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Former Fresno Hells Angel president accused of illegally cremating 4 missing persons

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:44 GMT

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - A former president of the Fresno chapter of the California motorcycle club Hells Angels is allegedly involved in arranging an illegal cremation of four other members, according to a sentencing memorandum filed to the San Francisco division of the U.S. District Court first reported by Mercury News.Merl Hefferman, 54, was set to be sentenced for aiding the cremation of a man who was murdered in 2014, but it was reported that prosecutors had alleged there were a total of four illegal cremations reported to the FBI.According to Mercury News, federal authorities also believe they know the identities of all the victims. Mercury News stated that prosecutors said former Hells Angels members, Robbie Huff, Arthur Carasis and Juan Guevara were illegally cremated by Hefferman.Hefferman's attorney, James Bustamante, denied that his client had anything to do with the illegal cremations - except the one he already pleaded guilty to. Hefferman pleaded guilty to obstruct...

As Biden heads to Israel and Jordan, aid is held up for a Gaza on the verge of total collapse

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:44 GMT

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The U.S. hoped to break a deadlock over delivering aid to increasingly desperate civilians in besieged Gaza following a brutal attack by Hamas militants, as President Joe Biden was set to head to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday.Aid workers warned that life in Gaza was near complete collapse because of the Israeli siege, with hundreds of thousands of people seeking shelter, ever-decreasing water supplies and power running out at hospitals.At the Rafah crossing, Gaza’s only connection to Egypt, truckloads of aid were waiting to go into the tiny, densely populated territory, and trapped civilians — many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities — were hoping desperately to get out. Mediators were trying to reach a cease-fire to open the border, which shut down last week after Israeli airstrikes, but by early Tuesday it was unclear who was keeping the crossing closed. Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of U.S. Central Command, arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Is...

Bélgica busca al sospechoso del asesinato de dos suecos en Bruselas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:44 GMT

(CNN) –– Sigue prófugo el sospechoso de matar a dos ciudadanos suecos en un ataque terrorista en Bruselas, al tiempo que las autoridades refuerzan la seguridad para proteger a un gran contingente de aficionados al fútbol que se encuentra en el país.El tiroteo mortal del lunes se produjo cuando Bélgica recibía a Suecia en un partido de fútbol clasificatorio para la Eurocopa 2024 en el Estadio Rey Balduino, a 5 kilómetros del centro de Bruselas, lo que obligó a suspender el partido en el entretiempo.En un video publicado en redes sociales, un hombre que se identificó como el atacante dijo estar “inspirado por el Estado Islámico”, informó un portavoz de la oficina del fiscal federal de Bélgica, y agregó que “la nacionalidad sueca de las víctimas fue mencionada como una motivación probable para el acto”.“En esta etapa no hay indicios de una posible relación con la situación israelí-palestina. Basándonos tanto en los hechos como en la denuncia, se han tomado...

Virginia corrects its ‘oops’ on the sales tax holiday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:44 GMT

It’s too late to help you with back-to-school shopping, but Virginia’s sales tax holiday is coming back this weekend.The state sales tax holiday is from Friday, Oct. 20 to Sunday, Oct. 22. Lawmakers forgot to renew the sales tax holiday during budget negotiations back in March, and the legislation expired so it could not be offered in August as usual, when people are usually shopping for back-to-school items.During the sales tax holiday, consumers can buy qualifying items in Virginia without paying the state’s 5.3% sales tax.Qualifying shoes and clothing under $100 are still part of this weekend’s holiday, plus certain school supplies under $20. Items like sneakers, costumes, diapers and winter gear including coats, scarves and boots will be included, among many others.However, buyers will still have to pay sales tax on what the state deems “clothing accessory items” like cosmetics, jewelry and umbrellas. “Protective equipment” like breathing masks, hel...

Brussels terror attack suspect shot by police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:44 GMT

Brussels police on Tuesday morning shot a man suspected of killing two Swedish football fans in a terrorist attack on Monday night, according to Belgian Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden speaking on Belgian radio.Verlinden said she was waiting for more information from the police. She did not confirm whether the suspect was alive or dead. In a press conference at 5 a.m. Tuesday morning, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said the suspect was “a man of Tunisian origin” who “was staying illegally in our country.”Monday night’s shooting took place not far from the city center, and happened shortly before Belgium played Sweden in an international football match. This story is being updated.

Breton wants more time on EU defense investment plan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:44 GMT

Presented by ASD By CALEB LARSON with JOSHUA POSANER, VERONIKA MELKOZEROVA and JAN CIENSKI PRESENTED BY View in your browser or listen to audioSNEAK PEEK— Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton will tell the College of Commissioners today that he needs a bit more time to draft up a long-term financing scheme for Europe’s military.— Retired U.S. General Ben Hodges sees significant progress being made by Ukraine, despite the fact they’ve not gotten long-range strike capabilities from the U.S. and Germany.— With Israeli forces seemingly poised to launch a ground invasion of Gaza, two experts wonder if European militaries would be able to do the same if needed.Good morning and welcome to Morning Defense. Tips to [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected] or follow us at @joshposaner, @LauKaya and @calebmlarson.DRIVING THE DAYBRETON WANTS TO WAIT ON DEFENSE STRATEGY...

Police pursuit ends in crash in Barrio Logan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:44 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A police chase resulted in a crash Monday in the Barrio Logan neighborhood, authorities said.The collision occurred around 10:20 p.m. in the 2700 Boston Avenue, according to the San Diego Police Department's log.Police say they attempted to pull over a black SUV for a red light violation when the driver took off, prompting a pursuit. As the SUV traveled down Boston Avenue, it hit two cars, per SDPD. Woman hit, killed by car in East County The driver, who then got out of the vehicle and began to run, was arrested a short time later in an alley, authorities said.A total of four people were inside the black SUV, police said. Two of those occupants, including the driver, were taken to the hospital for minor injuries, police said.Officers were also looking for a gun after finding a holster in the car.Check back for updates on this developing story.

Live updates | Intense bombardments strike in southern Gaza on 11th day of Israel-Hamas war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:44 GMT

Palestinians described intense bombardments early Tuesday near two towns in southern Gaza, where Israel had ordered civilians to seek refuge. Thousands of people trying to escape Gaza are gathered in Rafah, which has the territory’s only border crossing to Egypt. Mediators are pressing for an agreement to let aid in and refugees with foreign passports out. The U.S. hoped to break a deadlock with President Joe Biden set to head to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday. Aid workers warned that life in Gaza was near complete collapse because of the Israeli siege that followed a Hamas attack on Israel.The war that began Oct. 7 has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,778 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, and at least 199 others, including children, were captured by Hamas and taken into Gaza, according to Israel.Currently:1. U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, Secreta...

Police search for suspected extremist accused of killing 2 Swedish soccer fans on a Brussels street

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:44 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Police in Belgium searched Tuesday for a suspected Tunisian extremist accused of killing two Swedish soccer fans in a brazen shooting on a Brussels street before disappearing into the night. Amateur videos posted on social media of Monday’s attack showed a man wearing an orange fluorescent vest pull up on a scooter, take out a large weapon and open fire on passersby before chasing them into a building to gun them down.“Last night, three people left for what was supposed to be a wonderful soccer party. Two of them lost their lives in a brutal terrorist attack,” Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said at a news conference just before dawn. “Their lives were cut short in full flight, cut down by extreme brutality.”De Croo said his thoughts were with the victims’ families and that he had sent his condolences to the Swedish prime minister. Security has been beefed up in the capital, particularly around places linked to the Swedish community in the city.“The attack that was ...

Here are the key leaders joining the Belt and Road forum and their wish lists to Beijing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:44 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China is hosting its third international forum centered around President Xi Jinping’s signature policy, the Belt and Road Initiative, which over the past 10 years has built infrastructure across continents, burdening some smaller countries with debt. The forum brings a flurry of diplomacy to Beijing, including at least 20 heads of state and government, mostly hailing from developing markets in Southeast and South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.Here are some key leaders visiting Beijing and an overview of their countries’ involvement in the Belt and Road projects. RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTINRussian President Vladimir Putin landed in Beijing on Tuesday, on his first trip outside the former Soviet Union since the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for him in March over his alleged involvement in the mass abduction of children from Ukraine. Putin’s visit underscores China’s economic and diplomatic support for Moscow amid the isolation brou...