In this NPR News Now episode, the focus is on Donald Trump's criminal conviction and NATO's military support for Ukraine's defense against Russia. The former president was found guilty of 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records, including hush money payments. Trump's legal team plans to appeal, questioning the fairness of the trial amidst intense publicity.
The episode also covers NATO's decision to allow Ukraine to use American weapons against Russian threats from within Russian territory. As missile and artillery attacks continue, NATO allies bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities and ease restrictions on weapon usage, according to Secretary General Stoltenberg.
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A jury found Donald Trump guilty of 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records. The charges stem from a conspiracy to unlawfully influence the 2016 election and hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, says the prosecution. Trump's lawyers criticize the trial's timing, claiming excessive publicity made a fair trial impossible. Biden's campaign affirms the verdict proves no one is above the law. Trump plans to appeal.
NATO is granting Ukraine permission to use American weapons against Russian threats to Kharkiv, says NATO's foreign ministers. Secretary General Stoltenberg urges allies to ease restrictions on Ukraine's weapon usage.
Stoltenberg highlights Russia's ongoing missile and artillery attacks on Ukraine from Russian territory. He says Ukraine must defend itself and strike back against these attacks, necessitating increased NATO military aid.
1-Page Summary
Donald Trump’s conviction for several felony counts has stirred various reactions, highlighting the polarizing figure that he is.
A jury has found Donald Trump guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Specifically, he was convicted of conspiring to unlawfully change the outcome of the 2016 presidential election and arranging a hush money payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels. The conviction also included counts related to lies about a non-existent retainer agreement with his former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, which was meant to cover up the payment.
While the conviction carries the potential of up to four years in prison per count, it is noted that first-time white-collar offenders often do not serve jail time.
Following the verdict, Trump's legal team has voiced criticism over the trial's timing, suggesting that the heightened publicity surrounding the c ...
Donald Trump's criminal conviction and reactions to it
In the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, NATO has taken significant steps to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities.
NATO's commitment to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression has been further solidssified through recent pledges and calls for action from the alliance's leadership.
NATO foreign ministers are aligning to increase support for Ukraine, granting the besieged nation permission to use American-made weapons. This move specifically aims to enable Ukraine to target Russian military sites that pose a direct threat to the safety and security of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
In conjunction with the effort to provide more strategic military support, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is making a concerted effort to urge member states to relax the conditions attached to the use of weapons provided to Ukraine. This push is to ensure that Ukraine has fewer limitations on the use of weapons it has received from NATO countries, bolstering its ability to defend itself.
The situation on the ground remains tense and dangerous, with Russia persisting in its offensive against Ukraine using long-range weaponry.
NATO and Ukraine's defense against Russia
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