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Oklahoma City Zoo announces birth of endangered giraffe calf

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:08 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — The Oklahoma City Zoo announced the birth of an endangered giraffe calf.This was the 58th giraffe to be born at the zoo and the first birth in the new Expedition Africa giraffe habitat.The female calf was born on Oct. 10 to mother Julu. The calf has yet to be named and caretakers shared she is healthy and thriving.Caretakers also noted the giraffe is curious about her surroundings and has an independent nature. Both Julu and the calf will remain off public view at the giraffe barn to allow them time to bond.In the next few weeks, caretakers will begin the process of introducing the calf to other members of the herd.“It’s been extremely rewarding to watch Julu raise her first calf, Njeri, and we’re thrilled to welcome the newest member to our amazing giraffe herd,” said Tracey Dolphin, OKC Zoo’s Curator of Ungulates. “This birth is significant for this endangered species and for the Zoo’s commitment to helping conserve giraffe population...

Police: Florida man arrested for stealing $1 million custom Richard Millie watch from patron at Miami strip club

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:08 GMT

A 42-year-old man was arrested after allegedly stealing a custom-made, $1 million Richard Mille watch from a patron at The Booby Trap on the River in Miami. According to the arrest report filed on March 26, Diego Jair Sabogal, of Lake Worth, and accomplices are accused of executing a coordinated distraction-style robbery and theft. Surveillance footage from both inside and outside the venue captured the group surrounding an unsuspecting victim, using bumping and pushing to distract him. Meanwhile, Sabogal reportedly removed the valuable watch from the victim’s wrist without his immediate knowledge. The victim, who was unable to immediately realize the theft due to the commotion and distraction, realized his watch was missing shortly after. The stolen, custom-made Richard Mille watch is estimated to be worth approximately one million US dollars.Law enforcement positively identified Sabogal from the surveillance footage, and the victim also identified him as the individual who h...

Hollywood man finds iguana in toilet

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:08 GMT

Imagine an unexpected encounter in the most private of places. A Hollywood resident awoke to a startling sight on Saturday morning when he found an iguana inside his toilet. The man reached out to a professional trapper for assistance. However, the iguana made its escape through the same sewer system it used for entry.

Orlando ballroom dancer returns to the dance floor after losing his both legs

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:08 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. (WSVN) – Meet Rafael Castellanos, a competitive ballroom dancer from Orlando who’s proving that determination knows no bounds. Despite losing both of his legs to meningitis, Castellanos is resolutely returning to the stage to pursue his passion.“I had a vision that I’m going to do all the things that I wanted to do, and it’s just been so rewarding,” Castellanos shared. Castellanos was accompanied by his choreographer, Michael McCrary. “We are doing a dance music video retelling of ‘I’ve Had the Time of My Life’ from Dirty Dancing,” said McCrary. “It’s hard not to hold back tears when you’re in the rehearsal process because it really is truly an incredible testimony and an incredible thing to see.” A sneak peak of the video, where he is seen dancing with his partner, will soon be released on social media.

Lost African tortoise reunited with owners after 3.5 years

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:08 GMT

NORTH FLORIDA (WSVN) — A reunion took place in North Florida as an African tortoise, missing since 2020, was found and reconnected with her owners after three and a half years of wandering.The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office made the discovery over the weekend, spotting the tortoise attempting to cross a state highway, just five miles from her home. Concerned for her well-being, they transported her to an animal refuge.Wildlife experts managed to identify the owner through a Facebook post detailing the tortoise’s escape from the yard in April 2020. By comparing photos taken at the refuge with those in the post, they confirmed it was the same beloved pet.Although the tortoise was a little worse for wear, having endured multiple cold winters without heat, the refuge assured she’s on the path to recovery.

Robert Fico to become Slovakia’s new prime minister

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:08 GMT

Robert Fico will become Slovakia’s next prime minister on Wednesday, the spokesperson of the country’s president confirmed.“The president will name the new cabinet and the new prime minister tomorrow at 2 p.m.,” spokesperson Martin Strižinec told POLITICO. Slovakia’s constitution stipulates that the president, currently Zuzana Čaputová, must appoint the government before it can officially start governing.This will be Fico’s fourth term in office, and follows his resignation as PM in 2018 after massive protests erupted calling for political change after the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnirová. Kuciak had been investigating the activities of the Italian mafia in Slovakia and was killed because of his work. Fico and other ministers in his cabinet at the time resigned after some 50,000 people demonstrated on the streets.Last week, Čaputová refused to back climate-change denier Rudolf Huliak from the rightist-populist Slovenská nár...

China fires missing defense minister, two months after he disappeared

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:08 GMT

China’s Defense Minister Li Shangfu was fired Tuesday, almost two months after he was last seen in public, as part of what seems to be an ongoing purge of senior Chinese officials. Li has been missing since late August, a prolonged disappearance that has raised several questions about his whereabouts and safety.On Tuesday, China’s national broadcaster CCTV reported that he had been removed from his posts as defense minister and as state councilor, without offering further explanation or mentioning a replacement.This is the second time in three months that a senior Chinese official has been sacked from President Xi Jinping’s administration after mysteriously disappearing.Earlier this year, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang was fired after only seven months in his role and about three weeks after he also disappeared from the public eye — something Beijing at the time attributed to “health reasons.”Qin had initially retained the title of state councilor, but on Tuesday...

‘Power problem’ causes train stoppage, portions of MBTA’s Green Line to switch to shuttle buses

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:08 GMT

Rail service on stretches of the MBTA’s Green Line came to a stop Tuesday morning as crews responded to an apparent power issue, officials said.The MBTA said shuttle buses would replace service in several areas, including between Kenmore and Park Street stations after a power problem led to trains halting in the area of Copley station.“We are working to restore service as quickly and safely as possible,” the transportation authority said on social media around 11:15 a.m.. “Riders downtown are encouraged to use Orange Line for service between Back Bay & North Station.”Meanwhile, service between Packard’s Corner and Government Center for the line’s B Branch was suspended, in addition to service on the E Branch between Prudential and Park Street.Tuesday’s issues appeared days after “an overhead wire problem” near Copley station caused a similar stoppage on Saturday.This is a developing st...

Donald Trump returns to civil fraud trial, with fixer-turned-foe Michael Cohen set to testify

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:08 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Cohen once proclaimed he’d “take a bullet” for Donald Trump. Now, after breaking with the former president amid his own legal troubles, the fixer-turned-foe is poised to testify against his old boss Tuesday as a key witness at the civil fraud trial that threatens to upend Trump’s real estate empire and wealthy image.Trump voluntarily came to court for the highly anticipated testimony, appearing at the Manhattan courthouse for a sixth day this month. Cohen, whose testimony was delayed from last week by an unspecified health issue, has said it would be his first time seeing Trump in five years.“This is not about Donald Trump vs. Michael Cohen or Michael Cohen vs. Donald Trump,” Cohen said as he arrived at the courthouse to await his turn to testify. “This is about accountability, plain and simple.”Trump, heading into court, noted that Cohen served prison time after pleading guilty to tax evasion, lying to Congress and camp...

Intensive talks underway to free a larger number of hostages held by Hamas but major obstacles remain

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:08 GMT

(CNN) — Talks to secure the release of a large number of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza are ongoing, two sources familiar with the matter and one western diplomat familiar with the discussions told CNN, but the negotiations are being complicated by a number of factors.The United States, Israel, Qatar, Egypt and Hamas are engaged in the ongoing deliberations. Four hostages – two American and two Israeli – have been freed so far. But the hope now is to reach a deal for a bigger group of hostages released at once.Israel is pressing for a comprehensive plan for such a release, another source said, after seeing just two sets of two hostages released so far. Israel has said there are more than 200 hostages believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.Israel has so far held off on making a ground incursion into Gaza, and the US has pressed Israel to further delay its invasion to allow for the release of more hostages held by Hamas.The sources said the timin...