New York City braces for Trump indictment after exPresident urges protests

Workers erected barricades around a Manhattan courthouse on Monday as New York City braced for a possible indictment of Donald Trump over an alleged hush-money payment to a porn star during his 2016 campaign.

The barriers went up in preparation for what would be the first-ever criminal case against any US President, two days after he urged his followers on social media to protest what he said was his looming arrest.

A grand jury was expected to indict Trump late on Monday or on Wednesday, Politico reported, for arranging payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. Trump, who is seeking the Republican nomination for the White House again in 2024, had predicted he would be arrested on Tuesday.

But on Monday, the grand jury still appeared to be collecting evidence before deciding whether charges were warranted.

An indictment could hurt Trump's comeback attempt. Some 44 per cent of

Republicans say he should drop out of the presidential race if he is indicted, according to a seven-day Reuters/ Ipsos poll that concluded on Monday.

According to a source familiar with the matter, lawyer Robert Costello was due to appear before the closeddoor panel at the request of Trump's lawyers, because he might provide information that would challenge earlier testimony by Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer.

The Manhattan District Attorney's office asked that Cohen be available as a rebuttal witness, but he was told on Monday afternoon that his testimony was not needed, according to his lawyer Lanny Davis.

(Excerpt from Reuters) any tactical move by Russia, supported by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its own terms."

He added: "Calling for a ceasefire that does not include the removal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory would effectively be supporting the ratification of Russian conquest."

China's plan did not specifically say that Russia must withdraw from Ukraine – which Ukraine has insisted as a precondition for any talks.

Instead, it talked of "respecting the sovereignty of all countries", adding that "all parties must stay rational and exercise restraint" and "gradually de-escalate the situation".

The plan also condemned the usage of "unilateral sanctions" – seen as a veiled criticism of Ukraine's allies in the West.

On Monday, a military band gave Xi a warm welcome to Moscow. Putin hailed China for "observing the principles of justice" and pushing for "undivided security for every country".

In return, Xi told Putin: "Under your strong leadership, Russia has made great strides in its prosperous development. I am confident that the Russian people will continue to give you their firm support." (Excerpt from BBC News)