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☆ With Few Details About Assassination Attempt, Questions Swirl in Slovakia
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | Katarina Urban Richterova | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Questions were swirling in Slovakia on Friday, as shock over the attempted assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico began to give way to trepidation over what comes next for the deeply polarized country. The authorities have kept details about the attack, the assailant and even who is leading the country while the prime minister is hospitalized to a minimum. Officials say they will provide more information soon but that the situation is sensitive. They have called the shooting politically motivated, while urging the public and politicians to dial down political rhetoric and hatred as investigations play out. The police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Robert Fico Locations: Slovakia, Slovak, Levice

☆ As the 2024 Race Heats Up, Betting Is Growing for Everything but Elections
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Jeff Sommer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

I can’t watch a basketball game on TV without seeing ads urging me to place a bet on one app or another. I can’t walk down the street in New York City without seeing ads about the latest lottery jackpot. And when I sit at my desk in the office, I spend hours studying another type of betting — trading in financial markets, where you can place wagers on companies, bonds, commodities and derivatives of all descriptions. Yet the most consequential betting of all — wagers on elections in the United States — may soon be shut down by regulators. And the commission’s proposed new rule would give it the power to block trading on a broad range of other subjects.

Persons: United States — Organizations: Futures, Commission Locations: New York City, United States

☆ Biden Is Talking Directly to Black Voters. This Is What He Wants Them to Know.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Katie Rogers | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden is spending much of his time this week speaking directly to Black voters, a constituency that carried him to the White House in 2020 and whose voters are now threatening to withhold their support as Mr. Biden’s final presidential campaign unfolds. Mr. Biden’s most high-profile event this week is still to come. On Sunday, he will deliver a commencement speech at Morehouse College, a prestigious, historically Black institution. He was speaking to a crowd at the National Museum of African American History and Culture celebrating the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, a landmark civil rights ruling that outlawed racially segregated schools. Not even the venue choice seemed like a complete coincidence: As a senator, Mr. Biden was one of the original co-sponsors of legislation establishing the museum, and he attended its opening as vice president in 2016.

Persons: Biden, Biden’s, Joe Biden, I’m, ”, Brown Organizations: White House, Morehouse College, National Museum of, of Education

☆ In the Aging Senate, 80-Somethings Seeking Re-election Draw Little Criticism
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Kayla Guo | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

While President Biden tries to assuage voter concerns about his age in a presidential race that includes the two oldest men ever to seek the White House, a couple of miles away in the U.S. Senate, the gerontocracy remains alive and well — and little commented upon. The recent news that two octogenarians — Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont, 82, and Angus King of Maine, 80 — are each running for another six-year term generated little in the way of criticism or worry over age of the kind that Mr. Biden has faced. Their races, which both men are likely to win, are a reminder of how the Senate’s roster is chock-full of lawmakers staying in office at an age when most people are well into retirement. At the start of this Congress last year, the average age of elected officials was 64 in the Senate and 57.9 in the House. “They’re not in short supply around here,” Senator Peter Welch of Vermont, 77, said of octogenarians.

Persons: Biden, —, Bernie Sanders of, Angus King of Maine, “ They’re, Peter Welch of, octogenarians Organizations: U.S . Senate Locations: U.S, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Peter Welch of Vermont

☆ Rule 1 to Be Trump’s Running Mate: Defend Him, but Don’t Steal the Show
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Michael C. Bender | Jesse Mckinley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The cavalry of Republican vice-presidential contenders and other party officials inside the courthouse for Donald J. Trump’s criminal trial was so large one day this week that the group initially had trouble arranging themselves in the two rows set aside for guests of the defense team. Wedged into their seats, they were immediately confronted with testimony accusing their party’s leader — who was trying to inoculate his 2016 presidential campaign from political damage — of writing checks for bogus legal expenses to hide hush-money payments to a porn star. None of the conservatives in the courtroom flinched or raised an eyebrow, including Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota and Representative Byron Donalds of Florida, both of whom are said to be under consideration for Mr. Trump’s running mate. Instead, their stoic, protective presence underscored the biggest political quandary facing ambitious Republicans who want Mr. Trump to pick them for vice president: how to fiercely defend him without stealing any of his precious spotlight.

Persons: Donald J, —, Doug Burgum, Byron Donalds of, Trump’s, Trump Organizations: Republican, Gov Locations: North Dakota, Byron Donalds of Florida

☆ Dow closes above 40,000 for first time ever
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above the 40,000 mark Friday for the first time in its 139-year history. To many Americans, “the Dow” simply means the stock market. Dow 100: The Dow first closed in triple digits in January 1906. Crash of 1929: The Dow fell 38 points on Oct. 28 and 31 more points the next day. Dow 30,000: Nov. 24, 2020: Covid sent the stock market plunging in the spring of 2020.

Persons: ”, Ryan Detrick, “, Hogan, Dow, Teddy Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, Trump, Covid Organizations: New, New York CNN, Dow Jones, Federal Reserve, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Carson Group, Dow, Nasdaq, Riley Financial, CNN, Wall, Microsoft, Chevron, Federal, Woolworth, Eastman Kodak Locations: New York, Chevron —

☆ Election Updates: Trump will speak at a Minnesota fund-raiser, hoping the state’s political divide will put it in play.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Jonathan Weisman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

On Friday, the former president will be back, speaking at a fund-raising dinner for the Minnesota Republican Party in St. Paul that is open only to paying guests and invited media. Whether the visit is a feint to draw Democratic dollars to the state or a true effort to expand the electoral map, only the Trump campaign knows. The Trump campaign believes it can capitalize on — or foment — a backlash to the leftward march of the Twin Cities and still-fresh memories of the unrest after the killing of George Floyd. “We have a real opportunity to expand the map here,” Chris LaCivita, a senior Trump campaign adviser, told The Associated Press ahead of Mr. Trump’s visit. In an interview with a conservative radio station in March, Mr. Trump falsely claimed he won Minnesota in 2020.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Hillary Clinton, Paul, ”, Angie Craig, Richard M, Nixon, Trump’s, Clinton, Biden, “, Pete Stauber, Donald Trump, Dean Phillips, Phillips, Mr, Jack Rendulich, Collin Peterson, Rick Nolan, Stauber, Tim Walz, George Floyd, Ilhan Omar, Floyd’s, Chris LaCivita, Jim Manley, Barack Obama, Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota’s Organizations: Minnesota Republican Party, Trump, Republican, Republicans, Democratic, ”, Democrat, Mr, Associated, Agriculture, Democratic Socialists of America, City Council, Democrats, Twin, Alpha, Associated Press, North, North Carolina, Midwest, Minnesota Locations: Minnesota, St, Minneapolis, Paul, ” Minnesota, Northeast Minnesota, Twin Cities, Democratic, City, Gaza, North Carolina, Illinois

☆ Eastman Is First Trump Ally Arraigned in Arizona Election Case
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Danny Hakim | Rowan Moore Gerety | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Mr. Eastman is the first of 18 defendants to come before a judge in the Arizona case, which was brought by Kris Mayes, the state attorney general. Mr. Eastman faces charges of fraud, forgery and conspiracy. Rudolph W. Giuliani, formerly Mr. Trump’s personal lawyer, has also been charged in the case. The arraignment of Mr. Eastman took place at a large courthouse complex in Phoenix Friday morning. Mr. Eastman appeared briefly before a judge and pleaded not guilty.

Persons: John Eastman, Donald J, Trump’s, Trump, Eastman, Kris Mayes, Boris Epshteyn, Mark Meadows, Rudolph W, Giuliani Organizations: White House Locations: Phoenix, Arizona

☆ Justice Samuel Alito blames upside-down American flag on his wife and a flap with neighbors
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( John Fritze | Holmes Lybrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Alito said that a neighbor had posted a sign saying “F**k Trump” near a school bus stop and then a sign attacking his wife, Martha-Ann Alito. The upside-down flag was a symbol for former President Donald Trump’s supporters who falsely claimed widespread fraud in the presidential election. A spokeswoman for the Supreme Court has not respond to CNN’s requests for comment. “Flying an upside-down American flag — a symbol of the so-called ‘Stop the Steal’ movement — clearly creates the appearance of bias,” Durbin said in a statement. Renewed calls for ethics reformThe Supreme Court is weighing major cases this term tied to the 2020 election and the attack on the Capitol.

Persons: Samuel Alito, Alito, Martha, Ann Alito, Fox, Donald Trump’s, Tim Walz, “ I’m, Joe Biden’s, “, ”, “ It’s, Trump, Hank Johnson, Clarence Thomas, ” MAGA, Thomas, ” Johnson, ” Sen, Dick Durbin, ” Durbin, Sen, Tom Cotton, Carolina Sen, Lindsey Graham, Jack Smith’s, John Roberts, Sheldon Whitehouse, ” Whitehouse, Roe, Wade, Renee Knake Jefferson, ” Jefferson Organizations: CNN, Fox News, Trump, Democratic, Capitol, Minnesota Gov, New York Times, Times, Gadsden, Georgia Democrat, Committee, Illinois Democrat, Republicans, Arkansas Republican, Republican, Congress, Supreme, Rhode, Rhode Island Democrat, ”, University of Houston Law Center Locations: Minnesota, Alexandria , Virginia, Washington, DC, Georgia, House, Arkansas, ”, Carolina, Rhode Island

☆ The US did a complete 180 on same-sex marriage
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The vast majority of Americans opposed same-sex marriage on May 17, 2004, when the first same-sex couples took their vows after a court decision in Massachusetts. Barack Obama notably opposed same-sex marriage when he ran for president as a Democrat in the 2008 election and, as public opinion was rapidly shifting, changed his tune in 2012 to support same-sex unions. Warnings were unfoundedThere is also evidence that warnings about same-sex marriage somehow endangering “traditional marriage” simply never materialized. A new study by researchers for the RAND Corporation to assess two decades of same-sex marriage in the US argues marriage rates actually increased among opposite-sex couples as same-sex couples were granted the ability to marry in certain states. A key difference between support for same-sex marriage and support for abortion rights, according to Lundry, is that support for abortion rights has remained positive for decades, in contrast to same-sex marriage, which saw a complete turnaround.

Persons: CNN —, Mitt Romney, George W, Bush, Hillary, Julie Goodridge, Charles Krupa, Sen, John Kerry, Hodges, Barack Obama, Obama, Romney, Anthony Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, weren’t, ” Romney, Obergefell, —, PRRI, Alex Lundry, Republican pollster, “, ” Lundry, Gen, Dick Cheney, Joe Biden Organizations: CNN, Republican, House, Boston City Hall, Massachusetts Democrat, Democrat, Supreme, Gallup, RAND Corporation Locations: Massachusetts, Utah, Oregon, Ohio, Without Ohio, America

☆ Opinion | When ‘Stop the Steal’ Becomes Your Motto
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Jamelle Bouie | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

There is a good chance that Donald Trump’s polling lead in the 2024 presidential election is more fragile than it looks. The most immediate problem for him is the fact that he’s on trial in a criminal case. There is also the issue of the campaign itself, which is a smaller affair than his 2020 effort, with fewer resources. Trump could very well hold his lead through the summer and into the fall but still fail to turn stated preferences into actual votes. What looks solid in the numbers could turn out to be ephemeral in the final tallies.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Trump, G.O.P, ” Organizations: Trump, Republican National Committee, Washington Post Locations: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan

☆ Women are worried about their financial security. That may affect the 2024 presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Hannah Beier | ReutersOlder women are the largest bloc of swing voters — and the biggest concern they have heading into the November election is their financial security, according to the AARP. Gender pay gap leads to retirement income gapNotably, younger women share many of those same retirement concerns, according to recent research from the National Institute on Retirement Security, or NIRS. Women tend to have greater financial concerns about retirement compared with men, according to Tyler Bond, research director at NIRS. "There's still a persistent gender pay gap, which translates into a retirement income gap," Bond said. "In fact, the pay gap and the retirement income gap are almost exactly the same, which is what you would expect, because retirement income is basically a reflection of what you earn while working," he said.

Persons: Hannah Beier, —, Margie Omero, GBAO, Omero, Tyler Bond, Bond, We've Organizations: Rockledge, Reuters, AARP, Democratic, National Institute on Retirement Security Locations: Pennsylvania, Rockledge , Pennsylvania

It’s just the latest sign that the pilgrimage to Trump’s criminal trial in New York has become a new litmus test for Trump loyalty inside the GOP ahead of November. Then, the GOP members joined Trump in his motorcade – including the Republican candidate challenging GOP Rep. Bob Good, who has tried to cozy up to Trump after initially endorsing Florida Gov. President, we’ve got your back,” GOP Rep. Andy Ogles said outside the courthouse. Gaetz along with Boebert and GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who were all in New York on Thursday, missed the vote. GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene sparked outrage when she went after Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s appearance and Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s intelligence, with the committee meeting devolving into a heated sparring match.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump’s, Trump, GOP Sen, Rick Scott of, Mike Johnson – who’s, “ There’s, It’s, it’s, Johnson, Lauren Boebert, Ralph Norman of, ”, Doug Burgum, Ohio Sen, J.D, Vance, Rick Scott, Vivek, Ramaswamy, Todd Blanche, Sen, We’ve, Eric, Bob Good, Ron DeSantis –, “ Mr, we’ve, Andy Ogles, ” Norman, “, Matt Gaetz, Stormy Daniels, Andrew Kelly, Reuters Legislating, Merrick Garland, Joe BIden’s, Robert Hur –, Andy Biggs, Biden, Anna Paulina Luna, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Jasmine Crockett’s, devolving, haven’t, “ Greene, johnny, suzy, latelys, Greene –, –, Boebert, Greene, “ Lauren Boebert, ” Boebert Organizations: CNN, Trump, he’s, GOP, Republicans, ”, North Dakota Gov, Manhattan Criminal, Caucus, Capitol, White House, Republican, Florida Gov, US Capitol Police, U.S, Reuters, Judiciary, Democratic Rep Locations: Manhattan, New York, Rick Scott of Florida, Colorado, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Ohio, New York City, Trump, U.S, Capitol Hill, Israel, Gaza, Gaetz, Alexandria

☆ The Good News for Biden in Our Battleground Polls
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Jess Bidgood | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It’s the weekend! Tonight, we’re looking at a bright spot for Biden in our battleground polls — and, inspired by a certain Supreme Court justice, we want to hear your stories of political spats with your neighbors. A series of polls of battleground states released this week was full of doom and gloom for President Biden. He is trailing Donald Trump in five key states he won in 2020, with Nevada and Georgia looking all but out of reach. Eleven percent of the voters in six battleground states — Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada and Michigan — said that abortion was the most important issue in deciding their vote, in the polls by The New York Times, Siena College and The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Persons: Biden, Donald Trump, Roe, Wade, Michigan —, It’s Organizations: Biden, The New York Times, Siena College, The Philadelphia Inquirer Locations: Nevada, Georgia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona , Nevada, Michigan

☆ Voting this year will be harder than it is was four years ago in more than half the states, a new report finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Fredreka Schouten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Americans in more than half of the states will face voting restrictions this year that weren’t in place four years ago during the last presidential election, a new analysis finds. Kay Ivey in March – makes it a crime in most cases to return an absentee ballot application on behalf of another voter. And it’s now a felony for a person to receive payment for distributing or collecting absentee ballot applications. At least 11 states have enacted laws this year that the Brennan Center officials say make it easier to vote. Given the changed election law landscape, she added, it’s crucial that people who plan to cast ballots this fall start to familiarize themselves with their state’s voting rules.

Persons: Brennan, ”, Sara Carter, Donald Trump, baselessly, –, Kay Ivey, ” Ivey, Grant Baldwin, Michael Swensen, ” Carter Organizations: CNN, Brennan Center for Justice, New York, Brennan Center, Republican Gov, “, Getty, Brennan, Kentucky Locations: North Carolina, Alabama, Idaho, Charlotte , North Carolina, Carolina, Louisville , Kentucky, Nebraska

If the 2024 presidential election were a road trip, we would now be at the part where you start to wonder: Are we there yet? The matchup is set, but there’s still such a long way to go until November. And one of the things we’ve noticed about the questions that you’ve been sending in is that you’re starting to mix it up. You want to know what Donald Trump’s possible vice-presidential picks are, how down-ballot races are shaping up, and what difference celebrity endorsements could make.

Persons: you’ve, Donald Trump’s

☆ Drag queen Nymphia Wind performs at Taiwan’s presidential office
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Christy Choi | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Taipei, Taiwan CNN —Taiwanese drag queen Nymphia Wind gave a riotous performance at Taiwan’s presidential office on Wednesday, celebrating her win on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” last month. Taiwanese drag queen Nymphia Wind shakes hands with Taiwan's outgoing leader Tsai Ing-wen. Taiwanese drag queen Nymphia Wind performs on May 15, 2024. Nymphia Wind attends "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 16 finale screening at The Edge at Hudson Yards. Nymphia Wind and Jimbo onstage at the "RuPaul's Drag Race" season 16 finale screening event on April 19, 2024 in New York City.

Persons: Nymphia, Tsai Ing, Gaga’s “, Huang Fei’s “ Chase, Chase, ”, ” Nymphia, Tsai, Wang Yu Ching, Xi Jinping, Lai Ching, Taiwan’s, popstar, “, Sun, Sun Yat Sen, Santiago Felipe, Leo Tsao, that’s, Jimbo, ” Tsai Organizations: Taiwan CNN, Communist Party, Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Facebook, Weibo, Sun Yat, Hudson Yards, Reuters Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, ” Taiwan, Beijing, Taiwanese, Asia, China, Taiwan’s, East, Santiago, West, New York City

☆ At Justice Alito’s House, a ‘Stop the Steal’ Symbol on Display
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Jodi Kantor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The upside-down flag was aloft on Jan. 17, 2021, the images showed. President Donald J. Trump’s supporters, including some brandishing the same symbol, had rioted at the Capitol a little over a week before. Word of the flag filtered back to the court, people who worked there said in interviews. While the flag was up, the court was still contending with whether to hear a 2020 election case, with Justice Alito on the losing end of that decision. Their decisions will shape how accountable he can be held for trying to overturn the last presidential election and his chances for re-election in the upcoming one.

Persons: Biden, Samuel A, Alito Jr, Donald J, Trump’s, Biden’s, Justice Alito, Trump Organizations: Trump, Supreme, Capitol, The New York Times Locations: Alexandria, Va

☆ With Debate Deal, Trump and Biden Sideline a Storied Campaign Institution
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Adam Nagourney | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But the roots of the commission’s decline go back at least a decade and came to a head in 2020, when the commission struggled to stage a debate with Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden during the pandemic. The candidates’ first encounter that year was caustic and raucous, as Mr. Trump shouted over Mr. Biden and the moderator. As it later turned out, Mr. Trump had a Covid diagnosis days before the event, leading to strong objections from the Biden campaign to the commission. The second debate was canceled by Mr. Trump after the commission sought to make it virtual because Mr. Trump was recovering from the illness. By the third debate, the commission gave the moderator a mute button to cut off a candidate who broke the rules.

Persons: Biden, Donald J, Trump, “, I’ve, Chris Wallace Organizations: Mr

☆ Cohen cross-examination resumes at the most critical point of Trump’s trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Donald Trump’s former fixer Michael Cohen goes back on the stand Thursday braced for another bruising day of cross-examination that is shaping up as the most crucial chapter in the first criminal trial of a former president. A suddenly compressed political calendarEvery criminal trial is a grave process since a defendant’s reputation and even liberty is on the line. The Supreme Court is expected to deliver its decision on Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution. That would almost certainly delay Trump’s trial in his federal election interference case until after the election, meaning he wouldn’t be brought to account for the worst attack on democracy in modern times before a subsequent election. In that case, the hush money trial may be the only one held before the election.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Michael Cohen, Cohen, Trump, Trump’s, ”, Todd Blanche, CNN’s Paula Reid, Blanche –, Blanche, Reid, —, he’d, It’s, there’d, Joe Biden, Biden, they’d, he’s, Mike Johnson Organizations: CNN, Trump, “, ABC, GOP, Republican Locations: New York, Manhattan, Georgia, Florida

☆ Venezuela’s 2024 Presidential Vote: What to Know
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Genevieve Glatsky | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For the past 25 years Venezuela’s government has been controlled by Chavismo, the socialist movement that began with the democratic election of Hugo Chávez in 1998 and has since grown more authoritarian. When Mr. Chávez died in 2013 his protégé Nicolás Maduro narrowly won the presidency. Venezuela’s economy imploded nearly a decade ago, prompting one of the world’s largest displacements in Latin American history. The flow of Venezuelans and other migrants to the United States has become a dominant theme in the U.S. presidential campaign. This is the first Venezuelan election in more than a decade in which an opposition candidate has a reasonable — if slim and improbable — chance at winning.

Persons: Hugo Chávez, Chávez, Nicolás Maduro Organizations: Chavismo, U.S Locations: United States

Donald J. Trump’s criminal trial entered a critical and combative phase on Thursday as his lawyer grilled the prosecution’s star witness, Michael D. Cohen, about a medley of misrepresentations, manipulations and outright lies. Trying to destroy Mr. Cohen’s credibility with the jury, the lawyer, Todd Blanche, portrayed him as an unrepentant criminal and a serial deceiver who took the stand only to exact revenge on Mr. Trump. “There’s no doubt that you know what perjury means, correct?” Mr. Blanche asked Mr. Cohen. During the 2016 presidential campaign, he made a $130,000 payment to a porn star to suppress her account of a sexual liaison with Mr. Trump, who later reimbursed Mr. Cohen from the White House. Prosecutors accused Mr. Trump, who denies the sex, of falsifying related records so he could cover up the scandal for good.

Persons: Donald J, Michael D, Cohen, Todd Blanche, Trump, Mr, Trump’s, “, Blanche, Cohen’s Organizations: Mr

☆ Opinion: In Trump Trial, Stormy Daniels testimony was revealing — about America
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Opinion Danielle Campoamor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

For two days in Manhattan, Stephanie Gregory Clifford — better known as Stormy Daniels — detailed her connection to former President Donald Trump and alleged sexual encounter with him in 2006. But it matters that the media decided to erroneously describe a grown woman openly discussing an alleged sexual encounter with a grown man as obscene. The words used to characterize Daniels’ testimony evoke a feeling of inherent wrongness or dirtiness — and not on the part of the accused but of the woman who dared to speak up. While the Manhattan criminal case is not directly tied to Trump’s alleged encounter with Daniels, the details of their brief alleged tryst are crucial to the prosecution’s case. In a 2018 interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, she described her alleged sexual encounter with Trump as consensual.

Persons: Danielle Campoamor, Stephanie Gregory Clifford —, Stormy Daniels, Donald Trump, Danielle Campoamor Ashley Batz, Daniels, “, tawdry, Trump’s, Trump, Jean Carroll, —, Eric, ”, CNN’s Anderson Cooper, I’ve Organizations: NBC, CNN, Republican, Trump, Twitter, Facebook Locations: Manhattan, Nevada, ”

And like everyone else, I’m trying to read the tea leaves on whether this will be the first jury to convict an American president. We know that in the presidential race, some swing voters could be swayed by a Trump conviction. So this trial may play an influential role in the election this November. And what I want to know at this point in the trial is, how effective has the prosecution been? And what will and what should Trump’s defense do next?

Persons: I’m, Trump

☆ Fico assassination attempt exposes risks for politicians in a polarized Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Luke Mcgee | Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The horrific scenes in Slovakia following the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico are a stark and brutal reminder of the dangers facing those who seek public office. Security personnel apprehend a suspected gunman after Slovakia's Prime Minister was shot in Handlova, Slovakia on May 15, 2024. President Zuzana Caputova appoints Robert Fico the new Slovakian prime minister at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava, Slovakia, on 25 October 2023. In 2022, Giorgia Meloni became Italy’s prime minister after running on an anti-immigration, socially conservative ticket. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead in July 2022 as he gave a campaign speech.

Persons: Robert Fico, Fico, Zuzana Čaputová, ”, George Soros, Čaputová, Fico’s, Zuzana Caputova, Jakub Gavlak, Giorgia Meloni, Covid lockdowns, Jo Cox, DANIEL LEAL, David Amess, Shinzo Abe, Fernando Villavicencio –, – Organizations: CNN, Slovakia's, Getty, Fico, Slovakian, Parliamentary, Parliament, Political, Hamas, British Labour, AFP, Conservative, ISIS, Japanese Locations: Slovakia, Russia, American, Europe, Ukraine, Gaza, Handlova, AFP, Bratislava, Netherlands, Israel, London, Britain

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