Category: Security

A man was recently sentenced to life in federal prison after being convicted by a jury for kidnapping and sexually assaulting two women. The man also locked one of his victims in a cinder block cell.

In a recent press release, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced that 31-year-old Negasi Zuberi was “sentenced to life in federal prison” for “kidnapping and sexually assaulting two women, and holding one in a cell he constructed in his garage.”

Court documents claim that Zuberi “posed as a police officer and used a taser and handcuffs to detain his victim in the backseat of his vehicle” on July 15, 2023, in Seattle, Washington. The documents show that Zuberi transported his victim roughly 450 miles to his home in Klamath Falls, Oregon. During the process of transporting the female victim to his home, the 31-year-old sexually assaulted her.

“At his residence, the victim was moved from his vehicle into a cell he had constructed in his garage,” the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon said. “The woman repeatedly banged on the cell door until it broke open and she escaped.”

After escaping from the cell, the victim was able to retrieve a handgun from Zuberi’s vehicle, flee from the residence, and obtain the help of a passing motorist who contacted the police, according to court documents.

READ MORE: Pics: Teacher, LGBTQ activist arrested, charged with felony child sex crimes

Zuberi was arrested in Reno, Nevada, on July 16, 2023, by Nevada State Patrol officers and Reno Police officers.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon noted that during an investigation into Zuberi’s crimes, “federal agents discovered that approximately six weeks prior to the kidnapping in Seattle, on May 6, 2023, Zuberi kidnapped and sexually assaulted another victim.”

“While being held by Zuberi, his first victim observed stacked cinder blocks in his garage that he later used to construct the cell where he detained his second victim,” the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon added.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, a federal jury determined that Zuberi was guilty of all the charges against him on October 18, 2024.

“There is no place in civil society for this type of terrifying violence,” U.S. Attorney Natalie Wight said in the recent press release. “I sincerely hope Zuberi’s life sentence will bring some measure of comfort to his victims. Their courage and perseverance are an inspiration to us all.”

According to The Associated Press, prior to Zuberi’s sentencing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery Sweet described Zuberi as “a serial predator who committed acts of evil” and “hunted women.”

A senior official with the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that President Donald Trump’s acting secretary of Homeland Security, Benjamine Huffman, fired the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard shortly after the start of Trump’s second administration.

In a message sent to the U.S. Coast Guard workforce on Monday, Huffman announced that 61-year-old Adm. Linda Lee Fagan was relieved of her duties as commandant.

“Under my statutory authority as the Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security I have relieved Admiral Linda L. Fagan of her duties as Commandant of the United States Coast Guard,” Huffman said. “She served a long and illustrious career, and I thank her for her service to our nation.”

Huffman added, “Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, by operation of law, is now the Acting Commandant of the United States Coast Guard and assumes all the authority and responsibilities of the office.”

READ MORE: Trump fires Ret. Gen. Mark Milley in purge of 1,000+ Biden appointees

A senior Department of Homeland Security official told Fox News that Fagan was relieved of her duties due to concerns regarding an “erosion of trust,” recruitment issues, and border security failures at the U.S. Coast Guard.

The anonymous Homeland Security official told Fox News that Fagan’s leadership failures included the mismanagement of acquiring important military assets, an insufficient response to border security threats, poor recruitment and retention efforts, an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and an “erosion of trust” caused by the military branch’s cover-up of an internal investigation into sexual assault incidents known as Operation Fouled Anchor.

Fox News reported that Fagan was the first female head of a U.S. military branch and has served as the 27th commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard since June 1, 2022. The outlet noted that as commandant, Fagan was responsible for the oversight of 42,00 active-duty service members, 7,000 reserve members, 8,700 civilian personnel, and 21,000 Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers.

A picture of Fagan was shared Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter, by Libs of TikTok.

BREAKING: The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Linda Fagan, has been terminated over her failure to address border security and her excessive focus on DEI – FOX pic.twitter.com/xjcaRv0wij

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 21, 2025

Circus Circus, the venerable 56-year-old north Strip resort that caters to families and low-budget visitors, may soon be sold by owner Phil Ruffin, according to a published report.

Ruffin, who also owns Treasure Island, is in Washington for President Donald Trump’s inauguration and was unavailable for comment Friday, but a story in business magazine Forbes outlined Ruffin’s strategy for selling the property, saying it and the surrounding 102 acres used as an outdoor festival grounds is worth $5 billion.

“It’s the best piece of land on the West Coast,” Ruffin said in the Forbes article. “It’s got the highway, it’s got the Sahara, it’s got 2,000 feet on the Strip, and it’s the last Strip property. And 102 acres is just a massive amount of land — you can almost build a city on it.”

Ruffin said he has been approached by buyers to sell the 3,767-room property, but he did not say who the potential buyers are. If he sells Circus Circus, Ruffin told Forbes he will use the proceeds to buy another property, possibly in Las Vegas.

Ruffin’s potential sale of Circus Circus mirrors a strategy he used when acquiring the Frontier in 1998 for $165 million. After helping settle a labor dispute at the Frontier, Ruffin established the New Frontier, but ended up selling it nine years later for $1.2 billion.

He used that as seed money to acquire Treasure Island and to partner with Trump, one of his best friends, to build the neighboring non-gaming Trump International Hotel

“Why do you think I bought Circus Circus?” Ruffin said in the Forbes article. “For the 102 acres. That’s the land play. Remember what I did at the Frontier, how the value of the land went crazy — here it’s going crazier.”

The north Strip seems to be well positioned for prosperity, even as some of Circus Circus’ neighbors struggle.

Other north Strip properties

Snuggled between the Sahara and Fontainebleau Las Vegas is a 17-acre property under development by LVXP, a team of Las Vegas-based real estate professionals that hopes to build a 752-foot, 2,605-unit hotel and condominium project with an 18,000-seat arena and a 6,000-seat theater. The Clark County Commission has green lit development of that project.

Just south of Fontainebleau on 10 acres where the Riviera once stood is land being developed by Brett Torino and his BPS Partners LLC.

County commissioners voted unanimously to approve the plan for the mixed-use attraction featuring two 600-foot towers and a 439-foot amusement ride at Las Vegas and Elvis Presley boulevards.

The towers would include a 750-room nongaming hotel and a 425-unit multifamily condominium. A 3,310-seat domed performance venue also is tabbed for the easternmost five acres, which Fontainebleau is buying for $112.5 million.

The north Strip is home to the city’s newest convention venue, the Las Vegas Convention Center’s West Hall. And, a few blocks south is Sphere, the 17,000-seat entertainment venue that has activated a new push to become one of the most active arenas around with multiple shows daily and a lineup of concert residencies that currently includes the Eagles, Dead & Company and the newest addition, country star Kenny Chesney, whose shows begin in May.

While the future appears bright for the neighborhood, not all of the existing resorts are flourishing.

Sphere Entertainment, which operates the Sphere, lost $480 million last year. The company’s next earnings call is weeks away.

Resorts World Las Vegas, which opened in 2021 and is mired in regulatory issues, recently reported its worst quarter in two years with revenues down 23 percent.

The Fontainebleau, partly owned by Koch Real Estate Investments, is reportedly struggling to find its financial footing, the Forbes article stated.

Bright days for Circus

Ruffin sees brighter days ahead and says Circus Circus is performing well.

“We do well,” Ruffin told Forbes. “We sell $2 beer, $2 hot dogs, $2 popcorn. People love it. A guy can eat and drink for six bucks.”

While the property routinely attracts customers on a low budget, it has a steady customer base with its live circus acts – a staple for the property since it opened – its indoor amusement park, Adventuredome, and its next-door neighbor, Slots O Fun.

According to the Forbes article, when Ruffin sells Circus Circus, he plans to buy another property on the Strip with the proceeds, thus avoiding paying capital gains. His preference is to buy something in Las Vegas, where Brendan Bussmann, a gaming industry analyst with Las Vegas-based B Global, said “everything is always on the table” at the right price.

But if Las Vegas does not work out for Ruffin’s next move, he is willing to look for opportunities in other states.

“I have my eyes on some properties,” Ruffin said. “It could be in another town, if it’s good enough.”

Ruffin already owns a greyhound racing track in his former hometown, Wichita, Kansas, converting it to a racino to be called The Golden Circle with a $200 million investment. He plans to add an outdoor concert venue and install a Gilley’s Saloon similar to what he has at Treasure Island by fall.

He also owns Casino Miami in Florida, managing it from his Las Vegas office.

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© 2025 Las Vegas Review-Journal

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The police chief in Northfield, Vermont said Monday the death of Daniel Bermudez, of Norwalk, at a local military college was not due to foul play as family and friends continue to mourn his loss.

Bermudez collapsed during a training exercise Jan. 15 at Norwich University, a military school that also serves civilian students. He received medical care at the scene and on the way to the hospital, Chief Pierre Gomez said, but he couldn’t be revived.

Gomez said his department conducted an investigation and determined that Bermudez’s death had no criminal aspect. The death, he said, was an “unfortunate” incident.

Gomez declined to give Bermudez’s age but said the Norwalk man was a freshman at the university. He also declined to release Bermudez’s cause of death, referring all questions to the Vermont Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which could not be reached for comment Monday.

Bermudez was a second-semester freshman who was part of the Corps of Cadets receiving military training as part of their schooling, a spokesman for the university said.

“Other students praised him for the type of individual he was,” the spokesman said. “They said he was driven.”

The school held a vigil that was attended by more than 600 students who were part of the Corps of Cadets as well as civilian students, the spokesman said.

A celebration of his life will be held after his family holds his funeral, the spokesman for the school said.

There was a moment of silence for Bermudez at all five of the school’s athletic events with members of Bravo company, which he was a part of, in attendance at each event, the spokesman said.

Bermudez, who was set to graduate in 2028, died on Jan. 15, Lt. Gen. John Broadmeadow, the president of the university, said in a statement posted on social media.

Bermudez is from Norwalk and attended public schools in the city, including Nathan Hale Middle School and Norwalk High School.

A visitation will be held for Bermudez Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Raymond Funeral Home in Norwalk. His funeral service will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church in Norwalk, followed by a graveside service at St. John’s Cemetery, also in Norwalk.

His name is listed as Daniel Andres Rojas Davila on the funeral home’s website.

Friends started a GoFundMe account for Bermudez’s family saying he was “loved deeply” by his family and the other students and the community at Norwich University.

The proceeds of the fundraiser will be directly donated to his family to help with any costs incurred in making arrangements for services, the GoFundMe said.

As of Monday the fundraising effort surpassed $15,000.

“The loss has deeply affected our entire campus community, and we are united in our grief. Our thoughts and condolences are with Daniel’s family, friends, and all those who were close to him,” Broadmeadow said in the post.

“In response to this tragedy, we are dedicating all available resources through our Counseling and Wellness Center to support our students, faculty, and staff during this difficult time,” he said in the post. “The bonds that unite us at Norwich are strong, and we will continue to provide care and comfort to one another in the coming days and weeks.”

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© 2025 The Hour

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

A restaurant chain was ordered by a jury on Friday to pay $2.8 million to a Texas woman after the woman sued the restaurant chain for serving her “dangerously hot” barbecue sauce that burned her when she dropped it on her leg.

According to Fox 26, 19-year-old Genesis Monita sued Bill Miller Bar-B-Q Enterprises in October of 2023 over allegations that she had received a second-degree burn due to barbecue sauce that had been served at one of the chain’s restaurants in Texas.

Court documents obtained by Fox 26 show that the barbecue sauce burning incident occurred in May of 2023 when Monita ordered breakfast tacos and barbecue sauce from Bill Miller Bar-B-Q.

The lawsuit stated, “When Monita took the container of bar-b-que sauce it was so hot that it caused her to drop the container and spill the sauce on her right thigh causing a second-degree burn.”

READ MORE: Video: Major restaurant chain replacing humans with robots

Fox 26 reported that the lawsuit claimed that while Bill Miller Bar-B-Q’s official restaurant policy claims that the barbecue sauce is served at a minimum of 165 degrees, the sauce served to Monita was allegedly 189 degrees.

As a result of the lawsuit, Monita was awarded a total of $2.8 million by the Texas jury, according to Fox 26. The jury determined that the restaurant chain was “grossly negligent” and is required to pay Monita $1.9 million in punitive damages. Meanwhile, Monita was awarded $900,000 for past and future physical and mental pain caused by the incident and $25,000 for medical expenses.

Fox 26 reported that while Bill Miller Bar-B-Q could appeal the jury’s decision, the restaurant chain had not filed an appeal as of Sunday.

Following Friday’s verdict by the Texas jury, Monita’s lawyer, Lawrence Morales, told KSAT, “Bill Miller’s policy says they serve the barbecue sauce at 165 degrees. It was served at 189 degrees on the date Monita was burned. The state says it’s safe to serve at 135 degrees.”

“We feel very pleased by the results of this case,” Morales added. “Genesis just wanted justice.”

Firefighters are taking advantage of a lull in the wind to make steady progress against the massive fires that have ravaged Los Angeles since Jan. 7.

Officials are also easing evacuation orders and lifting curfews across the region as residents of burned neighborhoods return to face the damage.

As of Saturday morning, the Palisades fire, which has burned nearly 24,000 acres and killed at least 10 people, was listed as 43% contained, according to the Cal Fire website. That’s up from 31% on Friday morning.

The Eaton fire, which tore through Altadena burning 14,000 acres and killing at least 17 people, was listed at 73% contained, up from 65% on Friday morning.

There are still 27 people reported missing: 20 from the Eaton fire and seven from the Palisades, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and calm winds through Monday morning should give firefighters a needed respite for the rest of the weekend, giving them a chance to put out existing fires without too much fear about new ones, said Joe Sirard, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Oxnard.

“It’s actually very favorable for fighting any ongoing fires,” Sirard said. “It will be minimal fire behavior with these kinds of winds and humidities.”

As the mop-up work continues, officials are allowing for the slow “repopulation” of certain neighborhoods in the Palisades.

Only residents are allowed in and people will need an ID with their name, photo and address — like a driver’s license — to get past the checkpoints manned by the Los Angeles Police Department and the National Guard.

On Friday, security was still tight inside the Palisades fire zone, with police and troops at most major intersections and others patrolling on horseback and dirt bikes to keep an eye out for looters.

Just after noon on Saturday, Santa Monica officials announced that all evacuated residents could return home and that all street closures north of San Vicente Boulevard had been lifted.

A curfew that had been in place for the area between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. has also been removed.

The stretch of Pacific Coast Highway that runs through the city of Santa Monica is also accessible to local residents, businesses and patrons. Access to PCH and the city of Los Angeles, north of the Santa Monica city limits, is being managed by the Los Angeles Police Department.

President-elect Donald Trump, who is scheduled to be sworn into office on Monday, has announced that his first official trip will be to Southern California to tour the devastated areas.

Trump has spent much of the last 10 days hurling abuse at California’s leaders for what he sees as their mismanagement of the crisis, which began when hurricane force winds drove flames through multiple locations in greater Los Angeles.

“One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground,” Trump posted to Truth Social on Jan. 8. “It’s ashes, and Gavin Newscum should resign. This is all his fault!!!”

Trump is expected to arrive late next week, according to a story published by The Hill.

For his part, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Saturday that five major lenders would offer a 90-day grace period on mortgage payments for victims of the fires.

Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo have all agreed to offer “forbearance” to their mortgage customers in the burn zones and the missed payments will not generate fees or reports to credit agencies, according to a statement from the governor’s office.

“After so much trauma, we hope this deal will provide thousands of survivors a measure of relief,” Newsom said. “These financial protections will enable residents to concentrate on taking care of their immediate needs rather than worrying about paying their mortgage bills.”

With so many displaced people scrambling to find somewhere to live, the state attorney general’s office issued another warning to landlords on Saturday against price gouging. After a state of emergency has been declared, it is illegal to raise rents by more than 10% over the price advertised before the disaster.

“Reports of rental bidding wars are deeply concerning, especially because some landlords seem to be encouraging them,” Attorney General Rob Bonta said. “Our Legislature has enacted robust protections for renters during times of crisis, and I’m committed to ensuring that those protections are followed and respected.”

Following a brief reprieve from dangerous winds this weekend, another round of fire weather could arrive on Monday and last for much of next week, with the peak threat arriving on Tuesday, forecasters said. Red flag fire weather warnings are looking likely for portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

“The bottom line is: we’re in uncharted territories this deep into the winter, or rainy season,” in having barely any rain, said Alex Tardy, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in San Diego.

In other unsettling fire news, the huge costs of the historic Los Angeles fires could force a bailout of the state’s insurer of last resort, which has just $377 million in reserves.

To remain solvent, California’s Fair Plan may turn to its member insurers for financial help and prompt them to levy surcharges on policyholders.

If you’ve been displaced by the fires and you’re struggling to sort through the logistics of getting help, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has set up two centers offering in-person assistance.

One is at the UCLA Research Park, 10850 W. Pico Blvd., and the other at the Pasadena City College Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd. Both centers are open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You can also go online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

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© 2025 Los Angeles Times

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Just hours into his second term, President Donald Trump issued a full pardon for Ross Ulbricht, the creator of Silk Road, a “dark web” marketplace that allowed users to buy and sell products and services anonymously.

“I just called the mother of Ross William Ulbricht to let her know that in honor of her and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly, it was my pleasure to have just signed a full and unconditional pardon of her son, Ross,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “The scum that worked to convict him were some of the same lunatics who were involved in the modern day weaponization of government against me. He was given two life sentences, plus 40 years. Ridiculous!”

Trump promised to pardon Ulbricht during his historic campaign last year.

This is breaking news that will be updated as more information becomes available.

Thousands of flights at three Texas airports were canceled on Tuesday amid a major storm that caused “extremely hazardous” travel conditions in the Houston region.

An alert issued late Monday night by the Houston Airport System said, “To prioritize the safety of our passengers and staff, and due to extremely hazardous road conditions throughout Houston, flight operations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport (EFD) are temporarily suspended during the winter storm, effective 12:00 AM on Tuesday, January 21.”

The Houston Airport System’s alert noted that airline travelers with scheduled flights would be required to contact their airline to rebook flights and that travelers “must refrain from driving to the airports.

“While there are no departing or arriving flights, our dedicated teams remain on-site 24/7, working diligently to prepare for a swift and safe return to normal operation,” the Houston Airport System said. “Houston Airports is deploying snowplows and heavy machinery to clear the airfield and prepare for a safe return to operations as soon as weather conditions allow.”

READ MORE: Marine vet kicked off flight for ‘threatening’ shirt: Report

The Houston Airport System added that it was “closing monitoring weather conditions” to decide when it would be safe to reopen the Houston airfield and resume flight operations in the region.

Both the George Bush Intercontinental Airport and the William P. Hobby Airport posted their own alerts on X, formerly Twitter, urging travelers not to “attempt to travel to the airport after this time.”

According to FlightAware.com, 93% of the flights at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport were canceled as of early Monday morning, while roughly 94% of the flights at the William P. Hobby Airport were canceled.

Fox Business reported that the airport warnings were issued after a winter storm produced heavy snow in the Houston region and in other areas along Interstate 10. The outlet noted that the National Weather Service also warned that wind gusts of roughly 35 mph could create “hazardous conditions to anyone exposed outdoors for extended periods of time.”

On Monday night, the National Weather Service’s office in Fort Worth, Texas, warned, “Bitterly cold conditions will return tonight as wind chills dip into the single digits to lower teens. The Cold Weather Advisory will continue through Tuesday morning.

A U.S. Border Patrol agent was reportedly shot and killed by an illegal immigrant during a traffic stop in Vermont on Monday shortly after President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, NewsNation reporter Ali Bradley said sources indicated a Border Patrol agent was fatally shot on Monday by an illegal immigrant during a traffic stop.

“A Border Patrol agent in Vermont is dead after being shot in the neck by an illegal immigrant who sources say was a ‘visa overstay,’” Bradley tweeted. “Sources say the agent was conducting a traffic stop when he was shot.”

Bradley reported that the shooter was also found dead after the shooting and that an unidentified woman was “injured in the altercation.” The NewsNation reporter added that the woman’s condition was not known as of Monday.

In an update shared Tuesday on social media, Bradley said sources identified the deceased Border Patrol agent as 44-year-old David Maland.

READ MORE: Videos/Pic: Trump ends Biden admin’s migration app

According to Fox News, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed on Monday that a border Patrol agent had been shot and killed at 3:15 p.m. during a traffic stop in Coventry, Vermont, which is located near the border between the United States and Canada.

Following Monday’s fatal shooting incident, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman issued a statement, saying, “Today, January 20, a Border Patrol agent assigned to the US Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector was fatally shot in the line of duty. Every single day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harm’s way so that Americans and our homeland are safe and secure.”

Huffman added, “My prayers and deepest condolences are with our Department, the Agent’s family, loved ones, and colleagues.”

The acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security noted that Monday’s incident was being “swiftly investigated” and that the department would provide additional information regarding the fatal shooting when more information is available.

According to Fox News, a spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albany office confirmed that both the Border Patrol agent and another individual were killed in Monday’s incident, while a third individual was injured and was being held in custody by law enforcement officials.

“FBI personnel will be working with our partners from U.S. Border Patrol and Vermont State Police to gather evidence and process the scene,” the FBI spokesperson said. “While there is no threat to the public, Interstate 91 will remain closed due to investigative activity.”

President Donald Trump said he will reinstate all military members who were dismissed for refusing to comply with orders to receive the COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic.

“This week, I will reinstate any service members who were unjustly expelled from our military for objecting to the COVID vaccine mandate with full back pay,” the newly inaugurated 47th President Trump said inside the Capitol Rotunda during the swearing-in ceremony Monday.

Around 8,400 troops were expelled from the military after refusing orders and declining the vaccine, according to military data, with Marines making up around 3,700 of the dismissals. Thousands of others got medical and religious exemptions from the vaccine mandate.

Trump’s comments echo those made by his Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth during his confirmation hearings last week, who said the members would be “apologized to” and “reinstituted with pay and rank.”

“And I will sign in order to stop our warriors from being subjected to radical political theories and social experiments while on duty,” Trump said Monday. “It’s going to end immediately. Our armed forces will be free to focus on their sole mission, defeating America’s enemies.”

The COVID-19 vaccine mandate for U.S. military members lasted from August 2021 to January 2023, when it was overturned by legislation. Despite the new law, dismissed military members were not reinstated, leading to some pushback from conservative lawmakers.

The administration did not immediately provide details of the reinstatement and information on how much back pay may cost.

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© 2025 MediaNews Group, Inc

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