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Pentagon Taps “Tiger Team” to Rush Weapons to Israel

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:55:01 GMT

The Pentagon is working to expedite weapons exports to Israel by deploying a so-called Tiger Team of experts to facilitate the transfers, according to procurement records reviewed by The Intercept. Some of the arms sales will be carried out through a new Army initiative designed specifically for the provision of weapons to Israel.The Israel-specific program, called the Israel Significant Initiatives Group, is located within the Army’s Defense Exports and Cooperation office, which oversees policy for U.S. arms sales.The Tiger Team meets daily with the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency, or DSCA, which executes U.S. arms sales, to overcome barriers to arms sales to Israel. The “tiger team,” a crisis rapid response team involving a diverse set of experts, is supposed to examine potential bottlenecks and delays in weapons transfers and offer advice for alleviating the issues.The existence of both the Tiger Team and the Israel Significant Initiatives Group ha...

NFL continues to make incremental, widespread progress in diversity hiring, report says

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:55:01 GMT

The National Football League continues to make incremental, widespread progress in its diversity hiring practices, according to an annual report.Thursday’s report card from The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at Central Florida gave the NFL an overall grade of B-plus, which is the highest mark for the league since the study began in 1988. The league received a B-plus mark for racial hiring and a B for gender hiring.There are still a few areas of concern — particularly in the ownership ranks — but TIDES director Adrien Bouchet said Thursday that the report is largely good news.“It’s the most positive NFL report since we started doing them,” Bouchet said. “The league has made major strides over the past decade, and particularly the past few years.”Among the highlights: There were nine general managers who were people of color at the start of the 2023 season — 30% of the league. Also, the overall percentage of people of color who have an NFL assistant coaching positio...

Israeli military veteran tapped as GOP candidate in special election to replace George Santos

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:55:01 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Republicans have picked a little-known county lawmaker who once served in the Israeli military as their candidate in a special election to replace ousted congressman George Santos, party officials said Thursday. Nassau County legislator and former Israeli paratrooper Mazi Pilip will face off against Democratic former congressman Tom Suozzi in a Feb. 13 special election for the seat, which includes northern parts of Queens and Long Island. The selection pits Pilip, a relatively unknown local lawmaker from Ethiopia, against a political veteran in Suozzi, who previously represented the district for six years during a lengthy career in Long Island politics. In a statement, Republicans in Queens and Nassau County loosely outlined some of her potential policy positions and said she would bring a new perspective to the House. “Pilip is an effective tax fighter who will prioritize public safety, economic recovery, border security and tax relief in Congress,” the st...

Israeli president speaks against 2-state solution ahead of meeting with U.S security chief

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:55:01 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s president has joined the ranks of high-ranking Israeli officials to speak out against a two-state solution after the war in Gaza.In an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, Isaac Herzog said it is not the time to be talking about establishing an independent state when the country’s pain from Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack is still fresh. “What I want to urge is against just saying two-state solution. Why? Because there is an emotional chapter here that must be dealt with. My nation is bereaving. My nation is in trauma,” said Herzog. “In order to get back to the idea of dividing the land, of negotiating peace or talking to the Palestinians, etc., one has to deal first and foremost with the emotional trauma that we are going through and the need and demand for full sense of security for all people,” he said.Herzog spoke a day before a meeting with the White House’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan. The Biden Administration has said ...

Education, faith leaders denounce planned Satan club at Tennessee elementary school

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:55:01 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Faith and education leaders are denouncing plans for an After School Satan Club at a Tennessee elementary school but said they would follow the law and allow the organization hosting the club to meet.Around 40 members of the faith community in Memphis stood united with leaders at Memphis-Shelby County Schools on Wednesday to criticize the planned club and to question The Satanic Temple’s intentions in offering it, according to the Commercial Appeal. The faith community and educators also wanted to make it clear that students would need signed permission slips to attend and to express support for religious organizations that have partnered with the district, the newspaper reported.“You see the faith-based community standing here,” said board chair and local pastor Althea Greene, who wore a clerical collar. “We’re going to stand up and we’re going to be vocal. Satan has no room in this district.”The Satanic Temple plans to host the club at Chimneyrock Elementary ...

Cowboys closing in on playoff berth as they hit the road to face the Bills

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:55:01 GMT

DALLAS (10-3) at BUFFALO (7-6)Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, Fox OPENING LINE: Bills by 2 1/2 according to FanDuel Sportsbook. AGAINST THE SPREAD: Cowboys 9-4; Buffalo 5-8.SERIES RECORD: Cowboys lead 8-5.LAST MEETING: Bills beat Cowboys 26-15 at Dallas on Nov. 28, 2019.LAST WEEK: Cowboys beat Eagles 33-13; Bills beat Chiefs 20-17.COWBOYS OFFENSE: OVERALL (4), RUSH (11), PASS (2), SCORING (1).COWBOYS DEFENSE: OVERALL (3), RUSH (13), PASS (5), SCORING (4).BILLS OFFENSE: OVERALL (5), RUSH (10), PASS (5), SCORING (5).BILLS DEFENSE: OVERALL (14), RUSH (19), PASS (11), SCORING (6).TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Cowboys plus-10; Bills plus-2.COWBOYS PLAYER TO WATCH: K Brandon Aubrey takes his NFL record of 30 consecutive field goals made to start a career back into the elements after keeping the streak alive with kicks of 60 and 59 yards indoors against the Eagles last weekend. While the forecast is mild for December in Buffalo, wind is usually a factor. The 28-year-old rookie ...

Israeli defense minister says war on Hamas will last months as US envoy discusses timetable

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:55:01 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel’s defense minister said Thursday it will take months to destroy Hamas, predicting a drawn-out war even as his country and its top ally, the United States, face increasing international isolation and alarm over the devastation from the campaign in Gaza.Yoav Gallant’s comments came as U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with Israeli leaders to discuss a timetable for winding down major combat in Gaza. Israeli leaders repeated their determination to pursue the military assault until they crush the militant group for its Oct. 7 attack.The exchange seemed to continue a dynamic the two allies have been locked in for weeks. The Biden administration has shown unease over Israel’s failure to reduce civilian casualties and its plans for the future of Gaza, but the White House continues to offer wholehearted support for Israel with weapons shipments and diplomatic backing. Meanwhile, aside from small adjustments, Israel has changed little...

Dolphins will try to put ugly loss to Titans behind them when they host the Jets

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:55:01 GMT

NEW YORK JETS (5-8) at MIAMI (9-4)Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBSOPENING LINE: Dolphins by 8 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.AGAINST THE SPREAD: Jets 5-7-1; Dolphins 8-5.SERIES RECORD: Dolphins lead 58-56-1.LAST MEETING: Dolphins beat Jets 34-13 in Week 12 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.LAST WEEK: Jets beat Texans 30-6; Dolphins lost to Titans 28-27.JETS OFFENSE: OVERALL (32), RUSH (30), PASS (29), SCORING (29)JETS DEFENSE: OVERALL (5), RUSH (28), PASS (2), SCORING (8)DOLPHINS OFFENSE: OVERALL (1), RUSH (2), PASS (1), SCORING (2)DOLPHINS DEFENSE: OVERALL (9), RUSH (7), PASS (12), SCORING (22)TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Jets minus-5; Dolphins minus-2.JETS PLAYER TO WATCH: QB Zach Wilson. The third-year quarterback had perhaps the best game of his career, going 27 of 35 for 301 yards while setting career highs with a 75% completion rate and a 117.9 passer rating. Wilson was selected the AFC’s offensive player of the week for his performance. But now all eyes will be on him as he tries to buil...

Denver Broncos vs. Detroit Lions: TV channel, time, what to know

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:55:01 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Broncos have kept post-season hopes alive with a win against the Los Angeles Chargers. Now they hope to continue these winning ways when they travel to Detroit to take on the Lions.This will be the third consecutive week on the road for the Broncos, but after this, they're back at Empower Field for two weeks.The Broncos (7-6) have won six of seven to climb within one game of AFC West-leading Kansas City. Russell Wilson could have a big day against a defense that’s allowed an average of 29.8 points over the past five weeks. The Lions (9-4) have a comfortable lead in the NFC North, but their shaky defense is a major concern.Tickets for Broncos vs. LionsWho doesn't love Detroit in December? This game is going to cost quite a bit, and that's before considering the cost of flights and a place to stay.Standing room tickets can be found starting at $120, but a seat inside Ford Field will cost at least $145, even on the secondary market. Download the FOX31 App: ...

How, where to recycle electronics in Denver metro area

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:55:01 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- 'Tis the season to bring in new electronics. But in with the new means out with the old, so now might be a good time to find the nearest place to recycle electronics and e-waste. These Front Range neighborhoods have the best Christmas lights E-waste includes TV screens, central processing units, computer monitors, printers, laptops, tablets, DVD players, cassette recorders, radios, stereos, video game consoles, video display devices and more.Why recycle electronicsNot only is recycling electronics a way to conserve natural resources, but disposing of them in solid waste landfills is illegal in Colorado.That means it is unlawful to place electronics on the curb or in waste bins for collection or disposal.Plus, according to the University of Colorado, there are extreme amounts of lead in electronics, which can be released into the air from landfills and are harmful to humans and the environment.Electronics are often made with valuable resources like precious metals ...