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Why Biden has ‘no alternative’ to Netanyahu

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:47 GMT

The Palestinian militants who attacked Israel this weekend have done Benjamin Netanyahu a much-needed political favor: They’ve revived his foundering relationship with Joe Biden.The decadeslong friendship between the Israeli prime minister and the U.S. president had been sorely tested in recent months as Biden urged Netanyahu and his far-right government to abandon efforts to overhaul Israel’s judiciary in ways many Israelis fear will destroy their democracy. Divisions in the Democratic Party over Israel continue to grow. Long gone were the days when Biden expressed outright “love” for Netanyahu — instead, Biden even delayed inviting him to the White House for months.But the astonishing, multipronged attack by Hamas militants is sure to cast aside those frictions for now. Instead, the two men are refocused on something that has always united them: ensuring Israel’s security and long-term survival. And they’re doing so as both face complex political shifts at home — with their leader...

Azerbaijan leader: ‘France would be responsible’ for any new conflict with Armenia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:47 GMT

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said France would be to blame for any new conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, following Paris’ promise to deliver military equipment to Armenia last week.“The provision of weapons by France to Armenia was an approach that was not serving peace, but one intended to inflate a new conflict, and if any new conflict occurs in the region, France would be responsible for causing it,” according to the Azerbaijani readout of a call between Aliyev and European Council President Charles Michel.Aliyev also blamed France for his absence at a summit of the European Political Community last week in Granada, Spain, intended to address the conflict with Armenia.In late September, Azerbaijan declared victory after a lightning military offensive in the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, forcing around 100,000 ethnic Armenians living in the breakaway region into exile. Last week, Baku officially dissolved Nagorno-Karabakh. Franc...

US Lawmakers want to help Israel, but political chaos means it won’t be fast

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:47 GMT

Within hours of the stunning attack by Hamas militants in Israel, U.S. lawmakers were quick to promise more aid to America’s closest ally in the Middle East.Yet those pledges come at a time of deep political dysfunction in Washington, raising questions over how quickly the money can start flowing.Despite pronouncements of support on both sides of the aisle, there will likely be no fast or easy response until the chaos surrounding the House’s empty speakership is settled. Both candidates for the gavel backed more support for Israel on Saturday, yet the House is still several days away from electing a leader, and the lower chamber remains far from unified on most issues.At the same time, Congress also has to grapple with a looming government shutdown when a funding patch expires Nov. 17.“There is nothing the House can do until they elect a speaker, and I don’t know if that happens quickly,” former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told Fox News on Saturday.A Defense Departme...

Five things we learned from the Orioles’ 3-2 loss to the Texas Rangers in ALDS Game 1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:47 GMT

After enjoying a festive scene before the game, the Orioles came up empty on too many at-bats with runners on base in losing their American League Division Series opener, 3-2, to the Texas Rangers.Here are five things we learned from the game.Baltimore’s reunion with postseason baseball went from festive to tense in a hurryPlayoff baseball returned to Baltimore at 2:16 p.m. Saturday with a 96-mph sinker from Orioles starter Kyle Bradish, fouled off by American League Most Valuable Player candidate Marcus Semien.Orange-clad fans whipped their orange towels in the air. They bellowed for each Oriole who walked onto the field via orange carpet. Joan Jett, a fan of the club since before the last time it won the World Series, sang The Star-Spangled Banner. Bradish felt the ground shake each time he finished off a hitter. The atmosphere suited the occasion.Three hours and nine minutes later, that festive bliss was replaced by somber reckoning with a harder reality. The Orioles, havi...

Patriots-Saints preview: Can Bill Belichick and Mac Jones stop the bleeding?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:47 GMT

For the Patriots, this is a must-win game.Plain and simple.The Saints (2-2) will test them with a hard-nosed defense and balanced offense hamstrung by inconsistent play from their quarterback and offensive line. The Pats can’t wait out New Orleans, like they did against the Jets. They must deliver a knockout blow to a team built in a mirror image.The first to 20 points just might win. Game on.When the Patriots runIf life on the ground wasn’t hard enough for the Patriots, Rhamondre Stevenson popped up on the team’s injury report this week.Stevenson was limited Wednesday and Thursday by a thigh injury. If the injury is new, it won’t help Stevenson boost his 2.7 yards per carry average. The Pats’ top back has underwhelmed after a breakout 2022 season, while Ezekiel Elliott has topped 30 rushing yards in just a single game.Two Saints defenders for the Patriots to watch for: linebacker Demario Davis and defensive lineman Cameron Jordan. Davis ranks second on...

Israel battles Hamas for a second day after mass incursion and trades fire with Lebanon’s Hezbollah

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:47 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli soldiers battled Hamas fighters in the streets of southern Israel on Sunday and launched retaliation strikes that leveled buildings in Gaza, while in northern Israel a brief exchange of strikes with Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group raised fears of a broader conflict.There was still some fighting underway more than 24 hours after an unprecedented surprise attack from Gaza, in which Hamas fighters, backed by a volley of thousands of rockets, broke through Israel’s security barrier and rampaged through nearby communities. The fighters took captives back into the coastal Gaza enclave, including women, children and the elderly, who they will likely try to trade for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was at war and would exact a heavy price from its enemies. Hamas leaders said they were prepared for further escalation.Israeli media, citing rescue service officials, said ...

Policeman in Egypt kills 2 Israelis and 1 Egyptian at tourist site

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:47 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — An Egyptian policeman opened fire on Israeli tourists in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, killing at least two Israelis and one Egyptian, according to Egypt’s Interior Ministry. Extra News television channel, which has close ties to Egyptian security agencies, quoted an unidentified security official as saying that another person was wounded in the attack, which took place at the Pompey’s Pillar site in Alexandria. It said the suspected assailant was detained. Security forces quickly cordoned off the site of the attack. An amateur video circulating on social media showed at least three ambulances apparently taking the victims to hospitals, while onlookers were seen watching behind a police barrier.Israel’s Zaka rescue service reported two people killed in Alexandria. Sunday’s attack came as Israel was battling Palestinian militants after a major incursion from Gaza.Egypt made peace with Israel decades ago and has long served as a mediator in the Israeli-Pales...

Hong Kong cancels scores of flights as Tropical Storm Koinu draws nearer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:47 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — Scores of flights in Hong Kong were canceled Sunday as Tropical Storm Koinu neared the southern Chinese city after leaving one dead and over 300 injured in Taiwan. Koinu was expected to skirt about 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Hong Kong on Sunday night, dumping heavy showers, the Hong Kong Observatory said. The storm is forecast to move across the coastal waters of neighboring Guangdong province on Sunday and Monday. Koinu was packing maximum winds of 90 kph (55 mph) and gusts of up to 122 kph (76 mph), according to the observatory. Hong Kong on Sunday raised its No. 8 storm signal, effectively shutting the city down with shops and schools closing and reducing frequencies of public transport.Scores of flights to and from Hong Kong were canceled and the main Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge closed temporarily, according to state broadcaster CCTV.Koinu had earlier battered Taiwan with heavy winds and strong rain but later the typhoon had weakened into a tropical storm o...

Taliban suspend Afghan consular services in Vienna and London for lack of transparency, coordination

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:47 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban are suspending consular services at two Afghan embassies, London and Vienna, over their lack of transparency and cooperation with authorities in Kabul, a foreign ministry spokesman said Sunday.Most of Afghanistan’s embassies and consulates are staffed by people from the former Western-backed administration, with around a dozen under the Taliban administration’s full control.Some countries retain an active diplomatic mission in Afghanistan, including Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and China, but the international community remains wary of officially recognizing the Taliban as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan.The suspension of consular services at the two embassies is with immediate effect and until further notice, foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said. The services affected include the issue and extension of passports and visas.When asked if the ministry was looking at the activities of more embassies, Balkhi said yes as it was a norma...

University of St. Thomas adds modern machinery intro courses, backed by Defense Department

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:47 GMT

The University of St. Thomas will be partnering with a U.S. Department of Defense initiative to offer introductory courses in machinery.The courses specifically focus on computer numerical control machining and 3D modeling, two skills that are in high demand, said John Wentz, associate professor and chair of the university’s Mechanical Engineering Department.Wentz said the program offers St. Thomas students hands-on experience with machines.“It’s the difference between reading a manual on how to fix your brakes and fixing your brakes yourself,” Wentz said.Wentz said that jobs requiring computer numerical control skills can start at $30 per hour, and are needed in “medical device industries as well as broadly across Twin Cities industry.”Wentz also said summer “boot camps” would be offered to high school students as well as week-long courses aimed at older people, specifically military veterans and anyone else looking to “reskill.”The week-long summer courses would be more like...