A Louisiana grand jury has charged 91-year-old priest Lawrence Hecker with sexually assaulting a teenage boy in 1975, a significant step forward in the effort to hold church leaders accountable for their failure to protect children from sexual abuse. Hecker has been at the center of investigations into clergy sex abuse and the scandal of why church leaders failed to report his admissions to law enforcement. The case is expected to be closely watched by victims of abuse and their advocates, as it could provide insight into the church’s handling of the abuse crisis and the extent of its knowledge of the abuse.
News Mash
Germany defeated the United States in the World Cup semifinals on Friday night, with Andreas Obst and Franz Wagner leading the way. The U.S. was unable to mount a comeback and Germany secured their first ever win over the Americans, marking the second consecutive time in FIBA's biggest tournament that the U.S. will not be receiving a medal. The U.S. will now face Spain in the third-place game on Sunday, while Germany will take on Argentina in the championship game.
Vice President Kamala Harris has warned against a partnership between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim John Un at the upcoming G20 summit in New Delhi. Harris's warning is a reminder of the potential consequences of such an alliance, which could upend old alliances and agreements. The summit will be an important opportunity for the world's wealthiest nations to come together and discuss ways to address global issues.
Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC's "The Tonight Show," has been accused of fostering a toxic work culture by two current and 14 former employees, with reports of erratic behavior and berating of crew members. In response, Fallon apologized to staff in a Zoom meeting, expressing regret for not being a better leader. The incident has raised questions about the future of "The Tonight Show" and the standards workplaces must meet for creating a safe and respectful environment.
Spanish state prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against Luis Rubiales, the suspended president of the Spanish soccer federation, for sexual assault and coercion. The charges stem from an incident after the Women's World Cup final in Sydney, Australia, when Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso without her consent. If found guilty, Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years. Rubiales has refused to resign and is contesting the charges, sparking a debate in Spain about the need for greater respect for women in sports.
North Korea has announced the launch of a new nuclear attack submarine, the “Hero Kim Kun Ok”, which is designed to launch tactical nuclear weapons from underwater. Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction with the vessel, which is believed to be the first of its kind in North Korea’s arsenal, but South Korean officials are skeptical of its capabilities. The launch is the latest in a series of military developments by North Korea, which has been expanding its nuclear capabilities in recent years, prompting concern from the United States and its allies.
Joseph Ruddy, a federal narcotics prosecutor from Tampa, Florida, was recently arrested and charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage. Body-worn camera footage showed Ruddy attempting to leverage his position to blunt the fallout from the crash, and he was waiting with his U.S. Justice Department business card in hand. The incident has caused a stir in the Tampa community and the consequences for Ruddy are still unclear.
On Friday, Great Britain commemorated the one-year anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who had reigned for 70 years. King Charles III released an emotional statement paying tribute to his mother and thanked the public for their “love and support”. Despite declining public support for the monarchy, Charles has done his best to fill his mother’s shoes.