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Inquiry into New Zealand's worst mass shooting will examine response times of police and medics
Read full article: Inquiry into New Zealand's worst mass shooting will examine response times of police and medicsAn inquiry into New Zealand’s worst mass shooting will examine — among other issues — the response times of police and medics and whether any of the 51 people who were killed could have been saved.
Buffalo shooter let some people see plans just before attack
Read full article: Buffalo shooter let some people see plans just before attackShortly before police say he opened fire, the white gunman accused of killing 10 Black people at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket allowed a small group of people to see his long-simmering plans for the attack, which he had been chronicling for months in a private, online diary.
In Buffalo, Biden to confront the racism he's vowed to fight
Read full article: In Buffalo, Biden to confront the racism he's vowed to fightPresident Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden have traveled to Buffalo, New York, to show solidarity with the community after a white supremacist targeted Black people at a supermarket and left 10 people dead.
Shot 9 times at New Zealand mosque, survivor walks for peace
Read full article: Shot 9 times at New Zealand mosque, survivor walks for peaceThe lingering injuries from being shot nine times did not stop Temel Atacocugu from completing a two-week walk and bike ride for peace on the third anniversary of a gunman’s slaughter of 51 Muslim worshippers.
Two awarded top bravery honor in New Zealand mosque attack
Read full article: Two awarded top bravery honor in New Zealand mosque attackTwo Muslim worshippers who at different times charged toward a gunman to try and stop his massacre have each been awarded New Zealand’s highest honor for civilian bravery.
Down Under leaders minimize China spilt, urge virus probe
Read full article: Down Under leaders minimize China spilt, urge virus probeThe leaders of New Zealand and Australia minimized their differences over China and urged more investigation into the origins of the coronavirus after their first face-to-face meeting in more than a year.
New Zealand marks 2 years since Christchurch mosque killings
Read full article: New Zealand marks 2 years since Christchurch mosque killingsTemel Atacocugu, right, who survived being shot nine times during the attack on the Al Noor mosque, cries as he speaks at a National Remembrance Service, Saturday, March 13, 2021, in Christchurch, New Zealand. The service marks the second anniversary of a shooting massacre in which 51 worshippers were killed at two Christchurch mosques by a white supremacist. (Kai Schwoerer/Pool via AP)WELLINGTON – New Zealand on Saturday marked the second anniversary of one of its most traumatic days, when 51 worshippers were killed at two Christchurch mosques by a white supremacist gunman. Several hundred people gathered at the Christchurch Arena for the remembrance service, which was also livestreamed. After the attacks, New Zealand quickly passed new laws banning the deadliest types of semiautomatic weapons.
Report finds lapses ahead of New Zealand mosque attack
Read full article: Report finds lapses ahead of New Zealand mosque attackAmong 44 recommendations, the report released Tuesday says the government should establish a new national intelligence agency. It says that New Zealand’s intelligence agencies were far too focused on the threat posed by Islamic extremism at the expense of other threats including white supremacism. New Zealand currently has one intelligence agency that focuses on domestic threats and one that focuses on international threats. Tarrant told investigators that although he frequented extreme right-wing discussion boards on websites like 4chan and 8chan, he found YouTube a far more significant source of information and inspiration. Despite the shortcomings of various agencies, the report concludes, there was no plausible way Tarrant's plans could have been detected "except by chance.”
New Zealand mosque shooter sentenced to life without parole
Read full article: New Zealand mosque shooter sentenced to life without paroleMosque shooting survivors from left, Mustafa Boztas, Wassail Daragmih and Temel Atacocugu celebrate as they leave the Christchurch High Court after the sentencing hearing for Australian Brenton Harrison Tarrant, in Christchurch, New Zealand, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020. Tarrant, a white supremacist who killed 51 worshippers at two New Zealand mosques in March 2019 was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
New Zealand mosque shooter sentenced to life without parole
Read full article: New Zealand mosque shooter sentenced to life without paroleTarrant, a white supremacist who killed 51 worshippers at two New Zealand mosques in March 2019 was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. During the four-day sentencing hearing, 90 survivors and family members recounted the horror of that day and the trauma they continue to feel. One of those who spoke was Temel Atacocugu, who survived being shot nine times during the attack at the Al Noor mosque. A standby lawyer appointed by the court told the judge that Tarrant did not oppose the maximum sentence. The sentencing hearing gave survivors and family members a chance to confront the gunman.
Poetic words bring tears in New Zealand mosque shooting case
Read full article: Poetic words bring tears in New Zealand mosque shooting caseAustralian Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 29, sits in the dock on day three at the Christchurch High Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism in Christchurch, New Zealand, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020. More than 60 survivors and family members will confront the New Zealand mosque gunman this week when he appears in court to be sentenced for his crimes in the worst atrocity in the nation's modern history. (John Kirk-Anderson/Pool Photo via AP)
New Zealand mosque shooter won't speak at court sentencing
Read full article: New Zealand mosque shooter won't speak at court sentencingMore than 60 survivors and family members will confront the New Zealand mosque gunman this week when he appears in court to be sentenced for his crimes in the worst atrocity in the nation's modern history. Gunman Brenton Harrison Tarrant had earlier pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder and terrorism for the March 2019 attacks. After earlier firing his lawyers and deciding to defend himself, he could have spoken on the final day of his sentencing hearing, scheduled for Thursday. A statement from the father of the youngest victim, 3-year-old Mucaad Ibrahim, was also read to the court. The boy's father said his son loved playing in the mosque and made friends with all the worshippers, young and old.
New Zealand mass shooting survivors describe ongoing pain
Read full article: New Zealand mass shooting survivors describe ongoing painMirwais Waziri gestures during the sentencing hearing for Australian Brenton Harrison Tarrant at the Christchurch High Court after Tarrant pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism in Christchurch, New Zealand, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. More than 60 survivors and family members will confront the New Zealand mosque gunman this week when he appears in court to be sentenced for his crimes in the worst atrocity in the nation's modern history. (John Kirk-Anderson/Pool Photo via AP)
New Zealand survivor to mosque gunman: 'You are the loser'
Read full article: New Zealand survivor to mosque gunman: 'You are the loser'More than 60 survivors and family members will confront the New Zealand mosque gunman this week when he appears in court to be sentenced for his crimes in the worst atrocity in the nation's modern history. Waziri said Tarrant had not shown any remorse during the hearing and so instead of giving a victim's impact statement he wanted to deliver the gunman a message. The 29-year-old Australian gunman in March pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, and terrorism, reversing an earlier not guilty plea. He could become the first person in New Zealand to be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, the toughest sentence available. The attacks targeting people praying at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques shocked New Zealand and prompted new laws banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons.
Court told New Zealand shooter planned to burn down mosques
Read full article: Court told New Zealand shooter planned to burn down mosquesTwenty-nine-year-old Australian Brenton Harrison Tarrant stands in the dock at the Christchurch High Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism in Christchurch, New Zealand, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. More than 60 survivors and family members will confront the New Zealand mosque gunman this week when he appears in court to be sentenced for his crimes in the worst atrocity in the nation's modern history. (John Kirk-Anderson/Pool Photo via AP)
Families confront New Zealand mosque shooter at sentencing
Read full article: Families confront New Zealand mosque shooter at sentencingMore than 60 survivors and family members will confront the New Zealand mosque gunman this week when he appears in court to be sentenced for his crimes in the worst atrocity in the nation's modern history. (John Kirk-Anderson/Pool Photo via AP)WELLINGTON – Families and survivors had their first chance to confront the white supremacist who slaughtered 51 worshippers in a mass shooting at two New Zealand mosques as his four-day sentencing hearing began Monday. Hawes also detailed the bravery of Naeem Rashid, who was killed at the Al Noor mosque. Prosecutors said that after Tarrant left the Linwood mosque he planned to drive to the town of Ashburton and attack a third mosque. Gamal Fouda, the imam of the Al Noor mosque who survived the shooting, told the court that the gunman's actions were misguided.
Survivors will face New Zealand mosque gunman at sentencing
Read full article: Survivors will face New Zealand mosque gunman at sentencingFILE - In this July 30, 2019, file photo, Aya Al-Umari, whose brother Hussein was killed in the Christchurch mosque attacks, poses, holding a photo of herself and her brother, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Al-Umari is one of more than 60 survivors and family members who this week in court will confront the white supremacist who committed the worst atrocity in New Zealands modern history, when he slaughtered 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques in March 2019. The four-day sentencing starts on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Nick Perry, File)
Survivors will face New Zealand mosque gunman at sentencing
Read full article: Survivors will face New Zealand mosque gunman at sentencingFILE - In this July 30, 2019, file photo, Aya Al-Umari, whose brother Hussein was killed in the Christchurch mosque attacks, poses, holding a photo of herself and her brother, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Tarrant could become the first person in New Zealand to be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Some victims have traveled from abroad to attend the court hearing and have completed a mandatory 14-day quarantine imposed because of the coronavirus. Tarrant moved to New Zealand in 2017 and kept a low profile in the university city of Dunedin. After his attack at the second mosque, Tarrant was driving, possibly to carry out a shooting at a third mosque, when two police officers rammed his car off the road, dragged him out and arrested him.
New Zealand mosque gunman to represent himself at sentencing
Read full article: New Zealand mosque gunman to represent himself at sentencingFILE - In this March 26, 2020, file image made from video, Brenton Harrison Tarrant appears in a screen via video link in Christchurch, New Zealand. The man who has admitting killing 51 worshippers in a mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch on March 15, 2019 has dismissed his legal team and will represent himself at a sentencing hearing next month. Tarrants sentencing hearing, delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, will begin in Christchurch on Aug. (TVNZ Pool via AP, File)
New Zealand mosque gunman to represent himself at sentencing
Read full article: New Zealand mosque gunman to represent himself at sentencingWELLINGTON The Australian white supremacist who admitting killing 51 worshippers in a mass shooting at two New Zealand mosques has dismissed his lawyers and will represent himself when he is sentenced next month. His sentencing hearing, delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, is scheduled to begin in Christchurch on Aug. 24 and could last more than three days. The date was confirmed at a High Court session in Christchurch on Monday that was attended by some shooting survivors. They told the court they had been instructed by Tarrant to withdraw as he wishes to exercise his right to represent himself. The attacks targeting people praying at the mosques shocked New Zealand, where new laws were quickly approved banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons.
Hate sign or silly game? Military academies probe hand signs
Read full article: Hate sign or silly game? Military academies probe hand signsAn innocent made-you-look “circle game?” Or a sinister white supremacy signal? Others called it the “gotcha” or “circle game” popular with children, where someone flashes an upside-down OK sign below his waist and punches in the shoulder anyone who looks at it. Mini-scandals involving the hand gesture have become regular media fodder. In 2018, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended an officer who appeared to be making the hand sign during a Hurricane Florence television broadcast. “Honestly, it looks to me like they’re playing the game we used to call the circle game,” Sink said Monday.
Naval Academy probes possible 'white power' gesture at game
Read full article: Naval Academy probes possible 'white power' gesture at gameArmy cadets salute ahead of an NCAA college football game against Navy, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000.
Military academies probe possible 'white power' sign at game
Read full article: Military academies probe possible 'white power' sign at gameThe U.S. Military Academy and Naval Academy have appointed officers to conduct separate internal investigations into possible “white power” hand gestures flashed by a few students during a broadcast at the Army-Navy football game, academy public affairs officers said Sunday. “It would be inappropriate to speculate any further while we are conducting this investigation.”Lt. Col. Chris Ophardt, a spokesman for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York, said officials there were also looking into the matter. “The United States Military Academy is fully committed to developing leaders of character who embody the army values,” said Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams, West Point’s superintendent. U.S. Coast Guard leaders reprimanded an officer who used a similar hand sign during a television broadcast last year. In September, West Point removed a motto from a spirit flag used by the school's football team because of its connection to white supremacist groups.