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Extremist attack kills at least 12 soldiers in Niger as jihadi violence increases post-coup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:34 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — An attack by Islamic extremists in western Niger killed at least a dozen soldiers and wounded seven others, the West African nation’s military junta said. The soldiers were on a mission in the Tillaberi region town of Kandadji when hundreds of jihadis on motorcycles attacked them Thursday, Gen. Salifou Mody, Niger’s defense minister, said in a statement. The wounded were evacuated to military hospitals, the statement said.The junta claimed that military personnel killed a hundred extremists and destroyed their motorcycles and weapons. The Associated Press was not able to independently verify the claim. Niger has battled a jihadi insurgency linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group for years. Attacks have increased since mutinous soldiers toppled the country’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, in July. During the month after the junta seized power, violence primarily linked to the extremists soared by more than 40%, accordin...

Spanish griffon vultures are released into the wild in Cyprus to replenish the dwindling population

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:34 GMT

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Wildlife authorities and conservationists in Cyprus on Friday released seven imported griffon vultures to the wild after implanting tracking devices in hopes of ensuring the survival of the birds that are threatened with extinction on the island nation.A further seven vultures will be released in a week’s time. All 14 birds arrived last March and have spent several months acclimating. They were gifted to Cyprus by the autonomous community of Extremadura in Spain which hosts 90-95% of all vultures in Europe.Cyprus Game and Fauna Service spokesman Nicos Kasinis told The Associated Press the tracking devices are necessary to observe whether the young birds are integrating well in the first, crucial weeks with the island’s 29 other griffon vultures. Officials will monitor whether they’re frequenting the same feeding and watering areas.Griffon vultures are a resident species in Cyprus but their population has dwindled to dangerously low numbers. The local pop...

Police searching for man who allegedly shot and killed dog in downtown Toronto

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:34 GMT

Police are on the hunt for a man who allegedly shot and killed someone’s pet dog in downtown Toronto earlier this week.Toronto police say officers were called to Barbara Hall Park near Church and Wellesley streets around 11 p.m. Tuesday for reports of a shooting.It is alleged that two men got into an argument and the suspect initially left the area. The suspect returned a short time later with a gun before shooting and killing the other man’s dog.The suspect fled the area before officers arrived.Toronto police Const. Victor Kwong told CityNews earlier this week they believe the two men were unknown to each other prior to the argument. Kwong said the deceased dog was three years old, but the breed is unknown.Police say they are looking for a white man in his early 20s with curly blonde hair.Investigators are hoping to speak with any witnesses. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact police.

When will we know if the government is shutting down?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:34 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Lawmakers still have time – but not much – to avoid a government shutdown. The deadline is fast approaching and Congress appears to be at an impasse. Lawmakers have until the clock strikes midnight on Saturday night (or early Sunday morning, depending on how you look at it) to reach a deal. Otherwise, a government shutdown will be triggered. We may not know for sure whether the government will shut down until the final moments before the deadline. In years past, negotiations have come down to the wire. Thursday evening, the Associated Press reported a shutdown "appeared all but inevitable." How would a government shutdown affect national parks? While the Senate has proposed a bipartisan measure that would temporarily fund the government until Nov. 17, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was still scrambling to unite the divisions within his party. “Put your money on me; we're going to get this done,” McCarthy said in a CNBC interview. “I think we can work through t...

TikTok videos promoting steroid use have millions of views, report says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:34 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — TikTok has become a key marketing channel for vendors promoting steroids and other bodybuilding drugs to millions of the app's users, according to a report released Thursday that the social media company disputes.In the study, the nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate says popular videos encouraging use of the products for aesthetic or athletic gain are being posted by influencers who often downplay the risks associated with them. It follows a warning issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in April about performance-enhancing drugs being marketed to teenagers and young adults on social media platforms.“They’re being marketed to young men by influencers who are deliberately saying, ‘If you want to be like Captain America, you’ve got to take these drugs’,” CCDH founder and CEO Imran Ahmed said.The findings from the study show TikTok videos — under certain hashtags — promoting what researchers called “steroid-like drugs” have racked up more than 587...

What you should know as fall vaccinations against COVID, flu and RSV get underway

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:34 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Updated COVID-19 vaccines may be getting a little easier for adults to find but they’re still frustratingly scarce for young children. Health officials said Thursday the kid shots have started shipping — and reminded most everyone to get a fall flu shot too.About 2 million Americans have gotten the new COVID-19 shot in the two weeks since its approval despite early barriers from insurance companies and other glitches, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.For the first time, the U.S. has vaccines to fight a trio of viruses that cause fall and winter misery. But health officials worry that shot fatigue and hassles in getting them will leave too many people needlessly unprotected.“We need to use them,” Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Thursday. “Right now is the right time.”A flu vaccination and that updated COVID-19 shot are urged for just about everyone, starting with babies as ...

98.3 TRY Social Dilemma: Using a church dumpster for your garbage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:34 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Today's 98.3 TRY Social Dilemma came from Alan, and it's about garbage. Here's his email. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Hi Jaime. After 52 years, I finally bought my own home! So I’m new to it all, and have had trouble figuring out what to do with the bulkier garbage that comes with moving in. Eventually, I drove around the neighborhood and saw that a nearby church has a dumpster, and thought, “Bingo!” So, I put it in there. I did that for a couple of weeks until one day, one of the priests saw me. He gave me a stern talking to, saying it was illegal to use someone else's dumpster. I told him I didn't think it was a big deal and that it wouldn't last as it was just garbage from moving into my new home. He said I was basically stealing garbage removal and now they were going to have to padlock the dumpster to keep people like me from using it. He said he hoped I got my act together. Did I really do som...

Ask Amy: Ivy leaguer’s wife wants husband to fly the flag

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:34 GMT

Dear Amy: My husband went to a prestigious Ivy League law school.He has never worn any clothing items or hats featuring his school’s logo.I noticed last year that college-team coaches were wearing nice-quality, very attractive athletic shirts.I knew my husband, with his trim but muscular build, would look great in one. I found one with a subdued logo for his law school and was excited to give it to him for his birthday. And he looks great in it!Now that football season has started, I’ve twice suggested he wear it when we go out to casual places — once to a winery and again to an outdoor restaurant with friends.Both times, he made an excuse not to wear it, and so I asked him why.He has always enjoyed wearing sweatshirts and hats from his undergraduate university, but he admitted he didn’t really feel comfortable wearing this shirt because it would make him look like an elitist.I think he should be proud of attending this law school. It’s all over his bio and C...

An additional 42 EU and Japanese geographical indications protected for both sides

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:34 GMT

In the framework of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, both parties will protect as from today an additional 42 geographical indications (GIs), such as Raclette de Savoie, Vinagre de Jerez for the EU and sanuki shiro miso (miso paste), or Osaka wine for Japan.This is the third time that the list of geographical indications protected in Japan and in the EU is extended, following the additions of 56 GIs in February 2021 and 56 in February 2022. The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force on 1 February 2019, protects the listed agri-food names against imitation and usurpation, bringing mutual trade benefits and introducing consumers to guaranteed, authentic products from two regions with a rich culinary and cultural tradition. The EU and Japan also agreed to add up to 6 GIs from Japan by the end of this year and to decide in 2025 on another extension of the list of protected GIs. Japan is the 5th largest outlet for EU's agrifood exports. The main pro...

Omar Harfouch: A Champion Against Corruption in Lebanon Faces Political and Judicial Repression

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:34 GMT

Harfouch, a prominent figure in Lebanese politics and the leader of the Lebanese Third Republic initiative has been at the forefront of a relentless battle against corruption in his homeland. His unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability has earned him both admiration and adversaries. On Wednesday, September 27th, Harfouch was the guest of honour and speaker at a reception held in the members' lounge of the European Parliament, a testament to his dedication to fostering positive change. However, his journey has not been without its challenges, as he faces political and judicial repression in his quest to transform Lebanon.Omar Harfouch's vision for Lebanon centres around the creation of a "Third Republic," a concept that envisions a nation free from the clutches of corruption, nepotism, and political patronage. In a country that has long been plagued by systemic corruption, Harfouch's initiative represents a beacon of hope for many Lebanese citizens who yearn for a mo...