20 NEW YORK (AP) — The first week of the sex-abuse trial of Ghislaine Maxwell saw the first of her four main accusers taking the witness stand to give emotional testimony accusing the British socialite of coaxing her — at just 14 — into sexual encounters with financier Jeffrey Epstein. The jury at the federal trial in Manhattan also heard from former employees who offered an inside look at a lavish lifestyle Epstein shared with Maxwell, who was his girlfriend and then his employee. Her lawyers say she’s a scapegoat for Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial behind bars. Here are snapshots from a trial drawing international attention: END OF INNOCENCE The first Maxwell accuser’s story began innocently enough: She was a 14-year-old eating ice cream at a music camp in 1994 when she was approached by Epstein and Maxwell, walking …
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Conservatives Are Tearing Down Roe. That’s Extreme — and Just the Beginning
Click here to read the full article. Listening to the oral arguments this week in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization , one thing seemed abundantly clear: will soon be overturned. This was clear in Chief Justice John Roberts’ line of questioning, as he lamely tried to get his conservative colleagues to stick to the Mississippi law’s original (unconstitutional) 15-week ban rather than considering a full overturn of Roe that the state started pushing for as soon as Justice Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed. It was clear when Barrett inanely skirted the issue of forced pregnancy and childbirth by reassuring the court that “safe haven” laws still allowed women to give their babies up for adoption. It was especially clear when Justice Brett Kavanaugh began suggesting that the Constitution is “neutral on the question of abortion ” and enumerating cases in which precedent has been overturned. Based on their line of questioning — and to the extent that it is predictive — a …
Live: 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying
Join us to follow the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying session on RaceFans Live. RaceFans Live combines updates from the teams and drivers in real-time via Twitter with comments from RaceFans readers and more. Launch RaceFans Live: 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying Watch F1 live in the USA and other regions on F1 TV RaceFans readers in the USA, the Netherlands, Mexico, France, Belgium and many other countries can watch all sessions live on F1 TV Pro . As well as access to the live world feed you can watch onboard cameras and hear live team radio from all 20 drivers. And when you buy using the link below you also make a contribution to RaceFans! Find out more and sign up here: Subscribe to watch all F1 sessions live on F1 TV Pro 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Live: 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying Daruvala earns penalty, but gains pole for second F2 sprint race Hamilton faces double penalty threat as stewards investigate …
Hamilton concerned traffic situation is ‘getting to a danger zone’ in Jeddah
Following a near-miss with a rival during practice, Lewis Hamilton said the new track which is holding this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is one of the riskiest Formula 1 visits for traffic. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The Mercedes driver had a close encounter with Antonio Giovinazzi when he caught the Alfa Romeo driver during second practice at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit . Hamilton said traffic at the track is “definitely a lot worse than a lot of places we go to”. He described it as “Monaco-esque”, but pointed out the difference in speeds is considerably higher at Jeddah, where cars are hitting up to 330kph on the straights. “The closing speeds on other cars is definitely getting to a bit of a danger zone,” said Hamilton. The Jeddah track has been billed as F1’s fastest street circuit. After setting the quickest lap time of the day at an average speed of 249.684kph, Hamilton described the course as “unbelievably quick – it really is …
Perez’s performance in final races “vital” to Red Bull’s title hopes
Christian Horner says Sergio Perez’s performance over the final two races will be “vital” if the team is to prevail in its world championship fights with Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free After admitting that Red Bull were pleasantly surprised by their pace in Friday’s practice sessions compared to Mercedes – with championship leader Max Verstappen just two tenths of a second off the fastest time of the day – Horner said the team need to ensure his team mate is also at the sharp end of the field on Sunday. “He’s vital,” Horner said of Perez. “He’s going to play a crucial role in these next two races – as is Valtteri [Bottas]. “I think that we need Checo. He’s had a good run of form recently, finding his feet and confidence with the car. And really since, I would say, pretty much Monza, his performances have grown and grown and grown. I think that we really need him right there the next couple of weekends.” Perez failed to …
Mercedes have title shot ‘in our hands’ after ‘grim outlook’ in Mexico
Mercedes believe championship success is “in our hands” two races on from a low point in Mexico where Lewis Hamilton fell 19 points off the lead in the drivers’ standings. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free Hamilton has won the two races since, reducing Max Verstappen’s championship lead to eight points with two races to go. The Mercedes driver set the pace in both of Friday’s practice sessions for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and team principal Toto Wolff is encouraged by the team’s progress. “We never give up, but after Mexico the outlook was grim from a sheer probability standpoint,” Wolff said. “It’s much better here, we have it in our hands and that is super exciting. And fun, also, obviously with all the pressures that come with that.” However Wolff said nothing less than two more wins will suffice to guarantee the title. “I’m a finance person and therefore probabilities is always the basis of how I work,” he said. “And the probabilities are that …
Gambia: Votación presidencial no incluye por 1a vez a Jammeh
BANJUL, Gambia (AP) — Los votantes acudían el sábado a los colegios electorales en la capital de Gambia el sábado mientras la nación celebraba una elección presidencial que, por primera vez en décadas, no incluye al exdictador Yahya Jammeh como candidato. Las urnas se abrieron con una alta participación, con muchas personas haciendo cola en el Independence Stadium de la capital Banjul antes del amanecer. Se espera que casi 1 millón de votantes depositen sus sufragios en una de seis papeleras, cada una adornada con la cara y el nombre de un candidato. Los candidatos incluyen al actual presidente Adama Barrow, quien derrotó a Jammeh en 2016 como candidato de una coalición de oposición. Otros candidatos son el líder de la oposición Ousainou Darboe del Partido Democrático Unido; Mama Kandeh del Congreso Democrático de Gambia; Halifa Sallah de la Organización Democrática Popular para la Independencia y el Socialismo; Abdoulie Ebrima Jammeh del Partido de Unidad Nacional; y Essa Mbye …
Indonesia’s volcano spews ash, gas, killing 1, dozens hurt
LUMAJANG, Indonesia (AP) — The highest volcano on Indonesia’s most densely populated island of Java spewed thick columns of ash, searing gas and lava down its slopes in a sudden eruption triggered by heavy rains on Saturday. At least one villager died from burns and dozens were hospitalized. Mount Semeru’s eruption in Lumajang district in East Java province left several villages blanketed with falling ash. A thunderstorm and days of rain, which had eroded and finally collapsed the lava dome atop the 3,676-meter (12,060-foot) Semeru, triggered an eruption, said Eko Budi Lelono, who heads the geological survey center. He said flows of searing gas and lava traveled up to 800 meters (2,624 feet) to a nearby river at least twice on Saturday. People were advised to stay 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from the crater’s mouth, the agency said. “Thick columns of ash have turned several villages to darkness,” said Lumajang district head Thoriqul Haq. Several hundred people were moved to …
Downtown’s Post Houston announces six food hall vendors
As construction hums along on Post Houston , Lovett Commercial, the developer behind the mixed-use adaptive reuse project, on Wednesday announced six new food concepts heading to the downtown space. When the development opens in fall 2021 at 401 Franklin St. at the former Barbara Jordan United States Post Office, the 550,000 square-foot Post Houston will be home to a rooftop park, sustainable farm, concert venue, flexible co-working space, bars and restaurants. OPENINGS: Tres Tacos, Tequilas y Todo opens in Montros e Post Market Hall at Post Houston, 53,000 square-feet, will house 30 food and retail vendors. Six were revealed this week including: Salt & Time Butcher Shop The Butcher’s Burger Lea Jane’s Hot Chicken Taco Fuego Gelu Italian Ice SouPreme Designed by architecture firm OMA and Partner Jason Long in collaboration with Houston-based LUCID United Collective of Independent Designers, Post Market draws inspiration from both the neon of …