NoneThe NFL won the head-to-head battle for viewers with the College Football Playoff. Front Office Sports, citing figures from Nielsen, reported Tuesday that the Kansas City Chiefs' 27-19 win over the Houston Texans on Saturday averaged 15.5 million viewers on NBC, more than double the average of 6.4 million people who watched Penn State defeat SMU 38-10 on TNT Sports in the same time frame. The Baltimore Ravens' 34-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers drew an average of 15.4 million for Fox Sports, while 8.6 million viewers tuned in to see Texas defeat Clemson 38-24in the College Football Playoff on TNT. The CFP games returned stronger ratings when they weren't matched up against an NFL game, however. Ohio State's 42-17 victory over Tennessee, played in primetime on Saturday night, averaged 14.3 million viewers on ESPN. The network also saw strong ratings for Notre Dame's 27-17 win over Indiana on Friday night with an average of 13.4 million. All four first-round CFP games were played at campus sites. They averaged 10.6 million viewers overall, per Front Office Sports, which noted that figure exceeded the ratings for all but four college football broadcasts this season. --Field Level Media
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WARREN, Mich. (WXYZ) — The tragedy at the intersection of Chicago Road and Mound Road on Saturday morning changed many lives forever. Warren police said Diamond Leann Glenn, 27, ran into the back of another vehicle and killed 69-year-old Christopher Andelean of Sterling Heights. Toxicology reports are pending, but Glenn was allegedly drunk. "I'm still very angry, and I'm like a forgiving-type person. But I'm still very angry," Michele Milam, Andelean's niece told 7 News Detroit. "I'm not only angry at the person, I'm angry at her people. Whoever she was with that night. Because I don't know too many people that drink alone and drive home at 5 in the morning," she explained. Police have not revealed where Glenn, a Harrison Township resident, was coming from. Milam described her uncle as an "excellent human being." "I wouldn't have agreed to this (interview), however this is the type of person my uncle was. He was a person's voice. He was a union rep at General Motors for over 40 years. He was the type of person that if you read the comments about him on Facebook, it's just beautiful and tremendous," she said. Milam said her uncle had never met a stranger, that he helped everyone and had married his teenage sweetheart. "They beat all the odds. They did everything to be a great family. They raised their kids," Milam said. "My uncle's son just got a new liver last year. He just got the all clear for his new liver. He had cancer. No fault of his own. My uncle drove him every other week to Chicago for the past couple years," she explained. She said her uncle was set to retire from General Motors this year. Then tragedy struck. Warren police lieutenant John Gajewski said, "I think if you ask any police officer about the worst parts of the job, everybody will agree that one of, if not, the worst parts of the job is having to contact or knock on the door of a loved one and tell them that their husband, father, mother, sister, wife isn't coming home and that they've been killed in a drunk driving accident." He said Glenn, so far, is only charged for biting an officer at the scene while toxicology reports are pending. "It's never been easier to avoid or prevent drunk driving due to technology and these rides sharing apps," he explained. You can call an Uber or Lyft. Also, AAA has the free Tow-to-Go program. Adrienne Woodland of AAA Michigan explained, "We implore you put the keys down and call AAA, and what will happen is AAA will dispatch a tow truck that will transport the would-be impaired driver and their vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius." Adrienne Woodland of AAA Michigan said you don't have to be a AAA to benefit. Or as Milam pointed out, if you see someone who's had too much to drink about to drive, intervene. Milam said, "Why is it where we're always focusing on just that one person driving? We need to focus on who got her to this point because it didn't happen alone in my opinion." Glenn's next court appearance is January 2nd. For information on AAA's free Tow-to-Go program click here.Davis Street Community Center Distributes Over 1,200 Holiday Baskets To Low-Income Families In Alameda County
New Syrian de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa told the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television channel that he wants relations with Iran and Russia, but he insisted any ties must be based on mutual "respect." Russia and Iran were major allies of Syria under the regime of President Bashar al-Assad until the totalitarian leader was ousted by rebels in early December. The West is closely watching the new ruler's actions, including the depth of any future ties with Tehran and Moscow. "Syria cannot continue without relations with an important regional country like Iran," Sharaa told Al Arabiya in a wide-ranging interview on December 29. But relations "must be based on respect for the sovereignty of both countries and noninterference in the affairs of both countries," he added. Sharaa urged Tehran to rethink its regional policies and interventions and pointed out that opposition forces protected Iranian positions during the fighting to oust Assad, even though rebels knew Iran was a major backer of the president. Sharaa said he had expected positive overtures from Iran following these actions but said they have not been forthcoming. Sharaa, previously known by the nom de guerre Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, said that while he expects Moscow to withdraw its forces from Syria, he also spoke of "deep strategic interests" with the "second most powerful country in the world." "We don't want Russia to exit Syria in a way that undermines its relationship with our country,” he told Al-Arabiya, without providing details. "All of Syria's arms are of Russian origin, and many power plants are managed by Russian experts.... We do not want Russia to leave Syria in the way that some wish," he said. According to flight data analyzed by RFE/RL, Russia is reducing its military footprint in Syria and shifting some of its assets from the Middle Eastern country to Africa. To offset the potential loss of its air base in Hmeimim and naval base in Tartus, Russia appears to be increasing its presence in Libya, Mali, and Sudan, although experts say the loss of Syrian bases is a major blow to the Kremlin. Meanwhile, Sharaa also said that organizing elections in the country could take up to four years and that a new constitution could require three years to be finalized. The leader expressed hope that the new U.S. administration under Donald Trump -- set to take office on January 20 -- would lift sanctions on his country. "We hope the incoming Trump administration will not follow the policy of its predecessor," Sharaa said. The rebels who ousted Assad were led by Sharaa's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Islamist group, a U.S. and EU-designated terrorist organization. Sharaa has publicly pledged to adopt moderate policies regarding women's rights, national reconciliation, and relations with the international community, although world leaders say they remain wary of the new rulers pending concrete actions. Italy’s Foreign Ministry said journalist Cecilia Sala, who was in Iran to carry out "journalistic activities," has been detained by Tehran police authorities. The ministry said in a statement on December 27 that Sala, who has a podcast called Stories that covers life in places around the world, was detained on December 19. It gave no reason for the detention, but said in a statement that the ambassador from Italy's embassy in Tehran had paid a consular visit "to verify the conditions and state of detention of Sala." "The family was informed of the results of the consular visit. Previously, Sala had the opportunity to make two phone calls with her relatives," it said. Sala posted a podcast from Tehran on December 17 about patriarchy in the Iranian capital. Iran is routinely accused of arresting dual nationals and Western citizens on false charges to use them to pressure Western countries. Earlier this month, Reza Valizadeh , a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen and former journalist for RFE/RL's Radio Farda, was handed a 10-year sentence by Tehran's Revolutionary Court on charges of "collaborating with a hostile government." Valizadeh resigned from Radio Farda in November 2022 after a decade of work. He returned to Iran in early 2024 to visit his family but was arrested on September 22. His two court sessions, held on November 20 and December 7, reportedly lacked a prosecution representative, with the judge assuming that role. Sources close to the journalist claim he fell into a "security trap" despite receiving unofficial assurances from Iranian security officials that he would not face legal troubles upon returning to Iran. Iran is among the most repressive countries in terms of freedom of the press. Reporters Without Borders ranked Iran 176th out of 180 countries in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index. The Paris-based media watchdog says Iran is now also one of the world’s biggest jailers of journalists. Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian is scheduled to travel to Russia on January 17, state-controlled media in Iran and Russia reported on December 26. Quoting Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali, Iran's Tasnim news agency said that “the president will visit Russia on January 17 and a cooperation agreement between the two countries will be signed during the visit." Russia and Iran both are under severe financial sanctions imposed by Western nations and have stepped up bilateral cooperation on many fronts in recent years. The West has accused Iran of providing weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine. Tehran has denied the allegations despite evidence widespread use of Iranian-made drones in the war. Israel carried out large-scale air strikes on the main airport in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on December 26 as it steps up attacks on the Iranian-backed Huthi rebels in what Tehran called a “violation” of peace and security. Huthi rebels said three people were killed and 14 were injured or missing following the Israeli attacks on the airport and other sites in Yemen, including port facilities. "Fighter jets conducted intelligence-based strikes on military targets belonging to the Huthi terrorist regime on the western coast and inland Yemen," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The attacks followed recent rocket launches by the Huthi fighters against the Tel Aviv area, although little damage was reported. The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli strikes on Yemen, calling them "aggressions" that it claimed were "a clear violation of international peace and security." It said they represented "an undeniable crime against the heroic and noble people of Yemen," who had "not spared any effort to support the oppressed people of Palestine." The Israeli military has said air strikes in Yemen are targeting Huthi sites that have been used to receive Iranian weapons, which are then often transported to other Tehran-linked groups in the Mideast -- mainly Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hamas has been designated a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union, while Hezbollah has also been deemed a terrorist group by Washington. The EU blacklists its military arm but not its political wing. The U.S. State Department designated the Huthis as a terrorist group at the start of this year. Hamas and Hezbollah have been severely weakened following massive Israeli military strikes on their respective sites in Gaza and Lebanon, and most of their leaders have been killed in Israel's military response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes would continue against the Huthi rebels, who have also targeted shipping in the Red Sea, claiming they are in solidarity of Hamas fighters in Gaza. "We are determined to cut this branch of terrorism from the Iranian axis of evil. We will continue until the job is done," Netanyahu said in a video statement. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus -- head of the World Health Organization who was at the Sanaa airport during the Israeli attack -- said he was safe but that "one of our plane's crew members was injured.” Iran’s council on safeguarding the Internet has voted to lift bans on the WhatsApp messenger and the Google Play apps, state media reported. The Supreme Cyberspace Council voted unanimously in favor of lifting restrictions on some foreign-owned applications, including WhatsApp and Google Play, during a meeting on December 24, state news agency IRNA said. "Today, we took the first step toward lifting Internet restrictions with unanimity and consensus," Communications Minister Sattar Hashemi said on X. It was not immediately clear when the decision would come into force. The Supreme Cyberspace Council holds its meetings behind closed doors and its members' votes are not made public. IRNA reported that the members of the council voted to lift restrictions while at the same time " emphasizing the importance of rule-of-law governance in cyberspace." The two apps were restricted in 2022 following the Woman, Life, Freedom protests that were severely suppressed. The Supreme Cyberspace Council, which was established by order of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has also emphasized "supporting domestic platforms." On the eve of the council’s meeting, Mehr News Agency published a document indicating that, based on a Supreme Cyberspace Council plan, an "advertising support package" is to be allocated to domestic messaging services. The document states that the “first phase” of the council’s plan will include “building infrastructure” for domestic content platforms. While the bans on WhatsApp and Google Play were lifted by the council, other popular social media platforms including Facebook, X, Telegram, and YouTube remain blocked in Iran. Critics of the restrictions have argued that the controls have been costly for the country. "The restrictions have achieved nothing but anger and added costs to people's lives," social and political activist Ali Rabiei said on X on December 24. Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif added that President Masud Pezeshkian believes in removing restrictions and does not consider the bans to be in the interest of the people and the country. “All experts also believe that this issue is not beneficial to the country's security," Zarif said on December 24. Others, however, warned against lifting the restrictions. The reformist Shargh daily reported on December 24 that 136 lawmakers in Iran's 290-member parliament sent a letter to the council saying the move would be a "gift” to Iran's enemies. The lawmakers called for allowing access to restricted online platforms only "if they are committed to the values of Islamic society and comply with the laws of" Iran. The fall of Bashar al-Assad's government at the hands of rebels, including Ankara-backed factions, has effectively made Turkey the dominant foreign actor in Syria at the expense of Iran and its ally Russia . Turkey and Iran have competed for years for influence in the South Caucasus, and this rivalry appears to have now extended to the Levant. "The Islamic republic has had significant misgivings about Turkish influence in Syria, be it economic, political, or military, long before the fall of Assad. But with the loss of Iran's sole state ally in the region, these concerns are set to be magnified exponentially," said Behnam Taleblu, an Iran analyst at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). Still, experts say Turkey's rising profile in Syria to the detriment of Iran does not necessarily mean Ankara-Tehran relations will be significantly impacted. What Is Turkey After? Since the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Iran and Russia backed Assad while Turkey supported rebel groups opposed to his rule. Iran needed Assad to remain in power so that it could use Syria as a staging ground to fund and arm its proxies and partners, especially the Lebanese group Hezbollah. For Russia, Assad's rule meant Moscow could maintain its Hmeimim air base and naval base in Tartus, which gave it easier access to the Middle East, North Africa, and the Mediterranean Sea. Ankara wanted a government in Syria more aligned with its regional vision and policies, especially those that would restrain Kurdish groups in northeastern Syria. A coalition of Kurdish parties, including the Democratic Union Party (PYD), heads the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. PYD's armed wing, the People's Protection Units (YPG), leads the U.S-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). "Turkey has had three core concerns in Syria: fighting the YPG/PYD, enabling the return of Syrian refugees to Syria, and preventing further refugee flows into Turkey," said Daria Isachenko, a Turkey expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. Assad's downfall on December 8 has stemmed the influx of refugees into Turkey, but the "first two concerns remain," Isachenko added. Syria is now effectively ruled by the U.S.-designated terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies -- some of whom are linked with Turkey , Iran's rival. Isachenko says Turkey's growing influence in Syria could further strengthen its position in the Mediterranean Sea if Ankara signs a Libya-style maritime deal with the new authorities in Damascus. The Road Ahead Turkey's growth in stature and Iran's weakened position in Syria could have ramifications for developments in the South Caucasus, where Iran, Russia, and Turkey vie for influence. Experts say while the Astana talks -- a format sponsored by the three countries to end the conflict in Syria -- may be dead, it still served as a platform for managing different interests. "Coordination and consultation on conflict management between Turkey and Iran as well as Russia on the Middle East and the South Caucasus should not be ruled out," Isachenko said. She adds that even in Syria, Turkey and Iran may find some of their interests aligned, such as finding a common adversary in Israel, which has moved into Syrian territory since the fall of Assad. Still, some argue that Tehran will seek to undermine Turkey in Syria in the hopes of returning the country into its so-called axis of resistance -- Iran's loose network of regional allies and proxies. "The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps will look for ways to claw back influence in Syria," said Taleblu of FDD. "Downtrodden, disposed, and spurned local actors are easy to co-opt, particularly in states where central authority is weak." The Kurdish Question U.S. support for the Kurdish-led SDF has weakened in recent years due to a combination of factors, including the withdrawal of a majority of U.S. troops in 2018 and 2019 and pressure from Washington's NATO ally, Turkey. Ankara, which launched an incursion into northern Syria in 2019 against Kurdish forces, is now in a strong position to further challenge the Kurds, experts say. Since Assad's fall, Ankara-backed rebel groups have clashed with Kurdish forces and seized the previously Kurdish-controlled cities of Manbij and Tarafat near the border with Turkey. Wladimir van Wilgenburg, an Iraqi Kurdistan-based analyst who has co-authored books on Syrian Kurds, says the presence of the 900 remaining U.S. troops might offer some protection to the Kurds but the situation remains precarious. "The new administration in Damascus likely will prefer relations with Turkey over the SDF," he said. "The situation is difficult for the Kurds unless they reach an agreement with HTS." HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa , previously known by the nom de guerre Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, wants to unify all armed groups in Syria under one banner. But if the SDF were to join, it would effectively end Kurdish autonomy in Syria, Wilgenburg says. The supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has called on Syrians to resist the emerging rebel-led government after the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad, saying the uprising was orchestrated by the West. Speaking in an address on December 22, Khamenei said Syrians, especially the country's youth, "should stand with strong will against those who designed and those who implemented the insecurity." Assad left the country in the late hours of December 8 after the U.S.-designated terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies -- some of whom are linked with Turkey -- overran government forces in a blitz offensive. While Assad was granted political asylum in Russia by President Vladimir Putin after more than five decades of iron-fisted rule by his family, the HTS has since moved quickly to establish an interim government, and its leader, Riad al-Asaad, has said he is confident the factions that helped topple Assad will unite as one force. HTS and the transitional government have insisted the rights of all Syrians will be protected, but Khamenei said he believes a group aligned with the Islamic republic's government would end up prevailing in Syria. However, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on December 22. Details of the meeting were not immediately released, but Turkey has long been seen as a backer of HTS as it looked to remove Assad. The toppling of Assad was seen by many as another blow to Tehran, which has seen regional groups aligned with it -- parts of the so-called axis of resistance -- suffer major setbacks in the past 14 months. Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, has been decimated by Israel, which launched a war against the group in the Gaza Strip and Hamas fighters in October 2023 crossed into Israel and killed 1,200 people while taking another 250 hostage. That conflict spread to Lebanon, home of the Tehran-backed Hezbollah, a militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon. Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, while the EU blacklists its armed wing but not its political party. Hezbollah’s political party has seats in the Lebanese parliament. Israel has severely weakened Hezbollah -- killing its longtime leader and many of its top officials -- after the group launched attacks on Israel that it said was in support of Hamas. A U.S.-brokered deal to end hostilities in Lebanon took effect last month. Khamenei downplayed the links to Iran, saying they have fought against Israel on their own beliefs. "They keep saying that the Islamic republic lost its proxy forces in the region. This is another mistake. The Islamic republic does not have a proxy forces," he said. “If one day we plan to take action, we do not need proxy force,” he added. Despite sitting atop the world's second-largest natural gas reserves, energy shortages have become a feature of winters in Iran. Iran grapples with air pollution all year, but air quality significantly worsens during winter when power plants are forced to burn low-quality heavy fuel oil -- mazut -- to compensate for the lack of gas. A rare cold snap in recent weeks has exposed the extent of Iran's struggles to meet the rising demand for gas, with school classes forced to go online and government offices ordered shut to conserve energy. Highlighting the severity of the crisis, President Masud Pezeshkian last week appealed to the public to turn their thermostats down by 2 degrees Celsius to help address the energy deficit. Other government officials have followed suit with similar pleas, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi telling his staff to wear warmer clothes at work. Temperatures have plunged as low as -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of Iran in recent days. "The situation is bad due to very cold weather, especially in Tehran and the northern provinces, but it's exacerbated by the structural trend toward runaway consumption over the last two to three years without an accompanying increase in production," said Gregory Brew, an Iran and energy analyst at the U.S.-based Eurasia Group. Old Infrastructure, Poor Management Energy subsidies in Iran mean energy bills are generally low, which has promoted overconsumption. But making matters worse is a devastating combination of mismanagement and outdated infrastructure that has significantly contributed to Iran's inability to meet the rising demand for gas. Gas flaring -- the burning of gas that comes out of the ground when drilling for oil -- is a major problem. Iran does not have the technology to collect it, so it is wastefully burned. World Bank data shows that Iran ranked second globally in 2023 in terms of the volume of gas flaring, burning around 21 billion cubic meters. That is more than double that of the United States, which ranked fourth, and enough to supply 40 percent of the gas demand in neighboring Turkey, which has a population similar to Iran's. Iran's major gas reserves are in the south, southwest, and offshore, so an expansive and powerful grid is needed to transport gas to the north. To do that, Iran needs to invest heavily both in expanding its aging infrastructure and increasing production, said Brew. "But that's difficult to do without investment constrained by both a weak economy and international sanctions," he added. The United States has imposed sweeping sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear and missile programs. The sanctions have crippled the Iranian economy and dented Tehran's ability to sell oil and gas, its key exports. They have also prevented Iran from accessing foreign investment and technology. The South Pars Field in the Persian Gulf is the world's largest natural gas field, and Iran shares it with Qatar, where it is referred to as the North Dome. While Qatar has signed lucrative deals with international energy companies to develop its section of the gas field, Iran has had to rely on lackluster domestic capabilities to exploit it. Iran's seemingly never-ending struggle with gas shortages in winter has led many to question the rationale behind exporting gas to neighboring Iraq and Turkey. "Given how constrained it is by sanctions, Iran has to find and exploit any means of increasing exports, which increases pressure on supply at home," Brew said. The stand-off with the West over Iran's nuclear program means the odds of sanctions being lifted are slim, and with Donald Trump returning to the White House in January, the pressure will increase even further, experts said. The U.S. State Department condemned the 10-year sentence handed down by Iranian authorities against Reza Valizadeh , a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen and former journalist for RFE/RL's Radio Farda. "We strongly condemn this sentencing and call for his immediate release and the release of all political prisoners in Iran," a spokesperson told Radio Farda on December 17. "The Iranian government has repeatedly suppressed press freedom through threats, intimidation, detentions, forced confessions, and the use of violence against journalists in Iran," the spokesperson added. According to court documents sent to the journalist's lawyer on December 10 and subsequently reviewed by RFE/RL, Valizadeh was sentenced by Tehran's Revolutionary Court on charges of "collaborating with a hostile government." In addition to the prison term, Valizadeh was banned for two years from living in Tehran and adjacent provinces, from leaving the country, and from joining political or social organizations following the completion of his sentence. Valizadeh resigned from Radio Farda in November 2022 after a decade of work. He returned to Iran in early 2024 to visit his family but was arrested on September 22. His two court sessions, held on November 20 and December 7, reportedly lacked a prosecution representative, with the judge assuming that role. Sources close to the journalist claim he fell into a "security trap" despite receiving unofficial assurances from Iranian security officials that he would not face legal troubles upon returning to Iran. The State Department earlier condemned Valizadeh's detention, calling it "unjust" and inconsistent with international legal standards. Press freedom organizations, including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists, urged Iranian authorities to release Valizadeh immediately. RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus also called for Valizadeh to be released, saying the charges against him, his conviction, and sentence were unjust. "Time and again, the Iranian regime has attempted to spread its malign influence around the world, trampling on human rights at every opportunity," Capus said in a statement. "Clearly, this regime feels threatened by the forces of freedom, including independent journalism." Iran is routinely accused of arresting dual nationals and Western citizens on false charges to use them to pressure Western countries. In September 2023, Iran released five Americans jailed in Iran in a prisoner swap. Valizadeh is the first U.S. citizen known to have been arrested since that deal. Iran is also among the most repressive countries in terms of freedom of the press. Reporters Without Borders ranked Iran 176th out of 180 countries in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index. The Paris-based media watchdog says Iran is now also one of the world’s biggest jailers of journalists. Iran closed government offices and shifted school classes online on December 16 due to freezing temperatures and a severe gas shortage. Northern provinces have experienced temperatures plunging to -20°C (-4°F) in recent days, accompanied by widespread gas supply disruptions. President Masud Pezeshkian called on citizens last week to lower their thermostats by 2 degrees Celsius to conserve energy. Other government officials have made similar pleas online. Despite sitting on the world’s second-largest proven gas reserves, Iran’s aging infrastructure has struggled to meet increasing demand during winter. To read the full story by RFE/RL's Radio Farda, click here . Iranian police released singer Parastoo Ahmadi in the early hours of December 15 following a brief detention after she performed without the mandatory head scarf, her lawyer has confirmed. Ahmadi caused a stir on social media earlier this week after recording a performance with her hair uncovered and wearing a dress. The performance, recorded with a crew of male musicians, was uploaded to YouTube. The police on December 14 claimed she was released after a "briefing session" but a source close to the family told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that she remained in custody. Her lawyer Milad Panahipur also denied the police claim, writing on X that the authorities were "lying" about her release. The following day, Panahipur confirmed Ahmadi, who had been detained in her home province of Mazandaran, was released at 3 in the morning. Two of her bandmates, Soheil Faqih-Nasri and Ehsan Beyraqdar, were also detained briefly. Ahmadi’s Instagram account is no longer accessible, but her YouTube account remains active. The video of her performance, dubbed "an imaginary concert" because female performers cannot sing solo in front of an audience, has received around 1.6 million views on YouTube since it was uploaded on December 11. On December 12, the authorities said legal proceedings had been launched against Ahmadi and her bandmates for the "illegal concert." Ahmadi, who gained prominence during the 2022 nationwide protests after singing a song in support of demonstrators, has been widely praised for her performance. On social media, many have hailed her for fighting "gender apartheid" and showing "bravery, resilience, and love." A rising number of women have been flouting the mandatory hijab in public since the 2022 protests, which gave rise to the Women, Life, Freedom movement. The authorities have tried to crack down and recently passed a law enhancing the enforcement of the hijab by introducing hefty fines, restricting access to basic services, and lengthy prison sentences. The new hijab and chastity law, which has been widely criticized by even conservative figures, is scheduled to go into effect this month, but at least two lawmakers have said its implementation has been postponed by the Supreme National Security Council. An Iranian court has sentenced Reza Valizadeh , a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen and former journalist for RFE/RL's Radio Farda, to 10 years in prison on charges of "collaborating with a hostile government." According to court documents sent to the journalist’s lawyer on December 10 and subsequently reviewed by RFE/RL, Valizadeh was sentenced by Judge Iman Afshari of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, Branch 26. In addition to the prison term, Valizadeh was banned for two years following the completion of his sentence from living in Tehran and adjacent provinces, from leaving the country, and from joining political or social organizations. Valizadeh resigned from Radio Farda in November 2022 after a decade of work. He returned to Iran in early 2024 to visit his family but was arrested on September 22 . His two court sessions, held on November 20 and December 7, reportedly lacked a prosecution representative, with the judge assuming that role. Sources close to the journalist claim he fell into a "security trap" despite receiving unofficial assurances from Iranian security officials that he would not face legal troubles upon returning to Iran. The U.S. State Department earlier condemned Valizadeh’s detention, calling it "unjust" and inconsistent with international legal standards. Press freedom organizations, including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists, urged Iranian authorities to release Valizadeh immediately. RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus also called for Valizadeh to be released, saying the charges against him, his conviction, and sentence were unjust. "Time and again, the Iranian regime has attempted to spread its malign influence around the world, trampling on human rights at every opportunity," Capus said in a staetment. "Clearly, this regime feels threatened by the forces of freedom, including independent journalism." Valizadeh remains in Tehran’s Evin prison under severe restrictions, with limited access to legal representation and family. Iran is routinely accused of arresting dual nationals and Western citizens on false charges to use them to pressure Western countries. In September 2023, Iran released five Americans jailed in Iran in a prisoner swap. Valizadeh is the first U.S. citizen known to have been arrested since that deal. Iran is also among the most repressive countries in terms of freedom of the press. Reporters Without Borders ranked Iran 176th out of 180 countries in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index. The Paris-based media watchdog says Iran is now also one of the world’s biggest jailers of journalists. The husband of prominent Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been detained by security forces, according to their daughter. Mehraveh Khandan said on Instagram that her father, Reza Khandan, was arrested on December 13 at her home in Tehran. The circumstances of Khandan's arrest and the charges against him were not known. Mohammad Moghimi, a lawyer, said on X that the reason for the arrest was likely related to a six-year prison sentence in a case in which he represented Reza Khandan and activist Farhad Meysami. The sentence against Reza Khandan was handed down in February 2019 by Tehran's Revolutionary Court. Meysami also faced a similar sentence in the case. Reza Khandan had been charged with "assembly and collusion against national security," "propaganda against the state," and "spreading and promoting unveiling in society." The sentence against Reza Khandan also banned him from membership in political parties and groups, leaving the country, and using the Internet and other media and press activities. Sotoudeh, a vocal advocate for numerous activists, has been arrested several times since 2010. Her detention has included periods of solitary confinement, highlighting the challenges faced by human rights defenders in Iran. Sotoudeh was arrested last year during the funeral of 17-year-old Armita Garavand, who died of injuries suffered in an alleged confrontation with Iran's morality police in the Tehran subway over a violation of Iran’s compulsory head scarf law. Reza Khandan said at the time of his wife's arrest in October 2023 that she started a hunger and medication strike after she was severely beaten when she was taken into custody. Sotoudeh was released about two weeks later. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in his first public comments since Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was ousted , accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating the rebel uprising that toppled the regime over the weekend. Khamenei on December 11 also implicitly blamed Turkey for the lightning push of Syrian rebels who reached Damascus from their strongholds in the northwest with little resistance. "It should not be doubted that what happened in Syria was the product of a joint American and Zionist plot," he said. "Yes, a neighboring government of Syria plays, played, and is playing a clear role...but the main conspirator, mastermind, and command center are in America and the Zionist regime," Khamenei added. The U.S.-designated terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies -- some of whom are linked with Turkey -- ousted Assad on December 8, less than two weeks after launching their offensive. Syria under Assad served as a crucial part of a land corridor connecting Iran to the Levant, which was considered the logistical backbone of the so-called axis of resistance -- Iran's loose network of regional proxies and allies. Iran spent billions of dollars and sent military advisers to Syria to ensure Assad remained in power when civil war broke out in 2011. Russia -- where the ousted Syrian leader has been granted political asylum -- also backed Assad, while Turkey has supported rebel groups who aimed to topple the regime. A Khamenei adviser once described Syria as the "golden ring" in the chain connecting Iran to its Lebanese partner, Hezbollah. With the ring broken and Hezbollah's capabilities degraded after a devastating war with Israel, experts say the axis has become severely weak. Khamenei said only "ignorant and uninformed analysts" would assess that the axis has become weak and vowed that its reach "will expand across the region more than before." Reza Alijani, an Iranian political analyst based in France, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that Khamenei's comments were more "trash talk" than anything else. "The axis may not have been defeated, but it has suffered a serious blow and the Islamic republics arms in the region have been deal major hits," he said. Alijani argued that factions within the Islamic republic's core support base may be starting to question Khamenei's policies and vision after the recent setbacks, which he said is a cause for concern among the clerical establishment's top brass. Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking China's resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia. I'm RFE/RL correspondent Reid Standish and I'm back after a reporting trip in Taiwan. I'm off again for the holidays but will be back here with another newsletter at the end of the year. Here's what I'm following right now. Beijing Watches Assad Fall The full effects from the swift collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria is still playing out on the ground, but his sudden fall is set to shake up the Middle East and beyond. Here's what it means for China. Finding Perspective: China has been aligned with Assad since Syria's civil war began in 2011 but largely through its close ties to Russia and Iran, which backed the Syrian leader. At the United Nations, Beijing has often voted with Moscow, blocking condemnations of Assad as well as cross-border aid. Beijing supported the Assad regime with eight vetoes at the UN, which is half the total vetoes China has ever used. Beijing significantly reduced its presence in Syria amid the conflict, though it kept building close ties with Assad, eventually culminating in his state visit to China in 2023. Chinese investment in Syria was scarce, and beyond a strategic partnership agreement and a pledge to join the Belt and Road Initiative there has been essentially no Chinese investment in Syria and no major contracts with Chinese firms in the country since 2010. So why did Beijing throw its weight behind Assad? Revisiting The Arab Spring: For Beijing, the biggest issue was the symbolism and appearance of stability that Assad represented, especially given he was first threatened by a popular uprising that then set the Syrian civil war in motion. The spread of revolutions in the Arab world in 2011 was alarming for the Chinese Communist Party. Inside China at the time, popular grumbling with corruption at various levels of government was common, and the party was concerned the protests across the Middle East could inspire its own population, especially given simmering tensions in Tibet and Xinjiang at the time. Added to that was the rise of the Islamic State in Syria. The war led to thousands of Uyghurs, the predominantly Muslim group from western China, traveling to Syria to fight against the Syrian government. Many of those fighters said they were there to learn how to use weapons and then return to China, and fears over the return of battle-hardened fighters to Xinjiang was one of the pretexts Xi expressed to top party brass to launch the crackdown and camp system in western China that targeted the Uyghur population, according to a set of leaked internal government documents obtained by the New York Times. Why It Matters: From this logic, Beijing's support for Assad makes sense, but it's a big bet that hasn't paid off. The fall of Assad is also a reflection of the weakened regional power of two of its main partners: Iran and Russia. Their inability to prop up Assad indicates they've been consumed by the wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine, which may be a concern for Beijing looking ahead. The rapid collapse of the Syrian government is also an unwelcome message at home for Beijing, which was reflected in the way Chinese media covered the events for Chinese viewers. As images circulated around the world of jubilant crowds and the toppling of statues, Chinese state media's coverage on CCTV mostly centered around a fixed live shot of Damascus without a crowd in sight. Three More Stories From Eurasia 1. China Flexes Its Muscles Around Taiwan Beijing said it is taking "necessary measures" to defend the country's sovereignty and will not tolerate "separatist" activities, as Taiwan reported another rise in Chinese warplanes and ships near the island. The Details: Taiwan's Defense Ministry said China was deploying its largest navy fleet in regional waters in nearly three decades, posing a threat to Taiwan that is more pronounced than previous Chinese war games. China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, had been expected to launch drills to express its anger at President Lai Ching-te's tour of the Pacific that ended last week, which included stopovers in Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam. Without any announcement from China on military drills, Taiwan officials are calling the ongoing activity a training exercise and warned it could be used to further violate Taiwan's territorial boundaries. China, which views Lai as a separatist, held major military exercises around Taiwan following his inauguration in May and his National Day speech in October. It also held a major drill after Nancy Pelosi, then the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, visited Taiwan in 2022. 2. The California Connection A Chinese company that owns a California electronics distributor has sent hundreds of shipments of restricted dual-use technology to Russia since the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine, including to sanctioned companies with ties to the Russian military, my colleagues Mike Eckel and Mark Krutov report . What You Need To Know: The findings further highlight the difficulty Western countries have had in trying to choke off the Russian military's access to Western technology for use in its weapons and operations as its war on Ukraine continues. At least one component manufactured by the company, Yangzhou Yangjie Electronic Technology Company Limited, was found in a Russian weapons guidance system recovered from the battlefield in Ukraine, according to a public database maintained by the Ukrainian military. Yangjie Technology, located in the city of Yangzhou northwest of Shanghai, has sent more than 200 shipments of specific goods to Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion in February 2022, according to customs records obtained by C4ADS, a Washington-based, nonprofit data-analysis and global-research organization. The listed contents of those shipments -- totaling at least 238 -- included electronic components categorized as "high-priority" by the United States due to their potential use in Russian weapons systems, according to the data obtained by C4ADS and shared with RFE/RL, which independently corroborated more than 150 such shipments. 3. China And Serbia Eye New Cooperation On Extraditions Serbia has extradited five Chinese citizens in the past five years, according to data obtained by my colleague Mila Manojlovic from RFE/RL's Balkan Service. What It Means: The data shows extraditions are already taking place. That cooperation is also set to grow as Serbia's Justice Ministry prepares to submit to parliament a draft extradition law with China that, if passed, would expand the scope of cooperation between Beijing and Belgrade. That extradition deal, which would regulate the bilateral extradition of citizens charged with crimes, is seen by experts as a response to the influx of tourists and Chinese nationals to Serbia that have corresponded with high-profile Chinese investments and loans for projects through the BRI. According to data from Serbia's National Employment Service, more than 45,000 work permits have been issued to Chinese citizens since 2016, the year the ruling Serbian Progressive Party started intensifying relations with Beijing and expanding BRI projects. Serbia's Interior Ministry told RFE/RL there are currently 3,433 Chinese citizens registered in the country. Across The Supercontinent Looking at 2025: Here's my look at what's on Taiwan's agenda as we prepare to enter 2025, as part of a wider lookahead from across RFE/RL coverage region. My segment begins at 7:25. Train Links: The first train carrying goods from China to Afghanistan arrived in Mazar-e Sharif on November 23 after crossing through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The Taliban said 55 containers arrived in Afghanistan after a 22-day journey, marking the inauguration of the first direct train link between China and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. The New Normal: From attacks in Pakistan to new episodes in Tajikistan, my colleagues Bashir Ahmad Gwakh and Frud Bezhan look at how new violence in South and Central Asia could affect Chinese investment projects across the region. A Late Warning: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on December 2 warned her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that Beijing's support for Russia would "impact" ties with Europe. One Thing To Watch According to a draft sanctions package obtaind by RFE/RL, the European Union has proposed for the first time to target Chinese companies and individuals with visa bans and asset freezes over their dealings with Russian firms linked to Moscow's war effort in Ukraine. The draft version of the sanctions package was first shared with EU countries on November 22 and would still need to be approved before the end of the year by all 27 member states in order to come into effect. That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have. Until next time, Reid Standish If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here . It will be sent to your inbox every Wednesday. Syria's interim prime minister took power with the support of the rebels who ousted President Bashar al-Assad as outside powers -- including Russia, Turkey, the United States, and Israel -- maneuvered to protect their geopolitical interests in the war-torn Middle East nation. In an address on recently captured state TV, Muhammad al-Bashir said he would lead Syria's interim authority through March 1 as the new rulers, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militants, looked to solidify control after deposing Assad over the weekend. Little-known Bashir, born in Idlib Province in 1982 and an engineering graduate, had once worked for Syria's state gas entity and has served as head of the rebel's so-called Salvation Government for the past year. HTS has been designated a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union. In recent years, the group severed ties with Al-Qaeda and sought to remake itself as a pragmatic alternative to the Syrian government, although Western powers and rights groups remain cautious. Meanwhile, Sergei Ryabkov, Russia's deputy foreign minister, on December 10 told NBC News that Moscow is providing sanctuary to Assad after transporting him there "in the most secure way possible." He didn't provide further details. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow on December 9 that President Vladimir Putin made the decision personally to grant asylum to Assad and his family. Earlier on December 10, loud explosions were heard amid reports Israel has been systematically striking Syrian military installations following the ouster of Assad’s brutal regime. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the military had struck several Syrian sites and had hit its naval vessels in overnight strikes. "The [military] has been operating in Syria in recent days to strike and destroy strategic capabilities that threaten the State of Israel. The navy operated last night to destroy the Syrian fleet with great success," Katz said. Katz said Israel’s military has been ordered to create a weapons-free zone in southern Syria "to prevent the establishment and organization of terrorism] in the country. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said Israel had "destroyed the most important military sites in Syria," including “airports and their warehouses, aircraft squadrons, radars, military signal stations, and many weapons and ammunition depots in various locations in most Syrian governorates." The reports came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is "transforming the face of the Middle East" and defeating its enemies "step by step" in what he called an "existential war that has been imposed upon us." Netanyahu said Assad's regime had been a "central element of Iran's axis of evil," accusing it of facilitating a "weapons pipeline" between Iran and the Lebanon's Hezbollah militia, which has been declared a terrorist organization by the United States. Israel has launched a monthslong air campaign in Lebanon against Hezbollah. Washington has also conducted some 75 air strikes on Islamic State (IS) militants, who still have a presence in Syria, in recent days to prevent the group from taking advantage of the turmoil that followed Assad's fall. "You can expect that kind of activity will continue. We don't want to give [IS] an opportunity to exploit what is going on," White House national-security spokesman John Kirby said on December 10. The United States has about 900 troops in Syria as part of its decade-long fight against IS. "[IS] will try to use this period to reestablish its capabilities, to create safe havens," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on December 9. "As our precision strikes over the weekend demonstrate, we are determined not to let that happen." Washington said it is seeking ways to engage with Syrian rebel groups and is reaching out to partners in the region, including Turkey, to initiate informal contacts. "We have the ability to communicate with the opposition groups, and we'll continue to do that," Kirby said in his briefing. The Syrian Observatory also said IS militants killed at least 54 government soldiers who were fleeing advancing rebels "during the collapse of the regime" in the Sukhna area of Homs Province. The report could not immediately be verified. Meanwhile, satellite imagery by Planet Labs showed Russian naval ships have left their Syrian base at Tartus, with some dropping anchor offshore. Imagery showed at least three vessels -- including two guided missile frigates -- some 13 kilometers off the coast. Russia has an estimated 7,500 troops and multiple military sites in Syria, including an air base at Hmeimim along with the strategic naval facilities at Tartus, which are also used to support the Kremlin's actions in North and sub-Saharan Africa. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government has ties to many of the rebel groups involved in the takeover, said Ankara will act against anyone seeking to compromise its Syrian territory. "From now on, we cannot allow Syria to be divided again.... Any attack on the freedom of the Syrian people, the stability of the new administration, and the integrity of its lands will find us standing against it," he said. Turkey has claimed U.S.-backed Syrian-Kurdish fighters in northeast Syria to be "terrorists" linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been designated as a terrorist group by Ankara, as well as by Washington. Tehran, which was also a long-standing backer of Assad, on December 10 said some 4,000 Iranian citizens have left Syria over the past three days. Iranian proxies are thought to have multiple military sites inside Syria, some of which have been hit by Israeli air attacks, but the government has so far been relatively muted in its response to Assad's fall. On December 9, the UN Security Council held a closed-door meeting on the situation in Syria called by Russia, which together with Iran, has been a main backer of Assad's regime. "The Council, I think, was more or less united on the need to preserve the territorial integrity and unity of Syria, to ensure the protection of civilians, to ensure that humanitarian aid is coming to the population in need," said Russia's UN ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, in a statement released after the meeting. The HTS-led rebels announced on December 9 that they were granting amnesty to all military personnel conscripted during Assad's rule, which began in 2000 following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, who had seized power in 1970. Ahmad al-Sharaa, 42, previously known by the nom de guerre Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, has become the public face of HTS, which itself was formerly known as the Al Nusra Front, among other names. Several European states on December 9 announced they were suspending the granting of asylum requests from Syrians as they awaited developments. The flood of Syrian refugees during the country's 14-year civil war has often been used by far-right politicians in Europe to inflame passions and bolster their support among voters. The EU has urged a peaceful political transition in Syria, saying that "it is imperative that all stakeholders engage in an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned dialogue on all key issues." But EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni said the bloc was "not currently engaging with HTS or its leaders, full stop." The Syrian civil war began after Assad's regime unleashed a brutal crackdown in March 2011 against peaceful demonstrators inspired by the wave of protests known as the Arab Spring that were sweeping the Middle East at the time. Beginning in 2015, Russia intervened in the civil war on Assad's side, unleashing a massive bombing campaign against the rebel groups, including Islamist militants, causing numerous civilian casualties and prompting tens of thousands to flee. The fall of the Assad regime marks a major geopolitical setback for the Kremlin, which, along with Iran, has propped up his government, experts say. Iran spent decades building the so-called axis of resistance, its network of regional armed proxies, Tehran-backed militant groups, and allied state actors. The network was the lynchpin of Tehran's efforts to deter Israel and the United States and exert its influence across the Middle East. But the fall of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, an ally of Tehran, has done irreparable damage to the network, analysts say. For Iran, Syria provided a crucial land corridor to the Levant that was considered the logistical backbone of the axis. The corridor, also known as the Shi'ite Crescent, connected Tehran to the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, a key ally and an integral part of the axis. "There is no axis without access," said Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the Brussels-based International Crisis Group. "The resistance is not done, but losing the ability to logistically support Hezbollah means the loss of Iran's strategic depth." Broken Corridor Underscoring Syria's importance, Iran spent billions of dollars to keep Assad in power. Tehran intervened militarily in Syria's civil war in 2013 and played a key role in shoring up Assad's forces. It deployed hundreds of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) officers to recruit and train tens of thousands of local and foreign Shi'ite fighters. After the loss of the land corridor connecting axis members from Iran to Lebanon, "we are likely to see a much-diminished resistance in the coming months and years," said Farzan Sabet, senior research associate at the Geneva Graduate Institute. The axis, he said, will have "a considerably lower capacity to rebuild or conduct military operations in the future." At its height, the axis was active in the Palestinian Occupied Territories, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, and was meant to give Iran the ability to hit its enemies outside its own borders while allowing it to maintain a position of plausible deniability. But the axis has suffered a series of debilitating setbacks in recent months. Syria is now effectively ruled by the U.S.-designated terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies -- some of whom are linked with Turkey, Iran's rival. The HTS seized power in Damascus on December 8. Hezbollah has been severely weakened after a bruising, yearlong war with Israel, which killed the group's longtime leader , Hassan Nasrallah. Meanwhile, Israel's devastating war in the Gaza Strip has diminished the capabilities of U.S.-designated Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas, another axis member. Events in Syria "will certainly place significantly more restraints on Iran’s ability to maintain its regional influence," said Raz Zimmt, senior researcher at the Israeli-based Institute for National Security Studies. Iran's 'Very Bad' Options Weakened regionally, Iran now has tough decisions to make, including reconsidering its deterrence strategy and possibly developing a nuclear bomb, experts say. Zimmt says Iran has two "very bad options" -- to do nothing and recognize that its deterrence against Israel has been compromised, or weaponize its nuclear program and expose itself to the possibility of an Israeli attack. Things look equally grim for Iran’s axis of resistance, according to Sabet, who says Tehran will be under pressure to pull back its regional activities. Sabet says Iran will seek to exploit any potential chaos in the region, including in post-Assad Syria, to reassert its influence. "If the civil war in Syria is not quickly settled and a new order created, it might become precisely the type of environment where the Islamic republic has historically thrived," Sabet said. The collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime sparked nationwide celebrations, as scenes of jubilation and chaos unfolded across the country. In the early hours of December 8, videos emerged on social media showing groups of people gathering on Umayyad Square in Damascus, a key landmark in the capital. Thousands more joined them throughout the day, with some participants climbing atop a tank. Social media footage verified by RFE/RL showed people exiting the central bank building in Damascus carrying bags and boxes. Looting was reported in the capital and in other cities across the country, according to multiple eyewitness accounts. At the gates of the presidential palace in Damascus, video footage captured jubilant men cheering and firing weapons into the air. People were seen entering the palace freely throughout the day after Assad fled the country. Russian state media reported later on December 8 that he and his family had arrived in Moscow and been granted asylum. Video footage from inside the palace showed crowds milling around, as well as people carrying out furniture and valuables, leaving trashed rooms behind them. Verified video footage obtained by RFE/RL also showed the building of the Syrian Interior Ministry's immigration and passport department ablaze in Damascus. Statues of Assad's late father, Hafez al-Assad, who created the authoritarian system his son inherited, were dismantled nationwide after a lightning-fast rebel offensive. On Arwad Island, off the coast of Tartus and around 10 kilometers from a Russian naval base, jubilant crowds toppled a statue of the elder Assad, who died in 2000, and climbed onto the monument in celebration. In Latakia, a coastal town that was a stronghold of the Assad family, another statue of Hafez al-Assad was torn down and dragged through the streets behind a truck as revelers rode atop it. Images also showed the aftermath of the storming of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, which appeared to have been abandoned earlier on December 8. Iranian media reported that diplomats had already evacuated the premises. President-elect Donald Trump said Russia and Iran are in a "weakened state" and called on Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to end the nearly three-year war in Ukraine. Trump made the comments in a post on Truth Social on December 8 as Syrian rebels captured Damascus , ending the half-century rule of the Russia- and Iran-backed Assad family. The incoming U.S. president said Russia and Iran couldn't come to the support of Syrian dictator Assad because they were in a "weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success." Russia has lost about 600,000 soldiers since invading Ukraine in February 2022, Trump said, adding that Ukraine has lost about 400,000 defending its territory. "There should be an immediate cease-fire and negotiations should begin," Trump said. "I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The world is waiting!" The Kremlin did not immediately respond to Trump's comment. Paris Meeting Trump said in the post that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy "would like to make a deal." Trump held talks with Zelenskiy and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on December 7 to discuss the war. Zelenskiy called the trilateral talks "good and productive" and said the leaders discussed the potential for "a just peace." Trump and Zelenskiy were among world leaders who gathered in Paris on December 7 to mark the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. "We talked about our people, the situation on the battlefield, and a just peace for Ukraine. We all want to end this war as quickly and fairly as possible," Zelenskiy said in a December 7 post on Telegram . "President Trump, as always, is determined. We are thankful for that," he added. Macron said , "Let us continue joint efforts for peace, security." Trump , who will take office on January 20, has criticized the tens of billions of dollars the United States has poured into Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion. He has claimed he could end the war within 24 hours of retaking the White House, a statement that has been interpreted as meaning that Ukraine would have to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. Experts say it will be difficult to hammer out a peace deal quickly because there are so many aspects, including security guarantees for Ukraine and sanctions relief for Russia. In the meantime, the outgoing Biden administration has been accelerating weapons shipments to Ukraine ahead of the transfer of power to Trump to bolster its defenses. Washington said on December 7 that it is preparing a $988 million package of arms and equipment to Ukraine, funds taken from the remaining $2.21 billion available in the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. The funds will be used to buy precision missiles for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), and for drones, the Pentagon said. European countries are also stepping up aid in case the Trump administration ends U.S. support for Kyiv. Zelenskiy announced on December 7 that Ukraine had received a second shipment of sophisticated F-16 fighter jets from Denmark. Copenhagen announced last year it would deliver a total of 19 aircraft to Ukraine. "The second batch of F-16s for Ukraine from Denmark is already in Ukraine. This is the leadership in protecting life that distinguishes Denmark," he wrote on Telegram . Syrian rebels led by Islamist militants have entered the central city of Homs as they close in on Damascus while the country’s main allies -- Russia and Iran -- scrambled to protect the regime of authoritarian President Bashar al-Assad and their own assets in the country. Abu Mohammad al-Golani, a leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group, said late on December 7 that the insurgent fighters were "in the final moments of liberating" Homs, a city of 775,000 people. HTS is considered a terrorist group by the United States, Britain, Canada, and the European Union. Experts said the future of the Assad regime was hanging in the balance -- and that, if it fell, it would also represent a major geopolitical setback for the Kremlin which, along with Tehran, has supported the Syrian government through many years of civil war. Media reports said many residents of Damascus were stocking up on supplies as thousands were attempting to leave the country through the border with Lebanon -- itself a war-torn nation in the increasingly chaotic Middle East. As fighting on the ground and rebel gains intensified, the foreign ministers of Russia, Iran, and Turkey held emergency talks in Doha, Qatar, on December 7 calling for an end to hostilities in the most serious challenge to Assad’s rule in years. The U.S. State Department told RFE/RL that Washington was closely monitoring the situation on the ground in Syria. A spokesperson said the United States and its partners and allies urged that civilians, including members of minority groups, be protected. The spokesperson said it was time to negotiate an end to the Syrian conflict consistent with principals established in UN Security Council Resolution 2254. The spokesperson added that the refusal of the Assad regime to engage in the process has directly led to the current situation. The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War ( ISW ) said that “Assad regime forces have collapsed and Assad’s backers do not appear willing to bolster the Syrian Arab Army by rapidly deploying additional forces.” Russia has multiple military sites in Syria, including an air base at Hmeimim and strategic naval facilities at Tartus, which are also used to support the Kremlin’s actions in Africa. The ISW said that Moscow had not yet begun to evacuate the base, “but it remains unclear whether Russia will keep its vessels at the port as Syrian rebels continue to advance swiftly across regime-held territory.” The American Enterprise Institute’s Critical Threats blog said the Assad regime “faces an existential threat given the widespread collapse of regime forces and lack of sufficient external backing to bolster these forces.” It added that “Russia will face logistic challenges that will undermine its Africa operations if it loses its footprint in Syria.” Mark Katz, a professor emeritus at George Mason University who focuses on Russia and the Middle East, told RFE/RL that the Kremlin risks losing its air assets in Syria if it can’t agree with Turkey on the use of its airspace. “In one sense, the Turkish government might be happy to grant permission as the more the Russian Air Force is out of Syria, the happier Ankara will be,” he said. "Russia would also face difficulties relocating its warships because they would need Turkey's permission to get into the Black Sea. They would have to go through NATO waters," he added. Meanwhile, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said the United States “should have nothing to do” with the war in Syria, where a small contingent of U.S. forces remain deployed in some areas. "Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT,” he wrote on the Truth Social platform. “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!” Fast-moving developments on the ground were difficult to confirm, but media outlets quoted witnesses as well as rebel and Syrian army sources as saying militant fighters were continuing to make large gains on December 7 in their effort to topple Assad. Some reported signs of panic in Damascus, with shortages of critical supplies, although the government said Assad was at work as usual in the capital. Government forces and their Russian allies appear to have failed in their attempt to halt the rebel push toward Homs, which stands at an important intersection between the capital, Damascus, and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus. Homs is 140 kilometers from the capital. Witnesses and army sources told Reuters and other news agencies that rebels had entered Homs amid reports that government forces had pulled out. Celebrations were reported in some areas of the city. Homs Province is Syria’s largest in size and borders Lebanon, Iraq, and Jordan. The city is also home to one of Syria’s two state-run oil refineries. The AFP news agency quoted security sources as saying hundreds of Syrian government troops, some injured, had fled across the border into Iraq. The surprising offensive was launched last week by a coalition of rebel groups led by the Islamist HTS faction. Besides HTS, the fighters include forces of an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Turkey has denied backing the offensive, though experts say insurgents would not have launched it without the country's consent. The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said civilians were fleeing from Homs toward the Mediterranean coastal regions of Latakia and Tartus, strongholds of the government and the site of the Russian air and naval bases. Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declined to comment on the fate of the Russian bases, saying he “wasn’t in the business of guessing.” The United Nations said on December 6 that almost 300,000 people in Syria had already been displaced since late November by the fighting, and that up to 1.5 million could be forced to flee as the rebels advance and inflict losses on Assad, as well as his Russian and Iranian allies. Assad has relied on Iran and Russia to remain in power since the conflict erupted in 2011. Following the foreign ministers' meeting in Doha, Lavrov said -- referring to HTS rebels -- that it was "inadmissible to allow terrorist groups" to take control of Syrian territory and that Russia would oppose them with all means possible. Since the rebels seized control of Aleppo a week ago, they have moved on to capture other major cities with Assad’s forces providing little resistance. Besides capturing Aleppo in the north, Hama in the center, and Deir al-Zor in the east, rebels rose up in southern Suweida and Deraa, saying on December 6 they had taken control of the two cities and posting videos showing insurgent celebrations there. Taking Deraa and Suweida in the south could allow a concerted assault on the capital, Damascus, the seat of Assad's power, military sources said. Video posted online showed protesters in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana chanting and tearing down a statue of Assad’s father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000, when his son took power. Golani, the HTS leader, told CNN in an exclusive interview on December 5 from Syria that Assad’s government was bound to fall, propped up only by Russia and Iran. “The seeds of the regime’s defeat have always been within it,” he said. “But the truth remains, this regime is dead.” Iran is poised to significantly increase the production rate of highly enriched uranium, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned in a confidential report. The IAEA report said the effect of the change "would be to significantly increase the rate of production of uranium enriched up to 60 percent," according to news agencies quoting the report on December 6. This means the rate of production will jump to more than 34 kilograms of highly enriched uranium per month at its Fordow facility alone, compared to 4.7 kilograms previously, the report to the IAEA's board of governors says. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi, who spoke to reporters about the report on the sidelines of an international conference in Bahrain, said the increase would represent “seven or eight times or even more," calling the development very concerning. “They were preparing, and they have all of these facilities sort of in abeyance and now they are activating that. So we are going to see,” he said, adding that it would be a “huge jump” if Iran begins increasing its enrichment. The report also said Iran must implement tougher safeguard measures such as inspections to ensure Fordow is not being "misused to produce uranium of an enrichment level higher than that declared by Iran, and that there is no diversion of declared nuclear material." Iran's decision to accelerate production of enriched uranium is in response to recent censure by the IAEA, Grossi told the AFP news agency. "This is a message. This is a clear message that they are responding to what they feel is pressure," the UN nuclear watchdog's head said. Tehran was angered by a resolution last month put forward by Britain, Germany, and France, known as the E3, and the United States that faulted Iran's cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog. Britain, Germany, and France have adopted a tougher stance on Iran in recent months, in particular since Tehran ramped up its military support to Russia. In addition, there was little progress last week when European and Iranian officials met to determine whether they could enter serious talks on the nuclear program before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House in January. Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers and is now appointing hawks on Iran to his planned administration. While Iran maintains its program is peaceful, Iranian officials increasingly threaten to potentially seek a nuclear bomb and an intercontinental ballistic missile. But experts war that the enrichment of uranium at 60 percent is just a short step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 percent, and they say there is no justification for enriching uranium to such a high level under any civilian program. The news of Iran's decision to increase uranium enrichment came just hours after Tehran claimed it had conducted a successful space launch with its heaviest payload ever. Official media reported that the launch of the Simorgh rocket took place at Iran’s Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Semnan Province located about 220 kilometers east of Tehran. Western governments have expressed concern that the Tehran’s ballistic missile program is coming closer to having the ability to launch a weapon against distant foes like the United States. The Simorgh carried what Iran described as an “orbital propulsion system” and two research systems to a 400-kilometer orbit above the Earth. It also carried the Fakhr-1 satellite for Iran’s military, the first time Iran’s civilian program is known to have carried a military payload. Iran has said its space program, like its nuclear activities, is for purely civilian purposes.Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg has demanded an end to the Albanese’s government’s “weakness” on antisemitism but welcomed the Prime Minister’s response to the Melbourne firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue. The firebombing of the Melbourne synagogue on Friday led to an immediate call from Mr Frydenberg to Mr Albanese to take action against rampant antisemitism in the country by declaring the attack on Friday a terrorist event. Following scathing criticism from the Jewish community and the Coalition, Mr Albanese labelled the recent synagogue firebombing as a “terrorist attack”. Mr Frydenberg said he welcomed the Prime Minister’s comments on the attack, but noted it had come "after the fact". The former treasurer said over the past 14 months the Albanese government has shown “weakness” in combatting antisemitism which had become “emboldened” on campuses and throughout the streets. “Enough is enough because we cannot have Jewish students feeling unsafe on campus. We need a judicial inquiry into antisemitism on campus, which should be houses of learning but have become hotbeds of hate,” Mr Frydenberg told Sky News host Peter Stefanovic. “We need a national police task force not to deal with other forms of hate, but to deal with anti-Semitism, because that is what predominantly we have seen across our country over the last 14 months. “We also need the state premiers to restrict and ban demonstrations of the kind that we've seen outside places of worship, whether they're a church, whether they're a mosque, whether they're a temple or whether they are a synagogue.” NSW Premier Chris Minns has called for a review of laws to prevent the targeting of places of worship following the heinous firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue. “I’ve asked the Attorney-General and the cabinet office to look at ways we can better protect places of worship from protests and provide reform options to the government,” Mr Minns said. The potential laws would regulate protesting outside of religious institutions which seeks to intimidate worshippers. The Premier said “holding the line” was no longer feasible and the government needed to make sure the freedom of religion was “protected”. Mr Frydenberg also acknowledged how demonstrations outside the Great Synagogue in Sydney last week had left people terrified as locked themselves inside. “Enough is enough, Prime Minister,” the former treasurer said on Monday. “No more words. We want to see concrete action. “It needs more than calling it out. It needs stamping it out.” After the synagogue firebombing, Mr Frydenberg stressed his focus was not on Israel, but Australia and becoming the country “we want to be and not what we’ve become". “Once social cohesion has broken down it is only a matter of time before another community is next. This is why the attack on Adass was not an attack on one it was an attack on all,” he said on Saturday.
Amid the one of the busiest travel days of the year , American Airlines had to delay several flights across the country due to "technical issues" on Tuesday morning. A national group stop was issued around 7 a.m. EST by federal regulators an hour after flights were cleared to fly. The ground stop lasted exactly one hour, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Terry Bradshaw given FOX NFL retirement view after Michael Strahan interruption NASA on high alert over Christmas Eve asteroid heading towards Earth American Airlines said in a statement, "A vendor technology issue briefly affected flights this morning. That issue has been resolved and flights have resumed. "We sincerely apologize to our customers for the inconvenience this morning. It's all hands on deck as our team is working diligently to get customers where they need to go as quickly as possible." Now, millions of frustrated customers are eager to figure out how to cope with the travel delay amid the Christmas holiday. According to American Airline's website , the company will rebook flights if a cancellation or delay led to a passenger missing a connection. It will also automatically reroute your bags once you check in for your new flights. DON'T MISS... Christmas weather map reveals areas where snow set to impact millions Satellite map lays bare huge snow bomb set to hit US states at Christmas Christmas snow warning issued as map shows areas at risk of winter storm "Our goal is to always depart on time, but on occasion weather and other events impact our schedule – and yours," American Airlines writes on its website. "We know your time is valuable, and we’ll do our best to get you back on track as soon as possible." Customers can change and view their new trip in the American Airlines app, on the company website or through a kiosk in the airport.Christopher Nolan is following his Oscar-winning “Oppenheimer” with a true epic: Homer’s “The Odyssey.” It will open in theaters on July 17, 2026, Universal Pictures said Monday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Christopher Nolan is following his Oscar-winning “Oppenheimer” with a true epic: Homer’s “The Odyssey.” It will open in theaters on July 17, 2026, Universal Pictures said Monday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Christopher Nolan is following his Oscar-winning “Oppenheimer” with a true epic: Homer’s “The Odyssey.” It will open in theaters on July 17, 2026, Universal Pictures said Monday. Details remain scarce, but the studio teased that it will be a “mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX technology.” It will also be the first time that an adaptation of Homer’s saga will play on IMAX film screens. Nolan has been an IMAX enthusiast for years, going back to “The Dark Knight,” and has made his last three films exclusively using large format film and the highest resolution film cameras. For “Oppenheimer,” the first black-and-white IMAX film stock was developed. Nolan hasn’t said specifically what the new technology for “The Odyssey” will be, but earlier this month he told The Associated Press that they’re in an intensive testing phase with IMAX to prepare for the new production. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. “They have an incredible engineering staff, really brilliant minds doing extraordinary work,” Nolan said. “It’s wonderful to see innovation in the celluloid film arena still happening and happening at the highest level possible.” “The Odyssey” will be Nolan’s second collaboration with Universal Pictures following “Oppenheimer,” which earned nearly $1 billion at the box office and won the filmmaker his first Oscars, including for best director and best picture. Rumors about his next project have been swirling ever since, with near-daily speculations about plot — none of which turned out to be true — and casting. While there are many reports about actors joining the ensemble, none has been officially confirmed by the studio. Advertisement
Chiefs head to Pittsburgh on Christmas hoping to lock up the top seed in the AFCSeven West Media is making bold moves to cement its position as a leader in Australian broadcasting, and at the heart of its strategy is the network’s new national director of sales, Jordan King . With a background steeped in ad tech and programmatic expertise from his time at Nine, King is spearheading Seven’s digital growth. The recent acquisition of streaming rights for the AFL and cricket marks a noticeable shift for the network, bringing Australia’s two most popular sports to its digital platform, 7plus . King believes the addition of these premier sports to 7plus is a game-changer for the network. “For the first time, Australians can access the nation’s number one winter and summer sports digitally, for free,” he told Mediaweek . “It’s absolutely massive. Early results from the cricket are already exceeding expectations. For example, in Perth, we saw 25% of digital streamers tuning in for the first match, and by day four, that number had risen to 27%—a target we hoped to hit by the end of summer.” Bringing insights from his time managing events like the Australian Open at Nine, King is focused on Seven delivering a seamless experience to audiences and advertisers alike. “From frequency capping to stitching ad formats into live sports streams, these lessons ensure we deliver a stable, premium experience from day one. It’s all about ensuring the technology is robust and the audience experience is top-notch,” he said. Central to Seven’s strategy is its investment in advanced data capabilities, with platforms like Seven Red IQ and its partnership with Databricks enabling a new level of audience understanding. “What Seven is doing with Databricks is world-class. The predictive capabilities are incredible—our forecasts are now more accurate than the ad server itself,” King said. “This allows us to deliver stable results and reach the right audiences at the right time, which is exactly what advertisers want.” As live sports streaming evolves, Seven is also exploring innovative ad formats. While King acknowledges the potential of formats like squeeze backs—ads that run alongside live play—he emphasised the importance of maintaining a premium viewer experience. “During cricket, for example, viewers expect ads between overs, so our priority is delivering those in a way that feels seamless and premium. While we’re exploring alternative formats, it’s about balancing innovation with stability,” he said. Seven’s collaborative approach to sales is another key component of its strategy, with teams working together to deliver tailored solutions for advertisers while ensuring content resonates with viewers. King highlights the network’s consumer-first philosophy as a major driver of its success. “Seven has an incredible linear and regional backbone, and we’re integrating that with digital expertise,” he said. “It’s a team effort, focused on finding the right mix of broad audience reach and bespoke solutions.” This approach is already delivering results. Home and Away, for example, is averaging 187,500 viewers per episode on 7plus this year, representing 20% of its total audience. “The data from 7plus guides our decisions, helping us deliver content that resonates,” he said. “Home and Away is a standout, making it Australia’s most-streamed drama.” Looking ahead to 2025, King is excited about the opportunities the AFL season will bring. “The AFL is going to be a game-changer. By the time Round Zero kicks off, we’ll have the insights we need to deliver a next-level experience for both viewers and advertisers. We’re also focusing on scaling streaming capabilities and integrating advanced measurement systems like VOZ to ensure we remain at the forefront.” For King, Seven’s combination of premium content, ad tech, and deep audience insights is a winning formula in Australia’s fragmented media landscape. “Nothing has ever sold more Mazdas or mangoes than TV, and I believe nothing ever will,” he concluded. Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.
Google Renews Push Into Mixed Reality HeadgearThere’s nothing quite as frustrating as running out of juice, especially when you need to hit the road. Owning a car already requires plenty of work, from cleaning and detailing to organizing the garage . Anyone with an electric vehicle also knows the importance of finding the best electric charger. While most EVs, also known as electric vehicles, come with a compact Level 1 charger for on-the-go charging situations, many drivers will also want to invest in a Level 2 charger for speedier, super-powered charging. RELATED: Best luxury gifts for men: 51 ideas to spoil him for Christmas 2024 Those new to the EV sphere might be wondering what charger is right for their car. There are a few important factors to consider before purchasing a home EV charger — everything from panel capacity and safety features to pricing and smart settings for a customized charging experience. For answers to all your frequently asked questions, The New York Post has consulted EV Expert, Michael Krauthammer , for recommendations on finding the best EV chargers, as well as how to use them, store them, and choose the right one. Krauthammer is the Managing Director of EV Advisors and a senior advisor to the Alliance for Transportation Electrification . He has over a decade of experience in the EV charging space. Read on for the best EV chargers to use at home, and browse the FAQ section for more guidance from Krauthammer. Best Overall Charger: Autel Home Level 2 EV Charger up to 40Amp Autel has been making intelligent automotive products since 2004. This EV charger provides a range of charging speeds from 16 to 40 amps. Users can also set the charger’s start and stop to take advantage of off-peak utility charging rates. Having a 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, many shoppers rave about the performance and sleek appearance. “This car charger matches the maximum level-2 charging current (48 amps) but will adjust to any lesser current too using cell phone control. It is a technological marvel that makes charging easy rather than complicated. This company makes all the test equipment that car dealer shops use to diagnose and repair today’s modern vehicles,” one reviewer wrote. Cord length : 25 feet | Input Voltage: 240 volts | Charging Speed: 30 miles of range with every hour of charge | Amperage: 40 amp Best Charger for Teslas: Tesla Wall Connector Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charger Take a look at the go-to charger for Tesla drivers. This charger is compatible with Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Ys. You can expect to get to 44 miles of range per hour, with up to 11.5 kW/48 amp output, depending on the car model and breaker size. This smart charger offers Smart App integration and connects to Wi-Fi to receive the latest features via over-the-air firmware updates. Many buyers say this charger was built to work easily alongside all Tesla models. “The convenience factor cannot be overstated. With the ability to start or schedule charging sessions right from the Tesla app, managing my vehicle’s power has never been easier. It’s a seamless integration into the Tesla ecosystem that enhances the overall ownership experience,” wrote one reviewer. Cord length : 24 feet | Input Voltage: 240 volts | Charging Speed: 44 miles of range per hour of charge | Amperage: 48 amp Best Budget Charger: Grizzl-E Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charger This affordable, heavy-duty charger is fully tested and certified, and compatible with all EVs and PHEVs sold in North America. Installation is relatively straightforward: just install a simple 14-50R outlet and you are ready to plug in your Grizzl-E. The charger can easily be detached from the mounting bracket and transported between different locations. Smart and simple is how buyers describe this EV charger. “This thing is built super tough and has possibly the thickest most durable cabling I’ve come across. Not only that, but the installation was unbelievably easy and the unit itself just looks pretty badass in the garage. Definitely grab this if you want a simple, sturdy, cool looking, and super fast home charger!” wrote one satisfied shopper. Cord length : 25 feet | Input Voltage: N/A | Charging Speed: 28-30 miles per hour at 40A | Amperage: 40 amp Best Smart Charger: JuiceBox 40 Smart Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station with WiFi If you’re shopping for a smart charger, JuiceBox has a great option. This charger connects to the JuiceNet app, allowing users to control and monitor charging remotely, and be notified when their car is fully charged. The JuiceBox charger also can be paired with Amazon Echo or Alexa for voice control. Enjoy a worry-free, 3-year limited warranty for normal residential use. Many buyers say they purchased the JuiceBox charger to take advantage of smart grid savings since you can schedule charging times when rates are lower. “It works very well with our 2021 Kia Niro PHEV,” one person shared. “The app is nice as it will allow you to customize the charging and control how much to charge. Works with ComEd to time the charge overnight should you have that agreement with them.” Cord length : 25 feet | Input Voltage: N/A | Charging Speed: 28-30 miles per hour | Amperage: 40 amp Best Fast Charging: ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 NEMA 14-50 Plug Electric Vehicle EV Charger Charge faster! The ChargePoint EVC is a No. 1 best-seller on Amazon for a good reason. The Level 2 system features flexible amperage settings from 16 to 50 amps. This station charges up to nine times faster than a standard wall outlet, adding up to 37 miles of range per hour. Simply choose between hardwiring or plugging in for ultimate versatility. While this is one of the pricer Level 2 chargers on the market, you’re sure to get some more miles for your buck. In addition to the charging speed, reviewers have suggested that they also save time during set-up. “[I really like] how quick and easy it is to get the charging process started. The user interface and controls are intuitive, allowing me to initiate the charging process effortlessly. It saves me time and hassle, which is a big plus for an EV owner,” one customer commented. Cord length : 23 feet | Input Voltage: 240 volts | Charging Speed: 30 miles per hour of charge | Amperage: 50 amp EV Chargers FAQ Michael Krauthamer is the Managing Director of EV Advisors, a firm that advises a wide array of clients across the EV charging ecosystem. Krauthammer is also a senior advisor to the Alliance for Transportation Electrification and has over a decade of experience in the EV charging space. “Yes, although not necessarily every day. Having a Level 2 charger means your car will pretty much always be ready to go, and is a necessity if you drive a lot of miles,” Krauthamer said. The EV expert explained that a Level 1 wall outlet provides only about 4 miles of range per hour, whereas Level 2 charger typically provides between 25 to 30 miles of range per hour. “What that means, in practice, is that charging from empty could take almost 20 hours to refill on Level 1, whereas Level 2 can refill the battery from completely empty in under 4 hours.” “The most important factor to consider is a dedicated circuit for your charger. This is a safety issue and will also prevent tripping a breaker,” said Krauthamer. “The second most important consideration is determining the amount of spare capacity in your electric [panel].” EV owners want to get the most powerful charger their panel can handle, and the panel’s capacity will be the limiting factor. Krauthamer has suggested consulting a listened electrician if your charger requires more power than your panel can supply. In some situations, you may need a panel upgrade. “A networked, or ‘smart charger,’ adds certain capabilities such as setting start and end times for your charger,” he explained. Smart chargers allow users to take advantage of time-of-use energy pricing if that’s available where you live. However, many EVs already have all of the time of use scheduling and power use tracking, so ‘smart chargers’ aren’t always necessary. According to Krauthamer, you can expect to find a perfectly good residential non-networked 32 amp charger for as little as $350. “As with any electrical device, safety is paramount so stick with reputable brands and ensure the charger has a legitimate listing with a nationally recognized testing lab such as UL,” suggested Krauthamer. “I’ve been hearing good things about Grizzl-E, Autel, and Electrify America; Tesla is good too, if that’s the car you have,” he told The Post. Some of the best EV chargers below are recommended by Krauthamer (and have high customer ratings!) or are hand-selected from our New York Post based on the knowledge we learned from the expert. Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance . We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products , and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change. For more content, check out the New York Post Shopping section. Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance . We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products , and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.Continuous Biomarker Monitoring Pioneer Proton Intelligence Inc Announces a $6.95 Million Seed Raise to Initiate Human Trials for Potassium Monitoring in Patients With Kidney Disease
Kansas City (14-1) at Pittsburgh (10-5) Wednesday, 1 p.m., EST, Netflix. BetMGM NFL Odds: Chiefs by 2 1/2. Against the spread: Chiefs 7-8; Steelers 10-5 Series record: Steelers lead 25-14. Last meeting: Chiefs beat Steelers 42-21 in the first round of the playoffs on Jan. 16, 2022, in Kansas City. Last week: Chiefs beat Texans 27-19; Steelers lost to Ravens 34-17 Chiefs offense: overall (13), rush (15), pass (12), scoring (11). Chiefs defense: overall (3), rush (3), pass (17), scoring (3). Steelers offense: overall (19), rush (11), pass (25), scoring (12). Steelers defense: overall (11), rush (8), pass (20), scoring (7). Turnover differential: Chiefs plus-4; Steelers plus-16. WR Marquise Brown, who hurt his shoulder on the first play of the preseason and landed on injured reserve, made an impressive regular-season debut against Houston last week. “Hollywood” caught five passes for 45 yards, including an early 13-yarder that converted a fourth down and led to an eventual touchdown. But perhaps most importantly, Brown's mere presence kept Houston from double-teaming Xavier Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins and Travis Kelce all afternoon. LB T.J. Watt. The perennial All-Pro is dealing with an ankle injury and had a quiet game in the loss to Baltimore, finishing with just four tackles and didn’t have a single hit against Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. Pittsburgh's best chance at pulling the upset relies heavily on disrupting Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes at every turn. To do it, Watt will need to do some Watt-like things. The 30-year-old leads the NFL in forced fumbles for a defense that thrives on takeaways. Steelers RBs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris against the Chiefs rush defense, which is ranked third in the NFL and allowing just 91.4 yards per game. The Chiefs held the Texans' Joe Mixon to just 57 yards rushing last week, the latest in a season-long trend of shutting down top running backs. The Browns' Nick Chubb had 41 yards the previous week, and the Ravens' Derrick Henry, the Falcons' Bijan Robinson and the Saints' Alvin Kamara are among those who have similarly struggled against Kansas City. Chiefs: LT D.J. Humphries (hamstring) and CB Chamarri Conner (concussion) are likely to miss a second straight game. DT Chris Jones (calf) and RT Jawaan Taylor (knee) are iffy after getting hurt against Houston. Steelers: WR George Pickens (hamstring) should return after missing the past three games. S DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and DT Larry Ogunjobi (groin) may also be back after sitting the past two weeks. Starting CB Joey Porter Jr. (knee) and backup wide receiver/special teams ace Ben Skowronek (hip) are out. The Steelers have dominated the series, leading 23-14, but the Chiefs have won the past three games. That includes a 42-21 rout in their most recent matchup in the wild-card round of the playoffs on Jan. 16, 2022 — the last game played by Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Prior to the Chiefs' three-game win streak, the Steelers had won three in a row, including an 18-16 victory in the divisional round on Jan. 15, 2017, that they won despite not scoring a touchdown. Kansas City can clinch the No. 1 seed and first-round playoff bye with a win over the Steelers, or if the Bills lose or tie when they play the Jets on Sunday. ... Pittsburgh has dropped two straight, but can still earn its first AFC North title since 2020 by winning its last two games. ... The Chiefs can set a franchise record for regular-season wins with their 15th by beating Pittsburgh or Denver in their regular-season finale, breaking a tie with the 2020 and ‘22 teams. ... The Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes needs three TD passes to break Peyton Manning’s record of 244 for a QB's first eight seasons. Mahomes did not start as a rookie and has played just 111 games while Manning played 128 over that span. ... Mahomes has dominated the Steelers so far in his career, throwing 14 touchdowns without a pick while leading Kansas City to three victories in as many tries. ... Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins has an NFL-leading 177 straight games with a catch. TE Travis Kelce is second with 173. ... Kelce has 76 TD catches, tied with Tony Gonzalez for the Chiefs record. Kelce has 79 total TDs, four shy of Priest Holmes' franchise record. ... WR Xavier Worthy has five TD catches, tied for the sixth most by a rookie in Chiefs history. Worthy also has three TD runs, and the eight total is also tied for sixth most in franchise history. ... Chiefs DB Trent McDuffie has intercepted a pass in back-to-back games. He did not have a pick in his first 48 games. ... This is the 12th game in Steelers history to be played on Wednesday and the first since 2020, when a showdown with the Ravens was repeatedly postponed because of COVID-19 issues. Pittsburgh is 5-6 all time on Wednesdays. ... A healthy Pickens will likely give the Steelers passing game a serious boost. QB Russell Wilson is averaging just 167.7 yards per game in Pickens' absence, down from 271 yards per game with Pickens in the lineup. ... This is Pittsburgh's first regular-season game against a team with 14 wins. ... The Steelers have five wins against the defending Super Bowl champions since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. ... Pittsburgh is 26-12 in Weeks 17 and 18 since the start of the 1990 season, the second-most wins in the NFL over that span behind Green Bay (28). ... The Steelers have won seven straight games and 12 of their past 13 the week following a loss of at least 17 points. ... Pittsburgh leads the NFL with 31 takeaways. and has forced at least two turnovers 11 times. It might be championship week in your league, so why not turn to a championship quarterback. Mahomes has earned the benefit of the doubt even in a “down” season by his standards and with Pittsburgh missing its top cornerback and the pass rush slowed of late, give Mahomes a start against a team he has toyed with in his career. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Site Is in One of The Country's Fastest Growing Areas with One of The Strongest Economy And Provides Easy Access to The Crossroads of America SALT LAKE CITY , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- VanTrust Real Estate today announced the acquisition of 32 acres, located at 5998 West Parkway Blvd, in West Valley City, Utah , to build four industrial warehouse buildings. The site's prime location offers easy access to the "Crossroads of America" – a network of interstates, local highways, roads and rail lines that converge in Utah's capital city area. The site is located just south of State Route 201 and west of Mountain View Corridor. It is also near the Salt Lake City International Airport, Interstate 80, Interstate 15, and the Union Pacific Railroad intermodal hub. The site will accommodate four buildings that will provide 600,000 square feet of new Class A industrial space to this growing logistics area. According to Tom Freeman and Travis Healy of Colliers, the leasing team VanTrust has hired to market the buildings, there is consistent demand for space in this area due to its strategic position in the Salt Lake Valley, and because the area is one of the fastest growing and has one of the strongest economies in the country. "We are thrilled to have acquired this advantageously located site on which to build new industrial warehouses," said Chris McCluskey , VanTrust's Executive Vice President of Development for Salt Lake City . "One of our specialties at VanTrust is industrial properties, and we are excited to add this tremendous location to our portfolio." VanTrust anticipates construction on the first two buildings will start in late spring 2025 and deliver late spring 2026. Construction timing on the second two buildings is still to be determined. Specific tenants for the warehouses have not yet been identified. Since its inception in 2010, VanTrust has experienced rapid growth. The full-service real estate development company is based in Kansas City , with offices in Columbus , Dallas , Phoenix , Jacksonville , and Salt Lake City . VanTrust has developed more than 68 million square feet of office, industrial, multifamily, science + technology, and mixed-use development. The company has more than $7 billion of product nationwide. About VanTrust Real Estate VanTrust Real Estate, LLC is a full-service real estate development company. The company acquires and develops real estate assets for the Van Tuyl family portfolio and offers a broad range of real estate services including acquisition, disposition, development, development services, corporate services, and asset enhancement. Product types include office, industrial, multifamily, mixed-use and science + technology. VanTrust works nationally with regional offices in Columbus , Dallas , Phoenix , Jacksonville and Salt Lake City with its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri . For more information, visit www.vantrustre.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vantrust-real-estate-acquires-strategically-located-salt-lake-county-site-to-build-four-new-industrial-warehouses-302330708.html SOURCE VanTrust Real EstateKatsina Hisbah settles 2,500 marriage cases – Official
WOODHAVEN, Mich. (WXYZ) — A downriver community is coming together this Christmas Eve to help lift one man's spirits and it all started with a simple post on social media. Thomas Gibbons was just asking friends and family to send him some Christmas cards at the nursing home he is living at. "Just to see if I could get the Christmas spirit going, you know," Gibbons said. The 58-year-old tells us he thought filling his door up with cards would help lift his spirits this year. "Christmas Eve was always a special time from when i was a kid, up til last year," Gibbons said. Last year is when Gibbons says he tried to take his own life. "I shot myself but it ended up giving me a stroke and now my legs don't want to work," Gibbons said. His original post got about three cards sent to him but his friend Lindsey Dyer knew she could take it up a notch, so, she brought it to the Facebook group "Downriver and Friends". "I've seen the remarkable things that Downriver and Friends can do and the power of the community and how everybody can rally up behind everybody and make anything possible," Dyer said. A few days after her post in the group the Christmas cards started flooding in. "I'm completely blown away by the response and didn't expect it to be as much as it's been," Dyer said. Gibbons received 30 cards in one day, and counting. Most of the return addresses are from complete strangers. "I don't even know but a couple people on there," Gibbons said. "It's awesome, it really is." He wants to remind people that there are so many others just like him, stuck in a nursing home for the holidays. "Let them know that you know they're still out there, you know what I mean, and I think that's important," Gibbons said. He said just one phone call, message, or Christmas card can make all the difference in someone's day.Where the Bears rank statistically heading into Week 17
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Mayor Brandon Johnson is in danger of losing a budget vote for the first time in recent memory or being forced to cast the tie-breaking vote to save it — and he has himself largely to blame. He can look in the mirror and see: • A 14% approval rating that has emboldened his opponents and sent his own allies running for cover. • A two-week budget delay that put alderpersons behind the eight ball after his first budget was balanced with one-time revenues. • An inexperienced mayor who calls himself “collaborator-in-chief” but has, too often, kept the City Council in the dark while making up parliamentary rules as he goes along. • A head-scratching string of self-inflicted staffing wounds. All those and more have Johnson in an unprecedented political mess that could trigger Chicago’s first budget shutdown in anyone’s memory. “It really comes down to trust. Chicago doesn’t trust the mayor today and alders are feeling that when they go back to their wards,” said Southwest Side Ald. Marty Quinn (13th). “This is a career-defining vote. ... If they intend to vote `yes’ and haven’t supplied constituents with a ‘why’ and can justify it, they will have allowed their residents to finish the sentence. You voted for a property tax increase because what?” That $68.5 million property tax increase is among a slew of tax hikes making the mayor’s $17.3 billion budget hard for some alderpersons to swallow. Side deals complicate process The deep distrust between the mayor and the Council was on display this week when Johnson tried to lock down the budget votes of two leadership team members — Police Committee Chair Chris Taliaferro (29th) and Housing Chair Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) — by adding a combined $80,000 to their committee budgets. Critics scouring the amended budget also discovered Johnson’s plan to use the water fund to bankroll a security team for City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, which had been stripped away by Mayor Lori Lightfoot. It looked to them like an attempt to curry favor with the treasurer’s husband, Budget Chair Jason Ervin (28th). South Side Ald. David Moore (17th) said he voted for the mayor’s budget at the committee level after the administration “committed to working with me” to prioritize a new $30 million field house for Ogden Park. Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Andre Vasquez (40th), blindsided by the mayor’s side deals, helped to kill those for Taliaferro and Sigcho-Lopez. “It feels like, every single day, the Johnson administration is doing something else to complicate the situation or frustrate the City Council,” Vasquez said. He slammed Johnson’s team for wasting “time and energy in Springfield talking about a stadium rather than figuring out money” for its budget. He also cited its failure to secure an expected $40 million in revenue from a tax on prepaid cell phones and phone cards that needed state approval. “There’s a laundry list of items and it continues to grow,” Vasquez said. “That makes it much harder for people who want the budget to move forward to do so in a way that instills confidence.” Rahm got Council to make tough choices Then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel started with a Council that distrusted and opposed him, but he left as a beloved political figure among Council members. He worked to build relationships with all 50 alderpersons, using his political muscle to force the Council to deal with the looming pension crisis. The result: Chicago’s property tax levy was more than doubled to fund police, fire and teacher pensions. Two telephone tax hikes went toward the Laborers pension fund. A phased-in 29.5% surcharge on water and sewer bills now goes toward the Municipal Employees pension fund, the largest of the four. “When you need an alderman to do something difficult and politically unpopular where they’ll pay a price for it, you can’t create that relationship in that moment. It has to be pre-existing. ... There’s no substitute for it,” said Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd), Johnson’s Public Safety Committee chair. Aldermen are getting an earful from their constituents at every community meeting, Hopkins said. “What we want to know from the mayor is [that] he’s gonna have our back. He’s gonna help us get through this politically unpopular route that he has charted for us — and clearly, he hasn’t done that. He did not shore up those relationships in advance. He did not give his key allies enough warning. ” Council dean Ald. Walter Burnett (27th), vice mayor and Zoning Committee chair, also serves as Johnson’s de facto floor leader. He said Emanuel had the benefit of experience built while serving as a political operative for former President Bill Clinton, then White House chief-of-staff for former President Barack Obama and as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Rahm was very aggressive and I give him credit for that. He stayed in peoples’ faces. Rahm knew this stuff inside and out. He was very early with this kind of stuff. He could see the writing on the wall because he’d been doing it a hundred years,” Burnett said. Mayor’s approach ‘evolving,’ floor leader says Burnett argued Johnson is “evolving to be that way, too.” But the transition will take time for a former teacher-turned-paid organizer for the Chicago Teachers Union who has never held an executive position and spent just four years as a Cook County commissioner. “Whether he likes it or not, he’s getting that way because he has to aggressively communicate with all of these guys,” Burnett said, referring to his Council colleagues. “He’s not just telling his staff to talk to people. He’s talking to guys personally. Guys who like him and guys who don’t like him. He’s trying to convince them to come on board. ... I think he’s gonna be a stronger mayor because of this because next year is not gonna be pretty. Next year is gonna be just as challenging. He’s got to start working on next year now.” The mayor’s late lobbying effort is complicated by the large number of newly elected alderpersons, including some of Johnson’s own progressive allies, Burnett said. They are “very insecure about doing something that’s going to make their constituents upset,” like raising property taxes. Johnson’s stumbles and anemic approval ratings have also triggered a surprisingly early start to the 2027 mayoral sweepstakes. The early jockeying is affecting the budget stalemate, with Burnett counting “five or six” Council members who would “like to run for mayor” and up to 10 other wannabes outside the Council. Hopkins said there’s no question Johnson made a series of “strategic missteps,” including “starting the process late, playing year-end brinksmanship” and ignoring the festering financial crisis in his first city budget. Johnson’s missed chance, future opportunity “Everyone told him last year he had a moment of goodwill that he could have capitalized on. He could have forced some of the more unpopular decisions then with three more years to recover. ... But he didn’t want to do that. So, here we are,” Hopkins said. Despite all that, Johnson still could emerge from the budget stalemate relatively unscathed, Hopkins said. “If he pulls this off and passes this budget under these conditions with this amount of political resistance and treachery going on, that’ll be an achievement. A win is a win. Even if it’s a razor-thin win,” he said. Burnett, who’s counting heads, offered no prediction. “It’s gonna be close. Either he’s gonna have to vote for it [to break a tie] or we’re gonna be one or two votes over,” Burnett said. Asked if Johnson could lose the most important Council vote of the year, Burnett said: “I hope not. ... That means we’ve got to find more money. We have to cut more things and raise more taxes. ... Everybody in the city loses if we don’t get it.”Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100In recent weeks, gamers diving into the latest Delta Force release, “Hawk Ops,” have encountered surprising challenges, sparking lively discussions across forums. While the game is lauded for its cutting-edge graphics and immersive storytelling, a new issue has emerged, leading players to question the reliability of certain in-game mechanisms. Innovation Meets Frustration As developers integrate emerging technologies, the game’s AI decision-making has become notably complex. Enthusiasts have observed the AI behaving unpredictably, with characters making questionable tactical decisions during critical missions. This has introduced a real-world problem where an AI’s capacity for adaptation might be overstretching current technological boundaries. The Implications of Advanced AI Delta Force’s “Hawk Ops” serves as a poignant case study in understanding the balance between innovation and practicality. By utilizing advanced AI, the aim was to enhance realism, offering players a richer experience. However, the unpredictable behavior suggests a need for a redesign or recalibration. Industry specialists propose that a hybrid approach might be required, merging AI ingenuity with human oversight to remedy current issues. The Developer Response Acknowledging player concerns, the development team is actively working on patches to address these challenges. They have expressed openness to player feedback, noting that collective insights will inform future updates. As Delta Force navigates these technological seas, the gaming world watches on, eager to see how developers will harmonize next-gen tech with player experience. Delta Force: Hawk Ops – The AI Revolution in Gaming and Its Challenges Unpacking the AI Complexity in Delta Force: Hawk Ops The latest title from the Delta Force franchise, “Hawk Ops,” has both wowed and frustrated players with its cutting-edge technology and complex AI. While the game is praised for its stunning graphics and gripping narratives, the AI’s unpredictable decision-making has left players perplexed. This issue underscores the ongoing struggle in gaming to balance advanced technology with user expectations. Pros and Cons of Advanced AI in Gaming The integration of sophisticated AI in games like “Hawk Ops” aims to enrich the virtual environment by making it more responsive and challenging. However, there are both benefits and downsides to this innovation: Pros: – Enhanced Realism: AI that adapts in real-time offers an unparalleled realism, mimicking human-like behavior. – Dynamic Gameplay: Unpredictable AI can lead to varied gaming experiences, enhancing replayability. Cons: – Unpredictable Outcomes: Players often feel frustrated by AI making nonsensical choices in critical game scenarios. – Increased Complexity: Handling highly sophisticated AI can be daunting, both for developers and players. The Future of AI in Gaming Industry experts predict that future advancements in AI will continue to shape the gaming landscape. Hybrid models, which fuse AI management with human oversight, are seen as a potential solution to current issues. This approach could strike a better balance between innovation and playability, allowing developers to harness AI’s full potential while maintaining control over the user experience. Developer’s Commitment to Improvement The development team behind “Hawk Ops” is keenly aware of the feedback from the gaming community. They are actively working on updates to refine AI behavior, emphasizing community feedback as a pivotal part of the improvement process. This open-dialog approach suggests that future titles will likely benefit from lessons learned with “Hawk Ops.” Looking Ahead: Predictions and Insights In the coming years, gaming is expected to see more seamless AI integration, where game and player interactions will be more fluid and intuitive. Developers are likely to continue exploring new ways to marry AI innovation with engaging game design, ensuring that technology enhances rather than hinders the player experience. For more information on the Delta Force series and its latest innovations, visit NovaLogic .
Rep. Crow concerned over Secret Service "culture of silence" amid Trump probePac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould spent last weekend watching the conference championship games, making mental notes of what she liked and didn’t like, what worked for fans and for TV viewers — all with an eye to December 2026. Will the rebuilt Pac-12 stage its own title game? The answer likely will come in several months. The conference office is discussing the issue with the two current members, Washington State and Oregon State, and the five schools moving over from the Mountain West in the summer of 2026. “The conversations are around what it should look like in the next Pac-12,” Gould said. “It has tremendous value on a lot of levels.” That doesn’t make the renewal of the Pac-12 championship game inevitable. The issue is complex and, to a certain degree, dependent on external factors. Some clarity could begin to emerge next month when the College Football Playoff management committee, which includes all the conference commissioners, meets in Atlanta to discuss the inaugural edition of the 12-team event. There is no codified format for the CFP starting in the fall of 2026. Changes to access — the at-large berths could be reduced or eliminated — might undermine the relevance of the conference championship games. Another possibility: CFP changes make title games critical for some conferences and unnecessary for others. “It’s going to be an interesting conversation,” Gould said. She added that the number of teams in the rebuilt Pac-12 won’t impact the decision. (At least one more football-playing school must be added for 2026 to comply with NCAA rules.) “Brand elevation is really important in the rebuilt conference,” she said. “We don’t want a football championship game that has a bad atmosphere for athletes and bad optics on television. We want it to look, feel and sound like an exciting environment.” Discussions with potential host cities are expected to “accelerate,” she said. “Accessibility for tickets, location, airports, hotels — a lot of variables go into it. We want fans to be able to get there.” The rebuilt conference could stage its championship game on the home field of the higher seed, mirroring the model currently used by the Mountain West. Or the event could be played at a neutral field, as was the case with the Pac-12 championship from 2014-23. “Our Mountain West members haven’t had an event of the caliber we put on,” Gould said. “The experience for the student-athletes is important.” Ultimately, the same force driving the Pac-12’s next expansion move could frame the merits of a championship game: the outcome of media rights negotiations. The conference and its media consultant, Octagon, are discussing a long-term partnership with media companies. Gould prefers multiple partners and content on both linear and streaming platforms. Negotiations could last into the spring. The market will dictate: — Which school(s) receive membership invitations to join the conference for 2026. — The degree to which the rebuilt Pac-12 emphasizes basketball. — The number of conference games on the football schedule and the days of competition. (Expect some games to be played on weekdays.) — The value of a football championship game. Once the media rights piece takes shape, Gould and campus officials will finalize membership plans and the structure of the football season. “Those conversations will inform our decisions,” she said.