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UN peacekeeping chief welcomes strong support for its far-flung operations despite `headwinds’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations peacekeeping chief says he was very satisfied with the strong support of many countries for its far-flung operations at a recent ministerial meeting, despite “headwinds and challenges and problems.”Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the undersecretary-general for peace operations, said in an interview with The Associated Press that the bi-annual ministerial meeting in Ghana’ s capital, Accra, earlier this month was attended by nearly 100 countries.He said 33 countries made pledges of 117 military and police units for the U.N.’s peacekeeping operations – and 45 countries made over 100 pledges related to training peacekeepers and partnerships.“We had really a strong level of support towards peacekeeping, which is great … and the pledges were very good,” Lacroix said.The number of U.N. peacekeepers and staff has fallen from over 100,000 worldwide to 70,000 as missions have ended, some more successfully than others. There are now 12 peacekeeping operations in ...

Dad who said ‘If I can’t have them neither can you’ pleads guilty to killing 3 kids

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) — A suburban Chicago man who told his estranged wife “If I can’t have them neither can you” pleaded guilty but mentally ill Friday to three counts of first-degree murder for killing their three young children, a prosecutor said.Jason Karels, 36, of Round Lake Beach will be sentenced to life in the Illinois Department of Corrections without the possibility of parole, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said.Karels admitted to killing by drowning 5-year-old Bryant Karels, 3-year-old Cassidy Karels and 2-year-old Gideon Karels on June 13, 2022.Officers sent to his home to check on the welfare of the children found a note for his estranged wife saying, “If I can’t have them neither can you,” prosecutors have said.“This case has devasted the Round Lake Beach community and beyond,” Rinehart said in a news release. “We hope that today’s resolution provides some measure of closure, and we will continue to provide support to the family.” Several members...

Travis Scott performance at United Center postponed hours before show

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

CHICAGO — A concert taking place at United Center on Friday has been postponed only hours before it was set to begin.Gates were set to open at 6:30 p.m. for Travis Scott's show that was set to begin at 8 p.m., but only hours before showtime, the venue announced that Friday's show would be postponed to a later date.  Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines The announcement came in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, and venue officials said all previously purchased tickets will be honored for the show's new date, once it is announced.Officials did not provide details on the date for the rescheduled show and said more information would be shared as it becomes available. Currently, it is unclear why Friday's show was postponed. Man in custody after chase ends in crash in Waukegan United Center will host Scott on January 22, during the second leg of his tour.Scott is currently on his Circus Maximus Tour, his first tour since the deadly crowd surge that happene...

APD releases police footage following south Austin shooting involving officer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, the Austin Police Department released body-worn camera footage from officers involved in a shooting that occurred Dec. 2 in south Austin. Per APD policy, the video related to this incident was required to be released within 10 business days. APD said two department officers were under investigation after shooting a man allegedly suffering a mental health crisis. A detective and officer involved in the incident were identified as Detective Manuel Delgado-Eberhardt and Officer Robert Mattingly.Mattingly, who shot his department-approved firearm, has been with APD for five years and 11 months. Delgado-Eberhardt, who also shot his department-approved firearm, has 11 years and nine months of service with the department, according to APD.APD released body camera video from two officers and 911 audio on its YouTube FridayAPD said both the detective and officer were placed on administrative leave.  PAST COVERAGE: APD officers under investigation after shooting m...

For first time ever, 'exceptional drought' declared by Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The leaders managing the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District took the unprecedented step Thursday night of moving to a Stage 4 Exceptional Drought declaration, meaning tougher water-saving measures are coming for well operators. The district's board of directors voted for the first time in the organization's history to take this step, even though they predicted it may eventually come to this. According to a news release from the district Friday, crossing into Stage 4 drought status means significant pumping restrictions and permanent reclassification for certain District permittees starting Jan. 1, 2024.  FORECAST: Wet weather Friday followed by beautiful weekend This happened as a result of levels dropping at the Lovelady monitor well, which is one of the two drought trigger determinants. "This decline is representative of the alarmingly low water levels of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, which serves as a drinking water so...

This updated ‘Peter Pan’ will still delight Ordway Music Theater audiences

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

Can “Peter Pan” be saved?Of course, the “boy who wouldn’t grow up” from J.M. Barrie’s 1904 play will inevitably triumph, but could the story itself fade from view, a victim of outdated stereotypes about women and indigenous people? Could the 1954 musical — and a TV version that was once the most watched program in history — become forgotten artifacts of a bygone era?Not if the new adaptation that premiered Thursday night at the Ordway Music Theater has a say. The musical has been updated by South Dakota-raised playwright Larissa FastHorse, a Lakota woman who seems clear-eyed about Barrie’s blind spots. She’s helped fashion a tremendously enjoyable musical comedy that sparkles like fairy dust in its high-energy debut.After nine days of smoothing out the kinks during previews, NETworks Presentations’ production looks more than ready for its 19-city, nine-month North American tour. And it’s to local audiences’ advantage that it’s being presented alongside the winter wonderl...

Vikings at Bengals picks: Jake Browning get the nod in battle of backup QBs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

Members of the Pioneer Press sports staff forecast the Vikings’ game against the Bengals on Saturday in Cincinnati:DANE MIZUTANIVikings 24, Bengals 21Nick Mullens has experience in the offense, so the Vikings should be able to move the ball. On the flip side, defensive coordinator Brian Flores is going to make Jake Browning’s life a living hell, like he’s done for everybody else the Vikings have played the past couple of months.JOHN SHIPLEYBengals 19, Vikings 17Wait, the Vikings just shut out a team that, on Thursday night, scored 63 points? It makes one pause for thought. Still, Bengals.CHARLEY WALTERSBengals 21, Vikings 17Vikings backup QB Nick Mullins is game, but Bengals backup QB Jake Browning, the former Vikings reserve, is playing well. Plus, the game’s in Cincinnati.Related ArticlesMinnesota Vikings | Vikings at Bengals: What to know ahead of Week 15 matchup Minnesota Vikings | ‘I know how good I am’: Vikings undrafted...

Colleagues remember Matthew Peter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Albany County Parking Authority Exec. Dir. Matthew Peter died this week. Several of his colleagues left fond memories of him. An annual holiday program that gives to Capital Region families in need was done in his memory. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The gifts and necessities were packed at the Albany County Government office and driven to South End Children's Café. It was part of the annual Adopt a Family program, done this year in memory of Parking Authority Exec. Dir. Matthew Peter. Peter served numerous legislative positions, including Fifth District Representative and Chief of Staff to Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.“Matt has always worked very hard and a very stressful job, and he would talk about his health,” said the democrat. The mayor told NEWS10's Zion Decoteau her colleague died of complications stemming from a heart aneurysm he survived weeks ago. "He ran in the Santa Speedo run last Saturday. Wednes...

Bond decisions delayed for three St. Charles County trafficking suspects

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - Bond decisions await for three men charged in a high-profile St. Charles County trafficking case, though there appear to be some delays after several court hearings this week. Venkatesh R. Sattaru, Sravanvarma Penumetcha, and Nikhil V. Penmatsa are accused of forced labor, trafficking, kidnapping, armed criminal action, among other offenses. Authorities arrested all three suspects last month after helping a victim who was allegedly trapped for several months. Jordan Kyrou brought to tears after boos, clarifies previous remarks on Craig Berube Sattaru, Penumetcha and Penmatsa are currently jailed in St. Charles County without bond, but their attorneys recently filed a motion to request bail. According to Missouri court records, during a bond reduction hearing Friday, a judge ordered for "cause taken under advisement." Under Missouri law, this gives the judge more time to consider the motion and up to 90 days to make a decision. Court documents allege that...

Driver arrested in suspected DUI crash that killed mother, 16-year-old son in Broomfield

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

Broomfield police on Friday arrested a 37-year-old man in connection with a suspected drunk-driving crash that killed a woman and her 16-year-old son this week.Jose Menjivar was booked into the Broomfield County Jail on charges of vehicular homicide — reckless, vehicular homicide — DUI and habitual traffic offender in the Tuesday afternoon crash near Broomfield High School, according to a statement posted by the police department on X. He was arrested after he was released from the hospital.The statement identified the two people killed in the crash as Melissa Powell, 47, and her son Riordan, 16. The Boulder Valley School District previously said Riordan was a junior at Broomfield High School and that he also attended Boulder Technical Education Center.Police said Menjivar was driving a 2000 Toyota Tundra and crashed into the Powells’ 2016 Mazda CX-5 at about 1:45 p.m. The statement did not say which road each vehicle was on or their direction of travel at the time...