SUMMARY: After six weeks of testimony, both prosecution and defense have rested their cases in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial. Prosecutors aim to prove the hip-hop mogul guilty of federal sex trafficking and racketeering, presenting evidence including text messages arranging sexual encounters involving Combs, his ex-girlfriend (“Jane”), and male escorts. They argue Combs used his employees and business as a criminal enterprise to facilitate trafficking. Combs denies all charges, maintaining all encounters were consensual. The defense called no witnesses but submitted evidence and requested a not-guilty verdict, claiming the government failed to meet its burden. Jury instructions and closing arguments will follow.
Both federal prosecutors and the defense rested their case in the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial on Tuesday. The defense in the Sean Combs trial rested its case after calling no witnesses, electing only to read some items into the record.
SUMMARY: A dangerous heat wave is gripping the East Coast, bringing record-breaking temperatures not seen since 1888. Cities like New York, New Jersey, and Baltimore are enduring highs near 100°F, with humidity making it feel over 110°F. Heat-related illnesses surged, including 160 cases at a graduation ceremony in Patterson. Power grids are strained from increased air conditioning use, causing blackouts for over 100,000 customers across six states and surging electricity prices, especially in Boston. Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms in Florida caused lightning injuries and a fatality, as tourists and residents faced dangerous weather amid the intense heat.
Cities like Philadelphia and New York are bracing to see temperatures top 100 degrees.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Alan Wooten | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-06-24 09:24:00
The North Carolina Democratic Party is considering a resolution to immediately embargo all U.S. military aid, weapons shipments, and logistical support to Israel. The resolution accuses Israel of apartheid and genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, citing attacks on civilians and humanitarian sites. It references polling showing 59% of Democrats support Palestinians, with 62% of young Democrats backing an arms embargo. The embargo would remain until human rights groups confirm Israel no longer practices apartheid. The party’s State Executive Committee will discuss this Saturday at AB Technical Community College in Asheville. The resolution reflects shifting opinions within the party amidst ongoing conflict.
(The Center Square) – An immediate embargo on all military aid, weapons shipments and military logistical support to Israel is within a favored package of resolutions under consideration by the North Carolina Democratic Party.
The State Executive Committee meets on Saturday in Asheville, and a platform and resolutions committee report is on the tentative agenda. The resolution declares Israel guilty of apartheid against Palestinians; genocide in Gaza; and using American weapons in “self defense” against hospitals, schools, homes, refugee camps, mosques, churches, journalists and humanitarian aid workers.
Further, it cites Gallop polling saying Democrats support Palestinian people (59%) and that Israel’s “assault on Gaza” was the primary reason (29%) that people voting for President Joe Biden did not vote in 2024. It says 62% of young Democrats “support an arms embargo.”
The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication of getting comments from Anderson Clayton. She is the state party chairwoman.
The language says the embargo would be supported until “Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and B’tselem certify that Israel is no longer engaged in apartheid rule.”
The United States has long been an ally of Israel in the Middle East, including being the first to recognize it as an independent state in 1948 under President Harry Truman. History, economy, politics and culture are pivotal ties to the Jewish homeland.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Center-Left
The article primarily reports on a specific resolution under consideration by the North Carolina Democratic Party regarding military aid to Israel and their characterization of Israel’s actions. While the piece includes factual information about the resolution’s content, polling data, and a brief historical context about U.S.-Israel relations, the language used in quoting the resolution (such as “Israel guilty of apartheid” and “genocide in Gaza”) reflects a critical stance toward Israel, consistent with some left-leaning critiques. The article itself does not appear to independently endorse these views but highlights them as part of the Democrats’ platform debate. However, the choice to focus extensively on this controversial resolution without presenting opposing perspectives or broader context beyond a brief historical note somewhat aligns the tone with a center-left viewpoint, which often scrutinizes Israeli government policies. Overall, the piece leans toward a center-left bias through its framing and content selection, while largely maintaining a factual reporting style rather than an overt ideological argument.
SUMMARY: A Commonwealth Fund report highlights major improvements in North Carolina’s healthcare access over the past decade. From 2013 to 2023, the share of adults unable to see a doctor due to cost nearly halved, driven largely by the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid enhancements. This progress has helped reduce unnecessary hospital and emergency room visits by ensuring timely care. However, a proposed Republican bill in Congress threatens these gains by cutting Medicaid funding and adding new work requirements. Advocates urge Senators Tills and Budd to oppose these cuts to preserve and build on the state’s healthcare advances.
