Gantz quits Israeli war cabinet

The struggle over how the Israeli-Hamas conflict might be resolved without further loss of life – especially civilian lives – grew more complicated Sunday when Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel’s three-member war cabinet, announced his resignation.

Referring to the nation’s prime minister, he said that Benjamin “Netanyahu is preventing us from achieving  true victory, which is the justification for the painful and ongoing price” of the war.

Gantz, a former chief of Israel’s military, resigned over his differences with Netanyahu, including pursuing a strategy for the armed forces that has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza.

Because the prime minster is not elected by the public but but by the fragmented Israeli parliament, Netanyahu’s position is secure as long as he can hold together a majority, including small far-right parties.

Landslide closes road to Idaho

A huge landslide on a twisting mountain road in Wyoming   slashed open a highway that connects that state to neighboring Idaho.

The Teton Pass road is severed in some places and other parts rendered impassable due to huge cracks in the pavement.

That section of state Highway 22 that’s given way is closed “indefinitely.” The road has been heavily used as a route to the Jackson Hole resort area.

Angels beat Astros, Dodgers fall in NYC

Trent Grisham’s pinch-hit three-run home run in the sixth inning was the key play in the New York Yankees’ 6-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday in The Big Apple.

The hit off Dodger ace Tyler Glasnow – combined with a solo home run by Aaron Judge – enabled the Yanks to avoid a sweep of the three-game series between the two teams which may be the best in Major League Baseball.

With the victory, the Yankees are 46-21 and in first place in the American League East. The Dodgers are 41-26 and first in the National League West.

Logan O’Hoppe’s two-run walkoff home run in the bottom of ninth inning lifted the Los Angeles Angels to a 9-7 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday in Anaheim.

His homer was only official after umpires conferred and decided that the ball had not been caught at the wall by Houston left fielder Trey Cabbage – a recent former Angel – but instead fell out of his glove.

The win allowed the Angels to avoid a sweep by the Astros and improve their record to 25-40 (third place in the ALW) a few decimal points out of fourth place in the American League West.

Weather: Summer stays at home

A mix of sun and shade will continue to make our West Orange County area a pleasant place to be this coming week. Daytime highs will range from 73 to 75, while evening lows will range from 59 to 61. Partly cloudy skies are predicted for Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; Tuesday will have morning clouds and afternoon sun.