Mourners honor US student killed in Paris attacks

Mourners honor US student killed in Paris attacks

DOWNEY, Calif.

Mourners filled a chapel to pay their respects to a California university student, the only known American killed in the Paris terrorist attacks last month.

Friends, family and officials who attended the funeral Friday praised 23-year-old Nohemi Gonzalez as a vibrant and caring woman with a bright future, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reported.

“I’m so proud of her but still picking up pieces of my heart,” Reynaldo Gonzalez said of his daughter.

Nohemi Gonzalez was dining with friends at a popular bistro in Paris when she was shot Nov. 13.

Germany OKs mission against IS

BERLIN

Germany stepped up its contribution to the fight against the Islamic State group Friday, with lawmakers overwhelmingly voting in favor of sending reconnaissance jets, a tanker plane and a frigate to provide broad noncombat support to the U.S.-led coalition flying airstrikes against the militants.

The move answers a call for help from France after last month’s deadly attacks in Paris.

On Friday, Belgian and French authorities said they were hunting two new suspects in the Paris carnage.

Texas ends effort to bar Syrian refugees

DALLAS

Texas stopped trying Friday to block Syrian refugees from resettling in the state after suing the U.S. government over fears that new arrivals from the war-torn country could pose a security risk.

The swift reversal defused a lawsuit the Obama administration criticized as unfounded. Since the Paris attacks, at least 29 U.S. governors have vowed to keep new Syrian refugees outside their state borders. Texas on Wednesday became the first to take the federal government to court, but legal experts called the lawsuit futile, saying states have no authority over resettlements.

“I think that it’s the first sign that Texas is beginning to see the light,” said Cecillia Wang of the American Civil Liberties Union, which is defending a resettlement group that Texas also sued.

Canada’s Liberals vow to legalize pot

TORONTO

Canada’s new Liberal government again promised Friday to legalize marijuana in a speech outlining its agenda as Parliament resumes after the Oct. 19 election.

A speech delivered by Gov. Gen. David Johnston reiterated new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s plan to legalize and regulate the recreational use of marijuana. It is a position Trudeau has held since becoming leader of the Liberal Party in 2013. However, for the first time, the government said it will restrict access to marijuana but did not elaborate.

Trudeau has said that legalizing marijuana would fix a “failed system” and help remove the “criminal element” linked to the drug. He also has said Canadians would benefit from analyzing the experiences of Colorado and Washington state, which recently legalized pot.

Witness thought stabbing was art

MIAMI BEACH, Fla.

One woman stabbed another during a fight at world-famous Art Basel Miami Beach, causing at least one patron to think he was watching performance art.

Miami Beach Detective Kathleen Prieto told the Miami Herald the suspect stabbed the victim’s arms and neck during Friday’s fight. She said the victim is being treated for nonlife- threatening injuries. The suspect was arrested.

The fight happened near an exhibit by artist Naomi Fisher. She told the Herald one witness thought it was a performance with fake blood until he realized the blood was real.

Associated Press