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Humanitarians want more aid for Gaza, access to hostages under Israel-Hamas truce. And more time

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:11:02 GMT

GENEVA (AP) — International aid groups say they are ready to deliver thousands of truckloads of food, water and other supplies to besieged Gaza if a temporary cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war takes hold as hoped on Thursday.Some hailed an important first step, but many said Wednesday that a four-day truce isn’t enough to meet overwhelming needs after seven weeks of fighting have displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians now living in miserable conditions.Key details of the accord announced Wednesday remain unclear, including the mechanics of getting more aid to desperate civilians and escorting the first group of Israeli hostages out of Gaza where they have been held since Hamas’ Oct. 7 rampage in Israel.Aid groups say a key ambition is to get help to northern Gaza, which has been largely inaccessible and where nearly all hospitals stopped working during a blistering air and ground offensive by Israeli forces.“The entire humanitarian sector is ready to scale up once ev...

Closing arguments in Vatican trial seek to expose problems in the city state’s legal system

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:11:02 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Lawyers for a once-powerful cardinal accused Vatican prosecutors of being “prisoner to their completely shattered theory” on Wednesday in the latest round of closing arguments of a trial that has raised fundamental questions about the rule of law in the city state.Despite attempts to demonize Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the two-year trial hasn’t proved any of the prosecutors’ allegations of embezzlement, abuse of office or witness tampering against him, said attorneys Maria Concetta Marzo and Fabio Viglione.“The cardinal is innocent,” they said in a statement. “Thanks to the hearings, we were able to ascertain that none of the accusations had any foundation and that prosecutors were prisoner to their completely shattered theory.”Becciu is on trial along with nine others in a sprawling case that is focused on the Vatican’s 350 million-euro investment in a London property but also includes two other tangents. Prosecutors have accused the 10 of a host of financial...

Police, Senate investigating threat over carbon pricing bill: Senate leader

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:11:02 GMT

OTTAWA — Two members of the Independent Senators Group say police and Senate security are investigating a threat that forced one of them to leave her home last weekend, following a social-media post that blasted members of the upper chamber for their position on a carbon pricing bill for farmers.Sen. Raymonde Saint-Germain rose on a point of privilege on Tuesday alleging that she and Sen. Bernadette Clement were intimidated and bullied by other senators in the chamber after Clement moved to adjourn debate on the bill on Nov. 9.Clement says she and her staff were also subjected to a barrage of disturbing calls after a Conservative MP posted what she calls a “wanted” poster online with photos and phone numbers for herself and Sen. Chantal Petitclerc, encouraging people to call them to ask why they were shutting down debate on the bill.Clement says one very angry man called and threatened to come to her home in Cornwall, Ont., which prompted her to leave after discussions w...

More victims come forward in sexual assault case against Richmond Hill physiotherapist

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:11:02 GMT

A physiotherapist in York Region is facing additional charges in an ongoing sexual assault investigation after more victims came forward.Authorities received information about a possible sexual assault on Oct. 23, 2023, in Richmond Hill. York Regional Police said a victim alleged they were sexually assaulted during an appointment at a clinic in the Yonge Street and Centre Street area.The accused was identified as 53-year-old Iraj Daneshvar of Richmond Hill. On Oct. 30, he was charged with one count of sexual assault. On Wednesday, police said other victims came forward and reported being sexually assaulted by the suspect under similar circumstances. The accused is now facing two additional sexual assault charges. In a news release, a police spokesperson said investigators believe there may be more victims who have not yet come forward. They are urging them to contact authorities as soon as possible.

Track coach pleads guilty in federal court to tricking women into sending him nude photos

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:11:02 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — A former college track and field coach accused of setting up sham social media and email accounts in an attempt to trick women into sending him nude or semi-nude photos of themselves pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston, prosecutors said Tuesday.Steve Waithe, 30, of Chicago, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and one count of computer fraud, prosecutors said.Waithe also pleaded guilty to cyberstalking one victim through text messages and direct messages sent via social media, as well as by hacking into her Snapchat account, prosecutors said.A lawyer for Waithe did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.Sentencing is scheduled for March 6, 2024. Waithe was originally arrested in April.Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levy called Waithe’s behavior despicable.“For almost a year, he manipulated, exploited and in one case stalked young women across the county hiding behind a web of a...

FBI confirms explosion at Canada-U.S. Rainbow Bridge border crossing in New York

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:11:02 GMT

WASHINGTON — Four of the busiest border crossing points between Canada and the United States were abruptly closed Wednesday after a vehicle exploded at a U.S. checkpoint in Niagara Falls. The FBI confirmed it is investigating the explosion, which took place on the U.S. side of the Rainbow Bridge crossing in upstate New York.Videos posted to social media show smoke and flames and the wreckage of at least one vehicle at the checkpoint complex on the U.S. side of the Niagara River. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the House of Commons that Canada was working closely with the U.S. and taking the matter “extremely seriously” before he excused himself to attend a briefing.  Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc called it a “violent circumstance” and a source of concern for both countries, but warned against speculation in the absence of more details.  New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement that she had been fully briefed and was monitoring the situation ...

2 reported dead after vehicle explosion at Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, FBI investigating

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:11:02 GMT

Two people who were in a vehicle that exploded at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing in Niagara Falls are dead, according to multiple media reports.The explosion, which one eyewitness said occurred after a speeding vehicle crashed into a fence on the U.S. side of the border, prompted the closure of all four international bridges between Canada and Western New York.In a social media post, the FBI Buffalo Field Office confirmed it is investigating a “vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge” on Wednesday morning.“The FBI is coordinating with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in this investigation. As this situation is very fluid, that’s all we can say at this time.”Witness Mike Guenther told WGRZ-TV that he saw a vehicle racing toward the crossing from the U.S. side. The vehicle swerved to avoid another car before crashing into a fence, flying into the air, and exploding in dramatic fashion, he said.“All of a sudden he went up in...

Ed Burke trial: Cross examination of Burger King owner continues

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:11:02 GMT

CHICAGO — A Texas-based fast food restaurant magnate who owns a Burger King in the ward of Ed Burke is once again on the witness stand Wednesday in Burke's federal trial.The franchise owner, Shoulkat Dhanani, spent most of Tuesday answering questions from prosecutors — telling them he felt pressure to hire Ed Burke so that a construction project at his Burger King would go smoothly.Burke is charged with 14 counts of racketeering, bribery and extortion. They're tied to four alleged schemes involving the following: the aforementioned Burger King, Binny's Beverage Depot, the Old Main Post Office development and the Field Museum.In the Burger King episode, Burke is accused of trying to pressure Dhanani into using his private law firm to do Dhanani's property tax appeals for all 150 Burger King locations he owns in the area. Previous: Ed Burke trial shifts to alleged Burger King scheme Burke is heard of a wiretapped phone call telling a Texas political contact that he'd like to g...

Indiana man charged in Delphi murders evidence leak

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:11:02 GMT

CARROLL COUNTY, Ind. — A friend and former co-worker of attorney Andrew Baldwin, who was one-half of accused Delphi murderer Richard Allen's original defense team, is being charged after he admitted to taking photos of sensitive crime scene evidence related to the Delphi murders and leaking the photos online. Mitchell Westerman, 41, of Westfield is charged with one count of conversion, a Class A misdemeanor. Judge calls Richard Allen's original defense team “grossly negligent” According to court documents, Westerman once was employed at Baldwin's law firm and the two have been friends for several years. Westerman no longer works with Baldwin but said he frequently stopped by the office to visit with Baldwin and the staff. Booking photo of Mitchell WestermanOn Oct. 5, law enforcement were notified of a leak in evidence related to the slayings of Libby German and Abby Williams in Delphi in February of 2017. The evidence, including sensitive crime scenes photos, had been spread onli...

Binance CEO pleads guilty, crypto firm to pay $4 billion fine

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:11:02 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -The Justice Department is celebrating a historic crackdown on the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange.Binance has agreed to pay a roughly $4 billion settlement, and its founder and CEO, Changpeng Zhao, has pleaded guilty to a felony and resigned.Attorney General Merrick Garland says that's the standard companies must meet if they want to do business in the U.S. and he says the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange failed to do it. "Binance prioritized its profits over the safety of the American people," he said.Garland and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said a sprawling investigation found Binance allowed nearly 2 million transactions that violated U.S. sanctions, including ones involving Hamas and ISIS.These officials say the transactions helped catapult Binance to the top of the crypto industry."Now, Binance is paying one of the largest corporate penalties in U.S. history," Garland said.The Justice Department has now successfully prosecuted the CE...