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Ecuador investigates the kidnapping of a British businessman and former honorary consul

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:17 GMT

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuadorian authorities said Thursday they are investigating the kidnapping of a British businessman and former honorary consul, who was rescued by police after being abducted over the weekend.The prosecutors’ press office said that several units are following some leads after police arrested nine suspects linked to the kidnapping of Colin Armstrong, but it didn’t provide further details.Armstrong, 78, is an agricultural businessman who lives in the Ecuadorian city of Baba, more than 100 kilometers southwest of the capital, Quito. He was honorary consul in the port city of Guayaquil until 2016.Armed people entered Armstrong home on Saturday and took him along with a woman, identified as his partner. They took them in the businessman’s own car, which was later abandoned and located near the area.The commander of the National Police, Gen. César Zapata, said Wednesday that Armstrong was freed Tuesday night by police agents in the coastal province ...

Liberals echo Hamas condemnation after militant leader hails Canada ceasefire stance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:17 GMT

OTTAWA — The Liberals are stressing that Hamas needs to surrender to Israel, after the militant group praised Ottawa for calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the group can no longer have a role in governing Gaza or in creating a Palestinian state living in peace alongside Israel.This week, Hamas released a video message from one of its top officials, Ghazi Hamad, who thanked Canada, Australia and New Zealand for a statement that called on Israel to end its bombardment of Gaza.Hamad did not mention that the statement also demanded that his group surrender, release all hostages and stop using Palestinians as human shields.The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs says the video is the result of a “failure to hold Hamas accountable,” and notes that Ottawa deems the group to be a terrorist organization.Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly released a statement late Wednesday on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, noting that the ...

Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago sets up toy shop to help make the holidays special for families

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:17 GMT

CHICAGO — It's the time of year when many people are frantically running around trying to pick up gifts. But families who have children in the hospital may not be able to do that. That's why Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago is hosting its annual Winter Wonderland Toy Shop in the hospital's 11th-floor conference center.Parents can come in and pick out all kinds of donated holiday gifts — from baby dolls to race cars, books and pajamas — for patients and their siblings.  And if parents can’t leave the hospital room, there are volunteers who can do the shopping for them. The best part? It’s all free.The shopping started Wednesday and wraps up Thursday afternoon. Lurie estimates about 700 patients and their siblings will receive holiday gifts. One Rockford family, which has 3-month-old Leilani in Lurie's neonatal intensive care unit and two toddlers back at home, said the generosity was a huge relief."I just thought maybe, like, two gifts," Leilani's mom, mom Mariah Culvey said. ".....

2.5M Honda, Acura vehicles recalled over defect linked to engine failure, stalling

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:17 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Honda Motor's American arm is recalling more than 2.5 million vehicles in the U.S. due to a fuel pump defect that can increase risks of engine failure or stalling while driving.According to documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the fuel pump impeller used in 2017-2020 Acura and Honda vehicles was improperly molded. This results in low-density impellers, which “can deform and interfere with the fuel pump body” over time, regulators said, leading to an inoperative fuel pump.If the fuel pump module doesn't work, the car's engine may not start or can stall while driving, the NHTSA said, increasing crash and injury risks. Honda says it has not received any crash or injury reports related to this recall to date. Toyota recalls 1 million vehicles over possible airbag failure The automaker said Thursday that it will replace fuel pumps for all vehicles impacted by the recall at no cost in separate phases, with the first batch of owner no...

Ed Burke trial: After quiet Wednesday, deliberations continue

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:17 GMT

CHICAGO — After a quiet Wednesday in the Ed Burke trial, jurors are back at the Dirksen Federal Building to decide the fate of the former powerful alderman.The jury has been deliberating for roughly 21 hours now. They offered few hints to its progress Wednesday — sending no notes or questions to Judge Virginia Kendall.Legal experts said the case is a complex one and could take quite some time for jurors to decide.The most complicated aspect is count one of the indictment, which is the racketeering charge. It allows federal prosecutors to tie together seemingly unrelated acts as a pattern.There are also a number of criteria that must be met to to find someone guilty under those specific charges. Jurors are reviewing evidence in four alleged schemes.Those schemes allegedly tie Burke to a Burger King franchise, the Field Museum, a Binny's Beverage Depot sign and the redevelopment of the Old Chicago Main Post Office.With the deliberations in its first week, two other infamous federal co...

Teen charged with aggravated robbery in connection with stolen car out of Pflugerville

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:17 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — A 17-year-old was arrested and charged with an aggravated robbery in Travis County for an incident that occurred Dec. 14, according to court documents.KXAN reached out to the teen’s attorney. This story will be updated if a statement is received.According to documents, a vehicle was stolen while at a corner store in the 3100 block of East Pecan Street in Pflugerville. A victim said he was held at gunpoint and forced to hand over his keys and wallet to a suspect.Court documents said the teen was later found driving the stolen vehicle and was accused of evading law enforcement.Throughout the investigation, officers learned the teen had been involved in multiple separate robberies that occurred in both Pflugerville and Austin on Dec. 14. The separate robberies were still under investigation, according to court documents.As of Dec. 16, records showed the teen had a...

Hear that? The hissing Texas mushroom is blooming

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The Texas star mushrooms are blooming -- and hissing -- throughout Central Texas. The Texas star – scientific name Chorioactis Geaster and commonly known as both the Devil’s Cigar and Texas star – is the official State Mushroom of Texas. Legislation designating it as such was filed in 2021 by former House Rep. Ben Leman and later signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott. Did you know Texas has an official state mushroom that hisses? The mushroom appears during cooler months and grows only on the decomposing cedar elm tree stumps and roots in the U.S. The rare mushroom has been found only in Texas and over 6,000 miles away in Japan, where it grows on decaying oak trees. Oh, and yes, it hisses. “[The Texas star] will open up into a leathery star of four to eight points,” said Angel Schatz with the Central Texas Mycology Society. “That's when it starts to send off its spores, and sometimes you can hear an audible hiss,” S...

Travis County sobering center to double capacity after renovation funds approved

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Travis County sobering center will soon undergo renovations that will double its capacity after funds for renovations were unanimously approved by the Travis County Commissioners Court. The Austin-Travis County Sobering Center has served over 10,000 people since 2018 and is "known for creating innovative solutions to meet community needs," according to a release. Sobering Center celebrates 5 years in Austin The Sobering Center in a release that renovating the center will double the capacity and "provide better utilization of the building so that those safely sobering up and those already sobered and waiting to get into treatment can have their own space."Additionally, Central Health has also come on board as a payer for income-eligible patients staying at the center longer while waiting to access long-term care. "This is such an exciting way to wrap up our first 5 years of service to the community. These two partners demonstrate years of effort from our staff...

Texas department alleges telehealth provider overbilled Medicaid claims

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Auditors with the Texas Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General determined a behavioral health services provider allegedly incorrectly billed the state for add-on psychotherapy sessions, OIG officials said in a Tuesday release. Those alleged incorrect billings include using providers who weren't enrolled in Medicaid, the release added.The OIG audited PsyClinic between June 1 and Dec. 31, 2021. During that period, the OIG claimed PsyClinic received more than $381,000 for over 4,300 claims. Those service claims included psychiatric evaluations, maintenance and add-on services, the OIG release said.OIG officials said that while PsyClinic is enrolled in Texas' Medicaid program, four out of the 11 healthcare providers that consulted with patients hadn't been authorized to work with Medicaid clients, per the release. The OIG evaluated 60 claims and found that 16 allegedly involved non-enrolled providers, leading to $1,450 in "erroneous billing.""OIG auditors...

Granite Shoals mayor addresses fallout from committee discussion on euthanizing feral cats

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:17 GMT

GRANITE SHOALS, Texas (KXAN) — The City of Granite Shoals is working to rebuild its partnership with the Hill Country Humane Society after the nonprofit ended its collaboration with the city over comments made by Granite Shoals' Wildlife Advisory Committee.Recordings from a Nov. 6 WAC meeting revealed extensive conversations on how to deal with feral cat colonies in the city. Committee members said Nov. 6 that there were four feral cat colonies, with approximately 400 cats in total.During the hour-and-a-half-long discussion Nov. 6, committee members discussed several options for managing the feral cat population; however, the majority of that meeting centered on means of how to trap and kill cats. Committee members also discussed where to dispose of the remains.“We have a location on this property that’s called deer heaven,” a committee member said at the Nov. 6 meeting. “I’m sure it could be kitty-cat heaven too.” PAST COVERAGE: Recording reveals Granite Shoals committee proposed...