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A car bombing at a Somali military facility kills 6 people, including 4 soldiers, police say

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:51:34 GMT

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — An explosives-laden car detonated at a military facility on the outskirts of Somalia’s capital Saturday and killed at least six people, four of them soldiers, police said.Police spokesman Sadik Dodishe said nine others, including five soldiers, were wounded in the suicide bombing at the military facility in the Elasha Biyaha area of the Lower Shabelle region.The Islamic extremist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility. The group frequently carries out such attacks. Photos shared on the social media platform X showed the extent of the damage caused by the explosion, which destroyed the security base and several civilian houses in the vicinity.”The sound of the explosion was deafening … and I saw a plume of smoke going up in the sky,” witness Ayan Hussein, a resident of Elasha Biyaha, said by phone. She said she saw several injured people being carried into an ambulance.Somalia’s federal government has battled al-Shabab for years. Secu...

Cows that survived Connecticut truck crash are doing fine, get vet’s OK to head on to Ohio

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:51:34 GMT

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Thirty cows that survived a truck rollover that killed 14 others on a Connecticut highway have gotten a veterinary exam and are cleared to complete their journey, the state Agriculture Department said. The surviving animals are doing well, and their owner is arranging to truck them to their original destination in Ohio, department spokesperson Rebecca Eddy told the Hartford Courant Friday.The cattle were en route from Maine in a tractor-trailer that crashed on a highway exit ramp in Newtown early Thursday. Eight died immediately, and six others had to be euthanized because of their injuries, state police and agriculture officials said.The driver was not seriously injured, firefighters said.The Associated Press

Three people hospitalized after 2-alarm Brampton fire

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:51:34 GMT

Three people, including two children, have been taken to hospital after a two-alarm blaze in Brampton.Firefighters were called to a home on Hollybush Street in the area of Dixie Road and Sandalwood Parkway East just after 9:30 a.m. Saturday and were met with heavy smoke and flames. Paramedics transported one adult and two children to local hospitals with what were described as minor injuries. The ages and genders of those taken to hospital were not immediately avaialable.

Ex-Philadelphia police officer sentenced to 15 to 40 years after guilty pleas in sex assault cases

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:51:34 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A former Philadelphia police officer has been sentenced to 15 to 40 years in state prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting women and girls — often while in uniform and in the back of his police vehicle.Patrick Heron, 54, entered the pleas Friday after reaching an agreement with prosecutors in advance of a trial on more than 200 counts that included child sex assault, child pornography, kidnapping and related offenses, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.Jane Roh, spokesperson for the district attorney’s office, said victims who are now spared the trauma of a trial welcomed the guilty plea. Defense attorney Anthony List also said he hoped the plea would spare the victims the anguish of having to testify, and added “hopefully everyone can move on.”Heron, who retired from the force in 2019, was initially accused last year of posing as an active officer to lure girls. Investigators said they later found photos and videos indicating predatory behavior spann...

Man United, England soccer great Bobby Charlton dies at 86

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:51:34 GMT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Bobby Charlton, an English soccer icon who survived a plane crash that decimated a Manchester United team destined for greatness to become the heartbeat of his country’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, has died. He was 86.A statement from Charlton’s family, released by United, said he died Saturday surrounded by his family.An extravagantly gifted midfielder with a ferocious shot, Charlton was the leading scorer for both United (249 goals) and England (49 goals) for more than 40 years until being overtaken by Wayne Rooney.“Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world,” United said.“He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as he was for his outstanding qualities as a footballer; Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game.”Alex Ferguson, who managed United from 1986-2013, said before Charlton’s death that he “is the greatest Ma...

Weekend Break: Pinball Expo

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:51:34 GMT

Join WGN Weekend Break on Weekend Morning News to visit the Pinball Expo in Schaumburg. Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

'Calculated misery': Here's why airlines want you to be uncomfortable

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:51:34 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Watch any old movie where the characters take a flight and it looks like a glamorous getaway in-and-of-itself — but the days of comfort in the skies are long gone for most of us. And it may not surprise you to know that air travel these days is designed to be less comfortable.Have you ever heard of "calculated misery"? It's the theory behind what we all know deep down: airlines want us to be miserable so we pay more for upgrades. These are the 7 ‘most offensive’ behaviors that break airplane etiquette The idea was first distilled in this way back in 2014 by Columbia Law School professor Tim Wu for the New Yorker. "Here’s the thing: in order for fees to work, there needs be something worth paying to avoid. That necessitates, at some level, a strategy that can be described as “calculated misery.” Basic service, without fees, must be sufficiently degraded in order to make people want to pay to escape it," Wu writes. "And that’s where the suffering begins."Wu explains that...

More than 100 guns found at AUS so far in 2023

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:51:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Officials with the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) said it was on track to break another record. But this time, it's not for the number of passengers.So far this year, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents confiscated 101 guns at AUS. Austin-Johnson Airport? Mayor in talks to possibly rename AUS after former president Last year, TSA discovered a total of 150 guns at the airport, so officials believe the airport was on track to surpass that number this year.Of the 101 found so far this year, three firearms were found Friday in a passenger's carry-on luggage--one of which was loaded, according to airport officials. The passenger from the incident now faces a fine of up to $15,000.

CapMetro rail services suspended Saturday for construction

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:51:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — CapMetro will suspend all rail services Saturday to allow crews to work on the McKalla Station. The public transportation provider will have alternative services in place on Saturday. Here are the changes in routes: Leander: Shuttle Route 454, Route 985 Leander/Lakeline DirectLakeline: Shuttle Route 454, Route 985 Leander/Lakeline DirectHoward: Shuttle Route 454Kramer (at Braker & Burnet or The Domain): Route 3 Burnet/Menchaca and Route 803 Burnet/South LamarCrestview: Route 1 North Lamar/South Congress, Route 7 Duval/Dove Springs and Route 801 North Lamar/South CongressHighland: Route 7 Duval/Dove SpringsMLK: Route 18 MLKPlaza Saltillo: Route 4 7th StreetRegular rail service will resume Oct. 23, according to CapMetro. Riders with questions can call Customer Service at 512-474-1200.The under-construction McKalla Station will be near Q2 Stadium and is expected to open before the 2024 Austin...

INSIGHT: Austin Heart and Stroke Walk 2023

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:51:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Heart & Stroke Walk 2023 began at 9 a.m. Saturday, and the event has helped spread the word to advocate for heart health and heart disease awareness.Greg Underwood, a heart disease survivor, joined KXAN’s Jennifer Sanders to share his story and time volunteering at the Heart Hospital of Austin for the last 13 years.Austin Heart & Stroke Walk 2023 at Q2 stadium (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez) Austin Heart & Stroke Walk 2023 at Q2 stadium (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez) Austin Heart & Stroke Walk 2023 at Q2 stadium (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez) Austin Heart & Stroke Walk 2023 at Q2 stadium (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez) Austin Heart & Stroke Walk 2023 at Q2 stadium (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez) Austin Heart & Stroke Walk 2023 at Q2 stadium (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez) Austin Heart & Stroke Walk 2023 at Q2 stadium (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez) Austin Heart & Stroke Walk 2023 at Q2 stadium (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez) Read a transcription of the discussion below or watch the...