February 29 top stories
It is February 29. Happy Leap Day! Here are today’s top stories.
Biden’s doctor releases results of annual physical exam
Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s physician, wrote that the president’s annual physical exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center revealed no signs of trouble and said that this year’s check-up identified no new concerns.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor wrote in a letter on Wednesday afternoon, which was reviewed for accuracy and approved by physicians in the White House Medical Unit, “He continues to be fit for duty and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations.”
O’Connor described Biden as a “healthy, active, robust 81-year-old male.” Biden has experienced some hip discomfort but also works out five times per week. He said Biden’s medical considerations are consistent with his age and takes prescription medications but his medical conditions “remain stable and well-controlled.”
O’Connor’s report said that Biden’s stiff walking was no worse than last year and was the result of arthritic changes in his spine.
His annual physical is being closely watched because the subject of Biden’s age and health is a concern for many voters as the 81-year-old seeks another four years in office this November.
The oldest president in U.S. history, Biden would be 86 by the end of second term, should he win again.
Ghana’s parliament passes anti-LGBTQ+ bill
Multiple sources reported that Ghana’s parliament on Wednesday unanimously passed a controversial anti-homosexuality bill that has drawn international condemnation.
The bill, which was introduced in the parliament in 2021, not only criminalizes LGBTQ relationships but also those who support LGBTQ rights.
Gay sex was already punishable by up to three years in prison. The bill now also imposes a prison sentence of up to five years for the “wilful promotion, sponsorship or support LGBTQ+ activities.”
African countries still widely criminalize same-sex activity, mostly because of colonial-era laws.
The bill in Ghana still needs to be signed off by the country’s president before it becomes law.
Idaho halts execution by lethal injection after 8 failed attempts
Idaho halted the execution of serial killer Thomas Eugene Creech, 73, who has been in prison for half a century, on Wednesday after medical team members repeatedly failed to find a vein where they could establish an intravenous line to carry out the lethal injection.
Creech was convicted of five murders in three states and suspected of several more. He was already serving a life term when he beat a fellow inmate to death in 1981 – the crime for which he was to be executed.
Creech was wheeled into the execution chamber at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution on a gurney at 10 a.m then the warden announced he was halting the execution at 10:58am.
Corrections Director Josh Tewalt told a news conference afterward, that three medical team members tried eight times to establish an IV but they could not access the vein. They attempted sites in his arms, legs, hands and feet. At one point, a medical team member left to gather more supplies. The execution team was made up entirely of volunteers.
The corrections department said its death warrant for Creech would expire and that it was considering next steps.
Last year, lawmakers in Idaho passed a law authorizing inmates to be executed by firing squad. However, officials have yet to construct a facility where those executions would occur, as well as write a policy regarding how they are carried out.
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Mitch McConnell to step down from GOP leadership role
Mitch McConnell, R-KY, the longest-serving party leader in Senate history, announced Wednesday he will step away from leadership in November.
McConnell has represented Kentucky in the Senate since 1985 and has been his party’s leader since 2007.
McConnell, who turned 82 last week, made his emotional announcement in a Senate floor speech. An election to replace him as leader will occur in November, with his successor taking charge in January.
Several Republican colleagues praised McConnell for recognizing it was time to pass the torch to a younger generation of leaders.
Though the Kentucky Republican will not be GOP leader after this year, he intends to finish his current senate term, which ends in January 2027.
See the latest brief on former President Trump from Alex.
Three updates on Trump’s legal cases
Thanks, Callie.
Here are three updates related to Donald Trump’s legal cases.
Firstly, the Supreme Court said it would hear oral arguments on whether Trump can be criminally prosecuted for his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. The date is April 22. Trump has argued that he has presidential immunity. This means the Supreme Court could announce their decision around June. Then we will know if Trump will face a trial on his federal charges or not.
Secondly, an Illinois state judge barred Trump from appearing on the Illinois’ Republican primary ballot because of his role in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan 6, 2021. The judge delayed her ruling from taking effect because she expected that Trump would appeal. The Supreme Court has already heard arguments on a similar issue in Colorado and has yet to announce its decision. Their decision would affect Trump’s eligibility in Colorado, Maine, and Illinois.
Thirdly, in the New York civil fraud trial against Trump and his businesses that resulted in a $454 million penalty, an appeals court said Trump must come up with the full amount if he wants to appeal. Trump offered to put up only $100 million to appeal, but that was denied. So he will have to come up with $454 million to appeal.
That’s the three updates.
Thanks for that brief. That is all the news stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light!
Biden’s doctor releases results of annual physical exam:
Ghana’s parliament passes anti-LGBTQ+ bill:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/28/world/africa/ghana-anti-gay-bill.html
Idaho halts execution by lethal injection after 8 failed attempts:
https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/2024-02-28/idaho-thomas-creech-death-penalty-executed
Mitch McConnell to step down from GOP leadership role:
Three updates on Trump’s legal cases:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-is-disqualified-illinois-ballot-judge-rules-2024-02-29/
https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/28/politics/donald-trump-appeals-court-new-york/index.html