Jurors in Trump’s hush money trial zero in on testimony of key witnesses as deliberations resume
NEW YORK (AP) — The jury in former President Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial is set to resume deliberations after requesting to review important testimony related to the alleged scheme central to the case. The 12-person jury deliberated for 4 1/2 hours on Wednesday without reaching a verdict and will reconvene on Thursday. The jury asked to rehear testimony from a tabloid publisher and Trump’s former lawyer and personal fixer. Additionally, the jurors requested to revisit at least part of the judge’s instructions to them. Trump is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records at his company. The presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee has denied any wrongdoing.
The Latest | 2 soldiers are killed in a West Bank car-ramming attack, Israeli military says
The Israeli military has reported that two soldiers were killed in a car-ramming attack in the occupied West Bank. Violence in the West Bank has escalated during the conflict in Gaza as Israel conducts raids on Palestinian towns in the territory to quell militancy, resulting in the deaths of over 500 Palestinians. In the Gaza Strip, residents in the border city of Rafah have reported intense fighting on Wednesday. Israel’s military stated it has seized control of the entire length of Gaza’s border with Egypt. The fighting in Rafah has already led to over 1 million Palestinians fleeing and seeking refuge in other areas affected by the war. The United Nations has highlighted that these displaced individuals lack shelter, food, water, and other essentials needed for survival.
The US-built pier in Gaza suffered damage. Here’s how we reached this point and what to expect moving forward
WASHINGTON (AP) — A series of security, logistical, and weather-related issues have plagued the project aimed at delivering crucial humanitarian aid to Gaza via a U.S. military-developed pier. The pier broke apart due to strong winds and heavy seas just over a week after becoming operational, sparking criticism that it has not met its initial promises or justified its $320 million cost. Despite the setbacks, U.S. officials have stated that the pier is being repaired and will soon be operational again. While aid groups have welcomed the assistance, some have expressed concerns that the pier may shift the focus away from pressuring Israel to open more land routes. From the beginning, the Biden administration had clarified that the pier was not intended to be a complete solution.
14 pro-democracy activists convicted, 2 acquitted in Hong Kong’s largest national security case
HONG KONG (AP) — Fourteen pro-democracy activists have been convicted in Hong Kong’s biggest national security case, in which the court deemed that their plan to bring about change through an unofficial primary election would have undermined the government’s authority and triggered a constitutional crisis. Following a protest movement in 2019 that filled the city’s streets with demonstrators, authorities in Hong Kong have sharply curtailed dissent through restrictions on public choice in elections, crackdowns on media, and the imposition of the Beijing-backed security law under which the activists were found guilty.
Early results in South Africa’s election show ruling ANC below 50% and falling short of a majority
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Initial vote counts in South Africa’s national election indicate that the long-ruling African National Congress is just over 42% of the vote, raising the possibility of losing its majority for the first time since it rose to power under Nelson Mandela at the end of apartheid in 1994. With only a little over 16% of votes tallied and declared after Wednesday’s election, the final results which could bring significant political change in the country were expected to take several days. The independent electoral commission has indicated that the results will be announced by Sunday.
A divided Mexico, marred by violence, heads to the polls to choose between two female presidential candidates
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico enters Sunday’s election deeply fractured, with friends and relatives avoiding political discussions for fear of exacerbating already unbridgeable divides. The country has been carved up by drug cartels into warring territories, and the environment is under strain due to heatwaves, droughts, pollution, and political unrest. It remains uncertain whether Mexico’s next president, both major-party candidates being female, will be able to address the underlying issues of violence and polarization. Soledad Echagoyen, a doctor in Mexico City who supports President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s Morena party, has mentioned that political conversations with colleagues have become difficult due to personal attacks.
Lab-grown meat may not be on shelves yet, but some states have already banned it
Lab-grown meat is currently unavailable in U.S. grocery stores or restaurants, and there are efforts by lawmakers to keep it that way. Recent bans in Florida and Arizona prohibit the sale of cultivated meat and seafood, which is produced from animal cells. In Iowa, a bill signed by the governor prevents schools from purchasing lab-grown meat. Federal lawmakers are also considering restrictions on the product. The future of these bans remains uncertain, as some cultivated meat companies are contemplating legal action, and some states have put proposed bans on hold after arguments were made that they would limit consumer choices. Lab-grown meat was first approved for sale in the U.S. a year ago.
Papua New Guinea landslide survivors hesitant to relocate to safer areas after hundreds were buried
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Survivors of Papua New Guinea’s massive landslide are reluctant to move to safer ground as authorities prepare to use heavy machinery to clear debris, risking triggering another landslide. Up to 8,000 individuals may need to be evacuated as the area affected by the collapse last week continues to be unstable. However, officials have stated that only 700 people have agreed to relocate. Tribal warfare in the region and reluctance to leave homes have contributed to the hesitation among survivors to move to safer locations.
A nurse recognized for compassion is terminated after referencing Gaza ‘genocide’ in a speech
NEW YORK (AP) — A nurse was fired by a New York City hospital after referring to the conflict in Gaza as a “genocide” during a speech where she was being honored for her compassionate care towards mothers who had experienced the loss of their babies. Hesen Jabr linked her work to the suffering of mothers in Gaza and mentioned the “genocide” unfolding in the region. Following her comments, she was dismissed from her position when she reported for work. NYU Langone Health, where she was employed, stated that some of her colleagues were upset by her remarks.
At 100, this veteran believes the ‘greatest generation’ label is fitting ‘because we saved the world’
HELEN, Ga. (AP) — Andy Negra Jr. proudly identifies himself as part of the “The Greatest Generation,” as one of the last remaining World War II veterans. The centenarian, residing in Helen, Georgia, recently celebrated his 100th birthday. He served in the 128th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 6th Armored Division, and participated in the D-Day landing on Utah Beach in Normandy in 1944. Negra later fought in the battle to reclaim the key French port city of Brest and was part of the Occupation of Germany. On the 80th anniversary of D-Day, he plans to visit the site where he survived an attack by German planes.
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