France to intensify arms delivery to help Ukraine counter-offensive -Macron
PARIS French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said that a long-anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive against occupying Russian forces had
2023-06-13 04:21
Fossil fuel company net zero plans "largely meaningless" - report
By Gloria Dickie and Simon Jessop LONDON The number of fossil fuel companies setting net-zero emissions targets has
2023-06-13 04:16
Handcuffs, fingerprints or a mugshot? What to expect as Trump faces arraignment in federal court
After a grand jury recommended criminal charges against Donald Trump, federal prosecutors issued a sweeping 37-count indictment charging the former president with obstruction and the unlawful retention of national defense information for allegedly storing dozens of sensitive government documents at his Florida home and refusing to turn them over to federal authorities. The former president’s second indictment follows criminal charges in Manhattan earlier this year for allegedly falsifying business records to conceal hush-money payments in an effort to kill stories about his alleged affairs during the 2016 presidential election. Mr Trump turned himself into authorities in New York City on 4 April and sat for a brief arraignment hearing in criminal district court before returning to his Mar-a-Lago home to deliver a speech to supporters. Law enforcement agencies are now preparing for his arrival in Miami, where he will make a first appearance in federal court to formally hear the charges against him in his first-ever federal case. The case – stemming from the US Department of Justice special counsel investigation into classified documents, and whether he intentionally obstructed the government’s efforts to return them – is separate from the Justice Department’s probe into Mr Trump’s role in the events surrounding January 6 and a Georgia prosecutor’s investigation into his attempts to subvert the outcome of the 2020 election in that state. Here, we explain what the day could look like: Where and when is Trump going to court? There are 94 district courts around the US, and generally a defendant will be tried in the district where the crimes are alleged to have been committed. Mr Trump will travel to a federal court in the Southern District of Florida, the jurisdiction for his Mar-a-Lago property. Mr Trump flew by private plane from his Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey on 12 June. He will stay overnight at his Trump National Doral resort in Miami before his makes his appearance at the federal courthouse, roughly 12 miles from the hotel. His arraignment at the Wilkie D Ferguson Jr United States Courthouse in Miami is scheduled for 3pm ET on 13 June. Will Trump be handcuffed? Probably not. He will surrender to the authorities, go through processing, and then enter the courtroom for his first appearance before the judge. It is unlikely that he will be in handcuffs for any part of that process. What about a mugshot? That is also unlikely. US Secret Service officers will guide Mr Trump to the courthouse, where US Marshals and probation officers will begin pretrial services, including electronic fingerprinting and formal booking. What will happen during the hearing? Mr Trump will be formally presented with the charges against him and be informed of his rights. He may also enter a plea; he is expected to plead “not guilty” based on the months-long claims that the investigations against him are a politically motivated “hoax” and a “witch hunt.” And what happens after? There is a theoretical possibility that Mr Trump will remain in custody after his arraignment, but it is highly unlikely a judge would order this, and he is not considered a flight risk. He was released on his own recognizance following his arraignment in a Manhattan criminal court in April. The former president is scheduled to return to his Bedminster club to deliver remarks before a fundraising event. He similarly returned to his Mar-a-Lago property hours after he appeared in Manhattan criminal court in April, where he lambasted District Attorney Alvin Bragg and the judge overseeing the case, as well as the judge’s family members. Who is on Trump’s legal team? Following news of the indictment, two lawyers who represented Mr Trump in the months leading up to the charges resigned from his legal team over his handling of classified documents quit working for him on Friday morning. The attorneys, Jim Trusty and John Rowley, issued a joint statement stating that it was the “logical moment for us to step aside” and let other attorneys handle the case. Neither attorney wil represent Mr Trump in the other federal investigation stemming from Mr Trump’s alleged interference in Georgia. Todd Blanche, who represented Mr Trump in his Manhattan criminal case, will accompany Mr Trump in his federal case; a notice from Judge Cannon reminded him and others involved with the case that they are not members of the Southern District of Florida Bar. Another attorney, Christopher Kise, who is licenced in Florida, also is expected to accompany Mr Trump. Who is the judge? US District Judge Aileen Cannon – who was appointed by the former president in 2020 and previously ruled in his legal team’s favour in a series of court decisions surrounding the investigation – will handle the case. Last year, she appointed a “special master” to review materials seized by federal law enforcement and restricted the FBI from using those documents as part of the investigation until she completed a review, effectively freezing the US Department of Justice probe. That order was ultimately thrown out entirely by a federal appeals court, which roundly criticised her decision. If she does not recuse herself from the case and she remains a trial judge, she could play a potentially critical role in the case’s development, from setting a trial date to overseeing jury selection, the admission of certain evidence, and sentencing, if there is a conviction. Magistrate Judge John Goodman will oversee Mr Trump’s arraignment. The judge then will have the option to remand Mr Trump on bail or release him on his own recognizance before adjourning for a future date. Will there be a trial? Following a plea, the federal judge will adjourn the case and allow attorneys an opportunity to review the indictment and make motions regarding the case. It is expected that Mr Trump’s legal team will want the case dismissed. The district is known as a “rocket docket” court, where judges adhere to a speedy trial schedule that processes case to trial within 70 days. Special counsel Jack Smith also said prosecutors will push for a speedy trial “consistent with the public interest and the rights of the accused,” he said during brief public remarks announcing the indictment. “It’s very important for me to note that the defendants in this case must be presumed innocent until proven guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” he said. How will this impact his presidential campaign? Mr Trump remains the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination for president, and he has insisted that he will remain in the race regardless of any outcome in the criminal cases against hime. He has relied on the investigations and indictments to raise money for his campaign, which netted millions of dollars in the days after his charges were announced in his New York case. But the timeframe for the federal investigation – and, potentially, other pending cases that could result in criminal charges this year – could complicate his campaign ambitions. A first debate among Republican candidates is set for 23 August. A trial for the New York attorney general lawsuit targeting Mr Trump, his adult children and his business is slated to begin in October. And he is scheduled to return to Manhattan Criminal Court on 25 March – days after voting begins in primary states. Read More Trump indictment – live: Trump leaves Bedminster ahead of Miami arraignment as Bill Barr calls him ‘toast’ How Trump’s second indictment unfolded: A timeline of the investigation into Mar-a-Lago documents What a Florida grand jury and judge means for Trump’s indictment ‘This is war’: Police monitoring online far-right threats and pro-Trump protests with federal indictment Conspiracy, false statements and retaining national defence documents: The federal charges against Trump Jack Smith defends Trump indictment: ‘We have one set of laws and they apply to everyone’
2023-06-13 03:50
Climate change trial pits youths against Montana
By Clark Mindock The first trial in several U.S. climate change cases brought by youths kicked off on
2023-06-13 03:48
Student loan payments will be due starting in October, Department of Education clarifies
In October, tens of millions of borrowers will be required to pay their monthly federal student loan bills for the first time since March 2020, the Department of Education clarified Monday.
2023-06-13 03:25
Trump holds double-digit lead after federal indictment - Reuters/Ipsos poll
By Jason Lange WASHINGTON The federal criminal charges against Donald Trump have done little to change Americans' views
2023-06-13 03:19
Suspect in killing of Cash App founder was accused of stabbing two teens in 2005, according to San Francisco Chronicle
The suspect in the stabbing death of CashApp founder Bob Lee was also accused of stabbing two teenagers in 2005, according to documents uncovered by the San Francisco Chronicle.
2023-06-13 03:19
Trump vows to ‘go after’ Biden’s family in bitter Truth Social rant before boarding Miami arraignment jet
A vengeful Donald Trump swore that he’d get even with Joe Biden on Monday as he boarded a private jet to Miami where he is set to face his second criminal indictment this year. The ex-president ranted on Truth Social that he planned to use the power of the federal government, should he be elected to the presidency in 2024, to personally target Mr Biden’s family. “I WILL APPOINT A REAL SPECIAL “PROSECUTOR” TO GO AFTER THE MOST CORRUPT PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE USA, JOE BIDEN, THE ENTIRE BIDEN CRIME FAMILY, & ALL OTHERS INVOLVED WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR ELECTIONS, BORDERS, & COUNTRY ITSELF!” fumed Mr Trump in an all-caps rant posted around noon. It was a stunning declaration that throws the future of America’s justice system into question as such a move would wholly eliminate the independence and integrity of the Department of Justice, should he be successful. Mr Trump is set to be charged with 37 criminal counts related to his handling of presidential records in the wake of his departure from the White House in January 2021. More follows... Read More Ivanka and Jared split over attending Trump 2024 launch – follow live Why was Donald Trump impeached twice during his first term? Four big lies Trump told during his 2024 presidential announcement
2023-06-13 02:52
Miami mayor says city braced for protests ahead of Trump court appearance amid far-right threats
Miami mayor Francis Suarez says his city is braced for right-wing protests with Donald Trump set to make his first appearance there on secret document criminal charges. Mr Suarez told reporters on Monday that people had the right to protest in Miami but that law enforcement was ready to deal with any violence. “People should have the right to express themselves, but we also believe in law and order, and we know that — we hope that tomorrow will be peaceful,” said Mr Suarez.
2023-06-13 02:52
JP Morgan agrees to pay $290m to settle lawsuit brought by Jeffrey Epstein victims
The largest US bank says it regrets its relationship with "monstrous" sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
2023-06-13 01:45
US decision on Mexico air safety rating independent of politics, Buttigieg says
By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Monday said he told Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez
2023-06-13 01:29
The Ukraine offensive: What will win it or lose it?
If Ukraine can split Russian troops in the south and hold the ground, its offensive will have been successful.
2023-06-13 01:28