Judge Deborah Oakes Evans recused herself from the Robert Roberson case, delaying his impending execution for the murder of his two-year-old daughter. Roberson, convicted in 2003, maintains his innocence, claiming his daughter’s death resulted from a fall and medication side effects, not abuse. The case has drawn significant public attention and legal challenges, particularly concerning the diagnosis of “shaken baby syndrome.” With Judge Evans’ recusal, the district attorney will determine the next steps in the proceedings.
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Judges Max Cogburn and Algenon Marbley, facing potential replacement by a Republican president, rescinded their planned semi-retirements. This action, following stalled Senate confirmations due to home-state senator objections, prevents President Biden’s nominees from replacing them with judges potentially more aligned with his political party. Senate Republicans criticized the judges’ actions as partisan, while Democrats race to confirm judicial appointments before the Republican majority takes effect in January. A deal allowing the incoming Republican president to choose four appellate court vacancies was struck in exchange for support of Democratic district court picks.
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Following anti-LGBTQ+ “propaganda” raids at three Moscow nightclubs, twelve patrons were convicted of “petty hooliganism” and detained. Authorities cited “obvious disrespect for society” and obscene language as justification, as detailed in court statements. These raids, reminiscent of similar crackdowns last year following a Supreme Court ruling labeling LGBTQ+ activism as extremist, underscore ongoing efforts to suppress LGBTQ+ rights in Russia. The incidents highlight the escalating restrictions imposed under President Putin’s leadership, including existing “gay propaganda” laws and recent legislation banning adoptions by nationals from countries permitting gender transitions.
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The unexpected and short-lived declaration of martial law in South Korea led to widespread disruption of entertainment schedules. Netflix cancelled actress Seo Hyun-jin’s promotional interview for “The Trunk” as a direct result. The announcement cited the martial law situation as the reason for the cancellation. While the martial law was lifted quickly, rescheduling of the interview is currently pending. Further updates regarding a new interview date will be provided by Netflix.
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A Vietnamese court upheld the death sentence for property tycoon Truong My Lan, convicted of a $27 billion fraud involving Saigon Commercial Bank. While the appeal was denied, Lan can avoid execution by repaying three-quarters of the embezzled funds, approximately $9 billion. This repayment could reduce her sentence to life imprisonment. Her husband received a reduced prison sentence, and the case has sparked widespread public outrage and a national anti-corruption campaign.
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President-elect Trump’s transition team reached an agreement with the Department of Justice to conduct background checks on his controversial nominees. This agreement, following scrutiny of picks for key positions including Defense Secretary and FBI Director, aims to expedite the security clearance process and facilitate a smoother transition. Several nominees, such as Pete Hegseth and Kash Patel, face allegations of misconduct and controversial past statements, raising concerns among some senators. The agreement intends to address these concerns and allow the Trump administration to begin enacting its agenda on day one. Despite this agreement, confirmation hearings remain contentious, with senators voicing concerns and requesting thorough background checks.
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Christopher Collings was executed by lethal injection for the 2007 rape and murder of Rowan Ford, a fourth-grader he knew through her family. Collings confessed to the crime, detailing how he assaulted and strangled the child before disposing of her body. Despite his attorney’s plea for clemency, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence, and Governor Parson denied clemency. Collings expressed remorse in a final statement, while Governor Parson stated his hope that Rowan’s family could find peace.
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NASA imagery reveals a dramatic increase in Antarctic Peninsula vegetation cover, exceeding tenfold growth since 1986, with a significant acceleration after 2016. This greening, primarily due to rising temperatures and melting ice, expands the area covered by plants from 0.33 to 4.61 square miles. The Antarctic Peninsula is experiencing some of the fastest warming rates globally, projected to continue at 0.34°C per decade until 2100. This increased vegetation, largely moss, raises concerns about potential future ecological changes and the introduction of invasive species.
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Vanity Fair reports that Pete Hegseth, nominated for Secretary of Defense, engaged in infidelity multiple times during his first marriage, leading to divorce. Subsequent marriages also ended amid allegations of infidelity, including a child born outside of his second marriage and a 2017 sexual assault allegation that he denies. These revelations, some previously unreported, are now jeopardizing his confirmation process as they raise concerns about his suitability for the position. The Trump administration reportedly was surprised by the surfacing of these past incidents.
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Sixty-four-year-old Elizabeth Pollard vanished while searching for her cat near a restaurant in Marguerite, Pennsylvania, leaving her five-year-old granddaughter unharmed in her car. Authorities suspect Pollard fell into a newly formed sinkhole, possibly caused by old coal mining activity, as a shoe was spotted approximately 30 feet down inside the expanding sinkhole. Rescue crews utilized various equipment to search the sinkhole, but initial attempts to locate Pollard yielded no results. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will investigate the sinkhole’s origin after the search concludes.
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John Q. Hosedrinker