KANSAS CITY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of house fire that sent one firefighter to the hospital.

Just after 6a.m. Saturday, crews responded to a&nbsp;reported house fire in the 5400 block of Wabash, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. Crews reported fire from the rear of the structure on arrival. 

The home owner was reportedly away at the time. Fire impeded  on the weather head to the structure causing the transformer to blow and loss of power to several homes on the block. 

One firefighter was transported a local hospital for evaluation for injuries sustained during a search of the home, according to Hopkins. There were no other injuries.

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of house fire that sent one firefighter to the hospital.Just after 6a.m. Saturday, crews responded to a&nbsp;reported house fire in the 5400 block of Wabash, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. Crews reported fire from the rear of the structure on arrival. The home owner was reportedly away at the time. Fire impeded on the weather head to the structure causing the transformer to blow and loss of power to several homes on the block. One firefighter was transported a local hospital for evaluation for injuries sustained during a search of the home, according to Hopkins. There were no other injuries.

KC firefighter injured during search for victims in house fire

JERUSALEM (AP) — The crew aboard a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker hit by a missile launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels extinguished an hourslong fire onboard the stricken vessel Saturday sparked by the strike, authorities said.

The attack on the Marlin Luanda further complicated the Red Sea crisis caused by the Iranian-backed rebels' attacks over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip</a>. The tanker carried Russian-produced naphtha, a flammable oil, drawing Moscow further into a conflict that so far it had blamed on the U.S.

Early Saturday, U.S. forces conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile that was aimed at the Red Sea and prepared to launch, the U.S. military’s Central Command said. That attack came after the USS Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-gulf-aden-shipping-british-military-7fafd1cfb3e04209b97a0d0f2abd5c26">had to shoot down a Houthi missile targeting it</a>.

The Marlin Luanda burned for hours in the Gulf of Aden until being extinguished Saturday, said Trafigura, a Singapore-based trading firm. Its crew of 25 Indian nationals and two Sri Lankans were still trying to battle the blaze sparked by the missile strike, it said. No one was injured by the blast, it added.

“We are pleased to confirm that all crew on board the Marlin Luanda are safe and the fire in the cargo tank has been fully extinguished,” Trafigura said. “The vessel is now sailing towards a safe harbor.”

The Indian navy said its guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam was assisting the Marlin Luanda's crew in fighting the fire. It posted images showing the blaze still raging Saturday, likely fueled by the naphtha on board.

The ship, managed by a British firm, is carrying the Russian naphtha bound for Singapore, the company said. It described the flammable oil as being purchased below the price caps set by G7 sanctions placed on Russia over its ongoing war on Ukraine. It wasn't clear what environmental impact the attack had caused.

Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed the attack on the Marlin Luanda in a prerecorded statement late Friday, describing it as a “British oil ship.” He insisted such attacks would continue.

Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea over Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade between Asia, the Mideast and Europe.

Since the airstrike campaign began, the rebels now say they’ll target American and British ships as well. On Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-ship-attacks-israel-hamas-war-gaza-ef0b83ef2a7ca8c727288b50037287e5">two American-flagged ships carrying cargo for the U.S. Defense and State departments came under attack by the Houthis</a>, forcing an escorting U.S. Navy warship to shoot some of the projectiles down.

China, which relies on the seaborne trade through the area, has called for calm. The U.S. had sought to get China to apply pressure on Iran, as Beijing remains a major buyer of Western-sanctioned Iranian oil.

But Russia so far has condemned the U.S. and the United Kingdom for carrying out its strikes targeting the Houthis, while also meeting with the rebel group in Moscow in recent days.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-navy-houthi-attacks-red-sea-shipping-iran-8e55669e4d18cbc7007654640fa5fdc1">The U.S. Navy’s top Mideast commander told the AP</a>&nbsp;on Monday that the Houthi attacks were the worst since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ceb6e7a86bf14a9a8d8ecf81c9dcc7ef">the so-called Tanker War of the 1980s</a>. It culminated in a one-day naval battle between Washington and Tehran and also saw the U.S. Navy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/de425ed9833b4bdaa03306f37182995f">accidentally shoot down an Iranian passenger jet</a>, killing 290 people in 1988.

Meanwhile Saturday, authorities reported a separate incident in which a vessel in the Arabian Sea reported seeing people armed with assault rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade off their vessel.

“The small craft approached within 300 meters (about 985 feet),” the British military's United Kingdom Trade Operations agency said. “The onboard security team fired warning shots and post an exchange of fire, the small craft then retreated.”

It said all those onboard were safe. The private security firm Ambrey described the incident as involving a “Somali-style” small boat aided by a larger mothership. As the Houthi attacks have escalated, there's been an increase in suspected Somali pirate activity as well.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701652753204.png" alt="U.S. Carney -photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Carney -photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM (AP) — The crew aboard a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker hit by a missile launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels extinguished an hourslong fire onboard the stricken vessel Saturday sparked by the strike, authorities said.The attack on the Marlin Luanda further complicated the Red Sea crisis caused by the Iranian-backed rebels' attacks over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip</a>. The tanker carried Russian-produced naphtha, a flammable oil, drawing Moscow further into a conflict that so far it had blamed on the U.S.Early Saturday, U.S. forces conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile that was aimed at the Red Sea and prepared to launch, the U.S. military’s Central Command said. That attack came after the USS Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-gulf-aden-shipping-british-military-7fafd1cfb3e04209b97a0d0f2abd5c26">had to shoot down a Houthi missile targeting it</a>.The Marlin Luanda burned for hours in the Gulf of Aden until being extinguished Saturday, said Trafigura, a Singapore-based trading firm. Its crew of 25 Indian nationals and two Sri Lankans were still trying to battle the blaze sparked by the missile strike, it said. No one was injured by the blast, it added.“We are pleased to confirm that all crew on board the Marlin Luanda are safe and the fire in the cargo tank has been fully extinguished,” Trafigura said. “The vessel is now sailing towards a safe harbor.”The Indian navy said its guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam was assisting the Marlin Luanda's crew in fighting the fire. It posted images showing the blaze still raging Saturday, likely fueled by the naphtha on board.The ship, managed by a British firm, is carrying the Russian naphtha bound for Singapore, the company said. It described the flammable oil as being purchased below the price caps set by G7 sanctions placed on Russia over its ongoing war on Ukraine. It wasn't clear what environmental impact the attack had caused.Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed the attack on the Marlin Luanda in a prerecorded statement late Friday, describing it as a “British oil ship.” He insisted such attacks would continue.Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea over Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade between Asia, the Mideast and Europe.Since the airstrike campaign began, the rebels now say they’ll target American and British ships as well. On Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-ship-attacks-israel-hamas-war-gaza-ef0b83ef2a7ca8c727288b50037287e5">two American-flagged ships carrying cargo for the U.S. Defense and State departments came under attack by the Houthis</a>, forcing an escorting U.S. Navy warship to shoot some of the projectiles down.China, which relies on the seaborne trade through the area, has called for calm. The U.S. had sought to get China to apply pressure on Iran, as Beijing remains a major buyer of Western-sanctioned Iranian oil.But Russia so far has condemned the U.S. and the United Kingdom for carrying out its strikes targeting the Houthis, while also meeting with the rebel group in Moscow in recent days.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-navy-houthi-attacks-red-sea-shipping-iran-8e55669e4d18cbc7007654640fa5fdc1">The U.S. Navy’s top Mideast commander told the AP</a>&nbsp;on Monday that the Houthi attacks were the worst since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ceb6e7a86bf14a9a8d8ecf81c9dcc7ef">the so-called Tanker War of the 1980s</a>. It culminated in a one-day naval battle between Washington and Tehran and also saw the U.S. Navy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/de425ed9833b4bdaa03306f37182995f">accidentally shoot down an Iranian passenger jet</a>, killing 290 people in 1988.Meanwhile Saturday, authorities reported a separate incident in which a vessel in the Arabian Sea reported seeing people armed with assault rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade off their vessel.“The small craft approached within 300 meters (about 985 feet),” the British military's United Kingdom Trade Operations agency said. “The onboard security team fired warning shots and post an exchange of fire, the small craft then retreated.”It said all those onboard were safe. The private security firm Ambrey described the incident as involving a “Somali-style” small boat aided by a larger mothership. As the Houthi attacks have escalated, there's been an increase in suspected Somali pirate activity as well.

Fire out on tanker hit by missile after US targets rebels in airstrike

SEDGWICK COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating a fatal deputy-involved shooting that occurred early Thursday have identified the man who died as 43-year-old Larry Armour of Wichita, according to the agency.

At around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night, officers from the Wichita Police Department (WPD) initiated a vehicle pursuit near East Bayley and Schweiter Drive after they located a suspect operating a vehicle that was reported stolen at knifepoint earlier in the night.

The vehicle’s driver was identified as Armour.&nbsp; The pursuit ended near East Harry St. and Green St., and Armour fled on foot.

Preliminary information indicates that then Armour entered a residence in the 2400 block of East Harry through the back entrance, while armed with a knife. A man who lived at the home who was unacquainted with Armour, was inside.

A tactical team, comprised of both officers from the WPD, deputies from the SCSO, and crisis negotiators, quickly responded to the residence. Just before 1 a.m., members of the tactical team arrived on scene. Negotiations with Armour were attempted. Just after 3 a.m., a deputy from SCSO observed Armour through a window, standing over the innocent resident threatening him with a large knife and shouting that he would kill him. The deputy fired one shot striking Armour, and ending the hostage incident.

Medical aid was administered to Armour, and EMS transported him to a Wichita hospital. Despite life-saving measures, he died from his injuries. As a precaution, the resident was transported to a local hospital for evaluation, but he was uninjured during the incident. No law enforcement officers were injured during the shooting.

Armour has a&nbsp; previous felony conviction for drugs and had been on parole since 2018, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. On January 12, Wichita police arrested him on a requested charge of aggravated robbery and flee or attempt to elude&nbsp; police, according to Sedgwick County Arrest records.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706233856189.png" alt="Armour booking photo from an arrest earlier this month in Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Armour booking photo from an arrest earlier this month in Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating a fatal deputy-involved shooting that occurred early Thursday have identified the man who died as 43-year-old Larry Armour of Wichita, according to the agency.At around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night, officers from the Wichita Police Department (WPD) initiated a vehicle pursuit near East Bayley and Schweiter Drive after they located a suspect operating a vehicle that was reported stolen at knifepoint earlier in the night.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706197350986.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>The vehicle’s driver was identified as Armour.&nbsp; The pursuit ended near East Harry St. and Green St., and Armour fled on foot.Preliminary information indicates that then Armour entered a residence in the 2400 block of East Harry through the back entrance, while armed with a knife. A man who lived at the home who was unacquainted with Armour, was inside.A tactical team, comprised of both officers from the WPD, deputies from the SCSO, and crisis negotiators, quickly responded to the residence. Just before 1 a.m., members of the tactical team arrived on scene. Negotiations with Armour were attempted. Just after 3 a.m., a deputy from SCSO observed Armour through a window, standing over the innocent resident threatening him with a large knife and shouting that he would kill him. The deputy fired one shot striking Armour, and ending the hostage incident.Medical aid was administered to Armour, and EMS transported him to a Wichita hospital. Despite life-saving measures, he died from his injuries. As a precaution, the resident was transported to a local hospital for evaluation, but he was uninjured during the incident. No law enforcement officers were injured during the shooting.Armour has a&nbsp; previous felony conviction for drugs and had been on parole since 2018, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. On January 12, Wichita police arrested him on a requested charge of aggravated robbery and flee or attempt to elude&nbsp; police, according to Sedgwick County Arrest records.&nbsp;

Man who died in Kan. deputy shooting had history of crime

CASS COUNTY —One person died from injuries in a rural Kansas City-area fire.

Just before 5a.m. Friday,&nbsp;first responders were called to the scene of a house fire near E. 296th Street and S. Hess Road in Cass County, according to the Sheriff's office.

Fire crews and sheriff's deputies located two victims. EMS transported a man and woman to the hospital and she was later pronounced deceased.

He was treated for smoke inhalation and is expected to recover. The Cass County Fire Investigation Team is working with the Missouri State Fire Marshal and other agencies to determine what caused the fire.&nbsp; The sheriff's office has not released the names of the victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706396249951.png" alt="Photo Cass Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Cass Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>CASS COUNTY —One person died from injuries in a rural Kansas City-area fire.Just before 5a.m. Friday,&nbsp;first responders were called to the scene of a house fire near E. 296th Street and S. Hess Road in Cass County, according to the Sheriff's office.Fire crews and sheriff's deputies located two victims. EMS transported a man and woman to the hospital and she was later pronounced deceased.He was treated for smoke inhalation and is expected to recover. The Cass County Fire Investigation Team is working with the Missouri State Fire Marshal and other agencies to determine what caused the fire.&nbsp; The sheriff's office has not released the names of the victims.

Woman dead from injuries in rural Kansas City-area fire

KANSAS CITY —On Tuesday, the State of Kansas gained 93 new American citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the Robert J. Dole Federal Courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas.

These 93 individuals represented 41 different countries. Germany, Mexico, Costa Rica, GambiaMyanmar (Burma), Ghana, India, Jamaica, China, Venzuela, Peru, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Togo, Kenya, Algeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,Vietnam, Guatemala, Syria, Algeria, Ecudor, Honduras, Zaire, El Salvador, South Africa, Bhutan, Sudan, England and Canada, according to the social media report from KCK Police.

"Join us in congratulating and welcoming them as residents of our great country."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706096167041.png" alt="Photos KCK Police" />
 <figcaption>Photos KCK Police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —On Tuesday, the State of Kansas gained 93 new American citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the Robert J. Dole Federal Courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706096187936.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>These 93 individuals represented 41 different countries. Germany, Mexico, Costa Rica, GambiaMyanmar (Burma), Ghana, India, Jamaica, China, Venzuela, Peru, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Togo, Kenya, Algeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,Vietnam, Guatemala, Syria, Algeria, Ecudor, Honduras, Zaire, El Salvador, South Africa, Bhutan, Sudan, England and Canada, according to the social media report from KCK Police."Join us in congratulating and welcoming them as residents of our great country."

93 from 41 countries become new American citizens in Kansas

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting at a home in Johnson County.

Just before 10a.m. Thursday, police responded to a disturbance at a home in the 13500 block of W. 90th Place in Lenexa, according to a media release

According to a 911 caller, a man was trying to kick in the front door of the residence. Before officers arrived, the 911 caller updated that another man shot the individual who was trying to kick in the door.

When officers arrived, they located three involved individuals, all adults, outside of the home. Officers performed first aid measures on the man who had been shot until paramedics arrived. That man was then taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The shooter and the woman 911 caller were transported to the Lenexa Police Station to interview with detectives. Those two individuals were later released.

A further investigation indicates that all involved parties are known to one another and live at this residence.

Upon the completion of the investigation, this case will be forwarded to the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office for review of possible charges.

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting at a home in Johnson County.Just before 10a.m. Thursday, police responded to a disturbance at a home in the 13500 block of W. 90th Place in Lenexa, according to a media releaseAccording to a 911 caller, a man was trying to kick in the front door of the residence. Before officers arrived, the 911 caller updated that another man shot the individual who was trying to kick in the door.When officers arrived, they located three involved individuals, all adults, outside of the home. Officers performed first aid measures on the man who had been shot until paramedics arrived. That man was then taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The shooter and the woman 911 caller were transported to the Lenexa Police Station to interview with detectives. Those two individuals were later released.A further investigation indicates that all involved parties are known to one another and live at this residence.Upon the completion of the investigation, this case will be forwarded to the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office for review of possible charges.

Police: Man shot while attempting to kick in door of Kan. home

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an unusual theft and asking the public for help.

According to a social media report from city of Kechi Police Chief Braden Moore, sometime last week, person(s) decided to steal their radar sign that was posted up on 101st Street.

 This expensive piece of equipment was used as a traffic calming device to help keep neighborhoods safer. The sign was set to alert drivers of their speed as you pass by. 

It would flash red and blues the driver was traveling faster than they should be. It does not take photos, it is not used for enforcement, it was simply there for drivers and others to check their speed as they entered an area of reduced posted speed limits. 

This sign also helped cut back on traffic citations.

Moore wrote, "it’s sad and unfortunate. We have no choice now but to take traffic enforcement action in the areas the sign was posted. The sign offered free warnings to those who were speeding in those areas. It was nice. A police officer running radar in that same area doesn’t have to give warnings and can write citations…… see the difference…..?"

"Should the radar sign be returned to its original area of posting, or at the police station, no questions will be asked." "

"Should you have information on the whereabouts of the sign and information leading to the location and arrest of those who chose to steal, a reward is waiting for you."

"Your information will be confidential, nobody will know who you are, and police can close out this case. To those who stole the sign, you’re better than this."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706292251560.png" alt="Photo Kechi Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kechi Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an unusual theft and asking the public for help.According to a social media report from city of Kechi Police Chief Braden Moore, sometime last week, person(s) decided to steal their radar sign that was posted up on 101st Street. This expensive piece of equipment was used as a traffic calming device to help keep neighborhoods safer. The sign was set to alert drivers of their speed as you pass by. It would flash red and blues the driver was traveling faster than they should be. It does not take photos, it is not used for enforcement, it was simply there for drivers and others to check their speed as they entered an area of reduced posted speed limits. This sign also helped cut back on traffic citations.Moore wrote, "it’s sad and unfortunate. We have no choice now but to take traffic enforcement action in the areas the sign was posted. The sign offered free warnings to those who were speeding in those areas. It was nice. A police officer running radar in that same area doesn’t have to give warnings and can write citations…… see the difference…..?""Should the radar sign be returned to its original area of posting, or at the police station, no questions will be asked." ""Should you have information on the whereabouts of the sign and information leading to the location and arrest of those who chose to steal, a reward is waiting for you.""Your information will be confidential, nobody will know who you are, and police can close out this case. To those who stole the sign, you’re better than this."

Police ask for return of radar sign stolen from Kansas road

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is delaying consideration of new natural gas export terminals in the United States, even as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-british-politics-united-states-europe-climate-and-environment-13ba11cb978180731a636d57a35dc4a9" target="_blank">gas shipments to Europe and Asia have soared</a>&nbsp;since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

On social media, Kansas U.S. Senator criticized the President's decision.

The election year decision by President Joe Biden aligns with environmentalists who fear the huge increase in exports, in the form of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, is locking in potentially catastrophic planet-warming emissions when the Democratic president has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-climate-change-science-climate-environment-and-nature-bdcf107d1fd146c2136f132b9fd13861" target="_blank">pledged to cut climate pollution in half by 2030</a>.

“While MAGA Republicans willfully deny the urgency of the climate crisis, condemning the American people to a dangerous future, my administration will not be complacent,’' Biden said in a statement Friday. “We will not cede to special interests. We will heed the calls of young people and frontline communities who are using their voices to demand action from those with the power to act.’'

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/01/26/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-temporary-pause-on-pending-approvals-of-liquefied-natural-gas-exports/">Click here to read</a> the fact sheet on the decision from the White House

The current economic and environmental analyses the Energy Department uses to evaluate LNG projects don’t adequately account for potential cost hikes for American consumers and manufacturers or the impact of greenhouse gas emissions, the White House said.

Industry groups condemned the pause as a “win for Russia,” while environmentalists cheered an action they have long been seeking as a way to counter Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alaska-oil-biden-willow-drilling-climate-24f135580259b9f9b245383dba921fe7" target="_blank">approval of the huge Willow oil project in Alaska</a>&nbsp;last year.

“This decision is brave, because Donald Trump (the man who pulled us out of the Paris climate accords on the grounds that climate change is a hoax) will attack it mercilessly,’' environmental activist Bill McKibben wrote in an online post.

“But it’s also very, very savvy: Biden wants young people, who care about climate above all, in his corner. They were angry about his dumb approval of the Willow oil project,’' McKibben added.

A proposed LNG export terminal in Louisiana would produce about 20 times the greenhouse gas emissions of Willow, McKibben noted.

“And of course everyone understands that if Biden is not reelected this win means nothing. It will disappear on Day One when (Trump) begins his relentless campaign to ‘drill drill drill,’” he said.

Energy Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jennifer-granholm" target="_blank">Jennifer Granholm</a>&nbsp;said the pause will not affect already authorized export projects and noted that U.S. gas exports reached record highs last year. The pause will not immediately affect U.S. supplies to Europe or Asia, Granholm said, since seven LNG terminals are currently in operation, with several more expected to come online in the next few years.

“We remain committed to ensuring our partners’ medium-term energy needs are met,’' she told reporters at a White House briefing late Thursday. If necessary, the Energy Department can allow exceptions for national security needs, Granholm said.

She and other officials declined to say how long the permitting pause will last, but said a study of how proposed LNG projects will affect the environment, the economy and national security will take “some months.’' A public comment period after that will likely delay any decisions on pending LNG projects until after the 2024 presidential election.

U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-64f9c887ac8845a7bbf143022aeb2367" target="_blank">began less than a decade ago,</a>&nbsp;but have grown rapidly in recent years to the point that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=53159" target="_blank">the U.S. has become the world’s largest gas exporter</a>. Exports rose sharply after Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and Biden and Granholm have celebrated the delivery of U.S. gas to Europe and Asia as a key geopolitical weapon against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The American Petroleum Institute, the largest lobbying group for the oil and gas industry, turned those comments against the Democratic administration as it condemned Biden’s action.

“This is a win for Russia and a loss for American allies, U.S. jobs and global climate progress,” said Mike Sommers, API’s president and CEO.

“There is no review needed to understand the clear benefits of U.S. LNG (exports) for stabilizing global energy markets, supporting thousands of American jobs and reducing emissions around the world by transitioning countries toward cleaner fuels’’ and away from coal, Sommers said in a statement.

Biden’s action “is nothing more than a broken promise to U.S. allies, and it’s time for the administration to stop playing politics with global energy security,” he said.

Granholm, who has made it a point&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-holidays-54311070b5a8d83098df4275d12b560f" target="_blank">to work with oil and gas executives</a>&nbsp;even as Biden has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-prices-congress-38c4a047ac455f26c52f4c144d84a6dd" target="_blank">exchanged sometimes pointed barbs</a>&nbsp;with them, said “a lot has happened” since LNG exports began about eight years ago.

“We need to have an even greater understanding of the (global energy) market need, the long-term supply and demand of energy resources and the environmental factors,’' she said. “So by updating the analysis process now, we will be better informed to avoid export authorizations that diminish our domestic energy availability, that weaken our security or that undermine our economy. ‘’

Granholm emphasized the delay “is not a retroactive review of already authorized exports,’' nor is it intended to punish the oil and gas industry.

“We are committed to strengthening energy security here in the U.S. and with our allies, and we’re committed to protecting Americans against climate change as we lead the world into a clean energy future,’' she said.

Jeremy Symons, an environmental consultant and former climate policy adviser at the Environmental Protection Agency, called Biden’s decision a “game-changer” in the fight against climate change.

“The president is drawing a line in the sand to put the nation’s interests first and listen to climate science,’' Symons said in an interview. ”The days of massive fossil fuel projects like the CP2 project escaping scrutiny from the federal government are over. We now have a president who cares about climate change.’'

Symons and other activists have targeted the $10 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://venturegloballng.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CP2-FactSheet.pdf" target="_blank">Calcasieu Pass 2 project, or CP2</a>, along Louisiana’s Gulf Coast, noting it would be the nation’s largest export terminal if built. The project in Cameron Parish would export up to 20 million tons (18.1 million metric tons) of chilled natural gas per year, creating more greenhouse gas emissions than even the Willow project, which environmentalists have decried as a “carbon bomb.’'

Symons called the gas project “bad for our nation, bad for our health and bad for our economy.’'

Shaylyn Hynes, spokeswoman for the project’s owner, Virginia-based Venture Global, said the Biden administration “continues to create uncertainty about whether our allies can rely on U.S. LNG for their energy security.’'

A prolonged pause on LNG exports “would shock the global energy market ... and send a devastating signal to our allies that they can no longer rely on the United States,’' said Hynes, who served as an Energy Department spokeswoman in the Trump administration.

“The true irony is this policy would hurt the climate and lead to increased (greenhouse gas) emissions, as it would force the world to pivot to coal’’ instead of natural gas, Hynes said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is delaying consideration of new natural gas export terminals in the United States, even as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-british-politics-united-states-europe-climate-and-environment-13ba11cb978180731a636d57a35dc4a9" target="_blank">gas shipments to Europe and Asia have soared</a>&nbsp;since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.On social media, Kansas U.S. Senator criticized the President's decision.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">In his never ending pursuit to cater to radical climate activists, Joe Biden continues his war on American made energy. If he was actually serious about taking care of the environment, he&#39;d unleash American energy- <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a> anyone going to tell him our producers make the… <a href="https://t.co/bq2iKrG0jr">https://t.co/bq2iKrG0jr</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1750977964496376161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The election year decision by President Joe Biden aligns with environmentalists who fear the huge increase in exports, in the form of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, is locking in potentially catastrophic planet-warming emissions when the Democratic president has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-climate-change-science-climate-environment-and-nature-bdcf107d1fd146c2136f132b9fd13861" target="_blank">pledged to cut climate pollution in half by 2030</a>.“While MAGA Republicans willfully deny the urgency of the climate crisis, condemning the American people to a dangerous future, my administration will not be complacent,’' Biden said in a statement Friday. “We will not cede to special interests. We will heed the calls of young people and frontline communities who are using their voices to demand action from those with the power to act.’'<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/01/26/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-temporary-pause-on-pending-approvals-of-liquefied-natural-gas-exports/">Click here to read</a> the fact sheet on the decision from the White HouseThe current economic and environmental analyses the Energy Department uses to evaluate LNG projects don’t adequately account for potential cost hikes for American consumers and manufacturers or the impact of greenhouse gas emissions, the White House said.Industry groups condemned the pause as a “win for Russia,” while environmentalists cheered an action they have long been seeking as a way to counter Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alaska-oil-biden-willow-drilling-climate-24f135580259b9f9b245383dba921fe7" target="_blank">approval of the huge Willow oil project in Alaska</a>&nbsp;last year.“This decision is brave, because Donald Trump (the man who pulled us out of the Paris climate accords on the grounds that climate change is a hoax) will attack it mercilessly,’' environmental activist Bill McKibben wrote in an online post.“But it’s also very, very savvy: Biden wants young people, who care about climate above all, in his corner. They were angry about his dumb approval of the Willow oil project,’' McKibben added.A proposed LNG export terminal in Louisiana would produce about 20 times the greenhouse gas emissions of Willow, McKibben noted.“And of course everyone understands that if Biden is not reelected this win means nothing. It will disappear on Day One when (Trump) begins his relentless campaign to ‘drill drill drill,’” he said.Energy Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jennifer-granholm" target="_blank">Jennifer Granholm</a>&nbsp;said the pause will not affect already authorized export projects and noted that U.S. gas exports reached record highs last year. The pause will not immediately affect U.S. supplies to Europe or Asia, Granholm said, since seven LNG terminals are currently in operation, with several more expected to come online in the next few years.“We remain committed to ensuring our partners’ medium-term energy needs are met,’' she told reporters at a White House briefing late Thursday. If necessary, the Energy Department can allow exceptions for national security needs, Granholm said.She and other officials declined to say how long the permitting pause will last, but said a study of how proposed LNG projects will affect the environment, the economy and national security will take “some months.’' A public comment period after that will likely delay any decisions on pending LNG projects until after the 2024 presidential election.U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-64f9c887ac8845a7bbf143022aeb2367" target="_blank">began less than a decade ago,</a>&nbsp;but have grown rapidly in recent years to the point that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=53159" target="_blank">the U.S. has become the world’s largest gas exporter</a>. Exports rose sharply after Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and Biden and Granholm have celebrated the delivery of U.S. gas to Europe and Asia as a key geopolitical weapon against Russian President Vladimir Putin.The American Petroleum Institute, the largest lobbying group for the oil and gas industry, turned those comments against the Democratic administration as it condemned Biden’s action.“This is a win for Russia and a loss for American allies, U.S. jobs and global climate progress,” said Mike Sommers, API’s president and CEO.“There is no review needed to understand the clear benefits of U.S. LNG (exports) for stabilizing global energy markets, supporting thousands of American jobs and reducing emissions around the world by transitioning countries toward cleaner fuels’’ and away from coal, Sommers said in a statement.Biden’s action “is nothing more than a broken promise to U.S. allies, and it’s time for the administration to stop playing politics with global energy security,” he said.Granholm, who has made it a point&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-holidays-54311070b5a8d83098df4275d12b560f" target="_blank">to work with oil and gas executives</a>&nbsp;even as Biden has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-prices-congress-38c4a047ac455f26c52f4c144d84a6dd" target="_blank">exchanged sometimes pointed barbs</a>&nbsp;with them, said “a lot has happened” since LNG exports began about eight years ago.“We need to have an even greater understanding of the (global energy) market need, the long-term supply and demand of energy resources and the environmental factors,’' she said. “So by updating the analysis process now, we will be better informed to avoid export authorizations that diminish our domestic energy availability, that weaken our security or that undermine our economy. ‘’Granholm emphasized the delay “is not a retroactive review of already authorized exports,’' nor is it intended to punish the oil and gas industry.“We are committed to strengthening energy security here in the U.S. and with our allies, and we’re committed to protecting Americans against climate change as we lead the world into a clean energy future,’' she said.Jeremy Symons, an environmental consultant and former climate policy adviser at the Environmental Protection Agency, called Biden’s decision a “game-changer” in the fight against climate change.“The president is drawing a line in the sand to put the nation’s interests first and listen to climate science,’' Symons said in an interview. ”The days of massive fossil fuel projects like the CP2 project escaping scrutiny from the federal government are over. We now have a president who cares about climate change.’'Symons and other activists have targeted the $10 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://venturegloballng.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CP2-FactSheet.pdf" target="_blank">Calcasieu Pass 2 project, or CP2</a>, along Louisiana’s Gulf Coast, noting it would be the nation’s largest export terminal if built. The project in Cameron Parish would export up to 20 million tons (18.1 million metric tons) of chilled natural gas per year, creating more greenhouse gas emissions than even the Willow project, which environmentalists have decried as a “carbon bomb.’'Symons called the gas project “bad for our nation, bad for our health and bad for our economy.’'Shaylyn Hynes, spokeswoman for the project’s owner, Virginia-based Venture Global, said the Biden administration “continues to create uncertainty about whether our allies can rely on U.S. LNG for their energy security.’'A prolonged pause on LNG exports “would shock the global energy market ... and send a devastating signal to our allies that they can no longer rely on the United States,’' said Hynes, who served as an Energy Department spokeswoman in the Trump administration.“The true irony is this policy would hurt the climate and lead to increased (greenhouse gas) emissions, as it would force the world to pivot to coal’’ instead of natural gas, Hynes said.

 Kan. U.S. Senator: Biden continues his war on American made energy

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A prized statue of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jackie-robinson">Jackie Robinson</a>&nbsp;was stolen from a public park in Kansas, spurring a police search Friday and outrage across the city of Wichita.

The statue honors the first player to break Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947. Surveillance video was released of two people hauling the sculpture away in the dark. Wichita police said in a Facebook post that it went missing Thursday morning.

The statue was cut at the ankles to be removed. All that remained of the statue Friday were Robinson's feet.

“I’m frustrated by the actions of those individuals who had the audacity to take the statue of Jackie Robinson from a park where kids and families in our community gather to learn the history of Jackie Robinson, an American icon, and play the game of baseball,” Wichita police Chief Joe Sullivan said during a news conference Friday. “This should upset all of us.”

He said even more troubling was the statue's theft shortly before Black History Month.

Robinson played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, paving the way for generations of Black American ballplayers. He's considered not only a sports legend but also a civil rights icon.

Wichita City Council member Brandon Johnson called the theft “horrendous” and “disgusting,” and said that residents are feeling hurt and angry, and demanding justice.

“Many people want to find those folks before law enforcement,” Johnson said. "So again, like the chief and the (district attorney) said, if you’ve got that statue, bring it here today. Now."

The Wichita Metro Crime Commission offered a reward Friday of up to $2,500 for tips leading to arrests and another $5,000 for tips that lead to the statue's recovery.

Sullivan said he hopes area salvage yards will contact police if the statue is brought in for money.

“Once the statue is returned, we also want the individuals who robbed our community of a treasure to be held accountable for their actions,” Sullivan said. “And I assure you, they will. The resources of the Wichita Police Department have been mobilized.”

Little League nonprofit League 42, named after Robinson's number with the Dodgers, paid about $50,000 for the model of him, Executive Director Bob Lutz said. The sculpture was installed in 2021 in McAdams Park, where the roughly 600 children play in the youth baseball league.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706271522033.png" alt="Security camera image of the theft." />
 <figcaption>Security camera image of the theft.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A prized statue of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jackie-robinson">Jackie Robinson</a>&nbsp;was stolen from a public park in Kansas, spurring a police search Friday and outrage across the city of Wichita.The statue honors the first player to break Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947. Surveillance video was released of two people hauling the sculpture away in the dark. Wichita police said in a Facebook post that it went missing Thursday morning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706214116336.png" alt="Photo city of Wichita" />
 <figcaption>Photo city of Wichita</figcaption>
 </figure>The statue was cut at the ankles to be removed. All that remained of the statue Friday were Robinson's feet.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706214143377.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“I’m frustrated by the actions of those individuals who had the audacity to take the statue of Jackie Robinson from a park where kids and families in our community gather to learn the history of Jackie Robinson, an American icon, and play the game of baseball,” Wichita police Chief Joe Sullivan said during a news conference Friday. “This should upset all of us.”He said even more troubling was the statue's theft shortly before Black History Month.Robinson played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, paving the way for generations of Black American ballplayers. He's considered not only a sports legend but also a civil rights icon.Wichita City Council member Brandon Johnson called the theft “horrendous” and “disgusting,” and said that residents are feeling hurt and angry, and demanding justice.“Many people want to find those folks before law enforcement,” Johnson said. "So again, like the chief and the (district attorney) said, if you’ve got that statue, bring it here today. Now."The Wichita Metro Crime Commission offered a reward Friday of up to $2,500 for tips leading to arrests and another $5,000 for tips that lead to the statue's recovery.Sullivan said he hopes area salvage yards will contact police if the statue is brought in for money.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706274871424.png" alt="photo of the truck involved in the theft-Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>photo of the truck involved in the theft-Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>“Once the statue is returned, we also want the individuals who robbed our community of a treasure to be held accountable for their actions,” Sullivan said. “And I assure you, they will. The resources of the Wichita Police Department have been mobilized.”Little League nonprofit League 42, named after Robinson's number with the Dodgers, paid about $50,000 for the model of him, Executive Director Bob Lutz said. The sculpture was installed in 2021 in McAdams Park, where the roughly 600 children play in the youth baseball league.

Reward offered: Jackie Robinson statue stolen from a Kansas park

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide

Just after 6 p.m. Friday,&nbsp; police were dispatched to report of a disturbance at 58th and Swope Parkway, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

First responders found a man unresponsive in front of a convenience store.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or suspect information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706357521837.png" alt="Police at the scene of the homicide investigation-photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the homicide investigation-photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicideJust after 6 p.m. Friday,&nbsp; police were dispatched to report of a disturbance at 58th and Swope Parkway, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706357497685.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>First responders found a man unresponsive in front of a convenience store.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or suspect information.

Homicide: Man dies after disturbance near KC convenience store

JERUSALEM (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Yemen's Houthi rebels</a>&nbsp;launched a missile Friday at a United States warship patrolling the Gulf of Aden, forcing it to shoot down the projectile, and struck a British vessel as their aggressive attacks on maritime traffic continue.

The attack on the U.S. warship, the destroyer USS Carney, marked a further escalation in the biggest confrontation at sea the U.S. Navy has seen in the Middle East in decades, as Houthi missile fire set another commercial vessel ablaze Friday night.

Early Saturday local time, U.S. forces conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile that was aimed into the Red Sea and prepared to launch, the U.S. military's Central Command said.

The Houthis’ Al-Masirah satellite news channel said the strikes happened near the port city of Hodeida, but offered no assessment of their damage.

The Carney attack represents the first time the Houthis directly targeted a U.S. warship since the rebels began their assaults on shipping in October, a U.S. official said on condition of anonymity because no authorization had been given to discuss the incident.

Later Friday, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Operations, which oversees Mideast waterways, acknowledged a vessel had been struck by a missile and was on fire in the Gulf of Aden.

Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree did not acknowledge the Carney attack, but claimed the missile attack on the commercial vessel that set it ablaze. He identified the vessel as the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Marlin Luanda.

Central Command late Friday confirmed the Marlin Luanda was struck by a single anti-ship ballistic missile fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen. The Carney and other coalition ships responded and were rendering assistance toward the stricken ship. Central Command said no injuries were reported.

The Houthis' now direct attacks on U.S. warships are the most aggressive escalation of its campaign in the Red Sea since the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;broke out. The U.S. has tried to temper its descriptions of the Houthis' strikes, and said it is difficult to determine what exactly the Houthis are trying to hit in part try to prevent the conflict from becoming a wider regional war.

The U.S. and allies had also held off for weeks on striking Houthi weapons sites in Yemen, but they are now taking regular action, often destroying launch sites that are armed but have not fired, and are deemed an imminent threat.

Despite the Carney being directly targeted, Central Command said the Houthis fired “toward” the Carney. The Carney shot down the anti-ship ballistic missile, it said.

Acknowledging Friday’s assault as a direct attack on a U.S. warship is important, said Brad Bowman, a senior director at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.

“They’re now finally calling a spade a spade, and saying that, yeah, they’re trying to attack our forces, they’re trying to kill us,” he said.

Tempering the language and response, while aimed at preventing a wider war, has had the opposite effect of further emboldening the Houthis, Bowman said.

The attacks were the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-ship-attacks-israel-hamas-war-gaza-ef0b83ef2a7ca8c727288b50037287e5">assaults by the rebels</a>&nbsp;in their campaign against ships traveling through the Red Sea and surrounding waters, which has disrupted global trade amid Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The U.S. and Britain have launched multiple rounds of airstrikes since the Houthi attacks began targeting Houthi missile depots and launcher sites in Yemen, a country that's been wracked by conflict since the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014.

Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were avenging Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade between Asia, the Mideast and Europe.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703990687604.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM (AP) — The crew aboard a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker hit by a missile launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels extinguished an hourslong fire onboard the stricken vessel Saturday sparked by the strike, authorities said.The attack on the Marlin Luanda further complicated the Red Sea crisis caused by the Iranian-backed rebels' attacks over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip</a>. The tanker carried Russian-produced naphtha, a flammable oil, drawing Moscow further into a conflict that so far it had blamed on the U.S.Early Saturday, U.S. forces conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile that was aimed at the Red Sea and prepared to launch, the U.S. military’s Central Command said. That attack came after the USS Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-gulf-aden-shipping-british-military-7fafd1cfb3e04209b97a0d0f2abd5c26">had to shoot down a Houthi missile targeting it</a>.The Marlin Luanda burned for hours in the Gulf of Aden until being extinguished Saturday, said Trafigura, a Singapore-based trading firm. Its crew of 25 Indian nationals and two Sri Lankans were still trying to battle the blaze sparked by the missile strike, it said. No one was injured by the blast, it added.“We are pleased to confirm that all crew on board the Marlin Luanda are safe and the fire in the cargo tank has been fully extinguished,” Trafigura said. “The vessel is now sailing towards a safe harbor.”The Indian navy said its guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam was assisting the Marlin Luanda's crew in fighting the fire. It posted images showing the blaze still raging Saturday, likely fueled by the naphtha on board.The ship, managed by a British firm, is carrying the Russian naphtha bound for Singapore, the company said. It described the flammable oil as being purchased below the price caps set by G7 sanctions placed on Russia over its ongoing war on Ukraine. It wasn't clear what environmental impact the attack had caused.Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed the attack on the Marlin Luanda in a prerecorded statement late Friday, describing it as a “British oil ship.” He insisted such attacks would continue.Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea over Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade between Asia, the Mideast and Europe.Since the airstrike campaign began, the rebels now say they’ll target American and British ships as well. On Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-ship-attacks-israel-hamas-war-gaza-ef0b83ef2a7ca8c727288b50037287e5">two American-flagged ships carrying cargo for the U.S. Defense and State departments came under attack by the Houthis</a>, forcing an escorting U.S. Navy warship to shoot some of the projectiles down.China, which relies on the seaborne trade through the area, has called for calm. The U.S. had sought to get China to apply pressure on Iran, as Beijing remains a major buyer of Western-sanctioned Iranian oil.But Russia so far has condemned the U.S. and the United Kingdom for carrying out its strikes targeting the Houthis, while also meeting with the rebel group in Moscow in recent days.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-navy-houthi-attacks-red-sea-shipping-iran-8e55669e4d18cbc7007654640fa5fdc1">The U.S. Navy’s top Mideast commander told the AP</a>&nbsp;on Monday that the Houthi attacks were the worst since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ceb6e7a86bf14a9a8d8ecf81c9dcc7ef">the so-called Tanker War of the 1980s</a>. It culminated in a one-day naval battle between Washington and Tehran and also saw the U.S. Navy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/de425ed9833b4bdaa03306f37182995f">accidentally shoot down an Iranian passenger jet</a>, killing 290 people in 1988.Meanwhile Saturday, authorities reported a separate incident in which a vessel in the Arabian Sea reported seeing people armed with assault rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade off their vessel.“The small craft approached within 300 meters (about 985 feet),” the British military's United Kingdom Trade Operations agency said. “The onboard security team fired warning shots and post an exchange of fire, the small craft then retreated.”It said all those onboard were safe. The private security firm Ambrey described the incident as involving a “Somali-style” small boat aided by a larger mothership. As the Houthi attacks have escalated, there's been an increase in suspected Somali pirate activity as well.___JERUSALEM (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Yemen's Houthi rebels</a>&nbsp;launched a missile Friday at a United States warship patrolling the Gulf of Aden, forcing it to shoot down the projectile, and struck a British vessel as their aggressive attacks on maritime traffic continue.The attack on the U.S. warship, the destroyer USS Carney, marked a further escalation in the biggest confrontation at sea the U.S. Navy has seen in the Middle East in decades, as Houthi missile fire set another commercial vessel ablaze Friday night.Early Saturday local time, U.S. forces conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile that was aimed into the Red Sea and prepared to launch, the U.S. military's Central Command said.The Houthis’ Al-Masirah satellite news channel said the strikes happened near the port city of Hodeida, but offered no assessment of their damage.The Carney attack represents the first time the Houthis directly targeted a U.S. warship since the rebels began their assaults on shipping in October, a U.S. official said on condition of anonymity because no authorization had been given to discuss the incident.Later Friday, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Operations, which oversees Mideast waterways, acknowledged a vessel had been struck by a missile and was on fire in the Gulf of Aden.Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree did not acknowledge the Carney attack, but claimed the missile attack on the commercial vessel that set it ablaze. He identified the vessel as the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Marlin Luanda.Central Command late Friday confirmed the Marlin Luanda was struck by a single anti-ship ballistic missile fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen. The Carney and other coalition ships responded and were rendering assistance toward the stricken ship. Central Command said no injuries were reported.The Houthis' now direct attacks on U.S. warships are the most aggressive escalation of its campaign in the Red Sea since the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;broke out. The U.S. has tried to temper its descriptions of the Houthis' strikes, and said it is difficult to determine what exactly the Houthis are trying to hit in part try to prevent the conflict from becoming a wider regional war.The U.S. and allies had also held off for weeks on striking Houthi weapons sites in Yemen, but they are now taking regular action, often destroying launch sites that are armed but have not fired, and are deemed an imminent threat.Despite the Carney being directly targeted, Central Command said the Houthis fired “toward” the Carney. The Carney shot down the anti-ship ballistic missile, it said.Acknowledging Friday’s assault as a direct attack on a U.S. warship is important, said Brad Bowman, a senior director at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.“They’re now finally calling a spade a spade, and saying that, yeah, they’re trying to attack our forces, they’re trying to kill us,” he said.Tempering the language and response, while aimed at preventing a wider war, has had the opposite effect of further emboldening the Houthis, Bowman said.The attacks were the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-ship-attacks-israel-hamas-war-gaza-ef0b83ef2a7ca8c727288b50037287e5">assaults by the rebels</a>&nbsp;in their campaign against ships traveling through the Red Sea and surrounding waters, which has disrupted global trade amid Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.The U.S. and Britain have launched multiple rounds of airstrikes since the Houthi attacks began targeting Houthi missile depots and launcher sites in Yemen, a country that's been wracked by conflict since the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014.Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were avenging Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade between Asia, the Mideast and Europe.Since the airstrike campaign began, the rebels now say they’ll target American and British ships as well. On Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-ship-attacks-israel-hamas-war-gaza-ef0b83ef2a7ca8c727288b50037287e5">two American-flagged ships carrying cargo for the U.S. Defense and State departments came under attack by the Houthis</a>, forcing an escorting U.S. Navy warship to shoot some of the projectiles down.

U.S. conducts strike against anti-ship missile after oil tanker attacked

ATMORE, Ala. (AP) — A man&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nitrogen-execution-death-penalty-alabama-699896815486f019f804a8afb7032900">put to death using nitrogen gas</a>&nbsp;shook and convulsed for minutes on the gurney as Alabama carried out the first-of-its-kind execution that has ignited debate over the humaneness of the method.

Breathing through a nitrogen-filled face mask that deprived him of oxygen, 58-year-old convicted killer Kenneth Eugene Smith convulsed in seizurelike spasms for at least two minutes of the 22-minute execution by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nitrogen-gas-execution-alabama-c3c813841bcebdf0f77371fc7f1da3d9">nitrogen hypoxia</a>&nbsp;Thursday. The force of his movements at times caused the gurney to visibly shake. That was followed by several minutes of gasping breathing until his breath was no longer perceptible.

Smith's supporters expressed alarm at how the execution played out, saying it was the antithesis of the state's promise of a quick and painless death. But Alabama's attorney general characterized the execution as “textbook” during a Friday news conference.

“As of last night, nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution is no longer an untested method. It is a proven one," Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said, extending an offer of help for states considering adopting the method.

Asked about Smith’s shaking and convulsing on the gurney, Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Q. Hamm said they appeared to be involuntary movements.

“That was all expected and was in the side effects that we’ve seen or researched on nitrogen hypoxia,” Hamm said. “Nothing was out of the ordinary from what we were expecting."

Marshall said he anticipated Alabama "will definitely have more nitrogen hypoxia executions.” More than 40 death row inmates have selected nitrogen as their preferred execution method over lethal injection but did so at a time when the state hadn’t developed nitrogen procedures.

Attorneys for those inmates have asked the court to order Alabama to turn over records and information about Smith’s execution. Litigation will almost certainly focus on Smith’s convulsions and movements during the execution.

“The State promised the world the most humane method of execution known to man. Instead, Mr. Smith writhed and thrashed before he died. No further executions should take place by this method until the events of this evening are examined by an independent body,” Assistant Federal Defender John Palombi, who represents death row inmates who requested nitrogen, said in a statement.

Smith’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-execution-nitrogen-gas-5a96360ceddb8335c37cce608f815b30">spiritual adviser</a>, the Rev. Jeff Hood, agreed that the execution did not match the state attorney general’s prediction that Smith would lose consciousness in seconds followed by death within minutes.

“We didn’t see somebody go unconscious in 30 seconds. What we saw was minutes of someone struggling for their life,” said Hood, who attended the execution.

Dr. Philip Nitschke, a euthanasia expert who designed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-993202650845">suicide pod using nitrogen gas</a>&nbsp;and appeared as an expert witness for Smith, said the description of Smith's thrashing matches what he would expect to happen when nitrogen gas is used in a mask and someone holds their breath or takes the smallest possible breaths.

“I think this outcome is inevitable if the nitrogen gas is to be used in execution where people do not want to die and will not cooperate,” Nitschke said.

Outside the country, the European Union and the U.N. Human Rights Office&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-death-penalty-nitrogen-eu-un-c7bf79cbd8b12f8da99fee24db64694c">expressed regret Friday</a>&nbsp;over the execution. The 27-nation EU and the Geneva-based U.N. rights office say the death penalty violates the right to life and does not deter crime.

Smith, who was paid $1,000 to kill an Alabama woman more than 30 years ago, said in a final statement: “Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards. I’m leaving with love, peace and light.”

He made the “I love you sign” with his hands toward family members who were witnesses. “Thank you for supporting me. Love, love all of you,” Smith said.

Smith ate a last meal of T-bone steak, hash browns, toast and eggs slathered in A1 steak sauce.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said the execution was justice for the murder-for-hire killing of 45-year-old Elizabeth Sennett in 1988.

“After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes,” Ivey said in a statement. “I pray that Elizabeth Sennett’s family can receive closure after all these years dealing with that great loss.”

Mike Sennett, the victim’s son, said Thursday night that Smith “had been incarcerated almost twice as long as I knew my mom.”

“Nothing happened here today is going to bring Mom back. It’s kind of a bittersweet day. We are not going to be jumping around, whooping and holler, hooray and all that,” he said. “I’ll end by saying Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett got her justice tonight.”

Alabama had previously attempted to execute Smith in 2022, but the lethal injection was called off at the last minute because authorities couldn’t connect an IV line.

The execution came after a last-minute legal battle in which his attorneys contended the state was making him the test subject for an experimental execution method that could violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Federal courts rejected Smith’s bid to block it, with the final ruling coming Thursday night from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented.

“Having failed to kill Smith on its first attempt, Alabama has selected him as its ‘guinea pig’ to test a method of execution never attempted before. The world is watching,” Sotomayor wrote.

The White House also expressed concern over the execution method, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying during a media briefing Friday that reports about Smith and his death were “very troubling.”

Sennett was found dead in her home March 18, 1988, with eight stab wounds in the chest and one on each side of her neck. Smith was one of two men convicted in the killing. The other, John Forrest Parker, was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.andalusiastarnews.com/2010/06/10/alabama-man-executed-in-1988-contract-killing/">executed</a>&nbsp;in 2010.

Prosecutors said they were each paid $1,000 to kill Sennett on behalf of her pastor husband, who was deeply in debt and wanted to collect on insurance. The husband, Charles Sennett Sr., killed himself when the investigation focused on him as a suspect, according to court documents.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706276540123.png" alt="Smith photo Alabama Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Smith photo Alabama Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>ATMORE, Ala. (AP) — A man&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nitrogen-execution-death-penalty-alabama-699896815486f019f804a8afb7032900">put to death using nitrogen gas</a>&nbsp;shook and convulsed for minutes on the gurney as Alabama carried out the first-of-its-kind execution that has ignited debate over the humaneness of the method.Breathing through a nitrogen-filled face mask that deprived him of oxygen, 58-year-old convicted killer Kenneth Eugene Smith convulsed in seizurelike spasms for at least two minutes of the 22-minute execution by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nitrogen-gas-execution-alabama-c3c813841bcebdf0f77371fc7f1da3d9">nitrogen hypoxia</a>&nbsp;Thursday. The force of his movements at times caused the gurney to visibly shake. That was followed by several minutes of gasping breathing until his breath was no longer perceptible.Smith's supporters expressed alarm at how the execution played out, saying it was the antithesis of the state's promise of a quick and painless death. But Alabama's attorney general characterized the execution as “textbook” during a Friday news conference.“As of last night, nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution is no longer an untested method. It is a proven one," Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said, extending an offer of help for states considering adopting the method.Asked about Smith’s shaking and convulsing on the gurney, Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Q. Hamm said they appeared to be involuntary movements.“That was all expected and was in the side effects that we’ve seen or researched on nitrogen hypoxia,” Hamm said. “Nothing was out of the ordinary from what we were expecting."Marshall said he anticipated Alabama "will definitely have more nitrogen hypoxia executions.” More than 40 death row inmates have selected nitrogen as their preferred execution method over lethal injection but did so at a time when the state hadn’t developed nitrogen procedures.Attorneys for those inmates have asked the court to order Alabama to turn over records and information about Smith’s execution. Litigation will almost certainly focus on Smith’s convulsions and movements during the execution.“The State promised the world the most humane method of execution known to man. Instead, Mr. Smith writhed and thrashed before he died. No further executions should take place by this method until the events of this evening are examined by an independent body,” Assistant Federal Defender John Palombi, who represents death row inmates who requested nitrogen, said in a statement.Smith’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-execution-nitrogen-gas-5a96360ceddb8335c37cce608f815b30">spiritual adviser</a>, the Rev. Jeff Hood, agreed that the execution did not match the state attorney general’s prediction that Smith would lose consciousness in seconds followed by death within minutes.“We didn’t see somebody go unconscious in 30 seconds. What we saw was minutes of someone struggling for their life,” said Hood, who attended the execution.Dr. Philip Nitschke, a euthanasia expert who designed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-993202650845">suicide pod using nitrogen gas</a>&nbsp;and appeared as an expert witness for Smith, said the description of Smith's thrashing matches what he would expect to happen when nitrogen gas is used in a mask and someone holds their breath or takes the smallest possible breaths.“I think this outcome is inevitable if the nitrogen gas is to be used in execution where people do not want to die and will not cooperate,” Nitschke said.Outside the country, the European Union and the U.N. Human Rights Office&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-death-penalty-nitrogen-eu-un-c7bf79cbd8b12f8da99fee24db64694c">expressed regret Friday</a>&nbsp;over the execution. The 27-nation EU and the Geneva-based U.N. rights office say the death penalty violates the right to life and does not deter crime.Smith, who was paid $1,000 to kill an Alabama woman more than 30 years ago, said in a final statement: “Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards. I’m leaving with love, peace and light.”He made the “I love you sign” with his hands toward family members who were witnesses. “Thank you for supporting me. Love, love all of you,” Smith said.Smith ate a last meal of T-bone steak, hash browns, toast and eggs slathered in A1 steak sauce.Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said the execution was justice for the murder-for-hire killing of 45-year-old Elizabeth Sennett in 1988.“After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes,” Ivey said in a statement. “I pray that Elizabeth Sennett’s family can receive closure after all these years dealing with that great loss.”Mike Sennett, the victim’s son, said Thursday night that Smith “had been incarcerated almost twice as long as I knew my mom.”“Nothing happened here today is going to bring Mom back. It’s kind of a bittersweet day. We are not going to be jumping around, whooping and holler, hooray and all that,” he said. “I’ll end by saying Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett got her justice tonight.”Alabama had previously attempted to execute Smith in 2022, but the lethal injection was called off at the last minute because authorities couldn’t connect an IV line.The execution came after a last-minute legal battle in which his attorneys contended the state was making him the test subject for an experimental execution method that could violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Federal courts rejected Smith’s bid to block it, with the final ruling coming Thursday night from the U.S. Supreme Court.Liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented.“Having failed to kill Smith on its first attempt, Alabama has selected him as its ‘guinea pig’ to test a method of execution never attempted before. The world is watching,” Sotomayor wrote.The White House also expressed concern over the execution method, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying during a media briefing Friday that reports about Smith and his death were “very troubling.”Sennett was found dead in her home March 18, 1988, with eight stab wounds in the chest and one on each side of her neck. Smith was one of two men convicted in the killing. The other, John Forrest Parker, was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.andalusiastarnews.com/2010/06/10/alabama-man-executed-in-1988-contract-killing/">executed</a>&nbsp;in 2010.Prosecutors said they were each paid $1,000 to kill Sennett on behalf of her pastor husband, who was deeply in debt and wanted to collect on insurance. The husband, Charles Sennett Sr., killed himself when the investigation focused on him as a suspect, according to court documents.------------------------

What witnesses saw in nation's first nitrogen gas execution

NEW YORK (AP) — A jury awarded $83.3 million in huge additional damages on Friday to longtime advice columnist E. Jean Carroll from former President Donald Trump, who she says shattered her reputation and opened her to threats by calling her a liar who only accused him of sexual assault to sell a memoir.

The award, when coupled with a $5 million sexual assault and defamation verdict last year from another jury in a case brought by Carroll, raised to $88.3 million what Trump must pay her. Protesting vigorously, he said he would appeal.

Carroll clutched her lawyers’ hands and smiled as the seven-man, two-woman jury delivered its verdict. Emotional afterward, she shared a three-way hug with her attorneys. She declined comment as she left the Manhattan federal courthouse.

Trump had left the courthouse about a half hour before the verdict was read. He had remained for more than two hours while the jury deliberated.

“Absolutely ridiculous!” he said in a statement shortly afterward. “Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon.”

Jurors deliberated less than three hours after the two-week trial.

It was the second time in nine months that a civil jury returned a verdict related to Carroll's claim that a flirtatious, chance encounter with Trump in 1996 at Bergdorf Goodman's Fifth Avenue store ended violently. She said Trump slammed her against a dressing room wall, pulled down her tights and forced himself on her.

In May, a different jury awarded Carroll $5 million. It found Trump not liable for rape, but responsible for sexually abusing Carroll and then defaming her by claiming she made it up. He is appealing that award, too.

Trump is also awaiting a verdict in a New York civil fraud trial, where state lawyers are seeking the return of $370 million in what they say were ill-gotten gains from loans and deals made using financial statements that exaggerated his wealth.

As for Trump’s ability to pay, he reported having about $294 million in cash or cash equivalents on his most recent annual financial statement, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021. Testifying at his civil fraud trial last November, he Trump boasted: “I have very little debt, and I have a lot of cash.”

Trump skipped the first Carroll trial. He later expressed regret for not attending and insisted on testifying in the second trial, though the judge limited what he could say, ruling he had missed his chance to argue that he was innocent. He spent only a few minutes on the witness stand Thursday, during which he denied attacking Carroll, then left court grumbling “this is not America.”

This new jury was only asked how much Trump, 77, should pay Carroll, 80, for two statements he made as president when he answered reporters’ questions after excerpts of Carroll’s memoir were published in a magazine — damages that couldn’t be decided earlier because of legal appeals. Jurors were not asked to re-decide the issue of whether the sex attack actually happened.

Carroll’s attorneys had requested $24 million in compensatory damages and “an unusually high punitive award.” The jury awarded $18.3 million in compensatory damages and another $65 million in punitive damages — meant to deter future behavior.

Carroll's lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, urged jurors in her closing argument Friday to punish Trump enough that he would stop a steady stream of public statements smearing Carroll as a liar and a “whack job.”

Trump shook his head vigorously as Kaplan spoke, then suddenly stood and walked out, taking Secret Service agents with him. His exit came only minutes after the judge, without the jury present, threatened to send Trump attorney Alina Habba to jail for continuing to talk when he told her she was finished.

“You are on the verge of spending some time in the lockup. Now sit down,” the judge told Habba, who immediately complied.

The trial reached its conclusion as Trump marches toward winning the Republican presidential nomination a third consecutive time. He has sought to turn his various trials and legal vulnerabilities into an advantage, portraying them as evidence of a weaponized political system.

Though there’s no evidence that President Joe Biden or anyone in the White House has influenced any of the legal cases against him, Trump’s line of argument has resonated with his most loyal supporters who view the proceedings with skepticism.

Carroll testified early in the trial that Trump’s public statements had led to death threats.

“He shattered my reputation,” she said. “I am here to get my reputation back and to stop him from telling lies about me.”

She said she’d had an electronic fence installed around the cabin in upstate New York where she lives, warned neighbors of the threats and bought bullets for a gun she keeps by her bed.

“Previously, I was known as simply as a journalist and had a column, and now I’m known as the liar, the fraud, and the whack job,” Carroll testified.

Trump’s lawyer, Habba, told jurors that Carroll had been enriched by her accusations against Trump and achieved fame she had craved. She said no damages were warranted.

To support Carroll’s request for millions in damages, Northwestern University sociologist Ashlee Humphreys told the jury that Trump’s 2019 statements had caused between $7.2 million and $12.1 million in harm to Carroll’s reputation.

When Trump finally testified, Kaplan gave him little room to maneuver, because Trump could not be permitted to try to revive issues settled in the first trial.

“It is a very well-established legal principle in this country that prevents do-overs by disappointed litigants,” Kaplan said.

“He lost it and he is bound. And the jury will be instructed that, regardless of what he says in court here today, he did it, as far as they’re concerned. That is the law,” Kaplan said shortly before Trump testified.

After he swore to tell the truth, Trump was asked if he stood by a deposition in which he called Carroll a “liar” and a “whack job.” He answered: “100 percent. Yes.”

Asked if he denied the allegation because Carroll made an accusation, he responded: “That’s exactly right. She said something, I consider it a false accusation.” Asked if he ever instructed anyone to hurt Carroll, he said: “No. I just wanted to defend myself, my family, and frankly, the presidency.”

The judge ordered the jury to disregard the “false accusation” comment and everything Trump said after “No” to the last question.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706306535436.png" alt="&nbsp;E. Jean Carroll E.&nbsp;leaves court in New York City after a jury awarded her $83.3 million in damages in her defamation suit against former&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/person/?20967/DonaldJTrump">President Donald Trump</a>.-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;E. Jean Carroll E.&nbsp;leaves court in New York City after a jury awarded her $83.3 million in damages in her defamation suit against former&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/person/?20967/DonaldJTrump">President Donald Trump</a>.-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — A jury awarded $83.3 million in huge additional damages on Friday to longtime advice columnist E. Jean Carroll from former President Donald Trump, who she says shattered her reputation and opened her to threats by calling her a liar who only accused him of sexual assault to sell a memoir.The award, when coupled with a $5 million sexual assault and defamation verdict last year from another jury in a case brought by Carroll, raised to $88.3 million what Trump must pay her. Protesting vigorously, he said he would appeal.Carroll clutched her lawyers’ hands and smiled as the seven-man, two-woman jury delivered its verdict. Emotional afterward, she shared a three-way hug with her attorneys. She declined comment as she left the Manhattan federal courthouse.Trump had left the courthouse about a half hour before the verdict was read. He had remained for more than two hours while the jury deliberated.“Absolutely ridiculous!” he said in a statement shortly afterward. “Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon.”Jurors deliberated less than three hours after the two-week trial.It was the second time in nine months that a civil jury returned a verdict related to Carroll's claim that a flirtatious, chance encounter with Trump in 1996 at Bergdorf Goodman's Fifth Avenue store ended violently. She said Trump slammed her against a dressing room wall, pulled down her tights and forced himself on her.In May, a different jury awarded Carroll $5 million. It found Trump not liable for rape, but responsible for sexually abusing Carroll and then defaming her by claiming she made it up. He is appealing that award, too.Trump is also awaiting a verdict in a New York civil fraud trial, where state lawyers are seeking the return of $370 million in what they say were ill-gotten gains from loans and deals made using financial statements that exaggerated his wealth.As for Trump’s ability to pay, he reported having about $294 million in cash or cash equivalents on his most recent annual financial statement, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021. Testifying at his civil fraud trial last November, he Trump boasted: “I have very little debt, and I have a lot of cash.”Trump skipped the first Carroll trial. He later expressed regret for not attending and insisted on testifying in the second trial, though the judge limited what he could say, ruling he had missed his chance to argue that he was innocent. He spent only a few minutes on the witness stand Thursday, during which he denied attacking Carroll, then left court grumbling “this is not America.”This new jury was only asked how much Trump, 77, should pay Carroll, 80, for two statements he made as president when he answered reporters’ questions after excerpts of Carroll’s memoir were published in a magazine — damages that couldn’t be decided earlier because of legal appeals. Jurors were not asked to re-decide the issue of whether the sex attack actually happened.Carroll’s attorneys had requested $24 million in compensatory damages and “an unusually high punitive award.” The jury awarded $18.3 million in compensatory damages and another $65 million in punitive damages — meant to deter future behavior.Carroll's lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, urged jurors in her closing argument Friday to punish Trump enough that he would stop a steady stream of public statements smearing Carroll as a liar and a “whack job.”Trump shook his head vigorously as Kaplan spoke, then suddenly stood and walked out, taking Secret Service agents with him. His exit came only minutes after the judge, without the jury present, threatened to send Trump attorney Alina Habba to jail for continuing to talk when he told her she was finished.“You are on the verge of spending some time in the lockup. Now sit down,” the judge told Habba, who immediately complied.The trial reached its conclusion as Trump marches toward winning the Republican presidential nomination a third consecutive time. He has sought to turn his various trials and legal vulnerabilities into an advantage, portraying them as evidence of a weaponized political system.Though there’s no evidence that President Joe Biden or anyone in the White House has influenced any of the legal cases against him, Trump’s line of argument has resonated with his most loyal supporters who view the proceedings with skepticism.Carroll testified early in the trial that Trump’s public statements had led to death threats.“He shattered my reputation,” she said. “I am here to get my reputation back and to stop him from telling lies about me.”She said she’d had an electronic fence installed around the cabin in upstate New York where she lives, warned neighbors of the threats and bought bullets for a gun she keeps by her bed.“Previously, I was known as simply as a journalist and had a column, and now I’m known as the liar, the fraud, and the whack job,” Carroll testified.Trump’s lawyer, Habba, told jurors that Carroll had been enriched by her accusations against Trump and achieved fame she had craved. She said no damages were warranted.To support Carroll’s request for millions in damages, Northwestern University sociologist Ashlee Humphreys told the jury that Trump’s 2019 statements had caused between $7.2 million and $12.1 million in harm to Carroll’s reputation.When Trump finally testified, Kaplan gave him little room to maneuver, because Trump could not be permitted to try to revive issues settled in the first trial.“It is a very well-established legal principle in this country that prevents do-overs by disappointed litigants,” Kaplan said.“He lost it and he is bound. And the jury will be instructed that, regardless of what he says in court here today, he did it, as far as they’re concerned. That is the law,” Kaplan said shortly before Trump testified.After he swore to tell the truth, Trump was asked if he stood by a deposition in which he called Carroll a “liar” and a “whack job.” He answered: “100 percent. Yes.”Asked if he denied the allegation because Carroll made an accusation, he responded: “That’s exactly right. She said something, I consider it a false accusation.” Asked if he ever instructed anyone to hurt Carroll, he said: “No. I just wanted to defend myself, my family, and frankly, the presidency.”The judge ordered the jury to disregard the “false accusation” comment and everything Trump said after “No” to the last question.

Jury: Trump must pay $83.3 million in damages for defamation

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly announced her veto of a sprawling flat tax proposal Friday, calling the plan “reckless,” and one reminiscent of former Gov. Sam Brownback’s disastrous tax cuts.

The 5.25% state income tax proposal, encapsulated as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2284/">House Bill 2284</a>, was sent to Kelly’s desk Jan. 18, after the Republican-dominated Legislature<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/01/17/republican-leadership-in-kansas-legislature-places-income-sales-tax-reform-on-fast-track/">&nbsp;fast tracked</a>&nbsp;the plan early in the legislative session.&nbsp;

“I support responsible tax cuts, but I refuse to sign into law a reckless flat tax that would take us back to Brownback while doing next to nothing for the middle class,” Kelly said in her veto explanation. “This flat tax experiment would overwhelmingly benefit the super wealthy and I’m not going to put our public schools, roads, and stable economy at risk just to give a break to those at the very top.”&nbsp;

The package was estimated to cost $1.589 billion over a three-year period, and contained other elements, such as eliminating the state sales tax on groceries on April 1, instead of the current deadline of Jan. 1, 2025.

<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/01/23/kansas-gop-leaders-tout-flat-tax-plan-that-would-save-charles-koch-875k-annually/">A study of the proposal&nbsp;</a>conducted by nonpartisan research organization ITEP estimated that 44.5% of the income tax savings would go to the top 5% of wage earners. The top 20% would have gotten an average tax break of $828, while the bottom 80% of wage earners would get an average annual tax break of $89 under the flat tax.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704940624118.png" alt="-Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a flat tax proposal, calling the plan one that primarily benefited the state's wealthiest residents. File photo" />
 <figcaption>-Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a flat tax proposal, calling the plan one that primarily benefited the state's wealthiest residents. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly announced her veto of a sprawling flat tax proposal Friday, calling the plan “reckless,” and one reminiscent of former Gov. Sam Brownback’s disastrous tax cuts.The 5.25% state income tax proposal, encapsulated as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2284/">House Bill 2284</a>, was sent to Kelly’s desk Jan. 18, after the Republican-dominated Legislature<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/01/17/republican-leadership-in-kansas-legislature-places-income-sales-tax-reform-on-fast-track/">&nbsp;fast tracked</a>&nbsp;the plan early in the legislative session.&nbsp;“I support responsible tax cuts, but I refuse to sign into law a reckless flat tax that would take us back to Brownback while doing next to nothing for the middle class,” Kelly said in her veto explanation. “This flat tax experiment would overwhelmingly benefit the super wealthy and I’m not going to put our public schools, roads, and stable economy at risk just to give a break to those at the very top.”&nbsp;The package was estimated to cost $1.589 billion over a three-year period, and contained other elements, such as eliminating the state sales tax on groceries on April 1, instead of the current deadline of Jan. 1, 2025.<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/01/23/kansas-gop-leaders-tout-flat-tax-plan-that-would-save-charles-koch-875k-annually/">A study of the proposal&nbsp;</a>conducted by nonpartisan research organization ITEP estimated that 44.5% of the income tax savings would go to the top 5% of wage earners. The top 20% would have gotten an average tax break of $828, while the bottom 80% of wage earners would get an average annual tax break of $89 under the flat tax.Kelly vetoed a similar flat tax plan in 2023 that set out a 5.15% flat tax and has voiced general disapproval of a single or flat tax structure. A Republican-driven attempt to veto override fell short by one vote in the Senate.&nbsp;Top Republican legislators Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, both strong flat tax advocates, condemned Kelly’s veto. Hawkins said House Republicans would attempt a veto override. Masterson, an Andover Republican, said the governor was unwilling to work across the aisle.&nbsp;“Today the governor yet again put her radical ideology ahead of the people,” Masterson said. “She is so focused on hyper-partisan politics that she has again vetoed a compromise tax plan that was primarily designed to increase the take home pay for every Kansan and bring sustainable tax relief for hard-working taxpayers who are suffering under Bidenflation. The governor has proven again that she has abandoned the middle.”Kelly said she would continue to advocate for a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/01/08/kelly-bipartisan-contingent-of-legislators-promote-multiyear-1-billion-tax-reduction-plan/">bipartisan tax plan</a>&nbsp;she endorsed earlier in the session.&nbsp;&nbsp;The $1 billion, three-year tax reform bill focus on the reduction of income, sales and property taxes.&nbsp;“While I urge the legislature to take this irresponsible flat tax experiment off the table once and for all, know that I will not let legislators leave Topeka this year without meaningfully and responsibly cutting taxes for middle-class families,” Kelly said. “I will call a special session if I have to – anything to ensure Kansans see tax relief, immediately.”