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EU capitals fume at ‘Queen’ von der Leyen 

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:33:41 GMT

For many of her international allies, Ursula von der Leyen is Mrs Europe — a truly presidential figure who steered the bloc through the COVID-19 pandemic and kept it unified in the face of Russia’s war on Ukraine.But the German politician’s glowing reputation abroad is increasingly belied by a malaise within the central institutions and capitals of the 27-country European Union. In private conversations in Brussels, diplomats, lawmakers and her own European Commission staffers complain “VDL” is overstepping her job description, cutting EU governments out of her decision-making and ruling with a small group of advisers by decree.The criticism came to a head last weekend when she made an unscheduled trip to Israel, prompting a furious reaction from European diplomats.Several told POLITICO they were unhappy that von der Leyen, who voiced solidarity with the victims of the Hamas attacks, had not relayed their calls for Israel to respect international law in Gaza during ...

Police respond after 2-year-old boy found with mother near Mass. & Cass encampment in Boston

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:33:41 GMT

Boston police were called to the intersection of Mass. Ave. and Melnea Cass Boulevard last week after a 2-year-old boy was spotted with his mother in the area of a homeless encampment that is known as a problem area for drug use and crime.Police say the boy’s mother may have been doing drugs at the time he was spotted by outreach volunteers on Friday morning. The volunteers said it was about 45 degrees outside and he was not appropriately dressed for the weather.The two first encountered police when they were sleeping in a car in a nearby parking lot, according to a report. The car was later towed for having an expired registration sticker.Evelyn Abreu, Director of Miracle Mile Ministries, said never in her time on Mass. and Cass has she come across a child.“I’ve never heard of one being out there,” she said. “This is their little, their little town, their friends, their neighbors, I could see why she could feel like bringing in a child the people there...

5 things we learned from the Chicago Bulls’ preseason loss in Denver, including Patrick Williams’ explosive offense

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:33:41 GMT

The Chicago Bulls traveled to the home of the reigning NBA champions to face the Denver Nuggets in their third preseason game Sunday.The Bulls lost 116-102 as coach Billy Donovan gave extended playing time to the young core of the secondary rotation.Here are five things we learned from Sunday’s game.1. Patrick Williams flexed offensive aggressiveness — but rebounding remains a lingering issue.Any fans looking for signs of a more aggressive Williams were rewarded in the first quarter, when the fourth-year forward scored 10 points.Williams showed flashes of a more aggressive version of himself throughout his 25 minutes on the court, scoring 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting, including 3-for-5 from 3-point range. His best play was a simple yet decisive isolation combination in the second quarter on which he collected a pass behind the 3-point line, dropped his shoulder to take two dribbles toward the paint before faking, spinning and pulling the trigger on a midrange stepbac...

San Marcos couple returns after harrowing trip in Israel

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:33:41 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Calif. -- A local couple who were on vacation in Israel and got stuck there after Hamas unleashed its attacks has made it home.Patty Kolb and her husband are back in San Marcos, arriving in San Diego Sunday night after a harrowing trip to Israel.“We have to use the experiences of the last eight days for a greater good and we believe that that's the purpose of why we were there,” Kolb said.They were there for about a week visiting friends and touring sites when everything changed with Hamas’ terror attacks.“Potentially at anytime, we could have been I guess bombed, at no time was I fearful,” Kolb said.But getting out was not easy.The couple’s flight home was canceled, rescheduled, then canceled again. Eventually, they found a Saturday flight from Tel Aviv to Athens. Man arrested after machete attack, SWAT standoff in Oceanside “We spent a lot of time in bomb shelters including about 15 minutes before we left our Airbnb to go to the airport and a half hour before we boar...

1 dead, 2 injured by gunshots near a pro-democracy protest in Guatemala

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:33:41 GMT

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — One person died and at least two more were injured by gunshots near a pro-democracy demonstration in Guatemala on Monday, local authorities said.Victor Gomez, spokesman for the volunteer firemen in Malacatan, near the border with Mexico, said it was not clear whether the victims were protesters themselves, or just caught nearby.The incident marked the beginning of a third week of demonstrations against Attorney General Consuelo Porras, who protesters accuse of attempting to undermine a popular vote for progressive President-elect Bernardo Arévalo.Videos from Malacatan circulating on social media painted a chaotic picture. Some appear to show civilians and police officers fleeing as bursts of gunfire are heard. In one recording, a vehicle and a police patrol are burning. It is not clear who fired the shots. In response to the incident, Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei said authorities were “carrying out corresponding investigations” and promised more de...

Trudeau says three Canadians could be among Hamas hostages; Tories say no ceasefire

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:33:41 GMT

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called on Hamas to immediately release hostages in Gaza, which he says may include at least three missing Canadians, while the Opposition Conservatives warned his Liberal government against calling for a ceasefire. Trudeau spoke in Parliament for the first time Monday since fighters stormed into Israel from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, killing hundreds of people and taking a reported 199 people hostage.“Five Canadians were murdered by Hamas terrorists. Three Canadians are reported missing and may be hostages,” he told MPs in the House of Commons. He continued in French, saying, “Canada asks Hamas to free all the hostages immediately.” Canada has listed Hamas as a terrorist entity since 2002. In his address to Parliament, Trudeau reiterated how militants with the group are not “freedom fighters” as some supporters and protesters have suggested in demonstrations staged in Canadain the wake of the ...

Prayer vigil and solidarity rally held for the victims in Israel

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:33:41 GMT

WHEELING, Ill. — More than 100 people gathered Monday evening for a prayer vigil and solidarity rally for the victims in Israel.Rabbi Sholom Notik organized the event, which will begin with a prayer vigil for those held hostage, murdered, wounded and displaced during the Israel-Hamas war. MORE STORIES: Israel and Hamas conflict "Today, we want to make sure we can help in any way we can to Israel," Rhada Eydelmin, who attended the event, said.Notik, faith leaders and community members gave words of inspiration and hope."I like to say at the beginning of an event like this that it’s not about politics, it’s not about a demonstration, it’s about supporting each other, especially supporting the victims," Notik said. "Supporting really our brothers and sisters over in Isreal who are going through all of this. And about encouraging all of us that you can do better."At the local level, people will be thinking about the safe return of Evanston natives Judity Ra'anan and her 19-year-old d...

Milder, more seasonable weather arrives on the heels of the coolest daytime high in 5+ months Monday

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:33:41 GMT

Next storm system to bring showery periods beginning Wednesday night continuing at times into Friday nightFOLLOWING A DRY TUESDAY, CHICAGO'S NEXT CHANCE FOR SHOWERS ARRIVES ON WEDNESDAYTEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION OUTLOOKSNEXT RAIN CHANCE ARRIVES WEDNESDAY NIGHT AHEAD OF APPROACHING COLD FRONTMORE SEASONABLE TEMPERATURES EXPECTED TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAYForecast highs TuesdayForecast highs WednesdayMONDAY'S 55-DEGREE HIGH TEMPERATURE WAS THE CHILLIEST DAYTIME HIGH OF AUTUMN 2023 TO DATEPlus, the coolest in 5.5 months since a 54-degree high on May 2ndSIZZLING HEAT ESTABLISHES A NEW RECORD IN PHOENIX MONDAY — WELL ABOVE THE NORMAL HIGH OF 89 DEGREESTEMPERATURES SOARED WELL ABOVE NORMAL MONDAY ACROSS MUCH OF THE WEST AND NORTHERN PLAINSMonday high temperaturesHow much above normal?CLICK TO ENLARGE

An 'illicit' affair helps police crack cold case murder of nurse killed 37 years ago

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:33:41 GMT

Warning: This story has graphic details that were released with the family's permission.TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Investigators in Florida said they have solved the 1986 cold case murder of a nurse after nearly 37 years, thanks to an "illicit" affair by a relative of the suspected killer. Wrong-way driver killed, Lake Wales couple hospitalized in Polk County crash On Oct. 27, 1986, the mother of Teresa Lee Scalf, Betty Scalf, found her daughter dead in her Lakeland home. The victim's family said her mother had to break into the residence with a credit card after the hospital told her Teresa didn't show up for work."I think she was killed around 3:30 in the afternoon, and by the time I got there at 8 or 9 o'clock at night, all the evidence had been washed away by the rain," Betty Scalf said. The Polks County Sheriff's Office said Teresa Scalf's throat had been slit and she had "defensive wounds" on her hands. Detective Matt Newbold said there was no sign o...

Williamson County announces Segment 1 of Samsung Highway open

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:33:41 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- On Monday, Williamson County Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles announced Segment 1 of Samsung Highway opened on Monday, according to a news release from the county.According to the county, Segment 1 is a four-lane portion of the Samsung Highway project constructed to reduce curves on County Road 404 and increase safety. Once the roadway is complete, it will connect Farm-to-Market Road 3349 to Farm-to-Market Road 973, which is south of the Samsung plant, the release said.Segment 1 connects FM 972 to CR 404. Segment 2 will connect CR 404 to FM 3349 and is expected to be completed summer 2024, according to officials. Construction begins for Segment 2 of Samsung Highway in Williamson County “As East Williamson County grows this is an important connection to keep our communities safe and mobile and will serve at the foundation for the East Wilco Highway,” Williamson County Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles said in the release. “Parents should have d...