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CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Inmate mistakenly released from same New Orleans jail where 10 others escaped
An inmate was mistakenly released last week from the same New Orleans jail that was the scene of a brazen breakout in May, officials said. Officials at an Orleans Parish correctional facility said they accidentally released 30-year-old Khalil Bryan, who was being held on a warrant for aggravated assault with a firearm, domestic abuse, child endangerment and home invasion. He has a criminal history that includes burglary, assault and drug violations. The Orleans Parish sheriff said that Bryan's release was a clerical error because another inmate scheduled for release had a similar last name. "The mistaken release of Khalil Bryan was a serious error, and as sheriff, I take full responsibility," Sheriff Susan Hutson said during a news conference on Friday. "While our systems are designed to catch these discrepancies, human error led to a breakdown in the verification process." CBS affiliate WWL reported that Bryan was released shortly after 1 a.m. Friday. However, the public was not notified until later in the afternoon. It is still unclear when deputies realized their mistake and when the sheriff was notified, the station reported, citing sources. Hutson said an investigation has been launched into Bryan's release. "I want the public to know this should not have happened," she said. "It was a failure of internal processes, and the public has every right to expect better." Bryan was released from the same jail where 10 inmates escaped in May after ripping a toilet from the wall. All but one have been caught. The sheriff called that escape an "inside job," and more than a dozen people have been charged with aiding the escapees. A maintenance worker at the jail was arrested and accused of helping them escape. His lawyer said last week that he is being used as a scapegoat.
Fox News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Pope, State Department condemn latest massacre of Christians by Islamist militants in Nigeria
The State Department has joined the pope in lashing out at the latest massacre of Christians in Nigeria, reportedly by Islamist Fulani "terrorists." Pope Leo XIV declared during a recent address to thousands at the Vatican that "some 200 people were murdered, with extraordinary cruelty" on June 13 in Yelewata, in Nigeria's Benue State. Late Monday, a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "We strongly condemn these increasing attacks, including recent massacres in Benue state which primarily targeted Christian farming villages." "Shouting "Allahu Akbar" (Arabic for "God is great"), they (the attackers) burnt the buildings and attacked people with guns and machetes," NGO Aid to the Church in Need wrote in a statement, adding that the militants "used fuel to set fire to the doors of the people's accommodation before opening fire." The pope told the crowds in Rome that the majority of those "brutally killed" in Yelewata had been sheltering in a Catholic sanctuary. "Most of the victims were internal refugees, who were hosted by a local Catholic mission," the pontiff stated. He added that he would pray for "security, peace and justice," particularly for "rural Christian communities of the Benue state who have been relentless victims of violence." Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian, according to Open Doors International's 2025 World Watch List (WWL). Of the 4,476 Christians killed worldwide in WWL's latest reporting period, 3,100 of those who died – 69% – were in Nigeria. Talking to Fox News Digital, a State Department spokesperson reinforced reports that the attacks on Christians are being carried out by Islamic militant groups. "The United States remains deeply concerned about the levels of violence in Nigeria, including the threats posed by terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa in northern Nigeria, and the impact that violence has on all communities in Nigeria." This year, Islamist militants have often attacked areas of Nigeria where the people are predominantly Christian. Benue State, where the latest massacre took place, is said to be 93% Christian. One Nigerian church leader, who asked to remain anonymous for his safety, told Fox News Digital just last month that what the attackers "want is to be sure that Islam [takes] over every part of these places. … And so they're doing everything to make sure that Christianity is brought down and Islam is [the] established No. 1. They want to make sure that Sharia law (strict Islamic law) has taken over Nigeria." The State Department spokesperson appeared to back up this viewpoint, saying, "violent extremist groups target a wide range of civilians and military targets as part of their broader campaign against a secular state. The increase in violent Islamic extremism and repeated attacks against vulnerable communities in Nigeria must be addressed more effectively." A Nigerian bishop told Fox News Digital in June that he had been threatened and his home village murderously attacked after he appealed to lawmakers at a March congressional hearing for the killing of Christians to stop. Bishop Wilfred Anagbe said that after he went to Washington to testify, "terrorist Jihadists" killed 20 parishioners in four attacks in 10 days in his diocese, the area he is responsible for. Now, the bishop is in hiding after several foreign embassies in Nigeria's capital Abuja warned him of credible high-level official threats that "something might happen to him." The State Department spokesperson added, "We regularly urge the Government of Nigeria to intensify their efforts to protect civilians, enforce rule of law, and hold perpetrators accountable. The United States partners with the Government of Nigeria to strengthen Nigeria's counterterrorism capabilities, working together toward the elimination of terrorist organizations and their networks of support." The Nigerian government did not respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment. However, President Bola Tinubu visited Benue State this past week and told reporters, "Let's fashion out a framework for lasting peace." The same day, in the same district, six more people were reported to have been killed.
Axios
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Axios
Powerboat racing returns to Lake Pontchartrain: How to watch
Powerboat racing is returning to Lake Pontchartrain for the first time in about 20 years. Why it matters: The New Orleans Powerboat Grand Prix marks the start of a new triple crown race series for Powerboat P1 — and neighbors of the Bonnabel Boat Launch may face some extra traffic as they get around this weekend. Catch up quick: Powerboat racing on Lake Pontchartrain was popular through the 1980s and 1990s, says Powerboat P1 spokeswoman Lucy Nicandri. One of its biggest supporters was Popeyes founder Al Copeland Sr. His Popeyes team won multiple offshore racing championships. To bring the sport back to Metairie, Harvey Gulf Marine CEO Shane Guidry put up $300,000, WWL reports. How it works: "There's various classes of powerboats that'll be racing right in front of where the Bonnabel Boat Launch is," Nicandri says. Boats will navigate a 5.6 mile-long race course, she says, and reach speeds over 100 mph. Jet skis will race during the weekend, too. Teams come from all over the country to compete. From here, competitors will head to races in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and St. Petersburg, Florida. If you go: It's free to attend the races and related events, Nicandri says. There's a "pit party" Friday night with live music, food trucks and the boats and jet skis on display. "It gives fans an up-close and personal opportunity to meet the drivers, look at the boats, get autographs and take pictures," Nicandri says. "In a lot of motor sports, you can't do that." By Saturday morning, the games begin, with races running from 8:30am to 5pm. On Sunday, races run from 9am to 5pm. The awards ceremony will follow at 6pm. The best place to view everything will be from the Bonnabel Boat Launch park, Nicandri says, but VIP tickets are available for those who want to get even closer. The fine print: Folks who live nearby can expect some noise. "There will be some loud engines going on," Nicandri says.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bishop's village attacked, 20 slain after recent testimony to Congress on Christian persecution
FIRST ON FOX: A Nigerian bishop has been threatened and his home village murderously attacked after he appealed to lawmakers at a March congressional hearing for the killing of Christians to stop. Bishop Wilfred Anagbe told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview this week that after he went to Washington to testify, four fatal attacks in 10 days by "terrorist Jihadists" had happened in his diocese, the area he is responsible for. Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian, according to NGO Open Doors International's 2025 World Watch List (WWL). Of the 4,476 Christians killed worldwide in WWL's latest reporting period, 3,100 of those who died – 69% – were in Nigeria. Fears Remain This Easter That Christians In Nigeria Are Being 'Wiped Out' By Muslim Extremists Open Doors U.K., added in a statement, "Jihadist violence continues to escalate in Nigeria, and Christians are at particular risk from targeted attacks by Islamic militant groups, including Fulani militants, Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province)." One leader of one of the biggest churches in Africa's most populous nation, using the pseudonym "Pastor Winyadebi" because he's worried about his safety, told Fox News Digital. "It has been attacks upon attacks, religious violence. And we say this because the communities that are attacked are Christian communities." Read On The Fox News App "What they (Islamist militants) want is to be sure that Islam [takes] over every part of these places. … And so they're doing everything to make sure that Christianity is brought down and Islam is [the] established No. 1. They want to make sure that Sharia law (strict Islamic law) has taken over Nigeria," he said. Anagbe's Makurdi Diocese in north-central Nigeria is almost exclusively Christian. But the constant and escalating attacks by Islamist Fulani militants led him to testify at a congressional hearing in March. In April, several foreign embassies in Abuja, Nigeria, warned the bishop of credible high-level official threats: that he would be detained upon arrival in Nigeria from the U.S. and that "something might happen to him." This led to Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., Anagbe's congressional host and chair of the House Africa Subcommittee, to write in a statement: "I am appalled by reports that Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Father Remigius Ihyula (who testified alongside Bishop Anagbe) are facing threats—allegedly from Nigerian government sources and affiliated organizations—because of the Bishop's testimony before Congress detailing violence in Nigeria's Benue State. They reflect a troubling pattern of retaliation linked to testimony before Congress on religious freedom abuses in Nigeria." Christians Increasingly Persecuted Worldwide As 'Modern And Historical Factors Converge' The U.S. Mission in Nigeria on April 10 posted on X calling for the bishop's "right to speak freely without fear of retribution or retaliation," declaring that intimidation and threats had been made "because of their March 12 testimony." Then the attacks, larger and more frequent than before, started, with four attacks between May 23 and June 1. Anagbe told Fox News Digital that "what has been happening in my village and diocese is nothing short of terror attacks on innocent villagers in order to seize their lands and occupy." "On the 23rd [of] May, one of my priests, Father Solomon Atongo, was shot in the leg by these terrorists and almost lost his life. On the 25th of May, my village, Aondona, was attacked for hours, leaving over 20 people dead, scores injured and thousands now displaced and living in makeshift camps," he said. "On the 1st of June, terror was unleashed on Naka town, with many killed and displaced," Anagbe continued. "This attack was so intense that even those earlier displaced and taking refuge in a nearby school were not spared. All over Nigeria, these terrorists are going about on a jihad and conquering territories and renaming them accordingly." "I have been speaking about this genocide for some years now, but whereas in the past some others saw my advocacy with the political lens, today almost everyone in Nigeria has seen the truth for what it is, especially after my testimony in the U.S. Congress." The bishop ended the interview with a plea: "The world has a lot to do. First of all, the world must learn from past mistakes, the Holocaust and most recently the Rwandan genocide. In both cases, the world hid its face in the sand like an ostrich. If the world does not rise up now to put a stop to the atrocities orchestrated in the name of being politically correct, it may wake up one day to casualties that make the Rwandan genocide a child's play. Keeping quiet would be to promote the genocide or ethnic cleansing in Nigeria." While the Nigerian government did not respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment, the Catholic Herald reported that the Nigerian Foreign Ministry had contacted the U.S. regarding the bishop's testimony, noting that "any reports of threats or intimidation against religious leaders would be investigated and appropriate actions would be taken."Original article source: Bishop's village attacked, 20 slain after recent testimony to Congress on Christian persecution
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
11 inmates escape New Orleans jail, considered "armed and dangerous"
Eleven inmates considered "armed and dangerous" escaped a New Orleans jail Friday morning, the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office said. The inmates were discovered missing during a routine headcount conducted at 8:30 a.m. at the Orleans Parish Jail, according to the sheriff's office. CBS affiliate WWL reported that the Louisiana State Police had apprehended one of the inmates during a widening manhunt across New Orleans. "A search for the individuals is currently underway, OPSO is working with local and state law enforcement agencies on the search to return them to custody," the Orleans Parish Sheriff's office said in a statement. The Orleans Parish Jail is currently on lockdown. This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates. Texas mom accused of buying ammunition for son who officials say planned school attack GOP budget package fails to clear key House committee Web exclusive: AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton uses current AI models
