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Afternoon Briefing: Imprisoned ex-Ald. Edward Burke seeks clemency from Trump

Afternoon Briefing: Imprisoned ex-Ald. Edward Burke seeks clemency from Trump

Yahoo30-01-2025

Good afternoon, Chicago.
Imprisoned former Ald. Edward Burke has become the latest Chicago Democrat to seek clemency from someone who, at first blush, would seem like an unlikely benefactor: Republican President Donald Trump.
Burke, who was convicted of wide-ranging corruption charges in December 2023 and sentenced last year to two years in federal prison, filed a petition with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of the Pardon Attorney earlier this month, online records show.
For those who seek clemency for a federal conviction, the process starts just like a job search — with an application. Here's a look at Chicagoans who received clemency from a US president.
And here's what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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US shifts military resources in Mideast in response to Israel strikes and possible Iran attack
US shifts military resources in Mideast in response to Israel strikes and possible Iran attack

Washington Post

time30 minutes ago

  • Washington Post

US shifts military resources in Mideast in response to Israel strikes and possible Iran attack

WASHINGTON — The United States is shifting military resources, including ships, in the Middle East in response to Israel's strikes on Iran and a possible retaliatory attack by Tehran, two U.S. officials said Friday. The Navy has directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner to begin sailing toward the Eastern Mediterranean and has directed a second destroyer to begin moving forward, so it can be available if requested by the White House. President Donald Trump is meeting with his National Security Council principals to discuss the situation. The two U.S. officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. The forces in the region have been taking precautionary measures for days, including having military dependents voluntarily depart regional bases, in anticipation of the strikes and to protect those personnel in case of a large-scale response from Tehran. There are typically around 30,000 troops based in the Middle East. However, that number surged as high as 43,000 last October amid the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran as well as continuous attacks on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. The Hudner is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer that is capable of defending against ballistic missiles. On Oct. 1, 2024, U.S. Navy destroyers fired about a dozen interceptors in defense of Israel as the country came under attack by more than 200 missiles fired by Iran.

Here's What Federal Troops Can (and Can't) Do While Deployed in LA
Here's What Federal Troops Can (and Can't) Do While Deployed in LA

WIRED

time31 minutes ago

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Here's What Federal Troops Can (and Can't) Do While Deployed in LA

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During an 'extraordinary emergency,' military commanders may take limited, immediate action to prevent massive destruction or to restore critical public services, but only so long as presidential approval is 'impossible' to obtain in advance. And while military personnel are naturally expected to maintain order and discipline at all times, under no circumstances are they required to stand down when their lives, or the lives of others, are in immediate danger. Still, enforcement of these rules in the field is far from guaranteed. Legal experts warn that adherence often varies in chaotic environments. Trump administration officials have also demonstrated a willingness to skirt the law. Last week, homeland security secretary Kristi Noem asked the Pentagon to authorize military assistance in conducting arrests and to deploy drone surveillance, according to a letter obtained by The San Francisco Chronicle—a move experts say directly contradicts standing legal prohibitions. At a press conference on Thursday, Noem stated the federal government was on a mission to 'liberate' Los Angeles from 'socialists' and the 'leadership' of California governor Gavin Newsom and LA mayor Karen Bass. US Senator Alex Padilla, who represents the citizens of California, was forcibly removed from the press conference after attempting to question Noem. Outside the press conference room, federal agents forced the senator to the ground, where he was temporarily placed in handcuffs. Unlike the National Guard, which is well trained for domestic crowd control, active-duty Marines generally receive relatively little instruction in handling civil unrest. Those who do typically belong to military police or specialized security units. Nonetheless, the Marine Corps has published footage online showing various task forces training with riot-control tactics and 'nonlethal' weapons. 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Liverpool agrees to record $157M transfer for midfielder Florian Wirtz
Liverpool agrees to record $157M transfer for midfielder Florian Wirtz

UPI

time36 minutes ago

  • UPI

Liverpool agrees to record $157M transfer for midfielder Florian Wirtz

Midfielder Florian Wirtz (L) totaled 16 goals and 15 assists over 45 appearances last season for Bayer Leverkusen. Photo by Christopher Neundorf/EPA-EFE June 13 (UPI) -- Liverpool agreed to a potential record transfer fee of nearly $157 million for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz. Sources told ESPN, The Athletic and Sky Sports about the agreement Friday. Wirtz is expected to sign a five-year deal with the Reds. If completed, Wirtz's pact, which features a guaranteed $135.2 million and $21.6 million in add-ons, would set a British transfer fee record. Wirtz, 22, made his senior debut at Leverkusen in 2020. He totaled 18 goals and 20 assists over 49 appearances in 2023-24 en route to Bundesliga Player of the Season honors. Wirtz totaled 16 goals and 15 assists over 45 appearances last season. Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez set the previous British transfer fee record when he joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023. The Reds were 25-4-9 this season en route to their first Premier League crown since 2019-20. They will take on EFL Championship club Preston in a friendly at 10 a.m. EDT July 13 in Preston, England.

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