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Niger’s junta revokes key security agreements with EU and turns to Russia for defense partnership

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:32 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Niger’s junta on Monday scrapped two key military agreements that the West African nation signed with the European Union to help fight the violence in Africa’s Sahel region as the country’s army leaders and a senior Russian defense official discussed military cooperation.Before the coup that deposed the country’s president, Mohamed Bazoum, Niger had been the West and Europe’s last major security partner in the Sahel, the vast region south of the Sahara Desert that Islamic extremist groups have turned into the global terror hot spot.In a memo, Niger’s foreign affairs ministry said the government has decided to “withdraw the privileges and immunities granted” under the EU Military Partnership Mission in Niger that was launched in February and consequently “has no legal obligation” related to that partnership. It also dismissed the EU Civilian Capacity-Building Mission established in 2012 to strengthen Niger’s internal security sector, effectivel...

US, allies in talks on naval task force to protect shipping in Red Sea after Houthi attacks

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:32 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House said Monday that the U.S. may establish a naval task force to escort commercial ships in the Red Sea, a day after three vessels were struck by missiles fired by Iranian-back Houthis in Yemen.National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. has been in active conversations with allies about setting up the escorts though nothing is finalized, describing it as a “natural” response to that sort of incident.On Sunday, ballistic missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck three commercial ships, while a U.S. warship shot down three drones in self-defense during an hourslong assault, the U.S. military said. It marked an escalation in a series of maritime attacks in the Mideast linked to the Israel-Hamas war.“We are in talks with other countries about a maritime task force of sorts involving the ships from partner nations alongside the United States in ensuring safe passage,” Sullivan told reporters. He noted similar task forces are used to protect ...

Minnesota, Wisconsin wildlife officials capture 100s of invasive carp in Mississippi River

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:32 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Wildlife officials have captured hundreds of invasive carp from the Mississippi River near Trempealeau, Wisconsin.The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced Friday that officials caught 296 silver carp, 23 grass carp and four bighead carp Nov. 30 in what the agency called the largest single capture of invasive carp in Minnesota to date. Agency officials said the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources tracked six tagged invasive carp in that area of the river the week that led officials to larger schools moving upstream. Observations from commercial anglers also helped officials pinpoint the fish.The carp were imported to the U.S. in the 1960s and 1970s to help rid southern aquaculture farms of algae, weeds and parasites. They escaped through flooding and accidental releases, found their way into the Mississippi River and have used it as a superhighway to spread north into rivers and streams in the nation’s midsection. Carp are voracious eaters ...

Heavy police presence outside store in Gary

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:32 GMT

GARY, Ind. — There is a heavy police presence outside of a store in Gary, Indiana, on Monday afternoon.Several police vehicles could be seen outside of a Family Dollar in the 1400 block of West 25th Avenue when WGN SkyCam9 was over the scene around 3:30 p.m.  2 SIU students from Park Ridge, Des Plaines killed in head-on crash Authorities have not provided details on what led to the heavy police response and it is currently unclear if anyone was injured or if any arrests have been made.This is a developing story, stay with WGN News for the latest updates. 

Community programs, staff return to Amundsen Park after city scraps migrant shelter plans

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:32 GMT

CHICAGO — Community programs at Amundsen Park returned on Monday after the city scrapped its plans to use the park's field house as a temporary migrant shelter, according to Alderman Chris Taliaferro (29th Ward).The city's proposal to use the field house to shelter migrants sparked pushback from residents in the area after community programs were either put on hold or moved to other parks. Residents said the park's programs for youth and seniors kept the community safe.  ‘That was to get us out’: New details revealed after arson fire at historic Swift Mansion The city eventually halted its efforts to convert the field house, but residents worried that cuts to park hours and the slow return of programs were precursors to the city moving forward with the plans. In a post shared on Facebook on Wednesday, Ald. Taliaferro (29th Ward) said staff will begin returning to the park on Monday, and after restaffing, programming will return and winter program registrat...

Nick Cannon reveals high cost of bringing his 12 kids to Disneyland

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:32 GMT

(KTLA) – Television host, actor and rapper Nick Cannon is sharing the joys of having 12 children. During an interview with the New York City-based radio show "The Breakfast Club," Cannon revealed how he balances holidays with his children and their mothers — and how much he spends on trips to Disneyland every year. “To move around Disney, like, I'm probably spending $200,000 a year at Disneyland," he claimed. Fan-favorite character finally appears on Disney World ride The "Wild 'n Out" host added that he visits the Anaheim park "at least once a month" to celebrate his kids' birthdays and Christmas."I used to host Christmas morning at Disneyland, so I used to get that Disney bag," he said, referring to the "perks" he'd get from the park. "All of that stuff was free… It's no longer free!" he said. "And I only had two kids then."Cannon did not break down his specific Disneyland expenses, but indicated that his costs include hotel stays. One of the radio show's hosts said Cannon likel...

Former US ambassador accused of spying for Cuba for decades

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:32 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The Justice Department announced on Monday that a former U.S. diplomat has been charged with secretly spying for Cuban intelligence. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said Victor Manuel Rocha, who previously served as U.S. ambassador to Bolivia, acted illegally as an agent of foreign government.A complaint alleges that Rocha acted as a covert agent of the Cuban government for over 40 years.“This action exposes one of the highest reaching and longest lasting infiltrations of the U.S. government by a foreign agent,” Garland said.The 73-year-old worked at the State Department and held several senior positions between 1981 and 2002. He also served as an advisor to the Commander of the U.S. Southern Command.Starting last year, the FBI arranged a series of undercover encounters with Rocha in downtown Miami.“He told the undercover that his efforts to infiltrate the United States government were ‘meticulous’ and ‘very disciplined.’ And he repeatedly bragged about ...

Protesters plead for justice as Supreme Court hears oral argument in Purdue bankruptcy case

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:32 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – “Sacklers lie! People die!” protesters could be heard chanting outside the Supreme Court, as the justices heard oral arguments in the case of Harrington v Purdue Pharma L.P. Monday morning.“I came today because I lost my son, Eddie, in Philadelphia in 2001,” protester Edward Bisch said. “All the parents want justice.”Whether the protesters will get the ruling they want remains to be seen. The case centers around the deal reached in 2021 regarding Purdue Pharma’s and the Sackler family’s role in the opioid crisis that has plagued America. How to watch the fourth Republican presidential debate “The Sacklers want all the benefits of bankruptcy without being in bankruptcy,” Bisch asserted. “Well, my dead son does not release them, and I don’t release them!”In exchange for giving up ownership of drug manufacturer Purdue Pharma and for contributing up to $6 billion to fight the crisis, members of the wealthy Sackler family, who haven’t declared bankruptcy, would b...

District attorney drops 17 police officer indictments tied to 2020 protests

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:32 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video at the top of this story shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Monday, Dec. 4, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Indictments against 17 Austin Police officers tied to protests in 2020 will be dismissed, according to a joint release from the Travis County District Attorney's office and the City of Austin. Those officers will be allowed back on duty. PREVIOUS: 18 indicted APD officers have bonded out so far A total of 21 Austin police officers were indicted after May 2020 protests in downtown Austin following the deaths of George Floyd and Michael Ramos. A release from the Travis County District Attorney's Office and the City of Austin said they will move forward with four of those cases. In exchange, the City and DA's office announced they submitted a letter to the Department of Justice asking for a review of the police department's actions during those protests. It's not immediately clear if the DOJ will do that review. “We expect the Department of Justice will take our...

Are you my owner? Emus spotted in Leander neighborhood

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:32 GMT

LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — A Leander couple is searching for the owner of an injured emu they rescued after it was spotted in their neighborhood near RM 1431 and Big Sandy Creek.Hailey and Ross Copland said their tiny neighborhood's email chain burst with activity around Thanksgiving when several neighbors chimed in that five or six emus had been spotted nearby. The Coplands initially didn't think much of it, until Ross was with their two children at their neighbor's house and spotted an emu near the creek."[Ross] calls me and he's like, 'the emu is over here!'" Hailey recounted. "There're actually an emu. So sure enough, we went down there."Up close, the emu had several small bites and injuries. Ross and Hailey opted to try and corral the animal and guide it back to their farm, where they could safely enclose the animal until they got in contact with its owner."We looked up on Google real quick, 'how do you hold an emu,' because every bird or animal....likes to be held in a different ...