Protesters break into US Embassy compound in Baghdad, shouting, 'Death to America' - USA TODAY
Protesters break into US Embassy compound in Baghdad, shouting, 'Death to America' - USA TODAY |
- Protesters break into US Embassy compound in Baghdad, shouting, 'Death to America' - USA TODAY
- New Year's Eve, North Korea's 'gift,' Newseum closing: 5 things you need to know Tuesday - USA TODAY
- Disney World's Magic Kingdom turns away guests on New Year's Eve - USA TODAY
- USA TODAY's top 10 Travel stories of 2019: Hurricane, scorpion on plane, jetway births - USA TODAY
| Posted: 31 Dec 2019 12:15 PM PST CLOSE  Demonstrators shouting, "Death to America!" smashed their way into the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad on Tuesday as protests intensified after U.S. airstrikes killed 25 fighters of an Iran-backed militia in Iraq. No deaths or serious injuries were immediately reported at the protest. The Pentagon said it rushed reinforcements to the embassy, and Army Apache AH-64 attack helicopters swooped over the complex. By early evening Tuesday, the mob had retreated from the compound but set up several tents outside for an intended sit-in. Dozens of yellow flags belonging to Iran-backed Shiite militias fluttered atop the reception area and were plastered along the embassy's concrete wall along with anti-U.S. graffiti. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, who condemned the airstrikes, had urged militiamen and their supporters to leave the embassy area and halt the violence. "Any aggression or harassment of foreign embassies and representations is an act that will be strictly prohibited by the security forces and will be punished by law with the most severe penalties," Mahdi warned in a statement. Embassy attack: Trump blames Iran for insurgents storming US Embassy in Iran Protesters had barged through a door and set fire to a reception area. Smoke and flames rose from the area as a man on a loudspeaker urged the mob not to enter the compound, saying, "The message was delivered." U.S. guards had fired tear gas to drive back the crowd, and soldiers manned the roof of the main building, their guns pointed at the protesters. Iraqi forces that guard the usually safe Green Zone where the embassy is located did little to stop the chaos. The State Department said that all embassy personnel were safe and that no evacuation was planned. The U.S. reinforcements included about 100 Marines, a U.S. military official who was not authorized to speak publicly told USA TODAY. "We rely on host nation forces to assist in the protection of our personnel in country," U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in a statement. "We call on the government of Iraq to fulfill its international responsibilities to do so." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended the airstrikes as a "decisive response" to a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base that killed an American contractor last week. President Donald Trump, on Twitter, accused Iran of orchestrating the embassy attack. "Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will," Trump tweeted. "They will be held fully responsible. In addition, we expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified!" Trump spoke Tuesday with Mahdi, the White House announced. The two leaders discussed regional security issues, and Trump emphasized the need to protect U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq. Late Tuesday afternoon, President Trump tweeted "Many of our great Warfighters, together with the most lethal military equipment in the world, was immediately rushed to the site. Thank you to the President & Prime Minister of Iraq for their rapid response upon request.... "Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities," Trump said. "They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat." In another tweet, Trump called Tuesday's incident the "Anti-Benghazi." Pompeo said he spoke to Mahdi and President Barham Salih separately by phone, making clear the United States will protect and defend Americans working to "support a sovereign and independent Iraq." Pompeo said the Iraqi leaders guaranteed the safety and security of U.S. personnel and property. Mahdi said he tried to stop the airstrikes, "but there was insistence" from U.S. officials. He announced three days of mourning starting Tuesday out of respect for "the lives of the martyrs of our armed forces ... following the unjust assault they were subjected to." James Piazza, a Penn State political science professor specializing in the Islamic world, said the airstrikes and the storming of the U.S. Embassy underscore the difficult position the Iraqi government faces. "Mahdi made a statement condemning the attacks, but it does not seem to be making an impression on the U.S. and on the Iraq people," Piazza told USA TODAY. "The situation makes the Iraqi government seem feeble." Kirsten Fontenrose, former senior director for Gulf affairs at the National Security Council, dismissed the embassy protest as a "page out of the Iranian clerical regime's favorite playbook." Fontenrose said the embassy attack was an attempt to recreate the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Iran 40 years ago. Dozens of Americans were held hostage for more than a year. "It helps reignite the revolutionary zeal that is critical to their regime survival but is lagging in their own country, where the population has tired of that rhetoric," she said. The Pentagon, in defending the airstrikes, cited repeated attacks by the Kataeb Hezbollah militia on Iraqi bases that host Operation Inherent Resolve coalition forces. The "defensive" airstrikes targeted three sites in Iraq and two in Syria that included weapon storage facilities and command and control locations, the military said. Kataeb Hezbollah operates under the umbrella of state-sanctioned militias known collectively as the Popular Mobilization Forces. Most of them are supported by Iran. The Iranian-backed Iraqi militia vowed Monday to retaliate for the U.S. military strikes. The Washington-based National Iranian American Council issued a statement accusing the Trump administration of conducting a "reckless and needless 'maximum pressure' campaign" that threatens to turn Iraq into a battlefield between the United States and Iran. "Avoiding this scenario requires a broader rethinking of the maximum pressure policy away from mindless saber rattling to one that opens channels of dialogue with Tehran and explores potential avenues for renewed cooperation to help stabilize Iraq," NIAC Senior Research Analyst Sina Toossi said. Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook and Doyle Rice, USA TODAY; The Associated Press Pentagon: US conducts strikes on militia behind attack that killed American Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/12/31/us-embassy-attacked-iraqi-militia-supporters-break-into-compound/2781811001/  |
| Posted: 31 Dec 2019 01:42 AM PST
CLOSE Time is running out on North Korea's supposed 'gift' ultimatumNorth Korea warned the United States in early December that if nuclear arms talks are not resumed before the end of the year,it may not be happy with the "Christmas gift" delivered by leader Kim Jong Un. But with no "gift," or presumably hostile gesture, coming from North Korea as of early Tuesday — the last day of the year — and no talks in sight, there is little time left for Kim to fulfill his supposed pledge. North Korea has been calling for the U.S. to offer new terms for a deal since the February summit in Hanoi between Kim and President Donald Trump broke down. Between that time and the December 3 declaration, North Korea has conducted missile tests and has threatened to start launching long-range missiles again as well. CLOSE Make the most of the last day of 2019It's finally here — the last day of 2019. And there are still plenty of ways to switch up your New Year's Eve plans to ring in the end of an era. For instance, we've rounded up eight unconventional ways to celebrate the start of 2020. Or if you're trying to stay home and catch up on TV, here are the five best shows to catch up on over the holiday. Also, some foods are lucky to eat on New Year's Eve. It's tough to pinpoint why that is, but much of the answer has to do with symbolism and superstition. But if you're just looking to party, consider these safety tips: First, here's how to schedule your Uber or Lyft now (and plan around surge pricing). Second, authorities are urging gun owners to exercise caution this year when shooting firearms, and to avoid shooting their weapons into the air altogether. While rare, celebratory gunshots into the air can endanger people's lives. CLOSE D.C. museum dedicated to the First Amendment, free press closesA private Washington-based museum dedicated to exploring the role of the free press in major events in history will close its doors for good Tuesday. The Newseum opened in 2008 and delved into the importance of the First Amendment and a free press.Administrators said the Newseum's largest problems included expense and debt. The museum charged $25 a ticket, in a city full of free museums. Many in the news world will mourn the Newseum's closing, including a former USA TODAY editor who says the Newseum's mission "was critical."
CLOSE Ring in the New Year with these TV party specialsThe major networks will once again ring in New Year's Day with live shows from Times Square in New York City and plenty of bands to keep the party going all night long, or at least keep you dancing in your pajamas. Ryan Seacrest will host on ABC, Steve Harvey on Fox, and over on NBC Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager will start off the night before handing over to Carson Daly. If cable is more your thing, CNN will once again have journalist Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen ringing in the new year. CLOSE Head out for freebies and deals, but check the store hours firstOne way you can celebrate the end of 2019 on Tuesday is to take advantage of some great freebies and deals. Starbucks will hold 200 "pop-up parties" at locations across the nation for the final time on Tuesday afternoon. Coffee fans who participate will get free tall handcrafted espresso drinks. If you want a doughnut or a lot more, you can also get two Original Glazed Dozens for $12 at Krispy Kreme on Tuesday. To be on the safe side, check with your closest location before heading out to the stores. If you want to finish your holiday returns before 2020 or need a new outfit for the New Year's Eve party, time won't be on your side Tuesday as many retailers will close early Tuesday ahead of shortened hours Wednesday. Check out the New Year's Eve store hours for department stores, grocery stores and discount retailers here. CLOSE Contributing: Associated Press Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/12/31/new-years-eve-n-koreas-ultimatum-newseum-closes-5-things-know/2763064001/  |
| Disney World's Magic Kingdom turns away guests on New Year's Eve - USA TODAY Posted: 31 Dec 2019 12:51 PM PST  Disney World's Magic Kingdom turns away guests on New Year's EveCLOSE Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom Park began turning away guests on New Year's Eve, the park tweeted Tuesday afternoon. "We're experiencing a busy day at the Walt Disney World Resort," said the tweet, posted at 2:17 p.m. EST. "Magic Kingdom Park is not admitting new Guests at this time." The tweet steered visitors toward the Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Epcot and Hollywood Studios, which currently has several "Star Wars" themed experiences. Not everyone will be turned away at the gate: Disney told USA TODAY that resort guests and those with annual passes will still be admitted to Magic Kingdom. Those with complimentary tickets, military tickets and guests re-entering the park will be admitted as well. New Year's Eve festivities in the Magic Kingdom include a fireworks display and dance parties. Epcot also has a fireworks show planned, along with celebrations at each country's pavilion when the clock strikes midnight in the respective nation. Hollywood Studios will have fireworks, too, while the Animal Kingdom will have a dance party and a countdown on the Tree of Life. Disney parks' 2020 price increase is just around the corner: Here's what to expect Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2019/12/31/disney-worlds-magic-kingdom-turns-away-guests-new-years-eve/2785298001/  |
| Posted: 31 Dec 2019 10:47 AM PST CLOSE Before we officially put 2019 in the rearview mirror, we're taking one last look back at the travel stories that had readers clicking – and talking – this year. Surprisingly, the ongoing saga of the Boeing 737 Max groundings and the tourist deaths in the Dominican Republic that were initially linked to tainted alcohol (but were later attributed to natural causes) didn't make the top 10. Nor did the furor over rising resort fees or the trend toward banning Uber and Lyft from picking up passengers at the curb. Read on to see which stories did. 10. Viking Sky evacuates after issuing mayday off Norwegian coastOn a Saturday in late March, the oceanliner Viking Sky airlifted more than half of its 900 passengers after experiencing engine troubles and a harrowing encounter with rough waters and high winds off Norway's western coast. The next day, the ship limped into port with the aid of a towboat. Passenger Carolyn Savikas of Pennsylvania described the terror to Norway's VG newspaper, saying she heard a "terrible crash" and the ship rocked, causing water to rush in. "We were in the restaurant when a really huge wave came and shattered a door and flooded the entire restaurant," she said. "All I saw were bones, arms, water and tables. It was like the Titanic – just like the pictures you have seen from the Titanic." 9. Southwest passenger bombarded by 'inappropriate photos' from stranger on flightKat Pitman was settling into her aisle seat on a Southwest Airlines flight from Louisville to Chicago on a Friday morning in June, texting her husband, when her iPhone buzzed. She looked down to see an AirDrop request. Someone whose name she didn't recognize was sending her a pornographic image. The sender's name? A NSFW take on Bilbo Baggins from "The Hobbit.'' "It was just very explicit. It just shocked me,'' the 40-year-old frequent flyer said in an interview with USA TODAY. She said she was "amazed" when flight attendants picked up the intercom and told "Mr. Baggins'' to immediately stop AirDropping. And thanks to Pitman and Mr. Baggins, iPhone users realized they should change their Airdrop settings so that they can't receive files from "everyone." (If you haven't yet, here's how.) 8. The haunted house you have to sign a 40-page waiver to enterIn October, a haunted house that took blindfolded "contestants" to locations in Tennessee and Alabama went viral for its hair-raising requirements for entry. Participants had to clear a background check, pass a doctor's physical and mental exams, and sign a 40-page waiver. If they got through all that – and survived the haunted house itself – they got $20,000. Plenty of speculation and outrage arose online over how safe the extreme haunted experience really is. Creator Russ McKamey told USA TODAY, "It's all entertainment. Halloween is nothing more than a big play. (The Manor) is just putting on a big show. That's all it is, just a big production." 7. United Airlines flight attendant walks on aircraft's wing in mid-airSabrina Swenson, a United flight attendant based in Frankfurt, Germany, decided to go big for her 50th birthday last winter: She strapped herself to the wing of a Boeing Stearman plane in Sequim, Washington, and went for a ride over the Olympic Peninsula. "My time wing walking in beautiful Sequim will live on in my memory until my last day," she wrote in a blog post on United's website. "You simply don't forget one of the best days of your life!" 6. Hurricane Dorian: How popular Bahamas destinations faredHurricane Dorian was expected to focus its wrath on southern Florida – and Alabama if you believed President Trump's Sharpie-edited map – but the storm stalled over the Bahamas over the Labor Day holiday, pounding the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama, killing more than 60 people and leaving 70,000 homeless. With sustained winds of 185 miles per hour, the Category-5 Dorian was the strongest and slowest hurricane to hit the Bahamas since records began in 1851. It was a devastating blow for a country where tourism accounts for 60% of the gross domestic product (the most of any Caribbean nation). More than three months later, the country is still trying to return to normal. Grand Bahamas International Airport reopened to flights in late November while Marsh Harbour Airport on Great Abaco didn't reopen until Mid-December. 5. Delta ranked best airline in annual list; Frontier worstCLOSE Not a week goes by that we don't see some kind of ranking of U.S. and international airlines, sorting them according to factors like on-time performance statistics, family-friendliness or onboard water quality. In April, Delta topped the 29th annual Airline Quality Rating, which took into account metrics like mishandled baggage, consumer complaints, on-time performance and involuntary denied boardings over the course of 2018. The study, a joint research project of the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Prescott, Arizona, campus, found that overall, the airline industry improved in every area but on-time performance, the most heavily weighted element. It also found that 2018 saw the lowest rate of bumped passengers, the lowest rate of mishandled baggage and the lowest rate of customer complaints for the industry since the study began in 1991. Frontier's last-place finish was attributed to its poor on-time record (nearly one out every four flights was delayed), lackluster cabin features and high rate of customer complaints. 4. United Airlines passenger stung by scorpion on flight to AtlantaCLOSE United might want to beef up their pest patrol efforts after passengers on a June flight from Venice to Newark discovered their plane was infested with ants. A scorpion bit a woman on a December flight from San Francisco to Atlanta, giving us ideas for a sequel to the 2006 Samuel L. Jackson movie "Snakes on a Plane." 3. Shark attack: California student killed by trio of sharks in the BahamasCLOSE Hurricane Dorian wasn't the only sad story in the Bahamas in 2019. In June, California resident and Loyola Marymount University student Jordan Lindsey, 21, was attacked by three sharks while snorkeling with her family near Rose Island. Officials said her arms, legs and buttocks were bitten and her right arm was severed. She was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. "There was no medical attention provided to Jordan," the Lindsey family said later in a statement. "They had no first aid kit – no basic supplies for any type of injury. It felt like a lifetime as they waited for a boat to arrive." The family called on tour companies to change their safety protocols and tourists to be more aware to "ensure a tragedy like this does not happen again." 2. Why economy passengers should stop reclining their seatsCLOSE If you're a regular reader of travel columnist Christopher Elliott, you know he has some strongly held convictions about how airlines treat passengers – especially those sitting in economy – and how those passengers treat each other. In a November column, he argued that with airlines giving passengers as little as 28 inches of legroom, "Reclining your airline seat is unacceptable because we're officially out of space. It's rude – and it's wrong." Plus, as he noted, "If you recline your airplane seat, you'll probably end up in someone's lap. Literally." 1. Woman gives birth on American Airlines jetwayCLOSE An American Airlines flight landed with an extra passenger the day before Thanksgiving when Nereida Araujo gave birth to a healthy baby girl on the jetway of Flight 868, after landing in Charlotte, North Carolina, from Tampa, Florida. "Baby Sky decided to enter the world on a plane," Araujo wrote on Facebook. "Mommi (sic) handled it well thanks to everybody who assisted us with love & care." For those wondering why she was flying at all, Charlotte TV station WSOC reported Araujo was 38 weeks pregnant and cleared to fly by the airline and her doctor. Sky wasn't the only airplane baby of 2019: In February, an expectant mother gave birth to a baby boy thousands of feet in the air on a JetBlue flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The birth of the airline's "youngest customer to date" coincidentally happened on a plane named "Born To Be Blue." Dishonorable mention: The guy who claimed he had a plane to himselfFilmmaker Vincent Peone went viral in August when he documented what it was like to have a Delta plane all to himself – a rarity in this age of overbooked flights. But it was too good to be true: It turned out the plane departed without him. Three days later, he broke his silence, tweeting, "The story took off fast, but the plane did not." He wrote, "My video is 100% true… and then I stopped filming. After the private jet broke down again with mechanical problems, I took a normal one the next morning. The footage I have tells a short, funny and positive story – because those are the kind of stories I like to tell. I make comedy!" The media outlets who reported the story weren't amused when Peone went radio silent for several days after the initial story, refusing to answer questions after the truth got out. Contributing: Dawn Gilbertson, David Oliver, Julia Thompson, Morgan Hines, Hannah Yasharoff Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2019/12/31/usa-todays-top-10-travel-stories-2019-stories-you-cared/2782151001/  |
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