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IMF expects continuing US support for Ukraine despite Congress dropping aid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:39:41 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Officials from the International Monetary Fund say they expect the United States will continue playing its key role in amassing multinational support that has helped keep Ukraine’s economy afloat during Russia’s invasion. That’s despite Congress recently passing a short-term funding package that averted a U.S. government shutdown but dropped $6 billion in aid to Ukraine. It’s not clear if, when or how that aid installment might be restored. The U.S. has already sent or committed $69.5 billion in military, financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, according to the Institute for the World Economy in Kiel, Germany. “ President Biden has made an announcement … that he is fully committed to supporting Ukraine,” Uma Ramakrishnan, IMF European department deputy director, said at a news conference Wednesday in Kyiv. ”And so from our standpoint, the baseline assumption remains that the U.S. remains committed.”She added that “it is pre...

$1.2 billion Powerball drawing nears after 11 weeks without a winner

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:39:41 GMT

A $1.2 billion Powerball jackpot will again be up for grabs Wednesday night after an 11-week stretch without a big winner, but no matter how large the prize grows the odds stay the same — and they’re terrible.It’s those odds of 1 in 292.2 million that make the jackpot so hard to win and that result in such giant prizes for the lucky player or players who manage to pick the game’s six winning numbers. The latest Powerball jackpot is the world’s seventh-largest lottery prize. The last time someone won the top prize was July 19.GAME DETAILSIn most states, Powerball tickets cost $2 and buyers can chose their own numbers and single Powerball or leave that task to a computer. Powerball drawings are held three times a week at 10:59 p.m. EDT on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturday, with the numbers selected at the Florida Lottery in Tallahassee. Once the numbers are chosen, it usually takes a couple hours to determine if there is a jackpot winner. If there isn’t a ...

Suspect charged in rapper Tupac Shakur’s fatal shooting makes first court appearance in Las Vegas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:39:41 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A self-described gangster who police and prosecutors say masterminded the shooting death of Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas in 1996 made his first court appearance Wednesday on a murder charge.Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 60, stood shackled, wearing a dark-blue jail uniform and plastic orange slippers. He was scheduled to be arraigned on the charge Wednesday, but the hearing was cut short after he asked District Judge Tierra Jones to postpone the hearing while he retains counsel in Las Vegas. Jones rescheduled the arraignment for Oct. 19. Davis was arrested last week during an early-morning walk near his home in suburban Henderson. A few hours after his arrest last Friday a grand jury indictment was unsealed in Clark County District Court charging him with murder. Grand jurors also voted to add sentencing enhancements for the use of a deadly weapon and alleged gang activity. If Davis is convicted, that could add decades to his sentence.Los Angeles-based attorney Edi Faal told T...

Ottawa puts more money toward studying possible Winnipeg landfill search

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:39:41 GMT

OTTAWA — Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree says the federal government will put $740,000 toward further assessing the feasibility of searching a Winnipeg-area landfill for the remains of two First Nations women.He says more research is needed to figure out how a search can be undertaken, after an initial federally funded feasibility study found that a search is possible but toxic materials could pose a risk to workers.Manitoba’s premier-designate Wab Kinew promised his NDP government would search the landfill if he came into power, and Anandasangaree says the federal government aims to work with the province on next steps.Anandasangaree says the money will help governments get all the information they need before sitting at the table together to make a decision about the search itself, but he wouldn’t commit to putting up the estimated $184 million the search would cost.He says the work is expected to be completed within the next 90 days, adding tha...

Trial of man accused in London attack hears of manifesto found on laptop

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:39:41 GMT

A police expert has told a jury that a USB drive linked to the man accused of killing a Muslin family in Ontario contained the manifesto of the New Zealand mosque gunman and a video of that mass shooting.Windsor police Sgt. Liyu Guan, a digital forensic expert, says the video and the manifesto had been opened multiple times from February 2021, when the files first appeared on the USB, to June 6, 2021, the day of the attack in London, Ont. Nathaniel Veltman is accused of deliberately hitting five members of the Afzaal family with his truck while they were out for a walk in London in what prosecutors allege was an act of terrorism. Veltman has pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.The jury has seen video of Veltman telling police he took inspiration from the man behind the 2019 New Zealand mass killing of 51 Muslim worshippers at two mosques. Veltman’s case is the first where Canada’s terrorism laws are being put before...

Charges filed in fatal beating, robbery of 55-year-old man on Northwest Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:39:41 GMT

CHICAGO — A 43-year-old man has been charged in the fatal beating of a man during an armed robbery on the city's Northwest Side.Oscar Cruz, 43, faces one felony count of first-degree murder and one felony count of an armed robbery.According to police, Cruz was arrested Monday after being identified as the offender who, just hours earlier, struck 55-year-old Peter S. Krzystyniak several times during the course of a robbery in the 5700 block of West Diversey Avenue around 8:30 a.m.Krzystyniak died at the scene of traumatic brain injury and his death is ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner.Cruz is schedule to attend a detention hearing Wednesday.

Connor Bedard gets a preseason first as regular season nears

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:39:41 GMT

CHICAGO — You can add another preseason achievement to the resume of the Blackhawks' No. 1 overall pick in his first NHL preseason.But you might be able to understand why Connor Bedard wasn't exactly going over the top with his celebration for this moment at the United Center.In the closing moments of the Blackhawks' fourth preseason game against the Red Wings, the center notched his first goal as he fired the puck into the empty net with 1:09 to go. But if you were looking for a big reaction from Bedard, you didn't get it. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)It was, in fact, an uncontested goal that sealed the 4-2 victory, so he had a rather subdued reaction to this unique moment in his career. After all, it wasn't after one of his strong pushes to the net that he showed off during his first four games. This one came as the contest was about to end, so the rookie had a rather veteran take on the goal. This score concluded another strong contest for the rookie, his third of the pr...

Man robbed, hit in head during Irving Park home invasion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:39:41 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was robbed and struck in the head during a home invasion Tuesday night in Irving Park.Just before 5:50 p.m., CPD said a 38-year-old man was in his residence, located in the 4200 block of North Sawyer, when he heard glass break.The man then observed three males, dressed in all black, entering through a window. One of the males struck the 38-year-old in the head as money and jewelry were demanded.The group left through the front door, CPD said.Neighbors told WGN News they were surprised to hear something like this happened."This particular block has been extremely safe for the 35 years. I've been here and I've never heard of anyone being armed personally," William Toedt said. 16-year-old girl stabbed to death following altercation in Loop The man was transported to St. Francis in good condition.No one is in custody.

Michael Jordan joins a rare group this week thanks to his fortune

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:39:41 GMT

CHICAGO — Once again, Michael Jordan is finding himself on an exclusive list thanks to his achievements on and off the basketball floor. This time, it has to deal with the fortune that he's accrued throughout his professional life. Forbes placed the Bulls legend and Basketball Hall of Famer on their list of the 400 richest people in America this week. He comes in at No. 379 as his wealth is estimated by the publication to be at $3 billion.Per Forbes, he is the first professional athlete to crack their Top 400 and is one of 18 people to join the list in 2023.A six-time NBA champion, six-time NBA Finals MVP, and five-time regular season MVP, Jordan has built his wealth through a lucrative deal with Nike along with his recent sale of the Charlotte Hornets. Those are among a number of business ventures that started during his celebrated career and continue on for the 60-year-old. He is still in professional sports, serving as the co-owner of 23XI Motorsports which competes in the NASCAR...

'Jane Doe' of 1990s Happy Face murders identified

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:39:41 GMT

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) — It's taken almost 30 years, but a victim of Florida's so-called Happy Face Killer has been identified. Okaloosa County investigators used new forensic technology and DNA to identify Suzanne Kjellenberg, 34, as the sixth victim Keith Jesperson is accused of murdering.Suzanne Kjellenberg-Happy Face Killer (Jesperson) VictimSuzanne Kjellenberg-Happy Face Killer (Jesperson) VictimRendering of Cold Case Victim"In February 1996, Jesperson actually admitted to killing our victim. Unfortunately, we didn't know the identity of our victim," said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden.Aden said an inmate on work duty discovered Kjellenberg's body on Sept. 14, 1994, near the Holt, Florida, exit on Interstate 10. Her identity remained unknown until March 2023. Using DNA forensic technology from Othram Inc., they found a match. "We have a team of nearly a dozen forensic genetic genealogists on staff who work through publicly available databases t...