Jurors in Trump hush money trial end 1st day of deliberations after asking to rehear testimony
NEW YORK (AP) — The jury in Donald Trump’s hush money trial has concluded its first day of deliberations without reaching a verdict. During the proceedings, the panel requested to revisit crucial testimony related to the alleged hush money scheme central to the landmark case. Additionally, jurors sought to review at least a portion of the judge’s legal instructions. These requests, sent to the judge, marked the initial communication with the court after the jury of seven men and five women commenced their deliberations in a private room around 11:30 a.m. The 12-person jury was dismissed around 4 p.m. after approximately 4 1/2 hours of deliberation. Deliberations are scheduled to resume on Thursday.
Rallies and debates used to define campaigns. Now they’re about juries and trials
NEW YORK (AP) — Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump has been spending several hours each day in a Manhattan courtroom as his hush money trial nears its conclusion. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden’s son Hunter is set to begin his own criminal trial in Delaware on Monday. While presidents have faced legal matters in the past, the criminal courtroom has never taken such a prominent role in a presidential election as it has now. Though the two cases are unrelated, there are clear political implications.
Alito rejects calls to quit Supreme Court cases on Trump and Jan. 6 because of flag controversies
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has commended Justice Samuel Alito for dismissing calls to recuse himself from Supreme Court cases involving Trump and defendants from the January 6th insurrection, despite controversies surrounding flags flown at Alito’s residences. In letters to Congress members, Alito revealed that his wife was responsible for displaying an upside-down flag at their Virginia home in 2021 and an “Appeal to Heaven” flag at their New Jersey beach house last year. Alito stated that neither incident warranted his recusal.
Israel says it’s taken control of key area of Gaza’s border with Egypt awash in smuggling tunnels
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s military has announced that it has seized control of a strategic corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt. This development gives Israel authority over an area abundant with smuggling tunnels that have supported the militant Hamas group. However, this move could complicate relations with Egypt, which has cautioned against an escalation of Israeli presence in the region. The capture coincides with Israel’s intensified presence in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. An Israeli official warned that the conflict may extend into next year.
‘Are you with me?’ Biden and Harris launch Black voter outreach and warn of a second Trump term
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have intensified efforts to reach out to Black voters. During an event in Philadelphia, Biden criticized Donald Trump’s “MAGA lies” and emphasized the significance of the upcoming White House race, highlighting the long-lasting impact of Supreme Court nominations that could shape the nation’s future. Biden accused Trump of spreading misinformation to regain the presidency and called on the predominantly Black audience to support his and Harris’s bid for a second term. Biden has witnessed a decline in his strong support among Black voters.
US pledges $135 million in aid to Western-leaning Moldova to counter Russian influence
CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has pledged $135 million in aid to Moldova to enhance energy security and combat Russian disinformation. Moldova, a pro-Western nation, is grappling with Russia’s expanding influence, bolstered by recent successes in Ukraine. Blinken made the announcement during a visit to Moldova’s capital, part of his Eastern Europe tour tied to a NATO meeting in the Czech Republic. Concerns are mounting over potential threats from Russia faced by Moldova and Georgia, another former Soviet republic.
New Louisiana law will criminalize approaching police under certain circumstances
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has signed legislation making it a criminal offense to knowingly approach within 25 feet of a police officer while they are conducting law enforcement duties and have instructed the individual to stay back. Advocates of the new law argue that it establishes a buffer zone to safeguard officers’ safety. However, opponents express concerns that the measure could impede the public’s ability to film officers, a practice increasingly used to hold law enforcement accountable in cases like the George Floyd killing. The law will take effect on August 1.
A woman will likely be Mexico’s next president. But in some Indigenous villages, men hold the power
PLAN DE AYALA, Mexico (AP) — Seventy years after Mexican women gained the right to vote, the country is on the brink of electing its first female president. Despite this progress, some Indigenous women who will participate in the upcoming national election lack representation in their own communities. In certain Tojolabal villages in Chiapas, women are excluded from local governance. This exclusion reflects the ongoing marginalization faced by Indigenous women. Yet, there are signs of change in places like Plan de Ayala, where some Indigenous women are pushing for equality with support from younger generations through workshops and discussions on gender equality.
Polls close and South Africa counts votes in election framed as its most important since apartheid
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africans have cast their votes in an election regarded as the country’s most significant in three decades. This election could mark a turning point for their young democracy, potentially challenging the African National Congress party’s three-decade-long dominance. The ANC led South Africa out of apartheid in 1994 but is now facing discontent from a new generation in the country of 62 million people. Pre-election polls suggest the ANC’s support is below 50%, indicating the party may lose its parliamentary majority for the first time. The results are expected to be announced by Sunday.
Josh Gibson becomes MLB career and season batting leader as Negro Leagues statistics incorporated
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball has recognized Josh Gibson as the career leader in batting average with .372, surpassing Ty Cobb’s .367, following the integration of records from the Negro Leagues for over 2,300 players after a comprehensive research project lasting three years. Gibson’s .466 average for the 1943 Homestead Grays now stands as the seasonal standard, surpassing Charlie “Chino” Smith’s .451 for the 1929 New York Lincoln Giants. These records exceed Hugh Duffy’s .440 for the National League’s Boston team in 1894. Gibson is also now the career leader in slugging percentage at .718 and OPS at 1.177, surpassing Babe Ruth in both metrics.
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