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Israel launches expanded Gaza ground operation — but won’t use the I-word

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:25 GMT

It increasingly looks like Israel has launched its much-anticipated ground invasion of Gaza — but officials won’t use the I-word to describe the campaign.Speaking to his nation Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s fight against Hamas had entered “the second stage of the war” following a decision by the war cabinet to expand ground operations in Gaza. Standing alongside Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and unity government partner Benny Gantz, Netanyahu acknowledged that what comes next will be a long, hard-fought battle.“This is our second independence war. We’re going to save our country,” he said.But Daniel Hagari, a military spokesperson, later framed the operation more modestly to reporters, saying the Israel Defense Forces would be “gradually increasing its ground activity in the Gaza Strip and the scale of its forces.”The careful wording belies reports of heavy fighting by relatively small IDF units who have pushed into Gaza, supported by tanks, ...

Rutte doesn’t rule out NATO top job

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:25 GMT

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he doesn’t rule out taking on the position of head of the NATO defense alliance.The post of NATO secretary-general is “very interesting,” Rutte said in an interview on Dutch radio on Saturday. Rutte, who plans to leave domestic politics after the Dutch election in November, following his government’s collapse in July, has previously said he wasn’t interested in taking on such a large international role as the NATO leader.But on Saturday, Rutte said being chief of the defense alliance would mean he “could still contribute.” Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has changed NATO, and the members’ calculus about who can lead the alliance. The war has put a new spotlight on the organization, making the secretary-general job more politically sensitive and high-profile than in the past. Jens Stoltenberg, who has been the NATO chief since 2014, over the summer agreed to stay on in the position until Octobe...

Internet being restored in Gaza; Israel offensive continues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:25 GMT

Internet and phone connectivity were being restored for many people in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, even as Israel intensified its strikes on the besieged enclave.The Israeli military’s heavy bombardment of Gaza had cut off most communications in the area late Friday, as military officials suggested an anticipated ground assault against the Hamas militants was starting. Connections were restored to many in Gaza early Sunday, according to the telecom company Paltel, Internet-access advocacy group NetBlocks.org and confirmation on the ground, the Associated Press reported.Israel’s military operations in Gaza continued overnight, while Palestinian factions in Gaza fired more rockets into Israel, the BBC reported.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the expanded military operations in Gaza the “second stage” of what will be a “long and difficult” war with Hamas.This is “only the beginning” of the next phase of war, Netanyahu told a pres...

G-7 nations back strong supply chains for energy and food despite global tensions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:25 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Trade and economy officials from the Group of Seven wealthy democracies strengthened their pledge Sunday to work together to ensure smooth supply chains for essentials like energy and food despite global uncertainties.The nations promised to maintain “a free and fair trading system based on the rule of law and enhancing economic resilience and economic security,” officials said in a joint statement.Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, who co-hosted the two-day event in the western city of Osaka, pointed to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war as the latest threats to stable energy and food supplies.“We nations that share important values have a position of responsibility amid growing uncertainties,” she said in closing the meeting, stressing democracy, inclusiveness and human rights.Worries are growing among developed nations about maintaining a stable supply of computer chips as well as essential minerals, like lithium, which are critical these days amid th...

At least one killed and 20 wounded in a blast at convention center in India’s southern Kerala state

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:25 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — A blast at a convention center in southern India killed at least one person and wounded over 20 others Sunday, authorities said.Hundreds of Jehovah’s Witness faithful were gathered for a prayer session at the Samra International Convention Center in the town of Kalamassery in Kerala state when the explosion took place, police said without providing further details.The wounded were transported to hospital for treatment. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters police were investigating the “unfortunate incident.”Police and medical personnel were put on high alert state-wide.The Associated Press

Sunday showers likely; first freeze overnight Monday a.m. ; Snow likely Tuesday on Halloween. Fall Foliage Raking Forecast

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:25 GMT

Showers are likely here Sunday afternoonDaybreak Sunday looks dry but we could have lake effect showers start around midday. Showers are likely here in the afternoon, better potential in southern sections. Through Sunday, not overly heavy totals, (some of these numbers may be a bit high) not real heavy but most of us could see some rain moving through the area.We're running out of time to enjoy the colors of fall.  The region is currently in the peak of the autumn leaf colors.  During the next week, the Chicago area will move beyond the height of the fall colors and many more leaves will also be on the ground and no longer hanging in trees.As more leaves fall to the ground, we're left with the task of cleaning up the fallen foliage.  Passing showers on Sunday afternoon will make for less-than-ideal raking conditions.  Over the next few days, Monday is the best day for working in the yard, as sunshine and dry conditions return.  Tuesday might not be the wette...

Dear Abby: Everything was great until she came back from her weekend trip with this crazy story

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:25 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I met a great woman, and we dated for a year and a half. We talked and messaged every day, we had our inside jokes, and the sex was great. Her parents loved me, my mother loved her.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: An unmade quilt has undercut our friendship. Am I being unreasonable? Advice | Dear Abby: Am I being selfish to think he needs to get over his grief? Advice | Dear Abby: My boyfriend and I resent each other, but we can’t break up Advice | Dear Abby: My church group leader badmouthed my husband and now I’m caught in their feud Advice | Dear Abby: He says he’s not forcing us to eat it, but basically he is I had never felt more connected to someone, and we spoke about marriage.I planned to surprise her with a ring this year — but things changed around my birthday.She spent that weekend away with co-workers (I agreed she should go because she doesn’t norm...

San Jose State football: Spartans roll in Hawaii 35-0

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:25 GMT

Kairee Robinson rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns Saturday night, helping San Jose State to a 35-0 rout of Hawaii in Chevan Cordeiro’s homecoming to Honolulu.Cordeiro did his part, too. The Spartans quarterback — a Honolulu native who began his college career at the University of Hawaii — passed for 251 yards and two touchdowns as SJSU won its third game in a row.The Spartans (4-5) will qualify for a bowl game if they win two of their remaining three games. After a bye next week, they will host Fresno State (6-1) and San Diego State (3-5) before finishing the season at Nevada-Las Vegas (6-2).  

Walters: California needs to get serious about water management

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:25 GMT

Oct. 1 is the beginning of what hydrologists call the “water year.”Historically, California’s reservoirs are near their lowest levels by this point after months of being drawn down, mostly to irrigate fields and orchards, during the state’s precipitation-free summer.This October is quite different.Last winter’s heavy rain and snow storms, generated by a series of atmospheric rivers, filled reservoirs even as dam managers fully opened their gates to send as much water downstream as possible.So much rain and snow fell in the southern San Joaquin Valley that Tulare Lake, once one of the nation’s largest natural lakes, was recreated, and threatened the town of Corcoran.Virtually every reservoir in the state contains more than 100% of their historic storage levels at the beginning of the water year. The biggest ones, such as Shasta and Oroville, are close to three-quarters full even after giving farmers their full quotas of irrigation water during the growing season.Hydrologists and mete...

Internet being restored in Gaza as Israeli offensive continues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:25 GMT

Internet and phone connectivity were being restored for many people in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, even as Israel intensified its strikes on the besieged enclave.The Israeli military’s heavy bombardment of Gaza had cut off most communications in the area late Friday, as military officials suggested an anticipated ground assault against the Hamas militants was starting. Connections were restored to many in Gaza early Sunday, according to the telecom company Paltel, Internet-access advocacy group NetBlocks.org and confirmation on the ground, the Associated Press reported.Israel’s military operations in Gaza continued overnight, while Palestinian factions in Gaza fired more rockets into Israel, the BBC reported.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the expanded military operations in Gaza the “second stage” of what will be a “long and difficult” war with Hamas.This is “only the beginning” of the next phase of war, Netanyahu told a pres...