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Biden eyeing major weapons transfer to Israel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:47 GMT

The Biden administration is working to fulfill Israel’s request to urgently transfer weapons to Tel Aviv, according to a U.S. official and second person familiar with the talks, a day after Hamas militants launched an unprecedented wave of attacks on southern Israel in a conflict that threatens to erupt into a wider war.Israeli officials have asked the U.S. to transfer specific weapons systems, said the people, who were granted anonymity to speak ahead of any announcement, and Washington is working to make that happen. They did not say what those weapons were, citing operational security.The weapons transfers could be part of a new package of assistance for Israel, which Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN Sunday morning the administration would make public later in the day.“We are looking at specific additional requests that the Israelis have made. I think you’re likely to hear more about that later today,” Blinken told CNN.‘We are at war’: Netanyahu responds to ...

Israel war with Hamas escalates; death toll for both sides tops 900

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:47 GMT

Israeli soldiers battled Hamas fighters in southern Israel on Sunday and launched retaliation strikes that demolished buildings in Gaza as Israel responded to the massive surprise attack by the Hamas militant group on the country on Saturday.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed “mighty vengeance” against Hamas after the militants killed hundreds of Israelis and took numerous captives. Israel’s security cabinet officially declared war and Israeli forces began positioning tanks and artillery in the border region with the Gaza Strip.Hamas took the captives back into the Gaza enclave, including women, children and the elderly, who they will likely try to trade for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, according to media reports.The death toll in Israel has risen to 600, according to several local media outlets; while in Gaza officials said 313 people had died. An Israeli military official said hundreds of militants had been killed and dozens cap...

Brandeis University professor’s daughter, son-in-law among hundreds killed during attacks on Israel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:47 GMT

A Brandeis University professor’s daughter and son-in-law were among those killed in Israel after Hamas militants launched a series of attacks that has since turned into all-out war.The university confirmed on Sunday that family members of Ilan Troen, a Professor Emeritus of Israel Studies, had been killed in the conflict that has so far left at least 900 people dead and thousands more wounded.“We at Brandeis are deeply saddened to learn that Professor Troen has lost his daughter and son-in-law in the tragic events that are currently taking place in Israel,” Brandeis University President Ron Liebowitz stated. “Ilan, a Brandeis alumnus, and his family have long been treasured members of the Brandeis community, and we hold Ilan, his wife Carol, and his entire family in our thoughts. We condemn in the strongest way terrorism such as we have seen today perpetrated against innocent civilians and what has amounted to a multi-pronged war launched by Hamas.”As ...

Boston University Bridge closed to traffic as crews respond to encampment fire in Cambridge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:47 GMT

Authorities have been diverting traffic at the Boston University Bridge after a fire broke out at an encampment under the structure in Cambridge, according to police.Massachusetts State Police announced the bridge had been closed to all traffic just before 1 p.m. on Sunday “due to a fire at a homeless encampment on the Cambridge side.”https://twitter.com/MassStatePolice/status/1711061231103053855The Cambridge Fire Department said it had been responding to the encampment where it appeared propane tanks in the encampment were involved in the blaze.By 12:45 p.m., the department said the majority of the heavy fire had been knocked down but that firefighters had been evacuated from the area.Cambridge FD also noted that a search for residents had come up “negative.”https://twitter.com/CambridgeMAFire/status/1711060562363171148

Orioles on deck: Pitching matchup, lineups and how to watch ALDS Game 2 vs. Rangers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:47 GMT

ORIOLES VS. RANGERSGame 2, American League Division Series (best-of-five; Texas leads, 1-0)Where: Oriole Park at Camden YardsFirst pitch: 4:07 p.m.TV/Radio: FS1/97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AMStarting pitchers: Rangers LHP Jordan Montgomery (10-11, 3.20 ERA) vs. Orioles RHP Grayson Rodriguez (7-4, 4.35 ERA)ORIOLES LINEUPAdley Rutschman (S) CRyan Mountcastle (R) 1BAnthony Santander (S) DHGunnar Henderson (L) 3BAustin Hays (R) LFAaron Hicks (S) RFJordan Westburg (R) 2BCedric Mullins (L) CFJorge Mateo (R) SSRANGERS LINEUPMarcus Semien (R) 2BCorey Seager (L) SSMitch Garver (R) DHAdolis Garcia (R) RFEvan Carter (L) LFJonah Heim (S) CNathaniel Lowe (L) 1BJosh Jung (R) 3BLeody Taveras (S) CFPREGAME READINGOrioles pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, who will start ALDS Game 2 vs. Rangers, ‘prepared for this moment’Five things we learned from the Orioles’ 3-2 loss to the Texas Rangers in ALDS Game 1Orioles manager Brandon Hyde pushed the same buttons in ALDS Game 1 he has all season. ...

Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey, S Marcus Williams, LT Ronnie Stanley active vs. Steelers; RT Morgan Moses out

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:47 GMT

The Ravens will try to complete an AFC North road sweep Sunday in Pittsburgh, and they’ll do as healthy as they have been since the start of the season.Five players are back this week, including left tackle Ronnie Stanley and safety Marcus Williams, neither of whom has played since Week 1 with knee and pectoral injuries, respectively. Cornerback Marlon Humprhey is also back after being out since undergoing foot surgery in mid-August.Others returning are wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr., who had been out since suffering an ankle injury in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, and Rashod Bateman, who missed last week’s game against the Cleveland Browns with a hamstring injury.But Baltimore (3-1) will be without right tackle Morgan Moses (shoulder), who had played in 134 straight games, the third-longest active streak in the NFL. Being without Moses could be problematic, with the Steelers’ T.J. Watt one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. Patrick Mekari or Daniel...

Explore San Diego's WNDR Museum for free on this day in October

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:47 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- In celebration of International Artist Day, the WNDR Museum is offering free admission for one day only.Visitors can experience more than 20 interactive artworks by cutting edge artists, collectives, technologists, designers, and more all while saving $38.On Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. the museum will open its doors to the public at no cost. Walk-ups are welcomed on a first-come-first-serve basis as space allows.  There’s a dog-friendly speakeasy hidden in this Carlsbad corn maze Though there is no ticketing fee for this day, guests are encouraged to make reservations in advance to guarantee entry. Those reservations can be made here.“At WNDR Museum, we believe that we are all artists, and we’re excited to celebrate the creativity in each of us by inviting guests into each of our locations, free of charge, on International Artist Day,” said David Allen, creative director at the WNDR Museum. “This is an incredible opportunity to bring our communities toge...

German conservative opposition seen winning 2 state elections, with far-right making gains

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:47 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s center-right opposition was set to win two state elections on Sunday at the halfway mark of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s unpopular national government, according to exit polls, which showed gains for a far-right party.Germany’s national interior minister, who had faced an uphill struggle in a bid to become governor of her home region, appeared headed for a heavy defeat.About 9.4 million people are eligible to vote for the new state legislature in Bavaria and around 4.3 million in neighboring Hesse, a region that includes Germany’s financial capital, Frankfurt. Both states are led by the country’s main opposition Union bloc, made up of the Christian Democratic Union and the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union.Exit polls for ARD and ZDF public television showed the CSU, which has led Bavaria since 1957, on course to extend that run with support of around 37% — little changed from five years ago and around 20 points ahead of its nearest...

150-year-old Florida Keys lighthouse illuminated for first time in a decade

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:47 GMT

ISLAMORADA, Fla. (AP) — A 150-year-old beacon that helped guide ships through the treacherous Florida Keys coral reefs before GPS, sonar and other technology made it obsolete is shining again as part of a national effort to save historic lighthouses that have dotted the U.S. coast for more than a century.An Islamorada community group that is spending $6 million to restore and preserve the Alligator Reef Lighthouse turned on its new solar-powered lights on Saturday to remind the public about the effort.“Alligator Lighthouse was lit in 1873 and it stayed lit until about 2013, and then it went dark for 10 years,” said Rob Dixon, the executive director of Save Alligator Lighthouse, which took over the lighthouse’s title in late 2021. “And now our Statue of Liberty is lit once again.”The lighthouse is named after the USS Alligator, a Navy schooner that ran aground on the reef in 1822 and sank. Alligator and five other aging lighthouses off the Keys were important maritime navigatio...

A workforce crisis is damaging families’ access to therapies for babies with developmental delays

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:47 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Alexander watches Paw Patrol with fervor, bowls his baby brother over with hugs and does everything with gusto.What the 3-year-old West Chicago toddler can’t do yet is speak more than a few words. His balance is wobbly and he isn’t able to let his preschool teachers know when he’s hurt or scared.When his mother, Hilda Garcia, had him tested, the youngster qualified for five therapies through a U.S. program dedicated to treating developmental delays in babies and toddlers — treatment designed to help Alexander develop the tools he needs to thrive. The relief she felt in identifying what he needed was short-lived. The federally mandated Early Intervention program is plagued by chronic staffing shortages nationwide, leaving thousands of desperate parents frustrated: They know their children need support, they’re aware of proven therapies that could make a difference, but they have to wait for months to get the help they need.After 14 months of phone calls, hours of resea...