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1 President Says He's Scheduled A Call To Talk To Putin About Pneumonic Plague
President Trump says he has a phone call scheduled with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as officials watch a possible case of pneumonic plague in Russia. Trump told reporters about the upcoming call, though the White House did not lay out exactly what the two leaders planned to discuss. The plague concern stems from Russia's Irkutsk region in Siberia, where a young woman died after reportedly contracting the pneumonic form of the disease. After her death, a hospital in the town of Shelekhov was placed under quarantine, and nearly 200 people who had been in contact with her were hospitalized as a precaution. The timing of the scheduled Trump-Putin call drew attention given the health scare unfolding inside Russia, though the two leaders have spoken many times before on matters ranging from the war in Ukraine to trade.
2 Attorneys Say Christa Pike Is Conscious And Speaking After Botched Tennessee Execution
Christa Pike is awake and speaking nearly a week after surviving a failed execution in Tennessee, her lawyers said yesterday. The 50-year-old remains in the hospital with badly injured arms, and her lawyers say it is unclear how well she will recover. In a court filing, they said workers used at least seven needles while trying to place IV lines. Her lawyers are asking Gov. Bill Lee to change her sentence to life without parole. Lee has paused executions and ordered an independent review, while corrections chief Frank Strada resigned.
3 California Couple Arrested For Alleged Abuse Of Surrogate-Born Children
California couple has been charged in the alleged abuse of more than a dozen children born through surrogates. Prosecutors say Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39, allowed nannies to beat children at their Arcadia mansion and sometimes joined in. Cameras allegedly recorded repeated abuse, including children being slapped and struck with a shoe; the investigation began after a 2-month-old baby suffered a head injury. Prosecutors also accuse the couple of trying to hide evidence and pressure witnesses. A nanny charged with hurting the baby remains wanted by police.