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European leaders offer more aid to Tunisia amid efforts to curb migration

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:47:28 GMT

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — European leaders visiting Tunisia held out the promise of more than 1 billion euros in financial aid as well as investments in undersea data cables and renewable energy Sunday in an effort to restore stability to the North African country — and to stem migration from its shores to Europe.Tunisia’s increasingly autocratic president hosted the leaders of Italy, the Netherlands and the European Commission for talks aimed at smoothing the way for an international financial bailout of the increasingly troubled country. Support from Tunisian President Kais Saied is crucial to any European Union deal to curb migration.On the eve of the talks, Saied made an unannounced visit to a migrant camp in the coastal city of Sfax, a central jumping-off point for boat journeys crossing the Mediterranean to Italy. Saied spoke with families living in the camp, and pleaded for international aid for Africans who converge on Tunisia as a transit point to reach Europe.His caring ...

In Yemen, 3 killed in clashes between suspected al-Qaida militants and pro-government forces

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:47:28 GMT

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Clashes between suspected al-Qaida militants and Yemen’s pro-government forces in the country’s south killed three men Saturday, a military official and tribal leaders said.The fighting broke out Saturday evening when militants thought to be al-Qaida members attacked the United Arab Emirates-backed Shabwa Defense Forces near the town of al-Musnaiya in southern Shabwa province with machine guns, two tribal leaders and a military official said. The three spoke on condition of anonymity.They said the gunbattle in the oil-rich province lasted for several hours, killing two Shabwa Defense Forces fighters and one militant before the militants finally withdrew.Yemen’s ruinous civil war began in 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized the capital of Sanaa and much of northern Yemen and forced the government into exile. A Saudi-led coalition including the UAE intervened in 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognized government to power.Al-Qaid...

Gunfire into funeral procession in suburban Chicago wounds 4, police say

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:47:28 GMT

OAK PARK, Ill. (AP) — Shots were fired into vehicles as a funeral procession passed through a Chicago suburb, badly wounding two people and hurting two others, police said.The shooting happened about 1 p.m. Saturday when a white pickup truck pulled alongside a vehicle and someone inside opened fire as the procession traveled from Chicago through the suburb of Oak Park just west of the city, Oak Park police said.Two people in the vehicle were taken to a hospital in critical condition, police said. Two people in another vehicle that was part of the procession were also struck by the gunfire and were treated at a hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening.No bystanders were hurt in the shooting and police made no immediate arrests. Oak Park police said the department had received no warning of risks concerning the funeral procession.Police Chief Shatonya Johnson said the department didn’t believe there was any additional threat to the public.The Associated Press

Ex-Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon arrested by police investigating governing party’s finances

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:47:28 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been arrested by police investigating the finances of the governing Scottish National Party, British media said Sunday.Police Scotland said a 52-year-old woman was detained “as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.”“The woman is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives,” the force said.U.K. police do not name suspects until they are charged. The BBC and other media outlets identified the arrested woman as Sturgeon.Several senior SNP figures have previously been arrested and questioned as part of the investigation. None has been charged.The Associated Press

The show must go on: Putting on a Tony Awards telecast during a writers’ strike

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:47:28 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — New location? No script? No rehearsal? No sweat. Welcome to the 2023 Tony Awards, a show with an extra jolt of electricity this time due to the Hollywood writers’ strike.Unpredictability has been inserted into what is usually an upbeat, safe and chummy night. The strike has left Broadway’s biggest night without a script, in a new venue far from the theater district. A 1 1/2-hour pre-show on Pluto TV from 6:30-8 p.m. Eastern, hosted by Julianne Hough and Skylar Astin, will then throw to the three-hour main event led by Ariana DeBose on CBS and Paramount+ starting at 8 p.m. Eastern.A total of 26 Tony Awards will be handed out Sunday for a season that had 40 new productions — 15 musicals, 24 plays and one special engagement during the first post-pandemic full season. Broadway had some very serious works this season, like the new plays “Cost of Living” and “The Kite Runner” and revivals of “Topdog/Underdog” and “Death of a Salesman,” led by Wendell Pierce. A revival of “...

Cyclist struck by Pace bus in Desplaines

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:47:28 GMT

DES PLAINES, Ill. -- A bicyclist is in serious condition after being struck by a Pace bus Saturday evening. The city of Des Plaines said that the bus struck the individual in the 1000 block of Touhy Avenue around 5:40 p.m. Man, 70, found dead in house fire on far South Side ID’d The bicyclist was taken to a local hospital for serious injuries.The incident is still under investigation.

Sunday Forecast: Rain at times, cooler and windy

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:47:28 GMT

Sunday: Rain at times, breezy & much cooler. Some late day clearing. NNE 15-25, G 30 mph. Beach hazards for all of southern Lake Michigan today due to high waves and swimming risk. Air quality is Moderate only in southern Chicagoland and rapidly improving. Steady temps near 60 almost all day. Sunday Night: Clearing skies & not as breezy. NNW 5-15 mph. Low: 52Monday: Sunny start, with increasing PM clouds & chance of showers. NW 10-15 mphHigh 72, upper 60s by the lakeExtended outlook calls for more sunshine on Tuesday and Wednesday and temps getting closer to seasonal norms by 80 . Slight chance of isolated afternoon showers/t'storms both days. Sunny on Thursday with highs near 80. A sunny start on Friday with a chance of iso. showers/t'storms in the afternoon. Dad's day weekend at this point looking partly cloudy and pleasant with temps in the mid 70s. 

Sunday Brunch: Hummus pizza with Toni Okamoto

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:47:28 GMT

Check out this morning's Sunday Brunch with Toni Okamoto where she shares healthy, vegan recipes that are still fun. Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Interstate 95 lanes partially collapse in Philadelphia after truck fire

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:47:28 GMT

(The Hill) – Northbound Interstate 95 lanes have partially collapsed in Philadelphia after a truck caught fire under the highway, authorities said.Philadelphia’s Office of Emergency Management said in a tweet Sunday morning that all lanes of the interstate were closed in both directions due to "fire/road collapse" between Woodhaven and Aramingo exits."Other streets closed for the response," the agency added. "Avoid area. Plan and seek alternative travel routes."The agency tweeted earlier Sunday that all lanes in the area were closed due to a “large fire.”“All lanes on 1-95 are shut down in both directions nearing Cottman Avenue exit due to large fire. Smoke is visible. Avoid 1-95 approaching Northeast Philadelphia and expect delays,” the office tweeted.6ABC News reported that a tanker truck caught fire beneath an I-95 overpass and flames spread to the I-95 lanes above, causing parts of the highway in the Tacony part of northeast Philadelphia to collapse.NBC 10 reported that the sou...

Homicide investigations underway in Llano County after 2 found dead in river

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:47:28 GMT

LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – On Saturday, two people were found dead floating in the Llano River in Kingsland. Officials have opened homicide investigations regarding the deaths.LCSO said at approximately 10:10 a.m. Saturday, a 911 call was received regarding two people lying face down in the water. Deputies and Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens then responded to the scene.The two people were confirmed to be dead, and Texas Rangers and LCSO investigators were called out to the scene.According to officials, the two deaths were being investigated as homicides.LCSO identified the victims as Mark Baldwin and Kellie Leeann McCormick, both of Kingsland.Officials asked that anyone with any information regarding this case call the Llano County Sheriff’s Office at 325-247-5767 or Hill Country Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-756-TIPS (8477).LCSO said there have not been any arrests made in connection to the investigation, and there was no suspect information currently available.This incident...