Russell M. Nelson, the oldest-ever president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at the age of 101 in Salt Lake City. Nelson, who served in the church’s highest levels of leadership for four decades, implemented significant changes, including discouraging the use of “Mormon” and “LDS” and modifying policies related to LGBTQ+ members. During his tenure, Nelson navigated scrutiny over the church’s handling of abuse reports while also expanding leadership and forging new partnerships, such as one with the NAACP. Nelson’s passing will likely result in Dallin H. Oaks, the next longest-tenured member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, becoming the next president of the faith.
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Detainees at California’s new ICE detention center have described the facility as inhumane, citing unsanitary conditions, inadequate food and medication, and a lack of access to essential supplies. Detainees have reported limited outdoor time and instances of physical threats and harassment from staff, leading to protests and hunger strikes. The facility, operated by CoreCivic, opened rapidly, with city officials stating the facility is operating unlawfully. Healthcare is a major concern, with delayed medications and concerns about untreated medical issues expressed by the detainees.
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Rudy Giuliani has reached a settlement with Dominion Voting Systems in its $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit, with both parties agreeing to dismiss the suit permanently. The terms of the settlement remain confidential, but the lawsuit stemmed from Giuliani’s false claims about Dominion’s role in rigging the 2020 election. The former New York City mayor faced legal challenges after leading former President Donald Trump’s efforts to discredit the election results. This settlement follows other significant agreements Dominion has reached with Fox News and Newsmax, and further compounds a series of legal and financial difficulties Giuliani has faced.
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Following a BBC investigation, the alleged head of a sex-trade ring operating in Dubai, Charles “Abbey” Mwesigwa, has been detained in the United Arab Emirates. The investigation revealed Mwesigwa’s involvement in providing women for sex parties and exploiting vulnerable women, who were lured to Dubai with false promises. The BBC found that a Dubai law firm confirmed Mwesigwa’s custody, and Interpol Uganda had issued a red notice for his extradition. The Ugandan embassy stated that the UAE authorities were investigating human trafficking, with the BBC’s investigation featuring testimonies from exploited Ugandan women.
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Since June, Amtrak Police have arrested nearly 200 people at Penn Station for alleged public lewdness or indecent exposure, prompted by customer complaints and targeting illicit activity in the men’s bathroom. This crackdown has resulted in at least 20 immigrants being taken into ICE custody due to the Amtrak Police Department’s federal status, which requires them to alert ICE if an individual is flagged. Plainclothes officers have been deployed to catch those seeking sexual encounters, leading to arrests based on suspicion of illegal behavior, including prolonged use of urinals, according to reports. While state and city laws restrict NYPD cooperation with ICE, Amtrak, as a federal agency, is obligated to report individuals with ICE detainers.
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In response to unidentified drone activity near critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region, NATO has announced it will enhance its “Baltic Sentry” mission. The augmented mission will involve “intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms and at least one air-defence frigate.” These additions are designed to protect critical infrastructure after recent incursions in multiple countries, including Denmark and Norway. Germany is considering authorizing its military to shoot down drones, and the EU is expected to discuss improved defense strategies, with Russia being the prime suspect behind the drone activity.
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In a shocking turn of events, Lorenz Kraus admitted during a television interview to killing his parents eight years prior and burying them in their backyard. The confession came after police recovered the bodies and launched an investigation into financial crimes involving Kraus’s parents’ Social Security benefits. Kraus described the deaths as mercy killings for his aging parents, although he did not state they had terminal illnesses. Following the interview, Kraus was arrested and charged with two counts of murder, with a public defender raising questions about the interview’s legality due to the media’s involvement.
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Alvord ISD officials confirmed that an Advanced Animal Science teacher fed an ailing kitten to a snake. The incident occurred before the school day and without students present, but the teacher later acknowledged the decision to the class. The teacher, who has apologized, has removed all snakes from the classroom after the district investigated the report, consulting with legal counsel and animal control. While the incident upset some students, the district has addressed the issue.
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Derrick Dearman, executed in October 2024, tested positive for methamphetamine, confirming eyewitness accounts of his drug use before death. This revelation is not unique, as at least three other inmates executed since Alabama resumed executions in 2023 also had illegal drugs in their systems. Experts and legal representatives suggest the presence of drugs within the prison system indicates broader issues, including potential staff involvement in smuggling contraband and a general lack of control. In light of this, there is a call for the state to investigate the source of the drugs and take the issue more seriously.
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Sheboygan Falls Police have announced the arrest of Luis E. Cruz Burgos, 35, in connection to the shooting death of Canadian tourist Giovanni Michael Robinson. Robinson was fatally shot earlier in the week while returning to his hotel after celebrating his first hole-in-one at Whistling Straits golf course with family. Burgos’ arrest followed the execution of a search warrant, and he is currently held at the Sheboygan County Detention Center. A press conference is planned for next week to provide further details on the case.
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John Q. Hosedrinker