TEHRAN - In a commentary published on December 4, German magazine Der Spiegel said Benjamin Netanyahu is waging an endless war in Gaza and delivering Israel into the arms of extremist right wings to stay in power. Der Spiegel was openly referring to some notorious members of Netanyahu’s cabinet including Itamar Ben Gvir who is a convicted supporter of terrorism, and Bezalel Smotrich who defends annexing the Gaza Strip. The following is part of the article: The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for both the Israeli Prime Minister and his former defense minister. With that, Netanyahu is the first freely elected head of government in the world who is suspected of being a war criminal by the judges in The Hague. Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, a country that experienced the worst attack in its history on October 7, 2023, is now officially a suspect. In Israel, all politicians, including Netanyahu’s adversaries, voice criticism of the arrest warrant. Netanyahu, the victim. That is his modus operandi, and it has been for years. In foreign policy, in domestic policy, in his personal affairs: It has always been somebody else’s fault. The media, the judiciary, the opposition, the rest of the world, all unjustifiably criticizing him, persecuting him. It is a narrative that has propelled him to numerous election victories, many of them coming after his political career had been declared over. And it keeps his government going, despite ongoing corruption proceedings. Now 75 years old, Netanyahu has served as Israel’s head of government for a total of 17 years. The Hamas attack was the worst day in the country’s history. Some 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 abducted and taken to Gaza. Many Israelis believe that Netanyahu bears a share of the responsibility because a number of warnings went unheeded. For a time, Netanyahu was the least liked politician in the country. These days, while his government may not have a majority according to current public opinion polls, his party, the national-conservative Likud, remains the strongest. Snap elections don’t appear to be in the near future. Indeed, Netanyahu just recently expanded his coalition by adding the parliamentary group of a former rival. The fact that thousands, even tens of thousands of Israelis take to the streets every week in anti-Netanyahu demonstrations, including former allies and men like his ex-defense minister Moshe Ya'alon? Doesn’t matter. The prime minister has a solid grip on power. "Netanyahu, who hit rock bottom on October 7, once again has very high approval ratings,” says Shtrauchler. Everything is going well for the prime minister – and soon, Donald Trump, who is a huge supporter of Israel, will be moving back into the White House. "I suspect he is waking up every morning with a smile on his face,” says Shtrauchler. Shtrauchler’s narrative of post-October 7 Netanyahu is that of a man who has once again managed to free himself from his troubles. Just as Gulliver broke loose from his chains. But the story can also be told another way: as one of a weak, detested prime minister who is clinging so desperately to his office that he has delivered Israel into the hands of the settlers and the racists. "Because no one else wanted to deal with Netanyahu anymore, he brought the most extreme right-wing people imaginable into his coalition,” says Raviv Drucker, 54, perhaps the best-known investigative journalist in the country. "He gave them enormous power. And since then, we have all been trapped in this nightmare. If the right-wing extremists didn’t have Netanyahu in their grip, the war in Gaza would have been over months ago.” In this narrative, Netanyahu is pulling an entire country down with him as he fights for political survival. A prime minister who has made Israel’s position in the region more tenuous with the war in Gaza, in addition to dividing the international community and triggering protests around the world against the Jewish state. Which narrative is the correct one? Der Spiegel spoke with the family members of hostages, political observers and military leaders in addition to former members of Netanyahu’s inner circle and others who used to work for him. A handful of them still hold Bibi, as he is widely known in Israel, in high regard. Many others, though, have become adversaries, their past experiences with the prime minister now leading them to issue warnings about him. They believe Netanyahu is dangerous because, in their telling, his primary goal is not that of pursuing the country’s best interest, but of remaining in office. Because otherwise, there is a chance he could end up in prison. And that, many believe, means that he is essentially capable of anything. Which is why, before attention can be focused on October 7, the war and its consequences, it must first be turned to rosé champagne, Cohiba cigars and a diamond-studded bracelet worth $42,000. Though there is also a link between the war and the Cohibas. A date is approaching that poses a greater threat to Netanyahu than the arrest warrant from The Hague: On December 10, he must testify in the district court in Jerusalem. The indictment accuses him of fraud, bribery and breach of trust on several counts. If convicted, he could face several years in prison. Essentially, the case revolves around three cases that share a similar pattern: Netanyahu and his wife Sara are thought to have received champagne, cigars and jewelry worth several hundred thousand euros – including the diamond-studded bracelet that, according to a witness, Sara Netanyahu wanted to "exchange” because her husband found it too "Romanian,” too ostentatious. In addition, Netanyahu received something that he likely valued far more highly: nice photos and friendly headlines in the largest media outlets in the country, including the newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth and the online news portal Walla. In exchange, such outlets were promised tax breaks, competitive advantages and other favors. The investigation into Jlpossible improprieties began eight years ago and the trial has now been underway for four years, but over and over again, Netanyahu has been able to push back his testimony. Now, though, if nothing completely unexpected takes place, he will soon find himself having to appear in court three times a week – potentially over a period of several months. "Netanyahu could have resigned as Ehud Olmert and Yitzhak Rabin once did,” says Raviv Drucker, the investigative journalist, who works for the broadcaster Channel 13. "But our prime minister decided to do the unthinkable: He simply stayed in office and began fighting for his survival.” Drucker has uncovered numerous affairs and scandals, but Netanyahu’s corruption is his primary focus. He is likely the journalist for whom Netanyahu harbors the most animosity, and the prime minister has sued him three times. "Always unsuccessfully.” He even tried to ramp up pressure on the broadcaster where Drucker used to work to get the journalist fired. But Drucker refused to back down. Now, he is also involved in "The Bibi Files,” which will be released on December 11 on the streaming platform Jolt. At the heart of the documentary are police recordings of witness interrogations that were leaked to the filmmakers Alexis Bloom and Alex Gibney. They show everything: wealthy benefactors and employees who handled the delivery of the gifts to the Netanyahus. And the couple at the center of the affair: Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu. "You are asking me delusional questions,” says the prime minister in the documentary’s introductory scene, his hand pounding angrily on the desk. In contrast to other witnesses, he is not questioned by the police in a sparse interrogation room, but in his office, a large map of the Middle East hanging on the wall behind him. "This is preposterous and insane. You are trying to incriminate the prime minister on nonsense.” During the questioning, Netanyahu gesticulates frequently, often crosses his arms in apparent disgust and makes no secret of his irritation. At times, he is charming, but more often, his voice takes on a lecturing tone. He doesn’t count bottles, he fires back when asked about the amount of champagne he received, but "the number of rockets pointed at us.” Mostly, though, his responses are terse: "I don’t know,” or "I don’t remember.” Many of the witnesses, though, insist that Netanyahu has prodigious powers of recollection. Sara Netanyahu, for her part, prefers a more confrontational, aggressive approach. She denies everything, insulting and yelling at the police officers. When asked about interfering in press coverage, she insists: "I just want a little positive, objective and balanced press!” And: "The people will never know about all the good things I do!” "The Bibi Files” exposes the Netanyahus as a rapacious couple with no cognizance of having done anything wrong – and shows the dramatic effect that has on politics, media and society. Netanyahu usually has only about a quarter of Israeli voters behind him, but he has consistently been able to assemble enough coalition partners to become prime minister. After the election in late 2022, he was only able to form a governing coalition with the ultra-Orthodox and the right-wing extremists. Itamar Ben-Gvir, a convicted racist and supporter of terrorism, became minister of national security. Bezalel Smotrich, who was handed the finance portfolio. Both are the kind of extremists who had previously been unacceptable in positions of political leadership. The first of them has been doing what he can since his appointment to get the police behind him. The other is pushing ahead with settlement construction in the West Bank at a record pace. It has been like handing a flamethrower to a pyromaniac. Israeli right-wing extremists envision a Greater Israel stretching from Jordan to the Mediterranean, within which Palestinians have few rights or, ideally, disappear completely. Most ultra-Orthodox, meanwhile, want to be as free from influence from the secular state as possible and insist on retaining their special privileges – such as a continuation of their conscription exemption and of lavish funding for their communities. Both groups have a common adversary: the Israeli judiciary. It is for that reason that the government, immediately upon taking office in winter 2022, launched a "judicial reform” aimed at stripping the country’s highest court of most of its powers. Because the country has no constitution, the Supreme Court of Israel is the only organ that serves as a corrective to politics. A majority of Israelis correctly understood the project of "judicial reform” as an attack on the separation of powers. Over the course of several months, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to demonstrate against the planned reform – a wave of protests that came to an end on October 7, 2023. And judicial reform was put on the back burner. "I am convinced, though, that the government intends to pick it up again. It’s not just Ben-Gvir and Smotrich who want it, Netanyahu also wants to destroy these institutions so that he can do whatever he wants,” says a man who was once a close ally to the prime minister. Today, he sees Netanyahu as a threat. "Israel’s fate shifted with the corruption investigations, and that is a great tragedy for Israel. For all of us. Netanyahu makes every decision, really every single one – be it military, political, financial or personal – with this in mind.” He is, the man says, prepared to do anything to stay in power, believing that it is the only way he can avoid a conviction. The man wishes to remain anonymous, and even asked that the site of our meeting remain secret. He is afraid of what he calls Netanyahu’s "poison machine” – attacks on social media from pro-Netanyahu journalists and mudslinging from Bibi’s troll army. "If I were to go public, they would destroy my life.” He, too, has stories to tell of wealthy businessmen who would bring along tailor-made suits for the prime minister and jewelry for his wife. And not just on one occasion, but regularly. "Netanyahu believes that he is entitled to it,” says the one-time confidant. "He sees himself as something between a king and a president.” The former confidant says that Netanyahu no longer differentiates between himself and the state, in part because the prime minister is convinced that everything he is doing to stay in power is ultimately in the service of the country – because he alone can protect Israel. Ever since the beginning of the investigations in 2016, the former confidant says, Netanyahu has been doing all he can to obstruct justice. Not only has he timed his trips abroad to avoid being questioned, the man alleges, but he has also launched campaigns against the police, the Supreme Court and public prosecutors. And his efforts have met with significant success, the former confidant believes. "Ask the people on the street. They will tell you that these institutions are corrupt and controlled by the leftists, who want to topple Bibi.” During his own interrogation in the corruption case, their 33-year-old son Yair insulted the police as "Stasi” and "Gestapo,” the dreaded secret police forces of East Germany and Nazi Germany, respectively. On X, he has posted numerous unhinged tirades against his father’s political opponents over the years, a habit that has resulted in several court appearances. Most recently, he accused the country’s domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet, of wanting to overthrow his father. And he celebrated Donald Trump’s election victory in the U.S. by posting: "Hallelujah!!!” Many of those interviewed for this article believe that Yair Netanyahu says out loud what his father is thinking. In recent years, Benjamin Netanyahu has continually inched ever closer to autocrats and right-wing populists around the world, including Argentinian President Javier Milei, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and, of course, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump. He backed Trump in the U.S. campaign from the very beginning, despite almost unconditional support for Israel from U.S. President Joe Biden over the last 14 months. But for Netanyahu, Trump is even more appealing. His first term in office was a fruitful period for the Israeli prime minister, with Trump moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, as the Israeli right had long been hoping for. But his second term could even be better. The settlers in the West Bank also celebrated the election result and have declared 2025 to be the "year of annexation.” "Netanyahu says he wants to save Israel, but in reality, he is destroying it,” says the one-time confidant. Because every move toward a Palestinian state would rupture his coalition and scare off his right-wing base, the former confidant says, Netanyahu has essentially relinquished the West Bank to the sometimes-violent settlers – damning Israel to an endless conflict with the Palestinians. For the prime minister, says journalist Anshel Pfeffer, who has written a biography of Netanyahu and now works for the Economist, the Palestinians have never been the "real issue,” rather his focus is more on Iran and its allies. With these issues, says Pfeffer, Netanyahu is in his "comfort zone.” Pfeffer adds: "He never wanted to have anything to do with Gaza.” As leader of the opposition in 2009, he demanded a "clear victory” over Hamas in Gaza. That, though, was little more than a slogan, not unlike today’s version, "total victory.” He had hardly entered office before it was no longer mentioned. Instead, Netanyahu built a high-tech border fence, while at the same time allowing Qatar to transport $30 million in cash per month through Israel to Gaza in suitcases. "He nourished the extremists and weakened the moderates,” says Pfeffer. "Netanyahu may not have wanted this war (in Gaza),” says Pfeffer. "But now, he also doesn’t want it to end.” It is a war by slogans,” says Pfeffer, "not by strategy.” The coastal strip is now little more than a heap of rubble. "There is nothing left to do in Gaza. The major achievements have been achieved,” the fired defense minister Yoav Gallant was quoted as saying in a recent meeting with the families of hostages. The International Criminal Court has also issued an arrest warrant against Gallant. "I fear we are staying there just because there is a desire to be there.” Netanyahu’s decision against making a hostage deal and agreeing to a ceasefire, Gallant allegedly said, was neither for military nor for diplomatic concerns. More than anything, though, it seems that Netanyahu doesn’t want to end the war because to do so, he would have to make a deal with Hamas for the hostages. Otherwise, the hostages will not be released – that much has become clear in the more than 400 days that have passed since the terror attack. That is the reason why even large parts of army leadership have been in favor of a hostage deal since spring. Such a deal, however, would result in the right-wing extremists leaving the coalition and allowing the government to fall. To stay in power, the prime minister’s only choice is to continue the military operation. In contrast to the war against Hezbollah: There, too, Ben-Gvir voted against the ceasefire, but he did not threaten to leave the coalition. Which means that military operations in Lebanon have come to an end for now. When it comes to Gaza, however, it seems – as brutal as it sounds – that Netanyahu has decided in favor of clinging to office. And against the hostages.Stock futures are flat as traders assess new Trump tariff threats: Live updates
Vikings' passing attack is as potent as ever with Addison's surge as Bears prepare for a rematchWill Gustav Nyquist find the back of the net when the Nashville Predators play the Dallas Stars on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET? In the article below, we dig into the numbers and trends you need to know before betting any props. Sign up for ESPN+ today to watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more. Odds to score a goal this game: +390 (Bet $10 to win $39.00 if he scores a goal) Place your bets on any NHL matchup at BetMGM. Sign up today using our link. Catch NHL action all season long on Fubo. Catch NHL action all season long on Max. Bet on this or any NHL matchup at BetMGM. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .
Matt Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney general
Notable quotes by Jimmy CarterNEW YORK - Damian Williams, the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, said on Nov 25 he planned to resign on Dec. 13, about a month before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated. Edward Kim, who is currently serving as Williams’ deputy, will take over on an acting basis as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Williams’ office has an unusual degree of independence from the Justice Department and is known for bringing high-profile financial fraud and public corruption cases. Trump, a Republican, earlier this month said he would nominate former Securities and Exchange Commission chair Jay Clayton to lead the office. The position requires confirmation by the US Senate. During his tenure, Williams secured convictions of former billionaire financiers on fraud charges - which he has long indicated was a top priority. One-time cryptocurrency executive Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty last November on charges of stealing about US$8 billion (S$10.77 billion) from customers of his FTX exchange, and Archegos Capital Management founder Sung Kook “Bill” Hwang was convicted in July of manipulating stock markets, costing Wall Street banks billions. Bankman-Fried and Hwang both deny wrongdoing. “I am confident I am leaving at a time when the office is functioning at an incredibly high level – upholding and exceeding its already high standard of excellence, integrity, and independence,” Williams said in a statement. Williams has also sharpened his office’s focus on public corruption. In July, he secured the conviction of former New Jersey Democratic Senator Bob Menendez on charges of fraud and acting as a foreign agent. In September, he brought bribery charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, also a Democrat. Menendez has vowed to appeal, and Adams has pleaded not guilty. Williams, the office’s first Black US Attorney, took office in late 2021. He led the Southern District of New York’s securities and commodities task force before being nominated to the district’s top post by President Joe Biden. He once clerked for former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, as well as current Attorney General Merrick Garland when Garland was an appellate judge. REUTERS
Republican senators demand an end to science and tech cooperation with ChinaBurns and full-thickness wounds penetrate all layers of the skin, resulting in significant tissue loss and structural damage. Unlike superficial wounds, full-thickness wounds lack the cellular components and structural support necessary to regenerate missing tissue. Without timely surgical intervention, there is heightened risk of delayed closure, infection, and severe scarring. Dermal matrices are essential in two-stage procedures for treating these wounds, as they support tissue generation for successful skin graft take and improve healing outcomes. Cohealyx addresses this critical need in the treatment of full-thickness wounds with an advanced bovine collagen-based design engineered to facilitate cellular migration and blood vessel formation. Preclinical studies in porcine models demonstrated that Cohealyx generated robust tissue capable of consistently supporting a split-thickness skin graft in a two-stage procedure earlier than leading dermal matrices in the study. While animal model results do not necessarily translate to clinical results, this expedited timeline is anticipated to lead to quicker wound closure and streamlined clinician workflows, resulting in shorter hospital stays, reduced treatment costs, and better patient outcomes. These parameters will be evaluated in a clinical study. "Cohealyx is a strategic addition to our RECELL-centric portfolio, unlocking the powerful synergies of RECELL and Cohealyx to address full-thickness wounds,” said Jim Corbett, Chief Executive Officer of AVITA Medical. "This expansion to our product portfolio strengthens our ability to deliver superior patient outcomes and significantly expands our commercial potential in burns. By equipping clinicians with more comprehensive treatment options, we strengthen our competitive position, drive new growth opportunities, and further our commitment to advancing regenerative medicine.” Cohealyx strengthens AVITA Medical's portfolio by expanding its capabilities in the treatment of full-thickness wounds. Offered alongside RECELL and PermeaDerm ® , Cohealyx enhances our comprehensive portfolio for addressing full-thickness wound care. This expanded portfolio is expected to triple AVITA Medical's addressable market in burns, as dermal matrices are a critical component of the standard two-stage surgical procedure for definitive closure of these wounds. We also anticipate Cohealyx will generate significant revenue as we penetrate the full-thickness skin defect market. AVITA Medical plans to develop clinical data for Cohealyx in early 2025 to build on the preclinical success and support the product's commercial launch. The post-market clinical study will assess Cohealyx's performance in real-world settings, focusing on clinical efficacy and cost savings in the treatment of full-thickness wounds and burns. In the U.S., we expect to launch full commercialization efforts in the beginning of the second quarter of 2025. About AVITA Medical, Inc. AVITA Medical is a commercial-stage regenerative medicine company transforming the standard of care in wound care management and skin restoration with innovative devices. At the forefront of our platform is the RECELL System, approved by the FDA for the treatment of thermal burn wounds and full-thickness skin defects, and for repigmentation of stable depigmented vitiligo lesions. RECELL harnesses the regenerative properties of a patient's own skin to create Spray-On Skin TM Cells, delivering a transformative solution at the point-of-care. This breakthrough technology serves as the catalyst for a new treatment paradigm enabling improved clinical outcomes. In the United States, AVITA Medical also holds the exclusive rights to market, sell, and distribute PermeaDerm, a biosynthetic wound matrix, and Cohealyx, an AVITA Medical-branded collagen-based dermal matrix. In international markets, the RECELL System is approved to promote skin healing in a wide range of applications including burns, full-thickness skin defects, and vitiligo. The RECELL System, excluding RECELL GO TM , is TGA-registered in Australia, has received CE mark approval in Europe, and has PMDA approval in Japan. To learn more, visit www.avitamedical.com . About Regenity Biosciences Regenity Biosciences, a Linden Capital Partners portfolio company, is a leading global developer and manufacturer of bioresorbable technologies to repair and regenerate natural tissue and bone for a variety of markets including dental, spine, orthopaedic, sports medicine, advanced wound, neurosurgery, ENT, and nerve repair. Founded in 1997, Regenity (formerly Collagen Matrix, Inc.) is headquartered in Paramus, New Jersey, with manufacturing locations in Oakland and Allendale, New Jersey and Groningen, the Netherlands. Regenity's product portfolio includes a variety of collagen-based and synthetic polymer solutions that support the company's platform for tissue and bone regeneration. Regenity develops proprietary products that are sold to OEM customers on either a contract or private label basis and offers partnership opportunities including contract product development and manufacturing services. For more information, please visit www.regenity.com . Forward-Looking Statements Th is press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements generally may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate,” "expect,” "intend,” "could,” "would,” "may,” "will,” "believe,” "continue,” "estimate,” "look forward,” "forecast,” "goal,” "target,” "project,” "outlook,” "guidance,” "future,” and similar words or expressions, and the use of future dates. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the timing and realization of regulatory approvals of our products; physician acceptance, endorsement, and use of our products; anticipated market share growth and revenue generation from certain products; failure to achieve the anticipated benefits from approval of our products; the effect of regulatory actions; product liability claims; risks associated with international operations and expansion; and other business effects, including the effects of industry, as well as other economic or political conditions outside of the Company's control. These statements are made as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these statements, except as required by law. For additional information and other important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements, please see the "Risk Factors” section of the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and other publicly available filings for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. Authorized for release by the Chief Financial Officer of AVITA Medical, Inc. CONTACT: Investor & Media Contact: Jessica Ekeberg Phone +1-661-904-9269 [email protected] [email protected]
An Israeli airstrike flattened a multistory building in central Gaza, killing at least 25 people and wounding dozens more, according to Palestinian medical officials, after strikes Thursday across the Gaza Strip killed at least 28 others. The latest deadly strike hit the urban Nuseirat refugee camp just hours after U.S. President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters in Jerusalem that the recent ceasefire in Lebanon has helped clear the way for a potential deal to end the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the deadly strike in Nuseirat. Israel says it is trying to eliminate Hamas, which led the attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war in Gaza . The Israeli military says Hamas militants hide among Gaza’s civilian population. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine in some of the hardest-hit parts of the territory. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 250 others were taken hostage. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Here's the latest: DAMASCUS, Syria — Mohammad Salim Alkhateb, an official with the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces — an internationally backed group of the opposition in exile — said his group wants to see a transitional government formed via a United Nations-backed process in the wake of Bashar Assad ouster. It is not yet clear if Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel group now in control of Syria, will pursue such a process. The insurgents have said an interim government headed by Mohammad al-Bashir, who is also the head of the “salvation government” of HTS in its former stronghold in northern Syria, will oversee the country until March but have not made clear how the transition to a new, fully empowered government would take place. “The transitional governing body should be formed in Geneva to have international legitimacy,” said Alkhateb, who is now in Damascus. “The transitional governing body, whatever its form, whether it is the ‘salvation government’ or any other, what matters is that it has international recognition.” Alkhateb said that the unexpectedly rapid fall of Damascus and departure of Assad after opposition forces launched their offensive had created confusion and a governance vacuum. A day before the insurgents pushed into Damascus, diplomats from countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Iran and Russia met in Qatar to discuss the situation in Syria. Alkhateb said that they had discussed a scenario in which the rebels would halt their advance, keeping the territory they had captured so far in the north — including Syria’s largest city, Aleppo — and the opposition and Assad’s government would go to Geneva for talks on a political settlement to the conflict. However, he noted, “there were no Syrians in that meeting.” Assad fled to Russia before the rebel forces arrived in Damascus but has not officially announced his resignation, which is “why we are living in a vacuum rather than a political transition,” Alkhateb said. He added that creating a professional army should be a priority of the transitional government. “We do not want a civilian who was trained during the revolution to carry military weapons to become the military,” he said. Israel bombed hundreds of military sites in Syria this week in a wave of airstrikes that destroyed “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the wave of airstrikes in neighboring Syria was necessary to keep the weapons from being used against Israel following the Syrian government’s stunning collapse . WASHINGTON — White House press secretary Karine Jean-Peirre says Austin Tice, an American journalist missing in Syria for 12 years, “is a top priority for this president.” During a briefing with reporters on Thursday, Jean-Pierre said of Tice, “There is no indication that he is not alive. There’s also no indication about his location or condition.” “What our goal is, is to bring him home. And so, we hope certainly that he is alive and, as we have stated many times before, we are talking through this with the Turks and we want to do everything we can to bring him home,” she said. BEIRUT — Amnesty International said Thursday that four Israeli airstrikes between September and October that killed at least 49 civilians in Lebanon “must be investigated as war crimes.” The rights organization said in a new report that the four strikes targeted homes in the Bekaa Valley, northern and eastern Lebanon, and municipal offices in the south. “These four attacks are emblematic of Israel’s shocking disregard for civilian lives in Lebanon and their willingness to flout international law,” said Amnesty International’s Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns. The rights group said this report was part of its ongoing investigation into violations of the laws of war in Lebanon. Amnesty International investigated four Israeli airstrikes, including one on Sept. 29 in al-Ain that killed all nine members of the same family. On Oct. 21, a strike in Baalbek city in eastern Lebanon killed six members of the same family. Another on Oct. 14 in the village of Aitou in northern Lebanon killed 23 displaced people, including a 5-month-old baby. A fragment from the attack site in Aitou was identified by an Amnesty weapons expert as likely part of a Mk-80 series aerial bomb, weighing at least 500 pounds. These munitions are primarily supplied to Israel by the United States, Amnesty said. The fourth strike Amnesty investigated was the strike that hit the municipal headquarters in Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, on Oct. 16, killing 11 civilians including the mayor. “The air strike took place without warning, just as the municipality’s crisis unit was meeting to coordinate deliveries of aid, including food, water and medicine, to residents and internally displaced people who had fled bombardment in other parts of southern Lebanon,” Amnesty said. The rights group said it interviewed survivors and witnesses, examined evidence, and found no military targets near the sites of the four strikes. The Israeli military gave no warnings and did not respond to Amnesty’s inquiries, the group said. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — An Israeli airstrike hit the central Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing at least 25 Palestinians and wounding dozens more, Palestinian medics said, just hours after President Joe Biden’s national security adviser raised hopes about a ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza. Photos from the scene of the blast that circulated on social media showed a completely collapsed building with people walking through its mangled and charred remains, smoke rising from piles of belongings strewn over the rubble. Officials at two hospitals in the Gaza Strip, al-Awda Hospital in the north and al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza, reported they received a combined total of 25 bodies from an Israeli strike on a multistory residential building in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp. Palestinian medics also reported that over 40 people, most of them children, were receiving treatment at the two hospitals. The al-Aqsa Hospital said that the Israeli attack also damaged several nearby houses in Nuseirat. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the deadly strike. Israel is trying to eliminate Hamas, which led the attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war in Gaza . The Israeli military says Hamas militants hide among Gaza’s civilian population. Israel’s war against Hamas has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine. Israel says it allows enough aid to enter and blames U.N. agencies for not distributing it. The U.N. says Israeli restrictions, and the breakdown of law and order after Israel repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, make it extremely difficult to operate in the territory. UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. food agency is trying to deal with massive needs in Syria not only from escalating war-related food insecurity and an upsurge in displaced people fleeing Lebanon but also the dramatically new environment following the ouster of Bashar Assad, a senior U.N. official says. “It’s a triple crisis and the needs are going to be massive,” said Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the World Food Program, in an interview with The Associated Press late Wednesday. The WFP estimated that 3 million people in Syria were “acutely food insecure” and very hungry. However, that estimate was made before the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon pushed many Syrian refugees back to their home country, plus the instability caused by the overthrow of Assad. Due to funding cuts, the WFP had been targeting only 2 million of those people, he said. Because WFP has been working in Syria during the 13-year civil war, he said, it has pre-positioned food in the country. It has 500 staff in seven offices nationwide and has operated across conflict lines, across borders, and with all different parties, he said. Skau said Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel group now in control of Syria, has promised to provide security for WFP warehouses. Humanitarian aid supplies had been looted at U.N. warehouses in the disorder after Assad fell. “We’re not really up and running in Damascus because of the continued kind of uncertainty there,” he said. WFP initially thought of relocating non-essential staff but the situation in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, has been “quite calm and orderly," he said. In the short term, Skau said, “what we’re seeing is that markets are disrupted, the value of the currency dropped dramatically, food prices are going up, transport lines don’t work,” and it’s unclear who will stamp required papers for imports and exports. This means that a bigger humanitarian response is needed initially, he said, but in the next phase, the U,N. will be looking at contributing to Syria’s recovery, and ultimately the country will need reconstruction. Skau said he expects a new funding appeal for Syria and urged donors to be generous. JERUSALEM — President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters in Jerusalem on Thursday that Israel’s ceasefire in Lebanon has helped clear the way for another deal to end the war in Gaza. He plans to travel next to Qatar and Egypt — key mediators in the ceasefire talks — as the Biden administration makes a final push on negotiations before Donald Trump is inaugurated. Sullivan said “Hamas’ posture at the negotiating table did adapt” after Israel decimated the leadership of its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon and reached a ceasefire there. “We believe it puts us in a position to close this negotiation,” he said. Sullivan dismissed speculation that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was waiting for Trump to take office to finalize a deal. He the U.S. believes there are three American hostages still alive in Gaza, but it’s hard to know for sure. He also said “the balance of power in the Middle East has changed significantly” since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, especially with the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, a key ally of Hezbollah and Iran. “We are now faced with a dramatically reshaped Middle East in which Israel is stronger, Iran is weaker, its proxies decimated, and a ceasefire that is new and will be lasting in Lebanon that ensures Israel’s security over the long term,” he said. KHIAM, Lebanon — An Israeli strike killed at least one person Thursday in the Lebanese border town of Khiam, the Health Ministry said, less than a day after Israeli troops handed the hilltop village back to the Lebanese army in coordination with U.N. peacekeepers, Khiam is the first Lebanese town Israel has pull out of since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah militants began two weeks ago, and marks an important test of the fragile truce . Lebanon's Health Ministry and state news agency did not provide details on who was killed, and did not report airstrikes elsewhere on Thursday. The Israeli military said the airstrike in Khiam targeted Hezbollah fighters. Lebanese troops deployed in the northern section of the town on Thursday morning and were coordinating with U.N. peacekeepers to finalize Israel’s withdrawal before fully entering into other neighborhoods. An Associated Press reporter who visited Khiam on Thursday observed widespread destruction, with most houses reduced to rubble. Entire neighborhoods were flattened, with collapsed walls and debris scattered across the streets. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, sharply criticized Israel for striking the town less than 24 hours after the Lebanese army returned, saying it was “a violation of the pledges made by the parties that sponsored the ceasefire agreement, who must act to curb Israeli aggression.” The truce was brokered by the U.S. and France. Israel has previously said the ceasefire deal allows it to use military force against perceived violations. Near-daily attacks by Israel during the ceasefire, mostly in southern Lebanon, have killed at least 29 people and wounded 27 others. Khiam, which sits on a ridge less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the border with Israel, saw some of the most intense fighting during the war. The Lebanese army was clearing debris and reopening roads in the northern section of the town. Civilian access to other areas remained challenging as the army clears roads and works alongside the U.N. peacekeepers to ensure the area is free of unexploded ordnance. AQABA, Jordan -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is urging the many players in Syria to avoid taking any steps that could lead to further violence. Blinken spoke to reporters in Jordan on Thursday shortly after meeting King Abdullah II as he opened a trip in the region to discuss Syria's future after former President Bashar Assad's ouster. Blinken will next visit Turkey, a NATO ally and a main backer of Syrian rebel groups. Blinken called this “a time of both real promise but also peril for Syria and for its neighbors.” He said he was focused on coordinating efforts in the region “to support the Syrian people as they transition away from Assad’s brutal dictatorship” and establish a government that isn’t dominated by one religion or ethnic group or outside power. Blinken was asked about Israel’s incursion into a buffer zone that had been demilitarized for the past half century. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the move is temporary and defensive, but also indicated Israel will remain in the area for a long time. Blinken declined to say whether the U.S. supports the move, but said the U.S. would be speaking to Israel and other partners in the region. “I think, across the board, when it comes to any actors who have real interests in Syria, it’s also really important at this time that, we all try to make sure that we’re not sparking any additional conflicts,” he said. ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, arrived in Damascus on Thursday, according to Turkish media reports. Kalin was seen arriving at the Umayyad Mosque to pray, surrounded by a large crowd, according to video shown on Turkish television. The visit is highly symbolic. Turkish officials, who supported the opposition against Syria’s government, had predicted at the start of the civil war in 2011 that President Bashar Assad’s government would fall, allowing them to pray at the Umayyad Mosque. JERUSALEM — Paraguay reopened its embassy in Jerusalem Thursday, becoming one of a small handful of nations to recognize the city as Israel’s capital and marking a diplomatic victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel’s international isolation has increased as the war in Gaza drags on, and Paraguay was the first country to move its embassy to Jerusalem since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack that kickstarted the war. The United States, Honduras, Guatemala, Kosovo, and Papua New Guinea are among the few countries with Jerusalem embassies. 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. Spirits were high at the ceremony marking the embassy’s inauguration Thursday, with Netanyahu and Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar lavishing praise on Paraguayan President Santiago Pena. “My good friend Santiago,” said Netanyahu, addressing Pena. “We’re a small nation. You’re a small nation. We suffered horrible things but we overcame the odds of history...we can win and we are winning.” 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. Saar said Israel and Paraguay shared a “friendship based not only on interests but also values and principles.” He and the Paraguayan foreign minister, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, signed a series of bilateral agreements and Saar said he would soon visit Asunción with a delegation from the Israeli private sector. “Israel is going to win and the countries we are standing next to Israel, we are going to win," Pena said. AQABA, Jordan — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is renewing calls for Syria’s new leadership to respect women and minority rights, prevent extremists from gaining new footholds in the country and keeping suspected chemical weapons stocks secure as he makes his first visit to the Mideast since the weekend ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad . Making his 12th trip to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war erupted lasted year but amid fresh concerns about security following the upheaval in Syria, Blinken emphasized Thursday to Jordan’s King Abdullah II U.S. “support for an inclusive transition that can lead to an accountable and representative Syrian government chosen by the Syrian people,” the State Department said. Blinken also repeated the importance the outgoing Biden administration puts on respect for human rights and international law, the protection of civilians and stopping terrorist groups from reconstituting. Blinken met with the monarch and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Aqaba before traveling to Turkey for talks with Turkish officials on the situation in Syria and the urgency of securing a long-elusive deal to release hostages and end the fighting in Gaza that has devastated the Palestinian territory since October 2023. Abdullah told Blinken that “the first step to reach comprehensive regional calm is to end the Israeli war on Gaza." GENEVA — The U.N. envoy for Syria is calling on authorities to save evidence from detention centers that were a hub of “unimaginable barbarity” that Syrians have faced for many years and cooperate with international investigators looking into such crimes. Geir Pederson referred to new images from the notorious Saydnaya military prison north of the capital, Damascus, after President Bashar Assad fled Syria as armed groups stormed in to overthrow his government over the weekend. “The images from Saydnaya and other detention facilities starkly underscore the unimaginable barbarity Syrians have endured and reported for years,” Pedersen said in a statement. Documentation and testimonies “only scratch the surface of the carceral system’s horrors,” he added. Pedersen urged authorities to cooperate with U.N. bodies like an independent Commission of Inquiry on Syria, which was created in 2011, and an independent group known as the IIIM that was set up five years later to also compile evidence of crimes. ROME — Leaders of the Group of 7 industrialized nations offered their full support for an inclusive political transition in Syria and invited all parties to preserve the country’s territorial integrity. In a message released by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s office, the leaders said they were ready to support a transition that “leads to a credible government, inclusive and not sectarian, that guarantees respect for the state of law, universal human rights, including rights for women, (and) the protection of all Syrians, including religious and ethnic minorities.” The leaders also underlined the importance that ousted President Bashar Assad’s government is held responsible for crimes, citing “decades of atrocities.” They said they would also cooperate with groups working to prohibit chemical weapons “to secure, declare and destroy” remaining chemical arms in Syria. Italy currently holds the rotating presidency of the G-7, which also includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the United States. JERUSALEM — The Israeli military says it struck Hamas militants in two locations in the southern Gaza Strip who planned to hijack aid convoys. Palestinian Health officials had earlier said that the two strikes killed 15 men who were part of local committees established to secure aid deliveries. The committees have been organized in cooperation with the Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza. It was not possible to independently confirm either account of the strikes, which occurred overnight into Thursday. Israel has long accused Hamas of hijacking humanitarian aid deliveries, while U.N. officials have said there is no systemic diversion of aid . U.N. agencies and aid groups say deliveries are held up by Israeli restrictions on the entry of aid and movement within Gaza, as well as the breakdown of law and order more than 14 months into the war between Israel and Hamas. Israel has repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, which maintained internal security before the war. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, the main aid provider in Gaza, said a U.N. convoy of 70 trucks carrying humanitarian aid in southern Gaza “was involved in a serious incident,” resulting in just one of the trucks reaching its destination. It did not provide further details on the incident but said the same route had been used successfully two days earlier. Israel’s offensive, launched after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, has caused vast destruction and displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, leaving the territory heavily reliant on international food aid. DAMASCUS, Syria — An American who turned up in Syria on Thursday says he was detained after crossing into the country by foot on a Christian pilgrimage seven months ago. Travis Timmerman appears to have been among thousands of people released from the country’s notorious prisons after rebels reached Damascus over the weekend, overthrowing President Bashar Assad and ending his family’s 54-year rule. As video emerged online of Timmerman on Thursday, he was initially mistaken by some for Austin Tice, an American journalist who went missing in Syria 12 years ago. In the video, Timmerman could be seen lying on a mattress under a blanket in what appeared to be a private house. A group of men in the video said he was being treated well and would be safely returned home. The Biden administration is working to bring Timmerman home, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Aqaba, Jordan, without offering details, citing privacy. Timmerman later gave an interview with the Al-Arabiya TV network, saying he had illegally crossed into Syria on foot from the eastern Lebanese town of Zahle seven months ago, before being detained. He said he was treated well in detention but could hear other men being tortured. AQABA, Jordan — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Jordan on his 12th visit to the Mideast since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year and his first since the weekend ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad that has sparked new fears of instability in a region wracked by three conflicts despite a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. Blinken was meeting in Aqaba with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday before traveling to Turkey for talks with Turkish officials on Friday. The meetings will focus largely on Syria but also touch on long-elusive hopes for a deal to end the fighting in Gaza that has devastated the Palestinian territory since October 2023. Blinken is the latest senior U.S. official to visit the Middle East in the five days since Assad was deposed as the Biden administration navigates more volatility in the region in its last few weeks in office and as President-elect Donald Trump has said the U.S. should stay out of the Syrian conflict. Other include national security adviser Jake Sullivan and a top military commander who traveled there as the U.S. and Israel have launched airstrikes to prevent the Islamic State militant group from reconstituting and prevent materiel and suspected chemical weapons stocks from falling into militant hands. Blinken “will discuss the need for the transition process and new government in Syria to respect the rights of minorities, facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance, prevent Syria from being used as a base of terrorism or posing a threat to its neighbors, and ensure that chemical weapons stockpiles are secured and safely destroyed,” the State Department said. The U.S. would be willing to recognize and fully support a new Syrian government that met those criteria. U.S. officials say they are not actively reviewing the foreign terrorist organization designation of the main Syrian rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, known as HTS, which was once an al-Qaida affiliate, but stressed they are not barred from speaking to its members. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces will remain in a Syrian buffer zone until a new force on the other side of the border can guarantee security. After the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Israeli forces pushed into a buffer zone that had been established after the 1973 Mideast war. The military says it has seized additional strategic points nearby. Israeli officials have said the move is temporary, but Netanyahu’s conditions could take months or even years to fulfill as Syria charts its post-Assad future, raising the prospect of an open-ended Israeli presence in the country. Netanyahu’s office said in a statement Thursday that Assad’s overthrow by jihadi rebels created a vacuum on the border. “Israel will not permit jihadi groups to fill that vacuum and threaten Israeli communities on the Golan Heights with October 7th style attacks,” it said, referring to Hamas’ 2023 attack out of Gaza, which ignited the war there. “That is why Israeli forces entered the buffer zone and took control of strategic sites near Israel’s border.” The statement added that “this deployment is temporary until a force that is committed to the 1974 agreement can be established and security on our border can be guaranteed.” The buffer zone is adjacent to the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed. The international community, except for the United States, views the Golan as occupied Syrian territory. JERUSALEM — Israel’s military said Thursday that the attacker who fatally shot a 12-year-old Israeli boy in the occupied West Bank overnight turned himself in to authorities. The attacker opened fire on a bus near the Israeli settlement of Beitar Illit, critically wounding the boy, who hospital authorities pronounced dead in the early morning. Three others were wounded in the attack, paramedics said. The shooting took place just outside Jerusalem in an area near major Israeli settlements. JAKARTA, Indonesia — The Indonesian government has evacuated 37 citizens from Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government, officials said Thursday. The evacuees were taken by land from Damascus to Beirut, where they boarded three commercial flights to Jakarta, said Judha Nugraha, director of citizen protection at the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The Indonesian Embassy in Damascus said all 1,162 Indonesian citizens in Syria were safe. Indonesian Ambassador to Syria Wajid Fauzi said the situation in Syria has gradually returned to normal. “I can say that 98% of people’s lives are back to normal, shops are open, public transportation has started running,” Fauzi said, adding that most Indonesian nationals living in Syria had chosen to stay. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinian medical officials say Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 28 people in the Gaza Strip, including seven children and a woman. One of the strikes overnight and into Thursday flattened a house in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah, where the casualties were taken. An Associated Press reporter saw the bodies at the hospital’s morgue. Two other strikes killed 15 men who were part of local committees established to secure aid convoys . The committees were set up by displaced Palestinians in coordination with the Hamas-run Interior Ministry. The Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis received the bodies and an AP reporter counted them. The hospital said eight were killed in a strike near the southern border town of Rafah and seven others in a strike 30 minutes later near Khan Younis. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 people. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine. Israel says it allows enough aid to enter and blames U.N. agencies for not distributing it. The U.N. says Israeli restrictions, and the breakdown of law and order after Israel repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, make it extremely difficult to operate in the territory. 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.
Bankrate issues survey on financial outlook for 2025Tesla stock could drop 35% as the Trump-fueled rally isn't supported by business fundamentals, UBS saysCourtland Sutton's surge is helping rookie Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos make a playoff push ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — What's stoking the Denver Broncos' surprising surge is the growing connection between rookie quarterback Bo Nix and veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Arnie Stapleton, The Associated Press Nov 25, 2024 3:38 PM Nov 25, 2024 4:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) pulls in a touchdown pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — What's stoking the Denver Broncos' surprising surge is the growing connection between rookie quarterback Bo Nix and veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Whenever the Broncos (7-5) need a clutch catch, a key flag or a timely touchdown, Sutton is usually the one delivering it like he did Sunday when he caught eight passes on 10 targets for 97 yards and a pair of touchdowns that sparked the Broncos' come-from-behind 29-19 win at Las Vegas. “Courtland played tremendous,” coach Sean Payton said. Again. “He’s just reliable,” Nix said. “He's just always there when you need him.” Sutton's size (6-foot-4 and 216 pounds) and experience (he's in his seventh NFL season) make him an ideal target and safety valve for the rookie QB whose confidence is growing by the week. “He’s smart. He’s savvy. He makes plays when the ball’s in the air,” Nix said. “You can trust him. When it’s up in the air, it’s his or nobody’s. It’s not going to be a pick.” Nix's first touchdown toss to Sutton was an 18-yarder that allowed the QB to break Marlin Briscoe's 1968 Denver rookie record of 14 TD passes, and the two connected again with 5:30 left to make it a two-score game. The Broncos trailed 13-9 at halftime and Nix said they knew they had to get the ball into Sutton's hands more in the second half after he had caught the only pass thrown his way in the first half (for 17 yards). “Didn’t target him (much) in the first half,” Nix said. “We come out and say, ‘Look, Courtland, this is your half.’ We take over the game. He goes for two touchdowns. That just kind of speaks for what he means to our team.” Sutton has been on a tear after since he wasn't targeted a single time in Denver's 33-10 win at New Orleans on Oct. 17. (Payton mentioned as recently as last week what an anomaly that game was because there was a heavy diet of plays for Sutton that just didn't pan out for various reasons.) In his six games before that goose egg, Sutton had 21 catches on 49 targets for 277 yards and a touchdown. In the five games since, he's caught 36 of the 48 balls thrown his way for 467 yards and three TDs. Plus, he threw a touchdown pass to Nix on a “Philly Special” at Baltimore in Week 9. “I think we're just scratching the surface,” Sutton said. Thanks in part to the chemistry between Nix and Sutton, the Broncos are in position for the seventh and final playoff spot entering December. What’s working The passing game, thanks to the Nix-Sutton connection. What needs help The running game. Javonte Williams had just 2 yards on eight carries and Audric Estime ran three times for 15 yards against the Raiders' run-heavy fronts and a steady diet of blitzes. Jaleel McLaughlin saved the day with seven carries for 44 yards. Stock up OLB Nik Bonitto. His 10 sacks make him the first Denver defender with double-digit sacks since 2018, when Von Miller did it. Stock down Once again, the Broncos' special teams, with the exception of K Wil Lutz, who hasn't missed a field goal attempt or extra point since his protection unit cratered at Kansas City three weeks ago and allowed the Chiefs to block what would have been the game-winning kick as time expired. On Sunday, the Raiders had a successful fake punt and a 59-yard kickoff return. Injuries Payton isn't saying much about the injuries to DE Zach Allen (heel) and CB Riley Moss (knee) except that to him they're not serious setbacks for either player. Key number 2 — The Broncos are two games above .500 for the first time since starting the 2021 season with three wins. Next steps The Broncos host Cleveland (3-8) on Monday night ahead of their bye week. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Arnie Stapleton, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) NFL Inactive Report Nov 25, 2024 3:47 PM Vikings staying on track and in control behind Sam Darnold's composure and confidence Nov 25, 2024 3:41 PM Blowout loss to Packers leaves the 49ers on the playoff brink Nov 25, 2024 3:25 PM
What to watch for as the 49ers look to save their season with victory over the Rams in Week 15Is this the Illawarra's smallest (and stingiest) playground?
The jailing of former star footballer and ex-men’s national team coach, Li Tie, for 20 years is a landmark in mainland China’s sweeping crackdown on corruption in the sport. Li, who played in the World Cup finals in 2002 and then for English Premier League team Everton, was convicted of taking more than 110 million yuan (HK$117 million) in bribes between 2015 and 2021. He is the best known figure among the many officials, coaches and players who have been punished as part of an investigation into bribery and match-fixing. Chen Xuyuan, former chairman of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), was jailed for life in March. Corruption has plagued football on the mainland for decades. But this latest probe has revealed the extent to which it has persisted. Li told a CCTV documentary in January that corruption in Chinese football was “everywhere, in each and every aspect”. It has even pervaded junior football. There is a need for root and branch reform. The recent crackdown provides an opportunity for a fresh start. This month, football was a surprise item on the agenda of a State Council meeting. Officials were urged to revitalise and develop the industry. But there have been “fresh starts” before. A 2015 plan for redeveloping the sport was a response to an earlier corruption controversy. This time, efforts to clean up the game must succeed.
Retired Anglican Archbishop declared missing, details emerge
ADNOC L&S takes delivery of first new-build LNG carrier from Jiangnan ShipyardQUÉBEC — Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard tabled an economic update on Thursday with $2.1 billion in new spending over five years amid what he described as a stronger-than-expected recovery from last year's economic slowdown. Girard painted a positive picture of the province's finances despite a projected $11-billion deficit that remains unchanged from March's budget. "Quebec is progressing," he told reporters. "The return of inflation to a low and predictable level, combined with the reduction in interest rates, favours economic recovery in Quebec in 2024 and 2025." He said real GDP growth is expected to be 1.2 per cent in 2024, compared with the 0.6 per cent that was expected. However, spending is also up, with Girard pointing to expenses related to record-breaking flooding this summer and increased health and social services costs. The new spending he announced includes more than $250 million for the forestry sector and $1.2 billion for community development, including $880 million for public transit. The government is also setting aside $250 million to assist flood victims and rebuild infrastructure following post-Tropical Storm Debby, and $208 million to promote access to housing. Girard told reporters the government is still reviewing its spending as it moves toward its goal of balancing the budget by the 2029-30 fiscal year, with more details to be provided in next year's budget. As part of the review, the government decided that Quebecers between the ages of 60 and 64 will no longer be eligible for a tax credit that was introduced in 2012 to encourage older workers to stay in the workforce. Girard said Thursday the average age of retirement in Quebec has risen to 64.7 years in 2023 from just over 61 years in 2011. "For people between the ages of 60 and 64 years old, the historic gap that existed with Ontario has practically disappeared," he said. Nearly 200,000 60- to 64-year-olds are expected to lose out on an average of about $1,000 per year due to the changing eligibility. The government is also clawing back the amount of the credit for higher earners who are 65 and over, beginning at $56,500 in net revenue. Those who make over $81,500 will get no tax credit. These changes are expected to save the government about $200 million per year, said Girard, adding that "people expect us to review measures and eliminate those that are no longer justified." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2024. — With files from Morgan Lowrie in Montreal Caroline Plante, The Canadian Press
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 25, 2024-- TriMas (NASDAQ: TRS) today announced the launch of its new, state-of-the-art, 225,000 square foot facility for its TriMas Packaging group in Haining, China. This milestone follows last year’s decision to rationalize two manufacturing facilities into one new facility. TriMas exited both its Hangzhou, China, and older Haining, China facilities, consolidating them into a single, new facility in Haining with advanced capabilities to better serve customers across China and the wider Asian markets. The highly automated facility is equipped with advanced injection molding and assembly capabilities, autonomous robots including Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), robotic auto palletizing and a specialized Warehouse Management System (WMS). These innovations streamline material handling processes, reduce labor expenses, minimize safety risks and support the Company’s sustainability goals through energy-efficient systems and waste reduction practices. Additionally, the facility features a cutting-edge quality lab, a 100,000-level clean room and QS certification, ensuring compliance with stringent food safety standards in China. “We are excited to introduce our new state-of-the-art facility in Haining, which reflects our commitment to operational excellence, innovation, sustainability and delivering high-quality packaging solutions for our customers,” said Thomas Amato, TriMas President and Chief Executive Officer. “With this addition, we are proud to now have advanced flagship locations in the United States, Mexico, and China, strategically positioning us for continued growth across these key regions. We extend our thanks to our TriMas Packaging team who contributed to the successful launch of this cutting-edge facility in Haining.” The Haining facility manufactures dispensing and airless lotion pumps, foaming pumps, caps and closures, primarily for the beauty and personal care markets. It also produces e-commerce lotion pumps to meet the growing demand in the online retail sector. View the video to see the new Haining facility : TriMas Packaging: Haining, China Facility About TriMas Packaging TriMas Packaging serves its global customers with its market-leading brands, consisting of Rieke ®, Affaba & FerrariTM, Rapak ®, TaplastTM, Plastic Srl and Aarts Packaging. TriMas Packaging designs and manufactures a comprehensive array of dispensing, closure and flexible packaging solutions for a broad range of end markets including the beauty and personal care, food and beverage, home care, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical, and industrial and agricultural markets. With approximately 2,200 dedicated employees and 26 locations worldwide, TriMas Packaging’s innovative solutions and services are designed to enhance customers’ ability to dispense, transport and store their products safely and securely in an ever-changing marketplace. For more information, please visit www.trimaspackaging.com . About TriMas TriMas manufactures a diverse set of products primarily for the consumer products, aerospace and industrial markets through its TriMas Packaging, TriMas Aerospace and Specialty Products groups. Our approximately 3,400 dedicated employees in 13 countries provide customers with a wide range of innovative and quality product solutions through our market-leading businesses. Our TriMas family of businesses has strong brand names in the markets served, and operates under a common set of values and strategic priorities under the TriMas Business Model. TriMas is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “TRS,” and is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. For more information, please visit www.trimas.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125337341/en/ CONTACT: Sherry Lauderback VP, Investor Relations & Communications (248) 631-5506 sherry.lauderback@trimas.com KEYWORD: MICHIGAN CHINA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MACHINERY PACKAGING ROBOTICS TECHNOLOGY ONLINE RETAIL COSMETICS MANUFACTURING RETAIL SOURCE: TriMas Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/25/2024 01:00 PM/DISC: 11/25/2024 01:00 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125337341/en
JOHN Swinney yesterday promised the SNP would give “serious consideration” to creating a new specific criminal offence for non-fatal strangulation - as he blasted the behaviour of Scotland’s men and boys. The First Minister was urged by Nats backbencher Michelle Thomson to do so after Fiona Drouet, whose daughter Emily took her life while at university after suffering abuse , launched a petition calling for such a change. 3 The First Minister will consider the new law Credit: Getty 3 Emily Drouet took her life while at university after suffering abuse Mr Swinney said the Scottish Government would “explore the appropriateness” of such a change. But he added that the crime was already covered by common assault laws which can earn offenders life in prison . He added: “If there was to be a stand-alone offence put in place, we would need to be confident there is a gap in the law . “The Government will give serious consideration to this matter. READ MORE SCOTTISH POLITICS CON THE BUS SNP ministers 'quietly ditch' bus pledge as funding cut by 98 per cent FOOTY COACHED SNP's Neil Gray told not to get carried away during Aberdeen final freebie "The Government will explore the appropriateness of a stand-alone offence.” After being challenged to go further, Mr Swinney turned his attention to the behaviour of Scottish men and boys. He said: “There is one other thing that needs to be changed. "That is the behaviour of boys and men. Most read in The Scottish Sun FAIR CARNAGE Horror as Birmingham fairground ride 'collapses' with several people injured STAYING POSITIVE Max George to undergo major heart surgery after terrifying health scare ALL CHANGE Another Rangers executive quits club just a week after key role at club's AGM NEWBORN JOY Huge Scots DJ becomes dad as he reveals baby boy in emotional social media post “I take deadly seriously my responsibility as a male First Minister of Scotland to make it absolutely clear that the behaviour of boys and men is integral, it is central to the experiences of women in our society. “So we can look at all the measures we need to take in terms of criminal offences, but I will lead from the front a campaign to say to boys and men in Scotland that their behaviour has got to improve.” Nigel Farage will cosy up to Donald Trump and make Comrade Keir look weak - he’s the REAL opposition 3 Mr Swinney turned his attention to the behaviour of Scottish men and boys Credit: GettyOpposition Leader Peter Dutton has announced the costing details of his nuclear plan as Coalition modelling showed it to be $264 billion less than Labor’s renewables rollout. According to analysis by Frontier Economics, the cost of the opposition’s nuclear plan will be $331 billion compared to Labor’s $595 billion renewables-only policy. At a press conference in Brisbane on Friday, Mr Dutton said nuclear would help decarbonise the economy while making energy "cheaper" and more "reliable". The opposition’s plan to achieve net zero by 2050 has included 54 per cent renewable energy, 38 per cent nuclear and 8 per cent from storage and gas. The Albanese government has planned for about 94 per cent renewable energy and the remainder from gas and storage. "We deliver a plan today which will get the energy mix right. It will lower costs. It will keep the lights on. And it will set our country up for generations to come," Mr Dutton said. "This will make electricity reliable. It will make it more consistent, cheaper, for Australians and it will help us decarbonise." Nationals Leader David Littleproud, shadow treasurer Angus Taylor and shadow energy minister Ted O'Brien also spoke alongside Mr Dutton to pitch the energy policy. The shadow cabinet ministers attacked the Albanese government's all-renewables policy and claimed nuclear would be more affordable, more reliable and more efficient. "Frontier Economics has now crunched the numbers and shown that it is 44 per cent cheaper to get to net zero through a balanced energy mix," Mr Taylor said. Energy Minister Chris Bowen has accused Mr Dutton and the opposition of making "heroic assumptions" about the plausibility of nuclear in response. Mr Bowen alleged the modelling showed "very dodgy figures" although his own department has used Frontier Economics for energy modelling in the past. Labor has argued the opposition's timeline for developing a nuclear energy in Australia was unrealistic, but Mr O'Brien said it was "consistent with international average timelines". The opposition has planned to keep coal energy production in the system for "a few years" until nuclear reactors can be brought in as replacement. The nuclear plan has involved seven nuclear power plants to be developed on the site of coal-fired power plants to make use of existing transmission infrastructure. This use of existing transmission lines, as well as the retention of coal in the system for longer has contributed to the the energy cost savings, according to the Coalition. The CSIRO recently estimated nuclear to be roughly twice as expensive as renewable energy. However, the report has attracted heavy criticism over its methodology and assumptions, which appeared to favour the government’s renewables objectives. The shadow energy minister blamed Labor for trying to "force the hand of every Australian to behave the way Labor wants". "As Labor continues to build out this fantastical program that it has prices are only going to go through the roof," Mr O'Brien said. Australian yearly household power prices have increased by as much as $1,000 after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised to cut energy bills by $275. Mr O'Brien did not commit to how much power bills would be reduced under the opposition's policy. The debate over energy costs has been expected to continue for a long time leading into the federal election, expected by May 2025. Energy Program Director of the Grattan Institute Tony Wood told Sky News on Friday there were large discrepancies between the opposition's and Labor's preferred modelling. "Basically, we've got some big assumptions, none of which can be proven today or in the next couple of weeks," he said. More to come.
Markets Ahead: Investors To Observe Auto Stocks, Rupee Movements, And Global Trends, Say AnalystsSome quotations from Jimmy Carter . We have a tendency to exalt ourselves and to dwell on the weaknesses and mistakes of others. I have come to realize that in every person there is something fine and pure and noble, along with a desire for self-fulfillment. Political and religious leaders must attempt to provide a society within which these human attributes can be nurtured and enhanced. — from 1975 book “Why Not the Best?” Our government can express the highest common ideals of human beings — if we demand of government true standards of excellence. At this Bicentennial time of introspection and concern, we must demand such standards. — “Why Not the Best?” I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry. — “Why Not the Best?” Christ said, “I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery.” I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do — and I have done it — and God forgives me for it. But that doesn’t mean that I condemn someone who not only looks on a woman with lust but who leaves his wife and shacks up with somebody out of wedlock. — Interview, November 1976 Playboy. This inauguration ceremony marks a new beginning, a new dedication within our Government, and a new spirit among us all. A President may sense and proclaim that new spirit, but only a people can provide it. — Inaugural address, January 1977. It’s clear that the true problems of our nation are much deeper — deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper even than inflation and recession. ... All the legislation in the world can’t fix what’s wrong with America. ... It is a crisis of confidence. — So-called “malaise” speech, July 1979. But we know that democracy is always an unfinished creation. Each generation must renew its foundations. Each generation must rediscover the meaning of this hallowed vision in the light of its own modern challenges. For this generation, ours, life is nuclear survival; liberty is human rights; the pursuit of happiness is a planet whose resources are devoted to the physical and spiritual nourishment of its inhabitants. — Farewell Address, January 1981. We appreciate the past. We are grateful for the present and we’re looking forward to the future with great anticipation and commitment. — October 1986, at the dedication of the Carter Presidential Library and Museum. War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn to live together in peace by killing each other’s children. — December 2002, Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. Fundamentalists have become increasingly influential in both religion and government, and have managed to change the nuances and subtleties of historic debate into black-and-white rigidities and the personal derogation of those who dare to disagree. ... The influence of these various trends poses a threat to many of our nation’s historic customs and moral commitments, both in government and in houses of worship. — From 2005 book “Our Endangered Values.” I think that this breakthrough by Barack Obama has been remarkable. When he made his speech (on race) a few months ago in Philadelphia, I wept. I sat in front of the television and cried, because I saw that as the most enlightening and transforming analysis of racism and a potential end of it that I ever saw in my life. — August 2008, commenting on then-Sen. Barack Obama’s candidacy. I think it’s based on racism. There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president. ... No matter who he is or how much we disagree with his policies, the president should be treated with respect. — September 2009, reacting to Rep. Joe Wilson’s shout of “You lie!” during a speech to Congress by President Barack Obama. I’m still determined to outlive the last guinea worm. — 2010, on The Carter Center’s work to eradicate guinea worm disease. You know how much I raised to run against Gerald Ford? Zero. You know how much I raised to run against Ronald Reagan? Zero. You know how much will be raised this year by all presidential, Senate and House campaigns? $6 billion. That’s 6,000 millions. — September 2012, reacting to the 2010 “Citizens United” U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting unlimited third-party political spending. I have become convinced that the most serious and unaddressed worldwide challenge is the deprivation and abuse of women and girls, largely caused by a false interpretation of carefully selected religious texts and a growing tolerance of violence and warfare, unfortunately following the example set during my lifetime by the United States. — From 2014 book “A Call to Action.” I don’t think there’s any doubt now that the NSA or other agencies monitor or record almost every telephone call made in the United States, including cellphones, and I presume email as well. We’ve gone a long way down the road of violating Americans’ basic civil rights, as far as privacy is concerned. — March 2014, commenting on U.S. intelligence monitoring after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks We accept self-congratulations about the wonderful 50th anniversary - which is wonderful - but we feel like Lyndon Johnson did it and we don’t have to do anything anymore. — April 2014, commenting on racial inequality during a celebration of the Civil Rights Act’s 40th anniversary. I had a very challenging question at Emory (University) the other night: “How would you describe the United States of America today in one word?” And I didn’t know what to say for a few moments, but I finally said, “Searching.” I think the country in which we live is still searching for what it ought to be, and what it can be, and I’m not sure we’re making much progress right at this moment. — October 2014 during a celebration of his 90th birthday. The life we have now is the best of all. We have an expanding and harmonious family, a rich life in our church and the Plains community, and a diversity of projects at The Carter Center that is adventurous and exciting. Rosalynn and I have visited more than 145 countries, and both of us are as active as we have ever been. We are blessed with good health and look to the future with eagerness and confidence, but are prepared for inevitable adversity when it comes. — From 2015 book, “A Full Life.”