News Briefs: British protests of murders; Hawaii fire lawsuit; 9/11 plea deal

Today’s News Briefs include British protests over murdered girls; Settlement for Laihana fire victims; 9/11 families react to plea deal.

Violent protests continue across England after girls murdered

Tbousands of Britains continue protesting across the country after three little girls were murdered at a Taylor Swift-style dance class. Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, were fatally stabbed Monday in Southport, reports the BBC.  Eight other children suffered knife wounds. A 17-year-old son of Rwanda immigrants was arrested in the murders. US news outlet CNN wrongly describes the protesters as “far-right” agitators but British news agencies report the protestrs represent a broad range of  English society. In London, demonstrators were seen launching flares towards the gates of Downing Street. The BBC reports people could be heard chanting phrases such as “stop the boats” and “save our kids” as they threw bottles and cans at officers.

$4 billion settlement close for Lahaina fire victims

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green says the parties involved in Lahaina wildfire lawsuits against the state of Hawaii, Maui County and utilities are close to a claim settlement worth a little over $4 billion, according to the AP. The deal could be finalized as soon as Aug. 6, which would be two days before the one-year anniversary of the fire that killed 102 people and wiped out historic Lahaina. Insurance claims have already paid $3 billion. “But the additional $4 billion of settlement will hopefully make it possible for people to rebuild however they feel they need to,” Green said.

9/11 families respond to terrorist plea deal

Families of 9/11 murder victims are decrying a plea deal worked out by the Biden administration and three of the terrorists behind the Sept. 11 terror attacks awaiting trial in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. On Wednesday, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced the Convening Authority for Military Commissions, Susan Escallier, entered into pretrial agreements with Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi. The terror suspects will be spared the death penalty, three relatives of 9/11 victims were told by the Office of Military Commissions (OMC), the New York Post reported. “I am very disappointed. We waited patiently for a long time. I wanted the death penalty; the government has failed us,” Daniel D’Allara, whose twin brother, John, was an NYPD officer killed in the attacks, told the Post.

–Dwight Widaman and wire service