How Will the Rebels Rule Syria? Their Past Offers Clues | New York Times
- The overall sentiment from mainstream media around Syria and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (the rebels) has been surprisingly positive, highlighting how compared to similar Islamist groups and militias in the region they have taken a much more progressive stance, focusing on reclaiming their country rather than fighting to build an Islamist state. The rebels, who previously held the Idlib province of Syria functioned incredibly similar to normal local authorities, setting up schools, creating public amenities, and taxing goods and services to raise funds for its military. It seems this organized approach and more progressive thinking is what led the rebels to not only overtake the Assad regime but do it while being held in a positive light by western media.
- One after another top aides of NYC Mayor Eric Adams fall like dominos. Over the past few months stories, trials, and resignations have plagued the mayoral office, including trials targeted at Eric Adams himself. There seems to be a large circle of corruption led by Adams wherein unqualified personnel are elevated to positions they have no right to be in because they either are loyal to Adams or have raised money for his campaign. Consistently these people use the positions to enrich themselves and the people around them.
US agencies should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer says | Associated Press
- The uncertainty around possible drones on the East Coast, primarily in New Jersey, continues to bewilder citizens and many in the government. Local and state elected representatives are left without answers as federal government officials are providing no better answer than “we don’t know”. Online there is endless speculation, from people saying there are no actual drones and it is just planes, to people theorizing it’s secret military operations or even a fleet of military drones used to sweep for “dirty bombs”, similar to drones the US just sold to Ukraine.
Some N.C. residents distrust FEMA so much they’re hesitant to apply for hurricane aid | Washington Post
- Multiple forces converged to lead North Carolina residents to distrust FEMA, from decades of self-sufficiency to Republicans (including Trump) spreading negative opinions about FEMA. Unlike other states hit by Hurricane Helene North Carolina’s disaster relief aid applications remain startling low with residents voicing their concerns about FEMA’s true intentions and the possible risks associated with taking aid. A key moment was when Trump during a speech falsely stated the Biden administration “stole the FEMA money… so they could give it to their illegal immigrants.” After that day FEMA aid applications saw a steep decline. This deep distrust in the federal government and FEMA will hold back N.C. and the residents who need that aid the most.
Sam Altman reckons with a growing threat to OpenAI: Elon Musk | Finacial Times
- Elon Musk’s rise to political power as a devil (or angel depending on how you see it) on Trump’s shoulder raises concerns for Musk’s competitor companies including OpenAI. Musk, who used to be the Co-Chair of OpenAI, had an incredible falling out with the now leader of OpenAI, Sam Altman. Since then Musk has started his own rival AI company xAI, owned under X (formally Twitter). With Musk’s newfound political power, the concerns are centered on how he might use to disadvantage his rivals, as there are many. This concern goes beyond AI, as Musk’s litany of companies may now have the step-up needed to skirt regulation or rather shape new incoming regulation to benefit themselves.