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The Republican National Convention: Amidst Tragedy and Defiance

Explore the tumultuous events surrounding the Republican National Convention amidst tragedy and defiance. Delve into the political landscape and the resilience displayed during challenging times.

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The Republican National Convention

This year’s Republican National Convention, where Donald Trump will be formally nominated for the presidential campaign, was originally going to be overshadowed by the former president’s conviction on 34 criminal charges. Instead, it is taking place just days after a very public attempt on his life that very nearly succeeded.

Trump has struck a defiant tone since the assassination attempt and insists the convention will be going ahead as normal, despite outrage at the failure of the security services to keep the ex-president safe from an armed assailant.

The US Secret Service has said security plans for the convention — in the works for more than a year — remain the same after the Saturday shooting, in which Trump’s right ear was pierced by a bullet. A nearby audience member was fatally shot, and two others were critically injured in the assault, which has prompted widespread calls to evaluate security measures.

Nonetheless, Trump arrived in the host city of Milwaukee on Sunday. City leaders reiterated their confidence in security plans as delegates, activists, and journalists started arriving in town.

  • Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said, “We take this matter very, very seriously. We take public safety very, very seriously.”
  • Police Chief Jeffrey Norman mentioned that law enforcement was “working around the clock” to prepare for an estimated 30,000 people to descend on the city for the week’s events.

How it Works

How it Works

US presidential conventions were once crucial parts of elections, but their role today is mainly ceremonial, positioning the parties for the final stretch of what has effectively become a two-year-long campaign cycle.

As far as formal proceedings go, the core event will be Trump’s nomination for the election by party delegates. The roll call vote will have no suspense whatever as Trump has already been the presumptive nominee for months, having clinched a majority of convention delegates on 12 March.

A vast majority of those delegates are already bound to support Trump. However, due to state party rules, at least a handful are still compelled to vote for former candidate Nikki Haley, even after she released her delegates.

Haley ran a surprisingly long primary campaign against Trump and eventually endorsed him. After Saturday’s shooting, she was unexpectedly offered her own speaking slot at the convention, and will appear on Tuesday in a show of party unity.

Among those to feature are some of the most hardline members of the Republican Party, as well as controversial figures like Charlie Kirk, a far-right activist.

The Main Event

The former president himself will give his own keynote speech on Thursday evening. Aside from that appearance, the most-watched speaker will appear on Wednesday night in the form of Trump’s as-yet-unannounced running mate.

It is not yet clear when Trump will unveil his choice. Several likely picks, such as South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Ohio Senator JD Vance, have been given speaking slots in their own right.

Even those speakers not chosen to run alongside Trump stand to benefit from the platform a convention speech offers them.

As for Trump’s main-event speech, in which he will formally accept the nomination, the former president could not ask for a more sympathetic audience or a bigger platform. The lengthy address will be broadcast live nationally in a primetime slot on Thursday evening.

Whether he will use the opportunity to call for a more peaceful political discourse, as others have done since he was almost killed at the weekend, is another matter.

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Dominique Pelicot Testifies in Harrowing Rape Trial

Join us as Dominique Pelicot courageously testifies in a harrowing rape trial, shedding light on the complexities of trauma and justice. Her powerful story raises crucial questions about the legal system and the importance of support for survivors.

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Dominique Pelicot Takes the Stand in Shocking Rape Trial

In a courtroom drama that has captivated France and garnered international attention, Dominique Pelicot, the man at the center of a harrowing rape trial, finally addressed the court. With tears streaming down his face, he recounted how his wife had been instrumental in helping him cope with a tumultuous past marked by trauma. He revealed that he had endured a sexual assault at the tender age of nine while hospitalized, and he also witnessed a gang rape during his teenage years while working as an apprentice electrician on a construction site.

“She didn’t deserve this, I acknowledge that,” Mr. Pelicot stated, his voice barely audible as he struggled to convey his emotions. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, and the courtroom fell silent, straining to catch his every word.

Now 71 years old, Mr. Pelicot faces serious allegations of drugging his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, whom he has been married to for half a century, over a span of nearly ten years. Prosecutors contend that he used drugs to render her comatose, allowing him to rape her repeatedly. Furthermore, authorities allege that he went so far as to invite numerous men into their home, facilitating a nightmarish scenario where they, too, engaged in the assault of his wife.

Overall, 51 men, including Mr. Pelicot, are on trial concurrently, primarily facing charges related to the aggravated rape of Ms. Pelicot. Among them, one individual has already pleaded guilty to similar crimes, admitting to drugging his own wife to assault her and inviting Mr. Pelicot to partake in the horrific act while she was incapacitated.

Mr. Pelicot’s unexpected testimony came after a tumultuous start to the trial. Just a week in, he was stricken with severe health issues that forced him to miss four consecutive days in court. The head judge ultimately decided to postpone proceedings, as Mr. Pelicot was diagnosed with kidney stones, a kidney infection, and prostate complications, adding yet another layer of complexity to this already harrowing case.

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Meta Bans Russian State Media Outlets from Social Media Platforms

Explore the implications of Meta’s decision to ban Russian state media outlets from its social media platforms. Understand the impact on information dissemination and the ongoing battle against misinformation in the digital landscape.

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Meta Imposes Global Ban on Russian State Media Outlets

In a significant move, Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent company of Facebook, has announced the prohibition of Russian state media outlets, including RT (Russia Today) and Rossiya Segodnya, from all its social media platforms. The decision stems from the company’s concerns regarding the deceptive strategies employed by these media organizations to execute covert influence operations across the internet.

Meta made this announcement on Monday, emphasizing that the ban will be enforced worldwide across its various platforms, such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. The rollout of this ban is expected to take place over the coming days.

Statement from Meta

A spokesperson for Meta elaborated on the decision, stating, “After careful consideration, we have expanded our ongoing enforcement actions against Russian state media outlets. As a result, Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and other affiliated entities are now banned from our applications globally due to their involvement in foreign interference activities.”

For further insights into this development, watch the video in the player above.

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Trump Recalls Alleged Assassination Attempt While Golfing

Explore Donald Trump’s chilling recollection of an alleged assassination attempt he experienced while enjoying a round of golf. Delve into the tense moments and his reflections on safety, fame, and the unpredictability of public life.

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In a recent interview on the social media platform X, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump recounted a harrowing incident he claims to have experienced while playing golf. Trump described how, during a peaceful Sunday morning round with friends, the tranquility of the day was abruptly shattered by the sound of gunfire in the air.

“It was a beautiful day, everything was just perfect,” Trump reflected. “Then all of a sudden, we heard shots being fired—probably around four or five in total.” He went on to explain that a Secret Service agent was the first to spot the suspect, who was allegedly armed with an AK-47, a powerful assault rifle.

“The agent saw the barrel of the weapon and immediately took action, returning fire at the barrel and aiming in the direction of the bushes,” Trump detailed. “I would have loved to have sunk that last putt, but we decided it was best to leave the scene promptly.”

Trump expressed his gratitude towards the agents and a vigilant civilian who aided in tracking down the suspect, who was eventually apprehended following a high-speed chase.

Suspect Faces Multiple Federal Gun Charges

The FBI has identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, accusing him of targeting Trump during his time at the golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to an FBI report, Routh had allegedly hidden among the hedges of the golf course for an astonishing 12 hours. Authorities discovered an SKS-style assault rifle, a GoPro camera, and a bag of food at the scene.

The 58-year-old Routh is now facing two serious federal gun charges. If convicted on both counts, he could face a combined maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Notably, neither of the charges is directly related to an assassination attempt. The first charge pertains to possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction, which carries a potential 15-year sentence, a fine of $250,000 (€225,000), and three years of supervised release.

The second charge involves possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, which could result in a five-year prison term, the same financial penalties, and also three years of supervised release. As the investigation continues, additional charges could be forthcoming.

While the motive behind Routh’s actions remains unclear, his digital footprint reveals strong political affiliations, particularly concerning issues surrounding Ukraine and China. Routh consistently expressed support for Ukraine across various social media platforms, even claiming to have orchestrated a recruitment scheme for international volunteers aiming to assist Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion. This behavior has been denounced by Ukrainian soldiers and members of the International Legion, who disavowed Routh’s actions and motives.

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