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Maguire Saves Man United, Spurs Win at Ferencvaros in Europa League

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Maguire Saves Man United, Spurs Win at Ferencvaros in Europa League

Harry Maguire’s stoppage-time header salvaged a dramatic 3-3 draw for Manchester United against Porto in the Europa League group stage on Thursday, while Tottenham Hotspur secured a 2-1 victory at Ferencvaros.

United, who led 2-0 after 20 minutes through goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund, saw their advantage evaporate as Porto scored three unanswered goals. Pepe, Samu Omorodion, and a second-half strike from Omorodion put Porto ahead before Maguire’s late equalizer.

United captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the closing stages, adding to the drama at Estadio do Dragao.

In Budapest, Tottenham claimed their first-ever win against Hungarian opposition. Pape Sarr opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, and substitute Brennan Johnson sealed the victory late in the second half. Ferencvaros managed a consolation goal in stoppage time through Varga.

Elsewhere in Europa League action:

– Anderlecht won 2-1 at Real Sociedad in a match briefly halted due to crowd trouble.

– Lazio celebrated Taty Castellanos’ 26th birthday with a 4-1 home victory over Nice.

– Ajax Amsterdam drew 1-1 with Slavia Prague.

– Olympique Lyonnais thrashed Rangers 4-1 in Glasgow.

– IF Elfsborg surprised AS Roma with a 1-0 home win.

– Athletic Bilbao defeated AZ Alkmaar 2-0 at home.

The results reshape the group standings as teams jockey for position in the Europa League’s knockout stage qualification race.

Israeli Military Reports Killing Another Hamas Senior Leader in West Bank

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Israeli Military Reports Killing Another Hamas Senior Leader in West Bank

The Israeli military announced early Friday that it had killed the head of the Hamas network in the West Bank city of Tulkarm during a targeted operation.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified the Hamas operative as Zahi Yaser Abd al-Razeq Oufi. The military did not provide immediate details about the nature of the strike or the specific circumstances surrounding Oufi’s death.

“This operation is part of our ongoing efforts to dismantle Hamas infrastructure in the West Bank,” said an IDF spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity as per military protocol. “Oufi was a key figure in coordinating Hamas activities in the region.”

Palestinian officials have not yet commented on the Israeli military’s claim. The situation in Tulkarm remains tense, with local sources reporting increased Israeli military presence in the area following the operation.

Federal Agents Detain 64 Haitian Migrants Stranded Near Puerto Rico

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Federal Agents Detain 64 Haitian Migrants Stranded Near Puerto Rico

U.S. federal agents detained 64 Haitian migrants on Thursday after smugglers abandoned them on Mona Island, an uninhabited landmass west of Puerto Rico, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported.

Park rangers first discovered the group and alerted authorities. The migrants included 30 men, 28 women, and six minors, according to CBP officials.

This incident marks the third time in recent weeks that Haitian migrants have been left stranded on Mona Island, which lies in treacherous waters between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Two weeks ago, authorities rescued 31 migrants from the island, and last Sunday, an additional 14 were discovered.

“These dangerous smuggling operations put vulnerable migrants at great risk,” said a CBP spokesperson, who requested anonymity to discuss ongoing operations. “We’re seeing an alarming trend of abandonment on Mona Island.”

The recurring incidents highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where gang violence has exacerbated poverty, increased hunger, and left more than 700,000 people homeless in recent years.

Experts point to the challenging conditions in Haiti as the primary driver of this migration. “People are fleeing desperate circumstances,” said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a migration specialist at the University of Puerto Rico. “The journey is perilous, but many see it as their only option.”

Dockworkers’ Union Suspends Strike, Resumes Talks Until Jan. 15

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Dockworkers’ Union Suspends Strike, Resumes Talks Until Jan. 15

The International Longshoremen’s Association, representing 45,000 U.S. dockworkers, agreed Thursday to suspend its three-day strike at East and Gulf coast ports until January 15, allowing time for further contract negotiations.

The union will resume work immediately under the terms of the expired contract, according to a joint statement from the ports and the union. The U.S. Maritime Alliance, representing ports and shipping companies, also reached a tentative agreement on wage increases, though details were not disclosed.

A source familiar with the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the ports increased their wage offer from about 50% over six years to 62%. Any wage agreement would require ratification by union members as part of a final contract.

The strike, which began Tuesday after the contract expired, affected 36 ports from Maine to Texas. It raised concerns about potential goods shortages during the peak holiday shopping season, although many retailers had prepared by stocking up or shipping early.

President Joe Biden expressed optimism about the agreement, telling reporters, “With the grace of God, and the goodwill of neighbors, it’s gonna hold.”

Key issues in the dispute include the union’s demand for a ban on port automation, which they view as a job threat, disagreements over pension contributions, and distribution of royalties on container movements.

The temporary suspension does not require a union membership vote. Negotiations will continue under the framework of the old contract, which expired on September 30.

This development provides a reprieve for the U.S. supply chain, which handles about half of the country’s maritime cargo through these ports. As talks resume, both sides will work to address the remaining points of contention before the new January deadline.

The agreement comes at a critical time for the U.S. economy, with the holiday shopping season in full swing and businesses relying on smooth port operations. The suspension of the strike alleviates immediate concerns about supply chain disruptions, but the outcome of the ongoing negotiations will be closely watched by industries dependent on maritime trade.

AP

6 Migrants Die After Mexican Soldiers Open Fire on Vehicle

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6 Migrants Die After Mexican Soldiers Open Fire on Vehicle

Six migrants died and 10 others were injured when Mexican soldiers opened fire on a vehicle carrying 33 people near the Guatemala border, the Mexican defense ministry said Wednesday.

The incident occurred Tuesday evening about 25 miles north of the Guatemala border in Chiapas state. According to the ministry, a military patrol spotted the migrants’ pickup truck traveling at high speed and apparently attempting to evade a checkpoint.

Soldiers reported hearing explosions before two officers opened fire on the vehicle. The ministry said these officers have been removed from duty pending an investigation.

A police report obtained by Reuters stated that soldiers chased the vehicle after it failed to stop at an army checkpoint. The driver reportedly turned onto a dirt road in an attempt to escape but lost control of the vehicle.

The defense ministry said the migrants were from Egypt, Nepal, Cuba, India, and Pakistan, but did not specify the nationalities of those killed. Four people died at the scene, while two of the 12 wounded succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.

“We are committed to act in strict accordance with the rule of law, under a policy of zero-impunity,” the defense ministry stated, adding it would cooperate with civil authorities to investigate the incident.

This event occurs amid increasing pressure from the United States for Mexico to curb the flow of migrants traveling through the country to reach the U.S.-Mexico border.

Thousands of migrants traverse Mexico annually, often in overcrowded vehicles or atop freight trains, facing risks such as fatal accidents, kidnapping by criminal groups, and extortion by corrupt officials.

The incident has raised concerns about the use of force in migration control efforts and the safety of those attempting the perilous journey north. Federal prosecutors and a military tribunal are set to investigate the shooting.

Gunmen Kill 4, Wound 2 in Attack on Mexican Drug Rehab Center

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Gunmen Kill 4, Wound 2 in Attack on Mexican Drug Rehab Center

Gunmen stormed a drug rehabilitation center in central Mexico late Tuesday, killing four men and wounding two others, state officials reported Wednesday.

The attack occurred in Salamanca, a city in the violence-plagued state of Guanajuato, according to local authorities. The condition of the two wounded individuals remains unclear.

This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in Guanajuato, which has the highest homicide rate of any state in Mexico. The region has been a battleground for a bloody turf war between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the local Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel.

“These attacks on rehabilitation centers are tragically not uncommon,” said a security analyst who requested anonymity due to safety concerns. “They often serve as proxy battlefields in the wider cartel conflicts.”

Mexico’s privately run drug rehabilitation centers, often unregulated and underfunded, have been frequent targets of similar attacks. In 2020, gunmen killed 27 people at a rehab facility in Irapuato, another Guanajuato city. A decade earlier, 19 people died in an attack on a center in Chihuahua, northern Mexico.

Experts point to several factors contributing to the vulnerability of these facilities. Lack of government funding for rehabilitation services often leaves unregistered centers as the only option for poor families seeking help for addicted relatives. Inadequate regulation and oversight of private centers further compound the issue. These clinics sometimes serve as refuges for addicts and dealers fleeing street violence, making them potential targets for rival gangs.

The Mexican government’s limited investment in rehabilitation programs has left a gap that these often clandestine and potentially abusive centers attempt to fill. This latest attack underscores the urgent need for improved security measures and increased support for legitimate drug treatment facilities.

Dominican Republic Plans Mass Deportation of 10,000 Haitians

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Dominican Republic Plans Mass Deportation of 10,000 Haitians

The Dominican Republic announced Wednesday it will begin mass deportations of Haitians living illegally in the country, with plans to expel up to 10,000 people weekly.

Government spokesman Homero Figueroa cited an “excess” of Haitian migrants as the reason for the decision. The move comes as a U.N.-backed mission to combat gang violence in neighboring Haiti struggles to gain traction.

“We’ve observed a significant increase in Haitian migrants entering our country,” Figueroa told reporters in Santo Domingo. “This influx is directly linked to the deteriorating security situation in Haiti.”

The Dominican Republic and Haiti share the island of Hispaniola, with a long history of migration and tension between the two nations.

Figueroa said authorities also agreed to strengthen border surveillance and control, without providing specific details.

Last year, the Dominican Republic deported more than 174,000 people it identified as Haitians. In the first half of this year, at least 67,000 more have been expelled.

President Luis Abinader’s administration has faced criticism from human rights groups for its treatment of Haitians and individuals of Haitian descent born in the Dominican Republic. Abinader has consistently denied any mistreatment.

The announcement follows Abinader’s statement at the U.N. General Assembly last week, where he threatened “drastic measures” if the international mission in Haiti fails. The U.S. has expressed concerns about the mission’s lack of personnel and funding.

Haiti’s ongoing crisis has seen gangs control 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, displacing nearly 700,000 people in recent years and prompting many to flee the country.

Tanzania Bans Online Editions of 3 Newspapers Over Controversial Animation

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Tanzania Bans Online Editions of 3 Newspapers Over Controversial Animation

Tanzania’s media regulator has suspended the online publishing licenses of three leading newspapers for 30 days over an animation deemed critical of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, officials said Wednesday.

The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) banned The Citizen, Mwananchi, and Mwanaspoti from publishing on their websites and social media platforms. The regulator said the content “threatens and is likely to affect and harm national unity and social peace.”

The controversial animation, published by The Citizen on social media, highlighted increasing cases of abductions and disappearances in the country. It depicted a character resembling President Hassan reacting to complaints about killings and abductions.

Mpoki Thomson, The Citizen’s managing editor, said the animation portrayed “events that raised concerns regarding the safety and security of individuals in Tanzania.” The newspaper removed the clip hours after publication, citing “misinterpretation” by the public.

The ban affects all online platforms of the three newspapers, which are run by Mwananchi Communication Limited (MCL). MCL said it would continue to publish print editions and engage with authorities to resolve the issue.

Rights groups and opposition parties have condemned the ban as an attempt to stifle media freedom. The move comes amid accusations that President Hassan’s government is targeting dissenters ahead of next year’s general elections.

“This ban is a clear violation of press freedom and the public’s right to information,” said a spokesperson for the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic.

The suspension follows a recent wave of abductions, arrests, and the killing of an opposition official in Tanzania.

When President Hassan took office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, there were hopes for increased media freedom. However, critics say this latest action suggests a continuation of restrictive policies.

The ban comes two years after Tanzania lifted restrictions on four newspapers that had been barred from publishing since 2016 and 2017 for exposing alleged corruption and human rights violations.

As the situation develops, media watchdogs and international observers continue to monitor press freedom in Tanzania closely.

bbc.com

UK to Transfer Sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius

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UK to Transfer Sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius

The United Kingdom announced Thursday it will cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending a decades-long dispute over the strategically important Indian Ocean archipelago.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth issued a joint statement calling the agreement “a seminal moment” in relations between the two countries.

The deal, still subject to finalization of a treaty, allows the continued operation of a crucial U.S. military base on Diego Garcia, the largest atoll in the archipelago.

“This agreement ensures the long-term, secure and effective operation of the existing base on Diego Garcia which plays a vital role in regional and global security,” the statement said.

Key points of the agreement include:

– The U.S.-UK base will remain on Diego Garcia for an initial period of 99 years.

– Mauritius can begin resettlement on other Chagos Islands, but not Diego Garcia.

– The UK will provide financial support to Mauritius, including annual payments and infrastructure investment.

U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the “historic agreement,” saying it secures the future of a key military installation.

The deal follows years of international pressure on the UK to relinquish control of what some called its “last colony in Africa.” The United Nations General Assembly and International Court of Justice had previously ruled in favor of Mauritius’ claim to the islands.

Mauritius has long argued it was forced to give up the Chagos archipelago in exchange for independence from Britain in 1968. The UK later apologized for forcibly removing over 1,000 islanders to make way for the U.S. base.

Some Chagossians expressed disappointment at their lack of involvement in negotiations. Frankie Bontemps, a second-generation Chagossian in the UK, told the BBC he felt “betrayed” and called for full inclusion of Chagossians in drafting the treaty.

The agreement marks a significant shift in UK policy, reflecting changing global dynamics and the need for broader international support on issues such as Ukraine.

While some British politicians criticized the deal as undermining national security interests, others view it as a peaceful resolution to a long-standing colonial dispute.

The Chagos Islands were among the last remnants of Britain’s once-vast empire. The UK retains sovereignty over 14 other overseas territories, including Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands.

Taiwan Hospital Fire Kills 9 as Typhoon Batters Southern Region

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Taiwan Hospital Fire Kills 9 as Typhoon Batters Southern Region

At least nine people died in a hospital fire in southern Taiwan on Thursday as Typhoon Krathon lashed the island with torrential rains and powerful winds, authorities reported.

The blaze broke out at a hospital in Pingtung county, one of the areas hardest hit by the typhoon. Officials said the victims died from smoke inhalation, while the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

“This is a tragic incident compounded by the severe weather conditions,” said a local fire department spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity due to department policy.

Soldiers from a nearby base assisted medical workers and firefighters in evacuating 176 patients amid pouring rain. Patients were rushed to the hospital’s entrance and transferred to ambulances or placed under tarps before being moved to nearby shelters.

Typhoon Krathon made landfall in the port city of Kaohsiung with winds reaching 126 kph (78 mph) and higher gusts, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau. The slow-moving storm has drenched eastern and southern parts of the island for five days, forcing thousands to evacuate from mountainous and low-lying areas.

“We urge residents in Kaohsiung and Pingtung County to remain indoors as the eye of the storm passes,” a weather bureau official stated during a press briefing.

The typhoon has caused significant damage to various industries, including fishing and chemicals, while disrupting transportation and power networks. Taiwan has made efforts to improve fire safety in public facilities in recent years, including smoking bans and stricter building regulations.

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