Haitian police arrest a former senator accused of working with gangs to attack a peaceful community

Haitian police arrest a former senator accused of working with gangs to attack a peaceful community

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Police inHaitihave arrested a former senator charged with conspiring against the state and financing criminal organizations for allegedly supporting gang members. Nenel Cassy was arrested Saturday at a restaurant in Petionville, a wealthy district of the capital, Port-au Prince, Haiti's National Police said in a post on Facebook. The police shared photos of the former senator in handcuffs, next to heavily armed officers wearing ski masks. Arrests of high level officials are rare in Haiti, where the government is also struggling to control neighborhoods and villages that have been taken over by gangs. Cassy was designated as a corrupt actor by the U.S. State Department in 2023. He was accused by Haiti's police in February of backinggang memberswho launched deadlyattacks on Kenscoff, a neighborhood 10 kilometers (6 miles) outside Port-au-Prince that is home to much of the nation's elite. Kenscoff had been largely untouched by Haiti's gang violence until February's attacks in which dozens of people were killed. The neighborhood is now being targetted by gangs that are trying to seize more territory from Haiti's government. On Sunday, Kenscoff's mayor told The Associated Press that nine workers were kidnapped from an orphanage in that neighborhood by armed men, including a foreign citizen whose nationality has not been confirmed. Mayor Massillon Jean said the attack happened around 2 a.m. The orpanage that came under attack on Sunday is run by Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, an international charity with offices in Mexico and France that is also known as NPH. It shelters more than 240 children, according to the organization's website. Gangscontrol 90% of Haiti's capital,according to the United Nations, and in recent months they have been launching attacks on previously peaceful communities. More than 5,600 people were reported killed in Haiti last year, with gang violence leavingmore than 1 million peoplehomeless in recent years, according to the U.N. The UN recorded 185 victims of kidnapping in Haiti between April and June of this year, and said that gangs commit this crime to "subjugate" people in areas under their control.

byAlpha World

in

August 03, 2025

Haitian police arrest a former senator accused of working with gangs to attack a peaceful community

Haitian police arrest a former senator accused of working with gangs to attack a peaceful community BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Police inHaitiha...

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Hurricane center tracks tropical system off North Carolina coast, large tropical wave

Hurricane center tracks tropical system off North Carolina coast, large tropical wave

Two months after thestart of hurricane season, something big may be brewing in the tropics. In the 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, tropics advisory from the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, a non-tropical area of low pressure (nicknamed AL95) in the western Atlantic about 180 miles off the coast of North Carolina may become a tropical or subtropical depression or storm Sunday or Monday while it moves east-northeast, away from North Carolina. And in the central tropical Atlantic, a tropical wave was forecast to move off the west coast of Africa. A day earlier, "AL95" had formedalong a frontal boundary about 150 miles off the coast of North Carolina, and its chances of formation had slightly increased. Although itappears close to North Carolinaand South Carolina and increased to a 50% chance of cyclone formation as of Sunday, it's important to note that the tropical system is moving away from the coast. The National Hurricane Center referenced the large tropical wave off the west coast of Africa (see graphic below) in its Saturday night tropics advisory on Aug. 2. Additional slow development could occur through early next week. The Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to Nov. 30 every year, with the most activity between August and October. Should another weather system develop into a tropical storm, the system would be named Dexter, which is next on the list of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season names (see below). More:Tropical Storm Gil briefly becomes hurricane: See tracker In addition, thehurricane center is trackingtwo tropical waves in the Caribbean. Both are moving west and do not pose a threat at this time. The2025 Atlantic hurricane seasonruns from Sunday, June 1, to Sunday, Nov. 30, with the most active months between August and October. ➤Weather alerts via text:Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Keep reading for information about tropical storm activity for Sunday, July 13, 2025. According to the 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, tropics advisory from the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, here's information about "AL95" and "Disturbance 2": In the western Atlantic (AL95, marked "orange" in the National Hurricane Center graphic): A non-tropical area of low pressure located along a frontal boundary about 180 miles off the coast of North Carolina is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions are marginally conducive for this system to become a tropical or subtropical depression or storm today or on Monday while it moves east-northeastward at about 10 mph, away from the coast of North Carolina. After Monday, environmental conditions become less conducive for development. Formation chance through 48 hours was medium at 50 percent. Formation chance through 7 days was medium at 50 percent. In the central tropical Atlantic ("Disturbance 2" is marked "yellow" in the National Hurricane Center graphic): A tropical wave was forecast to move off the west coast of Africa in the next day or two. Thereafter, some gradual development of the wave is possible during the middle to latter part of next week while it moves generally west-northwestward across the central tropical Atlantic. Formation chance through seven days was low at 30 percent. Formation chance through 48 hours was low at nearly 0 percent. In addition to AL95 and "Disturbance 2,"National Hurricane Centerforecasters are tracking two tropical waves in the Caribbean. At this time, they do not pose a threat: A tropical wave is in the Caribbean, moving west. Scattered moderate convection (or rain) is occurring over Hispaniola and adjacent waters, including the Windward Passage. A tropical wave is in the western Caribbean, moving west. No significant convection is observed in the vicinity of this wave. The USA TODAY Network in Florida will produce daily tropics watch advisories. 2025 Atlantic hurricane season predictions The Atlantic basin consists of the northern Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America. NOAA changed its naming convention for the Gulf of Mexico after the U.S. Geological Survey changed the name on U.S. maps perPresident Trump's order. Andrea Barry Chantal Dexter Erin Fernand Gabrielle Humberto Imelda Jerry Karen Lorenzo Melissa Nestor Olga Pablo Rebekah Sebastien Tanya Van Wendy We will provide tropical weather coverage daily until Nov. 30 to keep you informed and prepared. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for ourspecial subscription offers here. Contributing: Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY Network-Florida This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal:Hurricane center tracks tropical system and large disturbance

byAlpha World

in

August 03, 2025

Hurricane center tracks tropical system off North Carolina coast, large tropical wave

Hurricane center tracks tropical system off North Carolina coast, large tropical wave Two months after thestart of hurricane season, somethi...

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Melissa Gilbert says “Little House” consciously told stories of the 1970s: 'Pretty hard-hitting'

Melissa Gilbert says "Little House" consciously told stories of the 1970s: 'Pretty hard-hitting'

Ted Shepherd/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty On the season 2 episode ofLittle House on the Prairiecalled "The Talking Machine," the quiet burg of Walnut Grove is blown away by the arrival of an Edison cylinder phonograph. To hearMelissa Gilberttell it, the townsfolk would have grooved along and murmured "right on" if it playedMarvin Gaye'sWhat's Going On. In a recent appearance onJennie Garth'sI Choose Mepodcast, Gilbert explained how the famousMichael Landon-led show may have been set in the 1870s, but was actually tackling issues relevant to contemporary audiences of the 1970s. (We will now pause to allow you to scoop your brains up from off the floor following this revelation.) NBCUniversal via Getty "It's wild to be a part of something that has that kind of longevity," Gilbert said of the show that ran on NBC from 1974 to 1982, and is currently readying fora remake version on Netflix. "It's so beloved," she continued. "People love that show. They love the stories that we told. They love the relevance of the stories that we told. Now people are looking back and going, 'Oh,Little House. They told some pretty palpable stuff.' Gilbert, who launched a clothing and lifestyle brand calledModern Prairiein 2022, added that the beloved series "was not exploitive. Michael Landon was consciously telling the stories of the 1970s through the lens of the 1870s. We were talking about civil rights and veterans coming home from the Civil War on our show, where [in our time] the veterans were coming home from the Vietnam War." She continued, "These were all topical and important stories, and unfortunately, so many are still things we need to discuss today. So that's why I thinkLittle Housecontinues on." Bettmann/Getty With that Q.E.D. officially on record, she concluded by saying, "I mean, we, you know, did dumb, fluffy episodes where we just had fun, but it was pretty hard-hitting. We took on rape, arson, crib death, all kinds of horrible, horrible things on that show." Indeed — wasn't there an episode where a school for the blind caught on fire and an infant died? Did we hallucinate that? It seemswe did not. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Sign up forEntertainment Weekly's free daily newsletterto get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. Netflix's new version ofLittle House on the Prairieis currently in production in Manitoba, Canada. The cast includes Australian actor Luke Bracey as Pa Ingalls,October Road's Warren Christie as Mr. Edwards, andJocko Sims as Dr. Tann, a character new to the show but a physician who Laura Ingalls wrote about in the original books. You can listen to more of Melissa Gilbert's chat with Jennie Garth by clicking play on the link below. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byAlpha World

in

August 03, 2025

Melissa Gilbert says “Little House” consciously told stories of the 1970s: 'Pretty hard-hitting'

Melissa Gilbert says "Little House" consciously told stories of the 1970s: 'Pretty hard-hitting' Ted Shepherd/NBCU Photo B...

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The Cast of “Pitch Perfect”: Where Are They Now?

The Cast of "Pitch Perfect": Where Are They Now?

Shutterstock Known for bringing vocal battles and girl-power energy to the big screen, thePitch Perfectfranchisewent on to spawn two sequels, creating a beloved musical trilogy. The films helped launch and boost the careers of stars likeAnna Kendrick,Rebel Wilson, andBrittany Snow. With its catchy performances and offbeat humor, the original film is still beloved more than a decade later. So,what have the Barden Bellas been upto since taking their final bow? /Brownstone Prods/Gold Circle/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Jon Kopaloff/Getty Before gaining stardom as Beca inPitch Perfect, Anna Kendrick was known for her role as Jessica Stanley inThe Twilight Saga, playing Bella Swan's best friend. Since then, the 39-year-old actress has lined up a string of diverse projects. In 2023, she made her directorial debut withWoman of the Hour,a crime thriller about an aspiring actress who crosses paths with a prolific serial killer in the '70s. Most recently, she reunited withBlake LivelyinAnother Simple Favor, released in 2025, seven years after its prequel hit theaters. Off camera, Kendrick has shared that she'scontent staying single, calling herself a"childless cat lady"by choice. In her 2016 bestselling memoir,Scrappy Little Nobody, she got candid about societal pressure to start a family, noting that "motherhood isn't for me." Ever private about romance, she's focused on her career and personal growth. Brownstone Prods/Gold Circle/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic Rebel Wilson played the iconic scene-stealing "Fat Amy" inPitch Perfectand has continued to star in comedies like 2025'sBride Hard, 2019'sIsn't It Romantic, and 2022'sSenior Year. In 2024, she made her directorial debut withThe Deb,but the musical was not released publiclyamid ongoing legal issues. Earlier this year,Wilson told PEOPLEthat if she ever steps behind the camera again, it would be exclusively for musicals, such as 2025's original pop musical,Juliet & Romeo. The 45-year-old has been married to fashion designerRamona Agrumasince 2024. The pair welcomed a daughter, Royce Lillian, via surrogate in 2022. Brownstone Prods/Gold Circle/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Brittany Snow played the warm-hearted Chloe Beale and has since remained active in both film and television. The 39-year-old ledThe Good Halfin 2023 and starred in the horror thrillerXin 2022. That same year, she made her feature directorial debut withParachute, a drama she co-wrote and championed. Fans can catch Snow in the latest American drama television series,The Hunting Wives, based on the novel by May Cobb, that premiered in July 2025. Snowmarried Tyler Stanalandin March 2020, but theirrelationship came to an endwhen they announced their separation in September 2022. The actress officially filed for divorce a few months later in January 2023. The process was finalized in July of that same year, closing that chapter in her personal life. Brownstone Prods/Gold Circle/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock Anna Camp portrayed the intense and rule-loving Aubrey. Since thePitch Perfectseries, she's appeared in shows likeYou,Good Girls Revolt, andThe Mindy Project, as well as films likeFrom BlackandBride Hard. The 42-year-old actress was most recently linked towriter and stylist Jade Whipkey. Before that, shewas married toPitch Perfectco-star Skylar Astinfrom 2016 to 2019 and to actor Michael Mosley from 2010 to 2013. Brownstone Prods/Gold Circle/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Skylar Astinwon over audiences as Jesse, the charming a cappella leader. The 37-year-old went on to star inZoey's Extraordinary Playlist,So Help Me Todd, andCrazy Ex-Girlfriend. He's also had guest roles onGrey's AnatomyandGlee. Astin is also known on Broadway for the role of Georg in the original production ofSpring Awakening. He was married toPitch Perfectco-star Anna Camp from 2016 to 2019. Brownstone Prods/Gold Circle/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Michael Loccisano/WireImage Elizabeth Banksplayed the fast-talking commentator Gail and was also a major creative force behind thePitch Perfectfilms, directing and producing the sequels. She's since directed 2019'sCharlie's Angels, producedCocaine Bear, and starred in several comedy-dramas. The 51-year-old has beenmarried to Max Handelmansince 2003. The pair share two sons. She continues to juggle directing and acting, all while running a production company with her husband. Universal Pictures/Amazon Video; JC Olivera/FilmMagic Alexis Knapp portrayed the confident and quirky Stacie Conrad. After thePitch Perfectfilms, she's kept a lower Hollywood profile. However, in 2024, she starred in the action thrillerOne More Shotand in the comedy dramaAnother Day in America. She was previously in arelationship with Ryan Phillippe, which ended in September 2010, several months beforetheir daughter was bornin July 2011. Richard Cartwright/Brownstone Prods/Gold Circle/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Michael Bezjian/Getty Hana Mae Lee played the soft-spoken but unforgettable Lilly Onakuramara. The 36-year-old is an award-winning actress, fashion designer, artist and musician. BeyondPitch Perfect, she appeared in the horror film series,The Babysitter, and also spends time working on her clothing label, Hanamahn. In March 2025, she finished working on a horror film calledSwipe. Brownstone Prods/Gold Circle/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic Ben Plattplayed the lovable magician-turned-singer Benji and has since become one of Broadway's biggest stars. He won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his work onDear Evan Hansenand reprised the role in the 2021 film adaptation. The 31-year-old has released multiple solo albums and has toured internationally as a singer. He recently finished his concert residency,Ben Platt: Live at the Palace,at the Palace Theatre in New York City. Open about his life, Platt has beenmarried to actor Noah Galvinsince 2024, and the two are frequent collaborators. Brownstone Prods/Gold Circle/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Brandon Hickman/E! Entertainment/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Ester Dean lit up the screen as the tough but talented Cynthia Rose. Off the screen, she's a Grammy-nominated songwriter behind hits for artists like Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Katy Perry. She's also released solo music and voiced characters in animated films likeRioandTrolls. The 39-year-old stays largely private about her personal life but continues to be a powerhouse in the recording studio. Brownstone Prods/Gold Circle/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Adam Devinebrought outrageous comedy to the role of Bumper and has been a regular face in film and TV since. Aside from co-creating and starring inWorkaholics, the 41-year-old has also had roles inThe Righteous GemstonesandGreen Eggs and Ham. His blend of raunchy humor and heartfelt moments has made him a favorite in the comedy world. Devinemarried actress Chloe Bridgesin 2021, and they hadtheir first childin 2023, seemingly balancing family, touring, and creative projects with ease. Brownstone Prods/Gold Circle/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Antoine Flament/Getty Hailee Steinfeldjoined thePitch Perfectfranchise in the second film as newcomer Emily. Already an Oscar nominee before joining the series, she went on to star inDickinson,The Edge of Seventeen,Bumblebee,Barely Lethal, the Marvel seriesHawkeye, and more. She most recently starred in the vampire thriller,Sinners, alongside Michael B. Jordan. Apart from acting, Hailee has also built a successful music career with hit singles like "Love Myself" and "Starving." The 28-year-oldtied the knotwith Buffalo Bills quarterbackJosh Allenin May 2025. They had beenpublicly linked sincethe spring of 2023. Read the original article onPeople

byAlpha World

in

August 03, 2025

The Cast of “Pitch Perfect”: Where Are They Now?

The Cast of "Pitch Perfect": Where Are They Now? Shutterstock Known for bringing vocal battles and girl-power energy to the big sc...

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Smithsonian says Trump impeachments will be restored to exhibit

Smithsonian says Trump impeachments will be restored to exhibit

Washington —The Smithsonian said Saturday that it would update an exhibit at the National Museum of American History to reflect all impeachment proceedings in U.S. history after a placard was removed last month. "As the keeper of memory for the nation, it is our privilege and responsibility to tell accurate and complete histories," the Smithsonian said in a statement. The statement came after The Washington Postreportedlast week that the museum had removed references to President Trump's two impeachments earlier in the month as part of a content review. In the statement, the Smithsonian acknowledged the recent reporting around the matter, saying a placard was removed in July from the exhibit, "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden," which the museum said is intended to "reflect all impeachment proceedings in our nation's history." The Smithsonian said it was "not asked by any Administration or other government official to remove content from the exhibit." "The placard, which was meant to be a temporary addition to a twenty-five year-old exhibition, did not meet the museum's standards in appearance, location, timeline and overall presentation," the statement said. "It was not consistent with other sections in the exhibit and moreover blocked the view of the objects inside its case. For these reasons, we removed the placard." Mr. Trump was impeached by the House in2019on charges related to efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rival, and in2021for inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. He was acquitted in the Senate in both cases. Presidents Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were also impeached, and both were also acquitted in the Senate. President Richard Nixon resigned facing an impeachment inquiry. The Smithsonian outlined that the impeachment section of the exhibit will be updated in the "coming weeks to reflect all impeachment proceedings in our nation's history." Black swimmers teach others amid history of aquatic segregation How safe is our Social Security safety net? In Gaza, hunger forces impossible choices as Hamas releases propaganda video of hostage

byAlpha World

in

August 03, 2025

Smithsonian says Trump impeachments will be restored to exhibit

Smithsonian says Trump impeachments will be restored to exhibit Washington —The Smithsonian said Saturday that it would update an exhibit at...

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