Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued New York doctor Margaret Carpenter, alleging she violated Texas’s near-total abortion ban by mailing abortion medication to a Texas resident. The lawsuit seeks $100,000 per violation, representing a novel attempt to enforce Texas abortion law outside of its borders. This action has drawn sharp rebuke from New York Attorney General Letitia James, who vowed to defend providers against such out-of-state legal attacks. The lawsuit’s success hinges on whether Texas can successfully assert jurisdiction over a New York physician’s actions.
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Following the legalization of medical cannabis in Ukraine this past summer, the first registered cannabis medicines are expected to be available as early as January. This follows the registration process currently underway for these products, which are anticipated to initially be imported. The legislation, signed into law in February, legalizes medical cannabis for patients with severe illnesses like cancer and PTSD, with plans to expand qualifying conditions. Oversight of cultivation, processing, and distribution will be shared between several government agencies.
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Following a judge’s order, President-elect Trump and ABC News host George Stephanopoulos will each give four-hour depositions next week in Trump’s defamation suit against ABC. The depositions, initially delayed, will proceed in person (Trump in Florida) and potentially remotely for Stephanopoulos. The suit stems from Stephanopoulos’s reporting on the E. Jean Carroll case, where Trump disputes the characterization of the jury’s finding. ABC’s attempts to dismiss the case based on fair reporting privilege were unsuccessful.
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A Nevada federal jury awarded Kirstin Lobato, now Blaise, $34 million in compensatory damages and $10,000 in punitive damages from two retired Las Vegas detectives, finding they fabricated evidence and inflicted emotional distress during her wrongful conviction for a 2001 murder. Lobato, wrongly convicted twice and imprisoned for nearly 16 years, was exonerated in 2017 after new evidence proved her innocence. The jury’s verdict concluded that Las Vegas police were responsible for her ordeal; the department had preemptively agreed to pay damages should the jury find in Lobato’s favor. The detectives’ attorney plans to appeal the decision.
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A $266 million foreign military sales package, approved by the State Department, will provide crucial sustainment and repair services for Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jets. This package includes essential support systems, weapons software, training equipment, and spare parts, bolstering Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. The sale follows Denmark’s recent delivery of additional F-16s and comes amidst concerns regarding potential future aid reductions. The package aims to enhance Ukraine’s ability to defend against current and future threats. This action is occurring alongside other recent aid announcements from the U.S.
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New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham vehemently opposes President-elect Trump’s plan to utilize the National Guard for mass deportations, citing devastating consequences for families and the state’s economy. She vows to utilize all legal means to fight these deportations and will collaborate with other states in this effort. While rejecting mass deportations, Lujan Grisham supports increased federal agents to address criminal activity related to immigration and calls for Congress to pass a stalled bipartisan border security bill. Instead of mass deportations, the Governor advocates for more respectful rhetoric concerning immigrants and a focus on comprehensive immigration reform.
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Bob Fernandez, a 100-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor and USS Curtiss veteran, passed away peacefully at his nephew’s home in California. His death followed a recent stroke that prevented him from attending the 83rd anniversary commemoration in Hawaii. A mess cook during the attack, Fernandez witnessed firsthand the bombing and its devastating impact, losing shipmates in the process. He lived a full life, marked by his naval service, community involvement, and generosity, leaving behind a legacy of kindness.
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NATO air policing missions near Estonia have involved multiple intercepts of Russian aircraft. French Rafale jets, for the first time since commencing their Lithuanian-based mission, intercepted a Russian IL-18 off the Estonian coast. Separately, Dutch F-35s intercepted three Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea. These actions follow similar incidents involving Norwegian and Italian aircraft, highlighting ongoing activity in the region. The deployments underscore NATO’s commitment to securing its eastern flank.
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Senator Bernie Sanders is launching a campaign targeting America’s wealthiest individuals, like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, for their role in a global oligarchy. This oligarchy, Sanders argues, manipulates the economy, influences elections, avoids taxes, and controls the government, hindering democracy and exacerbating global inequalities. He plans a series of discussions exposing this influence and the incoming administration’s ties to the billionaire class. Sanders contends that this oligarchic system undermines crucial issues like climate change and healthcare, ultimately prioritizing the wealthy elite over the common good. He asserts that addressing this oligarchy is paramount to restoring democratic principles and improving societal well-being.
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Luigi Mangione, charged with the second-degree murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has retained high-profile attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo. New evidence, including a 3D-printed gun matching shell casings at the crime scene and matching fingerprints, strengthens the case against Mangione, who is currently fighting extradition from Pennsylvania. While Mangione’s Pennsylvania attorney anticipates a not-guilty plea, the NYPD report suggests the killing was motivated by anger towards corporate greed, citing a “manifesto” found on Mangione. The extradition process is underway, with both governors expected to cooperate.
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John Q. Hosedrinker