Politics and Current
City of Honolulu cancels plan to pay grieving widow of unarmed black man murdered by police $1.5 million settlement after 40 armed officers show up at protest

Honolulu City Council has decided not to pursue a $1.5 million wrongful death lawsuit settlement over the 2021 police killing of a former South African rugby star, after strong opposition from law enforcement and city officials . The civil case will now go to court.
The settlement was approved by town attorney and the council’s legal committee after three years of mediation and negotiations with lawyers representing the widow of Lindani Myeni, an unarmed black man who was shot 4 times during a temporary and violent encounter with Honolulu police responding to a call. a 911 call regarding an alleged burglary attempt.

However, town council unexpectedly delayed a vote to approve the settlement last month after greater than 40 armed and uniformed officers, led by the police chief, showed up in council chambers in protest while Myeni’s widow, Lindsay Myeni, other residents and city leaders expressed emotional testimony for and against the settlement.
City Council President Tommy Waters then canceled last week’s scheduled full council vote on the settlement, saying the matter ought to be decided in court, Hawaii News Now reported.
Waters said discussion of the case at the October board meeting “devolved into what resembled a heated civil trial, with speakers presenting impassioned arguments and facts from both sides. It is clear that the legal framework and procedural safeguards of the judicial system are best placed to deal with this case.”
Honolulu prosecutor Steve Alm, who previously declined to charge the officers and told council members last month that police acted in self-defense once they shot Myeni, in an announcement expressed satisfaction that the plea vote was rejected.
“The resolution of this case would also mean that the officers involved were motivated by racial prejudice,” he said. “There was no evidence of this.”
Bridget Morgan-Bickerton, a lawyer representing the Myeni family, called the overwhelming police presence at the October city council meeting a “bullying and intimidation” tactic intended to influence the council to change its decision on the settlement. Civilbeat reported.
“And it is clear that it did,” Myeni’s attorney Jim Bickerton told Atlanta Black Star, noting that in September the council’s legal committee voted 8-1 to approve the settlement “after a detailed presentation of the facts by their own attorneys in a confidential meeting.” No latest facts have emerged. The only latest thing was the police showing up and making it clear how outraged they were that they couldn’t freely kill an unarmed black man.”
The wrongful death lawsuit alleged that the officers engaged in rash, unreasonable use of deadly force and that their actions were motivated by racial animosity toward Myeni, who’s Black.
Before the meeting, Myeni entered a multifamily Airbnb property and was told to leave by two residents of one of the properties. Myeni can have confused the property with a similar-looking temple round the corner or one other historic constructing, Bickerton said, noting that Myeni had a penchant for visiting historic sites in Hawaii.
The doorbell video shows Myeni casually taking off her shoes before entering the constructing while wearing a conventional Zulu headdress. Conversations between people inside are muffled. After leaving, Myeni said, “Sorry,” and quickly placed on his shoes.
In any event, Myeni left peacefully when asked to achieve this, the suit claims.
Dash camera and body-worn video of the incident show officers arriving as Myeni stood within the driveway and a lady who was a guest at the property shouted: “It’s him! It’s him!”
The lawsuit states that since it was a dark, moonless night and the property was poorly lit, and the officers counting on the element of surprise didn’t use sirens or announce themselves as police officers, they then aimed blindingly vibrant Maglites at his face and ordered him to come down, Myeni probably mistook them for robbers.
“Who are you? Who are you?” Myeni’s words might be heard at the start of the meeting within the bodycam footage.
His subsequent actions – lunging, grappling and punching officers, who burned and shot him – were self-defense, his attorneys argued, noting that between the primary time he punched Myeni and the officer who shot him the primary time.
“That’s an impossibly short time for any officer to assess that Lindani posed a significant risk of serious bodily injury,” Bickerton said, adding that Myeni was unarmed and standing about eight feet from Cpl. Garrick Orosco when Orosco shot Myeni within the stomach.
“And from that point on, as you know, we have maintained that because this was an unlawful use of force against an unarmed person, Lindani was justified in using deadly force in defense. You don’t shoot someone just because he knocked out two officers. You can attack him. You can beat him. You can use pepper spray. You can put three guys on him, but you don’t shoot him. So yes, after this Lindani is now fighting for her life. He realizes, “These guys are going to kill me.” I’m going to die tonight. He had every right to fight as hard as he could.
In court documents, Officer Brent Sylvester said he fired the ultimate three-shot salvo that killed Myeni because he feared for Orosco’s life, who Myeni was lying on top of at the time and punched him within the face. Orosco suffered serious facial fractures and still has not returned to work.
Bickerton said police and the district attorney “created a false narrative” about conditions at the scene and the sequence of events that led Myeni to attack the officers.
“The bottom line is, until he got shot, he didn’t punch anyone in the face or break anyone’s bones,” Bickerton said. “So he got into an argument, in his opinion, with people he couldn’t identify because his lights blinded him and they didn’t tell him who he was.”
Bickerton claims the officers’ “aggressive and disrespectful” behavior towards Myeni was based on racial animosity. “It was very contrary to the way our officers usually conduct themselves with the word ‘Aloha.’ Knowing the culture as well as I do, if it had been a Japanese, Hawaiian, or Caucasian man, Officer Orosco would not have addressed him that way. There was no “Sir, this is the police, show your hands.” It was, “Get on the ground!” And “F-you,” after which just saying, “Shoot him.”
Giving evidence at the City Council hearing, prosecutor Alm disputed the plaintiffs’ claims that Myeni didn’t know his attackers were police officers.
“I don’t see the police doing anything wrong,” he said. “I was told they were being criticized for not saying, ‘Police, police.’ They are wearing uniforms that everyone can see,” he said.
Bickerton, frustrated that the district attorney was “meddling in a civil matter,” responded last week: by publishing video from a police body camera showing Cpl. Orosco repeatedly said within the moments after the fatal shooting that he “didn’t see” the suspect.
If police officers cannot see well, which means Myeni cannot either, Bickerton said, adding that police have a legal obligation to report on themselves and their goal in such unclear circumstances.
The lawsuit seeks damages and compensation for Lindsay Myeni and her two children, who’re currently 3 and 5 years old. Her lawyers initially asked for $5 million at the beginning of the settlement process, then agreed to accept $1.5 million after lengthy negotiations with town, managed by a former judge and mediator.
Now that the settlement has been invalidated, Bickerton said: “It is for the jurisdiction to decide whether to award damages and, if so, how much. However, in proposing this award, I am certainly guided by the many large awards I have seen across the country. Because this is the only way to reduce the risk to everyone’s safety from a police force that feels irresponsible and can simply wield weapons willy-nilly. An award of significant damages would discourage this type of conduct, so we will certainly ask for it.”
There will probably be a hearing Thursday to set a trial date, which is able to likely happen inside a number of weeks within the second half of next 12 months, Bickerton said.
Politics and Current
The challenging supporter of Trump is trying to embarrass Letitia James for the allegations of fraud – her flap up the crowd

The Prosecutor General of New York Letitia James even kept Wiul during the interrogation on the impact on the community by which she was cheated on the investigation that Trump’s administration began on the allegations that James had committed a mortgage fraud.
James organized a hearing in Suny Westchester College on 8 May together with several other general prosecutors to discuss the influence of the federal plans of Trump’s restructuring on New Yorkers and defend critical social assistance programs.

During the questions and answers of the hearing, one supporter of Donald Trump took her to MIC to a needle regarding the investigation of mortgage fraud and challenging her lawsuit against the president, who accused him and his members of the family of the dishonest filling of the net value and the value of his business assets for lenders.
“Will you apologize to President Trump for wasting millions of dollars and the state of New York for the process of witches and how is it to know that you will be imprisoned for a mortgage fraud?” The man asked around a 52 -minute character.
Heckler’s query only met with the chorus Boos and Jeers from dozens of audience members before he was escorted by security.
“Thank you for coming,” James said coldly before you directed the audience. “We want to thank him for coming. We respect all opinions. Everyone knows that these allegations are unfounded. They are discredited, so we want to thank him.”
Last month, the director of the Federal Residential Finance Agency, WILLIAM PULTE, appointed by the Federal Finance Agency, sent a criminal referral to the US PAM Bondi Prosecutor General, asking for checking the allegations listed in the “media reports” that James misled Real Estate, which he has in New York and Virginia and was lying on financial documents to secure loans.
In the Pulte to Bondi letter, he wrote that James “in many cases forged bank documents and real estate registers to acquire aid and loan supported by the government and more favorable terms of the loan.”
Pulte accused James of the appointment of real estate in Norfolk, Virginia, as her most important residence, despite the serving and being in New York. He also claimed that she had bought a five -level property in Brooklyn with a loan authorized only for 4 units.
James’ defense lawyer, Abbe Lowell, sent the Department of Justice letter By condemning the allegations and claiming that they’re related to Trump’s hostility to the Prosecutor General, calling the referral “an act of personal revenge.”
Trump previously condemned James and her criticism, which caused a civil trial by which he was ordered to pay $ 454 million after he was responsible for fraud in New York.
He repeatedly called the “hunt for political witches”, and his anger against James landed on the list of his political opponents. In a more moderen attack on the figure of James, president called Her “terrible human being”, “sick person” and “total cheater”.
Many reports are that the Department of Justice has just been investigating the real estate transactions related to loans and purchases of real estate in New York and Virginia.
In response to the submission of a meat from criminal advice, the spokesman for the office James said the media: “Prosecutor General James focuses daily on the protection of New Yorkers, especially since the administration of the Federal Government weapons against the rule of law and structure.
Politics and Current
Jimmy Carter, 39. US President and Nobel Prize winner, dies at 100 – ESENCE

Getty images
Jimmy Carter, 39. President of the United States and global humanitarian, died calmly at the age of 100 in his hometown of the plains in Georgia, where he spent most of his life. Carter Center He announced his death on Sunday, almost two years after entering the hospice.
“Our founder, former US president Jimmy Carter, died this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” Carter Center Made available on social media. “He died calmly, surrounded by his family.”
President Carter survived his children-Jack, Chip, Jeff and Amy-Wraz with 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded by death by his beloved 77 -year -old wife, Rosalynn, who died in 2023 and one grandson.
Carter, who was the president in 1977–1981, is remembered not only due to his time in an oval office, but in addition concerning the extraordinary life he later led. From conducting diplomatic missions to the Eighties to the development of homes from the habitat for humanity within the 90s, Carter was an example of lifetime involvement in service.
“My faith requires – it is not optional – my faith requires that I do everything I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, as long as possible, with what I have to try to change something,” said Carter.

His relentless dedication to Human Rights brought him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 through the Carter Center, which he founded in 1982 along with his wife Rosalynn, Carter worked on promoting democracy, monitoring elections and the fight for social justice world wide.
President Joe Biden was one in all the primary to pay tribute, calling Carter a “extraordinary leader, state and humanitarian husband.” Thinking about their a long time, Biden described Carter’s life as a guide for anyone who’s searching for a goal.
“For all young people in this nation and for everyone who is looking for, what it means to live with life and meaning – good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principles, faith and humility,” said Biden in a press release.
Former President Barack Obama also honored Carter’s heritage, emphasizing his honesty and commitment to service throughout his life.
“Chosen in the shadow of Watergate, Jimmy Carter promised voters that he would always tell the truth. And so – in favor of public good, let the consequences not be” – said Obama. “He believed that some things were more important than re -election – such things such as honesty, respect and compassion.”
Obama added: “Whenever I had the opportunity to spend time with the Carter, it was clear that he not only confessed these values. He jumped them. In this way he taught us all, what it means to live the life of grace, dignity, justice and service.”
Condolences spilled from leaders world wide, including UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the premiere of Barbados Mia Mottley, the prime minister of Great Britain Keir Starmer and President Panama José Raúl Mulino.
Born on October 1, 1924 in Plains, Georgia, James “Jimmy” Earl Carter Jr. He was the primary president of the USA to be born within the hospital. His upbringing at the nut farm instilled in him a robust ethics of labor and a deep sense of values that shaped his presidency and life outside of it.
During his presidency, Carter achieved significant milestones, including inhabiting Camp David Porads, which paved the method to the room between Egypt and Israel. However, his term of office was also marked by challenges similar to Iran’s crisis of plants, which overshadowed his re -election offer in 1980.
After leaving the office at the age of 56, Carter re -defined the role of the previous president. Often called “the greatest former president of America” he devoted over 4 a long time to the explanations which have crossed the policy, gaining admiration world wide.
President Biden announced plans for the official state funeral in Washington and announced mourning on January 9 on January 9 to honor Carter’s extraordinary life and heritage.
Politics and Current
HegeSeth directs 20% cut to the highest military managerial positions

The Secretary of Defense Pete HegeSeth on Monday ordered the military lively service to lose 20% of 4 -star general officers, when the Trump administration moves forward with deep cuts, which he thinks will promote performance, but critics that worry may cause more politicized strength.
HegeSeth also told the National Guard to lose 20% of his highest positions and recommend the military to reduce an extra 10% of his general and flagship officers of their forces, which can include one star or official with an equivalent rank of navy.
The cuts are at the top of over half a dozen of the best general officers that President Donald Trump or HegeSeth released from January, including the chairman of the joint heads of the staff, Gen. CQ Brown Jr. They also released only two women serving as 4 -star officers, in addition to a disproportionate variety of other older officers.
In earlier rounds of shooting, HegeSth said that the eliminations were “a reflection of the president who wants the right people around him to perform the approach to national security that we want to take.”
As the head of the Pentagon, HegeSeth advertised his efforts to upload any programming or leadership, which support diversity in ranks, tried to end members of transgender services and commenced sweeping changes to implement a uniform fitness standard for the fight position.
In the note announcing the cuts on Monday, HegSeth said that they might remove “unnecessary forces to optimize and improve leadership.” He said that the goal was to free the army from “unnecessary bureaucratic layers.”
Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass. Marine, who served in Iraq and is now in the Armed Service Committee, said he perceived HegeSetha as trying to politicize the army.
“He creates a formal framework to slow down all generals who disagree with him – and president,” said Multon AP in Capitol.
He said that actually every organization can search for performance, but HegeSeth has been clearly clearly expressing its program. “He wrote a book about it. He wants to politicize the army,” said Multon. “So it’s hard to see these cuts in any other context.”
Multon warned against the fall of the soldiers. “It is necessary for our soldiers to understand that they receive constitutional orders, not political orders,” he said, “otherwise you have no democracy, otherwise you have an army that works well for one or another political party.”
Adding to the confusion in the Pentagon, HegeSeth in recent weeks I actually have released or moved many close advisersstrongly narrowing his inner circle. He also handled questions from each Democrats and Republicans about coping with sensitive information and the use of applications for sending signal messages.
There are about 800 general officers in the army, but only 44 of them are 4 -star general or flag officials. The army has the largest variety of general officers, from 219, including eight 4 -star generals.

The variety of positions of the general officer in the army is set by law. Congress members didn’t receive a notification upfront, which they might normally receive in cuts, but in the afternoon they received a “very short warning”, according to a congress worker, which spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details that weren’t made public.
The cuts were first reported by CNN.
The Pentagon is under pressure to reduce expenses and staff as a part of wider cuts of the federal government pushed by the Department of the Government of Trump and Ally Elon Musk.
HegeSeth last week ordered a sweeping transformation Army to “build a slim, more deadly force”, including connecting or closing the headquarters, shedding outdated vehicles and aircraft, cutting up to 1,000 employees of the headquarters in the Pentagon and transfer of staff to units in the field.
Also last week, the army confirmed that it could be Military Parade for Trump’s birthday In June, as a part of the celebration of the 250th birthday of the service. Officials say it would cost tens of tens of millions of dollars.
—-
Associated Press Writers Lisa Mascaro and Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report.

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