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Australian Senate begins debate on world-first social media ban for children under 16Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail a third time as he awaits sex trafficking trial

A Baltimore woman has been sentenced to 18 months in jail for her part in a three-month string of gun store burglaries across the state. Mahkiya Mcquinn-Woodley pleaded guilty on Dec. 4 to five of the 200 charges filed against her earlier this year by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General and was sentenced the same day. Court records show her conviction included three felonies: participation in a criminal organization and two counts of second-degree burglary of a firearm. She was also convicted of misdemeanor counts of possession of a stolen, regulated firearm and reckless endangerment. Mcquinn-Woodley, 21, is the oldest of four people indicted in the burglaries, which resulted in 81 firearms being stolen. The only other defendant named by authorities was Cy’juan Hemsley, a District Heights man whose case has made little progress in the court system. Two boys, aged 16 and 17 at the time of their arrests, were also charged. Because they are juvenile defendants, information on their cases is not available. When announcing the indictments in August, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said only six of the stolen weapons had been recovered. Many, state officials said, were sold “well above fair market value” to other juveniles or people not allowed to possess them. Despite her plea, Mcquinn-Woodley has asked the court to modify her sentence, which was reduced from 12 years of incarceration, according to the Maryland Judiciary. A review hearing is scheduled for May 7. Public defender Anne Stewart-Hill, who is representing Mcquinn-Woodley, could not immediately be reached for comment Monday afternoon. According to the indictment, the first burglary took place on Christmas Eve last year in Prince George’s County and led to the theft of 35 firearms. Though Mcquinn-Woodley was accused of participating in that burglary, the next day, other members of the “enterprise” canvassed or attempted to break into six other gun shops, authorities said, including three in Glen Burnie. Between Christmas Eve, 2023, and March 4, the group committed or tried to commit break-ins at eight businesses during 10 separate incidents, authorities said. All of the stolen firearms, except for 10 airsoft guns, were taken from the first gun shop in Prince George’s County, according to the indictment. Airsoft guns fire plastic pellets instead of bullets and are typically used recreationally. Authorities said some of the 81 weapons were used in other crimes, including a shooting in District Heights in which no one was injured. In early January, a little more than a week after the first burglary, an individual was accidentally shot through both feet and soon after, the weapons were stolen by a rival group, law enforcement said. Beyond break-ins, Mcquinn-Woodley is named in the indictment for firing a handgun into the air, as well as posting several videos of herself online either holding or dancing with firearms. State officials said in August that social media played a critical role in their investigation. According to the indictment, messages and posts from the defendants reference the burglaries, show stolen guns and depict firearm sales. Mcquinn-Woodley will serve her sentence in an Anne Arundel County detention center, according to court records. The investigation involved police departments from the affected counties, as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Baltimore Field Division. In August, during his announcement, Brown described the indictments as the product of a “two-part mission” — finding those responsible for the burglaries and finding the guns. “It’s when these guns fall into the hands of those who are banned from possessing them, that’s what creates the greatest danger in our community,” Brown said. “We must put a stop to this and get these guns off our streets.” Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the stolen firearms is asked to contact either the anonymous tip lines for Anne Arundel County Police at 410-222-4700 or Prince George’s County Police at 1-866-411-8477. The Maryland Attorney General’s Office was not immediately available for comment Monday. Have a news tip? Contact Luke Parker at lparker@baltsun.com , 410-725-6214, or on X @lparkernews .2 rescued after California wharf partially collapses due to heavy surf from major Pacific stormQUENTIN LETTS at PMQs: Sir Keir became peevish with Kemi, his right eyebrow shooting skywards like a leaping salmon

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NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bail on Wednesday as he awaits a May sex trafficking trial by a judge who cited evidence showing him to be a serious risk of witness tampering and proof that he has violated regulations in jail. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian made the decision in a written ruling following a bail hearing last week, when lawyers for the hip-hop mogul argued that a $50 million bail package they proposed would be sufficient to ensure Combs doesn’t flee and doesn’t try to intimidate prospective trial witnesses. Two other judges previously had been persuaded by prosecutors’ arguments that the Bad Boy Records founder was a danger to the community if he is not behind bars. Lawyers did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the decision. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years, aided by associates and employees. An indictment alleges that he silenced victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings. A federal appeals court judge last month denied Combs’ immediate release while a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan considers his bail request. Prosecutors have insisted that no bail conditions would be sufficient to protect the public and prevent the “I'll Be Missing You” singer from fleeing. They say that even in a federal lockup in Brooklyn, Combs has orchestrated social media campaigns designed to influence prospective jurors and tried to publicly leak materials he thinks can help his case. They say he also has contacted potential witnesses through third parties. Lawyers for Combs say any alleged sexual abuse described in the indictment occurred during consensual relations between adults and that new evidence refutes allegations that Combs used his “power and prestige” to induce female victims into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male sex workers known as “Freak Offs.” Larry Neumeister, The Associated Press

The Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has warned civil servants in the state against ill-timed political engagements ahead of the 2027 general election. Buni gave the warning at the swearing-in ceremony of four permanent secretaries and six other political appointees on Wednesday in Damaturu. He said any electioneering campaign on 2027 now would be a derailment and sabotage of efforts by his administration’s goals and objectives. The governor said: “I have noted in recent times the emerging politicking for 2027. “As a government we are concentrating on executing our campaign promises to the people. “We will not tolerate any deliberate act of overheating the polity, intended to cause confusion, disaffection and divert government attention from focus.” He stressed that the 2027 election campaigns are needless as his administration has ample time left to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of the state. READ ALSO: Gov Buni suspends local council chairman for misconduct in Yobe Buni congratulated the appointees and charged them to promote good governance and deliver quality services to the people. The appointees and their ministries/offices are: · Garba Hassan – Water Resources · Garba Usman – Higher Education · Mohammed Saleh – Service Welfare Office, Office of the Head of Service · Shuaibu Ahmed (To be deployed soon). · Goni Gana – Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Board · Babaji Galadima – Fiscal Responsibility Board · Ali Koromari – Fiscal Responsibility Board · Auwalu Dankwanyau – State Universal Basic Education Board Opinions Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs. As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake. If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause. Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development. Donate NowThe Diplomatic Corps in Ghana has expressed its admiration for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2024 elections, lauding his statesmanship and exemplary concession following the election results. In a move that took both the nation and the international community by surprise, Dr. Bawumia promptly conceded and congratulated President-elect John Dramani Mahama within hours of the polls closing, well before the official collation of results by the Electoral Commission. Dr. Bawumia’s swift and graceful concession has earned widespread praise both locally and internationally for demonstrating respect for democratic principles and contributing to the peaceful transition of power. In a formal letter to Dr. Bawumia, the Diplomatic Corps commended his actions, noting that his concession underscores his commitment to democratic values and his deep love for Ghana. “On behalf of the Diplomatic Corps in Ghana, it is my great honour to commend a man whose actions continue to highlight the strength of Ghana’s democratic principles,” the statement, signed by Dean Maher Kheir, read. “Your unwavering commitment to the values of democracy, especially through your honourable concession in the recent elections, stands as a testament to your statesmanship and love for this nation. In moments of political transition, it is the strength of character and respect for the democratic process that define a leader.” The statement further praised Dr. Bawumia’s conduct, calling his graceful acceptance of the election outcome a significant contribution to Ghana’s standing as a beacon of democracy on the continent. “Your grace in accepting the outcome is not only a reflection of your integrity but also a profound contribution to Ghana’s enviable democratic credentials, which serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration across the continent,” the Diplomatic Corps noted. Highlighting the maturity of Ghana’s democracy, the Diplomatic Corps acknowledged Dr. Bawumia’s peaceful and dignified approach, underscoring the collective responsibility of all political leaders to uphold peace, unity, and progress. “The peaceful and dignified manner in which you have conducted yourself underscores the maturity of Ghana’s democracy and the shared responsibility of all leaders to uphold the ideals of peace, unity and progress for the nation,” the statement added. The Diplomatic Corps concluded by reaffirming the confidence of the international community in Ghana as a model for democratic governance. “Your actions reaffirm the confidence and trust the international community has in Ghana as a model for democratic governance. As the Diplomatic Corps, we applaud your example and encourage all stakeholders to continue strengthening this legacy.” The statement concluded with well-wishes for Dr. Bawumia, expressing gratitude for his leadership and contributions to Ghana’s continued development. “Let us celebrate Ghana’s democracy not just as a system but as a shared commitment to values that uplift its people and inspire others. We thank you for your exemplary leadership and wish you continued success as you contribute to the development of this great nation.”

A panel of authorities on the data center industry told Northwest energy planners Wednesday that the tech sector will take all the electricity it can get its hands on, warning of severe consequences if the region doesn’t respond in time. “We’re going to need to build more transmission faster than any time we have in the last 70 years as a region,” said Robert Cromwell, who consults with Northwest power utilities. He said the region is already flirting with rolling blackouts because peak energy demand is already near the region’s capacity to provide electricity. Data center demand is soaring because of artificial intelligence, which uses massive amounts of electricity for advanced computation. These powerful machines already consume more than 10% of all of Oregon’s power and forecasters say data center power use will be at least double that by 2030 — and perhaps some multiple higher. If the Northwest fails to add enough generation and transmission to meet the growing energy needs, Cromwell said periodic blackouts are inevitable at times power demand is at its greatest. He used an industry term, “rotating load shedding,” to describe rolling blackouts, which briefly cut off power to homes, businesses and even hospitals that need electricity to provide life-saving care. “Nothing will change policy faster than elected officials going to constituent funerals, and it won’t be for the better because it’ll be reactionary and less than fully thought through,” Cromwell told Wednesday’s meeting of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Oregon has one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing data center industries, owing in large part to some of the most generous tax breaks anywhere in the world . Data centers don’t employ many people, but the wealthy tech companies that run them enjoy Oregon tax giveaways worth more than $225 million annually. Amazon, Apple, Google and Meta operate enormous data centers in central and eastern Oregon. Several other companies, including Oracle, LinkedIn and the social network X, have huge installations in Hillsboro. Earlier this year, the power council issued a forecast suggesting a range of possibilities for data center power demand through the end of the decade. In the middle case, the council said Northwest data centers would need 4,000 average megawatts of additional electricity in 2030. That’s an enormous jump in demand, equivalent to the power use of 3 million homes. And yet on Wednesday, Cromwell said the council’s median forecast is too low. “Your medium case is not high enough and your high case is probably pretty close to spot on,” he said. The high forecast predicts that data centers will actually need an additional 6,500 average megawatts in the next few years — equivalent to the power needs of nearly 5 million homes. “There’s no question in my mind that the demand for computation and AI, and the demand to plug in (computer processors), exceeds the available power that we have by 2030,” said Brian Janous, a former Microsoft vice president now consulting for industrial electricity users. There’s little prospect of blunting that growth by shifting demand to other data centers during peak times or through the invention of more efficient computers, Janous and others told the council on Wednesday. He said the demand for artificial intelligence is so high that data center operators will use all the electricity they can get and will operate all their facilities around the clock. When power demand exceeds supply, during winter storms or heatwaves for example, utilities and governments must make wrenching decisions about who loses power and for how long. Turning off power to data centers could preserve power for homes and hospitals but would have its own negative consequences. Think about the faulty CrowdStrike software update last summer, said panelist Sarah Smith, with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. That took down banks, hospitals, factories, news sites and many others as online systems went awry. “Air travel was disrupted for days,” Smith said. “There was a lot of really wide-ranging impacts you could imagine.” The Northwest Power and Conservation Council is a regional organization that works with utilities and governments in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington to balance future power needs and environmental protections. It convened Wednesday’s panel on data centers to help plan a new forecast the council will issue next year. Big tech companies generally accept the scientific consensus that carbon emissions are causing climate change. Until recently, most tech companies expressed public commitments to find renewable power for their data centers. Recently, though, Janous said they’ve become “willing to compromise, in the short run” on their clean power goals because they’re desperate for any source of electricity. Despite the data centers’ voracious appetite for power, the panelists expressed some hope that the region will be able to meet the challenge and, in time, push data center operators to return to their clean energy aspirations. They suggested a Northwest regional transmission authority, long under discussion, could help streamline the construction of new power lines and collaboration among western states. Data centers’ power needs are triggering expensive upgrades to the Northwest’s power lines and prompting construction of new power plants. There is growing concern among ratepayer advocates, regulators and politicians that households will end up bearing much of the cost of data center growth through higher residential power bills. On Wednesday, panelists said data center operators are highly motivated. They said tech companies probably be willing to bear the cost of additional power themselves, provided they have a pathway to get that energy quickly. “The companies that are asking for this infrastructure are extraordinarily deep-pocketed and there’s a huge willingness to pay,” Janous said, “because the returns they earn on the back end are massive.” -- Mike Rogoway covers Oregon technology and the state economy. Reach him at mrogoway@oregonian.com . Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe