International
Trump could testify next week in the final stretch of his criminal trial
The defense of the former president of the United States. Donald Trump (2017-2021) said on Thursday that the tycoon has not yet decided if he will go up to the stand to testify next week, the date that the judge of the case wants it to be the final stretch for this criminal trial that began a month ago with the jury selection.
On Friday there will be no session and next Monday it is expected that Michael Cohen, who was a lawyer and right-hand man of the former president and is the last witness of the Prosecutor’s Office, will continue with his testimony after having already spent three days on the stand.
Trump’s lawyers also left the door open to summon more witnesses and said that it would not take “long” to make the announcement of who they would be.
For his part, Judge Juan M. Merchan considered it appropriate to warn both parties that they were prepared for the final allegations on Tuesday. That could mean that the case will reach the jury to pronounce its verdict next week.
This week, Cohen testified that Trump ordered him to pay $130,000 to silence Stormy Daniels during the campaign, a porn star who claims to have had relations with Trump in 2006, and detailed how he later reimbursed him for his expenses.
During the examination of the star witness of the Prosecutor’s Office this Thursday, Trump’s chief lawyer, Todd Blanche, was more agitated than the witness, who, for his part, answered serenely and sometimes extremely slowly.
Trump’s defense focused on questioning Cohen’s honesty and morality before the jury and on reviewing in detail some of the evidence that has been shown so far in the trial.
Thus, he asked Cohen to tell the lies he told the Intelligence Committee of the 2017 House of Representatives, where he lied under oath, which cost him to be accused of perjury in 2018.
The defense also analyzed the relationship with Cohen’s press, who explained that journalists came to him to ask him to confirm or deny information about Trump during the almost ten years he worked for him, and acknowledged that with some of them he came to establish a friendly relationship.
The former lawyer said that he never made any statement without first consulting the Republican politician.
Blanche attacked Cohen’s professionalism by pointing out that he secretly recorded some of his conversations with the press, including about forty with The New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman, who has written 38 articles about him and was in the Manhattan Criminal Court room today following the case.
To which the former lawyer, who can no longer practice, justified – without receiving the question – that in the state of New York they consider it legal to record a phone call without letting the other person know.
However, Trump’s lawyer reproached him for also recording conversations with clients, something that is not allowed for lawyers in this state.
He also recorded conversations with Trump, one of them in 2016 that he used as evidence in this trial.
With regard to other conversations with the former president and his circle during the last stretch of the 2016 presidential elections, in which Cohen points out that the issue of payment was discussed to silence the extramarital relationship, Blanche questioned Cohen’s memory by pointing out that at that time he received an average of 50 calls a day.
Trump, who is in the middle of the electoral campaign but has to attend the trial four days a week, paid attention during the testimony of his former employee, thus breaking with his habit of “listening to the testimonies with his eyes closed”, especially after lunch.
Today the news was not only inside the room, but also outside, where dozens of large penis-shaped pink balloons flew over the vicinity of the court.
The balloons overprinted the faces of people like Merchan or that of the Manhattan prosecutor, Alvin Bragg, who has filed the accusation that Trump has in the dock.
International
Trump claims he’s the only one who can prevent World War III
Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that he is “the only one who can prevent World War III,” during a political rally in Wisconsin, one of the swing states where the 2024 November presidential elections could be decided.
Trump outlined the geopolitical implications of his victory: on one hand, he reiterated his stance that “I will fix the Ukraine situation,” without providing details, and on the other hand, he warned that a victory by his opponent, Vice President and Democratic contender Kamala Harris, would mean the end of the State of Israel.
“If I don’t win this election, Israel, with Comrade Kamala Harris at the helm of the United States, is doomed. Israel will disappear in a year or two and will cease to exist. You better hope I win, or you’re going to face problems like never before,” he explained.
Trump has stated on numerous occasions, and repeated today, that if he had been in charge, neither the war in Ukraine nor the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war would have occurred. He also claimed that he had predicted both conflicts.
He concluded: “Trump is always right. I hate being right, but I always am,” adding that he had also foreseen the rampant inflation and immigration problems currently facing the country.
The Republican candidate’s rally focused on his usual themes: security, immigration threats, the cost of living, and the decline of U.S. global influence. However, the loudest applause in Wisconsin came when he promised to eliminate transgender policies, especially in schools.
On Tuesday, Trump will face off against his rival Kamala Harris in a presidential debate on ABC, which is expected to be crucial in swaying many undecided voters. Interestingly, the candidate made almost no mention of the upcoming debate during his rally.
International
Jair Bolsonaro calls for action against “dictator” judge de Moraes over social media ban
Former President Jair Bolsonaro once again demonstrated his mobilization power and intensified his rhetoric against Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes during a massive street rally in São Paulo, where he called for the impeachment of the magistrate, labeling him a “dictator” for his decision to block the social media platform X in Brazil.
“We need to put a stop to those who overstep the limits of the Constitution. I hope the Federal Senate puts an end to Moraes, this dictator who is harming the country more than [Luiz Inácio] Lula da Silva,” Bolsonaro said, acting as the main speaker at the event that drew a large crowd on Avenida Paulista.
The rally, which featured speeches from key figures of Bolsonaro’s movement and support from magnate Elon Musk, the owner of X, had already been planned before Moraes’ decision on September 30 to block the social media platform in the country after X’s non-compliance with court orders.
Bolsonaro is also under scrutiny from the Supreme Federal Court (STF), particularly by Moraes, who is leading investigations that could have serious legal consequences for him, including prosecution for the attempted coup on January 8, 2023.
The former Brazilian president questioned the judge’s conduct during the 2022 elections, accusing him of favoring Lula. He also reiterated a call for Congress to grant amnesty to the “political prisoners” detained for their involvement in the attempted coup in Brasília.
“That was never a coup, and we are seeing people being judged as if they were an armed group trying to overthrow our democratic state. I regret the situation of these prisoners,” Bolsonaro said, urging amnesty for those detained.
Central America
Young actress Adriana Isabel Mojica dies in tragic accident in Torrelodones
Young actress and singer Adriana Isabel Mojica, 19 years old, died Thursday morning after being struck by a vehicle in Torrelodones, Spain, confirmed the town’s mayor.
“I am deeply shocked by the death of our young neighbor Adriana Isabel in this tragic accident. My heartfelt support goes to her family and friends during these terribly difficult times. Rest in peace,” posted Almudena Negro, Mayor of Torrelodones.
According to Spain’s El Mundo newspaper, the incident occurred on the A-6 motorway, at kilometer 31.5, at 7:35 a.m.
Trump claims he’s the only one who can prevent World War III
Jair Bolsonaro calls for action against “dictator” judge de Moraes over social media ban
Young actress Adriana Isabel Mojica dies in tragic accident in Torrelodones
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Ecuador prison riot leaves at least 43 dead
-
Central America4 days agoU.S. Embassy confirms normal operations after honduran president cancels extradition treaty
-
Central America2 days agoYoung actress Adriana Isabel Mojica dies in tragic accident in Torrelodones
-
International3 days agoColombian Police foil terrorist plot in Cali ahead of COP16 amid rising violence
-
Central America4 days agoHuman Rights Crisis in Nicaragua: UN reports surge in arbitrary Dedetentions and Persecution
-
International3 days agoRetired man on trial for drugging wife for rape ring, 50 others accused
-
International3 days agoHonduran Drug Trafficker Handed Over to U.S. After Extradition Treaty Ends
-
International3 days agoEU expansion to accelerate under new European Commission, von der Leyen announces
-
Sin categoría3 days agoOpposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia calls for fair treatment amidst political persecution claims
-
International3 days agoPanama boosts deportations of migrants through Darién gap amid significant drop in arrivals
-
International3 days agoNetanyahu refuses to yield to pressure for deal with Hamas
-
Central America2 days agoPresident Mulino announces curfew for minors in Bocas del Toro amid surge in crime
-
International2 days agoSalvadoran Day celebration returns to Dallas with cultural festivities and free admission
-
Internacionales3 days agoAmazon Prison director dies in armed assault
-
International4 days agoNicolás Maduro’s aircraft seized by U.S. authorities over sanctions violation
-
Central America2 days agoNicaragua frees 135 political prisoners, repatriated to Guatemala through U.S. mediation
-
International2 hours agoJair Bolsonaro calls for action against “dictator” judge de Moraes over social media ban
-
International2 hours agoTrump claims he’s the only one who can prevent World War III