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Here’s how the Israel-Hamas conflict affects Ukraine, China, Iran — and everyone else

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:55 GMT

President Joe Biden and his aides have long tried to bring some calm to the Middle East, in large part so that the United States could focus more intensely on the greater long-term challenge: China. That strategy is now in danger due to this weekend’s stunning attack on Israel by the Palestinian militants of Hamas.As Israel retaliates, the possibility of a wider regional war looms, demanding more of Biden’s attention. Hundreds of people have died. Biden and his team will inevitably have less bandwidth to focus on Beijing. And that’s as the Biden administration’s attention already is stretched due to Russia’s war in Ukraine.It’s a frustrating dynamic for a White House that had notched what it believed were major, often unsung successes in the Middle East. (And hardly a novel one: Many presidents trying to focus their efforts elsewhere have been vexed by the Middle East.) That included freezing the war in Yemen and making headway on pre-existing efforts to help Israel build ...

Israel declares war and bombards Gaza as fighting rages for second day after Hamas attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:55 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Israeli government formally declared war Sunday and gave the green light for “significant military steps” to retaliate against Hamas for its surprise attack, as the military tried to crush fighters still in southern towns and intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip. The toll passed 1,100 dead and thousands wounded on both sides.More than 24 hours after Hamas launched its unprecedented incursion out of Gaza, Israeli forces were still battling with militants holed up in several locations. At least 700 people have reportedly been killed in Israel — a staggering toll on a scale the country has not experienced in decades — and more than 400 have been killed in Gaza.The declaration of war portended greater fighting ahead, and a major question was whether Israel would launch a ground assault into Gaza, a move that in the past has brought intensified casualties.Meanwhile, Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad group claimed to have taken captive more...

At least 3 Americans killed in attacks in Israel near Gaza border, according to memo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:55 GMT

Washington (CNN) — At least three Americans have been killed in the attacks in Israel close to the Gaza border, according to an internal US government memo reviewed by CNN.Earlier Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US was “working overtime” to verify reports of missing and dead Americans after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack against Israel.“We have reports that several Americans were killed. We’re working overtime to verify that. At the same time, there are reports of missing Americans and there again, we’re working to verify those reports,” Blinken told CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union.”The internal memo says the State Department is aware of three US citizens killed in the Gaza periphery. It is also aware of additional Americans who have not been accounted for.CNN has reached out to the State Department for comment.Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer told Bash Sunday that Americans are among the “scores” of hostages being hel...

Payton Pritchard, Celtics come to agreement on four-year extension, per reports

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:55 GMT

Not too long ago, Payton Pritchard wanted to be traded by the Celtics. Now the guard is part of the team’s long-term future.Pritchard, who was entering the final year of his contract, agreed to a four-year, $30 million contract extension to remain in Boston, according to a report from ESPN on Sunday. The deal is reportedly fully guaranteed.Pritchard and the Celtics had a deadline of Oct. 23 to come to terms on an extension.The agreement also comes with the expectation Pritchard will have a significantly greater role with the Celtics, something that has never been guaranteed since he was drafted in the first round in 2020. It nearly came to a head last season, when the addition of Malcolm Brogdon cut his minutes in a crowded backcourt that also included Marcus Smart and Derrick White.Pritchard stayed professional through a trying individual year, and seemed to always come through when his number was called. But he publicly expressed frustration about his situation, and wanted to get ...

Ravens collapse against Steelers as mistakes pile up in ugly 17-10 loss

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:55 GMT

The last six times the Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers met before Sunday, the outcome was decided by five points or fewer.Why would this be any different, even when it had every chance to be?With the Ravens trailing 14-10 and just over a minute to play, Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith stripped quarterback Lamar Jackson from behind as he dropped back to pass and TJ Watt recovered and returned it to Baltimore’s 19-yard line. Chris Boswell added a 42-yard field goal to seal an improbable 17-10 comeback victory in front of an announced 67,272 at Acrisure Stadium.The Steelers (3-2) have now won six of their past seven against the Ravens (3-2).But this was one that Baltimore let get away.With the Ravens clinging to a two-point lead late in the fourth quarter, they caught a huge break when the Steelers’ Gunner Olszewski fumbled a punt return and cornerback Kevon Seymour recovered it and returned the ball to Pittsburgh’s 7 with 5:48 to go. But facing a third-and-goal ...

J.C. Jackson has an idea of how he can be ‘big help’ to Patriots

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:55 GMT

FOXBORO — Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson wasn’t used to the result of Sunday’s 34-0 loss to the Saints (“I’ve never lost like that here.”), but he’s happy to be back in New England.The Patriots reacquired Jackson in a trade with the Chargers this week. Nineteen months after giving Jackson a five-year, $82.5 million contract in free agency, the Chargers were willing to eat most of his 2023 salary while trading him to the Patriots for a late-round pick swap.NFL Media reported that Jackson refused to enter the Chargers’ Week 4 game against the Raiders. Jackson wasn’t interested in dwelling on the past when asked about the report.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots rookie Chad Ryland explains Sunday’s latest missed field goal New England Patriots | Bailey Zappe again didn’t appear like answer to Patriots’ biggest question New England Patriots | Mac Jones benched aga...

5 things to know as Israel declares war on Hamas following the militant group’s unprecedented attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:55 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel declared war Sunday as it bombarded the Gaza strip with airstrikes in retaliation for a major surprise attack by Hamas.The declaration came a day after an unprecedented incursion by Hamas fighters who blew through a fortified border fence and gunned down civilians and soldiers in Israeli communities along the Gaza frontier during a major Jewish holiday. As many as 1,000 Hamas fighters took part, U.S. Secretary of State Andrew Blinken said. The rampage included an assault on a crowded music festival where authorities had removed about 260 bodies by Sunday. Israel struck back including with airstrikes that flattened a 14-story tower that held Hamas offices. At least 700 people were reported killed in Israel and more than 400 in Gaza.Here are some key takeaways as the fighting continues:WHAT DOES THE WAR DECLARATION MEAN?Israel has previously carried out major military campaigns in Lebanon and Gaza that it portrayed as wars, but without a formal declaration.The ...

An autopsy rules that an Atlanta church deacon’s death during his arrest was a homicide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:55 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — An autopsy has found that the Aug. 10 death of a 62-year-old church deacon who was electrically shocked by an Atlanta police officer was a homicide, although the medical examiner found that heart disease also contributed to his death.Johnny Hollman became unresponsive while being arrested after a minor car crash. The officer shocked Hollman with an electrical stun gun and handcuffed him after Hollman refused to sign a traffic ticket.The city has since changed its policy to let officers write “refusal to sign” on a traffic ticket instead of arresting someone who won’t sign. The policy requires officers to inform drivers that a signature is not an admission of guilt. It just acknowledges receipt of the ticket and court date.The Atlanta City Council last week called on the city to release the video from the incident. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is examining the officer’s actions, has asked the Atlanta Police Department not to release the video ...

Home or amusement park? Historic 19th-century estate hits the market in Lexington, Illinois

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:55 GMT

LEXINGTON, Ill. — A historic 19th-century home fit for royalty has hit the market in Lexington with an asking price of $4.5 million.Built in 1898, the David Hyatt Van Dolah house, also referred to as "The Castle," is a Victorian-style mansion that sits on 55 acres of eye-catching and magnificently landscaped grounds. The 124-year-old home, which was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2015, boasts over 9,000 square feet of architectural history across the mansion's three stories.Photo provided by: Berkshire Hathaway Photo provided by: Berkshire Hathaway Photo provided by: Berkshire Hathaway Photo provided by: Berkshire Hathaway Nestled along Old Route 66 on the western side of Lexington, the home is about a two-hour drive away from Downtown Chicago and only 20 minutes from Bloomington-Normal.According to the registry application, the home, which was commissioned by David Hyatt Van Dolah in 1898, was designed by the architectural firm of Miller and Fisher to resemble...

Chiefs star Travis Kelce returns to game vs Vikings after right ankle injury

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:55 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce left the game with a right ankle injury in the second quarter at Minnesota on Sunday but returned to action after halftime.Kelce caught a short pass in the right flat from Patrick Mahomes on second-and-1 when he turned up the field and lost his footing in an awkward fall for no gain. He jogged off with a noticeable hitch and spent several minutes trying to walk back and forth on the sideline, before limping into a tunnel for further examination.CBS reported on the game broadcast that Kelce went for X-rays on his right foot. After watching the first possession of the third quarter from the sideline, Kelce was back in on the next drive. Travis Kelce opens up about Taylor Swift, getting older The four-time All-Pro has had a wild few weeks. His rumored girlfriend Taylor Swift made headlines when she showed up for the last two Chiefs games, including on the road last week against the New York Jets.Swift w...