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Death of Henry Kissinger met with polarized reaction around the world

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:38:49 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — World leaders and other people offered a polarized reaction Thursday to the death of the lionized and vilified former diplomat Henry Kissinger, who managed to hold global attention decades after his service as U.S. secretary of state.Former President George W. Bush struck a tone that many high-level officials, past and present, tried to convey, saying “America has lost one of the most dependable and distinctive voices” on foreign affairs.“I have long admired the man who fled the Nazis as a young boy from a Jewish family, then fought them in the United States Army,” Bush said in a statement. “When he later became Secretary of State, his appointment as a former refugee said as much about his greatness as it did America’s greatness.”Kissinger served two presidents, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, and dominated foreign policy as the United States extricated itself from Vietnam and broke down barriers with China.Another former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, said...

Suspected drug cartel gunmen abduct 7 Mexican immigration agents at gunpoint in Cancun

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:38:49 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Suspected drug cartel gunmen abducted seven Mexican immigration agents in Cancun at gunpoint Wednesday, beat them and threatened to kill them before there were freed. The brazen mass kidnapping occurred near Cancun’s bustling airport, and illustrated the degree to which Mexico’s cartels and criminal gangs have become involved in migrant smuggling and kidnapping.Federal forces later located the house where the agents were being held in the Caribbean resort city. The forces — apparently marines and National Guard, along with local police — engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, and freed the agents. They did not say whether anyone was wounded in the confrontation.The agents said after they were released that the gunmen threatened to kill them unless they allowed migrants to be smuggled through the airport and other parts of the coastal state of Quintana Roo. It was the first such mass abduction of immigration agents in Mexico, and the National Immigration Institute...

Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam help Raptors upset Suns

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:38:49 GMT

Pascal Siakam scored 22 points and pulled down nine rebounds as the Toronto Raptors upset Phoenix for a 112-105 win on Wednesday, snapping the Suns’ seven-game win streak.Scottie Barnes had 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter for Toronto (9-10), adding seven rebounds and four assists. Precious Achiuwa had his first double-double of the campaign with 14 points and 10 rebounds for a season-high in both categories.Dennis Schroder, who tweaked his knee in a 115-103 loss to the Brooklyn Nets the night before, played 33 minutes with eight points and 12 assists.Kevin Durant led Phoenix (11-7) with 30 points. Jusuf Nurkic had a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds as the Suns lost for the first time since Nov. 12.The Raptors were delayed getting out of Brooklyn on Tuesday, forcing the team to cancel morning shootaround as players and coaches rested after the long trip home.“Hopefully we had enough time to get quality sleep and get ready ove...

Colombian judge orders prison for 2 suspects in the kidnapping of parents of Liverpool soccer player

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:38:49 GMT

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Two suspects in the kidnapping of the parents of Liverpool soccer player Luis Díaz were ordered sent to prison by a judge, Colombia’s Prosecutor’s Office said Wednesday, accusing one of the men of being the link to a person close to the family who provided information about the victims.Andrés Alcires Bolívar and Marlon Rafael Brito are also accused of maintaining contacts with members of the National Liberation Army, or ELN, in the planning and execution of the Oct. 28 abductions in Barrancas, a town in La Guajira in Colombia’s northeast of Colombia.Díaz’s parents – Luis Manuel Díaz Jiménez and Cilenis Marulanda — were kidnapped by a unit of the ELN at a gas station by armed men on motorcycles.Marulanda was rescued by police a few hours later, but Díaz’s father was held captive for 12 days by the ELN. The father was released on Nov. 9 near the Serranía del Perijá, bordering Venezuela, where facilitators from the Catholic Church and the United Nations ha...

A US Navy plane went into a Hawaii bay. Underwater video shows its tires are touching a coral reef

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:38:49 GMT

KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (AP) — Tires from a large airplane that’s been stuck in a Hawaii bay for more than a week are resting on parts of a reef, according to video the U.S. Navy released Wednesday as it figures out a plan to remove the aircraft. There were no injuries to the nine people who were on board when the plane landed Nov. 20 in shallow water just offshore of Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay. The base is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Honolulu. The Navy is investigating what caused the plane to overshoot a runway. The underwater footage shows the “two points of contact the aircraft has with the coral and the remainder of the aircraft floating above,” the Navy said. The video shows tires on the coral as tiny fish swim through rock crevices. A Navy team removed nearly all of the estimated 2,000 gallons (7,500 liters) of fuel on the plane, Rear Adm. Kevin Lenox said Monday. Cmdr. Mark Anderson, who is leading the Navy’s mobile diving and salvage unit working at t...

Chicago church working to repair painful history inflicted on tribal nations

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:38:49 GMT

CHICAGO — It was a chapter few spoke of, a piece of both Canada and the United States history, largely written out of the history books. But it's a story that continues to haunt Native Americans today. For more than 150 years, hundreds of thousands of indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and taken to boarding or residential schools run by churches and the federal government. They were told it was to assimilate to modern culture. Those who survived that harrowing practice, say they were brutally abused, stripped of their language, their heritage and humanity.  More from Erin: A special ring, lost for decades, makes remarkable journey back to owner A small center on Chicago’s North Side is quietly working to repair the painful history inflicted on hundreds of tribal nations.At St. Katieri Center, a small congregation gathers to reclaim everything sacred thing that was stolen.The center has held classes in Navajo, Cherokee, Dakota and now Ojibw...

Investigation underway after 4 shot in Garfield Park

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:38:49 GMT

CHICAGO -- Chicago police are investigating a shooting in Garfield Park that sent four people to the hospital Wednesday night.According to the Chicago Police Department, officers responded to the 3600 block of West Flournoy Avenue in the city's Garfield Park neighborhood on reports of a shooting on Wednesday. Man arrested after Naperville man found dead in Bolingbrook parking lot in 2022 A 31-year-old woman was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. A 24-year-old woman was also transported in good condition.A 30-year-old man was transported in grave condition.A 21-year-old, who was reportedly shot in the incident, transported themselves to a local hospital.No further information has been provided at this time. The investigation is ongoing.Anyone with information regarding this incident are asked to contact the Chicago Police Department at CPDtip.com.Stay with WGN-TV as this story develops.

Disney has 'room to build another Disneyland' in California city, chairman says

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:38:49 GMT

ANAHEIM, Calif. (KTLA) -- There is still space to build another Disneyland in Anaheim, California, Disney theme park chairman Josh D’Amaro announced Tuesday during an employee town hall in New York City.“We’ve got so much space to play with. Disneyland, for example, Walt’s original theme park, we still have enough room to build another Disneyland there if we choose to do that,” D’Amaro said during the event, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Walt Disney Co. previously announced plans to invest $60 billion into its theme park business over the next decade. Disneyland brings back Southern California resident ticket offer for 2024 Plans to expand the “Happiest Place on Earth” could become a reality if the city of Anaheim approves the DisneylandForward project.The project would include new attractions, shops and restaurants within its existing 490-acre footprint, the Los Angeles Times reported.Disney is seeking zoning changes for the expansion. Disney officials previously wante...

State is 'ready to swiftly respond' as severe weather expected in Texas, Abbott says

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:38:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott said the state is "ready to swiftly respond with emergency resources" as severe weather is expected in Central Texas on Thursday, according to a news release from Abbott's office.A storm moving in overnight is bringing scattered rain, isolated thunderstorms, and a low-end tornado risk to parts of Central Texas on Thursday, according to the KXAN First Warning Weather Team. Isolated severe storms possible east of I-35 on Thursday "Texas is ready to swiftly respond with emergency resources to help local officials keep their communities safe amid severe weather," said Abbott said in the release. "Texans in at-risk areas are encouraged to remain vigilant, regularly monitor weather conditions, and take necessary safety precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones. I thank all of the brave emergency personnel as they prepare to protect their fellow Texans during this severe weather."The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM...

Retired Gustavus Adolphus College professor killed in St. Peter collision

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:38:49 GMT

A retired professor at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter was killed in a Monday automobile collision in the southern Minnesota community.Robert Gardner, 79, of St. Peter died in the 5:30 p.m. crash on U.S. 169, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.Gardner had taught in Gustavus’ theater and dance department since 1971, according to the St. Peter Herald. As a professor emeritus, he was honored in 2020 with the opening of the Rob and Judy Gardner Laboratory Theatre.According to the State Patrol, Gardner was a passenger in a Toyota Prius driven by Judith Gardner, 86, of St. Peter. She suffered life-threatening injuries.The Gardners’ car was northbound on Highway 169, turning left onto Washington Avenue and colliding with a Hyundai Sonata that was southbound on 169. The driver of the Hyundai, Daniel Kelley, 38, of Chanhassen, was not seriously injured.The State Patrol said the Gardner vehicle failed to yield the right of way.Two other vehicles also collided when trying to avoid ...