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Shipping firm Maersk says it’s preparing for resumption of Red Sea voyages after attacks from Yemen

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:15:38 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Shipping firm Maersk says that it’s preparing to allow vessels to resume sailing through the Red Sea, thanks to the start of a U.S.-led multinational naval operation to protect shipping from attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Houthi attacks have led to a major disruption of shipping through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, one of the most important arteries for trade in oil, natural gas, grain and consumer goods between Europe and Asia. Maersk said in a statement Sunday that “we have received confirmation that the previously announced multi-national security initiative Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG) has now been set up and deployed to allow maritime commerce to pass through the Red Sea-Gulf of Aden and once again return to using the Suez Canal as a gateway between Asia and Europe. ”The company said it was working on plans for the first vessels to make the journey “and for this to happen as soon as operationally possible.”The Houthis are Iranian-ba...

Ukraine says it shot down Russian fighter jets and drones as the country officially marks Christmas

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:15:38 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s air force on Monday reported that it shot down two Russian fighter jets during the night along with two cruise missiles and 28 Shahed-type drones.The report said the attacks were aimed at southern and central regions of Ukraine, but that no casualties were immediately known. It said that 31 drones were launched in all, but details of what the three that weren’t intercepted may have struck weren’t given.A summary from the Ukrainian presidential office said that one civilian was killed and at least four wounded in Russian attacks over the previous 24 hours. The death occurred in the town of Chornobaivka in the Kherson region, which is partly under Russian control and experiences daily fighting.Ukraine observed Christmas on Monday, the first time the country has officially marked the holiday on Dec. 25 rather than the Jan. 7 date followed by some Orthodox countries, including Russia.President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed legislation in July to m...

Serbia police detain at least 38 people as opposition plans more protests against election results

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:15:38 GMT

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbian police said Monday they have detained at least 38 people who took part in a protest against reported widespread irregularities during a recent general ballot that declared the governing populists as winners of the parliamentary and local councils’ elections. Opposition group Serbia Against Violence has been staging protests since the Dec. 17 elections, saying there has been election fraud, particularly in the capital, Belgrade. Some politicians began a hunger strike. On Sunday evening, hundreds of protesters tried to enter Belgrade’s city council, breaking windows, before riot police pushed them back using tear gas, pepper spray and batons. Senior police official Ivica Ivkovic told reporters that those detained were facing charges of inciting violent change of constitutional order — in reference to attempting to overthrow the government — and violent behavior. He added that eight officers were injured, several of them seriously. The opposi...

Pope Francis denounces the weapons industry as he makes a Christmas appeal for peace in the world

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:15:38 GMT

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis on Monday blasted the weapons industry and its “instruments of death” that fuel wars as he made a Christmas Day appeal for peace in the world and in particular between Israel and the Palestinians.Speaking from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to the throngs of people below, Francis said he grieved the “abominable attack” of Hamas against southern Israel on Oct. 7 and called for the release of hostages. And he begged for an end to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and the “appalling harvest of innocent civilians” as he called for humanitarian aid to reach those in need.Francis devoted his Christmas Day blessing to a call for peace in the world, noting that the biblical story of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem sent a message of peace. But he said that Bethlehem “is a place of sorrow and silence” this year.Francis’ annual “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”) speech typically offers a lament of all the misery facing the world, and this ye...

Driver, passenger of scooter critical after car crash on NW Side

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:15:38 GMT

CHICAGO -- A driver and passenger of a scooter are injured after a vehicle crash on the Northwest Side overnight, police said.According to police, the crash happened near the corner of Belden and Cicero in the Belmont Craigin neighborhood around 12:45 a.m.The male driver of the scooter and a male passenger were headed northbound on Cicero when they hit the side of a gray sedan that was travelling westbound. Man shot after pulling knife during fight at Red Line station Both the driver of the scooter and passenger were injured and taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. Police said the driver of the vehicle was not injured and refused treatment from EMS.Citations are pending and police have not said who was at faith in the crash.

How Austin's 'lakes' got their names

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:15:38 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – With its dazzling views, miles of lush trails and recreational activities that allow folks to escape the summer heat, Lady Bird Lake is a true oasis nestled beneath the gleaming towers of Austin’s downtown. If you’re like me, when you first moved to Austin, you may have wondered to yourself, “But is it called 'Lady Bird Lake' or 'Town Lake?' And is it even a lake?” If you’re still confused, here is some historical context on how the “lakes” in Austin were formed and named. MORE: Things you may not know about historic Barton Springs Lake Austin Before we had any lakes in Austin, there was only the Colorado River. That changed in 1893 when a dam was built and formed Lake Austin, which at the time was referred to as Lake McDonald.“It was named after [John McDonald], the mayor who really was seen as being an impetus for getting the dam going,” said Sarah Marshall, who works with the Historic Preservation and Tourism Program for the Austin Parks and Recreation...

A bright week to end the year

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:15:38 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Merry Christmas from David, Jim, Kristen, Nick, Sean, and me. We hope you have a good day celebrating with family and friends.The second of two cold fronts has passed through Central Texas leaving a cold northwest to north wind. After highs that made it to the low 70s yesterday, today's daytime maximum temperatures won't get out of the 50s.Rain was plentiful on Sunday with most of our reporting stations recording more than one inch. The highest daily rain total was at a gauge in Burnet where 2.99" was measured.A record rain was measured at Austin Bergstrom International Airport where 1.66" was recorded, easily breaking the former record of 1.48" set in 1975. Camp Mabry recorded 1.28" Sunday adding to the rains Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. In all, 1.89" was measured during that four-day period.Some of the higher four-day rain totals:3.26" Burnet2.87" Round Rock2.79" Georgetown2.52" Giddings2.46" Hamilton Creek near Marble FallsToday will be partly cloudy with thos...

Texas State takes on Rice in SERVPRO First Responders Bowl, Bobcats' first-ever bowl game

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:15:38 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the first time in FBS program history, the Texas State Bobcats are playing a game outside of the regular season.Texas State (7-5, 4-4 Sun Belt) will take on Rice (6-6, 4-4 American Athletic) Tuesday in the SERVPRO First Responders Bowl at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. The opening kick is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersThe Bobcats are led by the nation's most productive all-purpose back, sophomore Ismail Mahdi. He averaged 167.83 all-purpose yards per game to lead FBS and was the only FBS player to amass more than 2,000 all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving and kick returns). Quarterback TJ Finley had a nice season with 273.92 passing yards per game, No. 19 in FBS, and he helped guide the Bobcats offense to its most total yardage in FBS program history at 5,661.Head coach GJ Kinne turned t...

'We Can Now' fighting to end homelessness in Austin

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:15:38 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The fight to end homelessness in Austin continues, but it's not an easy fix.It takes a coordinated effort from several groups, and it is a continuous fight to make sure once people get off the streets, they stay off the streets."We Can Now" is one of the nonprofits working to make that happen."This is the house," said Carol Parks, who recently experienced homelessness. "This is it. This is for me and my son."Parks takes pride in her new apartment, which she just moved into."Home is where the story begins, and that is home. This is home," Parks said as she pointed to a sign in her kitchen.Parks smiles every time she says the word "home," but at one point in her life, that word seemed unattainable."The economy has been rough on Austin," said Parks. "The rent was so high, and it was hard for me to maintain with kids, so that is when I fell short."When she fell short, Antony Jackson stepped in to help. He helped pay her deposit and offered help with furniture and even ga...

San Bernardino County deputy sheriff arrested for drug possession

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:15:38 GMT

A veteran with the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department has resigned after authorities found him high on drugs with a gun inside a car with a former colleague, authorities said.Jonathan Campos, 32, faces two felony gun and narcotics charges. In mid-November, authorities received a tip that Campos and former San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputy Ricardo Baires, 32, were “involved in drug activity,” the department said in a news release.Narcotics detectives picked up the case and, on Dec. 17, investigators found Baires and Campos sitting inside Baires' vehicle in an empty housing development in Hesperia."Campos was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance which was suspected of being cocaine," the department said. "Although Campos was off-duty at the time of the incident, he was in possession of a firearm."Suspected cocaine and paraphernalia that "indicated sales" were located inside Baires' vehicle, and drug paraphernalia was also found at Campos' residence, aut...