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Brazilian president’s former lawyer is taking seat as Supreme Court justice

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:19:36 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The former personal lawyer of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is taking a seat on the country’s Supreme Court on Thursday amid criticism that their relationship poses a conflict of interest.Lula appointed Cristiano Zanin in June, drawing accusations from the opposition that he is jeopardizing the impartiality of Brazil’s highest court by making a friend one of its justices. The president denies having a friendship with the lawyer. Zanin, who holds a law degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo, specializes in procedural and business law.He helped Lula overturn convictions stemming from Brazil’s sprawling “Car Wash” corruption investigation, getting him freed after 580 days of incarceration. The Supreme Court annulled all convictions of Lula, and ruled in 2021 that the judge overseeing the case had been biased. That allowed Lula to run successfuly for his third, non-consecutive presidential term.In July, senators exam...

Man killed in shooting at Lansing gas station ID'd

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:19:36 GMT

LANSING, Ill. — A man who was fatally shot during an armed robbery at a gas station in Lansing Thursday morning has been identified.The medical examiner's office identified the man as 53-year-old Cameron Webster Sr. The shooting happened at the QuikTrip gas station near the 17300 block of Torrence Avenue around 4:39 a.m.According to police, an armed robbery took place outside the gas station where Webster Sr. was shot and killed on the scene. At this time, police cannot confirm how many people fired shots. Woman killed, toddler son among 3 others shot on South Side An active investigation into the shooting is underway with the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force assisting. Lansing Police Chief Al Phillips told WGN the gas station had just opened a few weeks ago. Police said officers are working with QuikTrip to review surveillance video of the shooting.

Michael Jordan’s sale of majority ownership of Hornets finalized

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:19:36 GMT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The sale of the majority stake of the Charlotte Hornets from six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan to Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall has been finalized, the team announced Thursday.The Hornets planned to introduce Plotkin and Schnall at a news conference later in the day.Jordan, who has owned the team for the past 13 years, said in a news release that it was a “tremendous honor” to own the Hornets but didn’t give an explanation for why he sold the franchise.He will remain on as a minority owner. Years after retirement, Michael Jordan memorabilia still going strong “I’m proud of all that the organization accomplished: the exciting on-court moments, the return of the Hornets name, Charlotte hosting the 2019 NBA All-Star Game and HSE (Hornets Sports and Entertainment) becoming a true pillar of this community,” Jordan said. “Through the years, the unwavering commitment, passion and loyalty of our Hornets fans has been incredible. As I transition into a minority ow...

An 87-year-old woman fought off an intruder, then fed him after he told her he was 'awfully hungry'

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:19:36 GMT

An 87-year-old Maine woman ably fought off a teenage attacker, then fed him because he said he was “awfully hungry.” Marjorie Perkins said she awoke at 2 a.m. on July 26 and saw the young man standing over her bed. He had shed his shirt and pants and told her he was going to cut her. “I thought to myself, if’s he's going to cut, then I’m going to kick,” she said.She put on her shoes and fought back, putting a chair between them as the two jostled in her Brunswick home. The intruder struck her on the cheek and forehead before switching tactics and heading for the kitchen. He told Perkins that he was “awfully hungry," she said. So, she gave him a box of peanut butter and honey crackers, two protein drinks and two tangerines.Perkins dialed 911 on her rotary phone and was talking to a dispatcher while the intruder collected his pants and left. He left behind a knife, shirt, shoes and a water bottle containing alcohol, she said.Perkins, who has become a bit of an international celebrity ...

Viral video shows Boston cop injuring himself on children's slide — but others have previously issued warnings

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:19:36 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – A relatively new slide at a Boston playground is becoming the subject of concern after a viral video showed a police officer injuring himself while flying down the chute.In the video, which was filmed at the new City Hall Plaza playscape, the officer can first be heard banging around in the tube-shaped upper portion of the metallic slide before he’s violently spit out, face-down, onto the ground.The officer suffered minor injuries and “used his own personal medical insurance” for treatment, the Boston Police Department confirmed in a statement to The Boston Globe.A photo shared by the City of Boston shows the reopening event of Boston's City Hall Plaza in November 2022. (Mayor’s Office Photo by John Wilcox)Viewers on TikTok appeared to be highly amused by the video, with some wondering why he fell out “like a rag doll” or a soda “coming out of a vending machine.”But Terri Ilana, a local teacher, musician and mother, said she’s not surprised.“I’ve been trying to tag [offi...

Another game, another historic night for the Cubs' offense

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:19:36 GMT

CHICAGO — It's safe to say that the Cubs have been downright offensive during their last two games at Wrigley Field. Because of that, they've made some team and Major League Baseball history. Thanks to a flurry of runs in the middle and late innings, the Cubs beat the Reds 16-6 at Wrigley Field on Wednesday evening. The team pounded out 16 hits and hit five homers to improve to 55-53 on the season, moving within three games of Cincinnati for first in the National League Central division.This came just a day after the Cubs crushed the Reds 20-9 where they tied a franchise record with seven home runs in a single game. That makes 36 runs in two games, which the Cubs say is the third time that's happened in franchise history. Per team historian Ed Hartig, the last time it happened was June 29-30, 1897, when the team was known as the Chicago Colts. It marks the first time the Cubs have scored at least 16 runs in back-to-back games in the history of the franchise dating back to 1901. Than...

87-year-old woman fights off home invader, then feeds him snacks

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:19:36 GMT

BRUNSWICK, Maine (WTVO/NEXSTAR) — An 87-year-old woman living in Maine managed to fight off a teenage attacker who broke into her home in the middle of the night and then fed him snacks because "he was awfully hungry."On July 26, Marjorie Perkins was sleeping in her home when she awoke to find an intruder standing over her bed, according to a news release shared by the Brunswick Police Department. He then threatened to cut her with a knife, police said."I thought to myself, 'If he's going to cut, I'm going to kick,'" Perkins told the Brunswick Times.Marjorie Perkins speaks to a reporter Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, at her home in Brunswick, Maine. Perkins, 87, was left bruised after police said a teenager broke into her home and attacked her. She fought off the intruder and gave him food before he fled. (News Center Maine via AP)Perkins told the outlet she fended off the intruder's attacks by using a chair as a shield. But the two eventually found themselves in the kitchen, where the te...

Lizzo speaks out on allegations in lawsuit from former dancers: 'I am not the villain'

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:19:36 GMT

(The Hill) -- Lizzo is speaking out for the first time after a lawsuit by three of her former dancers accused her of creating a “hostile, abusive work environment,” saying that she’s “not the villain that people and the media” have portrayed her to be."As an artist I have always been passionate about what I do," Lizzo, who was born Melissa Jefferson, said in a Thursday Instagram post. "I take my music and my performances seriously because at the end of the day I only want to put out the best art that represents me and my fans."“With passion comes hard work and high standards," the 35-year-old “2 Be Loved” singer added. "Sometimes I have to make hard decisions but it’s never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an important part of the team."She argued that she is "not here to be looked at as a victim.""I also know that I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days,” the Grammy Award winner...

Southwest Airlines launching nonstop from Austin to Puerto Rico next year

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:19:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Southwest Airlines will soon be adding a new nonstop from Austin. Flights to San Juan, Puerto Rico, will take off next year.The airline will fly the AUS-SJU route on Saturdays beginning March 9, 2024. A spokesperson for the airline told KXAN the route is intended to be seasonal."We are excited to connect the Heart of Texas nonstop into the Caribbean," the spokesperson said. Data Hub: Austin airport on pace for another record-breaking year Southwest will also resume daily seasonal nonstop service from Austin to Charleston, South Carolina, beginning March 7. Weekly seasonal service each Saturday to Cozumel, Panama City, Florida, and Montrose, Colorado, will resume March 9.The airline will also resume twice-weekly seasonal service to Puerto Vallarta on March 9. Those flights will operate on both Saturday and Sunday.The announcement means Southwest will be the only airline offering direct service to San Juan from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. American Airline...

The 75-year history of Austin staple Peter Pan Mini-Golf

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:19:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For 75 years, Peter Pan Mini-Golf has been a mainstay in the fabric of Austin's local business scene. Located off the intersection of Barton Springs Road and S. Lamar Boulevard, brothers Glenn, Jack and Clifford Dismukes launched the business in 1948.Originally, the mini-golf site was named Varsity Links, according to reporting from the Austin Business Journal. Come the 1950s, the owners embraced the Peter Pan theme that stays with the business today. ICYMI: Future of Peter Pan Mini-Golf, old McDonald’s site in limbo Glenn Dismukes hand-sculpted the figurines and characters that adorn the course. His daughter and current co-owner, Margaret Dismukes Massad, told ABJ last year her father began creating the sculptures in the 1950s and carried the practice into the 1960s.Dismukes Massad and her husband, Julio Massad, took over the business in 2019 as a retirement job of sorts. "I think the secret to our success that my brother continued on until he passed away, and we...