Latest from Int'l Business Times
Int'l Business Times
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Int'l Business Times
'Not A God': Arguments End In Combs Trial Ahead Of Jury Deliberations
Sean "Diddy" Combs's lawyer aimed Friday to skewer the credibility of the music mogul's accusers, saying in closing arguments they were out for money while rejecting any notion he led a criminal ring. But in their rebuttal -- the trial's final stage before jurors are tasked with deciding the verdict -- prosecutors tore into the defense, saying Combs's team had "contorted the facts endlessly." Prosecutor Maurene Comey told jurors that by the time Combs -- once among the most powerful people in music -- had committed his clearest-cut offenses, "he was so far past the line he couldn't even see it." "In his mind he was untouchable," she told the court as the case came to a dramatic close. "The defendant never thought that the women he abused would have the courage to speak out loud what he had done to them." "That ends in this courtroom," she said. "The defendant is not a god." For most of Friday's hearing defense attorney Marc Agnifilo picked apart, and even made light of, the testimony of women who were in long-term relationships with Combs, and who said he had coerced them into drug-fueled sex parties with paid escorts. Agnifilo scoffed at the picture painted by prosecutors of a violent, domineering man who used his employees, wealth and power to foster "a climate of fear" that allowed him to act with impunity. Combs, 55, is a "self-made, successful Black entrepreneur" who had romantic relationships that were "complicated" but ultimately consensual "love stories," Agnifilo said. In his freewheeling, nearly four-hour-long argument, Agnifilo aimed to confuse the methodic narrative US attorney Christy Slavik provided one day prior. She had spent nearly five hours meticulously walking the jury through the charges and their legal basis, summarizing thousands of phone, financial, travel and audiovisual records along with nearly seven weeks of testimony from 34 witnesses. Central to their case is the claim that Combs led a criminal enterprise of senior employees -- including his chief-of-staff and security guards -- who "existed to serve his needs." But Agnifilo underscored that none of those individuals testified against Combs, nor were they named as co-conspirators in the indictment. "This is supposed to be simple," the defense counsel told jurors. "If you find that you're in the weeds of this great complexity, maybe it's because it just isn't there." "It takes a lot of courage to acquit," he said in closing. If convicted, Combs faces upwards of life in prison. Casandra Ventura and a woman who testified under the pseudonym Jane described abuse, threats and coercive sex in excruciating detail, for days. Combs's defense has conceded that domestic violence was a feature of the artist's relationships, but that his outbursts did not amount to sex trafficking. The defense insisted the women were consenting adults making their own choices. Prosecutor Comey snapped back that they were being "manipulated" into "brazen" acts of sex trafficking, reiterating once again for jurors what the government says are the clearest-cut examples. Agnifilo pointed to Ventura's civil lawsuit against Combs in which she was granted $20 million: "If you had to pick a winner in this whole thing, it would be Cassie," he said. Comey called that notion insulting: "What was her prize? Black eyes? A gash in her head? Sex for days with a UTI?" Agnifilo also pointed to a violent episode between Combs and Jane, when she says she struck him in an argument before he brutally beat her, struck her down in the shower, and then forced her into giving an escort oral sex. "Jane may have started that fight, but he finished it with a vengeance," Comey said, calling that incident the most obvious sex trafficking case and saying he had "literally beaten her into submission." Throughout the trial, jurors were shown voluminous phone records, including messages of affection and desire from both women -- and Agnifilo emphasized the love and romance once again. Both prosecutors said taking those words literally, and in isolation, doesn't paint the whole picture. They also referenced testimony from a forensic psychologist who explained to jurors how victims become ensnared by abusers. "The defense is throwing anything they can think of at the wall, hoping something will stick," Comey said. On Monday, Judge Arun Subramanian will instruct jurors on how to apply the law to the evidence for their deliberations. Then, 12 New Yorkers will determine Combs's future. Sean "Diddy" Combs (L) is accused of sex trafficking and other crimes during his relationship with with Cassie Ventura (R) AFP
Int'l Business Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
US Inflation Edges Up As Trump Renews Criticism Of Fed Chief
The US Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure logged a mild uptick Friday while spending weakened, triggering another tirade by President Donald Trump against the central bank chair for not cutting interest rates sooner. "We have a guy that's just a stubborn mule and a stupid person," Trump told an event at the White House, referring to Fed Chair Jerome Powell. "He's making a mistake." With Powell's term as Fed chief coming to an end next year, Trump hinted at his choice of successor: "I'm going to put somebody that wants to cut rates." The president's remarks came after government data showed the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index climbing 2.3 percent last month from a year ago in May. This was in line with analyst expectations and a slight acceleration from April's 2.2 percent increase, but still a relatively mild uptick. Excluding the volatile food and energy sectors, the PCE price index was up 2.7 percent, rising from April's 2.6 percent uptick, the Commerce Department's report showed. But consumer spending declined, after Trump's fresh tariffs in April dragged on consumer sentiment. PCE dropped by 0.1 percent from the preceding month, reversing an earlier rise. While Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs on most US trading partners since returning to the White House in January -- alongside higher rates on imports of steel, aluminum and autos -- these have had a muted effect so far on inflation. This is in part because he held off or postponed some of his harshest salvos, while businesses are still running through inventory they stockpiled in anticipation of the levies. But central bank officials have not rushed to slash interest rates, saying they can afford to wait and learn more about the impact of Trump's recent duties. They expect to learn more about the tariffs' effects over the summer. "The experience of the limited range of tariffs introduced in 2018 suggests that pass-through to consumer prices is intense three-to-six months after their implementation," warned economists Samuel Tombs and Oliver Allen of Pantheon Macroeconomics in a note. They flagged weakness in consumer spending, in part due to a pullback in autos after buyers rushed to get ahead of levies. And spending on services was tepid even after excluding volatile components, they said. "There has also been a clear weakening in discretionary services spending, notably in travel and hospitality," said Michael Pearce, deputy chief US economist at Oxford Economics, in a note. This reflects "the chilling effect of the plunge in consumer sentiment," he added. Between April and May, the PCE price index was up 0.1 percent, the Commerce Department report showed. As a July deadline approaches for higher tariff rates to kick in on dozens of economies, all eyes are also on whether countries can reach lasting trade deals with Washington to ease the effects of tariffs. For now, despite the slowing in economic growth, Pearce said risks that inflation could increase will keep the Fed on hold with interest rates "until much later in the year."
Int'l Business Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Trump Withdraws Protected Status From Haitian Migrants
The Trump administration said Friday it is terminating temporary legal protections that allowed more than 520,000 Haitians to live in the United States. The United States grants Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to foreign citizens who cannot safely return home because of war, natural disasters or other "extraordinary" conditions. The Department of Homeland Security said it was ending TPS for Haitians on September 2 and encouraged those who were living in the United States under the program to return home. Former president Joe Biden extended TPS for Haitians before leaving office, allowing them to reside in the United States until February 2026. But the Trump administration announced in February that it was canceling the extension. It said on Friday it was terminating TPS for Haitians altogether on September 2. "The environmental situation in Haiti has improved enough that it is safe for Haitian citizens to return home," DHS said. Permitting Haitian nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to US national interest, it added. Struck by a devastating earthquake in 2010, Haiti has suffered from political instability for decades and more recently from increasing violence by armed groups. The US State Department currently advises Americans not to travel to Haiti "due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and limited heath care." President Donald Trump has pledged to carry out the largest deportation campaign in US history and curb immigration, mainly from Latin American nations. Trump ordered a review of the TPS program on his return to the White House and his administration has revoked TPS protections for Afghans and Venezuelans in addition to Haitians. During his campaign Trump made baseless claims that an Ohio city had seen a recent influx of Haitian migrants who were stealing and eating residents' cats and dogs. A UN human rights expert called on the United States and other nations in March not to expel Haitians back to their violence-plagued country. William O'Neill, a UN-designated expert on human rights in Haiti, said deporting people back there would be unsafe. "Violent criminal groups continue to extend and consolidate their hold beyond the capital," O'Neill said. "They kill, rape, terrorize, set fire to homes, orphanages, schools, hospitals, places of worship, recruit children and infiltrate all spheres of society."
Int'l Business Times
4 hours ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
How Calligraphy Artist Monica Marquez Turned Passion into Entrepreneurial Excellence
"I think if I were born to do something, if I had a mission, it was to teach people to appreciate the art of calligraphy," says Monica Marquez, the founder of Artigiani, Inc. Passion and dedication have always been the driving force of Marquez's journey with calligraphy, and it is with these values and an unfaltering entrepreneurial spirit that she has succeeded in propelling her business to where it is today. Based in Miami, Artigiani, Inc., also known as Artistic Calligraphy, has been providing elegant calligraphy and custom artwork services for nearly two decades under Marquez's creative expertise and guidance. From retail activations and logo designs to stationery production & personalization, and engravings on a plethora of materials (metal, glass, wood, and more). From this solo endeavor, the company has not only evolved alongside its clients but also created a path forward for other creatives. "We have become a talent agency for the industry, linking the right professionals with the right organizations," says Marquez. "There is a huge need for this art, and I can't do it all alone. I have become the link between some of the most talented individuals and the brands that need their services." Marquez's passion for calligraphy hasn't only enabled her to build a creative business. It has also given her the power to preserve the historical legacy of the art form by imparting her skills and knowledge to future generations through private training classes. "All my calligraphy artworks include a little note that says, 'Thank you for keeping this ancient art alive.' And it makes me proud that I'm able to help carry that legacy forward," Marquez states. Growing up in Mexico City, Marquez had always immersed herself in the creative space. As she ventured into various art forms, she developed a genuine interest in calligraphy. She often found herself admiring the lettering on invitations and certificates. "As a child, I would try to emulate that even though I didn't have the technical knowledge to do it, but I was eager to learn," Marquez shares. "When I visited homes, I would look for certificates or artwork to admire the lettering, which was handmade." Fascinated by the art style and a passion to learn it, Marquez found her path to art school, where she learned graphic design, illustration, and calligraphy. Reflecting on the contrasting learning methods from today, Marquez shares how despite the classes she attended, her proficiency in the art form came through relentless self-training. While investing her time and energy toward perfecting the art, Marquez grew a fierce passion for it. It gave her the epiphany that calligraphy was more than mere letters, its impact went far beyond it. It was a special art form that was interwoven in history, and that realization gave her the desire to build a career in calligraphy. Marquez's entrepreneurial journey began in 1987 when she opened a creative firm offering graphic design and calligraphy services. After a decade of building her name in the creative landscape, Marquez recognized that the graphic design industry was getting crowded with many players who were playing the same game. Leveraging the competitive advantage and skill she held, Marquez made a shift in her business to solely provide calligraphy services, which today proudly stands under the name of Artigiani. After over 20 years in the industry, Artigiani has built an exceptional client portfolio working in multiple sectors, including multinational companies, wealth management firms, and luxury fashion brands. "Many luxury companies understand the value and elegance of calligraphy, as it aligns with their brand identity," Marquez adds. "That's why they seek our services." Despite the company's collaboration with corporate brands, Artigiani offers more than just marketing collateral. It gives something more personal that exemplifies Marquez's vision of crafting everlasting art. "We've done many personal projects, including love letters, marriage proposals, letters for grandparents, and family trees," Marquez shares. "These are the projects that I truly enjoy because they're the ones that remain treasured and eternal. I get to be the link. The link between those who love each other the most and become a part of a legacy that will last for generations to come." Marquez's love for the art form has led her to master calligraphy with utmost precision and agility. She has become adept with the tools, brushes, and pens, making her confident in her skills. "To name only a few, I can do Italic, Gothic, Copperplate, and Uncial, using various tools such as pointed pen, brush, and broad pen, whatever the client needs," Marquez shares. As she has developed a profound knowledge of the craft, she has also been equally focused on teaching it to her students. Recognizing the complexities that exist within calligraphy, Marquez emphasizes the importance of having dedication, passion, and desire toward learning calligraphy, which can be a complex art form to adopt. Through her training, she gives people the assistance and support to become adept in the craft and carry the legacy forward. With hands-on classes, Marquez provides a toolkit with guided lessons for every letter, script, and style. "I teach them tips and tricks that I would've liked to learn at their stage," she adds. "But ultimately, it's their drive and commitment that will help them become skilled calligraphers." As a talented artist and a devoted teacher, Monica Marquez has achieved the best of both worlds, crafting elegant and impactful artworks for businesses and people. With Artigiani expanding its services to creative talent acquisition, Marquez aims to continue preserving the ancient art form for generations to come.
Int'l Business Times
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
UN Working For Ceasefire In Besieged Sudan City
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday he has been in contact with the warring sides in Sudan to try to reach a ceasefire in the besieged and starving city of El-Fasher. Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has agreed in principle to such a humanitarian pause, his ruling Transitional Council said. But the opposing paramilitary side, led by al-Burhan's erstwhile deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, said it had received no truce proposal. Since April 2023, the army has been at war with Daglo's Rapid Support Forces, killing tens of thousands and tearing Africa's third-largest country in two. In the latest violence, paramilitary shelling of El-Fasher on Friday killed 13 people including three children, a medical source told AFP. Another 21 were injured. In a telephone conversation with al-Burhan, Guterres called for a weeklong ceasefire in El-Fasher to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered to civilians, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. The city has been besieged by the RSF for more than a year. "We are making contacts with both sides with that objective," Guterres told reporters. "We have a dramatic situation in El- Fasher," he said. "The people are starving in an extremely difficult situation, so we need to have an amount of time of truce for aid to be distributed, and you need to have it agreed with some days in advance to prepare a massive delivery in the El-Fasher." "I have a positive answer from General Burhan, and I am hopeful that both sides will understand how vital it is to avoid the catastrophe that we are witnessing in El-Fasher," he said. In a statement, the council that al-Burhan oversees said he had agreed to the truce proposal. But an RSF source told AFP Friday the paramilitary group had not received a ceasefire proposal. The RSF conquered nearly all of the vast western region of Darfur in the early months of the war, but has been unable to seize North Darfur state capital El-Fasher despite besieging the city for over a year. The UN has repeatedly warned of civilians trapped in the city with nearly no aid allowed in, and families forced to survive by eating leaves and peanut shells. At a Security Council meeting on Sudan on Friday, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Pobee suggested humanitarian pauses might be applied to other places in Sudan. "We are pursuing a predictable and time-bound humanitarian pause to facilitate safe humanitarian movements into and out of areas affected by ongoing fighting, beginning with El-Fasher, and allow civilians to leave voluntarily and securely," she said. Civilians report soaring prices and nearly all health facilities forced to shut due to fighting. A World Food Programme facility inside El-Fasher was damaged by repeated RSF shelling last month, and in early June five aid workers were killed in an attack on a UN convoy seeking to supply the city. The paramilitary has repeatedly attacked the city and its surrounding famine-hit displacement camps, killing hundreds of civilians and driving out hundreds of thousands of already displaced people.
