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EXPLAINER: What’s the status of the US death penalty?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:53 GMT

The first federal capital case tried under President Joe Biden ended with a split among jurors that means the life of an Islamic extremist who killed eight people in a New York City will be spared. It came at a rare federal death penalty trial in a state without the death penalty.That Biden’s Justice Department continued to pursue the death penalty for Sayfullo Saipov, who used a truck to mow down pedestrians and cyclists on a popular bike path, was a surprise to many given Biden’s opposition to capital punishment and his 2016 campaign pledge to end it federally. The jury’s failure to reach a unanimous decision means Saipov receives an automatic sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for the October 2017 attack.The initial decision to seek the death penalty came under then-President Donald Trump, who tweeted a day after the attack that Saipov “SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY!” But Attorney General Merrick Garland, under Biden, gave his prosecutors th...

7 killed in capsized San Diego boats were Mexican migrants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:53 GMT

At least seven of eight people killed when two boats capsized in shallow but turbulent surf off the San Diego coast were Mexican migrants, Mexican officials said Monday.Preliminary identification was based on records found with people’s bodies when they were recovered, the Mexican consulate in San Diego said in a news release. The nationality of the eighth person was unknown.The consulate didn’t provide ages, genders or other information about the people killed in one of the deadliest maritime migrant smuggling operations off U.S. waters. Rescue authorities have said all were adults.A Spanish-speaking woman who called 911 said she was among eight people on a vessel that reached shore and that 15 people were on another boat that overturned. Authorities found two capsized boats in shallow water amid thick fog late Saturday. The Coast Guard suspended its search for remains on Sunday. Survivors may have escaped on land, including the woman who called 911. Authorities did not...

5 dead, 3 wounded in attack on Nicaraguan indigenous group

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:53 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Local authorities said Monday that at least five members of a Nicaraguan indigenous group were killed and three others wounded in an attack by suspected settlers over the weekend. Amaru Ruiz, director of the Del Río Foundation, said some of the victims’ bodies were mutilated.Ruiz said the attackers burned 16 houses in the community of Wilu, in northern Nicaragua, on Saturday. The victims belonged to the indigenous Mayangna group. “There has been yet another massacre,” said Ruiz, who believes settlers were responsible.The killings mark the latest chapter in a years-long string of attacks on indigenous people in the area by settlers eager to claim their land. Such killings often go unpunished in Nicaragua, where many of the settlers are former soldiers.The local indigenous regional government of Sauni As said in a statement that “all of the houses in the Wilu community have been burned,” adding that “families have been left without shelter, food or clothing.”T...

Lobster ‘red list’ draws ire, lawsuit from Maine fishers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:53 GMT

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A coalition representing the Maine lobster industry is suing an aquarium on the other side of the country for recommending seafood customers avoid buying a variety of lobster mostly harvested in their state.Industry groups including Maine Lobstermen’s Association are suing the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California for “defamation,” arguing in a lawsuit filed Monday that their prized catch shouldn’t be on a “red list” published by Seafood Watch, a conservation program it operates.Last year, Seafood Watch put lobster from the U.S. and Canada on its list of seafood to avoid due to the threat posed to rare whales by entanglement in fishing gear used to harvest American lobster, the species that makes up most of the U.S. lobster market.Endangered North American right whales number only about 340 and they’ve declined in recent years.But the lobster industry is arguing to the U.S. District Court in Maine that the aquarium’s recommendation relies on ba...

Biden announces nuclear-powered submarines for Australia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:53 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — President Joe Biden and the leaders of Australia and the United Kingdom on Monday announced that Australia will purchase nuclear-powered attack submarines from the U.S. to modernize its fleet amid growing concern about China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.Biden flew to San Diego for talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on an 18-month-old nuclear partnership given the acronym AUKUS — for Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.The partnership, announced in 2021, enables Australia to access nuclear-powered submarines, which are stealthier and more capable than conventionally powered vessels, as a counterweight to China’s military buildup.Biden stressed that the submarines are “nuclear powered, not nuclear armed.”“These boats will not have any nuclear weapons of any kind of them,” he said at an outdoor ceremony at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, where he was joined by the other leaders. At l...

Exonerated brothers fight to clear name nearly three decades later

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:53 GMT

CHICAGO -- Two brothers exonerated after being convicted of murder will have to wait a little longer before being declared officially innocent.Both were allegedly victims of police torture under former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge. Chicago man files class action suit against Buffalo Wild Wings, says boneless wings are just nuggets It’s still not clear why the judge in this case postponed this until later this week. Only sharing she needs more time to research one more thing.What’s clear is that the Henderson brothers, Sean Tyler and Reginald Henderson, are ready to move forward. The brothers were just 17 and 18-years-old when they were convicted in a 1994 murder. Their confessions, they contend, coerced by detectives working under notorious former CPD commander Jon Burge. They were both exonerated and freed in 2021.But their petition to completely clear their names with a Certificate of Innocence (COI).A Certificate of Innocence has been held up over the objec...

New Illinois proposal aims to put the brakes on video conference calls while driving

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:53 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois drivers may have to steer clear of Zoom calls while behind the wheel if a new state proposal becomes law. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannulias says House Bill 2431, sponsored by Illinois Rep. Marcus Evans (D-33) and Illinois Sen. Javier Cervantes (D-1) would make the roads safer as the popularity of video conference calls while driving rises. SEE ALSO | Illinois law would ban vaping in public places"We need to take steps to change the culture surrounding distracted driving, which will lead to more responsible drivers and ultimately save lives," Giannulias stated in a release announcing the proposal. "Zooming takes hands, eyes and minds off the focus of driving. Our goal is that a combination of increased education, stronger laws and tougher enforcement will encourage drivers to change bad behaviors for the better."Under the proposal, motorists would still be allowed to participate in video conference calls via a hands-free device or if the v...

Program helps Illinois teen moms earn high school degree

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:53 GMT

HARVEY, Ill. -- Only two percent of teenage moms go on to earn college degrees and one local program is working overtime to change that.The drop out rate for teen moms is staggering, as they are thrust into a full time parenting role, often times without the support needed to finish high school.In Harvey, there is a small tucked away building doing big things for young moms and their babies. Taste of Chicago to be held in September in Grant Park The Blanche Foxworthy Infant Care Center and Teen Parent Program provides toddlers and their young mothers with the support needed.A young mother planned on dropping out of high school initially after having her baby because she didn't know how she would juggle being a student and being a mom."I had my daughter at 15-years-old which was sophomore year," Makiyah Hampton with the Thorton Township Teen Parent Program said."It was hard. It was a struggle, especially having a daughter at that young of an age."Infant Care Center Director, Candic...

Florida woman charged after boyfriend dies in suitcase

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:53 GMT

Warning: Some viewers may find the video in this case disturbing, discretion is advised.(NewsNation) — The pre-trial conference for a Florida woman accused of zipping her boyfriend into a suitcase, recording his repeated cries for help and leaving him locked inside until he died, is set to begin this month.Sarah Boone, 42, faces second-degree murder charges in the death of 42-year-old Jorge Torres Jr, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.Boone's defense attorney said she plans to use a battered spouse defense when she goes to trial, WOFL-TV reported. Could SVB collapse have a ripple effect through the economy? Mark Nejame, a criminal defense attorney, told NewsNation Boone's lawyers would have a "tough road for them to go through," if they use that as their defense."Florida does recognize battered women syndrome or battered spouse syndrome, I should say. It's typically the woman who's the victim in these matters but you have to really show that [the abuse] is perpetual,...

How did a Maryland man hit the lottery twice? It's all in the hair, he says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:53 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - We all have our lucky charms. Maybe it's an old-fashioned rabbit foot or a pair of socks. For one Maryland man, it appears a certain hairstyle may bring him some extra luck. Willaim Daniels Jr. of Baltimore County will occasionally buy a scratch-off ticket, he told the Maryland Lottery last week. It has paid off before for the aircraft assembly employee. In 2015, Daniels won $100,000 on a scratch-off ticket he purchased with his $50 winnings from another ticket. Can you increase your odds of winning the lottery? Fast forward eight years and Daniels has again won off a scratch-off ticket, landing a $50,000 payout. The probability of Daniels winning any prize on the game, Gold X50, was 1 in 3.29, according to Maryland Lottery. When it came to the $100K top prize, however, there were only 10 possible winning tickets. How did he win again? Daniels credited his hair. As he explained to the Maryland Lottery, Daniels had long hair in 2015 when he first won off a scratcher. U...