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European countries ramp up security for Jewish community in wake of Hamas attacks on Israel

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:44 GMT

The U.K., France, Germany, Spain and Italy have moved to bolster police protection of Jewish communities following the surprise attack by Hamas on Israel and the ensuing escalating conflict.Governments across Europe fear an increase in antisemitic acts as the fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza unfolds, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring it a “war.”In London, Palestinian supporters were spotted celebrating on Saturday, prompting the police to create “reassurance patrols.”London’s Metropolitan Police added that the conflict might lead to protests over the coming days. “We will ensure that an appropriate policing plan is in place in order to balance the right to protest against any disruption to Londoners,” they wrote in a statement.Tensions between Israel and the Arab world are running high, as Netanyahu vowed to take “mighty vengeance” on Saturday, after over 350 Israelis were killed by the Hamas attacks on Israel. Netanyahu a...

Israel battles Hamas for second day; Netanyahu vows ‘mighty vengeance’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:44 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...

Israel battles Hamas for a second day as the country’s death toll from mass incursion soars to 600

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:44 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 militants, backed by a volley of thousands of rockets, broke through Israel’s security barrier and rampaged through nearby communities. At least 600 people have reportedly been killed in Israel — a staggering toll on a scale the country has not experienced in decades — and more than 300 have been killed in Gaza.The militants also 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.The high death toll, multiple captives...

More than 2,000 people killed as earthquake strikes western Afghanistan

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:44 GMT

(CNN) — More than 2,000 people have died after a powerful earthquake struck western Afghanistan, the Taliban said Sunday, as the nation reels from another quake at a time of deep economic crisis.The 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck on Saturday 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of Herat city in the western Herat province – the third largest in Afghanistan.Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mojahid put the number killed at 2,053 people, with more 1,240 people hurt and 1,320 houses completely or partially destroyed. There are fears the toll could rise further.Rescue teams have arrived in the Herat province, and foods, water, medicines and clothes have also been sent to the site, Mojahid added.The initial quake was also felt in neighboring provinces of Badghis and Farah and was followed by multiple aftershocks.An earlier assessments from the UN had indicated a lower toll of around 100 dead and 500 injured. Close to 500 houses were reportedly destroyed and 135 buildings damaged, said...

Live updates | Israel says its at war after surprise Hamas attack

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:44 GMT

Israel says it is at war as its soldiers battle Hamas fighters in the streets of southern Israel and launch airstrikes on Gaza, the day after an unprecedented surprise attack by Hamas fighters.In northern Israel a brief exchange of strikes with Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group raised fears of a broader conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin said Sunday that his Security Cabinet has formally declared the country at war.Follow our live updates.ISRAELI SECURITY CABINET DECLARES THE COUNTRY IS AT WARIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says his Security Cabinet has declared the country at war following a deadly Hamas assault in southern Israel.The decision, announced on Sunday, formally authorizes “the taking of significant military steps,” it said it a statement.“The war that was forced on the State of Israel in a murderous terrorist assault from the Gaza Strip began at 06:00 yesterday,” it said.It gave no further details. But Netanyahu had previous declared the country at w...

Major issues ‘unresolved’ as GM, union continue talks ahead of Monday deadline

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:44 GMT

With a Thanksgiving Day deadline looming, union officials say there are “major issues left unresolved” as General Motors continues to resist key elements of the pattern agreement struck with Ford last month. In a video address to union members Unifor president Lana Payne says while there has been progress made at the local and sub-committee tables, they continue to get resistance from GM on a number of important elements of the comprehensive pattern agreement struck with Ford. The three year deal that was ratified with Ford included what the union said was the highest wage increases in the history of Canadian auto bargaining, improved pension plans and protections during electric vehicle transition. “No one here expected getting this pattern with GM would be easy. It is wrong to assume that these employers will simply accept the pattern agreement,” explained Payne. “We knew it would be a challenge, particularly given the significance of the economic set...

Head chef of Harrod's in London on vegan baking

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:44 GMT

The head pastry chef of Harrod's Department store in London, Phillip Khoury joins WGN Weekend Morning News to share more on his book about plant-based baking.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.

Israel's Security Council: Country at war with Hamas, significant military steps authorized

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:44 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 militants, backed by a volley of thousands of rockets, broke through Israel's security barrier and rampaged through nearby communities. At least 600 people have reportedly been killed in Israel — a staggering toll on a scale the country has not experienced in decades — and more than 300 have been killed in Gaza.The militants also took captives back into the coastal Gaza enclave, including women, children and the elderly, whom they will likely try to trade for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.The high death toll, multiple captives and slow r...

These are the 7 'most offensive' behaviors that break airplane etiquette

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:44 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Just how comfortable do you make yourself on a flight?Modern air travel can be hard enough – passengers have had to deal with a spike in ugly mid-flight incidents, additional charges for baggage and shrinking legroom.Then there are the unspoken (and sometimes clearly spelled out) etiquette rules that some passengers ignore. A survey by online travel engine Skyscanner found that there are seven behaviors in particular that most offend passengers.(File: Getty)7. Asking someone to switch seatsNearly a third of respondents agreed that asking someone to leave the seat they reserved on the flight and swap places is a no-no. It's not clear if this is situation-dependent for any of the respondents, but 31% of the 2,000 U.S. adults who were polled thought it was an offensive breach of flying etiquette.(File: Getty)6. Using both armrestsAn equal number of respondents found that fellow passengers who used both armrests were breaking an unspoken rule. Some might disagree, saying it'...

Powerball jackpot reaches $1.55 billion: When is the next drawing?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:44 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — After yet another drawing without a winner, the Powerball jackpot has grown to an estimated $1.55 billion, standing as one of the largest lottery jackpots in U.S. history. The winning numbers drawn Saturday night were 47, 54, 57, 60, 65, and red Powerball 19. The Power Play was 3X. While there was no jackpot-winning ticket, 10 tickets — two each in Massachusetts and Texas, and one each in California, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin — matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. Two tickets, sold in Iowa and Maine, doubled their prize to $2 million after opting in to the Power Play feature, according to Powerball. Win the Powerball jackpot? Think twice before taking the cash The next drawing will be held at 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday night, with players hoping to snap the streak of 34 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner.At its current estimated size of $1.55 billion, the Powerball jackpot ranks as the third-largest in game history, as ...