National and international media news & headlines compiled by CLG

Trump has immunity from prosecution for official acts Supreme Court rules in monumental decision for presidential powers | 1 July 2024 | The President of the United States has immunity from prosecution for official acts in office the Supreme Court ruled in a monumental decision with massive implications for presidential powers and the criminal cases against Donald Trump. The case centered around Special Counsel Jack Smith’s prosecution of Trump for allegedly masterminding efforts to overthrow the 2020 election while in office, including on January 6. The ex-president’s team argued that Trump, and any president, must have absolute immunity from prosecution over actions taken while in office or it could impair important decision-making. The 6-3 decision split along the court’s ideological lines ensures that Trump will not face another blockbuster trial before the November election as the case is sent back to lower court to determine what is considered his “official” versus “unofficial” acts. “The President enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the President does is official. The President is not above the law,” the justices led by Chief Justice John Roberts write in the majority.

Trump immunity case: Supreme Court rules ex-presidents have substantial protection from prosecution –The issue before the Supreme Court stemmed from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s election interference case against former President Trump | 1 July 2024 | The Supreme Court ruled Monday in Trump v. United States that a former president has substantial immunity from prosecution for official acts committed while in office, but not for unofficial acts. The Court sent the matter back down to a lower court, as the justices did not apply the ruling to whether or not former President Trump is immune from prosecution regarding actions related to efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The question stemmed from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s federal election interference case in which he charged former President Trump with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.

Supreme Court says obstruction charges for January 6 rioters could be thrown out and impact Trump’s election interference case | 28 June 2024 | The Supreme Court ruled that there are limits on charging January 6 rioters with obstruction, in a case that will impact former President Trump’s 2020 federal election interference case. The 6-3 decision could upend hundreds of cases stemming from the January 6 riot, including Donald Trump’s election fraud trial. The court’s ruling makes it harder for January 6 defendants to be charged with obstructing an official proceeding — which carries up to 20 years in prison. That is among the four charges facing former President Donald Trump in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s federal case.

Alert level of several US military bases in Europe is raised to second-highest level after ‘intelligence terrorist action or targeting of personnel or facilities is likely’ –Four US military bases across Europe had their alert level raised –They were raised to ‘Charlie’, the second-highest level –This means a terror attack or an attack against personnel is ‘likely’ | 30 June 2024 | The US military has raised the alert level of several of its bases across Europe to the second-highest level in a move that hasn’t been seen “in at least ten years.” The U.S. Army Garrison in Stuttgart, Germany, America’s military headquarters in Europe, bases in Rheinland-Pfalz and Ramstein, and Aviano Air Base in Italy were all put on alert level “Charlie” over the weekend, several publications reported. The “Charlie” threat level only “applies when an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely,” according to the U.S. Army. A U.S. official told CNN that they haven’t seen a threat level this high “in at least 10 years,” adding that this usually means the military is aware of an “active-reliable threat.”

National Rally set for historic election victory in France – exit poll –The right-wing party is projected to win the first round of the snap parliamentary election | 1 July 2024 | The right-wing National Rally (RN) party is set to win the first round of the French snap parliamentary elections held on Sunday, exit polls show. The result is a stunning defeat for President Emmanuel Macron and his centrist Together (Ensemble) coalition. Macron called for an early vote following the poor performance of his Renaissance Party during the European Parliament election last month, when RN led by Jordan Bardella won the most seats allotted to France. According to the projections released on Sunday night by pollsters Ipsos and Talan, RN and its allies are leading with 33.2% of the vote, followed by the left-wing New Popular Front bloc (28.1%). Macron’s coalition is third with 21%. 

Turkey refuses to let Israeli flight evacuate, refuel after emergency landing – reports | 30 June 2024 | Turkish officials Sunday allegedly refused to let an Israeli flight evacuate or refuel after it made an emergency landing in Antalya because of a medical crisis onboard, Israeli media reported. El Al Flt. LY5102 was flying directly from Warsaw, Poland, to Tel Aviv in Israel in the morning when the airline said the plane had to land at Turkey’s Antalya International airport after a passenger fell ill, the Jerusalem Post said… Although the flight crew initially received permission to de-board and refuel, Turkish officials then delayed the decision, claiming permits were required to fuel the plane, Israeli broadcaster KAN reported. After waiting, the flight crew was informed that they would not be allowed to do either, forcing the plane to fly to Greece’s Rhodes airport to refuel, according to Israel’s Army Radio.

U.S. to test dairy products including ice cream and butter for H5N1 bird flu virus –The FDA will survey 155 products sold in stores across America to check for the highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza | 28 June 2024 | U.S. authorities have begun a new round of testing to check for traces of the H5N1 bird flu virus in supermarket products including ice cream, butter, and cream cheese. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to survey 155 products sold in stores across America to check for the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus, which continues to spread through the country’s dairy cattle herds. The virus has so far spread to 131 cattle herds in 12 U.S. states, and has infected at least three dairy workers since it was first detected in March this year.

ESG initiatives go beyond investment banks to include Biden initiatives, digital content –Under the Biden regime, there has been an apparent robust push to integrate ESG principles into the fabric of corporate America. | 30 June 2024 | Though well known by now that Environmental, Social and Governance metrics have become integral to U.S. business operations, the World Economic Forum is also advocating for ESG principles, but in a distinctive manner. The international non-governmental organization, think tank, and lobbying organization based in Geneva recently released a white paper titled “Making a Difference: How to Measure Digital Safety Effectively to Reduce Risks Online.” The document highlights the potential of ESG metrics in assessing digital safety, stressing the importance of mitigating risks associated with disinformation, hate speech and abusive material online — all of which the WEF regards as online harms that necessitate measurement and correction.

Jill Biden vows not to give up on Joe after disastrous debate as she appears on cover of Vogue | 1 July 2024 | First Lady Jill Biden is on Vogue’s August 2024 cover in a gushing profile posted Monday – as she vowed not to give up on the 2024 race despite hubby President [sic] Biden’s disastrous debate performance. Speaking from Camp David where the Biden family were holed up for the weekend, Jill told the magazine “will not let those 90 minutes define the four years he’s been president. We will continue to fight,” she continued in the feature published Monday, claiming that Biden “will always do what’s best for the country.” The first lady’s defiance comes as she faces a firestorm of criticism for not forcing her 81-year-old husband to give up his re-[s]election campaign following last week’s face-off against former President Donald Trump.

Biden’s family tells him to ‘keep fighting’ during crisis talks at Camp David as son Hunter emerges as a key advisor after debate debacle against Trump sparked calls for him to drop out of presidential race | 1 July 2024 | Joe Biden’s entire family has gathered at Camp David to discuss the president’s [sic] future after his shockingly bad debate against Donald Trump. The White House and campaign blame a “cold” for Biden’s low and, at times, hard-to-understand speaking voice. Others say this is what the president is like on a day-to-day basis now, and it has even Democrats wondering if Biden needs to be replaced in time for November, as his poll numbers slide further behind Trump. Many have seen Biden’s wife, Dr. Jill Biden, as the one person who could sway the president either way. However, this time, son Hunter — found guilty of three criminal charges in his blockbuster gun and drugs trial on June 11 and someone who has constantly distracted people from his father’s foibles — has been the one to speak up most fervently for his father. According to a new report, Biden’s eldest living son — who is notorious for his wild exploits with booze, drugs, and women in addition to his convictions — is turning into the most adamant member of the Biden family to insist he remain in the race.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution editorial board calls on Biden to drop out of 2024 race: ‘Retirement is now necessary’ | 29 June 2024 | Yet another major newspaper urged Joe Biden to step down after his disastrous debate against Trump – saying “Retirement is now necessary.” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published a front-page editorial Saturday asking Biden, 81, to pass the torch to another, more competent candidate, following the lead of The New York Times. Georgia’s largest newspaper painted Biden’s performance in Thursday’s debate against convicted felon Donald Trump as “excruciating,” with the sitting president [sic] failing to convey any visions for a second term or his accomplishments from his nearly four years at the helm.

New York Times editorial board calls on Biden to drop out of 2024 presidential race | 28 June 2024 | The New York Times editorial board called on Joe Biden to suspend his campaign after his shaky debate performance against former President Trump on Thursday. The 81-year-old Biden appeared on the Atlanta, Ga., debate stage with a hoarse voice and a slight cough. The issue of his age and mental competency has been a sore point for his campaign and the debate was seen as an opportunity to show the country he is still fit to serve. His performance sparked widespread fear among Democrats and reignited the conversation about whether Biden should step down and allow someone else to take on Trump. Biden’s campaign and the White House have said he’s not going anywhere. “He struggled to explain what he would accomplish in a second term. He struggled to respond to Mr. Trump’s provocations…” the Times said. “More than once, he struggled to make it to the end of a sentence.”

‘Biden is toast – calling it now’: Biden stumbles, rambles in opening of debate –One prominent operative texted, “Time for an open convention.” | 27 June 2024 | Joe Biden opened the debate with a raspy voice and disjointed, rambling answers, reigniting Democratic concerns about his age and ability to take on former President Donald Trump. Many of Biden’s answers were hard to follow. At one point, seemingly losing his train of thought, Biden said “we finally beat Medicare,” misspeaking about his own policy on earned benefits. In text messages with POLITICO, Democrats expressed confusion and concern as they watched the first minutes of the event. One former Biden White House and campaign aide called it “terrible,” adding that they have had to ask themselves over and over “What did he just say? This is crazy.” Jay Surdukowski, an attorney and Democratic activist from New Hampshire who co-chaired Martin O’Malley’s 2016 presidential campaign in the state, said, “Biden is toast – calling it now.”

The stumbling silences and bizarre answers that could have killed Joe Biden’s reelection hopes during car crash debate with Donald Trump | 27 June 2024 | Joe Biden started the first debate with Donald Trump sounding hoarse. It quickly got worse as he lost his train of thought and meandered into silence. For three and a half years the White House has protected Biden, 81, from questions about his frailty, reducing his schedule ahead of arduous foreign trips, keeping reporters at bay, and even swapping out the steps on Air Force One for the shorter, easier stairs. But there is no hiding place during a 90-minute debate in front of the live television cameras. When it was his turn to talk, Biden was barely audible at times. When Trump, 78, was speaking, Biden stood mouth open, his eyes darting from side to side and his jaw slack as if another resident had taken his spot at the jigsaw puzzle table in the games room. When Biden was offered a chance to address questions about his advanced years he offered a rambling answer that veered off into computer chips.

Supreme Court overturns Chevron decision, curtailing federal agencies’ power | 28 June 2024 | The Supreme Court on Friday overturned a landmark decision that gave federal agencies broad regulatory power. The 6-3 decision on the so-called, 40-year-old Chevron decision upends the agencies’ authority to issue regulations unless Congress has spoken clearly, according to CBS News. The court split along conservative-liberal ideological lines in the dispute, with Chief Justice John Roberts writing for the conservative majority, the news outlet also reports. The crux of the Chevron decision states federal agencies should be allowed to fill in the details when laws aren’t crystal clear.

German woman given harsher sentence than convicted rapist for calling him ‘disgraceful rapist pig’ | 29 June 2024 | A German woman was handed down a harsher sentence than a convicted rapist after she called him a “disgraceful rapist pig.” Maja R, 20, was jailed for a weekend after she was found guilty of defaming the man, who was one of nine attackers who had gang-raped a 15-year-old girl in a Hamburg park four years earlier, according to reports. The man had only been given a suspended sentence and served no time in prison due to his age, the New Zealand Herald reported… Germany famously has strict defamation laws that criminalize even the mildest of slurs. Calling someone an “idiot” in Germany can result in a prison sentence of up to two years.

Haitian migrant accused of raping teen girl in Boston freed on $500 bail, despite fed request to hold him – report | 28 June 2024 | A Haitian migrant accused of raping a 15-year-old at a Massachusetts shelter has been released on bail — despite a request from federal immigration officials to hold him. Cory Alvarez, who had been held without bail since his March arrest, was freed on a measly 500 bail on Tuesday after the Plymouth County Superior Court ignored a request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to keep the suspect in custody, the Boston Herald reported. Prosecutors also had requested 25,000 bail had the court opted not to order continued pretrial detention, according to the Boston Globe. Alvarez’s release also comes after a pre-trial motion filed by Plymouth County DA Tim Cruz to keep him in jail was denied, the Herald added.

Oklahoma public schools required to teach Bible, which education chief touts as a ‘necessary historical document’ | 27 June 2024 | Oklahoma public schools will be required to teach students the Bible as a “necessary historical document” – a week after Louisiana directed the Ten Commandments be posted in every classroom. State Superintendent Ryan Walters revealed the controversial edict, which critics argue is unconstitutional and could end up being fought in court. “It is essential that our kids have an understanding of the Bible and its historical context,” the Republican told reporters.

Louisiana becomes first state to mandate that the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public school classrooms | 19 June 2024 | Louisiana now requires the Ten Commandments to be shown in every public school classroom, the first state in the nation to do so. “If you want to respect the rule of law, you gotta start from the original law given, which was Moses…He got his commandments from God,” Republican Gov. Jeff Landry said Wednesday at a bill signing ceremony held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School in Lafayette. The legislation, House Bill 71, was approved by state lawmakers last month. It mandates that a poster-size display of the Ten Commandments with “large, easily readable font” be hung in every state-funded classroom – from kindergarten to universities – by the start of 2025.

A signature Biden law aimed to boost renewable energy. It also helped a solar company reap billions | 26 June 2024 | Executives, officials and major investors in First Solar, the largest domestic maker of solar panels, donated at least 2 million to Democrats in 2020, including 1.5 million to Biden’s bid for the White House. After he won was installed as president, the company spent 2.8 million more lobbying his administration and Congress, records show — an effort that included high-level meetings with top administration officials. The strategy… has also paid massive dividends as First Solar became perhaps the biggest beneficiary of an estimated 1 trillion in environmental spending enacted under the Inflation Reduction Act, a major piece of legislation Biden signed into law in 2022 after it cleared Congress solely with Democratic votes… The success has also delivered a massive windfall to a small group of Democratic donors who invested heavily in the company.