World - Houston Stringer

Guatemalan national extradited to U.S. in deadly 2021 tractor-trailer smuggling case that killed more than 50 migrants

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Central America, Mexico, U.S.

Guatemalan national extradited to U.S. in deadly 2021 tractor-trailer smuggling case that killed more than 50 migrants

LAREDO, TX – A 41-year-old Guatemalan national has been extradited to the United States to face charges connected to a 2021 tractor-trailer crash that killed more than 50 people and injured over 100 others, many of them Guatemalan nationals and unaccompanied children. According to the Department of Justice, Daniel Zavala Ramos, also known as Dany ZR, was arrested in Boquerón, Guatemala, on Aug. 7, 2025, following a U.S. extradition request. He was surrendered to U.S. authorities on Oct. 21 and is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga in Laredo. Zavala Ramos is among six individuals charged in connection with the Dec. 9, 2021, crash, including Tomas Quino Canil, 37; Oswaldo Manuel Zavala Quino, 25; Josefa Quino Canil De Zavala, 43; Alberto Marcario Ch...

Pakistani national sentenced to 40 years after smuggling operation that led to deaths of two Navy SEALs

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Middle East, U.S.

Pakistani national sentenced to 40 years after smuggling operation that led to deaths of two Navy SEALs

ALEXANDRIA, VA – A Pakistani national has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for his role in an Iranian weapons smuggling operation that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. Navy SEALs. On June 5, 2025, a federal jury convicted Muhammad Pahlawan of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists, aiding Iran’s weapons of mass destruction program, and transporting explosives to the Houthi rebel forces in Yemen. He was also convicted of threatening his crew during the mission. According to court records, on Jan. 11, 2024, U.S. Navy forces operating from the USS Lewis B. Puller, including Navy SEALs and Coast Guard personnel, intercepted Pahlawan’s unflagged dhow off the coast of Somalia. The boarding team discovered Iranian-made ballistic missile components, anti-ship ...

Louisiana man arrested for alleged role in Hamas-led October 7 terrorist attack

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Middle East, U.S.

Louisiana man arrested for alleged role in Hamas-led October 7 terrorist attack

LAFAYETTE, LA – The Department of Justice announced the arrest of Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub Al-Muhtadi, 33, a native of Gaza currently residing in Lafayette, Louisiana, for his alleged involvement in the Hamas-led terrorist attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. According to court documents, Al-Muhtadi is accused of being an operative for the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine’s (DFLP) military wing, known as the National Resistance Brigades. Prosecutors allege that Al-Muhtadi armed himself, recruited others, and entered Israel during the October 7 attack, where his phone was traced near Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the communities heavily targeted by Hamas and its affiliates. Al-Muhtadi allegedly falsified information on his U.S. visa application, concealing his connections ...

United Airlines to add nonstop flights to Croatia, Italy, Scotland, Spain and more in summer 2026

9Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

World

United Airlines to add nonstop flights to Croatia, Italy, Scotland, Spain and more in summer 2026

United Airlines announced today that it will expand its transatlantic network in summer 2026 with new nonstop service to Split, Croatia; Bari, Italy; Glasgow, Scotland; and Santiago de Compostela, Spain — making it the only U.S. airline offering direct service to each of these destinations from Newark, NJ. (File Photo) September 2025 The airline will also launch new service from Washington-Dulles to Reykjavik, Iceland, and add year-round daily flights from Newark to Seoul, South Korea. Additionally, United will increase service between Newark and Tel Aviv, Israel, from two to three daily flights. According to United, this expansion brings its total number of transatlantic destinations to 46 — the most of any U.S. airline. Tickets for all new routes are on sale now. Highlights ...

American Airlines gives AAdvantage members early access to FIFA World Cup 26™ tickets

8Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

North America

American Airlines gives AAdvantage members early access to FIFA World Cup 26™ tickets

American Airlines announced that AAdvantage® members will be able to redeem miles for FIFA World Cup 26™ match tickets starting October 13. The program provides exclusive early access to all tournament matches, depending on the member’s AAdvantage® status. Photo Courtesy of American Airlines As the Official North American Airline Supplier of FIFA World Cup 26™, American is offering tiered redemption access: Oct. 13 – Executive Platinum® and ConciergeKey® members Oct. 14 – Gold®, Platinum®, and Platinum Pro® members Oct. 15 – All AAdvantage® members In addition, American is hosting a sweepstakes where U.S. residents age 18 and over can enter daily for a chance to win final match tickets at aa.com/fwc26perks. AAdvantage® members can also earn miles and Loyalty Points ...

Aeroplan launches Points Matching Week to support air travel for children needing hospital care

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Canada

Aeroplan launches Points Matching Week to support air travel for children needing hospital care

MONTRÉAL, QC – According to the Air Canada Foundation, Aeroplan’s annual Points Matching Week in support of its Hospital Transportation Program has officially launched and will run through October 12. Photo Courtesy of Air Canada Aeroplan and its partners TD, CIBC, and American Express will each match donated Aeroplan Points up to 10 million points. With Aeroplan also matching, members’ donations will be tripled, significantly increasing air travel support for families whose children require specialized medical treatment outside their home communities. The Hospital Transportation Program has been providing flights for pediatric patients and their guardians since 2003. In 2024, 379 flights were arranged for 129 families across Canada. The program works with Canada’s Children’s Hos...

TPS: 13 youths charged in killings this year

11Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

World

TPS: 13 youths charged in killings this year

TORONTO, ON – Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw announced the arrest of a suspect in the murder of 8-year-old JahVai Roy and warned of an alarming trend in youth-related homicides during remarks delivered on September 11, 2025. (Photo Courtesy of Toronto Police Service) JahVai Roy was killed by a stray bullet in his home a few weeks ago. A young person has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder, and police have released the names of two remaining suspects. Describing the act as “an unimaginable crime,” Chief Demkiw said the department is doing everything it can to prevent gun violence and protect affected families and communities. “This year in 2025, 13 youths have been accused so far in relation to homicides in our city,” said Demkiw. “That’s not ok. That’s not accept...

Police need help finding missing 15-year-old in Derry

7Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

World

Police need help finding missing 15-year-old in Derry

DERRY, Northern Ireland – Police in Derry City & Strabane are appealing for the public’s assistance in locating missing 15-year-old Whitney McDonagh. Whitney is described as being 5 feet 5 inches tall, of slim build, with shoulder-length blonde hair. She is believed to be in the Waterside area. It is not known what she was wearing at the time she went missing. Anyone with information on Whitney’s whereabouts is asked to contact police on 101 and quote reference 1760 of September 6, 2025.