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Prosecutor: Chinese man charged in $1B fraud ‘sociopathic’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:21 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A Chinese businessman charged in a $1 billion fraud was labeled “sociopathic” by a prosecutor as a judge heard arguments Tuesday over whether any bail conditions could ensure he’d not flee or engage in illegal business practices while awaiting trial.U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres did not immediately rule whether bail can be set for Guo Wengui, 54, who was arrested three weeks ago on charges including wire and securities fraud. He was charged in court papers under the name Ho Wan Kwok.Guo, once thought to be among the richest people in China, left in 2014 during an anti-corruption crackdown as individuals close to him were ensnared, including a top intelligence official. Chinese authorities have accused Guo of rape, kidnapping, bribery and other offenses. Since then, he has been sought by that nation’s government. Guo has maintained that the allegations against him in China are false, saying they were intended to punish him for publicly outing corruption the...

Ex-military couple faces 4th sentencing in child abuse case

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:21 GMT

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A former U.S. Army major and his wife accused of routinely beating their young foster children and denying them food and water as punishment will be sentenced for a fourth time. But, the sentencing will be handled by a different judge, a federal appeals court has ruled.Federal prosecutors have argued that the sentences U.S. District Judge Katharine Hayden gave to John and Carolyn Jackson were too lenient. In a ruling issued Monday, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that Hayden failed to follow its directions to consider the children’s multiple injuries “holistically and in the context of the jury’s findings of guilt” in determining causation.Noting the repeated sentencings, the panel also concluded that Hayden — who presided over the Jackson’s 2015 trial — would have “substantial difficulty in putting out of her mind her previously expressed views of the evidence,” so they ordered that the matter be reassigned to another jurist. However, it’s not ...

Winnipeg police say another woman’s body has been found in a landfill

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:21 GMT

Winnipeg police are reporting the discovery of another Indigenous woman’s body in a landfill.Police say the remains of Linda Mary Beardy were found Monday afternoon at the city-run Brady landfill in south Winnipeg.Inspector Shawn Pike says the death is suspicious and is being investigated by the homicide unit.Pike says the case is not believed to be linked to the remains of other women found in landfills in the Winnipeg regionThe partial remains of Rebecca Contois were found in the same landfill last year.The remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran were discovered last year in the privately run Prairie Green landfill north of Winnipeg.Jeremy Skibicki is accused of killing those three women as well as an unidentified woman Indigenous leaders have named Buffalo Woman.The Canadian Press

Politician gets house arrest in Dominican corruption case

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:21 GMT

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — A judge in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday ordered an ex-presidential candidate held under house arrest and two former high-ranking officials jailed while awaiting trial in a record $347 million embezzlement case linked to illegal campaign financing.Gonzalo Castillo, a former public works minister who won 37% of the vote when he ran in the 2020 general elections and lost to current President Luis Abinader, was held under house arrest on $365,000 bond. Donald Guerrero, former treasury minister, and José Ramón Peralta, former administrative minister to the presidency, were ordered held without bail for 18 months.The judge also banned former comptroller general, Daniel Omar Caamaño, from leaving the country, and placed former director of the State Sugar Council, Luis Miguel Piccirilo, under house arrest.It wasn’t immediately clear if their attorneys would appeal the decision. A total of 20 suspects have been arrested in the case. Officials of ...

Hail, wind, rain: Thunderstorms blow into Chicago area

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:21 GMT

CHICAGO — A potential for a severe weather threat is expected for the Chicago area Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning.A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Winnebago, McHenry, Boone Lake, Kane, McHenry and Cook until 2:30 p.m.Strong winds, hail and rain are expected with these storms. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here A powerhouse northbound warm front is going to sweep into the Chicago area Tuesday evening introducing warm and humid air. Temps will be surging into the low 70s across our southern suburbs Tuesday while holding in the 40s as east winds blow into areas along Lake Michigan Tuesday from Chicago north. By and during tonight (Tuesday night), the warm humid air is to win out--taking control of the weather scene here. At times it's not raining, we'll actually be able to throw open the windows and bask in the warm air.It's the warm, humid air mass which threatens active and possible severe thunderstorms.Latest warnings and watches from ...

35-year-old woman shot to death in South Side residence

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:21 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman was found shot to death inside a South Side residence Tuesday morning.Just after 9:50 a.m., police responded to a residence in the 5500 block of South Lowe.Police found a 35-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to her chin. She was pronounced dead at the scene and it's being investigated as a homicide.No one is in custody. Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

Is it safe to live in a house where meth was cooked?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:21 GMT

DENVER, Colorado (KDVR) — A condominium that recently hit the market in Denver's Capitol Hill area is turning some heads with its property overview. The 567-square-foot condo, located at 985 N. Corona Street in Denver, is listed at $252,000. It has one bedroom, one bathroom and plenty of potential, according to the listing — in addition to some issues."Due to methamphetamine contamination, it has been tagged by the City & County of Denver. There is an ORDER TO VACATE/ACCESS RESTRICTED/NO TRESSPASSING NOTICE placed on the front door by Denver Public Health & Environment," the condo's listing, which appears on sites such as Zillow and Redfin, states. Forecasters warn of more severe storms and tornadoes in South and Midwest Should "methamphetamine contamination" be a dealbreaker for potential buyers?How are former meth labs cleaned?According to 2019 research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, people who move into former meth la...

Drag queen Heklina found dead in London

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:21 GMT

(KRON) -- Longtime San Francisco drag performer Heklina has died in London, according to fellow drag queen and friend Peaches Christ. Both performers were in London together starring in "Mommie Queerest," a self-described "wild drag parody" of the 1981 film "Mommie Dearest.""This morning, in London, England I went to collect my dear friend Heklina, who is costarring with me in a Mommie Queerest show here, and found her dead," wrote Peaches Christ, a.k.a Joshua Grannell, on Facebook. "I do not know her cause of death yet. I know this is shocking news and I am beyond stunned."A social media post from the London theater where the show was playing confirmed the death of Heklina, whose legal name was Stefan Grygelko. CDC warns amid salmonella outbreak affecting multiple states "Heklina is not just my best friend, but a beloved icon of our community," Grannell continued. "I am a mess."Heklina was 54 years old, Variety reports.Tributes began to pour in as news of Heklina's death spread. ...

Ban on transgender youth treatments passes Texas Senate

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Senate approved legislation Tuesday banning treatment options for transgender young people, and it will ultimately apply to those already receiving that kind of health care in the state after a reversal among Republican lawmakers. Senate Bill 14, spearheaded by Republican State Sen. Donna Campbell of New Braunfels, passed by a vote of 19-12 along party lines. The legislation now moves to the Texas House of Representatives for debate, where it has to clear before the governor can potentially sign the bill into law. Activists: Transgender Day of Visibility still vital as legislative threats loom The legislation includes a number of provisions affecting the state's doctors and the transgender minors they might treat. It prohibits anyone under 18 from receiving puberty-blocking medication, hormone therapy or surgeries for "the purpose of transitioning a child's biological sex." Doctors could also lose their medical license in Texas if they provide these opti...

Texas French Bread fire leads to new official AFD protocol related to water

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:21 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 4, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department has formalized a new system to alert the proper agency if their work fighting a fire will impact local waterways in any way — a change prompted by a fire at Texas French Bread Company last year.In general, an eight-month study found "firefighting activities present a relatively low risk of harm to aquatic life or other significantly adverse water quality impacts." And, AFD is already in the habit of letting the Austin Watershed Department know if any hazardous material has been released or any spills have happened that could affect water quality. The AWD "protects lives, property and the environment of our community by reducing the impact of flood, erosion and water pollution," according to its website. After devastating fire, Texas French Bread reopens as a food truck However, this collaboration was prompted by a March 2022 City Council resolution, whi...