Author: chicagoinquirer

by Evelyne Musambi NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s president called the storming of parliament on Tuesday a national security threat and vowed that such unrest won’t happen again “at whatever cost,” after thousands of protesters against a new finance bill pushed their way in, burning part of the building and sending legislators fleeing. It was the most direct assault on the government in decades. Journalists saw at least three bodies outside the complex where police had opened fire, and medical workers reported five others killed. Clashes spread to other cities. There was no immediate word on arrests. “Today’s events mark a…

by  Jintamas Sarkornchai, Alanna Durkin Richer Eric Tucker BANGKOK — A plane believed to be carrying Julian Assange landed Tuesday in Bangkok, as the WikiLeaks founder was on his way to enter a plea deal with the U.S. government that will free him and resolve the legal case that spanned years and continents over the publication of a trove of classified documents. Chartered flight VJT199 landed after noon at Don Mueang International Airport, north of the Thai capital. Airport officials told The Associated Press the plane was only in Bangkok for refueling and was scheduled to depart Tuesday evening for…

BOSTON — Big record companies are suing artificial intelligence song-generators Suno and Udio for copyright infringement, alleging that the AI music startups are exploiting the recorded works of artists from Chuck Berry to Mariah Carey. The Recording Industry Association of America announced the lawsuits Monday brought by labels including Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Records. One case was filed in federal court in Boston against Suno AI, and the other in New York against Uncharted Labs, the developer of Udio AI. Suno AI CEO Mikey Shulman said in an emailed statement that the technology is “designed to…

by Joseph Omoremi The U.S. invitation of Kenyan’s President William Ruto to mediate in the internal crisis rocking Haiti instead of a Franco-phone speaking African country was a recipe for failure as Egyptian envoy in Chicago called for a united  joint action among the African countries to consolidate the foundations of peace, security, and stability in the continent. “A francophone speaking African nation that speaks the same language like Haiti would have done a better job’ said Willian Gaubert, an Independent Haiti scholar and former University of Chicago lecturer said at the Africa Day 2024 celebration held at Loyola University…

by Joseph Omoremi Chicago, IL-Encomiums and congratulatory messages have being pouring-in for erstwhile chairman of the Nigerian Sports Writers Association (SWAN) Attorney Steve Babatunde Alabi on his selection as the next king of Osi-Ekiti, in Ido-Osi local government area of Ekiti State. “The oracle has spoken” on my brother Steve B. Alabi as the Oba-elect,” hence my congratulations to him and the Arubiojo’s ruling House,” said James Adewumi, one of the three contestants for the throne. A man of many parts, the Oba elect was the SWAN president between 1990-92 and presided over the election of Mr. Fan Ndubuoke as…

CHICAGO — The family of a Chicago woman who froze to death after she became locked in a hotel freezer has agreed to a $10 million legal settlement. Kenneka Jenkins’ mother, Tereasa Martin, will receive about $3.7 million, according to court records made public Tuesday, the Chicago Tribune reported. Other family members will receive $1.2 million and $1.5 million. Another $3.5 million will cover attorney fees, with $6,000 covering the cost of Jenkins’ funeral. Jenkins was found dead in the walk-in freezer at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in suburban Rosemont in September 2017, a day after she attended a party…

by Isabel Debre and Wafaa Shurafa DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — The Israeli military has rounded up hundreds of Palestinians across the northern Gaza Strip, separating families and forcing men to strip to their underwear before trucking some to a detention camp on the beach, where they spent hours, in some cases days, subjected to hunger and cold, according to human rights activists, distraught relatives and released detainees themselves. Palestinians detained in the shattered town of Beit Lahiya, the urban refugee camp of Jabaliya and neighborhoods of Gaza City said they were bound, blindfolded and bundled into the backs of…

MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo exchanged heated words with members of the Indiana staff and raced toward the Pacers’ locker room Wednesday night as the teams squared off in a hallway in a dispute over the game ball following the Milwaukee star’s franchise-record 64-point performance. After the Bucks’ 140-126 victory, Antetokounmpo had an animated discussion with Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton and other Pacers before rushing from the court toward the Indiana locker room in search of the ball. The Bucks wanted the game ball for Antetokounmpo. Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said the Pacers took the ball for Oscar Tshiebwe, who scored…

by Agency reports DETROIT — David Montgomery ran for a 1-yard touchdown with 29 seconds left against his former team, and the Detroit Lions rallied for a 31-26 victory over Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The NFC North-leading Lions (8-2) overcame four turnovers, including Jared Goff’s season-high three interceptions, and a 12-point deficit over the last 3:06. Detroit has its best record through 10 games since 1962, giving the franchise a shot to win a division title for the first time in three decades. The Bears (3-8) blew chances to win consecutive games for the first time…

by Bill Barrow and Michael Warren ATLANTA — Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Jimmy Carter during his one term as U.S. president and there four decades thereafter as global humanitarians, has died at the age of 96. The Carter Center said she died Sunday after living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health. The statement announcing her death said she “died peacefully, with family by her side” at 2:10 p.m. at her rural Georgia home of Plains. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Carter said in the statement. “She gave…