Jury in Trump’s hush money case will begin deliberations after hearing instructions from the judge
NEW YORK (AP) — Jurors in Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial are expected to start deliberating after receiving guidance from the judge on the legal aspects and factors they should consider in reaching a verdict in the first criminal case against a former American president. Deliberations will follow a long day of closing arguments where a prosecutor accused Trump of trying to deceive voters in the 2016 presidential election by taking part in a hush money scheme designed to suppress stories that could harm his Republican campaign. Trump is facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The former president has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence.
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 hours each day in a Manhattan courtroom as his hush money trial approaches its conclusion. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden’s son Hunter is set to begin his own criminal trial in Delaware on Monday. While presidents have been involved in criminal matters in the past, been impeached, and pardoned, and their family members have faced legal troubles, the criminal courtroom has never taken such a prominent role in a presidential election before. Although the two cases are unrelated, there are clear political implications.
Netanyahu frequently makes claims of antisemitism. Critics say he’s deflecting from his own problems
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused of using the label of antisemitism to silence critics of Israel or his policies. Critics argue that he is abusing the term to further his own political agenda and suppress legitimate criticism, potentially diluting the meaning of antisemitism at a time when it is on the rise globally. Among other things, he has labelled U.S. college campus protests and the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court as antisemitic. Supporters of Netanyahu claim that he is genuinely concerned about the safety of Jewish people worldwide. However, he has been criticized for not preventing an attack by Hamas on October 7.
The Latest | 3 Israeli soldiers killed in a booby trap explosion as Rafah offensive widens
According to the Israeli military and media, three soldiers were killed in Rafah when a booby trap exploded. Three others were injured on Tuesday. Since the ground operation in Gaza began in October, at least 290 soldiers have been killed, stated the military. Israel’s national security adviser forecasts that the conflict with Hamas will extend until the end of the year. Reports from Palestinians in Rafah indicate heavy fighting on Wednesday as Israeli forces continue their assault on the town, which was once considered the last refuge in the territory. The fighting has led to over 1 million Palestinians fleeing.
South Africans vote in a pivotal election as president says he has no doubt his ANC party will win
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africans are participating in an election that is considered the most significant in the country’s 30-year history, which could potentially challenge the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress party. The ANC led South Africa out of apartheid in 1994 but is now facing discontent from a new generation in a country with a population of 62 million. Despite winning six consecutive national elections, recent polls suggest that the ANC’s support is below 50% ahead of this election, indicating a possible loss of majority in Parliament for the first time. Final results are expected by Sunday.
Biden, Harris to launch Black voter outreach effort amid signs of diminished support
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are intensifying their efforts to reach out to Black voters in the battleground state of Pennsylvania. They will launch a new summerlong initiative for Black voter outreach with a visit to Girard College, an independent boarding school in Philadelphia with a predominantly Black student body, on Wednesday. They will also visit a small business to meet with members of the Black Chamber of Commerce. This push comes at a time when Biden’s strong support among Black voters is showing signs of decline, dropping from 94% at the beginning of his term to 55% according to an AP-NORC poll published in March.
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 won the right to vote, the country is on the brink of electing its first woman president. However, in some Indigenous villages where women will be voting in Sunday’s national election, they do not have a voice in their own communities. Certain communities in the southern state of Chiapas do not allow women to participate in local government, highlighting the ongoing marginalization faced by Indigenous women. Despite these challenges, some Indigenous women in places like Plan de Ayala in Las Margaritas are making gradual progress with the help of younger generations, working towards achieving equality.
Weather-weary Texas battered again as powerful storm, strong winds kill 1, cause widespread damage
HOUSTON (AP) — Texas has been hit once again by strong storms with forceful winds that have caused significant damage, resulting in one fatality, collapsed homes under construction, and uprooted trees. Dallas has set up shelters where people can seek refuge and access air conditioning. In the Houston suburb of Magnolia, high winds led to the collapse of a house under construction on Tuesday, resulting in the death of a 16-year-old construction worker. These storms come after deadly weather over the Memorial Day weekend, during which 24 people were killed across seven states. The risk of heavy rains, flash flooding, and severe weather continues in Oklahoma and Texas on Wednesday.
ConocoPhillips buying Marathon Oil for $17.1 billion in all-stock deal as energy prices rise
ConocoPhillips has announced the acquisition of Marathon Oil in an all-stock deal valued at approximately $17.1 billion, as energy prices continue to increase and major oil companies report substantial profits. The total value of the deal, including $5.4 billion in debt, is $22.5 billion. Shareholders of Marathon Oil will receive 0.2550 shares of ConocoPhillips common stock for each share of Marathon Oil common stock they own. ConocoPhillips stated that the transaction will add valuable acreage to its existing U.S. onshore portfolio.
Inflation pressures lingering from pandemic are keeping Fed rate cuts on pause
WASHINGTON (AP) — Expectations for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve this year are diminishing, as recent statements by Fed officials indicate their intention to maintain high borrowing costs as long as necessary to address ongoing high inflation. The delay in rate cuts is attributed to inflationary pressures stemming from the pandemic, affecting items such as apartment rents, auto insurance, and hospital prices. While Fed officials anticipate a decrease in inflation in these areas, they are prepared to wait for as long as needed to address the issue.
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