U.S. and world news for March 31

Trump surrender: A spokesperson at the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg says they have been in touch with attorneys for Donald Trump to work out his surrender and arraignment on charges contained in the sealed indictment that was handed up by a grand jury yesterday. The indictment of twice-impeached Trump is the first time in U.S. history a former or sitting president has been indicted on criminal charges. Sources indicate that Trump is expected to be arraigned before a New York judge on Tuesday.

Republicans favor Trump over the law: A number of prominent Republicans are saying that Trump is above the law and should not have to stand trial because of charges brought by the Manhattan grand jury. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said, “The American people will not tolerate this injustice, and the House of Representatives will hold Alvin Bragg and his unprecedented abuse of power to account.” U.S. Sen. Rafael Cruz said, “The indictment of Trump is a moment in the death of the rule of law.” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said if Trump does not voluntarily go to New York to answer the charges, he would refuse to extradite Trump from Florida to New York if New York asked for extradition.

Russian nukes: The president of Belarus said today that Russia might deploy long-range strategic nuclear weapons as well as short-range tactical nuclear weapons in his country. In the same speech, President Lukashenko called for a cease-fire in Ukraine.

Helicopter crash investigation: A witness reported that the two Army helicopters that crashed in Trigg County, Kentucky, appeared to be flying very close to each other and were very low just before there was an explosion in the night sky. All nine Army personnel aboard the helicopters were killed in the accident. Investigators are hoping that data from onboard equipment will help determine precisely what happened.

Pope recovering: Pope Francis is expected to be released from a hospital in Rome tomorrow. The lung infection for which the Pope has been treated was identified as bronchitis. The Vatican said today that the Pope had pizza for dinner last night and is expected to celebrate mass in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, which is Palm Sunday.

Paltrow not responsible: A jury in Park City, Utah, has determined that actress Gwyneth Paltrow was not at fault in a ski accident in which another skier was injured. The jury found that Paltrow did not ski into Terry Sanderson, as was alleged. The jury said Sanderson must pay Paltrow $1 plus attorney costs.

Cover photo courtesy Catholic Church of England and Wales / Flickr Creative Commons