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New Book Revealed Trump Several Calls to Putin After Leaving Office, His Gift of COVID Aid to Russia

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New Book Revealed Trump Several Calls to Putin After Leaving Office, His Gift of COVID Aid to Russia

Former President Donald Trump has engaged in up to seven private phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin since leaving office, according to revelations in Bob Woodward’s forthcoming book, “War.” The book also claims Trump secretly sent COVID-19 test machines to Russia during the height of the pandemic.

Putin and Trump in handshake

Woodward, the renowned Watergate journalist, provides these insights in his latest work, set for release next week. The Associated Press obtained an early copy of the book, which delves into various high-level political interactions.

In one instance, Woodward reports that Trump requested an aide to leave his Mar-a-Lago office in early 2024 to facilitate a private call with Putin. The book suggests there have been multiple such calls since Trump’s presidency ended, though the content of these conversations remains undisclosed.

Jason Miller, a senior adviser to Trump, told Woodward he was unaware of these calls but acknowledged the possibility of communication between the two leaders. Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, vehemently denied the book’s claims, dismissing them as “the work of a truly demented and deranged man.”

The book also touches on President Joe Biden’s frustrations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s use of multiple burner phones.

Bob Woodward

Trump’s relationship with Putin has been a subject of scrutiny since his 2016 presidential campaign, including his public call for Russia to find Hillary Clinton’s deleted emails. U.S. intelligence agencies later concluded that Russia had interfered in the 2016 election to benefit Trump, though special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation found no conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia.

In recent years, Trump has criticized U.S. support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, suggesting Ukraine should have made concessions to Putin before the 2022 invasion. He has also previously praised Putin’s intelligence regarding the Ukraine invasion.

Trump, in an interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, denied Woodward’s reporting, calling the author “a storyteller” who has “lost his marbles.” This follows a lawsuit Trump filed against Woodward over his 2021 book “Rage,” alleging unauthorized release of interview recordings.

Woodward’s “War” promises to provide further insights into the complex web of international relations and the behind-the-scenes communications of world leaders, potentially influencing public perception of recent geopolitical events.

Chicopee Man Found Guilty in Large-Scale Cocaine Trafficking Operation

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Chicopee Man Found Guilty in Large-Scale Cocaine Trafficking Operation

A federal jury has convicted a Chicopee man for his role in a widespread cocaine distribution network spanning Eastern and Western Massachusetts.

Vicente Gonzalez, 51, was found guilty on October 3, 2024, following a four-day trial in U.S. District Court. The charges include one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Gonzalez received multiple kilograms of cocaine through the U.S. mail from Puerto Rico. He accepted deliveries at his Chicopee residence and another address in West Springfield. Gonzalez then distributed the cocaine to co-conspirators in the Chicopee/Springfield area and New Bedford.

A crucial piece of evidence came from a July 29, 2019 search of Gonzalez’s home, where law enforcement seized two kilograms of cocaine valued at approximately $60,000. The drugs were discovered in the basement, directly beneath a laundry chute connected to Gonzalez’s laundry room.

Gonzalez was among 13 individuals indicted in December 2019 as part of a larger criminal enterprise investigation. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper has scheduled sentencing for January 8, 2025.

Each conviction carries a potential sentence of five to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years of supervised release, and fines up to $5 million. The final sentence will be determined based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable statutes.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy announced the conviction alongside Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division; and New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira.

The investigation was conducted by a multi-agency task force under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. This initiative combines federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts to combat major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Hassink and Nathaniel Yeager from the Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case. The Massachusetts State Police and the Chicopee and Holyoke Police Departments provided valuable assistance during the investigation.

The OCDETF program aims to identify, disrupt, and dismantle serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

DOJ

Kanye West, Bianca Censori Dispel Divorce Rumors with Tokyo Shopping Outing

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Kanye West, Bianca Censori Dispel Divorce Rumors with Tokyo Shopping Outing

Rapper Kanye West and his wife, Bianca Censori, have made a public appearance that appears to contradict recent divorce speculation. The couple was spotted shopping together at a Tokyo mall on Tuesday, just one day after reports surfaced suggesting their relationship was ending.

West, 47, and Censori, 29, were photographed in close proximity as they navigated the shopping center. Censori, an Australian architect, was seen placing her hands on her husband’s face while riding an escalator. The couple also walked arm-in-arm as they entered a store.

Both West and Censori wore coordinated all-white ensembles for their outing. The Yeezy founder sported a long-sleeve shirt with matching pants, while Censori donned a cropped long-sleeve top and ruffled-bottom pants.

This public sighting comes in the wake of a report by TMZ on Monday, which claimed the couple had informed their inner circle of a breakup that occurred weeks ago. The report also suggested that West had expressed intentions to divorce Censori and reside in Tokyo.

The couple’s marriage, which began in December 2022, has been the subject of recent speculation. Censori had not been seen with West in recent weeks, leading to rumors of a potential split. Last week, West was observed dining alone at a Jamaican restaurant in Tokyo.

Prior to Tuesday’s mall appearance, the last time West and Censori were seen together publicly was on September 20, when they were shopping in the Japanese capital.

The couple’s recent outing in Tokyo seems to challenge the divorce rumors, presenting a united front amidst speculation about their relationship status.

pagesix.com

Alleged Female Gang Member Arrested for Running Sex Trafficking Ring in El Paso, Texas

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Alleged Female Gang Member Arrested for Running Sex Trafficking Ring in El Paso, Texas

A female member of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang has been arrested for allegedly running a brutal sex trafficking operation in El Paso, according to a leaked Border Patrol memo.

Estefania Primera, known by the street name “La Barbie,” was apprehended on September 27 outside Sacred Heart Church, which serves newly arrived migrants. Primera, a Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. illegally in August 2023, is accused of operating a prostitution ring out of the local Gateway Hotel.

The heavily tattooed woman allegedly drugged and exploited victims, with one woman reporting she was rendered unconscious and gang-raped. Court documents state the victim suffered severe injuries and was forcibly returned to the hotel when she attempted to escape.

Primera, who showcases her extensive tattoos on a TikTok account under the name “barbie underground official,” is also accused of using her five young children as drug mules.

Authorities shut down the Gateway Hotel following numerous complaints about criminal activity. The Tren de Aragua gang, originating from Venezuela, has reportedly expanded its operations across the United States, engaging in gun smuggling, shootings, drug trafficking, and forced prostitution.

Law enforcement sources indicate the gang is active in at least eight states, including California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. Gang members often exploit migrants to repay smuggling debts through criminal activities.

Primera initially crossed the border with family members and was released under electronic monitoring by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She allegedly removed the ankle monitor within weeks of her release.

The presence of Tren de Aragua has raised concerns among local residents, with one individual reporting feeling unsafe in their neighborhood and noting an increase in theft.

Primera is currently held in an El Paso jail on a $200,000 bond.

Two Italian Prosecutors Convicted for Misconduct in Eni-Shell Nigeria Trial

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Two Italian Prosecutors Convicted for Misconduct in Eni-Shell Nigeria Trial

An Italian court in Brescia sentenced two Milan prosecutors to eight months in prison Tuesday for failing to file documents that could have supported energy giant Eni’s position in a high-profile international corruption case.

Fabio De Pasquale and Sergio Spadaro were found guilty of withholding evidence that might have aided the defense in what was dubbed the oil industry’s biggest corruption trial. The case revolved around Eni and Shell’s $1.3 billion acquisition of a Nigerian oilfield a decade ago.

“This conviction raises significant questions about prosecutorial conduct and the integrity of high-stakes corruption trials,” said legal expert Professor Elena Bianchi of the University of Milan. “It’s an unusual turn of events that could have far-reaching implications for Italy’s judicial system.”

The Brescia court, which has jurisdiction over legal professionals in Milan, ruled that De Pasquale and Spadaro had a legal obligation to file documents potentially beneficial to the defense team. Specifically, they failed to submit a video shot by a former Eni external lawyer, deemed relevant to the case.

This conviction comes despite Eni, Shell, and all other defendants being acquitted in March 2021 by a Milan court in the original corruption trial. That court had criticized the prosecutors’ conduct, highlighting their failure to file the video among trial documents.

Prosecutors in Brescia had requested the eight-month sentence, arguing that De Pasquale and Spadaro had infringed on the defendants’ rights by concealing favorable evidence. Defense lawyers for the two prosecutors had sought a full acquittal, contending there was no explicit rule requiring immediate filing of such documents.

“The conviction underscores the delicate balance between prosecutorial discretion and defendants’ rights,” said Franco Coppi, a prominent Italian criminal lawyer. “It’s a reminder that even in high-profile cases, procedural fairness is paramount.”

Notably, the Italian government and interior ministry, potentially liable for damages, had also called for the prosecutors’ acquittal.

As the legal community digests this unexpected verdict, questions arise about its potential impact on future corruption cases and prosecutorial practices in Italy. The convicted prosecutors’ legal team had no immediate comment on the ruling, leaving open the possibility of an appeal.

This case continues to draw international attention, highlighting the complex interplay between energy corporations, developing nations, and the global fight against corruption.

Israel Claims Elimination of Nasrallah’s Likely Successor in Hezbollah

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Israel Claims Elimination of Nasrallah’s Likely Successor in Hezbollah

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced Tuesday that the apparent successor to slain Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has been eliminated, potentially dealing another significant blow to the Lebanese militant group’s leadership.

“Hezbollah is an organization without a head. Nasrallah was eliminated, his replacement was probably also eliminated,” Gallant told officers at the military’s northern command center in a brief video statement distributed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). “There’s no one to make decisions, no one to act,” he added.

While Gallant did not provide specific details, his statement suggests that Hashem Safieddine, a top Hezbollah official widely expected to succeed Nasrallah, may have been targeted in recent Israeli operations.

Safieddine had reportedly been co-leading Hezbollah alongside Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem since Nasrallah’s assassination. The group had not yet officially announced Safieddine’s appointment as the next secretary general.

In response to Gallant’s claim, Qassem released a televised statement Tuesday, saying that Hezbollah will elect a new secretary general and make an announcement once the process is complete.

“This development, if confirmed, could significantly impact Hezbollah’s command structure and decision-making capabilities,” said Dr. Emile Hokayem, Middle East security expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. “It raises questions about the group’s ability to maintain cohesion and strategic direction in the face of sustained Israeli pressure.”

The apparent elimination of Hezbollah’s top leadership comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon, with both sides exchanging rocket fire and airstrikes in recent weeks.

As the situation continues to evolve, regional observers are closely monitoring the potential ramifications for the broader Middle East conflict and the stability of Lebanon’s political landscape.

The IDF has not provided additional information to corroborate Gallant’s claim, and Hezbollah has yet to officially confirm or deny the reported elimination of Safieddine.

Hezbollah Leader Vows Expanded Attacks on Israel, Claims Resilient Military Capabilities

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Hezbollah Leader Vows Expanded Attacks on Israel, Claims Resilient Military Capabilities

Hezbollah’s acting leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, declared Tuesday that the militant group will extend its rocket fire deeper into Israel, potentially displacing more Israelis, in a defiant televised address marking the escalation of hostilities into full-scale war last month.

Speaking from an undisclosed location, Kassem asserted that Hezbollah’s military capabilities remain intact despite weeks of heavy Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon. “We are firing hundreds of rockets and dozens of drones. A large number of settlements and cities are under the fire of the resistance,” Kassem said.

The acting leader claimed that Hezbollah has successfully replaced all senior commanders killed in recent Israeli strikes, stating, “We have no vacant posts.” He added that the group will name a successor to Hassan Nasrallah, killed last month in an Israeli airstrike on a Beirut bunker, but noted that “circumstances are difficult because of the war.”

Israel’s military reported intercepting 85 projectiles launched from Lebanon on Tuesday, with one 70-year-old woman moderately wounded by shrapnel near Haifa. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also claimed to have struck Hezbollah targets in southern Beirut suburbs and killed Suhail Husseini, described as a senior commander overseeing logistics and management.

“Hezbollah’s claims of intact capabilities contrast sharply with Israel’s reports of significant damage to the group’s infrastructure,” said Dr. Emile Hokayem, Middle East security expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. “This rhetoric escalation raises concerns about potential further intensification of the conflict.”

The IDF confirmed that a fourth division has joined the ground incursion into Lebanon, which has expanded westward but remains confined to a narrow border strip. Israel claims to have dismantled militant infrastructure and killed hundreds of Hezbollah fighters, though these assertions cannot be independently verified.

Hezbollah initiated rocket attacks on northern Israel on October 8, 2023, following Hamas’ surprise assault on Israel the previous day. The group has linked a cessation of attacks to a ceasefire in Gaza, but diplomatic efforts have repeatedly stalled.

AP

Iran Warns Israel of Stronger Retaliation if Attacked

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Iran Warns Israel of Stronger Retaliation if Attacked

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian issued a stern warning to Israel on Tuesday, cautioning against any retaliatory strikes and threatening a more powerful response if Iranian infrastructure is targeted.

The warning comes in the wake of Iran’s recent missile attack on Israel, which has vowed to retaliate.

“We recommend the Zionist regime not to test the resolution of the Islamic Republic,” Amir-Abdollahian said in a televised speech. “If any attack against our country takes place, our response will be more powerful.”

The foreign minister emphasized that Iran’s enemies are aware of potential targets within Israel that are within reach, suggesting a readiness to escalate the conflict if provoked.

Amid rising tensions, Iran’s Oil Minister Javad Owji visited Kharg Island, home to the country’s main export terminal, on Sunday. Owji held talks with a naval commander, according to the oil ministry’s news website Shana, fueling speculation about potential Israeli strikes on Iranian energy facilities.

“This visit underscores Iran’s concern about the vulnerability of its critical infrastructure,” said regional expert Dr. Fatemeh Aman. “It’s a clear signal that Iran is preparing for various scenarios.”

U.S. President Joe Biden stated on Friday that he did not believe Israel had yet decided on its response to Iran’s missile attack.

AI Pioneers Hopfield, Hinton Win Nobel Prize in Physics

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AI Pioneers Hopfield, Hinton Win Nobel Prize in Physics

Artificial intelligence trailblazers John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics on Tuesday for their foundational work in machine learning, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced.

Hopfield, 91, an American researcher at Princeton University, and Hinton, 76, a British-Canadian scientist at the University of Toronto, were recognized for developing methods that form the basis of today’s powerful machine learning systems.

“This year’s laureates have used tools from physics to create the building blocks of modern artificial intelligence,” said Ellen Moons, a member of the Nobel committee. “Their work has not only advanced research in physics but has become integral to our daily lives, from facial recognition to language translation.”

Hinton, often referred to as the “Godfather of AI,” played a crucial role in developing backpropagation, a technique instrumental in training machines to learn. His team’s victory in the 2012 ImageNet computer vision competition sparked a revolution in AI development.

Geoffrey Hinton

“I’m flabbergasted. I had no idea this would happen,” Hinton said when reached by the Nobel committee.

Hopfield’s contribution includes creating an associative memory that can store and reconstruct patterns in data. Hinton built upon this work to develop the Boltzmann machine, a network that can learn to recognize characteristic elements in data sets.

While celebrating AI’s potential, both laureates and the Nobel committee acknowledged the technology’s risks. Hinton, who recently left his role at Google to speak more freely about AI’s dangers, compared its impact to the Industrial Revolution.

Geoffrey Hinton

“It’s going to exceed people in intellectual ability,” Hinton said. “We have no experience of what it’s like to have things smarter than us. It’s going to be wonderful in many respects, but we also have to worry about possible bad consequences, particularly the threat of these things getting out of control.”

The physics prize carries a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million). The laureates will be invited to receive their awards at ceremonies in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.

‘Rust’ Armorer Pleads Guilty to Separate Gun Charge While Serving Manslaughter Sentence

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‘Rust’ Armorer Pleads Guilty to Separate Gun Charge While Serving Manslaughter Sentence

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the weapons supervisor involved in the fatal shooting on the set of Alec Baldwin’s film “Rust,” pleaded guilty Monday to a separate charge of carrying a gun into a licensed liquor establishment.

Judge T. Glenn Ellington approved a plea agreement that sentences Gutierrez-Reed to 18 months of supervised probation, to be served concurrently with her 18-month prison term for involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

“I’d just like to apologize to the court and thank you for your judgment today,” Gutierrez-Reed said, appearing in court in shackles and a beige jumpsuit.

Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey revealed that Gutierrez-Reed had filmed herself with a handgun in a Santa Fe bar bathroom weeks before the “Rust” shooting, explaining how she smuggled the prohibited firearm inside.

The plea agreement prohibits Gutierrez-Reed from possessing firearms, consuming alcohol or drugs, and requires her to pay $180 in fees, submit a DNA sample, and complete an addiction treatment program.

Defense attorney Jason Bowles stated the agreement could allow Gutierrez-Reed to be released from prison as early as June 2025 to complete probation in Arizona without an additional felony conviction.

The “Rust” case has spotlighted film industry safety practices. Prosecutors blamed Gutierrez-Reed for bringing live ammunition onset and failing to follow basic gun safety protocols.

Alec Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer, was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter, but the case was dismissed in July. Prosecutor Morrissey has since requested the judge reconsider.

Gutierrez-Reed’s mother, Stacy Reed, expressed gratitude that her daughter can begin fulfilling parole requirements prior to release. “She’s not gotten a fair shake from the beginning,” Reed said.

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