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Missouri Set to Execute Marcellus Williams Despite Innocence Claims

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Marcellus Williams, a 55-year-old Missouri death row inmate who has maintained his innocence for nearly 24 years, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT, following refusals by the governor and state Supreme Court to intervene.

Williams was convicted of the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle, a former newspaper reporter found stabbed to death in her home. His case has drawn attention due to ongoing claims of innocence and concerns about potentially executing an innocent person.

On Monday, the Missouri Supreme Court unanimously declined to halt Williams’ execution, stating that St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell “failed to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence Williams’ actual innocence or constitutional error at the original criminal trial that undermines the confidence in the judgment of the original criminal trial.”

Governor Mike Parson issued a statement supporting the court’s decision, saying, “Mr. Williams has exhausted due process and every judicial avenue, including over 15 hearings attempting to argue his innocence and overturn his conviction.”

The case has been marked by legal complexities and controversies. Bell argued in January that DNA testing of the murder weapon could exclude Williams as Gayle’s killer. However, new testing revealed the evidence had been contaminated, complicating Williams’ exoneration efforts.

Williams’ attorney, Jonathan Potts, alleged during Monday’s hearing that a prosecutor struck a juror from the pool “in part because he was a young Black man with glasses.” The Missouri Attorney General’s office disputed this claim.

On September 18, Williams’ team filed a clemency petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing his due process rights were denied during the legal battle to save his life. Former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens had previously halted Williams’ execution indefinitely and formed a board to investigate his case. Gov. Parson later dissolved this board and revoked the stay.

The NAACP and the Council on American-Islamic Relations have called on Gov. Parson to halt the execution. Tricia Rojo Bushnell, an attorney for Williams, stated, “Missouri is poised to execute an innocent man, an outcome that calls into question the legitimacy of the entire criminal justice system.”

The case has also highlighted political tensions between St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, a Democrat running for Congress, and Republican state Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who is seeking reelection.

As the execution approaches, advocates continue to fight for Williams’ life, with Bell stating, “Even for those who disagree on the death penalty, when there is a shadow of a doubt of any defendant’s guilt, the irreversible punishment of execution should not be an option.

Trump Claims Zelenskiy Favors Democrats in 2024 U.S. Election

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Former President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wants the Democratic Party to win the 2024 U.S. presidential election, in which Trump faces Vice President Kamala Harris.

Speaking at a rally in western Pennsylvania, Trump said, “I think Zelenskiy is the greatest salesman in history. Every time he comes into the country, he walks away with 60 billion dollars.” He added, “He wants them to win this election so badly, but I would do differently – I will work out peace.”

Trump’s comments contrast with the stance of some of his allies, who have argued that Ukraine would welcome Trump’s return to office, believing he could negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.

The former president did not provide details of his peace plan beyond reiterating that he would call Putin and Zelenskiy to urge them to reach an accord if he wins the November 5 election.

In response, Harris’ campaign spokesperson, Morgan Finkelstein, criticized Trump for not explicitly stating he wants Ukraine to win the war. “Vice President Harris understands that if America walks away from Ukraine, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv with his eyes on the rest of Europe and our NATO allies,” Finkelstein said in an emailed statement.

Zelenskiy, currently in the U.S. for the 79th session of the U.N. General Assembly, stated on Monday that decisive action by the United States could hasten the end of Russia’s war against Ukraine next year.

While Trump mentioned last week he would “probably” meet with Zelenskiy during his U.S. visit, no meeting has been scheduled, according to sources close to the former president.

The statements come as both campaigns vie for the support of Americans of Eastern European descent, particularly in battleground states like Pennsylvania with significant Polish and Ukrainian populations.

Trump has consistently criticized U.S. aid to Ukraine as wasteful and has declined to say he wants Ukraine to win the conflict. In contrast, the Biden-Harris administration has provided substantial military and financial support to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

Zelenskiy has previously expressed uncertainty about Trump’s potential actions if elected but hoped the Republican would maintain U.S. military support for Ukraine. In a July BBC interview, Zelenskiy acknowledged that working with Trump would be “hard work, but we are hard workers.”

As the 2024 election approaches, the future of U.S. support for Ukraine remains a key point of contention between the two campaigns, with significant implications for the ongoing conflict and international relations.

Several Detained in Switzerland Over Suspected Death in ‘Suicide Capsule’

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Swiss police in the northern canton of Schaffhausen detained several people Tuesday in connection with the suspected death of an individual in a novel “suicide capsule,” authorities reported.

The device, known as “Sarco,” is designed to allow users to end their lives by pushing a button that releases nitrogen gas into a sealed chamber, causing rapid unconsciousness and death by asphyxiation within minutes.

Schaffhausen cantonal police stated that prosecutors were alerted by a law firm about an assisted suicide involving the Sarco capsule near a forest cabin in Merishausen on Monday. A criminal investigation has been launched on suspicion of incitement and accessory to suicide.

Exit International, a Netherlands-based assisted suicide group, claimed responsibility for the device’s development, which reportedly cost over $1 million. The organization stated that a 64-year-old woman from the U.S. Midwest with “severe immune compromise” used the Sarco device on Monday afternoon near the German border.

Dr. Philip Nitschke, founder of Exit International, expressed satisfaction that the Sarco “performed exactly as it had been designed … to provide an elective, non-drug, peaceful death at the time of the person’s choosing.”

However, the legality of the Sarco capsule in Switzerland remains contentious. While Swiss law permits assisted suicide under certain conditions, Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider suggested in parliament that the Sarco’s use would not be legal, citing product safety and chemical law concerns.

The incident has reignited debate over Switzerland’s assisted suicide laws, which allow foreigners to travel to the country to end their lives legally. Some Swiss lawmakers argue that current legislation is unclear and are seeking to address perceived legal loopholes.

This case marks the first reported use of the Sarco capsule, following the abandonment of plans for its inaugural use by a 54-year-old U.S. woman earlier this year.

As the investigation unfolds, the incident is likely to fuel further discussion on the ethical and legal implications of new technologies in assisted suicide, particularly in a country known for its permissive stance on the practice.

Argentine Court Orders Arrest of Venezuela’s Maduro for Alleged Crimes Against Humanity

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A federal court in Argentina on Monday ordered the “immediate” arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello for alleged crimes against humanity committed against dissidents.

The court order, issued by federal judges Pablo Bertuzzi, Leopoldo Bruglia, and Mariano Llorens, came in response to an appeal by Argentine prosecutor Carlos Stornelli after a previous ruling dismissed the complaint against both Venezuelan leaders.

The judges directed that “the arrest warrants for Nicolás Maduro and Diosdado Cabello be executed immediately, and that their international arrest should be ordered via Interpol for the purposes of extradition to the Argentine Republic,” according to the court resolution.

This development comes amid escalating tensions between Argentina and Venezuela. Hours before the Argentine court’s decision, Venezuela’s Supreme Court issued an arrest warrant for Argentina’s President Javier Milei. This move was related to a controversy over the detention in Argentine territory — and subsequent delivery to the United States — of a cargo plane that Washington claims was sold by a sanctioned Iranian airline to a Venezuelan state-owned company.

The case against Maduro and Cabello was initially brought before Argentine courts in early 2023 by the Argentine Forum for Democracy in the Region (FADER). The organization cited Argentina’s jurisprudence on human rights and the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows action against crimes against humanity even if committed outside its borders.

According to the plaintiffs, a systematic plan of repression, forced disappearance of persons, torture, homicides, and persecution against dissidents has been in place in Venezuela since 2014.

The reciprocal arrest warrants have significantly heightened diplomatic tensions between Venezuela and Argentina, which have been deteriorating since far-right President Milei assumed power in December. These developments have led to a breakdown in diplomatic relations between the two South American nations.

AP

Former Singaporean Minister Pleads Guilty to Receiving Illegal Gifts

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Former Singaporean Transport Minister S. Iswaran pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges of receiving illegal gifts and obstructing justice, marking the city-state’s first criminal trial of a cabinet minister in nearly 50 years.

Iswaran, 62, admitted to one count of obstructing justice and four counts of accepting gifts from individuals with whom he had official dealings, Channel News Asia reported. The court scheduled sentencing for October 3.

Initially facing 35 charges, prosecutors unexpectedly reduced the case to five counts at the trial’s start, with two corruption charges downgraded to receiving illegal gifts. Prosecutors said they would ask for the remaining 30 charges to be considered during sentencing.

The former minister received gifts valued at over 74,000 Singapore dollars ($57,000) from Singapore-based Malaysian property tycoon Ong Beng Seng and businessman Lum Kok Seng. These gifts included Formula 1 race tickets, wine, whisky, and a luxury Brompton bicycle. Ong holds the rights to Singapore’s F1 race, while Iswaran previously chaired and advised the Grand Prix’s steering committee.

Defense counsel Davinder Singh requested a jail term of no more than eight weeks, arguing that Iswaran accepted the gifts out of personal friendship rather than corrupt motives. Singh emphasized that Iswaran recognized his wrongdoing and admitted guilt after the graft charges were dropped.

However, prosecutors called for a 6-7 month jail sentence. Deputy Attorney General Tai Wei Shyong argued that leniency would signal tolerance for such acts.

This case is particularly significant given Singapore’s reputation for clean governance and its ministers’ high salaries. It marks the first time a Cabinet minister has been charged with graft since Wee Toon Boon’s conviction in 1975.

The trial comes shortly after Singapore’s leadership transition, with Lawrence Wong becoming Prime Minister in May. Former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had previously stated that Iswaran’s case was handled vigorously according to law, emphasizing the government’s commitment to maintaining its reputation for honesty and incorruptibility.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers said it will decide on potential charges against Ong and Lum after Iswaran’s case concludes.

This high-profile corruption case could potentially impact the ruling People’s Action Party ahead of general elections due by late 2025, testing the party’s long-standing image of clean governance in the affluent Southeast Asian nation.

China Cuts Rates, Unveils Measures to Boost Slowing Economy

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China’s central bank announced a series of measures Tuesday aimed at reviving its slowing economy and countering a prolonged property market downturn.

People’s Bank of China (PBOC) Governor Pan Gongsheng told reporters in Beijing that the bank would cut the reserve requirement ratio for commercial banks by 0.5 percentage points “in the near term.” This move is expected to free up more money for lending.

The PBOC also slashed interest rates on its loans to commercial banks and reduced required down payments for some property purchases. Pan stated that down payment requirements for second homes would be lowered to 15% from 25%, and mortgage interest rates would be cut by about 0.5%.

“These measures will help 50 million households and 150 million people, reducing household interest expenses by an average of about 150 billion yuan ($21 billion) a year,” Pan said.

The announcements sparked a rally in Chinese stock markets. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index jumped 4.1%, while the Shanghai Composite index rose 4.2%.

Pan and other officials also promised new policies to stabilize the stock market, which has largely stagnated since peaking before the 2008 global financial crisis.

These moves come as China grapples with economic challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and a struggling property sector. Unlike many Western economies battling inflation, China has been contending with slowing growth and deflationary pressures due to weak demand.

The property market, a crucial component of China’s economy, has floundered since authorities cracked down on excessive borrowing by developers several years ago. This led to defaults and unfinished housing projects, dampening consumer confidence.

Analysts cautiously welcomed the coordinated approach. Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics called it “a step in the right direction” but added that “it will probably be insufficient to drive a turnaround in growth unless followed up with greater fiscal support.”

Some economists remained skeptical about the package’s effectiveness. Rory Green and Freya Beamish of TS Lombard commented, “The package is encouraging, but insufficient to put a floor under the property market and wider economy.”

China’s economy grew at a 4.7% annual rate in the last quarter after expanding 5.3% in the first three months of the year. Recently, Chinese leader Xi Jinping urged officials to do more to stimulate growth.

The PBOC’s actions follow the U.S. Federal Reserve’s recent half-percentage point rate cut, which has given China more flexibility in its monetary policy.

As these measures unfold, global markets and policymakers will be closely watching their impact on China’s economic recovery and potential ripple effects on the world economy.

AP

UPDATED: Fighting Continues in Lebanon as Death Toll Rises to 558

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The death toll from Israeli strikes on Lebanon has reached 558, with 1,835 injured since Monday, Lebanon’s Health Minister Firass Abiad said Tuesday. The victims include 50 children and 94 women.

Israeli forces continued to strike targets in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, while the Iran-backed Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel, marking the second day of intensified hostilities.

Israel’s military reported hitting dozens of Hezbollah targets. Hezbollah claimed it attacked Israeli military facilities, including an explosives factory 60 km (37 miles) inside Israel, using Fadi rockets around 4 a.m. (0100 GMT). The group also said it targeted the Megiddo airfield three times overnight.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel was targeting Hezbollah, not Lebanese civilians, and would no longer tolerate rocket attacks on northern Israel. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the campaign would continue until northern residents could safely return to their homes.

Lebanese minister Nasser Yassin reported that tens of thousands were fleeing southern Lebanon “due to Israeli atrocities.”

The escalation has alarmed world leaders and humanitarian officials. The G7 foreign ministers warned of the risk of a broader regional conflict. The United Nations human rights chief’s office expressed extreme alarm over the worsening hostilities.

A World Health Organization official in Lebanon reported that some hospitals were “overwhelmed” by thousands of wounded. UNICEF stated that at least 35 children had been killed in the airstrikes on Lebanon, with more missing under rubble.

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati plans to fly to New York for discussions at the United Nations General Assembly.

The United States has sent additional troops to the area, with President Joe Biden working to de-escalate the situation.

Hezbollah has vowed to continue fighting until there’s a ceasefire in Gaza. Israel warned people in Lebanon to evacuate areas where it claimed the armed movement was storing weapons, an assertion Hezbollah has not commented on and which Reuters could not independently verify.

The rapidly escalating conflict has raised fears of a broader regional war, as Israel continues its offensive in Gaza while facing a new front in the north.

Lawsuit Alleges Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Involved in Sex Trafficking, Forced Sex Acts

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A lawsuit filed by former dancer Adria Sheri English alleges that music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs forced women to have sex with party guests and drugged them at lavish events, her lawyer said Monday.

The civil complaint, filed on July 2, comes as Combs faces federal charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

English’s attorney, Ariel Mitchell-Kidd, told The Associated Press that her client began working as a go-go dancer at Combs’ Hamptons parties in 2004 and 2005. According to the lawsuit, English claims that around the third party, Combs directed her to have sex with guests.

“Mr. Combs directs her to have sex [with one of the guests]. That was the first time she was required to perform sex acts at a party,” Mitchell-Kidd said, describing the allegations in the suit.

The complaint alleges that as parties progressed into early morning hours, sexual activities became more prevalent. English claims she was directed to have sex with multiple individuals and that security guards were stationed near bedrooms.

Mitchell-Kidd said her client felt compelled to comply due to Combs’ power in the industry. “She knew how powerful Mr. Combs was. So, essentially, she just obliged,” the attorney stated.

The lawsuit also alleges that drinks at these parties were laced with drugs. “They began to supply her with alcohol,” Mitchell-Kidd said, “which she later discovered to be laced with drugs because of its effect on her.”

English claims that after a confrontation with Combs at a 2008 Miami party over the alleged forced sex work, she was removed by security. The lawsuit alleges Combs subsequently “blackballed” her from the music industry after she stopped working for him in 2009.

Combs’ lawyer, Jonathan Davis, responded to Fox News regarding the lawsuit: “No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone.”

Davis added, “We live in a world where anyone can file a lawsuit for any reason and without any proof. Fortunately, a fair and impartial judicial process exists to find the truth and Mr. Combs is confident he will prevail against these and other baseless claims in court.”

As of Monday, Combs’ legal team had not yet filed a formal response to English’s lawsuit. The case is expected to proceed as Combs also faces separate federal charges.

English told the AP she anticipates testifying in federal court regarding her allegations against Combs. The lawsuit and criminal charges against the hip-hop mogul have sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, raising questions about power dynamics and alleged misconduct in the music business.

nypost.com

Nigerian Army Arrests 100 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Delta State Raid

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In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, soldiers from the 3 Battalion Nigerian Army Barracks in Effurun, Delta State, have arrested approximately 100 youths suspected of involvement in internet fraud, local authorities reported Monday.

The military operation targeted a facility known as HK “Hustle Kingdom” School, allegedly a training center for aspiring cybercriminals, located within the Army Estate, a residential area for retired military officers and civilians in Uvwie, Delta State.

Sources familiar with the operation told PUNCH Metro that the raid followed months of intelligence gathering on the school’s activities. The military personnel stormed the facility “in the early hours and late Saturday,” apprehending over one hundred suspects, including the alleged owner of the school and his accomplices.

The Army Estate, where the school was discovered, is described as a highbrow residential Post Service Housing Estate, making the presence of such an operation particularly alarming to local authorities.

Following the arrests, the military authorities at the 3 Battalion Nigerian Army Barracks in Effurun have reportedly transferred custody of the suspects to the police at Ekpan in Uvwie for further investigation and potential prosecution. The handover occurred after initial profiling by the military.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer for the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrests but could not provide detailed information about the apprehension process.

This raid highlights the ongoing battle against cybercrime in Nigeria, a country that has struggled with its international reputation due to internet fraud schemes often referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo.” The discovery of a training school for such activities within a military residential area underscores the pervasive nature of the problem and the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating it.

The operation also demonstrates increased cooperation between military and police forces in tackling cybercrime, which has become a significant concern for Nigerian authorities in recent years. As investigations continue, this case may provide valuable insights into the structure and operations of cybercriminal networks in the region.

The arrest of 100 suspects in a single operation marks a substantial development in Nigeria’s efforts to curb internet fraud and improve its global cybersecurity standing. As the case progresses, it is likely to draw attention to the need for enhanced digital literacy and cybercrime prevention measures across the country.

Punchng.com

American Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Russian Prison for Attempted Child Abduction

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A Russian court in the Kaliningrad region sentenced an unidentified American man to six years in prison on Monday for attempting to illegally take his 4-year-old Russian-born son out of the country, highlighting ongoing tensions in U.S.-Russia relations.

The court stated via its Telegram channel that the father tried to flee to Poland with his son following a visit with the child in Kaliningrad in July 2023. The attempted border crossing occurred without obtaining the mother’s consent, which is required under Russian law.

According to the court’s statement, the father and son drove most of the way to the Polish border before abandoning their vehicle. They then attempted to “cross the border through the forest and the swamp,” presumably to evade detection. Russian border guards discovered and detained the pair during this attempt.

This sentencing comes at a time when diplomatic relations between the United States and Russia are at their lowest point since the Cold War, primarily due to Russia’s ongoing military actions in Ukraine. The case adds to a growing list of American citizens currently imprisoned in Russia on various charges.

While this case involves alleged criminal activity, it occurs against a backdrop of recent prisoner exchanges between the two nations. In a notable swap, the West released Russian spies in exchange for several individuals held in Russia, including U.S.-Russian dual national Alsu Kurmasheva, a Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe journalist.

Kurmasheva had traveled to Russia in May 2023 to visit her ailing mother in Kazan, Tatarstan. She was prevented from leaving the country and subsequently jailed for over nine months on charges of spreading “false information” about the Russian military. These charges were widely viewed as retaliatory.

The U.S. State Department has not yet commented on this latest sentencing. However, it continues to warn American citizens about the risks of travel to Russia, citing the potential for harassment and wrongful detentions by Russian security officials.

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