Salem News Channel

Ex-US Rep. George Santos Sentenced to Over 7 Years in Prison for Fraud and Identity Theft

Disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos has been sentenced to over seven years in prison. He sobbed on Friday as he heard his 87-month sentence. The New York Republican pleaded guilty last summer to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Santos admitted he deceived donors and stole the identities of nearly a dozen people to fund his congressional campaign. He served less than a year in Congress before being expelled in 2023 after his lies and fraud were uncovered. Prosecutors sought a seven-year prison sentence for Santos. His lawyers had called for two years behind bars.

Russian General was Killed by a Car Bomb Just Outside Moscow

Russia’s top criminal investigation agency says a senior military officer has been killed by a car bomb. Friday's killing was the second attack on a top Russian military officer in four months that Moscow has blamed on Ukraine. The victim, Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, was a deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff of the Russian armed forces. He was killed by an explosive device placed in his car in Balashikha just outside Moscow, Russia's capital. Investigators didn’t mention possible suspects but Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukrainian intelligence agencies of involvement. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also pointed at Kyiv. Neither of them offered evidence. Ukrainian officials didn't comment on the attack.

Funeral Preparations for Pope Underway in Rome

Heads of state and royalty will begin converging on Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square, but the group of poor people who will meet his casket in a small crosstown basilica are more in keeping with Francis’ humble persona and disdain for pomp. U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei are among the leaders arriving Friday. That is the last day Argentine pope will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica before his coffin is sealed in preparation for his funeral Saturday. More than 150,000 mourners have waited hours in line to bid farewell to Francis, who died Monday.