Hey Y’ALL!Thank you for bearing with me over the past couple weeks! Let’s get right down to business! ABROADPOPE LEO GIVES FIRST ADDRESS Pope Leo XIV delivered his first mass at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Sunday, May 11th. It was his first Sunday prayer as pontiff! The Chicago native, born Robert Frances Prevost is the FIRST AMERICAN-BORN POPE IN HISTORY! He called for no more war in Ukraine, between Gaza and Israel, and Pakistan and India. You can watch his address here: POPE LEO FIRST SUNDAY PRAYER EDAN ALEXANDER, RELEASED BY HAMAS (ISRAEL-GAZA CONFLICT) Edan Alexander, a 21-year old from New Jersey spent nearly 600 days in captivity following the October 7th attacks by Hamas in Israel. Today, he was handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis. Alexander is a dual American and Israeli citizen, and served in the Israel Defense Forces. He was posted near the Gaza border when Hamas attacked over a year and a half ago. SOME ISRAEL / GAZA CONFLICT STATISTICS (OCTOBER 7, 2023- FEBRUARY 2025) : SOURCE ISRAEL: 1,139 DEAD GAZA: 61,709 DEAD According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Palestinian Government, as of January 15th, Almost all of Gaza’s homes have been destroyed or damaged 80% destruction of commercial facilities 88% of school buildings 50% of hospitals are partially functional More than 200 journalists have been killed
President Trump is expected to visit the Middle East this week. He will spend four days visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Although it may look like a trip focused on diplomacy, POTUS is there for business… He’s looking into nuclear power, artificial intelligence, investments, etc. A finalized ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas has yet to be reached. For an in depth look at the war with timelines, statistics and explanations, check out this breakdown by Al Jazeera: Israel-Gaza Conflict link PUTIN V. ZELENSKYY (RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR) A ceasefire could be in the works… maybe? Ukraine, and it’s allies including the United States, France, Britain, Germany and Poland DEMANDED Saturday, May 10 that Russia accept a ceasefire deal or sanctions would be imposed on financial and energy sectors. BUT… Putin wants to chat first. President Zelenskyy wants to meet with Russian President Putin this Thursday in Turkey (when POTUS will be in the Middle East.) President Trump told the press, “Don’t underestimate Thursday in Turkey.” Which suggests he might alter his plans to meet up with both leaders. This would be one for the books! AT HOMENEWARK AIRPORT CHAOS WHAT THE HECK IS HAPPENING AT NEWARK AIRPORT? Three equipment outages have taken place over the past two weeks at Newark International Airport the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reporting. Hundreds of flights were delayed and over 80 were cancelled this past Sunday. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced at a press conference yesterday that flights will be cut in the coming weeks, and an emergency task force led by the FAA will investigate the matter. According to ABC News, “The task force comprises experts from the FAA, Verizon and L3Harris -- an FAA contractor that purports to focus on "advanced defense and commercial technologies.” SEAN “DIDDY” COMBS: OPENING STATEMENTS! The Sean “Diddy” Combs Sex-Trafficking trial is finally underway. Here is what you need to know: Federal prosecutors at Federal District Court in Lower Manhattan yesterday accused the music mogul of leading what the New York Times calls, a “criminal enterprise” to manipulate and abuse women both physically and sexually. The former rapper is facing 5 federal charges: 1. Racketeering Conspiracy 2. Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion (Two Counts) 3. Transportation to Engage in Prostitution (Two Counts) Day 1: Monday, May 12 (BRIEF OVERVIEW) Israel Flores, the first witness, was a security guard who responded to the domestic assault incident where Sean “Diddy” Combs was seen dragging his then girlfriend Cassie across a hotel hallway floor in Los Angeles in 2016. That security camera footage was played in court… various journalists recounting the overflow rooms (where extra press resides when there isn’t enough space in the court room) went silent. Daniel Phillip, the second witness, testified to having sex with Cassie Ventura (Combs’ former girlfriend) in front of Combs’. He also detailed the emotional abuse he endured by Combs’, as well as witnessing the physical, emotional and sexual abuse Cassie suffered. The testimony yesterday was very graphic- I will not be adding any other details, but Combs’ children were present on Monday to support their father- However, his daughters left the court room when Daniel Phillip’s testimony became explicit. Daniel Phillip is expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday (today). ____________________________________________________________________ That’s all for now. There's a lot going on this week so don’t be surprised if you receive an update in that inbox on Friday! Wage peace, Marly
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