Lawyer for billionaire linked to US Justice Thomas offers to meet Senate staff
WASHINGTON A lawyer for Texas billionaire Harlan Crow has offered to meet with Senate Judiciary Committee staff to
2023-06-06 22:56
Coinbase targeted by SEC in latest shot at crypto firms for allegedly skirting securities laws
Coinbase has been targeted by U.S. regulators in a new lawsuit that alleges the cryptocurrency platform is operating as an unregistered securities platform and brokerage service
2023-06-06 22:52
'Jerry Maguire' star Cuba Gooding Jr. settles civil sex abuse case, averting trial
Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. has settled with a woman who claims he raped her, averting a trial that was about to begin in New York City
2023-06-06 22:48
Texas sheriff recommends criminal charges over DeSantis migrant flights
The sheriff of Bexar County, Texas is recommending criminal charges against those involved with flights that sent 49 mostly Venezuelan migrants from El Paso to Martha’s Vineyard last year, what was widely derided as a political stunt orchestrated by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. A statement from the sheriff’s office says it has completed an investigation launched last September and recommended several counts of unlawful restraint, both misdemeanors and felonies, to the office of the Bexar County district attorney. “At this time, the case is being reviewed by the DA’s office. Once an update is available, it will be provided to the public,” the statement said. The sheriff’s office has not named suspects. The flights faced international scrutiny following allegations that migrants and their families, who were in the country with legal permission, were deceptively lured into planes out of state after they were processed in the US after crossing the southern border with Mexico, with their asylum cases pending in Texas. “What infuriates me the most about this case is that here we have 48 people who are already on hard times, they are here legally in the country at that point,” sheriff Javier Salazar said in a statement announcing the investigation last year. “They have every right to be where they are, and I believe they were preyed upon – somebody came from out of state, preyed upon these people, lured them with promises of a better life, which is what they were absolutely looking for, with the knowledge that they were going to cling to whatever hope they could be offered ... to just be exploited and hoodwinked into making this trip,” he said. A federal lawsuit filed by attorneys for a group of migrants last year alleges that the DeSantis administration supervised a “fraudulent and discriminatory scheme” to collect migrants and fly them, unannounced, hundreds of miles out of state. The lawsuit alleges the governor and members of his administration targeted immigrants who were recently released from shelters with false promises of job opportunities, education and financial assistance before they landed on the island with only volunteer support from local groups and emergency assistance from state agencies. The lawsuit includes two unnamed defendants who “targeted” many of the people who boarded the flights, as well as three other unnamed defendants who participated in the alleged scheme, who “manipulated them, stripped them of their dignity, deprived them of their liberty, bodily autonomy, due process and equal protection under the law,” according to the complaint. Those allegations mirror claims from migrants who spoke with reporters about the ordeal, including multiple allegations that a woman identified only as “Perla” was central to an alleged effort to coerce migrants to board the planes, providing cash and McDonald’s gift cards to help recruit others. Mr DeSantis has taken credit for the flight, and his administration has supported legislative efforts to secure $12m in funding for similar operations. The administration has spent more than $1.5m on such flights, according to state records. The sheriff’s announcement follows more migrant flights from Texas to California, which California Attorney General Rob Bonta has likened to “state-sanctioned kidnapping.” Officials and civil rights attorneys are investigating whether the DeSantis administration was also behind those flights; Mr Bonta has stated that the migrants had what appeared to be Florida government documents. “We are also evaluating potential criminal or civil action against those who transported or arranged for the transport of these vulnerable immigrants,” he said in a statement this week. “While we continue to collect evidence, I want to say this very clearly: State-sanctioned kidnapping is not a public policy choice, it is immoral and disgusting.” The Independent has requested comment from the DeSantis administration. Read More DeSantis news – latest: Casey DeSantis nicknamed ‘Walmart Melania’ over anti-woke leather jacket California officials probe ‘state-sanctioned kidnapping’ of migrants flown in on private jet False promises, a legal investigation and a mystery woman: Unanswered questions about Ron DeSantis's migrant flights
2023-06-06 22:16
Departing Iniesta enjoys Barcelona send-off in Japan
Andres Iniesta said it was "special" to face former club Barcelona in a friendly in Tokyo on Tuesday as he prepares to leave Japan and...
2023-06-06 22:16
PGA Tour heads north to Canada, LPGA stays in New Jersey
Rory McIlroy's road to the U.S. Open goes through Canada
2023-06-06 22:15
The iPhone's ducking autocorrect problem finally gets fixed
Your iPhone's autocorrect is getting a big ducking upgrade.
2023-06-06 21:53
India captain Rohit coy over Ashwin role in WTC final
India captain Rohit Sharma was tight-lipped on whether star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin would feature in the World Test Championship...
2023-06-06 21:51
'Marc Anthony genes kicking in': Video of Jennifer Lopez teaching daughter Emme, 14, to sing leaves Internet stunned
While many fans are awestruck by Emme in the viral video, Jennifer Lopez received some harsh criticism from trolls
2023-06-06 21:49
SEC brings charges against cryptocurrency trading platform Coinbase
The Securities and Exchange Commission sued cryptocurrency platform Coinbase on Tuesday, charging the company with operating an unregistered securities platform and brokerage service
2023-06-06 21:48
Kyle Walker a doubt for Champions League final
Kyle Walker was not involved as Manchester City held an open training session on Tuesday ahead of the Champions League final. The England full-back was substituted in the latter stages of City’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday. All other players were present as City continued preparations for the encounter with Inter Milan in Istanbul this weekend. Pep Guardiola said at a press conference later in the afternoon that Walker had sat out the session to avoid aggravating a back problem. The City boss said: “He has had a little bit of a disturbance in his back. “Yesterday he was not good, today he was a little bit better but we didn’t want to take any risks. We will see in the next days.” Guardiola referred to Saturday’s final being a “dream” opportunity for his side. City are bidding to win the competition for the first time, having been runners-up to Chelsea two years ago. He said: “In two days we will travel to Istanbul. It’s a dream. “Two years ago we were there, but it’s a different circumstance. It’s about what you have to do in 95 minutes to be better than the opponent. In one single game you have to be better.” Guardiola was criticised for his team selection after the 2021 final loss to Chelsea, particularly his decision to leave out midfielder Rodri. He said: “It was a game plan like it will be on Saturday and if I tell you the reason why I made the decision maybe you’ll think I’m right. “But if I win I’m right and if we lose I’m wrong. In this business, you have to accept it.” Read More A look at one-off EPL nationalities as Postecoglou becomes first Australian boss Bastoni at the back with Martinez in attack – Inter Milan’s key players Football says goodbye to Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Monday’s sporting social Finals are 50-50 – Kevin De Bruyne not saying City are favourites to beat Inter Football rumours: Manchester City look to tie down Erling Haaland to new deal The sporting weekend in pictures
2023-06-06 21:45
Drew Barrymore's scandalous lifestyle saw her being 'blacklisted' from Hollywood at just 12
'People thought I was crazy, even though I wasn’t, I just grew up too fast,' said Barrymore, who went on to found her own production company in 1995
2023-06-06 21:27
