DONALD TRUMP (Shutterstock).

Former president Donald Trump once said – as president – that he “would encourage” Russia to “do whatever the hell they want” to countries belonging to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization who didn’t pay their fair share.

Trump told the story at a rally in South Carolina – where a Republican presidential primary is being held on Feb. 24 – recounting his confrontation with a NATO member that “No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills.”

NATO, established in 1949, obligates all members to treat an attack on one member as an attack on all.

White House spokesman Andrew Bates said “encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged.”

Ukraine-Israel aid bill clears hurdle

A $95 billion emergency aid bill for Ukraine and Israel advanced toward a final vote in the U.S. Senate Sunday on a 67-27 bipartisan vote and heads to an uncertain fate in the House of Representatives.

SENATE wing of the U.S Capitol building (Wikipedia).

About $60 billion would to Ukraine in its fight to repel Russian invaders and about $14 billion for Israel in its conflict against Hamas militants plus nearly $10 billion for humanitarian aid to civilians in combat areas.

President Joe Biden is expected to sign such a bill, but right-wing conservative Republicans in the House are opposed. A similar bill that included funding for improved border security was defeated earlier by House critics who complained it didn’t go far enough to curb illegal immigration.

Chiefs beat 49ers in OT Super Bowl

Patrick Holmes threw a touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman in overtime to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a 25-22 Super Bowl victory over San Francisco 49ers Sunday evening in Las Vegas.

It was the Chiefs’ second consecutive Super Bowl title and their third in five seasons. The Chiefs were trailing 22-19 in the waning minutes of overtime but drove to the SF 49-yard line for the winning score,

Weather: Partly cloudy once more

After a nice, sunny weekend, our West Orange County returns to partly cloud skies through Thursday. Daytime highs will range from 65 to 67, with overnight lows from 45 to 47. Friday should see mostly cloudy conditions, followed by showers on Saturday and on through the coming Wednesday.