Syrian Troops Gain As Putin Defends Strikes

Today is Friday, Dec. 20, the 355th day of 2024. There are 11 days left in the year. Today in history: On Dec. 20, 1989, the United States launched Operation Just Cause, sending troops into Panama to topple the government of Gen. Manuel Noriega. Also on this date: In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed as ownership of the territory was formally transferred from France to the United States. Related Articles National News | LA Zoo hatches first-ever perentie lizards, one of largest lizard species in the world National News | Immigration agency deports highest numbers since 2014, aided by more flights National News | Farmers, business owners, homeowners face uncertainty after $100B in disaster relief flounders National News | FDA updates the definition of ‘healthy’ foods National News | Millions of people may get expanded Social Security benefits.

General Daily Insight for December 20, 2024 We can all aim for a bit of self-improvement today. The Moon starts out in garrulous Leo, where it will make a mind-opening trine to the Sun in adventurous Sagittarius, before changing things up by entering responsible Virgo at 2:37 am EST. We can create order from chaos.

The Miami Dolphins now know they will officially be eliminated if they lose at home Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Thursday night’s win for the Los Angeles Chargers against the Denver Broncos made that so. Now, the Dolphins (6-8) no longer have any paths into the postseason that involve another loss. The Chargers and Broncos are both 9-6.

MIAMI GARDENS — Is Tyreek Hill the perfect troll, or is Tyreek Hill simply tone deaf to Dolphins fans? I think it’s both, but unfortunately more of the latter. That bothers me a little. What matters more is that it greatly bothers and agitates a large contingent of Dolphins fans. Hill, the Dolphins’ dynamic wide receiver, is the Dolphins’ best player and, most likely, a future Hall of Famer. Typically, I’ve been pro-Tyreek on and off the field. He’s got a good sense of humor.  But he’s gone too far this time.

MIAMI GARDENS — When the Miami Dolphins brought defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver onto the coaching staff this offseason, it was known it could be a one-year rental. Why? He’s too good of a coach to be kept in the coordinator ranks for long. Weaver’s name had already come up in interviews for head coaching vacancies last offseason, and it’s sure to happen again after a season that has three weeks left with the Dolphins facing the San Francisco 49ers in their home finale on Sunday. Miami’s defensive coordinator, who came from coaching the defensive line of the Baltimore Ravens the previous three seasons, the last two of which he also held the assistant head coach title, can command a room.

By THOMAS BEAUMONT, Associated Press In the first major flex of his influence since Donald Trump was elected, Elon Musk brought to a sudden halt a bipartisan budget proposal by posting constantly on his X megaphone and threatening Republicans with primary challenges. The social media warnings from the world’s wealthiest man preceded Trump’s condemnation of a measure negotiated by GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson, which effectively killed the stopgap measure that was designed to prevent a partial shutdown of the federal government. Washington was scrambled a day after Musk’s public pressure campaign.