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Chad’s military government agrees to opposition leader’s return from exile

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:45 GMT

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Chad’s military government has agreed to allow the return of opposition leader Succes Masra, who fled the country last year amid a political clampdown, the Congolese presidency announced Tuesday.Abderaman Koulamallah, the Chadian minister of reconciliation, signed an agreement on Monday with Masra’s political party that allows the exiled politician and other opposition figures to return, according to a statement read on state television by Congo’s presidential spokeswoman Tina Salama.Masra, the president of The Transformers opposition party, fled Chad in October last year after the military government suspended his party and six others in a clampdown on protests against interim leader Mahamat Idriss Deby’s decision to extend his time in power by two more years. More than 60 people were killed in the protests, which the government condemned as “an attempted coup.”No date was announced for Masra’s return in the agreement, which was initiated by Centr...

New oil leak reported after a ferry that ran aground repeatedly off the Swedish coast is pulled free

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:45 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — A ferry that ran aground off southeastern Sweden and leaked oil into the Baltic Sea was pulled free Wednesday and anchored nearby, the Swedish Coast Guard said, adding that a new oil leak had been discovered.It was unclear how much oil had been leaked as Marco Polo, operated by TT-Line of Germany, was freed from its third grounding. Authorities said the spill currently stretches over 5 kilometers (3 miles) out at sea.The plan was to inspect the ferry’s hull and pump out the remaining oil while anchored at sea. Earlier, Sweden’s coast guard said it had suffered “extensive damage” and would eventually be tugged into the Swedish harbor of Karlshamn. On Oct. 22, Marco Polo was running between Trelleborg and Karlshamn when it touched ground, sustained damage and started leaking. It continued under its own power before grounding a second time. On Sunday, it slipped off the ground because of severe weather, drifted further out, got stuck for a third time and leaked m...

Scarborough shooting leaves man in 20s in life-threatening condition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:45 GMT

A man is fighting for his life in hospital after an early morning shooting in Scarborough on Wednesday.Emergency crews were called to the area of Military Trail and Morningside Avenue around 4:35 a.m. for reports of gunshots.Police found a man in his 20s in a parking lot with gunshot wounds. He was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries.No suspect information has been made available.This is a developing story. More to come.

Why travelers expecting sticker shock could see sweet relief instead

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:45 GMT

Dining out is more expensive than ever. The cost of gas is rising again. And the price of travel — including airfare and hotels — has kept pace. Right?Not exactly. Airfare costs declined by 13% between September 2022 and September 2023, according to September 2023 Consumer Price Index data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Far from being an inflationary force, travel prices have actually helped cool overall prices this year. Yet this seems to fly in the face of many travelers’ expectations.“I keep hearing the narrative that it’s so expensive to travel,” says Hayley Berg, lead economist at Hopper, a travel booking platform. “In reality we’re seeing lower prices, for domestic trips especially.”Travel prices have fluctuated so often since 2019 that it makes sense if recent price drops haven’t registered for many travelers. And while airfare has decreased in recent months below 2019 levels, other expenses such as dining out and renting a car remain above their pre-pandemic baseline.Pu...

2 killed in Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine that also damage Kherson city center

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:45 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian attack on Kherson in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday killed one person and caused serious damage in the city’s center, the region’s governor said, and a Russian drone strike killed another civilian in the frequently targeted city of Nikopol.The attack on Kherson, which Russian forces seized early in the war but then abandoned a year ago, also wounded two people. Despite the withdrawal, Russian attacks from the other side of the Dnieper River persist.“Again an apocalyptic scene,” regional Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin said on the Telegram messaging app. “Broken glass, torn window frames, ruined homes. People with trembling voices telling about what they have been through.”In Nikopol, which is on the opposite bank of the Dniper from the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, four people were wounded in the drone strike along with the woman who was killed, according to regional Gov. Serhii Lysak.Oleksii Kuleba, deputy head of Ukrain...

Barricaded person firing at officers in Ohsweken, Ont., residents asked to shelter in place: OPP

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:45 GMT

Provincial police say a barricaded person is firing at officers as they respond to an “active weapons incident “in the community of Ohsweken, Ont. on Wednesday morning.Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were called in to assist the Six Nations Police Service with the investigation around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday on Chiefswood Road between Fifth and Sixth lines. York Regional Police’s aviation services is also assisting with the call.In a video posted to X at 6:40 a.m., OPP Sgt. Ed Sanchuk said responding officers were dealing with a barricaded individual who was firing shots at them.“The incident is ongoing and the area will remain closed for everybody’s safety,” Sanchuk said in the update.OPP have stressed they are not dealing with an active shooter and are calling the incident “isolated and contained.”No injuries have been reported.Residents in the immediate area being told to shelter in place, while motorists who usually travel along Chiefsw...

Multiple crashes reported due to icy conditions on Chicago area roads

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:45 GMT

CHICAGO — Several crashes and spinouts have been reported across the Chicago area due to icy road conditions.Temperatures are below freezing Wednesday making roadways very slick and dangerous and creating a traffic nightmare for the morning commute.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog Some problem areas include:The inbound Edens Expressway is closed from Old Orchard to Dempster due to icy conditions causing multiple crashes in the area.Slick conditions have caused multiple crashes on the inbound Stevenson Expressway ramp to northbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive.Major delays on the inbound Bishop Ford at the Stony Island Feeder after an earlier crash.Allow extra time and drive with extreme caution.

LIVE: Kaitlin Armstrong murder trial to begin Wednesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Nearly a year and a half after professional cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson was shot and killed at an Austin home last May, jury selection in the trial of the woman accused of murdering Wilson began Monday. Kaitlin Armstrong trial: Cameras only allowed for opening, closing statements Kaitlin Armstrong was charged in relation to Wilson's death. Armstrong pleaded not guilty in July 2022, with her arrest and plea following a 43-day fugitive hunt tracking her from Austin to Costa Rica, where she was ultimately arrested and detained.The jury has been selected and Armstrong's trial is set to begin Wednesday at 9 a.m. in Austin. Background on Mo Wilson's murderIn the evening on May 11, 2022, the Austin Police Department responded to a 911 call at a residence along Maple Avenue in east Austin. Police discovered an unconscious woman with a gunshot wound, who ultimately died at the scene.That woman was later identified as Wilson, a professional...

Manor city council to decide on pay structure for mayor, council members

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:45 GMT

MANOR, Texas (KXAN) -- Manor city council will vote Wednesday on a proposed pay structure that will decide how much each member is compensated each month they serve in office. The current proposal received no input from the community and would create a tiered pay structure that would give more money to members who take on more responsibilities. A tiered pay structure The pay structure would be in four tiers. As members take on more responsibilities and duties within the city, they will be compensated more per month. The mayor would make at least $875 per month with a maximum limit of $3,500. Council members would make at least $625 per month with a maximum limit of $2,500. Tier one is the basic amount of involvement for council members, including attending the two monthly city council meetings and other public meetings at city hall. Members would need to chair different committees and attend more community meetings and events to qualify for higher pay scales. You can look at the req...

November pets featured in the Morning Report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:45 GMT

In November, we are especially thankful for our pets. Send your photos and stories to Molly at [email protected] can also sign up for our free weekday newsletter, the Morning Report, to get local news and see the daily featured pet. Follow the prompts at Twincities.com/newsletters.Wednesday, Nov. 1“We’re long time Pioneer Press readers/subscribers,” Dyan writes. “Always enjoy the Daily Doggo, so I decided to send a picture. We love our ‘granddogs,’ Minnie and Georgie!  Both rescues from Tails of Hope. They bring such joy to our son’s home and us!  Chilly temps means Minnie is now a fashionista in her sweater. Georgie doesn’t mind the cooler weather.”Minnie and Georgie are ready for winter.Related ArticlesThings to Do | Pets featured in the Morning Report in October Things to Do | Pets featured in the Morning Report newsletter in September Things to Do | Adopting a rescue dog? Here’...