Nation and World

Montana man convicted of beating, rubbing hot sauce in kids eyes

(Getty Images)

More Stories

Pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israeli supporters clash at an encampment at UCLA on May 1, ...

Slow UCLA response to violence questioned

Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, left, holds candles for Christian pilgrim ...

Holy Fire ceremony marked amid war’s backdrop

Graduates sporting Israeli flags and pins shout at Pro-Palestinian protesters as they demonstra ...

Small anti-war protest ruffles University of Michigan graduation ceremony

Israeli soldiers sit atop an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) positioned near the border with th ...

Israel downplays chances of ending war with Hamas

The Associated Press

November 29, 2018 - 10:09 am

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — A Montana man has been convicted of two counts of assault on a minor for beating his girlfriend’s sons with a belt and rubbing hot sauce in their eyes as a form of discipline.

The children testified against Robert Mathew Holguin Jr. of Great Falls Tuesday. Jurors found him guilty Wednesday.

Holguin was taken into custody. His sentencing is set for Jan. 7.

Defense attorney Victor Bunitsky argued the boys’ mother, Mandy Marie McElwain, gave Holguin permission to discipline the children and witnessed the punishment.

Child welfare workers placed the boys — then 5 and 8 — in foster care in 2016.

McElwain pleaded no contest to felony child endangerment in November 2017 and was given a two-year deferred sentence. She testified she did not agree with the hot sauce discipline but was afraid to try to intervene.

Slow UCLA response to violence questioned

By Teresa Watanabe Los Angeles Times

May 4, 2024 - 7:53 pm

LOS ANGELES — On the morning before a mob attacked a pro-Palestinian student encampment at UCLA, campus Police Chief John Thomas assured university leadership that he could mobilize law enforcement “in minutes” — a miscalculation from the three hours it took to actually bring in enough officers to quell the violence, according to three sources.

Holy Fire ceremony marked amid war’s backdrop

The Associated Press

May 4, 2024 - 7:50 pm

JERUSALEM — Bells and clamor, incense and flames. One of the most chaotic gatherings in the Christian calendar is the ancient ceremony of the “Holy Fire,” with worshippers thronging the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on Saturday.

Small anti-war protest ruffles University of Michigan graduation ceremony

By Philip Marcelo The Associated Press

May 4, 2024 - 2:42 pm

Protesters chanted anti-war messages and waved Palestinian flags during the University of Michigan’s commencement Saturday.

Israel downplays chances of ending war with Hamas

By Sam Mednick and Jack Jeffery The Associated Press

May 4, 2024 - 12:11 pm

An Israeli official downplayed the prospects for a full end to the war in Gaza.

Rabbi Levi Cunin, with Chabad on Campus, speaks during a pro-Israel rally at Indiana University ...

Jewish students grapple with how to respond to campus protests

By Jesse Bedayn The Associated Press

May 4, 2024 - 12:07 pm

Some Jewish students have taken part in strident pro-Palestinian protests dominating U.S. colleges in recent weeks, but few have led rallies in support of Israel.

Mudd Hall on the Campus of the University of Southern California on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in ...

After canceling commencement, USC will host event at L.A. Coliseum

By Nathan Solis Los Angeles Times

May 3, 2024 - 7:13 pm

After canceling its mainstage commencement ceremony amid pro-Palestinian protests, USC has announced plans for a “Trojan Family” graduation event at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

New York City Police Dept. Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Tarik Sheppard, right, is ...

Police defend decision not to disclose accidental gunshot during Columbia protest

By Karen Matthews The Associated Press

May 3, 2024 - 6:21 pm

New York City police officials defended their decision to keep quiet about a potentially dangerous accident that happened as officers cleared pro-Palestinian protesters from Columbia University.

USAID Administrator Samantha Power talks with Mana operations director Harry Broughton during a ...

A new sea route for Gaza aid is on track, USAID says

By Russ Bynum and Ellen Knickmeyer The Associated Press

May 3, 2024 - 6:14 pm

Preparations are on track in Gaza for humanitarian workers to be ready to deliver food, treatment for children and other assistance by mid-May, a USAID official said.

Houthi military spokesman, Brigadier Yahya Saree, delivers a statement on the attacks against t ...

Houthis threaten to try to attack ships in Mediterranean Sea

By Mohammed Hatem Bloomberg News

May 3, 2024 - 6:04 pm

The Houthi terrorist group based in Yemen threatened to start trying to attack ships in the eastern Mediterranean Sea as it steps up a campaign of anti-Israeli assaults.

President Joe Biden walks across the South Lawn of the White House as he talks with White House ...

Israel has briefed U.S. on plan to evacuate Palestinian civilians ahead of potential Rafah operation

By Aamer Madhani The Associated Press

May 3, 2024 - 5:57 pm

Israel this week briefed Biden administration officials on a plan to evacuate Palestinian civilians ahead of a potential operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.