New sentencing dates set for 5 former Memphis, officers in Tyre Nichols case

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A judge has scheduled sentencings in December for five former Memphis police officers convicted of federal charges in the beating death of Tyre Nichols. The sentencings were delayed when the previous judge in the case surprisingly recused himself. U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman said Thursday that the five officers would be sentenced the week of Dec. 15. However, she noted those dates could change or be canceled depending on how she rules on several sealed motions, including one for a new trial for three of the men. Nichols died in January 2023 after he fled a traffic stop in January and was beaten by officers trying to arrest him.

Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump can represent himself at trial, judge says

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge says a man charged with trying to assassinate President Donald Trump last year in South Florida can represent himself during his trial. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on Thursday signed off on Ryan Routh’s request to represent himself during his trial. But she said court-appointed attorneys need to remain as standby counsel. The federal public defenders had asked to be taken off the case, saying Routh had refused repeated attempts to meet with them. Routh is scheduled to stand trial in September, a year after prosecutors say a U.S. Secret Service agent thwarted his attempt to shoot Trump as he played golf.

The US fertility rate reached a new low in 2024, CDC data shows

NEW YORK (AP) — New federal data shows the fertility rate in the U.S. dropped to an all-time low in 2024 with less than 1.6 kids per woman. The U.S. was once among only a few developed countries with a fertility rate that ensured each generation had enough children to replace itself, which is about 2.1 kids per woman. But it has been sliding in America for close to two decades with more women waiting longer to have children or never taking that step at all. One expert says there’s no reason to be alarmed because there are still more births than deaths in the U.S.

US cuts short its Gaza ceasefire talks and accuses Hamas of lacking ‘good faith’

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is cutting short its Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar, saying the latest response from Hamas “shows a lack of desire” to reach a deal. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said Thursday mediators made a great effort but Hamas does not appear to be acting in good faith. Witkoff says the U.S. will “consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.” The State Department offers no details on what the “alternative options” are. A breakthrough in talks on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has eluded Trump’s Republican administration for months.