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Niger will face sanctions as democracy falls apart, adding to woes for more than 25 million people

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:19:53 GMT

By SAM MEDNICK (Associated Press)NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Economic sanctions could severely hurt one of the world’s poorest nations after a coup unseated one of the West’s last democratic partners against Islamic extremists in West Africa’s Sahel region. Niger’s neighbors are also threatening armed intervention against the junta run by the head of the presidential guard, although analysts say there is only a slim chance of the regional body successfully sending troops.Both the United States and France have sent forces and hundreds of millions of military and humanitarian aid in recent years to Niger, which was a French colony until 1960. The French and the US train Nigerien forces, and the French military carries out joint operations in the north.Since the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, people have been toting Russian flags and praising that country in pro-junta demonstrations.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger in March to stre...

Passenger escorted off Boston flight to Newark ‘posed no threat,’ police investigating the ‘hoax call’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:19:53 GMT

The passenger who was escorted off a Delta flight from Boston to Newark over the weekend, after someone reported the traveler, actually “posed no threat to the safety of the flight or the public,” according to Massachusetts State Police.Delta Airlines Flight 5770 on Sunday afternoon returned to Logan International Airport after police received a report that a passenger had made threats about the flight.The unidentified male passenger ended up being escorted by troopers off the flight.Afterwards, police did not find any weapons in the passenger’s bags.“An investigation last night by State Police Detectives assigned to Troop F determined that the male who was the subject of the anonymous caller’s allegation posed no threat to the safety of the flight or the public,” a State Police spokesperson said in an update on Monday.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | New Jersey-bound Delta flight returns to Boston after passenger threat repo...

Patriots have a secret offensive weapon on defensive side of the ball

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:19:53 GMT

FOXBORO — The Patriots don’t currently roster a fullback, but when they lined up near the goal line at the end of practice, there was a lead blocker wearing No. 48 positioned in front of the running back.Defenders lit up after Monday’s fully padded practice when asked about linebacker Jahlani Tavai moonlighting as an offensive skill player at fullback.“It’s good seeing him on the offensive ball because we get to hit him,” defensive tackle Davon Godchaux said. “He’s a defensive guy but playing offense, so when I see him over there, I get a chance to hit him. I don’t think he’s got a fullback play yet, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to get one.“When I first saw him go there, the offensive coaches called him to go to fullback, I was like, ‘OK, OK, we’re going to sting your (expletive) now.’ It’s always good to see him over there getting some more reps at somewhere else too.”Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots still counting on young running backs as depth i...

Elder: Ethanol solution to transportation problems

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:19:53 GMT

As we approach the heart of summer, families around the country are planning travel vacations. With gas prices approaching $5 per gallon in some places, Americans are looking for anything to decrease the pain at the pump.The Biden administration says electric vehicles are a solution to decarbonizing the transportation sector while also making driving more affordable. However, its “electric vehicle revolution” operates in an alternate reality where billions of dollars of government spending create domestic supply chain problems overnight. Most EVs are made outside the United States, so many that less than 15% of EVs on the market qualify for federal tax breaks.President Biden claims to be seeking an American solution to a problem it is unclear exists. In truth, we already have a readily available solution: American-made ethanol. Not only does ethanol lower prices at the pump but it also decreases emissions. If the president’s stated goal is to pursue cleaner transportation alternativ...

Mayo Clinic Q&A: Perimenopause transitions and concerns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:19:53 GMT

By Mayo Clinic News Network (TNS)DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am 41 years old, and at my last women’s health appointment, I was told I was in perimenopause. What exactly does that mean? I haven’t had any symptoms. What should I expect? Is there anything I should be doing to prepare?ANSWER: Perimenopause refers to the time of your life when your body starts making the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years. Perimenopause can begin as early as your mid 30s. As you go through perimenopause, your body’s production of estrogen — the main female hormone — rises and falls. These fluctuations can bring on symptoms such as irregular periods, hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Once you have gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, you have officially transitioned from perimenopause to menopause. Menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51.Perimenopause is a natural biological change. Because symptoms can come and go, many women fee...

Teamsters say trucking giant Yellow Corp. is ceasing operations, filing for bankruptcy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:19:53 GMT

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS (AP Business Writer)NEW YORK (AP) — Troubled trucking company Yellow Corp. is shutting down and headed for a bankruptcy, the Teamsters said Monday.An official bankruptcy filing is expected any day for Yellow, after years of financial struggles and growing debt. Its expected liquidation would mark a significant shift for the U.S. transportation industry and shippers nationwide.“Today’s news is unfortunate but not surprising. Yellow has historically proven that it could not manage itself despite billions of dollars in worker concessions and hundreds of millions in bailout funding from the federal government,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “This is a sad day for workers and the American freight industry.”Yellow did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ requests for comment on Sunday and Monday. As of midday Monday, no bankruptcy filings from the company could be found on the Securi...

Consumer Health: What is a sunburn?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:19:53 GMT

Laurel Kelly | Mayo Clinic News Network (TNS)July is UV Safety Month, which makes this a good time to learn about sunburn and why it’s important to avoid one by protecting your skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet, or UV, radiation from sunlight.Sunburn is inflamed, painful skin that feels hot to the touch. It’s caused by too much exposure to UV light. That UV light may be from the sun or artificial sources, such as sunlamps and tanning beds. UVA is the wavelength of light that can penetrate to the deep layers of skin and lead to skin damage over time. UVB is the wavelength of light that penetrates the skin more superficially and causes sunburn.UV light damages skin cells. The immune system reacts by increasing blood flow to the affected areas, which causes the inflamed skin known as sunburn.Any exposed part of your body, including your earlobes, scalp and lips, can burn. Even covered areas can burn if, for example, your clothing has a loose weave that allows UV light throug...

Monsoonal weather pattern forecasted to bring showers, thunderstorms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:19:53 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Showers and isolated thunderstorms are forecasted to hit parts of San Diego County as a monsoonal weather pattern moves through the region early this week.Through Tuesday, an inverted atmospheric trough is expected to move through San Diego County from Imperial County, according to the National Weather Service, bringing additional atmospheric forcing and moisture that support greater chances of showers and thunderstorms.These conditions likely to trigger this activity are expected to be at their strongest Monday morning into the afternoon, NWS said. Some limited clearing is forecasted Monday afternoon, before thunderstorm chances reignite Tuesday morning.Communities in the usual mountain and desert areas, as well as those west of the mountains could see storms as a result of the weather pattern, described as "monsoonal" by NWS given a change in the direction of the wind.Scattered showers were noted on radar forecasts, NWS said, include neighborhoods like Valley Center, ...

Damar Hamlin puts aside fear and practices in pads for the first time since cardiac arrest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:19:53 GMT

PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Of the thousands of emotions — trepidation among them — running through Damar Hamlin’s head Monday while he pulled on his pads for practice for the first time at training camp, the one that ultimately won out was joy.For everything the Buffalo Bills safety has overcome in seven months since going into cardiac arrest during a game and needing to be resuscitated on the field, Hamlin leaned on his faith in God and himself, along with the support from his family and teammates, to take another step toward resume his playing career.“A super big hurdle as you can imagine. Like, I pretty much lost my life playing this sport,” Hamlin said at a news conference after practice.“I made the choice to play. But I’m processing a thousand emotions. I’m not afraid to say that it crosses my mind of being a little scared here and there,” he added. “My faith is stronger than any fear. That’s what I want to preach up here. And that’s the message I want to spread on to the world tha...

Beijing has invested $25.4B in Pakistan over the last decade, Chinese vice premier says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:19:53 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — China has invested $25.4 billion in Pakistan over the past decade for projects ranging from roads to power plants, China’s vice premier said Monday, as the two countries celebrated the 10th anniversary of the so-called Belt and Road Initiative.The initiative, also called the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor program, is China’s global endeavor to reconstitute the ancient Silk Road trade routes and link China to all corners of Asia. In Pakistan, the CPEC has been billed as an opportunity to bring new prosperity to the South Asian nation. Since 2013, thousands of Chinese construction workers and engineers have been working in this impoverished Islamic nation as part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s initiative. However, work on some projects has since slowed down or been briefly suspended for multiple reasons, including a 2021 militant attack in which 13 Chinese workers were killed by a suicide bomber targeting a bus carrying them in the northwest.In his te...