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Unique among ‘Person of the Year’ designees, Donald Trump gets a fact-check from Time magazineTROY, N.Y. — The Hudson Valley Community College women’s volleyball program saw its 2024 season come to an end on Saturday, Nov. 2, as they were defeated in straight sets by rival Adirondack in the semifinal round of the NJCAA Region 3 Championships, hosted by Niagara County Community College in Sanborn, NY.The 2024 season was [...]Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Connecticut couple has been charged in Minnesota with being part of a shoplifting ring suspected of stealing around $1 million in goods across the country from the upscale athletic wear retailer Lululemon. Jadion Anthony Richards, 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, 45, both of Danbury, Connecticut, were charged this month with one felony count of organized retail theft. Both went free last week after posting bail bonds of $100,000 for him and $30,000 for her, court records show. They're due back in Ramsey County District Court in St. Paul on Dec. 16. According to the criminal complaints, a Lululemon investigator had been tracking the pair even before police first confronted them on Nov. 14 at a store in suburban Roseville. The investigator told police the couple were responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses across the country, the complaints said. They would steal items and make fraudulent returns, it said. Police found suitcases containing more than $50,000 worth of Lululemon clothing when they searched the couple's hotel room in Bloomington, the complaint said. According to the investigator, they were also suspected in thefts from Lululemon stores in Colorado, Utah, New York and Connecticut, the complaint said. Within Minnesota, they were also accused of thefts at stores in Minneapolis and the suburbs of Woodbury, Edina and Minnetonka. The investigator said the two were part of a group that would usually travel to a city and hit Lululemon stores there for two days, return to the East Coast to exchange the items without receipts for new items, take back the new items with the return receipts for credit card refunds, then head back out to commit more thefts, the complaint said. In at least some of the thefts, it said, Richards would enter the store first and buy one or two cheap items. He'd then return to the sales floor where, with help from Lawes-Richards, they would remove a security sensor from another item and put it on one of the items he had just purchased. Lawes-Richards and another woman would then conceal leggings under their clothing. They would then leave together. When the security sensors at the door went off, he would offer staff the bag with the items he had bought, while the women would keep walking out, fooling the staff into thinking it was his sensor that had set off the alarm, the complaint said. Richards' attorney declined comment. Lawes-Richards' public defender did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday. “This outcome continues to underscore our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable,” Tristen Shields, Lululemon's vice president of asset protection, said in a statement. "We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industrywide issue.” The two are being prosecuted under a state law enacted last year that seeks to crack down on organized retail theft. One of its chief authors, Sen. Ron Latz, of St. Louis Park, said 34 states already had organized retail crime laws on their books. “I am glad to see it is working as intended to bring down criminal operations," Latz said in a statement. "This type of theft harms retailers in myriad ways, including lost economic activity, job loss, and threats to worker safety when crime goes unaddressed. It also harms consumers through rising costs and compromised products being resold online.” Two Minnesota women were also charged under the new law in August. They were accused of targeting a Lululemon store in Minneapolis.CHATHAM, N.J. (AP) — That buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It’s unclear if it’s drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward. Cropping up on local news and social media sites around Thanksgiving, the saga of the drones reported over New Jersey has reached incredible heights. This week seems to have begun a new, higher-profile chapter: Lawmakers are demanding (but so far not getting) explanations from federal and state authorities about what’s behind them. Gov. Phil Murphy wrote to President Joe Biden asking for answers. New Jersey’s new senator, Andy Kim, spent Thursday night on a drone hunt in rural northern New Jersey, and posted about it on X. More drone sightings have been reported in New York City, and Mayor Eric Adams says the city is investigating and collaborating with New Jersey and federal officials. And then President-elect Donald Trump posted that he believes the government knows more than it’s saying. “Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!” he posted on his social media site. But perhaps the most fantastic development is the dizzying proliferation of conspiracies, none of which has been confirmed or suggested by federal and state officials who say they’re looking into what’s happening. It has become shorthand to refer to the flying machines as drones, but there are questions about whether what people are seeing are unmanned aircraft or something else. Some theorize the drones came from an Iranian mothership. Others think they are the Secret Service making sure President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster property is secure. Others worry about China. The deep state. And on. In the face of uncertainty, people have done what they do in 2024: Create a social media group. The Facebook page, New Jersey Mystery Drones — let’s solve it , has nearly 44,000 members, up from 39,000 late Thursday. People are posting their photo and video sightings, and the online commenters take it from there. One video shows a whitish light flying in a darkened sky, and one commenter concludes it’s otherworldly. “Straight up orbs,” the person says. Others weigh in to say it’s a plane or maybe a satellite. Another group called for hunting the drones literally, shooting them down like turkeys. (Do not shoot at anything in the sky, experts warn.) Trisha Bushey, 48, of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, lives near Round Valley Reservoir where there have been numerous sightings. She said she first posted photos online last month wondering what the objects were and became convinced they were drones when she saw how they moved and when her son showed her on a flight tracking site that no planes were around. Now she’s glued to the Mystery Drones page, she said. “I find myself — instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning my house — checking it,” she said. She doesn’t buy what the governor said, that the drones aren’t a risk to public safety. Murphy told Biden on Friday that residents need answers. The federal Homeland Security Department and FBI also said in a joint statement they have no evidence that the sightings pose “a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” “How can you say it’s not posing a threat if you don’t know what it is?” she said. “I think that’s why so many people are uneasy.” Then there’s the notion that people could misunderstand what they’re seeing. William Austin is the president of Warren County Community College, which has a drone technology degree program, and is coincidentally located in one of the sighting hotspots. Austin says he has looked at videos of purported drones and that airplanes are being misidentified as drones. He cited an optical effect called parallax, which is the apparent shift of an object when viewed from different perspectives. Austin encouraged people to download flight and drone tracker apps so they can better understand what they’re looking at. Nonetheless, people continue to come up with their own theories. “It represents the United States of America in 2024,” Austin said. “We’ve lost trust in our institutions, and we need it.” Federal officials echo Austin’s view that many of the sightings are piloted aircraft such as planes and helicopters being mistaken for drones, according to lawmakers and Murphy. That’s not really convincing for many, though, who are homing in on the sightings beyond just New Jersey and the East Coast, where others have reported seeing the objects. For Seph Divine, 34, another member of the drone hunting group who lives in Eugene, Oregon, it feels as if it’s up to citizen sleuths to solve the mystery. He said he tries to be a voice of reason, encouraging people to fact check their information, while also asking probing questions. “My main goal is I don’t want people to be caught up in the hysteria and I also want people to not just ignore it at the same time,” he said. “Whether or not it’s foreign military or some secret access program or something otherworldly, whatever it is, all I’m saying is it’s alarming that this is happening so suddenly and so consistently for hours at a time,” he added. ___ Golden reported from Seattle. Related From Our PartnerNone
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Couple charged in ring suspected of stealing $1 million in Lululemon clothesBy Twink Jones Gadama In a nation where the democratic process is held in high regard, the recent actions of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) have sparked widespread outrage and concern among citizens. Anabel Mtalimanja, the chairperson of the MEC, finds herself at the center of a brewing storm as calls for accountability grow louder. The impending civil strife, fueled by allegations of technological manipulation and disenfranchisement, has raised questions about the integrity of the electoral process in Malawi. The controversy began with the introduction of the Smartmatic machine, a technological device that has been met with skepticism by many Malawians. Critics argue that the machine is capable of manipulating figures, casting doubt on the transparency of the electoral process. Despite these concerns, Mtalimanja has remained steadfast in her support for the Smartmatic system, dismissing calls from citizens and civil society organizations to abandon its use. This stubbornness has not only alienated a significant portion of the electorate but has also raised fears of potential unrest as the country approaches the next election. The third phase of voter registration, which recently concluded, has been particularly contentious. Reports have emerged that millions of eligible voters were denied their right to register due to the Smartmatic machine’s programming. According to numerous accounts, the machine was set to close at 4 p.m., leaving many individuals unable to complete their registration before the deadline. This has led to accusations that the MEC is deliberately disenfranchising voters, particularly those from the southern and northern parts of malawi, areas dominated by the opposition. As the clock ticked down to the registration deadline, long lines formed outside registration centers across the country. Many citizens, eager to exercise their democratic right, arrived only to find that the Smartmatic machine had already shut down for the day. Frustration and anger boiled over as individuals who had waited for hours were turned away, their hopes of participating in the upcoming election dashed. The situation was exacerbated by reports of technical malfunctions and inadequate staffing at registration centers, further complicating the process for those seeking to register. In the wake of these events, civil society organizations have mobilized to demand accountability from the MEC. Protests have erupted in various cities, with demonstrators calling for Mtalimanja to resign and for the immediate suspension of the Smartmatic system. The message is clear: Malawians are unwilling to accept a compromised electoral process that undermines their fundamental rights. The stakes are high, as the upcoming election is seen as a critical moment for the country’s democracy, and any perceived manipulation of the process could have dire consequences. The situation has drawn the attention of international observers, who are closely monitoring developments in Malawi. Concerns have been raised about the potential for civil unrest if the MEC does not address the grievances of the electorate. The United Nations and various human rights organizations have issued statements urging the MEC to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process, warning that failure to do so could lead to instability in the region. Mtalimanja’s refusal to heed the calls of the people has led to a growing sense of disillusionment among voters. Many feel that their voices are not being heard, and that the MEC is more concerned with maintaining the status quo than with ensuring a fair electoral process. This sentiment has been echoed by political leaders from various parties, who have called for an independent investigation into the use of the Smartmatic machine and its impact on voter registration. As tensions rise, the potential for civil strife looms large. The memories of past electoral violence are still fresh in the minds of many Malawians, and the prospect of a repeat of such events is a source of deep concern. The government has a responsibility to ensure that the electoral process is free from manipulation and that all citizens have the opportunity to participate in shaping their future. Failure to do so could have catastrophic consequences for the nation. In the face of mounting pressure, Mtalimanja has remained defiant, insisting that the Smartmatic machine is a necessary tool for modernizing the electoral process. However, her insistence on using a system that has been widely criticized raises questions about her commitment to upholding the democratic principles that underpin the nation. The electorate is demanding transparency and accountability, and the longer the MEC delays in addressing these concerns, the more likely it is that civil unrest will erupt. As the country prepares for the upcoming election, the stakes could not be higher. The integrity of the electoral process is paramount, and the actions of the MEC will have lasting implications for the future of democracy in Malawi. Anabel Mtalimanja’s accountability for the impending civil strife is not just a matter of political responsibility; it is a reflection of the broader struggle for justice and equality in a nation that has long grappled with issues of governance and representation. In the coming weeks, the pressure on the MEC will only intensify. Citizens are demanding answers, and the call for accountability will not be silenced. The future of Malawi’s democracy hangs in the balance, and the actions taken by the MEC in the face of this crisis will determine whether the nation can move forward or whether it will be plunged into chaos. As the clock ticks down to the election, the eyes of the world are watching, and the time for decisive action is now. The people of Malawi deserve a fair and transparent electoral process, and it is the responsibility of the MEC to ensure that their rights are upheld. The consequences of failure are too great to ignore, and the call for accountability will not be easily dismissed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .
Pia Wurtzbach is new brand ambassador for TECNO’s PHANTOM V Flip 2 5GBaijiayun was honored with the title of "Exclusive Member Unit" by the Beijing Educational Informationization Industry Alliance.
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