Paratroopers with the IDF deployed to Syria to conduct "defense activities" following the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad. The fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, the culmination of years of civil war, has given way to a power vacuum with different factions protecting their own interests – and vying for power in the Middle Eastern nation. The U.S., worried about the resurgence of an ISIS stronghold, has struck targets associated with the Islamic State in central Syria. Turkey, which controls a zone of Syria on its northern border, has continued to attack U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. Both work with different proxy groups. Here’s a look at the different forces vying for control in the region: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country. (Getty Images) Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) HTS was the key faction behind the fall of Damascus and the fleeing of Assad, and now controls the capital city. But the Islamist militant group is far from a U.S. ally – its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head and has been designated a terrorist since 2013. The group governed just a sliver of northwest Syria in Idlib. ISRAEL DEPLOYS PARATROOPERS TO SYRIA IN 'DEFENSE ACTIVITIES' AFTER FALL OF ASSAD The group, founded as an al Qaeda affiliate, still remains largely aligned with al Qaeda but focuses on establishing fundamentalist Islamic rule in Syria rather than a global caliphate. The U.N., U.S. and Turkey all designate HTS as a terrorist organization. The group, in recent years, has worked to soften its image and lobbied to be delisted as a terrorist group, highlighting its government services in Idlib and promising to protect religious and cultural sites, even churches, in Aleppo. Experts believe Turkey, which has long looked to topple Assad, may have been at play in HTS’ offensive. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham chief Abu Mohammed al-Golani has a $10 million bounty on his head. Syrian government forces Syria’s forces loyal to Assad have staved off coup attempts since 2011, often through violent crackdowns on protests and rebellion. By 2020, government troops backed by Iran, Russia and Lebanese Hezbollah had pushed rebel forces back to the northwest corner of Syria. In the waning days of November, rebel factions swiftly overpowered government troops, seizing control of Aleppo – a city previously reclaimed by Assad's forces in 2016. Eight days later, the insurgents successfully captured not only Aleppo, but also Hama, Homs and Damascus. On Monday, HTS granted Assad’s forces "a general amnesty for all military personnel conscripted under compulsory service." "Their lives are safe and no one may assault them," the group said in a statement. HTS jihadists fight against government forces in Aleppo. (Bakr Alkasem/AFP via Getty Images) Syrian National Army (SNA) The SNA is a loosely bound coalition of Turkish-backed forces primarily intent on fighting Kurdish forces. But the coalition, which carries out Turkish President Recep Erdogan’s anti-Assad efforts, was also involved in the fall of Damascus. The groups have – in the past – also battled HTS and other Islamic State terrorists. The SNA coalition believes U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in Syria to be linked to Turkey’s Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a militant group that has launched Kurdish nationalist attacks in Turkey. Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) SDF is a coalition of U.S.-backed Kurdish forces, centered in northeastern Syria. They have long worked alongside the U.S. in battling Islamic State forces in Syria. In addition to fighting the Islamic State, they’ve been fending off attacks from Turkish-backed fighters. US STRIKES DOZENS OF ISIS CAMPS AND OPERATIVES IN SYRIA AMID ASSAD'S DOWNFALL Kurdish forces were not involved in the offensive that toppled Assad, but they hailed the offensive campaign. "In Syria, we are living through historic moments as we witness the fall of the authoritarian regime in Damascus. This change presents an opportunity to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice that guarantees the rights of all Syrians," said Mazlum Abdi, the commander of the SDF, on Sunday morning. Turkey After relatively friendly relations with Syria throughout the early 2000s, Turkey condemned Assad over the violent 2011 crackdown on protesters. While Turkey and the U.S. are allies – bound to protect each other through NATO – they are on opposing sides in Syria, even as both celebrated Assad's downfall. The Turkish military fired on U.S.-backed forces in Syria over the weekend, where fighting erupted between rebel groups in Manbij, a Kurdish-controlled city near Syria's border with Turkey. Turkey has long had a goal of pushing the Kurds away from its border, and is looking to use the current turmoil to capture control along the border and decimate the Kurdish population there. Kurdish separatists have fought Turkey for years, looking to carve out their own autonomous nation. Russia Russia has long propped up the Assad regime, and days ago granted the ousted leader asylum. Since 2015, Russia has effectively acted as Assad’s air force, but its capacity to intervene on the dictator’s behalf has diminished since resources were needed for the war with Ukraine. Opposition fighters remove a government flag from an official building in Salamiyah, east of Hama, Syria, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed) Iran Iran was Assad’s biggest supporter, providing arms and military advice and directing its proxy Lebanese Hezbollah to fight the insurgents. But Hezbollah had to direct its troops back to Lebanon to fight Israel, leaving Assad’s forces in a weakened position. HTS leader al-Golani lamented in a speech on Sunday that Syria had become "a playground for Iranian ambitions." Israel Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu credited his forces’ weakening of Hezbollah for playing a key role in the fall of Assad. Israel has consistently launched strikes against Syria with the strategic aim of disrupting the channels Iran uses to supply arms to Hezbollah. After Assad’s fall, Israel, on Sunday, struck Assad’s chemical weapons facilities within Syria, for fear of what hands they may fall into in his absence. Israel also captured control of a buffer zone within the Golan Heights, the first time they’ve captured territory in Syria since the war in 1973. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) moved in on Sunday and told residents to remain in their homes until further notice. They said they needed to capture the territory to ensure border security. They also captured Mount Hermon – the highest point on the border between the two countries and a blind spot in their defenses that Iran had been exploiting to send low-flying drones. The entrance of the Kweyris military airfield in the eastern part of Aleppo province on Dec. 3, 2024, where a portrait of President Bashar al-Assad and a national flag had been tossed in the garbage. (Rami Al-Sayed/AFP via Getty Images) U.S. Some 900 U.S. troops remain in Syria, where they are partnered with the SDF to fight ISIS. On Sunday, President Biden said U.S. troops would remain there to "ensure stability." The U.S. carried out dozens of precision strikes on more than 75 ISIS targets in central Syria over the weekend to prevent the terrorist group from exploiting the unrest to rebuild. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "We're clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to re-establish its capability to create a safe haven," Biden said. "We will not let that happen." Biden said the U.S. would support Syria's neighbors – Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Israel – "should any threat arise from Syria during this transition." The president added that the fall of Assad created a "historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria."Photo: Ty McCartney Kelowna RCMP says they have concluded their investigation into a year-old incident at a Kelowna gas station that recently went viral on social media. A violent incident at the Canco gas station on Ethel St. occurred on Sept. 19, 2023, at 11:20 a.m. and was captured on a cellphone video. Now a year later, the video has taken on its own life on social media. “For reasons unknown, this video only recently surfaced on social media over a year after the incident was reported and investigated by police,” says Cpl. Michael Gauthier, Kelowna RCMP spokesperson. Ty McCartney filmed the incident and told Castanet the woman in the video began yelling at two gas station employees after they caught her attempting to steal candy. He tried to share the video earlier but it was taken down after being flagged for being too violent. The video recently began being shared widely on social media, leading many to believe the incident had taken place recently. The video shows a woman screaming at the employees after they attempt to take her bag and kick her out of the store. The confrontation escalates to the point where the woman comes back into the building with a man and a dog. The woman then unleashes the dog, saying, "get him." Kelowna RCMP said Friday they attended the scene where it was determined an unknown female had attacked two store employees and attempted to coerce her dog into biting them. The following day on Sept. 20, 2023, the woman was arrested for assault and released on an undertaking scheduled for court at a later date. Ten days later on Oct. 30, 2023, RCMP says they concluded the matter at the request of the victims who added that the female suspect has never returned to the store and that one of the victims no longer resides in the province. “In this particular case, when the victims of the offence(s) are no longer interested in pursuing charges, we are obligated to cancel the Undertaking and conclude the matter as is,” Cpl. Gauthier says. FacebookLPGA, USGA to require players to be assigned female at birth or transition before puberty

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As the AI revolution accelerates, Nvidia and Alphabet emerge as dominant forces reshaping the tech landscape. While Nvidia has captured investors’ attention with spectacular growth, some suggest it might be wiser to consider Alphabet for your portfolio. Here’s why. Nvidia’s Impressive Surge Nvidia has experienced unprecedented growth, with revenues climbing to $113.3 billion over the past year, more than doubling its sales from two years ago. As a vital player in AI, particularly through its contributions to platforms like ChatGPT, Nvidia remains a favored choice for tech enthusiasts. Despite the stock trading at high ratios—54 times earnings—it has cooled since the summer of 2023, offering potentially better entry points for long-term investors. Alphabet: An Undervalued Contender In the shadow of Nvidia’s growth, Alphabet quietly demonstrates its strength. With revenue reaching $340 billion and a free cash flow of $55.8 billion in the past year, the company remains a powerhouse, even during the downturn in the online advertising sector. Investment in infrastructural expansion positions Alphabet for future success, and its stock currently offers more attractive valuation metrics: 26 times earnings and 7.1 times sales. Choosing Your Champion While Nvidia’s explosive growth appeals, it’s important to consider whether its stock price already reflects this success. On the other hand, Alphabet provides a balanced combination of robust performance and affordability, especially as the digital ad market recovers. For those seeking long-term stability and untapped growth potential, Alphabet presents a compelling investment case. Aim for diversified strength, and make your portfolio shine with the proven resilience of Alphabet. Why Investors Should Consider Alphabet Over Nvidia Amidst the AI Boom As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the technology sector, Nvidia and Alphabet (Google’s parent company) stand out as powerful contenders. While Nvidia draws significant attention with its remarkable growth trajectory, savvy investors might find a hidden gem in Alphabet. Here’s a deeper dive into why Alphabet deserves a closer look as part of a diversified investment strategy. Nvidia has undeniably positioned itself as a leader in the AI landscape, thanks to its cutting-edge contributions to platforms such as ChatGPT. This influence has propelled Nvidia to an astounding revenue of $113.3 billion over the last year, showcasing its impressive growth by more than doubling its sales from just two years prior. Investors should note, however, that Nvidia’s stocks have been trading at high valuations—54 times earnings. Despite cooling slightly since mid-2023, these high figures might suggest that the stock already mirrors its explosive progress, signaling investors to consider alternative options or rethink entry timings for long-term returns. Amidst Nvidia’s dazzling growth, Alphabet steadily fortifies its market stature with robust financial metrics. Its revenue of $340 billion and a free cash flow of $55.8 billion in the latest fiscal year underscores its persistent vigor. Notably, Alphabet’s revenue model proved resilient even amid a slump in the online advertising market. Alphabet’s strategic emphasis on infrastructure expansion poises it for future opportunities, potentially elevating its market footprint further. Contrary to Nvidia, Alphabet offers more alluring valuation metrics: trading at 26 times earnings and 7.1 times sales, suggesting an undervalued stock with significant room for appreciation as market conditions improve. Pros of Alphabet: – Superior Valuation Metrics: Provides investors with value-investing opportunities at 26 times earnings. – Strong Cash Flow: Enables reinvestment into fruitful ventures like AI and cloud infrastructure. – Potential Market Recovery: Positioned to capitalize on a rebound in digital ad spending. Cons of Alphabet: – Market Dependence: A heavy reliance on advertising revenue could affect stability during sector downturns. Pros of Nvidia: – AI Leadership: Prized for its pivotal role in AI technology deployment. – Revenue Growth: Demonstrated explosive topline growth, enticing growth-oriented investors. Cons of Nvidia: – High Valuation: Trading at lofty multiples could limit upside potential in the short term. – Volatility Concerns: Rapid growth and sector dependency might introduce market volatility. Navigating the tech-stock landscape requires evaluating both explosive growth opportunities and steady, reliable options within your portfolio. Nvidia’s allure is driven by its rapid progression in AI, yet its current market valuation might present stability risks. Meanwhile, Alphabet offers a solid blend of strong performance, attractive valuations, and positioned readiness to capture renewed ad market gains. For discerning investors in search of a balance between innovation and financial prudence, Alphabet stands out as a compelling choice. Prioritizing diverse strengths could lead to a portfolio fortified by the proven resilience and undervalued growth potential encapsulated in Alphabet. To explore Alphabet’s comprehensive suite of products and services, visit the Alphabet official website .