Guatemala says US-funded transit centers to receive applications from Central American migrants

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 02:24:55 GMT

Guatemala says US-funded transit centers to receive applications from Central American migrants GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Migrant transit centers fiananced by the United States will be set up in Guatemala to receive applications from Central American citizens seeking to apply for work visas, family reunifications or refugee status, an official said Friday.Both governments have said they will launch a web page Monday on which people will be able to request appointments to apply for entrance to the U.S.The centers are part of a larger migratory strategy aimed at reducing the heavy flow of migrants from Latin American and the Caribbean to the United States. Applicants with scheduled appointments will be received at offices to be opened in eight places across Guatemala, the official said, who agreed to discuss the plan only if not quoted by name. The centers will be directed by United Nations Refugee Agency and the International Organization for Migration during a six-month trial period, the official added.The plan was revealed after a phone conversation between U.S. Vice President Ka...

UN peacekeeper killed, 8 seriously injured in northern Mali attack

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 02:24:55 GMT

UN peacekeeper killed, 8 seriously injured in northern Mali attack UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Attackers killed one U.N. peacekeeper and seriously injured eight others Friday in Mali’s northern Timbuktu region, an area where extremists continue to operate, the United Nations said.The peacekeepers, all from Burkina Faso, were part of a security patrol that was targeted first by an improvised explosive device and then by direct small arms fire seven kilometers (four miles) from their base in the town of Ber, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.The United Nations joins the head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali, El-Ghassim Wane, in strongly condemning the attack, Dujarric said.U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Mali’s transitional authorities to identify the perpetrators of the attack and bring them to justice swiftly, noting that “attacks targeting U.N. peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law,” Dujarric said. Mali has been ruled by a military junta since a 2020 coup against an elected president, Ibrahim ...

Man seriously injured in Scarborough park stabbing; 1 man arrested

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 02:24:55 GMT

Man seriously injured in Scarborough park stabbing; 1 man arrested One man is in custody after another man was seriously injured following a stabbing in a Scarborough park. Police say they were called to the park on Neilson Road just south of Finch Avenue for reports someone had been stabbed just after 9 p.m. Friday. When they arrived they found a man suffering from stab wounds. He was taken to a nearby hospital. Police say one man is in custody at this time

Paul Lisnek on indictment of Donald Trump

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 02:24:55 GMT

Paul Lisnek on indictment of Donald Trump CHICAGO — WGN Political Analyst Paul Lisnek joined WGN Evening News to discuss the latest news on the federal indictment of former President Donald Trump.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesYou can watch the full story in the player above.

Huntley police: Man fired shots at officers, one officer fired round

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 02:24:55 GMT

Huntley police: Man fired shots at officers, one officer fired round HUNTLEY, Ill. — Shots were fired at officers Friday afternoon in Huntley by a man police said they were called to assist with because he was "out of control" and one officer fired a shot.Around 1 p.m., Huntley Police Department officers were called to a home on Ashley Street to help with someone who was "out of control." Driver crashes into business at Huntley strip mall When officers got there and tried to talk to him, officers said he barricaded himself inside the home, displayed what appeared to be a gun and started shooting at officers, according to a news release from police.Officers and the police social worker tried to de-escalate the situation, but the man continued to shoot at officers and showed a knife in a threatening manner while officers tried to get into the home, according to the release. Huntley High School student charged after ‘racially-motivated messages’ The man was eventually taken to a hospital with minor injuries and for a psychological evaluation after o...

Indiana man accused of shooting mouse stuck to trap

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 02:24:55 GMT

Indiana man accused of shooting mouse stuck to trap INDIANAPOLIS (WXIN) — An Indianapolis man was charged after Indianapolis Metropolitan Police claim he shot at a mouse outside the home where he lives.Court documents show police were called to a home in the city's west side just after 3:15 p.m. on June 6. A property owner, Richard Arias, told police that resident Frankie Rosa, 22, was shooting outside the home. Officers say they witnessed Rosa squatting down in the front yard and after giving commands, took him into custody. What is a ‘dupe’ on TikTok? Here’s the meaning behind the trend Rosa told officers that he'd had a mouse caught in a trap and was trying to kill it, officers say. He added that he brought the trap outside and fired one shot.Court documents state officers then spoke to property owner Arias who said he and his son were in front of Rosa when he fired one shot at the trap facing toward them. Arias said he grabbed his son and called 911 after shots were fired.Detectives say Rosa was mad that his house had mice and ...

San Marcos River levels are lower than normal

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 02:24:55 GMT

San Marcos River levels are lower than normal AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ground water pumping and drought are having a major impact on some of our favorite watering holes and rivers.Last summer Jacob's Well shut down and remains closed for the foreseeable future."The river is very low," said Virginia Parker, executive director of the San Marcos River Foundation. "We have a lot more people moving to Central Texas which means we have a lot more straws going down into the Edwards Aquifer."The Splash Cats are competing in Texas Water Safari's Toughest Canoe Race-- which starts in the San Marcos River and ends on the coast. The team said the low levels will impact the race."It definitely causes concern," Cecili Bugge said. "We have more opportunities to damage our boat." Jacob’s Well to remain closed to swimming for ‘foreseeable future’ While the San Marcos River has not had to shutdown because of the low levels, it has caused concern."It is about half the level it usually is," Parker said.Low water levels can also impact the wild rice that ...

City of Leander looks at regulations for short-term rentals

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 02:24:55 GMT

City of Leander looks at regulations for short-term rentals LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Regulations could be coming soon for short-term rental (STR) operators in Leander. This comes as the City of Leander considers updating ordinances, so that STR properties are subject to permitting and a local Hotel Occupancy Tax.In a May workshop, city leaders heard regulation recommendations from staff. The staff member presenting the recommendations said the city was approached by a third-party company that tracks STR data.The data showed that the area had several dozen properties that could be HOT taxed, the profits of which could then be used for city improvements.The presenting staffer also said these regulations would make properties more likely to follow other ordinances that impact neighborhoods where an STR is located."We want to minimize nuisances, educate people coming to our city, support tourism, collect the tax and then advocate for the citizens interest," the staff member said.Currently, STR properties are required to pay a state HOT tax of 6%,...

Saints’ Patrick Murphy found right fit with Twins organization

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 02:24:55 GMT

Saints’ Patrick Murphy found right fit with Twins organization Saints right-handed reliever Patrick Murphy, signed by the Twins to a minor league, free agent deal in the offseason, is loving life with his new organization, and the feeling is mutual.Murphy, who turns 28 on Friday, is on a streak of 10 consecutive appearances without allowing a run, a stretch that covers 15 2/3 innings. Overall, he boasts a 4-0 record and an earned-run average of 1.48.With 35 games of major league experience to go with his strong season to date, he shapes up as a viable option for the Twins before season’s end.“How aggressive he is, and the mindset that he has is perfect for a reliever,” Saints pitching coach Pete Larson said prior to the Saints’ 7-5 loss to the Iowa Cubs on Friday night at CHS Field.Murphy’s fastball touches 100 mph, and it’s not even his best pitch.“His curveball is his best one,” Larson said. “We’ve been working on a slider, too, just to give him a different look.”Murphy made his major league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020, and appea...

State track and field: Minnehaha rallies for second-place finish

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 02:24:55 GMT

State track and field: Minnehaha rallies for second-place finish For Cadence Tanner, it marked a triumphant ending.For her teammates on the Minnehaha Academy 4×100-meter relay team, it’s likely a sign of even more to come.The Redhawks’ relay recorded a time of 49 seconds to win the event at the Class A state track and field meet Friday at St. Michael-Albertville High School. It marked Minnehaha’s second straight state title in the event, though only Tanner, a senior, and sophomore Gigi Troup returned from a year ago.Sophomore Ima Jones and seventh-grader Aaleyha Gulyard were the two newcomers to the team.“It’s really exciting,” Tanner said. “It’s a great way to finish off my senior year, and I’m so excited about the future for the rest of these girls. They’re going to be so good for years to come.”The relay helped lead the Redhawks to a second-place finish as a team with 49 points. Eden Valley-Watkins/Kimball claimed the girls team title with 70.The finish also capped a busy meet for all four athletes. On Thursday, Tanner finished third in t...