Month: October 2020

Overnight protests in the city of Philadelphia, prompted after a Philadelphia police shot and killed a black man waving a knife toward them, left some 30 officers injured, authorities said on Tuesday.

The fatal shooting of Walter Wallace Jr., 27, on Monday afternoon was captured on video, leading to the protests against police brutality and racial bias. The video showed two Philadelphia police officers pointing guns and moving away from Wallace as he walks toward them with a knife in hand. Police Sgt. Eric Gripp said Wallace was “brandishing” the knife and “waving it erratically.”

The protests and looting that became violent Monday night with some protesters throwing objects at officers, causing dozens of injuries. One officer was hospitalized with a broken leg and other injuries after a pickup truck intentionally struck her, police said. Authorities said protesters also set fire to five police vehicles and one fire vehicle.

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said authorities arrested 91 people during the protests, 11 for assaults on officers and 76 for burglary.

30 Philadelphia officers injured, one run over by truck, in protests after police fatally shoot Black man

Via www.usatoday.com

Dozens of police officers were injured and more than 30 people were arrested during protests in…

10/27/2020 5:17 PM

 

Editorial credit: Ray Fearon / Shutterstock.com

Keith Raniere, who ran a cult-like group that kept women as virtual sex prisoners in upstate New York, was sentenced to 120 years in prison on Tuesday. Raniere was convicted on federal sex trafficking, racketeering and possession of child pornography charges last year for his role in the alleged sex cult called NXIVM (pronounced “nexium”). The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis, who presided over the six-week trial last year that ended in Raniere convicted on all counts. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Seth DuCharme said he hopes the sentence will serve as a deterrence to any aspiring cult leaders. “When justice catches up to you, as it did today, it is severe,” DuCharme told reporters outside court in Brooklyn. “Keith Raniere will not be able to victimize people anymore after today’s sentence and we’re very grateful for that.”

In a jailhouse interview that aired Friday on “Dateline NBC,” Raniere apologized for the “tragedy” and “hurt” he caused victims — but also said that he’s not guilty of any crimes. “I am innocent,” Raniere said, adding, “This is a horrible tragedy with many, many people being hurt. There is a horrible injustice here. And whether you think I’m the devil or not, the justice process has to be examined.”

NXIVM’s president, Nancy Salzman, her daughter Lauren Salzman, bookkeeper Kathy Russell and Claire Bronfman, the Seagram liquor heiress, have all pleaded guilty to various charges. Bronfman was a key NXIVM benefactor and sentenced to 81 behind bars.

Keith Raniere, founder of cult-like group NXIVM, sentenced to 120 years in prison

Via www.usatoday.com

NXIVM founder Keith Raniere was sentenced Tuesday to 120 years in prison for his role in leading…

10/27/2020 4:51 PM

 

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California wildfire leaves two firefighters critically injured, forces 60,000 to evacuate

Via www.nbcnews.com

And electricity was cut to thousands across the state so that equipment doesn’t spark more flames.

10/26/2020 6:14 PM

 

Editorial credit: StratosBril / Shutterstock.com

Following confirmation to Supreme Court, Barrett takes 1st oath at White House

Via abcnews.go.com

Amy Coney Barrett will replace the late liberal icon, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme…

10/26/2020 9:44 PM

 

Editorial credit: Phil Pasquini / Shutterstock.com

U.S. stocks dropped on Wall Street Monday, losing 650 points in their worst day since early September. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the day down 650.19 points, or 2.29%, for its worst day since Sept. 3 after falling by as much as 890 points earlier in the day. The S&P 500 was down about 1.86% and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.64%.

Analysts say stocks tumbled in part due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the United States and the lack of additional stimulus to aid businesses and Americans. There were about 300,000 new cases nationwide between Thursday and Monday.

Rising cases caused travel stocks to sink. Royal Caribbean dropped 9.65% and Norwegian Cruise Line declined 8.45%, while United Airlines fell 7.02% and American Airlines slid 6.35%.

The House passed a new round of aid months ago but the Senate has failed to reach a consensus and weeks of negotiations between Democratic lawmakers and White House officials have failed to produce an agreement.

Stocks have their worst day in a month as virus cases surge

Via abcnews.go.com

The stock market had its worst day in a month as virus cases surge and help for the economy from…

10/26/2020 5:18 PM