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Giuliani's lawyers seek to withdraw from legal fight over $148M defamation judgment against him

Two attorneys representing Rudy Giuliani in a lawsuit related to a $148 million defamation judgment against him have asked a judge to remove

AP News

Two lawyers say they can no longer represent Rudy Giuliani in a legal fight over property he’s been ordered to give up to satisfy part of a $148 million defamation judgment against him. They asked a judge to remove them from the case, citing disagreements with the former New York City mayor. The request in federal court comes a week after a judge ordered Giuliani to turn over by Friday a Mercedes that once belonged to actress Lauren Bacall, an heirloom watch and other prized assets to two former Georgia election workers who sued him over his remarks about them as he fought to overturn President-elect Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss. The women were awarded the judgment last year. Giuliani then filed for bankruptcy, but a judge cut that short after finding that the ex-mayor had flouted the process. Lawyers for the election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, say Giuliani has avoided turning over his assets. In a filing late Wednesday, attorney Kenneth Caruso sought permission for himself and co-counsel David Labkowski to stop representing Giuliani.

Trial for suspect in Georgia nursing student Laken Riley's death to begin

Prosecutors are seeking life in prison without the possibility of parole for Jose Antonio Ibarra. Riley, 22, was killed while out for a jog

NBC News

The man accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley has waived his right to a jury, paving the way for his bench trial, which is expected to begin Friday morning. Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, of Athens, Georgia, was indicted on charges including three counts of felony murder and counts of malice murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape and "peeping Tom." Riley’s killing and Ibarra’s arrest set off a political firestorm, with Republicans, including Donald Trump, pointing to Riley’s death in calls for tougher border policies as part of a broader crackdown on immigration. In a bench trial, the judge will ultimately decide whether the defendant is guilty or innocent, without the help of a jury. The trial is expected to start at 9 a.m. Friday.

Measles cases rose to more than 10 million in 2023, WHO and CDC say

The surge in the preventable disease was driven by “inadequate immunization coverage,” the agencies said.

NBC News

The number of measles cases around the world rose by 20% in 2023 compared with 2022, leading to an estimated 10.3 million cases, according to estimates released Thursday by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The surge in the preventable disease was driven by "inadequate immunization coverage," the agencies said in a joint statement. More than 22 million children did not receive a first dose of the two-dose measles vaccine in 2023, the WHO and CDC said. Globally approximately 83% of children received a first dose of the vaccine last year, and 74% received a second dose, the agencies said. Health officials recommend vaccination coverage of at least 95% in communities to prevent outbreaks. An infected person can spread the highly contagious disease to up to 90% of people close to them if they are not immune, according to the CDC.

Texas Supreme Court clears way for new execution date for Robert Roberson in ‘shaken baby’ death | CNN

The Texas Supreme Court on Friday denied a state house committee’s attempt to delay the execution of a man convicted of murder in the 2002 d

CNN

The Texas Supreme Court on Friday denied a state house committee’s attempt to delay theexecution of a man convicted of murder in the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter, clearing a path for a new execution date. Robert Roberson, 57, was set to be executed in October, but a state house committee, using its investigatory powers, issued a subpoena for Roberson’s testimony, which led the state Supreme Court to temporarily halt the execution so it could consider the request. Roberson’s conviction relied on allegations that his daughter, Nikki Curtis, died of shaken baby syndrome, a diagnosis his attorneys argue has since been discredited.

Ford agrees to pay up to $165 million penalty to US government for moving too slowly on a recall

Ford Motor Co. will pay a penalty of up to $165 million to the U.S. government for moving too slowly on a recall and failing to give accurat

AP News

Ford Motor Co. will pay a penalty of up to $165 million to the U.S. government for moving too slowly on a recall and failing to give accurate recall information. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Thursday that the civil penalty is the second-largest in its 54-year history. Only the fine Takata paid for faulty air bag inflators was higher. The agency said Ford was too slow to recall vehicles with faulty rearview cameras, and it failed to give the agency complete information, which is required by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Ford agreed to a consent order with the agency that includes a payment of $65 million, and $45 million in spending to comply with the law. Another $55 million will be deferred. “Timely and accurate recalls are critical to keeping everyone safe on our roads,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said. “When manufacturers fail to prioritize the safety of the American public and meet their obligations under federal law, NHTSA will hold them accountable.” Under the order, an independent third party will oversee the automaker’s recall performance obligations for at least three years, and Ford has to cooperate with the monitor.

New FDA rules for TV drug ads: Simpler language and no distractions

New rules require drugmakers to be clearer about explaining the risks and side effects of prescription drugs.

AP News

Those ever-present TV drug ads showing patients hiking, biking or enjoying a day at the beach could soon have a different look: New rules require drugmakers to be clearer and more direct when explaining their medications’ risks and side effects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration spent more than 15 years crafting the guidelines, which are designed to do away with industry practices that downplay or distract viewers from risk information. Many companies have already adopted the rules, which become binding Nov. 20. But while regulators were drafting them, a new trend emerged: thousands of pharma influencers pushing drugs online with little oversight.

What to know about NYC's congestion pricing start date and rollout timeline

With the NYC congestion pricing start date expected some time in January 2025, these are the next steps it must pass.

cbsnews.com

Congestion pricing could start as early as January 2025 in New York City, but the controversial toll still has a few more hurdles to pass before it becomes a reality. New York Gov. Hochul publicly announced her plan to restart with the program, which she paused just weeks before the initial rollout back in June. 

A former Six Flags park is finally being demolished after Hurricane Katrina's devastation

New Orleans’ former Six Flags theme park, which shuttered in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, is finally coming down.

AP News

New Orleans’ former Six Flags theme park, which shuttered in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, is finally coming down. Demolition is underway at the eastern New Orleans site of the decaying complex of carnival rides and buildings that became a symbol of the 2005 storm’s enduring devastation, The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate reported. The park opened in 2000 just off Interstate 10 as Jazzland Theme Park, but it went bankrupt in two seasons. Six Flags took over the lease, but then Hurricane Katrina struck, flooding the park and much of the city. The theme park never reopened, and Six Flags eventually went bankrupt. Control of the property then went to the Industrial Development Board of the City of New Orleans, which negotiated an agreement with the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority that gave NORA title transfer ownership of the site. Smoot Construction, based in New Orleans, was hired to lead the demolition project and has started to dismantle the site’s many unsalvageable structures, developer Troy Henry told the newspaper Monday. “It’s a good thing. It’s a happy day,” said Henry, who lives in New Orleans East. “We’re excited about the progress, we’re happy to see the ball rolling.”

US overdose deaths are down, giving experts hope for an enduring decline

New government data shows that U.S. drug overdose deaths appear to be showing a sustained decline. There were about 97,000 overdose deaths i

AP News

The decline in U.S. drug overdose deaths appears to have continued this year, giving experts hope the nation is seeing sustained improvement in the persistent epidemic. There were about 97,000 overdose deaths in the 12-month period that ended June 30, according to provisional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released Wednesday. That’s down 14% from the estimated 113,000 for the previous 12-month period. “This is a pretty stunning and rapid reversal of drug overdose mortality numbers,” said Brandon Marshall, a Brown University researcher who studies overdose trends. Overdose death rates began steadily climbing in the 1990s because of opioid painkillers, followed by waves of deaths led by other opioids like heroin and — more recently — illicit fentanyl. Provisional data had indicated a slight decline for 2023, and the tally released Wednesday showed that the downward trend has kept going.

The Onion wins Alex Jones' Infowars in bankruptcy auction

The satirical news company plans to shutter Jones’ Infowars and rebuild the website featuring well-known internet humor writers and content

NBC News

The Onion, the satirical news company that repeatedly spoofed conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, has won the bankruptcy auction for control over his media empire — most notably Infowars, the far-right, conspiracy-minded website that served as Jones’ primary online platform. Jones announced the sale on X on Thursday morning. “I just got word 15 minutes ago that my lawyers and folks met with the U.S. trustee over our bankruptcy this morning and they said they are shutting us down even without a court order this morning,” Jones said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m going to be here until they come and turn the lights off,” he added. The Onion plans to shutter Jones’ Infowars and rebuild the website featuring well-known internet humor writers and content creators, according to a person with knowledge of the sale. About an hour and a half after the announcement of the sale, Infowars' website was shut down.

Gun groups sue to overturn Maine's new three-day waiting period to buy firearms

Several gun groups are challenging Maine's 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases, arguing that it’s unconstitutional.

AP News

A coalition of gun groups has filed a lawsuit claiming that Maine’s new 72-hour waiting period for firearms purchases is unconstitutional and seeking an injunction stopping its enforcement pending the outcome of the case. The lawsuit filed on behalf of five individuals contends that it’s illegal to require someone who passed a background check to wait three days before completing a gun purchase, and that this argument is bolstered by a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that changed the standard for gun restrictions. “Nothing in our nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation supports that kind of ‘cooling-off period’ measure, which is a 20th century regulatory innovation that is flatly inconsistent with the Second Amendment’s original meaning,” the plaintiffs’ attorneys wrote in the federal lawsuit filed Tuesday. Supporters of the law said they’re confident it will survive the legal challenge. Maine is one of a dozen states that have a waiting periods for gun purchases, which proponents think might keep some people from rashly buying guns to harm others or themselves. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills allowed Maine’s restriction to become law without her signature. It took effect in August.

GM recalling big pickups and SUVs because the rear wheels can lock up, increasing risk of a crash

General Motors is recalling nearly 462,000 pickup trucks and SUVs with diesel engines because the rear wheels can lock up, increasing the ri

AP News

General Motors is recalling nearly 462,000 pickup trucks and big SUVs with diesel engines because the rear wheels can lock up, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall in the U.S. covers certain Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups from the 2020 through 2022 model years. Also included are the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban. Documents posted Wednesday on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website say a transmission control valve can wear out over time. In rare cases it can fail and lock up the rear wheels. Drivers may notice harsh shifting before any wheel problems. GM says in documents that dealers will install new transmission control software that will monitor the valve and detect excess wear 10,000 miles before the wheels lock up. If wear is detected, the transmission will be limited to fifth gear, preventing wheel lockup, which happens when the transmission downshifts from eighth gear. GM will provide warranty coverage to fix transmissions that have a defective control valve. Owners will be notified of the recall by letter on Dec. 9.

STD epidemic slows as new syphilis and gonorrhea cases fall in US

There's some good news about sexually-transmitted diseases in newly released U.S. health data. The syphilis epidemic slowed dramatically las

AP News

The U.S. syphilis epidemic slowed dramatically last year, gonorrhea cases fell and chlamydia cases remained below prepandemic levels, according to federal data released Tuesday. The numbers represented some good news about sexually transmitted diseases, which experienced some alarming increases in past years due to declining condom use, inadequate sex education, and reduced testing and treatment when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Last year, cases of the most infectious stages of syphilis fell 10% from the year before — the first substantial decline in more than two decades. Gonorrhea cases dropped 7%, marking a second straight year of decline and bringing the number below what it was in 2019.

Jury awards Abu Ghraib detainees $42 million, holds contractor responsible

A U.S. jury has awarded $42 million to three former detainees of Iraq’s notorious Abu Ghraib prison, holding a Virginia-based military contr

AP News

A U.S. jury on Tuesday awarded $42 million to three former detainees of Iraq’s notorious Abu Ghraib prison, holding a Virginia-based military contractor responsible for contributing to their torture and mistreatment two decades ago. The decision from the eight-person jury came after a different jury earlier this year couldn’t agree on whether Reston, Virginia-based CACI should be held liable for the work of its civilian interrogators who worked alongside the U.S. Army at Abu Ghraib in 2003 and 2004. The jury awarded plaintiffs Suhail Al Shimari, Salah Al-Ejaili and Asa’ad Al-Zubae $3 million each in compensatory damages and $11 million each in punitive damages. The three testified that they were subjected to beatings, sexual abuse, forced nudity and other cruel treatment at the prison.

New Jersey will issue a drought warning after driest October ever and as wildfires rage

New Jersey is issuing a drought warning after its driest September and October ever. That could could eventually lead to mandatory water res

AP News

With wildfires burning after its driest September and October ever, New Jersey will issue a drought warning, a step that could eventually lead to mandatory water restrictions if significant rain doesn’t fall soon. The state Department of Environmental Protection held an online hearing Tuesday on the conditions. But they would not answer questions, including whether any part of the state is in danger of running out of drinking water or adequate water to fight fires, which are burning in nearly a half-dozen locations. The Associated Press left a message seeking comment from the department after the meeting. About an hour after it concluded, the department announced a press briefing for Wednesday “to discuss the state entering Drought Warning status as prolonged dry periods continue statewide.” The New Jersey Forest Fire Service says conditions in the state are the driest they have been in nearly 120 years.

Dutch appeals court overturns landmark climate ruling against Shell

A Dutch appeals court has overturned a landmark ruling that ordered energy company Shell to cut its carbon emissions by net 45% by 2030 comp

AP News

A Dutch appeals court on Tuesday overturned a landmark ruling that ordered energy company Shell to cut its carbon emissions by net 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, while saying that “protection against dangerous climate change is a human right.” The decision was a defeat for the Dutch arm of Friends of the Earth and other environmental groups, which had hailed the original 2021 ruling as a victory for the climate. Tuesday’s civil ruling can be appealed to the Dutch Supreme Court.

Writer pleads guilty to Capitol riot charges

A writer for a conservative media outlet has pleaded guilty to joining a mob’s attack on the U.S. Capitol nearly years ago.

AP News

A writer for a conservative media outlet pleaded guilty on Tuesday to joining a mob’s attack on the U.S. Capitol nearly four years ago, after a federal judge refused to pause his case until after President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Steve Baker, who has written articles about the Jan. 6, 2021, riot for Blaze News, entered his guilty plea on the day that his bench trial had been scheduled to begin. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper is scheduled to sentence Baker on March 6, but the judge acknowledged that the case may never reach the punishment stage. Trump has repeatedly vowed to issue pardons to Jan. 6 riot defendants. Baker, 64, of Durham, North Carolina, had asked Cooper to postpone all of the deadlines and hearings for his case until after Trump’s inauguration. But the judge denied Baker’s request. Other judges have rejected similar requests by Capitol riot defendants who hope Trump will pardon them. After his guilty plea, Baker told reporters that he is “very confident that I’m at the top of the list” if Trump hands out pardons. Baker said he pleaded guilty “to avoid the shaming exercise of a trial” and maintained that he didn’t do anything wrong on Jan. 6.