Two high-level FDNY chiefs used a City Hall practice of expediting fire inspections for favored big-money building owners, including deep-pocketed donors to Mayor Adams, as cover for a scheme that secretly netted them nearly $200,000 in illegal off-the-books payments, federal prosecutors charged Monday.Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco, two former ranking members of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, were arrested and charged with speeding up inspections for customers who paid a former firefighter as an “expediter” who helped them get approvals for fire safety systems needed to open new spaces and buildings. In turn, prosecutors alleged, those property owners steered cash to…
Author: THE CONNECTING NEWSPAPER
Before he migrated to the United States, joined the Marines, and sold millions of albums, Shaggy grew up in Rae Town, a central Kingston community with a strong sound system culture. That is where he first heard Michael Prophet’s Gunman.The Grammy-winning toaster revisits that classic track for the Badman Riddim, which he co-produced with Shane Hoosong. It is distributed by VP Records and Shaggy’s Ranch Entertainment. Selector Pull It by Shaggy and Olaf Blackwood and Rude Bwoy Sumthin by veteran deejay Junior Cat, are the first songs from the project, which were released on August 22. Sitt’n fi Chat by…
The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved a $6.6m grant to support the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in strengthening state capacity to build its financial architecture in order to promote inclusive and equitable growth. The Somalia Financial Sector Development Project will focus on improving the capacity of financial institutions, including the Central Bank of Somalia, Somalia Development and Reconstruction Bank, and the Financial Reporting Center (FRC), to formulate efficient credit delivery, and to implement anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures. It will also enhance financial sector expertise through targeted training and assistance. The reforms seek to build a…
Nigerian artist Efeodiuvwu Ernest Otutu whose stage name is Otriexx is set to release his most personal and emotionally charged single yet titled ‘Depression’, on 27th September 2024.PRESAVE LINK: ‘Depression’ by OtriexxAccording to Otriexx, the song is a window into the artist’s own battle with mental health and delivered through a unique fusion of hip-hop, Afrobeat, and electronic music. Known for his ability to weave personal stories into his sound, Otriexx dives deep into his own experiences with “Depression,” hoping to resonate with listeners facing similar struggles.Otriexx has always used music as a means of self-expression and emotional release, and…
Christmas is officially 100 days away and what’s not to love about the holiday season with its twinkling lights, lit candles, hot cocoa, presents, stockings, Christmas trees and Santa.An annual £10 extra has been given to pensioners, vulnerable people, and carers who receive benefits for over 50 years.A petition calling for a rise in the Christmas bonus to over £100 to make it keep pace with inflation was started in 2023, and Labour is now being urged to take action.At the time of writing, the petition had garnered the backing of over 18,000 individuals, with 1,000 new signatures joining in a…
The Penguins have signed captain Sidney Crosby to a two-year, $17.4M contract extension, the team announced. It carries a cap hit of $8.7M.Crosby’s deal will be paid out mostly in signing bonuses, per PuckPedia. He’ll earn $780K in base salary with a $9M signing bonus in 2025-26 and a $1.09M base salary with a $6.53M signing bonus in 2026-27. As suspected, his contract includes a full no-move clause.In an instant, a giant cloud that would have loomed over Pittsburgh’s training camp later this week dissipated. The two-year pact ends an unexpected extension saga that began two months ago after reports that…
Tehran, Iran – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has now been in office for a month and a half in one of the most eventful and tumultuous starting periods for a president since the country’s 1979 revolution. Over the past seven weeks, Iran has grappled with rising tensions with Israel — including considering a retaliatory strike — amid continuing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. Pezeshkian has also faced a series of domestic political challenges. The president told local and foreign journalists during his first news conference on Monday that the world must stop the “genocide” Israel is perpetrating in…
A man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump was charged Monday with federal gun crimes, making his first court appearance in the final weeks of a White House race already touched by violence. Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, faces charges of possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Additional and more serious charges are possible as the investigation continues and Justice Department prosecutors seek an indictment from a grand jury. Routh appeared briefly in federal court in West Palm Beach, where he answered perfunctory questions about…
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces £485 million of Italian investment into the UK following a meeting in Rome with Italian CEOs Italian counterpart, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, to strengthen the UK-Italy partnership across migration, trade and defence Part of the Prime Minister’s drive to deliver results for hardworking British people by resetting the UK’s relationship with key international partners ENGLAND / ITALY – More jobs for British people will be created thanks to nearly half a billion pounds worth of investment by Italian businesses into the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced today. In a joint press conference with…
Hackney Carnival 2024 is set to return to its roots on Sunday 22 September with a family-focused parade. Celebrating the rich cultural diversity of Hackney, the carnival will feature costumes, music, performances, and a variety of food, wellbeing, and craft stalls.With carnival groups representing Caribbean, African, South American, and East Asian communities, attendees can expect an immersive sensory experience honouring the heritage of these cultures. Free to attend and welcoming to all ages, Hackney Carnival promises a day of joy and celebration for everyone.ABOUT HACKNEY CARNIVALThe event is returning this September, with a parade and lots of parties planned for…