Luigi Mangione’s lawyers say he is pleading guilty to killing UnitedHealthcare CEO

NEW YORK – Luigi Mangione’s lawyers have told a judge that Mangione plans to plead guilty to federal stalking charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione’s lawyers made the disclosure on Friday during a hastily scheduled Manhattan federal court hearing, which is ongoing. He could still change his mind. The plea won’t be official until Mangione confirms his decision to the judge and the judge accepts it. If that happens, it would resolve one of two cases against Mangione in Thompson’s death. Mangione is scheduled to go on trial state murder charges on Sept. 8, but his lawyers could seek to have the state case thrown out on double jeopardy grounds.

2 UAE tankers attacked while transiting Strait of Hormuz, and other news from the Middle East

The United Arab Emirates has blamed Iran for firing drones at two tankers operated by a state-owned oil company in the Strait of Hormuz. The attacks, described as acts of piracy, caused no casualties but highlighted the dangers in this critical waterway. The UAE’s Foreign Ministry called on Friday the attacks a violation of the United Nations’ principles of freedom of navigation. Meanwhile, activists marched through the occupied West Bank to bring food and water to Palestinians under siege by Israeli settlers. In Yemen, the military claimed to have thwarted Houthi attacks amid ongoing fighting. A drone was intercepted over Irbil in Iraq, with no casualties reported.

Zambia suspends vote counting in election over reports of violence and the theft of ballot papers

LUSAKA, Zambia – Vote counting in Zambia’s presidential election has been suspended by the electoral authority. The Electoral Commission of Zambia halted the count Friday due to reports of attacks on polling officials and theft of ballot papers. The commission plans to review the decision within 24 hours. Opposition leader Brian Mundubile has claimed victory, expressing concerns about potential interference. He alleged military involvement in vote counting, though he provided no evidence. The election is a test of President Hakainde Hichilema’s economic reforms. Hichilema is seeking a second term against 13 other candidates, including Mundubile. Results were initially expected by Monday.

Flock announces changes amid backlash over its license plate reader network

RICHMOND, Virginia – A company that operates a vast nationwide network of automated cameras that record the license plate numbers and other characteristics of all passing vehicles every day is making changes to its platform. The changes announced Thursday by Flock Safety are intended to quell privacy concerns and address documented abuses of its system by some members of law enforcement. They will make what were once optional guardrails mandatory by Jan. 1. Among them: All law enforcement customers will have to implement an audit tool that’s intended to flag abnormal search behavior. The company is increasingly under scrutiny from lawmakers from both parties, civil liberties advocates and citizens across the U.S.

– The Associated Press