Extradited teacher appears in Australia court on sex charges

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A former teacher extradited from Israel after a six-year legal battle appeared in an Australian court Thursday to face child sex abuse charges. Malka Leifer, 54, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court by video link from a police station where she is in COVID-19 quarantine. ...

Vatican clears retired US bishop of multiple abuse claims

DENVER (AP) — The Vatican has cleared a retired U.S. bishop of multiple allegations he sexually abused minors and teenagers, rejecting lay experts' determination that a half-dozen claims were credible and instead slapping him on the wrist for what it called “flagrant" imprudent behavior. The...

Some Colombians fear ex-paramilitary leader deported from US

BUCARAMANGA, Colombia (AP) — On the north coast of Colombia there is anxiety over the return to the South American country of one of the most feared former paramilitary commanders: Hernán Giraldo Serna. “El Patrón” (the boss) or “El Taladro” (the drill, as he became...

Israel extradites woman wanted for sex crimes to Australia

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli authorities on Monday extradited a former teacher accused of sexually abusing her former students in Australia, capping a six-year legal battle that had strained relations between the two governments and antagonized Australia's Jewish community. Malka Leifer, who is wanted on 74...

Israel extradites Malka Leifer, former teacher wanted on child sex abuse charges, to Australia after 6-year legal battle

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel extradites Malka Leifer, former teacher wanted on child sex abuse charges, to Australia after 6-year legal battle.

French leader tells child sex abuse victims 'we believe you'

PARIS (AP) — Amid a national French reckoning with sexual abuse of children by family members, President Emmanuel Macron told victims Saturday: “We believe you. You will never again be alone.” The French government pledged on Thursday to toughen laws on the rape of children after a massive...

Kansas House panel to warn new member over past behavior

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A newly elected Kansas lawmaker accused of threatening two state officials and abusive behavior toward girls and young women before taking his seat will get a public warning about his past conduct rather than facing possible removal from office, a committee decided Friday. A state House...

French victims of child abuse speak out in new #MeToo wave

PARIS (AP) — “I was 9. ... It was my father. He raped me until I was 17.” The French government pledged on Thursday to toughen laws on the rape of children after a massive online movement saw hundreds of victims share accounts about sexual abuse within their families. The move comes in the...

2 teens watch man who raped them sentenced to 10-12 years

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts man was sentenced to 10 to 12 years in prison for raping two teenagers who lived near him. One of the teenagers spoke at William R. Ahearn's sentencing hearing Tuesday in Worcester Superior Court, saying she was happy before she met him. The second teenager watched...

Michigan man sentenced to prison in drowning of autistic son

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (AP) — A former western Michigan college professor has been sentenced to prison for manslaughter in the death of his autistic teenage son, who drowned after spending an hour in an icy backyard pool with his arms restrained. Timothy Koets, 51, was sentenced Monday to a minimum of two...