Russell Brand convicted of rape and sexual assault; Newsom to commute 548 death sentences
A London jury convicted Russell Brand of rape and three sexual assaults, with sentencing Monday. Also: Newsom's death-row commutations, AI stocks tumbling after the midterms, a block on Trump's arch, unresolved Senate races, and a Brisbane koala rescue.
RUSH NEWSTREAMMorningRUSH Russell Brand convicted of rape and sexual assault; Newsom to commute 548 death sentences Photo: ODT 01Russell Brand convicted of rape and three sexual assaults; sentencing set for Monday
A London jury convicted Russell Brand of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault on Thursday. He was acquitted of two other rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault, and was taken into custody ahead of sentencing Monday. The story trended on Bluesky.
02Newsom announces commutations for all 548 California death sentences
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday that all 548 current death sentences in the state will become life without parole. The announcement followed months of deliberation at the end of his governorship, and follows years of opposition to capital punishment and a 2019 execution moratorium.
03Nithya Raman defeats Karen Bass in Los Angeles mayoral race
Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass after later-counted ballots reversed Bass’s election-night lead. Bass conceded Thursday and pledged a smooth transition.
04AI and data-center stocks lead a broad market sell-off after midterms
U.S. stocks fell sharply Thursday, reversing much of Wednesday’s post-election rally. Analysts cited concern over data-center restrictions following Democratic gains, alongside existing questions about AI spending, debt and earnings.
05Hegseth rejects impeachment push as Trump says he intends to keep him
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed a renewed impeachment threat as Republican Rep. Thomas Massie prepared to reintroduce articles next week. President Trump said he intends to keep Hegseth, even as reports described private discussions about his future.
06Judge blocks Trump arch construction for 14 days after commission approval
The National Capital Planning Commission approved President Trump’s proposed 250-foot arch on an 8–4 vote Thursday. Hours later, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan temporarily blocked construction for 14 days.
07Mississippi and Alaska Senate counts remain unresolved
Democrat Scott Colom held a narrow lead over Mississippi Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, while Mary Peltola led Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan by 637 first-choice votes in Thursday snapshots. Both races remain uncalled, leaving the final size of Democrats’ Senate majority unsettled.
08Good news: Brisbane walker frees a koala joey from a python and reunites it with its mother
A wildlife rescuer out walking her dog in Brisbane intervened when she found a python wrapped around a baby koala. She freed the joey, checked its breathing and movement, and returned it to its waiting mother.