International News
Trump Back In Court As Jury Takes Shape
Donald Trump was back in court Thursday for his unprecedented criminal trial, with six jurors already chosen and the New York judge aiming to schedule opening arguments at the start of next week.
Trump — accused of falsifying business records on the eve of his 2016 election victory while covering up an embarrassing alleged affair with a porn star — motorcaded to the Manhattan courthouse from his luxury apartment building.
Wearing a blue tie, he took his seat, frowning as defense attorneys bustled around him, setting up for the day.
The criminal trial, expected to last six to eight weeks, is the first ever for a former US president and comes as Trump is taking on President Joe Biden in a bid to make a shock return to the White House in November.
The Republican faces three other criminal cases, including on far more serious charges of attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden, but these have been repeatedly delayed.
Trump, who pleaded not guilty in New York, has been ordered by Judge Juan Merchan to attend every day, forcing the scandal-tainted real estate tycoon and hard-right populist to exchange the campaign trail for the unglamorous confines of a rundown courthouse.
For now, all the action centers on picking 12 jurors and six reserves to sit in judgment on one of the most famous and controversial men in the country less than seven months from election day. A unanimous verdict will be required to convict Trump.
Seven had been successfully picked by Tuesday — following vetting by defense and prosecution lawyers — but on Thursday one asked to be excused, saying that on reflection she could not be impartial.
Merchan said he thinks opening arguments could begin as early as Monday.
Warned by judge
The reality that Trump is no longer in control of his image — or fate — while in court is something that the former president, a born showman who has constantly flouted the norms and rules of political life, has rarely experienced.
The judge has made it clear he will tolerate none of Trump’s habitual grandstanding, sternly warning him earlier this week when he began to mutter and gesture towards prospective jurors.
“I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom,” Merchan said.
Merchan has also warned Trump against intimidating people connected to the case on social media.
The judge scheduled a hearing next week to consider whether Trump should already be held in contempt for violating a partial gag order.
And jurors will remain anonymous to protect them from possible bribery or attack, though the selection process has already revealed much information about them, raising fears that they could be identified.
Jury difficulties
On Monday, more than half of the first batch of 96 candidates were excused after signaling they could not be impartial.
Then on Tuesday, prospective jurors were grilled on their media consumption, political donations and education.
Trump appeared to eye those in the jury box as they each answered “yes” to a prosecutor’s question about whether they would be able to return a guilty verdict.
Candidates were then asked about their social media posts — with several posts critical of Trump read out to the court. One juror was excused for previously calling for Trump to be “locked up.”
If convicted, Trump would potentially face prison, but legal observers say fines would be more likely.
AFP
Manuel Neuer has been called up to Germany’s World Cup squad – two years after his international retirement.
The 40-year-old was named as part of Julian Nagelsmann’s 26-man squad for the tournament this summer, having not featured for his country since Euro 2024.
Among the list include Premier League players Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade – both of Newcastle – Arsenal striker Kai Havertz, Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz and Brighton’s Pascal Gross.
Injured duo Serge Gnabry and Anton Stach and forwards Karim Adeyemi, Kevin Schade and Niclas Fullkrug are among those to miss out.
Germany’s World Cup squad in full
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nubel (Stuttgart)
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle)
Midfielders: Pascal Gross (Brighton), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart)
Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle)
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has opened up on the club’s decision to appoint Xabi Alonso as their new manager.
The Blues confirmed the Spaniard as their next head coach following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, with Alonso set to take charge ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Mikel had previously been vocal about Chelsea’s managerial philosophy, urging the club’s ownership to move away from short-term head coaches and interim appointments and instead bring in a proper manager with full control over the squad
Speaking on his most recent podcast, Mikel said:
“I am glad the owners listened to me, and listened to the fans.
“Forget about coaches, what we have always had are managers, and what we need is a manager who decides on the players he wants out and the players who can stay.
“We need a strong personality, and that is what we have got now in Alonso.
“That title has been changed from coach to manager, but I hope it’s not just words and he is actually allowed to manage the squad. But I am very happy with the appointment.”
Chelsea are still in the hunt for Europa League football, and a win over Sunderland on the final day of the Premier League season would go a long way in determining whether Alonso inherits a European stage to build on next season.
Enzo Maresca is believed to have signed a three-year deal to replace outgoing Man City manager Pep Guardiola, after it was revealed that the legendary head coach will be leaving the Etihad at the end of the season.
Speculation around Guardiola’s departure date has been rife as the season draws to a close, despite the Catalan having one year left on his contract.
According to report, Man City’s sponsors were among those to have been told that Guardiola will be calling time on a remarkable trophy-ladened spell on Sunday.
The report also shared that Maresca, Guardiola’s former assistant, was a front-runner for the vacant spot at the dugout, with Fabrizio Romano confirming on Tuesday morning that the ex-Chelsea manager will be taking over.
The Italian head coach has been out of work since his mutual departure from Stamford Bridge under strained circumstances on January 1.
But even before his acrimonious mid-season exit, Maresca has been viewed as a long-term successor to Guardiola following their stint working together at Man City.
The 46-year-old served as Guardiola’s assistant between 2022 and 2023 after previously coaching Man City’s youth sides, before departing to earn Championship promotion with Leicester.
Maresca then went on to win the Uefa Conference League and the Club World Cup with Chelsea during his 18-month spell in west London.
Guardiola is set to celebrate his time in English football with an open-top bus parade in Manchester after winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this season, but until Monday night, the manager had been notably vague over his future plans.
But before news broke of his shock exit, Guardiola had been keen to tamp down any suggestions that he would be commemorated with any fanfare.
‘The club don’t have to do anything, honestly,’ Guardiola, who has yet to officially confirm his departure, said. ‘The important thing in our lives is that when you look back, you can look with a big smile and say “that was good”.
‘Bernardo (Silva) and John (Stones) can feel that. We spoke about it over the last few days. When you’re old, a grandfather, you can look at the memories. That is the most important thing in life.’
Tired of addressing his contractual situation, Guardiola added with a dose of sarcasm: ‘Whatever happens at the end of the season – and when I extend my contract for three more years – I can look back and say, “how nice has that been?”
‘That is the most important thing by far. Most of the people who lived this time here together can feel it.’
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