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Menendez Indictment Looks Like Egypt Recruiting Intelligence Source, Say Former CIA Officials

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:33:00 GMT

Media coverage of embattled New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez’s indictment has focused on things like gold bars and wads of cash found stuffed in his clothing — the cartoonish elements of the corruption allegations leveled by the Department of Justice.National security experts, however, say the indictment’s reference to Egyptian intelligence officials and Menendez’s disclosure of “highly sensitive” and “non-public” information to Egyptian officials suggest that, more than a garden-variety corruption scheme, there may be an intelligence element to the charges.Egypt’s elicitation of information resembles a textbook recruitment pass, an intelligence operation intended to recruit an asset, four former CIA officers told The Intercept.According to the indictment, Menendez, chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was sometimes asked to supply information to an Egyptian businessman who would then communicate it to Egyptian officials. The most sensitive information Me...

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg kicks off developer conference with focus on AI, virtual reality

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:33:00 GMT

MENLO PARK, California (AP) — Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg kicked off the tech giant’s Connect developer conference on Wednesday with a focus on virtual and augmented reality and artificial intelligence. The company, which renamed itself Meta two years ago, unveiled the next version of its virtual reality headset, the Quest 3. It will cost $499 and begin shipping Oct. 10. Standing in a courtyard at his company’s Menlo Park, California headquarters, Zuckerberg told the audience of developers, employees and journalists that Meta is “focused on building the future of human connection” — and painted a near-future where people interact with hologram versions of their friends or coworkers and with AI bots built to assist them.“Soon the physical and digital will come together in what we call the metaverse,” he said. Zuckerberg introduced an AI personal assistant people can interact with using any of Meta’s messaging apps — along with a smattering of AI characters he called “a bit m...

After Ireland loss, Springboks to test Rugby World Cup readiness of Pollard against Tonga

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:33:00 GMT

TOULON, France (AP) — South Africa will assess the Rugby World Cup readiness of flyhalf Handre Pollard after selecting him on Wednesday to start in the final pool game against Tonga for his first test in more than a year.Pollard was added to the squad as an injury replacement and became a likely starter against Tonga after questions were raised over the Springboks’ goal-kicking in the defeat to top-ranked Ireland last weekend.Pollard is in line for his first international since August 2022. Defending champion South Africa still needs to confirm its place in the quarterfinals.The Springboks made 12 changes in all from the starting team that lost to the Irish 13-8, with only captain Siya Kolisi, lock Eben Etzebeth and No. 8 Jasper Wiese retained. Veteran No. 8 Duane Vermeulen starts at flanker.Pollard is the pivot in what’s otherwise the same backline that played against minnow Romania two games ago, with scrumhalf Grant Williams again on the right wing.Deon Fourie, who ca...

Colts QB Anthony Richardson takes next step in concussion protocol by returning to practice

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:33:00 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was back on the practice field Wednesday.Whether he starts Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams is still to be determined.Coach Shane Steichen told reporters the highly touted rookie would take all the snaps with Indy’s starting offense, clearing another hurdle in the concussion protocol before reclaiming his starting job.“They’re still in the protocol still but they’re going to practice today,” Steichen said, referring to Richardson and three-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly, who both missed last weekend’s 22-19 overtime victory at Baltimore.Neither Richardson nor Kelly spoke with reporters Wednesday. Richardson, the fourth overall pick in April’s draft, was selected as the starter in mid-August. He started each of Indy’s first two games but couldn’t finish either because of injuries.In the season-opening loss to Jacksonville, Richardson left in the final minute with what he described as a bruised knee ...

Maxwell bowls Australia to consolation win against India in third ODI ahead of Cricket World Cup

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:33:00 GMT

RAJKOT, India (AP) — Glenn Maxwell returned from injury to help Australia snap its five-match losing streak with a 66-run win over India in their third and final ODI on Wednesday as both teams finalized preparations for the upcoming Cricket World Cup.India had already won the series, which finished 2-1 to the hosts.All-rounder Maxwell claimed 4-40 in 10 overs of spin as India was bowled out for 286 in 49.4 overs in an unconvincing pursuit of Australia’s 352-7 after the visitors chose to bat first.“It is nice to get some momentum going into the ODI World Cup. I have put in a lot of hard work to get fit,” Maxwell said. “The idea was to chop and change with Mitchell Marsh (who didn’t field or bowl). We will be as flexible as possible and that will be the role of all-rounders in the World Cup.”Marsh’s 84-ball 96 with three sixes and 13 fours had earlier helped Australia rectify its batting issues and fellow opener David Warner (56 in 34) also scored his third successive half-centu...

Stock market today: Wall Street loses more ground amid ongoing September swoon

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:33:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street continued losing ground Wednesday as stocks continued falling amid already sharp losses for September so far. The S&P 500 fell 0.7% in afternoon trading. It’s coming off a 1.5% tumble from the day before that dragged it to its lowest level since June. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 253 points, or 0.8%, at 33,366, as of 1:52 p.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.6% lower.Pressure on stocks continued from the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.62% from 4.55% late Tuesday. It’s been generally charging higher as traders accept a new normal where interest rates will stay high for longer. High yields mean bonds are paying more in interest, which makes investors less willing to pay high prices for stocks and other riskier investments.After more than a decade where the Federal Reserve would often cut rates in order to help the economy, still-high inflation is now discouraging the Fed from lowering rates quick...

Uruguay wins at Rugby World Cup after 3 yellow cards for Namibia

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:33:00 GMT

LYON, France (AP) — Uruguay made the most of three yellow cards for Namibia to win 36-26 and dash the Africans’ hopes of a first ever Rugby World Cup victory on Wednesday.A great 14-0 start had Namibia dreaming of ending a record 25-match losing run in the tournament but three players sent to the sin-bin in the second half helped Uruguay to wipe out a 20-12 halftime deficit.One of the yellows to replacement prop Des Sethie was upgraded to red with 17 minutes to go but the game finished 14 on 14 after Uruguay received a late yellow.Uruguay posted only its fourth ever win at the Rugby World Cup.Despite playing a fourth game in 18 days, Namibia made a quickfire start with some poor play by Uruguay contributing.Namibia stunned its opponent by taking the lead with barely a minute on the clock. An errant Uruguay pass was gladly intercepted by Gerswin Mouton, who sprinted 60 meters unchallenged to dive between the posts. Tiaan Swanepoel had the easiest of conversions.Namibia pulled f...

Zach Davies cut by Arizona Diamondbacks, who recall Justin Martinéz

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:33:00 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Right-hander Zach Davies was designated for assignment by the Arizona Diamondbacks, who recalled rookie right-hander Justin Martinéz from Triple-A Reno before Wednesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox.The 30-year-old Davies was 2-5 with 7.00 ERA in 18 starts this season for Arizona. He signed as a free agent in March 2022 after leaving the Chicago Cubs.Davies allowed four runs and eight hits in the first three innings of a 15-4 win on Tuesday night. In his last four outings, the wiry righty gave up 15 runs, 23 hits and nine walks in 14 innings. He is 60-58 with a 4.36 ERA in 200 starts over nine seasons that included time with Milwaukee and San Diego.“Unfortunately, things were not going great for him on the mound,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “He did have some good moments, but we just made this very tough decision to get another arm in here that we feel like will help us win some baseball games.”Martinéz, 21, has a 14.63 ERA in eight innings o...

Colorado supermarket shooting suspect is fit for trial after forced medication, psychologists say

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:33:00 GMT

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Forced medication has significantly improved the mental condition of a man accused of killing 10 people at a Colorado supermarket in 2021, psychologists testified Wednesday as they told a judge the suspect is now competent to stand trial.Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 24, was found mentally competent by experts at a state mental hospital in August, but his defense attorney Kathryn Herold asked for the determination to be debated in court.Alissa’s mental condition improved this spring after he was forced under a court order to take medication to treat his schizophrenia, said psychologist Julie Gallagher, who testified for the prosecution after reviewing Alissa’s case. “By allowing forced medications, involuntary medication, he was able to take a medication they hadn’t been able to try before and that really made a difference,” Gallagher said. She said the hospital’s finding that Alissa was competent was supported by her review.Alissa entered court in a...

Lions seek to take early control of NFC North by beating Packers for 4th straight time

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:33:00 GMT

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — When the Detroit Lions previously visited Lambeau Field, they knocked Green Bay out of playoff contention in what turned out to be Aaron Rodgers’ final game in a Packers uniform.Nearly nine months later, the Lions return with a chance to solidify themselves as NFC North favorites by beating the division’s traditional heavyweight for a fourth consecutive time.“We know we can win out there,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “We’ve done it before. But you’ve got to go earn it. It’s not going to be given. It’ll be loud, it’ll be a tough environment. They’re playing good. So here we go.”The Lions (2-1) and Packers (2-1) head into this Thursday night showdown tied for first place in the NFC North. The division’s only other two teams are the winless Chicago Bears (0-3) and Minnesota Vikings (0-3).Thursday’s winner gets the early edge.“It’s definitely going to be a huge game and one that we’ve got to win,” Packers quarterback Jordan Love said.Although Green Bay has an 1...