Donald Trump faces major new charges in documents case
The office of the special counsel accused former President Donald J. Trump of seeking to delete security camera footage at his private club and residence, Mar-a-Lago, adding major accusations to an indictment charging him with mishandling classified documents.
The new indictment added three serious charges against Trump: attempting to “alter, destroy, mutilate, or conceal evidence”; inducing someone else to do so; and a new count, the 32nd, under the Espionage Act stemming from a classified national security document he showed to visitors at his golf club in Bedminster, N.J.
Trump is accused of directing the property manager, Carlos De Oliveira, to have the footage deleted. Prosecutors in the office of the special counsel, Jack Smith, had been investigating De Oliveira, who was named as a new defendant in the case, for months.
Details: According to the indictment, De Oliveira went to see an information technology expert at Mar-a-Lago — Yuscil Taveras, who is identified only as Trump Employee 4 — and told him that “‘the boss’ wanted the server deleted,” referring to the computer server holding the security footage.
Jan. 6 case: Officials from the office of the special counsel met yesterday with lawyers for Trump, as federal prosecutors edged closer toward bringing an indictment against him in connection with his wide-ranging efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Ukraine’s counteroffensive strategy takes shape
A day after U.S. officials said that Ukraine had begun the main thrust of its counteroffensive, Kyiv said it was pushing on two fronts: toward the cities of Melitopol and Berdiansk.
The goal is to reach the Sea of Azov. Doing so would divide the Russia-occupied south, effectively cutting the overland route from Russia to the occupied Crimean Peninsula and greatly compromising Russia’s ability to resupply its forces farther west.
Earlier in the day, President Vladimir Putin of Russia acknowledged that attacks had escalated “in a significant way” in southern Ukraine, but he maintained that Russia had repelled the assaults.
Russia: For the most part, the Russian military has been playing defense, but it is mounting offensive operations along a 60-mile front in northeastern Ukraine.
Putin: Trying to shore up his country’s image, the Russian president promised free grain to African nations. Domestically, he tried to telegraph that he was in control of the war.
Southern Europe suffers under heat and wildfires
The extreme weather engulfing Europe has sent temperatures in southern parts of the continent to record highs, worsened wildfires and brought thunderous storms to the Balkans.
Temperatures as high as 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius) were forecast in the hottest areas after an anticyclone moved into the region from North Africa and spurred a new heat wave.
Countries in the E.U. have seen far more fires and a larger burned area this year than in an average fire season, with a sharp rise during the recent heat wave.
Big picture: July is on track to be Earth’s warmest month on record.
U.S.: About 118 million Americans were expected to be in the “danger” zone today, with the heat index — a measure that combines temperature and humidity — rising into the 100s.
THE LATEST NEWS
Around the World
Britain is taking it easy on Russian oligarchs, allowing them to pay for perks like private chefs, chauffeurs and housekeepers, despite ostensibly having their bank accounts frozen. Some oligarchs have been allowed more than $1 million a year in living expenses.
The exemptions, known as licenses, are an example of the country’s shaky financial sanctions system after Brexit.
SPORTS NEWS FROM THE ATHLETIC
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The most physical Women’s World Cup so far: Increased fitness levels and tough tackling are something we have not seen at previous tournaments.
F1 mailbag: Our writers answer your questions in our post-Hungary mailbag.
ARTS AND IDEAS
Miami English
Miamians — even if they are not fluent in Spanish — have adopted literal translations of Spanish phrases. Some examples: “Get down from the car” (from “bajarse del carro”), instead of “get out of the car,” and “make the line” (from “hacer la fila”), instead of “join the line.”
Phillip Carter, a linguist, calls it “Miami English,” the result of 60 years of immigration from Spanish-speaking countries, and says it is “probably the most important bilingual situation in the Americas today.”
