Trump attempts to move forward after his guilty verdict by criticizing the criminal justice system
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump tried to move past his historic criminal conviction on Friday and gather support for his campaign to return to the White House by launching fierce attacks on the judge who presided over the case, the prosecution’s key witness, and the criminal justice system as a whole. Speaking from his tower in Manhattan as a symbolic return to the campaign trail, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee directed his message towards his most loyal supporters. Maintaining his defiance, he claimed without evidence that the verdict was manipulated and influenced by politics.
Donald Trump’s lawyer expresses shock at the former president’s reaction to the verdict
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump’s lead attorney in his New York criminal case revealed to The Associated Press his surprise at the former president’s composed reaction when the verdict was announced in court. Defense lawyer Todd Blanche mentioned that Trump accepted the verdict with the appropriate solemnity for the moment. Despite Trump’s claims of an unfair trial, Blanche noted that he still handled the situation well the day following the verdict. A jury of 12 New Yorkers found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Trump, addressing reporters on Friday, portrayed himself as a victim of a “rigged” trial.
Insights into Donald Trump’s historic trial conviction for hush money payments
NEW YORK (AP) — The first criminal conviction of a former U.S. president has raised numerous legal and political questions: Will Trump serve prison time? Can he pardon himself? What impact will this have on the election? A Manhattan jury convicted Trump on Thursday of 34 felony counts related to a scheme during his 2016 presidential campaign to silence a porn actor who alleged a sexual encounter. It remains uncertain whether he will face imprisonment, as the judge will make that decision. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the prosecutor in the case, declined to confirm if prison time would be pursued.
Trump deals with the burden of a conviction. Will it influence voters?
WASHINGTON (AP) — In 2016, Donald Trump famously claimed he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not lose any supporters. However, he now finds himself as the first president with felony convictions. Will this impact the November election? Following the damning verdict in Manhattan, Republicans have stood by Trump. This situation presents uncharted territory for the country. Will Americans view Trump as the presidential figure in official portraits, or the one in a mug shot? This is a choice they have not faced before.
Biden outlines a 3-phase hostage negotiation plan to de-escalate the Israel-Hamas conflict
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has presented a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas militants as a means to secure the release of remaining hostages in Gaza and potentially end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Biden stated that Hamas is no longer capable of executing large-scale attacks on Israel and urged both parties to reach an agreement for the release of hostages and a sustained cease-fire. The proposal is seen as a roadmap towards a lasting peace and the release of all hostages. The plan includes initiating major reconstruction efforts in Gaza, which has seen 36,000 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks.
Israel confirms military presence in central Rafah as offensive in southern Gaza city escalates
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military has verified its troops’ operations in central areas of Rafah as part of an expanded offensive in the southern Gaza city. In a statement released on Friday, the military disclosed that their forces in central Rafah uncovered Hamas rocket launchers, tunnels, and dismantled a weapons storage site belonging to the group. The exact location of the operations in central Rafah was not specified, but previous reports and witnesses have indicated raids in the Shaboura refugee camp and other nearby sites. More than 1 million Palestinians have fled the city since the assault began, dispersing across southern and central Gaza.
Florida sheriff’s office terminates deputy who fatally shot airman at residence
A Florida sheriff fired a deputy on Friday for fatally shooting an airman at his home while holding a gun pointed downwards, citing that the deputy’s life was never in danger and he should not have discharged his weapon. Okaloosa County Sheriff dismissed Deputy Eddie Duran, who shot Senior Airman Roger Fortson on May 3 after responding to a domestic violence call and encountering Fortson at his apartment with a gun pointed towards the ground. Duran fired immediately without giving a warning.
Mexico’s drug cartels and gangs play a significant role in upcoming elections
COTIJA, Mexico (AP) — Mexico’s drug cartels and gangs appear to have a prominent role in the upcoming elections that will decide the presidency, nine governorships, and approximately 19,000 mayorships and local positions. The powerful drug cartels in Mexico have a history of targeted assassinations against mayoral and local candidates who challenge their authority. While gangs in Mexico focus on controlling local law enforcement and profiting from municipal budgets, national politics seem less of their concern. However, leading up to the election on Sunday, gangs have increasingly engaged in violent acts such as firing at campaign rallies, burning ballots, and hindering the establishment of polling stations — even attempting to influence voters through banners.
Berlin authorizes Ukraine to use German weapons against Russian targets following similar move by the U.S.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Germany has joined the United States in permitting Ukraine to target certain locations on Russian territory with the long-range weapons that are being provided. This policy shift on Friday comes as Ukrainian forces struggle against advancing Russian troops. Ukrainian officials have expressed frustration over restrictions on the use of Western weapons, particularly as the Kharkiv region faces heavy Russian attacks. Both Germany and the U.S. have specifically approved the defense of Kharkiv, which lies only 20 kilometers from Russia. While this decision offers Ukraine greater defense capabilities for protecting Kharkiv, its impact on the conflict’s direction remains uncertain.
Marian Robinson, mother of Michelle Obama, passes away at 86
WASHINGTON (AP) — Marian Shields Robinson, mother of Michelle Obama, has died at the age of 86. Mrs. Robinson, who had moved to the White House with the first family when son-in-law Barack Obama became president, was known for her remarkable life. In a statement released by Michelle Obama and other family members on Friday, they emphasized that there was only one Marian Robinson, and her extraordinary life serves as a source of strength amidst their grief.
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