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Mexican Cartel Leader’s Son Convicted in U.S. Drug Trafficking Case

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Rubén Oseguera, son of a prominent Mexican drug cartel leader, was found guilty Friday of charges related to violent drug trafficking operations, including the downing of a military helicopter.

A federal jury in Washington, D.C. convicted Oseguera, known as “El Menchito,” on two counts: conspiring to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine for U.S. importation and using a firearm in a drug conspiracy. The verdict came after several hours of deliberation over two days.

Oseguera, 34, is the son of Nemesio Oseguera, the fugitive leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG). The younger Oseguera served as the cartel’s second-in-command before his extradition to the U.S. in February 2020.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence linking Oseguera to numerous violent acts, including ordering the 2015 downing of a Mexican military helicopter that killed at least nine people. They also alleged he was responsible for ordering at least 100 killings and personally killing two individuals.

Attorney General Merrick Garland hailed the conviction, stating, “El Menchito now joins the growing list of high-ranking Cartel leaders that the Justice Department has convicted in an American courtroom.”

The prosecution’s case included testimony from six cooperating witnesses and coded BlackBerry messages exchanged between Oseguera and other cartel members. They also presented physical evidence, including a rifle bearing Oseguera’s nicknames and the cartel’s acronym.

Defense attorney Anthony Colombo attempted to discredit the witnesses, calling them “sociopaths” and “pathological liars.” He also argued that prosecutors lacked evidence of the cartel trafficking drugs into the U.S.

Oseguera, who holds dual U.S.-Mexican citizenship, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 40 years. Sentencing is scheduled for January 10 before U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell.

The U.S. government continues to offer a $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Oseguera’s father, known as “El Mencho.”

This conviction marks a significant victory in the ongoing battle against international drug cartels and their operations affecting the United States.

Real Madrid Aim for Third Straight Win as They Host In-Form Espanyol

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Reigning La Liga champions Real Madrid seek their third consecutive victory when they welcome a resurgent Espanyol to the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday evening.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid (3-2-0) currently sit third in the table with 11 points from five matches. They enter the fixture on the back of a 3-1 Champions League victory over Stuttgart midweek, where 18-year-old Endrick became the club’s youngest-ever Champions League goalscorer.

Espanyol (2-1-2), who returned to La Liga via playoffs last season, arrive in good form after back-to-back league wins. Javi Puado’s hat-trick propelled them to a 3-2 victory over Alaves last weekend, lifting them to 12th in the standings.

Real Madrid will be without injured players Brahim Diaz, Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga, and David Alaba. However, Jude Bellingham is expected to start after returning from injury against Stuttgart.

Espanyol manager Manolo Gonzalez is likely to field an unchanged lineup from their win over Alaves, with Puado leading the attack alongside on-loan Tottenham forward Alejo Veliz.

Real Madrid have won their last three league encounters with Espanyol, including a 3-1 home victory last season. The visitors haven’t won at the Bernabéu in La Liga since April 1996.

Despite Espanyol’s recent form, Real Madrid’s home advantage and superior firepower make them favorites. The match kicks off at 20:00 local time (CEST) on Saturday.

Predicted lineups:

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius

Espanyol (4-4-2): J. Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero; Tejero, Kral, Aguado, Carreras; Puado, Veliz

Glamorous Mugshot of 18-Year-Old Arrested for Running Over Man with His Own Porsche

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Sarah Badshaw, an 18-year-old woman from Brampton, Ontario, turned herself in to police on Thursday after allegedly stealing a Porsche and running over its owner. Her arrest came just a day after authorities released a video of the incident.

Badshaw faces four charges related to the theft, including dangerous driving causing bodily harm, vehicle theft, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving without a license. Police also stated that Badshaw is linked to numerous other investigations and is wanted by other Greater Toronto Area police services.

The incident occurred on September 6 when Badshaw reportedly posed as a prospective buyer for a 2022 Porsche Cayenne advertised on AutoTrader. Security footage shows Badshaw arriving at the victim’s home in Mississauga and asking to “take a look” at the vehicle while waiting for her father.

Moments after the owner exited the passenger side, Badshaw allegedly attempted to steal the Porsche. As the owner tried to stop her, she reversed aggressively, dragging him along and running him over with the rear wheels. The victim, who remains unnamed, told CTV News Toronto that he sustained injuries to his elbow, hands, and legs, requiring medical attention.

Surprisingly, Badshaw’s online profile reveals she works part-time as a babysitter, describing herself as “hard-working” and coming from a large family of eight siblings.

Peel police praised the “power of social media” in apprehending the suspect. Constable Tyler Bell told CP24 that the video was shared 95,000 times within 24 hours, leading to numerous tips that helped identify Badshaw and pressure her to surrender.

Authorities are still seeking an expensive gray Bentley Bentayga SUV described as an accomplice vehicle and expect to make additional arrests in connection with the case.

Airplane Makes Emergency Landing After Mouse Jumps from Passenger’s Meal

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A Scandinavian Airlines flight from Oslo, Norway to Málaga, Spain was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Denmark on Wednesday after a mouse unexpectedly emerged from a passenger’s meal tray, the airline confirmed on Friday.

The rodent’s sudden appearance caused alarm among passengers and crew, prompting the decision to divert the flight. “Believe it or not. A lady next to me … opened her food and a mouse jumped out,” passenger Jarle Borrestad recounted on social media.

A spokesperson for Scandinavian Airlines addressed the unusual incident, stating, “This is something that happens extremely rarely. We have established procedures for such situations, which also include a review with our suppliers to ensure this does not happen again.”

Following the unexpected layover, passengers were transferred to another flight to complete their journey to Málaga. The fate of the mouse remains unclear.

The incident highlights the potential for unforeseen complications in air travel and the importance of stringent food safety measures in airline catering. It also raises questions about how the mouse managed to find its way into the sealed meal tray.

Scandinavian Airlines has not provided details on potential changes to their food handling procedures in light of this event. Aviation experts note that while such occurrences are indeed rare, they can have significant operational and reputational impacts on airlines.

The airline industry, already facing challenges in the post-pandemic era, will likely view this incident as a reminder of the need for vigilance in all aspects of passenger service and safety.

DIDDY SHOCK: Late Ex’s Memoir Reveals Bombshell Claims of Assault, Sex with Teen Star

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A shocking memoir purportedly written by Sean “Diddy” Combs’ late ex-girlfriend, Kim Porter, has surfaced with explosive allegations against the music mogul, including claims of assault and sexual encounters with a male teen star.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and his late girlfriend Kim Porter during The 77th Annual Academy AwardsCredit: Getty

The 60-page book, titled “Kim’s Lost Words,” emerged just days before Combs’ arrest on federal charges. It allegedly details Combs’ personal life from the 1990s until Porter’s death in 2018, offering a glimpse into the rapper’s controversial past.

Among the most startling claims, Porter allegedly wrote about discovering videos of Combs engaging in sexual acts with “young boys” under his management. One video purportedly features an 18-year-old who later became a well-known pop star.

Porter and Combs with two of their three children togetherCredit: Getty

The memoir also accuses Combs of physical violence against Porter, including an incident where he allegedly threatened her with a handgun. “He fiercely slammed me to the ground. Then he pulled out a .22 [handgun] and sat it on the end table,” the book claims.

Producer Chris Todd, who published the memoir under a pseudonym, told the Daily Mail, “This was supposedly for Kim Porter from the grave, to come forward and tell her story.” Todd claims the material came from Porter’s personal writings shared with friends before her death.

The bombshell book allegedly details Diddy’s love lifeCredit: Amazon

The book describes alleged “orgies” at Combs’ residences, claiming that Porter participated in these events and had an “open relationship” with the rapper. It also alleges that Porter copied videos of Combs’ sexual encounters as leverage before planning to leave him.

These bombshell allegations come as Combs, 54, faces federal charges including racketeering and sex trafficking. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody after being denied bail twice.

Kim Porter tragically passed away from pneumonia in 2018Credit: Getty

The authenticity of the memoir’s contents has not been independently verified, and Combs’ representatives have not yet commented on these shocking claims.

As legal proceedings against Combs continue, this posthumous memoir adds a dramatic new dimension to the unfolding story of one of hip-hop’s most influential and now controversial figures.

Liverpool Set to Host Bournemouth in Premier League Clash

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Liverpool welcomes Bournemouth to Anfield on Saturday for their Premier League encounter, aiming to bounce back from last week’s surprise home defeat to Nottingham Forest.

The Reds enter the match buoyed by a midweek 3-1 victory over AC Milan in the Champions League, which showcased their resilience after an early setback. Manager Arne Slot’s side will look to carry that momentum into their domestic campaign.

Liverpool (3-1-1) currently sit fourth in the league table, while Bournemouth (1-2-2) occupy 15th place. The Cherries, under Andoni Iraola, have shown glimpses of potential, including a dramatic 3-2 comeback win at Everton.

Team News:

Liverpool face uncertainty over goalkeeper Alisson’s fitness, with Caoimhín Kelleher ready to deputize if needed. Harvey Elliott remains sidelined with a foot fracture. Federico Chiesa could make his Premier League debut, likely from the bench, while Darwin Nunez may return to the starting lineup.

Bournemouth will be without Tyler Adams due to a back injury, while Dango Ouattara is doubtful. Kepa Arrizabalaga returns in goal after being ineligible against parent club Chelsea last week.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 31: Lewis Cook of Bournemouth celebrates after scoring to make it 2-2 with team-mates Marcus Tavernier, Justin Kluivert, Dango Ouattara during the Premier League match between Everton FC and AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park on August 31, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)

Key Battle:

Liverpool’s midfield control will be crucial against Bournemouth’s direct approach. The Reds’ ability to maintain discipline and fluidity in the center of the park could determine the outcome.

Predicted Lineups:

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Nunez.

Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Unal.

Historical Context:

Liverpool has dominated recent meetings, winning four of the last five encounters. Their last matchup in January saw Liverpool triumph 4-0 at Bournemouth.

Kickoff is set for 15:00 BST at Anfield, with Tony Harrington refereeing and Graham Scott on VAR duty.

Prediction: Despite Bournemouth’s potential to cause problems, Liverpool’s home advantage and recent European success should see them through. Liverpool 2-0 Bournemouth.

Killed Hezbollah Commander Aqil on US Wanted List for Deadly 1983 American  Embassy, Marine Blasts

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Ibrahim Aqil, a high-ranking Hezbollah operations commander killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday, had a $7 million U.S. bounty on his head for his alleged role in two devastating 1983 Beirut bombings that killed over 300 Americans.

Two Lebanese security sources confirmed that Aqil, also known by the aliases Tahsin and Abdelqader, was killed during a meeting of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan unit in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The Israeli strike marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Aqil was accused by the United States of involvement in the April 1983 truck bombing of the American embassy in Beirut, which killed 63 people, and the Marine barracks bombing six months later that claimed 241 lives. The U.S. also alleged his involvement in the abduction of American and German hostages in Lebanon during the 1980s.

Born around 1960 in Lebanon’s Beqaa valley, Aqil was a founding member of Hezbollah after switching from the Amal movement. He served on Hezbollah’s top military body, the Jihad Council, and was instrumental in the group’s evolution from a militia to Lebanon’s most powerful military and political organization.

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has previously denied the group’s involvement in the 1980s attacks on Western interests in Lebanon, attributing them to unaffiliated small groups.

Aqil’s death follows the July killing of Fuad Shukr, another high-ranking Hezbollah official, in the same area. These strikes represent significant blows to Hezbollah’s command structure, potentially rivaling the 2008 assassination of Imad Mughniyeh.

As tensions escalate between Israel and Hezbollah, with cross-border fighting intensifying since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the killing of Aqil may have far-reaching implications for regional stability and the ongoing conflict.

SEC Seeks Sanctions Against Elon Musk for Missed Testimony

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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Friday its intention to pursue sanctions against Elon Musk for failing to appear at a scheduled testimony related to his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter, now known as X.

In a court filing, the SEC detailed how Musk was ordered by a federal judge to testify as part of the agency’s investigation into whether the billionaire followed proper disclosure laws when purchasing Twitter stock and if his statements regarding the deal were misleading.

According to the filing, Musk was set to testify on September 10 in Los Angeles. SEC lawyers traveled to the city for the deposition, but just three hours before it was to begin, Musk’s attorney informed them that his client needed to urgently travel to the East Coast for a SpaceX launch and would be unable to attend or reschedule for the following day.

The SEC alleges that Musk violated a court order requiring him to seek written consent from the SEC or a court order to modify the date of his testimony. The agency criticized Musk’s excuse as “smacking of gamesmanship,” noting that SpaceX had announced the launch date two days prior, and as Chief Technical Officer, Musk would have been aware of the scheduling conflict.

“Despite this advance knowledge, Musk did not notify the SEC of his intent to attend the launch until three hours before his testimony was to begin, and after the SEC spent thousands of dollars to fly three attorneys to Los Angeles,” the filing stated.

The SEC is now asking the court to impose “meaningful conditional relief” if Musk fails to appear at a rescheduled October testimony date. The agency also plans to file a motion for sanctions to recoup travel costs for the cancelled testimony and seek additional relief.

Musk’s lawyers responded in a separate filing, arguing that court intervention is unnecessary as the parties have already agreed to a new testimony date. They assert that Musk is already under a court order to appear “absent an emergency that (Mr. Musk) did not create and could not avoid.”

This incident marks the latest chapter in an ongoing tension between Musk and the SEC, which began in 2018 when the agency sued him over a tweet about taking Tesla private.

As the legal battle continues, the outcome could have significant implications for Musk’s business dealings and the SEC’s ability to regulate high-profile executives in the tech industry.

Mali Officials Close Livestock Markets Over Suspected Militant Links

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Malian authorities have announced the closure of several livestock markets in the capital Bamako, citing security concerns following a recent deadly attack by al-Qaida-linked militants. The decision, announced Thursday by Bamako district governor Abdoulaye Coulibaly, primarily affects markets run by the Fulani ethnic group, which officials associate with militant activity.

The closures come in the wake of Tuesday’s attack on a military training camp and the airport on Bamako’s outskirts, claimed by the al-Qaida-affiliated group JNIM. While Malian officials acknowledged government forces suffered losses, they have not released an official death toll.

Seven major livestock markets will be shuttered for “reasons of public order,” according to Coulibaly’s statement. The duration of these closures remains unspecified.

The Fulani, also known as Peuhl, are a large semi-nomadic ethnic group with communities spanning from Senegal to the Central African Republic. They have a significant presence in central Mali’s Islamic militant groups, leading to widespread stigmatization.

Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, told The Associated Press that the Malian government perceives Fulanis as generally collaborating with jihadists and believes JNIM has infiltrated the capital with their assistance. However, Lyammouri cautioned against overgeneralization, noting that jihadist groups include members from various ethnic backgrounds.

Mali, along with neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, has been battling an Islamist insurgency for over a decade. Recent military coups in these countries have led to the expulsion of French forces and increased reliance on Russian mercenary units for security support.

The attack in Bamako, typically rare for the capital, underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by Col. Assimi Goita’s military government as it struggles to contain the spread of jihadist violence across the country.

Israel Strikes on Beirut Kills Senior Hezbollah Official, 12 Others Dead, According to Lebanese Authorities

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Israel announced Friday that its airstrike in southern Beirut successfully eliminated a high-ranking Hezbollah military commander, while Lebanese authorities reported that at least 12 people were killed in the attack.

The Israeli military’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, stated that the strike targeted and killed Ibrahim Akil, a commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, along with 10 other operatives. Akil, according to Israeli intelligence, was a member of Hezbollah’s highest military body, the Jihad Council, and had been sanctioned by the United States for alleged involvement in 1980s terrorist attacks against U.S. targets in Lebanon.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry, however, reported a higher death toll, stating that 12 people were killed and 66 others wounded, with nine in serious condition. The discrepancy in the reported casualties has not been immediately reconciled.

The strike, which hit Beirut’s densely populated Dahiya district during rush hour, flattened two apartment buildings in an area known for Hezbollah’s political and security operations. It marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, being the deadliest such attack on Beirut since the 2006 war between the two sides.

Hezbollah has not yet confirmed Akil’s death. An unnamed Hezbollah official stated that Akil was supposed to be in the targeted building but provided no further details.

The attack came hours after Hezbollah launched 140 rockets into northern Israel, which the group claimed was retaliation for previous Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon. This exchange follows a week of heightened tensions, including explosions that destroyed thousands of Hezbollah communication devices, killing at least 20 people.

Israeli forces have moved additional troops to the northern border, and the country’s security cabinet has made the return of displaced residents to northern Israel an official war goal. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had previously vowed to continue strikes against Israel despite recent setbacks.

As both sides exchange fire, concerns grow about the potential for a wider regional conflict. The international community watches closely as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation appear to have little effect thus far.