
Mississippi candidates for statewide offices square off in party primaries
Mississippi’s bitter Republican primary for lieutenant governor is one of several races to watch in Tuesday’s party primaries
2023-08-08 13:29

Florida man arrested for assaulting nurse, vandalizing emergency room, leading to hours of closure on August 6
Despite the upheaval, the staff managed to provide necessary assistance to the man before his arrest
2023-08-07 17:55

Linda Frickey case: Internet blasts 20-year jail sentence for Louisiana teen trio who carjacked, dismembered grandma
Frickey, who lived in Westwego, was jumped by the four teens in March as she was leaving a business in New Orleans’ Mid-City neighborhood
2023-11-21 18:25

Clashes in Senegal leave at least 9 dead; government bans use of social media platforms
Clashes between police and supporters of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko left nine people dead, the government said Friday, with authorities issuing a blanket ban on the use of several social media platforms in the aftermath of the violence. The deaths occurred mainly in the capital, Dakar, and Ziguinchor in the south, where Sonko is mayor, Interior Minister Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome said in a statement. Some social media sites used by demonstrators to incite violence, such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter have been suspended, he said. “The state of Senegal has taken every measure to guarantee the safety of people and property. We are going to reinforce security everywhere in the country,” Diome said. Sonko was convicted Thursday of corrupting youth but acquitted on charges of raping a woman who worked at a massage parlor and making death threats against her. The court sentenced Sonko to two years in prison. He didn't attend his trial in Dakar, and was judged in absentia. His lawyer said a warrant hadn't been issued yet for the politician’s arrest. Sonko came in third in Senegal’s 2019 presidential election and is popular with the country’s youth. His supporters maintain his legal troubles are part of a government effort to derail his candidacy in the 2024 presidential election. Sonko is considered President Macky Sall’s main competition and has urged Sall to state publicly that he won't seek a third term in office. Corrupting young people, which includes using one’s position of power to have sex with people under the age of 21, is a criminal offense in Senegal that is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to more than $6,000. Under Senegalese law, his conviction would bar Sonko from running in next year’s election, said Bamba Cisse, another defense lawyer. “The conviction for corruption of youth hinders his eligibility, because he was sentenced in absentia, so we can’t appeal,” Cisse said. However, the government said that Sonko can ask for a retrial once he is imprisoned. It was unclear when he would be taken into custody. Shortly after the verdict was announced Thursday, clashes erupted throughout the country with Sonko’s PASTEF party calling for people to take to the streets. In Dakar, protesters threw rocks, burned vehicles and in some places erected barricades while police fired tear gas. Plumes of black smoke and the sound of tear gas being fired were seen and heard throughout the city. Those who weren't protesting stayed indoors, leaving much of Dakar a ghost town with boarded-up shops and empty streets as people feared the violence would escalate. “The verdict cements the criticism that Sall’s government is weaponizing the judiciary to eliminate prominent rivals that could shake his rule,” said Mucahid Durmaz, senior analyst at global risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft. “Despite being presented as a beacon (of) democracy, the Sonko cases demonstrate the structural issues Senegal grapples with. The court decision and the prospect of Sall’s bid for a third term in the election next year will fuel fierce criticism around erosion of judicial independence and democratic backsliding,” Dumaz said. Government spokesman Abdou Karim Fofana said that the damage caused by months of demonstrations has cost the country millions of dollars. “These calls (to protest), it’s a bit like the anti-republican nature of all these movements that hide behind social networks and don’t believe in the foundations of democracy, which are elections, freedom of expression, but also the resources that our (legal) system offers,” Fofana said. Read More Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide US reopens embassy in Seychelles after 27-year absence US expands slots for asylum app at land crossings as demand overwhelms supply Restoration lags for Syria's famed Roman ruins at Palmyra and other war-battered historic sites
2023-06-02 14:49

BBC Breakfast’s Emma Vardy announces birth of son: ‘Presenting my best breaking news ever’
BBC Breakfast star Emma Vardy has welcomed her first child with husband Aaron Adams. The co-host of the morning news programme announced her “best breaking news ever” on Instagram, where she shared a photo of herself cradling her newborn. Vardy first revealed her pregnancy in May, when she shared a photo of her baby bump after a day of surfing in Co Sligo. The BBC Ireland correspondent wrote on Instagram: “Presenting my best breaking news ever. Baby boy Jago Fionn is here. “At just a few hours old, playing a little camera shy. Huge thanks to the dedicated and talented midwives and doctors at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital for looking after us so well.” She added that she and Adams were “smitten and so in love”. The photo was a selfie taken from her hospital bed as she cuddled the newborn baby, who has dark hair and was dressed in a white onesie. Announcing the news of her pregnancy in May, Vardy posted a photo of herself holding a surfboard as she showcased her bump. She wrote: “Well folks it’s definitely getting a bit harder to balance…. extra cargo hitching a ride!! Still managing to catch a few waves though. “Beautiful weekend in Co Sligo, and a very exciting summer ahead!!” She added: “#paddlingfortwo #babyonboard.” Last month, Vardy celebrated her baby shower and shared a series of photos from the joyous event. She wore a one-shouldered white gown and a beautiful pink and yellow flower crown as she posed in front of a large blue-and-white balloon display. Other photos included in the post showed her friends and family posing with her, all wearing green flower crowns, as well as photos of the decoration and tablescape for the event. “Belated Babyshower spam for the gram,” she wrote in the caption. Vardy married Adams in March 2022 in Co Antrim, where Adams’ son Jonah acted as ring bearer. Read More ‘My depression ate me up and stopped me doing the thing in life I loved the most – cooking’ Maya Jama and Stormzy ‘confirm relationship’ as they’re seen holding hands in Greece King Charles planning ‘major shakeup’ to Royal Household staff Elle King opens up about her ‘deep depression’ amid two-year postpartum journey Sienna Miller pregnant with her second child Serena Williams celebrates second pregnancy with ‘pre-push party’
2023-08-28 20:21

Eighth person rescued from collapsed building in Iowa; fatalities unlikely
By Daniel Trotta Search and rescue teams working throughout the night rescued an eighth victim from an apartment
2023-05-29 22:54

France, Bangladesh sign deal to provide loans, satellite technology during Macron's visit to Dhaka
French President Emmanuel Macron witnessed the signature of a deal to facilitate loans to Bangladesh aimed at infrastructure development, as well as a letter of intent to provide the South Asian country with an earth observation satellite system
2023-09-11 22:50

Who is Khadijah Muhammad? Florida teacher arrested after slamming kindergartener to the ground
As seen in surveillance footage, Khadijah Muhammad attacked the five-year-old and shoved him across the hallway after the child threw a piece of paper
2023-10-22 15:54

Menendez co-defendant Wael Hana pleads not guilty in alleged bribery scheme
Wael Hana, an alleged co-conspirator indicted in a bribery scheme with New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, pleaded not guilty and was released on bail in federal court Tuesday.
2023-09-27 04:48

Women's World Cup brings attention to abuse in soccer
The Women's World Cup will be played with new programs in place to help protect players and other participants
2023-07-12 16:54

US House Republicans launch probe of Atlanta DA in Trump election case
By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Republicans who control the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday launched an investigation of Fulton
2023-08-24 23:15

The end of an era for the Sisters of Charity of New York
Through more than 200 years of service, the Sisters of Charity of New York have nursed Civil War casualties, joined civil rights and anti-war demonstrations, cared for orphans, and taught countless children
2023-05-09 21:21
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