Latest news with #wing
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Smotrich: Gush Katif is 'too small,' good things are about to happen in the Gaza Strip
The finance minister said he was still in the government since he had "reason to believe that good things are about to happen" in the Gaza Strip. The government is considering taking steps in the war in Gaza that are supported by its far-right wing, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said in an interview during a conference in Yad Binyamin on Tuesday marking 20 years since Israel's disengagement from the territory. Smotrich's remarks at the conference, called the 'Katif Conference for National Responsibility' and hosted by the Gush Katif Heritage Center, were his first public comments since Prime Minister Benjmain Netanyahu's decision over the weekend to enact daily 'localized humanitarian ceasefires' in the Strip. Potential upcoming elections The decision, which was taken without Smotrich's knowledge, led to a crisis between him and Netanyahu. Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party Knesset faction leader, MK Ohad Tal, said to the Post on Monday that without a 'clear, organized work plan backed militarily and diplomatically for victory' in the coming days, the party will 'have no choice and will have to go to an election." In the on-stage interview, with Shirit Avitan-Cohen (Yisrael Hayom), Smotrich said, 'If, despite everything, I'm still in the government, it's probably because I have good reason to believe that good things are about to happen' in Gaza. Smotrich did not explain what 'good things' he was referring to, but according to a series of reports on a security consultation held on Monday night, Israel was considering an expansion of military operations in Gaza. During the consultation, Netanyahu also discussed partial annexation of the Gaza Strip as a potential course of action if hostage deal talks fail, an Israeli source confirmed to the Post. Smotrich, who throughout the war has been a vocal critic of the government's humanitarian aid policies and who threatened in April to resign the government if 'even a grain' of aid reached Hamas, said in the interview, 'Airdropping aid from planes doesn't interest me because it doesn't reach Hamas. The real foolishness is the trucks entering areas under Hamas control—where they can seize them, sell the contents, and preserve the population's dependency,' Smotrich said in the interview. 'This is extremely harmful, and I've had countless assurances it would stop. I stood before the public and pledged that this would no longer happen. I even said I couldn't be part of a government that continues doing this, and I meant every word. I know I've become a target of mockery and ridicule over the last 48 hours in the media and online.' 'If, despite everything, I'm still in the government, it's probably because I have good reason to believe that good things are about to happen—things worth enduring the humiliation, the mockery, and the ridicule. And in the end, time will tell whether I was right or not." Regarding the resettlement of Israeli Jews in Gaza Smotrich said, 'For twenty years we spoke of this as a wishful aspiration—now it's also a realistic work plan. We didn't pay these prices just to transfer Gaza from one Arab to another. Gaza is an inseparable part of the Land of Israel. I don't want to return to Gush Katif—it's too small. It needs to be much bigger. Today, Gaza enables us to think on a broader scale.' West Bank policy The finance minister also commented on the government's policy in the West Bank. 'We are carrying out a revolution in Judea and Samaria. We are applying de facto sovereignty—through construction, regulation, declarations, changing the DNA of the entire system, paving roads—and, with God's help, in this [government's] term, we will also apply formal sovereignty in Judea and Samaria,' Smotrich said. Smotrich convened his party for a closed-door meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss the developments in Gaza and the party's position. The party did not make any statements by press time. The recently resigned MK Gadi Eisenkot wrote on Facebook in response to Smotrich's comments, 'Bezalel Smotrich speaks the truth to anyone willing to listen. The October 7 cabinet and the minority government continue to act against the aims of the war, against the Israeli and Jewish ethos. By the measure of results, those responsible for the October 7 failure have also led to the total collapse in Gaza. Along with his extremist partners, he prefers to keep abandoning the hostages—all just to survive politically. It is time for decisions and leadership.' Democrats chairman Yair Golan wrote on X, 'Smotrich dodged combat service, his sons are dodging service, and he's promoting a draft-dodging law—but that doesn't stop him from sending soldiers to their deaths for visions of settlements in Gaza. He pushes for endless war, without bringing back the hostages, at the cost of our children's blood, the erosion of the IDF, and the unravelling of Israeli society.' For you this is war; for him, it's a time of miracles. Realizing the vision of Smotrich and his partners won't just sacrifice an entire generation—it will destroy the Zionist vision and bring ruin to the State of Israel,' Golan wrote. Solve the daily Crossword
Irish Examiner
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Garry Ringrose ruled out of Lions' third Test against Wallabies
Garry Ringrose has been ruled out of the Lions' third Test against Australia this Saturday due to concussion. British & Irish Lions assistant coach Andrew Goodman confirmed that the Ireland centre, who missed the first two Tests having reported delayed symptoms before each of the matches against the Wallabies, had been required to enter the 12-day return to play protocols a second time. Having missed the first Test in Brisbane after being stood down 12 days following his initial head injury, Ringrose returned for the Lions against the First Nations & Pasifika XV last Tuesday. He was then selected by head coach Andy Farrell for the second Test but experienced a return of his symptoms before the team was announced publicly, which prompted this second stand-down period. 'He's disappointed as you can imagine,' Goodman said following Tuesday's training session at North Sydney's Shore School. 'Garry was playing some amazing rugby through this tour and someone you know who it's been a dream of his for so long to represent the Lions and he's managed to do that. But he wanted to be a Test-match Lion so it's been devastating for him. 'To his credit he's been good around the group. As you can imagine, anyone that knows Garry, he's a great lad and a team man so the boys have all been disappointed for him. Obviously he's disappointed for himself but he's getting around everyone and making sure he helps prepare everyone as much as he can. 'He's a real leader for us in terms our backline in particular, so he's been great.' The Lions welcomed Mack Hansen, Joe McCarthy and Sione Tuipulotu back to full training on Tuesday as focus turned to securing a 3-0 series sweep this weekend. Wing Hansen had sustained a foot injury in the final game before the first Test, lock McCarthy picked up a foot injury during the series opener while Tuipulotu was ruled out of the second Test with a tight hamstring. 'For this time of tour it's amazing how many people we've got available,' Goodman said. 'Unfortunately Garry has been ruled out of this Test match, but we have Mack, Joe, Sione all out there running today, so they're in contention.' Asked specifically about Hansen, who had been in contention for a Test place on the right wing before his injury against the AUSNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide, the Lions attack coach said: 'I think everyone was impressed with Mack's efforts off the ball through the opportunities he's had; work rate kick-chase, scramble defence, he works really well off his wing to make an extra number on the long edges. 'He communicates very well and I think all of the inside backs appreciate his composure off the ball and the chat he gives. It's been a big strength of his, his work off the ball but also his composure and the way he sees the game. 'He grew up playing a lot of 10 so he's really smart around what he sees and making the right calls off the back of that.' Goodman also spoke about the motivation within the Lions camp to complete a series whitewash over Australia at Accor Stadium this Saturday and finish the tour unbeaten in nine games on Australian soil, though they did lose to Argentina in Dublin on the eve of their departure Down Under. 'It's huge. It's everything for us as a group to get excited about. It was 1974 the last time a Lions team went through the Test series unbeaten, so there's huge motivation for the group. It's one of those weeks where after two hard physical Tests it's about getting the battery filled up and making sure we're good to go by the end of the week.'
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Winona Ryder says she still plays poker with Al Pacino
She worked with The Godfather star Pacino, 85, in the films Simone (2002) and Looking For Richard (1996), adding that she was 'actively' in love with him. Winona Ryder fronts the September issue of ELLE (Olivia Malone/ELLE UK/PA) Ryder, who fronts the September issue of ELLE UK, told the magazine: 'I was absolutely in love with Al Pacino when I was working with him. 'We were doing that workshop for Richard III, which I didn't know was gonna be a movie. I was actively in love with him. 'He was obsessed with coffee, and he would take me all over New York – like, to the weirdest places – to try different coffees. I'm 22, or whatever. Finally, he's dropping me off wherever I'm staying, and I'm like, 'I love you, you know. I really am completely in love with you.' And he was like: 'Aw, honey, noooo.' 'Then, like 10 years later, I meet his girlfriend, who's younger than me. 'I still play poker with him sometimes. It's the best.' Winona Ryder (Olivia Malone/ELLE UK/PA) With a career spanning decades, Ryder credits actress Laura Dern for helping her navigate the industry and taking her under her wing. She said: 'I don't think I'd be here without her. I met her on my first screen test for Lucas – I didn't know what a screen test was. 'Laura was there to read for the older girl, and she talked me through it, 'cause I didn't know what the f*** was going on. 'She befriended me. I was literally 12 and – nobody knows this – she took me under her wing into my twenties. That relationship got me through.' She is now passing on her own wisdom to the younger cast members on the series Stranger Things. Ryder said: 'I've been trying to sort of change this narrative with the kids, because they have it drilled into them that they're so lucky and, you know, that this show 'made' them. 'I'm like: 'No. Netflix is so lucky. You guys are the special ones. Like, you guys are magic.'' Ryder is also known for starring in films including Heathers, Edward Scissorhands and Little Women. The September issue of ELLE UK is on sale from 31 July.
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Winona Ryder felt 'actively in love' with Al Pacino
Winona Ryder has said she once confessed her love to fellow Hollywood star Al Pacino and that she still plays poker with him. Ryder, 53, is best known for starring in Tim Burton's 1988 movie Beetlejuice and its 2024 sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, along with playing Joyce Byers in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. She worked with The Godfather star Pacino, 85, in the films Simone (2002) and Looking for Richard (1996). Ryder, who appears on the front cover of the September issue of ELLE UK, told the magazine: "I was absolutely in love with Al Pacino when I was working with him. "We were doing that workshop for Richard III, which I didn't know was gonna be a movie. I was actively in love with him. "He was obsessed with coffee, and he would take me all over New York - like, to the weirdest places - to try different coffees. I'm 22, or whatever. Finally, he's dropping me off wherever I'm staying, and I'm like, 'I love you, you know. I really am completely in love with you.' And he was like, 'Aw, honey, noooo.' "Then, like 10 years later, I meet his girlfriend, who's younger than me. "I still play poker with him sometimes. It's the best." With a career spanning decades, Ryder credits actress Laura Dern for helping her navigate the industry and taking her under her wing. She said: "I don't think I'd be here without her. I met her on my first screen test for Lucas (1986 film) - I didn't know what a screen test was. "Laura was there to read for the older girl, and she talked me through it, 'cause I didn't know what the f*** was going on. "She befriended me. I was literally 12 and - nobody knows this - she took me under her wing into my twenties. That relationship got me through." She is now passing on her own wisdom to the younger cast members on the series Stranger Things. Ryder said: "I've been trying to sort of change this narrative with the kids, because they have it drilled into them that they're so lucky and, you know, that this show 'made' them. "I'm like, 'No. Netflix is so lucky. You guys are the special ones. Like, you guys are magic.'" Ryder is also known for starring in films including Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, and Little Women. The September issue of ELLE UK is on sale from 31 July.
The Advertiser
22-07-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
Regional Qantas flight makes an emergency landing after wing flap issue
A regional Qantas plane had to abandon its flight and return to its original destination after an issue with its wing flap. Qantas flight QF2079 from Mildura to Melbourne on July 22 reported issues with its wing flap shortly after take off at 10am ACM understands. Flightradar24 showed the plane circling near the regional city for more than an hour. The plane returned to Mildura and made a "priority landing" just after midday due to a technical issue, Qantas said. "Our pilots are highly trained to handle situations like this, and the flight has since landed safely in Mildura," a spokesperson said. READ MORE: Virgin could update in-flight battery use policy following aircraft fire "We appreciate this would have been an unsettling experience for customers and thank them for their understanding." Victoria Police, SES and local fire service attended the scene. The plane, with 63 people on board, is operated by a Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. Passengers have disembarked from the gate, and engineers are assessing the plane. A regional Qantas plane had to abandon its flight and return to its original destination after an issue with its wing flap. Qantas flight QF2079 from Mildura to Melbourne on July 22 reported issues with its wing flap shortly after take off at 10am ACM understands. Flightradar24 showed the plane circling near the regional city for more than an hour. The plane returned to Mildura and made a "priority landing" just after midday due to a technical issue, Qantas said. "Our pilots are highly trained to handle situations like this, and the flight has since landed safely in Mildura," a spokesperson said. READ MORE: Virgin could update in-flight battery use policy following aircraft fire "We appreciate this would have been an unsettling experience for customers and thank them for their understanding." Victoria Police, SES and local fire service attended the scene. The plane, with 63 people on board, is operated by a Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. Passengers have disembarked from the gate, and engineers are assessing the plane. A regional Qantas plane had to abandon its flight and return to its original destination after an issue with its wing flap. Qantas flight QF2079 from Mildura to Melbourne on July 22 reported issues with its wing flap shortly after take off at 10am ACM understands. Flightradar24 showed the plane circling near the regional city for more than an hour. The plane returned to Mildura and made a "priority landing" just after midday due to a technical issue, Qantas said. "Our pilots are highly trained to handle situations like this, and the flight has since landed safely in Mildura," a spokesperson said. READ MORE: Virgin could update in-flight battery use policy following aircraft fire "We appreciate this would have been an unsettling experience for customers and thank them for their understanding." Victoria Police, SES and local fire service attended the scene. The plane, with 63 people on board, is operated by a Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. Passengers have disembarked from the gate, and engineers are assessing the plane. A regional Qantas plane had to abandon its flight and return to its original destination after an issue with its wing flap. Qantas flight QF2079 from Mildura to Melbourne on July 22 reported issues with its wing flap shortly after take off at 10am ACM understands. Flightradar24 showed the plane circling near the regional city for more than an hour. The plane returned to Mildura and made a "priority landing" just after midday due to a technical issue, Qantas said. "Our pilots are highly trained to handle situations like this, and the flight has since landed safely in Mildura," a spokesperson said. READ MORE: Virgin could update in-flight battery use policy following aircraft fire "We appreciate this would have been an unsettling experience for customers and thank them for their understanding." Victoria Police, SES and local fire service attended the scene. The plane, with 63 people on board, is operated by a Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. Passengers have disembarked from the gate, and engineers are assessing the plane.
