Brazil's extreme weather

Experts: At least a month of flooding remains

The Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul suffered a historically serious flood a week ago as a result of heavy downpours. So far, the disaster has cost 149 people their lives and 108 people are still missing, writes Reuters.

The water level is currently three meters above normal. Experts warn that it currently looks like it will take a month before the water runs off.

- But it could take even longer if more rain comes, says hydrologist Fernando Fan.

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Brazilian rowers abandon Olympic dream after torrential rain

Brazilian rowers Evaldo Mathias Becker and Piedro Tuchtenhagen dreamed of competing in the Olympics. But after torrential downpours caused major flooding in their home state of Rio Grande do Sul, they chose not to go to the qualifying competition to instead help at home, writes the BBC.

- The water has not only destroyed people's homes, but also our dreams, says Becker.

He and Tuchtenhagen compete in the lightweight category, which as it stands now is not in the 2028 Olympics, meaning the Paris Olympics was their last chance to fulfill the dream.
 

Climate & environment

 

Half a million on the run – Brazil could have the biggest case of climate migration

Christina Nordh

Published 2024-05-15 18.30

The Guaiba River has overflowed its banks at Porto Alegre in southern Brazil. Now the country may have its biggest cases of climate migration. Photo: Andre Penner/AP

More than half a million are fleeing the devastating floods in southern Brazil.

Now several of them are forced to consider abandoning their homes for good - and instead build a new life - on higher ground.

More than half a million are fleeing the devastating floods in southern Brazil.

Now several of them are forced to consider abandoning their homes for good - and instead build a new life on higher ground.

The rain has been going on for just over two weeks and has caused the Guaiba River, which flows past Porto Alegre, to flood. Now the water rises further and sets a new record, writes Reuters.

Scientists estimate that close to 3,800 square kilometers have been flooded.

Hundreds of thousands of families are fleeing the floods and at least 147 are dead and 127 are missing.

The disaster could trigger one of Brazil's biggest cases of climate migration in modern history.

Cross gusts

In the southern parts of the country, there have been more and more periods of both intense drought and heavy rain in recent years. According to researchers, it is due to climate change.

In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the streets of dozens of cities have turned into rivers. The record-breaking devastation comes after flooding in the second half of 2023 – something that has prompted many of the 538,000 internally displaced people to consider extreme adaptations.

One of them is businessman Cassiano Baldasso, who for the third time in seven months drove wheelbarrows of mud away from his home in the town of Muçum, 15 miles north of Porto Alegre. But the water continues to rise. Now he says he's had enough.

- I have no idea where I'm going, but it will be somewhere far from the river, where our lives will not be in danger, he tells Reuters as he drives away yet another cart of mud from inside his house.

Move half the city

According to Mayor Mateus Trojan, many of Muçum's 5,000 residents will be forced to move. Now they plan to rebuild 40 percent of the city in another, safer place.

One of those who has returned to her home is Maria Ines Silverio, but she keeps her possessions in plastic bags – in case the river rises again. Her mortgage runs for 30 years and she can't afford to move.

- When we bought the house, this was not a flood area. Now it is and the river will rise more and more, she told the news agency.

Ecologist: Wake up!

According to environmental experts, the only option for some cities in the state may be to relocate entire neighborhoods.

- We have to move the urban infrastructure away from high-risk environments and give way to the rivers so that they no longer affect the cities with such magnitude. We cannot go against nature. We have to wake up, because this force says we have to adapt and respect nature, ecologist Marcelo Dutra, a professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande, told Reuters.

Russia is advancing on several fronts in Ukraine

Russia

Russia is advancing on several fronts in Ukraine

Astrid Larsson

Published 17.58

Russia claims progress on several fronts in northeastern Ukraine.

At the same time, Ukraine has moved units to more "advantageous positions".

The situation in Kharkiv is "extremely difficult", says Zelensky after a visit to the region.

Last week, Russia launched a major ground offensive against the Charkiv region of Ukraine.

Since then, fighting has raged along Ukraine's northeastern border. Hundreds of people have been evacuated and by Thursday Russian forces had taken control of a total of at least 257 square kilometers in Kharkiv, according to an AFP estimate based on data from the US-based think tank ISW.

About ten Russian attacks have been stopped, according to the Ukrainian military's general staff. At the same time, units in Lukjantsi and Vovtyansk districts have moved to more "advantageous positions".

Russia: Controls several societies

On Wednesday, Russia's Ministry of Defense stated that the forces have penetrated "deeply" into Ukraine's defenses and that they now fully control Lukyantsi and the smaller community of Glyboke in the border area.

Russia also claims to have recaptured Robotyne in southern Ukraine, which has not been confirmed by independent sources.

Ukrainian forces are said to have simultaneously retaliated against three Russian attacks in the direction of Robotyne on Wednesday.

Building destroyed in Russian attack on May 14. Photo: Andrii Marienko / AP

Zelensky visits Kharkiv

The country's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has postponed several planned trips abroad due to the strained situation in the region. On Thursday he visited Kharkiv and described the situation as "extremely difficult".

At the same time, he says that the situation is "under control" and has made the decision to send reinforcements to Kharkiv.

- The situation in the Kharkiv sector remains complicated, but it is developing in a dynamic way, said a spokesperson for Ukraine's military on Thursday morning, according to TT.

Firefighters fight a fire in the Kharkiv region earlier in May. Photo: Andrii Marienko / AP

Lastest news

The debate about Biden's age
Joe Biden refuses to release recording about his memory

Audio recordings from the investigation into President Joe Biden's memory will not be made public. The White House has decided that, writes American media.

Republicans in the US Congress have demanded the recordings be released, but White House legal experts and the Justice Department have invoked something called executive privilege.

In the investigation into Biden's memory, special prosecutor Robert Hur concludes, among other things, that Biden is a "well-meaning older man with a bad memory."

Transcripts of the recordings are already public and the White House says there is no legitimate reason to release the audio files.

"Your likely goal is to edit the clips, distort them and use them for partisan political purposes," writes White House representative Ed Siskel in a letter to congressional Republican leaders.

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Riots in New Caledonia
The riots cost France hundreds of millions of euros

The violent riots in New Caledonia cost France "several hundred million euros", writes French BFM TV and refers to a statement from Louis Le Franc, the country's representative on the island group. He also estimates that upwards of 5,000 people have participated in the riots.

The large protests continued on Thursday morning with attacks on private and public buildings.

The military and police have been called in to protect the archipelago's two airports as a result of the unrest. Four people have died and over 200 people have been arrested.

*****************

Scotland wants to release all short-term prisoners

Scottish local authorities want to release all prisoners sentenced to less than four years in prison free, The Scotsman reports. Politicians hope the radical proposal will be the solution to overcrowding in Scotland's prisons.

- I had hoped that we would never have to resort to these measures, but as the situation is now, we have no choice, says Minister of Justice Angela Constance.

The proposal is not yet hammered out and ready, but the politicians agree to vote it through on May 26.

Angela Constance says public safety is the top priority and that no one convicted of a sex crime or domestic violence will be released early.

*****************

Close to two tons of methamphetamine in Spanish record seizure

1,800 kilos of methamphetamine have been seized by Spanish police, several media reports. The seizure is the largest ever in Spain regarding the drug - and the second largest in Europe so far, writes Spanish El Mundo.

In connection with the seizure, five people were arrested, including the leader of the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel. According to the police, the drugs were to be delivered to several countries around Europe.

The Russian Invasion

The Russian InvasionThe Battles
Zelenskyy visits Kharkiv: "Extremely difficult situation"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi visited the hard-hit region of Kharkiv on Thursday, Reuters reports.

In recent days, Russia has advanced several kilometers into the north-eastern region and in the course of its advance has taken control of several communities. Zelensky hopes his visit will boost morale among the soldiers trying to stop the Russian advance.

- It is an extremely difficult situation, says the president after a meeting with several military leaders.

Ukraine said late Wednesday that fighting was taking place near Kupyansk, about 85 kilometers from the regional capital Kharkiv.

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The Russian invasion. The outside world's response
Denmark sends aid worth 8.7 billion to Ukraine

Denmark has decided to send military support worth the equivalent of SEK 8.7 billion to Ukraine, Danish media reports.

More than half of the aid package will go to strengthening the Ukrainian air defense. The corresponding SEK 1.5 billion will finance a Patriot system, which is at the top of Ukraine's wish list.

- Everyone knows that Ukraine is desperate for better air defense, says Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

The aid package is the 18th that Denmark is sending to the war-torn country.

The EU election|The assassination attempt on Robert Fico

The call after the shots: Cancel EU election campaigns

Slovak President-elect Peter Pellegrini is calling on the country's political parties to suspend or scale back their campaigns ahead of the EU election after Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot several times, reports AP.

At a joint press conference with outgoing president Zuzana Caputova, Pellegrini talks about Slovakia now needing "unity among the political representation".

Caputova, who is a political opponent of Fico, says that all parties should meet after the assassination attempt.

- Let's get out of the vicious circle of hatred and mutual accusations, she says

......................................

The injury situation for Robert Fico is serious but stable

The condition of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is serious but stable after yesterday's assassination attempt. It reports Reuters with reference to a statement from the hospital.

Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kaliňák states that the damage situation is still "very serious", according to AFP. The operation must have lasted for several hours.

Five shots are said to have been aimed at Fico, according to the government.

The Israel-Hamas war

The Israel-Hamas war|The attacks
Israeli soldiers killed by their own tank in Gaza

Five Israeli soldiers have been killed in Jabalia in northern Gaza after a tank belonging to Israel's military accidentally misfired, Israeli media reports. Another seven soldiers were injured, three of them seriously.

The Times of Israel reports that the soldiers were mistaken for the enemy. The incident will now be investigated, according to the newspaper.

The incident occurred during the fierce fighting that has raged in northern Gaza in recent days. According to the Israeli military, Hamas is trying to "rebuild its military capacity" in the area.

........................................

Crack in the war cabinet - Gallant demands Gaza plan

Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is attacking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding he clarify his plans for Gaza.

In a televised speech on Wednesday, Gallant said Netanyahu must make it clear that Israel has no plans to rule in Gaza once the war is over.

- Since October, I have raised this question time and again in the war cabinet, without getting any answer, said Gallant.

The Ministry of Defense's stance has always been that Gaza must be governed by Palestinians when the war is over, the Defense Minister continued. He is believed to have been referring to the Palestinian Authority, which rules the West Bank.

It is the first time since the war in Gaza began that an open fissure is visible in the war cabinet, whose third member is the opposition politician Benny Gantz.

- Gallant tells it like it is. Our leader's responsibility is to do the best for the country, at any cost, says Gantz according to the BBC.

......................................

Settlers in the West Bank looted trucks with food

Two trucks carrying emergency aid to Gaza were looted by Israeli radical activists on Monday, several media reports. The incident occurred at a border crossing near the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank.

Pictures and videos show the activists throwing boxes of food out of the trucks and then stomping on them. According to Haaretz, the trucks were then allegedly set on fire.

- Gaza should not receive any help until the hostages are home, an activist told AFP.

The White House condemns the action and calls it "a scandal".

..........................................

The Israel-Hamas war|The reactions
US floating port ready - more emergency aid can reach Gaza

The United States has now completed the construction of a temporary and floating port on the coast of Gaza. The pier was completed at 08.40 on Thursday, Swedish time.

The temporary pier is anchored ashore, but the US military stresses that no US soldiers have or will set foot on the Gaza Strip.

The pontoon is to be used to increase humanitarian supplies to Gaza. From a quay at sea, the emergency aid is to be delivered to a port built by Israel and located near the city of Gaza. The goods must then be distributed by the UN inside Gaza.

The goal is for the first delivery to take place in the next few days, AP writes.

Israel is responsible for security at the floating bridge and the port, but there are also two American warships nearby, the news agency writes.
 

The Russian invasion

The Russian invasionThe China-Russia relationship
Putin's focus in China: smoothing over sanctions threats from the US

When Russian President Vladimir Putin visits China and Xi Jinping, it is to nurture a relationship and an economic lifeline, writes AFP.

It is Putin's second visit to China in six months. High on the agenda is trying to counteract the US's attempts to stop China's trade with Russia, writes Bloomberg.

Recently, the US has stepped up its efforts to stifle the inflow of capital into the Russian war coffers. Among other things, they have sent out sharp warnings "about consequences" to Chinese banks and exporters that trade with Russia.

......................................

The Russian invasionThe China-Russia relationship
Putin was met with pomp and circumstance when he landed in China

The red carpet, a military band and a solemn salute. Vladimir Putin received a warm reception when he landed in Beijing early Thursday morning, CNN and AP write.

The two-day meeting between Putin and Xi Jinping will be about how cooperation can be deepened. This will be the fourth time the leaders have met in person since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The New York Times describes it as Russia and China are expected to present a united front, but in fact have different agendas. Putin wants to continue the war in Ukraine and therefore ensure that China is on his side. Xi wants to strengthen strategic cooperation, but is also careful to maintain decent relations with the EU and the US.
 
.........................................

The Russian invasion|The world's response
US pivots: Allows weapons to be turned on Russia

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken now allows Ukraine to direct US weapons at Russia. It has previously been a pronounced red line from the US, writes Le Monde.

- We have not encouraged or supported attacks outside of Ukraine, but in the end it is up to Ukraine to make its decisions about how it fights this war, says Blinken on a visit to Kyiv.

All Western countries have been very cautious about encouraging attacks on Russia, fearing that it could further escalate the war.

Le Monde describes it as Britain and Foreign Secretary David Cameron set a new precedent during a visit to Kyiv on May 3. Now the US is saying the same thing, which seems to indicate a coordinated change.

"The Ukrainians have been waiting for this green light for months," writes the newspaper.

..........................................

Sweden has sent more medical equipment to Ukraine

Ukraine has received a new delivery of medical equipment from Sweden. This time it is about, among other things, respirators and surgical instruments, writes TT.

"It is equipment that has recently been requested and that is needed during operations," says Taha Alexandersson, emergency manager at the National Board of Health and Welfare, in a press release.

The package is worth SEK 14 million and is the seventh delivery of its kind since February 2022.

The election in the United States|The electoral movement

Kennedy can become the "X-factor" in Trump's and Biden's debate

Donald Trump and Joe Biden will meet in two televised debates in June and September - but there could also be a third person on stage. The independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy could become the "X-factor" of the debate, writes Axios, adding that Trump and Biden may regret it.

A spokesperson for the Trump campaign says that "RFK will not be on stage." An adviser for Biden says that it has been clear with the television channel CNN that the debate will take place between two candidates.

But CNN, which is organizing the first debate, says all candidates who meet the set criteria will be allowed to participate. Kennedy is not there today, but is not too far away either.

"We expect to achieve all criteria," writes Kennedy's spokesperson at X.

Kennedy, who is the nephew of the assassin president John F Kennedy, has about 10 percent in national polls. Trump and Biden are around 40.

..................................

Trump and Biden agree to debate on June 27

Both President Joe Biden's and Donald Trump's staffs confirm that the presidential candidates want to participate in a debate against each other on CNN on June 27, AP reports. A second debate will be held on ABC on September 10.

Earlier on Tuesday, Biden challenged his opponent in a post on X, to which Trump quickly replied that he accepts.

AP writes that several details still need to be sorted out. If the debate goes ahead, it would be the first between them since the 2020 election.

Donald Trump och Joe Biden ska mötas i två tv-sända debatter i juni och september – men det kan också bli en tredje person på scenen. Den oberoende kandidaten Robert F Kennedy kan bli debattens ”X-faktor”, skriver Axios, och tillägger att Trump och Biden kan komma att ångra sig.

En talesperson för Trumpkampanjen säger att ”RFK inte kommer att vara på scenen”. En rådgivare för Biden säger att man har varit tydlig med tv-kanalen CNN att debatten ska ske mellan två kandidater.

Men CNN, som anordnar den första debatten, säger att alla kandidater som uppnår de uppsatta kriterierna får delta. Där är inte Kennedy i dag, men är inte heller alltför långt borta.

”Vi räknar med att uppnå alla kriterier”, skriver Kennedys talesperson på X.

Kennedy, som är brorson till den mördare presidenten John F Kennedy, har cirka 10 procent i nationella mätningar. Trump och Biden ligger runt 40.

Trump och Biden går med på debatt den 27 juni

Både president Joe Bidens och Donald Trumps staber bekräftar att presidentkandidaterna vill delta i en debatt mot varandra på CNN den 27 juni, rapporterar AP. En andra debatt ska hållas i ABC den 10 september.

Tidigare på tisdagen utmanade Biden sin motkandidat i ett inlägg på X, varpå Trump snabbt svarade att han accepterar.

AP skriver att flera detaljer ännu behöver redas ut. Om debatten blir av skulle det vara den första mellan dem sedan valet 2020.

 

Putin & XI Attend Gala Concert LIVE

 

Putin & XI Attend Gala Concert LIVE | Russian President Visits China | Russia China Relations | N18L

CNN-News18

 

Vladimir Putin meets Xi Jinping in China

CNN

China’s Xi Jinping rolls out red carpet for close friend Putin in strong show of unity

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Al Jazeera

‘Old friend’ Putin and China’s Xi strengthen strategic ties at summit

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Reuter

Xi and Putin condemn U.S., pledge closer ties as Russia advances in Ukraine

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The Hill

Putin arrives in China as US slams Beijing for supporting Ukraine war

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Financial Times

Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping vow to co-operate against 'destructive and hostile' US

Political situation in Cambodia

The military shows off its armed "robot dogs"

China and Cambodia are using so-called "robot dogs" during the major military exercise "Golden Dragon", reports AFP. Journalists who were on site on Thursday watched as the soldiers handled the remote-controlled four-legged robots with automatic rifles mounted on their backs.

However, the soldiers only demonstrated how the robot dogs moved. No shelling was ever shown, according to the news agency.

...................................

China and Cambodia practice together during the "Golden Dragon"

China and Cambodia have begun the annual "Golden Dragon" military exercise, reports the AFP news agency. Over 2,000 soldiers are participating in the exercises, which, according to Commander-in-Chief Vong Pisen, are aimed at "strengthening the capacity" of the two countries' armies.

The 15-day exercise involves 14 warships, three of which are from China, as well as 69 armored vehicles and tanks.

According to a statement from the Cambodian army, this year's exercises are "the largest of their kind".

American representatives have previously warned that increased cooperation between China and Cambodia could lead to even greater Chinese influence over the region.

Kina och Kambodja använder sig av så kallade ”robothundar” under den stora militärövningen ”Gyllene draken”, rapporterar AFP. Journalister som var på plats under torsdagen fick titta på när soldaterna hanterade de fjärrstyrda fyrbenta robotarna med automatiska gevär monterade på ryggen.

Soldaterna visade dock bara upp hur robothundarna förflyttade sig. Någon beskjutning visades aldrig upp, enligt nyhetsbyrån.

Kina och Kambodja övar ihop under ”Gyllene draken”

Kina och Kambodja har inlett den årliga militärövningen ”Gyllene draken”, rapporterar nyhetsbyrån AFP. Över 2 000 soldater deltar i övningarna som enligt överbefälhavare Vong Pisen syftar till att ”förstärka kapaciteten” inom de två ländernas arméer.

Den 15 dagar långa övningen involverar 14 krigsfartyg, varav tre är från Kina, samt 69 pansarfordon och stridsvagnar.

Enligt ett uttalande från den kambodjanska armén är årets övningar ”de största i sitt slag”.

Amerikanska representanter har tidigare varnat för att ett utökat samarbete mellan Kina och Kambodja kan leda till ännu större kinesiskt inflytande över regionen.

 

Economy

Chinese Temu is reported - breaks EU law

The Chinese shopping giant Temu has been notified by several European consumer organizations that warn that customers may be manipulated. That's what TT writes.

The background is that the organizations believe that Temu violates the EU law DSA. One of those reporting is Sweden's consumers who believe that, among other things, the lack of traceability and misleading product recommendations are against the law.

General secretary Johanna Hållén says that they do not intend to accept that the company combines low prices and "total disinterest" in product safety and consumer protection.

- It can be both dangerous and expensive in the long run.

..............................................

The Russian invasionThe China-Russia relationship
Putin's focus in China: smoothing over sanctions threats from the US

When Russian President Vladimir Putin visits China and Xi Jinping, it is to nurture a relationship and an economic lifeline, writes AFP.

It is Putin's second visit to China in six months. High on the agenda is trying to counteract the US's attempts to stop China's trade with Russia, writes Bloomberg.

Recently, the US has stepped up its efforts to stifle the inflow of capital into the Russian war coffers. Among other things, they have sent out sharp warnings "about consequences" to Chinese banks and exporters that trade with Russia.

LIVE! #InHerEyes

 

LIVE! #InHerEyes - ตั้งวงนินทาคำผกาแบบไร้ขีดจำกัด

VOICE TV

#WakeUpThailand ประจำวันที่ 16 พฤษภาคม 2567

  

#WakeUpThailand ประจำวันที่ 16 พฤษภาคม 2567

VOICE TV

 

มองย้อนกระบวนการยุติธรรมไทย จากเคส 'บุ้ง เนติพร' โศกนาฏกรรมที่ไม่มีใครอยากให้เกิด #WakeUpThailand

VOICE TV

 

The Politics 16 พ.ค. 67

 

The Politics 16 พ.ค. 67 I กลิ่นตุๆ รปห.? รู้นะคิดอะไร ดึงไทยสู่วงจรอุบาทว์

matichon tv

 

(RERUN) The Politics ดวงดาวเคลื่อน การเมืองเปลี่ยน รัฐบาลชุดใหม่ปี 68 ? : Matichon TV

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เพื่อไทยจับมือเผด็จการ ความเชื่อมั่นติดลบ การเมืองไทยถูกสาป อีกนานกว่าจะพ้นวงจรอุบาทว์ : Matichon TV

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ก้าวไกลไม่มีอิทธิพล ไม่เคยดันหลังบุ้ง อย่าด้อยค่า-ทับถมการต่อสู้ รัฐบีบจนไร้ทางเลือก : Matichon TV

matichon tv

  

Live! #ตาสว่างกว่า

   

Live! #ตาสว่างกว่า บุ้งตายคาคุกโผล่พิรุธมีเงื่อนงำ ทัพโดรนถล่มพม่าพาทหารเกณฑ์หนี Ep.152

SiroteTalk

Humiliated in public – but he still leads

 

Michael Cohen
 

Troublesome testimony against Trump - yet he leads in crucial states

Wolfgang Hansson

This is a commenting text. Analysis and positions are the writer's.

Updated 16.01 | Published 14.13

 

Donald Trump outside the court. Photo: Curtis Means/AP

I don't know if it matters to the election if Donald Trump is convicted or not.

But after Michael Cohen's testimony, it feels even more clear that it was to hide the connection with the porn star from the voters that Trump paid for her silence.

The question is whether voters care.
 

Quick version

• Despite Donald Trump being accused of hiding his relationship with a porn actress before the 2016 election, a poll shows him leading in six of the seven swing states ahead of November's presidential election.
• The star witness in the trial, Michael Cohen, claims that it was Trump who ordered him to pay Stormy Daniels and to hide the payment with fake invoices.
• Other trials against Trump, over top secret documents and election fraud, are on hold and are unlikely to be concluded before the election.  
  

Trump has no high morals. Rather, he resembles a mafia boss where he sits on the dock. Therefore, no one expects him to follow normal rules of the game.

Normally, it would have been enough for a presidential candidate to be indicted to automatically be out of the race.

For Trump, other laws of nature apply.

 

After a number of weeks of being flayed in a Manhattan courtroom, having his persona dragged into the dirt and generally being humiliated in public, a new poll from the New York Times/Siena came out the other day showing that Trump is leading in six of the seven swing states that will determine who wins the presidential election in November. In four of them by seven percentage points or more.
 

In other words, voters seem completely unconcerned about whether Trump paid a porn actress to not tell about their sexual escapades before the 2016 presidential election.

Regardless of the verdict, I think most people realize that Trump wanted to bring voters behind the scenes to improve his chances of victory.

Those who are outraged by this would never consider voting for Trump anyway. Those who might consider giving Trump another chance at the White House don't care if they were duped or not.

Michael Cohen was Trump's fixer and legal torpedo for many years. Now he is the prosecution's star witness in the only trial likely to be completed against Trump before the presidential election.

 

Fixer Michael Cohen testifies against his former boss. Photo: Seth Wenig/AP

Trump's defenders tried to question Michael Cohen's credibility. He has admitted that he lied before, "to protect Trump".

But Cohen's story agrees well with what other witnesses have told. Cohen claimed that it was Trump who ordered him to pay Stormy Daniels and hide the payment through fake invoices.

Which is exactly what the prosecutor claims.

Both Cohen's and Stormy Daniel's testimony were troubling to Trump in a number of ways. That could be enough for a conviction. But it is far from impossible that the jury acquits him. It only takes one of the twelve jurors to find Trump innocent for him to go free.

The outcome may play a role in the outcome of the presidential election. About 20 percent of Republican voters say in opinion polls that they cannot imagine voting for a presidential candidate who has been convicted of a crime.

For Trump, it was positive that the trial was not televised. He certainly didn't get the same attention as he would have otherwise, but he didn't have to wash his dirty laundry in public. There is a difference between written summaries in the media of testimony and Trump's reactions than following everything in real time.

• For those who hope that the other trials will be more damaging to Trump, more bad news awaits. The judge in the indictment of the top-secret documents Trump took with him from the White House when he left the presidency has postponed the case indefinitely. A trial could still begin before the presidential election, but that appears increasingly unlikely.För den som hoppas att
  
• The indictment in the state of Georgia that Trump conspired with 18 other people to falsify the election results is on hold. The judge in the case is in the middle of a re-election campaign. It is still unclear whether or not District Attorney Fanni Willis will be removed from the case. Although her ex-boyfriend who was also the prosecutor in the case has recused himself from the case after their affair was exposed, a commission of inquiry is underway that could fire Willis. In that case, everything must be redone from the beginning. The prosecution may even be dropped. It does not seem likely that the trial would start before November.
• The US Supreme Court is to give a ruling before the summer vacation on the question of whether Trump is immune from prosecution or not. If the answer, as expected, is no, it opens the door to the indictment that deals with Trump's involvement in the storming of Congress on January 6, 2021.

          

        Stormy Daniels. Photo: Markus Schreiber/AP

 

But Trump is an är expert at letting his lawyers object and appeal everything. That a trial can be completed before the presidential election is very doubtful.

Therefore, all eyes remain on the case of Trump, the fixer and the porn star.

But not even a conviction can stop Trump from running for president.

He might even win.

Latest news

Riots in New Caledonia
France deploys military - Tiktok is banned

French military is being deployed at New Caledonia's ports and airports, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced according to Le Monde.

According to Attal, it is the territory's high commissioner, Louis Le Franc, who has asked for military support.

- Le Franc has also announced that a curfew will be introduced and that Tiktok will be banned, says Attal.

Earlier on Wednesday, Paris declared a state of emergency on the Pacific island group, which is controlled by France. The decision came after two days of violent demonstrations after France's National Assembly decided to change voting rules on the island group.

Hundreds of people have been injured and four people, including a police officer, have died during the protests.

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European leaders support Fico: "Shocking"

Heads of government and high-ranking politicians around Europe are expressing their support via social media following the shooting of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico.

The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, condemns the "disgusting" attack in the strongest possible terms.

"This type of violence has no place in our society and undermines democracy," she writes, among other things.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is shocked by the "heinous" attack on his friend Fico. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also expresses his sympathies.

“Shocking news from Slovakia. Robert, my thoughts are with you at this difficult time.” he writes in a post.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also condemn the shooting.

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The election in the Netherlands
Wilders: Government ready - but no prime minister

The long Dutch government negotiations are over and a coalition government can be formed. This is announced by right-wing populist Geert Wilders according to AFP.

Wilder's xenophobic Freedom Party won the election last November and negotiations have been ongoing ever since.

A central question remains, however, as there is no clear prime ministerial candidate. The other parties do not allow Wilmers to get the post and incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte is expected to become Secretary General of NATO.

- Discussions about the prime minister will be held later, says Wilders.

One candidate who has been singled out is social democratic PVDA's Ronald Plasterk. He is a microbiologist and has left politics, but around half of the ministerial positions will go to politically unaffiliated experts

Economy

US growth
Inflation in the US declines in April – in line with expectations

American inflation measured in CPI retreated to 3.4 percent annualized in April, compared to 3.5 percent in March. Core inflation also fell back to 3.6 percent from 3.8 percent in March.

Both CPI figures were in line with the Trading Economics consensus estimate. Core inflation is now at the lowest level since 2021, writes the Wall Street Journal.

Two consumer goods rose in April: housing costs and fuel. Combined, the two categories contributed more than 70 percent of the total price increase in the month of April, writes the US Department of Labor Statistics.

New York stock markets rise in pre-trade.

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Swedish inflation
"The fight against inflation has definitely succeeded"

The fight against inflation has definitely succeeded and the Riksbank may have to lower the interest rate more than twice this year. This is what Nordnet savings economist Frida Bratt writes at X.

Swedbank's head of forecasting, Andreas Wallström, notes that the underlying inflation for the past six months is a "paltry 1.5 percent", if you add up the monthly figures at an annual rate.

"Unfortunately, we still can't hope for a reduction in June [...]. Our forecast is that the Riksbank will delay the second reduction until September," he writes.

Nordea's analyst Gustav Helgesson notes that the inflation figures for April were clearly lower than the Riksbank's main forecast, but in line with the central bank's alternative scenario.

In the low-inflation scenario he is referring to, the Riksbank has flagged that the policy rate can be lowered to 2.50 percent already this year. 

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Today's stock market
The stock market closed close to zero after the US inflation figure

The Stockholm stock exchange traded around zero on Wednesday, where most of the time it was about inflation. At closing, the development was:
• OMXSPI: +0.3%
• OMXS30: –0.2%
The main number of the day was US inflation, which was released during the afternoon. As expected, core inflation shifted down from 3.8 percent annualized in March to 3.6 percent in April, which pleased international stock exchanges. For Sweden, inflation rose less than expected from 2.2 to 2.3 percent at an annual rate, according to KPIF.

On the company side, Getinge has updated its financial targets up to and including 2028. But these were judged to be too concrete and were described by Pareto Securities as a " ". The stock fell 12 percent and was the worst performer in the large-cap index.

Föll also made Nibe ahead of Thursday's interim report. The stock closed roughly 5 percent lower.

Bioarctic's partner Eisai expects revenues of around 4 billion for the drug Leqimbi in the next year, which would mean royalty income of 360 million to Bioarctic. The stock rose 14 percent.

Eolus Vind's turnover plummeted 84 percent and the loss more than doubled because no new sales were completed during the quarter. The stock lost 5 percent.

Small saver favorite Soltech's revenue fell by 25 percent and the operating loss more than doubled. The stock plummeted 20 percent.

The shooting of Robert Fico

Slovakia's prime minister underwent surgery for three hours after the shooting

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been shot in the town of Handlova. His injuries are considered life-threatening, according to a statement from the government office.

At 8 pm on Wednesday evening, the country's Minister of Defense Robert Kalinak states that Fico has been operated on for more than three hours and the situation is described as "extremely serious".

- We hope he is strong enough to handle this, says Kalinak according to the BBC.

Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok adds that it is suspected that the assassination attempt was politically motivated, without adding any details.

A total of five shots were fired, several of which hit Fico. A suspected 71-year-old perpetrator was arrested in connection with the shooting.

Fico became Slovakia's prime minister after the election last fall and was then described as a pro-Russian populist. He has subsequently stopped aid to Ukraine and announced last month that he wants to shut down the public service channel RTVS.

.....................................

71-year-old is said to be behind the attempted murder of Fico: "Heard three quick shots"

It is a 71-year-old man who is suspected of having shot Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico earlier on Wednesday, Slovak media reports.

Witnesses describe how the perpetrator stood in a large crowd and shouted at Fico. When the prime minister came forward to say hello, the 71-year-old opened fire.

- We heard three shots. They came in close succession, like when someone sets off firecrackers, eyewitness Lubica Valkova told Reuters.

Slovakia's government staff stated earlier on Wednesday that Fico is life-threateningly injured and that he has been hit by several shots. The local newspaper Dennik N writes that further information about the prime minister's health is currently classified.

The 71-year-old was arrested after the shots and has been taken in for questioning. The motive behind the attack is still unknown.

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The attempted assassination of Robert Fico
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico no longer life-threateningly injured

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been shot in the town of Handlova. During the day, his injuries have been assessed as life-threatening, and at 10 p.m. Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba says that Fico's injuries are no longer life-threatening.

- I think he will survive, says Taraba to the BBC.

At 8 p.m., the country's defense minister, Robert Kalinak, stated that Fico had been operated on for more than three hours. The situation was then described as "extremely serious".

Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok added that it is suspected that the assassination attempt was politically motivated, without adding any details.

A total of five shots were fired, several of which hit Fico. A suspected 71-year-old perpetrator was arrested in connection with the shooting.

Fico became Slovakia's prime minister after the election last fall and was then described as a pro-Russian populist. He has subsequently stopped aid to Ukraine and announced last month that he wants to shut down the public service channel RTVS.

Thailand The land of twilight

บีบีซีไทย - BBC Thai

5h  · 

 “ถ้าเราเป็นรัฐบาลนะ เรื่องแรกที่เราต้องดูคือการให้ประกันตัว เพื่อที่ทางน้อง ๆ จะได้ออกมาต่อสู้ได้อย่างเป็นธรรม และจะได้ไม่เสียการเรียนด้วย” เศรษฐา ทวีสิน กล่าวไว้ในช่วงรณรงค์หาเสียงเลือกตั้งปี 2566

 

bbc.com

แนวโน้ม ม.112-นิรโทษกรรมการเมือง หลังการตายของ บุ้ง-เนติพร - BBC News ไทย

ประชาไท Prachatai

พรรคก้าวไกลยื่นคำร้องขอขยายระยะเวลายื่นคำชี้แจงแก้ข้อกล่าวหา “คดียุบพรรค” ต่อศาลรัฐธรรมนูญเป็นครั้งสุดท้าย อีก 15 วัน โดยจะครบกำหนดยื่นคำชี้แจงวันที่ 2 มิ.ย. นี้

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อ่านเพิ่มเติมที่ : https://prachatai.com/journal/2024/05/109213

TT

ศาลอาญาทุจริตฯ ยกคำร้องของ #TrueID ให้ ‘พิรงรอง’ หยุดปฏิบัติหน้าที่ กสทช. เนื่องจากไม่พบการกระทำเป็นปฏิปักษ์กับทรูจึงไม่มีเหตุผลพอที่จะสั่งให้หยุดปฏิบัติหน้าที่ระหว่างพิจารณาคดีที่ทรูฯ ฟ้องพิรงรองในข้อหาตาม ม.157 แต่หากมีพฤติการณ์เปลี่ยนแปลงศาลอาจมีคำสั่งเป็นอย่างอื่น

อ่านต่อ https://prachatai.com/journal/2024/05/109212