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DAMASCUS, Syria — Israel carried out a wave of heavy airstrikes across Syria as its troops advanced deeper into the country, a Syrian opposition war monitor said Tuesday, and the Israeli defense minister announced that his forces had destroyed Syria’s navy. Israel acknowledged pushing into a buffer zone inside Syria following the overthrow of President Bashar Assad. But it remained unclear if its soldiers had gone beyond that area, which was established more than 50 years ago. Israel denied that it was advancing on the Syrian capital of Damascus. The Israeli military said Tuesday that it carried out more than 350 strikes in Syria over the last 48 hours, hitting “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in the country to stop them from falling into the hands of extremists. The targets included air defense systems, military airfields, missile depots and dozens of weapons production sites in Damascus and other cities. Associated Press reporters in the capital heard heavy airstrikes overnight and into Tuesday morning. Israeli missile ships also simultaneously struck two Syrian navy facilities, where the military said 15 Syrian naval vessels were docked. Israel did not specify how many Syrian naval vessels it struck, but the private security firm Ambrey said it had seen evidence that at least six Soviet-era Syrian navy missile ships had been hit. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel intended to establish a demilitarized zone in southern Syria. Speaking at a navy base in Haifa, Katz said the army will create “defense zone free of weapons and terrorist threats in southern Syria, without a permanent Israeli presence, in order to prevent terrorism in Syria from taking root.” He gave few details on what that entailed, but warned Syria’s rebels that “whoever follows Assad’s path will end up like Assad. We will not allow an extremist Islamic terrorist entity to act against Israel.” In an area where so many geopolitical lines are packed closely together, any military movement can spark regional fears. It is barely 25 miles (60 kilometers) from Damascus to the buffer zone, and only a few more miles to Israeli territory. There was no immediate comment from the insurgent groups — led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS – that have taken control of much of the country. Their lightning advance brought an end to the Assad family’s half-century rule after nearly 14 years of civil war, leaving many questions about what comes next . Members of the ousted Syrian government will gradually transfer power to a new transitional cabinet headed by Mohammed al-Bashir, who reportedly headed the rebel alliance's “salvation government” in its southwest Syrian stronghold. Outgoing officials met for the first time Tuesday with al-Bashir, who told reporters that the transitional period would last until the beginning of March. ‘Damascus is more beautiful now’ Life in the capital is slowly returning to normal after the overthrow of Assad, who fled the country over the weekend and has been granted political asylum in Russia . Private banks reopened on instructions from the central bank, said Sadi Ahmad, who runs a branch in the upscale Abu Rummaneh neighborhood. He said all his employees returned to work. Shops also reopened in the city's ancient Hamidiyeh market, where armed men and civilians could be seen buying perfume and ice cream. A clothing shop owner, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution, said he hoped vendors would no longer have to pay bribes to security officials. At Bakdash, a famous ice cream shop, a poster outside read: “Welcome to the rebels of free Syria. Long live free Syria.” “Damascus is more beautiful now," said Maysoun Qurabi, who was shopping in the market. “It has a soul, and people feel at ease and secure.” Under Assad, she said, “people were hungry and scared. The regime was strong." Syrians across the city celebrated the fall of Assad, and hoped for an end to the relentless bribery demands that governed much of life. “We are happy to get rid of the corrupt regime," said Abdul-Jalil Diab, who was strolling through a square in western Damascus with his brothers. Diab said he was living in Jordan until the city fell, studying German in hopes of moving to Germany. Now he is reconsidering those plans. “The whole country feels better,” he said. Israeli incursion draws condemnation In the immediate aftermath of Assad's fall, Israeli forces moved into a roughly 400-square-kilometer (155-square-mile) buffer zone inside Syria that was established after the 1973 Mideast war, a move it said was taken to prevent attacks on its citizens. Israel has a long history of seizing territory during wars with its neighbors and occupying it indefinitely , citing security concerns. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally, except by the United States. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has closely tracked the conflict since the civil war erupted in 2011, said Israel has carried out more than 300 airstrikes across the country since the rebels overthrew Assad. The Observatory, and Beirut-based Mayadeen TV, which has reporters in Syria, said Israeli troops are advancing up the Syrian side of the border with Lebanon and had come within 25 kilometers (15 miles) of Damascus, which the Israeli military denied. Israel denies advancing toward Damascus Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesperson, said “reports circulating in the media about the alleged advancement of Israeli tanks towards Damascus are false.” He said Israeli troops are stationed within the buffer zone in order to protect Israel. Israel's military had previously said troops would enter the buffer zone “and several other places necessary for its defense.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later confirmed the airstrikes, saying they aimed to destroy the toppled government’s leftover “military capabilities,” and said Israel wants relations with the new government in Syria. He spoke in a video statement recorded after his first day of testimony in his corruption trial . Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia have condemned Israel’s incursion, accusing it of exploiting the disarray in Syria and violating international law. Turkey, which has been a main backer of the Syrian opposition to Assad, also condemned Israel’s advance. The Turkish Foreign Ministry accused Israel of“displaying a mentality of an occupier” at a time when the possibility of peace and stability had emerged in Syria. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Monday said Israel's incursion constitutes a violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement and called on both Israel and Syria to uphold it.Monday Night Football tonight: New FanDuel promo code provides upgraded $150 betting bonus
Browns restructure QB Deshaun Watson's contract to create cap space, flexibility, AP source says BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have again restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson's massive contract to create salary-cap space and give them future flexibility, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press on Friday. Tom Withers, The Associated Press Dec 27, 2024 1:43 PM Dec 27, 2024 2:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) in action during the NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File) BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have again restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson's massive contract to create salary-cap space and give them future flexibility, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press on Friday. Watson has been limited to just 19 games in three seasons because of an NFL suspension and injuries with the Browns, who signed him to a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract in 2022. The restructuring allows the team to spread out the salary-cap hit after the 2026 season, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team does not disclose contract specifics. The 29-year-old Watson has two years remaining on his contract with an average of $46 million a year. The move to restructure his deal will not preclude the Browns from adding talent at the quarterback position in 2025, the person said. Watson played in only seven games this season before suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon. He's 9-10 as a starter with Cleveland. The Browns (3-12) have been a major disappointment this season after making it to the playoffs a year ago behind Joe Flacco, who was signed as a free agent after Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Watson had surgery in October and is expected to make a full recovery. While the team hasn't disclosed its plans at quarterback, it's assumed Watson will be in the mix to be the starter next season. It's also possible the Browns will draft a quarterback in the first round. The team hasn't had a first-round pick the past three years after trading three to the Houston Texans to acquire Watson, who was once considered one of the league's elite QBs. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Tom Withers, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Kicker Greg Zuerlein set to return for Jets, wide receiver Davante Adams optimistic about playing Dec 27, 2024 2:01 PM Injured Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts won't play Sunday against Dallas Dec 27, 2024 1:27 PM Seahawks' defense dominates in low-scoring win over Bears Dec 27, 2024 1:21 PM
They say you learn more from failure than success. If so, this is the story for you: MIT Technology Review's annual roll call of the biggest flops, flimflams, and fiascos in all domains of technology. Some of the foul-ups were funny, like the "woke" AI which got Google in trouble after it drew Black Nazis. Some caused lawsuits, like a computer error by CrowdStrike that left thousands of Delta passengers stranded. And we also reaped failures among startups that raced to expand from 2020 to 2022, a period of ultra-low interest rates. Check out what made our... Rhiannon Williams
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iOS 18.2 Arrives: Apple Unleashes Powerful AI Capabilities in Latest iPhone Update“`html Microsoft’s Push into AI Dominance This year, Microsoft made waves in the tech world by acquiring an astounding 485,000 Nvidia Hopper chips, a figure that dwarfs its competitors, according to data shared by the Financial Times. Omdia’s insights reveal that Microsoft outpaced Meta, which purchased only 224,000 of these flagship chips. Microsoft’s presence in the AI domain is exemplified by its threefold increase in chip acquisition compared to 2023. The Growing AI Ambitions Beyond just purchasing chips, Microsoft is actively developing its own custom AI hardware, known as Maia. Introduced at the Ignite conference in late 2023, Maia signifies Microsoft’s ambition to expand AI innovation further. This commitment aligns with Microsoft’s deepening collaboration with OpenAI, showcased by their participation in a massive $6.6 billion funding round in October. Power Plays and Infrastructure As part of its long-term strategy, Microsoft signed a significant deal in September to revitalize the Three Mile Island nuclear plant. By securing the plant’s energy output for two decades, the company aims to power its data centers sustainably. This bold move underscores Microsoft’s dedication to supporting and expanding its technological infrastructure with renewable energy resources. Microsoft’s strategic acquisitions and innovations are clear indicators of its intention to solidify its leadership in the evolving AI landscape. The company’s actions this year signal a giant leap towards redefining the future of technology. “` Microsoft’s AI Strategy: Pioneering the Future of Technology In a bold leap toward dominating the artificial intelligence landscape, Microsoft has been making significant moves to secure its place at the forefront of technological innovation. The company’s aggressive acquisition of Nvidia Hopper chips, alongside a range of strategic initiatives and partnerships, highlights its commitment to redefining the future of AI. Unveiling Microsoft’s Custom AI Hardware: Maia At the forefront of Microsoft’s innovation drive is its development of custom AI hardware, codenamed Maia. Announced during the Ignite conference in late 2023, Maia represents Microsoft’s strategic push into bespoke AI solutions tailored to its expansive software ecosystem. This initiative is poised to optimize performance, enhance capabilities, and facilitate seamless integration with other Microsoft technologies, reinforcing its commitment to AI leadership. Strategic Sustainability with Nuclear Energy In an unprecedented move to combine technological advancement with sustainability, Microsoft secured a deal in September to harness the energy output of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant for two decades. This initiative serves a dual purpose: powering Microsoft’s data centers with renewable energy and showcasing its commitment to environmental sustainability. This long-term energy strategy is expected not only to reduce carbon footprint but also to provide a stable and sustainable source of power essential for AI development and deployment. Robust Partnership with OpenAI Deepening its collaboration with OpenAI, Microsoft participated in a significant $6.6 billion funding round in October 2023. This financial commitment strengthens Microsoft’s access to cutting-edge AI research and development from OpenAI, ensuring continued integration of AI advancements into Microsoft’s suite of products and services. The partnership is poised to yield innovations that enhance capabilities across various Microsoft applications and platforms. Market Implications and Future Outlook Microsoft’s strategic maneuvers have substantial implications for the tech market, setting a high bar for competitors. Their commitment to sustainability and innovation may stimulate similar initiatives across the industry, pushing others to invest in eco-friendly technologies and custom AI solutions. By securing key assets and partnerships, Microsoft is not just enhancing its current offerings but paving the way for a new era of AI-driven products and services. With these initiatives, Microsoft is making definitive strides toward a future where AI technology is not only more prevalent but also more sustainable and efficient. As the company continues to innovate, its influence on AI trends and market dynamics is expected to grow, solidifying Microsoft as a leader in the global AI arena. For more on Microsoft’s AI innovations, visit the Microsoft website.Proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons is halted by federal, state judges The proposed $24.6 billion merger between supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons floundered on Tuesday after judges overseeing two separate cases both halted the merger. A federal judge in Oregon temporarily blocked the proposed merger until an in-house administrative judge at the Federal Trade Commission considers it. Shortly afterward, a judge in Washington state issued a permanent injunction barring the merger in that state, saying it lessens competition. Kroger and Albertsons in 2022 proposed what would be the largest grocery store merger in U.S. history. But the Federal Trade Commission and the state of Washington sued earlier this year. Biden says he was 'stupid' not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says he was “stupid” not to put his own name on pandemic relief checks in 2021, like Donald Trump had done in 2020. He noted Tuesday in a speech at the Brookings Institution that Trump likely got credit for helping people out through this simple, effective act of branding. Biden did the second-guessing as he defended his economic record and challenged Trump to preserve Democratic policy ideas when he returns to the White House next month. Trump’s decision to add his name to the checks sent by the U.S. Treasury to millions of Americans struggling during the coronavirus marked the first time a president’s name appeared on any IRS payments. Former chairman of state-owned bank China Everbright Group jailed for 12 years for corruption BEIJING (AP) — Chinese official broadcaster CCTV says a former chairman of the state-owned bank China Everbright Group has been jailed 12 years for embezzlement and bribery. Tang Shuangning, who had also held senior posts at the People’s Bank of China and the China Banking Regulatory Commission, was arrested in January, part of a wider wave of prosecutions of senior officials accused of financial crimes. A court in the city of Tangshan, about 100 miles east of Beijing, found him guilty of taking advantage of his position at the state-owned bank in “seeking convenience for others” in jobs and loans, in exchange for illegal payments. The court said he had accepted illegal property with a total value of more than $1.5 million. What did you Google in 2024? From the elections to Copa América, here's what search trends show NEW YORK (AP) — Remember what you searched for in 2024? Google does. Google has released its annual “Year in Search," rounding up 2024's top trending searches. It shows terms that saw the highest spike in traffic compared to last year. Sports — particularly soccer and cricket — dominated overall search trends, led by queries for Copa América, the UEFA European Championship and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, the U.S. election led news-specific searches worldwide. Queries about excessive heat and this year’s Olympic Games followed. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump topped searches in Google’s people category this year — followed by Catherine, Princess of Wales, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. US defense secretary in Japan to support alliance as Osprey aircraft safety causes concern TOKYO (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has met with officials in Japan to reaffirm the importance of their alliance and Washington's commitment to regional security as threats rise from China and North Korea. Austin’s visit on Tuesday also came amid growing concerns over the safety of Ospreys. The military aircraft have been grounded in the United States following a near crash at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico last month. The incident was caused by weakened metal components. It was similar to a fatal crash off southwestern Japan last year. The U.S. measure prompted the suspension of Ospreys operated by Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force. Trustee over Infowars auction asks court to approve The Onion's winning bid A trustee who oversaw the bankruptcy auction of Alex Jones’ Infowars is asking a judge to approve The Onion’s winning bid for the conspiracy-filled platform. Trustee Christopher Murray took the stand Tuesday in the second day of testimony at a hearing where a judge is scrutinizing the satirical news outlet’s winning offer. He told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston that he was there asking a court to approve the sale of Infowars’ parent company to The Onion’s parent company. It is not clear how quickly Lopez will rule. The Onion wants to turn Infowars’ website and social media accounts into parodies. Small businesses plan events, start marketing earlier to deal with shorter holiday shopping season The holiday shopping season is underway, and this year small businesses have less time to capitalize on the busy shopping period. Only 27 days separate Thanksgiving and Christmas — five fewer than last year. But there are still ways to make the most of a shorter season. One key strategy is for owners to promote deals to customers wherever they can, from social media to physical ads. The National Retail Federation predicts that retail sales will rise between 2.5% and 3.5% compared with same period a year ago. Online shopping is expected to grow too. Adobe Digital Insights predicts an 8.4% increase online for the full season. 10 notable books of 2024, from Sarah J. Maas to Melania Trump NEW YORK (AP) — Even through a year of nonstop news about elections, climate change, protests and the price of eggs, Americans still found time to read. Sales held steady according to Circana, which tracks around 85% of the print market. Many chose the release of romance, fantasy and romantasy. Some picked up the tie-in book to Taylor Swift’s blockbuster tour, which had the best opening week of 2024. Others sought out literary fiction, celebrity memoirs, political exposes and a close and painful look at a generation hooked on smartphones. Boeing is building new 737 Max planes for the first time since workers went on strike Boeing is resuming production of its bestselling plane, the 737 Max. It's the first time that Max jets have moved down the assembly line since September, when about 33,000 workers went on strike for higher pay. Boeing said Tuesday that work on the Max has resumed at its factory in Renton, Washington, near Seattle. Both the Max and another Boeing plane, the 787 Dreamliner, have been plagued by manufacturing problems in recent years. The Federal Aviation Administration is limiting Boeing’s production of Max jets until the agency is convinced that Boeing has corrected quality and safety issues during manufacturing. Stock market today: Wall Street slips to a rare back-to-back loss NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted lower in the runup to the highlight of the week for the market, the latest update on inflation. The S&P 500 slipped 0.3% Tuesday for its first back-to-back losses in nearly a month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite also fell 0.3%. Oracle dragged on the market after reporting weaker growth than analysts expected. Treasury yields rose in the bond market ahead of Wednesday’s inflation report, which will be among the final big pieces of data before the Federal Reserve's meeting on interest rates next week.