Tax fraud investigation opens
Italian police anounce an investigation into allegations of tax fraud by the nation’s top soccer teams. The probe affects 35 teams over two divisions, and has already resulted in a decree to seize assets worth $13 million from 58 people involved with professional soccer in Italy.
Sebring, OH, water operator accused
Ohio’s Environmental Protection Agency accuses the water treatment plant operator of falsifying reports in a lead poisoning scandal in Sebring, Ohio. It is not clear at this time how long the lead has been leaching into the town’s drinking water. The agency issued a warning about Sebring’s water supply on Dec. 3, The agency then directly notified residents of the issue on Jan 21 when it came to their attention that the local water authority had not done so.
Shoots woman in theater
Gallion is arrested after he shoots Mallari in the back during a showing of 13 Hours. His attorney claims that Gallion was so concerned about the threat of mass shootings in cinemas that he defied the theater’s ban on concealed weapons and carried a handgun into the theater, and that the weapon accidentally discharged during the movie.
PP cleared; Abbot, Merritt charged
A Texas grand jury clears Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast of wrongdoing in an investigation launched last year under Gov. Abbott. The grand jury instead indicted two anti-abortion activists involved with covert videos about fetal tissue procurement. The activists, Daleiden and Merritt, have been charged with tampering with a governmental record. Daleiden has also been charged with violating a prohibition on the sale of human organs.
SF Mayor requests federal probe
San Francisco Mayor Lee requests a federal investigation into the police shooting of Woods. Lee says that the federal investigation will invite “transparency and accountability” in the San Francisco police department:
We seek answers, not just to the facts of Mr Woods’ case, but also answers about how as a Police Department and a City we can build deeper, stronger trust between law enforcement and the communities they’re sworn to protect.
Permanent police chief decision on track
Authorities in Ferguson, MO say that they are on track to select a permanent police chief by March of 2016. The department has been without a permanent commander since March of 2015. The person taking on the role will have to work under close scrutiny by the Justice Department as the Ferguson PD works to rebuild their organization as mandated under the aegis of a scathing Justice Department investigation.
Detained
North Korea arrests Warmbier, a student at the University of Virginia, on charges of “committing a hostile act“ against the state. Warmbier entered North Korea through China as part of a tourist group through Young Pioneer Tours, a tourism company. The U. S. is working through the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang to resolve the incident, as the U. S. and North Korea have no direct diplomatic relations. The U. S. State Department strongly advises U. S. citizens against travel to North Korea.
Teen charged
Saskatchewan authorities charge a 17-year-old boy with four counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder in the shootings. He cannot be named due to his age, and no motive has been given for the attacks. The RCMP says the suspect will appear in court next week:
The days and weeks are going to be difficult as we come to terms with the impact of what has happened in our community. It’s a sad and difficult time and no words will take away the pain and sorrow of what has happened.
Countries warn women to delay pregnancy
Officials in four Latin American and Caribbean countries warn women to delay pregnancy as the consequences of the Zika virus outbreak for developing fetuses become more apparent. During an outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil, the nation saw an increase of nearly 4,000 infants born with microcephaly. US health authorities have warned pregnant women to avoid travelling to more than 20 countries in the Americas and beyond, where Zika cases have been registered. Colombian health minister:
We are doing this because I believe it’s a good way to communicate the risk, to tell people that there could be serious consequences.
Virus likely to spread across Americas
The WHO warns that the Zika virus is likely to spread across the Americas. The virus has already been found in 21 countries in the Caribbean, North and South America. No treatment or vaccine is available. The virus is spread through the Aedes mosquito. This mosquito is found throughout the Americas with the exceptions of Canada and Chile. 80% of infections do not show symptoms, but there seems to be a link between the virus and impaired fetal development.
Delays flights
McDonald-Cartier International Airport in Ottawa and Pearson International Airport in Toronto are asking travelers to check flight statuses before arrival due to numerous delays and cancellations caused by storm Jonas. The delays and cancellations mainly affect flights to or from Washington, Philadelphia and New York.
Victims remembered
Families of the La Loche shooting victims remember their loved ones as the investigations into the first Canadian school shooting in three years continues. Janvier’s cousin:
She was such a great storyteller. She was kind.
Wood’s family:
Adam was quite an adventurer, had a passion for life, and would often make you laugh until your stomach hurt.
The Fontaine brothers’ are described as quiet and loving by their uncle:
These two young kids, they didn’t even start their life and they’re gone.
Victims identified
Family members identify all four victims of the La Loche shootings: teachers Janvier and Wood, and brothers Dayne and Drayden Fontaine. Local MP Jolibois, who previously served as mayor of La Loche, says that the community is “in shock.”
La Loche, being such a small community, everyone knows each other. We grew up together – we’re friends, we’re families.
43 drown off Greek coast
At least 43 migrants drown when their wooden sailboat capsizes on the voyage from Turkey to Europe. 17 of the dead are children. Greek Coast Guard officials are unclear as to why the boat sank off the coast of Kalymnos, but say that winds were strong at the time. Fishing vessels take part in search and rescue operations. One local fisherman, Michalis, seemed shocked by the migrants’ equipment.
They weren’t wearing life jackets. I don’t believe it. They couldn’t swim. The hospital is now full of dead people.
Four killed in school shooting
Shootings at two locations across the small community of La Loche, Saskatchewan kill four and leave others injured.
Reacts to La Loche shootings
Prime Minister Trudeau reacts to the La Loche shootings from Davos, Switzerland, where he learned of the attack hours later.
Obviously this is every parent’s worst nightmare. When I spoke with community leaders, they obviously expressed that their community is reeling and all of us across the country, our hearts are going out to the families and the whole community.
21 Palestinians shot
Israeli forces shoot 21 Palestinians in multiple incidents across the occupied territories, including a nine-year-old girl shot in the hand, while standing on the porch of her home, and a ten-year-old boy shot in the head with a rubber-coated bullet in the head. Others at the same scene are affected by tear gas. The girls is taken to a local hospital and is reported to be in moderate condition.
Seven states declare State of Emergency
Seven states declare states of emergency as Jonas moves across the eastern United States. The blizzard, accompanied by gale-force winds, dumps as much as 23 inches of snow in some areas and has already been blamed for 12 deaths. Most deaths occurred in traffic accidents, but one person in Maryland dies while shoveling snow. Louis Uccellini, director of the U. S. Nation Weather Service, said that the storm might cause as much as $1 billion in damage.
It does have the potential to be an extremely dangerous storm that can affect up to 50 million people.
Assault charges
Police in Gatineau, Quebec arrest Brazeau on suspicion of domestic violence after an altercation at a private residence in that city. He is accused of fighting with Vanessa Brixton while intoxicated, and of making threats against an unnamed man also present at the scene. Authorities also found a “small amount” of cocaine in Brazeau’s possession during the arrest. A spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper:
Mr. Brazeau has been suspended without pay and is no longer a member of this caucus.
Norway deports migrants
Norway deports 60 migrants to Russia under new rules that allow them to deport any migrant originating in a country deemed to be “safe.” The new rules are expected to see 5,500 people deported to Russia. Many of the migrants are fleeing the war in Syria, but they crossed into Norway through Russia via the Arctic Circle. Human rights groups say that Russia should not be considered a safe place for refugees and condemned the move.