Jungle between Colombia and Panama becomes highway for migrants from around the world

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:52:59 GMT

Jungle between Colombia and Panama becomes highway for migrants from around the world MEXICO CITY (AP) — Once nearly impenetrable for migrants heading north from Latin America, the jungle between Colombia and Panama this year became a speedy but still treacherous highway for hundreds of thousands of people from around the world.Driven by economic crises, government repression and violence, migrants from China to Haiti decided to risk three days of deep mud, rushing rivers and bandits. Enterprising locals offered guides and porters, set up campsites and sold supplies to migrants, using color-coded wristbands to track who had paid for what.Enabled by social media and Colombian organized crime, more than 506,000 migrants — nearly two-thirds Venezuelans — had crossed the Darien jungle by mid-December, double the 248,000 who set a record the previous year. Before last year, the record was barely 30,000 in 2016. Dana Graber Ladek, the Mexico chief for the United Nation’s International Organization for Migration, said migration flows through the region this year were “histo...

Japan and ASEAN bolster ties at summit focused on security, economy amid China tensions

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:52:59 GMT

Japan and ASEAN bolster ties at summit focused on security, economy amid China tensions TOKYO (AP) — Leaders from Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, at a special summit on Sunday marking their 50th anniversary of friendship, adopted a joint vision that emphasizes security and economic cooperation while respecting the rule of law amid growing tensions with China in regional seas.Ties between Japan and ASEAN used to be largely based on Japanese assistance to the developing economies, in part due to lingering bitterness over Japan’s wartime actions. But in recent years the ties have focused more on security amid China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, while Japan’s postwar pacifist stance and trust-building efforts have fostered friendlier relations.The leaders, in a joint statement, called for strengthening their “mutually beneficial” partnership and working together for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. They also called to pursue greater prosperity for the region and to promote people exchanges among the younger generations, Kishi...

After blowout loss to Lions, Broncos confident they can still make playoffs: “We’re playing some of the best football in the NFL”

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:52:59 GMT

After blowout loss to Lions, Broncos confident they can still make playoffs: “We’re playing some of the best football in the NFL” DETROIT — Almost nothing good happened to Denver over the course of a 42-17 shellacking by the Lions here on Saturday night.But the Broncos also are still very much alive in the AFC postseason picture.Sure, a win would have bolstered Denver’s credentials, but if they were going to lose a game over their final five, this was the one to lose.The challenge, then, is to forget this one ever happened.Except, not right away, defensive tackle D.J. Jones insists.“No, not necessarily,” he said after the game. “We’ll put this behind us tomorrow as a unit, but it’s not easy to just move on. It’s a loss.“We’ll correct it, then move on.”The 24-hour rule applies regardless of how thoroughly you get beat down or how critical the final three games of the season are.Here’s a clean picture of the Broncos’ situation: According to the New York Times’ playoff prediction models, Denver’s chances Saturday night dropped from 42% to 31%. If they win their final thre...

Sheriff's K9 unit involved in suspected DUI crash

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:52:59 GMT

Sheriff's K9 unit involved in suspected DUI crash A collision involving a Ventura County Sheriff’s K9 unit and another vehicle sent two people to the hospital Saturday evening.The crash happened on the Pacific Coast Highway near Deer Creek Road at about 8:40 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. The location is roughly midway between Malibu and Oxnard.According to the CHP, the speeding driver of a white Mercedes was seen traveling into oncoming traffic shortly before the collision.A Ventura County Sheriff K9 unit is seen on rocks next to the ocean following a collision on Dec. 16, 2023. (RMG Media)Firefighters work to free the driver of a suspected DUI crash in Ventura County, California on Dec. 16, 2023. (RMG Media)The crash scene involving a white sedan and a sheriff's K9 unit in Ventura County, California on Dec. 16, 2023. (RMG Media)Video from the scene shows fire crews working to extricate the driver of the badly damaged Mercedes, which was facing southbound in northbound lanes of Highway 1.The impact of the collis...

New information released about 3 Israeli hostages killed by Israeli troops

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:52:59 GMT

New information released about 3 Israeli hostages killed by Israeli troops Three Israeli hostages who were mistakenly shot by Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip had been waving a white flag and were shirtless when they were killed, military officials said Saturday, in Israel's first such acknowledgment of harming any hostages in its war against Hamas.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a nationwide address that the killings “broke my heart, broke the entire nation’s heart,” but he indicated no change in Israel’s intensive military campaign. “We are as committed as ever to continue until the end, until we dismantle Hamas, until we return all our hostages,” he said.Anger over the mistaken killings is likely to increase pressure on the Israeli government to renew Qatar-mediated negotiations with Hamas over swapping more of the remaining captives, which Israel says number 129, for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. Former CIA Director, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta discusses war in Israel  A senior Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, reiterated that there wil...

Saturday "Gayle on the Go!", Saturday, December 16th, 2023

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:52:59 GMT

Saturday It’s Saturday! It’s a busy holiday weekend. There are holiday related events and unusual holiday gifts on today’s “Gayle on the Go!” report.Let me suggest you take a look at the broadcast and then scroll down this page for more information I did not have time to tell you during the broadcast.Enjoy! Please Stay safe! Merry Christmas!  -000- Register Now!AARP Holiday Scam PreventionMonday, December 18thZoom Workshopevents.aarp.orgAccording to the National Council on Aging, scams targeting older adults are on the rise. Last year the NCOA reported 88,262 complaints of fraud resulting in $3.1 billion in losses from people age 60 and older.The agency reports the most common financial scams targeting older people include government impersonation scams, sweepstakes scams, and robocall scams. So, you might want to register right now for the AARP Holiday Scam Prevention Workshop. The Zoom session is scheduled Monday, December 18th at 4pm. Register at events.aarp.org. Christmas Around the Worl...

Cal football: Bears blasted in bowl game

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:52:59 GMT

Cal football: Bears blasted in bowl game Cal’s transition from the Pac-12 to the Atlantic Coast Conference won’t come with any momentum provided by a big showing in a bowl game.The Bears, playing in the postseason for the first time since 2019, led early against Texas Tech but stalled thereafter in a 34-14 loss at the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Saturday night.Cal (6-7) led 7-0 and 14-7 but was outscored 27-0 the rest of the way in its final game representing the Pac-12 before moving to the ACC next fall. The Bears failed in their bid to end a season with four straight victories for the first time since 1993.The Red Raiders (7-6) held Cal to 80 yards combined in the second and third quarters, using balance in their own offense to keep the Bears guessing.Redshirt freshman Fernando Mendoza threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to senior Monroe Young on the game’s first play from scrimmage following a Red Raiders fumble on the opening kickoff.Jaydn Ott ran for a 1-yard touchdown and 14-7 Cal lead late in the first...

SFFD crews respond to grass fire at Baker Beach

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:52:59 GMT

SFFD crews respond to grass fire at Baker Beach SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Crews are responding to a grass fire Saturday night at Baker Beach, the San Francisco Fire Department said on X. The public is asked to avoid the area.SFFD posted about the fire on social media at 10:25 p.m. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. As of 11 p.m., the fire has been extinguished. SFFD says the size of the fire was approximately 25 square feet.A Spare the Air alert was issued this week in the Bay Area, which bans the burning of wood or other solid fuel in the region. Baker Beach is located in the western part of the Presidio. The beach is just north of the Sea Cliff neighborhood.

Tierra de los perdidos: se encuentra una red de lagunas ocultas con fósiles vivientes similares a los de hace más de 3 mil millones de años

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:52:59 GMT

Tierra de los perdidos: se encuentra una red de lagunas ocultas con fósiles vivientes similares a los de hace más de 3 mil millones de años (CNN) —  Los científicos descubrieron un ecosistema previamente oculto con un extenso sistema de lagunas en las llanuras saladas de la Puna de Atacama, una meseta árida en Argentina, con estromatolitos gigantes que podrían permitir vislumbrar la vida más temprana en La Tierra y posiblemente incluso Marte, según una nueva investigación.Los estromatolitos son rocas en capas creadas por el crecimiento de algas verdiazules, o cianobacterias, a través de la fotosíntesis. Las estructuras se consideran uno de los ecosistemas más antiguos de la Tierra, según la NASA, representan la evidencia fósil más antigua de vida en nuestro planeta desde al menos . Hace 3½ mil millones de años“Estos son ciertamente similares a algunos de los primeros macrofósiles de nuestro planeta, y en un tipo de entorno realmente raro en la Tierra moderna”, dijo Brian Hynek, profesor en el departamento de ciencias geológicas de la Universidad de Colorado Boulder, que ayudó a documentar el ecosistema...

Morton and Brooks lead Texas Tech past California 34-14 in Independence Bowl

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:52:59 GMT

Morton and Brooks lead Texas Tech past California 34-14 in Independence Bowl SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — Behren Morton completed 27 of 43 passes for 256 yards and three first-half touchdowns, leading Texas Tech to a 34-14 victory over California in the Independence Bowl on Saturday night. Tahj Brooks ran for 98 yards and a score as the Red Raiders (7-6) shook off a terrible start. They shut out the Golden Bears (6-7) for the final three quarters to win the 47th edition of college football’s 11th-oldest bowl game.Texas Tech led 24-14 at halftime and Brooks, the nation’s fourth-leading rusher, scored the only touchdown of the second half on a 7-yard run in the third quarter.It was the third straight bowl win for the Red Raiders, who fumbled the opening kickoff. Cal freshman Fernando Mendoza then rifled a 25-yard touchdown pass to Monroe Young to give the Bears the lead 15 seconds into the game.California had a golden opportunity to extend it, but Mendoza was injured on a third-down scramble to the Texas Tech 5. Cal passed on the field goal and was stuff...