Author: chicagoinquirer

by Aamer Madhani and Adriana Gomer Licon WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.  — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday defended the Justice Department’s decision to release just a fraction of the Jeffrey Epstein files by the congressionally mandated deadline as necessary to protect survivors of sexual abuse by the disgraced financier. Blanche pledged that the Trump administration eventually would meet its obligation required by law. But he stressed that the department was obligated to act with caution as it goes about making public thousands of documents that can include sensitive information. Friday’s partial release of the Epstein files has led…

by Andrew Seligman CHICAGO — Caleb Williams threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore in overtime, and the Chicago Bears overcame a 10-point deficit late in the fourth quarter Saturday night for a 22-16 win over the Green Bay Packers, who lost quarterback Jordan Love to a concussion. The Bears (11-4) extended their lead in the NFC North to 1 1/2 games over the Packers (9-5-1) with two left to play and got some payback for a loss at Lambeau Field two weeks earlier. It was Chicago’s sixth win this season after trailing in the final two minutes and…

by Mohammed Wagdy CAIRO — Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on Saturday reiterated calls for structural changes in the U.N Security Council to grant Africa a larger role in shaping global decisions. El-Sissi made the plea for a “more pluralistic” world order at a conference of the Russia-Africa partnership held in Cairo, which was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and ministers from more than 50 African countries along with representatives from several African and regional organizations. “The voice of Africa should be present and influential in making global decisions given the continent’s human, economic, political and demographic weight,” el-Sissi…

by Andrew Seligman CHICAGO  — Caleb Williams rolled toward the right sideline and unleashed a pass he probably had no business attempting. DJ Moore went up in a crowd in the back of the end zone and came down with a touchdown. That’s the type of day it was for the Bears. Williams threw two touchdown passes and Chicago beat Cleveland 31-3 on Sunday in one of the coldest games ever at Soldier Field even though the Browns’ Myles Garrett moved within a sack of the NFL’s single-season record. The Bears (10-4) heated up early on a day when the…

by Dave Skretta KANSAS CITY, Mo.  — The final images of the Kansas City Chiefs’ postseason pursuit were Patrick Mahomes getting helped to the locker room with what turned out to be a torn ACL in his left knee, a white towel draped over his head, and backup quarterback Gardner Minshew throwing an interception to Derwin James that gave the Los Angeles Chargers a win over one of their biggest rivals. It all happened in the final two minutes of their 16-13 victory Sunday. Justin Herbert, playing through a broken left hand, had helped the Chargers take the lead with…

by Emeka Obasi Gangling Rashidi Yekini was the first Nigerian to be voted Player of the African Nations Cup and Top scorer at the same time. He achieved that at the Tunisia 1994 edition.The top striker made  CAF Team of the Tournament twice, at Senegal 1992 and Tunisia 1994, respectively. Austin Okocha equalled that record at the Tunisia 2004 Afcon. He was Player of the Tournament and joint Top Scorer, with the trio of Patrick Mboma, Frederic Kanoute and  Francileudo Santos. Jay Jay was part of CAF Team of Tournament at Tunisia 1994, Nigeria/Ghana 2000 and Tunisia 2004, thus…

by Rebecca Santana and Lisa Mascaro WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defiantly defended the Trump administration’s hard-line immigration policies on Thursday during a House committee hearing, portraying migrants as a major threat faced by the nation that justifies a crackdown that has seen widespread arrests, deportations and a dizzying pace of restrictions on foreigners. Noem, who heads the agency central to President Donald Trump’s approach to immigration, received backup from Republicans on the panel but faced fierce questioning from Democrats — including many who called for her resignation over the mass deportation agenda. The secretary’s testimony was immediately…

by Isabella Volmert, Obed Lamy and Thomas Beaumont INDIANAPOLIS  — Indiana’s Republican-led Senate decisively rejected a redrawn congressional map Thursday that would have favored their party, defying months of pressure from President Donald Trump and delivering a stark setback to the White House ahead of next year’s midterm elections. The vote was overwhelmingly against the proposed redistricting, with more Republicans opposing than supporting the measure, signaling the limits of Trump’s influence even in one of the country’s most conservative states. Trump has been urging Republicans nationwide to redraw their congressional maps in an unusual campaign to help the party maintain…

by Joseph Omoremi CHICAGO, IL- A wake up call has gone to Black communities to re-direct their resources and talents to GM-Bank and patronize African stores instead of begging and  appealing to owners of major stores leaving such communities. “The era of begging and appealing to major stores that are closing shops in our communities is over” said 17th Ward Alderman David Moore and urged African Americans to embrace African foods readily available in African stores within and nearby our communities. Addressing the 10th anniversary of the Africa Global Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) Sunday night at Malcolm X College in…

by Ope Adetayo LAGOS, Nigeria — The apparent leader of a failed coup in Benin was on the run and the fate of hostages remained unclear a day after a group of soldiers attempted to overthrow the government of the West African nation. The soldiers calling themselves the Committee for Refoundation stormed the national television station early Sunday morning. Led by Benin army officer Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, eight soldiers appeared in a broadcast announcing the removal of President Patrice Talon, dissolution of the government and suspension of all state institutions. By Sunday afternoon, the coup was foiled by Benin’s…