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Chicago Bears are ‘leaning in’ to Thomas Brown. Can he rise above the interim coach label?Since J. Edgar Hoover died in 1972 — after 48 years of leading the FBI — the seven men chosen to lead the premier law enforcement agency had previous experience as senior lawmen, senior federal prosecutors and federal judges. If President-elect Donald Trump has his way, the agency will instead be headed by a political loyalist who has pledged to use his powers to target the president’s political opponents. Kash Patel, 44, is a former junior-level federal prosecutor who was a White House aide in Trump’s first administration. That’s drawing scrutiny not just from Democrats, but from at least one Senate Republican. RELATED STORY | Mother of Pete Hegseth reportedly told son he was an 'abuser of women' in email South Dakota Republican Mike Rounds expressed support for current FBI Director Chris Wray — who Trump appointed after firing predecessor James Comey in 2017. “The president has the right to make nominations, but normally these are for a 10-year term. We'll see what his process is and whether he actually makes that nomination,” Rounds said Sunday during an interview on ABC News’ “This Week.” It would also be the second time Trump removed an FBI director before the end of the congressionally mandated 10-year term, which is designed to allow FBI directors to outlast the presidential administration. Since the end of the first Trump Administration, Patel has been actively engaged with the Make America Great Again movement supporting Trump. He was also one of the select group of supporters who accompanied Trump during the trial earlier this year in Manhattan that led to Trump being convicted of 34 felony counts related to falsifying corporate documents. RELATED STORY | Here's who Trump has asked to join his administration He has also said that a charity he operates provides financial help to families of people charged in connection with the January 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol. In an interview with conservative strategist Steve Bannon, Patel said he and others “will go out and find the conspirators not just in government but in the media.” ”We’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections,” Patel said, referring to the 2020 presidential election in which Biden, the Democratic challenger, defeated Trump. “We’re going to come after you, whether it’s criminally or civilly. We’ll figure that out. But yeah, we’re putting you all on notice.” In an interview earlier this year on the “Shawn Ryan Show,” Patel vowed to sever the FBI’s intelligence-gathering activities from the rest of its mission and said he would “shut down” the bureau’s headquarters building on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., and “reopen it the next day as a museum of the ‘deep state.’” Rounds, meanwhile, praised Wray and said he saw no reason he should be removed. “Chris Wray, who the president nominated the first time around — I think the president picked a very good man to be the director of the FBI when he did that in his first term,” Rounds said. “When we meet with him behind closed doors, I've had no objections to the way that he's handled himself, and so I don't have any complaints about the way that he's done his job right now.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Comino’s High-Performance Server: A Game-Changer for AI and HPC Workloads In an exciting advancement for tech enthusiasts, Comino has rolled out its latest innovation, the Grando H100 Server. Designed to cater to demanding AI and high-performance computing (HPC) needs, this powerhouse integrates cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional results. At the heart of the Grando H100 is AMD’s Threadripper PRO 7995WX processor, equipped with a staggering 96 cores and 192 threads. Utilizing AMD’s Zen 4 architecture, it supports a remarkable 2TB of DDR5 memory, making it ideal for handling extensive data processing tasks with ease. Enhancing its capabilities further, the server is outfitted with two Nvidia H100 NVL GPUs, together offering an impressive 188GB of GPU memory. The backbone of this system is its ASUS SAGE WRX90 motherboard, which supplies plentiful PCIe Gen5 lanes, ensuring seamless connections for GPUs and high-speed storage. Comino, famed for its expertise in liquid-cooled systems, has incorporated an advanced cooling solution within the Grando H100. This setup promises stable performance under heavy loads while operating quietly. In recent benchmarks, the Grando H100 showcased excellent performance in AI-specific computations, rendering, and compression tasks. However, in certain traditional rendering scenarios, it did not outperform systems optimized with alternative GPUs. Summing up these features, the Grando H100 Server stands out as an essential tool for enterprises and professionals concentrating on AI-centric workloads. With its robust build and innovative cooling, it provides both flexibility and reliability in demanding environments, leaving tech enthusiasts eager for what’s next. The Future of AI and HPC: Why Comino’s Grando H100 Server is the Ultimate Powerhouse Introduction Comino’s latest offering, the Grando H100 Server, redefines the standards for AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. This robust server is packed with cutting-edge technology and promises to be a game-changer for tech enthusiasts and enterprises focusing on AI-driven initiatives. Features and Specifications – Unparalleled Processing Power : At the core of the Grando H100 is AMD’s Threadripper PRO 7995WX processor, boasting 96 cores and 192 threads. This processor utilizes AMD’s Zen 4 architecture, making it a potent force for AI and data processing tasks. – Massive Memory Capacity : With support for up to 2TB of DDR5 memory, the Grando H100 can handle vast datasets with ease. This feature is particularly beneficial for AI applications that require extensive memory for efficient processing. – Advanced GPU Integration : The server includes dual Nvidia H100 NVL GPUs, which contribute a total of 188GB of GPU memory. This configuration enhances AI-specific computations, rendering, and compression tasks. – Innovative Cooling System : Comino’s reputation for liquid cooling excellence is demonstrated in the Grando H100. The advanced cooling technology ensures stable and quiet operation, even under the heaviest workloads. Use Cases The Grando H100 is tailored for enterprises focused on AI-centric workloads. It is ideal for: – AI Model Training and Inference : The server’s expansive GPU memory and processing power enable rapid AI model training and accurate inference, making it suitable for research and development environments. – Data-Intensive Simulations : Industries such as finance and healthcare, which rely on complex simulations and real-time data analysis, will find the Grando H100’s capabilities indispensable. – Rendering and Media Workflows : While the server excels in AI-specific rendering tasks, it may not match some specialized systems for traditional rendering. However, it remains a formidable choice for media professionals requiring high performance. Pros and Cons – Pros : Exceptional computing power, advanced cooling, expansive memory and GPU capabilities. – Cons : May not outperform alternative GPU-optimized systems in specific traditional rendering scenarios. Market Analysis and Trends With the surge of AI applications and the growing demand for high-performance computing, the market for servers like the Grando H100 is expanding. Enterprises are increasingly seeking reliable and powerful solutions to manage massive datasets efficiently. Comino’s Grando H100 sets a precedent in this evolving market, aligning with the trend towards more specialized hardware for AI and HPC environments. Conclusion The Comino Grando H100 Server stands out as a necessary asset for businesses leveraging AI technologies. Its robust build, coupled with industry-leading components, positions it as a leader in the realm of high-performance computing. This server promises to pave the way for future innovations, meeting the market’s demand for a balance of power, efficiency, and reliability. For more information about their latest innovations, visit Comino .In a ceremony in Rauma, Finland, Damen Shipyards Group and Kongsberg Maritime have celebrated the delivery of the 1500th Kongsberg azimuth thruster to Damen, in a relationship spanning more than 40 years. This latest delivery continues the supply of azimuth thrusters for Damen’s wide range of tug designs, operating for its customers in ports across the world. Thruster number 1500 is one of a pair which will be installed on a Damen ASD Tug 2813, currently under construction at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam. Speaking at the event, Ville Rimpilä Senior Vice President Thrusters at Kongsberg Maritime said, “Today marks a special milestone in our long, collaborative relationship with Damen, one of the world’s leading and most innovative tug builders. Our azimuth thruster technology is a critical part of global shipping operations, offering high thrust and efficiency to tug owners worldwide. “To have reached 1500 thrusters is testament to the trust which Damen places in Kongsberg Maritime, matched by the pride, dedication and focus on quality, that goes into every single thruster we supply. I express my sincere gratitude to the team at Damen and look forward to continuing this long relationship as together we drive the efficient, safe and sustainable future of the global tug sector.” From left to right: Tommi Pitkänen (Vice President Customer and Delivery Operations, Kongsberg Maritime), Tero Aromaa (Assembly Manager, Kongsberg Maritime), Ronald Lindeman (Vice President Regional Sales Benelux and France, Kongsberg Maritime), Joost Mathôt (Director Products Damen Workboats, Damen Shipyards), André Dekkers (Manager Supply Chain Damen Workboats, Damen Shipyards), Martin de Bruijn (Managing Director Damen Workboats, Damen Shipyards), Lauri Martimo (Sales Manager Tugs, Kongsberg Maritime), Ville Rimpilä (Senior Vice President Thrusters, Kongsberg Maritime), Jean-Pierre van Lankveld (Category Manager, Damen Shipyards), Erik van Schaik (Product Manager Tugs, Damen Shipyards) and Anton Westerlund (Vice President Product Management Thruster Systems, Kongsberg Maritime) Martin de Bruijn, Managing Director of Damen Workboats, said, “At Damen we take a long-term view in all that we do. You can see this in the long-standing relationships we enjoy with our clients, and with partners such as Kongsberg. The continual evolution of our products is dependent on such partnerships and their products. As such, we fully appreciate the quality and capability that Kongsberg helps bring to our tugs. We are also grateful for their strong client focus and the way Kongsberg supports Damen’s operational excellence initiatives, resulting in shorter lead times and optimised processes. These are crucial factors in the development of high standard, cost effective solutions relevant to our clients’ needs. “This collaborative approach has never been as important as it is today, as we fix our sights on optimising the safe and sustainable performance of our vessels. We look forward to our continued cooperation in the years ahead and the delivery of the next 1500 thrusters!” Source: Kongsberg Maritime
The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved resolutions Wednesday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and expressing support for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban. General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, although they reflect world opinion. Israel has faced growing international criticism over its conduct in Gaza as it fights Hamas militants, especially when it comes to humanitarian aid for desperate people in the besieged and heavily destroyed territory. Israeli airstrikes in northern and central Gaza killed at least 33 people overnight and into Wednesday, Palestinian medical officials said. Hospital records show one Israeli strike in northern Gaza killed 19 people in a home, including a family of eight — four children, their parents and two grandparents. The Israeli military said it targeted a Hamas militant in the vicinity of the hospital, part of a blistering offensive in Gaza’s isolated and heavily destroyed north . The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 people, including children and older adults. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health officials. They say women and children make up more than half the dead but do not distinguish between fighters and civilians in their count. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. Here's the latest: JERUSALEM — Israeli hospital officials say a young boy is fighting for his life after a shooting attack in the occupied West Bank. An Israeli bus came under fire from a suspected Palestinian attacker late Wednesday, the military said, and Israeli forces are searching for the shooter. Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem says at least three people were wounded in the shooting, which took place just outside the city in an area near major Israeli settlements. The hospital says the boy, who is about 10, is in grave condition. It says two other people, ages 24 and 55, were also hurt. UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved resolutions Wednesday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and backing the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban . The votes in the 193-nation world body were 158-9 with 13 abstentions to demand a ceasefire now and 159-9 with 11 abstentions to support the agency known as UNRWA. The votes culminated two days of speeches overwhelmingly calling for an end to the 14-month war between Israel and the militant Hamas group . General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, though they reflect world opinion. There are no vetoes in the assembly. Israel and its close ally, the United States, were in a tiny minority speaking and voting against the resolutions. BEIRUT — Israeli forces withdrew from a strategic town in southern Lebanon and handed it back to the Lebanese army in coordination with U.N. peacekeepers, the two militaries said Wednesday, marking an important test of the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah militants. It appeared to be Israel's first pullout from a Lebanese border town captured during this fall’s ground invasion, and comes as part of the initial phase of the ceasefire. The Lebanese army said Wednesday it has deployed units to five positions around the town of Khiam coinciding with the Israeli army’s withdrawal. Israel's military confirmed this was the first town it has turned over to the Lebanese army under the truce, which — if it endures — would end nearly 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has said the truce deal gives it the right to use military force against perceived ceasefire violations. Israel has launched near-daily strikes, mostly in southern Lebanon, that have killed at least 28 people and wounded 25 others since the ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27. Still, the shaky truce appears to be holding. Five people were killed Wednesday by at least three Israeli strikes in different towns in the southern municipality of Bint Jbeil, Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state news agency said. The Lebanese army warned civilians to stay out of Khiam until it can clear the area of any unexploded munitions. The strategic hilltop town, located less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the border with Israel, saw some of the most intense fighting during the war. Thousands of Lebanese displaced by the war returned home two weeks ago after a ceasefire took hold , driving cars stacked with personal belongings and defying warnings from Lebanese and Israeli troops to avoid some areas. WASHINGTON — All Russian naval ships that were docked at the Syrian port of Tartus have left and it appears Moscow is now looking for a new base along the coast now that its key ally, Bashar Assad, has been ousted a ruler of Syria, a U.S. official said. It’s not clear where the ships will go, but Russia may seek a new port on the Mediterranean Sea along the African shoreline, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss U.S. assessments. The official did not say how many vessels Russia had in Syria at the time Assad was overthrown. Moscow has dedicated the bulk of its military assets to the war in Ukraine. Asked about Tartus on Wednesday, Sabrina Singh, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said that the U.S. is seeing some Russian forces and naval vessels leaving Syria. “They just had one of their key political allies, ousted,” said Singh. “We’re seeing Russia consolidate assets.” — By Lolita C. Baldor UNITED NATIONS – The Palestinians are urging United Nations member countries to vote in favor of resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and supporting the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees, which Israel has moved to ban in Palestinian territories. The Palestinian mission to the United Nations issued the urgent appeal to the 193 U.N. member nations ahead of Wednesday afternoon’s votes on the resolutions in the General Assembly, whose members have has been listening to two days of speeches overwhelmingly supporting the measures. Israel and close ally the United States have spoken against the resolutions. The Palestinians and their supporters went to the General Assembly after the U.S. vetoed a Security Council resolution last month demanding an immediate ceasefire in the war in Gaza. It was supported by the 14 other Security Councilmember nations, but the U.S. objected because the resolution did not include a link to an immediate release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The General Assembly resolution being voted on Wednesday mirrors the Security Council language: It “demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire to be respected by all parties, and further reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.” Unlike the Security Council, there are no vetoes in the General Assembly. But while council resolutions are legally binding, assembly resolutions are not, though they do reflect world opinion. The second resolution being voted on supports the mandate of the U.N. agency caring for Palestinian refugees known as UNRWA which was established by the General Assembly in 1949. It “deplores” legislation adopted by Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, on Oct. 28 banning UNRWA’s activities in the Palestinian territories, which takes effect in 90 days. It calls on the Israeli government “to abide by its international obligations, respect the privileges and immunities of UNRWA and uphold its responsibility to allow and facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance in all its forms into and throughout the entire Gaza Strip.” JERUSALEM — Israel has lifted restrictions on public gatherings and outdoor activities in areas near the Lebanese border in the northern Golan Heights, two weeks after a ceasefire with Hezbollah. The army’s Home Front Command said it was changing its public safety guidelines to “full activity” from “partial activity.” Israel had tightened restrictions on Nov. 25, reflecting concerns that fighting could intensify ahead of any possible cease-fire between Israel and Lebanese militants. The truce went into effect on Nov. 27. In recent days, Israeli tanks and troops have advanced out of Israeli-held territory in the Golan Heights and pushed into a buffer zone inside Syria — a move Israel said it took to prevent attacks on its citizens. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally, except by the United States. BEIRUT - Syria-based Palestinian factions have formed a unified delegation to meet with the country's new rebel-led authorities. The factions said in a statement after their meeting Wednesday at the Palestinian Embassy that they stand by the side of the Syrian people. The factions condemned Israel’s airstrikes on Syria over the past few days that have destroyed much of the assets of the Syrian army. The factions decided to form a joint committee to run the affairs of Palestinians in Syria as well as to be in contact with the new insurgent-led transitional government, following the ouster of President Bashar Assad. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians live in Syria, many of them refugees, and the factions that have been based in Damascus were close to Assad’s government. Hamas was based in Syria until it left in 2012 a year after the county's civil war began. PRETORIA, South Africa — The United Nations chief says the fall of Syria’s authoritarian government has brought hope to the troubled Middle East, and pledged the global body’s support to the country's new leaders to ensure a smooth transition. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that the U.N. wants to see “an inclusive political process in which the rights of all minorities will be fully respected, and paving the way towards a united sovereign Syria, with its territorial integrity fully re-established.” The jihadi-led Syrian rebels took control of the capital Damascus after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving many areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. A Kurdish-led, U.S.-backed force also controls large parts of northeastern Syria. Guterres said he fully trusts the people of Syria to be able “to choose their own destiny”. “I think it is our duty to do everything to support the different Syrian leaders in order to make sure that they come together and are able to guarantee a smooth transition, an inclusive transition in which all Syrians can feel that they belong," Guterres said. “The alternative does not make any sense.” Guterres is in South Africa to discuss the country’s role as it takes over the G20 presidency, among other issues. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — An Israeli strike in central Gaza Strip killed four people and injured 16 others Wednesday, health officials said. Those killed and injured were taken to Awda Hospital after the strike hit a house in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp, according to the press center at the hospital. Since Israel’s war in Gaza began in October last year, at least 44,805 people have been killed and 106,257 others have been injured, according to the latest update by the Gaza Health ministry. BEIRUT — The top U.S. military commander for the Middle East was in Lebanon on Wednesday meeting with the head of the Lebanese army. In the wake of shocking overthrow of the government in neighboring Syria, the two military leaders discussed the security situation in Lebanon, a statement from the country's army said. U.S. Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, who leads U.S. Central Command, met with the head of the Lebanese army Gen. Joseph Aoun to discuss ongoing American support for the implementation of the U.S.-and French-brokered ceasefire agreement, which ended more than a year of war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Israel has said the truce deal gives it the right to use military force against perceived ceasefire violations. Israel has launched near-daily strikes, mostly in southern Lebanon, that have killed at least 28 people and wounded 25 others since the ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27. Still, the shaky truce appears to be holding. Five people were killed Wednesday by at least three Israeli strikes in different towns in the southern municipality of Bint Jbeil, Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state news agency said. On Tuesday, Kurilla was in eastern Syria visiting U.S. military bases and meeting with members of a Kurdish-led Syrian force that is backed by the U.S. He was assessing what CENTCOM described as efforts to counter a resurgence of the Islamic State group. He also visited Baghdad for talks with Iraqi officials on regional security and counter-IS operations. DAMASCUS — With the fall of Damascus, security forces of the deposed Bashar Assad government and staff withdrew from the Damascus International airport, grounding flights and stranding passengers. The airport has not been functional since. Now, security members of the rebel alliance in control of Syria have taken control of the airport, hoping to restore security, a sense of confidence, and the legitimacy needed to restart flights out of the capital, and from one of the country’s three international airports. “Damascus international airport is the heart of the city because it is the gateway for international delegations and missions,” Omar al-Shami, a security official with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the faction that led the shock offensive that led to the fall of Assad, told The Associated Press, calling it "the passage for Syria to breathe.” Al-Shami said security was restored at the international airport nearly 12 hours after the fall of Damascus. The factions entered the capital before dawn, and security members of the rebel alliance took charge before sunset on Sunday. He said he hoped the airport would be operational in less than a week. On Wednesday, a handful of engineers were inspecting four planes that were on the tarmac. Cleaning staff were removing broken furniture, glass windows, and trash from ransacking by looters following the fall of Damascus. The attack, reportedly by mobs and looters from the neighboring areas, left parts of the airport halls destroyed, with smashed furniture and merchandise. “There was a lot damage in the airport’s equipment and facilities in 90% of the sections,” Anis Fallouh, the head of the airport, told the AP. Fallouh said the operations to clean up the airport aim to convince international airlines to resume their flights to Damascus. “Soon in the coming days, flights will resume when we reopen air traffic to Syria and inform countries that Damascus airport is operational. We may start with domestic or test flights to ensure that everything in the airport is operational and avoid any mistakes. Then we can resume international flights.” Engineers were inspecting the four planes on the tarmac, from two Syrian airlines. Some administrative staff were visiting the airport as the new administrators of Damascus work to convince state officials to return to their posts. “We are on the Airbus 320, the technical team. Because of the security vacuum that happened on Sunday, some ill-intentioned people tried to cause damage but thank God the plane is fine — the body, the engines and its systems. Some things are missing and we are trying to fix that,” said Bassam Radi, the engineer in charge of maintenance, said. BERLIN — German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Wednesday addressed Berlin's reservations but also willingness to work the Syrian militant group in control of Damascus, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. “Nobody overlooks the origins of HTS in the al-Qaeda ideology. It is therefore clear that we will measure HTS by its actions,” Baerbock told reporters in Berlin. “Any cooperation presupposes that ethnic and religious minorities are protected, women’s rights are respected and acts of revenge are prevented.” She said that “whether we like it or not, the HTS militia ... is one of the decisive actors for the future of Syria.” “Together with our partners, we are therefore looking for an adequate way of dealing with HTS, with whom many have had no direct contact for good reasons,” she added. Ahmad al-Sharaa, the insurgent leader also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicted himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. BEIRUT — An Israeli airstrike near the southern Lebanese town of Bin Jbeil killed one person and wounded another, the state news agency reported. National News Agency said Wednesday’s airstrike hit a home. It gave no further details and there was no immediate comment from Israeli military. More than a dozen people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since a ceasefire went into effect on Nov. 27, ending the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war. WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is returning to the Middle East this week on his 12th visit since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year but his first since the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad . Assad's departure has sparked new fears of instability in the region now wracked by three conflicts despite a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. Blinken will travel to Jordan and Turkey on Thursday and Friday for talks expected to focus largely on Syria but also touch on long-elusive hopes for a deal to end the fighting in Gaza that has devastated the territory since October 2023. The State Department said Blinken would meet Jordanian officials, including King Abdullah II, in the port of Aqaba on Thursday before flying to Ankara for meetings with Turkish officials Friday. Other stops in the region are also possible, officials said. Blinken “will reiterate the United States’ support for an inclusive, Syrian-led transition to an accountable and representative government,” department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. BEIRUT — Insurgents have set on fire the tomb of Syria’s former President Hafez Assad in his hometown in the northwest, a war monitor and a local journalist said Wednesday. Hafez Assad had ruled Syria for 30 years until his death in 2000, when his son, Bashar, succeeded him. Both ruled Syria with an iron fist and were blamed for crackdowns that left tens of thousands dead, mainly in the central city of Hama in 1982, and in much of the country since the civil war in 2011. Bashar Assad was ousted over the weekend and fled to Russia where he was given political asylum. Rami Abdurrahman of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syrian journalist Qusay Noor told The Associated Press that the tomb was set on fire Wednesday in the town of Qardaha in Latakia province. JERUSALEM — The United Nations is asking donors for over $4 billion to fund humanitarian operations in the Palestinian territories, most of it earmarked for war-ravaged Gaza. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also called for the “lifting all impediments to the entry of aid” in its appeal issued Wednesday. U.N. agencies say aid operations in Gaza are hindered by Israeli restrictions and the breakdown of law and order. Israel says it allows enough aid to enter and blames the U.N. for not distributing it within the territory. The appeal for 2025 includes $3.6 billion for Gaza and about $450 million for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel’s offensive, launched after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, has destroyed vast areas of the besieged territory and displaced around 90% of its population of 2.3 million. Many have been displaced multiple times and are now crammed into squalid tent camps with little in the way of food or other essentials. Most of the population relies on international aid. JERUSALEM — The president of Paraguay addressed the Israeli parliament Wednesday ahead of the reopening of the country’s embassy in Jerusalem. The decision to reopen the embassy in Jerusalem and recognize the city as the capital of Israel is a diplomatic win for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and puts Paraguay in a small group of countries that have taken the move. Israel annexed east Jerusalem in 1967 but it wasn't recognized by the international community, and most countries run their embassies out of Tel Aviv. “Without Jerusalem, the land of Israel is a body without a soul,” President Santiago Peña said in a speech to the Knesset. “So I say here today that without an embassy in Jerusalem, diplomatic relations with Israel do not have a real heart.” He said he hoped the move would inspire other countries to do the same. The embassy is set to open Thursday. Pena’s move was welcomed by Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, along with other Israeli leaders. “Tomorrow we will inaugurate together the embassy of Paraguay in our eternal capital, and that will happen not for the first time, but for the second time,” Netanyahu said. Paraguay had an embassy in Jerusalem in 2018, under Former President Horacio Cartes. That embassy was moved back to Tel Aviv by Cartes’ successor, Mario Abdo Benitez, prompting Israel to close its embassy in Asuncion. Israel reopened its embassy in September. MOSCOW — Russia said Wednesday it has maintained contacts with the new authorities in Syria. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “we are monitoring most closely what is happening in Syria.” “We, of course, maintain contacts with those who are currently controlling the situation in Syria,” Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. “This is necessary because our bases are located there, our diplomatic mission is located there and, of course, the issue related to ensuring the security of these facilities is extremely important and of primary significance.” Peskov wouldn’t give details of those contacts, saying only that Russia has contacted “those who are controlling the situation on the ground.” He wouldn’t give the number of Russian troops in Syria. Asked to comment about Israel’s seizure of a buffer zone on the border with Syria, Peskov called them destabilizing. “The strikes and actions in the Golan Heights area, in the buffer zone area, are unlikely to help stabilize the situation in an already destabilized Syria,” he said. Russia has granted political asylum to ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad and his family after they fled rebels who seized Damascus over the weekend. TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the recent events in Syria, including the fall of its government, were part of a joint plan by the United States and Israel. “There should be no doubt that what has happened in Syria is the result of a joint American and Zionist plan," Khamenei said in a speech in Tehran on Wednesday that was broadcast on state TV. “We have evidence, and this evidence leaves no room for doubt.” The Supreme leader added: “A neighboring state of Syria has played a clear role in this matter, and it continues to do so. Everyone can see this.” Khamenei also rejected speculation by analysts who have said that Iran will be weakened by the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government. “Those ignorant analysts are unaware of the meaning of resistance. They think that if resistance weakens, Islamic Iran will also weaken. But I say, with the help and power of God — by the will of Almighty Allah — Iran is powerful and it will become even more powerful," he said.
For the last few years, a younger generation of Republicans — including Vice President-elect J.D. Vance — has tried to convince their party to (partially) rethink its traditional kowtowing to corporate interests. If they really want to be the party of the working class, it might not be enough to pour contempt on and . What if they combined that with a genuine skepticism of corporate power, and a willingness to use government to police monopolies and make sure markets work for everyone? It was an interesting idea. But even if Vance and his allies were sincere — and there are plenty of reasons to doubt that — the incoming Trump White House is going in another direction. Big business will have than in his first, and the dream of a Republican Party that cares about voters’ pocketbooks, not just CEOs’ salaries, . The idea that this administration will be “populist” in any meaningful sense looks more like a joke every single day. Already, Trump has to fill out Cabinet posts and advisory positions. He is dining with industry lobbyists and promising regulatory exemptions to big companies. And on Tuesday, that he would replace Lina Khan, , as chair of the Federal Trade Commission.Under Khan, the FTC has been at the center of some of the most important action on markets and monopolies over the last four years. Along with Jonathan Kanter, head of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, Khan has reinvigorated antitrust enforcement, challenging giant mergers and bringing lawsuits against tech companies for their exploitative practices. While not all of Khan’s antitrust actions have been successful, she has notched some notable victories. Earlier this year, between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, arguing the merger would raise prices and hurt workers. After a judge sided with the FTC and state regulators, Albertsons backed out of the deal. Though , her adversarial relationship with large corporations, and particularly with the tech industry, won her some fans on the right. “I look at Lina Khan as one of the few people in the Biden administration that I think is doing a pretty good job,” earlier this year. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., that her past criticism of Amazon was “precisely why she was a good choice for the FTC.” Hawley is just one Republican who has styled himself an anti-corporate crusader; he has to outlaw corporate political contributions, which he says would “hold Corporate America accountable for drowning out the voices of the American people.” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Trump's pick for secretary of state, once a union organizing drive at an Amazon facility, though only because he thought the company was too “woke” and should be punished. The support for Khan from these “Khanservatives,” and the forlorn hope that Trump’s “populism” has anything to do with economics, led some to wonder if Trump might actually let Khan stay on. The conservative Wall Street Journal editorial board In July that “Mr. Vance may lobby Mr. Trump to reappoint her in a second term.” Instead, Trump has picked FTC Commissioner Andrew Ferguson as her replacement. In announcing Ferguson on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship.” But this hostility emerges only when Ferguson believes tech companies are censoring conservatives. He recently praised X owner Elon Musk, that the platform’s “current turn toward free expression is due only to its new owner’s unusually firm commitment to free and open debate.” In fact, Musk regularly his own critics on X and trying to quash speech he doesn’t like. Ferguson’s , , demonstrates that he will broadly reverse Khan’s robust antitrust enforcement. In the one-page document, he promises to “reverse Lina Khan’s anti-business agenda” by repealing “burdensome” regulations (i.e. regulations that businesses don’t like) and stopping “Lina Khan’s war on mergers.” And lest Big Tech gets too worried, he pledges to “end the FTC’s attempt to become an AI regulator.” No one should be surprised that conservative support for Khan and opposition to Big Tech was never about the dangers of monopoly power or the well being of consumers. Republicans only get mad at companies when they perceive a threat to their partisan interests. Likewise, they’ll condemn corporate “wokeness” when companies celebrate Pride Month, but they don’t care if those same companies jack up prices, mistreat workers or pollute communities. For all the Khanservatives' claim to be reimagining their party’s stance toward corporations, they lack any broader conception of how much power corporations should have, how government should ensure the proper functioning of markets, or what constitutes genuine competition in the public interest. They’re happy to have the FTC, and the government in general, revert to a reflexive view that corporations should be able to do pretty much whatever they want — so long as it’s conservative officials who are determining where the lines are. Now Vance and his allies’ claims to populism will be truly tested. Are the corporate-oriented officials running key agencies in the new Trump administration going to reverse the Biden administration’s efforts in taking on corporate power? What about the FTC’s recently finalized “ ” rule, which will require that canceling a subscription or gym membership is as easy as signing up in the first place? What about its on “junk fees,” or its ban on onerous ? Based on Trump’s actions since the election, all these moves could be at risk. It’s not just the FTC — we could see the Trump administration end the efforts to get for airline passengers that Biden started, or follow up on threats to neuter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which protects consumers from financial industry scams and mistreatment (Elon Musk he wants to “delete” the CFPB). Here’s the real measure of the phoniness of the Republican claim to populism: As the next four years progress, watch how often the administration takes the side of consumers when they come in conflict with corporate interests. My bet is on “almost never.” Perhaps Vance was sincere all the times he said he wanted a genuinely populist Republican Party that is skeptical of corporate power. But that’s almost certainly not what we’re going to get. Conservative ideology, and subservience to the moneyed interests that fund the GOP, will determine what Republicans do when they take power, just as they always have.
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What 4 Analyst Ratings Have To Say About Cooper CompaniesMichigan (7-5) is not the juggernaut of a program who ran through their schedule undefeated enroute to a national championship last year, as their 90th ranked SP+ offense has dramatically reduced their ability to keep pace with the rest of the expanded Big Ten. UM went 4-2 through the first half of the schedule, but then dropped 3-of-4 to @Illinois (21-7), Oregon (38-17) and @Indiana (20-15), before scorching Northwestern 50-6. However, the 5-loss season was all but forgotten by the Michigan faithful when they went into the Horseshoe and planted big “M” on midfield after a thrilling 13-10 victory over the Buckeyes. The Wolverines finally settled on former walk-on QB Davis Warren who emerged from an early-season three-QB rotation to win the job. UM ranks second-to-last nationally (134th) in passing explosiveness and plays at the 131 st slowest pace in the country. Their run defense is stout ranking 16th in success rate allowed, while UM’s secondary ranks 15th in pass explosiveness but is allowing a 61.1% completion rate (74th) and is a few notches down from their dominant 2023 version. Despite losing to Tennessee 24-17 and getting upset by Vanderbilt 40-35 despite a 99% post-game win expectancy, Alabama (9-3) was still in control of their own destiny to make the CFP Playoff heading into their Week 13 tilt with Oklahoma (6-7). However, the Tide and QB Jalen Milroe got smothered by the Sooners’ defense, completing 11-of-27 passes with three interceptions in the humiliating 24-3 blowout loss which ultimately sunk their playoff hopes and landed Bama in this SEC vs. B10 Blue Blood showdown with the Wolverines. The Crimson Tide have been explosive on offense once again, ranking 5th in 20+ yard play rate (9.1%) and 13th in marginal explosiveness, with the passing game leading the way courtesy of a 49% pass success rate (11th). Defensively they rank 9th nationally and rank 10th in EPA/dropback. However, the Bama pass rush is a shell of their former selves, ranking 84th in sacks per dropback (5.2%) and 66th with a 35% pressure rate. NBC Sports has all the latest info and analysis you need, including how to tune in for kickoff, odds from BetMGM, player news and updates, and of course our predictions and best bets for the game from our staff of experts. Listen to the B1G Talk podcast with Todd Blackledge and Noah Eagle for the most compelling storylines across all of college football, with the biggest teams on the rise and the latest rankings! Game Details and How to watch the 2024 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Alabama vs. Michigan · Date: Saturday, December 31st, 2024 · Time: 12:00 PM EST · Site: Raymond James Stadium · City: Tampa, FL · TV/Streaming: ESPN Want to check out the other games on the College Football schedule this week? We’ve got you covered right here on NBC Sports with all the matchup, venue, game-time and TV/streaming info so you won’t miss any of the action! Game odds for 2024 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Alabama vs. Michigan *odds courtesy of BetMGM Moneyline: Alabama Crimson Tide (-500), Michigan Wolverines (+375) Spread: Crimson Tide (-13.5) Over/Under: 43.5 points We got an Alabama -11.5/-395 opening line which has now bumped up to -13.5 with a -600 moneyline in some spots and is inching closer to the key number of -14. The total on the other hand, has held steady at 43.5. NBC Sports Bet Best Bet NBC Sports Betting Analyst Eric Froton (@CFFroton) thinks: “Michigan is dealing with a slew of impact opt outs, including their two-star DTs Graham & Grant, CB Will Johnson (Inj.), LT Myles Hinton and both RBs Kalel Mullings/Donovan Edwards. I cannot help but think that the Ohio State game was Michigan’s icing on the cake, and I question how much seasoned talent will be on the field for UM. Accordingly, I’m taking Alabama to score OVER 27.5 points.” Listen to the Bet the Edge podcast as hosts Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick provide listeners with sharp actionable insight, market analysis and statistical data to help bettors gain more information before placing their wagers. Quarterback matchup for 2024 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Alabama vs. Michigan Michigan: The quarterback three-man-weave between Davis Warren, Alex Orji and Jack Tuttle failed in their effort to replicate departed QB JJ McCarthy’s success. Orji was notably behind the others in terms of passing acumen, producing just 148 passing yards on 43 attempts before mercifully being pulled in favor of Indiana transfer Jack Tuttle. Tuttle was barely serviceable before retiring and turning the job back to Warren. Since being reinserted into the starting role against Michigan State in Week 9, Warren has been a steady, if unspectacular, steward of the UM offense completing 63.6% of his passes with a 6-to-9 TD/INT ratio while averaging a mundane 5.7 yards per pass attempt. To his credit, Warren threw 6 interceptions through his first three starts, but since regaining the job in Week 9 he has turned the ball over just three times while fielding a respectable 68th percentile PFF offensive grade on the year. Alabama: QB Jalen Milroe took over the Alabama starting quarterback job in 2023 and proceeded to average 10.0 yards per attempt with a 23-to-6 ratio while earning an 88.7 overall grade that ranked 14th nationally. A great deal of Milroe’s value derives from his legs, rushing 313 times for 1,250 yards and 32 touchdowns over the last two years with an 85.3 run grade that ranked 3rd in FBS last year. His passing acumen has lagged a bit this season averaging 9.1 YPA with a 15-to-10 ratio and an 81.2 passing grade that ranks 23rd overall. Milroe made major strides handling the pass rush this season, going from a 31.9 pressure-to-sack rate to a much improved 17.1%. Alabama vs. Michigan: Betting Trends & Recent Stats Davis Warren has not completed a pass for 40+ yards on any of his 202 total passing attempts since the 2023 season, worst among Power Conference quarterbacks Michigan are 2-6 (.250) against the spread when converting less than 50% of third down conversion opportunities this season, 11th-worst in FBS. (Average: .440) Michigan’s offense has thrown for 20 or more yards on just 5.8% of 293 attempts this season, the 2nd-worst rate among FBS offenses. Alabama’s defense allowed 20+ yards on just 7.9% of attempts this season, 23rd-best among FBS defenses. Michigan are 1-4 (.200) against the spread when allowing 100 or more rushing yards this season, 10th-worst among Power Conference teams. (Average: .424) Kalel Mullings has rushed for 10 or more yards on just 16 of his 185 carries this season, tied for 4th-worst among Power Conference running backs. QB Davis Warren has thrown for first downs on just 23% of his pass attempts with 7-10 yards to go this season, 5th-worst among Power Conference Quarterbacks. Establishing manageable 3rd Down situations will be vital for Michigan. Ryan Williams has gained 40+ yards on 7 of his 45 receptions this season, best among Power Conference Skill Players. Germie Bernard has gained 20+ yards on 17 of his 46 receptions this season, 4th-best among Power Conference Skill Players. Alabama has tackled opponents for a loss on just 63-of-436 rushing attempts (14% TFL%) this season, 3rd-worst in the SEC. Michigan has gained 1,603 yards on 179 receptions (just 9.0 YPR) this season, worst among Big Ten skill players. Alabama’s defense has allowed just 10.2 Yards Per Reception this season, 2nd-best among SEC defenses. Jalen Milroe has thrown 5 TD passes in close and late situations this season, most among SEC Quarterbacks Alabama has allowed passes of 40+ yards on just 3 of 379 attempts this season, 2nd-best in the SEC. College Football talk is taking over Bet the Edge every Thursday throughout the season. BET THE EDGE is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Vaughn Dalzell, Eric Froton, and Brad Thomas’ insights Thursdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. BetMGM College Football Insights: National Championship Line movement (Open to Now) Texas +1000 to +300 Ohio State +700 to +375 Oregon +900 to +400 Georgia +500 to +550 Highest Ticket% Ohio State 12.3% Texas 9.7% Georgia 9.7% Highest Handle% Ohio State 15.0% Georgia 13.6% Texas 10.4% Biggest Liabilities Arizona State Notre Dame Boise State Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: Jay Croucher (@croucherJD) Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) Eric Froton (@CFFroton)
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Rape allegation against Jay-Z won’t impact NFL's relationship with music mogul, Goodell saysBy MARY CLARE JALONICK and MATT BROWN WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, said he had a “wonderful conversation” with Maine Sen. Susan Collins on Wednesday as he pushed to win enough votes for confirmation. He said he will not back down after allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell. It’ll be a first for him National Politics | The Trump and Biden teams insist they’re working hand in glove on foreign crises National Politics | ‘You don’t know what’s next.’ International students scramble ahead of Trump inauguration National Politics | Trump is threatening to raise tariffs again. Here’s how China plans to fight back National Politics | Trump won’t be able to save the struggling US beef industry Collins said after the hourlong meeting that she questioned Hegseth about the allegations amid reports of drinking and the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies. She said she had a “good, substantive” discussion with Hegseth and “covered a wide range of topics,” including sexual assault in the military, Ukraine and NATO. But she said she would wait until a hearing, and notably a background check, to make a decision. “I asked virtually every question under the sun,” Collins told reporters as she left her office after the meeting. “I pressed him both on his position on military issues as well as the allegations against him, so I don’t think there was anything that we did not cover.” The meeting with Collins was closely watched as she is seen as more likely than most of her Republican Senate colleagues to vote against some of Trump’s Cabinet picks. She and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a fellow moderate Republican, did not shy from opposing Trump in his first term when they wanted to do so and sometimes supported President Joe Biden’s nominees for the judicial and executive branches. And Hegseth, an infantry combat veteran and former “Fox & Friends” weekend host, is working to gain as many votes as he can as some senators have expressed concerns about his personal history and lack of management experience. “I’m certainly not going to assume anything about where the senator stands,” Hegseth said as he left Collins’ office. “This is a process that we respect and appreciate. And we hope, in time, overall, when we get through that committee and to the floor that we can earn her support.” Hegseth met with Murkowski on Tuesday. He has also been meeting repeatedly with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a military veteran who has said she is a survivor of sexual assault and has spent time in the Senate working on improving how attacks are reported and prosecuted within the ranks. On Monday, Ernst said after a meeting with him that he had committed to selecting a senior official to prioritize those goals. Republicans will have a 53-49 majority next year, meaning Trump cannot lose more than three votes on any of his nominees. It is so far unclear whether Hegseth will have enough support, but Trump has stepped up his pressure on senators in the last week. “Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!” Trump posted on his social media platform last week.
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