Happy Friday, Panthers! As we start off December with everyone’s Spotify and Apple Music Wrapped, do not forget to keep up with stories these last few weeks of the semester. At the beginning of the week, we had the Israeli Prime Minister requesting pardon and the US halting immigration cases from certain countries. News later in the week included the capture of an escaped inmate in Covington and the New York Times suing the Pentagon.
World – Israeli Prime Minister requests pardon in ongoing corruption trial
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally requested a pardon for his ongoing corruption trial. Netanyahu argued that the pardon would be in the public’s interest.
In a letter addressed to President Isaac Herzog, Netanyahu wrote that his trial has become “a focal point of fierce controversy.” As Israeli’s head of state, Herzog has the ability to issue pardons. Herzog and his office confirmed they received the request, and Herzog said he “would consider it.”
In the letter Netanyahu sent, Netanyahu does not include an admission of guilt. Netanyahu has repeatedly claimed his innocence on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
National – U.S. halts immigration cases from 19 countries
The United States has halted all immigration cases, which includes citizenship ceremonies, from 19 countries. This marks another step in the Trump administration’s attempts to restrict ways to legally immigrate.
The immigration ban was instigated after a recent shooting of two National Guard members by an Afghan evacuee who entered the U.S. in 2021 and was granted asylum in 2025. Guidance directed toward U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said to stop final adjudication on all cases from 19 countries, including Afghanistan. The Department of Homeland Security said that they are “making every effort to ensure individuals becoming citizens are the best of the best.”
Trump is also considering extending the travel ban to include 30 total countries. There has been no indication of when the immigration ban will be lifted.
State – Escaped inmate from Rockdale captured in Covington
After a three-day manhunt, Timothy Shane was captured early Wednesday morning. Authorities said that the deputies were able to capture him in a Newton County neighborhood where residents reported that he was seeking entry by knocking on their doors.
Shane was taken into custody on Morris Street after law enforcement agents surrounded the area. Residents dialed 911 when they saw the fugitive knocking on doors as investigators said. He was spotted later at Publix in Henry County after he ditched a stolen car before taking an Uber to a home in Rockdale County.
Shane will be taken to Rockdale County jail. Authorities state that they planned to hold a briefing on Wednesday to explain how the escape and the capture developed.
Politics – New York Times sues Pentagon citing First Amendment rights
The New York Times filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon regarding the new rules restricting how the U.S military can be covered in news. In October, journalists had to sign a 20-page agreement prior to reporting, but are now arguing that the agreement was unconstitutional and unlawful.
The lawsuit was filed on Thursday in the District Course in Washington. The Defense Department’s new policy includes more restrictions on what journalists are allowed to ask government employees. In the lawsuit, the Department of Defense, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell are defendants.
Six reporters from the New York Times have handed in their Pentagon badges in protest of the agreement. The Department of Defense has not responded to any comments regarding the situation.