Month: April 2021

President Joe Biden will withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, According to sources, Biden is expected to make the official announcement Wednesday. The full withdrawal will happen before or by the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, extending the May 2021 deadline set by the Trump administration.

The Taliban had threatened an increase in violence should the United States keep armed forces in the country beyond May 1. Sources said that the Biden administration hoped that by setting a new, specific date, it could avoid that violence. 

A senior administration official told CNN that U.S. officials told the Taliban that any attack on U.S. troops in the meantime would be met with retaliation. There are currently more than 2,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Biden to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by September

Via www.nbcnews.com

The drawdown will begin before May 1, the deadline the U.S. had already agreed to with the Taliban.

04/13/2021 2:23 PM

 

The police chief and the officer in Brooklyn Center, Minn. who fatally shot a 20-year-old black man during a traffic stop resigned on Tuesday.  Officer Kimberly Potter submitted her resignation letter to the Law Enforcement Labor Services, a public safety labor union. Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott said the city didn’t ask Potter, a 26-year veteran, to resign. Police Chief Tim Gannon also issued his resignation in the wake of Sunday’s shooting, which resulted in two days of protests.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said in a statement that Potter discharged her firearm Sunday afternoon during a traffic stop that resulted in the death of Daunte Wright. She was placed on administration leave before her resignation. Authorities released a brief video clip of the incident from her body-worn camera. During a news conference, police chief Gannon said Potter accidentally shot Wright with her firearm and believed that she “had the intention” to deploy her Taser.

The officers pulled Wright over Sunday afternoon and discovered he was wanted on a misdemeanor warrant. In the footage, Wright appears to struggle with the arresting officer and Potter is heard repeatedly saying “Taser” before discharging her weapon, firing a single bullet.

Gov. Tim Walz declared a curfew for the four counties of Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota and Anoka from 7 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday after protesters and police clashed in the Minneapolis suburb for a second night.

Minnesota officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright resigns; police chief also steps down

Via www.nbcnews.com

Kim Potter, a 26-year department veteran, was identified as the officer who fatally shot Wright…

04/13/2021 3:46 PM

 

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Authorities confirm that one person was killed and a police officer was injured Monday during a shooting at a high school in Tennessee. The city’s police department said in a statement that shots were fired after officers in Knoxville responded to a report of an armed person at Austin-East Magnet High School on Monday afternoon. It wasn’t clear if the person, described as a male, was a student. The person was killed and a Knoxville police officer was struck at least once, suffering what the department said were non-life threatening injuries. A second person was detained for further investigation, authorities said.

Knox County Schools Superintendent Bob Thomas said the school had been secured and students who weren’t involved in the shooting were released to their families. Thomas called the incident “tragic.” During a news conference about students returning to in-school learning, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee asked people to pray for victims of the shooting and their families.

Shooting at Knoxville, Tennessee, high school leaves 1 dead, police officer injured

Via abcnews.go.com

Police are investigating a shooting at Austin-East Magnet High School, where several people were…

04/12/2021 5:36 PM

 

Games involving Minnesota pro sports teams in MLB, the NBA, and NHL that were scheduled for Monday have been postponed in response to the fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright on Sunday in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, died during a traffic stop after a police officer yelled “taser,” but fired a gun instead.

A game between the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox was the first to be postponed, with the Twins announcing the decision and saying it was “rooted in safety” after the club spoke with local officials. The Minnesota Timberwolves-Brooklyn Nets contest also was cancelled Monday, the Timberwolves announced. The matchup between the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues was postponed as well, according to statements from the Wild and and an announcement from the NHL.

Minnesota’s MLB, NBA, NHL games postponed in wake of Daunte Wright shooting

Via sports.yahoo.com

Shortly afterward, the NBA’s Minnesota … of Daunte Wright.” In announcing the Wild’s…

04/12/2021 4:46 PM

 

Editorial credit: James Kirkikis / Shutterstock.com

Ash-covered St. Vincent braces for more volcanic eruptions

Via www.nbcnews.com

“It’s difficult to breathe,” said Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves. “What goes up, must come down.”

04/11/2021 7:06 AM

 

A standoff between Honolulu police and an armed man at a luxury resort ended when the man was found dead from suicide. The gunman, who had fired shots through the door of his fourth-floor room, was found dead after a SWAT team entered his room at The Kahala Hotel & Resort about 3:30 a.m. Sunday. Police didn’t release further information, including the man’s name. Authorities have also not released any details about the events leading up to the stand-off, but reports say that police believe the man is in the military.

Shots were fired at around 6 p.m., according to police. Hotel security staff went up to the room where the man was located and knocked on the door. He then fired through the door multiple times, police said. The luxury resort said in a statement that hotel security and law enforcement evacuated the area around the room.

Photos and videos shared by local media showed about 100 people locked down in the hotel’s ballroom and displaced guests were provided with food, blankets and pillows. Hours after the standoff began, guests sheltering in place were allowed to leave. Images from outside the resort showed a large police presence, including a SWAT team.

Hotel gunman dead from self-inflicted gunshot wound: Police

Via abcnews.go.com

A man who barricaded himself in a Honolulu hotel room after allegedly firing multiple shots has…

04/11/2021 4:57 PM

 

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