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Austin: US troops ready to support possible Sudan evacuation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:56 GMT

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AP) — Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said Friday that the American military has deployed forces and is developing options to assist in the potential evacuation of U.S. Embassy personnel from Sudan, where the security situation is deteriorating due to fighting between two warring factions.The aim is “to ensure that we provide as many options as possible, if we are called on to do something. We haven’t been called on to do anything yet,” Austin said at a news conference in Germany, where he and U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, met with defense leaders from other countries to discuss additional support for Ukraine. According to an American official, a small number of U.S. troops have begun arriving in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti, where the U.S. is pre-positioning forces and equipment to assist in any potential evacuation of embassy staff from Sudan. The official said Army soldiers are being tapped for the task.The ...

Russian dad convicted in antiwar case keeps parental rights

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:56 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Russian court has dropped the authorities’ lawsuit to restrict the parental rights of a single father convicted of discrediting the army and sentenced to prison following his daughter’s antiwar sketch at school, a prominent rights group involved in the case said Friday.Child services officials earlier this week had announced they would withdraw the lawsuit to restrict the parental rights of Alexei Moskalyov and Olga Sitchikhina, the separated parents of 13-year-old Maria whose antiwar drawing set in motion a swift and ruthless crackdown against her father.OVD-Info, a prominent rights group involved in the case, reported Friday that the court in Moskalyov’s hometown of Yefremov has dropped the lawsuit, citing his lawyer, Vladimir Biliyenko. Biliyenko called it an important moral victory, the group said, and thanked “all caring people who worried about this family.”Moskalyov, 54, was convicted of discrediting the army and sentenced to two years in priso...

Iowa may limit gender identity, sexual orientation teachings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:56 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers have passed a sweeping education bill limiting instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation, requiring school administrators to notify parents if a student asks to use a new name or pronouns, and removing books depicting sex acts.The Senate approved the bill Wednesday night and the House passed it Thursday, the Des Moines Register reported. It now goes to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds for her signature.“Parents are the ultimate decisionmakers for their children. This legislation defines parents’ rights in law, requires transparency, and sets boundaries to protect Iowa’s children from woke indoctrination,” Reynolds said in an emailed statement to the Register. “I will always fight for Iowa’s parents as they know what is best for their children.”Instruction related to gender identity or sexual orientation is banned in kindergarten through sixth grade. That provision, along with the requirement to notify parents if a student asks the schoo...

Chicago police detail safety plans after last weekend's violence in Loop

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:56 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago police will take new steps to prevent a recurrence of last weekend's violence on the streets of the city's Loop.The weather is anticipated to be much colder this weekend with highs in the 40s compared to last weekend's 80s. But police are preparing for a possibility of more teen takeovers.2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins says CPD command staff plan to put captains and lieutenants, who have more experience dealing with volatile crowds, on the streets to lead rookies. Prisoner transport vans will be stationed at various locations to act as a deterrent. ‘We’re so scared right now’: Indiana couple caught in downtown Chicago violence Two teens were shot and 15 people were arrested Saturday night in the Loop after crowds flooded the streets.At least two times, groups of teens were also seen punching, kicking and stomping on someone on the ground.Cars were damaged after reports of teens jumping on cars. Traffic was also disrupted in the area. The CTA reported servi...

Armed man fatally shot by police in Dolton

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:56 GMT

DOLTON, Ill. — Dolton police officers fatally shot an armed man while responding to a domestic dispute call Friday morning. According to police, sometime before 5:30 a.m., officers were called to a home in the 600 block of E. 144th St. Moments earlier, a woman called the police in fear for her safety, police added. GoFundMe created for teacher hospitalized in Jefferson Park hit-and-run Arriving Dolton officers located the man, with officers in full uniform identifying themselves. According to police, officers asked the armed man to drop his weapon multiple times but after his continued refusal, the man was shot. The officers involved had working body cameras, police added. It is unknown at this time if the male suspect fired any shots. SEE ALSO: DePaul student journalists say university employees got rid of papers covering budget woesDolton Police Department has asked the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigations to investigate an officer-involved shooting.A WGN N...

Patrick Kane has 1st great playoff performance with Rangers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:56 GMT

NEWARK — For many die-hard fans of the Blackhawks, it's taken some time to get used to seeing No. 88 in a different sweater. That's especially the case when Patrick Kane takes the ice in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Rangers this spring. Many in Chicago remember his exploits during ten postseason runs with the Blackhawks that included three Stanley Cup titles.Now the nine-time All-Star and former MVP is trying to do what he can to end the "Original 6" franchise's 29-year championship drought, and he showed some of his ability to do that on Thursday night.In Game 2 against the Devils at the Prudential Center, Kane had his first playoff goal with the Rangers while adding two assists in a 5-1 victory. It puts New York up 2-0 in the first round series as it shifts back to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 on Saturday night.Down 1-0 in the second period, Kane got the primary assist on two Chris Kreider goals as part of a three-score burst by the Rangers to go up 3-1. In the third perio...

American Airlines employee dies in accident at Austin airport

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — An American Airlines employee died Thursday at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), and the Austin Police Department is investigating the incident as accidental, according to police.At approximately 2 p.m., officers responded to a crash incident at AUS after airport communications called 911 requesting emergency services, Public Information Officer Destiny Silva of the Austin Police Department said during a media briefing at the airport.The APD said an airline employee was operating a ground service vehicle that struck a jet bridge.APD and Austin-Travis County EMS arrived to find the employee suffering from injuries in the area of the tarmac where planes park, to pick up and drop off passengers. The man died at the scene.Silva said the APD Vehicular Homicide Unit is investigating the death as accidental. Bear spray caused evacuation in part of Nashville Airport: officials “We are devastated by the accident involving a team member at Austin-Bergstrom In...

Fall hazard forces recall of Rollerblade USA skates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:56 GMT

CHICAGO — A specific brand of skates from Rollerblade USA is being recalled by the company this week due to a fall hazard.The company's Rollerblade Fury Black/White and Fury G Black/Pink youth inline skates, which came in three adjustable sizes with ranges of 12J-2, 2-6 and 5-8, are being called back due to a fall hazard.Rollerblade USA says that there have been 11 reports of the brake supports fracturing or breaking off of the skates. No injuries have been reported due to the defect.According to the company, customers should stop using them immediately and contact the company for a free replacement brake support. For those people who have these skates, you can contact the company in the United States toll-free at 866-734-5708 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. central Monday through Friday. You can also email Rollerblade USA at [email protected] or go online to https://www.rollerblade.com/usa/en/fury-recall or www.rollerblade.com and click on “Fury Product Recall” for more...

Kate Flannery from 'The Office' in Chicago for fan convention at Navy Pier

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:56 GMT

Actress Kate Flannery, who played Meredith Palmer on "The Office" for nine seasons, is just one of several cast members who will be at The Reunion: An Interactive Fan Convention (being called Reunion Con) coming to Navy Pier Festival Hall this weekend! ‘The Office’ cast members reuniting for fan convention at Navy Pier She joined WGN Morning News Friday for an interview. Check it out in the video player above.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Man, 63, charged in alleged stabbing death on April Fool's Day

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:56 GMT

CHICAGO — A 63-year-old man faces one felony count of first-degree murder after allegedly stabbing a man to death on April Fool's Day. Rosco Williams is accused of fatally stabbing a 36-year-old man in the 3300 block of W. Roosevelt in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood. Williams was taken into custody Wednesday in the 3400 block of S. Indiana. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesHe is due in bond court on Friday.