pointing cockfighting Can we expect proficiency in developing or using artificial intelligence to begin to slowdown in the field of human resources? The succinct answer is ‘no’, but the more nuanced response is perhaps ‘yes’. This latter response comes with the caveat that companies and HR leaders will need to adopt innovative strategies to address them. Andy Bradshaw, CEO of SHL tells Digital Journal what we can expect in the business world on the AI front. Skills: Enterprises Will Focus on Role Outcomes to See Skills Success Bradshaw observes, on the subject of skills: “The principle of focusing on skills for the future is fantastic—it’s simple and straightforward. But the reality is that implementing these ideas isn’t always as easy as it sounds.” To be effective, such skills need to be appropriately channelled. Here Bradshaw states: “Companies that aim to leverage skills effectively in 2025 will focus on mastering the requirements of specific functions or roles, gaining a deep understanding of the skills necessary for success.” Such information needs to be captured and processed, says Bradshaw: “Once these insights are incorporated into their learning and development strategies, they can confidently address other critical organizational roles.” AI: Culture of AI Will Become Priority No digital technology can be successfully incorporated without reforming the workplace culture. Emphasizing the importance, Bradshaw says: “Companies will begin to foster a culture where people feel comfortable leveraging AI for efficiency and customer service improvements without seeing it as a threat. Some will embrace this more readily than others, but to succeed, organizations must balance small-scale experimentation with building a broader, AI-ready culture. AI will become dominant in the workforce, so it’s essential to start learning in a controlled environment now.” Fall of the HR Tech Stack, Rise of the CHRO How well does HR interact with the board and what matters most as we think about entering 2025? Bradshaw recommends: “I’m hearing more and more from senior HR leaders about the challenges of integrating the various layers of their HR technology stack. The struggle to get these systems working seamlessly together is a real issue.” In terms of how artificial intelligence can assist, Bradshaw considers: “AI could help solve this by driving better data and insights, but it also requires HR to evolve. We need more HR tech specialists and analysts who can go beyond delivering raw data to provide actionable insights. It’s about understanding what the workforce looks like, identifying skill gaps, and aligning with the CEO’s vision. As a result, I think we’ll see the role of the CHRO elevated, with some even coming from business backgrounds, as HR becomes a key driver of business optimization and productivity.” Interview Intelligence: Structured Digital Interviews Will Be Key to Talent Acquisition Getting recruitment right is also essential. Bradshaw says:“We’re witnessing the emergence of digital interviewing as a pivotal solution in both talent acquisition and management. Every job, whether it’s a barista or a CEO, involves an interview process, yet most of these interviews are unstructured and often kept private, making them inefficient. The rise of virtual interviewing has made candidates more comfortable with online platforms, but it’s time to move toward a more structured approach that incorporates interview intelligence. By analyzing key metrics—like engagement and communication dynamics—we can enhance the experience for both candidates and organizations. Research indicates a strong demand for this transformation in structured digital interviews, which I believe will significantly improve hiring processes in the coming year.” Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.In celebration of the announcement of St. Maarten's first elevated sports complex, featuring two pickleball courts, two tennis courts and a padel court, Vie L'Ven launches a limited-edition pickleball paddle with Helios, inspired by the island's vibrant culture. TORONTO , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vie L'Ven Resort & Residences —a luxurious 280-room resort and residences that promises to redefine island living on the shores of Indigo Bay, St. Maarten has revealed an exciting new addition to its sports and activities offerings: the uniquely designed multi-sports court experience offering panoramic views of Indigo Bay and untouched natural reserves. The hotel and residences slated for opening in 2028, will feature two pickleball courts, two tennis courts, and a padel court that are set to transform the concept of sports facilities in the Caribbean . To celebrate the reveal, Vie L'Ven has partnered with Helios, the premium pickleball paddle brand, to create a bespoke, limited-edition pickleball paddle. The custom design paddles exclusive to Vie L'Ven, inspired by the vibrant culture and dynamic energy of St. Maarten , are crafted with carbon surface technology. The paddles are available in a limited quantity for purchase at the Vie L'Ven presentation gallery or included with a purchase of a unit. Explore the renderings and image of the custom paddle . Beyond its new courts, Vie L'Ven's residences are available with an array of spacious one to four-bedroom layouts, spanning from approximately 620 to over 2,003 square feet (58 to over 186 square meters) and lock-off options expanding up to 1,895 square feet (176 square meters). The property features the pinnacle of luxury amenities including a beach club with reserved cabanas and personalized butler service, a dedicated Les Clefs d'Or concierge team, three distinct pools including an adults-only offerings,on-beach water sports, an on-property private yacht dock, 30,000 square foot destination spa, children's playroom and childcare services and a nature reserve. Leading the culinary vision at Vie L'Ven and reinforcing its dedication to exceptional gastronomy, Chef Alain Ducasse—celebrated for his remarkable twenty-one Michelin stars and prestigious three-star rating—will introduce his first dining concept in the Caribbean . Drawing from the island's diverse cultural heritage and vibrant flavors, Chef Ducasse's innovative menu will be inspired by St. Maarten's natural bounty. His signature restaurant and bar will serve as the centerpiece, complemented by two additional distinct dining experiences on the property. Vie L'Ven is the vision of Altree Developments , a leader in the international real estate landscape, rooted in a 70-year multi-generational family legacy in the development industry. Committed to redefining Caribbean luxury, the concept for Vie L'Ven has been brought to life by renowned partners Studio Munge , HKS Architects and Leading Hotels of The World , all of who have been recognized globally for their dedication to creating world-class properties. Vie L'Ven's residences, with sales being led by St. Maarten Sotheby's International Realty , are in high demand. With limited availability remaining, prices have increased and are now in the $900 ,000s (USD) with additional upward price adjustments anticipated. As an added incentive, purchase a suite between December 4th, 2024 , and January 15th, 2025 , and enjoy one year free of Homeowners Association (HOA) fees, along with $10,000 in Resort Credits* for sumptuous dining and rejuvenating spa treatments. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. Illustrations are Artist's Concept. E & O.E. *Incentives are limited time only and subject to select suites. Incentives are subject to change without notice. See a Sales Representative for further details. Explore a virtual tour of the Orient Suite and the Rouge Suites to envision your oasis at Vie L'Ven. Be the first to receive the latest updates by registering at vielven.com . For sales inquiries contact +1-721-544-1545 or visit vielven.com or the presentation gallery on Indigo Bay Boulevard in Indigo Bay, St. Maarten . About Altree Developments Altree Developments is a leader in the international real estate landscape, rooted in a 70-year multi-generational family legacy in the development industry. Under the visionary leadership of Zev Mandelbaum , Altree is redefining urban living by transforming strategic residential and commercial sites into leading destinations. With an admirable portfolio that includes ultra-luxury condominiums and expansive master-planned communities, Altree's influence stretches across some of the most coveted addresses in Canada , America, and now, St. Maarten . Driven by an unwavering commitment to innovation and luxury, Altree's projects are designed to stand the test of time, offering unparalleled value, and shaping the future of urban living. For more information, visit altreedevelopments.com . MEDIA CONTACT: Ashley Goldstein ashleyg@alabgroup.com 917.890.7940 Ashley Orfus Ashley@alabgroup.com 917.232.7349 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/introducing-st-maartens-new-sports-landmark-vie-lvens-multi-court-with-panoramic-views-of-indigo-bay-and-limited-edition-pickleball-paddle-302337595.html SOURCE Vie L'VenThe aerial views of the Kenyalang Smart City in Senadin is shown in this artist’s impression. MIRI City is moving well on the development ladder, with two major development projects taking place in its core this year. One of the projects is the much-talked-about Kenyalang Smart City (KSC) in Senadin. KSC is a development master plan by architecture firm TAK, founded by homegrown Miri architect Teo Ah Khing, on behalf of developer Imasa Dinasti Sdn Bhd. The project is aimed at impacting communities not only in and around Miri City but further afield, with the impact set to be carried out over generations. KSC is an integrated smart city development located immediately adjacent to the Curtin University Malaysia campus. Set across 543 acres, it is segmented into five parcels that collectively will be developed over a 15-20 year period. The project is envisaged to play a major role in fulfilling the Sarawak government’s vision to re-engineer its economy, diversifying it from being a heavy-resourced based economy, leveraging its assets, and intensifying digitalisation. It is planned to be a satellite hub capable of spurring economic growth through the northern suburbs of Miri City and the broader northern region of Sarawak. KSC incorporates trade, education, logistics, medical, wellness, entrepreneurship, residential, recreational, solar energy generation, and green lung districts in an eco-friendly environment. Thus, it will be a fully-integrated smart city development – a city with requisite sophisticated amenities and facilities to house local and international communities as well as to cater to the region’s ever-growing demand for both long and short-term visitors. Through the integration of sustainable innovation, smart architecture, and green design, KSC will create a community with improved quality of living. The same community will also enjoy additional benefits of smart security, smart mobility, smart connectivity, smart health, smart automation, and smart governance. Upon its completion, KSC will be a model city for Sarawakians that can headquarter new industries as well as established ones, presenting a bespoke vision for the future of Miri and the wider East Malaysia. A Kenyalang Smart City Summit was held here in May and officiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. The summit was attended by state cabinet members and government officials as well as local and international investors from the Middle East and Asia, including the People’s Republic of China, Australia, Singapore, and Indonesia. It saw the signing of eight memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between Imasa Dinasti Sdn Bhd and Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, China Broadnet, CIFH, Sinahydro Bureau 12, China Construction Development (Malaysia), Envision Energy Group, ESG Malaysia, and GreenRE. The MoU with Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine is meant to establish the Southeast Asia branch of Fudan University’s Institutes of Integrative Medicine in the KSC. With China Investment Financial Holdings, the MoU covers the potential establishment of commercial opportunities in energy, healthcare, entertainment, artificial intelligence (AI), intelligent ports, high speed rail, and other technologies. The MoU with China Broadnet will cover the smart city’s components including, but not limited to, smart infrastructure, communications, smart construction sites and others, while the MoU with ESG Malaysia will be on realising the best sustainability practices within the KSC. Miri Mayor Adam Yii said the overall development of the project also aligns with Miri City’s vision in building a green, smart, and most liveable international resort city. “The overall development of this project will provide the much-needed impetus for Miri City’s next phase of development.” He said Miri City has come a long way from a small fishing village since oil was found, developed and produced in 1910 by Shell with the first well drilled on top of the Canada Hill, which survived the Japanese Occupation in World War II (WWII), and was elevated to city status in 2005. According to him, Miri has a much more cosmopolitan character as compared to other places in Sarawak and is on track towards development after being selected as the pioneer city for the Smart City Initiatives by the state government on Jan 30, 2020. The development of the KSC will have a very big impact on tourism in Miri, as its development augurs well for economic growth from the spin-offs, especially in the tourism sector in the northern region of Sarawak. The other major project in Miri this year is the Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Power Plant in Lutong, under Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros). With an investment of about RM2 billion, the 500MW Miri CCGT Power Plant will be utilising an advanced gas turbine with heat recovery steam generator and steam turbine to deliver cleaner and more efficient energy to the Sarawak grid network. The facility will support Sarawak’s current and future energy demands while enhancing energy reliability for northern Sarawak. In his address during the project’s groundbreaking ceremony last month, the Premier highlighted Petros’ vital role in driving the state’s oil and gas sector. Photo from Sarawak Public Communications Unit shows the artist’s impression of the CCGT Power Plant in Lutong. “The Miri CCGT Power Plant is more than an infrastructure project; it is a symbol of our collective aspiration to make Sarawak a leader in energy innovation while creating tangible benefits for our people,” he said. “This project is a crucial step towards realising the Sarawak Gas Roadmap (SGR) and achieving our vision of becoming a high-income state by 2030.” The Miri CCGT Power Plant represents Sarawak’s commitment to responsibly harnessing the state’s abundant natural gas resources. By increasing domestic gas utilisation from 6 per cent to 30 per cent by 2030, the project underscores Petros’ dedication to creating opportunities for Sarawakians while leveraging the state’s resources to meet both current and future energy demands sustainably. The project was also a testament to Petros’ commitment to Sarawak and its people. Since its establishment in 2017, Petros has acted on its commitment to harness Sarawak’s resources for sustainable progress. The Miri CCGT represents a new era of economic growth, local talent development, and energy security for the state. The powerplant, expected to be operational by the end of 2027, will contribute significantly to Sarawak’s energy infrastructure and economy, highlighting Petros’ role as Sarawak’s appointed Gas Aggregator – responsible for ensuring efficient gas distribution while driving industrial development. As Petros commemorates its seventh anniversary this year, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Miri CCGT Power Plant serves as a reflection of its commitment to Sarawak’s progress, reinforcing the shared vision of building a sustainable energy future while honouring the state’s history as an energy pioneer. Miri has a population of about 350,000 and a land size of about 5,200 sq kms –about seven times the land size of Singapore which is 734.3 sq kms. Home to 34 ethnic groups of Sarawak living peacefully and harmoniously together, Miri is the gateway to northern Sarawak.

You can learn something about a city by just walking through it. Most of Manhattan feels bustling, whereas a San Francisco block can seem dormant. In Rome, it is common to see groups of men standing around, chatting or arguing. We are all familiar with such casual generalizations, but what might the data show more explicitly? Fortunately, there is new research. We have entered the age where innovative methods of measurement, such as computer vision and deep learning, can reveal how American life has changed. Researchers at the National Bureau of Economic Research compiled footage of four urban public spaces, two in New York and one each in Philadelphia and Boston, from 1979-1980 and again in 2008-2010. These snapshots of American life , roughly 30 years apart, reveal how changes in work and culture might have shaped the way people move and interact on the street. The videos capture people circulating in two busy Manhattan locations, in Bryant Park in midtown and outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Upper East Side; around Boston’s Downtown Crossing shopping district; and on Chestnut Street in downtown Philadelphia. One piece of good news is that at least when it comes to our street behavior, we don’t seem to have become more solitary. From 1980 to 2010, there was hardly any change in the share of pedestrians walking alone, rising from 67% to 68%. A bigger change is average walking speed rose by 15%. So the pace of American life has accelerated, at least in public spaces in the Northeast. Most economists would predict such a result, since the growth in wages has increased the opportunity cost of just walking around. Better to have a quick stroll and get back to your work desk. The biggest change in behavior was that lingering fell dramatically. The amount of time spent just hanging out dropped by about half across the measured locations . Note that this was seen in places where crime rates have fallen, so this trend was unlikely to have resulted from fear of being mugged. Instead, Americans just don’t use public spaces as they used to. These places now tend to be for moving through, to get somewhere, rather than for enjoying life or hoping to meet other people. There was especially a shift at Boston’s Downtown Crossing. In 1980, 54% of the people there were lingering, whereas by 2010 that had fallen to 14%. Consistent with this observation, the number of public encounters also fell. You might be no less likely to set off with another person in tow, but you won’t meet up with others as often while you are underway. The notion of downtown as a “public square,” rife with spontaneous or planned encounters, is not what it used to be. The internet and mobile phones are likely driving this change in behavior. If there is someone you want to meet up with, it is today much easier to arrange that in advance, rather than hoping for chance encounters. Anecdotally, I have noticed the notion of a “hangout” is less central to daily life than when I was growing up, though people will talk about “hanging out” on social media such as X or Bluesky . Another driver of change could be the aging of America. In the 1980s, when I was in my 20s, I sometimes would hang out at the Downtown Crossing area in Boston, but it is unlikely, if I still lived nearby, that I would do so today. As an older person, I am busier and have more pre-established social networks, including in other cities and online. I also find that more people in public spaces are on their cellphones, so what’s the point? American cities have devoted considerable attention to developing public spaces as a place to meet up and socialize. Some pedestrian-oriented spaces , such as New York City’s Times Square and downtown areas in Cleveland and Philadelphia, among others, are far more animated than they were three decades ago. But perhaps the emphasis on the public square is less appropriate than it used to be, and traffic management , in the broad sense of that term, should be the new priority. Should we prefer this new world to the old? There is probably no going back, but in the meantime I will be observing public spaces in a new and different way. I am more likely to see the velocity of movement and take stock of the social thinness of what is before me, and thus be all the more in a hurry to get to my next destination. Tyler Cowen is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist, a professor of economics at George Mason University and host of the Marginal Revolution blog. Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!(The Center Square) – After an Iranian national was arrested on Monday in a Boston suburb for his alleged ties to a terrorist attack that killed three U.S. service members, the town's leaders unanimously voted to pass a sanctuary city ordinance. On Monday, Iranian-born Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, a resident of Natick, Mass., was charged in federal court in Boston "with conspiring to export sophisticated electronic components from the United States to Iran in violation of U.S. export control and sanctions laws," The Center Square reported. Sadeghi and others allegedly conspired to evade U.S. export control and sanctions laws by procuring goods, services, and technology from American companies and exporting them to an Iranian-based company that contracts with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a US-designated foreign terrorist organization. The company allegedly manufactured the drones used by the IRGC that killed U.S. soldiers stationed in Jordan in January. Sadeghi faces up to 20 years in prison for his role in a conspiracy that goes back nearly 10 years , according to the complaint . His arrest occurred after an unprecedented number of Iranian and special interest aliens were apprehended after illegally entering the U.S., The Center Square reported . It also occurred after Islamic terrorist incidents increased under President Joe Biden and after he extended a national emergency regarding Iran last month. The U.S. has been in a perpetual state of national emergency related to Iran since Nov. 14, 1979, The Center Square reported . Forty-eight hours after Sadeghi's arrest , on Wednesday night, Natick's Select Board members unanimously passed a sanctuary city policy, 5-0. It prohibits taxpayer-funded town employees from inquiring about or collecting information about residents' citizenship status, among other provisions. Natick joined Boston, Somerville, Northampton, Amherst Cambridge, Concord, Lawrence and Newton in adopting so-called sanctuary city policies ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's stated mass deportation policy. The policy is being implemented in response to more than 14 million illegal border crossers being reported under the Biden administration as crime and national security threat escalated, The Center Square reported. Natick's actions followed the all-Democratic Boston City Council unanimously voting to reaffirm the Boston Trust Act, which prohibits Boston Police Department officers from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with some exceptions. It also comes after Boston's mayor said the city wasn't planning on cooperating with ICE, The Center Square reported. Massachusetts' sanctuary policies work against law enforcement tasked with protecting residents, Todd Lyons, acting assistant director of field operations for ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations in New England, argues. Elected officials "preaching their sanctuary city status are making it easier for those who commit sex crimes and fentanyl dealers. We need cities and towns to work with us to keep these criminals out of neighborhoods. "We focus on the worst of the worst and all the political rhetoric is not helping," he told the Boston Herald. Democratic leaders describing Massachusetts "as a sanctuary to the international community and that they won't cooperate with federal authorities, sends a dangerous signal to bad actors around the world," the chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party, Amy Carnevale, said , "It tells them that Massachusetts is a safe haven where they can evade prosecution from the United States federal government." Last year, Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll urged residents to house illegal border crossers, saying, " step up if you're willing to have an additional family be part of your family." One year later, the state converted an empty former prison to house them, resulting in local outrage, The Center Square reported . Carnevale said it was time for Driscoll to "stand with the people of Massachusetts and declare that our state will no longer serve as a sanctuary for criminals whether they're here legally or illegally. For the safety and security of our communities, Massachusetts must send a clear message: there is no sanctuary for international criminals in our Commonwealth." ICE agents have been arresting violent criminals in Massachusetts, including men convicted of aggravated rape, assault and battery, and fugitives wanted in their home countries for violent sexual crimes. In many cases, sanctuary jurisdictions refused to cooperate with ICE, and instead released violent offenders into the community who then committed additional crimes, The Center Square reported . New Hampshire's incoming-Gov. Kelly Ayotte has had harsh words for Massachusetts, saying, "Our neighbors to the south seem intent on proving that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. As they struggle with a billion-dollar illegal immigrant crisis, they are instead choosing to double down," she told Fox News Digital. Ayotte, who is replacing outgoing Gov. Chris Sununu, ran on a campaign against the "Mass-i-fication" of New Hampshire. "Here in New Hampshire, we are going to ban sanctuary policies and give law enforcement the tools to work together to ensure this crisis never comes to our towns," she said.

New Jersey Drone Mystery Prompts Senator Patrol, FBI ProbeShooting at Northern California elementary school and suspect is dead, sheriff's department saysNEW YORK (AP) — He's making threats, traveling abroad and negotiating with world leaders. Donald Trump has more than a month and a half to go before he's sworn in for a second term. But the Republican president-elect is already moving aggressively not just to fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but to achieve those priorities . Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, prompting emergency calls and a visit from Canada's prime minister that resulted in what Trump claimed were commitments from both U.S. allies on new border security measures. The incoming president has warned there will be “ALL HELL TO PAY" if, before his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, Hamas does not release the hostages being held in Gaza . He has threatened to block the purchase of U.S. Steel by a Japanese company, warning "Buyer Beware!!!” And this weekend, Trump was returning to the global stage, joining a host of other foreign leaders for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral five years after it was ravaged by a fire. On Saturday, he met with French President Emmanuel Macron — joined at the last minute by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — and had plans to see Britain's Prince William also in Paris. Absent in Paris: lame duck President Joe Biden, who has largely disappeared from headlines, except when he issued a pardon of his son , Hunter, who was facing sentencing for gun crimes and tax evasion. First lady Jill Biden is attending in his place. “I think you have seen more happen in the last two weeks than you’ve seen in the last four years. And we’re not even there yet,” Trump said in an over-the-top boast at an awards ceremony Thursday night . For all of Trump's bold talk, though, it is unclear how many of his efforts will bear fruit. The pre-inauguration threats and deal-making are highly unusual, like so much of what Trump does, said Julian Zelizer, a political historian at Princeton University. “Transitions are always a little complicated in this way. Even though we talk about one president at a time," he said, “the reality is one president plus. And that plus can act assertively sometimes." Zelizer said that is particularly true of Trump, who was president previously and already has relationships with many foreign leaders such as Macron, who invited both Trump and Biden to Paris this weekend as part of the Notre Dame celebration. “Right now he’s sort of governing even though he’s not the president yet. He’s having these public meetings with foreign leaders, which aren't simply introductions. He's staking out policy and negotiating things from drug trafficking to tariffs," Zelizer said. Trump already has met with several foreign leaders, in addition to a long list of calls. He hosted Argentinian President Javier Milei in Florida at his Mar-a-Lago club in November. After the tariff threat, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago for a three-hour dinner meeting. Canadian officials later said the country is ready to make new investments in border security, with plans for more helicopters, drones and law enforcement officers. Last Sunday, Trump dined with Sara Netanyahu, wife of the Israeli prime minister. Incoming Trump aides have also been meeting with their future foreign counterparts. On Wednesday, several members of Trump's team, including incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz, met with Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Zelenskyy, in Washington, as Ukraine tries to win support for its ongoing efforts to defend itself from Russian invasion, according to a person familiar with the meeting. Yermak also met with Trump officials in Florida, he wrote on X . That comes after Trump's incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, traveled to Qatar and Israel for high-level talks about a cease-fire and hostage deal in Gaza, according to a U.S familiar with the efforts, meeting with the prime ministers of both countries. There is no prohibition on incoming officials or nominees meeting with foreign officials, and it is common and fine for them to do so — unless those meetings are designed to subvert or otherwise impact current U.S. policy. Trump aides were said to be especially cognizant of potential conflicts given their experience in 2016, when interactions between Trump allies and Russian officials came under scrutiny. That included a phone call in which Trump's incoming national security adviser, Michael Flynn, discussed new sanctions with Russia’s ambassador to the United States, suggesting things would improve after Trump became president. Flynn was later charged with lying to the FBI about the conversation. Trump’s incoming press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that, “All transition officials have followed applicable laws in their interactions with foreign nationals.” She added: “World leaders recognize that President Trump is returning to power and will lead with strength to put the best interests of the United States of America first again. That is why many foreign leaders and officials have reached out to correspond with President Trump and his incoming team.” Such efforts can nonetheless cause complications. If, say, Biden is having productive conversations on a thorny foreign policy issue and Trump weighs in, that could make it harder for Biden “because people are hearing two different voices” that may be in conflict, Zelizer said. Leaders like Russia's Vladimir Putin and Netanyahu may also anticipate a more favorable incoming administration and wait Biden out, hoping for more a better deal. It also remains unclear how extensively the Biden administration has been kept apprised of Trump transition efforts. Although there is no requirement that an incoming administration coordinate calls and meetings with foreign officials with the State Department or National Security Council, that has long been considered standard practice. That is, in part, because transition teams, particularly in their early days and weeks, do not always have the latest information about the state of relations with foreign nations and may not have the resources, including interpretation and logistical ability, to handle such meetings efficiently. Still, the Biden and Trump teams have been talking, particularly on the Middle East, with the incoming and outgoing administrations having agreed to work together on efforts to free hostages who remain in held in Gaza, according to a U.S. official, who, like others, was not authorized to comment publicly about the sensitive talks and spoke on condition of anonymity. That includes conversations between Witkoff and Biden’s foreign policy team as well as Waltz and Biden national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Last month, Biden administration officials said they had kept Trump’s team closely apprised of efforts to broker a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah on the Israel-Lebanon border. “I just want to be clear to all of our adversaries, they can’t play the incoming Trump administration off of the Biden administration. I’m regularly talking to the Biden people. And so, this is not a moment of opportunity or wedges for them," Waltz said Friday in a Fox Business interview. But when it comes to immigration, Biden administration officials haven’t been entirely in the loop on discussions around how to execute on Trump’s pledge to deport millions of migrants, according to four administration officials with knowledge of the transition who spoke on condition of anonymity. That’s not terribly surprising given how differently the teams view migration. Trump’s team, meanwhile, is already claiming credit for everything from gains in the stock and cryptocurrency markets to a decision by Walmart to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion policies Trump opposes. “Promises Kept — And President Trump Hasn’t Even Been Inaugurated Yet,” read one press release that claimed, in part, that both Canada and Mexico have already pledged "immediate action” to help “stem the flow of illegal immigration, human trafficking, and deadly drugs entering the United States." Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stopped short of saying Trump mischaracterized their call in late November. But she said Friday that Trump “has his own way of communicating, like when we had the phone call and he wrote that we were going to close the border. That was never talked about in the phone call.” Earlier this week, Mexico carried out what it claimed was its largest seizure of fentanyl pills ever. Seizures over the summer had been as little as 50 grams per week, and after the Trump call, they seized more than a ton. Security analyst David Saucedo said that "under the pressure by Donald Trump, it appears President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration is willing to increase the capture of drug traffickers and drug seizures that Washington is demanding.” Biden, too, tried to take credit for the seizure in a statement Friday night. ___ Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Aamer Madhani, Colleen Long and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report.

Syrian opposition fighters have reached the suburbs of the capital, Damascus, and government forces are withdrawing from the strategic city of Homs as the rebels' surprising offensive picks up speed and President Bashar Assad's whereabouts are unknown. Homs is an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces that are the Syrian leader’s base of support. In Damascus, residents described a city on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Eight key countries gathered with the U.N. special envoy on Syria on the sidelines of the Doha Summit for two hours of discussions Saturday night, and more will follow. The U.N. envoy seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Here's the Latest: Two officials with Iran-backed Iraqi militias in Syria say the militias are monitoring the situation and have not made a decision to enter in support of Iran’s ally, Syrian President Bashar Assad. One of the officials said Iranian militias had withdrawn to Iraq from their positions in Syria. “All the militias are waiting to see what Bashar Assad will do in Damascus. If he resists and does not allow Damascus to fall, it is possible that the Iraqi factions will intervene for the purpose of support,” he said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. -- Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad Multi-country discussions on Syria have ended on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein says the countries will issue a statement, and there will be follow-up talks “taking into consideration the practical and real situation on the ground.” He said the talks, which lasted over two hours Saturday evening, focused on how to stop the fighting. Eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran gathered with the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen. When asked where Syrian President Bashar Assad is, Iraq's foreign minister replied, “I don’t know.” He declined to speculate on whether Assad would be overthrown. Opposition fighters have reached the Damascus suburbs. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s Health Ministry says two Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday killed six people and wounded five others. The ministry said an airstrike on the village of Beit Leif killed five people and wounded five, while a drone strike on the village of Deir Serian killed one person. Israel’s military said it was looking into the report. Despite a ceasefire that went into effect on Nov. 27 to end the 14-month fighting between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants that had escalated into all-out war, violations of the truce have continued. The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza says the facility came under heavy Israeli bombardment again on Saturday and three medical staff were killed. Dr. Hussam Abu Safia in a statement posted by Gaza’s Health Ministry said the hospital was hit by over 100 projectiles and bombs, and electricity was cut off. He said the surgery department and neonatal unit were hit, and he pleaded for “immediate coordination for repair operations.” Kamal Adwan is one of the last remaining hospitals in northern Gaza. Israeli forces are pressing an offensive that has almost completely sealed off the area from humanitarian aid for two months. Israel’s military said it wasn’t aware of any attack Saturday. The hospital director on Friday said Israeli strikes had killed at least 29 people including four medical staff. Israeli Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi says the military is monitoring the Syrian border to make sure that “local factions do not direct actions towards us,” adding that Israel is not intervening in the events in Syria. Israel’s military has said it is reinforcing its deployment along the border with Syria. Halevi said if “confusion” arises and actions are directed toward Israel by “local factions” taking control of parts of Syria, Israel has a strong “offensive response.” The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Syria says the U.N. is relocating non-critical staff outside the country. Adam Abdelmoula in a statement Saturday called it a precautionary measure to protect U.N. teams. “Let me emphasize—this is not an evacuation and our dedication to supporting the people of Syria remains unwavering,” Abdelmoula said. The statement did not say how many U.N. staffers were leaving Syria as opposition fighters reached the suburbs of Syria’s capital, Damascus. The statement said the fighting in Syria has displaced over 370,000 people as the humanitarian situation deteriorates, “with many seeking refuge in the northeast and others trapped in frontline areas, unable to escape.” Foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran have gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit along with the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, to discuss the situation in Syria. The talks continued late Saturday and no details were immediately available. Qatar, Jordan and Iraq also were part of the discussions as opposition fighters closed in on the Syrian capital, Damascus. BAGHDAD — An Iraqi government spokesperson says about 2,000 Syrian army soldiers have crossed into Iraq seeking refuge as opposition forces advance in Syria. Bassem al-Awadi said the soldiers’ equipment and weapons were registered and taken into custody by the Iraqi army. “We dealt with them according to the principle of good neighborliness and humanity,” he said Saturday. Al-Awadi also said Iraqi officials are concerned about the security of the al-Hol camp and other facilities in northeast Syria where suspected Islamic State group members and their families are detained. The facilities are guarded by U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. Al-Awadi said there is “high security coordination” between Iraqi officials and those forces to “prevent the prisoners from escaping.” Syria's army says it is fortifying its positions in the suburbs of Damascus and in the country’s south, as opposition fighters close in on the capital. The army statement on Saturday also asserted that Syria is being subjected to a “terrorist” and propaganda campaign aiming to destabilize and spread chaos. The statement also said the military is continuing with operations in areas including the central provinces of Hama and Homs, and that it has killed and wounded hundreds of opposition fighters. At least two people were wounded in a car-ramming attack in the West Bank on Saturday, according to the Israeli army and rescue services. The army said the attack took place in the area of the Fawwar refugee camp, near the city of Hebron. It said a soldier was severely wounded, and security forces were looking for the attacker. Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service said another man in his 40s suffered light injuries from shrapnel. The West Bank has seen a surge in violence since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack out of Gaza sparked the war there. Israel has intensified its military raids in the West Bank, targeting what it says are militants planning attacks, and there has also been a rise in Palestinian attacks on Israelis. The Israeli military says it is helping United Nations forces to head off an attack on a U.N. position in Syria close to the Israeli border. The army said in a statement Saturday that an attack was carried out by “armed individuals” on a U.N. post near the Syrian town of Hader and it was “assisting U.N. forces in repelling the attack.” On Friday, Israel’s military said it would reinforce its forces in the Golan Heights and near the border with Syria, where civil war has reignited between the government and opposition fighters. Hamas has released a video showing Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker making an emotional plea for his release and describing the conditions he and other hostages face in Gaza after being seized in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel. His mother, Einav, has become a symbol of the fight to bring back the hostages and is an outspoken critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Matan Zangauker, speaking under duress, appealed to the public to protest in front of Netanyahu’s home and “not let him sleep even for a minute.” Zangauker also referred to 420 days of being held by Hamas militants. “We want to return before we go crazy. Isolation is killing us, and the darkness here is frightening,” he said, describing having little food and medicine and “undrinkable” water. President-elect Donald Trump has made his first extensive comments on dramatic advances by opposition fighters in Syria, saying the besieged President Bashar Assad didn’t deserve U.S. support to stay in power. “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump posted on the Truth Social platform on Saturday. Syrian opposition activists and regional officials have been watching closely for any indication from both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration of how the U.S. would handle the sudden advances against Syria’s Russian- and Iranian-allied leader. Trump condemned the overall U.S. handling of the 13-year civil war in Syria, but spoke favorably of the routing of Assad and Russian forces. ISTANBUL — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that there was “now a new reality in Syria” following the rapid advance of rebel forces. Speaking in Gaziantep, a city less than 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the Syrian border, Erdogan said that “increasing attacks on civilians” in Syria’s northwest Idlib province “triggered the latest events like the straw that broke the camel’s back.” It was not possible for Turkey to ignore developments in a country with which it shares a lengthy border and it would not allow any threats to its national security, he added in a televised speech. “Our wish is for our neighbor Syria to attain the peace and tranquility it has been longing for for 13 years,” he told a rally of supporters. “We want to see a Syria where different identities live side by side in peace. We hope to see such a Syria in the very near future.” Erdogan claimed President Bashar Assad had erred in rebuffing Turkey’s previous efforts to establish relations, saying Damascus “could not appreciate the value of the hand Turkey extended.” Ankara has supported anti-Assad rebel groups since the early months of the conflict and hosts 3 million refugees dislodged by the fighting. While Turkey lists HTS, the group leading the latest offensive, as a terrorist organization, the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army has worked alongside it. BEIRUT — A resident of the Syrian capital of Damascus says the city is very tense as troops and members of security agencies are deployed on main streets and intersections. The resident told The Associated Press that many shops are closed and those that are open have run out of main commodities such as sugar. He added that if food products are available, some shops are selling them for a price three times higher than usual. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said on condition of anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” — Bassem Mroue in Beirut DOHA, Qatar — Russia’s foreign minister says he has met his Turkish and Iranian counterparts in Doha and that all three countries were calling for an “immediate end to hostile activities” in Syria. Russia and Iran are the chief supporters of Syria’s government, while Turkey backs opposition fighters trying to remove President Bashar Assad from power. Speaking at the annual Doha Forum, Sergey Lavrov said Russia continues to help the Syrian army confront insurgents, military via airstrikes. Asked whether Assad’s rule is threatened by the fast-moving rebel offensive, he said, “We are not in the business of guessing what’s gong to happen.” He blamed the United States and the West for the events in Syria and said, “We are very sorry for the Syrian people who became a subject of another geopolitical experiment. “We are doing everything we can not to make terrorists prevail, even if they say they are not terrorists,” Lavrov said, referring to the de facto leader of the Syrian insurgents, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who says he has cut links with al-Qaida. His group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and United Nations. He said Russia, Iran and Turkey want the full implementation of a U.N. resolution, which endorsed a road map to peace in Syria. Resolution 2254 was adopted unanimously in December 2015. The measure called for a Syrian-led political process, starting with the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Lavrov also downplayed reports that Moscow had withdrawn ships from Russia’s base in Syrian city of Tartus, saying that the vessels had left to take part in naval exercises in the Mediterranean. DOHA, Qatar — The U.S. envoy who brokered the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah says the deal has created a new opportunity for Lebanon to reshape itself. Amos Hochstein told the Doha Forum that the weakness of Hezbollah after nearly 14 months of fighting along, along with blows to its Syrian and Iranian allies, give the Lebanese military and government a chance to reassert itself. “Now is the moment with this ceasefire to rebuild Lebanon again for a much more prosperous future and stronger state institutions,” Hochstein told The Associated Press on the sidelines of the conference. He said Lebanon needs “to do its part” by rebuilding its economy, choosing a president after years of delays and strengthening its central government to attract investors. “And the international community has a requirement and a responsibility to support Lebanon after this devastating conflict and after years of Hezbollah control,” he said. Hochstein told the conference that the turning point in ceasefire efforts was Hezbollah dropping its pledge to keep fighting as long as the war in Gaza continues. He said the change in position was the result of the heavy losses inflicted on Hezbollah, and Lebanese public opinion in favor of delinking the two conflicts. He said key tests for the ceasefire will be whether Israel carries out its promised phased withdrawal from southern Lebanon over the coming two months and whether the Lebanese army is able to move into those areas. BEIRUT — Insurgents and a war monitor say opposition fighters are taking over military posts evacuated by Syrian government forces in the country’s south, bringing them closer to the capital, Damascus. An insurgent official known as Maj. Hassan Abdul-Ghani posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition fighters are now in the town of Sanamein, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the southern outskirts of Damascus, President Bashar Assad’s seat of power. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said insurgents have entered the town of Artouz, which is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of Damascus. Opposition fighters have captured wide parts of Syria, including several provincial capitals, since they began their offensive on Nov. 27. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s government has approved a plan to deploy more troops along the border with Israel, part of the ceasefire deal that ended the Israel-Hezbollah war. In a rare Cabinet meeting outside of Beirut, held Saturday at a military base in the southern port city of Tyre, the government also approved a draft law to reconstruct buildings destroyed during the Israel-Hezbollah war that broke out in October 2023 and ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire last week. Information Minister Ziad Makary told reporters after the meeting that the committee whose job is to monitor the ceasefire that went into effect on Nov. 27 will hold its first meeting on Monday. The committee is made up of military officials from the U.S., France, Israel and Lebanon as well as the U.N. peacekeeping force deployed along the border. As part of the ceasefire deal, during the first 60 days Israeli troops will have to withdraw from Lebanon, while Hezbollah will have to pull its heavy weapons away from the border area to north of the Litani river. The Lebanese army said this week it will begin recruiting more soldiers, apparently to deploy them along the border with Israel. BEIRUT — The Syrian army withdrew from much of southern Syria on Saturday, leaving more areas of the country, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters, the military and an opposition war monitor said. The redeployment away from the provinces of Daraa and Sweida came as Syria’s military sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The rapid advances by insurgents are a stunning reversal of fortunes for Syria’s President Bashar Assad , who appears to be largely on his own, with erstwhile allies preoccupied with other conflicts. His chief international backer, Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine, and Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up his forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by Israeli regular airstrikes. JERUSALEM — Israeli security forces killed a Palestinian man after he attacked them at a border crossing in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Saturday morning, police said. The man shot firecrackers at security forces at the checkpoint and threatened them with a knife, the police statement said. The man wore a t-shirt emblazoned with a symbol of the Islamic State militant group, according to an Associated Press reporter Israeli fire has killed at least 700 Palestinians in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began last year, Palestinian health officials said. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. DOHA, Qatar — The prime minister of Qatar says he has seen new momentum in Gaza ceasefire efforts since the U.S. presidential election, with the incoming Trump administration seeking an end to the conflict before it takes office. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a key mediator in the ceasefire efforts, declined to give specifics of the negotiations but told an international conference in Doha that the gaps between the sides are not large. Qatar, which has served as a mediator throughout the 14-month war, suspended its efforts last month in frustration over the lack of progress. But Sheikh Mohammed said his government has re-engaged in recent days after determining a new willingness by both parties to reach a deal. ’We have sensed after the election that the momentum is coming back,” he told the Doha Forum on Saturday. He said has been in touch with both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration and found that while there are some differences in approach, both are committed to the same goal of ending the war. ’We have seen a lot of encouragement from the incoming administration in order to achieve a deal, even before the president comes to the office,” Sheikh Mohammed said. He declined to discuss details, saying he wanted to “protect the process,” but expressed hope for a deal “as soon as possible.” ’If you look at the gaps and the disagreements, they are not something substantial that really affects the agreement,” he said. CAIRO — At least 29 people were killed, including four medical staff, when Israeli strikes pummeled the area around one of the last remaining hospitals in northern Gaza, Palestinian officials said. The situation in and around the Kamal Adwan hospital is “catastrophic,” according to Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, the director of the hospital. The dead included five children and five women, according to the hospital casualty list, which was obtained by The Associated Press. Friday’s strikes also wounded 55 people including six children and the five women, according to the hospital. Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya is one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the Gaza’s northernmost province , where Israeli forces are pressing an offensive that has almost completely sealed off the area from humanitarian aid for two months. Israel’s military denied that its forces had struck the hospital or operated inside it. The army said that in the past few weeks, “coordinated efforts with international organizations have been underway in order to transfer patients, companions, and medical staff to other hospitals.” An Indonesian medical team which had been assisting in Kamal Adwan for the past week was forced to evacuate on foot after the area was surrounded by Israeli soldiers, according to a statement from the team. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the medical team’s expulsion. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization representative in the Palestinian territories, said an Israeli tank approached the hospital at around 4 a.m. Friday. Although no official Israeli evacuation order was issued, “people started to climb the wall to escape, and this panic attracted IDF (Israeli) fire,” he said. He spoke by video from Gaza to journalists in Geneva. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been struck multiple times over the past two months since Israel launched a fierce military operation in northern Gaza against Hamas militants. In October, Israeli forces raided the hospital, saying that militants were sheltering inside and arrested a number of people, including some staff. Hospital officials denied the claim. MANAMA, Bahrain — Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister has reiterated the kingdom’s call for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip. Prince Faisal bin Farhan described Israel as acting with “impunity and is getting away without punishment” in its war on Hamas there. The prince said that any permanent solution requires a two-state solution, with the Palestinians having east Jerusalem as their capital. After the speech, Prince Turki al-Faisal, a prominent royal in the kingdom who led Saudi intelligence for more than two decades and served as ambassador to the U.S. and Britain, took the stage. He harshly criticized Israel’s conduct in the wars. “Israel has become an apartheid, colonial and genocidal state,” Prince Turki said. “It is about time for the world to address that issue and take the necessary steps to bring those who are thus charged by the International Criminal Court to justice.” Israeli officials could not be immediately reached for comment on Prince Turki’s remarks. The Saudis spoke at the International Institute for Security Studies’ Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.Opposition fighters are closing in on Syria’s capita l in a swiftly developing crisis that has taken much of the world by surprise. Syria's army has abandoned key cities with little resistance. Nervous residents in Damascus describe security forces on the streets. The state news agency has been forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad has left the country. Who are these opposition fighters? If they enter Damascus after taking some of Syria’s largest cities , what then? Here’s a look at the stunning reversal of fortune for Assad and his government in just the past 10 days, and what might lie ahead as Syria’s 13-year civil war reignites. > Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are The aim? Overthrow the government This is the first time that opposition forces have reached the outskirts of the Syrian capital since 2018, when the country’s troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The approaching fighters are led by the most powerful insurgent group in Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, along with an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Both have been entrenched in the northwest. They launched the shock offensive on Nov. 27 with gunmen capturing Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, and the central city of Hama, the fourth largest. The HTS has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. But the group said in recent years it cut ties with al-Qaida, and experts say HTS has sought to remake itself in recent years by focusing on promoting civilian government in their territory as well as military action. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told CNN in an exclusive interview Thursday from Syria that the aim of the offensive is to overthrow Assad’s government. Possible rifts ahead The HTS and Syrian National Army have been allies at times and rivals at times, and their aims might diverge. The Turkish-backed militias also have an interest in creating a buffer zone near the Turkish border to keep away Kurdish militants at odds with Ankara. Turkey has been a main backer of the fighters seeking to overthrow Assad but more recently has urged reconciliation, and Turkish officials have strongly rejected claims of any involvement in the current offensive. Whether the HTS and the Syrian National Army will work together if they succeed in overthrowing Assad or turn on each other again is a major question. Others take advantage While the flash offensive against Syria’s government began in the north, armed opposition groups have also mobilized elsewhere. The southern areas of Sweida and Daraa have both been taken locally. Sweida is the heartland of Syria’s Druze religious minority and had been the site of regular anti-government protests even after Assad seemingly consolidated his control over the area. Daraa is a Sunni Muslim area that was widely seen as the cradle of the uprising against Assad’s rule that erupted in 2011. Daraa was recaptured by Syrian government troops in 2018, but rebels remained in some areas. In recent years, Daraa was in a state of uneasy quiet under a Russian-mediated ceasefire deal. And much of Syria's east is controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group backed by the United States that in the past has clashed with most other armed groups in the country. Syria's government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. What’s next? Much depends on Assad’s next moves and his forces' will to fight the rebels. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces have started carrying out the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. And Syrian troops withdrew Saturday from much of the central city of Homs, Syria's third largest, according to a pro-government outlet and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. If that city is captured, the link would be cut between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support. “Homs to the coastal cities will be a very huge red line politically and socially. Politically, if this line is crossed, then we are talking about the end of the entire Syria, the one that we knew in the past,” said a Damascus resident, Anas Joudeh. Assad appears to be largely on his own as allies Russia and Iran are distracted by other conflicts and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah has been weakened by its war with Israel, now under a fragile ceasefire. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition,” saying the situation is changing by the minute. He met with foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. President-elect Donald Trump in his first extensive comments on the developments in Syria said the besieged Assad didn’t deserve U.S. support to stay in power. “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump posted on social media. ___ Associated Press writer Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed.

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission . He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars’ worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior . Ferguson is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling National Politics | Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions. “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, in a recent analysis . Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command. For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges halted the merger Tuesday night. The FTC had filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart. One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing. Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC’s efforts to block the deal, some experts have said. And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump’s orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan’s scrutiny of Big Tech firms. In addition to Fergson, Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment.-- Shares Facebook Twitter Reddit Email Every culture has its bewildering holiday traditions. One that never gets old for Americans is arguing over Christmas movies. Although Netflix's action thriller “Black Doves” is set in London, it traffics in its version of this debate when two assassins and a civilian discuss their favorite Christmas movies to pass the time. “ The Santa Clause ,” Tim Allen ’s famous ho-ho-holiday flick gets some respect from one of the triggermen, Eleanor (Gabrielle Creevy). “ The Holiday ,” Nancy Meyers ’ gentle Yanks-meet-Brits romance, is deemed garbage. Considering the series’ tone and genre, one may expect the conversion to shift into the age-old “Die Hard” debate – but series creator Joe Barton is slyer than that. At the core of that playful, pointless dispute is whether John McClane’s year-end vacation is or isn’t a Christmas movie . Barton writes all six episodes of his deadly spy game as an argument that it – and every other bloody festive spectacular – absolutely is without dropping titles or catchphrases. Mind you, the audience’s playful arguments on this topic amount to little more than ritualistic pantomime these days. Christmas action flicks are pretty much a legitimate subgenre that this fishtails into quite smoothly. Related At long last, "The Long Kiss Goodnight" is getting the holiday affection it deserves “Black Doves” invites us to binge the tale of Helen Webb ( Keira Knightley ) — devoted wife of high-level government official Wallace Webb (Andrew Buchan), and mother to adorable twins. Wallace is a solid, morally sound politician in a nest of corruption. He loves his family and is as sexually arousing as unbuttered toast, but he's reliable. Helen is slender, attractive, cheerful and makes Wallace look like future prime minister material. Black Doves (Netflix) The world thinks she’s a homemaker. The reality is she’s a spy for the show’s eponymous organization, selling the secrets of the rich and powerful to the highest bidder. Her work is facilitated by a handler named Reed ( Sarah Lancashire ). Her best friend Sam (an excellent Ben Whishaw ) is a sad boy contract killer pining for his lost love. Helen also has a secret lover named Jason ( Andrew Koji ) who, unfortunately for all Londoners counting on peace on earth and mercy mild, is killed along with other seemingly ordinary people. Hearing this lights the candle of Helen’s homicidal rampage, and before the first episode cuts to black, she has traded making Christmas pudding for a knife fight that ends with her covered in a stranger’s blood. This story pitch reads as if it were designed to goose the almighty streaming algorithm – “Make it 'The Long Kiss Goodnight,' only with the dream girl from 'Love Actually'!” Sure, why not? In rankings of holiday movies that spur violent disagreement, “Love Actually” sits pretty high on the list. And Helen’s life has a lot in common with that of Geena Davis ’ heroine in “The Long Kiss Goodnight.” That shoot-'em-up – a favorite of both mine and Samuel L. Jackson — introduces Davis as a devoted mother, community pillar and schoolteacher named Samantha Caine. Only, oopsie doodle , due to a serious knock on the head, Samantha forgot that she’s actually a CIA-trained black-ops agent. Her real name is Charly Baltimore. This story pitch reads as if it were designed to goose the almighty streaming algorithm – “Make it 'The Long Kiss Goodnight,' only with the dream girl from 'Love Actually'!” Debates about “Love Actually” are mainly about the quality of its schmaltz. Everyone accepts that’s a Christmas romance. In contrast, the weakest arguments against awarding jingle bell designations to “ Die Hard ,” “Lethal Weapon ,” “ The Long Kiss Goodnight ,” “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” hold to the Hallmark definition of what holiday movies are supposed to be. Ordeals, such as they are, tend to be minor and surmountable; notions that everything is lost amount of misunderstandings. Everything is solved by the time Christmas day rolls around, and in plenty of time to gather ‘round the roast beast. But anybody who can quote, say, signature lines from “Lethal Weapon” and other holly-jolly mayhem recognizes those movies follow this structure almost to the cranberry. The main departure is in the scope of the conflict: its heroes are out to save their nations or the world. Salvaging their personal lives is secondary, although frequently central to their mission success; nothing motivates a person like love. If a few evildoers are erased in this days-long Festivus airing of grievances , that’s a stocking-stuffer bonus. For those of us who feel the annual pull of loneliness, and fatigue or, for whatever reason, can’t quite flip their joy switches into “on” mode, these movies are validating. All the great modern Christmas action classics give us heroes pretending to be something they’re not at first before passing through a crucible that brings them closer to their truer selves. Black Doves (Netflix) So it goes with “Black Doves,” a six-part joyride through the longest nights of the festive season, a time in which Helen’s handler Reed passes along lethal orders while wrapping presents or, in one scene, strolling through a Christmas tree lot. Lots of criminals die, but the finale’s emotional climax is a turkey feast that isn’t marred by yelling or tears. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter , Crash Course. This locks in the legitimacy of its Christmas entertainment designation by the barest of definition. Not only does “Black Doves” close on Dec. 25 but, like the great yuletide bullet storms that came before it, it ends within the spirit of its celebration. The understanding we’re left with, though, is this peace is temporary. (Netflix confirmed that by greenlighting it for a second season before its debut.) This is the eternal utility of all Christmas action movies – their acknowledgment that the sparkly and mercilessly upbeat mood engulfing the season is artificial. It’s tinsel. Watching their bloodied, bruised heroes emerge from whatever piles of flaming wreckage they’ve wrought amid so much forced merriment has a way of boosting our morale out of the humbug doldrums. Everything seems like it’s back to normal. Everyone’s problems appear to vanish. For a short while, anyway, it feels OK to have hope again, the energy we need to steady ourselves for whatever the sequels have in store. All six episodes of "Black Doves" Season 1 is streaming on Netflix. Read more about this topic A bullet wrapped in a bow: Make "Lethal Weapon" this year's cathartic Christmas movie tradition "Chefs do that": The underappreciated holiday joy of "The Long Kiss Goodnight" All Hallmark Christmas movies are horror films in disguise By Melanie McFarland Melanie McFarland is Salon's award-winning senior culture critic. Follow her on Bluesky: @McTelevision MORE FROM Melanie McFarland Related Topics ------------------------------------------ Black Doves Christmas Commentary Die Hard Netflix The Long Kiss Goodnight Tv Related Articles Advertisement:The Texas Supreme Court on Friday overturned a lower court ruling that state Attorney General Ken Paxton testify in a whistleblower lawsuit at the heart of impeachment charges brought against him in 2023. The court on Friday said Paxton’s office does not dispute any issue in the lawsuit by four former Paxton employees and agreed to any judgment in the case. “In a major win for the State of Texas, the state Supreme Court has sided with Attorney General Paxton against former OAG employees whose effort to prolong costly, politically-motivated litigation against the agency has wasted public resources for years," a statement from Paxton's office said. An attorney for one of the plaintiffs declined immediate comment, and a second attorney did not immediately return a phone call for comment. The former employees allege they were improperly fired or forced out for bringing to the FBI allegations that Paxton was misusing his office to protect a friend and campaign donor, who in turn, they said, was helping the attorney general to conceal an extramarital affair. The Supreme Court ruling noted that the Texas governor and Legislature have expressed a desire to hear testimony from the witnesses prior to agreeing to appropriate funds to settle the lawsuit. The court said forcing Paxton, First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster, Chief of Staff Lesley French Henneke and senior advisor Michelle Smith to testify earlier could improperly be used for legislative purposes in deciding any appropriation. Under the preliminary deal , Paxton agreed to apologize to the former employees for calling them “rogue” employees, settle the case for $3.3 million and ask the state to pay for it, prompting the state House to reject the request and begin its own investigation, leading to the vote to impeach him. Paxton was ultimately acquitted after a Senate trial. The Supreme Court termed its ruling conditional upon the lower trial court complying with the decision, while saying it is “confident the trial court will comply” with the order.

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The Royal Canadian Navy is coming under fire for steering away from its official march, Heart of Oak, because the centuries-old anthem contains references to colonialism and slavery, and doesn’t represent everyone who wears the uniform, including women and Francophones. “The Heart of Oak was written in 1759,” said Defence Minister Bill Blair, who took questions about ditching the British march Friday at the Halifax International Security Forum. “I think it is a tradition and we’re not necessarily saying that we abandon all tradition. But I think the new Royal Canadian Navy has a right to choose its own path forward and I would certainly support that.” Blair said he’s “seen people trying to suggest that this is part of some other agenda. Quite frankly, I think that’s nonsense. I think the Royal Canadian Navy has every right to continue to advance and modernize, and if they want to have an anthem that’s appropriate for them and theirs alone, how can we say no?” When asked if a more modern march could help the navy’s recruiting efforts, Blair said, “Canada’s a diverse country. We need great people in the Canadian Armed Forces. And great people, for us, includes great women, great Indigenous candidates — great diverse Canadians are all part of what makes a great and strong Canadian Armed Forces.” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre took to social media Friday to criticize the navy’s decision to tack away from Heart of Oak. “More woke nonsense erasing Canada’s proud military history and traditions,” Poilievre said on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. “Meanwhile NDP-Liberals have been asleep at the switch refusing to supply our armed forces with the equipment and supplies they need to defend Canada at home and abroad. When I’m Prime Minister, we will have a warrior culture, not a woke culture.” The song has raised concerns “within the ranks of the Royal Canadian Navy,” national defence spokeswoman Andrée-Anne Poulin said in an email. “First performed in 1760, ‘Heart of Oak’ contains language that does not align with values and ethos of today’s Royal Canadian Navy or the broader Canadian Armed Forces. Specifically, it includes references to colonialism and slavery, and language that is not representative of all those who serve in today’s Navy.” Plus, the march doesn’t have Canadian roots, she said. “It was adopted early in the Royal Canadian Navy’s history from the Royal Navy. In the 114 years since Canada created its own naval service, sailors of the Royal Canadian Navy have forged a tremendous legacy of selfless service, a tradition that today’s sailors proudly continue. As such, it is time for the Royal Canadian Navy to have a march that is unique — that recognizes Canadian traditions of naval service and speaks to today’s Navy and its sailors — one that every sailor can be proud of and rally around.” Heart of Oak’s ship hasn’t sailed just yet. While efforts have been “launched to examine the possibility of changing the official march for the Royal Canadian Navy to bring it more in line with the realities of today’s naval service, while looking forward to the future,” Poulin said, no decision has been made yet to change it. “The matter remains under consideration at this time, and more information will be made available once a way ahead has been finalized.” For some naval watchers, veering away from Heart of Oak isn’t a bad idea. The Canadian navy used to have “a cultural loyalty to all things British,” said defence analyst Ken Hansen, a former Canadian naval commander. “They sent their students to the U.K. to get their advanced training, they listened to British music and their uniforms were British.” If the song is replaced, it needs to be done with something that’s “more relevant and appealing,” Hansen said. He doubts changing it is at the top of the navy’s to-do list. “If that’s where they’re focusing their attention, then I’m concerned about their priorities,” Hansen said. Paul Adamthwaite, a Canadian naval historian and former Brit who served 22 years in the Royal Navy, said he doesn’t disagree with diversity. “But there is something that is called tradition, and navies rely on tradition,” Adamthwaite said. “We rely on past experience to be able to be a fighting force if and when needed by the country.” Canada’s navy was launched in 1910 with “two clapped-out old ships from Britain,” he said. “By the end of World War II, we had the third largest navy in the world and there was some pride in it — absolute pride,” said Adamthwaite, executive director of the Naval Marine Archive in Picton, Ont. He doubts many in uniform know the lyrics to Heart of Oak. “If you ask any sailor in the Royal Navy or the Royal Canadian Navy what the words are, I bet you won’t find one in 50 who knows the words,” Adamthwaite said. “I can understand that, for diversity reasons, there is some wording that is not politically correct today. But it’s not insulting. It is traditional.” While the lyrics to Heart of Oak might have to change, the navy should keep the tune, he said. “There is nothing politically incorrect about the music.” Canada can’t “build a new navy without building on the old,” Adamthwaite said. Come, cheer up, my lads, ’tis to glory we steer, To add something new to this wonderful year; To honour we call you, not press you like slaves, For who are so free as the sons of the waves? Chorus: Heart of Oak are our ships, Jolly Tars are our men, We always are ready: Steady, boys, steady! We’ll fight and we’ll conquer again and again Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our newsletters here .

DALLAS – The Washington Nationals will have the No. 1 overall pick in the amateur draft next summer after winning the lottery in a drawing of ping-pong balls at the winter meetings Tuesday. Unlike last year, when the Nationals were ineligible after initially coming out with the top spot, they will get to make the first pick in July in Atlanta, the site of the All-Star Game. Recommended Videos Washington was ineligible for a top-six pick last year because the collective bargaining agreement states a team that pays into the revenue-sharing plan cannot have a lottery selection in back-to-back years. The Nationals chose outfielder Dylan Crews with the No. 2 pick in 2023. The Los Angeles Angels have the second pick for next summer. Seattle, Colorado, St. Louis and Pittsburgh round out the top six. A weighted lottery among the 18 teams that failed to make the playoffs this season determined the order of picks for the third year in a row. The Nationals went in with a 10.2% chance, the fourth-best odds, for getting the No. 1 pick. Colorado and Miami, both 100-loss teams, had the best odds at 22.45%, ahead of the Angels at 17.96%. Miami instead ended up with the seventh pick. Seattle got the No. 3 overall pick after having a 0.53% chance to get the No. 1 pick, the second-worst odds among 16 eligible teams. The 121-loss Chicago White Sox, who had the most losses of any major league club since 1900, were not eligible for the draft lottery since they had one of the top six picks last year (No. 5) and is a team that pays into the revenue-sharing plan. The CBA also doesn’t allow teams that receive money in revenue sharing to have lottery picks three years in a row. That made the Athletics (69-93) ineligible for the lottery — they picked fourth last year after having the No. 6 selection in 2023. Chicago instead got the 10th pick, one spot ahead of Oakland — the highest possible positions for those two teams because of their recent lottery picks. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

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MONUMENT – With the stroke of his pen, Court Towns secured his college football future, continued a pipeline from Palmer Ridge to Air Force and saved his mother the concern of updating the main colors in her wardrobe. “It’s a great color, blue, isn’t it?” Towns said Wednesday at a signing ceremony in his high school’s auditorium, located two exits to the north on I-25 where the 6-foot-4, 300-pound center will play for a Falcons athletic department with which his mother, Jen Block, is a leading figure. Block, a 1992 graduate and volleyball standout at Air Force who retired as a Col., is now the executive director of athletic programs at the academy. She is the senior government official in the athletic department. Her husband, Denny Towns, is a retired Lt. Col. in the Air Force. “My husband and I are so grateful, so proud of him,” Block said. “He had a lot of options, but he chose to go to Air Force, to play at Air Force, to serve our country.” Block had a brief peak at what an alternative might look like last month when daughter Olivia faced Air Force as a member of UCCS’s women’s basketball team. Block joked that she tried to wear neutral colors for that contest. No such conflict will arise in football after Court opted for Air Force over offers that included Navy. “I don’t have to buy any new colors,” Block said. “It’s going to be so easy to cheer for him.” Towns will enter the academy via the prep school, leaving just one year where he will overlap with another Palmer Ridge graduate on the offensive line – Alec Falk, who broke into the starting lineup this past year at left guard. Former Air Force quarterback Isaiah Sanders also came through Palmer Ridge’s program, which is where longtime Falcons coach Troy Calhoun’s son, Tyler, played. “I think he translates very well,” said Palmer Ridge coach Zach Carlton, who has served as head coach for the past two years but has been with the program since 2015. “He fits the mold for what they’re looking for at the academy — super hard-working kid, disciplined kid, obviously the grades are there. “He’s a super-high football IQ kid, so whatever they throw at him he’s going to figure out, too.” Palmer Ridge runs a ground-based offense, which Towns believes will help prepare him for an Air Force attack that generally ranks among the nation’s top-five rushing offenses. Towns said he understood the circumstances — inexperience and injuries — that led Air Force to a 1-7 start this season, but he was also energized by the team’s four-game winning streak to close the year while averaging more than 300 rushing yards per game during the finishing flurry. “That’s Diesel football,” Towns said, referring to the collective nickname for the Falcons’ offensive line. “That’s Air Force football. That was fun to watch.” With inside information as to what to expect from all angles at the academy, Towns said his lone cause for concern is living up to a standard those around him will expect. “The only thing I’d be nervous about is I’d let down my teammates,” said Towns, who helped the Bears to a 45-6 record over the past four years. “So I just have to keep on pushing myself and make sure that I give my everything so I don’t disappoint my coaches or my teammates.” This attitude is why his mother, who is constantly in close contact with cadet-athletes in her role in addition to once being one herself, sees this as a mutually beneficial match. “I don’t know if it’s because he’s an O-linemen or just who he is, but he’s never concerned about getting the credit or wanting to be in the limelight,” Block said. “He just wants to be a team player and get the job done. That’s Air Force football, so I think he’s going to fit in perfectly with the culture.”Social Media Analytics Market to grow by USD 14.01 Billion (2024-2028), driven by data availability and complexity, with AI-powered market evolution report - Technavio