A Maryland court has ordered a blogger known as “Ziz”, who leads a cult-like group connected to six killings, to be held without bail.
The blogger, Jack LaSota, 34, of Berkeley, California, was arrested Sunday along with Michelle Zajko, 32, of Media, Pennsylvania, and Daniel Blank, 26, of Sacramento, California. The three face charges including trespassing, obstructing and hindering, and possession of a handgun in a vehicle.
The killing of a US Border Patrol agent David Maland last month near the Canadian border, as well as five other killings in three states, have been linked to the Zizians, as their apparent leader is known as.
LaSota, Zajko and Blank were arrested in Frostburg, Maryland, on Sunday afternoon.
LaSota was held without bail by the judge in the case because she was worried about her flight risk and public safety threat. LaSota “appears to be the leader of a violent group known as Zizians,” according to the prosecution.
Maland was killed in a January 20 shootout following a traffic stop in Coventry, Vermont, a small town about 32 kilometres (20 miles) from the Canadian border. Felix Bauckholt, a passenger in the car, also died, and the driver, Teresa Youngblut, has pleaded not guilty to federal firearms charges.
The Zizians have also been tied to the death of a woman during an attack on a California landlord in November 2022, the landlord’s subsequent slaying in January, and the December 2022 deaths of Zajko’s parents in Pennsylvania.
According to police records, a Frostburg resident claimed to have asked three “suspicious” people to leave their properties after they had parked two box trucks there and had asked to camp there for a month. He was later arrested.
When they were arrested, they were dressed in black and two wore gun belts holding ammunition, according to police. A handgun was discovered on the front floorboard of one truck and a rifle in the back of another. Zajko, who refused to put her hands behind her back and was taken to the ground, also was carrying a handgun, police said.
According to officials, a person of interest in Richard and Rita Zajko’s deaths in Chester Heights, Pennsylvania, purchased the weapons they recovered, and Youngblut had a history of close contact with a person of interest in a homicide in Vallejo, California.
Maximilian Snyder is accused of the stabbing death of Vallejo landlord Curtis Lind, who had survived a previous attack by members of the Zizian group and was scheduled to testify against them on January 17. He applied for a marriage license with Youngblut in November.
Officials have offered few details of the cross-country investigation, but Associated Press interviews and a review of court records and online postings tell the story of how a group of young, highly intelligent computer scientists, most of them in their 20s and 30s, met online, shared anarchist beliefs, and became increasingly violent.
While the group’s goals are not clear, online writings included topics such as radical veganism, gender identity and artificial intelligence.
The group’s apparent leader, LaSota, wrote a dark and occasionally violent blog under the name Ziz and, in one section, defended her theory that the two hemispheres of the brain could have “often desire to kill each other” and could hold various values and genders.
LaSota, who used she/her pronouns, said in her writings that she is a transgender woman. LaSota also criticized alleged foes, including so-called rationalist organizations, which are mostly active online and seek to understand human cognition through reason and knowledge. Some people are concerned about artificial intelligence’s potential risks.
Rick Buckler, famed for his role as the drummer in The Jam, passed away on February 17 at the age of 69 following a brief illness.
Rick had been a member of the band, which was active from 1972 to 1982 and is known for songs like Town Called Malice, alongside Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton. Fans have expressed condolence in posts on social media as well as his former bandmates, who later confirmed the news of his death.
Paul wrote: “I’m shocked and saddened by Rick’s passing. In my bedroom in Stanley Road, Woking, I’m thinking back to all of us who are currently practicing. To all the bars and clubs we frequented as children, hoping to break records. What a journey! What we created endured the test of time and far beyond our wildest dreams. My sincere sympathies to all P. W. x. family and friends.
Paying tribute, Bruce said: “I was shocked and devastated to hear the very sad news today. Rick was a good man and great drummer, whose creative drum patterns influenced the music we sang. I’m pleased that we got to work together as much as we did. At this very difficult time, Leslie and his family are in my thoughts.
The release comes after Rick was forced to reschedule a recent spoken word tour due to “ongoing health issues.” Rick and his team informed fans of Rick and The Jam that they had to cancel their spoken word events scheduled for the first quarter of 2025 in a message posted on February 1 about the cancellation.
Rick has been extremely moved by the volume of people who have booked to see the shows, but he has been advised to rest, recover, and strengthen his physical fortitude in order to handle UK tour dates.
Rick “was really excited to bring his updated “in conversation” show to life in so many new venues, both for devoted fans and new audiences. Once again thank you for you continued love, support and understanding. As time goes on, we’ll keep you informed. Rick anticipates seeing you all in the future.
It’s been announced that Rick Buckler (right) – who was a member of the Jam with Paul Weller (left) and Bruce Foxton (centre) – has died (Getty Images)
In the early 1970s, Rick and fellow students Paul and Bruce joined forces to form The Jam at Sheerwater Secondary School in Woking. The band went on to have four UK Number 1 singles, including Start and Beat Surrender. The Gift, which was the album’s top single, was released in 1982.
Up until their dissolution in 1982, Rick remained a key member of the group. The split was instigated by Paul, and in a later interview with The Strange Brew, Rick reflected: “One thing that struck me immediately… was how we just got on with it. We spoke about Paul leaving, and then we just got back into what we were doing, we immersed ourselves in the recording, we were in a recording studio, where Paul made the announcement. We returned to our jobs immediately.
” And it was almost not mentioned again, the reasons why Paul wanted to leave… There was no reason. There was no great scheme. basically, Paul’s explanation of why he wanted to leave the band at the beginning of the meeting was untrue.
Following the split, Rick went on to form Time UK, and after that venture disbanded, he transitioned into production, operating a studio in Islington. In the mid-1990s, he took a break from music and started working as a carpenter in Woking, Surrey, creating cabinets and ‘ distressed ‘ furniture. In 2005, he made a comeback to the music industry by founding a new band called the Gift, which played only classic songs from the Jam’s repertoire.
The Jam – who were active from 1972 to 1982 – are best known for songs like Town Called Malice (Redferns)
Bruce and he started playing From the Jam on tour in 2007. However, Rick left the Jam in September 2009 because he believed that he and Bruce could end up playing in a Jam tribute band if they continued to play without Paul. He left, working in various other capacities in the music business over the years, and he also wrote a number of books about the history of The Jam. He is survived by his wife Lesley and their two children, Jason and Holly.
On social media, tributes have been posted in honor of his death. One fan wrote:” RIP Rick Buckler. Thank you for all the enjoyable times and memorable memories. “Another said:” So sad to hear the news of Rick Buckler of the Jam passing. The best band I’ve ever seen live, and still the best I’ve ever seen. RIP Rick. “
Following the news that Rick’s death occurred this week (Getty Images), tributes have been paid to him on social media.
A third wrote on X:” I have just heard the devastating news about #RickBuckler. He not only had a brilliant drummer, but he also was the inspiration behind so many of The Jam’s songs, which we are all adored. Rick, I appreciate the memories. Tonight, the sky will shine an additional star. “Another fan commented:” Sad to hear that Rick Buckler has died. He leaves a legacy that will undoubtedly be a significant component of the greatest band ever. Thank you &, God bless. “
Others claim that he inspired them. One person wrote:” Absolutely heartbroken to hear about Rick Buckler. As a young drummer, he had a huge impact on me, and he was the jam’s backbone due to the trio’s incredible power and enthusiasm. I don’t know what else to say, I’m speechless. “Another wrote:” RIP Rick Buckler! Thanks for the music, memories, and inspiration! “
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Howard Webb, the referees’ commissioner, claims that Michael Oliver’s decision to send off Myles Lewis-Skelly to Arsenal was in error.
In a 1-0 win over Molineux on January 25th, Lewis-Skelly, 18, was shown a straight red card for a foul on Matt Doherty, and Arsenal were fined £65, 000 for failing to control their players.
Referee Oliver’s ruling that Lewis-Skelly committed serious foul play was supported by Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Darren England.
The Gunners appealed against the decision and the teenager’s three-match ban was subsequently overturned.
According to former England captain Alan Shearer, the sending-off was “one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in a long time,” he said during a BBC Match of the Day interview.
Webb said the officials made the decision incorrectly, but it wasn’t a “horrendous” one, according to Webb in a recent episode of Match Officials Mic’d Up, a Premier League Productions program that analyzes VAR decisions from previous gameweeks.
“From the outset, we would prefer a yellow card in this situation”, added Webb.
“I’ve heard this as a really terrible officiating decision,” I’ve heard. It’s not. I am aware of the referee’s concern that this was regarded as a serious foul-play incident on the day.
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In the 43rd minute, when the game was goalless, Lewis-Skelly was sent off for catching Doherty above the ankle with a late tackle to break up a counter-attack.
Aged 18 years and 121 days at the time, Lewis-Skelly became the third-youngest player to be sent off in the Premier League, behind Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean told Sky Sports, “When you see a still image, you understand what he has done,” in a split opinion.
He has committed “serious foul play,” he claims. Scraped down the Achilles. “
Pat Nevin, a former Chelsea and Scotland winger, said he was stunned by the red card.
” Myles Lewis-Skelly is only 10 yards outside the opposition’s box, “added Nevin”. It must be for violent conduct, but that doesn’t look like violent conduct.
“It’s a cynical trip. That is something I have never witnessed. I am stunned by a red card”.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta explained to Match of the Day that the decision was “so obvious that today you don’t need my words.”
“I am absolutely fuming, but I leave it with you”, he said to Sky Sports.
“Because it is that obvious, I don’t think my words are going to help”.
VAR should have intervened, he claimed.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the referee body’s head, claimed Webb should have called VAR England to explain Lewis-Skelly’s “glanced studs,” which should have kept him on the pitch.
The referee on the day clearly noticed Myles Lewis-Skelly’s movement in a direction with the intention of stopping the opponent because he saw the player play the ball without having any ability or intention to stop the opponent.
“And the opponent went down after the referee notices a raised foot making high contact.”
“But we are aware that we require excessive force or brutality for serious foul play, and what we see here is just that high contact, just glancing, and coming off the leg fairly quickly.”
Because of that glancing contact, everyone in the game has come to the same conclusion that this is not serious foul play.
The studs “glance in before coming down on the foot” because they don’t really go into the leg.
“Wholly unacceptable” abuse of Oliver
Police said they were looking into “threats and abuse” directed at Oliver and his family on social media after the match, according to PGMOL.
Oliver returned to refereeing swiftly, taking charge of Southampton’s 2-1 win at Ipswich a week after sending off Lewis-Skelly.
He then refereed the 2-2 draw between Everton and Liverpool on 12 February.
After the game was over, he showed Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure red cards in front of the away fans in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park before Everton moved to Bramley-Moore Dock.
In a frantic conclusion, Oliver also verbalized Liverpool manager Arne Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff.
When asked about the comments Oliver received on social media after dismissing Lewis-Skelly, Webb responded, “Nobody should be subject to threats, their families shouldn’t be subject to threats, whether they be officials or players.”
“It’s really disappointing.
” People won’t always want to agree with the decision. Yes, they can criticize where they feel is appropriate, but not at the level that was displayed in this instance, which resulted in threats to the referee, the officials, and their families.
Xiomara Castro, the president of Honduras, has announced that her country has reached an agreement with the US to extend an extradition treaty that she had previously pledged to end.
Castro said on Tuesday that the agreement will include “safeguards” for Honduras’s sovereignty, after previously attacking the treaty as an example of the heavy-handed US influence in Latin America.
In a social media post, Castro stated, “I have reached an agreement with the new US administration to ensure that the Extradition Treaty will continue to have the necessary safeguards for the State of Honduras and ensure its objective application.”
Otherwise, the agreement was scheduled to expire in ten days. However, Castro’s decision comes as US demands are being made to keep the agreement, which has been used to facilitate the extradition of figures like former president Juan Orlando Hernandez and former police chief Juan Carlos Bonilla.
Hernandez, for example, was a staunch US ally who came to power as a “law and order” figure. He was later extradited to the US where he was found guilty last year of using his influence to defy powerful drug traffickers. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison.
The US was accused of intervening in Honduran politics and plotting a coup against Castro’s government and the armed forces after its government announced in August that it would allow the extradition treaty to expire.
The Honduran president’s husband, Manuel Zelaya, was himself expelled from power in 2009 in a right-wing military coup carried out with the support of the business community.
Although Barack Obama, the then-US president, eventually denounced the coup as being “not legal,” critics claim that his administration did little to stop it from happening.
A period of harsh repression followed, but Castro, Zelaya’s wife, staged an electoral comeback and became president in January 2022.
Castro claimed on Tuesday that the new agreement provides guarantees for Honduras’ “integrity of the armed forces.”
While her government has criticized US meddling in the region and positions herself as a leftist, it has also worked with the US on issues like immigration and law enforcement.
Ella Thomas and Vick Hope, both of whom are radio personalities, donned stunning black outfits for the MOBO Awards red carpet.
The biggest stars from the MOBO Awards will be celebrating a night of incredible talent and music on Tuesday.
Indiyah Polack, a Love Island legend, and Eddie Kadi, a comedian, will host the event, which will take place at Utilita Arena in Newcastle. Indiyah made a lasting impression when she made her debut last year, and Eddie, who has a long history on Strictly, is well-known to millions of BBC viewers.
Throughout the night, well-known presenters will award deserved awards like Album of the Year, International Act, Song of the Year, and other honors. The legendary musician Vybz Kartel, who was released from prison almost a year ago, is also receiving the MOBO Impact Award.
Nominees include the likes of Ghetts, Sampha, Darkoo, Cleo Sol, Little Simz, Raye, Jorja Smith, Myles Smith, Pozer, Spider, Native James, Duppy, Scorcher, Nines, Potter Payer, K-Trap, Beyonce, Tems, Tyla and more. For his role in Supacell, Ghetts has also received awards.
Ahead of the epic performances and awards, the stars trickled onto the red carpet rocking their best outfits, including Ella Thomas, Amber Gill, Vick Hope, Krept and Konan and more.
Mobo Awards 2025: Access All Areas airs on BBC One on February 21 at 11.25pm*
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