There are two stories that head a list of newsworthy items, both covered by President Joe Biden in a press conference today: The purpose was to provide an advanced notice of  upcoming peace talks between Israel and the Hamas about the Gaza Strip .  He went on the air as Sabbath began in Israel.  What is noteworthy about this announcement is that the president of the United States first mentioned this process.  This was bold and rare, indicating that he probably was given the go-ahead by Prime Minister Netanyahu, who will either confirm or not this process at sunset tomorrow.  Who knows what the Hamas will say.  One more point in Biden's speech is that hinted were about the prospects of a peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which will certainly not occur this year, but something to work on for the four years after relection. As an opening, he remarked on the Trump guilty verdict, reaffirming  the American principle that no one is above the ...

Today could well be the beginning of the end of Donald Trump.  Closing arguments began with his defense, and he went on for almost three hours.  At the end,  Judge Juan Merchan scolded Trump's attorney Todd Blanche for outrageous comments  about "prison time."  Blanche ended calling Michael Cohen ( in reference to Tom Brady being the Greatest Of All Time, or GOAT ) the Greatest Liar Of All Time ( GLOAT ). Prosecution lawyer Joshua Steinglass ( on the left, with Susan Hoffinger, who did most of the prosecuting, and Alvin Bragg ) is now making his closing arguments, but his presentation is expected to go on for four and a half hours, so maybe the Judge might cut him off for finish tomorrow.  If this happens, this gives the prosecution some time to better prepare for a more convincing conclusion.  When will the jury be given instructions to have them deliberate on the verdict?  Chances are there will be a break for the end of the prosecution case, so...