UN chief uses rare power to warn Security Council of impending ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ in Gaza

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:51:41 GMT

UN chief uses rare power to warn Security Council of impending ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ in Gaza UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres used a rarely exercised power to warn the Security Council on Wednesday of an impending “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza and urged its members to demand an immediate humanitarian cease-fire.His letter to the council’s 15 members said Gaza’s humanitarian system was at risk of collapse after two months of war that has created “appalling human suffering, physical destruction and collective trauma,” and he demanded civilians be spared greater harm.Guterres invoked Article 99 of the U.N. Charter, which says the secretary-general may inform the council of matters he believes threaten international peace and security. “The international community has a responsibility to use all its influence to prevent further escalation and end this crisis,” he said.U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said he expects the secretary-general to address the Security Council on Gaza this week and to press for a humanitarian cease-fi...

Authorities in Alaska suspend search for boy missing after deadly landslide

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:51:41 GMT

Authorities in Alaska suspend search for boy missing after deadly landslide JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Authorities have suspended the search for the 12-year-old boy still missing following a deadly landslide in the southeast Alaska community of Wrangell.Five people have been confirmed killed in the landslide and their bodies recovered: Otto Florschutz, Timothy and Beth Heller and two of the couple’s children, Kara Heller, 11, and Mara Heller, 16. Derek Heller remains missing following the Nov. 20 landslide that came down into the path of three homes, one of which was unoccupied. Florschutz’s wife, Christina Florschutz, survived.The City and Borough of Wrangell on Wednesday said the decision to end the search for Derek Heller followed “15 days of tireless and exhaustive efforts” by search and rescue teams.“After careful consideration and evaluation of all available information, it has been determined that all accessible search areas have been thoroughly examined. Search and Rescue volunteers and a scent-detection K9 team will be available to res...

Migrant shelter opens across the street from The Salt Shed

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:51:41 GMT

Migrant shelter opens across the street from The Salt Shed CHICAGO -- A migrant shelter opened last month directly across the street from The Salt Shed concert venue.According to the City of Chicago, a migrant shelter opened in the 1300 block of North Elston Avenue in the city's West Town neighborhood on Saturday, Nov. 18. 2 busloads of migrants arrive in Chicago, 5 more expected Wednesday A small neighborhood surrounded by North Avenue and Division Avenue, along with the Kennedy Expressway and the Chicago River, busloads of migrants have been dropped off at the Elston shelter over the past four weeks.WGN-TV reached out to city officials to find out how many migrants are being housed at the Elston shelter, but have yet to hear back.As of Wednesday morning, there are 13,460 migrants living in 26 active shelters in Chicago, with 547 still awaiting placement.393 migrants remain in eight of the Chicago Police Department's district police stations, while another 154 are still being kept at O'Hare International Airport. 562 buses have arrived i...

CPD: 18-year-old arrested, charged after Humboldt Park armed robbery

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:51:41 GMT

CPD: 18-year-old arrested, charged after Humboldt Park armed robbery CHICAGO — An 18-year-old man was arrested and charged Tuesday after he robbed a woman in mid-late November, according to the Chicago Police Department.Frederick Page, 18, booked on two charges after a late November armed robbery in Humboldt Park (Courtesy: CPD)CPD said Frederick Page was arrested and charged Tuesday after he was identified as one of the suspects who robbed a a 33-year-old woman at gunpoint in the 700 block of North Trumbull Avenue back on Nov. 20. Elgin police officer charged with possession of child porn Page was charged with one felony count of robbery - armed with a firearm, and one felony count of unlawful vehicular invasion.Police said Page was taken into custody and charged accordingly.No other information is available at this time.

3 busloads of migrants arrive in Chicago, 4 expected Wednesday night

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:51:41 GMT

3 busloads of migrants arrive in Chicago, 4 expected Wednesday night CHICAGO -- At least three busloads of migrants have arrived in Chicago from Texas Wednesday as the city government works to find housing for the new arrivals.Dozens of migrants, including adults and several children, were greeted by officials with the Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC) upon arrival in Chicago on Wednesday. A group of people with the New Life Centers also welcomed the migrants with coats and bags filled with basic necessities. 3 Chicago aldermen call for resignations over failed Brighton Park migrant site A migrant from Venezuela said she traveled with her husband, two children, and other relatives on an over 24 hour bus ride from Texas.But before arriving in Chicago, the Venezuelan family had a long and dangerous two month journey from their home country, including being robbed and kidnapped.She said her only worry will be the cold, but she's happy to be in a great city like Chicago and plans on staying with a relative who lives here. Mig...

Poll: Who won the 4th GOP presidential debate?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:51:41 GMT

Poll: Who won the 4th GOP presidential debate? (NEXSTAR) – Now that the leading Republican candidates – with the notable exception of Donald Trump – have faced off Wednesday night in the fourth GOP presidential debate in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, we want to know who you think won./**/Was it Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who a NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ poll released Monday showed to be the frontrunner behind former President Donald Trump (albeit at a distant 11%, some 50 points behind Trump)?Or was it former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who the same poll found to be just one point behind DeSantis? Perhaps a strong showing by Vivek Ramaswamy (6%) or former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (3%) gave them the edge as they work to carve out support from the block of undecided voters and sway those backing their fellow presidential hopefuls.Former President Trump's lead in the polls is so great that the former president opted not to attend any of the three previous debates. Trump said on Wednesday he will be hosting a closed-doo...

Christie slams Ramaswamy: 'Most obnoxious blowhard in America'

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:51:41 GMT

Christie slams Ramaswamy: 'Most obnoxious blowhard in America' (The Hill) – Chris Christie got into a fiery exchange with Vivek Ramaswamy during Wednesday night’s fourth GOP debate, calling out the entrepreneur and fellow White House contender for repeatedly interrupting and blasting him for his attacks against fellow candidate Nikki Haley. “This is the fourth debate that you would be voted in the first 20 minutes as the most obnoxious blowhard in America. So shut up for a little while,” Christie said during the event, hosted by The Hill's sister news organization NewsNation.The former New Jersey governor had offered a summary of Ramaswamy’s stance on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, which Ramaswamy denied was correct. “It’s exactly what you said. You do this at every debate,” Christie said. Republican Debate: Coverage from the spin room When Ramaswamy interjected, Christie said, “You go out on the stump and you say something, all of a sudden on video, we confront you out on the debate stage. You say you didn't say it, and then you bac...

'You’re just trying to survive': UNLV student recaps harrowing active shooter situation

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:51:41 GMT

'You’re just trying to survive': UNLV student recaps harrowing active shooter situation LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The deadly active shooter situation on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, on Wednesday brought out the raw emotion in some students.For Matthew Felsenfeld, the confusion and fear took him to an urgent task."It's the moment you call your parents and let 'em know you love 'em. You know, it's the moment you call 'em. That's it. You get no other moment if that active shooter comes in," Felsenfeld told Nexstar's KLAS in an interview at UNLV. "I called my mom, called my grandma, called my friends, called every single person and started texting people, and they all texted me back, 'I love you,'" he continued. "Don't forget to do that, always tell people you love them, because you never know when the last day is."The shooting began shortly before noon on Wednesday on the fourth floor of the Beam Hall, Frank and Estella Building, home of UNLV’s Lee Business School. The shooting moved to other floors in the building before authorities "engaged in a shootout"...

Families of spree shooting victims mourn outside South Austin home

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:51:41 GMT

Families of spree shooting victims mourn outside South Austin home AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sobs of grief could be heard outside the south Austin home where two people were shot and killed Tuesday. Their respective family members coming together to pray and reflect just 24 hours after those fatal shots rang out. 6 people dead after shooting spree in Austin, double homicide in Bexar County A man and woman were fatally shot outside the home on the 1700 block of Shadywood Drive on Tuesday, according to the Austin Police Department.On Wednesday, police identified the man as Emmanuel Pop Ba, 32. The woman was identified as Sabrina Rahman, 24.On Wednesday, police said Shane James, 34, was the suspect in this homicide, a double homicide in Bexar County, as well as the shootings of an Austin Independent School District officer and an APD officer.After Tuesday's fatal double shooting in South Austin, families of the deceased visited the site where their loved ones were injured. Among prayers and tears, all clung to one another for support. | Frank Martinez/KXAN Ne...

Texas schools 'disappointed' after Legislature leaves $800M for safety on the table

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:51:41 GMT

Texas schools 'disappointed' after Legislature leaves $800M for safety on the table AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Some Texas school leaders are feeling frustrated after state lawmakers gaveled out, likely for the rest of the year, without passing funds already set aside to help school districts pay for new safety and security measures mandated by the state. BACKGROUND: Texas Legislature finishes fourth special session without school vouchers, public education funds and more Left on the table included a proposal that would have funneled $800 million for school safety initiatives, which school districts have struggled with meeting under a new law. Senate Bill 5 from the fourth special session was tasked with various school funding measures, including "doubling the per campus allotments and per student allotments" for improved safety measures made into Texas law earlier this year under House Bill 3.House Bill 3 in the regular session this year made it a requirement for every Texas campus to have an armed person. The measure proved difficult for school campuses to fulfill, as ...