June 4, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Trump supporters call for riots and violent retribution after verdict (Reuters)
• The other 54 criminal counts Donald Trump faces (Washington Post)
• Deadly Tornadoes Strike Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas(Weather.com)
• Trump told donors he will crush pro-Palestinian protests, deport demonstrators (Washington Post)
• Biden, in Memorial Day speech, says Americans must continue upholding democracy  (ABC News)
• Biden and Trump’s contrasting approaches to military affairs on display this Memorial Day weekend (10 News)
• What are the criminal charges and likely defense in Hunter Biden's gun trial? (Reuters)
• Trump makes sweeping promises to donors on audacious fundraising tour (Washington Post)
• Trump, RFK Jr. face hostile reception at Libertarian convention amid efforts to sway voters (CBS)
• Trump pressures Republicans to pass a law to keep him out of jail forever (Rolling Stone)
• Hill GOP urges Trump to consider a running mate with center-right appeal — maybe even Haley (Politico)

WORLD

• Mexico elects Claudia Sheinbaum as its first female president (AP)
• Mexico City and millions of its residents could run out of water in weeks (Washington Post) 
• South Africa's ANC has to share power after election blow   (BBC)
• Israeli attack on Rafah tent camp kills 45, prompts international outcry  (Reuters)
• China lands on moon's far side in historic sample retrieval mission (Reuters)
• Optimistic About the War in Ukraine, Putin Unleashes a Purge at Home (New York Times)
• Russia Lost Half a Million Troops in Ukraine: Kyiv (Newsweek)
• Iran further increases its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, watchdog says  (AP)
• At least 2,000 feared dead in Papua New Guinea landslide. These are some challenges rescuers face (AP)
• Fourteen Hong Kong democrats found guilty in landmark subversion trial  (Reuters)
• Survivors say Russia is waging a war of sexual violence in occupied areas of Ukraine. Men are often the victims  (CNN)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

East County News Service

June 3, 2024 (La Mesa) – La Mesa salutes Old Glory at the annual Flag Day Parade this Saturday. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and travels west through the La Mesa Village, along La Mesa Blvd. Former City Councilwoman Ruth Sterling will serve as Grand Marshal of the parade.

"Ruth's tireless dedication, from spearheading the parade's committee to establishing the Flag Day Parade endowment, exemplifies the essence of our celebration," the city's press release states.

Free ice cream will be provided by the La Mesa Community Relations and Veterans Commission at the Lookout in Legacy Park at the corner of La Mesa Blvd, 4th St. and Allison Ave.

By Miriam Raftery

June 3, 2024 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police have arrested Tony Sims, 42, a homeless parolee with multiple prior arrests for violence and drugs.  According to a press release from ECPD, Sims is accused of terrorizing and injuring an elderly woman during  a” “drug-induced crime spree” the night of May 29,  later stealing a knife and threatening a second person in a grocery store.

The suspect allegedly knocked on the room of the elderly woman, who was staying in a motel near Oakdale and Second Street.  “When she opened the door, the stranger forcedly entered her motel room. He grabbed the woman's arm and pushed her down to the ground, causing significant but non-life-threatening injuries,” says Lieutenant Keith MacArthur.  “Before leaving, he destroyed the room and the television.”

The suspect reportedly ran from the motel to a fast-food restaurant, where he jumped through the drive-through window into the restaurant. Lt. MacArthur adds, ”He stole a knife from the kitchen and armed himself with it before fleeing again to a grocery store nearby. Witnesses told police the man threatened another person with the knife while he was inside the store,” but officers were unable to locate that victim.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo and map via CalFire

June 3, 2024 (Otay) – The #Border53Fire is burning on both sides of the international border.  The fire has charred 400 acres, including 250 acres in the U.S. and150 in Mexico. The wildfire is 60% contained, with no structures threatened and no evacuations, per Cal Fire.

The blaze began June 1 in Buttewig Canyon on the south slope of Otay Mountain.

Teatro Real - The Royal Opera of Madrid Partners with Fever on Global Tour of Award-Winning Flamenco Artists

June 2, 2024 (San Diego)-- The magical rhythms of Spain will reverberate as Teatro Real - The Royal Opera of Madrid embarks on a global tour of Authentic Flamenco.  With more than 124,000 tickets sold worldwide, the critically acclaimed, authentic Flamenco troupe will perform at the Joan B Kroc Theatre (6611 University Ave., San Diego) on July 5.  Tickets are available for purchase.

Co-presented by Fever, the leading global live-entertainment discovery platform, this captivating live performance will visit 30 cities in North America, showcasing the rich heritage of flamenco, among the most celebrated Spanish art forms.

By Steven Proveaux, La Mesa

June 2, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Donald Trump was found guilty of all 34 felony counts of falsifying his company's business records to keep information from voters that he knew would harm his 2016 presidential campaign. Lying on official business filings is a serious criminal offense and another clear example of Trump’s pattern doing anything to gain or stay in power. No one is above the law, and any other American would be punished if they committed the same crime.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via the Whte House:  President Joe Biden places a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery to honor soldiers buried there.

June 1, 2024 (Washington D.C.)—Speaking at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day yesterday,  President Joe Biden praised soldiers who gave their life to protect our country, and highlighted efforts his administration has made to help military families and veterans. His rival in the November election, former President Donald Trump, took no steps to honor veterans in person, nor any promises to improve the lives of veterans or military members, instead issuing a vitriolic attack on America's judicial system.

“Today, we join our grief with gratitude,” President Biden said at Arlington. “Gratitude to our fallen heroes, to their families, and to the brave souls who continue to uphold the flame of liberty around the world.”

He added, “To everyone who’s lost and loved someone in the service of our country...I know how hard it can be,”  recalling his son,  Beau Biden, an Iraq War veteran died nine years ago of brain cancer linked to his exposure to toxic burn pits in Iraq.  Biden noted that the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics  or PACT Act that he championed and signed into law has enabled his administration to approve over a million claims from veterans injured by toxic exposures during their military service.

Biden has signed over 30 bipartisan laws supporting servicemembers, veterans and their families.“Last year, the VA delivered more benefits and processed more claims than ever in our nation’s history, he said, concluding,  “May God bless our veterans, and may God protect our troops.”

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: C-Span video screenshot of Trump speaking to reporters after the verdicts.

May 30, 2024 (New York, NY) -- A New York state jury has found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony criminal counts of falsifying business records to conceal payments to a porn star in order to influence the 2016 election. The former President and presumptive nominee will face sentencing at a July 11 hearing, where a judge could sentence him to prison. The hearing is just days before the Republican National Convention.

Trump, released pending the sentencing hearing, held a press conference after the unanimous verdict was read. He denounced the trial as "rigged" and a "disgrace," then said voters deliver the "real verdict" during the November 5 election.

By Jessyka Heredia

Watch Full Video Here

May 30, 2024 (Lemon Grove) — On May 20, the Lemon Grove City Council heard from local resident Jason Sundberg, who filed an appeal to reconsider allowing a 70-foot cell tower disguised as a broadleaf tree that will include 12 panel antennas and nine remote radio units. The tower is proposed by AT&T at 6970 San Miguel Avenue on the Christian Church of Lemon Grove’s lot.