NYC suspect in court, Russian ship damaged, Lyoya family speaks: 5 things to know Thursday

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Suspect in NYC subway shooting to make first court appearance

Many questions remain unanswered in the aftermath of an attack on a Brooklyn subway train during rush hour Tuesday. The suspect in the case, 62-year-old Frank R. James, was arrested Wednesday after a manhunt lasting over 24 hours and faces a federal terror charge of attacking a mass transit system. James was due to appear in court Thursday on a charge that pertains to terrorist or other violent attacks against mass transit systems and carries a sentence of up to life in prison, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace said. The attack unfolded when police say a man opened fire on a Brooklyn subway train during morning rush hour. Ten people were shot, and at least 19 others were taken to hospitals. Police did not comment on the gunman's motives. Officials say they are investigating social media posts and YouTube videos purportedly from the suspect in which he threatened violence, mentioned homelessness and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

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Russia confirms major warship 'severely' damaged in the Black Sea

Russia confirmed the flagship of its Black Sea fleet was "severely" damaged Wednesday and its crew evacuated following an explosion that a Ukrainian official said was a result of a missile strike. Odesa Gov. Maksym Marchenko said on Telegram that Ukrainian forces struck the guided-missile cruiser Moskva with two missiles and caused "serious damage." The cruiser usually has about 500 officers and crew, the Associated Press reports. Russia's Ministry of Defense said Thursday ammunition had exploded on Moskva as a result of "a fire," according to the state news agency Tass, and the cause of that fire is under investigation. In other developments, President Joe Biden said in a statement Wednesday that he has authorized an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine, including weapons and ammunition. The move came after Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In his nightly address to the nation Wednesday, Zelenskyy said he's "sincerely thankful" for the new U.S. aid.

Family of Patrick Lyoya expected to speak after release of police video

Grand Rapids, Michigan, police released video Wednesday of an officer's fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya, a Black man, on April 6. The video, a collection of police footage, a home security camera and a cellphone video, shows the unnamed officer pulling over Lyoya, 26, for a "license plate that doesn't match the car." Later, the two struggled, and the officer was heard telling Lyoya to "stop" and to "let go of the Taser." After about 90 seconds, the officer was lying on top of Lyoya, who was facedown on the ground. The officer, who was still yelling for Lyoya to "let go of the Taser," then shot him. City Manager Mark Washington said Wednesday the city is "determined to get this right ..." Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney who represented the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others, is representing Lyoya's family. He released a statement Wednesday demanding the officer be terminated, arrested and prosecuted. Crump and Lyoya's family are expected to hold a news conference Thursday afternoon.

Panel to weigh if video of trial of ex-officers charged in Floyd's death should be allowed

Prosecutors revealed this week that they offered plea deals to Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng, the three former Minneapolis police officers charged with aiding and abetting the murder of George Floyd, but said at a hearing the three defendants rejected them. The men are charged with aiding and abetting both manslaughter and murder when ex-officer Derek Chauvin used his knee to pin Floyd, a Black man, to the pavement for 9-and-a-half minutes on May 25, 2020. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill held the hearing mostly to consider whether he has the authority to allow live video coverage of the upcoming trial set to begin in June. He said he won't rule until after the Minnesota Judicial Council — a panel of judges and court administrators — meets Thursday to discuss the issue. Attorney Leita Walker, who represents a coalition of media organizations, urged Cahill to allow video coverage, noting the public got to watch Chauvin's trial, and interest remains high because both involve Floyd's death.

'The Kardashians' premieres on Hulu

The Kardashians are returning to reality TV — this time on Hulu — with "The Kardashians" premiering Thursday night. The new show will bring the same drama fans loved in the original "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," which premiered on E! in 2007 and ran for 20 seasons. Viewers can also expect a sleeker production and more mature aesthetic, which Kim says speaks to where the family is at in their lives after their TV break. Kim’s ex-husband Ye (the rapper formerly known as Kanye West) won’t make many appearances in the new series, but Kourtney's fiancé Travis Barker will be one of the newer additions to the family given their recent spur-of-the-moment (faux) elopement in Vegas. The 10-episode season will air a new episode each Thursday through June 16.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NYC suspect in court, Russian ship damaged: 5 things to know Thursday