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Soldiers declare Niger general as head of state after he led a coup and detained the president

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:23 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Mutinous soldiers who ousted Niger’s president declared Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, the coup leader, as head of state Friday, hours after the general defended the takeover and asked for support from the nation and international partners.Amid growing concerns that the political crisis could set back Niger’s fight against jihadists and increase Russia’s influence in West Africa, spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane said on state television that the constitution was suspended and Tchiani was in charge of the nation. State TV identified Tchiani as the leader of the group of soldiers who said they staged the coup.Various factions of Niger’s military have reportedly wrangled for control since members of the presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected two years ago in Niger’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence from France. Niger is seen as the last reliable partner for the West in efforts to battle jihadists linked ...

Swedish mining firm Boliden is exempted from paying compensation for toxic spill in Spain in 1998

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:23 GMT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — A Spanish court on Friday exempted a Swedish mining firm from paying 89 million euros ($98 million) in compensation for the cleaning of a toxic sludge spill that occurred in 1998 at a heavy metals mine in southern Spain.The court dismissed the lawsuit brought by the regional government of Andalusia, which demanded that the firm Boliden pay the sum for the environmental cleaning operations following the spill at a wastewater reservoir in the Aznalcóllar mine.The court said there was insufficient evidence to prove that Boliden was legally obliged to pay for the restoration and cleaning work and exonerated it from any environmental responsibility. The verdict, handed down by a court in the southern city of Seville, can be appealed before Spain’s Supreme Court.In the trial earlier this month, the Swedish firm said it spent the equivalent of some 600,000 euros back in 1998 in the cleaning.In 1999, Boliden’s Spanish branch was sentenced to pay the equivalent ...

Economy grew in May despite wildfire effects, looks to have slowed in June: StatCan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:23 GMT

OTTAWA — The Canadian economy grew by 0.3 per cent in May despite downward pressure from wildfire-hit oil and gas production but it looks to have slowed in June, Statistics Canada said Friday.In its latest report on economic growth, the federal agency’s preliminary estimate suggests real gross domestic product grew at an annualized rate of one per cent in the second quarter.The May figure came in slightly lower than was expected by Statistics Canada as mining and oil and gas companies reduced their operations in Alberta at the outset of the record-breaking wildfire season.The energy sector was down 2.1 per cent in May, the release shows.“This was the sector’s first decline in five months and its largest since August 2020,” the agency said.The modest GDP increase in May was driven in part by a rebound in the public administration sector as most federal public servants on strike returned to work by the end of April. However, 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency workers remained on...

Naperville man found guilty of sexual abusing 13-year-old

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:23 GMT

WHEATON, Ill. — A Naperville man was found guilty Thursday of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl he met through Snapchat.James Nead, 30, was guilty on three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, solicitation to meet a child and traveling to meet a child.In June 2019, the 13-year-old girl received a message on Snapchat from Nead. Several days later, he convinced the girl to meet him and threatened to released photographs of her if she did not.On June 28, she met Nead at a strip mall and he sexually abused her in his car. The victim blocked Nead, but he contacted her making the same threats through another account.According to a release, the victim's father got involved and contacted the police.He was taken into custody a year later on June 29, 2020 after a warrant as issued.Nead's next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 31. He faces up to seven years in prison.

Pritzker signs new law making changes to Illinois' supervised release system

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:23 GMT

ILLINOIS — Governor JB Pritzker made changes to the state's Mandatory Supervised Release System (MSRS) by signing Senate Bill 423 into law. Friday Forecast: Thunderstorms, dangerous heat across Chicago area SB423 brings several changes to the MSRS including:Parolee or releasee will submit to a urinalysis test only if there is documented, reasonable suspicion of illicit drug useThe Prisoner Review Board shall, rather than may, reduce the period of mandatory supervision when certain educational milestones are achievedEliminates several conditions related to release of a minorAllows for the use of technology in lieu of appearing in person for required reporting or meetings by the parolee or releaseeRequires the Prisoner Review Board to provide a list of steps or requirements for granting early dischargePritzker signed the bill at a Friday event featuring rapper/activist Meek Mill, entrepreneur Michael Rubin, and the CEO of REFORM Alliance, along with several other leaders and communi...

Sharks circle dock outside South Carolina restaurant, video shows

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:23 GMT

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (WSAV) – Guests at a seaside restaurant in South Carolina had quite the sight on Sunday as several sharks swam around the dock at Hudson's Seafood on Hilton Head Island.A video shows at least five sharks circling in the shallow waters of Skull Creek.The video was taken after a fishing charter returned to the dock and threw out scraps into the water, according to Nexstar's WSAV.Only days before, the Town of Hilton Head also reported a possible shark bite about 10 miles down the shore. A man said he was bitten on the foot by a shark while swimming in waist-deep water.A portion of the beach was closed after the bite. ‘Cocaine Sharks’ may be biting into bales dumped off Florida’s coast, scientists say Shark attacks actually hit a 10-year-low in 2022, with some spikes in regional hot spots, according to the International Shark Attack File, which maintains a database of shark attacks.They recommend swimmers swim with a buddy, stay close to shore, not swim at daw...

Backswing, bleeding & beanball: The Cubs' bizarre start to win over Cardinals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS — In the many, many games the teams have played, it's safe to say there has never been a start like the one Thursday night in St. Louis. It involved a pair of former teammates, an unfortunate accident, some beanball, and then a quick hook from the umpires. All of this happened in the first inning between the Cubs and the Cardinals at Busch Stadium, a precursor for what would end up behind a decisive 10-3 win for the visitors. It puts the club at the .500 mark (51-51) for the first time since May 12, moving to within 5 1/2 games of first in the National League Central and four of the last wild card spot.The Cubs' six-game winning streak is their longest of the 2023 season.Yet the beginning of the contest is what everyone wanted to talk about from when it happened until after the game.(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)It started in the first with two out and Ian Happ at the plate facing St. Louis pitcher Miles Mikolas. On one of his swings, the Cubs' outfielder accident...

Police respond to false alarm of active shooter at Tesla gigafactory

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:23 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Authorities responded to the Tesla gigafactory early Friday morning after receiving "shots fired" and "active shooter" reports from the area. Travis County Sheriff's Office deputies got a 911 call of an active shooter around 4:17 a.m., according to TCSO. Austin-Travis County EMS said medics responded to the scene and were ready to treat potential patients after a "shots fired" call came in. Authorities said no injuries were reported, however. TCSO said deputies cleared the building and "found nothing out of the ordinary; no casualties, no sounds of gunfire, nothing to substantiate the presence of a shooter at all."TCSO said its investigation found no malicious intent behind the call and no criminal element involved in the incident. The response was the first time TCSO has responded to Tesla with such a large number of deputies for an emergency call, according to the agency. An off-duty Tesla employee told KXAN they got a text just before 5 a.m. that those on site sh...

Guided trolley tours of Saratoga Springs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:23 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- All aboard! The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center will be hosting guided trolley tours of historic Saratoga Springs all August long on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting at 10 a.m. Tickets are $25.00 a person. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The tours will include historic sights and discussions along Broadway, North Broadway, the Skidmore campus, the High Rock area, Saratoga Race Course, and Union Avenue. The trolleys are wheelchair accessible, and no food or drink except water is allowed on the tours.For advanced reservations, guests can call (518) 587-3241. Tickets can be purchased the day of in person at the pick-up and drop-off location, at 297 Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

Cannabis dispensary looking to open in Saratoga Springs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:23 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Saratoga Springs could be getting its first retail cannabis dispensary. Special use permit documents were submitted to the city's Planning Board to open Reverie Dispensary at 95 West Avenue. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The owner is Jody Cracco, who also owns Dairy Haus and Doggy Playcare in Saratoga Springs, as well as the Ice Cream Man in Greenwich. Reverie Dispensary is under Ten Cees, LLC, which was awarded a Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) license by the Office of Cannabis Management.The 2,200-square-foot shop would be in the same plaza as DreamSleep, Family Dollar, Taste of China, West Ave Pizza, and West Ave Chicken. A Planning Board public hearing for the dispensary is set for Thursday, August 3 at 6 p.m. in City Hall. New owner revives RAW Juice Bar in Schenectady, opening date set "After the planning board meeting, we will be one step closer to opening. We will b...