Mexican drug lord pleads not guilty to killing of DEA agent after US extradition

Rafael Caro Quintero arraigned in New York over federal agent’s death after years as one of US’s most wanted men

After years as one of US authorities’ most wanted men, the Mexican drug cartel boss Rafael Caro Quintero was brought into a New York courtroom on Friday to answer charges that include orchestrating the 1985 killing of a US federal agent.

Caro Quintero pleaded not guilty to running a continuing criminal enterprise. Separately, so did Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, the leader of another cartel. Carrillo is accused of arranging kidnappings and killings in Mexico but not accused of involvement in the death of the DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.

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Continue ReadingMexican drug lord pleads not guilty to killing of DEA agent after US extradition

Diplomacy dies on live TV as Trump and Vance gang up to bully Ukraine leader

US president said his horrific blow-up would make ‘great television’ – the White House has never seen anything like it

“This is going to be great television,” Donald Trump remarked at the end. Sure. And as they slipped into the icy depths, the captain of the Titanic probably assured his passengers that this would make a great movie some day.

Trump on Friday presided over one of the greatest diplomatic disasters in modern history. Tempers flared, voices were raised and protocol was shredded in the once-hallowed Oval Office. As Trump got into a shouting match with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a horrified Europe watched the post-second world war order crumble before its eyes.

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Continue ReadingDiplomacy dies on live TV as Trump and Vance gang up to bully Ukraine leader

Diplomacy dies on live TV as Trump and Vance gang up to bully Ukraine leader

US president said his horrific blow-up would make ‘great television’ – the White House has never seen anything like it

“This is going to be great television,” Donald Trump remarked at the end. Sure. And as they slipped into the icy depths, the captain of the Titanic probably assured his passengers that this would make a great movie some day.

Trump on Friday presided over one of the greatest diplomatic disasters in modern history. Tempers flared, voices were raised and protocol was shredded in the once-hallowed Oval Office. As Trump got into a shouting match with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a horrified Europe watched the post-second world war order crumble before its eyes.

Continue reading...
Continue ReadingDiplomacy dies on live TV as Trump and Vance gang up to bully Ukraine leader

RFL warns clubs that planned coup will financially cripple the sport

  • Professional clubs want to oust RFL chair Simon Johnson
  • Governing body says any such move would breach rules

The Rugby Football League has warned clubs that an attempt to sideline the sport’s governing body and replace its chair could have “catastrophic financial consequences” after taking legal advice to stave off a planned revolt.

Rugby league’s professional clubs will assemble in March to consider a proposal put forward by the Super League club Leigh Leopards and Championship side Batley Bulldogs, which calls for the immediate removal of Simon Johnson, after a purported loss of confidence in the direction of the governing body.

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Continue ReadingRFL warns clubs that planned coup will financially cripple the sport