
Man with swastika tattoo accused of taping razor blade to church handrail
A suspect identified by a “large red swastika tattoo” on his chest was arrested for allegedly taping a razor blade to a handrail at a Salvation Army Church in Pennsylvania, police say. Benjamin Burton Brower Jr, 30, attached a three-inch blade to a handrail on steps leading to the front door of the church in Altoona, Blair County, on Sunday afternoon, the Altoona Police Department said in a statement. “APD officers were dispatched to the Salvation Army Church, 1813 6th Ave, after Brower was seen on surveillance cameras taping razor blades to the hand railing at the church entrance,” the Altoona police said. “Brower was shirtless during the incident and identified by a large red swastika tattoo on his chest.” According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by WTAJ, Mr Brower was seen walking onto church grounds at around 3pm on Sunday wearing red shorts and an open vest exposing his swastika tattoo with a green camouflage backpack. He then retrieved several items from the bag and taped the blade, with the sharp side up, to a metal handrail. The church holds public services at 10.30am, Sunday school at 11.30am and provides free meals to the community at a 4.30pm soup kitchen. The razor was removed by the church pastor at around 5.15pm, and no one was injured. Swastikas are widely recognised as symbols of hate, antisemitism and white supremacy. Mr Brower was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, institutional vandalism at a place of worship, recklessly endangering another person, and other offences on Wednesday, police said. He is being held at Blair County Jail on $10,000 bail. Read More Parents of Philadelphia teacher found dead with 20 stab wounds lose battle to overturn suicide ruling Escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante told officials he planned to carjack someone and flee US Mother arrested for abandoning toddler in stroller on side of LA street
2023-09-16 03:58

Sia reveals she suffered ‘severe’ three-year depression after divorce from Erik Anders Lang
Sia has opened up about the painful experience she underwent after her divorce from ex-husband Erik Anders Lang. The “Chandelier” singer, 47, spoke candidly about her mental health in an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music 1 on 13 September. “Well, actually, the truth is that I had just been every now and again writing a song here or there for the last six, seven years,” Sia said while discussing her forthcoming album, Reasonable Woman. "I got divorced and that really threw me for a loop,” she explained. “That was such a dark time that I was in bed for three years, really, really severely depressed. And so I couldn’t really do anything for that period of time.” However, the “Unstoppable” singer was able to record “just little bits and pieces here and there” of her new music, and eventually felt inspired to create an album. “Finally, it just turned out we had enough songs to make an album, enough good ones,” Sia continued. “I just rely on my management to tell me when we’ve got enough good ones, because I don’t really... I can tell when I think one is particularly good, I think I can tell, but they tell me when we’ve got 11 or 12 or 13 enough good ones, real good ones.” Sia, whose full name Sia Kate Isobelle Furler, was previously married to filmmaker Erik Anders Lang. The former couple were married at the Grammy-winner’s Palm Springs home in August 2014. However, they filed for divorce two years later, citing “irreconcilable differences”. These days, the “Cheap Thrills” singer has moved on with husband Dan Bernad. The couple were married last May during an intimate wedding ceremony in Italy with “just four” guests present. Sia has managed to keep many details about her relationship with Bernad private, sharing only one picture with him on Instagram last year. “Pride forever! #lgbtqia+ #LAFC #22 also just finished my next album! A great day all round!” she captioned the post, which featured Bernad. According to People, the couple tied the knot during a candlelit ceremony at Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana’s Villa Olivetta in Portofino, Italy – the same venue where Kourtney Kardashian married Travis Barker in May 2022. The bride wore a lace mermaid wedding gown, complete with a matching, nude sheer veil, while Bernad chose a light-coloured tuxedo for the nuptials. They reportedly exchanged vows under an iron gazebo, adorned with pink, purple, yellow, and white flowers. In 2020, Sia announced she had become a grandmother at the age of 44 - one year after she adopted two adult sons. Speaking to Apple Music’s Zane Lowe at the time, she revealed that one of her adopted sons had just become a father. “My youngest son just had two babies, I’m just immediately horrified,” she quipped. “No, I’m cool. They call me Nana. I’m trying to get them to call me Lovey, like Kris [Jenner]. I’m like: ‘Call me Lovey’... I’m a f***ing grandma!” Read More Sia marries boyfriend Dan Bernad at wedding with ‘just four guests’ ‘I love them’: Sia reveals she adopted two 18-year-old sons Emily Ratajkowski jokes she’ll date ‘anyone who wants to take her to dinner’ David Foster and Katharine McPhee express grief after death of their child’s nanny Mother defended after calling father ‘creepy’ over name choice for newborn daughter Action needed to protect women from birth trauma – MP
2023-09-16 03:53

Biden admin imposes new sanctions on Iran for anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death
The Biden administration on Friday imposed sanctions on more than two dozen Iranian individuals and entities tied to the violent suppression of protests following the death of Mahsa Amini one year ago.
2023-09-16 03:21

Berlin protesters condemn Russian soprano Netrebko's opera performance
Anna Netrebko has been accused of failing to denounce Vladimir Putin for Russia's war in Ukraine.
2023-09-16 02:56

Leonardo Campana signs contract extension with Inter Miami
Forward Leonardo Campana will remain a Heron through the 2027 Major League Soccer season, signing a four-year contract extension with an additional option for 2028.
2023-09-16 02:53

French ambassador is being 'held hostage at the French embassy' in Niger, says Macron
The French ambassador to Niger and other French diplomats are "literally being held hostage at the French embassy," according to French president Emmanuel Macron.
2023-09-16 02:18

Justice Jackson implores Americans to 'own even the darkest parts of our past' in speech commemorating 60th anniversary of 16th Street Baptist Church bombing
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on Friday implored Americans to "own even the darkest parts of our past" in a speech commemorating 60 years since the deadly 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.
2023-09-16 01:59

Senators press Pentagon on whether Musk used Starlink programme to thwart Ukrainian attack
Three senators who serve on the Committee on Armed Forces have reportedly sent a letter to the Department of Defence (DoD) expressing concern over allegations that Elon Musk controlled Ukrainian soldiers’ ability to access satellite communications via Starlink. Democratic senators Jeanne Shaheen, Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Duckworth have asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to provide clarification over an incident from last year in a letter sent on Friday according to NBC News. The incident, laid out in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Mr Musk, claims that the billionaire tech entrepreneur stopped the Ukrainian armed forces from accessing satellite communications via Starlink near the Crimean Peninsula thus thwarting a potential assault on Russian ships. Mr Musk clarified on X that he did not discontinue Starlink connectivity but refused a request by Ukraine to provide it there out of fear of escalating war. The three senators said the “confusion over what actually happened” demands answers and expressed great concern about Mr Musk’s role in the incident. “The reports raise serious concerns about whether Mr Musk has personally intervened to undermine a key US partner at a critical juncture,” a portion of the reported letter said. Several officials, including the three senators, have shared similar worries that commercial satellite companies similar to Starlink could cause issues by intervening on significant decisions like this one. Senator Jack Reed who serves as the chairman of the Committee on Armed Forces, said in a statement obtained by Bloomberg, that the situation with Mr Musk raised concerns about national security. “Neither Elon Musk, nor any private citizen, can have the last word when it comes to US national security,” Mr Reed said. “We’ve got to look at the broader satellite markets and the role of government outsourcing, the outsized role Mr Musk and his company have taken on here, and the Pentagon’s actions and contractual arrangements,” Mr Reed added. At the time of the incident, Starlink had no contract with the Pentagon and therefore no directive from US officials. Mr Musk said had he received an order from President Joe Biden to extend services to Ukrainians in Crimea he would have done so. In June, the Pentagon and Starlink signed a contract in which the DoD agreed to buy its services for Ukraine. Now, the three senators are imploring leaders to consider the implications of Mr Musk’s actions and look to prevent situations like this from arising in the future. “We are deeply concerned with the ability and willingness of SpaceX to interrupt their service at Mr Musk’s whim and for the purpose of handcuffing a sovereign country’s self-defense, effectively defending Russian interests,” the letter said according to NBC News. The senators requested Mr Austin provide answers by the end of October. The Independent has reached out to the offices of Ms Duckworth, Ms Shaheen and Ms Warren for comment. Read More Putin praises Musk as ‘outstanding person’ days after report Tesla boss stopped Ukrainian attack Elon Musk's refusal to have Starlink support Ukraine attack in Crimea raises questions for Pentagon Elon Musk ignores reporter after claims he stopped Ukrainian attack on Russia
2023-09-16 01:55

Suspect arrested for ‘disgusting’ attack on elderly NYC subway commuter
A man has been charged with assault after he allegedly shoved a passenger onto subway tracks in Manhattan. Derrick Mills, 49, was arrested on Thursday in connection with the attack on 74-year-old Trevor Crawford. The assault, which New York City transit officials have described as “disgusting” and unprovoked, took place at the 68th Street-Hunter College station on the Upper East Side on Tuesday. Mr Mills allegedly shoved Mr Crawford off the downtown platform after making eye contact with him. The victim landed on his back and suffered a broken spine as well as five fractured ribs and pelvis. “He was so fast, he came around the other side, he opened his eyes wide. I wasn’t scared, I was just more nervous,” Mr Crawford recounted in an interview with PIX11. “[He yelled,] ‘Didn’t I tell you not to say anything to me?’” Following the attack, Mr Crawford was pulled from the tracks by an MTA employee. The suspect then fled before authorities arrived at the scene. Mr Crawford was returning home from work when the assault unfolded. He was transported to a hospital, where he was briefly treated in the intensive care unit. “I must worry because I work at night, but I never expected it to happen to me,” Mr Crawford told PIX11. “ ...anyone would be happy. There’s one less troublemaker on the street.” The incident was captured in surveillance footage that the NYPD released to the public. A person who recognised Mr Mills, who is reportedly homeless, tipped authorities. The NYPD had offered a reward of up to $3,500 for information that led to an arrest. He was then arrested near West 80th Street on Thursday night and has since confessed to the crime, the New York Post reports. “We’ve said over and over that if you commit a crime in the New York City subway system, your picture will be taken, the NYPD will find you, and we will press for maximum prosecution,” NYC Transit President Richard Davey said in a statement after the arrest. “This was a disgusting incident that understandably unsettled riders, and we appreciate the rapid arrest that was assisted by a New Yorker who saw a photo of the perpetrator that was taken by a station platform camera.” Read More NYPD release pictures of man and woman suspected of repeatedly stabbing subway passenger on train Citibank workers clash with climate activists outside New York office in protest over fossil fuel funding Rudy Giuliani goes on unhinged rant claiming Mike Pence’s wife leads him around on a leash
2023-09-16 01:21

Premier League predictions: Gameweek 5
90min predicts the weekend's Premier League results including Everton vs Arsenal, Manchester United vs Brighton and West Ham vs Manchester City.
2023-09-16 01:17

Jersey leak: Heat Culture coming to new Miami Heat City Edition jerseys
The Miami Heat love talking about their Heat Culture, so much so that they're willing to put it on the front of their new jerseys.
2023-09-16 00:53

SEC football standings based on yards per play through Week 2
The SEC schedule will truly get rolling this week, but let's take a look at the SEC football standings if they were ordered by yards per play after two weeks.
2023-09-15 23:29