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The world waits for Israel’s ground offensive, and whatever comes next

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:06 GMT

In today’s Big Story Podcast, the Israel-Hamas war is near a tipping point. At some point Israel will have to decide to push forward with a massive and unprecedented ground offensive into Gaza in an attempt to eradicate Hamas, or find a way to back down from the stated goal of its response. A large-scale ground invasion, however, may well draw other entities into a widening conflict.Gregg Carlstrom is the Middle East correspondent for The Economist and author of How Long Will Israel Survive? The Threat From Within.“Everyone in the region, hundreds of millions of people in this region, are really waiting on tenterhooks right now because they’re nervous about what seems like a very real possibility that this will expand,” said Carlstrom.If Israel sends in ground troops, what happens next? How reliable is information coming out of Gaza right now? Will U.S. President Joe Biden’s presence in the region Wednesday accomplish anything? And is there any hope of a ceasefire?Y...

The Guardian fires longtime cartoonist after allegations of antisemitic imagery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:06 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The Guardian newspaper has fired longtime editorial cartoonist Steve Bell after refusing to run a caricature of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that critics said drew on antisemitic imagery.“The decision has been made not to renew Steve Bell’s contract,” the Guardian said.“Steve Bell’s cartoons have been an important part of the Guardian over the past 40 years — we thank him and wish him all the best,” publisher Guardian News and Media said in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Thursday.Bell has contributed to The Guardian since 1983. Several of his hundreds of cartoons over the years have been accused of including anti-Jewish stereotypes. The latest cartoon, posted by Bell on social media, shows Netanyahu holding a scalpel and preparing to cut a Gaza-shaped incision in his abdomen, with the caption “Residents of Gaza, get out now.” It is labeled “after David Levine” and recalls a Vietnam War-era cartoon depicting U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson poi...

Communities can’t recycle or trash disposable e-cigarettes. So what happens to them?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:06 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — With the growing popularity of disposable e-cigarettes, communities across the U.S. are confronting a new vaping problem: how to safely get rid of millions of small, battery-powered devices that are considered hazardous waste.For years, the debate surrounding vaping largely centered on its risks for high school and middle school students enticed by flavors like gummy bear, lemonade and watermelon.But the recent shift toward e-cigarettes that can’t be refilled has created a new environmental dilemma. The devices, which contain nicotine, lithium and other metals, cannot be reused or recycled. Under federal environmental law, they also aren’t supposed to go in the trash.U.S. teens and adults are buying roughly 12 million disposable vapes per month. With little federal guidance, local officials are finding their own ways to dispose of e-cigarettes collected from schools, colleges, vape shops and other sites.“We are in a really weird regulatory place where there is no l...

Northern Europe braces for gale-force winds and extensive floods

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:06 GMT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Much of northern Europe braced for stormy weather and gale-force winds from the east on Thursday, with authorities warning that floods could cause major problems in inland Danish waters, in the Baltic Sea and in the north of the U.K.Danish broadcaster TV2 reported that the region would likely see the worst flooding in 110 years, and the Danish Meteorological Institute said waves could reach 4 meters (13 feet) along east-facing coasts. In the U.K., the Met Office issued a rare red alert — the highest level of weather warning — for parts of Scotland, warning of “exceptional rainfall” Thursday and Friday and the possibility of a “danger to life” from extensive flooding. The last red alert in the U.K. was issued in 2020. Officials warned Scots to stay away from coastal areas.In Ireland, the storm — named Storm Babet by U.K. officials — brought flooding to several towns and villages, with some areas remaining under water and without power Thursday. Soldiers hel...

GOP lawmaker says she's received death threats over Speaker vote 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:06 GMT

(The Hill) - Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) revealed she has received death threats after reversing her support for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on the second Speaker ballot Wednesday. Miller-Meeks said she received “credible death threats” and a “barrage of threatening calls,” according to a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter. She said her office is “cooperating fully” and the proper authorities have been notified. Miller-Meeks was one of four Republicans to switch their support Wednesday after voting for Jordan on the first ballot. "One thing I cannot stomach, or support is a bully," she said. "I did not stand for bullies before I voted for Chairwoman Granger and when I voted for Speaker designee Jordan, and I will not bend to bullies now." Miller-Meeks instead voted for Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), claiming the Texas Republican has demonstrated "great leadership" as chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee. The Iowa Republican said it was "a...

US vetoes UN resolution calling for 'humanitarian pause' in Gaza during Israel-Hamas war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:06 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.S. vetoed a U.N. resolution Wednesday to condemn all violence against civilians in the Israel-Hamas war and to urge humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the council needs to allow current diplomatic efforts, including by President Joe Biden, to unfold and to find out more facts on the ground first. She also criticized the measure for failing to underline Israel’s right to self-defense.The resolution sponsored by Brazil had wide support and would have condemned all violence against civilians, including “the heinous terrorists attacks by Hamas” against Israel. The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 12 votes in favor and the U.S. against, with Russia and Britain abstaining.Thomas-Greenfield said that Biden was in the region engaging in diplomacy hoping to protect civilians, secure the release of hostage and prevent the conflict from spreading. “We need to let that diplomacy play out,” she said.She sai...

John Stamos says he was sexually abused as a child

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:06 GMT

(WJW) – John Stamos has revealed that he was sexually abused as a child by a babysitter.The allegations are detailed in the former "Full House" star's upcoming memoir "If You Would Have Told Me," reported People.Stamos told People that he was around 10 or 11 years old when the alleged abuse took place. Writing this book, he said, helped him to acknowledge what had happened."It was like you're playing dead so they'll stop. But it wasn't totally aggressive," he told People. "I don't know, it was not good." Natalee Holloway disappearance suspect reveals her fate The Associated Press previously reported that parenthood and the death of Stamos' friend and co-star Bob Saget helped convince him it was time to write a memoir. “Honestly, while writing this book I’ve realized I have about a million stories to tell, and I think you may like at least four hundred of them. It has been cathartic and healing and sometimes heartbreaking to dig in and reveal so much," said Stamos in a previous sta...

'Could have been a lot worse': Police hail NJ school bus driver as 'hero' after brakes fail

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:06 GMT

EDISON, N.J. (WPIX) -- A school bus driver in New Jersey is being called a hero after her quick thinking prevented a bad situation from becoming much worse.Police said two students suffered minor injuries after the school bus crashed into a home in Edison on Wednesday morning. A preliminary investigation of the crash indicated that the brakes failed, authorities said."I think that the school bus driver should be referred to as a hero here," said Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan. Woman shoved into moving NYC subway train: NYPD For the 28 students on board, it was a normal Wednesday bus ride to John Adams Middle School in Edison. They were about a mile or so out from school when the bus driver tried to stop at an intersection, but the brakes failed, police said.Home surveillance video shows the bus crashing into a fence, then clipping the garage of a home before coming to a rest in the grass."It was incredible what she did," said Edison police officer Evan McNamara. "She avoided man...

Dean's A-List Interviews: Director Martin Scorsese on 'Killers of the Flower Moon'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:06 GMT

Check out Dean's A-List Interview with grammy winning director Martin Scorsese on his new film "Killers of the Flower Moon."Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

DoorDash driver arrested and charged after attempted sexual assault

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:06 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - An alleged sexual assault by a DoorDash driver in north St. Louis County.FOX 2 warns viewers that the details are disturbing. DoorDash driver Travaye Gaines has been arrested and charged after prosecutors say he sexually assaulted a customer in her apartment in Spanish Lake.Police revealed that when the victim opened the door for her food, Gaines forced his way inside, pulled off her towel, and grabbed her. She was able to get away and run to a neighbor for help. Sex offender banned from rec centers after FOX 2 tip After Gaines left, the victim said she received a FaceTime call from an unknown number, and when she answered, it was Gaines masturbating. Police were able to learn Gaines' location with the help of DoorDash.Gaines has been charged with burglary, attempted rape, sexual misconduct, and resisting arrest.