Month: May 2025

A jury was selected Monday in the sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs in Manhattan federal court. Combs is accused of sexually assaulting, trafficking, and exploiting multiple women over a span of decades leading up to his arrest in September. Combs has been held at the federal Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest. Despite being offered a plea agreement during the final pre-trial proceedings, Combs declined the deal. If found guilty on all charges, he could face a life sentence.  The trial is expected to continue for approximately eight to ten weeks.

Judge Arun Subramanian delivered instructions to the jurors, comprised of eight men and four women, and turned the proceedings over to the lawyers for opening statements. Prosecutors have charged Combs, 55, with several serious offenses, including racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion, and two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution-related purposes. Combs has entered a not guilty plea to all allegations.

The case will focus on testimonies from four women, one of whom is Combs’ former girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura. The other three women are expected to testify under the protection of anonymity. Prosecutors alleged in their opening statement that Combs used his fame and power to run a criminal enterprise that facilitated his “freak offs,” drug-fueled orgies involving paid sex workers. He allegedly used violence and coercion to force the participation of victims in the freak offs, including Cassie.

In his defense, Combs has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that all sexual encounters were consensual. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, argued that Combs was simply engaged in consensual activities within the swinger community, rejecting any claims of coercion or abuse. In its opening statement, Combs’ defense admitted that while he was jealous and occasionally violent, Combs’ alleged victims were all willing participants.

The prosecution’s first witness was Israel Florez, a Los Angeles police officer, who worked at the hotel in LA’s Century City area where the 2016 security tape of Combs and his then-girlfriend Ventura came from.  Testimony ended on Day 1 of the trial, after the cross-examination of male escort Daniel Phillip by defense attorney Xavier Donaldson; Phillip will return to continue cross-examination on Tuesday. In addition, Cassie Ventura is expected to be the next witness called later Tuesday morning to testify for the prosecution.

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American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander was released on Monday after successful negotiations between the U.S. and the terrorist organization, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).   Alexander had been held captive by Hamas in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023; he is believed to be the last living American citizen held captive by Hamas.  The terror group is believed to also be holding the bodies of four dead American hostages, according to U.S. officials.

Alexander, a New Jersey native, moved to Israel at the age of 18 and was serving in the IDF when captured from his base close to the Gaza frontier during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack; he was 19 when abducted.

The International Committee of the Red Cross transferred Alexander, now 21, from Gaza to Israeli special forces in the enclave’s southern city of Khan Younis, and he has since crossed into Israeli territory.  Israeli security officials told ABC News that there would be a temporary pause in combat, airstrikes and aerial reconnaissance in the area of Gaza where Alexander was to be released. The pause was expected to last until Alexander crossed into Israeli territory, where “he will undergo an initial medical assessment and meet with his family,” according to the statement from the IDF.

Hamas confirmed the release of Alexander earlier in the day, with the militant group stating in a news release that the move was part of “the steps being taken to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow aid” into the Gaza Strip, adding that “we urge the Trump administration to continue its efforts to end this brutal war.”

Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s envoy, confirmed that he had traveled to the region in anticipation of Alexander’s release. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday met with Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, per a readout from his office. Netanyahu also spoke with President Donald Trump, the statement said, with the Israeli leader thanking Trump for his assistance in securing Alexander’s release: “the prime minister discussed the last-ditch effort to implement the outline for the release of the hostages presented by Witkoff, before the escalation of the fighting. To this end, the prime minister instructed that a negotiating delegation be sent to Doha tomorrow. The prime minister clarified that the negotiations will only take place under fire.”

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The Trump administration is preparing to receive a high-end Boeing 747-8 aircraft from Qatar’s royal family, which is expected to serve as Air Force One for the remainder of President Trump’s term.  ABC News first reported news the gift, which comes as Mr. Trump heads to Qatar as part of his first international trip of his second term.

The aircraft will be transferred to the foundation overseeing his presidential library after Trump’s time in office ends, according to multiple sources. The arrangement will adhere to both U.S. and international regulations, including government ethics standards. President Trump plans to address the agreement during his upcoming visit to Qatar this week, however, the delivery of the jet will take some time.

Discussions around Qatar gifting this particular plane have been ongoing for an extended period. When the formal proposal was recently made, the president “enthusiastically accepted” the offer. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt assured reporters that any gifts from foreign governments are processed lawfully: “All gifts from foreign governments are handled in strict compliance with applicable laws. The Trump Administration remains fully committed to transparency.”

Qatar has offered to donate an aircraft to the Department of Defense. However, they clarified that the gift will not be officially presented or accepted during the president’s visit this week. (per NBC News.) During his time in Qatar, Trump is expected to deliver a speech and meet with American service members stationed at Al Udeid Air Base, according to two U.S. officials. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is slated to accompany the president during his visit to the base. His itinerary includes stops in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

A spokesperson for the Qatari government, however, clarified that “reports suggesting that Qatar is gifting a jet to the United States during President Trump’s upcoming visit are incorrect.” Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s media attaché in Washington, added: “Discussions regarding a potential aircraft transfer for temporary use as Air Force One are ongoing between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense. The matter is still under legal review, and no final decision has been made.”

The reported deal has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who argue that accepting a gift of such value would require congressional approval. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the move, describing it as a blatant example of foreign influence: “Nothing screams ‘America First’ like flying Air Force One courtesy of Qatar. This isn’t just bribery — it’s deluxe foreign influence, complete with extra legroom.”

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders went further, calling the arrangement “corrupt” and in direct violation of the Constitution:  “Let me be clear: Donald Trump has no legal or ethical right to accept a $400 million flying palace from Qatar’s royal family. This is not only cartoonishly corrupt but flatly unconstitutional.”

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American and Chinese officials have reached a breakthrough in trade discussions after two days of high-level negotiations, according to senior government representatives. The talks are being held in Geneva, Switzerland; however, no concrete details of the agreement were released.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement from the White House that significant headway had been achieved in the effort to resolve the ongoing trade conflict initiated by President Trump: “First and foremost, I want to extend my gratitude to our Swiss hosts. The Swiss government graciously provided us with an excellent venue, which undoubtedly contributed to the level of productivity we’ve witnessed.  We’ll be sharing more specifics tomorrow, but I can confirm the discussions have been fruitful.”

Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, echoed Bessent’s sentiments, stating that after just two “very productive days,” both parties managed to reach an agreement. “These negotiations were built on extensive groundwork,” Greer explained. “We’re optimistic that this deal will be a crucial step in addressing what we view as a national emergency.”

After the first day of meetings on Saturday, President Trump shared his thoughts on his Truth Social platform, saying, “Had an excellent meeting today with Chinese officials in Switzerland. Covered many topics, reached several agreements. Negotiations were friendly but focused on real progress—a complete reset in the relationship. For the benefit of both nations, we aim to open up China further to American businesses. Tremendous progress made!!!”

The trade war between the U.S. and China reignited earlier this year when Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, citing concerns over national security and the fentanyl crisis impacting America. By April, the U.S. had raised tariffs on Chinese imports to a staggering 145%. In retaliation, Beijing slapped 125% tariffs on American exports.

China’s state-run news agency, Xinhua, published an opinion piece on Sunday, acknowledging the importance of the high-level talks while reaffirming China’s commitment to protecting its economic interests: “In this situation, it is meaningful for both sides to engage in direct discussions, which are essential to bridge differences and prevent further conflict,” wrote Fan Yu for Xinhua.“However, the success of these talks depends on genuine effort and sincerity from both parties, especially whether the U.S. can approach negotiations with rationality and practicality. China maintains that any meaningful dialogue must be grounded in mutual respect, fairness, and shared benefits.”

In another editorial published Saturday, edited by Zhao Yang, Xinhua criticized the Trump administration for initiating the trade dispute “without adequate planning or thoughtful consideration.” The piece argued that a complete economic decoupling between the U.S. and China would ultimately harm the American economy, referencing analysis from Oxford Economics.

China’s Ministry of Commerce has been working to deepen trade ties with Switzerland—an effort mirrored by U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent. Switzerland’s prominent role in global finance and trade positions it as a key player in helping both nations diversify economic partnerships and lessen the fallout from U.S.-China tensions. Bessent shared on social media: “We had very productive discussions yesterday alongside Ambassador Greer with Swiss President Keller Sutter and Vice President Parmelin. I’m pleased that we’ve agreed to fast-track trade negotiations, and we anticipate that a formal Swiss proposal will be presented to Ambassador Greer by next week.”

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President Donald Trump unveiled a new trade agreement with the United Kingdom on Thursday, announcing at a news conference that his administration has struck the trade deal with the U.K., marking the first agreement the U.S. has reached since the president imposed sweeping tariffs on trading partners. Although the United Kingdom was not subjected to the direct retaliatory tariffs included in Trump’s initial announcement, it was still affected by a general 10% tariff, along with additional 25% duties targeting imported cars, steel, and aluminum.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “Today is an incredible day for America as we deliver our first Fair, Open, and Reciprocal Trade Deal — Something our past Presidents never cared about. Together with our strong Ally, the United Kingdom, we have reached the first, historic Trade Deal since Liberation Day. As part of this Deal, America will raise $6 BILLION DOLLARS in External Revenue from 10% Tariffs, $5 BILLION DOLLARS in new Export Opportunities for our Great Ranchers, Farmers, and Producers, and enhance the National Security of both the U.S. and the UK through the creation of an Aluminum and Steel Trading Zone, and a secure Pharmaceutical Supply Chain. This Deal shows that if you respect America, and bring serious proposals to the table, America is OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Many more to come — STAY TUNED!”

Speaking from the Oval Office at the White House, Trump said “I’m thrilled to announce that we have reached a breakthrough trade deal with the United Kingdom,” noting that the agreement happened to fall on “Victory Day” in celebration of the end of World War II in Europe: “there could be no more perfect morning to reach this historic agreement. this partnership marks a mutual commitment between the U.S. and the U.K. to ensure that fairness and reciprocity are central to global trade. The agreement opens up billions of dollars in new opportunities for American exporters, particularly in the agriculture sector. It significantly expands access for U.S. products like beef and ethanol, benefiting American farmers across the board.”

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer was put on a speaker phone for the announcement and called it a “really fantastic, historic day. This is going to boost trade between and across our countries.” Surrounded by U.S. and UK officials who helped broker the agreement, Trump promised that their efforts would provide billions of dollars in access for U.S. agricultural products: “They’re opening up their country .. Their country is a little closed and we appreciate it.”  The President highlighted that British customs procedures will now expedite the processing of American goods, allowing exports to move through more efficiently. He noted that the final version of the agreement is still being finalized and is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

Under the deal, the U.K. will reduce non-tariff barriers to U.S. products, including beef, ethanol fuel, machinery and chemicals. The 10% baseline tariff that the U.S. has placed on dozens of countries will remain in place, while duties on British vehicles will fall from 25% to 10% to match that baseline.  President Trump said he also plans to negotiate a trade deal with the European Union and is open to reducing 145% tariffs on Chinese goods.

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In a historic decision on Thursday, American Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. His papal name is Pope Leo XIV — the first pontiff in history to hail from the United States. The College of Cardinals selected the American cleric to lead the Catholic Church, becoming the spiritual leader of over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.

The announcement came roughly an hour after white smoke billowed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City on Thursday afternoon, a traditional sign that a new pope had been successfully chosen by the 133 cardinal electors during their conclave, which began on May 7, lasted two days. A short time later, protodeacon of the College of Cardinals came out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and announced “habemus papum,” which means “we have a pope.”

Shortly thereafter, Pope Leo XIV made his first public appearance, stepping onto the balcony to address the world. He began in Italian: “Peace be with you. Here is the face of the risen Christ — humble, disarming. A God who loves each of us without condition. We still hear the gentle, brave voice of Pope Francis, who blessed not only Rome, but the entire world that Easter morning. I wish to continue in that blessing. God loves us — all of us. Evil shall not triumph; we are in God’s care. Let us walk forward with courage, together, as followers of Christ. The world needs His light now more than ever. Humanity longs for that light.”

Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1955, earning his bachelor’s in mathematics from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and went on to receive his diploma in theology from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago. He was later sent to Rome to study canon law at the Pontifical Saint Thomas Aquinas University and was ordained as a priest in June 1982. Later in his career, he taught canon law in the seminary in Trujillo, Peru, and also holds Peruvian citizenship. Before his election, Prevost led the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, a department responsible for selecting new bishops throughout the Church.

Pope Leo is generally viewed as a moderate within the Church hierarch, and is considered progressive on many social issues — echoing Pope Francis’ focus on outreach to the poor and marginalized communities, including migrants. However, when it comes to doctrinal matters, he holds more traditional views, i.e, he does not support the ordination of women as deacons.

President Donald Trump congratulated the new pope in a social media post, writing: “It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”

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