“Having observed the treatment of violent criminals in the New York area by the Manhattan DA there, Alvin Bragg, I think it is safer to keep him here and keep him in custody,” Mitchell told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
Mitchell said she directed her team not to cooperate with the Manhattan DA’s office, saying that Bragg, a Democrat, is too soft on criminals. Mitchell added she does not want Almansoori on the streets.
In a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 22, Bragg called the move politically motivated.
“It is deeply disturbing to me that a member of my profession, a member of law enforcement, would choose to play political games in a murder case,” Bragg said.
Bragg went on to say that since he was elected prosecutor, the murder rate in Manhattan has gone down 38% and is lower than that of Maricopa County, home to Arizona’s largest city, Phoenix.
“County DA Mitchell has — I don’t know how else to say it — has gotten it wrong at every single term,” Bragg said.
Mitchell maintained that her decision not to send Almansoori to New York is about keeping the public safe; it’s not political, and it is not aimed at the work done by New York City police.
However, according to a report done by Fox 10 Phoenix, Mitchell’s attack on New York may have been misguided in this case.
According to the report, in 2023, Almansoori was arrested and facing serious charges in Florida for allegedly attacking a woman.
However, the Florida state attorney’s office reportedly dropped most charges because of insufficient evidence. Almansoori’s bail in that case was set at $2,500.
One of Almansoori’s alleged victims said the murder in New York and the attacks in Arizona should have never happened.
“He said, before he started strangling me: ‘Scream and I’ll kill you,’” the woman said. “It breaks my heart for the other women involved, for the families of those women involved when all of this could have been prevented.”
Almansoori is currently in custody in Arizona, and he is being held without bond.
NYPD warns of migrant crime in NYC after shelter altercation caught on video
The New York Police Department said there is a migrant crime wave in the city. At the city’s largest migrant shelter on Randall’s Island, a recent altercation between police and migrants was caught on camera, Thursday, Feb. 15.
In the video, recorded from inside the shelter and posted to social media, migrants are seen throwing large objects at officers. Seconds later, there is a migrant on the ground surrounded by officers.
Police said the migrant man was resisting arrest and fighting with a security guard after being asked to leave because the shelter said he wasn’t supposed to be there.
The struggle to apprehend the man continued for several minutes. Officers carried him out by his arms and legs. More objects flew at officers before they rushed for the doors.
The migrant was arrested but prosecutors declined to move forward with the case, according to sources who spoke with the New York Post.
This isn’t an isolated event at the shelter on Randall’s Island. There have been several other altercations leading to a permanent police presence at the facility.
Since the start of 2024, a migrant was stabbed to death by another migrant in the food line. Two weeks later, a security guard was stabbed in the neck but survived — 18 migrants were taken into custody following the incident. One migrant was arrested after fighting police while intoxicated, sending an officer to the hospital with injuries.
While these are some of the incidents that have happened on the island, another altercation caught on camera in Times Square received national attention after migrants assaulted officers in the streets.
Police are warning of a rise in crime related to migrants, but New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the majority of them are not part of the problem.
“The overwhelming majority of migrants in our care came to our city in search of a better life and the American dream,” Adams said. “The small number of those disrupting that journey for the rest of the migrants in our care by acting violently will face enforcement to the fullest extent of the law.”
LA City Council approves millions to clean abandoned, graffitied skyscrapers
Abandoned skyscrapers in downtown Los Angeles have become a canvas to graffiti artists. Windows of a 30-story abandoned building have been spray painted as the latest LA tourist attraction is proving to be problematic for the city and law enforcement.
City Mayor Karen Bass has called the site a hazard and safety concern.
“I guarantee you tragedy will take place there if that place is not boarded up quickly,” Bass said.
City officials said people are not only illegally climbing the skyscraper to spray paint but also using it as a base to jump and parachute from, as shown in a video from a paraglider.
Now, the city is dishing out millions to keep people out and clean the building up. The building has been an uphill battle for the city because of its owner, China Oceanwide Holdings Group. The developer abandoned the building in 2019 after plans for a plaza fell through.
According to Councilman Kevin de León, taking control of the project and making some of it given its current condition will cost the city $2 billion. The city plans to pay to fence off the property and clean the graffiti.
The City Council wanted Oceanwide to handle the costs but the developer did not respond to its immediate request, leaving the city to approve funding upfront while a city attorney tries to recoup the money from Oceanwide.
It’s not only taxpayer money going toward the building debacle right now, city resources are also being expended.
The Los Angeles Police Department has spent more than 3,000 hours patrolling the site, and officers are now patrolling 24 hours a day due to heightened public interest.
The department has arrested 18 people so far, and the city is urging people to stay out of the abandoned area.
Russia takes control of stronghold town of Avdiivka as war in Ukraine nears 2-year mark: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 19, 2024
Almost two years into its invasion of Ukraine, Russia takes control of a key stronghold. And the latest on what we know about the fatal shooting of two police officers and a paramedic in Minnesota. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.
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Ukraine forces withdraw from Avdiivka as 2nd anniversary of war approaches
As the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches, Ukrainian forces withdrew from the key stronghold of Avdiivka, giving Russia its biggest victory in the war in almost a year. Ukraine said it had withdrawn its troops because they were outnumbered after months of intense combat.
UN court opens hearings into Israel’s occupation of Palestinian-claimed land
Historic hearings concerning Israel opened this morning at the United Nations’ top court in The Hague. But while the country’s ongoing war with Hamas is expected to be mentioned, it is not the focus of this case, unlike last month’s ruling by the court that said Israel must take action to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.
More than a year before the war began, the U.N. General Assembly requested the court rule on Israel’s 57-year occupation of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. These are areas sought by Palestinians for an independent state. The court is set to hear from about 50 nations, including the United States, Britain, China, and Russia. The session is scheduled to last six days, and then the court will issue an advisory opinion, though it is not legally binding on Israel.
2 officers, EMT killed responding to domestic violence call in Minnesota
“We are all hurting, our officers, our fire department, our families, all of our staff, our community,” Schwartz said. “We’re heartbroken. Today (Feb. 18, 2024), three members of our team made the ultimate sacrifice for this community. They are heroes.”
Police said officers responded to a domestic violence call of a “family in danger” in the early morning hours – where an armed suspect was barricaded inside a home with family members, including seven children under the age of 15. Authorities said while officers negotiated with the suspect for hours, at one point, the gunman opened fire, killing the two responding officers and EMT.
There was then an exchange of gunfire between police and the suspect – who was pronounced dead a short time later. All family members made it safely out of the home. Police are asking for patience as the investigation is in its early stages.
Houston megachurch holds services a week after deadly shooting
“It’s something that we never dreamed we’d have to deal with. This is our home. Somebody to come in and you kind of feel violated. But again, I’ll go back to God’s on the throne,” Osteen said. “And yeah, I can’t tell you all the details, but I can tell you this — there are so many things you can just see the hand of God.”
“You know, you never question God’s will,” Whitmore said. “But certainly, after the tragedy of last week, he had a purpose in bringing us together to show how united our city is.”
On Sunday, Feb. 11, a shooter, identified as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, walked into the church with her 7-year-old son and started shooting. Moreno was killed during an exchange of gunfire with off-duty police officers working security at the church. Moreno’s 7-year-old son was struck in the head during the exchange and remains in critical condition.
During this Sunday’s Feb. 18 services, Osteen and his congregation prayed for the boy’s recovery. According to a church spokesman, typically 40 to 50 officers work security at the church weekly; he did not know whether that number was higher this Sunday, Feb. 18.
Daytona 500 shifts to historic Monday doubleheader after rain delay
Heavy rain in Florida has led to the postponement of NASCAR’s 66th annual Daytona 500, originally scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 18. This marks the first full-day postponement of the event since 2012, shifting gears from its original plans and setting the stage for a historic Monday, Feb. 19, at Daytona International Speedway.
For the first time, fans will experience a groundbreaking doubleheader, featuring the Daytona 500 and the rain-delayed Xfinity Series race, both taking place on the same day. This unprecedented scheduling offers race enthusiasts a full day of high-speed action. The Weather Channel predicts light rain in Daytona Beach Monday morning, Feb. 19, but expects conditions to clear by early afternoon, promising a smoother start to the day’s events.
‘Oppenheimer’ wins 7 awards at 2024 BAFTA
With less than a month to go before the Oscars, we got a preview of how things might play out at last night’s Feb. 18 British Academy Film Awards. The big winner at the 2024 BAFTAs was Christopher Nolan’s atomic bomb epic “Oppenheimer,” taking home seven awards, including Best Film and Director.
Cillian Murphy won Best Leading Actor, and Robert Downey Jr. won Best Supporting Actor. Now, all eyes will be watching to see if Oppenheimer can have another successful night at the Oscars on March 10.
Trump asks Supreme Court to weigh in after immunity claim denied: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 13, 2024
After his immunity claim was rejected by an appeals court, former President Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to weigh in. And Tiger Woods is putting Nike in the past, announcing a new clothing line of his own. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024.
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Donald Trump turns to Supreme Court after immunity claim denied
Former President Donald Trump is turning to the Supreme Court as he claims immunity from prosecution over acts he allegedly committed while serving in the White House. On Monday, Feb. 12, Trump’s legal team urged the high court to pause his criminal case that accuses the former president of trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
It’s not known when the justices will decide on a pause in the election interference case. The former president has pleaded not guilty to the charges filed by special counsel Jack Smith. No trial date has been set as of yet, with the original date of Mar. 4 being postponed due to the appeals.
“…the United States is working on a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas which would bring immediate and sustained period of calm to Gaza for at least six weeks, which we could then take the time to build something more enduring. Over the past month, I’ve had calls with Prime Minister Netanyahu, as well as the leaders of Egypt and Qatar, to push this forward,” Biden said. “The key elements of the deal are on the table. There are gaps that remain, but I’m encouraging Israeli leaders to keep working to achieve the deal. The United States will do everything possible to make it happen.”
CIA Director William Burns is expected in Egypt on Tuesday, Feb. 13, to discuss the hostage deal further. Both the president and King Abdullah called on Israel to refrain from a planned ground operation in the Gaza town of Rafah, where more than one million displaced Palestinians are sheltering.
The Jordan leader said an Israeli invasion in Rafah “is certain to create another humanitarian catastrophe.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said a ground operation in Rafah will move forward once a plan is in place to move people from the city.
1 killed, 5 wounded in shooting at NYC subway stop
Police said shots rang out after an argument between two groups of teens escalated. The identities of the victims have not yet been released, but police said a 34-year-old man was killed while a 14-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy, along with a 28-year-old, 29-year-old, and 71-year-old, were wounded. At least four of the wounded were said to have serious injuries.
Police are looking for the person who pulled the trigger and have not ruled out the possibility of multiple shooters.
Northeast braces for storm that could bring biggest snowfall in 2 years
New York City issued its first winter storm warning since 2022 and switched public schools to virtual learning. In Boston, classes are canceled at all public schools ahead of the storm. The mayors of both cities urged drivers to stay off the roads.
Tiger Woods unveils new ‘Sun Day Red’ clothing line
After ending his 27-year relationship with Nike in January, Tiger Woods promised there would be another chapter to his story, and now we know what that is. The 15-time major golf champion unveiled a new lifestyle brand on Monday, Feb. 12, called “Sun Day Red,” in partnership with TaylorMade.
It’s another historic mark for Super Bowl LVIII, which saw the Kansas City Chiefs defeat the San Francisco 49ers in overtime to become back-to-back champions. Next year’s Super Bowl in New Orleans will air on Fox.
US warns against travel to Jamaica and Bahamas amid violent crimes
In response to a reported wave of violent crime, the U.S. State Department issued travel advisories for Jamaica and the Bahamas in late January. Jamaica’s travel advisory is more stringent than the Bahamas’, stating that tourists should “reconsider travel,” while the Bahamas’ advisory suggests that tourists should “exercise increased caution.”
The State Department noted that despite fewer homicides in 2024 than in 2023, Jamaica’s murder rate remains one of the “highest in the Western Hemisphere.” The agency also cited a rise in armed muggings and sexual violence in both countries.
According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force, there were 109 homicides between Jan. 1 and Feb. 3 of 2023. In 2024, there were 84 homicides within that same time period.
However, it’s not just murder that is a concern when it comes to violent crime. The State Department also warned that ambulances in Jamaica are not readily available, and they may lack properly trained personnel. Additionally, public hospitals are reported to be under-resourced, and private hospitals often require payment upfront.
The advisory also mentioned that sexual assaults “occur frequently” in Jamaica, including at “all-inclusive resorts.”
In the Bahamas, the State Department warned of a spike in gang-related murders, burglaries, robberies and sexual assaults. Sexual crimes are reported to be on the rise in both tourist and non-tourist areas of the Bahamas.
Two mothers from Kentucky, unaware of the advisories, took a trip on a Carnival cruise ship on Feb. 4. They disembarked to visit Pirates Cove Zipline and Water Park in Freeport, where they allege they were raped by two staffers, according to Good Morning America. The resort has refuted the allegations following a review of surveillance video, according to a report by Fox News.
According to LEX 18, the Kentucky women are receiving preventative medical treatment, including a preventative HIV medication that costs nearly $4,000. They also shared words of caution for anyone traveling to The Bahamas.
“Be safe. Two is not a group. Do not buy any drinks unless they come in a sealed container,” Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson said.
The Royal Bahamas Police Forceannounced the arrest of two men in connection with the rape charges on Wednesday, Feb. 7. In a Facebook post the police force said it is working with the FBI regarding the ongoing investigation.
The rape allegations follow a security alert from the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, issued on Jan. 24, stating that 18 murders had occurred at the beginning of the year with most related to gang violence.
The State Department advises travelers to take additional safety steps if traveling abroad, including “keeping a low profile” and avoiding secluded places, public buses and walking or driving at night.
NPR reports that the agency recommends downloading the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which sends alerts to users’ phones and helps law enforcement find them in case of an emergency.
Leaders in Jamaica and the Bahamas are pushing back against the travel advisories.
“Overall, the crime rate against visitors to Jamaica remains extremely low at 0.01%,” the Jamaica Tourist Board said in a statement to Travel Weekly.
The board added that the places of concern are “very distinctly defined areas,” and that most of the region “remains unaffected.”
South Dakota tribe banishes Gov. Kristi Noem over immigration remarks
The Oglala Sioux Tribe, South Dakota’s largest, has officially banished Gov. Kristi Noem from its territories, escalating tensions over her comments on crime and illegal immigration on reservations. In a controversial statement on Jan. 31, Gov. Noem linked the surge in crime within the state, including on tribal lands, to illegal immigration.
“The drugs and human trafficking pouring over the border devastate our people,” Noem said.
She claimed that cartels are operating on tribal reservations, particularly citing the Pine Ridge Reservation and Rapid City as areas affected by cartel-related murders and gang affiliations, including a group known as the Ghost Dancers.
The tribe’s response came in a detailed four-page letter from Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out, who criticized Noem’s characterization of the border situation as an “invasion” and expressed “deep offense” at the association of the sacred Ghost Dancers ceremony with criminal activities.
“Drug and human trafficking are occurring throughout South Dakota, and surrounding states, not just on Indian reservations,” Star Comes Out stated, emphasizing that the issue was not exclusive to tribal lands.
Following the comments, Star Comes Out announced the banishment of Gov. Noem from the Oglala Sioux homelands, citing the need for the safety of the Oyate, the people of the tribe.
Gov. Noem responded to the tribe’s actions on Feb. 1, defending her statements and her commitment to addressing crime and building relationships with the tribes.
“I did speak truth and everything I said was absolutely true,” Noem said, emphasizing her ongoing efforts to secure resources for tribal areas, including law enforcement, education, and infrastructure.
The Pine Ridge Reservation has faced a growing crime rate, prompting Star Comes Out to declare a state of emergency in November 2023 due to insufficient law enforcement.
The Associated Press reports that the reservation, spanning 5,400 square miles, is patrolled by just 33 officers and eight criminal investigators who handle over 100,000 emergency calls annually.
The tribe’s legal battle against the U.S. government to fulfill treaty obligations for security has seen some success, with a federal judge ruling in favor of the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s demand for more law enforcement funding. However, the exact amount of funding remains to be determined.
Despite the banishment, Noem has expressed her willingness to support the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s efforts to negotiate with the federal government for additional resources. She also highlighted her actions to support border security, including deploying South Dakota National Guard troops to the border and backing Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s border measures.
“Governor Abbott has done the exact right thing,” Noem told Fox News. “I’ll drive him more razor wire from South Dakota if I have to for him to do his job. What people forget is that governors are commanders in chief. We’re responsible for the men and women of our National Guard.”
Critics, including Star Comes Out, suggest Noem’s focus on the border issue is politically motivated, aimed at supporting Donald Trump’s reelection bid and boosting her own vice-presidential prospects.
WWE’s Vince McMahon accused of sexual assault, trafficking by ex-staffer
In a complaint filed in a federal court in Connecticut on Thursday, Jan. 25, former WWE CEO Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis, the former head of talent relations at WWE, were implicated in sex trafficking allegations by a former employee. Janel Grant, the complainant, alleges crimes of rape committed by McMahon and Laurinaitis.
In one instance, Grant provides graphic details, describing a sexual assault on a company conference table, where the perpetrators allegedly insisted, “No means yes.”
Grant further accused both men of using company funds to exploit her as a “sexual pawn” to secure talent deals and recruit wrestlers.
According to Grant, McMahon enticed her with the promise of a job at WWE after their meeting in 2019.
During her tenure at WWE, the lawsuit alleges that McMahon showered Grant with gifts, made promises of promotions that never materialized, and threatened her career and livelihood.
Grant claims that McMahon distributed explicit material to “thousands” of individuals that depicted her engaging in sexual acts with other WWE employees as part of his alleged demands.
The suit, filed by Grant, asserts that she came forward after McMahon failed to fulfill a $3 million payment as part of a non-disclosure agreement in 2022. The filings allege that McMahon refused payment and accused Grant of leaking information to the press.
“Today’s complaint seeks to hold accountable two WWE executives who sexually assaulted and trafficked Plaintiff Janel Grant, as well as the organization that facilitated or turned a blind eye to her abuse and then swept it under the rug,” Ann Callis, Grant’s legal representation, said in a statement on Thursday.
The complaint lists various charges Grant’s legal team is seeking, including a violation of the Trafficking Victims Prevention Act, civil battery, and intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, among other charges.
Taylor Swift fans in uproar as singer faces explicit AI images, repeat stalker
Taylor Swift has recently been the victim of graphic and inappropriate AI-generated images circulating online while also dealing with a stalker in New York who has been repeatedly arrested. This combination is prompting “Protect Taylor Swift” to trend as her fans band together on social media.
The AI-generated images of Swift were sexually explicit, with one post viewed over 45 million times on X.
Explicit AI-generated content is prohibited on X. The account that shared the images has been suspended, and the post was taken down. Nevertheless, users are still finding ways to circulate the images.
Swift’s fan base came to her defense, flooding the internet with uplifting posts of Swift on stage in hopes of drowning out the fake images.
The posts from her fans are the reason “Protect Taylor Swift” and “Taylor Swift AI” began trending.
In addition to the fake content of Swift, there are also reports of a stalker who won’t leave Swift alone.
David Crowe, who is originally from Seattle, was arrested for the third time in five days near Swift’s New York townhouse. Prosecutors said Crowe has gone to her home 30 times within the past two months.
On Saturday, Jan. 20, and Monday, Jan. 22, police responded to complaints of “an emotionally disturbed man acting erratically” near Swift’s house. Crowe allegedly tried to open the door to her building.
Crowe already faces stalking and harassment charges but continues to be released based on New York law. None of his violations have been deemed bail-eligible yet and some judges in the state have been ordered not to take a criminal’s history into account.
A New York Post editorial piece warns of another John Lennon-type tragedy if nothing is done to protect the singer — a reference to the former Beatle’s 1980 murder in New York City.
“Has this city forgotten the tragedy of Mark David Chapman and John Lennon,” the New York Post editorial board wrote. “Do we really want something terrible to happen even though authorities were given 30 warnings and still did nothing? Protect Taylor Swift. Protect all New Yorkers.”
Mexico claims cartels have access to US military weapons, pushes investigation
The Mexican government is calling on the U.S. to take additional measures to curb the illicit flow of U.S. military weapons across its borders. Mexico’s top diplomat announced Monday, Jan. 23, that she is pushing for an investigation into the increasing presence of U.S. military equipment in the hands of Mexican drug cartels.
According to The Associated Press, some traffickers are going as far as posting pictures of U.S. military-grade weapons on social media. The Mexican government disclosed that the uncovered equipment includes rocket launchers, grenade launchers and machine guns.
Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Bárcena stated that Mexico’s government has notified the U.S. of these findings.
“The [Mexican] Defense Department has warned the United States about weapons entering Mexico that are for the exclusive use of the U.S. Army,” Bárcena said. “It is very urgent that an investigation into this be carried out.”
On Monday, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar responded to Bárcena’s request. Salazar, who became aware of the discovery in a meeting last week with Mexican officials, pledged that thwarting the illegal transfer of U.S. military weapons in Mexico’s black market is a priority for the Biden administration.
In June 2023, the Mexican Army confirmed the confiscation of more than 220 machine guns, close to 60 grenade launchers, and a dozen rocket launchers from Mexican drug cartels since late 2018.
Determining the origin of the illegally acquired U.S. weaponry is a crucial aspect of addressing the problem. Various theories are circulating, ranging from leftover weaponry due to U.S. armed conflicts in Central America in the 1980s to reports of weapons manufacturers selling their devices on the black market.
While the recent seizures of U.S. military equipment by Mexico’s army are newly disclosed, Mexico has long grappled with violence attributed to drug cartels, often pointing to U.S. gun manufacturers for a surge in violent crime. The Mexican government estimates that 70% of weapons trafficked into the country originate from the U.S.