Tyre Nichols documents: Officer never explained stop to him
The officer who pulled Tyre Nichols from his car before police fatally beat him never explained why he was being stopped, newly released documents show. Emerging reports from Memphis residents suggest that was commonplace. The Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission released documents Tuesday blasting the conduct of Demetrius Haley and four other officers as “blatantly unprofessional.” They include revelations that Haley took photographs of Nichols as he lay propped against a police car. Haley then sent the photos to other officers and a female acquaintance, the Memphis Police Department wrote in requesting that the five officers be stripped of the ability to work as police.
Residents can return after air deemed safe from derailment
The fire chief in Ohio’s small town of East Palestine says Wednesday that evacuated residents can safely return to the area where crews burned toxic chemicals after a train derailed five days ago near the Pennsylvania state line. Authorities in East Palestine had warned that burning vinyl chloride that was in five of the derailed tanker cars would send hydrogen chloride and the toxic gas phosgene into the air. They said Wednesday subsequent air monitoring hasn’t detected dangerous levels inside or outside the mile-radius evacuation zone, which stretched into Pennsylvania. Many nearby residents left shortly after the derailment, and others were ordered out before the controlled release of the chemicals because of concerns about serious health risks from it.
Zelenskyy seeks weaponry in surprise trips to London, Paris
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought Western support for his country in a surprise European tour, pushing for fighter jets to battle Russian invaders in a dramatic speech to the U.K. Parliament. He then flew to Paris for dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Elysee Palace. Macron’s office said Zelenskyy will join EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday. Zelenskyy’s travels came as Ukraine braces for an expected Russian offensive. Western support has been key to Kyiv’s surprisingly stiff defense. Zelenskyy thanked Britain for its support since “Day One” of Moscow’s invasion nearly a year ago. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said fighter jets were “part of the conversation” about aid to Ukraine, adding that “nothing is off the table.”
Brazil pushes illegal miners out of Yanomami territory
Brazilian authorities have launched an operation to reclaim Yanomami Indigenous territory from thousands of illegal gold miners who have contaminated rivers and brought famine and disease to one of the most isolated populations of the world. On Tuesday, federal agents destroyed a helicopter, an airplane, a bulldozer and logistical support structure. Dozens of illegal gold miners are fleeing the region, a difficult trip that can take days on foot through the Amazon rainforest.
North Korean leader Kim brings daughter to visit troops
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has brought his daughter to visit troops to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the country’s army as he lauded the “irresistible might” of his nuclear-armed military. That’s according to a state media account of his visit and a speech he gave to encourage his troops. There have been signs North Korea is preparing to hold a massive military parade, which South Korean officials say apparently began late Wednesday. Kim’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, believed to be 9 or 10, was dressed like her father and they held hands as they walked down a red carpet. State media’s lofty description of her has inspired debate on whether she’s being primed as her father’s successor.
California proposal would reinstate prisoners’ voting rights
California could reinstate voting rights to felons while they are in prison in a major expansion of suffrage for incarcerated people if a bill currently before the state legislature passes despite an uphill battle. California would join Maine and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia, as the only states where felons never lose their right to vote, even while they are in prison. Two-thirds of each chamber of the state legislature must vote yes for the bill just for it to appear on the ballot as a proposition. Voters must then approve it by a simple majority for it to become a constitutional amendment.
MH17 inquiry: ‘Strong indications’ Putin OK’d missile supply
An international team of investigators says it found “strong indications” that Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the supply of heavy anti-aircraft weapons to Ukrainian separatists who shot down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014 with a Russian missile. But the Joint Investigation Team said Wednesday they had insufficient evidence to launch any new prosecutions and suspended their long-running investigation into the shooting down that killed all 298 people on board the Boeing 777 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. Russia has always denied any involvement in the downing of the flight over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, and refused to cooperate with the international investigation.
Day care in Canada struck by city bus; 2 children dead
A city bus has crashed into a day care center north of Montreal, killing two children and injuring six, authorities said. The driver was arrested and charged with first degree murder. A neighbor who ran to the center in Laval, Quebec, said she saw children screaming and crying and watched a mother collapse. Other panicked parents were diverted to a nearby elementary school. Immediately after the crash, the driver stepped out of the bus, ripped his clothes off and started screaming, another neighbor said. “He was just yelling; there were no words coming out of his mouth,” Hamdi Benchaabane said.
By wire sources
