Harvey Weinstein pleads not guilty to new sex crime charge, while Iranian hackers target Biden's 2024 campaign with stolen Trump data. UN chief pushes for "Pact of the Future" amid global tensions; U.S. government faces funding crisis ahead of fiscal deadline.
Disgraced US movie producer Harvey Weinstein pleaded not guilty to a new sex crime charge in New York, related to an alleged assault in 2006. Currently serving a 16-year sentence for rape in California, Weinstein's legal battles continue to unfold, as he appeared frail in court after recent heart surgery.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging the approval of the "Pact of the Future," which aims to address global issues such as conflicts, climate change, and AI. As the summit precedes the UN General Assembly, objections from countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia complicate the consensus needed for reform.
In US politics, the House of Representatives has rejected a temporary funding bill, sparking concerns of a potential government shutdown. Speaker Mike
Johnson's proposal, including a mandate for voter citizenship proof, was opposed by both Democrats and 14 Republicans, leaving government funding in limbo with a looming fiscal year deadline.
On the campaign trail, Vice President Kamala Harris criticized former President
Donald Trump's mass deportation promises, questioning their feasibility. With Trump rallying in Uniondale and emphasizing immigration and new ventures, Harris continues to engage key constituencies with Democratic priorities ahead of the November election.
In cyber news, Iranian hackers attempted to bait President
Joe Biden's 2024 campaign with stolen Trump data, as revealed by the FBI. Despite no evidence of engagement from Biden's campaign, the effort underscores ongoing foreign election interference condemned by U.S. officials and media outlets.
Turning to international diplomacy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to present his "Victory Plan" for peace to President
Joe Biden at the upcoming UN sessions. With calls for Russian troop withdrawal and the restoration of Ukraine's borders, Zelensky's blueprint forms the foundation for continued diplomatic efforts following a peace summit in Switzerland.