‘It’s a nightmare’: Future of Social Security Administration in question as overpayments continuePro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. For all previous Pro Picks, head here . Playoff berths, draft positioning and more are up for grabs in Week 17. There’s going to be plenty of football on television this holiday week with the NFL playing games on five out of six days, starting with a doubleheader on Christmas Day featuring four of the AFC’s top five teams. Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs visit Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday. Then, two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens take on C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. The Bears host the Seahawks on Thursday night and there are three games on Saturday, making Sunday’s schedule light at nine games. The Lions-49ers wrap up the weekend on Monday night. Pro Picks goes for another winning week. Line: Chargers minus 4 The Chargers would clinch a wild-card spot with a victory over the Patriots, who battled hard against the Bills. Los Angeles is 9-2 against the spread as favorites. Justin Herbert is 9-0 ATS in the Eastern time zone in his career. The Patriots have lost eight straight home games in December. BEST BET: CHARGERS: 23-16 Line: Bengals minus 3 Joe Burrow and the Bengals have to win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. They’re favorites for the 12th time this season despite a losing record. The Broncos would clinch a wild-card berth with a win. They’re 11-4 ATS. UPSET SPECIAL: BRONCOS: 23-22 Line: Chiefs minus 3 The Chiefs can set a franchise record for wins in the regular season and wrap up the No. 1 seed along with home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs as they continue their quest for a third straight Super Bowl title. Kansas City got another playmaker when wide receiver Marquise Brown made his season debut. Mahomes is 3-0 with 14 touchdowns and no interceptions in his career vs. Pittsburgh. The scuffling Steelers are trying to snap a two-game losing streak after missing an opportunity to clinch the AFC North. Wide receiver George Pickens should return from a hamstring injury and he’ll open up the passing game for Wilson and the offense. CHIEFS: 24-20 Line: Ravens minus 5 1/2 The Ravens have won five in a row over the Texans, including 34-10 in a divisional playoff game last season. Baltimore can move into first place in the AFC North with a win and loss by Pittsburgh. But Jackson and Derrick Henry face a tough challenge against Houston’s defense. Stroud and the Texans are reeling after losing receiver Tank Dell to a devastating knee injury. RAVENS: 23-19 Line: Seahawks minus 3 1/2 The Seahawks have to win to maintain slim playoff hopes. The Bears have lost nine straight. Geno Smith and Jaxon Smith-Njigba should have a big day against Chicago’s pass defense. SEAHAWKS: 26-20 Line: Rams minus 6 A four-game winning streak has the Rams on the verge of securing the NFC West. Los Angeles aims to avenge a lopsided loss to Arizona in Week 2. The Cardinals were eliminated from the playoffs and are reduced to playing spoiler. With Kyren Williams leading the rushing attack, the Rams don’t have to rely on Matthew Stafford’s passing as much. RAMS: 26-16 Line: Bills minus 10 The Bills will know going in if they have a shot at the AFC’s No. 1 seed. If the Chiefs beat the Steelers and lock it up, Buffalo’s main priority will be keeping Josh Allen and everyone healthy. Still, they can rest in Week 18. After a subpar effort against the Patriots, the Bills can’t take Aaron Rodgers and the Jets lightly. BILLS: 27-16 Line: Raiders minus 1 The Raiders already hurt their draft positioning by beating the Jaguars last week. Another win could further knock them down and negatively impact their quest for a franchise quarterback. But coach Antonio Pierce wants to win and the players don’t care about draft slots. The Saints can’t get to the end of the season fast enough. RAIDERS: 20-16 Line: Buccaneers minus 8 The Panthers have embraced the spoiler role and coach Dave Canales will try to derail his former team’s playoff hopes. Bryce Young keeps improving and Chuba Hubbard is having a career year. The Buccaneers would’ve lost to Carolina last month if Hubbard didn’t fumble in overtime. Baker Mayfield and a turnover-prone offense have to overcome a depleted defense that couldn’t stop Cooper Rush and the Cowboys. BUCCANEERS: 26-20 Line: Jaguars minus 1 The winner of this one really loses because it’ll be costly in the race for draft positioning. TITANS: 19-17 Line: Colts minus 8 The Giants have come too far to lose the No. 1 pick in the draft. The Colts are clinging to slim playoff hopes. Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson combined for 308 yards and four TDs against the Titans. They could have similar results against New York. COLTS: 27-16 Line: Eagles minus 9 1/2 The Cowboys are left to play for a winning record after being eliminated from the playoff race. The Eagles still need a win to secure the NFC East, but are almost locked into the No. 2 seed. If Jalen Hurts can’t play because of a concussion, Dallas has a shot against Kenny Pickett. Saquon Barkley is 268 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. He could have a big day facing the fifth-worst run defense in the NFL. EAGLES: 24-17 Line: Vikings minus 1 The Vikings are two wins away from the NFC’s No. 1 seed with Sam Darnold. Let that sink in. But those won’t be easy victories. Minnesota has to beat Green Bay and then Detroit on the road to win the NFC North and get home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Vikings defeated the Packers 31-29 in Green Bay in September. They’re getting the Packers on short rest off a Monday night rout. The Vikings have been overlooked and underrated. This is a statement game. VIKINGS: 27-22 Line: Dolphins minus 6 1/2 Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins still have slim playoff changes and get an opportunity to win a game in cold weather. A loss helps the Browns hold onto a top-five pick in the draft. DOLPHINS: 25-16 Line: Commanders minus 4 The Falcons regained control of their NFC South hopes when the Buccaneers lost. Now, they have a tough test against the Commanders with Michael Penix Jr. making his second start facing off against Jayden Daniels in another matchup between rookie QBs. Daniels beat Caleb Williams and the Bears earlier this season on a Hail Mary. Washington clinches a playoff berth with a win or a loss by Tampa Bay. COMMANDERS: 24-23 Line: Lions minus 4 The Lions aim to avenge their loss in the NFC championship game, though this matchup lost its luster because the 49ers are eliminated from the playoff race. Detroit clinches the NFC’s No. 1 seed with a win if the Packers beat the Vikings. If Minnesota beats Green Bay, the Lions have to beat the Vikings in Week 18 to win the division and secure the top seed so the result against San Francisco won’t matter. In that case, Dan Campbell could choose to rest some of his starters in preparation for a winner-take-all regular-season finale. LIONS: 26-23 Last week: 12-4. Against spread: 8-7-1 Overall: Straight up: 168-72. Against spread: 131-105-4. Prime-time: Straight up: 39-14. Against spread: 29-23-1. Best Bet: Straight up: 9-7. Against spread: 8-8. Upset Special: Straight up: 9-7. Against spread: 9-7. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
(The Center Square) – Although it remains unclear how many Democratic Senators will vote for the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, some House members in the party have explained why they voted yes, despite a controversial provision restricting military-funded transgender surgeries for minors. The nearly $900 billion bill passed the House 281-140 Wednesday, with 200 Republicans and 81 Democrats voting in favor versus 124 Democrats and 16 Republicans voting against it. Most of the NDAA consists of bipartisan agreements, such as pay raises for service members, strengthened ties with U.S. allies, and funding of new military technology. But a critical point of contention is a Republican addition that would prohibit the military’s health program from covering any gender dysphoria treatments on minors that could "result in sterilization.” The must-pass bill is so critical that nearly 40% of House Democrats voted in favor–but not without expressing their disappointment. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., condemned Republican colleagues who, she said, “chose to sully this bill with political culture wars;” nevertheless, she voted in favor. “While it doesn't address everything we asked for and consider important, including the full ability of parents to make their own decisions about healthcare for their children, it marks a rare moment of productive bipartisan agreement on what is arguably the most crucial legislation we take up as a body each year,” Houlahan said. The bill’s provision does not forbid service members’ children from receiving transgender therapy. It forbids the military’s health insurance provider, TRICARE, from covering treatments on minors that “may result in sterilization.” Reps. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, and Terri Sewell, D-Ala., also voted in favor of the bill despite their displeasure at the ban. “The NDAA is a hugely important bill. We had to pass it, which is why I voted yes,” Landsman posted on X Friday. “However, the anti-trans language that was attached to it was mean and awful and should never have been included.” “I have serious concerns about some remaining provisions that were placed in the bill for political purposes,” Sewell said Wednesday. “Still, the responsibility to support our service members and provide for our national security is one that I do not take lightly, which is why I ultimately chose to support the bill.” Besides the importance of annual military funding, another reason some House Democrats assented to the legislation is because they were successful in axing other House Republican amendments, such as a plan to eliminate reimbursements for service members who travel to obtain abortions. The Senate is expected to pass the bill within the next few days, after which President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law.Members of the Northern Nigeria Christian Political Forum (CNNPF) in Yobe state have received 1000 bags of 25kg rice from the Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to enable the Christian communities celebrate the Christmas and new year. The donation of the food items was in line with the policy of the Renew Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led APC administration aimed at reducing the negative impact of the current economic situation in the country. Distributing the food items in Potiskum COCIN Church, a member of the Christian Northern Nigeria Political Forum (CNNPF), Dr.Yahaya Galo, said this is an exercise from the office of the wife of president of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu where she gave an allocation for Christian in the northern Nigeria to celebrate Christmas being this is the season of Christmas. “The president’s wife allocated 1000 bags of 25kg of rice to all Christian of Yobe state regardless of a person’s denomination. “We appreciated Senator Tinubu for this kind gesture and we prayed that God Almighty her see them through the tenure in office,” he said. He called on anybody in position to assist and put smile on people faces to do that. One of the beneficiaries who stand on behalf of retired pastors and evangelist in Yobe state, Usaku Yaro Kaku,appreciated Senator Oluremi Tinubu for putting the smile on the faces of all Christian in Yobe state.PALO ALTO, Calif. , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Abstract Security announced today that it has partnered with Analytica42 to help organizations easily integrate their data sources with Google SecOps platform for analytics and storage. With the new integration, Abstract Security makes it easier for customers to migrate to Google SecOps through its pipeline management features which eases the burden of data management and routes quality data to the platform. "Analytica42 has built a reputation for delivering exceptional SIEM expertise and data migration services. Partnering with Abstract Security and their advanced pipeline technology is a natural fit. Together, we combine our services with their technology to accelerate and enhance data management and migration solutions for our clients," said Gabriel Martinez , Founder and CEO of Analytica42. Abstract provides over 100 integrations for data sources with industry-leading vendors out of the box, in addition to threat intel feeds and its own in-house ASTRO threat feed. This comprehensive ecosystem enables customers to blend their unique security data with valuable threat intelligence and insights, significantly enhancing their overall security posture and enabling more informed decision-making. Further, Abstract offers customers a fully hosted solution on Google Cloud Platform or the flexibility to deploy into their own cloud environments, giving them complete control over their cybersecurity infrastructure. "The threat landscape is only becoming more challenging, making security data operations increasingly complex, and we are so pleased to offer this partnership with Analytica42 and our integration with Google SecOps since so many of our joint customers utilize Google," said Colby DeRodeff , CEO and co-founder, Abstract Security. "From our inception, our goal has been to offer customers simplified data operations for security and this partnership with Analytica42 focusing on integration and migration is an important step in that direction for us." Abstract's security operations platform delivers analytics that quickly correlate data and delivers actionable insights at the business level, ensuring security teams can focus on what matters most. With Abstract's data pipeline management tool, customers benefit from Abstract's ability to decouple the data sources from data destinations and normalize the data in real time before it reaches a destination. Through this tool, Abstract removes dependency and makes data easily routable to any destination which saves time and money for data storage. Abstract has chosen to work with Analytica42 as a global delivery partner to ensure that the transition to a new environment is seamless with as little disruption as possible. Analytica42 offers many years of experience in the integration and migration of security tools to and from a wide range of SIEMs. This enables customers to unlock their SIEMs full potential, ensuring faster detection, quicker response times & more streamlined workflows. Rather than just simply adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, Analytica42 takes the time to understand the specific requirements, utilizing a comprehensive, pre-built library of use-cases alongside more bespoke solutions to minimize false positives & ensure you have full visibility across your security landscape. About Analytica42 Analytica42, founded by IT and security experts with over two decades of experience, specializes in SIEM/SOAR/CTI enablement, migration, transformation, and co-management. Our expertise spans blue and red team operations, threat research, and advanced development. With a combined 80+ years of experience, our team delivers innovative, customer-focused solutions that enhance security operations and drive long-term success. Through our Velocity approach, we provide tailored solutions for rapid threat detection, mitigation, and response, helping organizations maximize their SIEM and SOAR investments. Analytica42 builds secure foundations for today while ensuring resilience for tomorrow, turning security challenges into opportunities for growth. For more information about the company, please visit www.analytica42.com or follow us on Linkedin . About Abstract Security Abstract Security, founded in 2023, has built a revolutionary platform equipped with an AIpowered assistant to better centralize the management of security analytics. Crafted by category creators and industry veterans known for redefining the cybersecurity landscape, Abstract transcends next-gen SIEM solutions by correlating data in real time between data streams. As a result, compliance and security data can be leveraged separately to increase detection effectiveness and lower costs – an approach that does not currently exist in the market. The leadership team of Colby DeRodeff , Ryan Clough , Aaron Shelmire , Chris Camacho , and Stefan Zier bring a unique set of experiences and backgrounds in product development and company-building expertise, at companies such as ArcSight (acq. by HP), Mandiant (acq. by Google), Palo Alto Networks and Sumo Logic. For more information about the company, please visit https://www.abstract.security/ and follow the journey on LinkedIn and Youtube ! Contact Rich Mullikin 925-354-7444 rich@mullikincommunications.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abstract-security-joins-forces-with-analytica42-to-supercharge-integration-delivery-including-integration-to-google-secops-platform-302332908.html SOURCE Abstract Security Inc
Getting smart about car insurance can provide cost savings and peace of mindT-Mobile announced its Direct-to-Cell Satellite Service beta program with Starlink is open for registration, providing coverage in dead zones within the US. T-Mobile and Starlink have partnered to provide users with satellite-based wireless service in areas where this is no signal from traditional cell towers. The Federal Communications Commission in late November, paving the way for the two companies to begin rolling it out. According to the magenta carrier, registration for the beta program is now open. The company says registration is open to all post-paid T-Mobile customers, including first responders and businesses. Eliminating dead zones with cell towers in space – aka direct-to-cell satellites – is becoming a reality and hit a new milestone today. T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) opened registration for a beta program coming early next year as Un-carrier partner and satellite technology trailblazer, Starlink, continues to launch direct-to-cell satellites into orbit at a rapid pace. “T-Mobile Starlink is the first major low-earth orbit constellation in the world paired with terrestrial cellular spectrum, making the phone in your pocket work in areas of the U.S. that have never, and probably never will, have ground based coverage,” said Mike Katz, President of Marketing, Strategy and Products, T-Mobile. “It’s a truly groundbreaking engineering breakthrough and means that we are one step closer to helping T-Mobile customers have confidence that, no matter where they are, if they can see the sky, they will be covered by T-Mobile.” The initial support will focus on texting, but T-Mobile says voice and data is planned for the future. The company is also prioritizing first responders, given the importance of those agencies and individuals always having coverage. With Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite constellation specifically designed for integration with the T-Mobile terrestrial network, the experience is expected to be much more user friendly than other satellite messaging services currently in market. For example, users will not need to hold their phone up to search for a signal. Both inbound and outbound messages are sent and received just like any other message. The coming beta test marks the next big step for T-Mobile Experience Coverage Beyond, the Un-carrier’s vision to deliver the best service practically everywhere in the continental US, Hawaii, parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico and territorial waters, even outside the signal of T-Mobile’s terrestrial cellular network. Off the grid? No problem. On an airplane, overseas or at the latest baseball game? T-Mobile has you covered. The announcement is good news for T-Mobile customers. Hopefully other carriers will follow suit, especially since Starlink has signaled a willingness to work with any carrier interested in partnering with it.
Thousands of Syrians gathered in Damascus’ main square and a historic mosque for the first Muslim Friday prayers since former President Bashar Assad was overthrown , a major symbolic moment for the country’s dramatic change of power. The rebels are now working to establish security and start a political transition after seizing the capital on Sunday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Friday, pressing ahead with efforts to unify Middle East nations in support of a peaceful political transition in Syria. It’s part of Blinken’s 12th trip to the Mideast since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year in Gaza but his first after Assad was ousted. The U.S. is also making a renewed push for an ceasefire in Gaza, where the war has plunged more than 2 million Palestinians into a severe humanitarian crisis. Israel’s war against Hamas has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The October 2023 attack by Hamas in southern Israel that sparked the war killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 250 others were taken hostage. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Here's the latest: WASHINGTON — The U.S. military has transported out of Syria an American who disappeared seven months ago into former President Bashar Assad’s notorious prison system and was among the thousands released this week by rebels, a U.S. official said Friday. Travis Timmerman was flown out of Syria on a U.S. military helicopter, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation. Timmerman, 29, told The Associated Press he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in Palestine Branch, a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.” Timmerman said he was released Monday morning alongside a young Syrian man and 70 female prisoners, some of whom had their children with them. He had been held separately from Syrian and other Arab prisoners and said he didn’t know of any other Americans held in the facility. — By Lolita C. Baldor THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A Dutch court on Friday rejected a bid from human rights groups to block weapons exports to Israel and trading with the occupied territories, after finding there were sufficient checks already in place to comply with international law. The ten organizations told The Hague District Court last month that they thought the Netherlands was in violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention, drawn up following World War II, by continuing to sell weapons to Israel more than a year into the conflict in Gaza. “The government uses my own tax money, that I pay, to kill my own family. I’ve lost 18 members of my own family,” Ahmed Abofoul, a legal adviser for the pro-Palestinian organization Al-Haq, one of the groups involved in the lawsuit, told the court during a hearing in November . The court ruling said that “it is not up to the interim relief judge to order the state to reconsider government policy. That is primarily a political responsibility.” Lawyers for the government argued it wasn’t up to a judge to decide foreign policy for the Netherlands. The activist groups pointed to several emergency orders from another court, the International Court of Justice, as confirming the obligation to stop weapons sales. In January, the top U.N. court said it was plausible Palestinians were being deprived of some rights protected under the Genocide Convention. The coalition said it will review the court’s ruling and is considering an appeal. CAIRO — Israeli attacks in and around a hospital in northern Gaza wounded three medical staff overnight into Friday and caused damage to the isolated medical facility, according to its director. Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya said Israeli quadcopter drones carrying explosives deliberately targeted the emergency and reception area of Kamal Adwan Hospital, where one doctor was wounded for a third time. Abu Safiya said “relentless” drone and artillery strikes throughout the night exploded “alarmingly close” to the hospital, heavily damaging nearby buildings and destroying most of the water tanks on the hospital’s roof and blowing out doors and windows. Kamal Adwan Hospital in the town of Beit Lahiya has been hit multiple times over the past two months since Israel launched a fierce military operation against Hamas in northern Gaza. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the strikes. “We demand international protection for the hospital and its staff,” Abu Safiya said in a statement released via the U.K.-based aid group Medical Aid for Palestinians, “as well as the entry of delegations with surgical expertise, medical supplies, and essential medications to ensure we can adequately serve the people we are treating.” Abu Safiya said there were 72 wounded patients at the hospital, one of the few medical facilities left in northern Gaza. He said he expected Israeli forces would allow a World Health Organization aid convoy to bring supplies to the hospital on Friday or Saturday, as well as a team of doctors from Indonesia. Israel has allowed almost no humanitarian or medical aid to enter the three besieged communities in northern Gaza — Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun and the urban Jabaliya refugee camp — and ordered tens of thousands to flee to nearby Gaza City. Israeli officials have said the three communities are mostly deserted, but the United Nations humanitarian office said Tuesday it believes around 65,000 to 75,000 people are still there, with little access to food, water, electricity or health care. Experts have warned that the north may be experiencing famine . BAGHDAD — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced stop in Iraq on Friday on his latest visit to the Middle East aimed at stabilizing the situation in Syria to prevent further regional turmoil. Blinken met in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani as part of the hastily arranged trip, his 12th to the region since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year but his first since the weekend ouster of Syrian strongman Bashar Assad. Blinken has already been to Jordan and Turkey on his current tour and will return to the Jordanian city of Aqaba for meetings on Saturday with Arab foreign ministers, Turkey’s foreign minister and the United Nations special envoy for Syria, the U.N. said. Blinken will try to unify support for an inclusive post-Assad transition that does not allow the Islamic State group to take advantage of the political vacuum in Syria and secures suspected chemical weapons stocks. In Baghdad, Blinken underscored “U.S. commitment to the U.S.-Iraq strategic partnership and to Iraq’s security, stability, and sovereignty,” the State Department said. “He will also discuss regional security opportunities and challenges, as well as enduring U.S. support for engagement with all communities in Syria to establish an inclusive transition,” it said in a statement. His trip comes as the Biden administration winds down with just over a month left before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Trump has been highly critical of Biden’s approach to the Middle East and skeptical of the U.S. military presence in both Iraq and Syria. The U.S. and Iraq agreed in September to wrap up U.S.-led military operations against the Islamic State group in Iraq next year, although Assad’s ouster and the potential for the group taking advantage of a political vacuum in Syria could complicate the timing of the withdrawal, according to American officials. DAMASCUS — The kingdom of Bahrain sent a message Friday to Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It said Bahrain is “fully prepared to consult with you continuously and to provide support in regional and international organizations to achieve what is in the interest of the brotherly Syrian people.” It added, “We look forward to Syria regaining its authentic role in the Arab League.” Bahrain is the current head of the Arab summit. Syria was readmitted to the Arab League last year after 12 years of ostracization. It is still unclear how the international community will deal officially with the new interim government in Syria. JERUSALEM - Israel’s defense minister told troops to prepare to remain through the winter months on the peak of Mount Hermon, Syria’s highest point, located in a swath of southern Syria that Israeli troops moved into after the fall of Damascus to insurgents. The comments by Defense Minister Israel Katz signaled that the military will extend its occupation of the zone along the border, which Israel says it seized to create a buffer zone. In a statement Friday, Katz said that holding the peak was of major importance for Israel’s security and that it would be necessary to build facilities there to sustain troops through the winter. The summit of Mount Hermon, the highest peak on the eastern Mediterranean coast at 2,814 meters (9,232 feet), gives a commanding view over the plains of southern Syria. It also positions Israeli troops about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the center of Damascus. The mount is divided between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Lebanon and Syria. Only the United States recognizes Israel’s control of the Golan Heights. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israeli troops would remain in the zone until another force across the border in Syria could guarantee security. Israeli troops moved into the zone -– set as a demilitarized area inside Syrian territory under truce deals that ended the 1973 Mideast war -- after the regime of Bashar al-Assad fell last weekend. ANKARA, Turkey -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday there was “broad agreement” between Turkey and the United States on what they would like to see in Syria following the ouster of President Bashar Assad. “There’s broad agreement on what we would like to see going forward, starting with the interim government in Syria, one that is inclusive and non-sectarian and one that protects the rights of minorities and women” and does not “pose any kind of threat to any of Syria’s neighbors,” Blinken said in joint statements with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The insurgent groups that toppled Assad in Syria have not made clear their policy or stance on Israel, whose military in recent days has bombed sites all over the country, saying it is trying to prevent weapons from falling into extremist hands. Blinken also said it was crucial to keep the Islamic State group under control. “We also discussed the imperative of continuing the efforts to keep ISIS down. Our countries worked very hard and gave a lot over many years to ensure the elimination of the territorial caliphate of ISIS to ensure that that threat doesn’t rear its head again,” Blinken said. The Turkish foreign minister said the two discussed ways of establishing prosperity in Syria and ending terrorism in the country. “Our priority is establishing stability in Syria as soon as possible, preventing terrorism from gaining ground, and ensuring that IS and the PKK aren’t dominant,” Fidan said, in a reference to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party. Blinken said: “We’re very focused on Syria, very focused on the opportunity that now is before us and before the Syrian people to move from out from under the shackles of Bashar al-Assad to a different and better future for the Syrian people, one that the Syrian people decide for themselves.” Blinken and Fidan said they had also discussed a ceasefire for Gaza. “We’ve seen in the last couple of weeks more encouraging signs that (a ceasefire) is possible,” Blinken said. Blinken, who is making his 12th trip to the Mideast since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year but first since the weekend ouster of Assad, met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan late Thursday. The outgoing Biden administration is particularly concerned that a power vacuum in Syria could exacerbate already heightened tensions in the region, which is already wracked by multiple conflicts, and create conditions for the Islamic State group to regain territory and influence. Later Friday, Blinken is to return to Jordan for meetings on Saturday with Arab foreign ministers and senior officials from the European Union, the Arab League and the United Nations. ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey has appointed a temporary charge d’affaires to reopen its embassy in Syria, Turkey’s state-run news agency reported. The Turkish Embassy in Damascus had suspended operations in 2012 due to the escalating security problems during the Syrian civil war and embassy staff and their families were recalled to Turkey. The Anadolu Agency said late Thursday that Turkey appointed Burhan Koroglu, its ambassador in Mauritania, to the post. UNITED NATIONS- – Two U.N. aid convoys were violently attacked in Gaza, making it virtually impossible for humanitarian agencies to operate without putting staff and civilians at risk, the U.N. food agency says. On Wednesday, a 70-truck convoy from Kerem Shalom was waiting for personnel to safeguard the food and other aid destined for central Gaza when there were reported attacks by Israeli forces in the nearby humanitarian zone, the U.N. World Food Program said Thursday. More than 50 people are now estimated to have died in the attacks, including civilians and local security personnel who had been expected to ensure the convoy’s safety, WFP said. The Rome-based agency said the convoy was forced to proceed from Kerem Shalom to central Gaza without any security arrangements, using the Philadelphi corridor, an Israeli-controlled route that had been recently approved and successfully utilized twice. On the way, WFP said, conflict and insecurity led to a loss of communication with the convoy for more than 12 hours. ”Eventually, the trucks were found but all food and aid supplies were looted,” the U.N. agency said. In a second incident, Israeli soldiers approached a WFP convoy moving out of the Kissufim crossing into central Gaza, fired warning shots, conducted extensive security checks, and temporarily detained drivers and staff, the agency said. “As the trucks were delayed, four out of the five trucks were lost to violent armed looting,” WFP said. UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations chief has a message for Israel: Stop the attacks on Syria. Secretary-General António Guterres is particularly concerned about several hundred Israeli airstrikes on several Syrian locations and stresses “the urgent need to de-escalate violence on all fronts throughout the country," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Thursday. The Israeli military said Tuesday it carried out more than 350 strikes in Syria over the previous 48 hours, hitting “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in the country to stop them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also acknowledged pushing into a buffer zone inside Syria following last week’s overthrow of President Bashar Assad. The buffer zone was established after Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1973 war. Dujarric said Guterres condemns all actions violating the 1974 ceasefire agreement between the two countries that remain in force. And the U.N. chief calls on the parties to uphold the agreement and end “all unauthorized presence in the area of separation” and refrain from any action undermining the ceasefire and stability in the Golan Heights, the spokesman said.ENID, Okla. — The father-son team of Jaren and Lester Browne has made history by becoming the only U.S. Department of Agriculture-certified beef jerky processing plant in the country to operate from a business incubator, setting a rare national standard. “We are incredibly proud of what Jaren and Lester have accomplished,” said Meredith Westfahl, Strate Business Center manager. “Their achievement is not only unique to Oklahoma but to the entire country, and it’s a shining example of what entrepreneurs can achieve with the right resources and support.” Jaren’s Jerky is a tenant of the Strate Business Center incubator. The adventure into the jerky business happened when Jaren wanted to work for himself and attempt to pay for his college education at Oklahoma State University. He is making it happen with hard work and the help of his father and partner Lester. Achieving USDA certification is a rigorous process that signifies the highest commitment to food safety, quality and compliance. Jaren’s Jerky’s success is a testament to the Brownes' dedication to excellence and their determination to bring top-quality beef jerky to a broader market, Westfahl said. The Strate Business Center at Autry Technology Center has played a key role in Jaren’s Jerky’s journey, offering guidance, mentorship and access to a state-of-the-art facility. This achievement underscores the value of business incubators in empowering startups to reach new heights and overcome challenges in competitive industries, Westfahl. "Jaren’s Jerky’s success paves the way for other startups to follow in their footsteps,” she said. With USDA certification now in hand, Jaren’s Jerky is poised for significant expansion, bringing their beef jerky to more consumers, Westfahl said. For more information about Jaren’s Jerky, go online to https://jarensjerky.com . For the resources available at Autry Tech’s Strate Business Center, go online to autrytech.edu or contact Westfahl at mwestfahl@autrytech.edu .
By Associated Press TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida State has its quarterback for next season, and the Seminoles are counting on this college journeyman working out better than their previous one. Former Boston College standout Thomas Castellanos officially signed with FSU on Friday. The 5-foot-9 Georgia native started 20 games for the Eagles over the last two seasons, throwing for 3,614 yards and 33 touchdowns. He also ran for 1,307 yards and 15 scores. But he was injured and then benched in a game in early November. Five days later, he announced plans to enter the transfer portal and was not with the team for its final three regular-season games. The Eagles went 2-1 without him. Castellanos replaces DJ Uiagalelei, another two-time transfer who played just five games in 2024 before missing most of the season with a hand injury. The Seminoles (2-10) also started Brock Glenn and freshman Luke Kromenhoek, a former top recruit who reportedly is entering the transfer portal. None of those QBs proved effective as FSU ranked 132nd in total offense out of 134 teams. “Thomas Castellanos is one of the most dynamic playmakers in college football,” Seminoles coach Mike Norvell said . “He will be a great addition with his ability on the field, and he will be a tremendous complement to our roster as we bring this program back to the Florida State standard.” Castellanos spent his freshman season at UCF, where current FSU offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn was the head coach. That relationship surely helped get Castellanos to Tallahassee. Get the latest Boston sports news Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. Be civil. Be kind.
SHAREHOLDER ALERT MNTX, PDCO, FLIC, ML: The M&A Class Action Firm Launches Legal InquiryDOVER, Del. (AP) — A Delaware judge has reaffirmed her ruling that Tesla must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick on Monday denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. McCormick also rejected an equally unprecedented and massive , who argued that they were entitled to legal fees in the form of Tesla stock valued at more than $5 billion. The judge said the attorneys were entitled to a fee award of $345 million. The rulings came in a lawsuit filed by a Tesla stockholder who challenged Musk’s 2018 compensation package. McCormick concluded in January that Musk engineered the landmark pay package in with directors who were not independent. The compensation package initially carried a potential maximum value of about $56 billion, but that sum has fluctuated over the years based on Tesla’s stock price. Following the original court ruling, Tesla shareholders Musk’s 2018 pay package for a second time, again by an overwhelming margin. Defense attorneys then argued that the second vote makes clear that Tesla shareholders, with full knowledge of the flaws in the 2018 process that McCormick pointed out, were adamant that Musk is entitled to the pay package. They asked the judge to vacate her order directing Tesla to rescind the pay package. McCormick, who seemed skeptical of the defense arguments during an August hearing, said in Monday’s ruling that those arguments were fatally flawed. “The large and talented group of defense firms got creative with the ratification argument, but their unprecedented theories go against multiple strains of settled law,” McCormick wrote in a 103-page opinion. The judge noted, among other things, that a stockholder vote standing alone cannot ratify a conflicted-controller transaction. “Even if a stockholder vote could have a ratifying effect, it could not do so here due to multiple, material misstatements in the proxy statement,” she added. Musk expressed his disagreement with the ruling in a post on X, the social media platform he owns. “Shareholders should control company votes, not judges,” he wrote. Meanwhile, McCormick found that the $5.6 billion fee request by the shareholder’s attorneys, which at one time approached $7 billion based on Tesla’s trading price, went too far. “In a case about excessive compensation, that was a bold ask,” McCormick wrote. Attorneys for the Tesla shareholder argue that their work resulted in the “massive” benefit of returning shares to Tesla that otherwise would have gone to Musk and diluted the stock held by other Tesla investors. They value that benefit at $51.4 billion, using the difference between the stock price at the time of McCormick’s January ruling and the strike price of some 304 million stock options granted to Musk. While finding that the methodology used to calculate the fee request was sound, the judge noted that the Delaware’s Supreme Court has noted that fee award guidelines “must yield to the greater policy concern of preventing windfalls to counsel.” “The fee award here must yield in this way, because $5.6 billion is a windfall no matter the methodology used to justify it,” McCormick wrote. A fee award of $345 million, she said, was “an appropriate sum to reward a total victory.” The fee award amounts to almost exactly half the in legal fees awarded in 2008 in litigation stemming from the collapse of Enron. Randall Chase, The Associated Press
Leanne Belch has a very simple wish for the festive season this year. "I’m just hoping that we can get through Christmas without Amber being readmitted to hospital", she says, referring to her five-year-old daughter. Amber has had to undergo 29 surgeries since birth due to suffering from both spina bifida and hydrocephalus - which builds up fluid in her brain. Despite spending last Christmas undergoing skull expansion surgery - where doctors created more room in her head to try and ease the painful headaches she suffered from - Amber has this year started primary school as scheduled. For Leanne and her partner Paul, life has been a "rollercoaster" since Amber was diagnosed with spina bifida while still in the womb. "I was told 80% of parents who got this diagnosis then terminated the pregnancy because the outcome wasn’t very good at all," she recalls. "Even though I was only 22 weeks I could feel her moving about inside me and I thought I cannot go through with the termination – it was like she was telling me not to give up on her yet, she still had a chance." Leanne, who has two other children, Lalia and Emma, decided to go ahead with the birth. But Amber arrived a month ahead of schedule via an emergency caesarean delivery. Immediately, she was whisked off to intensive care. "Her spinal cords were in a bubble hanging outside her back and they had to do her first surgery within 48 hours" says Leanne, who lives in East Kilbride. "They put her spinal cords back in her back and had to close her back up again. She was so fragile. They had actually lost her heartbeat just before the c-section and had been touch and go at the delivery." After seven days, Amber was undergoing a second surgery - this time to place a shunt in her head to try and drain away the fluid that had been building up. The shunts have regularly failed since Amber was born, meaning she has endured repeated surgeries try and fit her with one that worked. For Leanne, 39, what should have been a joyful celebration instead became a whirlwind of emotions. "I completely broke down in hospital. I was so scared and couldn’t cope – I have another two girls and I had so much mum guilt about leaving them while I was in hospital." Leanne told BBC Scotland News that she felt she was left to get on with things by herself, which took a considerable toll on her. Yet she "turned the corner" when she discovered the Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland support group, which led her to meet parents of other children with spina bifida and to have access to support workers, who helped her adjust. "The first thing someone there said to me was ‘congratulations on the birth of your daughter’. She was the first person who had said that to me since Amber was born. "It just made me really emotional hearing that." The surgeries have continued to mount up for Amber, although initial concern that she could have brain damage proved unfounded. However Amber has developed into a girl described by her mum as "a social butterfly", one who is always curious and wanting to know every detail about people she meets. She is also close to big sister Lalia, who's "like her second mum". "Amber is absolutely hilarious," laughs Leanne. "She’s so cheeky and sassy. You never know what she’ll come out with next." Last December Amber and her family experienced one of their toughest periods, when her hydrocephalus caused her to suffer painful headaches and vomiting. Doctors were concerned that the fluid in her brain was reaching such dangerous levels that Amber would start to lose her sight. That led to the five-year-old undergoing skull expansion surgery, which widened her skull by 2cm all around her head. The procedure was "traumatic" for both Amber and her mum, as it saw two metal rods placed in her head and then rotated for 10 days. "During the surgery for the skill expansion, they had to shave her head," recalls Leanne. "I just burst out crying, as I knew what it would mean. Amber had long hair and was going through enough without having to wake up being bald. "Whenever she caught her reflection afterwards she would start crying. That was really hard, I found that really tough – she couldn’t look in a mirror for months." Yet the past year has brought positives as well. Leanne and Paul discussed holding Amber back a year from starting school as she recovered from the surgery, but she improved quickly after returning home in January this year. Leanne tried to keep her daughter's spirits up, while Amber took inspiration from a Barbie doll given to her by a family friend - the toy was in a wheelchair while Leaane's friend had removed the hair, letting Amber "see herself" in the toy. Such positive backing meant that in August Amber was able to start attending Long Calderwood Primary school. She continues to attend meet-ups organised by Spina Bifida Scotland, where Leanne says she is "beaming with happiness." The charity's support is part of the reason why Leanne has taken on fund-raising for the charity, who are launching a Christmas appeal this week. Leanne has her own Christmas plans too, and hopes this year is memorable for the right reasons. "We’ve booked a trip to Aviemore on Christmas Eve, because last year we were all split up from each other, she says. "I just want to make this year really special, because I feel you never know what’s in the future."Getting smart about car insurance can provide cost savings and peace of mindSrinagar, Dec 13: Max Super Specialty Hospital, Dwarka, has announced the launch of its multi-specialty OPD services for neurosurgery and orthopaedic care in collaboration with Kashmir Clinics Group in Srinagar. The OPD services were conducted in the presence of Dr (Prof) Sumit Sinha, Principal Director & Unit Head – Neurosurgery and Dr Deepak Raina, Senior Director & Unit Head Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement from Max Super Specialty Hospital, Dwarka. The doctors will be available at Kashmir Clinics Group , situated near Karan Nagar, Srinagar, first Wednesday of every month from 11 am – 1 pm (Dr Prof Sumit Sinha) and first Wednesday of every month from 11 am – 1 pm (Dr Deepak Raina) During the OPD launch, Dr (Prof) Sumit Sinha, Principal Director & Unit Head – Neurosurgery, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Dwarka said, “With the launch of this OPD service, we are bringing top-quality neurosurgical care to Srinagar, a city where access to advanced medical infrastructure and expertise for high-end procedures like microscopic, endoscopic, and robotic surgeries has been limited. Today, minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic and robotic surgeries are revolutionising treatment by ensuring better outcomes, quicker recovery, and minimal blood loss. Through this OPD launch, we aim to provide advanced medical support to patients in Srinagar and nearby regions, offering safe and effective solutions even for the most complex and delicate conditions.” Dr Deepak Raina, Senior Director & Unit Head Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Dwarka said, “With this OPD launch, we aim to bring Max Hospital, Dwarka’s renowned orthopedic care closer to the people of Srinagar. Joint-related issues, such as pain, stiffness, limited mobility, sports injuries and post-traumatic arthritis caused by injuries or accidents, can significantly impact quality of life. Leveraging advancements in technology like robotics surgery and arthroscopic surgeries, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatments can effectively relieve pain, support healing, and restore joint function. This OPD launch seeks to improve access to specialised orthopedic care, delivering better health outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for patients in Srinagar and surrounding areas.” “Max Hospital, Dwarka is committed to delivering patient-centric care, leveraging cutting-edge technology, and fostering collaborations to ensure the well-being of individuals across different regions.”
How digitalisation is transforming trade in Africa
NO. 20 TEXAS A&M 81, RUTGERS 77"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.The Michigan Wolverines defeated the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, 13-10, in Week 14, securing a massive upset against their rival. Michigan and Ohio State played in their 120th meeting between the program's in Week 14. What's notably called "The Game" by fans and media personnel has been deemed one of the best rivalries in sports for decades. While the series has often gone back and forth, that hasn't been the case the past few years. Michigan's win in 2024 marked the programs fourth straight win against Ohio State, all of which came under Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day. Following the game on Saturday, a brawl between both programs ensued at the middle of the field when the Wolverines attempted to plant their flag on Ohio State's logo. As players got involved in a postgame fight, Day looked on in disbelief. He seemed to be completely distraught after the Buckeyes fell to 10-2 on the season. The video of Day's reaction has received nearly 150k views an hour after the release of the post. Ryan Day looks on after a fight breaks out between Michigan and Ohio State pic.twitter.com/doGNxOlZdy Some fans commented on Day's reaction to the brawl after the game, having mixed opinion about the Buckeyes heads coach. "How are you the coach and not go get your players after a brawl breaks out lol," said one fan . "He’s sick to his stomach," said one fan with a laughing emoji. "Soaking it all in. Final home game for him at Ohio State before he's fired," mentioned one fan . "More action here than the game," commented one fan . "Not even trying to tell his players to head to the locker room. Nice," said one fan . "Way to get in there and get your team back to the locker room coach," said another fan . Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Buckeyes have been in the driver's seat for much of the 2024 season, but the Week 14 loss means Ohio State no longer controls its own destiny. The Oregon Ducks have already punched a ticket to the Big Ten title game. The last three teams competing for a spot include Ohio State, Penn State and Indiana. Related: Urban Meyer Doesn't Hesitate When Naming the Best Rivalry in College Football Related: Historic College Football Stadium Blanketed in Snow on Saturday
For travelers, Puerto Rico is a floating island of desirabilityMajor League Soccer's Vancouver Whitecaps today confirmed that the team is for sale. Majority owner Greg Kerfoot owns the team with Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett, and Steve Nash. Kerfoot acquired the team in 2002 and then put together the ownership group in 2008. The four were awarded an MLS franchise the following year and saw the team play in North America's premier soccer league starting in 2011. "This decision comes after careful consideration of the club’s journey and reflection on what is required to ensure its continued growth and success,” the team said in a news release. The team added that the Whitecaps have grown to become "a staple of MLS, reaching seventh in league attendance, doubling season ticket memberships over the past two years, and qualifying for the MLS Cup Playoffs in three of the past four seasons." It added that the current ownership has built a solid foundation for the team and that "it is the right time for an owner with the platform, resources and ambition to enhance the club’s ability to compete at the highest levels of MLS and steward the club in realizing its significant potential." The league confirmed the news and praised the team's owners. “The Vancouver Whitecaps would not be where they are today without the vision and commitment of this exceptional ownership group,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber in a statement. “The Whitecaps are a terrific club in a world-class city. On behalf of everyone at Major League Soccer, I want to thank them for their tremendous contributions and look forward to working with them to identify new ownership for the club.” Kerfoot said today in a statement on behalf of the ownership group that it has been "committed to transforming our local soccer club into a significant contributor to our community.” He added, "It is gratifying to see how meaningful the Whitecaps have become to so many, and to have been able to contribute to the growth of a vibrant and thriving soccer community in Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, British Columbia, and beyond.” He thanked what he called "the passionate MLS supporters, academy development teams and players, the thousands of kids who attend camps, and the groups we support in nurturing the game in so many places have all proven out our belief in Vancouver as a first-class soccer market. The future of the Vancouver Whitecaps is bright.”
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Anthony Scaramucci , who briefly served as White House communications director during President-elect Donald Trump ‘s first term, sees promise in Trump’s proposed Cabinet but fears that Trump’s mass deportation plan could have severe economic repercussions . What Happened : During a Friday interview, Scaramucci commended Trump’s intention to nominate Scott Bessent , a billionaire hedge-fund manager, for Treasury secretary. He characterized Bessent as an “extremely intelligent individual” who would be a “reliable figure at Treasury.” Scaramucci also showed support for Trump’s naming Susie Wiles as White House Chief of Staff and intention to nominate Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) for Secretary of State and Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) for National Security Adviser, labeling them as “astute, practical selections.” But during the discussion with iNews, Scaramucci expressed apprehension about Trump’s deportation plan, which could potentially expel up to 20 million individuals, including those born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants. He is worried that the execution of such a plan could lead to catastrophic economic outcomes. "I think Trump's barometric pressure of how well he's doing is the stock market. So, if you're telling me he's going to start to deport people and ratchet up tariffs, we're going to have a stock market crash," he said during the interview. "The U.S. stock market is saying that Trump's going to run the country like a centrist, moderate, center-right, Republican president. That's what the U.S. stock market is saying. The U.S. stock market is not taking the rhetoric around tariffs and deportations seriously. So, some of the picks have helped me become more optimistic," he added. Also Read: Scaramucci On Trump Win: ‘I Got It Wrong, I’m Not Going To Whine About It’ Scaramucci also conveyed his hope that Trump’s threat to enforce new tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada will not come to pass, as it could trigger a stock market collapse. Despite his reservations, Scaramucci maintains a positive outlook on the future of Trump’s administration, primarily due to the tempering effect of his cabinet choices. Why It Matters : The appointment of a new cabinet and the potential implementation of a mass deportation plan could have significant implications for the U.S. economy. Scaramucci’s comments highlight the importance of these decisions and their potential impact on the country’s economic stability. His optimism about the cabinet appointments suggests confidence in their ability to guide the country effectively. However, his concerns about the deportation plan and potential tariffs underscore the potential risks these policies pose to the economy. Read Next Scaramucci: ‘Trump Is In Trouble And He Knows It' This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Dominic Zvada kicked a 21-yard field goal with 45 seconds left and Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday, likely ending the Buckeyes ’ hopes of returning to the Big Ten title game. Late in the game, Kalel Mullings broke away for a 27-yard run, setting up the Wolverines (7-5, 5-4) at Ohio State’s 17-yard line with two minutes remaining. The drive stalled at the 3, and Zvada came on for the chip shot. Ohio State (10-2, 7-2, No. 2 CFP) got the ball back but couldn’t move it, with Will Howard throwing incomplete on fourth down to seal the Wolverines’ fourth straight win over their bitter rival. This loss might have been the toughest of those four for Ohio State because the Wolverines were unranked and were wrapping up a disappointing season. The Buckeyes were supposed to win, but records rarely mean much when these two teams meet. Ohio State needs No. 4 Penn State and No. 10 Indiana to lose later Saturday in order to make it into the Big Ten title game next week. No. 7 TENNESSEE 36, VANDERBILT 23 NASH.VILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nico Iamaleava threw for 257 yards and four touchdowns rallying No. 7 Tennessee from a 14-point deficit within the first five minutes to rout in-state rival Vanderbilt. The Volunteers (10-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference; No. 8 CFP) needed a big victory to impress the College Football Playoff committee enough to earn a home playoff game in December. They beat Vanderbilt (6-6, 3-5) for a sixth straight season. Better yet, they rebounded from a nightmare start giving up the first 14 points by scoring 29 straight points. They led 24-17 at halftime on Iamaleava’s first three TD passes. Junior Sherrill returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown for Vanderbilt to stun a mostly orange crowd. Dylan Sampson fumbled on the Vols’ second play from scrimmage, and Sedrick Alexanader’s 4-yard TD run on a 26-yard drive put Vandy up 14-0 quickly. No. 16 SOUTH CAROLINA 17, No. 12 CLEMSON 14 CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — LaNorris Sellers’ 20-yard touchdown run with 1:08 to play gave No. 16 South Carolina its sixth straight win, a victory over 12th-ranked Clemson. Sellers, a freshman in his first season as starter, finished with 166 yards rushing and two scores as the Gamecocks (9-3, 4-1 SEC, No. 15 CFP) continued a run that has seen them defeat four ranked opponents this month. Clemson (9-3, 5-2 ACC, No. 12) drove to the South Carolina 18 with 16 seconds left — well within reach of a tying field goal — when Cade Klubnik was intercepted by Demetrius Knight Jr. The Gamecocks, who were 3-3 after losing at Alabama in mid-October, have given the College Football Playoff selection committee plenty to consider with their second-half charge. Much of the credit goes to the maturing Sellers, who has played with poise under most circumstances. He shook off an early fumble and a late interception in this one as South Carolina won its second straight at rival Clemson. No. 22 ILLINOIS 38, NORTHWESTERN 28 CHICAGO (AP) — Aidan Laughery rushed for three touchdowns and No. 22 Illinois topped Northwestern to reach nine victories for the first time since its 2007 Rose Bowl season. Pat Bryant dashed in to score off Luke Altmyer’s 43-yard pass early in the third quarter as Illinois (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten) struck for touchdowns just over 4 minutes apart early in the third quarter to open a 28-10 lead in what had been a tight game. Altmyer, who threw for 170 yards, had a TD himself on a keeper from the 1-yard line early in the second quarter. David Olano added a field goal in the fourth to cap Illinois’ scoring. Laughery, a sophomore running back, rushed for a career-best 172 yards and topped 100 for the first time. He entered with only one TD this season and two for his career. He had a career-long 64-yard run for a score early in the second half. Northwestern’s Devin Turner intercepted Altmyer twice, including for a 13-yard touchdown return late in the first quarter. Thomas Gordon caught Jack Lausch’s 15-yard TD pass with a minute left, then the Wildcats added a two-point conversion to complete the scoring. No. 25 ARMY 29, UTSA 24 WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — Bryson Daily tied the American Athletic Conference record for single-season touchdowns and threw for a season-high 190 yards and a score to lift No. 25 Army to a 29-24 win over UTSA. Army (10-1) finished the regular season 8-0 in the AAC and earned the right to host the championship game on Friday. Daily rushed for 147 yards, his academy-record ninth straight 100-yard game, and two touchdowns. Casey Larkin sealed Army’s 10th victory of the season, picking off Owen McCown at the Black Knights’ 10 with 1:14 left. Daily scored his conference-tying 25th rushing touchdown, a 42-yard run on the second play following Matteson’s pick with 10:26 remaining in the game Army finished its regular-season home schedule with a perfect 6-0 record. UTSA fell to 0-6 away from the Alamodome.
