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Budka krytykuje Sikorskiego. "Powinien bardziej pilnować tego, co mówi"

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Borys Budka krytykuje słowa Radosława Sikorskiego o działaniach rządu PiS w pierwszych dniach napaści Rosji na Ukrainę. Zdaniem szefa klubu PO, gabinet Morawieckiego, w sprawie wojny ‘co do zasady zachowywał się poprawnie’.
Nie podzielam zdania Radosława Sikorskiego i nie podpisuję się pod tym. Radosław Sikorski jest doświadczonym politykiem i po prostu powinien bardziej pilnować tego, co mówi – powiedział Borys Budka – szef klubu Koalicja Obywatelska, wiceprzewodniczący PO, w popołudniowym Gościu Radia ZET u Beaty Lubeckiej, kiedy prowadząca zacytowała dzisiejszą – poranną wypowiedź R. Sikorskiego dla Radia ZET. Radosław Sikorski powiedział dziś w Radiu ZET – myślę, że rząd PiS miał moment zawahania w pierwszych 10 dniach wojny. Jeszcze kilka tygodni przed agresją, kiedy rząd PiS został ostrzeżony przez wywiad amerykański, premier spotykał się w Madrycie z ludźmi, którzy chcieli rozsadzić UE od środka – odpowiedział gość Radia ZET, dodając: Ja nie podzielam tej opinii R. Sikorskiego, w mojej opinii od momentu agresji Rosji na Ukrainę rząd premiera Morawickiego, co do zasady zachowywał się poprawnie.

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Sikorski o wysadzeniu Nord Stream 2: Interes miały Polska, Ukraina i USA

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Tusk porozmawia z Sikorskim?

Borys Budka zaznaczył także: Rząd PiS popełnił wiele błędów przed agresją Rosji na Ukrainę, ale później zachowywał się w sposób racjonalny. Niestety wcześniejsze wydarzenia, zwłaszcza współpraca z ludźmi, którzy wspierali Putina na arenie międzynarodowej i w Unii Europejskiej, powodują, że Mateusz Morawiecki nie wykazał się dalekowzrocznością. Wojna chyba spowodowała takie otrzeźwienie ze strony Kaczyńskiego, Morawieckiego.
Myślę, że był to zimny prysznic i wreszcie [rząd – red.] zaprzestał współpracy z międzynarodówką Putina. Wcześniej wydarzenia pokazywały co innego. Kaczyński chciał tworzyć trzecią siłę w UE wraz z ludźmi, którzy jawnie wspierali Putina – powiedział wiceprzewodniczący PO. Czy Donald Tusk porozmawia poważnie z R. Sikorskim, jak po sprawie z Nord Stream 2? – zapytała prowadząca. Tego typu wypowiedzi nie są dobre. Powinniśmy w tych sprawach wypowiadać się bardzo oszczędnie, dobierając słowa, nawet jeśli ktoś ma jakieś podejrzenia. Takie słowa mogą być wykorzystane przez propagandę PiS, co widać po reakcji Mateusza Morawieckiego, jak również przez naszych nieprzyjaciół z zagranicy – zaznaczył Borys Budka.

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Apple MacBook Air And iMac Powered By M3 Chip To Reportedly Launch This Year

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Apple recently announced a couple of new devices powered by the M2 Pro and M2 Max chipsets, and now the Cupertino-based technology giant is working on launching devices powered by the third-generation Apple Silicon chips. According to the report from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple is working on new MacBook Air and iMac, which will […]
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Sie wollten Lauterbach entführen: Mutmaßliche Terrorgruppe angeklagt – Behörde veröffentlicht Details zu geplantem Umsturz

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Sie wollten durch Anschläge auf die Stromversorgung und eine Entführung von Gesundheitsminister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) “bürgerkriegsähnliche Zustände” heraufbeschwören und so die Demokratie in Deutschland beseitigen: Neun Monate nach der Zerschlagung einer mutmaßlich auf einen Umsturz hinarbeitenden Gruppe aus dem Querdenkermilieu hat die Bundesanwaltschaft fünf Verdächtige angeklagt. Wie die Behörde am Montag in Karlsruhe mitteilte, geht es unter anderem um Vorwürfe der Gründung einer Terrororganisation und Hochverratsvorbereitung.

Die Beschuldigten, bei denen es sich um vier Männer und eine Frau handelt, wurden im April und Oktober vergangenen Jahres festgenommen und befinden sich seitdem in Untersuchungshaft. Verantworten sollen sie sich laut Bundesanwaltschaft vor dem Oberlandesgericht (OLG) im rheinland-pfälzischen Koblenz. Es muss die Anklage vor einer Prozesseröffnung zunächst prüfen.

Laut Ermittlungsergebnissen der Bundesanwaltschaft wollte die Gruppe die Demokratie beseitigen und die Staatsgewalt übernehmen, um “ein autoritär geprägtes Regierungssystem nach dem Vorbild des Deutschen Kaiserreichs” einzuführen. Zu diesem Zweck wollten sie “bürgerkriegsähnliche Zustände” herbeiführen. Den Auftakt dazu sollten Anschläge auf die Stromversorgung bilden, die einen längeren bundesweiten Stromausfall verursachen sollten.

Anschließend sollte laut Anklageschrift Gesundheitsminister Lauterbach bei einem bewaffneten Angriff entführt werden, wobei seine Leibwächter unter Umständen getötet werden sollten. Das dadurch entstehende Chaos wollte die Gruppierung nach eigener Vorstellung insgesamt nutzen, um in Berlin eine “konstituierende Versammlung” einzusetzen, die Regierung abzusetzen und eine “Führungsperson” zu installieren, wie die Bundesanwaltschaft erklärte.

Demnach trafen die Beschuldigten, die sich unter anderem mehrere Monate lang in Chatgruppen sowie bei realen Treffen vernetzt und ausgetauscht haben sollen, bereits konkrete Vorbereitungen für ihren Umsturzplan. Es gab unter anderem Verantwortliche für die Planung der Anschläge auf die Stromversorgung und die Entführung Lauterbachs. Zudem war geplant, mehrere Tonnen Waffen und Sprengstoff aus dem ehemaligen Jugoslawien zu besorgen.

Konkret sollen sich die Angeklagten laut Bundesanwaltschaft wegen Gründung oder Mitgliedschaft in einer inländischen terroristischen Vereinigung und der Vorbereitung eines hochverräterischen Unternehmens gegen den Bund vor dem OLG Koblenz verantworten. Einem Teil der Angeklagten werden außerdem weitere Straftaten wie die Vorbereitung einer schweren staatsgefährdenden Gewalttat zur Last gelegt.

Im Dezember vergangenen Jahres zerschlugen die Sicherheitsbehörden zudem eine weitere Terrorgruppierung aus der Reichsbürgerszene, die ebenfalls eine Beseitigung der Demokratie mit militärischen Mitteln geplant haben soll. Dabei wurden 25 Menschen festgenommen, zu den Beschuldigten gehören auch eine frühere Bundestagsabgeordnete der AfD sowie ein aktiver Soldat. Die Gruppe soll unter anderem einen Angriff auf den Bundestag und die Bildung einer militärische Übergangsregierung in Deutschland geplant haben.

Die vier männlichen Beschuldigten im Fall der nun angeklagten Verschwörung wurden im April 2022 festgenommen, einer davon laut Bundesanwaltschaft nach dem Erwerb von zwei Sturmgewehren des Typs AK-47 und vier Pistolen. Die weibliche Beschuldigte wurde erst einige Monate später im Oktober gefasst. Vier Angeklagte, darunter die Frau, stuft die Bundesanwaltschaft als Rädelsführer ein. Razzien erfolgten damals in mehreren Bundesländern.

Die beschuldigte Elisabeth K. soll dabei ideologische Vordenkerin der Gruppierung gewesen sein. Deren Auffassung nach existiert demnach das 1871 gegründete und mit Ende des Ersten Weltkriegs 1918 untergegangene Deutsche Kaiserreich bis heute fort, das Grundgesetz der Bundesrepublik Deutschland hat für sie nach Angaben der Ermittler dementsprechend keine Geltungskraft.

Der als Entführungsopfer vorgesehene Lauterbach äußerte sich am Montag erleichtert über die Anklage. Er danke allen Ermittlern für ihre Arbeit, erklärte er und erinnerte zugleich an die vom Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) gestellten Personenschützer für Politiker. “Die BKA-Beamten riskieren ihr Leben für uns – das ist eine große Leistung”.

Mini-reunion of Parks and Recreation at Saturday Nigh Live

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Aubrey Plaza once again played April Ludgate, and she got company from Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope.
Even though it never reached huge audiences and pretty much always got way lower viewer ratings than it actually deserved, the sitcom Parks and Recreation still got a loyal fan-base, ran for seven seasons and is considered a major classic. It starred Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope as the main character and had a pretty impressive ensemble of actors like Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Rob Lowe and Chris Pratt.
Another person who had a big role was Aubrey Plaza as April Ludgate, and during the weekend she was the host of Saturday Night Live. Plaza decided to once again play April Ludgate, and was actually accompanied by Amy Poehler’s Leslie Knope.
If you loved Parks and Recreation as much as we do, you should totally check the clip out in the tweet below. This is pure fanservice and love.
Are you a fan of Parks and Recreation, and which character is your favorite?
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Razzia in Laatzen: Terrorgruppe um geplante Lauterbach-Entführung angeklagt

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Ein bislang unbekannter Täter hat am Montagmorgen einen Transporterfahrer in Hannover-Bornum überfallen. Der Räuber wurde als auffällig klein beschrieben. Mit seiner Beute flüchtete er auf einem Fahrrad. Die Polizei sucht Zeugen.
Hat ein Patient am vergangenen Donnerstag das Feuer in einem Zimmer des Nordstadtkrankenhauses gelegt? Entsprechende Ermittlungen hat jedenfalls die Polizei Hannover aufgenommen. Der Vorwurf: schwere Brandstiftung.
Auf Höhe der Bushaltestelle „Am Brabrinke“ ist am Montagnachmittag ein Bus der Üstra an der Hildesheimer Straße in Brand geraten. Der Fahrer und die Passagiere konnten sich rechtzeitig in Sicherheit bringen. Die Hitze beschädigte sogar ein Gebäude in der Nähe.
Die Antidiskriminierungsstelle der Stadt Hannover hat in 2022 mehr Beratungsanfragen bekommen als im Jahr zuvor. Die Stelle registrierte insgesamt 245 Fälle von Beleidigungen aufgrund von ethnischer Zugehörigkeit, Hautfarbe und geschlechtlicher Identität.
Nach 35 Jahren verabschiedeten sich am vergangenen Sonnabend die Beeke-Sänger von der Bühne. Wir haben das Ensemble bei ihrer letzen Probe in Ricklingen besucht.
In der Kommunalpolitik, für Feuerwehr, Schützen und die CDU hat er sich Jahrzehnte lang engagiert: Reinhard Hemme aus Isernhagen K.B. ist im Alter von 91 Jahren gestorben. Ein Nachruf.
Bereits zum 40. Mal traten am Wochenende die Betriebsfußballmannschaften der Neustädter Unternehmen gegeneinander an. Gewonnen hat die Mannschaft „Mietwagen Neustadt“.
Weil der Eingangsbereich der BBS-Aula weiterhin saniert werden muss, kann der Feuerwehrball dort erneut nicht stattfinden. Ausweichmöglichkeiten gibt es keine.
Nach der gelungenen Generalprobe gegen Kiel sind bei Hannover 96 nicht alle Positionen vergeben. Für diese Spieler geht es noch um einen Platz in der Startelf gegen Kaiserlautern.
Ein Niedersachsen muss sich wegen Terrorverdachts vor Gericht verantworten. Der Mann soll Teil der fünfköpfigen „Reichsbürger“-Gruppe gewesen sein, die Gesundheitsminister Karl Lauterbach entführen wollte. Deshalb gab es im April 2022 auch eine Durchsuchung in Laatzen.
Sie wollen nicht den Kontakt verlieren: Nun bitten die evangelischen Kirchengemeinden aus Wunstorf und Bokeloh regelmäßig Ehrenamtliche und die, die es mal waren, zum Kaffee. Erster Termin ist Mittwoch, 1. Februar.
Zwei junge Damen aus Sehnde und dem Ortsteil Höver haben beim Regionalwettbewerb von „Jugend musiziert“ jeweils einen ersten Preis in ihrer Altersklasse gewonnen. Sie überzeugten die Jury mit ihrem Spiel an Klavier und Horn.
Die SPD Dedensen hat anlässlich ihrer Jahresversammlung langjährige Mitglieder geehrt. Außerdem nutzen die Jusos die Gelegenheit, sich und ihre Schwerpunkte vorzustellen.
Ein bislang unbekannter Täter hat am Montagmorgen einen Transporterfahrer in Hannover-Bornum überfallen. Der Räuber wurde als auffällig klein beschrieben. Mit seiner Beute flüchtete er auf einem Fahrrad. Die Polizei sucht Zeugen.
Die Handballerin und Jugendtrainerin Denise Csepke vom Tus Empelde ist zurzeit bundesweit auf den Hochglanzseiten von zwei Sportmagazinen zu sehen. Die 34-Jährige unterstützt die Werbekampagne „Alkoholfrei Sport genießen”.

TBS社員の女逮捕 覚醒剤使用疑い―警視庁

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覚醒剤を使ったとして、警視庁代々木署は23日、覚醒剤取締法違反(使用)容疑で、TBSテレビ広報部の越智忍容疑者(47)=東京都渋谷区=を逮捕した。容疑を認めているという。
 逮捕容疑は、都内で1月に覚醒剤を使用した疑い。
 TBSテレビの話 社員が逮捕されたことは、誠に遺憾。事実関係を調べ、厳正に対処します。

Defense & National Security — Still no decision on German tanks for Ukraine

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International military leaders are still unable to come to an agreement on a push to provide battle tanks to Ukraine. The U.S. has been hesitant to send the M1 Abrams tanks to the country, citing the need for specialized training and expensive fuel. Instead, the U.S. has been angling for Germany to send its Leopard 2 tanks. 
We’ll share where the two countries are at today and new calls from lawmakers to move the needle, plus more members of the far-right Oath Keepers militia found guilty of seditious conspiracy for their role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and details of the U.S. weekend mission in Syria that captured two ISIS members.  
This is Defense & National Security, your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. For The Hill, I’m Ellen Mitchell. Germany still undecided on tanks for Ukraine 
As Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine in the nearly yearlong war, Poland is pushing to supply Kyiv with German-built Leopard tanks — but Berlin, as the weapon maker, needs to sign off on the move before the tanks are sent to a non-NATO country.  
Germany instead has asked for the U.S. to send its M1 Abrams tanks before it agrees to send allow its Leopards to be shipped over to Ukraine, though top defense officials have insisted the Abrams is not the right tool for the fight, citing its complex maintenance requirements.  
The Pentagon’s stance: On Monday the Pentagon’s top spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder reiterated the U.S. stance on the Abrams, telling reporters that “our focus has been on providing capabilities to the Ukrainians that they can use right now.” 
“The M1 is an extremely capable and effective fighting system. But it’s also a very complex system that requires a lot of maintenance, requires a lot of logistic support.” 
Under pressure: Western allied continue to push Germany to allow the Leopards to be delivered, with Poland among the most vocal countries in saying it will go ahead and send the tanks if other a “small coalition” of countries with the vehicle also agree to do so.  
Germany’s defense minister, meanwhile, said a decision on the tanks will come soon. 
MCCAUL CALLS ON US TO TAKE FIRST STEP ON TANKS
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) pressed the Biden administration and military leaders on Sunday to send M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine to aid the country in its war against Russia, arguing “we cannot slow-walk the weapons.”
“Let’s give [Ukraine] what they need because when we do, they win,” McCaul, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Dana Bash on Sunday. “The tanks are vitally important.” 
Following suit: McCaul argued that if the U.S. were to send its Abrams tanks first, then Germany would follow by unleashing its Leopard 2 tanks, saying the U.S. doesn’t have to send “very many.” 
“All we have to do is send enough to unleash what Germany has and what the 10 other countries in NATO have,” McCaul said. “NATO has to share the burden.” 
No comment: On Monday, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said he would not speak to McCaul’s comments, telling reporters that the Defense Department’s focus “has been on trying to provide Ukraine with the capabilities that they need right now to be effective on the battlefield.” More Oath Keepers found guilty for role in Jan. 6 
A jury on Monday delivered the Justice Department another victory in its prosecution of the far-right Oath Keepers militia, returning a guilty verdict on rarely used seditious conspiracy charges for all four members on trial in its second prosecution of the group. 
Ed Vallejo, Roberto Minuta, Joseph Hackett and David Moerschel all received guilty verdicts for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, in which members of the militia group used a “stack” formation to force their way into the building. 
Earlier: The verdict comes just two months after a separate trial for five other members of the group, with that jury laying down a seditious conspiracy verdict for Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the group. 
Seditious conspiracy — used to charge those who plot to overthrow the government — carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and hadn’t been used successfully since a 1990s terrorism case.  
A dramatic turn: But the trial brings a dramatic turn in the Justice Department’s record in such cases.  
The verdict comes after Rhodes and Florida chapter leader Kelly Meggs were found guilty of seditious conspiracy in November. 
A split trial: Three other members tried alongside the two men were found not guilty of seditious conspiracy but received guilty verdicts on other charges that likewise carry up to 20 years in prison. 
The second trial, brought after the nine defendants were split given the complications of bringing such a large group to trial, proved to be an even greater success for the Justice Department. 
Their role: According to prosecutors, Hackett and Moerschel were among the Oath Keepers who first breached the Capitol while Minuta entered with a second line of militia members. Vallejo coordinated the quick reaction force (QRF) the Oath Keepers had staged at a hotel in Arlington, Va. stocking various rooms with weapons, ammunition, and other supplies. 
Hackett and Moerschel were among those who roamed the building in search of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Minuta engaged with officers before entering the building, telling them at one point, “Get out. Get these cops out. It’s our f—ing building.” 
Vallejo communicated with those in the building, telling them, “QRF standing by at hotel. Just say the word.” US forces capture two ISIS members in Syria 
U.S. forces conducted a raid in eastern Syria over the weekend and captured two members of ISIS described as facilitators. 
Saturday’s helicopter and ground assault raid left one civilian with minor injuries, but the person was escorted to a medical facility and was treated before being released back to his family, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said. 
Who was captured: The captured ISIS members are Abdallah Hamid Muslih al-Maddad, who is also known as Abu Hamza al-Suri, and Husam Hamid al-Muslih al-Maddad, al-Khayr. Both are described as ISIS facilitators. 
An ongoing mission: Col. Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesperson, said “this operation reaffirms CENTCOM’s steadfast commitment to the region and the enduring defeat of ISIS.” 
“The capture will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out attacks that threaten regional security and stability,” Buccino said in a statement. 
Timing: The raid came a day after three suicide drones struck a U.S. base in Syria, injuring two Syrian fighters working with the U.S. in the Middle Eastern country. 
ON TAP FOR TOMORROW
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics will hold its 2023 SciTech Forum at 8 a.m.  
The Institute for Defense and Government Advancement will kick off Day 1 of its Homeland Security Week Conference at 9 a.m. 
The Brookings Institution will hold a discussion on “Japan in 2023,” with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel and Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Koji Tomita, at 9 a.m.  
The Intelligence and National Security Alliance will host a virtual conversation with Deputy CIA Director Linda Weissgold at 9 a.m.  
The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies will hold an event on “The importance of the Air Force’s nuclear enterprise to the nation’s security,” with Lt. Gen. James Dawkins, deputy chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration, and Maj. Gen. Michael Lutton, commander, 20th Air Force, Air Force Global Strike Command, at 10 a.m.    
The Heritage Foundation will host a talk on “The Iran Threat: What to Expect in 2023,” at 12 p.m. 
US announces more sanctions on Iran over deadly crackdown on protests 
Bolton knocks Germany over ‘incredibly disappointing’ performance throughout invasion of Ukraine  
Comer asks Secret Service for visitor information from Biden’s Delaware home 
Former top FBI official charged with violating Russia sanctions
Bipartisan group of senators meets with Zelensky, other Ukrainian officials in Kyiv 
Russia expected to increase cyberattacks in Ukraine war — to little effect 
OP-EDS IN THE HILL
Ukraine’s ‘decision-centric’ military needs more than armor to win
That’s it for today! Check out The Hill’s Defense and National Security pages for the latest coverage. See you tomorrow!

Geplante Lauterbach-Entführung: Niedersachse angeklagt

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Die Bundesanwaltschaft hat Anklage gegen fünf Personen erhoben, die den Sturz der Bundesregierung und die Entführung von Karl Lauterbach geplant haben sollen. Auch ein Niedersachse wird beschuldigt.
Das Verfahren gegen die vier Männer und eine Frau soll am Oberlandesgericht Koblenz stattfinden, wie die Karlsruher Behörde am Montag mitteilte. Sie wirft den Beschuldigten die Vorbereitung eines hochverräterischen Unternehmens gegen den Bund vor. Die Gruppe soll sich spätestens im Januar 2022 zusammengeschlossen haben, um “mittels Gewalt sowie zumindest unter Inkaufnahme von Todesopfern in Deutschland bürgerkriegsähnliche Zustände auszulösen und damit den Sturz der Bundesregierung und der parlamentarischen Demokratie herbeizuführen”, wie es in der Anklage heißt.
Stattdessen sollte wieder ein autoritär geprägtes Regierungssystem nach dem Vorbild des Deutschen Kaiserreichs etabliert werden. Zu den Plänen habe gehört, einen länger dauernden bundesweiten Stromausfall herbeizuführen und Gesundheitsminister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) zu entführen. In der Folge sollte im allgemeinen Chaos die Macht übernommen werden. Ein Schauspieler sollte den Bundespräsidenten oder Kanzler live im Fernsehen imitieren, um die Absetzung der Bundesregierung bekanntzugeben. Laut Bundesanwaltschaft haben sich die vier Angeklagten in der neuen Führung zentrale Funktionen zugedacht.
Die vier Männer waren am 13. April 2022 an verschiedenen Orten in Deutschland festgenommen worden, nachdem sie sich zuvor mit einem verdeckten Ermittler wegen eines Waffengeschäfts getroffen hatten. Bei den bundesweiten Durchsuchungen stellten die Ermittelnden damals etliche Schusswaffen und Munition, Bargeld, Goldbarren, Silbermünzen und Devisen sicher. Mitte Oktober ließ die Bundesanwaltschaft außerdem eine pensionierte Lehrerin in Sachsen festnehmen, die ebenfalls eine übergeordnete Stellung in der Gruppe gehabt haben soll. Die vier Männer stammen nach früheren Angaben aus Neustadt an der Weinstraße (Rheinland-Pfalz), Falkensee bei Berlin sowie aus den Landkreisen Landshut (Bayern) und Ammerland (Niedersachsen).

Death toll rises to 11 as Monterey Park grieves, struggles for answers following shooting; gunman's home full of ammo: Live updates

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– A hero emerged, some victims’ names were released, and this close-knit, predominantly Asian American city was in mourning as the death toll from an elderly man’s shooting rampage rose to 11 on Monday.
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services said Monday that one of the four people from the Monterey Park shooting being treated at the LA County-USC Medical Center has died of gunshot wounds. A department’s news release said another of the wounded patients was in serious condition and the other two were recovering.
Authorities said the initial death count from Saturday night’s attack at a dance studio was 10, and at least 10 were injured. Most of the victims were age 60 or older.
Relatives say the gunman, Huu Can Tran, 72, had once given free lessons at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, where the killings took place hours after Lunar New Year celebrations. Tran was found dead Sunday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a white cargo van.
Brandon Tsay, a part-time helper at another dance hall in nearby Alhambra, wrestled the gun from Tran minutes after the first attack and is credited with saving many lives. 
Authorities continued searching for clues about Tran’s motive, which remained unclear. “We all want answers to questions that we may never have answers to,” Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese said. “That’s kind of the enigma of this.”
SHOOTING TIMELINE:How the deadly attack at a Monterey Park dance studio unfolded
‘COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE’: Monterey Park gunman disarmed by ‘heroes’ at second dance studio, sheriff saysGunman had bounty of ammunition, silencer equipment at home, police say
Authorities shared more information Monday afternoon about what their investigation has found, including details about Tran that indicate he had a fondness for firearms and could have been preparing other attacks.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said a search of Tran’s home revealed he had a rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and equipment to manufacture homemade silencers.
Tran was arrested in 1990 for unlawful possession of a firearm, Luna said, but the handgun discovered in the van where Tran was found dead was registered to him.
He used a different weapon, described by Luna as a “magazine-fed semi-automatic assault pistol,’’ at the Monterey Park dance hall where 11 people were killed. Luna said Tran shot 42 rounds there, using a large-capacity magazine attached to the gun.
As police continue to search for a motive, Luna said he could not verify reports that Tran acted out of jealousy. He also said one of the victims was killed in a car outside the dance hall, likely before the rampage.
Police initially said two patrons thwarted Tran’s attempt at further mayhem at a second dance studio in nearby Alhambra, but Luna clarified it was only one man, venue employee Brandon Tsay, who disarmed the intruder.
“What a brave man he is,’’ Luna said.Names of four victims released
Four victims have been identified by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, which said it was waiting until relatives of the others could be notified before releasing more names. My Nhan, 65, Lilan Li, 63, and Xiujuan Yu, 57, were among the five women killed. The two other women were in their 60s. 
Alvaro Valentino, 68, is the only man among the five killed who has been identified. Of the other four, three were in their 70s and one in his 60s, the coroner’s office said.
Authorities released no information on what if any connection the victims had with their killer. A vigil for all the victims was set for Monday night.What happened in the Monterey Park shooting?
The shooting took place at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, 9 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Officers arrived within three minutes of receiving a call, Wiese said. Officers found people trying to flee through all the doors.
“When they came into the parking lot, it was chaos,” Wiese said. He said officers aided the wounded and within one or two minutes put together a team to enter the building, where they found the dead and injured. Ten people were wounded, some of them critically.’Brave’ civilian disarmed gunman who entered Lai Lai Ballroom & Dance 
About 20 to 30 minutes after the shooting at Star Ballroom, an Asian man with a gun entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra, Luna said.
After saying Sunday that two people at Lai Lai wrested the firearm from Tran and he fled, Luna clarified Monday it was employee Brandon Tsay who confronted the gunman, saying he “saved lives. This could have been much worse.”
Luna said the firearm was a “magazine-fed semi-automatic assault pistol,’’ and investigators were trying to determine whether the gun was legal in the state. He said authorities began looking for a white van after witnesses reported seeing the suspect flee from Alhambra. Another handgun was discovered in the van, he said. 
Based on the initial information, the city of Alhambra praised the bravery of those at the ballroom who disarmed the gunman and prevented further carnage.
“We send our thoughts and prayers to the victims. We thank the individuals who stepped up to help and prevent further injury,” the city wrote in a news release. “We also acknowledge those who stepped in here in Alhambra to disarm an individual threatening our own community.”Who is Brandon Tsay?
Tsay, a computer coder and the third-generation operator of the family-run Lai Lai dance hall, was in an office off the lobby when he heard the front door click. He said he turned and saw a man holding a gun.
“My first thought was I was going to die here – this is it,” Tsay, 26, ‘ Robin Roberts in an interview Monday on “Good Morning America.”
Tsay said he saw the gunman start prepping the weapon and realized he needed to disarm him or “else everybody would have died.”
“When I got the courage, I lunged at him with both my hands, grabbed the weapon and we had a struggle,” Tsay said. “We struggled into the lobby, trying to get this gun away from each other. He was hitting me across the face, bashing the back of my head.”
Tsay said he then pointed the gun at the suspect and shouted: “Get the hell out of here! I’ll shoot! Get away! Go!” The gunman paused, then fled to his van. Tsay then called police. Family members told The New York Times that surveillance video shows a fierce struggle for the gun, and that no one else was involved in the struggle.Asian Americans from nearby cities grapple with shooting’s aftermath
Darren Yan, a 21-year-old resident of nearby Alhambra, paid his respects Monday at a makeshift memorial at the Monterey Park Civic Center, less than a mile from where the shooting took place.
“As more of the story came up, the more I got so depressed,” said Yan, incredulous about the violence perpetrated in a city so close to where he grew up. “I’m like, ‘Wow, this actually happened.’ Like, why did this happen?” 
Another impromptu memorial materialized at the gate outside the dance studio that was attacked, as some people laid flowers and others joined in group prayer. 
Hong Lee, a Los Angeles resident who became an advocate for Asian-American justice after she was the victim of a hate incident in August 2020, stopped by the dance hall and said the shooting has put much of the community on edge.
“You just don’t know the next time you go out, are you going to be safe,” Lee said. “We’re our own personal first responders.” 
— Jordan MendozaSearch for killer ended in Torrance
Luna said the the gunman’s van was spotted in Torrance, about 25 miles from Monterey Park. Armored SWAT vehicles and law enforcement SUVs surrounded the van Sunday at a parking lot across from the Del Amo mall.  When the officers got out of their patrol car around 10:20 a.m. Sunday, they heard a gunshot from the van and called for help, Luna said. Two SWAT vehicles were driven to the site and pinned the van in from the front and back. About an hour later, SWAT team members smashed a van window and entered.
“Our sheriff’s SWAT team approached and cleared the van,” then determined the occupant had shot himself, Luna said. The occupant was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators searched the vehicle and determined that the man inside was the subject of their search. Authorities say they are not sure why Tran drove to Torrance.Who is Huu Can Tran? Oldest mass killer in at least 60 years
At 72, Tran is the oldest mass shooter in the U.S. in at least six decades, 40 years older than the average perpetrator of these crimes.  
Public records indicate Tran once had addresses in Monterey Park and nearby communities. Tran’s ex-wife told reporters her husband used to give informal lessons at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio. Another longtime acquaintance also said Tran used to frequently visit the dance studio, although it is unclear how long it had been since he danced there.
“We do understand that he may have had a history of visiting this dance hall and perhaps the motivation has to do with some personal relationships,” Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo said. “But that’s something that I think investigators are still uncovering.”
Tran was an immigrant from China, according to a marriage license copy his former wife provided to CNN. Records show they divorced in 2006. He lived in a small home in a retirement community in Hemet, about 80 miles east of Los Angeles.
Hemet Police Department spokesman Alan Reyes said Tran visited a police station on Jan. 7 and 9 of this year and reported allegations of past theft and fraud by family members in Los Angeles County while claiming they had poisoned him over the last few decades. Tran told police he would return to the station with evidence of the alleged crimes but never did, Reyes said.
BALLROOM HEROES: ‘Could have been much worse’: Monterey Park gunman disarmed at second dance studioWhy are flags at half staff today?
President Joe Biden ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half staff on Monday. The flag will be flown at half-staff at the White House and all public buildings and grounds, military posts, Navy ships, embassies and other offices abroad until sunset Thursday, Biden said in his proclamation.Monterey Park shooting marks fifth mass killing in US in 2023
The tragedy marked the fifth mass killing in the U.S. since the start of the year. It is also the deadliest since May 24, when 21 people were killed in a school in Uvalde, Texas, according to The Associated Press/USA TODAY database on mass killings in the U.S.
The database also shows that 2022 was also one of the worst years ever in terms of mass killings: 42 such attacks – the second-highest number since the creation of the tracker in 2006. The database defines a mass killing as four people killed not including the perpetrator.
The latest violence comes two months after five people were killed at a nightclub in Colorado Springs.
MASS KILLINGS IN THE US: Revealing trends, details and anguish of every event in the United States since 2006
Contributing from USA TODAY: Marc Ramirez, Cady Stanton. Includes information from The Associated Press

Messenger's Default End-To-End Encrypted Chats Expand To More People, Pick Up New Features

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Facebook’s end-to-end encryption feature is getting a bunch of new features that weren’t available when Secret Conversations first launched.
Meta has expanded upon the features offered in Messenger’s encrypted chat function, according to an announcement from CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Encrypted chats aren’t exactly a new feature in Messenger — the social media company rolled out end-to-end encrypted conversations back in 2016 — but the function hasn’t shared the same range of ability as unsecured Messenger conversations. According to a Meta bulletin, the new perks include aesthetic customizations as well as improvements to functionality that bring the encrypted Messenger feature up to speed with unsecured chats.
Per Meta and Zuckerberg, the functional changes include the ability to preview links in encrypted messages before opening, an optional active status, and chat bubble overlays for Android. Secured conversations are now more customizable, too, with the addition of chat themes, which range from static colors to culture-inspired, Meta says. Encrypted Messenger users can also expect access to the full range emoji menu, in addition to a customizable quick-react menu of frequently-used emojis. Encrypted group chats can now set group profile photos, as well.
A wide-scale roll-out of default end-to-end encryption has been in the works for Messenger for years; in 2021, Meta’s Global Head of Safety wrote in a Telegraph op-ed that the company is “taking our time to get this right.” Meta expects all of the billions of Messenger interactions exchanged on a daily basis to be end-to-end encrypted by default sometime this year, and today’s memo from Zuckerberg confirms that progress is ongoing. 
According to the announcement, Meta is “gradually expanding” the beta stage of default encryption. The tech giant states that users will be notified in the coming months as their conversations — chosen at random, Meta emphasized — are transitioned into encrypted chats. Meta says the users and conversations selected are done so in a system that is random by design, and while automatic encryption will be the default, users can still opt out. 
Meta has been under pressure to finally roll out default E2EE on Messenger once and for all, especially in the wake of Roe v. Wade’s overruling, which demonstrated the function’s necessity when a teenager and her mother faced criminal charges for discussing a pregnancy termination via Facebook Messenger.

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