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Dozens charged in illegal sports betting and rigged poker games tied to mafia families as NBA coach and player arrested

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FILE - This combo of images shows, from left, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers' Damon Jones. (AP Photo/File)

NEW YORK (BN24) — The head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and a player for the Miami Heat were arrested Thursday along with more than thirty other people in two criminal cases alleging sprawling separate schemes to rake in millions by rigging sports bets and poker games involving Mafia families, authorities said.

FILE – This combo of images shows, from left, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers’ Damon Jones. (AP Photo/File)

Portland coach Chauncey Billups was charged with participating in a conspiracy to fix high-stakes card games in Las Vegas, Miami, Manhattan and the Hamptons that were backed by La Cosa Nostra crime families. Heat guard Terry Rozier was accused of a second scheme to concoct fraudulent bets by exploiting confidential information about NBA athletes and teams. Also arrested was former NBA assistant coach and player Damon Jones, who is charged with participating in both schemes.

The indictments unsealed in New York create a massive cloud for the NBA, which opened its season this week, and show how certain types of wagers are vulnerable to massive fraud in the growing, multibillion-dollar legal sports betting industry.

Both Billups and Rozier face money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy charges. Rozier made an initial court appearance Thursday where a federal magistrate judge said he could be released from custody by putting up his Florida home as bond and surrendering his passport.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Norway also restricted Rozier’s travel to the continental United States and prohibited him from gambling as conditions for his release. Federal prosecutors had asked for a ten million dollar bond but Rozier’s attorney said that was excessive given that the NBA star had no prior record.

“I think it’s Draconian,” said Jim Trusty, Rozier’s attorney. “He is a man of high character.”

In court, Rozier wore a black Charlotte Hornets sweatshirt with green lettering and was shackled and handcuffed. He did not speak much except when answering basic questions from the judge.

Rozier is facing two counts: conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu. Each count carries no more than twenty years in prison.

Trusty described what he said was “chicanery” of prosecutors and federal agents. The defense attorney said he got a predawn call saying that federal agents were downstairs at Rozier’s hotel in downtown Orlando and that the attorney should call his client to tell him to go downstairs. Within minutes, federal agents were at the door to Rozier’s hotel room, Trusty told the judge.

“It has had a damaging effect on his career,” Trusty said.

Another condition of Rozier’s release is that he can have no contact with any others named in the indictment, as well as any listed individuals the government provides.

The six defendants in the sports betting indictment include former NBA player and coach Damon Jones, current NBA player Terry Rozier and one of Rozier’s close friends. Two of the defendants portrayed themselves on Instagram as successful sports bettors and sold sports betting picks through their profiles, according to the indictment.

Jones is also a defendant in the rigged poker game indictment, as is Portland Trail Blazers Coach Chauncey Billups.

The thirty-one defendants named in the second indictment include twelve people who are identified as either members or associates of the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese or Lucchese crime families.

The indictments contain the description of several unnamed NBA players whose injury status and availability for certain games were the source of betting activity. Those players are not accused of any wrongdoing and there is no indication that they would have even known what was being said about their status for those games.

Those players include LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard. Their identities are clear based on a review of corresponding injury reports surrounding games mentioned in the indictment.

The indictments show that certain defendants shared information about the availability of those players in games on March 24, 2023, involving the Portland Trail Blazers, and two in 2023 and 2024 involving the Los Angeles Lakers.

For the Portland game, defendant Eric Earnest, investigators said, was given information that a player who had been listed as probable and then questionable to play that day would not play at all. Those details perfectly match how Lillard was listed on injury reports that day.

Similar patterns were found with Lakers games involving James and Davis, with Jones alleged to have shared their injury information before it was publicly known. In one of the cases, investigators said, Jones got the details wrong and caused some bettors who placed large wagers to lose.

Federal prosecutors asked a judge to detain thirteen defendants pending trial, including six reputed crime family members, and to not release other defendants unless they post substantial bonds.

“The Court should consider that each of those defendants has taken a lifetime oath to commit crimes and put their crime families above all else,” prosecutors said about the alleged mob associates in a court filing. “Those crime families have a long history of committing crimes, including obstruction of justice.”

Court documents also describe a violent encounter in 2023 at a poker game in Manhattan run by a Gambino crime family associate. Two members of rival crime families that had a poker game in another location on the same night busted into the Gambino associate’s game armed with a gun and baton, sparked a brawl and assaulted the Gambino member, the documents say.

Court documents say proceeds from the rigged card games were laundered through shell companies and cryptocurrency.

The cases represent one of the most significant prosecutions involving professional sports and organized crime in recent years. The involvement of high-profile NBA figures has sent shockwaves through professional basketball and raised questions about security protocols regarding confidential injury information.

The NBA has not yet commented on the arrests or whether it will take any action against the teams or individuals involved. The league has strict policies regarding gambling and the sharing of confidential information that could be used for betting purposes.

The timing of the arrests, coming just as the NBA season opened, creates significant complications for both the Trail Blazers and Heat organizations. It remains unclear whether Billups will continue in his coaching role or whether the team will place him on administrative leave pending resolution of the criminal charges.

The indictments highlight vulnerabilities in the rapidly expanding legal sports betting industry, where insider information about player availability can provide significant advantages to bettors. Sports leagues and betting operators have implemented various safeguards to detect unusual betting patterns, but the cases suggest those measures may be insufficient to prevent sophisticated schemes.

The alleged Mafia involvement adds another layer of complexity to the cases. Prosecutors detailed how organized crime families used their traditional operations in illegal gambling to exploit opportunities in the emerging legal sports betting market.

The investigation involved multiple federal agencies and represents years of work tracking financial transactions, communications and betting patterns. Authorities said the schemes involved millions of dollars in fraudulent wagers and laundered proceeds.

Legal experts said the cases could set precedents for how federal prosecutors approach fraud in the sports betting industry, particularly regarding the use of confidential information and the involvement of sports insiders.

4 family members of Illinois GOP candidate Darren Bailey killed in Montana helicopter crash

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Four family members of Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey were killed in a tragic helicopter crash in rural eastern Montana, his campaign confirmed Thursday.

The victims were identified as Bailey’s son, Zachary Bailey, his wife Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose, 12, and Samuel, 7. According to a statement from Bailey’s campaign, the helicopter went down Wednesday evening near the small town of Ekalaka, Montana. Their third child was not on board.

“Darren and Cindy are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss. They are finding comfort in their faith, their family, and the prayers of so many who love and care for them,” the statement read.

Campaign spokesperson Aaron Del Mar, who also serves as Bailey’s running mate, confirmed that Zachary Bailey was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash. The family had been in Montana on a business trip related to expanding the use of helicopters for their farm operations in south-central Illinois.

Del Mar said Zachary, who had earned his helicopter license several years ago, initially pursued aviation to deliver medical supplies and humanitarian aid to people in developing countries. “That was a driving force for him to get his license,” Del Mar said.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Carter County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that deputies responded to the remote crash site southwest of Ekalaka on Wednesday evening. No other individuals were on board.

Bailey, a former Illinois state senator and representative from Xenia, rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as a vocal critic of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker’s policies, including mask mandates and restrictions. He is again seeking the Republican nomination for governor in 2026, following his loss to Pritzker in 2022.

Gov. Pritzker expressed condolences Thursday, saying, “I cannot imagine losing a child, losing two grandchildren, and what they must be going through.”

Bailey, known for his strong conservative platform, previously campaigned on reducing crime in Chicago and rolling back state gun control measures. He also once backed a proposal to make Chicago a separate state.

Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi said in a statement that the party was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy. “Please join us in keeping the Bailey family in our thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time,” she said.

The cause of the fatal crash remains under investigation.

Associated Press

15-year old boy sentenced to 16 years for stabbing fellow student at Sheffield School

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SHEFFIELD, England (BN24) — A 15-year-old boy, Mohammed Umar Khan, was sentenced to at least 16 years in prison after being convicted of fatally stabbing his fellow student, Harvey Willgoose, during a lunch break at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield.

The violent incident took place on February 3, 2025, when Khan, carrying a hunting knife, approached Harvey and, in a brutal attack, stabbed him in the chest in front of several other students. Witnesses reported that the attack happened swiftly and without warning, leaving the school community in shock and panic.

In the aftermath of the stabbing, some students fled the scene in terror, while others locked themselves in classrooms and storage rooms, fearing further violence. Staff at the school immediately called emergency services, but Harvey, despite attempts to resuscitate him, was later pronounced dead at the scene.

At the sentencing hearing on October 22, 2025, at Sheffield Crown Court, Judge Mrs. Justice Ellenbogen addressed the court, describing the attack as a “serious crime” and emphasizing the shock it caused within the school community. “This was a violent and senseless act, carried out by one pupil on another in a school where children should feel safe,” the judge said. “The public has a right to know the identity of those involved in such crimes, as it helps to understand how a child so young could commit such an act of violence.”

Khan was found guilty of murder in August 2025, following a trial in which prosecutors presented evidence that he had taken the knife to school with the intent to harm Harvey. According to the court, the motive for the attack appeared to be linked to a perceived betrayal of friendship between the two boys. Khan reportedly believed that Harvey had turned against him, which led to feelings of hurt and anger that ultimately resulted in the fatal stabbing.

During the trial, Harvey’s family, including his parents, Mark and Caroline Willgoose, and his sister, Sophie, attended proceedings. In her emotional victim impact statement, Sophie described the devastating toll the murder had taken on her family. “This was not just a crime against my brother, it was a crime against all of us who loved him,” she told the court. “The pain will stay with us for the rest of our lives. We have been left without the person we loved so dearly, and nothing can bring him back.”

Sophie also expressed her anger at Khan’s refusal to take responsibility for his actions, stating that the family had been made to “endure” the pain of watching CCTV footage of Harvey’s last moments. “We are haunted daily by what happened, knowing that he chose not to show any remorse,” she said.

The case has sparked a broader conversation about youth violence in schools and the increasing number of violent incidents involving young people. In the wake of the attack, many in the Sheffield community have called for greater efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of students, both in and out of the classroom.

During the hearing, a significant development occurred when Judge Ellenbogen lifted a court order that had previously prohibited the identification of Khan. This decision followed applications from several media outlets, including the PA news agency, which argued that the public had a right to know the identity of those involved in such a serious crime. The judge acknowledged that while the welfare of young offenders must be considered, transparency in cases of such gravity was necessary for public understanding.

Harvey’s parents were present in court to hear the verdict, though their grief was evident as they left the courtroom. Mark Willgoose, Harvey’s father, spoke briefly outside the court, expressing his family’s relief that the case had concluded but emphasizing that no sentence could ever bring back their son. “Our son is gone, and nothing can bring him back,” he said. “We just want to move forward, knowing that justice has been served.”

Khan, who will turn 16 in November, will serve his sentence in a youth detention facility. The judge told him that he would be eligible for parole after serving the minimum 16-year term. Still, his release would be contingent on a thorough review of his behavior and rehabilitation progress.

The case continues to be a tragic reminder of the destructive potential of violence among young people and the devastating impact such acts can have on families and communities. As Harvey’s family continues to mourn his loss, they are determined to ensure that his death is not forgotten and that justice is upheld in his memory.

UCL: Bellingham strike lifts Real Madrid past Juventus 1-0

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MADRID (BN24) — Jude Bellingham’s second-half strike sealed a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over Juventus on Wednesday, keeping the 15-time European champions perfect in this season’s UEFA Champions League.

Xabi Alonso’s side dominated much of the contest at the Santiago Bernabeu but failed to extend their advantage after Bellingham converted from close range to claim his first goal of the season.

Juventus, now winless in seven consecutive matches across all competitions, battled to stay in contention but could not find a way past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, whose late saves preserved Madrid’s lead.

Real Madrid’s disciplined performance provided a timely boost ahead of Sunday’s La Liga clash with Barcelona, as the club joined four others to open the Champions League group stage with three straight victories.

Both teams began cautiously, probing for openings during a tight first half. Brahim Diaz linked up with Kylian Mbappe, whose low drive forced Michele Di Gregorio into a sharp save. The French forward later created another chance with a clever run and cut-back to Eder Militao, who fired narrowly over.

The tempo lifted after halftime. Courtois denied Dusan Vlahovic on a counterattack before Madrid struck through Bellingham in the 57th minute. Vinicius Junior, still seeking his first goal of the tournament, wriggled free in the area and curled a shot off the post, allowing the English midfielder to pounce on the rebound.

Bellingham’s finish marked his first goal since returning from summer shoulder surgery that sidelined him early in the campaign. Mbappe, who had scored in 11 straight appearances, saw his best effort saved by Di Gregorio as Madrid pressed for a second. The Juventus goalkeeper produced a remarkable double stop from Mbappe and Diaz to keep his team in contention.

Igor Tudor’s men nearly leveled late when Raul Asencio blocked Lois Openda’s effort, while Courtois turned away a long-range strike from Filip Kostic in stoppage time to ensure Madrid’s victory. Real Madrid remain among the early frontrunners in Europe’s elite competition as Juventus’ struggles continue in their opening group fixtures.

Afrobeats superstar Davido has been appointed as the Chairman of the Osun State Sports Trust Fund in Nigeria.

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OSOGBO (BN24) — The Osun State Government has officially appointed global Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, as chairman of the Osun Sports Trust Fund, a move designed to transform the state’s sports sector and attract private investment.

The announcement was made by the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Kola Adewusi, who also doubles as the Commissioner for Sports. Adewusi explained that Davido’s appointment aligns with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s vision to modernize the state’s sports infrastructure, foster youth engagement, and create sustainable financing for sports development.

According to Adewusi, the government is determined to restore the glory of Osun’s sports institutions and reposition the state as a hub for national and international sporting events. Central to that goal is the renovation and rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium, a landmark project nearing completion. The facility, once refurbished, is expected to meet Olympic standards and serve as a venue for major tournaments.

“The ongoing renovation of the Osogbo Township Stadium will soon be completed to meet Olympic standards,” Adewusi said in a statement. “We are working to ensure the stadium becomes a world-class arena capable of hosting international competitions, not just national events.”

He added that the creation of the Osun State Sports Commission is in its final stages. The commission will act as the state’s central body for sports policy, management, and development, a structure designed to professionalize administration and improve athlete welfare.

Adewusi noted that the Osun Sports Trust Fund, chaired by Davido, will play a vital role in securing financial backing from philanthropists, corporate sponsors, and investors within and outside Nigeria. He said Davido’s influence, both locally and globally, makes him an ideal ambassador for the initiative.

“Davido did not hesitate to accept the appointment. His leadership of the Osun Sports Trust Fund will attract the kind of resources and attention that can transform Osun’s sporting landscape,” Adewusi said. “We are confident that his involvement will open new doors for young athletes and create opportunities for sports development across the state.”

Governor Adeleke, who has emphasized youth empowerment and innovation as cornerstones of his administration, has repeatedly highlighted sports as a key avenue for job creation and community growth. The new trust fund is expected to ensure transparency, accountability, and continuity in sports financing a challenge that has historically limited athletic programs in many Nigerian states.

Davido, a native of Osun State and one of Africa’s most celebrated musicians, is widely recognized for his philanthropic efforts and connection to youth-driven initiatives. His appointment represents a bridge between entertainment, culture, and sports development, and it signals Osun’s intent to leverage star power to boost participation and infrastructure.

When fully operational, the Osun Sports Trust Fund is expected to support grassroots training programs, provide scholarships for talented athletes, and facilitate the completion of ongoing projects like the Osogbo Township Stadium upgrade. The initiative marks a major step in the government’s broader plan to make Osun a destination for sporting excellence in Nigeria.

Dozens arrested in Indonesia over alleged same-sex gathering at Surabaya Hotel

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SURABAYA, Indonesia (BN24) — Indonesian police have arrested 34 men accused of participating in an alleged same-sex gathering at a hotel in Surabaya, East Java, during a late-night raid over the weekend.

Authorities said the arrests took place in the early hours of Sunday, October 19, after residents reported unusual activity on one of the hotel’s floors. The Surabaya Police Criminal Investigation Unit confirmed that all 34 men were detained for questioning following the raid.

Images circulating in local media showed the men barefoot and bound together with zip ties as they were paraded outside by police officers. The men were later transported to Surabaya Police Headquarters for further investigation.

Police said evidence seized from the scene included contraceptives, mobile phones, and several electronic devices. AKBP Edy Herwiyanto, head of the Surabaya Police Criminal Investigation Unit, said Tuesday that all 34 detainees had been named as suspects.

“Some of the individuals acted as participants, while others served as financiers, administrators, or assistants in organizing the gathering,” Edy said. Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific charges that will be filed.

Hotel management said they were unaware of any party taking place and described the rented rooms as private spaces fully under the control of guests. A representative told CNN Indonesia that the booking involved two adjoining rooms and that the hotel was busy due to weekend traffic.

“The impact is quite disappointing because there has been some unpleasant feedback about our hotel,” the spokesperson said, adding that the establishment remains committed to ensuring guest privacy, comfort, and safety.

The incident has drawn renewed attention to Indonesia’s ongoing debate over privacy and morality laws. While homosexuality is not illegal in most parts of the country, same-sex relations are often stigmatized and can lead to arrests under public decency or pornography statutes.

As of Thursday, police said investigations were ongoing and the suspects remained in custody pending further legal proceedings.

Driver Jashanpreet Singh arrested for DUI in fatal Ontario freeway crash that killed 3 people

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ONTARIO, Calif. (BN240 — Authorities have arrested a twenty-one-year-old driver on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and vehicular manslaughter after a deadly chain-reaction crash on the 10 Freeway in Ontario, California, that killed three people and injured at least four others.

Jashanpreet Singh of Yuba City in Northern California was identified as the driver of a Freightliner tractor-trailer combination that slammed into slow-moving vehicles stuck in traffic Tuesday afternoon on the westbound 10 Freeway, just east of the 15 Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Singh has been booked into the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga and is reportedly awaiting charges for vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of drugs.

The violent crash was captured on dashcam video obtained exclusively by ABC7. The video comes from the semitruck accused of causing the deadly crash. The footage shows the semitruck slamming into the back of an SUV before plowing into multiple other vehicles in the same lane. The video is now the subject of a law enforcement investigation.

“He was eventually transported to the hospital, and he was checked out by the medical staff, and our officers determined he was driving under the influence of drugs,” said CHP Officer Rodrigo Jimenez.

On Wednesday, one of the victims was identified as a fifty-four-year-old man from Upland. His name has not been released. The remaining two were severely burned in the crash and have not been identified.

“For us officers, it’s really horrific to see, not just the deceased person, but knowing that this person’s family is going to receive the worst possible news of their life,” Jimenez said.

The westbound lanes of the freeway were shut down for several hours Tuesday but have since reopened.

“This is sadly a reminder of how precious life is, and how fast it could be taken away at the hands of somebody who is driving irresponsibly, somebody who is impaired,” Jimenez said. “The hardest part is knowing that at least three of these individuals will not have a Christmas, will not make it home as we’re getting to the holiday season.”

CHP said investigators will be inspecting the semitruck to rule out any mechanical issues. They said the dashcam video makes it clear that no one cut in front of the truck driver. The incident remains under investigation.

Amid news of Singh’s arrest, an alleged photo of the driver has surfaced online. The alleged image was shared by several social media accounts on X. In the alleged photo, a vehicle can be seen completely destroyed in the background. A man is seen sitting with long hair and a reddish shirt in the alleged photo that was shared. He is wearing shorts and is seemingly identified as the driver.

Authorities, while confirming Singh’s identity to KTLA, have not shared an official photo, and there is no mugshot available in the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department database.

The crash comes as California and other states grapple with concerns about commercial driver licensing standards and enforcement of drug and alcohol regulations for operators of large trucks. Federal regulations require commercial drivers to maintain strict standards regarding substance use, but enforcement varies by jurisdiction.

Commercial truck crashes involving impaired drivers have prompted calls for enhanced screening and monitoring of commercial license holders. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration maintains regulations designed to prevent impaired driving in commercial vehicles, but violations continue to occur.

The incident has raised questions about how Singh obtained or maintained his commercial driver’s license and whether proper screening procedures were followed. Investigators are examining his driving history and employment records as part of the ongoing investigation.

The deadly crash highlights ongoing safety concerns on California’s heavily trafficked freeways, where commercial trucks share lanes with passenger vehicles during congested conditions. Traffic safety advocates have long warned about the particular dangers posed by impaired commercial drivers operating large vehicles.

Authorities said the investigation will include toxicology reports to determine what substances may have been in Singh’s system at the time of the crash. The results could take several weeks to complete and will be critical to any criminal prosecution.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office will review the investigation before determining what formal charges to file against Singh. Vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated can carry significant prison time under California law, particularly when multiple deaths result from a single incident.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs reportedly survives prison attack after waking up with knife to his throat, friend claims

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Embattled rapper and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly survived a chilling attack inside his Brooklyn jail cell after waking up with a knife pressed to his throat, according to a longtime friend.

Charlucci Finney, who has known the 55-year-old rapper for more than three decades, told the Daily Mail on Wednesday that Combs “woke up with a knife to his throat” while incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Finney did not specify when the alleged incident occurred but suggested the confrontation may have been intended as a threat rather than an attempt to kill Combs.

“I don’t know whether he fought him off or the guards came,” Finney said. “I just know that it happened. If this guy had wanted to harm him, Sean would have been harmed. It would only take a second to cut his throat with a weapon and kill him. It was probably a way to say, ‘Next time you ain’t gonna be so lucky.’ Everything is intimidation. But with Sean it won’t work. Sean is from Harlem.”

Finney described Combs as “unbreakable” and praised him as “a lovable caregiver, a father, a brother, and a best friend.” He added, “I’m confident he’s gonna do whatever it takes to make sure he’s still Sean Combs when he comes out.”

Combs’ legal team did not immediately respond to media requests for comment regarding the alleged attack.

Life Behind Bars After High-Profile Conviction

The Bad Boy Records founder has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center since his arrest in September 2024 on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and prostitution. In July 2025, Combs was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and sentenced to four years and two months in federal prison.

Along with prison time, the court ordered Combs to participate in mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation programs and to pay a $500,000 fine. His legal team had sought an early release, arguing that he had already endured harsh confinement conditions at one of the country’s most notorious jails and had “made the most of that punishment.”

Court filings from September revealed that Combs had been placed on “constant suicide watch” and previously faced a confrontation with another inmate wielding a makeshift shiv. According to his lawyers, the dispute began when the man accused Combs of taking his seat, but the rapper managed to defuse the situation without violence.

Letters and Testimony at Sentencing

During his October sentencing hearing, Combs submitted a letter to the judge declaring that he was sober and “no longer running from [his] mistakes.” The court also received 75 letters from friends and family members attesting to his character and personal growth.

However, his former girlfriend, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, pleaded for the court to consider the “horrific decade of [her] life stained by abuse, violence, forced sex, and degradation.” Ventura, who dated Combs on and off from 2007 to 2018, testified during his May trial while pregnant with her third child with husband Alex Fine.

In a letter read aloud during sentencing, Ventura said she remained fearful of what might happen once Combs is released. “As much progress as I have made in recovering from his abuse, I remain very much afraid of what he is capable of and the malice he undoubtedly harbors towards me for having the bravery to tell the truth,” she wrote.

Combs, once one of hip-hop’s most influential figures, now faces years of incarceration amid growing concerns about his safety and mental well-being inside prison walls.

Dailymail/TMZ

U.S. sanctions Russia’s 2 largest oil companies after Trump shelves meeting with Putin

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Washington (BN24) – The United States imposed sweeping new sanctions Wednesday on Russia’s two biggest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, escalating economic pressure on Moscow just a day after President Donald Trump confirmed that a planned peace meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin was no longer scheduled.

The Treasury Department announced the sanctions in response to what it called Russia’s continued refusal to end its war in Ukraine, a conflict that has stretched into its third year despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the new measures are aimed squarely at the Kremlin’s main sources of war financing.

“Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire,” Bessent said in a statement. “Given President Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia’s two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin’s war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trump’s effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions.”

The sanctions target Rosneft and Lukoil, along with several subsidiaries and financial entities connected to the companies. Both firms are pillars of Russia’s energy sector and among the most valuable corporations listed on the Moscow Stock Exchange, each worth more than $50 billion despite international sanctions and a battered economy.

White House Defends Timing of Sanctions

A senior White House official told NBC News that the timing of the sanctions was deliberate, describing Trump’s decision as instinct-driven. “The president leads by instinct, and he felt the time was appropriate,” the official said.

The announcement followed a week of shifting signals between Washington and Moscow. Just days earlier, Trump had spoken with Putin by phone and held back from approving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles, a move that had raised speculation about possible progress toward peace talks.

However, Trump’s latest diplomatic push appeared to collapse during a tense call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. According to senior officials from both sides, Lavrov became “exercised” during the conversation and reiterated that Moscow would not agree to a ceasefire before negotiations — a key condition demanded by Kyiv and its European allies, and one that Washington had supported.

An employee works at Gazprom Neft’s Omsk Lubricant Plant (OZSM) in Omsk, Russia November 18, 2022. REUTERS/Olesya Astakhova

Trump: “I Don’t Want a Wasted Meeting”

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Trump confirmed that the planned summit with Putin in Budapest had been shelved, saying he wanted to avoid an unproductive encounter. “I don’t want to have a wasted meeting; I don’t want to have a waste of time,” he said. The president declined to elaborate on how the talks fell apart but added that he would “see what happens” as events unfold.

Trump has been under sustained pressure from Zelenskyy, European leaders, and lawmakers from both parties in Congress to intensify sanctions on Moscow amid Russia’s ongoing military operations and growing civilian casualties in Ukraine.

Impact and Broader Context

The new sanctions are expected to deepen Russia’s economic isolation by targeting two of its most lucrative industries: crude oil and refined petroleum exports. Rosneft and Lukoil together account for a majority of Russia’s oil output, and both are seen as crucial lifelines for funding the Kremlin’s war expenditures.

Financial analysts say the sanctions could drive further volatility in global energy markets, particularly as winter approaches in Europe, which still relies in part on Russian energy through secondary routes.

Despite the mounting economic pressure, Russian officials have maintained a defiant tone. The Kremlin has dismissed the new U.S. sanctions as “unlawful interference,” while state media have portrayed the measures as evidence of Washington’s failure to achieve diplomatic results.

Still, the move signals Trump’s willingness to tighten the screws on Russia even as his administration continues to pursue avenues for a negotiated peace. “We are committed to ending this war — but we will not allow Putin to finance it through global oil sales,” Bessent said.

U.S. expands anti-drug strikes to Pacific, killing 2 in 8th attack under Trump directive

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The U.S. military has carried out its eighth strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel, killing two people in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday, signaling a major expansion of President Donald Trump’s campaign against international narcotics traffickers.

Hegseth announced the strike on social media, describing it as the first to occur outside the Caribbean Sea — where the previous seven attacks had taken place — and marking a geographic shift in the administration’s military operations against drug cartels. The latest strike, conducted Tuesday night, brings the total death toll from the series of U.S. operations to at least 34 people since last month.

“This is not just about drugs — it’s about defending our people,” Hegseth said. “Just as Al Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people. There will be no refuge or forgiveness — only justice.”

The Defense Department released a short video showing a small vessel loaded with brown packages moving through open waters before erupting into flames following a U.S. strike. The boat, identified as part of a suspected cocaine-smuggling route, was later seen drifting in the ocean engulfed in fire.

Expansion of Military Operations

The attack represents a clear expansion of Trump’s anti-cartel operations, which had focused primarily on the Caribbean and the waters off Venezuela. The shift to the eastern Pacific — a corridor long used by traffickers to move cocaine from Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador — underscores the administration’s effort to disrupt narcotics flows closer to their source.

Colombia and Peru remain the world’s largest cocaine producers, while Ecuador’s ports have become a major transit point, with traffickers concealing drugs in shipments of agricultural goods. Much of that cocaine moves north through the Pacific before entering Central America and Mexico.

The Trump administration has relied on the same legal rationale used during the early years of the post-9/11 “war on terror,” classifying the cartels as “unlawful combatants” and declaring that the United States is engaged in an “armed conflict” with them. Trump has argued that fentanyl and cocaine smuggled by sea are fueling the drug epidemic that continues to kill tens of thousands of Americans each year.

Since the summer, the U.S. military has significantly increased its presence in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, deploying naval assets and surveillance aircraft to track suspected traffickers. The buildup has also fueled speculation that Washington could be using the operations to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who faces U.S. narcoterrorism charges.

Legal and Political Fallout in Washington

The Pentagon’s expanding campaign has sparked growing concern among lawmakers from both parties. Democrats have accused the administration of violating international law, while some Republicans have raised constitutional questions about the president’s authority to order lethal strikes without congressional approval.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., blasted the operations during a Senate floor speech, warning that “Congress must not allow the executive branch to become judge, jury and executioner.”

The Republican-controlled Senate last week narrowly voted down a Democratic-backed resolution that would have required Trump to seek authorization before conducting additional military strikes. Still, several GOP senators have privately urged the White House to provide more transparency about the legal framework and decision-making process behind the attacks.

Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, called this week for hearings into the operations after the commander of U.S. Southern Command announced his early retirement. Smith said the administration has shown a “staggering lack of transparency” in explaining the strikes or briefing Congress on their scope.

“The American people deserve to know when and why lethal military force is being used,” Smith said in a statement.

Earlier this month, the U.S. returned two survivors from a previous strike to their home countries — Ecuador and Colombia — where local authorities released one of them, saying there was no evidence he had committed a crime.

Despite mounting scrutiny, Trump and Hegseth have defended the campaign as essential to national security. “We will take this fight wherever it leads,” Hegseth said Wednesday. “The cartels have nowhere to hide.”

Associated Press story

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