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OCVarsity video: Steve Fryer and Dan Albano make their predictions for the CIF-SS football championshipsPresident-elect Donald Trump today said he will nominate prominent investor Scott Bessent as U.S. Treasury secretary, ending days of twists that saw high profile candidates pitted against each other for the Cabinet position with vast influence over economic, regulatory and international affairs. Wall Street has been closely watching who Trump would choose, especially given his plans to remake global trade through tariffs and extend and potentially expand the raft of tax cuts enacted during his first term. The choice of Bessent, 62, who has spent his career in finance, gives Wall Street an advocate for tax reform and deregulation. Some strategists said his nomination was a relief as he understands markets and his appointment could reduce the chance of severe tariffs. The announcement — the most prominent of a flurry of Friday night appointments by Trump — caps a week where big name Wall Street luminaries’ chance at the job oscillated on a daily basis. Other names that had been considered included Apollo Global Management Chief Executive Marc Rowan and former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh. Investor John Paulson had also been a leading candidate, but dropped out, while Wall Street veteran Howard Lutnick, another contender, was appointed as head of the Commerce Department. The choice came after days of deliberations by Trump as he sorted through a shifting list of candidates. Bessent spent day after day at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Florida providing economic advice, sources said, a proximity to the president-elect that may have helped him prevail. “Scott is widely respected as one of the world’s foremost international investors and geopolitical and economic strategists,” said Trump as he announced the nomination in a statement released on Truth Social. Bessent, from South Carolina, has spent his career in finance, working for macro investment billionaire George Soros and noted short seller Jim Chanos, as well as running his own hedge fund. As a money manager, he made a large bet on Trump winning after spotting what he called an anomaly in the market – that political and market analysts were too negative on what a Trump victory would mean. Bessent, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment, has advocated for tax reform and deregulation, particularly to spur more bank lending and energy production, as noted in a recent opinion piece he wrote for The Wall Street Journal. The market’s surge after Trump’s election victory, he wrote, signaled investor expectations of “higher growth, lower volatility and inflation, and a revitalized economy for all Americans.” “Bessent has been on the side of less aggressive tariffs,” said Oxford Economics’ Ryan Sweet, adding that picking him makes the steep tariffs Trump proposed on the campaign trail less likely. Bessent follows other financial luminaries who have taken the job, including former Goldman Sachs executives Robert Rubin, Hank Paulson and Steven Mnuchin, Trump’s first Treasury chief. Janet Yellen, the current secretary and first woman in the job, previously chaired the Federal Reserve and White House Council of Economic Advisers. As Treasury secretary, Bessent will essentially be the highest-ranking U.S. economic official, responsible for maintaining the plumbing of the world’s largest economy, from collecting taxes and paying the nation’s bills to managing the $28.6-trillion Treasury debt market and overseeing financial regulation, including handling and preventing market crises. The Treasury boss also runs U.S. financial sanctions policy, has influence over the U.S.-led International Monetary Fund, World Bank and other international financial institutions, and manages national security screenings of foreign investments in the United States. Bessent will face challenges, including safely managing federal deficits that are forecast to grow by nearly $8 trillion over a decade due to Trump’s plans to extend expiring tax cuts next year and add generous new breaks, including ending taxes on Social Security income. Without offsetting revenues, this new debt would add to an unsustainable fiscal trajectory already forecast to balloon U.S. debt by $22 trillion through 2033. Managing debt increases this large without market indigestion will be a challenge, though Bessent has argued Trump’s agenda will unleash stronger economic growth that will grow revenue and shore up market confidence. Bessent will also inherit the role carved out by Yellen to lead the Group of Seven wealthy democracies in providing tens of billions of dollars in economic support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion and tightening sanctions on Moscow. But it is unclear whether he will pursue this, given Trump’s desire to end the war quickly and withdraw U.S. financial support for Ukraine. Another area where Bessent will likely differ from Yellen is her focus on climate change, from her mandate that development banks expand lending for clean energy to incorporating climate risks into financial regulations and managing hundreds of billions of dollars in clean-energy tax credits. Trump, a climate-change skeptic, has vowed to increase production of U.S. fossil fuel energy and end the clean-energy subsidies in President Joe Biden’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. The Treasury secretary is also the administration’s closest point of contact with the Federal Reserve. Both Yellen under Biden and Mnuchin under Trump typically met weekly with Fed Chair Jerome Powell, often over breakfast or lunch. Bessent has floated the idea of creating a “shadow” Fed chair. This would entail nominating as early as possible a presumptive Powell successor to the Fed Board who would then deliver their own policy guidance so that, as Bessent told Barron’s last month, “no one is really going to care what Jerome Powell has to say anymore.” Bessent has since said he no longer thinks the idea of a shadow chair is worth pursuing, the Wall Street Journal reported. Powell’s term as Fed chair expires in May 2026. Bessent, along with John Paulson, had been an early favorite for job earlier in the year, according to a Reuters report at the time and seemed to be in pole position a week after election day, on Nov. 12, when Paulson exited the race citing “complex financial obligations.” However, there were many twists in the race for the top position. On Nov. 13, banker Howard Lutnick, who was leading a transition team to vet personnel and draft policy, emerged as a top contender. Lutnick, however, was taken out of the running after Trump nominated him to lead his trade and tariff strategy as head of the Commerce Department. The pool of candidates then widened when Rowan, and former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh were under consideration as well as Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, sources with knowledge of the transition process said at the time.DOZENS of channels have disappeared from boxes in the last 12 months - and an expert warns more are likely to follow. UK broadcasting giants including Sky and Virgin have oversaw huge shifts in 2024 with the continued growth of streaming. Big closures this year include the end of several music channels, with The Box, 4 Music, Kiss, Kerrang and Magic disappearing in June. The Box had been on air for 32 years. At the start of the year, entertainment channel E! went off air in the UK . Numerous shopping and international channels have also gone. Read more about Sky And a big chunk of old SD (standard definition) channels closed on satellite too to make way for HD (high definition) only, including BBC , ITV and Channel 4 . As a result, Sky and Virgin Media have embraced so-called FAST - free ad-support TV - that are beamed into homes via the internet. There have been a huge expansion in FAST channels this year as a free alternative to Netflix , Prime and other streaming giants. Even the traditional big players in broadcasting are taking a more streaming first approach, with ITV making Corrie and Emmerdale available on ITVX first every morning ahead of their evening slot on ITV1. Most read in Tech Meanwhile, Freeview is preparing for an internet-based TV future, launching Freely earlier this year which can work without an aerial. An industry expert told The Sun that more channel closures are likely in 2025 and beyond as the trend continues. "This is inevitable, more broadcasters will cull broadcast/linear TV channels as viewers are flocking to streaming services," Paolo Pescatore from PP Foresight said. "The big TV switch off is around the corner, with all programming set to be delivered via the internet. "Viewers are now spoilt for choice with how and where they watch the TV shows they love across a range of connected devices. "To respond, broadcasters need to be prepared and work more closely with telecom providers to ensure a seamless experience for users." Analysis by Jamie Harris , Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun CBBC and BBC Four are big names at risk for 2025. The BBC announced in 2022 that the pair would disappear as traditional linear channels in a few years and go digital only via iPlayer. When Channel 4 announced the closure of The Box and other music channels it owned in January, the broadcaster hinted that more could come. At the time the company said it was proposing to "close small linear channels that no longer deliver revenues or public value at scale, including the Box channels in 2024 and others at the right time". So which could the "others" be? It really depends what Channel 4 considers "small" but its other channels include More4, E4, E4 Extra, Film4 and 4Seven.
Ex-Raiders great makes final cut for Pro Football Hall of FameIn Pictures: Politics frames the debate as Ireland holds five ballots in 2024A Historic Index Continues to Shine The Dow Jones Industrial Average, a stalwart of American financial markets, showcases more than just numbers—it’s a pulse on economic sentiment. As this legendary index steadily climbed 15% this year, two standout companies, Nvidia and Walmart, have captured investors’ imaginations with stellar performances. Nvidia: Riding the AI Wave Leading the charge is Nvidia, an AI-driven powerhouse that has transformed the semiconductor landscape since its 1993 inception. The company specializes in cutting-edge GPUs and SoCs that are revolutionizing industries. With a breathtaking market capitalization of $3.4 trillion, Nvidia’s stock has soared 175% this year alone. Its latest quarterly results showcase enviable revenue figures of $35.1 billion, far surpassing market expectations. Nvidia’s relentless innovation drives its growth, highlighted by the introduction of the Blackwell platform. Expected to revolutionize AI model efficiency and energy use, Blackwell sets the stage for a formidable future. Looking ahead, Nvidia’s robust roadmap includes advances like Rubin and continued dominance in the GPU sphere, where it commands over 80% market share. Walmart: Retail’s Resilient Force Founded in 1962, Walmart’s global footprint stretches across over 10,500 stores worldwide. This retail giant has capitalized on both physical and digital avenues, with stock prices climbing a remarkable 74.8% year-to-date. The third quarter of fiscal 2025 was a testament to Walmart’s unmatched resilience, with revenues hitting $169.6 billion, invigorated by a burgeoning advertising business. Walmart’s pursuit of digital advancements and AI integration is redefining retail efficiency. The company anticipates strong financial growth, further solidifying its position as a market leader across various segments. Analysts overwhelmingly endorse Walmart with a “Strong Buy” recommendation, anticipating continued prosperity. The Future of Dow Jones: Innovations, Insights, and Market Trends The Dow Jones Industrial Average remains a crucial barometer of economic health and momentum. This year’s robust 15% ascent highlights burgeoning investor interest, particularly in standout performers like Nvidia and Walmart. These companies aren’t just riding the wave; they’re shaping the future of their respective industries. Nvidia: Pioneering AI Innovation Nvidia’s unparalleled success in the stock market, with a staggering 175% increase this year, is not just a coincidence. This is a testament to its strategic investments in AI and semiconductor technology. The introduction of their groundbreaking platform, Blackwell, aims to transform AI model efficiency, addressing long-standing energy consumption challenges in the tech industry. Nvidia’s dominance is shown through its remarkable market capitalization of $3.4 trillion, a figure that underscores its pivotal role in shaping future technological landscapes. Nvidia’s portfolio is expanding with future-oriented projects like Rubin, keeping the company at the forefront of the GPU market. Given its strong foothold, capturing over 80% of the market, Nvidia is poised for substantial growth and innovation in AI applications. Trends indicate continued advancement in high-performance computing, signaling new opportunities and competition dynamics within the tech industry. Walmart: The Digital Transformation of Retail Walmart’s impressive stock performance this year, with a rise of 74.8%, underscores its effective blend of digital innovation with traditional retail. The company’s efforts in digital transformation, particularly through artificial intelligence integration, are redefining retail processes, enhancing customer experiences, and optimizing operational efficiency. Walmart’s strong performance, propelled by their burgeoning advertising business, has generated revenues of $169.6 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, showcasing the successful diversification of its revenue streams. Analysts remain confident in Walmart’s growth, reflecting in a consistent “Strong Buy” recommendation. As Walmart continues to innovate, it exemplifies how traditional retail can thrive in a digital era. Future Insights and Market Trends As Nvidia and Walmart exemplify transformative progress, broader market trends emerge. Sustainability, energy efficiency, and digital transformation are themes that investors are increasingly prioritizing. Companies like Nvidia are pioneering energy-efficient technologies, a critical innovation in the context of rising global energy concerns. Meanwhile, retailers like Walmart focus on digital synergies to maintain relevance and compete against pure e-commerce players. The intersection of technology with traditional sectors will likely redefine market dynamics, offering new use cases and growth opportunities. Innovations aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and retail experience are set to influence market strategies significantly. Predicting market movements, investors will look for companies that blend innovation with robust market fundamentals. For more on market dynamics and business strategies, visit the main pages of Nvidia and Walmart . These insights offer a glimpse into the evolving nature of how companies must adapt to achieve sustained growth in shifting economic landscapes.
US attorney general tried to block Gerry Adams fundraising in 1995 over IRA weapons fears, unearthed records reveal
"I Found Out Later That He Had To Throw Them All Out": Here Are 17 Stories From Petty Exes Who Are Living That #Noregrets LifeJimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 ATLANTA (AP) — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent more than a year in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife Rosalynn then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said he died peacefully Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’ PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — The 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, James Earl Carter Jr., died Sunday at the age of 100. His life ended where it began, in Plains, Georgia. He left and returned to the tiny town many times as he climbed to the nation’s highest office and lost it after four tumultuous years. Carter spent the next 40 years setting new standards for what a former president can do. Carter wrote nearly a decade ago that he found all the phases of his life challenging but also successful and enjoyable. The Democrat's principled but pragmatic approach defied American political labels, especially the idea that one-term presidents are failures. The Latest: Former President Jimmy Carter is dead at age 100 Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. He left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Jimmy Carter: A brief bio Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died at his home in Plains, Georgia. His death comes more than a year after the former president entered hospice care. He was 100 years old. Jetliner skids off runway and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. Officials said all but two of the 181 people on board were killed Sunday in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters. The 737-800 operated by Jeju Air plane arrived from Bangkok and crashed while attempting to land in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Seoul. Footage of the crash aired by South Korean television channels showed the plane skidding across the airstrip at high speed, evidently with its landing gear still closed. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east HOUSTON (AP) — A strong storm system is threatening to whip up tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Southeast, a day after severe weather claimed at least two lives as twisters touched down in Texas and Mississippi. Strong storms moving eastward Sunday are expected to continue producing gusty, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes through Sunday. That is according to National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira. So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, Pereira said, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed. Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli hospital says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery. Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center said his prostate was removed late Sunday and that he was recovering. Netanyahu’s office had said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Doctors ordered the operation after detecting an infection last week. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. Syria's de facto leader says it could take up to 4 years to hold elections BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s de facto leader has said it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans on dissolving his Islamist group that led the country’s insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview Sunday. That's according to the Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad’s decades-long rule, ending the country’s uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011. A fourth infant dies of the winter cold in Gaza as families share blankets in seaside tents DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fourth infant has died of hypothermia in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by nearly 15 months of war are huddled in tents along the rainy, windswept coast as winter arrives. The baby's father says the 20-day-old child was found with his head as “cold as ice” Sunday morning in their tent. The baby’s twin brother was moved to the intensive care unit of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father says the twins were born one month premature and spent just a day in hospital, which like other Gaza health centers has been overwhelmed and only partially functions. Musk causes uproar for backing Germany's far-right party ahead of key elections BERLIN (AP) — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in an early election on Feb. 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s stagnant economy. Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag, published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD.TJ Bamba drained 4 of 6 three-pointers and finished with 22 points to power the Oregon Ducks to a 78-68 men’s basketball win against San Diego State on Wednesday at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Keeshawn Barthelemy gave Oregon some scoring punch off the bench, scoring 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 3 of 4 beyond the arc. Barthelemy started a 9-0 run with a jumper and ended it with a three-pointer as the Ducks took the lead for good at 34-27 late in the first half. Bamba had a three-point play in the surge. Jackson Shelstad hit a three and Barthelemy had two free throws in the closing seconds for a 41-31 halftime lead. San Diego State had a 9-0 run, cutting the deficit to 56-53 on a Nick Boyd jumper midway through the second half. The next three baskets for Oregon were threes from Brandon Angel, Bamba and Barthelemy, and then Shelstad made three free throws off a foul on a deep shot. San Diego State never got it below three possessions in the final 5 1/2 minutes. Angel and Shelstad scored 12 each for the Ducks (7-0), who advance to face either No. 9 Alabama or Rutgers in the tournament championship game at 6:30 p.m. Saturday (TV on TNT). Nate Bittle added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Ducks, who shot 44.6% overall and hit 10 of 22 threes (45.5%). Oregon controlled the boards, with a 41-24 advantage in rebounding, and the Ducks made 18 of their 26 free throws. San Diego State lost despite shooting 50.9%, making just six threes and going 4 of 8 at the line. BJ Davis scored 18 points for San Diego State (3-2), which will play the Alabama-Rutgers loser in the tournament third-place game on Saturday. Oregon opened the tournament by beating No. 20 Texas A&M 80-70 on Tuesday. -- From staff and wire reports
12News A+ Teacher: Paula Dunnett at Patterson ElementaryToy Story 5 may still be a while off, but the animated sequel has a good chance of success according to star Tim Allen, who has teased that the unexpected follow-up will be well worth the wait. After Disney ‘s huge end-of-year success with Moana 2 , the only animated movie that might surpass it is Toy Story 5 . The fourth installment appeared to bring an end to Woody, Buzz, and Jessie’s adventures, but a surprise fifth movie was announced back in August at D23. The characters are set to return with the original cast, including Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear. Only this time the toys will be tackling technology, competing with the latest gizmos to earn the attention of iPad kids. It’s a brand-new challenge for the toys, but despite the change-up, Allen maintains that the latest story will live up to expectations. Tim Allen says Toy Story sequel is “really good” “I just did the first five-hour session for Buzz, probably a week ago,” Allen said [via Collider]. “It’s a very, very clever story. Do you wanna do five of these? I don’t really believe it’s about the money. “I’m sure they want it to be a success, but that’s not why they did it. Had they not come up with a brilliant script, they wouldn’t have done it and they wouldn’t have called me and Tom [Hanks]. It’s really clever.” Get excited for their next chapter as Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the gang all return for #ToyStory5 , coming to theaters Summer 2026! #D23 pic.twitter.com/w5yrlbkpYP Allen didn’t return to voice the character in 2022’s solo movie, Lightyear. Instead, the mantle was passed onto Chris Evans. As such, it’s been over five years since Allen last voiced the superhero astronaut. Related: “It was really a struggle to get, and then maybe two hours in, I was doing Buzz,” he explained. “I’m so blessed to be Buzz Lightyear, to be honest. It’s gonna be fun. I think we’re a year out. I’ve gotten up to the third act. We’ll do the third act. And then, we’ll go back and clean it. And then, I’ll do it about five more times. “It’s a really good story, guys. It’s really good.” The official synopsis for the new movie is as follows: “The toys are back in Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 and this time around it’s Toy meets Tech. Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and the rest of the gang’s jobs get exponentially harder when they go head to head with this all new threat to playtime.” Toy Story 5 will be released on June 19, 2026. For more, check out our guides to the How to Train Your Dragon live-action movie, Shrek 5 , and all the best Studio Ghibli movies .Elon Musk has hit back at the Sydney Morning Herald after the masthead wildly predicted the billionaire would quit Tesla in 2025. SMH published an opinion piece by technology editor David Swan on Sunday evening which shared a series of predictions for tech in the new year. One of the predictions centred on Musk and whether his busy list of commitments would force him to part ways with Tesla as he focuses on a new role in 2025 as the joint lead of the Department of Government Efficiency in the Trump administration. "To be juggling leadership roles at X, Tesla, SpaceX, xAI, the Boring Company and Neuralink was already unsustainable," the SMH op-ed read. "Musk has already found himself at loggerheads with MAGA diehards like Steve Bannon over immigration issues, and the inauguration is still weeks away. He’s also been at loggerheads with the justice system, after a US judge blocked Musk’s $US56 billion ($90 billion) pay package from Tesla. "After constant controversies and distractions, it will all come to a head in 2025, and Musk will be forced to hand over the reins at Tesla, a company many mistakenly think he founded." The 53-year-old hit back with a tongue-in-cheek reply on X, after a Musk supporter shared the article's headline with a quote from the prediction. "I predict that the Sydney Morning Herald will continue to lose readership in 2025 for relentlessly lying to their audience and boring them to death," he said. Social media influencer and journalist at The Post Millennial Andy Ngo, also chimed in on the thread, saying the SMH had previously published lies about him after it claimed he had been banned from X before being reinstated. "The Sydney Morning Herald published these lies. I was never banned on this platform, even under the worst times from the prior regime," he said. Musk's comments come after the SMH was forced to issue an apology for falsely identifying South Australian barrister Ian Roberts as one of the two men who died during the Sydney to Hobart yacht race on Friday. NSW Police confirmed two men, aged 55 and 65, had died but neither was publicly identified initially. Authorities confirmed the 65-year-old was aboard the Bowline and was a native of South Australia in a press conference on Friday morning. Hours later, the SMH published an article identifying the man as Mr Roberts, the skipper and owner of the Bowline. However, that article was taken down within an hour after it emerged the Adelaide-based barrister was in fact alive and well. The paper subsequently issued a public apology to the 65-year-old after the error was identified. "The Sydney Morning Herald incorrectly named Adelaide barrister Ian Roberts as one of the victims in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race," the SMH said in a statement. "This was incorrect. We apologise to Mr Roberts and his family." Nick Smith, 55, and Roy Quaden, 65, were later identified as the men to have died. The Sydney Morning Herald’s circulation has been steadily declining for several years, losing more than a million readers since 2022 across digital and print. In May, the paper bragged about having 7.3 million readers across all platforms, but that figure was down 1.1 million from its 2022 results.
Opposition fighters are closing in on Syria’s capital in a that has taken much of the world by surprise. Syria’s army has abandoned key cities with little resistance. Nervous residents in Damascus describe security forces on the streets. The state news agency has been forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad has left the country. Who are these ? If they enter Damascus after taking some of , what then? Here’s a look at the stunning reversal of fortune for Assad and his government in just the past 10 days, and what might lie ahead as Syria’s 13-year . This is the first time that opposition forces have reached the outskirts of the Syrian capital since 2018, when the country’s troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The approaching fighters are led by the most powerful insurgent group in Syria, , or HTS, along with an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Both have been entrenched in the northwest. They launched the shock offensive on Nov. 27 with gunmen capturing Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, and the central city of Hama, the fourth largest. The HTS has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. But the group said in recent years it cut ties with al-Qaida, and HTS has sought to remake itself in recent years by focusing on promoting civilian government in their territory as well as military action. HTS leader Abu told CNN in an exclusive interview Thursday from Syria that the aim of the offensive is to overthrow Assad’s government. The HTS and Syrian National Army have been allies at times and rivals at times, and their aims might diverge. The Turkish-backed militias also have an interest in creating a buffer zone near the Turkish border to keep away Kurdish militants at odds with Ankara. has been a main backer of the fighters seeking to overthrow Assad but more recently has urged reconciliation, and Turkish officials have strongly rejected claims of any involvement in the current offensive. Whether the HTS and the Syrian National Army will work together if they succeed in overthrowing Assad or turn on each other again is a major question. While the flash offensive against Syria’s government began in the north, armed opposition groups have also mobilized elsewhere. The southern areas of Sweida and Daraa have both been taken locally. Sweida is the heartland of Syria’s Druze religious minority and had been the site of regular anti-government protests even after Assad seemingly consolidated his control over the area. Daraa is a Sunni Muslim area that was widely seen as the cradle of the uprising against Assad’s rule that erupted in 2011. Daraa was recaptured by Syrian government troops in 2018, but rebels remained in some areas. In recent years, Daraa was in a state of uneasy quiet under a Russian-mediated ceasefire deal. And much of Syria’s east is controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group backed by the United States that in the past has clashed with most other armed groups in the country. Syria’s government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. Much depends on Assad’s next moves and his forces’ will to fight the rebels. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces have started carrying out the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. And Syrian troops withdrew Saturday from much of the central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, according to a pro-government outlet and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. If that city is captured, the link would be cut between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support. “Homs to the coastal cities will be a very huge red line politically and socially. Politically, if this line is crossed, then we are talking about the end of the entire Syria, the one that we knew in the past,” said a Damascus resident, Anas Joudeh. Assad appears to be as allies Russia and Iran are distracted by other conflicts and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah has been weakened by its war with Israel, now under a fragile ceasefire. Related Articles The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition,” saying the situation is changing by the minute. He met with foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. President-elect Donald Trump in his on the developments in Syria said the besieged Assad didn’t deserve U.S. support to stay in power. “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump posted on social media. ___ Associated Press writer Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed.Alexander: Dodgers’ signing of Blake Snell creates the traditional uproar