Author: chicagoinquirer

by Michael R. Sisak and Larry Neumeister NEW YORK — Singer Dawn Richard told jurors at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial on Monday that the hip-hop mogul threatened to kill her if she told anyone she saw him physically abusing his longtime girlfriend. Richard testified that Combs made the threat the day after she witnessed the Bad Boy Records founder punch and kick Casandra “Cassie” Ventura after taking a swing at her with a skillet. Richard said he told her and another woman who saw the attack that “we could go missing” if they didn’t stay quiet. Assistant U.S.…

by Josh Boak, Zeke Miller and Katie Maries Davies WASHINGTON — Russia and Ukraine will “immediately” begin ceasefire negotiations, President Donald Trump said Monday after separate calls with the leaders of both countries meant to spur progress toward ending the three-year war. The conversations did not appear to yield a major breakthrough. It was not clear when or where any talks might take place or who would participate. Trump’s announcement came days after the first direct engagement between Russian and Ukrainian delegations since 2022. Those negotiations Friday in Turkey brought about a limited exchange of prisoners but no pause in…

by Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking WASHINGTON — In a massive setback, House Republicans failed Friday to push their big package of tax breaks and spending cuts through the Budget Committee, as a handful of conservatives joined all Democrats in a stunning vote against it. The hard-right lawmakers are insisting on steeper spending cuts to Medicaid and the Biden-era green energy tax breaks, among other changes, before they will give their support to President Donald Trump’s “beautiful” bill. They warn the tax cuts alone would pile onto the nation’s $36 trillion debt. The failed vote, 16-21, stalls, for now, House…

by Agency report R&B singer Cassie is back on the witness stand to testify for a fourth day in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial. Defense lawyers began cross-examining the star witness on Thursday, pressing her to read aloud messages that showed her expressing desire for the drug-fueled group sex she previously testified left her traumatized. In a letter to the judge, prosecutors insisted that the defense should wrap up their questioning in time to allow for prosecution follow-ups on Friday, citing concern for Cassie’s “health and safety” and the potential for a mistrial if she goes into labor with…

by Joseph Omoremi CHICAGO, IL -A mixture of a conscientious efforts by Black professionals in the country to give back to motherland as well as teach Americans especially Black youths the various resources available in Africa were made at the weekend during the 2025 African Summit and Resources Fair held at Charles Hayes Center on 4859 S. Wabash Ave in Chicago. “Educate us on the resources in Africa to bridge the gap on the misinformation being taught us here,” said a community organizerJonathan Wilson. He wondered why Africa is referred as poor and most economic resources and talents are sourced…

by Matt O’Brien WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has fired the nation’s top copyright official , Shira Perlmutter, days after abruptly terminating the head of the Library of Congress, which oversees the U.S. Copyright Office. The office said in a statement Sunday that Perlmutter received an email from the White House a day earlier with the notification that “your position as the Register of Copyrights and Director at the U.S. Copyright Office is terminated effective immediately.” On Thursday, President Donald Trump fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, the first woman and the first African American to be librarian of Congress,…

by Samya Kullab and Dasha Litvinova KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday he is hoping for a full and temporary ceasefire with Russia starting Monday, adding he would be in Turkey to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin “personally.” His comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump insisted Ukraine accept Russia’s latest offer of holding direct talks in Turkey on Thursday. Ukraine, along with European allies, had demanded Russia accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting on Monday before holding talks, but Moscow effectively rejected the proposal and called for direct negotiations instead. It was not clear if…

by Munir Ahmed, Aijaz Hussain and Sheik Saaliq ISLAMABAD (AP) — India’s military strikes into Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and Pakistan earlier this week killed more than 100 militants including prominent leaders, the head of India’s military operations claimed Sunday. Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai, the director general of military operations, said India’s armed forces struck nine militant infrastructure and training facilities, including sites of the Lashkar-e-Taiba group that India blames for carrying out major militant strikes in India and the disputed region of Kashmir. “We achieved total surprise,” Ghai said at a news conference in New Delhi, adding Pakistan’s response was “erratic…

by Nicole Winfield and Giovanna Dell VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV called for a genuine and just peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, in his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff that featured some symbolic gestures suggesting a message of unity in a polarized Catholic Church. “I, too, address the world’s great powers by repeating the ever-present call ‘never again war,’” Leo said from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to an estimated 100,000 people below. It was the first time that Leo had returned to the loggia since he first appeared to the world on…

by Dave Cambell MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Golden State Warriors are planning to play without Stephen Curry for at least the next three games of their second-round series against Minnesota, after an MRI exam on Wednesday confirmed a mild strain of the star guard’s left hamstring. The Warriors said Curry would be sidelined at least a week after the injury on Tuesday night forced him out early in the second quarter of Game 1, which they went on to win 99-88. He had 13 points in 13 minutes to help Golden State build a comfortable lead and take home-court advantage…