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Somali security forces end hourslong extremist attack on Mogadishu hotel, state media says

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:45:14 GMT

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Security forces in Somalia have ended an hourslong extremist attack on a beachside hotel in the capital, Mogadishu, state media reported Saturday.There was no immediate official word on any deaths.Al-Qaida’s East Africa affiliate, al-Shabab, claimed responsibility for the attack, which began Friday night. The Somalia-based extremist group is known for carrying out attacks on hotels and other high-profile locations in Mogadishu, usually starting with a suicide bombing.Witnesses had told The Associated Press that some people were trapped inside the Pearl Beach hotel, which is popular with government officials. The Lido Beach area is one of Mogadishu’s most popular.An eyewitness, Abdulle Ali, who went to the scene to look for a missing relative, told the AP that he saw four bodies being put into an ambulance. They all appeared to be civilians, he said.Omar Faruk, The Associated Press

Runway reopens at Tokyo’s Haneda airport after 2 planes bump into each other

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:45:14 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Two passenger planes bumped into each other on a runway at a major Tokyo airport Saturday but no injuries were reported, a government official said.A Thai Airways International jet headed to Bangkok accidentally hit a parked Eva Airways plane headed to Taipei at Haneda airport, said Isamu Yamane, a deputy administrator in the Transport Ministry.The runway was temporarily closed after the incident but reopened about two hours later after it was cleared, Yamane said. Some flights were delayed and the cause of the accident was still under investigation.Footage broadcast by TBS TV News showed two commercial jets stopped on the same runway. NHK TV showed an official picking up what appeared to be part of an airplane wing and removing it from the runway. The airlines were not immediately available for comment and did not answer repeated calls.A winglet on the Thai Airways plane appeared to be damaged, according to photographs and media reports. Winglets are the vertical proje...

Taiwan president pledges to strengthen island’s defense capability with new technologies

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:45:14 GMT

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Saturday said the self-ruled island would work to improve its rescue and defense capabilities with new technologies, adding that strengthening Taiwan is key to maintaining peace. Tsai also pledged that her government would promote policies to safeguard maritime and border security after inspecting an anti-terror drill in Kaohsiung city in southwestern Taiwan. “The safer Taiwan is, the safer the world is,” she said.Tsai’s remarks came as the democratic island faces increasing military threats from China, which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province to be retaken by force if necessary. During Saturday’s drills, Taiwanese security officers demonstrated how they would defend against terrorist acts at sea. Some climbed from small boats onto a vessel controlled by “terrorists” and brought them under control. Others rappelled down from a flying helicopter. The simulation ended with a dramatic scene in which some officers...

Cash-strapped Pakistani government proposes budget, complete with funds to fight climate change

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:45:14 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s cash-strapped government on Friday presented its draft for the national budget, allocating funds to fight climate change despite staggering $30 billion in losses from last summer’s devastating floods.Lawmakers are expected to approve the proposal by the end of the month, after a clause-by-clause discussion.Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s government, which succeeded that of former Premier Imran Khan, has struggled with an unprecedented economic downturn since taking over last year. Meanwhile, talks with the International Monetary Fund for the revival of the $6 billion bailout package have been on the hold since December.The draft budget envisages $940 billion for the next fiscal year, starting July 1, a significant increase from last year’s budget of $786 billion. Of the proposed sum, $1.3 billion is destined for the government’s Climate Change Division — the agency in charge of projects meant to mitigate effects of climate change o...

Renowned artist confronts destruction of African wildlife in latest art show

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:45:14 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Often depicted as an integral feature of the continent, African wildlife, from iconic big beasts to its vast array of species, continues to attract millions of foreign travelers every year.But a new art exhibition in the heart of Johannesburg is questioning the relationship between humans and animals on the continent, which spans centuries and is often marked by the destruction and exploitation of African wildlife for commercial gain and recreational purposes.From the killing of elephants in the 18th century to feed the ivory trade to decimating the rhino population through hunting, artist and photographer Roger Ballen argues — through provocative installations and multimedia works — that humans have been at the forefront of destroying African wildlife for around 200 years.The exhibition, which opened in March this year, is titled ‘End of The Game.’ It explores how depictions of African wildlife, including in Hollywood films, were used to instill stereotypes abou...

One winning ticket sold for Friday’s $22 million Lotto Max jackpot

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:45:14 GMT

TORONTO — Someone in Ontario is waking up $22 million richer.One winning ticket was drawn for Friday’s Lotto Max jackpot.The jackpot for the next draw on June 13 will be an estimated $10 million.The Canadian Press

9 people shot in SF Mission District Friday night

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:45:14 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Nine people were shot in San Francisco's Mission District Friday night, the San Francisco Police Department said. All the victims are expected to survive. The incident appears to be targeted and isolated, according to police.SFPD responded to the area of 24th Street and Treat Avenue at about 9:07 p.m. for the report of a shooting. Multiple gunshot wound victims were taken to local hospitals. The medical conditions of the victims are unknown as of Friday night. The public is asked to avoid the area. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the SFPD at 415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411.This is a developing story. Stick with KRON4 for updates.

Tiroteo en San Francisco deja múltiples heridos

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:45:14 GMT

(CNN) — Al menos cinco personas fueron trasladadas a un hospital tras un tiroteo en el Mission District de San Francisco, informó un funcionario de la ciudad, al tiempo que la policía investiga lo sucedido.El tiroteo ocurrió poco después de las 09:00 pm. hora del Pacífico en la calle 24 y Treat Avenue, según dijo la Policía a CNN.“Cuando los agentes llegaron a la escena localizaron múltiples víctimas que sufrían heridas de bala”, dijo el departamento en un comunicado. “Los agentes convocaron a médicos al lugar para tratar y transportar a las víctimas a los hospitales locales del área”.Santiago Lerma, asistente legislativo de Hillary Ronen, miembro de la Junta de Supervisores de San Francisco, dijo a KPIX, afiliada de CNN, que cinco personas fueron trasladadas al Hospital General Zuckerberg de San Francisco. Una está actualmente en cirugía y el resto están siendo atendidas por lesiones menores.The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc...

Hoerner backs Stroman in 5th straight winning start, Cubs top Giants 3-2

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:45:14 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Cubs manager David Ross sent a text message to Nico Hoerner a night earlier letting the second baseman know he would be held out starting the series opener in San Francisco but to be ready coming off the bench.“OK, thanks skip,” the matter-of-fact reply went.“I know he’s mad,” Ross said Friday night. Then the Cubs called on him and pinch-hitter Hoerner delivered a go-ahead two-run single in the seventh to back Marcus Stroman’s fifth straight winning start and Chicago beat the San Francisco Giants 3-2 to snap a four-game losing streak. Stroman (7-4) has won each time out since a loss at Minnesota on May 14. He allowed two runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings, struck out five and walked four in his team-leading 14th start of the year. “It’s like playing a video game, it really is, the way he’s able to throw the ball both sides of the plate with his sinker, his slider, curveball, change-up,” catcher Tucker Barnhart said. “It’s been so m...

Mitchell scores 22 points, Boston and Smith have double-doubles as Fever beat Lynx 71-69

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:45:14 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kelsey Mitchell scored 22 points, Aliyah Boston and NaLyssa Smith had double-doubles, and the Indiana Fever rallied in the fourth quarter to edge the Minnesota Lynx 71-69 on Friday night.Mitchell made 9 of 16 from the field and added three 3-pointers, Smith had 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Boston added 10 points and 11 rebounds. Erica Wheeler scored 10 points.Back-to-back 3-pointers by Kayla McBride and Rachel Banham gave the Lynx a 52-46 lead with 1:38 left in the third quarter and Minnesota led 55-51 heading into the fourth quarter.The score was tied five times in the fourth quarter before Indiana (2-5) took the lead for good on Mitchell’s three-point play with 1:54 left. A pair of free throws by Wheeler gave the Fever a 71-66 lead near the one-minute mark. Napheesa Collier hit a three-pointer to get Minnesota within two points with 1:01 remaining but neither team scored again.Collier had 28 points and 14 rebounds for Minnesota (1-7) and McBride added 11 point...