Trump attempts to move on from his guilty verdict by criticizing the criminal justice system
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump tried to shift focus from his historic criminal conviction on Friday and generate momentum for his campaign to return to the White House by harshly criticizing the judge who presided over the case, the star witness for the prosecution, and the entire criminal justice system. Speaking from his eponymous tower in Manhattan in a symbolic return to the campaign trail, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee delivered a message aimed directly at his most loyal supporters. Defiant as always, he claimed, without any proof, that the verdict was manipulated and influenced by political motives.
Responses to your queries about Donald Trump’s landmark hush money trial conviction
NEW YORK (AP) — The initial criminal conviction of a former American president has raised numerous legal and political questions: Will Donald Trump be incarcerated? Can he pardon himself? What impact will this have on the election? A Manhattan jury found Trump guilty on Thursday of 34 felony charges related to a scheme during his 2016 presidential campaign to pay off a porn actress who alleged they had engaged in a sexual encounter. It remains uncertain whether he will serve prison time, as that decision rests with the judge. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who brought the case, declined to confirm on Thursday whether prosecutors would seek a prison sentence.
Trump now carries the stigma of a conviction like a badge. Will the verdict influence voters?
WASHINGTON (AP) — In 2016, Donald Trump famously declared that he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not lose any support. Time has shown that his followers are indeed fiercely loyal. However, he is now the first president in history to be tainted with felony convictions. Will this make a difference in the November election? Following the damning jury verdict in Manhattan, the majority of Republicans rallied behind him. But this poses unfamiliar territory for the nation. Will Americans view Trump as the man in his official presidential portrait? Or the one in the mug shot? This is a decision they have not faced before.
Biden outlines a three-phase hostage deal aimed at de-escalating the Israel-Hamas conflict
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has outlined a three-phase agreement proposed by Israel to Hamas militants that he believes could lead to the release of remaining hostages in Gaza and potentially bring an end to the ongoing Middle East war. Biden also stated that Hamas is no longer capable of executing another large-scale attack on Israel as he urged Israelis and Hamas to reach an agreement to secure the release of hostages and establish a prolonged ceasefire. The Democratic president referred to the proposal as “a roadmap to a lasting ceasefire and the liberation of all hostages.” One aspect of the agreement involves initiating major reconstruction efforts in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of 36,000 Palestinians.
Israel confirms its troops are conducting operations in central Rafah as part of an expanding offensive in the southern Gaza city
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military has confirmed that its forces are engaged in operations in central areas of Rafah as part of an expanding offensive in the southern Gaza city. In a statement issued Friday, the military indicated that its troops in central Rafah had discovered Hamas rocket launchers and underground tunnels, as well as dismantled a weapons storage site belonging to the group. The statement did not specify the exact location in central Rafah where the operations were taking place, but previous statements and eyewitness accounts have suggested raids in the Shaboura refugee camp and other locations near the city center. Over 1 million Palestinians have fled the city since the onset of the assault, dispersing throughout southern and central Gaza.
Florida sheriff’s office terminates deputy who fatally shot Black airman at his residence
A Florida sheriff dismissed on Friday a deputy who fatally shot a Black airman at his home while the airman was holding a handgun pointed toward the ground, stating that the deputy’s life was never in jeopardy and that he should not have discharged his weapon. The Okaloosa County Sheriff terminated Deputy Eddie Duran, who shot Senior Airman Roger Fortson on May 3 after responding to a domestic violence call and being directed to Fortson’s apartment. Fortson opened the door with a handgun pointed downwards, prompting Duran to shoot without issuing a warning.
Mexico’s drug cartels and gangs seem to have a broader influence in Sunday’s elections than in previous instances
COTIJA, Mexico (AP) — Mexico’s drug cartels and gangs appear to have a more significant role in the upcoming elections on Sunday, which will decide the presidency, nine governorships, and approximately 19,000 mayoral and other local positions. The country’s powerful drug cartels have historically carried out targeted assassinations of mayoral and other local candidates who pose a threat to their authority. Gangs rely on controlling local police chiefs and obtaining a portion of municipal budgets, showing less interest in national politics. However, in the lead-up to Sunday’s election, gangs have increased their disruptive acts, such as shooting at entire campaign rallies, burning ballots, or obstructing the establishment of polling stations — even displaying banners to influence voters.
Berlin permits Ukraine to utilize German weapons against targets in Russia following relaxation of U.S. restrictions
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Germany has joined the United States in granting Ukraine permission to strike certain targets on Russian territory with the long-range weapons provided to them. This significant policy shift comes as Ukrainian troops face challenges in the war amid scarce resources. Ukrainian officials have expressed frustration over limitations on the use of Western weapons, particularly as the Kharkiv border region has been subjected to intense Russian attacks this month. Both Germany and the U.S. have explicitly authorized the defense of Kharkiv, a city situated only 20 kilometers from Russian territory. While the easing of restrictions may offer Ukraine a better chance at safeguarding Kharkiv, the impact on the conflict’s trajectory remains uncertain.
Italy’s migrant detention facilities are described as squalid and disorderly. A young man from Guinea was desperate to escape
ROME (AP) — The suicide of a young man from Guinea within one of Italy’s migrant detention centers has drawn attention to the deplorable and chaotic conditions within these facilities. Lawyers and activists have characterized the centers as “black holes for human rights.” The Italian government argues that these de-facto jails are essential for deterring migrants from crossing the Mediterranean on smuggler’s boats. However, for Ousmane Sylla, who developed mental health issues after leaving Guinea, the conditions were intolerable. He took his own life in February, and his family holds the Italian government responsible.
Canadian serial killer Robert Pickton, known for bringing victims to his pig farm, dies after prison assault
TORONTO (AP) — Robert Pickton, a Canadian serial killer who transported female victims to his pig farm during a crime spree near Vancouver in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has passed away after being attacked in prison. He was 74 years old. The Correctional Service of Canada announced that Pickton, an inmate at Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec, died in the hospital following injuries sustained in a May 19 altercation with another inmate. He was one of Canada’s most notorious serial killers, and his case garnered international attention. A 51-year-old inmate is in custody for the assault on Pickton, as confirmed by police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu earlier this month.
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