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Netanyahu says the Gaza war has entered a new stage and will be ‘long and difficult’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:06:48 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the nation Saturday night that the military has opened a “second stage” in the war against Hamas by sending ground forces into Gaza and expanding attacks from the ground, air and sea. He said it will only increase ahead of a broad ground invasion into the territory.“It will be long and difficult,” he said. “We are ready.”The bombardment, described by Gaza residents as the most intense of the war, knocked out most communications in Gaza. This largely cut off the besieged enclave’s 2.3 million people from the world, while enabling the Israeli military to control the narrative in the new stage of fighting.The military released grainy images Saturday showing tank columns moving slowly in open areas of Gaza, many apparently near the border, and said warplanes bombed dozens of Hamas tunnels and underground bunkers. The underground sites are a key target in Israel’s campaign to crush the territory’s ruling group after its bloo...

Former Vice President Mike Pence ends campaign for the White House after struggling to gain traction

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:06:48 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence is dropping his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, ending his campaign for the White House after struggling to raise money and gain traction in the polls.“After much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to suspend my campaign for president effective today,” Pence said at the Republican Jewish Coalition gathering in Las Vegas. “We always knew this would be an uphill battle, but I have no regrets.”

Spain’s Sanchez backs Catalan amnesty in bid to form new coalition

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:06:48 GMT

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Saturday said he supported granting amnesty to those involved in Catalonia’s failed 2017 independence bid.“Catalonia is ready for total reunion. Representatives of more than 80 percent of Catalans support this measure,” Sanchez said. “And for those same reasons, in the name of Spain, in the interest of Spain, in defense of coexistence among Spaniards, I defend today the amnesty in Catalonia for the events that occurred in the past decade.” Sanchez declared his backing as the “only way” that he could build a governing coalition, El Confidencial reported.Sanchez’s Socialist Party (PSOE) on Tuesday signed a coalition agreement with the far-left Sumar group, led by Yolanda Díaz. But that deal is not enough to secure a majority in parliament. The agreement includes a range of social measures, including proposals to regulate job cuts, raise the minimum wage and reduce working hours without decreasing s...

Musk says Starlink will offer connectivity to aid groups in Gaza

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:06:48 GMT

Elon Musk said Saturday that Starlink would offer connectivity to “internationally recognized” aid groups in Gaza amid a communications blackout imposed by Israeli forces.In a series of separate posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, the multi-billionaire insisted that his satellite internet service could provide connectivity to the war-ravaged territory, but that a connection request had not yet been made.“SpaceX will support communication links with internationally recognized aid organizations,” as well as the UN, Musk pledged several times Saturday morning.Musk owns X, SpaceX and Starlink.The Israeli military imposed a total internet blackout in Gaza on Friday, cutting off most of the strip’s 2.3 million citizens from communicating with the rest of the world as Israel expanded its ground invasion of northern Gaza.Humanitarian aid groups denounced the blackout, warning that it could provide cover for human rights atrocities in Gaza.On Friday evening, Rep. Alexandria Ocas...

Stepped-up phase of Gaza offensive is ‘only the beginning,’ Netanyahu says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:06:48 GMT

Israel expanded its military operations in northern Gaza, including bombardments that cut off communications and internet connections, as military officials suggested an anticipated ground offensive against the Hamas militants was starting.“We moved to the next stage in the war,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in remarks broadcast Saturday. “Last evening, the ground shook in Gaza. We attacked above ground and underground,” he added.“The instructions to the forces are clear. The campaign will continue until further notice,” Gallant said.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this is “only the beginning” of next phase of war. Israel’s ground operation in Gaza marks the “second stage” of what Netanyahu said will be a “long and difficult” war with Hamas.“We are determined to complete this mission,” the Israeli leader told a press conference late Saturday.Netanyahu also said that the stepped-up offensiv...

Column: Matt Eberflus puts his stamp on an improving Chicago Bears defense that will face a tough test Sunday night

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:06:48 GMT

As Matt Eberflus settles into his role as defensive play caller with improving results, it’s worth wondering how things have shifted — or if they have — since he took over for coordinator Alan Williams in Week 2.Familiar issues remain for the Chicago Bears (2-5), who enter Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers (2-4) at SoFi Stadium having won two of their last three games. They struggle to get after the opposing quarterback, which could be problematic against Justin Herbert.Eight of their 10 sacks (which ranks 31st ahead of only the Houston Texans’ nine) have come in the last three games. Five were against the Washington Commanders’ Sam Howell, who has been sacked a league-high 40 times. Howell is not on pace to set an NFL record for sacks in a season (76, David Carr, 2002 Texans), he’s on track to smash it. At the current rate, he will be sacked 97 times because he lacks an internal clock once the ball is snapped.Four of the Bears&...

Poultry companies ask judge to dismiss ruling that they polluted an Oklahoma watershed

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:06:48 GMT

A group of poultry producers, including the world’s largest, have asked a federal judge to dismiss his ruling that they polluted an Oklahoma watershed.Arkansas-based Tyson Foods, Minnesota-based Cargill Inc. and the others say in a motion filed Thursday that evidence in the case is now more than 13 years old. “This case is constitutionally moot because the Court can no longer grant any effectual relief,” the companies argued in a filing with U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell in Tulsa.The filing said Oklahoma conservation officials have noted a steady decline in pollution. It credited improved wastewater treatment plants, state laws requiring poultry-litter management plans and fewer poultry farms as a result of growing metropolitan areas in northwest Arkansas.A spokesperson for Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond did not immediately return a phone call for comment Saturday. The attorney general’s office told the Tulsa World that “a resolution of this matt...

Israel is reassessing diplomatic relations with Turkey due to leader’s ‘increasingly harsh’ remarks

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:06:48 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Israel said Saturday that it was recalling its diplomats from Turkey over “increasingly harsh statements” coming from the government in Ankara. The announcement came after Turkey’s president told a massive protest crowd in Istanbul that his government was preparing to declare Israel a “war criminal” due to its actions in the Gaza Strip. Israel previously removed its diplomats out of Turkey for security reasons. But Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that they were being ordered to pull out now for a reassessment of the ties between Turkey and Israel. Cohen’s statement suggested a move that could sever the newly restored diplomatic ties between the two countries. There was no immediate response from the Turkish Foreign Ministry.Earlier Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during the pro-Palestinian rally that attracted hundreds of thousands of participants that his country planned to forma...

Pence drops out of 2024 presidential race

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:06:48 GMT

Former Vice President Mike Pence announced Saturday that he is suspending his 2024 campaign for the White House. "It's become clear to me it's not my time," Pence said during a speech at the Republican Jewish Coalition Conference. "I've decided to suspend my campaign for president effective today.""To the American people, I say: this is not my time, but it is still your time," he added.Pence exits the crowded GOP field led by his ex-running mate, former President Trump, after struggling to pull ahead of his fellow Republican candidates battling to get closer to the frontrunner. Pence launched his bid in early June, making a pitch for “different leadership” and touting his experience as a congressman and governor of Indiana, as well as his time in the White House. He’s stressed his pride in the Trump-Pence administration, despite his criticisms of his former boss. “My family and I have been blessed beyond measure with opportuniti...

'A Wonderful World' musical highlighting Louis Armstrong

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:06:48 GMT

CHICAGO -- "A Wonderful World" musical returns to Chicago, showcasing the life of Louis Armstrong.Cast members DeWitt Fleming Jr. and Jennie Harney-Fleming joined WGN Weekend Morning News to share more.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.