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Putin sending foreign minister to Saudi Arabia for talks with Trump officials

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dispatched a group of senior officials to Saudi Arabia for meetings with the U.S. about a potential peace deal for Ukraine, the Kremlin announced Monday.

The officials, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, will meet with U.S. counterparts on Tuesday. The groups plan to discuss a restoration of diplomatic ties between Washington and Moscow, as well as a Ukrainian peace deal and a potential meeting between President Donald Trump and Putin.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the U.S. delegation, accompanied by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and national security adviser Mike Waltz, the state department confirmed Monday.

The meeting comes just days after Trump revealed he had spoken to Putin in a phone call last week. Trump said he and Putin “agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately.”

TRUMP SAYS RUSSIA AGREES TO ‘IMMEDIATELY’ BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS TO END WAR IN UKRAINE

President Donald Trump (center), Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (right). (Alessandro Bremec/NurPhoto via Getty Images | Contributor/Getty Images | Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met the effort with skepticism, urging Trump not to trust Putin in a separate call last week.

“I said that [Putin] is a liar,” Zelenskyy recounted of his phone call to Trump. “And he said, ‘I think my feeling is that he’s ready for these negotiations.’ And I said to him, ‘No, he’s a liar. He doesn’t want any peace.’”

PUTIN VIEWED AS ‘GREAT COMPETITOR’ BUT STILL A US ‘ADVERSARY’ AS UKRAINE NEGOTIATIONS LOOM, LEAVITT SAYS

Zelenskyy nevertheless said he believes Putin is a “little bit scared” of Trump.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will lead the Russian delegation meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Saudi Arabia this week. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Trump’s representatives have declined to offer details about the negotiations, such as whether the U.S. would support a deal where Ukraine is forced to give up a sizable amount of its pre-war territory.

FREED AMERICAN HOSTAGE MARC FOGEL LANDS IN US AFTER YEARS IN RUSSIAN CAPTIVITY

“Those are details, and I’m not dismissive of the details, they’re important. But I think the beginning here is trust-building. It’s getting everybody to understand that this war does not belong continuing, that it should end. That’s what the president has directed us to do,” Witkoff told Fox News on Sunday.

Meanwhile, U.K. Prime Minister Kier Starmer has confirmed that he is willing to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine to ensure its security as part of a peace deal.

“I do not say that lightly,” he wrote in the Daily Telegraph. “I feel very deeply the responsibility that comes with potentially putting British servicemen and women in harm’s way.”

“But any role in helping to guarantee Ukraine’s security is helping to guarantee the security of our continent, and the security of this country,” he added.

War has continued to rage in Ukraine in recent days despite a phone call between Trump and Putin discussing a possible peace deal. (Anatolii STEPANOV / AFP, ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP via Getty Images)

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Zelenskyy added in his interview that he will not accept any negotiation hashed out by just the U.S. and Russia.

“I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine. Never.… The war in Ukraine is against us, and it is our human losses. And we are thankful for all the support, unity between U.S.A. – in U.S.A. around Ukraine support, bipartisan unity, bipartisan support, we’re thankful for all of this. But there is no… leader in the world who can really make a deal with Putin without us about us,” he said.

Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to [email protected], or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.

February 17, 2025
When Is Yashoda Jayanti 2025? Know Date, Tithi Timings, Puja Rituals and Significance of the Hindu Occasion That Honours Mata Yashoda
Yashoda Jayanti is an annual Hindu celebration that marks the birth anniversary of Mata Yashoda, the foster mother of Lord Krishna. Yashoda Jayanti falls on the Shashti Tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalguna as per the North Indian lunar calendar. In the Amanta lunar calendar, followed in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Southern Indian states, Yashoda Jayanti is observed during the Magha lunar month. However, in both calendars, Yashoda Mata Jayanti is observed on the same day. This year, Yashoda Jayanti 2025 falls on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. February 2025 Holidays and Festivals Calendar: Get Full List of Major Events in the Second Month of the Year.

On this day, devotees perform special prayers and rituals to honour Mata Yashoda. According to drikpanchang, Shashthi Tithi Begins at 07:23 am on February 18, 2025 and will end at 10:02 am on Feb 19, 2025. Mata Yashoda represents pure devotion and unconditional love, often worshiped by those seeking divine blessings for a happy and prosperous family life. In this article, let’s know more about Yashoda Jayanti 2025 date, timings and significance of the day dedicated to Yashoda Mata. Yashoda Jayanti Images & HD Wallpapers for Free Download Online: Wish Happy Yashoda Jayanti With WhatsApp Messages and Greetings to Family and Friends.

Yashoda Jayanti 2025 Date

Yashoda Jayanti 2025 falls on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

Yashoda Jayanti 2025 Tithi Timings

The Shashthi Tithi Begins at 07:23 am on February 18, 2025, and will end at 10:02 am on Feb 19, 2025.

Yashoda Jayanti Rituals
1. On the day of Yashoda Jayanti, devotees wake up early, take a holy bath, and wear clean clothes before starting the puja.
2. An idol or picture of Mata Yashoda and Lord Krishna is placed on the altar, and devotees offer flowers, fruits, and sweets.
3. On this day, some devotees observe a fast, which is broken after worshiping the deities and performing an aarti.
4. As per religious beliefs, it is said that donations to the needy and offering food to Brahmins are considered auspicious.
5. Devotees engage in bhajans and other devotional songs in temples and homes to remember and honour Yashoda Mata for her unwavering love and care for Lord Krishna.
Yashoda Jayanti Significance

Yashoda Jayanti is a spiritual Hindu occasion that remembers the love and care of Yashoda Mata towards Lord Krishna. Yashoda is revered as the ideal mother, who showered boundless love and affection on Krishna. Though not his biological mother, her selfless devotion made her the epitome of maternal love. To mark the occasion of Yashoda Jayanti, temples dedicated to Lord Krishna host special bhajans and discourses on the life of Yashoda Mata.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 17, 2025 05:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
February 17, 2025
LeBron James takes heat for late decision to skip NBA All-Star Game

LeBron James drew some blowback on Sunday night as he announced 90 minutes before the NBA All-Star Game was set for tip-off that he would forgo playing in it over a foot issue.

The Los Angeles Lakers star said he would miss the mini tournament with foot and ankle discomfort. It ended his streak of 20 consecutive All-Star Game appearances. TNT hosts appeared to be appalled by the late decision from James.

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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, #23, prepares to shoot as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, #45, watches during the skills challenge at the NBA basketball All-Star Saturday night festivities on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

“I think ‘Bron coulda helped somebody else out and said this earlier,” Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green said, via Awful Announcing.

Former NBA star Jalen Rose added that James “took a roster spot from somebody.”

It was the first time James had missed an All-Star Game since 2004. He was set to play for Team Shaquille O’Neal in the All-Star Game’s new competition format. The team was then down to seven players – Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard and James Harden.

MAC MCCLUNG, WHO HAS PLAYED IN 1 NBA GAME THIS SEASON, WINS 3RD STRAIGHT DUNK CONTEST

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James speaks during a press conference before the NBA basketball All-Star game on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

“I was hoping that it would feel a lot better this morning, but it’s not where I want it to be,” James said. “And with 30 games left and with us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild, West, I feel like it’s very important for me to kind of take care of myself and understand what’s coming on.

“So, I won’t say it’s maintenance, but it is maintenance,” he said. “At the same time, I have to look out for myself when it comes to this to this injury I’ve been dealing with for years.”

James said he will resume rehabbing the injury on Monday and hoped to play on Wednesday as the Lakers return from the break to compete against the Charlotte Hornets.

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Shaq’s OGs player LeBron James, #23, sits courtside in street clothes during Game 2 of the NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)

He is averaging 24.3 points, 9 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 17, 2025
Flirt Day 2025 date: History, significance, fun ideas to celebrate Anti-Valentine’s day with strangers and friends

Flirt Day 2025: Anti-Valentine’s Week is all about having fun and poking fun at traditional Valentine’s Day expectations. Flirt Day is a lighthearted celebration of playful flirting, without any serious romantic expectations. Here’s a rundown on Flirt Day, a part of Anti-Valentine’s Week 2025. Also read | Anti-Valentine’s Week 2025 Calendar Full List: Kick Day to Missing Day, what each day after Valentine’s Week means

Flirt Day is on February 15: It is a day to playfully flirt with friends or strangers, keeping things light and casual. (Pic made with Canva)

Flirt Day 2025 date

It is the fourth day of Anti-Valentine’s Week, and is celebrated on February 18, which falls on Tuesday in 2025.

Flirt Day 2025 history and significance

Anti-Valentine’s Week, including Flirt Day, is believed to have originated in the early 2000s as a humorous, tongue-in-cheek response to the traditional Valentine’s Day celebrations. This is the perfect day to, you guessed it right, flirt!

This day is meant for all the singles out there. It’s a day to have fun, be playful, and enjoy the thrill of flirting without any strings attached. Flirt Day is all about having fun and being playful. Be respectful, consensual, and genuine in your interactions, and always prioritise others’ boundaries and comfort.

Here are some ideas to celebrate Flirt Day 2025

1. Playful banter: Engage in lighthearted, playful conversations with friends, colleagues, or even strangers.

2. Flirty messages: Send playful, flirtatious messages to friends or crushes, but be sure to keep it respectful and consensual.

3. Dress to impress: Wear your best, most confident outfit to turn heads and spark conversations.

4. Flirting games: Play games that involve flirting, such as ‘Would you rather…’ or ‘Truth or Dare’.

5. Host a flirting party: Gather friends for a fun, flirtatious party with games, music, and playful activities.

6. Practice self-love: Celebrate your own awesomeness and practice self-love, because flirting starts with confidence and self-appreciation.

More about Anti-Valentine’s Week

Anti-Valentine’s Week consists of Slap Day (February 13th), a tongue-in-cheek celebration of ‘slapping’ away unwanted romantic advances, Kick Day (February 14th), a playful ‘kick’ to traditional Valentine’s Day expectations, and Perfume Day (February 15th), a day to shower yourself with your favourite perfumes and scents.

Then there is Flirt Day (February 16th), a day to playfully flirt and have fun, without any serious romantic expectations, Confession Day (February 17th), a day to confess your feelings, but not necessarily romantic ones, Missing Day (February 18th), a day to acknowledge and appreciate the people who are missing from your life, and finally, Breakup Day (February 19th) to celebrate moving on from past relationships.

February 17, 2025
Charles Barkley hopes San Francisco mayor can ‘do something about the homeless population’

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Charles Barkley has hope for the city of San Francisco after saying during the NBA All-Star Game broadcast that he met with Mayor Daniel Lurie.

The city was the host for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. Barkley had been on the city’s case because of its crime and homeless population. During the broadcast, he expressed some optimism that the city would start cleaning up.

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Chuck’s Global Stars general manager Charles Barkley looks on during introductions before the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center in San Francisco on Feb. 16, 2025. (Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images)

“Shoutout to the people of San Francisco, especially the mayor. I met the mayor a couple times. He’s been tremendous, and hopefully we can do something about the homeless population,” Barkley said during a game between Team Shaquille O’Neal and Team Candace Parker.

Barkley said last month he would skip going to the game because it was in San Francisco.

“He’s going to make the All-Star Team,” Barkley said at the time. “I’m not going. I’m not going to that rat-infested place out in San Francisco.”

Barkley responded to one of his colleagues calling San Francisco “beautiful.”

“San Francisco is not a beautiful city. Rats. Cats. Y’all are not gonna make me like San Francisco. No. Nope, nope, nope”

From left to right, Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley stand at mid-court to be honored during the NBA All-Star basketball game on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

SPURS TEAMMATES VICTOR WEMBANYAMA, CHRIS PAUL DISQUALIFIED FROM NBA ALL-STAR GAME SKILLS CHALLENGE

However, it was far from the first time he had criticized San Francisco. Last year, he ripped the city during the NBA’s alternative broadcast of the All-Star Game, which took place in Indianapolis.

Barkley asked Reggie Miller which he would choose: playing in the cold in Indianapolis – where Miller spent his entire 18-year NBA career – or “being around a bunch of homeless crooks in San Francisco.”

Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green called Barkley “crazy” and said that Barkley was not “welcome” in the city. Parker said, “we love San Francisco,” but Barkley offered a retort.

“No we don’t,” he said. “… You can’t even walk around down there.”

He later suggested you could walk around the city with a “bulletproof vest.”

Then-Super Bowl 50 Host Committee Chairman Daniel Lurie speaks during the Super Bowl 50 host committee press conference at the Moscone Center in San Francisco on Feb. 1, 2016. (Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)

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Lurie has vowed to make San Francisco’s streets safe again, build “enough housing to turn around our affordability crisis” and tackle “our drug and behavioral health crisis.”

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February 17, 2025
Duffy says SpaceX workers will visit Air Traffic Control System Command Center

SpaceX workers will visit the Air Traffic Control System Command Center on Monday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted in a Sunday post on X, in which he also mentioned former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with whom he recently engaged in a social media spat.

“America deserves safe, state-of-the-art air travel, and President Trump has ordered that I deliver a new, world-class air traffic control system that will be the envy of the world,” Duffy declared, noting that he’d welcome assistance from American developers or businesses.

“To do that, I need advice from the brightest minds in America. I’m asking for help from any high-tech American developer or company that is willing to give back to our country.

SEAN DUFFY TELLS HILLARY CLINTON TO ‘SIT THIS ONE OUT’ AFTER SHE CHIMES IN ON HIS DOGE ANNOUNCEMENT

Left: U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy speaks to reporters about the collision of an American Airlines flight with a military Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport, in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on Jan. 30, 2025 in Washington, D.C.; Right: Hillary Clinton at the Navalny Screening held at the Museum of Modern Art on Jan. 30, 2025 in New York, N.Y. (Left: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; Right: Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images)

“Tomorrow, members of @elonmusk’s SpaceX team will be visiting the Air Traffic Control System Command Center in VA to get a firsthand look at the current system, learn what air traffic controllers like and dislike about their current tools, and envision how we can make a new, better, modern and safer system.”

He then brought up Clinton.

“Because I know the media (and Hillary Clinton) will claim Elon’s team is getting special access, let me make clear that the @FAANews regularly gives tours of the command center to both media and companies.”

SENATE CONFIRMS TRUMP PICK SEAN DUFFY FOR TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY

In the post on Sunday, Duffy also said that he will visit the FAA Academy this week.

“Later in the week, I will travel to the FAA Academy in Oklahoma to meet with air traffic controller instructors and students to learn more about their education and how we can ensure that only the very best guide our aircrafts,” he noted.

“My door at @USDOT is open to any and all patriotic developers or companies who want to help our country in this incredible, game-changing mission. I hope to hear from any company committed to ushering in America’s golden age of travel!”

President Donald Trump tapped business magnate Elon Musk to spearhead the Department of Government Efficiency, an effort to uncover federal government waste, fraud, and abuse.

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY REASSURES PUBLIC ABOUT AIR TRAVEL SAFETY AFTER DEADLY CRASH: ‘SAFEST FORM OF TRAVEL’

Left: Sean Duffy, US secretary of transportation, during an executive order signing in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025; Right: In this photo illustration a SpaceX logo seen displayed on a smartphone (Left: Samuel Corum/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Right: Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

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“The safety of air travel is a non-partisan matter. SpaceX engineers will help make air travel safer,” Musk wrote in response to Duffy’s tweet.

Earlier this month, Clinton and Duffy engaged in a back and forth on X after Duffy noted that the DOGE team would help upgrade the aviation system.

Alex Nitzberg is a writer for Fox News Digital.

February 17, 2025
Stealth tracksuit shields you from infrared cameras and electromagnetic signals

British clothing brand Vollebak has created a revolutionary solution for individuals concerned about digital privacy and electromagnetic exposure. The Shielding Suit, a futuristic tracksuit made of pure silver, provides comprehensive protection against various forms of tracking and surveillance.

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The Shielding Suit (Vollebak) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How does it actually work?

This high-tech garment completely blocks electromagnetic radiation, infrared detection and bacteria, effectively shielding the entire body from unwanted digital intrusions. The Shielding Suit’s most impressive feature allows smartphones to become completely undetectable, even when powered on, through specially designed pockets that function like Faraday cages.

The Shielding Suit (Vollebak) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Technical details

The suit features pure silver-embedded fabric designed to block electromagnetic radiation across multiple frequencies. Its Faraday cage pockets provide complete device isolation, while the lightweight design ensures maximum comfort.

The Shielding Suit (Vollebak) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

DO EMF BLOCKERS REALLY PROTECT US?

More than just a protective layer

The suit’s capabilities extend far beyond basic electromagnetic shielding. It deflects mid and long-wave infrared radiation, rendering the wearer invisible to infrared cameras in low-light conditions. The silver-infused fabric also provides antimicrobial protection, potentially reducing the risk of bacterial transmission.

The Shielding Suit (Vollebak) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

CAN I OUTSMART THIEVES WITH HIDDEN AIRTAG IN RFID WALLET?

Style meets functionality

Vollebak ensures the Shielding Suit doesn’t sacrifice comfort for protection. The jacket feels as comfortable as a regular lightweight jacket, with the added benefit of looking like something from a futuristic space mission.

The Shielding Suit (Vollebak) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

PRADA’S OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD SPACESUIT FOR NASA

NASA-inspired technology for everyday protection

Vollebak developed the suit using the same shielding material NASA employed for its Mars exploration rover, Curiosity. The outer shell contains pure silver, blocking radio waves and microwaves across a frequency range of 0.2GHz to 10GHz. This technological spectrum covers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, satellite communications and radar systems.

The Shielding Suit (Vollebak) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Scientific background

Electromagnetic radiation travels through the universe, facilitating information and energy transfer. However, as we enter an era of increased cybersecurity threats and technological complexity, personal protection becomes increasingly important.

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The Shielding Suit (Vollebak) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The price of privacy

Advanced technology comes with a significant investment. The complete Shielding Suit, including jacket and pants, costs $5,290. The jacket alone is priced at $3,295, while the pants are available for $1,995. You can pre-order the suit, with shipping expected in April.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

The Vollebak Shielding Suit is a technological shield that transforms personal protection from a theoretical concept into a wearable reality. While the price may seem steep, for those genuinely concerned about digital tracking and radiation exposure, this suit offers an unprecedented level of personal security that transcends traditional clothing limitations.

If you owned this high-tech Shielding Suit, in what situations would you wear it and why? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

February 17, 2025
Ryan Preece thought of daughter as car flew through air in scary wreck at Daytona 500

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Ryan Preece was thinking about what really matters in life, as his No. 60 car was airborne with just five laps to go in the 67th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday night.

Preece was in the middle of the pack when a wreck at the top of the race impacted him in the worst way, with Christopher Bell’s No. 20 car smashing into him, causing his vehicle to fly through the Florida night.

When Preece’s car touched the track again, it was flipped upside down, still traveling at a high rate of speed before ultimately getting back to normal and slamming into the wall.

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NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece, #60, gets airborne after a wreck during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Thankfully, Preece walked out of the wreck unscathed, though there was a moment while he was in the air that he started to think about family, specifically his daughter, Rebecca Marie.

“Yeah, I don’t know if it’s the diffuser or what that makes these cars like a sheet of plywood when you walk out on a windy day,” Preece told FOX Sports in an interview after getting off the track.

“But, when the car took off like that, and it got real quiet, all I thought about was my daughter. So, I’m lucky to walk away.”

Multiple angles of the wreck showed just how scary the wreck was, including a look from the No. 43 car of Erik Jones, who was involved in the spin-outs as well.

WILLIAM BYRON CAPTURES 2ND STRAIGHT DAYTONA 500 VICTORY IN OVERTIME LAP THRILLER

From Jones’ vantage point, Bell’s car coming off the right wall came out of nowhere, and Preece got all of it.

The front of the vehicle immediately lifted into the air, and like Preece said, the windy conditions – two delays came in this race from inclement weather – made the car lift off the track altogether.

NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece, #60, gets airborne after a wreck during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

This is the second time in Preece’s career he has flipped at Daytona, so while he has experienced this before, it is never a good feeling to have to go through that.

Preece was reflective with Frontstretch after the race as well, adding that “something needs to be done” with the cars because they should not be lifting off the course like he did.

“The one thing I want to say as a father, as a racer, is we keep beating on a door hoping for a different result. We know where there’s a problem at Superspeedways. So, I don’t want to be the example of when it finally gets somebody – I don’t want it to be me. I got a two-year-old daughter, and just like a lot of us, we have families.

NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece, #60, gets airborne after a wreck during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

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“So, something needs to be done because cars lifting off the ground like that, that honestly felt worse than Daytona in ’23.”

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February 17, 2025
Israeli military experts weigh in on Trump’s ‘all hell’ threat to Hamas and what it could look like

TEL AVIV, Israel — As the first phase of the fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement nears completion, Israel is mulling its next steps against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to unleash “hell” unless all the hostages are released.

Fox News Digital spoke to Israeli military experts to see how they viewed what would be in store for Hamas if the ceasefire deal collapses.

“The only alternative is the resumption of the war in Gaza with all the forces that can be allocated,” Maj. Gen. Yaakov Amidror (res.), a former Israeli National Security Council chief and currently a fellow at the Washington-based JINSA think tank, told Fox News Digital.

“Because we have a ceasefire in Lebanon, we can use huge forces inside Gaza to end Hamas. This is one of the reasons why Hamas didn’t break the truce until now, they understand the alternative is a full-blown war for which they are not ready,” he added.

RUBIO, NETANYAHU AFFIRM ‘COMMON STRATEGY’ FOR GAZA, SET SIGHTS ON IRAN IN JOINT STATEMENT

IDF forces are seen operating in Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip. (IDF Spokesman’s Office)

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem and insisted that the two countries were working in lockstep.

“We have a shared strategy, which cannot always be detailed to the public, including when the gates of hell will open. And they will open if all our hostages are not returned, every last one of them,” Netanyahu said.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus (ret.), a former IDF international spokesperson and now a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, says Hamas’s refusal to return all the hostages, coupled with the prevailing political realities in the Middle East and Trump’s willingness to reshuffle the deck, will necessitate the IDF’s resumption of fighting in Gaza “at a higher intensity and with less restrictions and limitations.”

“The aim will be to defeat Hamas and to take control over the Gaza Strip. I believe that Hamas’s center of gravity is the distribution of humanitarian aid and in the next round of fighting Israel will seek to take ownership of that,” he added.

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu answer questions during a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House on Feb. 4, 2025. (REUTERS/Leah Millis)

Former IDF military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin similarly told Fox News Digital that “never in history have two entities been at war and one is helping the other survive with food, fuel and everything else.”

He also noted that the Biden administration had “basically embargoed heavy bombs, [but] Trump has already lifted this and will not limit Israel in using them.”

Israel received a U.S. shipment of 2,000-pound MK-84 munitions overnight Saturday, with Defense Minister Israel Katz saying the development “serves as further evidence of the strong alliance between Israel and the United States.”

ISRAEL’S UN AMBASSADOR SLAMS PALESTINIAN PLAN FOR GAZA, DEMANDS PA FIRST ‘CONDEMN HAMAS’

Hamas terrorists take up positions ahead of a hostage release in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Feb. 8, 2025. (AP)

Trump’s words and deeds have given the impression that he will fully back Israel’s goal to defeat the Palestinian terror group militarily, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Giora Eiland, a former head of the Israeli National Security Council, told Fox News Digital.

“But this misses the point, as we have already been fighting there for 16 months. The only significant leverage left, which was prevented by the Biden administration, is to interrupt all flow of equipment, fuel, food, water and other essential matters into the enclave,” Eiland said.

“This is the only thing that can cause real concern in Gaza and which might persuade the leadership to agree to release the hostages.”

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces has increased troop reinforcements and mobilized reservists in the Southern Command to prepare for “any scenario.” When asked to share with Fox News Digital information regarding Hamas’s remaining weapons stockpile, the IDF declined to comment.

Hamas initially possessed an estimated 17,000 mid- and long-range missiles, with the former able to hit targets between seven and 14 kilometers away and the latter beyond 15 kilometers, according to Maj. Gen. Tamir Hayman (res.), executive director of the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies and another former head of the IDF’s Military Intelligence Directorate.

TRUMP’S GAZA RELOCATION PROPOSAL SPARKS HEATED DEBATE AMONG PALESTINIANS: ‘NO LIFE LEFT HERE’

Israeli combat engineers have worked to destroy terrorist targets and locate terrorist tunnels in the “Philadelphia Corridor” along a small strip of land at the border between Egypt and Gaza. (TPS-IL/File)

“In terms of Hamas’s long-range missiles, the current capabilities are minor, if at all. Mid-range was probably reduced to approximately less than 100 total, and for short-range capabilities such as mortars and drones, it’s hard to estimate,” he told Fox News Digital.

Hayman agrees that “all hell” might entail President Donald Trump giving carte blanche to Israel to use 2,000-pound bombs or greater leeway to demolish swaths of territory using bulldozers and other heavy machinery to prevent Hamas from regenerating.

Israel might also change its fighting strategy to ensure Hamas is no longer able to regroup by retaking territory evacuated by troops in Gaza, according to Brig. Gen. Yossi Kuperwasser (res.), a former head of research in the IDF’s Military Intelligence Directorate.

“Israel could mount an attack in a different way than we saw till now. Instead of taking control of areas and then leaving them, we would keep control, minimizing Hamas’s ability to rule over the population in Gaza and thus its ability to survive,” he told Fox News Digital.

Palestinians return to their homes in Gaza City, Feb. 2, 2025, after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. (Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The long-term presence of Israeli boots on the ground would likely be a precondition for actualizing Trump’s vow to “take over” and transform Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” an assertion Trump made alongside Netanyahu at the White House on Feb. 4.

Meir Ben Shabbat, head of the Misgav Institute for National Security & Zionist Strategy and former head of the Israeli National Security Council, told Fox News Digital that Israel must push for “the collapse of Hamas rule, the demilitarization of Gaza and the creation of conditions to prevent this area from posing a threat to the security of Israeli citizens.”

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He said these conditions are “essential to ensure that this round of fighting will be the last,” he added. “To achieve this, Israel will have to resume fighting at a time that suits it.”

On Sunday, Netanyahu informed special envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting that he would convene the Security Cabinet on Monday to discuss phase 2 of the agreement.

Amelie Botbol is a freelance journalist based in Tel Aviv. Her articles have appeared in the New York Post, Canada’s National Post, and the Washington Times. Amelie can be followed on X @DatReporter

February 17, 2025
Effort in ‘red’ swath of Oregon to join Idaho gets new life, as political secession has had mixed results

During the anti-police riots of 2020, Oregon was front-and-center as protesters vandalized Portland and made a dayslong violent stand in front of the Mark Hatfield Federal Courthouse.

But in the eastern two-thirds of Oregon, the conservative geographic majority of the state did not ideologically align with their urban brethren.

Over the past several years, the Greater Idaho movement has tried to create the conditions needed for about 13 counties to join the conservative Gem State next door.

Greater Idaho began putting such measures up for votes in various counties in 2020 and this month saw Republican lawmakers file a bill in the state legislature that would create a task force to study “moving” the border.

State Rep. Mark Owens, R-Malheur, put forward HB 3844, a measure that creates and directs a task force to document the impacts of relocating the Idaho border and requires a report be presented to lawmakers in Salem.

GREATER IDAHO MOVEMENT GAINS MOMENTUM

Owens did not respond when reached for requests for comment.

Greater Idaho president Mike McCarter said in a statement: “We are encouraged to see the representatives of Eastern Oregon coming together to advocate for their voters by bringing these bills to the Legislature. The people of Eastern Oregon have made clear they want to explore moving the border and joining Idaho.

“This movement has always been about the people of Eastern Oregon, getting their voice heard and helping those communities get the kind of state-level governance they actually want.”

“If the Oregon Legislature truly believes in democracy, they will honor those voters’ wishes and move forward on making a border change happen,” executive director Matt McCaw told Fox News Digital.

“Both bills have been moved into committee and are awaiting further action there.”

By shifting the border, proponents believe both states have a “win-win” – in that the people living in each would better reflect the established political majority and lower political tension.

NY LAWMAKER CALLS FOR STATEN ISLAND TO SECEDE

In New York City’s Staten Island, there has been a movement afoot for decades seeking to break from the Big Apple. (AP Photo)

A report in the Central Oregonian noted an “interstate compact” is part of what is required to move the line, and cited other border-shifting bills in other states.

One would forward the cause of adding several rural Illinois counties that don’t see eye-to-eye with Springfield or Chicago to more closely aligned Indiana. Another in Iowa would allow the same movement for counties in the Land of Lincoln that are closer to the Hawkeye State line.

Idaho GOP Gov. Brad Little and Oregon Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek did not respond to requests for comment.

So far, only a few such movements regarding either secession or redrawing of state lines have been successful.

The now-55 counties of West Virginia voted to secede from the then-Confederate Virginia and independently ratified the U.S. Constitution on June 20, 1863.

A Washington Post story on the matter said Mountaineers split from Virginia as a way of “defending the ‘United States’… rather than the ‘seceded states’.”

In New York City’s Staten Island – the “forgotten borough” as many locals call it – there has been a movement afoot for decades seeking to break from the Big Apple.

Already geographically distant on the “New Jersey side” of the Hudson River, the borough is also separated from the Garden State by the Kill Van Kull and Arthur Kill.

Efforts to reestablish the reliably-red borough as the city of Richmond (after its coterminous county) or other names began with a favor from then-Gov. Mario Cuomo in the 1980s.

Cuomo enraged city leaders but endeared himself to the working-class voters on the island by approving state Sen. John J. Marchi’s push for a secession referendum.

Marchi, who died in 2006 and now has a Staten Island Ferry named in his honor, saw his borough vote nearly 2-1 to secede in 1993 – only to have their desires quashed by Albany’s Democratic majority.

And while the 1995 election of Mayor Rudy Giuliani calmed secession tensions, the drumbeat began anew in recent months.

“I think it’s time to secede,” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., told The New York Post as Gov. Kathy Hochul was touting her congestion-priced driving fee that now double-taxes Staten Island commuters.

“There’s no real value in being part of this city or the state. We didn’t vote for this mayor; we didn’t vote for this governor; and we didn’t vote for this president, but we’re always the ones getting screwed,” she said.

Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.

He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.

Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.

Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].

February 17, 2025