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A major fire at an aerospace manufacturer in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, a suburb north of Philadelphia, prompted a shelter-in-place order and school closures on Tuesday. The blaze erupted at SPS Technologies around 9:30 p.m. Monday. Eyewitnesses reported an explosion and visible flames within the warehouse, according to a social media statement from the Abington Township Police Department. The building was evacuated; all employees were accounted for, and no injuries were reported. SPS Technologies is a global developer, manufacturer, and supplier of aerospace fasteners and precision components. All schools in the Abington and Jenkintown districts, including private and parochial schools, were closed Tuesday. The shelter-in-place order remained in effect until the fire was controlled due to airborne smoke and particulates. Hazmat teams monitored air quality and advised businesses within a one-mile radius to remain closed until further notice. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority announced that service on three regional rail lines was temporarily suspended due to the fire, anticipating potential delays throughout the system.

DEIR MIMAS, Lebanon — As per a U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces completed their withdrawal on Tuesday. However, they maintained a presence at five strategically important locations within Lebanon. Leading Lebanese figures condemned Israel's continued military presence, characterizing it as an occupation and a breach of the agreement. The troops' continued presence also angered the Hezbollah militant group, prompting calls for governmental action. Lebanese troops moved into areas vacated by Israeli forces, clearing roadblocks, and searching for unexploded ordnance. They temporarily blocked access to the villages for security purposes while conducting explosive sweeps. Villagers largely awaited authorization to return to their homes, though some bypassed roadblocks. In other areas, the army allowed residents immediate access. Many homes were destroyed during the protracted conflict, with further damage occurring in the two months following November's ceasefire. In Kfar Kila, residents were shocked by the extensive destruction. “The devastation is unbelievable. I'm in shock,” stated Khodo Suleiman, a construction contractor, surveying his ruined home. “There's nothing left,” added Suleiman, who had last visited six months prior. “I feel both happiness and pain.” In the village square, Lebanese troops and a military bulldozer cleared debris from the streets. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the Israeli army would remain in a Lebanese buffer zone at five checkpoints to prevent ceasefire violations by Hezbollah. He also mentioned the construction of new Israeli border posts and troop reinforcements. “We are committed to ensuring the complete safety of every northern community,” Katz affirmed. Lebanon's president, prime minister, and parliament speaker issued a joint statement, declaring Israel's continued presence at the five locations a violation of the ceasefire agreement. They urged the U.N. Security Council to intervene for a full Israeli withdrawal. “Israel's continued presence on any Lebanese territory is an occupation, with all the legal implications under international law,” the statement read. The U.N. special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and the head of the U.N. peacekeeping force, Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro, also criticized the Israeli troop presence in a joint statement. However, they cautioned against letting this overshadow the positive progress achieved since the ceasefire. Near Deir Mimas and Kfar Kila, hundreds of villagers gathered Tuesday morning under the surveillance of an Israeli drone. Atef Arabi, waiting with his family, eagerly anticipated seeing his home in Kfar Kila. “I'm overjoyed to return, even if my house is destroyed,” said the 36-year-old mechanic. “If it's ruined, I'll rebuild it.” Later, Kfar Kila's mayor, Hassan Sheet, informed the Associated Press that 90% of homes were completely destroyed, with the remaining 10% damaged. “There are no buildings standing,” he stated, indicating that rebuilding would start from scratch. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah initiated cross-border rocket fire on October 8, 2023, following a deadly incident. Israel retaliated with shelling and airstrikes, escalating the conflict into full-scale war last September. At the conflict's peak, over 4,000 Lebanese were killed, and more than 1 million displaced, with over 100,000 unable to return. On the Israeli side, dozens died, and around 60,000 were displaced. Hussein Fares left Kfar Kila in October 2023, eventually relocating to Sidon due to intensified fighting. Kfar Kila experienced heavy fighting, with Israeli troops subsequently demolishing many homes. “I've waited a year and a half to return,” said Fares, a laborer. He acknowledged that reconstruction would be a lengthy process. “I've been counting down the seconds for this day,” he concluded. ___ Associated Press writer Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

Initially, it seemed New York City Mayor Eric Adams might escape consequences. However, growing concerns about his ability to govern have led Governor Kathy Hochul to consider the unprecedented step of removing him from office. On February 10th, the Justice Department dropped corruption charges against Adams, citing undue restrictions on his ability to implement President Trump's immigration policies. This decision followed resignations from high-ranking Justice Department officials and the city's four deputy mayors. Now, increasing numbers of Democratic politicians are urging Adams to resign or for Hochul to remove him. Here's how that could happen and the potential consequences. How could Adams be removed from office? State law and the City Charter grant the governor the authority to remove the mayor. Hochul could remove Adams after providing him with the charges and a hearing. This would involve a suspension of up to 30 days, during which Adams could present his defense. Afterward, the governor could reinstate him or permanently remove him. The process is largely uncharted territory, as Adams is the first New York City mayor to face criminal charges in office. If removed, he would be the first to be dismissed; previous mayors, Jimmy Walker and William O’Dwyer, resigned. Following the Justice Department's decision, Hochul and her office reviewed their authority to remove the mayor, before initially opting against it in October. However, on February 17th, she indicated a potential shift in approach. Alternatively, the City Charter outlines an "Inability Committee" – composed of the corporation counsel, comptroller, City Council speaker, a designated deputy mayor, and the longest-serving borough president. This committee could vote on the mayor's temporary or permanent inability to perform his duties. If four of five members deem the mayor incapacitated, the 51-member City Council has 21 days to vote on removal, requiring a two-thirds majority. The mayor can remain in office if, within 48 hours of the committee's declaration, he asserts his ability to perform his duties. The "Inability Committee" provision was created in 1987 following Mayor Ed Koch's stroke. However, after Adams' indictment last September, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams expressed doubt about its applicability in this case, suggesting it applies to physical incapacitation. Who would replace Adams? If Adams is removed or resigns, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, next in the line of succession, would become acting mayor. Williams has already indicated his readiness for this eventuality. The office would be officially vacant, requiring Williams to call a special election within 80 days to elect a new mayor for the remainder of Adams' term, which ends this year. This would not affect the November mayoral election. Several individuals have already announced mayoral bids to challenge Adams in the June 24th Democratic primary: New York City comptroller Brad Lander; state senators Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie; state assembly member Zohran Mamdani; former comptroller Scott Stringer; Michael Blake; lawyer Jim Walden; and investor Whitney Tilson. Speculation also surrounds a potential candidacy from former Governor Andrew Cuomo, following former state comptroller Carl McCall's February 15th endorsement. Cuomo acknowledged McCall's support but had not announced a bid as of February 18th.

BERLIN — Four individuals are vying for Germany's highest office in Sunday's election. The contenders include the current chancellor, the opposition leader, the vice chancellor, and, for the first time, a leader from a far-right party. Olaf Scholz The 66-year-old has served as Germany's chancellor since December 2021. This Social Democrat brings extensive governmental experience, having previously held the positions of Hamburg's mayor, and Germany's labor and finance minister. His chancellorship has been marked by several unforeseen crises. He spearheaded the modernization of Germany's military following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, making Germany Ukraine's second-largest arms supplier. His administration averted an energy crisis and attempted to mitigate high inflation. However, his three-party coalition became known for internal disputes and dissolved in November amidst disagreements on economic revitalization strategies for Europe's largest economy, which has contracted for the past two years. Friedrich Merz At 69, Germany's opposition leader has emerged as a frontrunner in the election campaign, with his center-right Union bloc leading in polls. He assumed leadership of the Christian Democratic Union party after Angela Merkel's departure in 2021. Merz has steered his party toward a more conservative stance. His campaign platform prioritizes curbing irregular immigration. Merz's governmental experience is limited. He joined the European Parliament in 1989 before becoming a German lawmaker five years later. He took a break from politics after 2009, working as a lawyer and heading BlackRock's German branch's supervisory board. Robert Habeck The 55-year-old represents the environmentalist Greens. He currently serves as Germany's vice chancellor and minister for economy and climate action, overseeing energy policy. As co-leader of the Greens (2018-2022), he oversaw a surge in the party's popularity, stepping aside in 2021 to allow Annalena Baerbock to run for chancellor. Habeck's ministerial performance has received mixed reviews, particularly concerning a plan to replace fossil fuel heating systems with greener alternatives, which exacerbated governmental divisions. Alice Weidel The 46-year-old is the first candidate from the far-right, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) to seek the chancellorship. An economist, Weidel joined the party shortly after its founding in 2013. She has co-led the party's parliamentary group since 2017 and has been a co-leader of the party itself since 2022 alongside Tino Chrupalla. Her December nomination as chancellor candidate faces significant obstacles; other parties have stated they will not collaborate with the AfD, effectively hindering her prospects.

CAIRO — To counter a U.S. proposal to displace Palestinians, Egypt is formulating a Gaza reconstruction plan that avoids the removal of its inhabitants. Egypt’s state-run Al-Ahram newspaper reports the plan involves creating secure zones within Gaza for initial Palestinian resettlement, while Egyptian and international contractors rehabilitate infrastructure. Egyptian officials, in consultation with European diplomats, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, are exploring funding mechanisms, including a potential international reconstruction conference, according to sources. Column: These officials and diplomats requested anonymity due to ongoing negotiations. This initiative follows global condemnation of Trump's proposal to remove Gaza's roughly 2 million Palestinians, replacing it with a U.S.-controlled “Riviera of the Middle East.” Palestinians have rejected displacement, and Egypt and Jordan, supported by Saudi Arabia, have refused to accept the displaced population. Rights organizations have condemned this as potential forced expulsion, a war crime. European nations have also largely opposed Trump's plan. [Unspecified entity] has voiced support and indicated Israeli readiness for implementation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a regional tour, stated the U.S. is open to alternative proposals, saying that if Arab nations possess a better plan, it's welcome news. Egypt’s Al-Ahram newspaper describes the plan as a counter to President Trump's proposal and any attempts to alter Gaza's geographic and demographic composition. Gaza faces a critical juncture with a [Unspecified agreement] expiring early March. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas on the second phase—involving hostage release, Israeli withdrawal, and a long-term ceasefire—are still required. Reconstruction hinges on a second-phase agreement, including Gaza's future governance. Israel demands Hamas's elimination as a political or military force, a condition for international donor support. Central to Egypt's proposal is a Palestinian administration independent of Hamas or the Palestinian Authority to oversee reconstruction, according to involved officials. The plan includes a Palestinian police force composed mainly of former Palestinian Authority officers remaining in Gaza post-2007, reinforced by Egyptian and Western-trained personnel. Regarding potential Arab troop deployment, officials indicated Arab support conditional on a clear path to an independent Palestinian state. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has opposed a Palestinian state and any Hamas or Palestinian Authority role in Gaza governance, without offering an alternative. Hamas has expressed willingness to relinquish power, with spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou stating acceptance of a Hamas-free unity government or a technocratic administration. The Palestinian Authority remains opposed to exclusionary Gaza plans. A Western diplomat confirmed French and German support for Arab counter-proposals to Trump's plan, noting Egyptian President el-Sissi discussed this with the French president. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty briefed the German foreign minister and EU officials at the Munich Security Conference, according to Egyptian officials. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan will discuss the proposal in Riyadh before presenting it at the Arab summit. Israel’s 16-month Gaza campaign, following Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, caused widespread devastation. U.N. estimates indicate around a quarter-million housing units damaged or destroyed, along with over 90% of roads and 80% of health facilities. Infrastructure damage is estimated at $30 billion, with housing damage at $16 billion. Egypt's plan involves a three-phase, five-year reconstruction process without Palestinian displacement. Initial six-month “early recovery” will use three safe zones with temporary housing and humanitarian aid. Over two dozen Egyptian and international firms will participate in the project, providing tens of thousands of jobs. ```

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration initiated the dismissal of hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration employees, impacting staffing during a busy travel period shortly after a fatal mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in January. Late Friday night, probationary employees received emails informing them of their termination, according to David Spero, president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union. Affected employees included personnel responsible for FAA radar, landing, and navigational aid maintenance, an anonymous air traffic controller told the Associated Press. A Transportation Department official informed the AP that no air traffic controllers were affected and that the agency retained employees with critical safety roles. The agency later stated they would need to investigate whether the dismissed radar, landing, and navigational aid workers performed critical safety functions. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association issued a statement indicating they were assessing the impact of the terminations on aviation safety, the national airspace system, and their members. Other terminated FAA employees worked on a classified early warning radar system for Hawaii, announced in 2023 by the Air Force, partially funded by the Department of Defense. This is part of the FAA’s National Airspace System Defense Program, managing radars for border surveillance. Employees in this office usually provide comprehensive knowledge transfer before retirement, ensuring institutional knowledge preservation, according to Charles Spitzer-Stadtlander, a terminated employee. Spitzer-Stadtlander emphasized the Hawaii radar and the program’s importance to national security, expressing concern for the implications of the firings. Spero stated that termination notifications arrived after 7 p.m. Friday and continued late into the night, with more potential notifications over the weekend or access restrictions to FAA buildings on Tuesday. The terminations, according to Spero, were “without cause” and communicated via a Microsoft email address associated with an “exec order,” not a government address. A termination email provided to the AP showed the sender as “ASK_AHR_EXEC_Orders@usfaa.mail.outlook.com”. These firings occurred amidst a shortage of air traffic controllers. Federal officials have voiced concerns for years about an overtaxed and understaffed air traffic control system, citing issues such as uncompetitive pay, long shifts, intensive training, and mandatory retirements. In the January 29th mid-air collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet, one controller managed both commercial and helicopter traffic at the busy airport. Days before the collision, President Trump dismissed all members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, a Congressional mandate established after the 1988 Pan Am 103 bombing. The committee reviews airline and airport safety. Spitzer-Stadtlander suggested his termination stemmed from his views on Tesla and X (formerly Twitter), companies owned by Elon Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency is leading Trump’s government reduction efforts. Spitzer-Stadtlander, who is Jewish, expressed his anger at Trump's inauguration on his Facebook page, urging friends to delete their Tesla and X accounts. Spitzer-Stadtlander noted that a Facebook account labeled “Department of Government Efficiency” reacted with a laughing emoji to his post and subsequently engaged with older posts on his profile. Multiple Facebook accounts use the name “Department of Government Efficiency,” with unclear operators. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated on X that DOGE lacks a Facebook page. Spitzer-Stadtlander believed he was exempt from the terminations due to his work on national security threats, specifically drone attacks on national airspace. Spitzer-Stadtlander noted that he was fired despite his alleged exemption and that his computer access was revoked and files deleted without warning. DOGE did not respond to a request for comment. CNN initially reported the firings. —Associated Press writer Ellen Knickmeyer contributed from Washington.

A Delta Airlines aircraft overturned upon landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, resulting in 17 injuries. Pearson Airport confirmed on X a Delta flight from Minneapolis had an incident, with all 76 passengers and four crew members accounted for. The accident occurred around 2:15 p.m., causing approximately a two-and-a-half-hour ground stop at Canada's busiest airport. Two runways remained closed pending investigation. Greater Toronto Airports Authority CEO Deborah Flint expressed relief at the lack of fatalities and relatively minor injuries. The injury count was revised down from initial paramedic reports of 19 injuries. Video footage showed the Mitsubishi CRJ-900LR inverted on the snowy runway, being hosed down by emergency crews. Snow from a recent winter storm partially obscured the plane. Ornge air ambulance transported one child to SickKids hospital and two adults to other city hospitals. The airport's X post reported that emergency services were responding and all passengers and crew were accounted for. Air traffic control communication with a returning medical helicopter revealed the plane rested at the intersection of Runways 23 and 15L, close to the runway's beginning. A controller noted people were walking around the aircraft. The medical helicopter pilot reported the aircraft was upside down and burning. The cause of the incident remains under investigation, though weather may have been a contributing factor. The Meteorological Service of Canada reported blowing snow and winds of 32 mph (51 kph) gusting to 40 mph (65 kph), with a temperature of about 16.5 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 8.6 degrees Celsius). Aviation safety consultant John Cox described such incidents as rare, noting that while inverted takeoffs have occurred, this type of landing incident is unusual. Toronto Pearson Airport tower audio recordings indicate the flight was cleared for landing around 2:10 p.m. local time. The tower warned pilots of potential turbulence during the approach. Cox interpreted the controller's warning as a heads-up about potentially bumpy conditions due to wind. Cox, a former U.S. Air pilot and NTSB investigator, noted the CRJ-900's proven track record and its ability to handle challenging weather conditions. He highlighted the missing right wing as a key question in the investigation, stating that its absence would likely contribute to a rollover. Cox emphasized the importance of the flight data and cockpit voice recorders in determining the cause of the accident. The last major crash at Pearson occurred on August 2, 2005, when an Air France Airbus A340 skidded off the runway and caught fire; all 309 on board survived. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration stated that the Transportation Safety Board of Canada would lead the investigation, with assistance from a U.S. team. This incident marks at least the fourth major aviation mishap in North America within the past month, following a commercial jet and Army helicopter collision near Washington D.C., a medical plane crash in Philadelphia resulting in seven fatalities, and a crash in Alaska with 10 fatalities. Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed relief at the lack of fatalities and pledged provincial assistance. Delta CEO Ed Bastian offered condolences to those affected. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz confirmed contact with Delta regarding the incident. Endeavor Air, a Delta subsidiary and the world's largest CRJ-900 operator, provides regional jet services across North America and the Caribbean. The CRJ-900, manufactured by Bombardier, is related to the CRJ-700 involved in the January 29 mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport. —Casey reported from Concord, New Hampshire. Michael Sisak in New York, Jack Dura in Bismarck, North Dakota, Alex Veiga in Los Angeles, and Jim Morris in Vancouver, British Columbia, contributed reporting.

Four of New York City Mayor Eric Adams' top advisors resigned on Monday, the latest development in a series of overlapping scandals impacting his administration, creating a leadership void in city government. This follows a February 10th Justice Department order dismissing corruption charges against Adams, citing interference with the President's immigration enforcement agenda. The charges, filed in September, stemmed from alleged offenses dating back to 2014, when Adams served as Brooklyn borough president. The departing senior aides—First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, and Deputy Mayors Meera Joshi, Anne Williams-Isom, and Chauncey Parker—submitted their resignations amid growing calls for Governor Kathy Hochul to remove Adams or for Adams' own resignation. Their departures come after the dismissal of U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon and five high-ranking Justice Department officials last week following Sassoon's actions against Adams. The mayor's office confirmed the resignations in a statement, describing the deputies as "extraordinary public servants who have been vital to our work reshaping New York City." The statement further praised their accomplishments, highlighting achievements in housing, job creation, aid to New Yorkers and migrants, public space development, and public safety. NBC reported that Adams attempted to persuade the aides to remain during a weekend Zoom call, but they ultimately decided to resign. Joshi, former Deputy Mayor of Operations, conveyed the deputies' decision in an email to agency commissioners. Their statement cited "extraordinary events of the last few weeks" and a commitment to their oaths to New Yorkers and families as reasons for their resignations. TIME has contacted the Mayor’s office for further comment.