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American arrested in Venezuela just days after Biden administration eases oil sanctions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:47 GMT

A California man’s family is pleading for his release after they say he was wrongfully arrested in Venezuela and held for tens of thousands of dollars in ransom just days after the Biden administration eased crippling oil sanctions on the socialist-run government.Savoi Wright’s Oct. 24 arrest, which had not been previously reported, has become the latest flashpoint in the tenuous relationship between the U.S. and Nicolás Maduro’s government that critics say should lead to a return to sanctions.But all Wright’s family wants is for the 38-year-old businessman to be returned home. They know precious little about the circumstances of his arrest. No criminal charges have been filed, he has not been allowed to see a lawyer and the Venezuelan government hasn’t said where he is being held.“It’s a nightmare. It’s like you’re watching a horror movie but you’re in it,” his mother, Erin Stewart, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from her Oakland home.Wright joins at least...

Last of 4 men who escaped from a Georgia jail last month is caught

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:47 GMT

STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. (AP) — The last of four men who escaped from a Georgia jail in October was caught Saturday, authorities said. Joey Fournier, 53, was captured near Stockbridge, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) away from the jail in Bibb County, just before noon, Bibb County Sheriff David Davis said in a news release. Davis said last month that Fournier, Marc Kerry Anderson, Johnifer Dernard Barnwell and Chavis Demaryo Stokes escaped through a damaged window and a cut fence at the county jail on Oct. 16.“We are grateful that this last escapee has been captured,” Davis said in an emailed statement. “My heartfelt appreciation goes out to all of the hard working law enforcement officers from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and from all of our partner agencies who worked tirelessly to bring these four fugitives back into custody.”Davis did not provide any additional details on how Fournier was caught.Barnwell was taken back into custody Nov. 12, Chavis Demaryo Stokes was caug...

Thousands march in Jerusalem to press Israel’s government to do more to free hostages held in Gaza

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:47 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Thousands of family members and supporters of some 240 hostages held in Gaza streamed into Jerusalem on Saturday, castigating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over his management of the war with Hamas and pleading with the government to do more to bring their loved ones home. The march capped a five-day trek from Tel Aviv and represented the largest protest on behalf of the hostages since they were dragged into Gaza by Hamas on Oct. 7 as part of the militants’ deadly attack in southern Israel. About 1,200 people were killed in Israel on the day of the surprise Hamas assault.Israel declared war in response, and more than 11,500 Palestinians have been killed in the past six weeks as the Israeli military conducts a punishing air and ground offensive in Gaza, where Hamas militants have ruled for the past 16 years.Israeli leaders have set dual objectives — to crush Hamas and to bring the hostages home. But they have not made clear to fam...

Weekend Break: Disney 100 Exhibit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:47 GMT

Weekend Break: Disney 100 ExhibitLove 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.

Angaza Center to minimize digital divide globally

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:47 GMT

The nonprofit, Angaza center aims to minimize the digital divide globally, from Chicago all the way to Congo. Found Michael Odongo and Nikhil Uchil join WGN Weekend Morning News to share more.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.

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day events in Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:47 GMT

As Saturday is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, events across the country are being held in which survivors of suicide loss come together to find connection, understanding and hope through their shared experience. Angela Cummings, the executive director of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention joined WGN Weekend Morning News to share more about events in the Chicagoland area.

Taylor Swift fan dies at Rio concert amid high temperatures, lack of water

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:47 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A 23-year-old Taylor Swift fan died at the singer's Eras Tour concert in Rio de Janeiro Friday night, according to a statement from the show's organizers in Brazil. Both fans and politicians reacted to the news with outrage.The cause of death for Ana Clara Benevides Machado has not yet been announced. The office of Rio’s public prosecutor opened a criminal investigation and said Benevides body was being examined.But concert-goers complained they were not allowed to take water into Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium despite soaring temperatures, and federal authorities announced that free water would be made available at all future concerts.In a handwritten note shared on her social media, Swift said she had a “shattered heart."“There’s very little information I have other than the fact that she was so incredibly beautiful and far too young,” the singer wrote of the young woman.The show's organizer, Time4Fun, said on Instagram that paramedics attended to Be...

Amazon warns of Prime membership scams ahead of Black Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:47 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – While Black Friday scenes of people bursting through the doors of a big box retailer and wrestling over flatscreens have largely given way to online deals scored from the comfort of one's home, holiday shopping with a tablet or smartphone comes with its own pitfalls this year.Amazon warned shoppers in an email of a pair of scams that it says have been especially prevalent in the second half of 2023, according to self-reported customer data."This time of year brings an increased risk that consumers may be impacted by fraud," said Scott Knapp, director of worldwide buyer risk prevention at Amazon. Zelle banks are reimbursing victims of imposter scams The first and most common is the email attachment scam, in which a crook sends a realistic email that appears to come from Amazon itself. The email, which often contains malicious attachments, threatens that one's account might be suspended or put on hold and prompts the shopper to enter personal information, such as payment...

Gophers linebacker Cody Lindenberg might return against No. 2 Ohio State

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:47 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The return of linebacker Cody Lindenberg would be a huge boost to the Gophers defense on Saturday.While listed as questionable against No. 2 Ohio State, Lindenberg was warming up to play at Ohio Stadium. He had a black sleeve on his left leg as he went through linebacker drills.When he was deemed questionable against Purdue last week, he didn’t warm up, nor play and he was sorely missed in the 49-30 loss to the Boilermakers.Linebacker Maverick Baranowski is out against the Buckeyes, according to the U’s status report. The redshirt freshman sustained an apparent shoulder injury in the 49-30 loss to Purdue last week.Without Baranowski and Lindenberg last week, Minnesota was forced to turn to true freshman Matt Kingsbury. When Kingsbury struggled, the U turned to Tyler Stolsky and Ryan Selig as the Boilermakers put up over 600 total yards and 350 rushing yards.Against the Buckeyes, Minnesota will also be without safety Aidan Gousby for a second straight gam...

Amazon plans for new solar farm in Warren County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:47 GMT

WARREN COUNTY, Mo. - Amazon has announced plans for a new solar farm in Warren County. It would be Amazon's first solar farm in the St. Louis metropolitan area and fourth in Missouri. An Amazon spokesperson tells FOX 2 that Warren County is preparing for a 139 MW solar farm that would be capable of generating power for more than 29,000 homes. Officials say solar farms not only help the communities in which they are located, but also help power Amazon’s local operations, including Amazon fulfillment centers, sorting centers, and delivery stations. Docs: Accused Clayton killer pointed gun at cops in March, released on bond Amazon says the Warren County project will add to a portfolio of solar farms in Audrain and Calloway counties. At full strength, they would generate 469 MW and power nearly 100,000 homes. “Amazon’s investments in solar and wind projects are helping power our operations, while also providing new sources of clean energy to the grid, spurring economic growth, and su...