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Niger’s junta asks for help from Russian group Wagner as it faces military intervention threat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:32 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Niger’s new military junta has asked for help from the Russian mercenary group Wagner as the deadline nears for it to release the country’s ousted president or face possible military intervention by the West African regional bloc, according to an analyst.The request came during a visit by a coup leader, Gen. Salifou Mody, to neighboring Mali, where he made contact with someone from Wagner, Wassim Nasr, a journalist and senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, told The Associated Press. He said three Malian sources and a French diplomat confirmed the meeting first reported by France 24.“They need (Wagner) because they will become their guarantee to hold onto power,” he said, adding that the group is considering the request. A Western military official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment, told the AP they have also heard reports that the junta asked for help from Wagner in Mali.Niger’s junta faces a Sunday deadline s...

Pilot lectures passengers in viral pre-flight speech: 'He's fed up with all these childish adults'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:32 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – A captain with American Airlines is earning support for a pre-flight speech in which he warned passengers to be courteous, respectful, and to generally refrain from being jerks to their seatmates.Footage containing the no-nonsense speech was shared to social media by Anna Leah Maltezos, an NYC-based writer, director and comedian who was on the recent flight.“It was an early morning flight out of NYC that had been delayed for a bit, so maybe he was just trying to lighten the mood,” Maltezos theorized in a statement shared with Nexstar concerning the captain’s sassy speech. Delayed flight strands passengers at NYC airport for 30 hours: ‘It’s been a circus’ Maltezos’ video, which has approximately 5 million views on Instagram, begins with the captain in mid-speech, lecturing passengers on the need to abide by the flight attendants’ instructions.“You will listen to what they have to say, because they represent my will in the cockpit, or in the cabin. And my will ...

Florida cemetery buries widow with wrong husband — not once, but twice

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:32 GMT

BUSHNELL, Fla. (WFLA) — For the second time in the past year, a deceased widow has been interred with the wrong late husband at Florida National Cemetery.The veteran's cemetery, located in Bushnell, first came under scrutiny last August when the cremains of a woman were mistakenly mixed with the wrong veteran's cremains.This summer, there was another mistake: A widow's casket was found in a crypt with the wrong late husband. ‘Breaking Bad’ actor Mark Margolis dead at 83 Jack Hales, a Texas attorney who specializes in cemetery and funeral home negligence, called the mistakes "horrendous." "It's a very special type of trust that you're giving and it opens that floodgate for, 'What else was wrong?'" Hales said. "If they say they fixed it, can I trust that fix really happened?"Local morticians who were contacted by Nexstar's WFLA declined to comment on the mix-ups, due to their working relationships with the cemetery.(WFLA)The most recent mistake was discovered in June. A widow from ...

Paws Chicago pet of the week: Meet Camillo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:32 GMT

Meet Camillo, our Paws Chicago pet of the week!Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

'Bed rotting': Some call it self care, but experts urge caution

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:32 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – It may sound like a painful medical condition, but the TikTok trend of "bed rotting" is actually a form of self care, some claim.The practice involves spending the day in bed, scrolling through social media, binge-streaming one's favorite shows, sleeping or doing other relaxing activities."Younger generations are really embracing this concept of soft living, being able to live a more stress-free life," according to one TikTok video, which shows a young woman in a gray sweater lying in bed, a calico cat kneading her back. "It's time with yourself and your loved ones in bed and it's intentional. So we're definitely for it."At least one sleep scientist is fully on board."There's a new trend called bed rotting, and it's actually perfect," PhD candidate Vanessa Hill said in a TikTok video. "Bed rotting is when they do literally nothing but lay in bed. It's the end of optimization, and anti-productivity because you are wasting away under a blanket and the nothingness is your b...

Crash involving 2 18-wheelers shuts down roadways, part of I-35 in Georgetown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:32 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — First responders in Georgetown arrived at the scene of a crash between two 18-wheeler trucks Saturday morning, according to officials.The Georgetown Police Department said two southbound frontage lanes in front of George’s on the Town were shut down and one southbound lane on IH-35 was shut down. All roadways have since been reopened, according to police.The Georgetown Fire Department said crews worked to rescue one entrapped patient during the early morning big rig rescue.Fire Crews work to rescue an entrapped patient (Georgetown Fire Department photo) Fire Crews work to rescue an entrapped patient (Georgetown Fire Department photo) Fire Crews work to rescue an entrapped patient (Georgetown Fire Department photo) Fire Crews work to rescue an entrapped patient (Georgetown Fire Department photo) GPD said no injuries resulted from the crash, but the trucks were not drivable.

Austin woman part of abortion lawsuit speaks after judge issues injunction

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Amanda Zurwaski burst into tears just as she boarded her flight to go visit her brother heading into the weekend. This happened as she received news a Texas judge issued a temporary injunction over exceptions to state abortion laws. The ruling blocks elements of Texas’ abortion ban for people with severe pregnancy complications. RELATED: Texas judge issues injunction in lawsuit over exceptions to state abortion laws Zurwaski was one of the five plaintiffs who sued the state after they said they were denied abortion access, despite having pregnancy complications that risked their lives or the life of their baby."We're just so excited and proud that a court of law acknowledged and ruled that we were harmed and this is wrong, and it shouldn't be happening," Zurwaski said. The ruling clears things up for doctors on when they can provide abortions. Those cases include medical conditions that pose a risk of infection or unsafe pregnancy that could pose a risk to the mot...

Chick-fil-A unveils new restaurant design concepts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:32 GMT

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Chick-fil-A unveiled new restaurant design concepts, including an elevated drive-thru, that will be tested in two locations in 2024.The new elevated drive-thru is designed for "greater ease and efficient service," a news release from Chick-fil-A stated. According to the company, building the kitchen above the drive-thru lanes will allow for quicker delivery. (Chick-fil-A)The new drive-thru location will be located in the Atlanta metro area.The second design, a walk-up concept, will allow for guests to order their food beforehand, and have it handed to them by an employee. "Our new walk-up concept is designed to fit seamlessly in urban areas with heavy foot traffic," Chick-fil-A stated.The walk-up concept will open in New York City.

Vikings cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. vows to be back at practice soon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:32 GMT

Andrew Booth Jr. has already battled through his fair share of injuries in his playing career. Luckily for the Vikings cornerback, he avoided a major injury after leaving practice early last week.“Nothing serious,” Both said on Saturday after the Vikings wrapped up their walkthrough. “I’ll get back on the grass tomorrow.”That statement from Booth came a couple of days after head coach Kevin O’Connell said the 22-year-old cornerback was “seeing the folks he needs to see” in an attempt to get back onto the field. Though it’s unclear who exactly Booth saw over the past 48 hours, he clearly is expecting to participate in practice on Sunday.As of now, Booth seems to be decidedly behind fellow cornerbacks Byron Murphy and Akayleb Evans on the depth chart with a handful of players jockeying for position. Asked what he’s thought about Booth so far, new defensive coordinator Brian Flores praised his grasp of the defense.“He...

PHOTOS: St. Louis Mighty Con returns with a new venue and exciting lineup of special guests

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:32 GMT

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. - St. Louis mighty con is back! The con does have a new location, but it has all the same niche items. Vendors, cosplayers, and special guests will all coordinate at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville, Illinois, starting at 10 a.m. Saturday. At the St. Louis Comic Con, you can find more than 100 artist tables, shop booths, and special guests. This year, they will be having cosplay contests with cash prizes and video and tabletop game tournaments. Special Guests:  Noah Hathaway is an American actor who has won many awards and used to be a teen hero. He is best known for playing Atreyu in 'The NeverEnding Story.'  Jeff Anderson is a famous actor, director, and screenwriter in the View Askew world for playing Randal Graves in the movies Clerks, Clerks II, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Carla Perez is best known for playing Rita Repulsa, the bad witch, on the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV show. There is a list on th...