‘Pray for us’: Eyewitnesses reveal first clues about a missing boat with up to 200 Rohingya refugees

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:15:58 GMT

‘Pray for us’: Eyewitnesses reveal first clues about a missing boat with up to 200 Rohingya refugees PIDIE, Indonesia (AP) — The screams were heard soon after the ailing boat emerged into view. On board were babies and children, alongside mothers and fathers begging to be saved. The passengers were ethnic Rohingya Muslims who had fled surging gang violence and rampant hunger in the refugee camps of Bangladesh, only to find themselves adrift with a broken engine on the Andaman Sea. For a moment, it appeared their salvation had arrived in the form of another boat carrying Rohingya refugees that had pulled up alongside them. But those on board the other boat — itself overloaded and beginning to leak — knew if they allowed the distressed passengers onto their vessel, it would sink and all would die. They wanted to help, but they also wanted to live.Since November, more than 1,500 Rohingya refugees fleeing Bangladesh by boat have landed in Indonesia’s northern province of Aceh — three-quarters of them women and children. On Thursday, Indonesian authorities spotted another five boats app...

Cuban government defends plans to either cut rations or increase prices

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:15:58 GMT

Cuban government defends plans to either cut rations or increase prices HAVANA (AP) — The Cuban government said Friday it will have to either increase prices for fuel and electricity, or reduce rations for basic supplies. President Miguel Díaz-Canel said such difficult measures were needed for difficult times, after the minister of the economy said Cuba’s economy contracted between 1% and 2% this year, and inflation ran at about 30%. There were problems in the tourism industry — Cuba’s main source of income — and in farm production.“This is a question of complicated measures, as complicated as are these times,” Díaz-Canel said. “I emphatically deny that this is neo-liberal plan against the people, nor a crusade against small businesses, nor an elimination of the basic market basket” that Cubans can get with government coupons.Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz said that because of economic problems, the government will have to raise prices for gasoline, electricity and gas, or reduce the amount of food and other basics contained in governmen...

1 injured after car crashes into Maine Township home

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:15:58 GMT

1 injured after car crashes into Maine Township home MAINE TOWNSHIP, Ill. — A person was injured on Friday night after a car drove through a glass sliding door at an apartment complex in the northwest suburbs.According to police, the crash happened in the 9200 block of Potter Road in Maine Township.Authorities say the car drove across the lawn, through a sliding glass door and into a resident who was inside the unit. High school students help local pastor bring Christmas to 2 families in need Other residents said they felt the building shake when the car crashed through the doors.One person was taken to the hospital following the crash and authorities have not yet provided an update on their condition.According to police, the driver was taken into custody by Cook County police following the crash.Authorities have not yet identified anyone involved.

Government reacts to Maple Avenue Bridge strike

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:15:58 GMT

Government reacts to Maple Avenue Bridge strike GLENVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -The tractor-trailer that was stuck under the Maple Avenue Bridge has been removed from underneath. Crews removing the trailer have taken a break for the night and plan to take it away from the street on Saturday, December 23.The explosion from the compressed gas inside the trailer sent flames over 200 feet in the air and shook communities miles away. Those nearby said it was terrifying."We felt it. You could absolutely. I honestly thought it was a terrorist attack on the air base up there," described Harvey Williams. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The fireball that engulfed the bridge and plunged a neighborhood into the dark has become a long cleanup process. Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara asked how this could have been prevented."What I talked to the governor's office about is being proactive and making the investments if we can do them to prevent these altogether. If it is a big change, a structural change,...

Family pleads for help with St. Louis couple missing days before Christmas

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:15:58 GMT

Family pleads for help with St. Louis couple missing days before Christmas ST. LOUIS - A St. Louis family is frantically searching for a mother of four, just three days before Christmas. Marquisha Williams and Trent Ivy have been reported missing."I love them," said Noah Ivy, the couple's oldest son. Each passing hour without Marquisha Williams is gut-wrenching for her family as they pray for her return. "She's a beautiful person. She loves her kids. She loves her family, her sister, her brother, her mom. She's crazy about her kids," said Norvette Chavis, Williams' mother. Chavis last saw her daughter Wednesday morning when she dropped off one of her kids. Chavis later found out the father of Marquisha's four kids was sitting in Williams' 2020 Jeep Compass. Video shows Williams at her mother's home near Old Halls Ferry and Parker Rd. at 6:04 in the morning. She then walks out of the house to drop off one of the kids at a daycare near Grand and Cook. After that, her family said she took two kids to school near Shreve and I-70. The couple's 11-year...

Illinois cruises to 97-73 win over Mizzou in Braggin' Rights game

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:15:58 GMT

Illinois cruises to 97-73 win over Mizzou in Braggin' Rights game ST. LOUIS (AP) - Terrence Shannon Jr. had 30 points and 11 rebounds, Quincy Guerrier continued a hot stretch with a career-best 28 points and No. 13 Illinois beat Missouri 97-73 in the Braggin’ Rights rivalry game on Friday night.Coleman Hawkins scored 15 and was the first to grab the trophy when it was brought onto the court after the final buzzer. The Illini (9-2, 1-0 Big Ten) gathered in a huddle, hoisted the symbol of their triumph and stomped their feet in celebration.Missouri had its most lopsided victory in the series last year, when it built a 35-point lead on its way to a 93-71 win. But this time the Tigers missed 16 of their first 17 tries from 3-point range while falling behind 49-24 at halftime.Sean East II had 15 of his 18 points in the second half to lead the Tigers (7-5), who lost their third straight. Freshman Trent Pierce scored 12 in his first career start.Smiles all around for the #Illini! They win #BragginRights 97-73! Dominated from about the half way point of t...

Video shows suspects ransacking store at Orange County mall

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:15:58 GMT

Video shows suspects ransacking store at Orange County mall Video captured suspects ransacking a store at an Orange County mall and escaping with thousands of dollars worth of designer sunglasses.Footage of the theft released by Irvine police shows three men entering a Sunglass Hut at the Irvine Spectrum on Oct. 6. They entered the shop shortly before closing time.The trio are seen quickly grabbing handfuls of pricey sunglasses off the store’s display shelves and placing them into plastic bags. After grabbing the merchandise without paying, they calmly walk out of the store’s entrance.Suspects wanted for ransacking an Irvine Spectrum store and escaping with thousands of dollars worth of designer sunglasses on Oct. 6, 2023. (Irvine Police Department)Suspects wanted for ransacking an Irvine Spectrum store and escaping with thousands of dollars worth of designer sunglasses on Oct. 6, 2023. (Irvine Police Department)Suspects wanted for ransacking an Irvine Spectrum store and escaping with thousands of dollars worth of designer sunglasses on Oct....

4 accused of stealing over $200,000 worth of merchandise in Southern California

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:15:58 GMT

4 accused of stealing over $200,000 worth of merchandise in Southern California Four suspects were arrested in connection with at least 40 burglaries across Southern California.The suspects were identified as:-Aaron Kincy, 24, of Los Angeles-Corey Christopher, 24, of Compton-Rasheed Reed, 23, of Compton-Armaun Yerger, 23, of ComptonOn July 23, Riverside County sheriff’s deputies responded to a burglary in Temecula. The suspects entered the business and stole several bottles of high-end alcohol.On Sept. 17, authorities said the same suspects burglarized the same store and stole the same items. The burglars also targeted several businesses in Riverside County and other nearby counties that day.A few days later on Sept. 24, the suspects allegedly burglarized several pharmacies where the same suspect descriptions were given by victims. The thieves took numerous bottles of medication during the theft, deputies said.After an extensive, multi-agency investigation, authorities discovered the suspects had stolen over $200,000 worth of high-end alcohol and prescription m...

Vandalism at Hindu temple in Newark investigated as potential hate crime

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:15:58 GMT

Vandalism at Hindu temple in Newark investigated as potential hate crime A Hindu temple in Newark was found vandalized with graffiti on Friday morning, in what authorities are investigating as a potential hate crime.The defacement of the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple appears to have been a targeted act, according to the Newark Police Department, citing the content of the graffiti. Temple leaders told investigators that the vandalism appeared aimed at intimidating them, police said.“Any acts or threats of violence, property damage, harassment, intimidation, or other crimes motivated by hate or bias are considered very serious and given very high priority,” the police department said in a news release. “Officers are investigating, collecting evidence, and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses in order to establish the chain of events and bring those responsible to justice.”Police were told at 8:35 a.m. Friday of the vandalism at the temple, 36665 Cedar Blvd.Anyone with information about the incident can conta...

Colma police search for woman linked to series of thefts that totaled $15K in stolen merchandise

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:15:58 GMT

Colma police search for woman linked to series of thefts that totaled $15K in stolen merchandise (KRON) -- Police are searching for a woman linked to a series of retail thefts that totaled approximately $15,000 worth of stolen merchandise, the Colma Police Department (CPD) announced Friday. She is linked to at least three thefts from an unnamed business on the 100 block of Colma Boulevard.The suspect is described to be a Black woman in her early 40s. She was seen wearing a black long-sleeve shirt, black pants, black slippers and a black beanie. Serial Bay Area shoplifter arrested 90 times Theft 1This theft happened around 5:15 p.m. on Oct. 4, according to CPD. The woman is accused of stealing $5,628.42 worth of merchandise before fleeing in a white Toyota.Theft 2About a month later on Nov. 11, the suspect allegedly stole approximately $1,500 worth of merchandise before escaping in a white Audi. That theft happened around 7:43 p.m., police said.Theft 3The most recent theft happened this Wednesday at around 8:32 p.m. when the suspect stole $8,244 worth of merchandise from the s...