Houston Police Chief Troy Finner revealed that over 260,000 criminal cases, including 4,017 sexual assault cases, were suspended due to a "lack of personnel" code over the past eight years, affecting about 10% of incident reports filed. The department is now reviewing all affected cases and working to contact potential victims, with plans to address the backlog and increase personnel. Mayor John Whitmire expressed concern and instructed Chief Finner to prioritize transparency and continue the review as a top priority.
An Australian writer has been given a suspended death sentence in China, sparking international concern. The writer, who has been identified as Yang Hengjun, was found guilty of espionage. The Australian government has strongly condemned the decision, calling it "deeply concerning." Yang's case has further strained the already tense relationship between Australia and China.
Nigeria's President Tinubu has suspended Minister Betta Edu over the alleged diversion of public funds into a personal bank account, ordering an investigation into her ministry. Dr Edu, the youngest minister in Tinubu's cabinet, denied any wrongdoing, stating the transfer was for the "implementation of grants to vulnerable groups." This rare suspension follows public outrage over reports that she instructed the transfer of over 585 million naira to a personal account, prompting calls for a thorough investigation and the need to reform government institutions to regain public confidence.
The search for a missing 41-year-old male kayaker on Lake Butte des Morts in Winnebago County has been suspended. Multiple agencies, including the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Natural Resources, conducted a water search with the assistance of drones. The kayaker was last seen wearing a blue-grey light jacket, dark-colored pants, dark brown boots, a facemask, and a hat. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Libya's Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has suspended the country's foreign minister, Najla al-Mangoush, and referred her to an investigation after it was revealed that she held a meeting with her Israeli counterpart in Rome. Libya, like several other Arab countries, does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. The meeting, facilitated by the Italian foreign minister, reportedly discussed possible cooperation in humanitarian issues, agriculture, water management, and the preservation of Jewish heritage in Libya. The Libyan government described the meeting as an unofficial encounter and stated that no agreements were made. The Israeli announcement sparked small protests in Libya.
The city of Austin has suspended its partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) due to recent events that were not specified. The partnership, which aimed to address staffing shortages in the Austin Police Department (APD), had led to a decrease in violent and gun crime, shorter response times, and drug seizures. Austin's interim city manager and mayor expressed the need to prioritize the safety and well-being of the community, stating that any solution must align with Austin's values. The decision comes as the city faces staffing challenges and a lack of officers to police the city independently.
A BBC presenter, who remains unnamed for legal reasons, allegedly made panicked phone calls to a teenager involved in a scandal over explicit images. The presenter also attempted to stop the teenager's mother, who reported the incident to The Sun, from pursuing the investigation. The BBC has suspended the presenter and contacted the Metropolitan Police. The teenager was reportedly 17 years old when first in contact with the presenter, which is illegal in the UK. The BBC is conducting an investigation led by former police detective Jeff Brown, while the teenager's family has sent evidence to support their complaint.
A fake Disney Junior-branded Twitter account with the handle @DisneyJuniorUK has been suspended after receiving a gold tick from the social media platform. The account, which is completely unaffiliated with Disney, tweeted several offensive messages before being shut down. It is unknown how the holder got the gold tick, which is reserved for the official and verified accounts of businesses who pay $1,000 per month. Disney reps in the UK became aware of the fake account this morning and contacted counterparts at Twitter immediately. Several Twitter users spotted the apparent mistake, with some decrying the ongoing confusion over verification after Twitter removed and then reinstated several blue ticks over the weekend.
Alabama defensive back Tony Mitchell was suspended from the team after being arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to sell and/or deliver. Mitchell was driving 141 mph in an attempt to flee police in Florida before being arrested. Deputies recovered 226 grams of marijuana and more than $7,000 in cash from the vehicle. Mitchell and a passenger were also charged with carrying a concealed firearm without a permit.
