Special counsel Jack Smith is facing a challenge in the classified documents case involving former President Donald Trump. Judge Aileen Cannon requested jury instructions from both sides, focusing on the Presidential Records Act. Smith criticized this request, and there is speculation that he could seek Cannon’s removal from the case if certain conditions are met. Trump called Smith a “lowlife” in response to his criticism. Despite Cannon denying Trump’s bid to dismiss the case, the possibility of using the Presidential Records Act argument later remains open.
Israel has agreed to open additional aid routes into Gaza following pressure from President Joe Biden. This decision comes after a strike that killed seven aid workers. The Ashdod port will be opened to allow direct assistance into Gaza, and the Erez crossing will facilitate aid flow into north Gaza. Biden implied that U.S. military aid to Israel could be conditioned on addressing humanitarian concerns in Gaza and achieving a cease-fire. The Israeli military has fired two officers following the strikes that killed aid workers, citing serious errors and protocol violations.
Several universities in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged following Israel’s offensive, disrupting the lives and education of young Palestinians. Aya Salameh, a student, expressed her distress over the destruction of her university and home. In the midst of this devastation, a total solar eclipse is set to occur, offering a rare celestial event for viewers across the U.S. NASA recommends using special eclipse glasses or pinhole projectors to safely view the eclipse and avoid eye damage.
Sean “Diddy” Combs and his son Christian Combs are facing a lawsuit alleging sexual assault and harassment. Christian is accused of drugging and assaulting a woman on a yacht chartered by his father. Sean Combs has denied the allegations against him. In another legal development, Alabama death row inmate Derrick Dearman has decided to drop his appeals and proceed with his execution for the murders he committed eight years ago.
Over 100,000 salmon spilled out of a overturned tanker truck in Oregon, with most of them swimming away alive. The incident occurred near a creek, where the fish were supposed to be released into the river. State wildlife officials do not expect the loss to impact their future operations. In the political landscape, President Biden is set to meet with state and local officials in Maryland, and the bipartisan group No Labels is ending its efforts to put a third-party presidential ticket on the ballot. Additionally, there are developments regarding former Trump official Jeffrey Clark’s potential disbarment.
