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Israel could strike Iran as soon as today; Jewish state weighs retaliation that will not stoke war – New York Post

Israel’s response to Iran’s weekend missile attack could come as soon as today as the nation’s war cabinet convened to hammer out the timing and scope of the impending counterstrike, according to a report.

On Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned his US counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, that the Jewish state has “no choice” but to retaliate against the rogue Islamic Republic after it launched hundreds of missiles and suicide drones into Israeli airspace Saturday night, according to Axios correspondent Barak Ravid.

World leaders, including President Biden, have urged Israel to be measured in its response, expressing fears of escalating the conflict even further.

Iran’s aerial assault was in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike in Damascus on April 1 in which a top Iranian general was killed.

Israel — working with a coalition of unlikely allies, including the US, the UK, France, Jordan and Saudi Arabia — was able to stop 99% of the 350 weapons launched by Iran. None of the drones or cruise missiles struck Israel, and only a few of the ballistic missiles made it through, according to the Jerusalem Post.

War cabinet member Benny Gantz has called for a swift response, CNN reports, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held off on giving the green light as international pressure mounts.

Biden reportedly told Netanyahu that the US will not provide support for a counterattack against Iran.

“You got a win. Take the win,” the president reportedly said.

However, all options remain on the table as the war cabinet debated the nation’s next move, running the gamut from diplomatic to military, including precision strikes against key Iranian oil infrastructure or even a cyberattack campaign, the Wall Street Journal writes.

According to the Washington Post, Netanyahu has requested the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) draw up a battle plan highlighting potential retaliatory strike targets that would “send a message” without causing mass casualties, intended to reduce the risk of the conflict mushrooming out of control.

Leading up to Iran’s attack, Netanyahu faced a growing chorus of concerns from allies about the humanitarian situation in Gaza resulting from Israel’s war against Hamas which began Oct. 7.

Acting too hastily or too aggressively could potentially squander any international goodwill Israel has garnered in the wake of the attack by Iran, which is widely considered a pariah on the global stage.

“This is an opportunity to create a new American-led regional security alignment against Iran, if we can take advantage of it,” former Israel National Security Council chief Chuck Freilich told the outlet.

The debate over how and when to strike back at Iran prompted Israel to delay a long-anticipated military incursion in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, the Times of Israel reported Monday.

world news

World Snooker Championship 2024 LIVE RESULTS: Ronnie O’Sullivan through, Higgins vs Allen latest score u… – The Sun

WE are fast approaching the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship 2024 – and Ronnie O’Sullivan has booked his spot.

The Rocket defeated Ryan Day 13-7 to secure his place in the last-8 as he eyes a record eighth title at the Crucible.

John Higgins and Mark Allen are resuming their mouthwatering tie which the latter is currently leading 9-7.

Day Ten start time: 1pm BST
FREE live stream: BBC iPlayer
TV channel: BBC One/Two/Four/Eurosport

Follow ALL the action from Crucible with our live blog below…

Jack Lisowski 7-10 Stuart Bingham

And it’s the match leader who takes the opening frame on the other table, too.

Stuart Bingham taking that one to extend his lead in that one.

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Mark Allen 10-7 John Higgins

Allen takes advantage in the first frame after the restart to move within three frames of victory.

It is the fifth frame in a row he has won.

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Player introductions

The four players have been introduced to applause from the Crucible crowd.

The boards are up between the tables.

And we are getting underway as Allen breaks.

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Score reminder

John Higgins 7-9 Mark Allen

Jack Lisowski 7-9 Stuart Bingham

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Countdown

We have now have 30 minutes until the two second round games as John Higgins vs Mark Allen and Jack Lisowski vs Stuart Bingham get underway.

So still time to grab a bite to eat before the action gets underway.

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Judd Trump reveals he rejected rival snooker tour

Former world champion Judd Trump has revealed he flat out rejected an invite to a rebel snooker tour.

Sports such as golf have been hit with chaos by the introduction of rival tours.

But Trump revealed he was “not interested one bit” in leaving the existing World Snooker Tour (WST).

He said: “A few people tried to contact me and I couldn’t be bothered. It was a few months ago.

These people came to my brother and he said, ‘Do you want to listen?’ and I was like, ‘No, just [tell them to] go away’. I’m very happy where I am.

“I need something with history, heritage; I need something to play for.

“I wouldn’t get out of bed for an exhibition kind of series. I want the biggest challenges. I look forward to playing in more different places and hopefully World Snooker can take us to new territories.”

Credit: Getty

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BBC pundit apologises for colleague jibe

Ken Doherty apologised after making a brutal dig at Stephen Hendry during the World Snooker Championship.

The pundit suggested that Hendry is stingy with his money as he discussed the pocket sizes at the Crucible.

Doherty, 54, was on punditry duty to analyse Ronnie O’Sullivan‘s round two clash with Ryan Day.

As the Rocket made an impressive 123 break in the opening frame, Doherty fired off his jibe.

You can read the full story below.

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Tonight’s schedule
- John Higgins 7-9 Mark Allen
- Jack Lisowski 7-9 Stuart Bingham
Both matches are set to resume at 7pm.
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Who is O’Sullivan playing next?

Ronnie O’Sullivan will compete in the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship on Tuesday, April 30.

O’Sullivan will face either Jack Lisowski or Stuart Bingham and the match begins from 2.30pm BST.

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O’Sullivan chats with crowd

Ronnie O’Sullivan had a laugh and a joke with Crucible punters as he moved into the last eight of the World Snooker Championship.

The Rocket, 48, interacted with fans in the first frame of the third session of his second-round tie with Ryan Day.

In Frame 17, the Essex potter cleared up the colours as he came from 35-57 points down to take a 11-6 lead on Monday afternoon.

Yet after potting the green with the rest, he could not resist sharing a few words with those seated in the front row of this famous old Sheffield theatre.

It was an unusual sight, especially as his concentration in matches is traditionally laser-sharp, almost unbreakable.

But it speaks to his approach this year, which appears to be more laid-back than usual as he chases a historic eighth world crown.

Credit: Getty

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More from O’Sullivan

Ronnie O’Sullivan told BBC2: “I’ve been used to it [expectation] since I was a kid, since I was 10 really – everyone expecting that I would win every tournament that I turned up to play.

“I’ve grown up with that as I’ve played so I’ve been conditioned to dealing with that sort of pressure. So that doesn’t bother me, it’s more the pressure I put on myself, knowing what I’m capable of and when I don’t produce it, when I find this game hard, my life gets a bit harder. When I find this game easy and it comes good, life becomes a pleasant place again.

“I’ve tried to disassociate myself from it, it’s not easy. I just have to try to minimise the bad performances or the bad feeling out there. It’s all about looking forward to the next one. Enjoyment is number one.”

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Read the report

Click here to read Rob Maul’s report from the Crucible.

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‘I want to play’

O’Sullivan continued: “It feels like I want to play, I want to get my cue out of the case. I’m not scared of the table, I’m not scared of the balls. I’m scared of some other things but that not, which is the most important thing.

“When you’re confident in your ability to do something given the chance, you feel all right.

“For me it’s more about longevity – how long can I play for? Snooker events are not everything for me. I play enough but there’s a bigger picture with how I like spending my time, being away, travelling.

“I’m at a different stage of my career to most players on the Tour so it’s just about enjoying places I go and playing and trying to find that – at my age it’s easy to say I could stay at home and walk the dogs, watch a bit of TV, go to the gym and go on shopping trips. So I have to find other ways to motivate myself.”

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O’Sullivan reacts

Speaking on BBC2, Ronnie O’Sullivan said: “I don’t know if it was comfortable – I thought Ryan made it tough for me. If I’d not been as tight or as clinical in some situations, he would probably have got on more of a roll at times.

“I was pleased to be able to stem that at points and try to have an impact when I got a chance. Early days for me, trying this new way of playing, different style of cueing, just to get away from the ‘yips’ as I call it, the easiest way of explaining it.

“It’s been hard work for two years and I decided I couldn’t continue playing like that so I had to make some changes so it’s the body and mind trying to catch up with each other. I’ve got some of it right, it’s just the other pieces need to fall in – I’m trying to work out the puzzle.”

Credit: PA

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Wilson also through to quarters

Kyren Wilson has also progressed to the quarter-finals with a 13-6 win over Joe O’Connor.

Credit: PA

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O’Sullivan through to quarter-finals

The Rocket has made it to his 22nd World Snooker Championship quarter-final!

He beats Ryan Day 13-7 to book a spot in the last eight.

Credit: PA

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O’Sullivan 12-7 Day

The Rocket goes 67-0 up but struggles to complete a tricky shot while going for the pink.

Day steps up, but he fails to make the most of his chance and O’Sullivan is let back in.

He is one step closer to his 22nd Crucible quarter-final.

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O’Sullivan 12-7 Day

O’Sullivan manages a 28-0 lead after potting the blue and is able to break up a cluster of reds at the same time.

This puts him in a very good position!

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O’Sullivan 12-7 Day

Day manages to stay in the match by claiming the 19th frame.

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O’Sullivan 12-6 Day

Dynamite is back on and takes a 53-5 lead after potting the black, but he puts himself in an awkward position and can’t go back to pocket the red.

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O’Sullivan 12-6 Day

Day takes a 16-point lead and goes to pot another red, but it bounces out of the pocket to give O’Sullivan a chance to get something on the board.

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O’Sullivan 12-6 Day

O’Sullivan wins the 18th 127-0 to go within one frame of the quarter-finals.

Credit: PA

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O’Sullivan 11-6 Day

The Rocket continues to get points on the board. He now leads by 92.

Day has barely had a look-in during this frame and is yet to score.

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O’Sullivan 11-6 Day

O’Sullivan is back on and pots the black at the second time of asking, taking his lead to 42-0.

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O’Sullivan 11-6 Day

O’Sullivan takes a 34-point lead but fails to pot the black from a relatively easy position.

This could give Day an opening.

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world news

O’Sullivan v Day LIVE: World Snooker Championship scores and updates – The Independent

Ronnie O’Sullivan signs young fan’s shirt

Ronnie O’Sullivan is closing in on a place in the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship after taking a 10-6 lead over Ryan Day.

O’Sullivan got off to a rapid start with a brilliant century break on Sunday morning, before rattling off five of the first six frames to ensure control of the match ever since.

Day has shown plenty of resolve though, having beaten Barry Hawkins in the first round, with breaks of 72 and 75 to claim the last two frames.

The winner will face either world number 17 Jack Lisowski or 2015 Crucible champion Stuart Bingham in the last eight.

Follow all the action from O’Sullivan and Day’s final session below:

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Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-6 Ryan Day

After the final red and colour (pink), Day leads by 22 with 27 points remaining. He needs the yellow and the green to take the frame but is forced to play safe.

O’Sullivan needs to win this next battle of safety shots to wrestle back control.

Mike Jones29 April 2024 13:29

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Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-6 Ryan Day

This has been a tough frame for both players. A couple of mistakes each and no big breaks yet. The lead keeps on switching hands with O’Sullivan 20 ahead and Day in control of the table.

He cuts the gap to 13 with a pot of the black and quite a few reds remaining. He starts picking them off whilst staying on the black. Three reds remain and Day knocks one in whilst taking a second away from the right cushion.

This is a big, big chance to take the frame now.

Mike Jones29 April 2024 13:27

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Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-6 Ryan Day

After Day swerves around the black to sink the red hanging over the pocket he plays safe and forces another error out of O’Sullivan. A red and the green follows for Day but he then misses a tough pot to the bottom left pocket.

Chance for O’Sullivan now…

Mike Jones29 April 2024 13:22

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Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-6 Ryan Day

A mistake from Day sees him double kiss the cueball and set up a red to middle left for O’Sullivan who rolls it home without too much trouble.

He comes off the blue and sets up the next shot into the bottom right before spinning off the cushion and leaving the black open. O’Sullivan moves ahead in the frame and cannons, softly, into the reds.

Using the rest, O’Sullivan misses and leaves the red over the pocket. He’s annoyed with that shot and Day has the chance to get back into the frame.

O’Sullivan leads 26-9.

Mike Jones29 April 2024 13:19

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Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-6 Ryan Day

Day’s break ends at just nine giving him a lead of five. O’Sullivan decides to play safe and leaves the cueball at the top end of the table.

There’s a potential three-ball plant available for Day, he considers it but decides against. Instead the white skews off a red and finishes underneath the pack.

O’Sullivan’s response is to disrupt the plant and leave the white over by the left hand cushion. We’re in a battle of safety shots for the time-being.

Mike Jones29 April 2024 13:16

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Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-6 Ryan Day

O’Sullivan gets the first frame started with the break but Day then fouls in an attempt to just clip a lone red. O’Sullivan takes the points and decides to play but he misses a long pot to the bottom left pocket.

Day slips in the first red and can build a break from here with the black available…

Mike Jones29 April 2024 13:13

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Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-6 Ryan Day

The players make their way into the arena with Joe O’Connor being introduced first before his opponent Kyren Wilson receives a warm round of applause.

Like Ronnie O’Sullivan, Wilson only needs to win three frames to reach the next round.

Ryan Day is next up and looks relaxed and focused though his reception is slightly muted. Finally, O’Sullivan comes out to the table and receives the loudest applause of all.

Mike Jones29 April 2024 13:10

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Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-6 Ryan Day

Okay then, coverage is just beginning on BBC Two for the afternoon’s session at the Crucible. Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ryan Day’s clash is the main draw but Kyren Wilson and Joe O’Connor should also provide some fireworks today.

Mike Jones29 April 2024 13:01

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Maguire defeats Murphy 13-9

It has already been a tournament of shock results and another came yesterday as Scotland’s Stephen Maguire moved into the quarter-finals thanks to a 13-9 victory over 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy.

Maguire built a 10-6 lead on Saturday and made no mistake to drive home his victory. Murphy had edged two frames earlier in the contest and responded with a fist pump, before Maguire did likewise, punching the table and then the air at the end of Saturday’s action.

“Shaun made a mistake,” said 43-year-old Maguire on Sunday. “He knows me well enough and I get down on myself. He won a frame I should’ve won and I was sitting there hating myself when the fist pump came out and I thought ‘you’re having it’ and all my attention went on that.

“It was satisfying beating a player as good as Shaun is in the last 16 of the World Championship.”

Mike Jones29 April 2024 12:56

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Who awaits the winner?

Ronnie O’Sullivan is the strong favourite to advance into the last eight though Ryan Day still has a chance of defeating him should the Welshman start strongly this afternoon.

Whoever wins this match will go on to meet either world number 17 Jack Lisowski or 2015 Crucible champion Stuart Bingham in the quarter-finals.

Mike Jones29 April 2024 12:50

world news

Stock market today: Global shares rise, cheered by last week’s tech rally on Wall Street – Idaho Press

TOKYO (AP) — Global shares were trading higher Monday amid optimism over the rally that ended the week on Wall Street, although eyes were on the Federal Reserve policy meeting set for later this week.

France’s CAC 40 added 0.3% in early trading to 8,109.22, while Germany’s DAX edged up 0.2% to 18,198.89. Britain’s FTSE 100 gained 0.5% to 8,176.36. U.S. shares were set to drift higher with S&P 500 futures up 0.2% at 5,144.00. Dow futures rose 0.2% to 38,509.00.