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

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:21 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 20:49:21 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 20:49:21 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 20:49:21 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 20:49:21 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 20:49:21 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.

Weekend Break: La Grange Park Antique Mall

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:21 GMT

Join Courtney Spinelli on Weekend Break where she visits the La Grange Park Antique Mall.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.

Weekend Gardening with Tim Joyce: Invasive species in Illinois

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:21 GMT

Join Weekend Gardening with WGN's Tim Joyce where he gives tips on how to tackle an invasive species that has now been spotted in Illinois.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.

Plumbers reveal what not to put in the garbage disposal -- and people are stumped

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:21 GMT

(NEXSTAR) -- As tempting as it might be, don't throw all your food waste down the garbage disposal, plumbing professionals say. In a viral TikTok video posted on Oct. 18, employees at Prime Plumbing in Baltimore, Maryland, revealed what you should never put in the kitchen appliance -- and it caused quite a stir in the comment section.To be fair, the company did say that "some answers might surprise you."One plumber said chicken bones are a big no-no, which wasn't too shocking. Less-than-obvious foods his co-workers mentioned included rice, potatoes, and eggshells. "I was always told eggshells cleaned and sharpened blades," one user wrote. The company responded in another video, saying that's a myth, and suggested placing them in a compost bin instead.  FDA warns restaurants in 6 states about contaminated oysters Other plumbers in the original video quipped that you should avoid putting food in that part of the kitchen sink altogether. It prompted anot...

Mass killing suspect had mental health issues, purchased guns legally, authorities say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:21 GMT

By JAKE BLEIBERG, PATRICK WHITTLE and DAVID SHARP (Associated Press)LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — A U.S. Army reservist who opened fire at a Maine bowling alley and a bar earlier this week and killed 18 people purchased his weapons legally, authorities said Saturday, adding he likely launched his rampage as a result of underlying mental health issues.The body of Robert Card, a firearms instructor, was found Friday at a recycling center in Lisbon Falls that police had searched a day earlier. Card died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.The 40-year-old Card of Bowdoin was suspected of also injuring 13 people during the shooting rampage on Wednesday night in Lewiston. State Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck said law enforcement scoured the Maine Recycling Corp. property, where Card once worked, on Thursday night. Sauschuck said another state police team returned Friday to the site, which has about 60 trailers, and found Card’s bo...