forward in property management. By addressing common pain points in the inspection process, DrBalcony ensures peace of mind for property owners, engineers, and HOAs, all while maintaining safety and compliance with California’s strict balcony safety regulations . About DrBalcony: DrBalcony leverages innovative technology to enhance balcony inspection, focusing on efficiency, safety, and customer-centric solutions. With a mission to simplify the complex, DrBalcony has become a trusted name in the balcony inspection industry, ensuring compliance and safety standards are met with ease. Learn more: https://drbalcony.com/ . Your property’s safety has never been simpler—download the DrBalcony App today! NEWS SOURCE: DrBalcony Keywords: Real Estate, DrBalcony, Balcony Inspections, home inspection, safety, app, solution, service, SB 326, SB 721, SANTA ANA, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (DrBalcony) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P122836 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/drbalcony-app-redefines-balcony-inspections-with-unparalleled-efficiency/ © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project is pleased to announce a new partnership with Woolpert, a leading architecture, engineering, geospatial, and strategic consulting firm. The announcement was made during Seabed 2030’s recent Pacific Ocean mapping meeting held in Nadi, Fiji. Woolpert’s expertise in hydrography, surveying, and geospatial solutions, coupled with their innovative use of advanced technologies, complements Seabed 2030’s mission to accelerate the complete mapping of the world’s ocean by 2030. Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project between The Nippon Foundation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO), which seeks to inspire the complete mapping of the world’s ocean by 2030, and to compile all the data into the freely available GEBCO Ocean Map. The Project is formally endorsed as a Decade Action of the UN Ocean Decade. GEBCO is a joint programme of the IHO and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), and is the only organisation with a mandate to map the entire ocean floor. Jamie McMichael-Phillips, Director of Seabed 2030 (left) with Woolpert Vice President Mark Smits in Nadi, Fiji Commenting on the partnership, Jamie McMichael-Phillips, Project Director of Seabed 2030, said: “We are delighted to welcome Woolpert as a partner in our quest to achieve a complete map of the entire ocean floor by 2030. Woolpert’s expertise in geospatial technology and its commitment to sustainable practices will be invaluable as we work together to increase the scope and accessibility of seabed data. “This partnership is a testament to the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving a complete map of the world’s ocean floor for the benefit of our planet.” Woolpert Vice President Mark Smits said: “Partnering with Seabed 2030 offers Woolpert an exciting opportunity to apply our advanced geospatial solutions to one of the most significant scientific challenges of our time. We are proud to contribute our resources and expertise to support this global ocean mapping initiative and look forward to the profound impact this data will have on environmental research, resource management, and sustainable development worldwide.” All data collected and shared with the Seabed 2030 project will be included in the free and publicly available GEBCO global grid. Source: The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project

Google Vets Raise $56 Million to Give AI Its ‘Android-Like Moment’It’s an abiding promise of newly elected American presidents: The executive branch henceforth will be liberated from the perils of waste, fraud and abuse. President-elect Donald Trump, in his contribution to the canon, has announced he’ll create the Department of Government Efficiency, led by tech impresarios Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. The aim, Trump says, is to “dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies.” There’s reason to be skeptical about Trump’s ambitions for this body. And many previous efforts along these lines – from the Truman Committee to Al Gore’s “reinventing government” initiative – have failed to tame the federal leviathan. But the goal of getting taxpayers better value for their money remains eminently desirable. As a start, any effort of this kind requires setting achievable goals – and Musk and Ramaswamy have already emphasized a good one. They want to get federal workers back to the office. Long after the pandemic, government buildings are still conspicuously underpopulated. In his 2022 State of the Union address, President Joe Biden called on federal workers to return to their offices, and his administration has periodically urged people back to their desks, but with little apparent effect. A recent report on telework arrangements at four agencies found that one (the Veterans Benefits Administration) has failed to collect the data it needs to manage the system effectively, and that the other three (the Farm Service Agency, the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) haven’t evaluated telework’s effects on performance. There’s little here to allay taxpayers’ suspicions that absence from the office means less work being done. What taxpayers should expect from public services would, more generally, be a good focus for DOGE’s efforts. The client-facing aspects of the U.S. government badly need attention. Whether it’s filing taxes, claiming benefits, buying savings bonds from TreasuryDirect, securing licenses and permissions, or dealing with regulators with overlapping jurisdictions, effective customer service rarely seems to be a priority. Entrepreneurs like Musk and Ramaswamy don’t need to be told why this matters. As important as this mission is, however, voters should be realistic. Musk once said he aimed to cut “at least $2 trillion” from Biden’s proposed $6.5 trillion-a-year budget. On the face of it, such a claim isn’t credible: It would mean cutting all spending, including defense, Medicare and Social Security, by a third. Trump has already promised to protect the main entitlement programs. Regardless of who’s in charge, even modest cuts in such spending are politically perilous. The savings from thinning the federal workforce, as Musk and Ramaswamy have advocated, are trivial when set against the biggest outlays. Another concern is that both men may have conflicts of interest and, as outside advisers, may not be subject to normal disclosure rules. For their effort to work, they’ll need to be forthright with the public about their financial involvements. Ideally, DOGE would aim to strengthen and broaden the audit powers that currently reside with the Government Accountability Office (which advises Congress) and the Office of Management and Budget (a branch of the White House). To the general public, these existing functions are all but invisible and lack teeth: Too often, reports are issued and little if anything happens. DOGE could improve this oversight by publicizing opportunities to make government work better – by highlighting the real waste, duplication, underperformance and poor customer service that the existing audit systems let slide, as well as recommending changes. Set up that way, DOGE can promote accountability as well as transparency. But to succeed, its leaders will need to know what they’re talking about and command credibility with taxpayers. Musk and Ramaswamy should be commended for their ambition. They should also remember that fixing the government is an incredibly arduous task – and making ridiculous promises doesn’t help. Bloomberg Editorial Board publishes the views of the editors across a range of national and global affairs.

DAMASCUS (AP) — Exuberant Syrians observed the first Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad , gathering in the capital's historic main mosque, its largest square and around the country to celebrate the end of half a century of authoritarian rule. The newly installed interim prime minister delivered the sermon at the Umayyad Mosque, declaring that a new era of “freedom, dignity and justice” was dawning for Syria. The gatherings illustrated the dramatic changes that have swept over Syria less than a week after insurgents marched into Damascus and toppled Assad. Amid the jubilation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with allies around the region and called for an “inclusive and non-sectarian” interim government. Blinken arrived in Iraq on a previously unannounced stop after talks in Jordan and Turkey, which backs some of the Syrian insurgent factions. So far, U.S. officials have not talked of direct meetings with Syria's new rulers. The main insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has worked to establish security and start a political transition after seizing Damascus early Sunday. The group has tried to reassure a public both stunned by Assad's fall and concerned about extremist jihadis among the rebels. Insurgent leaders say the group has broken with its extremist past, though HTS is still labeled a terrorist group by the United States and European countries. HTS's leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, appeared in a video message Friday congratulating “the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution.” “I invite them to head to the squares to show their happiness without shooting bullets and scaring people,” he said. “And then after, we will work to build this country, and as I said in the beginning, we will be victorious by the help of God.” Huge crowds, including some insurgents, packed the historic Umayyad Mosque in the capital's old city, many waving the rebel opposition flag — with its three red stars — which has swiftly replaced the Assad-era flag with with its two green stars. Syrian state television reported that the sermon was delivered by Mohammed al-Bashir, the interim prime minister installed by HTS this week. The scene resonated on multiple levels. The mosque, one of the world's oldest dating back some 1,200 years, is a beloved symbol of Syria, and sermons there like all mosque sermons across Syria were tightly controlled under Assad's rule. Also, in the early days of the anti-government uprising in 2011, protesters would leave Friday prayers to march in rallies against Assad before he launched a brutal crackdown that turned the uprising into a long and bloody civil war. “I didn’t step foot in Umayyad Mosque since 2011," because of the tight security controls around it, said one worshipper, Ibrahim al-Araby. “Since 11 or 12 years, I haven’t been this happy.” Another worshipper, Khair Taha, said there was “fear and trepidation for what’s to come. But there is also a lot of hope that now we have a say and we can try to build.” Blocks away in Damascus' biggest roundabout, named Umayyad Square, thousands gathered, including many families with small children — a sign of how, so far at least, the country's transformation has not caused violent instability. “Unified Syria to build Syria,” the crowd chanted. Some shouted slurs against Assad and his late father, calling them pigs, an insult that would have previously led to offenders being hauled off to one of the feared detention centers of Assad’s security forces. One man in the crowd, 51-year-old Khaled Abu Chahine — originally from the southern province of Daraa, where the 2011 uprising first erupted — said he hoped for “freedom and coexistence between all Syrians, Alawites, Sunnis, Shiites and Druze.” The interim prime minister, al-Bashir, had been the head of a de facto administration created by HTS in Idlib, the opposition's enclave in northwest Syria. The rebels were bottled up in Idlib for years before fighters broke out in a shock offensive and marched across Syria in 10 days. Similar scenes of joy unfolded in other major cities, including in Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Raqqa. Al-Sharaa, HTS' leader, has promised to bring a pluralistic government to Syria, seeking to dispel fears among many Syrians — especially its many minority communities — that the insurgents will impose a hard-line, extremist rule. Another key factor will be winning international recognition for a new government in a country where multiple foreign powers have their hands in the mix. The Sunni Arab insurgents who overthrew Assad did so with vital help from Turkey, a longtime foe of the U.S.-backed Kurds . Turkey controls a strip of Syrian territory along the shared border and backs an insurgent faction uneasily allied to HTS — and is deeply opposed to any gains by Syria's Kurds. In other developments, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey’s Embassy in Damascus would reopen Saturday for the first time since 2012, when it closed due to the Syrian civil war. The U.S. has troops in eastern Syria to combat remnants of the Islamic State group and supports Kurdish-led fighters who rule most of the east. Since Assad's fall, Israel has bombed sites all over Syria, saying it is trying to prevent weapons from falling into extremist hands. It has also seized a swath of southern Syria along the border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, calling it a buffer zone. After talks with Fidan, Blinken said there was “broad agreement” between Turkey and the U.S. on what they would like to see in Syria. That starts with an "interim government in Syria, one that is inclusive and non-sectarian and one that protects the rights of minorities and women” and does not “pose any kind of threat to any of Syria’s neighbors,” Blinken said. Fidan said the priority was “establishing stability in Syria as soon as possible, preventing terrorism from gaining ground, and ensuring that IS and the PKK aren’t dominant” — referring to the Islamic State group and the Kurdistan Workers Party. Ankara considers the PKK within Turkey's borders a terrorist group, as it does the Kurdish-backed forces in Syria backed by the U.S. A U.S. official said that in Ankara, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Fidan both told Blinken that Kurdish attacks on Turkish positions would require a response. The official spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss private diplomatic talks. The U.S. has been trying to limit such incidents in recent days and had helped organize an agreement to prevent confrontations around the northern Syrian town of Manbij, which was taken by Turkey-backed opposition fighters from the U.S.-backed Kurdish forces earlier this week. In Baghdad, Blinken met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, saying both countries wanted to ensure the Islamic State group — also known by its Arabic acronym Daesh — doesn't exploit Syria's transition to re-emerge. “Having put Daesh back in its box, we can’t let it out, and we’re determined to make sure that that doesn’t happen," Blinken said. The U.S. official who briefed reporters said that Blinken had impressed upon al-Sudani the importance of Iraq exercising its full sovereignty over its territory and airspace to stop Iran from transporting weapons and equipment to Syria, either for Assad supporters or onward to the militant Hezbollah group in Lebanon. Lee reported from Ankara, Turkey. Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed to this report.

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Whenever someone assures you that another person you’re both dealing with “understands” the “quid pro quo,” you’d be wise to run away as fast as you can and never look back. But that’s exactly how then-Ald. Daniel Solis assured then-House Speaker Michael Madigan in late June of 2017 that their mark — the developers of a West Loop apartment complex — would eventually be convinced to retain Madigan’s property tax appeals law firm. Solis chaired the powerful Zoning Committee, so the developers had to come through him, and Solis said they would understand the game: The developers hire Madigan’s law firm and their zoning changes would be approved. “I think they understand how this works,” Solis told Madigan. “The quid pro quo.” Solis admitted on the stand during Madigan’s corruption trial that what he said to Madigan was “dumb.” Madigan didn’t know that the federal government was recording all his conversations with Solis. So, what was dumb about what Solis said is that Madigan might’ve immediately cut all ties to Solis, and Solis’ federal handlers would’ve been furious that he let the target get away. Turns out, the real dummy was Madigan. Madigan didn’t walk away. Instead, he kept going back to Solis, only gently admonishing him weeks later by telling Solis not to say the quiet part out loud and instructing him in the polite way of conducting business. And then a few months later, while talking about another real estate deal, Solis asked whether the West Loop developers had signed on with Madigan’s firm. Madigan didn’t say, but appeared to give Solis the go-ahead to process their zoning request. “You were contemplating processing something,” Madigan said. “You should go ahead and process that.” Feds make their point The feds are also trying to prove that Madigan’s consigliere, longtime lobbyist and fellow defendant Mike McClain, wasn’t just freelancing without Madigan’s approval when it came to all the demands McClain was making of Commonwealth Edison. The trial so far has given the feds big wins on that point. Madigan and Solis were in discussions about the state transferring a Chinatown parking lot to the City of Chicago so that it could be developed into a hotel, and Madigan could get the property tax business. So, he told Solis to reach out to McClain. McClain would give the developer “some ideas about how to go about it.” A couple of months later, Solis again brought up the Chinatown parcel to Madigan. “Let me get back into it and, and, um, see if there’s some way to find somebody that can talk to IDOT. That, that’s where the decision’s going to be made,” Madigan said. “I’m trying to figure out a way to approach it,” Madigan later told Solis about the parcel. He appeared to be calculating how he could pass a bill to benefit his law firm without leaving any overt fingerprints. Madigan eventually told Solis that one of the Chinatown developers would soon be receiving a call from McClain. The effort to transfer the property extended into the spring of 2018 for several reasons, most importantly opposition from local legislators. In March of 2018, Madigan told Solis that maybe McClain should talk to the senator who was putting a brick on the land transfer, and then explained to Solis at length how this particular legislation could shorten the time it would take to transfer the property to the city. From there, jurors heard recordings about the intricacies of passing the bill, including who was blocking it. McClain is heard on a recording briefing Madigan about which legislators were opposing the bill and about how the then-secretary of transportation was “getting squeamish” about it. Also in March, Solis told Madigan that if Madigan could “take care of that [Chinatown] matter in May,” during the end of spring session, “I’m confident they’ll appreciate it and ... sign you up on after May.” Madigan didn’t run away then, either. But the bill eventually died and a possible payday was missed. On May 28, 2018, a few days before the scheduled end of spring session when there was still hope the bill would advance, McClain called a member of Madigan’s House staff to tell them about the property tax transfer bill, “that deals with a developer of [Madigan’s].” McClain told the staffer: “He wants to make sure he votes ‘present.’” In other words, if the feds didn’t have Madigan, McClain and Solis on numerous recordings, Madigan could’ve officially covered his rear by voting “present” on a bill that would’ve potentially padded his pockets and that he’d allegedly been actively pushing behind the scenes for months on end. Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com. Send letters to letters@suntimes.com Get Opinions content delivered to your inbox. Sign up for our weekly newsletter here .Tapestry CEO Todd Kahn sells $4.19 million in stockThe leading provider of fleet performance solutions, Oceanly, has conveyed a stern warning that the green fuels push may lead to increased global emissions. As the race to decarbonize the industry focusses on alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, biofuels, and liquefied natural gas (LNG), the head of Oceanly say it could be compounding the very problem the industry is aiming to solve. The key challenge in scaling green fuels is the high demand for renewable electricity, with current estimates suggesting that the shipping industry would need a substantial share of the world’s renewable electricity production, which is a target that seems unattainable in the short to medium term. Mr. Lerche-Tornoe, General Manager at Oceanly said: “While alternative fuels are part of the future, current infrastructure and energy availability isn’t enough to support a full transition. Relying too heavily on green hydrogen, could strain global renewable energy resources given that only a fraction of today’s hydrogen production is classified as ‘green.’” He continued: “There’s a vital need for balance. Focusing on immediate improvements in energy efficiency offers a more achievable path to reducing emissions now, especially as most vessels have yet to adopt energy-saving technologies, leaving the potential for progress.” Frederik Lerche-Tornoe, VP, General Manager, Oceanly Oceanly maximizes energy efficiency through advanced analytics, voyage optimization, and operational adjustments, which supports the industry with making significant gains. While there is an absolute understanding for the need for greener fuels, the need to address the current inefficiencies is equally as important, to ensure that shipping is ready for a future powered by renewables. The message from Oceanly is clear; that the focus should be on smarter practices and incremental improvements, until renewable technologies are more accessible, to counteract inefficiencies involved in producing and using green fuels. Also considering 80% energy loss from renewable electricity production via green hydrogen and e-fuels, to a ship’s propeller. As Mr. Lerche-Tornoe explains; “Improving energy efficiency across the global fleet is the most important step we can take in the short term, rather than immediately switching to green.” Clarkson Research (2023) also states that 75% of the world fleet has yet to install any energy-saving devices. Source: Oceanly