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Florida Teen Pleads Guilty to Heartlessly Beaten Up 91-Year-Old Woman

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Florida Teen Pleads Guilty to Heartlessly Beaten Up 91-Year-Old Woman

A 14-year-old Florida teenager has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting and beating a 91-year-old woman in her home, Marion County officials said, in a case that shocked veteran law enforcement officers.

Jesse Stone, initially charged with sexual assault by someone under 18 and burglary with battery, changed his not guilty plea to guilty last week, according to court records. He faces sentencing December 19, with prosecutors planning to try him as an adult.

“It came as a shock that any individual would commit such an act on a 91-year-old, but it is truly disturbing when we see the young age of the arrestee,” Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said following Stone’s June arrest.

The attack occurred June 9 when the victim awoke to find an intruder in her home. According to court documents, Stone “pounced” on the woman and punched her in the face before sexually assaulting her. DNA evidence later linked Stone to the crime, leading to his confession during an interview with Detective Caitlin Hartigan.

Investigators said Stone approached detectives during their neighborhood canvas, directing them to surveillance footage showing someone matching his build jogging past the victim’s home. He initially denied being the person in the footage but later admitted entering the house to watch pornography before the attack.

“This type of unimaginable violence is still shocking to me after all of my years in law enforcement,” Woods said, adding, “Although I firmly believe he should be held accountable for his crime, as a father, my compassion goes out to his family. Hopefully his arrest will lead to getting him help that prevents any further such acts.”

toofab.com

Israel Reports Progress on Ceasefire Talks as UN Details Gaza Aid Crisis

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Israel Reports Progress on Ceasefire Talks as UN Details Gaza Aid Crisis

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reported “certain progress” Monday in U.S.-mediated efforts to end fighting with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, while the United Nations revealed that Israel blocked or impeded 85% of humanitarian aid convoys to northern Gaza last month.

“We are working with the Americans,” Saar told reporters, stipulating that any agreement must include mechanisms preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding military infrastructure near the border. A Hezbollah spokesman, however, said the group had received no official proposal and stood ready for prolonged conflict.

The diplomatic efforts come as the Biden administration reportedly prepares to send envoy Amos Hochstein back to the region. Hezbollah has been attacking Israel since October 8 in solidarity with Hamas, resulting in more than 3,200 deaths and 14,000 wounded in Lebanon, according to the country’s Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that Israeli authorities denied or impeded 85 of 98 requested aid convoys to northern Gaza in October. “OCHA is worried about the fate of Palestinians remaining in North Gaza, as the siege there continues,” U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

U.N. assessment teams visiting Gaza City found desperate conditions, including families sheltering in damaged basements filled with sewage and lacking electricity. “Urgent assistance is needed, including medical treatment and essential medication,” Dujarric said, adding that residents need winter supplies including blankets, warm clothing, and flood-resistant tents.

The humanitarian crisis stems from Israel’s response to Hamas’s October 7 attack that killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. Palestinian health officials report more than 43,000 deaths in Gaza since then, with over half being women and children, though they do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Thousands Protest Georgia Election Results, Allege Russian Interference

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Thousands Protest Georgia Election Results, Allege Russian Interference

Thousands of opposition supporters rallied outside Georgia’s parliament Monday, demanding new internationally supervised elections and denouncing the ruling Georgian Dream party’s claimed victory in October 26 parliamentary elections amid allegations of Russian interference.

Protesters waving Georgian and European Union flags demanded an investigation into alleged election fraud after the Central Election Commission reported the governing party won 54% of the vote. Opposition leader Giorgi Vashadze of the Unity National Movement Coalition vowed to “fight until the end.”

“Elections were massively rigged, that is why we don’t recognize election results,” Vashadze told demonstrators. “Our goal is new elections, our goal is to form the new government, which will drive Georgia to European integration.”

European election observers reported the vote occurred in a “divisive” atmosphere marked by bribery, double voting, and physical violence. Opposition parties have pledged to boycott parliament and maintain protests until their demands are met.

The opposition accuses Georgian Dream, founded by Russian-made billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, of growing authoritarianism and alignment with Moscow. The party recently passed legislation similar to Russian laws restricting free speech and LGBTQ+ rights.

President Salome Zourabichvili, who holds a largely ceremonial role, rejected the official results and accused Moscow of pressuring Georgia over its EU aspirations. The EU indefinitely suspended Georgia’s membership application process after the country passed a Russian-style “foreign influence law” in June.

Several EU lawmakers attended Monday’s demonstration, including Lithuanian parliament member Zygimantas Pavilionis, who told protesters, “Somebody is trying to take your freedom, somebody is trying to take your democracy, your country, your membership in EU and NATO. Don’t give up.”

While U.S. and EU officials have called for a thorough investigation, the Kremlin denies interference allegations. Georgian Dream leaders reject claims of vote fraud.

Morocco Sentences Journalist to 3 Years in Prison in Defamation Case

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Morocco Sentences Journalist to 3 Years in Prison in Defamation Case

A Moroccan court sentenced journalist Hamid Mahdaoui to 18 months in prison Monday for defaming Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi, imposing an additional fine of 1.5 million dirhams ($150,000).

Mahdaoui, editor-in-chief of news website Badil.info and a vocal government critic, faced charges after publishing a video accusing Ouahbi of fraud, allegations the minister has denied. “I am innocent… I did not expect this prison sentence,” Mahdaoui told Reuters, saying he was undecided about appealing the verdict.

The case has drawn attention from human rights advocates, with Khadija Riadi of the Moroccan human rights group AMDH noting that Mahdaoui was prosecuted under the penal code rather than the press code, which doesn’t include prison sentences.

The conviction marks Mahdaoui’s second imprisonment, following his release in July 2020 after serving three years for failing to report a crime against state security.

The justice minister was not immediately available for comment following the verdict.

Poll Shows Former Ghana President Mahama Leading Presidential Race

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Poll Shows Former Ghana President Mahama Leading Presidential Race

Former President John Dramani Mahama holds a commanding lead in Ghana’s upcoming presidential election, with 52% of likely voters supporting him against Vice President Muhamudu Bawumia’s 41.3%, according to a poll released Monday by Accra-based research group Global InfoAnalytics.

The December 7 election will determine who succeeds President Nana Akufo-Addo, who steps down in January after two terms leading the gold- and cocoa-producing nation. Mahama, 65, and Bawumia, 60, emerge as frontrunners among thirteen candidates, with the poll carrying a 1.9% margin of error.

Voters identified the economy, jobs, education, and infrastructure as their primary concerns. Mahama’s previous 2012-2017 presidency saw significant infrastructure investment but faced criticism over power shortages and economic instability, alongside corruption allegations that never directly implicated him.

The election comes as Ghana implements a $3 billion International Monetary Fund bailout secured by Akufo-Addo’s government in 2023. Both The Economist Intelligence Unit and Fitch Solutions predicted in October that Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) would win, citing the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) economic record.

“The election will probably be a very close contest between the two,” said University of Ghana political analyst Alidu Seidu, suggesting a potential runoff. Both leading candidates hail from northern Ghana, traditionally an NDC stronghold where the NPP has gained support.

No party has won more than two consecutive terms in Ghana’s democratic history.

Trump’s Second Administration Takes Shape with Strict Loyalty Requirements

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Trump’s Second Administration Takes Shape with Strict Loyalty Requirements

President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is implementing unprecedented loyalty screening for potential administration appointees, reflecting hard lessons from his first term when key officials frequently opposed or slow-walked his most controversial initiatives.

“President Trump has publicly said that he’s learned from his first term,” conservative attorney Mike Davis, a frequent Trump adviser, told Reuters. “Political appointees require both competency and loyalty. You can’t have just one or the other. You need both.”

The vetting process includes forensic examination of candidates’ past statements and political donations, even for deputy and assistant secretary positions, according to two people involved in the transition effort. Researchers are scrutinizing whether potential appointees have criticized Trump or donated to his critics, including Republicans who have opposed him.

The emphasis on loyalty follows Trump’s contentious relationships with former officials like John Kelly, who recently called him a “fascist,” and John Bolton, who has questioned his intelligence. Trump’s second defense secretary, Mark Esper, revealed in his memoir that he talked Trump out of bombing Mexican drug cartels, while Trump suggested his former Joint Chiefs chairman Mark Milley should face treason charges.

“Before asking me for help, I am going to ask you to provide me specific and concrete evidence of your loyalty to Trump,” Davis posted on X. “If you cannot provide a lot of that, stop asking me.”

The attorney general position holds particular significance after Trump fired his first appointee, Jeff Sessions, for not shutting down Russia-related inquiries, later calling the hire his “biggest mistake.” Trump supporters say a more loyal Justice Department leadership would face less resistance to his campaign pledges to investigate political opponents, including President Biden.

“Instead of making sure agencies and law enforcement have the best and the brightest with the resources they need, Trump and his cronies are looking to dole out job offers to loyalists who will put Trump ahead of the American people,” Democratic National Committee spokesperson Alex Floyd said.

Howard Lutnick, Trump’s transition co-chair, told the Financial Times appointments would be based on “their capacity — and their fidelity and loyalty to the policy, as well as to the man.” The approach contrasts with traditional cabinets that often include various party factions, with Vice President Harris having pledged to appoint a Republican if elected.

Trump has already demonstrated his approach by ruling out returns for former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who have criticized aspects of his conduct and policies despite recent attempts at reconciliation.

Senior Bishop Calls for Archbishop’s Resignation Over Church Abuse Scandal

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Senior Bishop Calls for Archbishop’s Resignation Over Church Abuse Scandal

The Bishop of Newcastle has called for Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s resignation, declaring his position “untenable” following a damning report on the Church of England’s handling of prolific child abuser John Smyth QC.

Justin Welby said he should have more rigorously followed up the details of John Smyth’s abuse in 2013

“Can we really trust the Church of England to keep us safe? And I think the answer at the moment is ‘no,'” Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley told the BBC Monday, becoming the most senior church figure to demand Welby’s departure. While acknowledging his resignation wouldn’t “solve the safeguarding problem,” she said it would “be a very clear indication that a line has been drawn.”

The Makin review revealed Welby “could and should” have reported Smyth to authorities in 2013, potentially preventing years of continued abuse before the perpetrator’s death in 2018. Smyth, believed to be the Church’s most prolific serial abuser, victimized up to 130 boys and young men across three countries over five decades, targeting victims through Christian summer camps.

Welby acknowledged last week that he had “personally failed” to “energetically investigate” but decided to remain in his role despite considering resignation. “I had no idea or suspicion of this abuse before 2013,” he said, though the report indicated “enough was known to have raised concerns” when he was informed.

John Smyth QC is believed to be the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church of England

Three General Synod members accused the archbishop of “allowing abuse to continue” during the five-year period between 2013 and Smyth’s death, launching a petition for Welby’s resignation that has garnered over 7,000 signatures. Anglican priest Giles Fraser told BBC Radio 4 that Welby had “lost the confidence of his clergy.”

The report detailed Smyth’s extensive abuse pattern, including 26 to 30 victims in the UK during the 1970s and 1980s before he relocated to Africa, where he abused 85 to 100 more children aged 13 to 17. Church leaders received a report about the abuse in 1982 but didn’t alert police, instead encouraging Smyth to leave the country.

“The idea that people continued to be abused after the Church knew what was happening is disgraceful,” said Fraser, himself a survivor of childhood abuse. Smyth died at 75 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, which opened its case after a 2017 Channel 4 documentary exposed the allegations.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer declined to comment on whether Welby should resign, saying, “That’s a matter really for the Church rather than for me.”

bbc.com

Airlines Halt Haiti Flights After Gunfire Hits US Passenger Plane

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Airlines Halt Haiti Flights After Gunfire Hits US Passenger Plane

Multiple U.S. airlines suspended flights to Haiti Tuesday after a Spirit Airlines plane was hit by gunfire while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince, forcing the aircraft to divert to the Dominican Republic.

Spirit Flight 951 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was approaching Toussaint Louverture International Airport Monday when it sustained damage “consistent with gunfire,” the airline said in a statement. A flight attendant suffered minor injuries, but no passengers were hurt when the plane diverted to Santiago Airport.

Spirit immediately suspended its Haiti service “pending further evaluation,” with American Airlines and JetBlue following suit through at least Thursday. Social media videos purported to show bullet holes in the aircraft’s crew rest area, though the footage could not be independently verified.

The incident marks the second time in three weeks that aircraft have been targeted over the Haitian capital, following an October attack when gang members fired on a UN helicopter. The violence comes as Haiti grapples with deepening political instability, with armed gangs controlling large sections of the country despite a UN-backed Kenyan police mission launched in June.

On Monday, Haiti’s ruling council installed a new prime minister after removing Garry Conille less than six months into his term, further highlighting the Caribbean nation’s volatile situation.

Iran Demands Israel’s UN Expulsion After Deadly Damascus Strike

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Iran Demands Israel’s UN Expulsion After Deadly Damascus Strike

Iran called for Israel’s expulsion from the United Nations and the imposition of an arms embargo Sunday after an Israeli strike killed nine people, including a Hezbollah commander, in a Damascus residential area.

“We strongly condemned the aggressive attack carried out today by the Zionist regime against a residential building” near Damascus, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said, demanding international action against Israel through “an arms embargo” and removal from the UN.

The strike targeted an apartment belonging to Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which receives support from Iran, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor. The attack marks the latest escalation in regional tensions that have soared since Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel triggered the Gaza war.

The incident reflects growing regional involvement of Iran-aligned militants, including direct confrontations between Iran and Israel. Israel has conducted hundreds of strikes in Syria since that country’s civil war began in 2011, primarily targeting army positions and fighters from groups including Hezbollah. While Israeli authorities rarely comment on specific operations, they have consistently stated they will not allow Iran to expand its presence in Syria.

Boeing Cargo Jet Destroyed by Fire After Emergency Landing in Brazil

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Boeing Cargo Jet Destroyed by Fire After Emergency Landing in Brazil

A Boeing 737 cargo plane carrying Brazilian postal packages burst into flames Saturday at São Paulo International Airport in Guarulhos, Brazil, forcing an emergency landing and destroying significant portions of the aircraft and its cargo.

The Total Cargo aircraft, a Boeing 737-4Q8, made the emergency landing after crew reported a fire in the hold during its flight from Vitoria in Espirito Santo state. Firefighters battled intense flames that engulfed the passenger cabin, with footage showing emergency responders climbing ladders through orange flames and thick gray smoke billowing from the front door and wing areas.

The fire destroyed approximately 20% of the mail parcels aboard and severely damaged the plane’s fuselage, according to local authorities. No injuries were reported in the incident, which remains under investigation by Brazilian aviation officials.

The São Paulo incident adds to a series of recent Boeing aircraft emergencies worldwide. Last week, a Hainan Airlines Boeing 787 with 249 passengers made an emergency landing in Rome after a bird strike caused an engine fire. Days earlier, four passengers were injured evacuating a Boeing 737-500 in Indonesia’s Papua Province when flames appeared in an engine before takeoff.

In June, a Boeing 737 experienced engine fires during landing in New Zealand after multiple bird strikes, while in May, a Garuda Indonesia Boeing 747-400 carrying 450 Hajj pilgrims returned to Makassar airport after engine fire observations.

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