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Blinken calls deposed Niger leader ahead of expected US declaration that his overthrow was a coup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:05:04 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Niger’s deposed President Mohamed Bazoum on Monday ahead of an expected decision by the Biden administration to formally declare that his overthrow was a coup d’etat. The State Department said Blinken called Bazoum to stress that a restoration of a freely elected government remains the best way for Niger to not only succeed for its people but also to remain a key partner of the U.S. and others in countering extremism.In the call, Blinken “reiterated that a democratically elected, civilian-led government presents the best opportunity to ensure that Niger remains a strong partner in security and development in the region,” the State Department said in a brief statement. “The United States calls for the immediate release of all those unjustly detained following the military takeover,” the department said.Blinken’s call came as the administration is preparing to make a formal determination that July’s military takeov...

Hamas official says Iran and Hezbollah had no role in Israel incursion but they’ll help if needed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:05:04 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — A senior Hamas official on Monday said only a small number of top commanders inside Gaza knew about the wide-ranging incursion launched into Israel, but that allies like Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah “will join the battle if Gaza is subjected to a war of annihilation.”Ali Barakeh, a member of Hamas’ exiled leadership, spoke to The Associated Press in his Beirut office as Israel bombarded Gaza and vowed a total blockade of the Hamas-ruled territory.The surprise attack on Saturday caught Israel’s vaunted military and intelligence services completely off guard, as hundreds of Hamas gunmen poured through holes blown in the border fence and rampaged through several towns, killing hundreds of soldiers and civilians, and capturing scores of others.Barakeh said the attack was planned by around a half dozen top Hamas commanders in Gaza and that even the group’s closest allies were not informed in advance about the timing. He denied reports that Iranian security officials help...

2 Chicago-area residents believed to be missing in Israel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:05:04 GMT

CHICAGO — A mother and daughter from Evanston are missing and family members say they fear the two are among those being held hostage by Palestinian militant group Hamas.Family members say Natali Raanan and her mother Judith Tai Raanan were visiting relatives in Nahal Oz, near Gaza, when the attacks began over the weekend.Raanan's father told WGN-TV that he has not heard from either of the two since Friday, Oct. 6. What to know as Israel declares war, bombards Gaza Strip after unprecedented Hamas attack Family members say the two arrived in Israel on Monday, Sept. 2.According to the Associated Press, Hamas and other militants in Gaza say over 130 soldiers and civilians who were captured from inside Israel are being held.President Joe Biden confirmed over the weekend that at least 11 Americans have been killed in the attacks and says he believes Americans are among those being held hostage.

Search underway for missing woman last seen in August

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:05:04 GMT

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating a missing 41-year-old woman who was last seen on August 31. Guadalupe Villeda, 41, was last seen in the area of 5200 South Green Street in Chicago's New City neighborhood around 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31. Police search for missing man last seen in Loop Villeda is described as 5-foot-5, weighing 120 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing blue jeans and a light color shirt.According to the Chicago Police Department, Villeda frequents the area of 47th Street throughout Chicago.Anyone with information regarding Guadalupe Villeda's whereabouts are asked to contact the Chicago Police Department at 312-747-8380.

Puppies adopted together after being thrown over animal shelter fence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:05:04 GMT

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) -- Two puppies tossed over a fence and abandoned at an animal shelter in Michigan last month have found a new home. "From suffering from neglect, malnutrition and parasites then being thrown over a fence…these 2 survivors are now ready to live their best life in a loving home!" the Jackson County Animal Shelter posted on its Facebook page on Friday. Video shared by the shelter shows people pulling up to its parking lot in a truck on Sept. 26. A passenger hopped out of the vehicle with the puppies and threw them over a nearby fence, the footage shows. Arkansans reunited with their dogs after they are found hundreds of miles away (Photo: Jackson County Animal Shelter)(Photo: Jackson County Animal Shelter)(Photo: Jackson County Animal Shelter)The puppies were taken in by animal shelter staff and were discovered to both be severely emaciated. Lydia Sattler, the animal shelter's director, said the puppies scored 1 on the body condition score system. This is a 0 to...

Woman allegedly killed by husband worked as nurse at Isanti County jail, sheriff says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:05:04 GMT

The Isanti County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of a registered nurse who worked in the county jail after she was killed last week in neighboring Chisago County in a case of suspected domestic violence.Sarah Jane Carda, 35, was fatally shot Friday afternoon in her Fish Lake Township home, and her husband, Mike Larry Carda, 39, has been charged in connection with the killing.Sarah Carda had worked as a nurse for the Isanti County jail in Cambridge since 2014, Isanti County Sheriff Wayne Sieberlich said in a Facebook post mourning her death.“Our hearts are broken and our agency is devastated,” the post said. “Words cannot fully describe the shock and pain our agency and community are feeling.”A criminal complaint Monday gave the following details:Shortly before noon Friday, Chisago County deputies were called to a house in the 42000 block of Elmcrest Avenue in Fish Lake Township. Authorities were told there was a “large number of weaponsR...

Albany County unveils 2024 budget proposal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:05:04 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Albany County Exec. Dan McCoy released his budget proposal for 2024. The proposal is for a total of $819 million. This is up more than eight percent compared to the 2023 budget.The county executive said it includes funding for mental health and addiction treatment as well as affordable housing. There would also be a ten percent yearly reduction in property tax rates, and county employees would receive a three percent salary increase and more health benefits. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "We are living within our means, we are expanding the services people used in this county, and we are adding services by still reducing the tax levy by 28% since 2014," McCoy said.The budget announced also forecasts a 12 percent increase in sales tax revenue compared to last year.

Keeler: Ex-Broncos tackle Billy Turner on Nathaniel Hackett, Broncos Country? “They just got some stuff to figure out.”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:05:04 GMT

Nathaniel Hackett 31, Sean Payton 21.Vic Fangio 70, Sean Payton 20.Josh McDaniels 17, Sean Payton 16.Make it stop.Man, I’ll betcha Vance Joseph ’18 wishes he could get a crack at Vance Joseph ’23. I mean, why should all the other disgraced, shamed former Broncos coaches have all the fun right now?Frank Filchock just rolled over in his grave. Then he grabbed a clipboard.Make it stop.Seriously, Billy Turner. Make. It. Stop.“You know what?” Turner, the former Broncos offensive tackle, told me before he packed up his locker late Sunday and joined his New York Jets teammates on the bus back to sanity.“They’ve got some great players on this (Broncos) team. This is a good football team. Those years that I was here (and the) years I haven’t been here, it’s always been a good football team with special players. Unfortunately for them, they weren’t able to win (in Week 5), but that’s not to say they don’t have a good foot...

DQ introduces beanies for fans and their Blizzard treats

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:05:04 GMT

Dairy Queen is falling forward in fashion and flavor with their new exclusive accessory for customers and their Blizzard treats this season. Just in time for the Fall Blizzard Treat menu, DQ introduced Blizzard Beanies to help keep customers warm and cozy while enjoying an ice-cold Blizzard Treat. Each Blizzard Beanie pair comes with one full-sized beanie and a matching, Blizzard Treat size beanie to keep customers’ hands warm while enjoying a cool treat. Customers can choose from two Blizzard Beanie colors, cream and neutral, and match their Blizzard Beanies with their favorite treat on the Fall Blizzard Treat Menu. Dairy Queen introduced their new Blizzard Beanies that help keep customers warm and cozy while enjoying an ice-cold Blizzard Treat. (Dairy Queen)Dairy Queen introduced their new Blizzard Beanies that help keep customers warm and cozy while enjoying an ice-cold Blizzard Treat. (Dairy Queen)Dairy Queen introduced their new Blizzard Beanies that help keep customers warm an...

Chino Valley Unified School District employee arrested for embezzlement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:05:04 GMT

A 52-year-old woman from Chino was arrested late last month after authorities allege she had been embezzling public funds from a local elementary school’s parent teacher organization. In July, detectives at the Chino Police Department initiated an investigation into Nicole Lanter, an employee of the Chino Valley Unified School District, for possible theft of funds from the PTO at Newman Elementary School.  After the months-long investigation, Lanter was taken into custody on Sept. 22 and booked at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department West Valley Detention Center on charges of misuse of public funds.   L.A. County DA investigator and wife killed in violent crash in Downey Authorities did not release any details on the amount of money the 52-year-old is accused of misappropriating or how she came to the attention of investigators.  Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact Officer Myles Mason with the Chino PD’s Criminal Investigations ...