Category: News Daypop

Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday that Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history, died at her Balmoral estate in Scotland at the age of 96.  “The queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The king and the queen consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow,” a statement from the Palace read.  Queen Elizabeth’s son, Charles, has ascended the throne and will be known as King Charles III. Charles’s eldest son, Prince William, is now heir to the throne.

Elizabeth was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on April 21, 1926, in London, to Prince Albert, duke of York (later to become King George VI), and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. She wasn’t destined to be queen; her father was the second son of King George V and Queen Mary Elizabeth, and was not expected to become sovereign. That all changed, however, with the abdication crisis of 1936 when her uncle King Edward VIII gave up the throne to spend his life with American divorcée Wallis Simpson.

Princess Elizabeth was married to Philip Mountbatten in 1947, the son of Prince Andrew of Greece.  Within months, they had their first child, Charles, followed by Anne, Andrew and Edward over the next 16 years. Elizabeth’s father, George VI, died on Feb. 6, 1952 at just 56 years old, and Elizabeth took the throne.

The queen’s husband, Prince Philip, died April 9, 2021 at age 99. He was the longest-serving consort of a reigning British monarch.  After his death, the queen’s health slowly deteriorated.  She was hospitalized for one night in late October 2021 for what Buckingham Palace described as “preliminary investigations.” A few weeks later on Nov. 14, the queen missed the annual Remembrance Sunday service after she sprained her back. And in February 2022, the queen tested positive for COVID-19 but had only “mild cold-like symptoms” as a result of the virus.

In April, the queen celebrated her 96th birthday at Sandringham, her country estate in Norfolk. And just this past June, the queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne. She attended just three events during the four-day celebration due to what Buckingham Palace described at the time as “some discomfort.”

Queen Elizabeth is survived by her three sons, Princes Charles, Andrew and Edward; one daughter, Princess Anne; eight grandchildren, Princes William and Harry of Wales, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York, and Peter and Zara Phillips, as well as Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren.

Editorial credit: Shaun Jeffers / Shutterstock.com

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon was indicted after surrendering to New York state prosecutors Thursday morning. Bannon faces charges for allegedly pocketing some donations in a “Build the Wall” group that raised millions on promises to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The charges are two counts of money laundering in the second degree, one count of conspiracy in the fourth degree, scheme to defraud in the first degree and conspiracy in the fifth degree.

Bannon, entering the courtroom handcuffed, pleaded not guilty on all counts with his attorney speaking on his behalf. As a condition of release, Bannon must surrender his passport. New York Attorney General Letitia James argued that Bannon has means to flee the country and a history of violating the law — a reference to his contempt of Congress conviction. Bannon was found guilty in July of refusing to comply with a subpoena to appear before the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. and could face up to two years in prison when he’s sentenced next month.  In a statement,Attorney General James said, “There cannot be one set of rules for everyday people and another for the wealthy and powerful — we all must play by the same rules and must obey the law. Mr. Bannon took advantage of his donors’ political views to secure millions of dollars which he then misappropriated. Mr. Bannon lied to his donors to enrich himself and his friends.”

Bannon had faced similar charges in federal court in 2020 but was pardoned by then-President Trump during his final days in office.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama returned to the White House Wednesday, reuniting with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden to unveil their official portraits and introduce the artists behind them. The ceremony returned to the White House after a 10-year hiatus.

For his portrait, the former president selected Robert McCurdy as the artist. McCurdy, an artist and photographer known for his hyperrealistic paintings of several well-known figures, including Toni Morrison, the Dalai Lama and Jeff Bezos. The portrait unveiled Wednesday of a photo-realistic image of Obama in a black suit with a grey tie against a stark white background, was painted from photographs that McCurdy took of Obama. Former President Obama said: “When future generations walk these halls and look up at these portraits, I hope they get a better and honest sense of who Michelle and I were and I hope they leave with a deeper understanding that if we could make it here, maybe they can too. They can do remarkable things too.”

For her portrait, the former first lady selected Sharon Sprung as the artist. Sprung also worked off photographs she took at the White House to paint Obama in a blue dress, seated on a sofa in the Red Room. The former first lady said the day was not about her or the images, but illustrating what is possible in America:  “And as much as some folks might want us to believe that that story has lost some of its shine, that division and discrimination and everything else might have dimmed its light, I still know, deep in my heart, that what we share as my husband continues to say is so much bigger than what we don’t. Our democracy is so much stronger than our differences.”

President Biden said of Obama: “There are a few people that I’ve ever known with more integrity, decency, and moral courage than Barack Obama. Mr. President, nothing could’ve prepared me better or more to become President of the United States than being by your side for eight years and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.” 

Editorial credit: Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com

Authorities have confirmed that an American woman was killed in a shark attack while snorkeling with her family in the Bahamas on Tuesday afternoon.  According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the 58-year-old woman — along with four members of her family from the Lake Erie area of Pennsylvania — were on a snorkeling tour in the waters northwest of Rose Island when the victim was attacked by a bull shark shortly before 3 p.m. local time. The victim and her family had arrived in the Bahamas on Tuesday morning via Royal Caribbean’s cruise ship Harmony of the Seas.

Family members and tour operators attempted to rescue the woman but were unsuccessful. The victim suffered serious injuries to the left side of her body and was transported by the tour boat to nearby Fort Montagu on the eastern shore of New Providence island, where she was pronounced dead by emergency medical responders.

Royal Caribbean confirmed in a statement that the woman was a guest on their seven-night cruise, which set sail from Port Canaveral, Florida on Sunday. According to the cruise line, the victim and her family were on an “independent shore excursion” in Nassau when attacked by a shark and succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital. The company said in a statement:  “Royal Caribbean is providing support and assistance to the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time.”

The victim was identified by her employer as Caroline DiPlacido, project coordinator for the Office of Community and Government Relations at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania. The university said in a statement: “Caroline was a powerful presence of kindness and friendship to colleagues, students, and the wider community and cherished many family ties to Gannon. The news is devastating, and she will be missed.” DiPlacido is survived by her husband and three children, according to the school statement.

Editorial credit: Brookgardener / Shutterstock.com

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department have released surveillance images of a suspect in the fatal stabbing of local investigative journalist Jeff German. The images show an individual wearing a large straw-colored hat, a reflective orange long-sleeve shirt, long pants and black gloves. The individual is wholly covered with their face shrouded by the wide-brimmed hat. They also are seen carrying a navy blue duffle bag.

The police department said in a statement that they are asking the public to review their own video cameras at their homes and businesses in the area of Vegas Drive and Rock Springs for the suspect between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday. “At this time, it appears the suspect was potentially casing the area to commit other crimes before the homicide occurred,” the department said, adding that the detectives came across the distributed images amid their investigation.

Police found German dead Saturday at about 10:30 a.m. outside his home in the 7200 block of Bronze Circle in the Summerlin area of Las Vegas. The Clark County coroner’s office has ruled that German died as a result of multiple sharp force injuries. Authorities have said that they believe German’s stabbing death is related to an altercation he had with another person the night prior.

The 69-year-old German worked as a reporter for the Las Vegas Sun for more than 20 years before joining the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2010. The National Press Club and the National Press Club Journalism Institute issued a joint statement calling on police to “redouble their efforts” to catch the person responsible and uncover the reason why German was killed as well as who gave the order: “Mr. German was a relentless investigator who made his career in Las Vegas. Our hearts go out to his family, colleagues at the Las Vegas Review-Journal and to the community of investigative journalists everywhere…Mr. German frequently worked on cases involving organized crime. This is dangerous work, which must be done but is a high-risk beat.”

Editorial credit: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock.com

Police said on Tuesday that the body found in a Memphis neighborhood Monday was confirmed to be a Tennessee woman who was abducted late last week. 34-year-old Eliza Fletcher was seen on surveillance video being forced into an SUV while she was jogging near the University of Memphis early Friday morning.

38-year-old Cleotha Abston, the suspect arrested in the case, is being charged with first-degree murder and first-degree murder in perpetration of kidnapping. Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis told reporters it was possible others would be charged in the case but as of Tuesday morning no one else has been.

Fletcher’s body was found behind a vacant duplex, Davis said. A police affidavit said officers noticed vehicle tracks next to the duplex’s driveway and smelled an odor. Purple running shorts consistent with the shorts Fletcher was wearing were found in a discarded trash bag nearby, the affidavit said. According to the chief, it was too early for investigators to determine how and where Fletcher was killed.

District Attorney Steven Mulroy said Abston would be arraigned on the murder charges Wednesday, telling reporters: “We have no reason to think this was anything other than an isolated attack by a stranger.”  Abston appeared before a judge earlier Tuesday on charges of kidnapping, tampering with evidence, theft, identity theft and fraudulent use of a credit card; he was issued a $510,000 bond. Abston said he could not afford bond and he could not afford a lawyer. General Sessions Judge Louis Montesi appointed a public defender to represent Abston.

A mother of two and a school teacher, Fletcher is the granddaughter of the late Joseph Orgill III, a Memphis hardware businessman and philanthropist. Fletcher taught kindergarten at St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Memphis.  The family said in a statement Tuesday said they were “grateful beyond measure” to authorities for finding Fletcher and for arresting a suspect, adding: “We are heartbroken and devastated by this senseless loss. Liza was a such a joy to so many … Now it’s time to remember and celebrate how special she was and to support those who cared so much for her.”

Editorial credit: Fer Gregory / Shutterstock.com

The Coast Guard announced Monday that their search for nine people who have been missing since the crash of a floatplane off Seattle on Sunday has been called off.   One person was already confirmed dead in the Mutiny Bay area of Puget Sounds after a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter floatplane carrying 10 people went down off Whidbey Island about 3:10 p.m. Sunday. The Coast Guard said that one of the nine who were included in the now-suspended search is a child.  The plane took off from Friday Harbor, Washington, roughly 100 miles north of Seattle, en route to the Seattle area; the crash site off Whidbey Island is about 40 miles north of Seattle.

Capt. Daniel Broadhurst of the 13th Coast Guard District said in a statement Monday: “It is always difficult when it comes time to make a decision to stop searching. The hearts of all the first responders go out to those who lost a family member, a loved one or a friend in the crash.”  The Coast Guard said a remotely operated underwater vehicle and a drone will continue to assist in searching for wreckage and debris.

The Coast Guard was assisted by other agencies in the search including the Island County Sheriff’s Office, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and South Whidbey Fire/EMS. The federal agency said that “in total, the Coast Guard conducted 26 search sorties, searching 1,283 nautical miles of track line covering an area of approximately 2,100 square nautical miles.”

Editorial credit: Ceri Breeze / Shutterstock.com

One of two suspects in the Canadian stabbing attack that killed 10 people has been found dead, police confirmed on Monday. Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, commanding officer of the Saskatchewan Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said the body of 31-year-old Damien Sanderson was found on the James Smith Cree Nation in Saskatchewan at 11:30 a.m.; the search continues for Myles Sanderson, his brother. Myles Sanderson, 30, may be injured, but that has not been confirmed.

Blackmore said at a news conference: “We do want the public to know this as there is a possibility he may seek medical attention. It does not mean he is not still dangerous.” Damien Sanderson had visible injuries that are not believed to have been self-inflicted, Blackmore said. A cause of death will be determined later, adding that his body was found “outdoors in a heavily grassed area in proximity to a house that was being examined.”

19 people were injured in the attacks, which spanned 13 identified crime scenes, officials said. Including the discovery of Damien Sanderson’s body, the number of deaths involved in the case rose to 11. The identities of the dead were not released by police Monday, but Blackmore said that none of them were infants or children.

Investigators believe some victims may have been targeted and others may have been attacked at random, but an investigation is ongoing. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called the attacks shocking and heartbreaking:  “This kind of violence, or any kind of violence, has no place in our country,” Trudeau said.

Editorial credit: Click Images / Shutterstock.com

A federal judge in Florida was presented arguments by lawyers for both the Justice Department and former President Donald Trump, on whether a special master should be assigned to review documents seized from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home. Judge Aileen Cannon did not immediately rule if a third party should be assigned to determine whether the documents seized from Trump’s Palm Beach, Fla. estate contained possibly privileged information, but said she would issue a written ruling later. Cannon on Thursday said she would consider allowing the intelligence community to continue to review the seized documents if a special master is appointed, while also temporarily blocking the Justice Department from accessing the materials for its criminal probe.

The FBI said it recovered more than 320 classified documents from Mar-a-Lago, including 100 seized in August when agents executed a search warrant. Trump voluntarily turned over 15 boxes to the National Archives in January, and his team turned over other materials under subpoena in June. FBI agents seized another 33 boxes during the search of Mar-a-Lago.

“The government should provide to the special master and to movant a copy of the seized materials, a copy of the search warrant and an unredacted copy of the underlying application materials,” Trump’s lawyers said in a court filing Wednesday. Trump lawyer James Trusty accused the Justice Department of trying to “criminalize” the Presidential Records Act, saying: “We’ve characterized it at times as an overdue-library-book scenario where there’s a dispute — not even a dispute — but ongoing negotiations with [the National Archives] that has suddenly been transformed into a criminal investigation.” 

Editorial credit: FloridaStock / Shutterstock.com

On Thursday, a federal judge in Atlanta ruled that Sen. Lindsey Graham must comply with a subpoena and testify before the grand jury in the criminal probe into efforts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results.

Judge Leigh Martin May limited the scope of questioning but will allow questions about alleged efforts to persuade Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to alter election practices. Said May: “Senator Graham may be questioned about any alleged efforts to encourage Secretary Raffensperger or others to throw out ballots or otherwise alter Georgia’s election practices and procedures. Likewise, the grand jury may inquire into Senator Graham’s alleged communications and coordination with the Trump Campaign and its post-election efforts in Georgia, as well as into Senator Graham’s public statements related to Georgia’s 2020 elections.”

May wrote in her decision that Raffensperger “has stated publicly that he understood Senator Graham to be implying or otherwise suggesting that he (Secretary Raffensperger) should throw out ballots. As the Court has previously stated, any such ‘cajoling,’ ‘exhorting,’ or pressuring of Secretary Raffensperger (or any other Georgia election officials) to throw out ballots or otherwise change Georgia’s election processes, including changing processes so as to alter the state’s results, is not protected legislative activity under the Speech or Debate Clause.”

The judge’s order also said the speech and debate clause of the U.S. Constitution prohibits “questions about Senator Graham’s investigatory fact-finding on the telephone calls to Georgia election officials, including how such information related to his decision to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election.”

Editorial credit: Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com