The Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) Friday released its annual year-end report on the death penalty in the US, highlighting continually declining rates of execution despite what the DPIC called “incendiary political advertising that drove the public’s perception of rising crime to record highs.” For the eighth year in a row, authorities issued fewer than [...]

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Thursday unanimously rejected the appeal of Dominic Ongwen, former commander of Ugandan rebel group the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). In May 2021, the ICC sentenced Ongwen to 25 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Ongwen’s defense team filed an appeal on 12 grounds, including claims that [...]

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Thursday unanimously rejected the appeal of Dominic Ongwen, former commander of Ugandan rebel group the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). In May 2021, the ICC sentenced Ongwen to 25 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Ongwen’s defense team filed an appeal on 12 grounds, including claims that [...]

A Michigan court Thursday sentenced three men involved in a 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to prison. Pete Musico, Joseph Morrison and Paul Bellar were all sentenced in the Jackson County Circuit Court to separate prison terms after a jury found them guilty of felony charges in October. Musico received a 12-year [...]

The US House of Representatives Thursday passed the Puerto Rico Status Act, which would allow Puerto Ricans to vote on whether they wish to become the 51st US state, an independent country or remain sovereign but associated with the US. The bill’s passage was bipartisan, garnering the support of 217 Democrats and 16 Republicans. 191 [...]

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Thursday released their annual report summarizing violence and abuse against journalists. The organization reports that a total of 533 journalists are currently detained because of their work, 65 are held hostage and another 57 have been killed in the past year. RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire said of the report’s findings: This [...]

The UN Economic and Social Council (ESC) Wednesday voted to remove Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Of the 54 current ESC members, 29 voted in favor of removal, 8 voted against and 16 abstained. Iran was to serve its term from 2022-2026. In early November, the US promised to [...]

Peru Minister of Defense Alberto Otarola early Tuesday announced that Peru will enter a state of emergency. In a tweet, Otarola said the measures are meant to “guarantee order, the continuation of economic activities, and protection of millions of families” following the protests that have broken out following the ousting of former President Pedro Castillo [...]

The Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF) Wednesday filed suit against Georgia for the state’s denial of gender-affirming care in the state’s health benefit plan. The state health benefit plan is the healthcare insurance offered by Georgia to its state and public employees. The complaint was filed on behalf of Micha Rich and Benjamin [...]

The UK Wednesday announced 16 new sanctions against Russian commanders and Iranian businessmen in response to missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. The sanctions are in response to the continuing Russian occupation and seizure of Ukrainian territory. The new sanctions target 12 Russian commanders, 3 Iranian businessmen and an Iranian business for the [...]