Hank’s guards released on bail in bird case

TIJUANA – The legal flap involving 23 exotic birds and former mayor Jorge Hank Rhon is winding down. Four of his guards were released on bail Wednesday after being held 48 hours for unauthorized possession of the fowl. Attorney Eduardo Díaz de León issued a statement saying that he had proven the legal status of […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:33 AM PDT

City cop hired by Hank linked to exotic bird case

TIJUANA – One of the four men stopped by federal agents Sunday at the city’s airport with 23 exotic birds has been identified as a municipal police officer working for the company of former mayor Jorge Hank Rhon. Tijuana’s department of public safety identified him Tuesday as Óscar Gómez, and said he had been hired […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:32 AM PDT

Federation picks Corona as Rookie of the Year

Mexico's main soccer organization selected Xolos player Joe Corona as Rookie of the Year. The 21-year-old player, a Sweetwater High alum, received the honor from the Federación Mexicana de Futbol for his performance last season in Mexico's top tier division. The sports director for Club Tijuana, Ignacio Palau, picked up the Balón de Oro in […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:32 AM PDT

Baja police bust sophisticated prostitution ring

TIJUANA – Authorities captured a woman in Mexicali that allegedly directed a prostitution ring since 2005 in the state. Baja California police announced Monday that its agents had detained María Guadalupe Román Valenzuela, nicknamed "La Niurka" and "La Tía," who had a warrant for her arrest since 2007 for prostitution. Román was arrested Sunday afternoon […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:32 AM PDT

Four detained with 20 exotic birds at Tijuana airport

TIJUANA – Federal police detained on Sunday four people at the city’s international airport for allegedly smuggling 20 exotic birds, among them toucans and hawks, announced Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office. The agency, known as the PGR, has not yet identified the suspects. However, sources in the department said they were bodyguards of former mayor Jorge […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:32 AM PDT

Program tries to stop bullying in Baja schools

TIJUANA – Bullying is not just a problem at schools in foreign countries. That's what Baja California authorities are discovering as they begin efforts to educate students and their parents about the potentially devastating effects bullying has on its victims. Twelve families took the unprecedented step of reporting to state authorities that their children were […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:32 AM PDT

Dramatic goal gives Xolos win against Monterrey

TIJUANA–The drum beats, horns, whistles and cheers were the same. The red and black flags waving in a sea of mostly red clad fans at sold out Estadio Caliente were also familiar. And so were the cups of beer flying into the air from the stands. That same ritual after a goal by the home […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:32 AM PDT

Key player wants out as Xolos begin new year

TIJUANA – When the Xolos open the Clausura season at home on Saturday evening they will not have one of their key players from last year, Dayro Moreno. The Colombian attacker, 26, one of the most high-profile acquisitions from last summer, has not shown up for pre-season training or games in three weeks. Officially, team […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:32 AM PDT

Xolos get shot at redemption against Monterrey

The choice appeared to be made. The fourth official held up an electronic scoreboard signaling there would be four minutes of injury time added to last week's match between the Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles and Morelia, which at that point was tied 1-1. The Xolos sat back and defended as time expired with no clear sign they […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:31 AM PDT

More than 47,500 killed in Mexico’s war on cartels

TIJUANA – How many people have been killed in the last five years during Mexico’s war against drug cartels? It’s a number that seemingly changes depending on the source, whether it’s the news media, international human rights organizations, or citizen associations demanding justice. On Wednesday, the federal Attorney General’s Office released an official figure: 47,515 […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:31 AM PDT

Vatican ousts beloved priest for defying order

ROSARITO BEACH – The Archdiocese of Tijuana received an unprecedented letter Friday confirming that the Vatican had dismissed Father Raymundo Figueroa as a Catholic priest, the latest chapter in the saga of a beloved figure known in this region as "the disobedient father." "The Vatican decree takes way his rights and duties of being a […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:31 AM PDT

Port access to San Ysidro Blvd. temporarily closed

SAN YSIDRO – Some lanes will be temporarily closed on the right side of the border crossing at least through summer, federal authorities announced. It’s part of the remodeling and expansion project at the world’s busiest land crossing, tentatively scheduled to end in 2015. Since the beginning the week, the lanes used by SENTRI crossers […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:31 AM PDT

Police dismantle cell working for Sinaloa cartel

TIJUANA – A series of police operations resulted in the dismantling of a criminal cell working for the Sinaloa cartel as well as the confiscation of nearly 500 pounds of marijuana. The Baja California police department (known as PEP) announced Tuesday that its agents had arrested six suspects, among them Tijuana municipal police officer Ricardo […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:31 AM PDT

Baja gymnast qualifies for London Olympics

TIJUANA – Ensenada native Daniel Corral, who won two gold medals in last year's Pan American Games, clinched passage Tuesday to the Olympics this summer in London. Corral, 22, earned that spot by winning his division's All-Around competition in the Men's Artistic Gymnastics Olympic Qualification being held in England. It's been more than 20 years […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:31 AM PDT

‘El Diablo’ arrested, linked to cop murders

TIJUANA – State authorities have arrested the alleged leader of a criminal cell who is linked to killing of police officers. They called Edgar Vicente Escobar Rodríguez, alias "El Diablo," a key figure in the war among drug groups in the period of 2008 to 2010, which left more than 2,300 people dead and dozens […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:31 AM PDT

Messi named world’s best soccer player

ZURICH – Barcelona forward Lionel Messi was crowned Monday as the best soccer player in the world for the third consecutive year. Winning the FIFA Balón de Oro puts him among such greats as Dutchmen Johan Cruyff and Marco Vas Basten and French midfielder Michel Platini, who also have won three times. Messi beat fellow […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:31 AM PDT

Deadline Sunday to register to vote in Mexico

The deadline is Sunday for Mexicans living abroad to register to vote in this year's presidential election in their homeland, but only a fraction who qualify have done so. As of Jan. 3, that nation's Federal Electoral Institute (known as IFE) had received 20,105 applications from 74 countries, nearly 88 per cent from the United […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:31 AM PDT

Former goalie accused of kidnapping

MONTERREY, Mexico – The former goalkeeper for the Rayados, the city's First Division team, is accused of being a member of a kidnapping ring that targeted wealthy victims, state authorities announced. Omar Ortiz, nicknamed "El Gato" (the cat), 35, had disappeared on Wednesday and local press reports suggested that he might have been kidnapped. It's […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:31 AM PDT

Ricky Martin to guest star in ‘Glee’

LOS ANGELES – Spanish class will never be the same. Latin pop superstar Ricky Martin will guest star as teacher of that language in the popular TV show "Glee." Through his Twitter account, the 40-year-old entertainer said he taped the show Thursday and Friday. "Incredible two days of filming! A great experience. To all the […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:31 AM PDT

Xolos tie 1-1 against Morelia in season start

TIJUANA – The Xolos began the season Friday night with a 1-1 tie against Morelia on the road. The outcome makes it 13 games in a row without a loss since coach Antonio Mohamed took over last fall, including four matches in the pre-season. The tie gave the Xolos one point, which the team needs […]

April 13, 2017 at 6:30 AM PDT