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FBI head cites a ‘potential conflict of interest’ in the selection process for a new headquarters

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:04:20 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI director told staff in an internal message Thursday that he was concerned about a “potential conflict of interest” in the process used by the Biden administration to select a Maryland site for the bureau’s new headquarters. Christopher Wray said in an email obtained by The Associated Press that Congress may review the matter, the latest twist in a contentious competition among jurisdictions in the national capital region to land America’s premier law enforcement agency.That General Services Administration confirmed Wednesday that it had selected Greenbelt, Maryland, a Washington suburb, as the home for a new facility to replace the crumbling J. Edgar Hoover Building, which is blocks away from the White House. Wray said his objections were about the process rather than the site itself. The GSA, which manages the government’s real estate portfolio, said that site about 13 miles (20 kilometers) northeast of Washington was the cheapest one with the best a...

Donald Trump’s lawyers ask judge to end civil fraud trial, seeking verdict in ex-president’s favor

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:04:20 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump’s lawyers urged a judge Thursday to put an immediate end to the New York civil fraud trial that threatens his real estate empire, arguing that state lawyers had failed to prove that the former president intended to dupe banks, insurers and others by inflating his wealth on financial statements.Trump’s lawyers sought a directed verdict, asking Judge Arthur Engoron to clear the 2024 Republican front-runner, his namesake company and other defendants of wrongdoing at the halfway point in the trial of state Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit.“There’s no victim. There’s no complainant. There’s no injury. All of that is established now by the evidence,” Trump lawyer Christopher Kise said. He argued that state lawyers had failed to meet “any legal standard” to prove allegations of conspiracy, insurance fraud and falsifying business records.State lawyer Kevin Wallace responded that the defense’s arguments “sounded more like closing arguments” and that ...

Kenya says it won’t deploy police to fight gangs in Haiti until they receive training and funding

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:04:20 GMT

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s government said Thursday that its police officers will not be deployed to Haiti until all conditions on training and funding are met in line with last month’s approval from the U.N Security Council to give the eastern African country command of a multinational mission to combat violent gangs in the troubled Caribbean country.Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki told Parliament’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security that “unless all resources are mobilized and availed, our troops will not leave the country.”He said U.N. member states are securing resources and have identified how funds will be mobilized and made available to Kenya for the mission. However, it was not immediately clear when the forces would be fully trained and funded to allow for deployment.Meanwhile, Haiti is reporting a fresh round of gang-related killings and kidnappings as it awaits help.On Wednesday, Haiti’s Superior Court of Auditors and Administrative Disput...

Fights in bread lines, despair in shelters: War threatens to unravel Gaza’s close-knit society

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:04:20 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Fistfights break out in bread lines. Residents wait hours for a gallon of brackish water that makes them sick. Scabies, diarrhea and respiratory infections rip through overcrowded shelters. And some families have to choose who eats.“My kids are crying because they are hungry and tired and can’t use the bathroom,” said Suzan Wahidi, an aid worker and mother of five at a U.N. shelter in the central town of Deir al-Balah, where hundreds of people share a single toilet. “I have nothing for them.”With the Israel-Hamas war in its second month and more than 10,000 people killed in Gaza, trapped civilians are struggling to survive without electricity or running water. Palestinians who managed to flee Israel’s ground invasion in northern Gaza now encounter scarcity of food and medicine in the south, and there is no end in sight to the war sparked by Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 attack.Over half a million displaced people have crammed into hospitals and U.N. schools-turned-shelters i...

Freeland to table fall economic statement on Nov. 21

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:04:20 GMT

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is expected to table the federal government’s fall economic statement on Nov. 21.The mini-budget is set to offer an update on federal finances, as well as new measures that reflect the government’s priorities.Freeland has promised that the fall economic statement will focus on housing and affordability, two issues dominating federal politics that are top-of-mind for Canadians.The Liberals have already announced some measures pertaining to housing over the last couple of months, but all eyes will be on any additional steps they take to help ease the housing shortage.The federal government is also facing fiscal pressures from a slowing economy and scrutiny for excessive government spending, and Freeland has promised to prioritize fiscal responsibility.The latest fiscal monitor report from the Finance Department said the federal government posted a $4.3-billion deficit between April and August.

Person in custody after shooting outside strip club in South Loop

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:04:20 GMT

CHICAGO — A person is in custody after a shooting outside a strip club in the city's South Loop, according to Chicago police.The shooting happened around 4:12 a.m. Thursday outside Deja Vu Showgirls on the 700 block of South Clinton.According to police, a 30-year-old man was escorting another man out of the business when a black Tesla approached them. A male offender fired shots from inside the vehicle and continued driving southbound.The 30-year-old man was shot in the right knee and transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition. Charges filed against 2 accused of killing woman during attempted robbery in Worth Police have confirmed a person is in custody and charges are pending.

In-N-Out Burger expanding into yet another state

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:04:20 GMT

(KTLA) – In-N-Out Burger is continuing to expand, with new locations planned for a Southwest state.The Southern California-based fast food chain, which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, announced this week that it plans to open multiple locations in New Mexico by 2027.“We're excited to share that we will be fully in the Four Corners," In-N-Out’s president and owner Lynsi Snyder shared on Instagram and Facebook. “We can’t wait to have smiling associates serving customers quality burgers, fries and shakes in such a unique, beautiful state.” The not-so-secret meaning behind In-N-Out’s palm trees In-N-Out already has locations in Arizona, Utah and Colorado, leaving New Mexico as the only remaining Four Corners state without one.The new restaurants will be in Albuquerque, but there are plans for other New Mexico locations “in the years beyond,” the company said. They will be served by a distribution hub in Colorado Springs.“I’m excited, said Marisa Ricci, an Albuquerque residen...

DPS asks for help, new details in 2001 Mason County cold case

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:04:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) asked for help regarding a 2001 cold case.DPS said the case was a Mason County Texas Ranger Cold Case investigation that involved the death of James “Jimmy” Schuessler.Officials said on Oct. 14, 2001, Schuessler was found dead at his residence in Mason County.Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1 (800) 252-TIPS. Officials said a $3,000 cash reward was also available.More information on the case can be found here.

Which roads will be closed for Texas Book Festival, Veterans Day Parade?

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:04:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tens of thousands will flock to downtown Austin this weekend, with the Texas Book Festival running Saturday and Sunday and the city's annual Veterans Day Parade planned for Saturday morning.Here's a look at some of full and partial road closures planned throughout downtown this weekend.Veterans Day Parade The 2023 Veterans Day Parade is slated to begin at 9 a.m. in downtown Austin, running through 11:30 a.m. Due to the procession, Congress Avenue will be closed from West Riverside Drive to Cesar Chavez Street from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The parade route begins at Trinity and East 11th Streets as well as San Jacinto Boulevard and East 10th Street. It will then proceed along East 11th Street to Congress Avenue, heading south to West Cesar Chavez Street. Second, Third, Fourth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Streets between Colorado and Brazos Streets will serve as local access only from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Fifth Street will remain open between Colorado and Braz...

Author of “Farmwives” book series attends Women in Farming conference as keynote

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:04:20 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsA conference hosted by FCSS at Readymade Hall in Lethbridge County last month was geared exclusively toward highlighting the contributions of women in farming.The conference included a catered lunch and provided attendees with the opportunity to connect with other women in agriculture and delve into some of the challenges and triumphs of living and working on a farm.The event included a keynote address from Alberta-based storyteller Billi J. Miller, and her work interviewing dozens of women in farming to capture the multi-faceted experiences of women in farming.Organized by the Farm Family Outreach team, a support team under the Barons-Eureka-Warner Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), the Farm Family Outreach teams aims to connect members of the farming community with resources in rural southern Alberta, and help families navigate the unique challenges often experienced by farm families.Miller has interviewed dozens of farm women for her boo...