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Official says Yemeni pilgrims depart Sanaa on first direct flight to Saudi Arabia since 2016

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — A commercial flight carrying more than 270 Yemeni Muslim pilgrims left the rebel-held capital of Sanaa on Saturday to Saudi Arabia, an official said, the first such flight in about seven years.The flight by Yemen’s national carrier Yemenia — also known as Yemen Airways — took off from Sanaa’s international airport at 8 p.m. local time, heading to the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah, Khalid al-Shayyef, head of the Yemeni airport, said.He told The Associated Press the flight was the first of five that would transfer this year’s Muslim pilgrims from Sanaa to Saudi Arabia for hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it.Along with Saturday’s flight, two more have been scheduled for Monday and Wednesday, while Houthi and Saudi officials were working on scheduling two additional flights, he said.Yemen’s capital has been under the control of the Iran-backed Houthis since they desce...

Judge gives Enbridge 3 years to close oil pipeline on tribal land in Wisconsin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A federal judge has given Enbridge three years to shut down parts of an oil pipeline that crosses reservation land and ordered the energy company to pay a Native American tribe more than $5 million for trespassing.Friday’s order from U.S. District Judge William Conley came after members of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa told him during a hearing in Madison that the Enbrige Line 5 pipeline is at immediate risk of being exposed by erosion and rupturing on their land.The tribe argued that an emergency exists because large sections of nearby riverbank have washed away this year, leaving less than 15 feet (4.6 meters) of land between Line 5 and the Bad River as it meanders on the reservation.Experts and environmental advocates have warned in court that exposed pipelines would be weakened and could rupture at any time, causing massive oil spills.The judge’s order said a rupture on tribal land “would unquestionably be a public nuisance” but de...

St. Louis security guard punches man lying on light rail platform, video shows

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

St. LOUIS (AP) — A security guard for the St. Louis light rail system repeatedly punched in the head a man lying facedown on a busy platform, as nearby commuters recorded video and shouted for him to stop.The guard, who worked for a subcontractor, has since been “removed from duty,” said Kevin Scott, general manager of security at Bi-State Development, which operates Metro Transit, in a written statement Saturday.“Metro Transit does not condone unprofessional and extreme actions regardless of circumstances,” he said, adding that the agency is assisting police with their investigation.Obtained by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, bystander video from Friday shows the guard in a black and yellow uniform standing with one foot on either side of the man, who is lying on his stomach trying weakly to shield his head with his hands. The guard bends down and hits the man in the head three times with a closed fist.Both the officer and the man who was punched are Black. One person can be heard say...

Sheriff: Juvenile seriously injured in Aurora crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

AURORA, Ill. — A juvenile was seriously injured after a vehicle crash in Aurora Saturday, according to the Kane County Sheriff's Office.Deputies said they were called to the 1900 block of Liberty Street around 1:20 p.m. after receiving information on a vehicle crash involving a juvenile.After arriving on scene, deputies gave the juvenile medical aid before he was taken to Copley Memorial Hospital for further treatment.According to the KCSO, the status of the juvenile is unknown other than that his injuries were serious enough to warrant him being transported to Copley Memorial Hospital. Multiple shot near Lincoln Park Zoo: Chicago Police No other information is available at this time.If anyone witnessed or has any information regarding this crash, deputies ask that they reach out to the KCSO's investigations division at 630-444-1103.Stay with WGN News as this article will be updated once more information becomes available.

Michael Jordan's decision to sell the Hornets leaves some team decisions in flux

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The timing of Michael Jordan’s decision to sell his majority ownership stake in the Charlotte Hornets has left the organization in flux, with several looming key personnel decisions.The Hornets have the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft on Thursday night. They also have some difficult decisions to make in free agency in early July, including whether to re-sign embattled restricted free agent Miles Bridges.With the NBA’s Board of Governors unlikely to approve the team’s sale to an ownership group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall until at least another month or two, the question becomes who will sign off on general manager Mitch Kupchak’s potentially franchise-altering decisions this summer.Will it be Jordan, a lame duck majority owner? Or will the new ownership have a major input? Jordan will remain on as a minority owner after the sale is approved, so he still has a vested interest in the organization.Bobby Marks, a front-office insider for ESPN, said the timing...

West Virginia's Bob Huggins arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in Pittsburgh

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, a month after the university suspended him for three games for using an anti-gay slur while also denigrating Catholics during a radio interview.Huggins, 69, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was pulled over by police in Pittsburgh on Friday night. He was charged with driving under the influence, was released from custody and will appear at a later date for a preliminary hearing, according to a police report.An officer observed garbage bags with empty beer containers both inside the vehicle and in the trunk, according to a criminal complaint. Huggins said he had been to a basketball camp with his brother in Sherrodsville, Ohio. An officer said Huggins was asked multiple times what city he was in but never got a response. A breath test determined Huggins’ blood alcohol content was 0.21%, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08% in Pennsylvania. A blood sample also was taken from Huggins at a hosp...

Philadelphia high school student denied diploma after dancing across stage, viral video shows

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – A high school graduate in Philadelphia is speaking out after she was denied her diploma, allegedly because she briefly danced across the stage — and elicited giggles from the crowd — during the commencement ceremony.Hafsah Abdul-Rahman, part of the Philadelphia High School for Girls’ 2023 senior class, could be seen in a now-viral video preparing for her name to be called at last Friday’s graduation ceremony. When it was, she made away across the stage toward the school’s principal, momentarily breaking into dance on her way over.Once at the other side of the stage, the school’s principal, identified as Lisa Mesi, withheld the diploma and directed Abdul-Rahman to sit down.“I was humiliated,” Abdul-Rahman told The Philadelphia Inquirer. 1 dead after 2 US tourists pushed into ravine at German castle; American under arrest The Inquirer reported that school officials had previously told students to inform their families that there would be no cheering or applause for indiv...

Kentucky man's alleged attempt to burn down Mary Todd Lincoln House is foiled by police officer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

Correction: A previous version of this story contained incorrect information regarding the suspect's state of residence.LEXINGTON, Ky. (WDKY) — A Kentucky man was arrested Thursday during an alleged attempt to burn down the Mary Todd Lincoln House in Lexington, officials say.A portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln seen in an exhibit in New York City in 1929. (AP Photo)Santosh Sharma, 29, was found by a Lexington police officer pouring gasoline on the rear of the building and holding a lighter in his hand, according to an arrest citation.The citations said Sharma had more gasoline in a drawstring bag tied to his back.  Man dies on Hawaiian honeymoon, thief steals backpack and car during CPR Sharma brandished a hammer when the officer approached, but the officer did not make notes of any conflict between the two in the citation, only noting that the hammer placed the officer in a position of fear of serious physical harm.Sharma was booked into the Fayette County Detention Center and ch...

Ring camera catches someone breaking, removing Pride signs from Round Rock home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Sal Stow lives with her partner, Meghan, in Round Rock. She said she took her dog out for a walk Saturday morning, but when Stow returned home, she noticed something was wrong. “Immediately, I was angry,” she said. “I went to our ring cameras to look to see what happened.”What she saw unsettled her –  two people dressed in strange clothing, faces covered with masks, defacing signs they displayed on their lawn for Pride month. The video shows one person walking up to their door, grabbing a sign and breaking it over their knee. That person then turned around, grabbed another sign and ran away from Stow’s home. The second person waited by a golf cart, which they both used to flee. One of the signs removed reads “Round Rock Pride,” and the other: “Pride Lives Here.”Meghan and Sal's Round Rock home before the incident on Saturday June, 17. (Photo Courtesy Sal Stow)Meghan and Sal's Round Rock home after the incident on Saturday June, 17. (Photo Courtesy...

Songs about heat to add to your Texas summer playlist

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — With temperatures heating up in Texas, it might get you thinking about what songs to put on your summer playlist.After KXAN Meteorologist Kristen Currie asked Austinities in a social media post to sound off on a song that references heat or hot, the comments did not disappoint. We decided to compile a list of some of the songs you listed, and they are all muy caliente choices!Cruel Summer — Taylor SwiftThere's not currently a music video, but it is rumored she will allegedly release the song as a single in coming weeks.The song is from her album "Lover," which debuted in 2019.Hot, Hot, Hot — Buster PoindexterThis is a memorable song that lives in your head rent free. You know it's true. It's got a catchy beat that kind of reminds me of salsa-type beats, and it makes me want to dance.This classic feel-good song came out in 1987, and tends to pop up in your head when you start feeling the 100 degree heat.Hot in Herre — NellyThis song takes me back to a hot summer day s...