Trump seeks federal trial delay to 2026: The attorneys for former President Donald Trump are seeking to delay his federal trial on charges related to his 2020 election interference case to April 2026. NBC News reported the court filing by Trump”™s attorneys cited the “unprecedented” nature of the case, stating that the Biden administration “has devoted tens of millions of dollars to this effort, creating a special counsel”™s office with dozens of employees, many of whom are apparently assigned full-time to this case and this case alone.” The attorneys added that having the case begin next spring will “deny President Trump and his counsel a fair ability to prepare for trial.”
Mortgage rates pass 7% mark: The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.09% as of Aug. 17, according to data from Freddie Mac”™s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. One week ago, this mortgage averaged 6.96%, while one year ago it averaged 5.13%. The current mortgage rate level is the highest since 2002. Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater stated, “The economy continues to do better than expected and the 10-year Treasury yield has moved up, causing mortgage rates to climb.”
Rare California hurricane: Tropical Storm Hilary strengthened into a hurricane on Thursday and is heading to Southern California, where it is forecast to bring heavy winds and rain, with the peak rainfall occurring Sunday and Monday. Although the hurricane will likely to weaken as it heads northward, it could bring heavy rainfall to the southwestern United States while generating large swells and high surf along the Pacific coastline. This is the first tropical storm to impact California in 84 years.
Chinese video suggest Taiwan invasion preparations: The Chinese military released a video showing what appears to be soldiers preparing for an amphibious landing in Taiwan. The Guardian reported the one-and-a-half-minute video called “Reading the Strait” appeared on the WeChat channel of the People”™s Liberation Army Eastern Theatre Command showing combat soldiers doing press-ups under heavy waves, a tank battalion and troops on shorelines similar to the Taiwan coastline. those that dot Taiwan”™s coast. Chinese President Xi Jinping has used increasingly bellicose language regarding the self-governing and democratic Taiwan, which Beijing views as a rogue territory.
Bronx teen charged with attempted murder for shooting police: A 17-year-old boy was charged with attempted murder after shooting at police officers chasing him in the Bronx. The New York Post reported police were investigating an incident “involving a firearm” on Wednesday afternoon when the teenager ran off and them began firing a gun at them. One of the officers shot back, but no one was injured. The teenager is also being charged with two counts of attempted aggravated assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, as well as reckless endangerment and obstruction of governmental administration charges.
Record producer Jerry Moss dies: Jerry Moss, one of the most influential record producers from the 1960s through the 1980s, passed away at the age of 88. Moss teamed with trumpet player and singer Herb Albert to form A&M Records as a platform for his partner”™s popular group Herb Albert & The Tijuana Brass, and the label would later release music by The Carpenters, Carole King, Joe Cocker, Cat Stevens, Billy Preston, Peter Frampton, Styx, The Police, The Go-Go”™s Janet Jackson, Supertramp and Sheryl Crow. Moss and Albert sold their company in 1989 for $500 million and were inducted as non-performers into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
