David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, took the stand as the first witness in the criminal trial against former President Donald Trump. Pecker is expected to provide evidence about a scheme to suppress negative stories during the 2016 election. His testimony could corroborate allegations by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who is also expected to testify.
Indian chess has witnessed a remarkable rise with the emergence of young prodigies, led by the 17-year-old Dommaraju Gukesh. Gukesh’s exceptional performance in the Candidates tournament has earned him the right to challenge Chinese grandmaster Ding Liren for the World Championship. India’s chess ecosystem is thriving with talented young players and experienced mentors, creating an environment that fosters growth and innovation. Gukesh’s success has reignited excitement for Indian chess and set the stage for an exciting India-China showdown in the upcoming World Championship.
As the presidential election draws near, the debate over the role of third-party candidates intensifies. Some argue that third-party voters are wasting their votes, while others believe that third-party candidates are essential for preserving democracy. In this episode of Slate’s “Hear Me Out” podcast, Valdosta State University professor argues that third parties have the power to shape the political landscape and foster healthy debate.
The first criminal trial of former President Donald Trump began on Monday with opening statements from prosecutors and Trump’s attorneys. Prosecutors allege that Trump reimbursed hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels to influence the 2016 presidential election, while Trump’s attorneys maintain his innocence and deny any involvement in falsifying business records.
Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified as the first witness for the prosecution, detailing a conspiracy to suppress negative stories about Trump ahead of the election. Prosecutors claim Pecker agreed to gather information from tabloid sources and publish flattering or damaging stories accordingly.
Trump’s attorneys attacked the credibility of star witness Michael Cohen, who has pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations. They also argued that it is not illegal to try to influence an election and that Trump did not have direct involvement in the alleged falsified business records.
On Tuesday, Judge Juan Merchan will hold a hearing to address allegations that Trump violated the gag order by discussing witnesses. The district attorney’s office seeks fines and a potential prison sentence if Trump continues to disobey the order.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged that no asylum seekers will be sent to Rwanda if Labour wins the next election. The Conservative government’s Rwanda scheme, which aims to deter migrants from crossing the English Channel, was approved by Parliament on April 23. Cooper has criticized the scheme as an ‘extortionately expensive gimmick’ and has promised to scrap it if Labour comes to power.
Former first lady Melania Trump is taking a keen interest in the developments in her husband Donald Trump’s hush money trial, according to a former aide. Stephanie Grisham, who served as chief of staff and press secretary to Melania Trump, said on CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront” that the former first lady is “very much about proof, show proof,” and that she would be paying close attention to any damaging information that emerges from the trial.
During a late-night debate on parental support in the House of Lords on Monday evening, Lord Bellamy’s speech was briefly interrupted by a power outage. The chamber’s lights flickered and went out, along with television screens and microphones, prompting laughter from the Justice Minister, who joked about saying something controversial.
Amid growing internal disagreements within the Democratic party over his support for Israel’s actions against Hamas, President Biden met with liberal lawmakers including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Monday to discuss the escalating tensions between Israel and Gaza. Ocasio-Cortez and other Democrats have criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bombing campaign in Gaza, likening the situation to ‘an unfolding genocide.’ Despite these concerns, Ocasio-Cortez has emphasized the need for Biden’s reelection while seeking to address both domestic and international democratic values.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has criticized the Congress party, stating that India will be governed by the Constitution drafted by Bhimrao Ambedkar, not by any Sharia law. He accused the Congress of failing to eradicate poverty despite its ‘Garibi Hatao’ slogan and alleged that one family looted the country’s resources. The Lok Sabha constituency of Amroha will vote in the second phase of elections on April 26. Adityanath’s remarks come ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, which will be held in seven stages.
During Lok Sabha elections campaigning in Amethi, Smriti Irani criticized Rahul Gandhi and Robert Vadra. She accused Gandhi of attempting to divide voters based on caste and questioned Vadra’s potential candidacy. Irani highlighted her own victory in Amethi in 2019, where she defeated Gandhi.
