Home Blog Page 411

Former Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio Arrested Near U.S. Capitol for Assault

admin
-
0
Former Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio Arrested Near U.S. Capitol for Assault

Former Proud Boys national leader Enrique Tarrio was arrested Friday near the U.S. Capitol on charges of assaulting a protester following a gathering attended by individuals who had received presidential pardons for crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. 

According to Capitol police, officers witnessed Tarrio strike a protester’s cellphone and arm after the woman held her phone close to his face as they walked near the Capitol. Tarrio had just left a press conference that had concluded “without incident,” police said. 

“The woman told our officers that she wanted to be a complainant, and the man was arrested for the simple assault,” police stated. 

An attorney who previously represented Tarrio in his Capitol riot case did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 

Tarrio, a Miami resident, was serving a 22-year sentence—the longest imposed in Jan. 6-related cases—when President Donald Trump issued a sweeping clemency order last month for all 1,500-plus individuals charged in connection with the attack on the Capitol. 

Tarrio and three of his associates were convicted of seditious conspiracy for orchestrating a violent plot to prevent the certification of President Joe Biden’s electoral victory over Trump in 2020. 

On Friday, Tarrio appeared at a press conference alongside other Proud Boys members and Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who had also been convicted of seditious conspiracy but was released from prison last month after Trump commuted his 18-year sentence. 

The arrest marks another chapter in the ongoing legal and political fallout from the Jan. 6 attack, as key figures involved in the riot continue to make public appearances following their pardons. 

Trump Fires Joint Chiefs Chairman CQ Brown, Two Other Top Military Officials

admin
-
0
Trump Fires Joint Chiefs Chairman CQ Brown, Two Other Top Military Officials

President Donald Trump sacked Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday, marking a significant shake-up in military leadership. Brown, a decorated fighter pilot and only the second Black officer to hold the role, had served in the position for just 16 months. 

The decision is part of a broader effort by Trump’s administration to reshape the Pentagon’s leadership. The move comes amid ongoing conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and escalating tensions in the Middle East. 

“I want to thank General Charles ‘CQ’ Brown for his over 40 years of service to our country, including as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is a fine gentleman and an outstanding leader, and I wish a great future for him and his family,” Trump said in a statement on social media. 

Brown’s tenure had been marked by controversy due to his public support for diversity initiatives and his comments on racial inequality in the military. His support of the Black Lives Matter movement following the killing of George Floyd made him a target in ongoing debates over “wokeism” within the armed forces. 

The Pentagon is also set to implement further changes, including cutting 5,400 civilian probationary workers next week and identifying $50 billion in budget reductions next year to realign resources toward the administration’s priorities. 

Trump has nominated retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine to replace Brown. Caine, a career F-16 pilot, has served in both active duty and the National Guard and was most recently the associate director for military affairs at the CIA. His experience includes combat operations in Iraq, special operations assignments, and involvement in classified Pentagon programs. 

However, Caine has not held key positions traditionally required for the role, such as vice chairman, combatant commander, or service chief. A waiver could be issued if the president deems his appointment necessary for national security. 

The removal of Brown is part of a broader reshuffling of military leadership. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also announced the dismissals of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Jim Slife. 

Franchetti, who was the second woman in history to achieve the rank of four-star admiral in the Navy, previously commanded U.S. 6th Fleet and served in multiple high-level leadership positions, including combat deployments. Slife, a veteran of the Air Force Special Operations Command, has been involved in multiple deployments to the Middle East and Afghanistan. 

Trump’s latest round of military leadership changes has drawn strong reactions from both political parties. While Republican leaders have largely supported the moves, congressional Democrats have raised concerns about the potential politicization of the military. 

“The military must remain apolitical and dedicated to serving the Constitution, not any political party,” said Sen. Jack Reed, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. 

Brown’s confirmation in 2023 faced obstacles due to Senate delays, but he was ultimately approved in a bipartisan 89-8 vote. His appointment marked a historic moment as, for the first time, both the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs chairman were Black. 

Trump’s decision to dismiss Brown underscores his administration’s commitment to reshaping the military leadership as he begins his second term. 

Gaza Ceasefire Update: Israel Claims Hamas Killed Child Hostages With Their ‘Bare Hands’

admin
-
0
Gaza Ceasefire Update: Israel Claims Hamas Killed Child Hostages With Their ‘Bare Hands’

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has accused Hamas of murdering two child hostages while in captivity, disputing claims by the militant group that they were killed in an Israeli airstrike. The statement follows Hamas’ handover of four bodies under the ongoing ceasefire agreement. 

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated on Friday that forensic analysis confirmed Ariel Bibas, 4, and his 10-month-old brother, Kfir, were murdered while held hostage in Gaza. “These two innocent children were taken hostage alive with their mother, Shiri, on October 7,” Hagari said. “Contrary to Hamas’s lies, they were not killed in an airstrike. They were murdered by terrorists in cold blood—killed with their bare hands.” 

Hamas had returned four bodies as part of the ceasefire deal, claiming they were those of the Bibas children, their mother, and 83-year-old journalist and peace activist Oded Lifshitz. However, Israeli authorities said forensic tests revealed that one set of remains did not belong to Shiri Bibas but to an unidentified Palestinian woman. 

Hamas has pledged to investigate the mix-up, stating that Bibas’ remains may have been mistakenly combined with those of Palestinians allegedly killed in an Israeli airstrike. Neither side has provided independent evidence to support their claims regarding how the hostages died. 

Despite the dispute, both Israel and Hamas reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire agreement. Under the current deal, Hamas announced it would release six living hostages on Saturday. In exchange, Israel is expected to release 602 Palestinian prisoners. 

Amid ongoing hostilities, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported that a 13-year-old girl was fatally shot by Israeli forces in the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. The incident occurred as part of a broader Israeli military operation that has forced tens of thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes. 

The International Rescue Committee warned of increasing violence in the region, stating that 224 Palestinian children had been killed in the West Bank since January 2023. 

Israeli authorities have also detained two suspects in connection with the bombing of several empty buses in Tel Aviv on Thursday night. The explosions, which caused no casualties, are being investigated as a potential militant attack. 

As tensions persist, the future of the ceasefire remains uncertain, with further hostage exchanges and prisoner releases expected in the coming days.

Suspect Arrested After Stabbing at Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial 

admin
-
0
Suspect Arrested After Stabbing at Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial 

A Spanish man was seriously wounded in a stabbing at Berlin’s Holocaust memorial on Friday, prompting a major police operation. Authorities later arrested a suspect but have not yet disclosed his identity or a possible motive. 

German police reported that the victim was attacked around 6 p.m. near the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, located in central Berlin near the U.S. embassy. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as emergency responders arrived, treating multiple people who had witnessed the assault.  

The victim, a 30-year-old Spanish citizen, suffered severe injuries and was transported to a hospital for urgent medical care. Six bystanders who saw the attack were treated for shock. 

Bloodied clothes were seen on the ground as police cordoned off the area, with heavily armed officers securing the memorial. Aerial surveillance was deployed using a cherry picker crane to search the site. 

More than three hours after the assault, a man approached police officers at the scene. Authorities swiftly subdued and handcuffed him, with one officer shouting, “We have the suspect!” Berlin police spokesperson Florian Nath confirmed the arrest, stating the suspect was seen with “blood on his hands.” 

Police have not yet determined a motive for the attack, and the suspect has refused to cooperate with investigators. Authorities continue to examine possible connections to ongoing security concerns in Germany. 

The stabbing comes just two days before German national elections, following a heated campaign season in which the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has gained popularity. 

Earlier on Friday, German police arrested an 18-year-old Russian man suspected of planning a “politically motivated” attack in Berlin. Authorities detained the suspect in the state of Brandenburg, which surrounds the capital, but did not disclose further details. 

The *Tagesspiegel* newspaper reported that the man, believed to be of Chechen origin, may have been planning an attack on the Israeli embassy. 

Germany has faced a series of deadly attacks in recent months, including car-rammings and stabbing sprees, heightening security concerns nationwide. Authorities continue to investigate whether the Berlin memorial stabbing is linked to broader extremist threats.

Salman Rushdie Attacker Found Guilty of Attempted Murder in 2022 Stabbing 

admin
-
0
Salman Rushdie Attacker Found Guilty of Attempted Murder in 2022 Stabbing 

A New Jersey man who repeatedly stabbed British-Indian author Sir Salman Rushdie during a public lecture in 2022 was found guilty of attempted murder and assault on Friday. 

Hadi Matar, 27, now faces a sentence of more than 30 years in prison. A jury in Chautauqua County Court, near the site of the attack in western New York, delivered the verdict after a two-week trial. 

The attack left Rushdie, 77, with severe injuries, including liver damage, vision loss in one eye, and permanent nerve damage that paralyzed one of his hands. 

Matar was also convicted of assault for injuring Henry Reese, who was on stage with Rushdie at the time of the stabbing. Reese suffered a minor head injury. 

Matar’s sentencing is scheduled for April 23. 

Rushdie testified that he was on stage at the historic Chautauqua Institution when he saw a man rushing toward him. 

“I remember his eyes,” Rushdie said in court. “They were dark and seemed very ferocious.” 

Initially believing he had been punched, Rushdie later realized he had been stabbed—15 times in total—with wounds to his eye, cheek, neck, chest, torso, and thigh. 

The attack came more than 35 years after Rushdie’s novel, *The Satanic Verses*, was published in 1988. The book, inspired by the life of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad, was banned in multiple countries and deemed blasphemous by some Muslims. Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa—a decree calling for Rushdie’s death—forcing the author into hiding for nearly a decade. 

Despite years of threats, Rushdie had recently believed the danger had subsided. 

During closing arguments, prosecutor Jason Schmidt presented slow-motion footage of the attack, emphasizing Matar’s intent. 

“I want you to look at the targeted nature of the attack,” Schmidt told the jury. “There were a lot of people around that day, but there was only one person who was targeted.” 

Defense attorney Andrew Brautigan argued that prosecutors failed to prove Matar intended to kill Rushdie. Matar pleaded not guilty and did not testify. His defense team also declined to call any witnesses. 

In a 2022 jailhouse interview with the *New York Post*, Matar praised Ayatollah Khomeini and criticized Rushdie. 

“I don’t think he’s a very good person,” Matar said. “He’s someone who attacked Islam.” He also admitted to reading only a few pages of *The Satanic Verses*. 

Matar, a Fairview, New Jersey, native born to Lebanese immigrant parents, faces separate federal charges of providing material support to Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based militant group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., Israel, and other Western and Arab nations. 

An indictment unsealed in July accused Matar of connections to Hezbollah, further intensifying the case’s international implications.

French Far-Right Leader Cancels CPAC Speech Following Bannon’s Controversial Gesture

admin
-
0
French Far-Right Leader Cancels CPAC Speech Following Bannon’s Controversial Gesture

Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s National Rally party, canceled his planned speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Friday after former Trump advisor Steve Bannon made what Bardella described as a “gesture alluding to Nazi ideology” during the event.

Bardella, who was in Washington for the conference, said he was not present when Bannon made the controversial gesture Thursday night, which some observers characterized as resembling a Nazi salute.

“I had been invited to make a speech on the links between the United States and France, as well as the recent electoral dynamic of patriot parties in Europe,” Bardella said in a statement. “I therefore took the immediate decision to cancel my speech that had been scheduled this afternoon.”

The 28-year-old Bardella has led the National Rally since 2022 when he succeeded Marine Le Pen, who remains the party’s parliamentary leader and likely 2027 presidential candidate. Le Pen has worked to distance the party from its controversial roots since taking over from her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, in 2011.

Despite rebranding efforts, the National Rally has faced ongoing controversies. Several party candidates withdrew from last year’s snap legislative elections after racist and anti-Semitic social media posts surfaced, including one instance involving a candidate photographed wearing a Nazi cap with a swastika.

The party nonetheless achieved record gains in those elections, which were called after President Emmanuel Macron dissolved parliament following National Rally’s strong showing in European elections.

Bardella, a member of the European Parliament, has been central to the party’s efforts to appeal to younger voters and broaden its electoral base.

Tags: European politics, far-right movements, CPAC, international conservatism, US-France relations, political controversy, National Rally, Marine Le Pen, Steve Bannon, extremism.

Netanyahu Vows Consequences as Hamas Fails to Return Shiri Bibas’ Remains

admin
-
0
Netanyahu Vows Consequences as Hamas Fails to Return Shiri Bibas’ Remains

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised Friday that Hamas would face severe consequences after the militant group failed to return the remains of Shiri Bibas alongside her sons’ bodies during Thursday’s hostage exchange.

Israeli officials expressed outrage after the Israel Defense Forces determined that remains Hamas claimed belonged to Bibas were actually those of “an anonymous body.” The militant group returned the bodies of her sons Ariel, 4, and Kfir, who was just 9 months old when captured on Oct. 7, 2023.

“Hamas will pay the full price for this cruel and wicked violation of the agreement,” Netanyahu said in a statement, calling it “an unimaginably cynical act.”

Hamas later claimed Bibas’ remains may have been “mixed” with others after an Israeli airstrike allegedly killed her and her sons. Israel has accused Hamas of murdering the family members in November 2023, shortly after their abduction.

The exchange took place during a ceremony that United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned, writing on X: “Under international law, any handover of the remains of the deceased must comply with the prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.”

The incident threatens the fragile ceasefire agreement brokered last month with Qatari and Egyptian mediation and U.S. support. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the failure to return Bibas’ remains a “serious violation” and stated “the only solution is the destruction of Hamas.”

Despite these tensions, the release of six living hostages is expected to proceed Saturday. Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Tal Shoham, Hisham Al-Sayed and Avera Mengistu are scheduled to be freed, with the latter two having been held in Gaza for over a decade after crossing into the territory independently.

The hostage release comes as Israel continues military operations in the northern West Bank. The International Rescue Committee warned Thursday that these actions have “displaced thousands, destroyed water networks, and restricted movement,” with children among those killed.

The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) had previously reported that forced displacement of Palestinian communities in the northern West Bank was escalating “at an alarming pace.”

Donald Trump Fuels Third-Term Speculation as Supporters Push for Constitutional Amendment 

admin
-
0
Donald Trump Fuels Third-Term Speculation as Supporters Push for Constitutional Amendment 

President Donald Trump raised speculation about seeking a third term Thursday, despite the constitutional prohibition, as his allies launched an effort to amend the U.S. Constitution. 

President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)

During a Black History Month event at the White House, Trump playfully suggested the possibility to a supportive audience. 

“Should I run again? You tell me,” Trump said, as the crowd erupted into chants of “four more years.” Laughing, he added, “There’s your controversy right there,” alluding to expected media coverage. 

Later, speaking to Republican governors, Trump acknowledged being told he cannot run again, saying he was “not sure.” He suggested that funds raised during the transition would be used for political allies rather than a personal campaign. 

Despite the 22nd Amendment’s restriction on more than two presidential terms, Trump’s supporters are actively advocating for a change. 

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) introduced a resolution to amend the Constitution, allowing Trump to seek a third term. The proposal gained traction at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C., under the banner of the “Third Term Project.” 

Steve Bannon, Trump’s former White House strategist, championed the effort during his CPAC speech. 

“The future of MAGA is Donald Trump! We want Trump in ’28. That’s what they can’t stand,” Bannon said. “A man like Trump comes along only once or twice in the country’s history.” 

Bannon, a key figure behind the “Stop the Steal” movement that sought to overturn the 2020 election, continues to push for Trump’s extended role in American politics. 

Trump has drawn criticism for moves to consolidate executive power. In recent social media posts, he referenced a quote attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte: “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.” The remark quickly sparked backlash. 

“Spoken like a true dictator,” Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) responded on X (formerly Twitter). 

Trump’s critics have accused him of attempting to expand executive authority while sidestepping congressional checks on power. His latest comments have reignited concerns over his long-term political ambitions as the push for a constitutional amendment gains momentum.

Source: usatoday

Eerie Coffins Delivered to Rappers’ Homes as DJ Khaled Gets Pulled into Drake Feud

admin
-
0
Eerie Coffins Delivered to Rappers’ Homes as DJ Khaled Gets Pulled into Drake Feud

DJ Khaled is the latest rapper to receive an ominous black coffin at his doorstep, as tensions in the hip-hop world escalate. The Grammy-winning producer found the eerie casket outside his Florida home Saturday evening, reigniting speculation about his rumored feud with Drake. 

The coffin, marked with an upside-down white cross and the words “RIP Drake” and “RIP OVO,” was left outside Khaled’s Miami residence after two individuals arrived in a truck claiming to be from a delivery company, according to TMZ. Upon gaining access to the property, they placed the casket at the front gate, knelt in prayer, and then drove off. 

Miami police reported that Khaled’s security team destroyed the casket and disposed of it. The unsettling delivery mirrors a similar incident involving controversial rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine just two days earlier. 

On Feb. 13, Tekashi 6ix9ine also received a black casket outside his Florida home, scrawled with the name of his late rival, King Von. Two men, granted entry to the gated community, arrived in a Tesla and left the coffin alongside a bouquet of flowers and a pet box. 

Law enforcement officials from the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office dispatched a bomb squad to investigate, but no explosives were found—only hand sanitizer inside the pet box, according to TMZ. 

Tekashi 6ix9ine dismissed the act, jokingly telling the outlet, “I wanted to keep the King Von coffin and put it in my room, but the police had to confiscate it. I wanted to sleep in the coffin to feel what it was like to be King Von for a day.” 

The Brooklyn-born rapper, 28, has been embroiled in a longstanding feud with King Von, who was fatally shot in Atlanta in November 2020. 

Meanwhile, DJ Khaled’s involvement in the ongoing drama follows recent tensions with Drake. The conflict emerged when Khaled, 49, teased that his upcoming album, *Aalam of God*, would feature two tracks with the Canadian rapper. He even released a seven-minute action-packed trailer featuring actors Mark Wahlberg and Anthony Ramos. 

However, Drake publicly disputed Khaled’s claims, replying to a social media post with, “Must be @Drakebell.” Following the response, Khaled removed the trailer from his platforms, leaving the status of their collaboration uncertain. 

Authorities continue to investigate the bizarre coffin deliveries, as speculation swirls over their connection to ongoing rap industry conflicts.

Luigi Mangione Appears in Court for First Time Since UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Arraignment 

admin
-
0
Luigi Mangione Appears in Court for First Time Since UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Arraignment 

Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and sparking a nationwide manhunt, is scheduled to appear in a Manhattan courtroom Friday for a pretrial hearing—his first since being arraigned in December on murder and terrorism charges. 

The 26-year-old defendant faces multiple state charges, including murder as an act of terrorism, in connection with Thompson’s killing on Dec. 4. Authorities say the executive was ambushed and shot outside a midtown Manhattan hotel as he walked to an investor conference. 

During Friday’s hearing, prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to provide case updates, and Judge Gregory Carro may set deadlines for pretrial motions and discuss a potential trial date. 

Mangione is also facing federal charges, which could carry the possibility of the death penalty. He is currently being held at a federal detention center in Brooklyn, where other high-profile defendants, including Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried, are also in custody. 

Prosecutors have indicated that the state charges will proceed first, with a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole. A separate Feb. 24 hearing in Pennsylvania on charges related to possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery, and false identification was canceled. 

In a statement posted on a website for his legal defense, Mangione expressed gratitude for those who have reached out to him, saying he was “overwhelmed” by the support and emphasizing that it “transcended political, racial, and even class divisions.” 

Mangione was arrested on Dec. 9 at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, where police found him in possession of a firearm that matched the weapon used in Thompson’s murder, along with a fake ID. Authorities also discovered a notebook containing writings critical of the health insurance industry and corporate executives. 

During his Dec. 23 arraignment, Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, accused officials of mishandling the case, calling the jurisdictional disputes “warring” and likening her client to a “human ping-pong ball.” 

She also criticized New York City Mayor Eric Adams and other officials for staging what she described as a choreographed public display when Mangione was brought back to Manhattan under heavy security. The suspect was escorted by armed officers up a pier from a heliport in what Agnifilo called a spectacle meant to prejudice potential jurors. 

Agnifilo further condemned Adams for his televised remarks, where the mayor said he wanted to confront Mangione and tell him, “you carried out this terroristic act in my city.” 

The legal proceedings continue as Mangione faces charges that could result in either life imprisonment or the death penalty, with both state and federal cases advancing in parallel.

1...410411412...968Page 411 of 968