Man accused of terrorism over fire at South African Parliament says he “burned it intentionally”

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:15:58 GMT

Man accused of terrorism over fire at South African Parliament says he “burned it intentionally” CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A man facing terrorism charges over a fire that badly damaged South Africa’s Parliament building last year said in a courtroom outburst on Thursday that he “burned it intentionally.”Shouting and pointing his finger, Zandile Mafe said he was going to “burn it more” if the Parliament was not moved from Cape Town to either the city of Bloemfontein or Pretoria.The huge blaze badly damaged the historic Parliament complex in January last year as it ripped through various buildings, including the main chamber where lawmakers sit. It hasn’t been fully repaired, with estimates saying it will cost around $120 million and take at least three years.Mafe was arrested in the Parliament precinct soon after he started the fire started. He was charged with breaking and entering, arson and terrorism, but his case has been held up after a judge ordered him to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine if he is fit to stand trial.The judge overseeing Thursd...

Tickets for the 2023 Great American Beer Festival are on sale now

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:15:58 GMT

Tickets for the 2023 Great American Beer Festival are on sale now DENVER (KDVR) — Calling all craft beer enthusiasts, the Great American Beer Festival is returning to the Colorado Convention Center this September, and tickets are on sale now.Described as the "hoppiest time of the year," the Great American Beer Festival, hosted by the Brewers Association, will be in Denver from Sept. 21-23. The festival boasts the highest concentration of American beer, allowing attendees to taste a wide array of flavors and styles from hundreds of breweries across the U.S.How to purchase ticketsSo, if you are ready to celebrate with the craft beer community, here is everything you need to know about purchasing a ticket. Ride-share drivers and riders prepare for surge pricing this weekend General admission ticketsTickets are on sale now through AXS. Attendees can purchase a ticket for any or all of the four general admission sessions which run as follows:Thursday, Sept. 21, 5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.Friday, Sept. 22, 5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 23, 12:00 p...

Garbage truck fire prompts emergency dumping in Hialeah Gardens

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:15:58 GMT

Garbage truck fire prompts emergency dumping in Hialeah Gardens A garbage truck in Hialeah Gardens was forced to unload its contents after it caught fire. The incident occurred shortly after 6 a.m. Thursday in the vicinity of Northwest 79th Avenue and 98th Street, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials.No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

Boris Johnson can’t hand over his WhatsApps because he’s forgotten his passcode

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:15:58 GMT

Boris Johnson can’t hand over his WhatsApps because he’s forgotten his passcode LONDON — Boris Johnson has been unable to give key WhatsApps to the U.K.’s official coronavirus inquiry because he cannot remember the passcode to his old iPhone, it was reported Thursday.According to the Times of London, the ex-PM doesn’t remember with “100 percent confidence” the code to access his former device, which he stopped using in May 2021 amid security concerns. A spokesperson for Johnson did not dispute the paper’s account.The Times reported that there are concerns the device will automatically disable and potentially erase its contents if the wrong code is entered. The U.K.’s COVID inquiry has requested all of Johnson’s pandemic WhatsApps and diaries. The Cabinet Office challenged the inquiry’s demand — claiming the material was “unambiguously irrelevant” — but lost their legal challenge last week.The government was given until 4 p.m. last Monday to hand over all material to the inquiry. But much of the materia...

Service resumes on stretch of Red Line after fire response to disabled train at Charles/MGH

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:15:58 GMT

Service resumes on stretch of Red Line after fire response to disabled train at Charles/MGH Buses temporarily replaced subway service on a stretch of the Red Line for part of the Thursday morning commute after firefighters responded to a disabled train at the Charles/MGH MBTA station, which remains closed while crews clean up.Fire crews responding to a reported fire underneath a train around 5:45 a.m. found that all passengers had already self-evacuated and there were no injuries. Power was turned off to the third rail so that firefighters could investigate what was causing the fire, the MBTA said in a statement.Deputy Fire Chief James Greene said a broken water pipe in the station initially hindered crews ability to fight the fire but it was quickly extinguished.Service has since resumed between Harvard and Broadway stations. Charles/MGH will be bypassed to allow crews to clean up. Shuttles will be available at Park and Kendall stations for service to Charles/MGH.Riders can use Green Line service from Union Square/Medford for alternate service inbound.They can also use B...

Ted Williams Tunnel temporarily shuts down for medical transport

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:15:58 GMT

Ted Williams Tunnel temporarily shuts down for medical transport The Ted Williams Tunnel in Boston temporarily shut down around 8:15 a.m. Thursday for a medical transport, MassDOT said. The shut down is expected to have major impacts on the morning commute.Stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.https://twitter.com/realpolikseni/status/1679468173299527681https://twitter.com/MassDOT/status/1679460734734925828No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Lawyer accused of North End sex assaults due to face charges in court

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:15:58 GMT

Lawyer accused of North End sex assaults due to face charges in court A New Jersey man charged in a series of sexual assaults in Charlestown in the 2000s will be back in court Thursday to face charges stemming from additional assaults in the North End.Matthew Nilo, 35, is facing new charges following his June 15 release after posting $500,000 bail. The charges stem from five attacks on four women in the North End. One of the victims was attacked twice, 11 days apart. The attacks occurred in January 2007, July 2007, January 2008 and July 2008.Prosecutors say DNA evidence links Nilo to the attacks. His lawyer is questioning the legality of how the DNA evidence was obtained.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Five takeaways from the Orioles’ 2023 MLB draft

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:15:58 GMT

Five takeaways from the Orioles’ 2023 MLB draft The Orioles’ rebuild is long gone, and this week provided more evidence.In each of the organization’s first four seasons under executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, the MLB draft was one of the most important events each year. The three days of the 2023 draft, however, were overshadowed by the goings-on of the big league club and its players.On Sunday, several hours before they drafted Vanderbilt center fielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. and two other college players, the Orioles routed the Minnesota Twins to end the first half of the season on a five-game winning streak, entering the break with the third-best record in the majors and the franchise’s best start since 1997.Days 2 and 3 of the draft were outshined even more by the All-Star Game festivities. While he lost in the first round, Adley Rutschman’s 27-homer performance during Monday’s Home Run Derby captivated the baseball world. The following night, Rutschman and three other Oriol...

Towson pitcher Ethan Pecko drafted by Astros after whirlwind three years: ‘He had his eye on the prize’

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:15:58 GMT

Towson pitcher Ethan Pecko drafted by Astros after whirlwind three years: ‘He had his eye on the prize’ Having grown up in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, Ethan Pecko is a fan of all things Philadelphia, especially the city’s professional sports franchises. And as a baseball player, he once attended a Phillies game in full uniform.“Baseball was a sport that always just kind of stuck with me,” he said. “I was a fan from 4 years old until now. As a kid, I moved up in age and other kids were there picking flowers. So that was definitely something I always wanted.”Pecko’s dream is now reality after the Houston Astros used the last pick of the sixth round (194th overall) of the Major League Baseball draft on Monday to select the Towson pitcher. He is the fourth-highest draftee in Tigers history, trailing pitchers Chris Nabholz (49th in second round by the Montreal Expos in 1988) and Chris Russ (94th in third round by the New York Yankees in 2000) and shortstop Richie Palacios (103rd in third round by Cleveland in 2018).Pecko, who doesn’t turn 21 until n...

2023 BMW X1 improves greatly

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:15:58 GMT

2023 BMW X1 improves greatly As BMW tries to take a bite into Mercedes Benz’s piece of the review pie, it shows out in strides. In 2023, BMW takes the X1 into new levels with an all new design, look and upgrades. First, the color, San Remo Green Metallic, what a color; It’s absolutely gorgeous to say the least.As a 2023 updated model, the X1 is a really great vehicle and for the price, owning a BMW has never been so affordable. Paired with a potent 2.0 liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder and 7-speed dual clutch transmission ,the BMW X1 has phenomenal power and great gear ratios, making it easy to get out of the way, or make a pass when historically the X1 couldn’t. Unlike most 4-cylinders, get up and go is hard to find, or the lag is so bad that it takes too long to get going.With great space both in the front and for rear seat passengers, it’s the storage space that was so great, I thought I was driving an X3. A larger than ever kidney-shape grille shows the way on the X1 with its mul...