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Russia trained Belarusian pilots in nuclear weapons use

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:22 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — Belarusian air force crews have completed their training for using tactical nuclear weapons as part of Russia’s plan to deploy the weapons to its ally Belarus amid the fighting in neighboring Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.The ministry released a video in which a Belarusian pilot said that the training course in Russia had given the crews of the Belarusian air force’s Su-25 ground attack jets the necessary skills for using the weapons.Russian President Vladimir Putin declared last month that Moscow planned to put some of its tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. It was another attempt by the Kremlin leader to dangle the nuclear threat to discourage the West from supporting Ukraine. Russia has a union agreement with Belarus that envisions close political, economic and military ties. Russian troops used Belarusian territory to roll into Ukraine from the north in February 2022 and have maintained a presence in Belarus.The deployment of Russia...

Spanish climber leaves cave after 500 days in isolation

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:22 GMT

MADRID (AP) — A Spanish mountain climber emerged Friday from a cave 70 meters (230 feet) underground where she spent 500 days isolated from the outside world.Beatriz Flamini, 50, of Madrid, left the cave in southern Spain shortly after 9 a.m. after being told by supporters that she had completed the feat she set out to accomplish on Nov. 21, 2021. Spanish media said the spell underground set a new world record, but the claim could not be immediately confirmed.Blinking and smiling as she embraced well-wishers, Flamini’s first words including asking who would be paying for a celebratory round of beers. In brief comments to journalists, Flamini described the experience of being cut off from the world as “excellent, unbeatable.” She then asked to be excused as she needed a shower, not having had one in more than 16 months. In 1987, Italian Maurizio Montalbini set a world record by spending 210 days in a cave. Internet searches shows reports of a Serb who spent more than 460 days u...

Populist Iraqi cleric announces suspension of his movement

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:22 GMT

BAGHDAD (AP) — Influential Iraqi Shiite cleric and political leader Muqtada al-Sadr announced Friday that he would suspend the movement he leads for one year, citing “corruption” among some of his followers.A group within the Sadrists, dubbing itself the “Owners of the Cause,” believes that al-Sadr is Imam Mahdi, a Shiite religious leader said to have vanished more than 1,000 years ago, who is expected to return leading an army of the faithful to defeat evil in the world.On Friday, Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council announced that an investigative court had ordered the arrest of 65 alleged members of the “Owners of the Cause,” which it described as a disruptive “gang.”In a statement posted on his Twitter account, al-Sadr said, “I want to be a reformer for Iraq, and I cannot reform the Sadrist movement.” He added that he will freeze all activities of the movement — except for religious activities such as Friday prayers.Al-Sadr resigned from politics last August following a nearly ...

1 dead in Northwest Indiana house fire

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:22 GMT

CALUMET TOWNSHIP, Ind. — One person died Friday morning following a house fire in Northwest Indiana.Authorities were dispatched to the 4900 block of Hayes Street, located in Calumet Township, on the report of a fire.One person died as a result.WGN News will update this story once more information becomes available.

Man, 23, stabbed in neck on Museum Campus

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:22 GMT

CHICAGO — A man is in critical condition after being stabbed in the neck on the Museum Campus in Chicago Thursday night. According to police, a 23-year-old man was on the street near the 900 East Block of Solidarity Drive when a vehicle approached and an unknown individual stabbed him in the neck. Mother charged after 1-year-old girl found dead in 2017 house fire in Markham Police say the offenders fled in an unknown direction and the man was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition. There is currently no one in custody and police are investigating the incident.

Donald Trump Jr. blasts DeSantis for 'campaigning in Ohio' amid Florida flooding

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:22 GMT

(The Hill) -- Donald Trump Jr. on Thursday knocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for what he called “campaigning in Ohio” amid heavy rains and flooding in the Sunshine State. “Fort Lauderdale is under water and DeSantis is campaigning in Ohio right now instead of taking care of the people suffering in his state,” Trump Jr. wrote on Twitter.His father, former President Donald Trump, is running for the White House in 2024. DeSantis has not declared a campaign, but he’s rumored to be a top possible candidate. The Florida governor stopped in Ohio on Thursday as part of his book tour, NBC News reports, along which he’s visited battleground and big-donor states ahead of a potential 2024 announcement.  Hunter Biden is out from the shadows DeSantis’s Ohio trip comes as Florida is battered by torrential rains that hit the state on Wednesday, forced Fort Lauderdale’s airport to shutter and sparked flooding in some places. He posted on Twitter on Thursday to announce a State of Emerge...

CPD searches for car in connection to fatal hit and run on West Side

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:22 GMT

CHICAGO — Police are searching for a vehicle in connection with a fatal hit and run that took place in Austin April 8. Police say at about 9:48 a.m. they were discharged to a hit and run scene near the 5199 block of West Jackson Boulevard where a victim suffered fatal injuries.The image recovered from the police shows the vehicle failed to stay on scene and fled west bound on Laramie Avenue. Man, 23, stabbed in neck on Museum Campus The vehicle is pictured as a light-colored sedan with four doors. The license plate and number of occupants in the vehicle is still unknown. There is currently no one in custody and police are investigating the incident.

COTA's chairman talks about future expansion after 10 years of MotoGP in Austin

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — This weekend, Circuit of the Americas is hosting the MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix, marking the 10th time this major motorcycle race is taking place on the track.It’s also the only event of its kind in North America.20 men on motorcycles, revving up to 200 miles per hour: that’s what will be witnessed this weekend at COTA. MotoGP returns to Circuit of The Americas in April 2023 After 10 years of MotoGP races in Austin COTA's chairman Bobby Epstein reflected on the past decade.“It feels great to see everyone who keeps coming back every year and to see the crowd growing,” Epstein said. He says expectations are sky high, with over 5,000 folks from outside the U.S. expected to visit the venue.“Just to hear the different accents and to see the mesh of all the different types of people come together to make one great fun event.”Averaging around 1.2 million visitors a year, COTA has had a major impact on the economy. Did you know? There’s a go-kart track at COTA and you ca...

Coconut 'coir log' installation on Lake Austin helps prevent erosion

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - An installation of "coir logs" on the shore of Lake Austin is showing positive results. A recent visit to the pilot project revealed that erosion in the area has slowed significantly as plant life flourishes in the formerly sandy area.In 2009, Austin's Watershed Protection Department installed the coir logs. "A coir log is 100% coconut fibers, it's the husk," explained Andrew Clamann with the Watershed Department. "This entire object is biodegradable."The department installed two rows of the logs in Lake Austin in a spot near Mansfield Dam. The rows created a barrier in front of an area that was just "sand and silt." The department then seeded four different plants.One aquatic grass took over. According to Clamann, "it grabbed ahold, set the roots through it, and has stabilized this whole area and allowed other plants to move in." Now little trees are taking root in the area, further stabilizing it."The point of the of the pilot project was that if we can demonstrate...

Crossing guard in hospital after being hit by trailer: Leander Police

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:15:22 GMT

LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) – A crossing guard for the Leander Independent School District was taken to the hospital after being hit by a trailer Thursday afternoon, according to the Leander Police Department. Police said officers were told about the crash at 2:38 p.m. at the intersection of South West Drive and Sonny Drive.Leander PD said the driver of a Ford truck and trailer had just turned onto South West Drive when the crossing guard stepped out into the crosswalk to stop traffic. Police said the trailer hit the guard and knocked her to the ground.According to Leander PD, "it has not determined that any moving violations were the cause."Police said the driver of the truck stayed behind and helped in the investigation. The crossing guard had non-life threatening injuries, according to Leander PD. Police said the department's accident reconstruction team was investigating the collision.