UPDATED with post-panel statement from HBO’s Francesca Orsi
JERUSALEM — The final season of “Game of Thrones” will not disappoint, promise HBO executives who recounted being at the table read for the last few episodes. More
“Let’s hope a dialogue continues, helping to bring the occupation to an end and lead to a peaceful solution”
Michael Stipe has pledged support for Thom Yorke and Radiohead’s decision to play a concert in Tel Aviv, Israel this week. More
Thom Yorke has released a new statement about Radiohead’s decision to play a concert in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 19. More
JERUSALEM (AP) Israel is the big surprise of the World Baseball Classic, upsetting three teams, generating buzz and offering a mascot like no other – ”The Mensch on the Bench.” More
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Scott Burcham’s run-scoring infield single in the 10th inning led Israel to a 2-1 upset win over South Korea on Monday in the World Baseball Classic opener.
With a victory over Taiwan on Tuesday night, Israel would be in good position to advance to the second round.
Tyler Krieger’s bases-loaded walk from Won-Jun Chang forced home…
(CNN)President-elect Donald Trump brushed aside his campaign promises to jail Hillary Clinton, batted away questions about conflicts of interest over his business empire and denounced the neo-Nazi movement that is celebrating his victory.
Answering questions for just the second time since his election, Trump met for 75 minutes on Tuesday with reporters, editors and columnists from The New York Times.
It wasn’t broadcast live, but some Times reporters tweeted Trump’s remarks in real time. And, since Trump has not held a news conference since his upset win two weeks ago, the entire political world was glued to Twitter through it all.
About his campaign promise to jail Hillary Clinton, Trump said he doesn’t want to “hurt the Clintons” and that doing so would be “very, very divisive for the country.”
He heaped praise on President Barack Obama, saying he appreciated Obama’s handling of the transition of power and liked him personally. “I didn’t know if I’d like him. I probably thought that maybe I wouldn’t, but I did. I really enjoyed him a lot,” Trump said.
And of New York’s Chuck Schumer, the new Senate Democratic leader: “I’ve liked Chuck Schumer for a long time.”
It’s his fellow Republicans — particularly those who ran away from him in the general election.
Trump bragged that he “helped numerous senators” win, and took a shot New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, a Republican who narrowly lost after distancing herself from Trump. “No, thank you,” he said he told Ayotte about a post in Trump’s Cabinet.
He also mocked Nevada Rep. Joe Heck, a Republican who lost his Senate race after similarly staying far away from Trump. Heck, he said, fell “like a lead ballon.”
Trump was also cautious about the Republican congressional leaders — House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
“Right now they’re in love with me,” Trump said. “Four weeks ago, they weren’t in love with me.”
Trump brushed aside questions about how his actions in the White House could benefit his businesses with a startling declaration.
“The law’s totally on my side. The president can’t have a conflict of interest,” Trump said.
It was reminiscent of Richard Nixon’s comment to journalist David Frost that by definition, a president’s actions don’t violate the law. “Well, when the president does it, that means it is not illegal,” Nixon said.
Trump acknowledged his businesses will benefit from his victory, saying his new hotel in Washington is “probably a more valuable asset than it was before” and that its brand is “hotter.”
But he said…