Luigi Mangione’s legal team filed a motion in Manhattan’s U.S. District Court to prevent the federal government from pursuing the death penalty in the murder case of UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson. The defense argues that Attorney General Bondi’s actions violated Mangione’s due process rights by bypassing standard procedures and prejudicing potential grand jurors. This alleged procedural violation is compounded by Bondi’s public statements linking the death penalty pursuit to President Trump’s political agenda. The defense contends that the death penalty is being sought as a political maneuver, not based on legal merit.
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A Los Angeles County jury found rapper Soulja Boy (DeAndre Cortez Way) liable for sexually assaulting and abusing a former assistant, awarding her over $4 million in damages. The verdict, following a three-week trial, held Soulja Boy responsible for assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, though not for all claims. The plaintiff, who remained anonymous, alleged years of abuse and unpaid wages beginning in 2018. Soulja Boy’s legal team plans to appeal the decision, citing concerns about the influence of cultural perceptions on the trial.
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In Tijuana, Mexico, a US fugitive, César Hernández, fatally shot Abigail Esparza Reyes, a 33-year-old leader of the elite “Gringo Hunters” police unit. Hernández, who had escaped a US life sentence for murder, was being apprehended by the unit when the shooting occurred. Despite a large-scale manhunt involving multiple agencies, Hernández escaped, leaving the suspect at large and intensifying the ongoing investigation. The governor of Baja California vowed that Esparza Reyes’ death would not go unpunished.
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Thirty-year fixed mortgage rates jumped to 7.1%, a mid-February high, driven by fluctuating bond yields influenced by tariff changes and a cooler-than-expected inflation report. This surge follows a volatile week for bonds, marking potentially the worst week for 10-year yields since 1981, coinciding with a significant drop in consumer sentiment. The increased rates, coupled with economic uncertainty, negatively impact the crucial spring housing market and consumer confidence. Experts predict weakened housing activity as a result of these factors.
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The Trump administration has reclassified over 6,000 living immigrants as deceased, thereby invalidating their Social Security numbers and access to essential services. This action, part of a broader effort to deter immigration under Biden-era programs, aims to encourage self-deportation. The immigrants’ information was transferred to a database used for tracking the deceased, effectively cutting them off from banking and other services. This tactic follows the revocation of legal status for those who entered the U.S. via the CBP One app, though a federal judge has blocked a similar order targeting other groups of immigrants.
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Following the discovery of a deceased individual on an R train at Whitehall Station, NYPD investigators released a surveillance image of a suspect seen performing sex acts on the body. The acts, which reportedly involved moving the corpse, occurred over several minutes and took place when the train car was unoccupied. The victim may have been on the train for hours prior to the incident, and the investigation utilizes footage from MTA subway cameras. Tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
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Aditya Harsono, a 33-year-old international student, was detained by ICE agents four days after his student visa was revoked based on a dismissed misdemeanor charge. His attorney believes his political activism contributed to this action, highlighting a concerning trend affecting F-1 visa holders. Despite a temporary release on bond, the Department of Homeland Security appealed the decision, leaving Harsono in ICE custody. The situation is further complicated by a pending I-130 application for permanent residency filed by his wife, Peyton.
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Jonathan, an Australian with a valid US work visa, was detained and deported from the US after a brief trip to Australia. Upon returning through Houston, he was accused of drug trafficking, interrogated for hours, and ultimately banned from the US for five years. Officials cited his intent to remain in the US, despite his visa’s validity and prior re-entries, as justification. This incident is one of several similar cases recently reported, highlighting potential issues with US border control procedures.
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Measles outbreaks in Texas, particularly within the unvaccinated Mennonite community, have resulted in three deaths, including 8-year-old Daisy Hildebrand. Her father, Pete Hildebrand, despite his daughter’s death, maintains his anti-vaccine stance, claiming vaccinated relatives experienced more severe symptoms. This assertion contradicts decades of scientific evidence supporting the MMR vaccine’s safety and efficacy. The ongoing outbreak underscores the critical need for widespread vaccination, especially in close-knit communities with low vaccination rates.
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The Trump administration’s tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports are significantly impacting Montana’s agricultural sector, causing a substantial drop in crop prices and costing the state billions. Montana’s robust trade relationship with Canada, its largest trading partner, is particularly vulnerable, with farmers facing contract disruptions and added costs due to the 25% tariff. The Montana Farmers Union is advocating for the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025 to increase congressional oversight of tariff implementation. Furthermore, they support a motion for an injunction against the tariffs, seeking judicial review to mitigate the economic harm.
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John Q. Hosedrinker