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Analysis: Trump’s indictment is a stress test of Biden’s focus on safeguarding democracy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — After two previous indictments, the novelty of prosecuting a former president may have worn off. But the latest criminal charges against Donald Trump represent an unprecedented stress test for the American political system. Trump is accused of conspiracy and obstruction for trying to overturn his 2020 election loss, in a criminal case emerging at the same time he is asking voters to send him back to the White House.The overlapping legal and political dramas represent a stark challenge for President Joe Biden just as he is running for reelection in 2024. Although Biden has made protecting democracy a cornerstone of his agenda and campaign, he also has pledged to respect the independence of the judicial process.The result is that Biden probably will feel compelled to remain quiet about a court case that could send the leading Republican presidential candidate to prison, even though the charges hinge on behavior that Biden has described as an existential threat. “That...

Desde Portugal, el papa Francisco cuestiona a Occidente por la guerra en Ucrania: “¿En qué rumbo navegan?”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

(CNN) — El papa Francisco envió desde Portugal un mensaje a Occidente al preguntarse “¿qué rumbo llevan?” en referencia a guerra de Rusia contra Ucrania.El papa se encuentra en Lisboa como parte de una visita de cinco días durante la cual se unirá a las celebraciones para conmemorar la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud, un encuentro mundial de jóvenes católicos. El papa se refirió a la guerra de Rusia contra Ucrania en un discurso pronunciado en el Centro Cultural de Belém.“Podríamos preguntarle (a Europa): ‘¿Hacia dónde navegan si no ofrecen al mundo caminos de paz, vías creativas para poner fin a la guerra en Ucrania y a los muchos otros conflictos en el mundo que causan tanto derramamiento de sangre? O también, para ampliar el alcance: ‘Occidente, ¿en qué rumbo navegas?”, dijo el papa.El encuentro de Portugal es el primero que se celebra desde la pandemia de covid-19.Miles de personas saludaron al papa Francisco a su llegada a Portugal, dond...

Teacher arrested again after accusation of lewd conduct with young students

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

A Lauderhill teacher, previously arrested last year for allegedly inappropriately touching a student, has been arrested again after another victim came forward. Damian Francis, 45, appeared before a judge Wednesday facing a second count of lewd and lascivious behavior on a minor. In October, he was arrested for allegedly inappropriately touching one of his first-grade students at Endeavour Primary Learning Center and now he has been arrested a second time in relation to another inappropriate touching case.The family had come forward prior, but no charges were filed because the victim and her mother moved out of state. After his October arrest, the family decided to contact the police, and the case was reopened. The statement given by the victim to police is similar to the charges he faced in October. The 6-year-old victim said Francis would ask her to go to his desk in the back of the class. Once at his desk, he would begin touching her belly under her clothes, touching her groin, a...

Family of woman killed in hit-and-run in Miami Gardens speak out

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

The family of a hit-and-run victim are sharing their heartache after their loved one died. They were seen Wednesday morning leaving candles and flowers at the site where Patricia Garner was killed.Garner’s family now wants to make sure that the person responsible for her death is held accountable. “You know, this person is out on house arrest, and I wish Patricia could have the opportunity to have house arrest,” said Bruce Baskin, Garner’s brother. “But I will tell you this, that this lady is a danger to the public, she’s a danger to anyone that’s walking around because what she committed was cold hearted and heinous.” On July 27, Garner, was outside the Community Action and Human Services Department Building, located on the 16400 block of Northwest 25th Avenue, when she was struck by the hit-and-run driver. Garner was critically injuried and died at the hospital the following Sunday. According to police, 62-year-old Sharon Cox hit th...

Miami man arrested for written threats, stalking and aggravated assault on Homestead family

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

A Miami man is facing multiple charges, including written threats, stalking with a firearm, criminal mischief, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, after allegedly sending terrifying messages to a Homestead mother and her daughter.According to an arrest form, on July 19, Pedro Cardona, 29, sent written threats to a Homestead woman, expressing his intention to kill her and her daughter. The chilling message included a depiction of a firearm in Cardona’s waistband, with him stating, “I already got a gun.” He continued to intensify his threats, making verbal threats to the victim and eventually responding to her residence, where he further threatened their lives on the home’s Ring camera.The incident prompted an investigation, with an assigned investigator reaching out to the victim to initiate contact. During the conversation, the victim tearfully informed the investigator that Cardona had just destroyed all the property within her daughter’s bedr...

Justin Trudeau separates from wife, Sophie

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

OTTAWA, Ont. — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau are separating after 18 years of marriage, a high-profile split for Canada’s most recognizable political power couple.The abrupt announcement Wednesday ends what was often described as a storybook marriage that united two rising Canadian celebrities, the politically ambitious son of an iconic former prime minister and a glamorous television host in Quebec.An Instagram post published on both Trudeau’s and Grégoire Trudeau’s accounts — in English and French, respectively — appeared shortly after 12 p.m.“After many meaningful and difficult conversations, we have made the decision to separate,” they said.The two married in 2005 and have three children together: Xavier, 15, Ella-Grace, 14, and Hadrien, nine.“As always, we remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other and for everything we have built and will continue to build,” they said. “For the well-being of our children, we ask that yo...

Officials announce new contact agreement for union representing MBTA workers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

Gov. Maura Healey joined state and union officials Wednesday to formally announce a new labor agreement between the MBTA and a union representing nearly half the T’s front-line workers. The contact between the T and the Boston Carmen’s ATU Local 589 union covers personnel including train and bus drivers as well as rail repair workers. The deal will run for four years and will increase wages and longevity bonuses, among other things, according to parties involved.Officials spoke at the MBTA Cabot Yard on Wednesday after striking the deal. Officials in a separate statement announcing the Cabot Yard event described the agreement as a “landmark deal,” saying it signals increased efforts to help the T retain workers while also adding new hires and “ensuring the availability of quality service for all riders.”In addition to wage and longevity bonuses, officials said the deal includes targeted increases for “hard-to-fill positions” including welder jobs and jobs on overnigh...

Malden man accused of smashing car with bat and injuring 1-year-old girl appears in court

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

A Malden man accused of breaking a car’s windshields and injuring a 1-year-old child in the process was in court on Wednesday.Clifford Jones, 66, was in a Boston courtroom for his pre-trial hearing, two weeks after he was arraigned for allegedly smashing a vehicle’s windows following an apparent fender bender.Boston police say his arrest on July 18 came after officers were first called around 6:15 a.m. for a possible hit-and-run accident on Camden Street in the city’s South End.Locating the victim, police learned that the suspect, later identified as Jones, allegedly backed into the victim’s car, leading to a verbal argument.While both parties were arguing outside of their vehicles after checking for damage, the victim said Jones retrieved a baseball bat and started smashing the victim’s front and back windshields.Inside of the car was the victim’s 1-year-old daughter, who suffered cuts and lacerations as glass rained down on her while she sat in ...

Georgia prosecutors are suing to strike down a new state law that undermines their authority

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

By JEFF AMY (Associated Press)DECATUR, Ga. (AP) — Four district attorneys in Georgia are asking a judge to strike down a law creating a commission to discipline and remove state prosecutors, arguing it violates the U.S. and Georgia constitutions.The attack on Georgia’s Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission, filed Wednesday in Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta, comes after Republicans pushed through a law creating the panel earlier this year. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp pledged when he signed the law that it would curb “far-left prosecutors” who are “making our communities less safe.”Sherry Boston, the district attorney in the overwhelmingly Democratic Atlanta suburb of DeKalb County and the lead plaintiff, called the issue “bigger than Georgia.”“We are talking about prosecutorial discretion and prosecutorial independence, both of which have been solidly under assault the last few years,” Boston told The Assoc...

FHA 203(k) loans: What they are and how they work

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

Libby Wells | Bankrate.com (TNS)When you buy a home, there are usually a few repairs to pay for. Buyers who want to take on a real fixer-upper might be facing the prospect of many projects.If this is the case for you, you may be considering an FHA 203(k) loan, also known as a mortgage rehab loan or Section 203(k) loan, which combines the financing for both the home’s purchase and remodeling or repairs into a single loan.What is an FHA 203(k) loan?An FHA 203(k) loan is a mortgage product insured by the Federal Housing Administration that allows homebuyers to borrow enough money to cover both the cost of the home and the price of necessary repairs, including labor and materials.Certain 203(k) loans may allow you to finance up to six months of mortgage payments. Note that the FHA does not lend the funds for 203(k) rehab loans. Rather, it provides financial protection to lenders that do.Types of FHA 203(k) loansThe FHA insures two types of 203(k) loans:—Limited 203(k): The limited 203(k...