UN: Syrian factions committed ‘widespread and systematic' attacks on civilians in coastal violence
An extensive report released Thursday by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria examined the violence that began with clashes between armed groups aligned with former Syrian President Bashar Assad and the new government's security forces in March. It spiraled into sectarian revenge attacks and massacres that killed hundreds of civilians from the Alawite religious minority to which Assad belongs.
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CTV News
25 minutes ago
- CTV News
3 people charged with helping suspected killer of 4 are accused of giving him shelter, phones
This photo provided by Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025 shows Austin Drummond, moments after having been taken into custody. (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation via AP) TIPTONVILLE, Tenn. — Three people charged with helping a Tennessee man accused of fatally shooting four people are suspected of providing him with shelter, phones and rides as he evaded authorities after the killings, a prosecutor said Thursday. Austin Robert Drummond made a brief court appearance before a judge by video feed Thursday in the rural city of Tiptonville in west Tennessee. Drummond has pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of the parents, grandmother and uncle of an infant found abandoned in a home's front yard. A weeklong search for Drummond ended Aug. 5 in Jackson, about 70 miles (115 kilometres) southeast of the crime scene in Tiptonville. Lake County District Attorney Danny Goodman has said prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty if Drummond is convicted of first-degree murder at trial. Also appearing in court by video feed were Tanaka Brown and Dearrah Sanders, who have been charged with being accessories after the fact. Both have pleaded not guilty. A third person charged with being an accessory after the fact, Giovonte Thomas, did not make a court appearance Thursday. It is not immediately clear if Thomas has entered a plea. Judge Andrew Cook set a Sept. 4 preliminary hearing for Drummond to determine if there is enough evidence to refer his case to a grand jury. Drummond's lawyer declined comment after the hearing. Cook also scheduled preliminary hearings for Brown and Sanders on Sept. 12. After the hearing, the district attorney told reporters that those charged with helping Drummond are suspected of giving him phones, clothes, shelter and rides. Goodman did not disclose a motive for the killings. In a previous hearing, Drummond told the judge that he wants a speedy trial, but Goodman said it could be a year or more before Drummond could face a jury. 'It's a serious matter,' Goodman said, adding later that 'there's a lot of evidence in the case to pull together.' The killings and the ensuing search set rural areas of west Tennessee on edge for days. Officers responded to a call of an infant in a car seat being dropped at a 'random individual's front yard' on July 29 in the Tigrett area, roughly 40 miles (65 kilometres) from Tiptonville, the Dyer County Sheriff's Office said. Then, investigators in neighboring Lake County reported that four people had been found dead from gunshot wounds in Tiptonville. Officials determined they were the baby's parents, James M. Wilson, 21, and Adrianna Williams, 20; Williams' brother, Braydon Williams, 15; and their mother, Cortney Rose, 38. The four victims hadn't been seen since the night before their bodies were discovered in a wooded area, Goodman has said. Drummond is believed to have targeted them, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said. Goodman has said Drummond's girlfriend is the sister of the infant's grandmother. Drummond has served prison time for robbing a convenience store and threatening to go after jurors. He was also charged with the attempted murder of a prison guard while behind bars, and was out on bond at the time of the killings, Goodman said. With a population of about 3,400 people, Tiptonville is located near the Mississippi River and scenic Reelfoot Lake. Adrian Sainz, The Associated Press
Toronto Star
an hour ago
- Toronto Star
Washington homeless encampments clear out in anticipation of Trump crackdown
WASHINGTON (AP) — National Guard troops and Humvees guarded some Washington landmarks Thursday and advocacy organizations helped clear homeless encampments in advance of an anticipated crackdown as President Donald Trump's takeover of city police ramped up. The multiagency flood of federal law enforcement ordered by the Republican president to tackle crime in the nation's capital has become increasingly high profile, with officers setting up a checkpoint Wednesday night in one of D.C.'s popular nightlife areas, drawing protests.
Toronto Sun
an hour ago
- Toronto Sun
Pam Bondi fires man accused of throwing sandwich at federal agent during Trump DC intervention
Published Aug 14, 2025 • 2 minute read Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks with reporters during a briefing with President Donald Trump in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. Photo by Mark Schiefelbein / AP WASHINGTON (AP) — A man charged with a felony for hurling a sandwich at a federal law-enforcement official in the nation's capital has been fired from his job at the Justice Department, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a social media post Thursday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account A video of Sean Charles Dunn berating a group of federal agents late Sunday went viral online as the White House ramped up a surge in law-enforcement patrols in Washington this week. Dunn was arrested on an assault charge after he threw a 'sub-style' sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection agent, a court filing said. Dunn, 37, of Washington, was an international affairs specialist in the Justice Department's criminal division, according to a department official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a personnel matter. 'This is an example of the Deep State we have been up against for seven months as we work to refocus DOJ,' Bondi wrote. 'You will NOT work in this administration while disrespecting our government and law enforcement.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 🇺🇸A man, 37, identified as Sean Charles Dunn, is facing a felony assault charge for throwing a sandwich at an attack came days after Trump deployed federal officers to aid local police in DC. The White House said federal agents have since made more than 100 arrests. — orange 🍊 (@orange4u28) August 14, 2025 The Justice Department still employs a former FBI agent who was charged with joining a mob's attack on the U.S. Capitol and cheering on rioters during the Jan. 6, 2021, siege. The former FBI supervisory agent, Jared Lane Wise, is serving as a counselor to Justice Department pardon attorney Ed Martin Jr., who was a leading figure in President Donald Trump's campaign to overturn the 2020 election. Around 11 p.m. on Sunday, Dunn approached a group of CBP agents, pointed a finger in an agent's face and swore at him, calling him a 'fascist,' a police affidavit says. An observer's video captured Dunn throwing a sandwich at the agent's chest, the affidavit says. 'Why are you here? I don't want you in my city!' Dunn shouted, according to police. Dunn tried to run away but was apprehended, police said. An attorney for Dunn didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The incident coincided with Trump's push to flood the city with National Guard troops and federal officers. Trump claims crime in the city has reached emergency levels, but city leaders point to statistics showing violent crime at a 30-year low. Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA World Columnists
