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Wagner plane crash seems intended to send a clear message to potential Kremlin foes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:49 GMT

When Yevgeny Prigozhin launched his armed rebellion that challenged the Kremlin, Western officials predicted Russian President Vladimir Putin would seek vengeance against the mercenary leader.Two months to the day after the action that Putin labeled a “stab in the back” and “treason,” those forecasts seem to have come true, in ruthless and menacing fashion.Although authorities have not yet confirmed the deaths of Prigozhin and his top lieutenants from the Wagner private military contractor in Wednesday’s plane crash northwest of Moscow, it sent an immediate chill through Russian official circles.Even amid the uncertainty, the message was clear: Anyone who dares to cross the Kremlin will perish.But even as the crash worked to restore an image of Kremlin authority that was badly crippled by the Prigozhin mutiny, it also sowed confusion and anger among Russian hard-liners, heralding perhaps other challenges to Putin as the war in Ukraine marked its 18th month.Many see the events ...

TD Bank Group reports profits down, rolls out expanded share buyback program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:49 GMT

TORONTO — TD Bank Group announced it was significantly expanding a share buyback program as it reported its third-quarter profit fell compared with a year ago.The bank said Thursday its net income totalled $2.96 billion or $1.57 per diluted share, down from $3.21 billion or $1.75 per diluted share in the same quarter last year, as it saw a rise in provisions for credit losses as well as higher expenses in part related to its failed bid to buy U.S.-based First Horizon.TD called off the US$13.4-billion deal in May citing regulatory uncertainty, leaving a question as to what it would do with the extra cash it had built up for the deal. Investors got a partial answer Thursday as the bank announced a plan to buy back 90 million shares, or about 4.9 per cent of outstanding shares, after it just completed a 30-million share buyback program.TD chief financial officer Kelvin Tran said in an interview that the buybacks were part of the bank’s consistent capital deployment approach that ...

Cooling buses sent to shelter housing migrants in Gage Park after AC unit breaks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:49 GMT

CHICAGO — Cooling buses were provided Thursday at the Gage Park Field House, which is being used as a shelter for migrants, after the HVAC system shut down.According to a statement from the city, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications and Chicago Park District are working to repair the air conditioning units at the field house. The cooling system went down Wednesday and a technician was called to repair the system. However, the system broke down again Wednesday night. Cooling buses were ordered to provide relief from the heat. Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect as dangerous temps continue across Chicago area Residents were also advised to seek shelter at the following cooling centers: Gage Park Library, 2807 W 55th St and Lindblom Park, 6054 S Damen. There are also 27 cooling centers set up throughout the city.  An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect across until 8 p.m. Thursday as dangerous conditions continue across the Chicago area.

Man charged after boy, 12, shot, seriously injured in Lower West Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:49 GMT

CHICAGO -- A 20-year-old man is facing felony charges after a 12-year-old boy was shot and seriously injured in Lower West Side last year. Roy Molina, of Burbank, Illinois, was arrested Wednesday and was identified as the man who shot and seriously injured a 12-year-old boy September 13, 2022, in the 1800 block of West 21st Place. GoFundMe created by mother of boy shot and killed in Palatine Two other boys, 12, a 20- and 23-year-old man were also on the scene at the time of the shooting but were not injured. Molina was placed into custody and charged accordingly. There is no additional information at this time.

Judge orders more than half a million in R. Kelly royalties be turned over to victims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:49 GMT

NEW YORK —  A judge in New York has ruled that royalties of convicted singer R. Kelly must be turned over to victims he sexually abused, according to court documents filed Wednesday. The royalties amount to more than a half million dollars after Brooklyn prosecutors sought to garnish the Chicago native's career earnings. In June, the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York filed motions that asked a judge to order Sony and Universal Music Publishing Group to fork over any money preserved from R. Kelly’s music catalog. New York prosecutors seek to garnish R. Kelly’s earnings According to the June 1 filing, the EDNY sought to use the garnished funds to pay outstanding penalties ($140,900) and restitution ($379,649.90) to two abuse victims after the court awarded them more than half a million dollars.Order-of-GarnishmentDownloadAs of Wednesday's garnishment order, the outstanding balance was $507,234.05. Prosecutors said that while that figure will fluctuate due to ...

6 American mayors who were convicted of crimes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:49 GMT

(The Hill) -- Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani surrendered to authorities this week in Fulton County, Georgia, on charges of racketeering in connection with former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. His mugshot posed a stark contrast to images from Giuliani’s time in the Big Apple's top office when he was hailed as “America’s Mayor” for his leadership after the 9/11 attacks. And there was a unique irony to the case, with Giuliani facing RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) charges similar to those he used to prosecute the mob as a U.S. attorney earlier in his career. Ohio court system trading ankle bracelets for smartwatches But American mayors have a sordid history as an institution, with a number of high-profile charges and convictions over the years. And just like Giuliani, who has yet to go to trial, their legal travails frequently make national news.Here are six current and former U.S. mayors who were convicted of c...

Temporary casino could open after Labor Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:49 GMT

CHICAGO -- Chicagoans may be able to place a bet at its first casino just after Labor Day.Before any money is laid on the table or fed into slot machines, Bally's must pass a practice gaming session. Gaming regulators will inspect the casino and its operations on Sept. 5 with the practice gaming sessions happening over the next two days.Beth Kaufman, with the Illinois Gaming Board, is hoping to have the casino at Medinah Temple ready this month. They are hoping to have about 750 slot machines and 50 table games. The sign went up last month and the temporary casino is expected to bring in about $55 million a year. Don’t miss the deadline to claim a Facebook privacy settlement payment The $1.7 million permanent casino will be built in River West at the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center site that Nexstar previously owned and currently owns WGN-TV. The permanent casino is expected to bring the city about $200 million a year in tax revenue once it is up and running -- money that is earma...

Girl, 12, missing in Algonquin found safe, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:49 GMT

ALGONQUIN, Ill. — Police in Algonquin and Westfield Community School officials seeking the whereabouts of a 12-year-old girl last seen on Wednesday say she has been located safe. Authorities issued the update just after noon Thursday.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesThe police department thanked the community for their "concern, involvement, and dedication to bring this juvenile home safely."

ERCOT asks Texans to volunteer to conserve power Thursday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued a Conservation Appeal from 3 – 10 p.m. Thursday due to extreme temperatures, continued near-record demand, and forecasted low wind-power generation. Understanding ERCOT’s emergency alert levels "Due to low wind-power generation and high demand, operating reserves for ERCOT are expected to be low for several hours this afternoon into the evening," the utility said.ERCOT requested Texans conserve electricity use, if safe to do so. This is a voluntary request.The utility said it set a new, all-time, unofficial peak demand record of 85,435 MW on Aug. 10, 2023. In 2022, ERCOT said the August peak demand was 78,465 MW.ERCOT alert levelsConservation Alert: This is a voluntary request to reduce electrical use, ERCOT said. While ERCOT said it is not in emergency operations, it asks the public and “all government agencies to implement all programs to reduce energy use at their facilities.”Energy Emergency Level 1:...

TCSO asks for help identifying suspect accused of attempting to sexually assault a woman

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:44:49 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN New Today's top headlines for Aug. 24, 2023.TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Travis County Sheriff’s Office said it was searching for a suspect accused of attempting to sexually assault a woman in northern Travis County.TCSO said at approximately 6:15 a.m. Aug. 12, a woman stopped at a gas station at the corner of Wells Branch Parkway and Interstate 35, and she was followed to her apartment complex by an unknown man she had seen parked at an adjacent pump.According to a release, the suspect, who was now completely nude, searched for the victim in an attempt to sexually assault her, but TCSO said she was able to hide from him.Images of suspect from a gas station in the 1600 block of Wells Branch Parkway (TCSO photos)Images of the suspect vehicle from a gas station in the 1600 block of Wells Branch Parkway (TCSO photos)The suspect was described as a man approximately 25-35 years old with a tall, athletic build, short hair and multiple tattoos...