USA Breaking News

13 CIUDAD ACUÑA, Mexico (AP) — A camp where more than 14,000 migrants had waited along the Texas border just days ago was dramatically smaller Thursday, while across the river in Mexico, Haitian migrants in a growing camp awoke surrounded by security forces as a helicopter thundered overhead . The number of migrants at the Texas camp had been reduced to 3,671, Val Verde County Judge Lewis Owens said Thursday morning. Authorities over the past day or so had ramped up efforts to remove migrants from the camp, said Owens, the top elected official in the county where Del Rio is located. The United States and Mexico appeared eager to end the increasingly politicized humanitarian situation at the border, even as the U.S. expulsion of Haitians to their troubled homeland caused blowback for the administration of President Joe Biden. The Biden administration’s special envoy to Haiti, Daniel Foote, …

Continue Reading about Mexican forces surround border migrant camp →

NEW YORK (AP) — Amid the Boy Scouts of America’s complex bankruptcy case, there is worsening friction between the BSA and the major religious groups that help it run thousands of scout units. At issue: the churches’ fears that an eventual settlement — while protecting the BSA from future sex-abuse lawsuits — could leave many churches unprotected. The Boy Scouts sought bankruptcy protection in February 2020 in an effort to halt individual lawsuits and create a huge compensation fund for thousands of men who say they were molested as youngsters by scoutmasters or other leaders. At the time, the national organization estimated it might face 5,000 cases; it now faces 82,500. In July, the BSA proposed an $850 million deal that would bar further lawsuits against it and its local councils. The deal did not cover the more than 40,000 organizations that have charters with the BSA to sponsor scout units, including many churches from major religious denominations that are now questioning …

Continue Reading about Boy Scouts’ bankruptcy creates rift with religious partners →

17 Millions of people have found solace during the pandemic in cuddling a dog or cat. For a few, comfort comes in other forms — those of a horse or a pig, perhaps a possum-like sugar glider or even a tarantula. As the new coronavirus began to circulate last year, Luciana Benetti found her plans for a big traditional 15th birthday party scrapped. In its place, her parents gave her a pig. Chanchi turned out to be a loyal and loving companion — racing to her side when she fainted. “One day my legs gave way and he came running. He grabbed my hair and raised my head," she said. She had been taking online classes at home, unable to see friends or schoolmates. “I didn't feel well. I was dizzy because I couldn't leave.” Without Chanchi, “I wouldn't be me,” said Benetti, who often sleeps alongside the 20-kilo (45-pound) Juliana pig that greets her with a squeal of …

Continue Reading about Some Argentines turn to unusual pandemic pets for comfort →

3 NEW YORK (AP) — Inside the notorious federal jail in Lower Manhattan, small chunks of concrete fall from the ceiling. Freezing temperatures force inmates to stuff old coronavirus face masks into vents to try to stop the cold air. One cell is off-limits because the door is now unstable - likely because of the constant pounding over the years from the prisoners inside on the cinder block walls. Once hailed as a prototype for a new kind of federal jail and the most secure in the country, the Metropolitan Correctional Center has become a blighted wreck, so deteriorated it's impossible to safely house inmates The Justice Department said last month it would close the jail in the next months to undertake much-needed repairs - but it may never reopen. The Associated Press was granted rare access inside — the first time a reporter has toured the facility since wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein killed himself there in August 2019. His death exposed a slew …

Continue Reading about The jail where Jeffrey Epstein killed himself is crumbling →

(CNN) Get ready all you cool cats and kittens, Netflix has announced "Tiger King 2" is coming coming to the streaming service. The first season of the series, "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness," was told over seven episodes. The second season was filmed in 2020 and into part of 2021. It's not known which colorful characters from the first season will be featured. Tiger King is coming back this year — and Season 2 promises just as much mayhem and madness as Season 1! pic.twitter.com/mFBUxtAl6i — Netflix (@netflix) September 23, 2021 Directors Eric Goode and Rebecca Chaiklin told the story of "Joe Exotic," or Joseph Maldonado-Passage, who kept tigers, lions and other big cats in Oklahoma. The docuseries explored a murder-for-hire plot against Carole Baskin, a woman who ran a facility called Big Cat Rescue and had lobbied to shut down facilities like the one Maldonado-Passage managed. Baskin was able to finance her battle through …

Continue Reading about ‘Tiger King 2’ is coming to Netflix →

(CNN) Despite its Broadway credentials, "Dear Evan Hansen" hits screens faced with an inherent tension: Can its songs and cast, led by Ben Platt reprising his Tony-winning role , overcome the uncomfortable premise and problematic protagonist? The answer is not completely, despite tweaks seemingly made specifically to try softening those edges. Although one might think an acclaimed musical wouldn't warrant such concerns, the nature of the story -- about a misunderstanding that becomes a lie, at first kind in its intentions but increasingly cruel as it drags on -- won't be for everyone. And while there are a few beautiful songs from the team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ( "La La Land" and "The Greatest Showman" ), at points that feels like modest compensation for watching this slow-motion train wreck unfold. At its core, the story does say profound things about the nature of grief and mental health, and perhaps most pointedly how people frequently respond to tragedy in ways …

Continue Reading about ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ and its Broadway pedigree get lost in translation →

The Gulf Coast Ike Dike is a large, often controversial topic throughout Texas. But given the longstanding confusion around the project, its plans, timeline and funding, many no longer understand everything it entails. In broad terms, the "Ike Dike" refers to a longstanding proposal to shore up dunes on Galveston and High islands, raise the seawall and construct a large, moveable gate at the mouth of Galveston Bay to protect the Texas coastline from the worst swells and storms. Proponents of the project say it's a vitally important piece of infrastructure for Texas, one that could curb the billions of dollars in damage and lost wages anticipated when the next catastrophic hurricane forms in the Gulf of Mexico. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know: Why it's called the "Ike Dike" One favored " Ike Dike " concept was developed by Bill Merrell, a marine sciences expert at Texas A&M University at Galveston. Merrell began crafting his plans for the protective barrier …

Continue Reading about What is the Ike Dike? The Gulf Coast storm surge barrier, explained →

5 LONDON (AP) — The name’s Craig, Commander Craig. Britain’s Royal Navy said Thursday that James Bond star Daniel Craig has been made an honorary commander in the service — the same rank held by the fictional secret agent. In Ian Fleming’s spy thrillers, which spawned the film franchise, Bond is a World War II naval veteran working for Britain’s secret service with a “license to kill.” Craig was made an honorary naval officer ahead of the release of “No Time to Die,” his fifth and likely final appearance as 007. Since the series began in the 1960s, the Bond thrillers have brought welcome — though unofficial and fanciful — publicity to Britain’s military and intelligence services. Britain’s armed forces allowed bases and personnel to be used in making “No Time to Die.” First Sea Lord Adm. Tony Radakin, head of the Royal Navy, said Craig “is well known for being Commander Bond for the last 15 years — a Naval officer who keeps …

Continue Reading about Commander Craig: 007 star made honorary Royal Navy officer →

Taylor Heinicke hopes he is the answer to the Washington Football Team's quarterback problems this season ... and for many seasons to come. Washington started the 2021 season with veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, but Fitzpatrick hurt his hip in the first game. It's uncertain when Fitzpatrick will be able to play. Heinicke stepped in and played well, especially in the WFT's 30-29 win over the New York Giants. Heinicke is not the kind of first-round draft pick, "can't miss" quarterback some teams have. Although he threw for 132 touchdowns and ran for 22 more during his four seasons (2011 to 2014) at Old Dominion University, no National Football League (NFL) team drafted him in 2015. Since then, Heinicke has moved around the NFL, hardly ever getting a chance to play. He didn't play at all last fall. Now, at 28 years old, Heinicke is getting his chance. I wonder: How many quarterbacks such as Heinicke, who were not drafted and did not become starters until later, became …

Continue Reading about Taylor Heinicke isn’t only unlikely starting quarterback in NFL history →

2 COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina lawyer charged with trying to arrange his own death steered the family of a housekeeper who died in his home to use a longtime friend as their attorney without revealing their friendship and then tried to take a $4 million settlement, according to the family's lawyer. Alex Murdaugh also tried to convince a friend of his son to use the same lawyer again without revealing their friendship as investigators tried to sort out who was driving a boat in a 2019 fatal crash, according to a lawsuit filed this week. Murdugh's son would eventually be charged. That son, Paul Murdaugh, was killed along with his mother, Maggie, in an unsolved shooting at the family's home in June. Since the deaths, state police have started a half-dozen investigations into the Murdaugh family. Alex Murdaugh remains in out-of-state drug rehab, which he entered shortly before being charged with insurance fraud and filing a false police report for …

Continue Reading about Lawsuits: Murdaugh used attorney friend to manipulate →