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Switzerland indicts Algerian ex-minister for alleged crimes against humanity during 1990s insurgency

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

GENEVA (AP) — Swiss federal prosecutors said Tuesday they have indicted a former Algerian defense minister, now aged 85 and reportedly “on his deathbed,” for his alleged role in crimes against humanity during the bloody insurrection in the North African country in the 1990s. The Swiss attorney general’s office accuses former Gen. Khaled Nezzar of violating the laws of armed conflict under the Geneva Conventions, alleging that he knew of or willingly condoned, coordinated and encouraged activities such as torture, extra-judicial executions, arbitrary detention and physical assaults between 1992 and 1994.Nezzar’s lawyers said he contested the claims, and said he spoke out against torture in particular as early as the 1990s. “The case file doesn’t make it possible to establish either that Gen. Khaled Nezzar ordered or gave assistance to abuses held against him, or even that he was informed about them or refrained from acting to prevent them,” Caroline Schumacher...

Oklahoma bank and the Justice Department propose settlement of redlining allegations around Tulsa

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

The U.S. Department of Justice and a northeastern Oklahoma bank have announced a proposed agreement to settle claims that the bank discriminated in lending to Blacks and Hispanics in the Tulsa area. Collinsville-based American Bank of Oklahoma used the illegal practice known as redlining in majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in the Tulsa area, including the area of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, according to the Justice Department.The proposed consent agreement filed in federal court in Tulsa on Monday is pending court approval and calls for ABOK to provide $1.15 million in credit opportunities in neighborhoods of color in the Tulsa area.“This agreement will help expand investment in Black communities and communities of color in Tulsa and increase opportunities for homeownership and financial stability,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the department’s Civil Rights Division said in a statement.“Remedial provisions in the agreement will open up opportunities ...

WATCH LIVE | Procession for CFD lieutenant who died following Northwest Side fire earlier this month

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

CHICAGO —A Chicago firefighter with over 25 years on the job has passed away following a house fire earlier this month, the Chicago Fire Department reports.Lt. Kevin Ward was one of three firefighters injured in a blaze Aug. 11 in the 8300 block of West Balmoral near O'Hare. A mayday call was issued during the fire and Ward was transported in critical condition. Two days later, CFD said he was making improvements at Loyola Medical Center but remained in serious condition. Previous: 3 firefighters injured following Northwest Side house fire Ward, 59, was surrounded by family at the time of his death. He joined the department in 1996.Ward's death is the third line-of-duty death the department has dealt with in 2023. In the same week in April, CFD lost Jermaine Pelt, 49, and Jan Tchoryk, 55, in separate fires."On behalf of the City of Chicago, I offer my sincerest condolences on the passing of Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Kevin Ward. I pray for th...

FEMA opens Chicago area recovery centers for those affected by summer storms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

CHICAGO — Those who were affected by floods in the Chicago area in late June and early July will have the chance to get some help from FEMA starting Tuesday. They agency has opened four disaster recovery centers for those who were negatively impacted by heavy storms from June 29-July 2 in Cook County. Per FEMA, specialists from their organization along with the U.S. Small Business Administration will help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance, upload documents, how to prepare their property to be more "disaster resistant," while also answering other questions in person.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog Assistance will be offered in a few spoken languages along with American sign language, with translated materials being available at each location. Here are the locations of the FEMA disaster recovery centers opening on Tuesday.Washington Square Mall 4851 West North Avenue - Chicago, IL 60639​​     &nbs...

3 teens charged with first-degree murder after man shot, killed in Aurora

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

AURORA, Ill. — Three teens have been charged with first-degree murder after a 19-year-old was shot and killed while inside a vehicle in Aurora.At around 7:25 p.m. on Aug. 20, officers responded to the 1300 block of North Glen Circle on the report of a person shot.Officers at the scene located the 19-year-old man, later identified as Edwin Valera, suffering from gunshot wounds inside of a vehicle that crashed. Valera was pronounced dead at a local hospital.Three teen boys, a 16-year-old and two 15 year olds, were arrested on Thursday. They have all been charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery. Previous: 19-year-old man shot, killed in Aurora Additionally, the 16-year-old was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.Despite the charges, Aurora police said they are still investigating the shooting.

New proposed shelter site for migrants is former Marine Corps facility on NW Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson sent a joint letter to the Homeland Security secretary to allow migrants to get a job faster.The city is also taking steps to house about 550 migrants at a former Marine Corps facility on the city's Northwest Side, that has been vacant for about eight to 10 months.The city would buy the former facility from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District for about $1.5 million. It is located on Foster, just west of the river and Kedzie.The facility itself would still need some upgrades, but city staff says the facility is in pretty good shape and has existing showers and a cafeteria. The city will also have to come up with maintenance costs, which is estimated to be aroung $43,000 a year. The full Chicago City Council will need to approve in order to purchase.If it is approved, migrants could begin moving in about three weeks later. It is up for a vote in mid-September.The city says about 500 migrants are still in police stations ...

Chicago man exonerated of 1989 double murder conviction

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

CHICAGO — A 52-year-old man who has spent more than three decades in prison for the murder of two youths has been exonerated.Francisco Benitez was convicted in Sep. 1991 but maintained his innocence of the crimes, according to a press release from The Exoneration Project. An evidentiary hearing was held April 5-6, 2023 during which evidence was presented in support of his exoneration. CFD lieutenant dies following Northwest Side fire earlier this month Part of Benitez's argument involves two police officers involved with his conviction. The Exoneration Project cites two other murder convictions involving these officers which have been vacated.Tuesday Benitez was officially found innocent by a judge and was able to return home for the first time in 34 years.

Cubs give Sister Jean a 104th birthday gift, continuing a recent tradition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

CHICAGO — Some might argue that the best moment of the start of a critical Cubs' series with the Brewers came before the game.That's when a beloved member of the Rogers Park community who has found international fame over the last few years got a bit of a birthday present at the Friendly Confines - and kept what's become a recent tradition going.(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)Sister Jean, the basketball chaplain and longtime member of Loyola University, got the chance to throw out the first pitch before the game at Wrigley Field on Monday night.It comes just after she celebrated her 104th birthday on August 21 and she was greeted warmly by the crowd as she was pushed onto the field. Sister Jean waved to the crowd and was set just a few feet away from home plate.(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)After rotating the ball in her hands and winding up her arm a few times, she gave an underhand toss towards the plate to mascot "Clark The Cub," who was the catcher for the first p...

What is considered a 'major hurricane'?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

(WHTM) - The peak of hurricane season is just around the corner, and that means these storms are likely to make an appearance in the coming weeks. According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Idalia is expected to strengthen to an "extremely dangerous major hurricane." But what is a major hurricane and why does it matter? According to the National Hurricane Center, a hurricane is considered "major" when the sustained winds within the storm reach 111 mph or higher. This corresponds to a Category 3 or higher storm on the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Winds Scale, which has ratings up to 5. A Category 3 storm, according to the scale, has winds between 111 mph and 129 mph. TIMELINE: Idalia approaches and storms increase According to the NHC, storms of this strength can cause major damage and trees can be "snapped.""Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads," the NHC st...

Megan Rapinoe's USWNT finale will be in Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

CHICAGO — The international career of one of the greatest women's soccer players in American history will come to an end in Chicago.It's a fitting place for that to happen, too.On Tuesday, the United States Women's National Team announced that Megan Rapinoe will play her final match for that squad at Soldier Field this fall. That will be an international friendly against South Africa on Sunday, September 24 at 4:30 p.m. central time. Rapinoe, who plays for OL Reign of the National Women's Soccer League, announced earlier this year that she'll retire from professional soccer at the conclusion of their 2023 season. She took part in her final FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this past summer, where the USWNT was eliminated in the Round of 16.In some ways, it's a full circle moment for the two-time World Cup champion (2015, 2019) and 2012 Olympic gold medalist. Rapinoe began her professional career with the Chicago Red Stars in 2009 as their first round draft pick (2nd overal...