Key takeaways: The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is mourning the sudden death of Michael Arthur “Micky” Geller, an 18-year-old freshman and member of the…
News Mash
Legendary British band The Smiths have suffered a devastating blow with the news of the passing of bass guitarist Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness. Johnny Marr, Rourke's former bandmate, paid tribute to him, noting his contribution to the band's independent music scene. Rourke's death has been met with an outpouring of grief from fans and fellow musicians, who remember him for his immense talent and contribution to The Smiths.
A high-ranking lieutenant in the Washington, D.C., police department was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly obstructing justice and making false statements. The indictment alleges that Lieutenant Shane Lamond tipped off former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio about a pending warrant for his arrest just ahead of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. If convicted, Lamond faces up to 20 years in prison for the obstruction of justice charge and up to five years for each of the false statement charges. Federal prosecutors have charged more than 400 people in connection with the Capitol attack, and the investigation is ongoing.
A tragic crash occurred on Interstate 5 in western Oregon on Thursday afternoon, involving two semi trucks and a passenger vehicle. Seven adults were found dead and multiple others injured at the scene, and the cause of the crash is currently unknown. The northbound lanes of Interstate 5 were closed for several hours, causing traffic disruptions and delays.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) is expected to announce his campaign for the White House next week. During a call hosted by the super PAC Never Back Down, DeSantis said that he and President Joe Biden are the only two people with a chance of being elected President in 2024. He has been actively campaigning in key states such as Iowa and New Hampshire and has been vocal about his support for President Trump's policies.
Three men were executed in Iran on Friday for their involvement in the killing of three security force members during anti-government protests last year. Rights groups have condemned the executions, claiming that the men were subjected to torture and denied due process. The Iranian government has been accused of using the charge of “moharebeh” or “waging war against God” to suppress dissent and punish protesters, prompting the international community to urge Iran to respect the rights of its citizens.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) has issued a travel advisory warning immigrants and their families to avoid traveling to Florida due to the potential threat posed by the state's immigration crackdown. LULAC has vowed legal action against the state in response, and the warning comes after a Salvadoran worker shared her story of considering leaving the state. The travel advisory serves as a reminder to immigrants and their families to be aware of the potential risks of traveling to Florida.
Leaders of the G-7 nations met on Friday to discuss new sanctions on Russia for its 15-month invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to make the case that his nation's survival depends on the support of the U.S. and its allies at the summit on Sunday. The G-7 has already agreed on new steps to make the war more costly for Russia, and the sanctions are expected to be announced at the summit.