Donald Trump Jr. testified in a civil fraud trial against his father's real estate empire, stating that he had limited involvement with the preparation of financial documents that inflated the value of Trump Organization properties. Eric Trump is expected to be called back to the stand Friday, and the trial is expected to continue for several more weeks.
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The U.S. economy saw job growth slow more than expected in October, with nonfarm payrolls increasing by 150,000 and the unemployment rate rising to 3.9%. The report confirms expectations of a slowdown in job growth, and could signal further slowing in the coming months. The Federal Reserve's third interest rate cut this year in October may take some heat off in its fight against inflation.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Israel to press for more humanitarian aid to be allowed into besieged Gaza. Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, has attacked Israeli military positions in northern Israel, raising fears of a regional conflict. Blinken is providing $130 million in additional aid to the Palestinians, including $40 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, and $15 million in aid to the Gaza Strip.
Sam Bankman-Fried, a 31-year-old former cryptocurrency billionaire, has been found guilty of seven counts of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering in a federal jury in New York City. The charges include two counts of wire fraud conspiracy, two counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, one count of conspiracy to commit commodities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud. The maximum sentence for all seven counts is up to 95 years in prison.
Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of FTX, was convicted of fraud in a scheme that cheated customers and investors of at least $10 billion. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Bankman-Fried had committed fraud and had cheated customers and investors, while the defense argued that Bankman-Fried had not intended to commit fraud and had acted in good faith. The jury's decision will now determine Bankman-Fried's fate, bringing to a close a spectacular rise and fall in the cryptocurrency industry.
House Republicans are pushing forward with a bill to provide $14.3 billion in aid to Israel, paired with $14.3 billion in cuts to IRS funding. Democrats oppose the bill due to the IRS cuts, which they call a "poison pill", and President Biden has vowed to veto it. The House is expected to take up the bill Thursday afternoon, but its passage is uncertain.
Former Memphis police officer Desmond Mills Jr. pled guilty to federal and state charges on Thursday for the beating death of Tyre Nichols. As part of a larger agreement, Mills agreed to plead guilty to excessive force and obstruction of justice, and to act as a cooperating witness in both federal and state investigations. The Shelby County District Attorney's Office released a statement regarding Mills' plea, and the plea agreement is still subject to approval by the court.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) has endorsed former President Donald Trump for the Republican nomination for president in the upcoming election, citing his long-standing relationship with Trump and his belief that the world would be a better place with him as president. His endorsement is likely to be a major boost for Trump's campaign, and it remains to be seen if other Republicans will follow Scott's lead and unite behind Trump.