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(AP) — Many students at a historically Black college in Missouri returned from Christmas break this week dressed in black, mourning the suicide of a beloved administrator who had alleged bullying and racism by the school's white president. Today, a white president at an HBCU is a rarity, she said. Just 30 miles (50 kilometers) from Lincoln University, anti-racism protests erupted at the University of Missouri’s Columbia campus in 2015, forcing that school’s president to resign. One Black student at the overwhelmingly white campus went on a weeklong hunger strike. Friends of Candia-Bailey said Moseley was never a good fit to lead the historically Black university.

Persons: Antoinette Bonnie Candia, John Moseley, Moseley, ”, Xoe Binford, Victor Pasley, Monica Graham, Bailey, Graham, ” Candia, ” Moseley, Marybeth Gasman, of, Eric Malone, “, wasn’t, ” Kendra Perry, ” Perry, Candia, Pasley, ” Pasley, Cierra Tillman, ” Tillman, Perry, Bonnie, ” ___ Hollingsworth Organizations: JEFFERSON CITY, Lincoln University, University, Rutgers University, Bluefield, Harvard University, U.S, Supreme, University of Missouri’s Columbia, Lincoln, ”, Associated Press Locations: Mo, Missouri, Jefferson City, Lincoln, Candia, Black, Bluefield State, West Virginia, Mission , Kansas

☆ North Korea Says Tests Underwater Nuclear Drone, Criticises US-Led Joint Drills
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Hyonhee ShinSEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea has conducted a test of its underwater nuclear weapons system in a protest against this week's joint military drills by South Korea, the United States and Japan, state media KCNA said on Friday. The test of the "Haeil-5-23" system, a name North Korea has given to its nuclear-capable underwater attack drones, was carried out by the defence ministry's think tank in the waters off its east coast, the report said, without specifying a date. The ministry's unnamed spokesman accused the United States, South Korea and Japan of "getting frantic" with military exercises, warning of "catastrophic consequences." North Korean state television has aired previous atmospheric explosion tests, which have been monitored by U.S. and South Korean authorities, but the reported underwater weapon has not been independently verified. The latest reported underwater test came days after North Korea fired a new intermediate-range, solid-fuel hypersonic missile, which Washington, Seoul and Tokyo condemned as a serious violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Persons: Shin, KCNA, Carl Vinson, Vladimir Putin, Hyonhee ShinEditing, Ed Davies, Michael Perry Organizations: U.S, Korean, North Locations: Shin SEOUL, North Korea, South Korea, United States, Japan, KCNA, North Korean, Washington, Seoul, Tokyo, Russia, Moscow

☆ Night Curfew Imposed in Comoros After President's Re-Election Sparks Protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Abdou MoustoifaMORONI (Reuters) - An overnight curfew has been imposed in the Indian Ocean nation of Comoros after violent protests against President Azali Assoumani's re-election rocked the archipelago, the interior ministry said. Assoumani won a fourth five-year term after the country's electoral body on Tuesday declared him the winner of Sunday's election against five opponents. The interior ministry announced the curfew on Wednesday. He garnered 62.97% of the vote in the latest election, according to the national electoral commission. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights urged for calm and appealed authorities to practise restraint in the wake of protests.

Persons: Abdou Moustoifa MORONI, Azali Assoumani's, Assoumani, Moroni, Houmed Msaidie, Abdou Moustoifa, Bhargav Acharya, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, The United Nations, Human Rights Locations: Comoros, France, Mayotte

☆ Hezbollah Rejected US Overtures, Still Open to Diplomacy to Avoid Wider War
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +9 min

U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein has been leading a diplomatic outreach to restore security at the Israel-Lebanon frontier as the wider region teeters dangerously towards a major escalation of the conflict ignited by the Gaza war. Israel has also said it wants to avoid war, but both sides say they are ready to fight if necessary. Branded a terrorist organisation by Washington, Hezbollah has not been directly involved in talks, three Lebanese officials and a European diplomat said. Hezbollah has dismissed both ideas as unrealistic, the Lebanese officials and the diplomat said. Iran's foreign minister on Wednesday said attacks against Israel and its interests by the "Axis of Resistance" will stop if the Gaza war ends.

Persons: Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily, Amos Hochstein, Hochstein, Israel, Spokespeople, Eylon Levy, Najib Mikati, Mikati, Hamas, Mohanad Hage Ali, Hage Ali, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Nasrallah, Gebeily, Dan Williams, Tom Perry, Steve Holland, Edtiing, Frank Jack Daniel Organizations: U.S, Yemen's, Reuters, Hezbollah, Lebanese, Iran's, Guards, Carnegie Middle East Center Locations: Maya, Maya Gebeily BEIRUT, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen's Iran, Red Sea, U.S, Lebanese, Beirut, Jan, Washington, European, Hochstein, United States, IRAN, Syria, Iraq, Tehran, France, Jerusalem

1 UCLA led by Lew Alcindor — later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — played No. There have been 43 games pitting the nation's top two teams, most recently Gonzaga's victory over UCLA on Nov. 23, 2021. John Shumate and Gary Brokaw led the way against mighty UCLA star Bill Walton, though he would get his revenge. DUKE 85, NORTH CAROLINA 84 — Feb. 9, 2012It would be a “great games” list without one matchup along Tobacco Road. ___For more on the 75th anniversary of the AP Top 25: https://apnews.com/the-ap-top-25-at-75___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 basketball polls throughout the season.

Persons: Lew Alcindor —, Kareem Abdul, Jabbar —, Elvin Hayes, Hayes, ” Hayes, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Bill Bradley, Cazzie Russell, — Jan, Digger Phelps, John Shumate, Gary Brokaw, Bill Walton, Ralph Sampson, Larry Johnson, Greg Anthony, Stacey Augmon, Jerry Tarkanian's, Nolan Richardson's, Walter McCarty, Jeff Brassow, Travis Ford, Austin Rivers, Tyler Zeller, Jan, Buddy Hield, Perry Ellis Organizations: Astrodome, UCLA, Houston, titans, Cougars, Bruins, Associated Press, Michigan State, Indiana State, NCAA, PRINCETON, Madison, Garden, Princeton, Tigers, Wolverines, NOTRE DAME, Fighting Irish, Pauley, CHAMINADE, Wayland Baptist, Cavaliers, UNLV, Razorbacks, KENTUCKY, LSU, Wildcats, DUKE, NORTH, Heels, Devils, Sooners, Kansas, Jayhawks, AP Locations: Texas, Kentucky, MICHIGAN, Michigan, VIRGINIA, Wayland, ARKANSAS, Arkansas, NORTH CAROLINA, KANSAS, OKLAHOMA, Allen, Oklahoma

☆ US Relists Houthis as Terrorists in Response to Red Sea Attacks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Officials said the "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" (SDGT) designation, which hits the Iran-aligned group with harsh sanctions, was aimed at cutting off funding and weapons the Houthis have used to attack or hijack ships in vital Red Sea shipping lanes. The Houthis' campaign has disrupted global commerce, stoked fears of inflation and deepened concern that fallout from the Israel-Hamas war could destabilize the Middle East. "These attacks fit the textbook definition of terrorism," said one of three administration officials who briefed reporters ahead of the announcement on condition of anonymity. The U.S. military on Tuesday carried out its latest strike against four Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles, two U.S. officials told Reuters. The Houthi militia movement, which says the attacks on commercial ships are aimed at supporting the Palestinians in Israel's war in Gaza, has threatened a "strong and effective response."

Persons: Simon Lewis, Steve Holland WASHINGTON, Biden, stoked, Trump, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Steve Holland, Humeyra Pamuk, Michael Perry Organizations: Wednesday, Officials, British, Reuters, Palestinian, Hamas, United Nations Locations: Yemen, Washington, Iran, Israel, The U.S, Gaza, Lebanon, U.S, Saudi Arabia

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A woman has alleged that New York Knicks owner James Dolan sexually assaulted her a decade ago and then set her up to be molested by now-imprisoned film producer Harvey Weinstein, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles. When the tour traveled to Los Angeles, Dolan flew Croft there even though almost no tour members signed up for massage appointments, the lawsuit states. Weinstein is currently serving a 23-year sentence for a rape and sexual assault conviction in New York that is under appeal. The disgraced movie mogul also was found guilty in 2022 in Los Angeles and later sentenced to 16 years for the rape and sexual assault of an Italian actor and model known at the trial as Jane Doe 1. The Los Angeles case is also under appeal.

Persons: —, James Dolan, Harvey Weinstein, Kellye Croft, Dolan, Croft “, Croft, Weinstein, Weinstein “, ”, ” Dolan, Danya Perry, “ Kellye Croft, ” Perry, Adam Silver, Silver, Jane Doe, Mr, Jennifer Bonjean, Anucha Browne Sanders, Isiah Thomas . Dolan, Thomas, Browne Sanders, David Stern, Charles Oakley, __ Mahoney, Beth Harris Organizations: ANGELES, New York Knicks, The Eagles, JD, Associated Press, Madison, Garden Sports Corp, Knicks, NHL’s Rangers, NBA, Garden, longtime Knicks, Madison Square Garden Entertainment, MSG, New York’s Arts, Cultural Affairs Locations: Los Angeles, New York, Italian, Madison, Inglewood , California

☆ Federal lawsuit accuses NY Knicks owner James Dolan, media mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

A woman has alleged that New York Knicks owner James Dolan sexually assaulted her a decade ago and then set her up to be molested by now-imprisoned film producer Harvey Weinstein, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles. When the tour traveled to Los Angeles, Dolan flew Croft there even though almost no tour members signed up for massage appointments, the lawsuit states. When she told Dolan of the alleged attack, he neither seemed surprised nor offered to help her report the assault to police, she alleges. Croft alleges that Dolan knew about Weinstein's misconduct toward women and told her "we all know" that Weinstein "has problems." Weinstein is currently serving a 23-year sentence for a rape and sexual assault conviction in New York that is under appeal.

Persons: James Dolan, Harvey Weinstein, Kellye Croft, Dolan, Croft, Weinstein, Danya Perry, Perry, Adam Silver, Silver, Jane Doe, Mr, Jennifer Bonjean, Anucha Browne Sanders, Isiah Thomas . Dolan, Thomas, Browne Sanders, David Stern, Charles Oakley Organizations: New York Knicks, The Eagles, JD, Associated Press, Madison, Garden Sports Corp, Knicks, NHL's Rangers, NBA, Garden, longtime Knicks, Madison Square Garden Entertainment, MSG, New York's Arts, Cultural Affairs Locations: Los Angeles, New York, Italian, Madison

☆ Turkey Launches Airstrikes Against Militants in Iraq, Syria
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey's military carried out airstrikes against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq and Syria on Monday night, destroying 23 targets, the defence ministry said, sustaining an escalation of conflict south of the country's border. The upswing in violence began on Friday when nine Turkish soldiers were killed in clashes with Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in northern Iraq, prompting Ankara to conduct airstrikes and operations both there and in northern Syria. The latest airstrikes were carried out late on Monday in the Metina, Gara, Hakurk and Qandil regions of northern Iraq as well as in northern Syria to ensure border security and prevent attacks, the ministry said. Turkish forces regularly strike PKK militants based in the mountains of northern Iraq. Turkey has carried out a series of military incursions and bombing campaigns in Syria against the Kurdish YPG militia, which it regards as a wing of the PKK.

Persons: Daren Butler, Michael Perry Organizations: Kurdistan Workers Party, European Union, Kurdish YPG Locations: ISTANBUL, Iraq, Syria, Ankara, Gara, Hakurk, Turkey, United States, Turkish, Kurdish

After making his free throw, Langston Love missed an open 3-pointer that would have given Baylor the lead. Perry was fouled after securing the rebound, and his two foul shots — after he missed one late in regulation — put the game away. Love had 15 points and Jalen Bridges scored 11 to lead the Bears, who were just 5 for 28 from beyond the arc. Jayden Nunn and Bridges scored on consecutive possessions, a rarity for the game, and Baylor strung together nine straight points to regain the lead. Kansas State plays Oklahoma State on Saturday night.

Persons: — Arthur Kaluma, Tylor Perry, RJ Jones, RayJ Dennis, Kaluma, Ja'Kobe Walter, Langston Love, Perry, —, Cam Carter, Love, Jalen Bridges, Walter, Carter, — Baylor, Jayden Nunn, Bridges, Nunn, ___ Organizations: Kansas State, Wildcats, Baylor, Bears, Texas Tech, NEXT Baylor, Texas, . Kansas State, Oklahoma State, AP Locations: Kan

☆ Masseuse accuses New York Knicks owner Jim Dolan of sexually assaulting her and looking the other way when Harvey Weinstein did, too
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

"James Dolan manipulated me, brought me to California to abuse me, and then set me up for a vicious attack by Weinstein," Croft said. "Towards the end of the massage, Dolan pulled Ms. Croft towards him. "On each of these occasions, Dolan made unwelcome advances toward Ms. Croft, and she felt obligated to submit to sex with him." Croft told Dolan that she met Weinstein and that he was "sexually aggressive" with her, and Dolan did not "express any surprise at the news," the lawsuit says. Perry continued: "Mr. Dolan always believed Ms. Croft to be a good person and is surprised she would agree to these claims.

Persons: —, masseuse, Jim Dolan, Harvey Weinstein, Dolan, Weinstein, Kellye Croft, James Dolan, Croft, Croft's, Frank Franklin II, Weinstein —, ETIENNE LAURENT, Danya Perry, Perry, Mr, Douglas Wigdor, Wigdor, Jennifer Bonjean Organizations: Service, Business, Garden Entertainment Corp, New York Knicks, New York Rangers, Attorneys, Eagles, JD, Azoff Company, NBA, Toronto Raptors, AP, Getty Locations: Madison, California, Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Dolan's, Angeles

And the stars appear to be out in force again for the 29th Critics Choice Awards, which this year returns to Santa Monica Airport’s Barker Hangar. “I’m not always playing dark characters.” Michael Tran/AFP/Getty ImagesTracee Ellis Ross in Fendi. Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesMargot Robbie in custom Balmain. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images“May December” actor Charles Melton wore a red Valentino suit paired with a black skinny tie featuring a V-shaped metallic accent. Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesTyler James Williams Jordan Strauss/Invision/APVanessa Morgan Michael Tran/AFP/Getty ImagesBrit Marling Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty ImagesTatanka Means Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Persons: Santa Monica, Barker, Margot Robbie, Bella Ramsey, Pedro Pascal, “ Rustin ”, Colman Domingo, Rosamund Pike Jordan Strauss, Jeremy Allen White Amy Sussman, WireImage, Jennifer Aniston Jordan Strauss, Lily Gladstone Michael Tran, Rustin, Valentino, ”, “ I’m, ” Michael Tran, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jordan Strauss, Pedro Pascal Frazer Harrison, Greta Lee Jordan Strauss, Allison Williams Jordan Strauss, Moorjani Christopher Polk, Moorjani Gilbert Flores, Rachel Brosnahan Alberto Rodriguez, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt Matt Winkelmeyer, Billie Eilish, Thom Browne, Michael Tran, Christina Ricci Frazer Harrison, Kieran Culkin, Martin Katz, Danielle Brooks, Monsoori, Frazer Harrison, Matt Winkelmeyer, Charles Melton, Chelsea Handler, Alex Perry, Quinta Brunson Frazer Harrison, Dominic Sessa Jordan Strauss, Singer Dua Lipa, Tyler James Williams Jordan Strauss, Vanessa Morgan Michael Tran Organizations: CNN, Globes, Hollywood, Santa, Golden Globes, Getty, Variety, Singer Dua, Tiffany Locations: AFP, Fendi, Balmain

☆ U.S. Military in Japan to Deploy to Earthquake-Hit Area - Sources
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO (Reuters) - U.S. military forces in Japan are set to deploy to the earthquake-hit Noto peninsula to help with relief efforts, sources familiar with the matter said. Details of the mission are expected to be announced later on Tuesday, the sources said on condition of anonymity as the plans have not yet been made public. The quake is Japan's deadliest since 2016 when quakes in the southwestern region of Kumamoto claimed 276 lives. U.S. forces have been stationed in Japan since World War II, marking the country's biggest military presence abroad. (Reporting by Yukiko Toyoda, Nobuhiro Kubo, Tim Kelly, Kaori Kaneko; Writing by John Geddie; Editing by Michael Perry)

Persons: Yukiko Toyoda, Nobuhiro Kubo, Tim Kelly, Kaori Kaneko, John Geddie, Michael Perry Organizations: Authorities Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Noto, Kumamoto, U.S

☆ Ukraine Foreign Minister Muses About 'Punching' Russia's Lavrov
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Kuleba said at the time that the talks in Turkey had been difficult and dealt with a ceasefire and arranging humanitarian corridors. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejects talks with Moscow until Russian troops are withdrawn from the slightly less than 20 percent of Ukraine they now hold. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin says Russia is ready for talks but has vowed to pursue what Moscow calls its "special military operation". In Moscow, Russia Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Kuleba's latest remarks underscored the incompetence of Ukraine's leadership. "Perhaps he belongs in a no-holds-barred bout rather than the foreign ministry?"

Persons: Dmytro Kuleba, Sergei Lavrov, Kuleba, Lavrov, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Vladimir Putin, Maria Zakharova, Zakharova, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Ukrainian, Moscow, Russia Foreign Locations: Ukrainian, Antalya, Ukraine's, Belarus, Turkey, Moscow, Ukraine, Russia

“Conditions right now in Orchard Park, where the game would have started moments ago,” she wrote early Sunday afternoon. Sub-zero wind chills will grip much of the country, plunging to 50 degrees below zero in Montana and the Dakotas. Other parts of the country could see temperatures drop 25 to 40 degrees below normal, from the Rockies to the Ohio Valley. Even places like Florida won’t be spared from turbulent weather, with forecasts predicting showers and thunderstorms from Monday into Tuesday. The utility said it was watching a second weather pattern that could bring high winds and freezing rain on Tuesday.

Persons: Donald Trump, ‘ Darling, Kathy Hochul, ”, diehard, Logan Eschrich, ___ Weber, Russ Bynum, Nathan Ellgren, Philip Marcelo, Nick Perry, Julie Walker, Bobby Caina Calvan Organizations: NFL, National Weather Service, Northern Rockies, Pittsburgh Steelers, . Buffalo Bills NFL, New York Gov, Bills, South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Rockies, Portland General Electric, Omaha Public Power District, Buffalo Niagara International, Associated Press Locations: PORTLAND, Iowa, Kansas, Northwest, Buffalo , New York, Buffalo, Orchard Park, New York, Lake Erie, Snow, Montana, Ohio, Texas, Southern Plains and Southern, Florida, Oregon, Portland, Michigan , New York , Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, In Nebraska, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, Tacoma, Los Angeles, Savannah , Georgia, Des Moines , Iowa, Long Island , New York, Meredith , New Hampshire, New York City

☆ Philippines Reaffirms 'One China Policy' After President Marcos Congratulates Taiwan's Lai
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines' foreign ministry on Tuesday reaffirmed the country's "One China policy" after its president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., congratulated Taiwan's new leader Lai Ching-te. Marcos on Monday congratulated Lai for winning Taiwan's election, referring to him as its next president. The message was Marcos' way of recognising the Philippines and Taiwan's "mutual interests", including the 200,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the democratically governed island, the foreign ministry said in a statement. "The message of President Marcos congratulating the new president was his way of thanking them for hosting our OFWs and holding a successful democratic process. Nevertheless, the Philippines reaffirms its One China Policy," the statement said.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Taiwan's, Lai Ching, Marcos, Lai, Antony Blinken, Yoko Kamikawa, Mikhail Flores, Kanupriya Kapoor, Michael Perry Organizations: U.S, Office Locations: MANILA, Philippines, Beijing, Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, Taipei, Manila

☆ Four Dead in Arizona Hot Air Balloon Crash
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Daniel Trotta(Reuters) - Four people including the pilot died and another person was critically injured when their hot air balloon crashed into the Arizona desert on Sunday after eight skydivers had successfully jumped out of the basket, investigators said. "The balloon impacted desert terrain following an unspecified problem with its envelope," the NTSB said, referring to the outer bag of the balloon. "It is important to clarify that the skydiving was intentional and was successfully completed by all skydivers before any issues with the hot air balloon were evident," the Eloy Police Department said in a statement. Survivor Valerie Stutterheim, 23, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was in critical condition, police said. The company operating the flight, Droplyne Hot Air Balloon Rides, had a perfect safety record, according to its website.

Persons: Daniel Trotta, skydivers, Wiescholek, Kaitlynn Bartrom, Atahan Kiliccote, Cornelius Van Der Walt, Valerie Stutterheim, Droplyne, Eloy, Michael Perry Organizations: U.S . National Transportation Safety, NTSB, Eloy Police Department, Police, South, Company Locations: Arizona, Eloy, Phoenix, Washington, Union City , Michigan, Andrews , Indiana, Cupertino , California, South African, Scottsdale , Arizona, Moab , Utah, Carlsbad , California

☆ Iowa principal who risked his life to protect students dies 10 days after high school shooting
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Karen Cortes | Mirna Alsharif | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Police respond to Perry High School in Perry, Iowa., Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Police say there has been a shooting at the city's high school. The beloved principal who was injured after a gunman opened fire at a high school in Iowa has died after 10 days in the hospital. In 2003, he supported students after a middle school student died when he was struck by a car driven by a 16-year-old sophomore. The shooting at Perry High School happened around 7:37 a.m. before school had started on the first day back after winter break.

Persons: Dan Marburger, Marburger, Claire, Kim Reynolds, Dan Marburger's, Kevin, Reynolds, Dan, Mitch Mortvedt Organizations: Perry High School, Police, Perry, Des Moines, Iowa Division, Criminal Investigation, Authorities Locations: Perry , Iowa, Iowa, Decorah

☆ Former US Officials to Visit Taiwan for Post-Election Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Two former senior U.S. officials will arrive in Taiwan on Sunday for post-election talks and underscore the U.S. government's "longstanding interest" in peace across the Taiwan Strait, the de facto U.S. embassy in Taipei said. In a show of support for the government, a senior administration official said last week that President Joe Biden planned to send an unofficial delegation to the Chinese-claimed island. "As we have done previously following a Taiwan presidential election, the U.S. government has asked former senior officials to travel in their private capacity to Taiwan," AIT said, adding its U.S.-based Chair Laura Rosenberger would be accompanying. China has stepped up its military and political pressure against Taiwan over the past four years. Both have offered talks with China but been rebuffed.

Persons: Lai Ching, Joe Biden, Biden, Stephen Hadley, State James Steinberg, Laura Rosenberger, Taiwan's, Lai, Tsai Ing, Ben Blanchard, Michael Perry, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: U.S, Democratic Progressive Party, The American Institute, National Security, State, Reuters Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, Taipei, Beijing, U.S, China

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa principal who put himself in harm’s way to protect students during a school shooting earlier this month died Sunday, a funeral home confirmed. Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory confirmed the death of Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger after the family announced it on a GoFundMe page. An 11-year-old middle school student was killed in the shooting, and six other people were injured. Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation spokesman Mitch Mortvedt said after the shooting that Marburger did some “pretty significant things” to protect others, but didn’t release details. Perry Superintendent Clark Wicks said Marburger was a “hero” who intervened with the teenage gunman so students could escape.

Persons: Caldwell Parrish, Crematory, Dan Marburger, Marburger, Marburger “, Marburger's, Elizabeth, “ Dan, Perry, Claire Marburger, ”, “ That’s, ” Marburger, Mitch Mortvedt, Clark Wicks, Ahmir Jolliff, Mortvedt, Dylan Butler, “, ___ Ahmed, Josh Funk Organizations: DES, Perry High School, of Public Safety, ”, Iowa, Criminal, Authorities, Associated Press Locations: DES MOINES, Iowa, An Iowa, Minneapolis, Omaha , Nebraska

☆ In Gaza, a Family Suffer Painful Wait for Children's Bodies
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

"We pray to God that we will be able to pull them out and see them," said Abu Aweidah. They were among 16 children killed in the strike that day, one of them his 18-month-old son, whose body was recovered, he said. Abu Aweidah said his son had been "martyred in his sleep" after he'd put him to bed, asking what the infant had done to deserve such a fate. Khaled Abu Aweidah, another relative, said his son Ihab and six grandchildren were among family members killed in the strike. Ziad Mansour, a neighbour, recalled how he used to watch from his balcony as the Abu Aweidah children played.

Persons: Fadi Shana, Mohammed Salem, Omar, Abdullah, Massa, Mohammad Abu Aweidah, Abu Aweidah, he'd, Khaled Abu Aweidah, Ihab, Ziad Mansour, Mohammad, Nuha Sharaf, Tom Perry, William Maclean Organizations: Hamas, Health Locations: Mohammed Salem RAFAH, Gaza, Rafah, Israel

☆ China Calls for Larger-Scale Peace Conference on Gaza Crisis -Wang Yi
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - China Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the war in Gaza continues to escalate and China is calling for a larger-scale, more authoritative and effective international peace conference and a concrete timetable to implement a two-state solution. Wang made the comments to reporters after talks with the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, sharing his views on the Israel-Hamas war, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry late on Sunday. Wang, China's top diplomat, is currently travelling through Egypt, Tunisia, Togo and the Ivory Coast until Thursday. Wang said the infrastructure of the Gaza Strip has been completely destroyed, with millions struggling to survive. He said China has decided to provide a third tranche of emergency humanitarian assistance.

Persons: Wang Yi, Wang, Sameh Shoukry, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Bernard Orr, Sonali Paul, Michael Perry Organizations: China Foreign, Egyptian Foreign, League of, Xinhua, West Bank Locations: BEIJING, Gaza, China, Cairo, Israel, Egypt, Tunisia, Togo, Ivory Coast, League of Arab, East Jerusalem

☆ Biden: US Does Not Support Taiwan Independence
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Steve Holland, Nandita Bose and Trevor HunnicuttWASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden said on Saturday the United States does not support the independence of Taiwan, after Taiwanese voters rebuffed China and gave the ruling party a third presidential term. "We do not support independence..." Biden said, when asked for reaction to Saturday's elections. The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 and has long said it does not support a formal declaration of independence by Taiwan. It does, however, maintain unofficial relations with the self-governed island and remains its most important backer and arms supplier. In a show of support for the government, Biden plans to dispatch an unofficial delegation to the self-governed island, according to a senior Biden administration official.

Persons: Steve Holland, Nandita Bose, Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai Ching, Biden, Lai, Antony Blinken, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, Tsai Ing, Jimmy Carter, Trevor Hunnicutt, Diane Craft, Michael Perry Organizations: Democratic Progressive, United, U.S ., Biden Locations: United States, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taipei, Republic of Taiwan, Washington, U.S, California

☆ Hundreds of Firefighters Battle Western Australia Wildfire
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Hundreds of firefighters on Sunday battled an out-of-control bushfire near Western Australia's capital Perth, prompting authorities to urge residents in the fire's path to flee. A high-risk bushfire season is underway in Australia due to an El Nino weather event, associated with events such as cyclones, droughts, heatwaves and wildfires. A state Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said 240 firefighters were battling the blaze, which was at emergency level, the highest threat rating. "If the way is clear, leave now for a safer place," the agency said on its website. The nation's weather forecaster on Sunday issued a warning for "extreme fire danger" in some parts of Western Australia state amid a heatwave alert in place since Saturday.

Persons: Australia's, Sam McKeith, Michael Perry Organizations: SYDNEY, Sunday, of Fire, Emergency Services Locations: Western Australia's, Perth, Gingin, Chittering, Australia, El Nino, Western Australia, Turkey, Sydney

☆ The brilliantly bizarre world of ‘Candy, Andy and the Bearandas’
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-09 | by ( Zoe Whitfield | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —To immerse yourself in the pages of new book “Candy, Andy & The Bearandas” is to delve into a surreal world that riffs on the peculiar while invoking the familiar. Alan Dein/Anderson Entertainment/Courtesy Four Corners Books“It’s very strange, dad never once mentioned ‘Candy’,” Jamie Anderson, the creator’s son, told CNN in an interview. But it was only after he died (in 2012), somebody sent me an eBay listing (of a “Candy” comic) and said, ‘did you know this is one of your dad’s as well?’. “They look like a parody in a way, when you (compare) ‘Candy and Andy’ and ‘Thunderbirds,’ you can scarcely believe they were by the same company.”Some scenes feature the Candy and Andy mannequins with real people. Alan Dein/Anderson Entertainment/Courtesy Four Corners BooksIndeed, the two are worlds apart.

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