Free Republic

Hector may not believe it, but he’s one of the lucky ones. The 18-year-old Mexican national was abandoned in the desert by the smugglers whom he had paid about $3,000 to get him across the southern border and into the United States. He was supposed to pay them another $3,000 upon reaching his destination — Indianapolis, where he said his father works as a roofer. Because of a condition that was causing his muscles to deteriorate from overuse, Hector couldn’t keep up with the rest of the group. The smugglers, having already received half their $6,000 fee up front, apparently...

Achilles, the main character of the Iliad, remains one of the emblematic heroes of Greek mythology and modern literature for his bravery and fierceness in avenging the death of his best friend, Patroclus. Homer’s epic poem, along with The Odyssey, has retained enormous influence on Western literature to this very day, and this is also true for Achilles, the fearless warrior who became the very symbol of gallantry. “Sing, Goddess, of the rage of Peleus’ son Achilles,” is the opening line of the Iliad, the poem that describes a few weeks of the ten-year Trojan War, mainly the many feats...

Under the current forecast track, Hector is expected to pass south of the Big Island of Hawaii late Wednesday or Wednesday night. The center of Hector will pass just south of the Big Island by about 150 to 200 miles, close enough to the Big Island to bring enhanced showers and thunderstorms and gusty winds. Forecasters also said Hector is expected to maintain major hurricane strength for the next two to three days... Hector will bring increased surf and a high risk for dangerous rip currents to east- and south-facing beaches of the southernmost islands, especially the Big Island and...

A DEA agent has died in an apparent robbery attempt in Colombia, U.S. Ambassador Michael McKinley said Friday. Colombian authorities said the American agent was stabbed four times.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hector "Macho" Camacho, a Puerto Rican boxer known for skill and flamboyance in the ring as well as for a messy personal life and run-ins with the police, was declared dead on Saturday, four days after being shot in the face. He was 50.

Hector was one of 52 terribly abused and neglected dogs owned by NFL quarterback Michael Vick and his friends. He landed here in Minnesota and is now part of a student service learning project which teaches the kids not to be mean or hurt animals. "He lived outside in the woods in a wire cage. So did the other dogs. They had very little food, very little water," said kindergarten teacher Amber Anderson. Third graders at Barack and Michele Obama school in St. Paul got a special visit Tuesday from Hector. "In St. Paul, there seem to be quite a...