Latest news with #TheAP
The Advertiser
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Good Grace: Aussies on fire at rich LPGA Tour event
Grace Kim has fired a sizzling seven-under-par opening round to spearhead an Australian blitz at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan. A year after losing to Lilia Vu in a playoff, Kim rattled off six birdies and an eagle at the par-5 10th hole in her round of 65 to be outright second behind South Korean Mi Hyang Lee. All up, five Australians occupy positions inside the top 15 at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont. Karis Davidson produced a bogey-free 66 to share third with Sofia Garcia of Paraguay. Dual major winner Minjee Lee and Gabriela Ruffels are a stroke further back in a tie for sixth after opening with 67s. Fellow Australian Cassie Porter continued her great start to her rookie LPGA Tour season with a 68 to be joint 11th. But leader Lee is the woman to catch after the Korean played a six-hole stretch in six under to set a cracking pace in the final event before next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas. Only three of the top 10 in the world are competing at the $US3 million tournament. Haeran Ryu, the highest-ranked player at No.5, shot a 69 in the afternoon. Playing in the morning on the tree-lined course, Lee birdied holes five to eight, parred the ninth and eagled the 10th after surprising herself by reaching the green in two on the par-5 hole. "I didn't expect I can hit the green there for my second shot," Lee said. "But it was a great line and good hit with the three wood and I made the green. It was almost 24 feet, like right-to left-eagle putt. I didn't expect to make it." The 32-year-old capped the bogey-free round with further birdies on 14 and 17. "I missed only two fairways," Lee said. "I think that's a lot of help to hit the greens a lot, too." Kim chipped in for eagle on 10 and for birdie on 11 in her morning round. "That was a good start to the back nine," the Sydneysider said. "Just kind of saved pars early and then loosened up as we went on. That was quite nice." Vu opened her title defence with a five-over 77. With The AP Grace Kim has fired a sizzling seven-under-par opening round to spearhead an Australian blitz at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan. A year after losing to Lilia Vu in a playoff, Kim rattled off six birdies and an eagle at the par-5 10th hole in her round of 65 to be outright second behind South Korean Mi Hyang Lee. All up, five Australians occupy positions inside the top 15 at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont. Karis Davidson produced a bogey-free 66 to share third with Sofia Garcia of Paraguay. Dual major winner Minjee Lee and Gabriela Ruffels are a stroke further back in a tie for sixth after opening with 67s. Fellow Australian Cassie Porter continued her great start to her rookie LPGA Tour season with a 68 to be joint 11th. But leader Lee is the woman to catch after the Korean played a six-hole stretch in six under to set a cracking pace in the final event before next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas. Only three of the top 10 in the world are competing at the $US3 million tournament. Haeran Ryu, the highest-ranked player at No.5, shot a 69 in the afternoon. Playing in the morning on the tree-lined course, Lee birdied holes five to eight, parred the ninth and eagled the 10th after surprising herself by reaching the green in two on the par-5 hole. "I didn't expect I can hit the green there for my second shot," Lee said. "But it was a great line and good hit with the three wood and I made the green. It was almost 24 feet, like right-to left-eagle putt. I didn't expect to make it." The 32-year-old capped the bogey-free round with further birdies on 14 and 17. "I missed only two fairways," Lee said. "I think that's a lot of help to hit the greens a lot, too." Kim chipped in for eagle on 10 and for birdie on 11 in her morning round. "That was a good start to the back nine," the Sydneysider said. "Just kind of saved pars early and then loosened up as we went on. That was quite nice." Vu opened her title defence with a five-over 77. With The AP Grace Kim has fired a sizzling seven-under-par opening round to spearhead an Australian blitz at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan. A year after losing to Lilia Vu in a playoff, Kim rattled off six birdies and an eagle at the par-5 10th hole in her round of 65 to be outright second behind South Korean Mi Hyang Lee. All up, five Australians occupy positions inside the top 15 at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont. Karis Davidson produced a bogey-free 66 to share third with Sofia Garcia of Paraguay. Dual major winner Minjee Lee and Gabriela Ruffels are a stroke further back in a tie for sixth after opening with 67s. Fellow Australian Cassie Porter continued her great start to her rookie LPGA Tour season with a 68 to be joint 11th. But leader Lee is the woman to catch after the Korean played a six-hole stretch in six under to set a cracking pace in the final event before next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas. Only three of the top 10 in the world are competing at the $US3 million tournament. Haeran Ryu, the highest-ranked player at No.5, shot a 69 in the afternoon. Playing in the morning on the tree-lined course, Lee birdied holes five to eight, parred the ninth and eagled the 10th after surprising herself by reaching the green in two on the par-5 hole. "I didn't expect I can hit the green there for my second shot," Lee said. "But it was a great line and good hit with the three wood and I made the green. It was almost 24 feet, like right-to left-eagle putt. I didn't expect to make it." The 32-year-old capped the bogey-free round with further birdies on 14 and 17. "I missed only two fairways," Lee said. "I think that's a lot of help to hit the greens a lot, too." Kim chipped in for eagle on 10 and for birdie on 11 in her morning round. "That was a good start to the back nine," the Sydneysider said. "Just kind of saved pars early and then loosened up as we went on. That was quite nice." Vu opened her title defence with a five-over 77. With The AP Grace Kim has fired a sizzling seven-under-par opening round to spearhead an Australian blitz at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan. A year after losing to Lilia Vu in a playoff, Kim rattled off six birdies and an eagle at the par-5 10th hole in her round of 65 to be outright second behind South Korean Mi Hyang Lee. All up, five Australians occupy positions inside the top 15 at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont. Karis Davidson produced a bogey-free 66 to share third with Sofia Garcia of Paraguay. Dual major winner Minjee Lee and Gabriela Ruffels are a stroke further back in a tie for sixth after opening with 67s. Fellow Australian Cassie Porter continued her great start to her rookie LPGA Tour season with a 68 to be joint 11th. But leader Lee is the woman to catch after the Korean played a six-hole stretch in six under to set a cracking pace in the final event before next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas. Only three of the top 10 in the world are competing at the $US3 million tournament. Haeran Ryu, the highest-ranked player at No.5, shot a 69 in the afternoon. Playing in the morning on the tree-lined course, Lee birdied holes five to eight, parred the ninth and eagled the 10th after surprising herself by reaching the green in two on the par-5 hole. "I didn't expect I can hit the green there for my second shot," Lee said. "But it was a great line and good hit with the three wood and I made the green. It was almost 24 feet, like right-to left-eagle putt. I didn't expect to make it." The 32-year-old capped the bogey-free round with further birdies on 14 and 17. "I missed only two fairways," Lee said. "I think that's a lot of help to hit the greens a lot, too." Kim chipped in for eagle on 10 and for birdie on 11 in her morning round. "That was a good start to the back nine," the Sydneysider said. "Just kind of saved pars early and then loosened up as we went on. That was quite nice." Vu opened her title defence with a five-over 77. With The AP
Perth Now
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Good Grace: Aussies on fire at rich LPGA Tour event
Grace Kim has fired a sizzling seven-under-par opening round to spearhead an Australian blitz at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan. A year after losing to Lilia Vu in a playoff, Kim rattled off six birdies and an eagle at the par-5 10th hole in her round of 65 to be outright second behind South Korean Mi Hyang Lee. All up, five Australians occupy positions inside the top 15 at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont. Karis Davidson produced a bogey-free 66 to share third with Sofia Garcia of Paraguay. Dual major winner Minjee Lee and Gabriela Ruffels are a stroke further back in a tie for sixth after opening with 67s. Fellow Australian Cassie Porter continued her great start to her rookie LPGA Tour season with a 68 to be joint 11th. But leader Lee is the woman to catch after the Korean played a six-hole stretch in six under to set a cracking pace in the final event before next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas. Only three of the top 10 in the world are competing at the $US3 million tournament. Haeran Ryu, the highest-ranked player at No.5, shot a 69 in the afternoon. Playing in the morning on the tree-lined course, Lee birdied holes five to eight, parred the ninth and eagled the 10th after surprising herself by reaching the green in two on the par-5 hole. "I didn't expect I can hit the green there for my second shot," Lee said. "But it was a great line and good hit with the three wood and I made the green. It was almost 24 feet, like right-to left-eagle putt. I didn't expect to make it." The 32-year-old capped the bogey-free round with further birdies on 14 and 17. "I missed only two fairways," Lee said. "I think that's a lot of help to hit the greens a lot, too." Kim chipped in for eagle on 10 and for birdie on 11 in her morning round. "That was a good start to the back nine," the Sydneysider said. "Just kind of saved pars early and then loosened up as we went on. That was quite nice." Vu opened her title defence with a five-over 77. With The AP
Politico
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Happy Primary Day
Presented by Sports Betting Alliance Good Tuesday morning! Polls are open in the gubernatorial primary. It only took us a few years and more than $120 million to get here. And the final early voting numbers are in. Here's a look: More than 466,000 New Jerseyans voted early, either through mail-in ballot or in-person, according to an analysis by The AP's Ryan Dubicki. About 330,000 of them were Democrats (13 percent turnout) and 133,000 Republicans (8 percent turnout). Jersey City, where Mayor Steve Fulop is running in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, had the highest advance turnout in raw numbers, at 9,299. But it's the second biggest city in the state, so the turnout for Democrats was actually only 9 percent. Newark, where Mayor Ras Baraka is running for governor, had Democratic turnout of 5 percent. Per capita, it's an era of good feelings in Monroe Township, which topped the state for Democratic turnout at 28 percent. Its 15 percent Republican turnout was also among the highest in the state. But it couldn't surpass Walpack, where four of the town's eight registered Republicans voted early, producing an incredible 50 percent turnout. By contrast, absolutely nobody voted early in tiny Teterboro. In the Democratic primary, Middlesex County had the most raw early votes, with 37,577. The party machinery there is backing Mikie Sherrill. But Camden County, which is mostly in Steve Sweeney's corner, was close behind, producing 36,639 votes, mostly due to local Democrats' well-honed vote-by-mail program. Per capita, Camden County had the highest early voting turnout for Democrats, at 20 percent. Sweeney's home county of Gloucester had the second highest per capita at 18 percent, but since it's a smaller county, that's 15,300 votes. Essex and Passaic, also Sherrill counties, had the lowest per capita turnouts at 9 percent. In the Republican contest, Ocean County had the highest raw number turnout at 17,723. But Camden County, where about half that number voted early, had the highest per capita Republican early turnout at 13 percent. Both those counties' official parties are backing Bill Spadea, though Ocean County Republicans' endorsement is counterweighted by the Lakewood Vaad backing Jack Ciattarelli — potentially a game changer. Essex County's 5 percent early voter turnout was also the lowest for Republicans. Read Madison Fernandez and Daniel Han on some things to look out for today. FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ WHERE'S MURPHY — No public schedule QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'Mikie Sherrill is a mom — and you don't mess around with the hand that rocks the cradle.' — Democratic State Chair LeRoy Jones HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Vince Polistina WHAT TRENTON MADE What I'm also watching: There's a lot of contested Assembly races tonight as well, thanks in large part to Fulop's decision to recruit running mates all over the state. But I'm especially interested in two contests in Hudson County. In District 32, there are three rival slates running: one backed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization (Jennie Pu and Crystal Fonseca), one backed by Fulop (incumbent Jessica Ramirez and Yousef Saleh) and an alliance of convenience (between Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and former Murphy administration staffer Katie Brennan, who made big headlines early in Murphy's term when she revealed another staffer she accused of sexual assault during the campaign had also been hired for a high-ranking role in the administration). Next door in North Hudson, in District 33, it's a proxy war between Union City Mayor/state Sen. Brian Stack and North Bergen Mayor/former state Sen. Nick Sacco, who are each backing two slates. Union City's 23 percent Democratic turnout was the highest in the county, and more than double North Bergen's. Also interesting: Mikie Sherrill is the frontrunner, but she's been dramatically outspent on advertising by her Democratic opponents and the super PACs. See this chart by AdImpact here. Republican implications: While Ciattarelli's advantages combined with his endorsement by President Donald Trump has most considering him a shoo-in, consider what the results tonight could mean for Ocean County GOP Chair George Gilmore, who came back to relevance in stunning style when he retook the chairmanship in 2023 following his 2021 pardon on federal tax-related felony convictions. Gilmore went all in with Spadea and has been a paid consultant to his super PAC. There's a lot of bad blood between him and Ciattarelli, and the nasty tone of the primary hasn't helped. If Ciattarelli wins tonight and goes on to win the governorship in November, will he work against Gilmore in 2026? But there was a bit of a proxy battle last night, with an election among the Ocean County Republican committee for the two committee members, and Gilmore's candidates — County Commissioners Jennifier Bacchione and Robert S. Arace — easily defeated challengers Mike Thulen Jr. and Anne Hammill Pasqua. Anti-Spadeatism — Ciattarelli supporters are calling a text message from Spadea's campaign anti-Semitic. The message includes a photo of Ciattarelli, in a yarmulke, meeting with Orthodox Jews and saying he 'supports Lakewood-style overdevelopment that has destroyed our neighborhoods, crushed our infrastructure and strains our school budgets.' 'Every citizen in NJ needs to condemn this utter garbage,' said Middletown BOE member Jacqueline Tobacco, a Ciattarelli supporter. Spadea on Twitter said 'opposing overdevelopment supported by pandering insider Jack isn't anti-Semitic' and asked 'Where was Jack when I stood up to the radicals at Rutgers and in Paterson where there was real hatred directed at the Jewish community?' I'm guessing the Lakewood Vaad isn't re-thinking its decision to back Ciattarelli. NOT SO GREAT SCOTT — 'Several thousand N.J. voters received letters saying they can't vote in primary,' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'Thousands of New Jersey voters who visited Motor Vehicle Commission offices since April 17 have found themselves ineligible to vote in the June 10 primary election after computer mishaps led to a change in party registration without the voter knowing it. Most of the issues stem from the rush to obtain Real IDs. Voters are being asked to register to vote, and even if they're already registered, they are asked to confirm their party affiliation. Election officials in several counties confirmed that they have sent letters notifying them that they will not be permitted to vote in the June primary at all, if the party change occurred after the April 17 deadline that bars party switches within 55 days of a primary election. The letters are automatically generated by superintendents of elections and county election boards at the direction of Assistant Attorney General Susan Scott, who runs the Law Division's Elections office. The letter does not advise voters of their right to appeal; Scott doesn't think it's her job to help voters overrule her, election officials said.' WAITING TO EXHALE — 'NJ Democrats hold their breath as the primary unfolds without the county line,' by The Record's Charles Stile: 'The June 10 primary endorsement mailers landing in the mailboxes of Mercer County Democrats last week showcased a lineup of local officials backing U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill's bid for governor. The mail piece was a predictable byproduct of the Mercer County Democratic Committee, one of the earliest county machines to throw its weight behind the Montclair Democrat. Yet a closer look at the mailer showed revealing departures from the business-as-usual script of the past. Near the bottom, readers are urged to 'Look closely!' The warning was pasted next to an icon of a microscope, to help drive home the point. It's followed by this message: 'This year's ballot has a new design' it reads. 'Mikie Sherrill is in position 4A.' And for added guidance, Sherrill's name on the ballot is circled in a red swoosh. These unprecedented markups on the mailer distills an underlying anxiety of party operatives in this complicated nomination battle of six candidates for the Democratic primary — and, to a lesser extent, the three-way race for the GOP nomination.' I CAN'T IMPROVE UPON THE HEADLINE — 'It's the economy, estúpido: New Jersey governor's race tests Democrats' efforts to win back Latinos,' by The AP's Adriana Gomez Licon and Mike Catalini: 'The New Jersey gubernatorial primary has emerged as a crucial test for Democrats seeking to regain Latino support nationally. It highlights the challenges in traditionally blue areas where the party's loss of support among Hispanics in 2024 was even more pronounced than in battleground states. President Donald Trump slashed Democratic margins in New Jersey and New York, even flipping some heavily Latino towns he had lost by 30 and 50 percentage points in 2016 … Although Trump made closing U.S. borders a central promise of his campaign, his economic message hit home with Latinos. More Hispanics saw inflation as the most important concern last fall than white voters, AP VoteCast showed. That lesson has been taken to heart in this year's campaign, with strategists, unions, organizers and politicians pivoting away from immigration and putting pocketbook concerns at the forefront of their appeals.' — 'As the primary approaches, here's where Newark Mayor Ras Baraka stands on key education issues' — 'Governor hopefuls make final pitches as wild primary nears end' — 'NJ's next governor will have offshore wind farms — and their opponents — to consider' — 'NJ State PBA: Local PBAs 'do not have the authority' to endorse for Assembly' — Zwicker: 'N.J. must fix how it fills U.S. House vacancies now' — 'N.J. gubernatorial candidate [Barbera] jailed last week' — 'Noisy progress: First phase at entrance to new Gateway rail tunnel wraps up' — Lawmakers advance increased penalties for low-rated nursing homes TRUMP ERA NADINE MENENDEZ LEFT SCHERTHANDED — 'Nadine Arslanian Menendez seeks new trial on federal corruption charges,' by The Record's Katie Sobko: 'Nadine Arslanian Menendez is requesting a new trial due to the 'blatant violation of her Sixth Amendment right to counsel of her choice,' according to documents filed by her attorneys in federal court. Arslanian Menendez's attorneys are arguing that because of one of the superseding indictments during the ongoing case, prosecutors created a potential conflict between her and her attorney at the time David Schertler. According to the filing, prosecutors said during hearings that they intended to call Schertler as a witness and since no arrangement could be settled on, 'Schertler, an extremely well-regarded and experienced lawyer whose team been working on the matter for nearly two years, was forced to withdraw from the case due to the conflict.' Schertler was not called to testify during the trial and was not mentioned. 'If Mrs. Menendez had known that there was no longer any conflict, Mrs. Menendez would have elected to bring Mr. Schertler and his firm back into the case at any point, up until the last day of trial,' the filing states.' PEPFAR REMEMBERS — 'For decades NJ rep backed AIDS funding Trump wants cut,' by NJ Spotlight News' Benjamin J. Hulac: 'As the Trump administration pursues extensive funding cuts to a global health program that has saved tens of millions of lives, New Jersey Republican Chris Smith said he's working privately to protect it. In its latest budget request, the Trump administration proposed $2.9 billion for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, an amount that would be a 38% cut to the program … Asked about looming cuts to PEPFA after House votes Thursday, Smith told NJ Spotlight News he's 'working on it behind the scenes' but declined to say more. Smith has historically been an advocate for the program. In 2018, he was the lead sponsor in Congress of the bill, now law, to reauthorize PEPFAR … During the Biden administration, support for the program dimmed slightly after U.S. officials told members of Congress nurses paid with PEPFAR money had performed abortions in Mozambique, where abortion is legal. Last year, Smith led an effort to delay PEPFAR's reauthorization — something Congress must do to formally approve government policies and programs — following the Mozambique development, calling it 'the tip of the iceberg.'' — 'Why Philadelphia's air traffic control tower is fueling national anxiety over flying' — New Jersey co-leads lawsuit against Trump administration over trigger devices LOCAL HE'S DONEFOR — 'Virginia man found guilty of murdering Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour,' by MyCentralJersey's Suzanne Russell: 'A jury has found a Virginia man guilty of the 2023 murder of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour, the borough's first Black elected official. The verdict came June 9 after a little more than a day of deliberation following a four-week trial before Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Joseph Paone. Rashid Ali Bynum, 31, is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 18 when he faces 30 years to life in prison. Dwumfour, 30, was fatally shot inside her car, outside her home at the Camelot at LaMer apartment complex off Ernston Road in the Parlin section of the borough on Feb. 1, 2023 … Dwumfour, a church pastor, had met Bynum several years ago when she was recruiting people to join her church. He moved from Virginia to New Jersey to live with her and other church members but after he failed to follow religious practices, he was asked to return home.' WILL THAT COUNT TOWARD THEIR AFFORDABLE HOUSING MANDATE? — 'Wealthy N.J. suburb approves plan that could jail homeless people 'unwilling' to accept help,' by NJ Advance Media's Nyah Marshall: 'One of New Jersey's wealthiest suburbs has passed a revised ordinance that housing advocates say penalizes homeless people for camping outdoors. The Summit City Council withdrew its original proposed ordinance in April that would have imposed fines or jail time on homeless people found sleeping or camping outdoors. Following months of backlash, the measure was rewritten and unanimously approved Tuesday, with officials saying it now aims to address 'unlawful camping,' on public property. According the updated ordinance, people living in encampments or storing personal belongings in public spaces could face fines of up to $500 or up to 30 days in jail — but only if they are 'unwilling' to work with social service providers.' LAVALET IT GO — 'Widow runs against late husband. It's the only way to keep his seat,' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'Lavallette Councilman Robert Lamb died suddenly on May 2, and with vote-by-mail ballots already out, it was too late to remove him from the Republican primary ballot. Lamb and Councilman Michael Stogdill are unopposed, and local GOP leaders want voters to cast a posthumous vote for Lamb, a retired police sergeant. That would allow the four Republican county committee members to pick the replacement candidate — probably George Shenewolf, who was appointed in May to fill the seat on an interim basis. But Karen Lamb, the late councilman's widow, wants the seat, and she's mounting a write-in campaign to secure the GOP nomination outright; this is one of the few times when a widow can run against her deceased husband, since she'll need to defeat him in the primary in order to win the seat.' PAID AMERICAN — Governor and first lady to host fundraiser for McGreevey, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Gov. Phil Murphy and first lady Tammy Murphy are getting more involved in Jersey City's contentious race for mayor, hosting a fundraiser next week for candidate Jim McGreevey at their home. McGreevey is running in a crowded field to replace three-term Mayor Steven Fulop, who is running for governor instead of seeking reelection. Tickets for the June 16 fundraiser at the Murphys' Middletown mansion start at $1,000. 'Candidly, we need your help today,' McGreevey wrote in a fundraising email. Gov. Murphy endorsed McGreevey in January. — Snowflack: 'On Tuesday, it's not only about governor…' — 'Bergen County incumbent commissioners face slate of challengers. Meet the candidates' — '[Newark] East Ward students bussed from higher performing schools' — 'Ex-Paterson police officer can't take back guilty plea in brutality case, court rules' — 'Washington Township councilman resigns after anonymous letter' — 'Morris County teacher arrested and accused of sexual assault of student' EVERYTHING ELSE — 'Ex-principal from Ocean County pleads guilty to possessing child porn' — 'Taking the handcuffs off methadone treatment, 'game-changer' for patients' — 'Explosives lab found in basement of teen's home in Moorestown, police say' — 'How much do police make in New Jersey? Median and average wages among top 10 nationwide' — 'I-80 lanes closed by massive sinkhole to open 11 days early if the weather holds'
Mint
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Greta Thunberg and team face resistance, Israel vows to prevent aid boat from entering Gaza
Greta Thunberg, a renowned activist, and her team are aboard the Madleen, a vessel en route to Gaza with aid and assistance. However, their journey may not see fruition as the Israeli government has vowed not to let the vessel enter the war-torn region. According to Defense Minister Israel Katz' recent announcement, Israel will not be removing their naval blockage of the Palestinian region at any cost. This blockade was strategized in the first place to reportedly prevent Hamas from importing arms and ammunition. 'To the antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propagandists — I will say this clearly: You should turn back, because you will not make it to Gaza,' Katz said in a statement. The Madleen, a vessel carrying Thunberg and 11 other activists, departed Sicily last Sunday with the aim to break the naval blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid there. They are also planning on raising awareness about the ongoing humanitarian crisis due to the Israel-Hamas war, according to an AP report. "The activists had said they planned to reach Gaza's territorial waters as early as Sunday. Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian activist on board the boat, posted a video on social media Sunday afternoon saying someone appeared to be jamming their tracking and communication devices about 160 nautical miles from Gaza," The AP report reads. "Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, is among the others onboard. She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies toward the Palestinians," the report continues. There have been previous attempts to supply humanitarian aid by sea, but it has failed due to the naval blockade by Israel. Activists are now warning about the possibility of famine unless the sea blockade is lifted and Israel ends its military offensive against Gaza. Israel had begun to slowly allow some humanitarian aid after a "2½-month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas," but it appears not to be enough in the ongoing crisis.
Winnipeg Free Press
03-06-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
New Orleans jail escapee releases videos, prompting search of home where they were made, source says
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A man who identifies himself as New Orleans jail escapee Antoine Massey released videos on social media while still on the run from authorities, leading to a police raid that failed to recapture him, an Associated Press source says. Authorities were so convinced about the authenticity of the videos that they searched a New Orleans home late Monday where they believe the videos were filmed, according to a senior law enforcement official who spoke to The AP on the condition of anonymity. The official said he was not authorized to publicly discuss the continuing investigation. Massey was not at the home, the official said, but authorities did locate some clothing they believe he wore during the filming. Authorities had been tipped to the videos, which were posted on Sunday, by relatives who recognized the residence from which Massey was speaking. It was not immediately clear who owned the home. Authorities say they are investigating the videos as they race to recapture Massey and convicted murderer Derrick Groves more than two weeks after their audacious escape from a New Orleans jail. Eight other escapees have been apprehended. Louisiana State Police, the agency leading the search for the fugitives, declined to comment on whether it had verified Massey's identity in the videos. The agency carried out the search related to the videos, which have since been removed from Instagram. The New Orleans Police Department said it 'cannot confirm the authenticity' of the videos circulating on social media seemingly showing a man with the same facial tattoos as Massey sitting near a kitchen. 'Please, I'm asking for help,' said Massey, appealing to President Donald Trump and several rappers including Lil Wayne, a New Orleans native, in one video. 'When I get back in custody I'm asking y'all please to come and help.' Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson called on Massey to 'come forward and turn himself in.' 'Cooperating with law enforcement is in his best interest and may help avoid additional charges,' Hutson said in an emailed statement. 'It is important that justice is served appropriately and that due process is followed.' Massey, 32, faced charges of rape, kidnapping, domestic violence involving strangulation and violation of a protective order all stemming from a November 2024 incident, St. Tammany Parish authorities say. In Orleans Parish, where he was incarcerated, he faced charges of motor vehicle theft and domestic battery. Massey said he was innocent. ___ Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
