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How big is this going to get? What to watch for in the Israel-Hamas battle

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 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 ...

Orioles’ lack of signature pitching additions exposed in ALDS Game 2 loss to Rangers | ANALYSIS

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

The Orioles entered the postseason as the best team in the American League. The same was true at the trade deadline. Both could prove disappointing for Baltimore.Dropping the first two games of the AL Division Series at home to the Texas Rangers, the Orioles find themselves on the brink of elimination. The players haven’t performed. Manager Brandon Hyde has made choices worth debating. But these losses trace back to the moves Baltimore’s front office did — and didn’t — make to fortify the club’s pitching staff.From mid-July to mid-August, the Orioles made three additions to their pitching staff, trading four prospects Baseball America ranked among their top 30 — but all outside the top 10 — for Shintaro Fujinami and Jack Flaherty while claiming Jacob Webb on waivers.Fujinami didn’t make Baltimore’s ALDS roster. Webb did but surrendered a home run in each of the first two playoff games, the first leading to the win...

Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 17-10 loss to Steelers | COMMENTARY

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

Here’s how the Ravens (3-2) graded out at each position after a 17-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) in Sunday’s Week 5 game at Acrisure Stadium:QuarterbackLamar Jackson completed 22 of 38 passes for 236 yards and rushed six times for 45 yards. He played well through three quarters, but his receivers didn’t help him by dropping four passes, all of them for possible touchdowns. But in crunchtime, Jackson had a pass picked off in the end zone with 4:10 remaining after the Ravens recovered a fumbled punt return deep in Pittsburgh territory and then got stripped on an attempted pass nearly three minutes later. Jackson has to learn how to win games late in the fourth quarter to become a top QB in this league. Until then, he is good, just not good enough. Grade: C+ReceiversWho didn’t drop a pass in this game? Rashod Bateman dropped a possible touchdown pass, and so did Zay Flowers and Nelson Agholor. Even tight end Mark Andrews let one in the end zone sl...

Mike Preston: Until they prove otherwise, these are the same old Ravens | COMMENTARY

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

It’s not just the offense that’s a work in progress — it’s the entire team.The Ravens talked about being a playoff contender, and maybe they are, but it’s hard to take them seriously right now. They aren’t ready for prime time.Two weeks ago, they lost to the Indianapolis Colts in a game they should have easily won. Then on Sunday, they lost, 17-10, to Pittsburgh in a game in which they should have buried the Steelers.“It just felt like at times, that there was just too many things going wrong,” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said. “It’s almost like a sleeping giant, man. We need to wake up.”There aren’t enough fingers and toes to point out the problems. Coaches keep making bad decisions. Receivers can’t catch or stay healthy. The quarterback melts down under pressure. Offensive linemen can’t pass-block. The defense can’t come up with key third-down stops in crunchtime.In the words...

Ravens collapse against Steelers as mistakes accumulate in ugly 17-10 loss: ‘Gotta clean it up’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

The Ravens were on the Steelers’ 23-yard line facing a fourth-and-2. Quarterback Lamar Jackson had just connected with wide receiver Nelson Agholor for 8 yards and the clock was ticking toward the end of the first half. A chip-shot field goal attempt from the most accurate kicker in NFL history, Justin Tucker awaited.Except, with 19 seconds left, center Tyler Linderbaum thought he saw linebacker Kwon Alexander cross into the neutral zone and snapped the ball to Jackson, who wasn’t expecting it and quickly found himself being chased by Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt before flinging a pass well over the head of receiver Zay Flowers up the right sideline and watching it fall harmlessly to the turf in the end zone.Instead of almost certainly taking a 13-3 lead to the locker room in a game Baltimore had largely controlled over the first 30 minutes, the score stayed, ominously, a touchdown apart. The plan, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said, was to let the clock run down...

Toronto Raptors remain undefeated in Vancouver, beat Sacramento Kings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

The Toronto Raptors beat the Sacramento Kings 112-99 on Sunday night in NBA pre-season action at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.The Raptors improved their all-time pre-season record in Vancouver to 6-0, last playing in the West Coast city in 2018.The Raptors dressed their top five to start Sunday’s game, as Toronto head coach Darko Rajakovic looked to implement his new style of offence.The Raptors started the first half slowly, with the Kings capitalizing on the transition game with steals and blocks to break down court quickly.But by the third quarter, the Raptors had stretched the lead to 23 points allowing bench players to experience some game time.Rookie Gradey Dick was put into the game with under two minutes left in the third quarter, quickly setting up Gary Trent Jr. for three before recording his first bucket with a jumper.But Toronto got O.G. Anunoby and Trent Jr. involved more as the first half went on, with the pair finishing with 12 and 15 points, respectively.Rajakovic...

Lopez makes certain Twins return home with a split

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

HOUSTON — The Twins needed to leave Houston with a split, needed to salvage Game 2 after dropping the first game in the series. And Pablo López, with some help from Carlos Correa and Kyle Farmer, saw to it that the Twins would do just that.The last time López took the ball, he showed up to the ballpark wearing the jersey of his childhood hero, Johan Santana, and then emulated the man, pitching the Twins to their first playoff victory since Santana did so in 2004 in Game 1 of the Division Series.This time around, he was even more impressive.The Astros had a chance to push the Twins to the brink on Sunday. Instead, the man whom the Twins acquired this offseason to be their ace, bested the defending World Series champions, by throwing seven scoreless innings in the Twins’ 6-2 win over the Astros at Minute Maid Park in Game 2 of the American League Division Series.In doing so, he became just the third pitcher in Twins postseason history to throw seven scoreless innings, joining Santana ...

October is his time: Carlos Correa leads Twins to ALDS Game 2 victory

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

HOUSTON — Carlos Correa’s trip through free agency this winter — he agreed to deals with two different teams who then balked at his physical — was filled with twists, turns and drama.But when the dust settled, when Correa finally returned to the Twins on a deal that would keep him in Minnesota for at least six seasons, his teammates rejoiced, knowing what having him on their side would mean for the organization and its future.“He brings winning, championships, whatever it may be,” designated hitter Royce Lewis said. “He brings winning to the table. I knew we were going to be a part of something special.”Correa may not have performed up to his standards during the regular season, but October is his time, the time of year when he helps will his team to victory. He’s proven that again and again.And he did so again on Sunday. Needing a win to avoid going home in an 0-2 hole, Correa went 3 for 4, driving in three runs. The Twins coupled that with a dominant, scoreless seven-inning effort...

Vikings rookie Jordan Addison is the next man up if superstar Justin Jefferson is out

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

Let’s just get something out in the open. Nobody is capable of replacing superstar receiver Justin Jefferson. He’s arguably the best player in the league at his position, and thus, an incomparable player for the Vikings.Still, if Jefferson is forced to miss an extended period for the Vikings after suffering a hamstring injury, rookie receiver Jordan Addison seems capable of stepping up.He proved as much on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium, serving as a spark plug for the Vikings in a 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Though he didn’t get behind the defense like he has a couple of times this season, Addison poured in his most complete game to date, finishing with six catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.Asked if he feels like he’s the next man up, Addison noted how every receiver on the Vikings is going to have to do a little bit more.“We have all of our guys starting to think like that now,” Addison said. “It’s going to be a hell of...

State Police up presence for the Jewish community

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:51 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -The local Jewish population here in the Capital Region is feeling the impacts of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Following Governor Hochul’s remarks on October 7, safety of the local Jewish population has become a priority.Temple Israel of Albany welcomed Governor Kathy Hochul last Saturday to discuss what the war in Israel means to New Yorkers, with New York state holding the largest population of Jewish people outside of Israel. "Immediately, we deployed our State Police to be activated. To protect not just the usual places." Governor Hochul delivers remarks on Israel Hochul announcing places of worship like synagogues, cultural institutions, and museums will be under heightened security across New York State. State Police telling NEWS10 they're also taking additional safety measures while tensions are high. "We are also monitoring social media and chat sites, and we continue to collaborate with all of our law enforcement partners to ensure safety of all our com...