Man pleads guilty to federal charges for setting fires at 2 Minnesota mosque

Man pleads guilty to federal charges for setting fires at 2 Minnesota mosque
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Muslims gather for a  Friday sermon at the Masjid Al-Rahma Mosque in Bloomington, Minnesota. (Facebook: Masjid Rahman - Bloomington)
Man pleads guilty to federal charges for setting fires at 2 Minnesota mosque
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Muslims gather for a  Friday sermon at the Masjid Al-Rahma Mosque in Bloomington, Minnesota.. (Facebook: Masjid Rahman - Bloomington)
Man pleads guilty to federal charges for setting fires at 2 Minnesota mosque
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A view of the Masjid Omar Islamic Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, (Facebook" Dar Omar Al Farooq)
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Man pleads guilty to federal charges for setting fires at 2 Minnesota mosque

Man pleads guilty to federal charges for setting fires at 2 Minnesota mosque
  • Court records show Jackie Rahm Little had a history of mental illness, arson and domestic violence
  • The fire that Little started at the Bloomington mosque on April 24, 2023, forced the evacuation of children

MINNEAPOLIS: A man who set fires at two mosques in Minnesota in 2023 pleaded guilty to federal charges Wednesday, federal prosecutors said.
Jackie Rahm Little, 38, admitted to one count of arson and one count of damage to religious property for the fires at the Masjid Al-Rahma Mosque in Bloomington and the Masjid Omar Islamic Center in Minneapolis. A sentencing date has not been set.
Court records show that Little had a history of mental illness, arson or suspected arson and domestic violence.
“When someone sets fire to a house of worship, it is not only a federal crime, it is an attack on the heart of a community,” Acting US Attorney Joe Thompson said in a statement. “Minnesota has endured too many assaults on our sacred spaces.”
The fire that Little started at the Bloomington mosque on April 24, 2023, forced the evacuation of children who were attending day care and caused more than $378,000 in damage. He also lit a cardboard box on fire the day before in a restroom at the Minneapolis mosque, but was interrupted by an employee before the fire could spread.
Leaders said the fires shocked the local Islamic community and saw them as part of a larger trend of increased attacks on mosques and Muslim institutions across the state and country.
“These violent attacks were meant to instill fear, but instead they have strengthened our community’s resolve,” Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said in a statement. He was at the Bloomington mosque when the fire started there and helped evacuate the children.


ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely over his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death

ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely over his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death
Updated 6 sec ago

ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely over his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death

ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely over his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death

NEW YORK: ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely following comments he made about Charlie Kirk’s killing.


At least 2 seriously hurt in Pennsylvania shooting involving police as governor rushes to scene

At least 2 seriously hurt in Pennsylvania shooting involving police as governor rushes to scene
Updated 18 September 2025

At least 2 seriously hurt in Pennsylvania shooting involving police as governor rushes to scene

At least 2 seriously hurt in Pennsylvania shooting involving police as governor rushes to scene
  • The medical response unfolded on a rural road in south-central Pennsylvania that winds through an agricultural area with a red barn and farm fields

NORTH CODORUS, Pennsylvania: At least two people were seriously injured in a shooting involving police in the southern part of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, and Gov. Josh Shapiro was rushing to the scene, officials said.
An investigation is occurring in the area of North Codorus Township, about 115 miles (185 km) west of Philadelphia, not far from the Maryland line, authorities said.
York Hospital said it was treating two people in serious condition related to a police incident in northern York County. The hospital said enhanced security protocols are in place.
“Please send prayers to the officers and those involved in the shooting in York County,” Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis said in a social media post.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said he is also heading to the scene. Sunday said on social media he urges “all residents to follow the instructions of local law enforcement” and he is “praying for all involved.”
A local school district issued a shelter-in-place order, though it said schools and students were not involved in the shooting. The order was lifted later in the afternoon. The district said in a statement that authorities “advised us to hold students and staff in our buildings as a precaution while several area roads are closed.”
The medical response unfolded on a rural road in south-central Pennsylvania that winds through an agricultural area with a red barn and farm fields.
The Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia said in a social media post that they were “monitoring the incident” in Pennsylvania and advised Mexican residents nearby to follow official instructions. A spokesperson for the Mexican consulate in Philadelphia said the post was “only a precautionary alert for our community.
Police have not provided any details about who was involved in the shooting.
“Pennsylvania State Police, Northern Regional Police and numerous emergency responders are at the scene. The York County Commissioners are monitoring the situation closely and praying for all those involved,” the county said in a statement.


Lithuania charges 15 with terrorism over ‘Russia bomb plot’

Lithuania charges 15 with terrorism over ‘Russia bomb plot’
Updated 17 September 2025

Lithuania charges 15 with terrorism over ‘Russia bomb plot’

Lithuania charges 15 with terrorism over ‘Russia bomb plot’
  • Prosecutors said that the suspects used delivery companies DHL and DPD to send four packages of explosives hidden in cosmetics containers
  • The devices caused three explosions — at Leipzig airport, in a truck in Poland and a warehouse in Britain

VILNIUS: Lithuania said Wednesday it had charged 15 people with terrorism offenses over a Russia-backed plot to detonate parcels last year in Germany, Poland and Britain.
Prosecutors said that the suspects used delivery companies DHL and DPD to send four packages of explosives hidden in cosmetics containers from the Lithuanian capital Vilnius to various European countries.
The devices caused three explosions — at Leipzig airport, in a truck in Poland and a warehouse in Britain — while the fourth device malfunctioned, the Lithuania prosecutor’s office said, adding that it was an international inquiry.
Those charged are Russian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian and Ukrainian citizens, though it was unclear how many of them were in custody.
The Lithuanian prosecutors said in a statement that the crimes “were organized and coordinated by citizens of the Russian Federation who are associated with the military intelligence services of the Russian Federation.”


Thousands protest in London over Trump UK visit

Thousands protest in London over Trump UK visit
Updated 17 September 2025

Thousands protest in London over Trump UK visit

Thousands protest in London over Trump UK visit
  • London’s Metropolitan Police estimated that there were around 5,000 people at the protest
  • A group called the Stop Trump Coalition organized the demo, with a broad alliance of organizations sponsoring it

LONDON: Armed with signs and shouting slogans, thousands of anti-Donald Trump protesters descended on central London on Wednesday to decry the US president’s unprecedented second state visit to the UK.
London’s Metropolitan Police estimated that there were around 5,000 people at the protest, which culminated in a rally in front of parliament.
With Trump receiving the red-carpet treatment at Windsor Castle, around 22 miles (35 kilometers) west of London, demonstrators marched in the heart of the British capital to display their disdain on the first full day of the trip.
“We’re protesting, I suppose, about everything about Donald Trump. You don’t know what placard to carry, really, there’s so many things” to dislike, former teacher Dave Lockett, 67, told AFP.
“He’s sowing destruction and disorder throughout the whole Earth... If Trump’s ideas get into this society, then what we’re talking about is fascism in Britain,” he added.
Left-wing lawmakers, including new Green Party leader Zack Polanski, were among those to address the crowds in Parliament Square at the rally hosted by well-known comedian Nish Kumar.
“We are gathered here united to say this is not in our name,” Polanski said of Trump’s invitation from the ruling center-left Labour government.
“This is the moment to challenge everything Donald Trump stands for. This is the moment to reject the politics of hate and division.”
‘H徱Բ’
Protesters had first massed early afternoon near the BBC’s headquarters, holding aloft an array of banners, flags and signs, covering everything from support for the Palestinians to rejecting fascism.
Amid a cacophony of drumming, some demonstrators had recreated smaller versions of the giant balloon depicting Trump wearing a nappy which was famously flown during his first state visit in 2019.
Yashi Sriram, a doctor originally from India, turned out with a placard reading: “End the genocide. Stop Trump.”
“I just wanted to show support for the people of Palestine, really, more than anything else,” said the 32-year-old.
A group called the Stop Trump Coalition organized the demo, with a broad alliance of organizations sponsoring it, including Amnesty International UK, Black Lives Matter UK, Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Greenpeace.
The coalition questioned why Trump would barely be in London during the visit.
“Because he knows we’re protesting against him,” the group said in a statement ahead of the march.
“Instead, he’ll be hiding and having a sad little carriage ride all by himself in Windsor with a parade that no one will even see. This is because of the power of our protest.”
Those at the evening rally repeatedly chanted: “Say it loud, say it clear: Donald Trump not welcome here,” as various speakers railed against him.
Trump unpopular
London’s Metropolitan Police deployed more than 1,600 officers — including 500 brought in from other forces — to ensure the event passed off without incident.
A purported counter-demonstration failed to muster, and there were no reports of disorder or arrests.
A lone protester, surrounded by police, displayed a sign reading: “We Love Trump,” sparking boos as anti-Trump campaigners marched past him.
Trump remains deeply unpopular in Britain, with new polling Wednesday showing almost half of respondents thought it was wrong to invite him for a second state visit.
Only a quarter believed it will improve UK-US relations, according to the YouGov/Sky survey.
London mayor Sadiq Khan, who allowed the unflattering Trump baby blimp to fly during the American president’s first-term visits, has been a persistent critic amid a years-long feud.
Khan wrote Tuesday in The Guardian: “Trump and his coterie have perhaps done the most to fan the flames of divisive, far-right politics around the world in recent years.”
An estimated 150,000 people attended a weekend rally in London organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, with 26 police officers injured in clashes on the event’s fringes.
In the article, Khan — the first Muslim mayor of a Western capital when he was first elected in 2016 — accused Trump of “scapegoating minorities, illegally deporting US citizens, deploying the military to the streets of diverse cities.”
“These actions aren’t just inconsistent with western values — they’re straight out of the autocrat’s playbook,” he wrote.


With eye on US threat, Venezuela holds Caribbean military exercises

With eye on US threat, Venezuela holds Caribbean military exercises
Updated 17 September 2025

With eye on US threat, Venezuela holds Caribbean military exercises

With eye on US threat, Venezuela holds Caribbean military exercises
  • Amphibious vessels and warships deployed off La Orchila island, where Venezuela has a military base
  • The 3 day exercise will involve 12 ships, 22 aircraft and 20 small boats

CARACAS: Venezuela said Wednesday it had begun military exercises on its Caribbean island of La Orchila in response to US military activity in the region.
Forces deployed for what Washington called an anti-drug operation have destroyed at least two Venezuelan boats carrying a combined 14 people allegedly transporting drugs across the Caribbean this month, a move slammed as “extrajudicial execution” by UN experts.
The strikes and a deployment of US warships in the region has raised fears of an invasion in Venezuela, whose President Nicolas Maduro Washington accuses of being a cartel leader.
“There will be air defense deployments with armed drones, surveillance drones, submarine drones... We are going to implement electronic warfare actions,” Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said Wednesday, citing the “threatening, vulgar voice” of the United States.
Public television showed images of amphibious vessels and warships deployed off La Orchila, where Venezuela has a military base.
The armed forces said the three-day exercise will involve 12 ships, 22 aircraft and 20 small boats from the “Special Naval Militia.”
La Orchila island is close to the area where the United States intercepted and held a Venezuelan fishing vessel for eight hours over the weekend.
Venezuela has urged an investigation of a US strike on an alleged drug boat early this month that killed 11 people — one of three Venezuelan vessels US President Donald Trump said his country had “knocked off” without providing details.
Maduro, whose last two elections the US and many other countries did not recognize, has vowed Caracas would defend itself against what he labeled US “aggression” against his country.