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Blinken says a multinational force is needed to help Haiti’s National Police restore order

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:26 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken said Wednesday that a multinational force is needed to help Haiti’s National Police restore order, echoing recent appeals made by U.N. officials who warn that the country’s insecurity is worsening.Blinken briefly spoke about Haiti and other issues during a one-day trip to Trinidad and Tobago, which hosted a three-day conference held by the 15-member Caribbean trade bloc known as Caricom. Caribbean leaders have been meeting regularly about the situation in Haiti. Caricom Chairman and Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit noted that the group supports Haitian-led solutions but he also called on the U.S. for help.“It’s no secret, Mr. Secretary, that the United States will have to play a very crucial role,” he said as he introduced Blinken on the conference’s final day.Blinken spoke one day before the U.N. Security Council was scheduled to meet and talk about Haiti amid mounting pressure on the international community ...

Man gets life sentence for raping 9-year-old Ohio girl who traveled to Indiana for legal abortion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:26 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A man who confessed to raping and impregnating a 9-year-old Ohio girl has been sentenced to life in prison in a case that became a national flashpoint on abortion rights because the girl had to travel out of state to end the pregnancy.Gerson Fuentes, 28, was sentenced to life in prison, but his plea deal stipulates that he can seek parole after serving 25 to 30 years. He would then have to register as a sex offender. Common Pleas Court Judge Julie Lynch, who was not required to approve the plea agreement, said the girl’s family “begged” the judge to back it. Lynch called the deal a “very hard pill for this court to swallow.”“Anyone who’s ever been in this courtroom for the last 20 years knows how this court feels about these babies, young people, being violated,” Lynch said. “However, today, by the request of the family, this court will be sentencing without comment.”The maximum sentence would have been life without parole. Settling the case before trial ...

North Carolina governor vetoes trio of LGBTQ+ restrictions in ongoing fight with GOP supermajority

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:26 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed Wednesday a trio of bills aimed at LGBTQ+ youth that would ban gender-affirming health care for minors, restrict transgender participation in school sports and limit classroom instruction about gender identity and sexuality.While LGBTQ+ rights advocates say Cooper’s attempt to block the bills demonstrates his support amid what they view as unrelenting attacks from the General Assembly, his veto stamp carries little weight now that Republicans hold narrow veto-proof majorities in both chambers. His vetoes are not expected to survive override attempts, which could happen as soon as next week when lawmakers return from their Fourth of July break.Cooper denounced the bills as “a triple threat of political culture wars” that he said would interfere with the ability of doctors and parents to care for vulnerable children whose lives have been thrust into the political spotlight and upended by legislation in dozens ...

Stock market today: Wall Street drifts lower as markets worldwide pull back

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:26 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street edged lower Wednesday following a rally that had sent it roaring 16% higher for the year so far.The S&P 500 fell 8.77 points, or 0.2%, to 4,446.82 to drift lower from its highest level since April 2022. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 129.83, or 0.4%, to 34,288.64, and the Nasdaq composite lost 25.12, or 0.2%, to 13,791.65.Other markets around the world fell more sharply following the latest discouraging signal from China’s economy. Growth in China’s services industry slowed by more than economists expected last month. It’s the latest evidence showing the world’s second-largest economy is stumbling in its recovery following the removal of anti-COVID restrictions.The U.S. economy, meanwhile, has remained stronger than many investors feared. It’s defied predictions for a recession because of a job market that’s remained remarkably solid despite much higher interest rates meant to bring down inflation. A report on Wednesday showed growth f...

Poacher wanted for killing, dumping body of large bull elk

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:26 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado Parks and Wildlife is working to identify a person connected to a poaching case. The suspect allegedly killed a bull elk and dumped the carcass in Park County.CPW said the large bull elk was shot sometime between June 24-26 in the area between Como and Hartsel. The small communities are south of Breckenridge and Keystone. Originally, CPW rangers were called about a bull elk carcass that had been dumped alongside Pike National Forest Road 146, which is east of the Buffalo subdivision. According to rangers, the elk had been shot with a high-power rifle. ‘Nuisance’ mountain lion relocated after multiple incidents in Pagosa Springs Only the meat along the spine had been removed from the elk before it was dumped. One of the elk's antlers was cut in half and left next to the body.CPW said the elk was killed outside of hunting season, and most of the meat was left to waste, both of which violated state hunting regulations. According to CPW's website, elk can be h...

Highest-rated ice cream shops in Denver, according to Yelp

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:26 GMT

Ice cream is a treat all year round, although the frequency and volume consumed during the hotter months might eclipse the colder months. The range of flavors in ice cream shops has evolved since the olden days when flavors were mainly limited to vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.The best shops nowadays offer fresh combinations and ingredients you may never have imagined could be made into ice cream. Yes, you can find your classics, but also new concoctions like black sesame cookies and cream or honey lavender. Some shops boast flavors with even more unheard-of ingredients and combinations, like the savory herb tarragon or pineapple with pink peppercorns. These are the highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Denver, according to Yelp Ice cream creators have also expanded into rethinking frozen yogurt, soft serve, and vegan options. The dairy-free folks no longer have to order the only sorbet on the menu. There are non-dairy milk ice creams made from plant-based milks like oat or al...

Lauderhill teen hospitalized after firework explodes in hand during debris cleanup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:26 GMT

A teenager was transported to the hospital after a firework blew up in his hand while his family cleaned up the street following Fourth of July celebrations in Lauderhill. According to Lauderhill Fire Rescue, they transported a 13-year-old to Broward Health Medical Center at around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, where he underwent surgery.His family remained by his side while he was hospitalized before and after the surgical procedure. Moments after the firework blast near a home along Northwest 31st Avenue, a family member dialed 911 in a desperate call for help.“His hand just exploded, please, everything exploded,” said a caller to a 911 dispatcher. “Speaking to family members that were still on scene, they basically stated that they heard a boom and saw him go to the ground,” said Lauderhill Fire Rescue inspector Sheniqua Johnson.Lauderhill Fire Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Jerry Gonzalez elaborated on the teen’s injuries. “Injuries were to the right hand...

Fire sparks at Wilton Wings Bar and Kitchen in Fort Lauderdale, damaging landmark movie theater next door

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:26 GMT

A fire that sparked inside a Fort Lauderdale restaurant spread toward the historic movie theater located next door.Wilton Wings Bar and Kitchen, located at 1818 E. Sunrise Blvd, burned for nearly an hour in Fort Lauderdale, just before 9 a.m., WednesdayFort Lauderdale Fire Rescue crews rushed to the scene.“The crews were able to get out here quickly and maintain a majority of the fire damage to the restaurant, where it originally started,” said FLFR Fire Chief Stephen Gollan. “We have investigators on scene at this time working to determine what the origin of the fire may be.”However, Gollan said, crews had a hard time getting to the fire. “The fire gets running in the void spaces and so, they have to open up a lot of walls. They have to see where the seed of the fire was in order to properly extinguish it,” said Gollan. “That, paralleled with the extreme heat we’re experiencing, makes it a very challenging day.”But the fire...

Trailer with tools and lighting equipment worth $15K stolen from parking lot of Pompano Beach business

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:26 GMT

A South Florida business owner is reeling hours after thieves broke in and took off with a trailer filled with thousands of dollars in tools and lighting equipment.Surveillance video captured the trailer stolen as it was pulled away with a pickup truck from the parking lot of Trimlight South Florida in Pompano Beach, located in the area of Powerline and Sample roads, early Wednesday morning.Jamie Oristano, who owns the lighting company, said this was a high-priced steal, with about $15,000 worth of equipment inside the trailer.It is also a concern for the business owner, as the trailer is now in the wrong hands. “I think people are you know just, trying to, you know, make money however they can, even though there are so many jobs available now,” said Oristano. But someone clearly preferred stealing.Trimlight South Florida sells and installs colorful accent lights for homes, and in its parking lot, someone cut open a lock, pulled the trunk with a pickup trailer and left. ...

7-Year-Old killed in shooting over jetski dispute in Tampa

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:26 GMT

A seven-year-old boy lost his life during a shooting stemming from an argument over reckless jetski driving in Tampa.According to officials, at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, law enforcement responded to reports of gunfire along the Courtney Campbell Causeway, west of Ben T. Davis Beach. Upon arrival, officers discovered a seven-year-old victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the head, as well as the victim’s grandfather, who had sustained a gunshot wound to his hand.Witnesses at the scene recounted a verbal altercation that had erupted between two groups over the dangerous operation of a jetski in close proximity to children playing in the water. The confrontation took a turn when members of both groups resorted to gunfire. Tragically, the seven-year-old boy and his grandfather were struck by bullets as the grandfather tried to shield his young grandson from harm.Authorities are actively conducting a thorough investigation, diligently gathering evidence and pursuing le...