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Donald Trump has faced questions on US television about his current legal woes and what he would do if he wins the presidency for a second time.

He is currently favourite to claim the Republican nomination and take on the Democrats in November 2024.

Here are 10 key takeaways from the wide-ranging Meet The Press interview on NBC.

1. Ukraine and how to end the war

Mr Trump did not spell out exactly how he would pursue the end of the war between Ukraine and Russia “because if I did… I lose all my bargaining chips”.

“But I would say certain things to [Vladimir] Putin. I would say certain things to [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy, both of whom I get along,” he added.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in July 2018. Pic: AP
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Trump and Vladimir Putin in July 2018. Pic: AP

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in September 2019. Pic: AP
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Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in September 2019. Pic: AP

Asked if he would push for a deal that allowed the Russian president to keep Ukrainian territory, Trump said “no, no, no, no”.

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“I’d make a fair deal for everybody,” he said.

2. Appreciation for Putin comment

Mr Trump expressed appreciation for a remark Putin recently made.

The Russian leader said: “We surely hear that Mr Trump says he will resolve all burning issues within several days, including the Ukrainian crisis. We cannot help but feel happy about it.”

In response, Mr Trump said: “Well, I like that he said that.

“Because that means what I’m saying is right. I would get him into a room. I’d get Zelenskyy into a room. Then I’d bring them together. And I’d have a deal worked out. I would get a deal worked out. It would’ve been a lot easier before it started.”

Mr Trump has long declined to overly-criticise Mr Putin, and in February 2022 he called the Ukraine invasion “genius” and “savvy”.

3. Trump won’t rule out sending troops to Taiwan if China invades

Mr Trump said the option of sending US forces to defend Taiwan against China remains open.

But he would not commit to this policy, unlike Democrat President Joe Biden.

“I won’t say. I won’t say,” Mr Trump said. “Because if I said, I’m giving away – you know, only stupid people are going to give that.”

“I don’t take anything off the table,” he added.

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Roe v Wade: US abortion rights a year on

4. Trump is against full abortion bans

The former Republican president said members of his own party “speak very inarticulately” about abortion, and he criticised those who push for abortion bans without exceptions in cases of rape and incest, and to protect the health of the mother.

“I watch some of them without the exceptions,” he said.

“I said, ‘Other than certain parts of the country, you can’t – you’re not going to win on this issue. But you will win on this issue when you come up with the right number of weeks.”

He did not state what kind of legislation he would sign to ban abortion after a certain number of weeks – or if he prefers the issue be solved at the federal level rather than on a state-by-state basis – but he tried to portray himself as a dealmaker who could unite “both sides”.

5. Trump might pressure Fed to lower interest rates

He complained US interest rates were too high and indicated if he gets another term in office, he might pressure Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell to loosen monetary policy.

He said: “Interest rates are very high. They’re too high. People can’t buy homes. They can’t do anything. I mean, they can’t borrow money.”

Asked specifically whether he would try to strong-arm Mr Powell into lowering rates, Mr Trump said: “Depends where inflation is. But I would get inflation down.”

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Trump charges in 60 seconds

6. Trump likes democracy

Mr Trump claimed he still believes democracy is the most effective form of government – but added a key caveat.

“I do. I do. But it has to be a democracy that’s fair,” he said. “This democracy – I don’t consider us to have much of a democracy right now.”

He suggested US democracy was unfair because of the charges he faces for allegedly mishandling classified documents, trying to conceal hush money payments to women ahead of an election and attempting to overturn the 2020 election.

He added: “We need a media that’s free and fair. And frankly, if they don’t have that, it’s very, very hard to straighten out our country.”

7. Not afraid of going to jail

Despite facing four trials, Mr Trump said he’s not consumed with visions of prison.

“I don’t even think about it,” he said. “I’m built a little differently I guess, because I have had people come up to me and say, ‘How do you do it, sir? How do you do it?’ I don’t even think about it.”

He later said: “I truly feel that, in the end, we’re going to win.”

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Trump speaks to NBC

8. Doesn’t rule out pardoning himself

Trump declined to rule out pardoning himself if he becomes president again. But he called the scenario “very unlikely”.

“What, what did I do wrong? I didn’t do anything wrong,” Trump said. “You mean because I challenge an election, they want to put me in jail?”

9. What about pardoning January 6 rioters?

Mr Trump said he views the prison sentences given to some January 6 rioters following the attack on the US Congress in early 2021 as unfair.

“We have to treat people fairly,” he said.

“These people on January 6, they went – some of them never even went into the building, and they’re being given sentences of, you know, many years.”

Mr Trump was asked if he would pardon the imprisoned rioters.

“Well, I’m going to look at them, and I certainly might if I think it’s appropriate,” he said.

10. Trump says he won’t seek a third term should he win in 2024

Mr Trump was asked if there was any scenario in which he would seek a third term should he win the presidency next year.

“No,” he said, before criticising Republican rival Ron DeSantis, who has promoted his ability to serve two full terms rather than one.

The 22nd Amendment of the Constitution limits presidents to two four-year terms. That was enacted after former President Franklin Roosevelt was elected to four terms in office.

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Number of NYC fire department first responders to die of 9/11-related illnesses reaches 343 – matching amount killed on day of attacks

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Number of NYC fire department first responders to die of 9/11-related illnesses reaches 343 - matching amount killed on day of attacks

The number of first responders from the New York City Fire Department to have died from illnesses related to 9/11 has reached 343 – matching the number who died on the day of the attacks.

Hilda Vannata, an emergency medical technician, died from pancreatic cancer on 20 September this year, while retired firefighter Robert Fulco died of pulmonary fibrosis on 23 September, Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh has said.

She added that both illnesses were a result of “time they spent working in the rescue and recovery at the World Trade Center site”.

“With these deaths, we have reached a somber, remarkable milestone. We have now suffered the same number of deaths post September 11th as we experienced that day when the north and south towers fell. Our hearts break for the families of these members, and all who loved them,” Ms Kavanagh said in a statement.

“Our responsibility to our FDNY (Fire Department of New York) colleagues extends far beyond what we asked of them on September 11th and in the days and months that followed during rescue and recovery.”

Exposure to the toxic materials in the aftermath of the terror attack has been linked to heightened risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer, and other diseases.

Ms Kavanagh said: “The toll of these illnesses on our FDNY responders continues to grow and includes not only the 343 who have died since 9/11, but also the 11,000 who suffer from WTC-related diseases, including 3,500 with cancer.”

Hilda Vannata died from cancer more than 20 years after 9/11. Pic: Fire Department of New York
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Hilda Vannata died from cancer more than 20 years after 9/11. Pic: Fire Department of New York

Robert Fulco died from  pulmonary fibrosis. Pic: Fire Department of New York
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Robert Fulco died from pulmonary fibrosis. Pic: Fire Department of New York

She added that the department’s “commitment to their service and sacrifice must remain as unshakeable for the next two decades as it has been for the last two”.

“So many of our members showed up for us that fateful day, and so many were lost. The legacy we create for them is one of honour, and one of promise. That is why we continue to advocate for the survivors, and we will not stop pushing until all our members have the care they deserve, for the rest of their lives,” Ms Kavanagh wrote.

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More than 71,000 people are reported to be enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry, which seeks to track the health of 9/11 first responders and other people caught up in the attacks.

Workers who were in either of the World Trade Center buildings and people who lived in surrounding properties are among those who have also suffered health problems as a result of the atrocity.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed when al Qaeda terrorists hijacked passenger planes and flew them into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon HQ in Washington. Another hijacked plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field.

The attack marked the largest loss of emergency personnel in US history.

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Bob Menendez: Democrat senator accused of bribery says $480,000 in cash found at home was from his personal savings

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Bob Menendez: Democrat senator accused of bribery says 0,000 in cash found at home was from his personal savings

A US senator facing corruption charges says nearly half a million dollars in cash which authorities discovered in his home was from his personal savings – and not from bribes.

Democrat Bob Menendez also said the $480,000 (£393,000) – allegedly found stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets and a safe at his home – was being kept on hand for emergencies.

“This may seem old-fashioned, but these were monies drawn from my personal savings account based on the income that I have lawfully derived over those 30 years,” said the veteran New Jersey senator, who has been charged with bribery.

Sen. Bob Menendez speaks during a news conference on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Union City, N.J. Menendez defiantly pushed back against federal corruption charges, saying cash authorities found in his home was from his savings account and was on hand for emergencies, and wasn't bribe proceeds. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
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Menendez speaks during a news conference on Monday. Pic: AP

Federal agents who carried out the search of his home in 2022 also found gold bars worth more than $100,000 (£82,000), prosecutors said. Another $70,000 was discovered inside his wife’s safety deposit box, they said.

Rejecting calls for him to resign – including from Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer – Menendez added in a news conference: “I recognise this will be the biggest fight yet.

“But as I have stated throughout this whole process, I firmly believe that when all the facts are presented, not only will I be exonerated, but I still will be the New Jersey’s senior senator.”

Menendez, 69, made the speech at Hudson County Community College’s campus in Union City – where he grew up.

It came after he announced his decision to temporarily step down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee following the charges.

He and his wife, Nadine Menendez, are accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold and a luxury car from a trio of New Jersey businessmen in return for a variety of corrupt acts, according to an indictment, which was unsealed on Friday.

The indictment alleged Menendez used his clout to interfere in three criminal cases, pressured US agriculture regulators to protect an associate’s business interests, and used his position as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee to influence US policy on Egypt.

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Prosecutors claim he met Egyptian military and intelligence officials, passed on non-public information about employees at the US embassy in Cairo and was the ghostwriter of a letter on behalf of Egypt asking his Senate colleagues to release a hold on $300m (£246m) worth of aid.

Addressing his relationship with Egypt, he suggested he had been tough on the country over its detention of Americans and other “human rights abuses”.

Federal investigators allege Sen. Bob Menendez, received bribes in the form of gold bars. Pic: USDC Southern District of New York
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Prosecutors say Menendez received bribes in the form of gold bars. Pic: USDC Southern District of New York


Federal investigators allege Sen. Bob Menendez, received bribes in the form of gold bars. Pic: USDC Southern District of New York
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Pic: USDC Southern District of New York


“If you look at my actions related to Egypt during the period described in this indictment and throughout my whole career, my record is clear and consistent in holding Egypt accountable,” he said.

Menendez and his wife each face charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion under colour of official right.

He denies any wrongdoing.

In an emailed statement last week, he accused prosecutors of misrepresenting “the normal work of a congressional office” and said he will not allow his work in the Senate to be distracted by “baseless allegations”.

A lawyer for his wife said she “denies any criminal conduct and will vigorously contest these charges in court”.

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Bruce Willis’s wife says it’s ‘hard to know’ if he is aware of his dementia condition

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Bruce Willis's wife says it's 'hard to know' if he is aware of his dementia condition

Bruce Willis’s wife has opened up for the first time about her husband’s dementia, revealing it was unclear whether the actor was aware of his own condition.

Emma Heming Willis told the Today show on NBC it was “hard to know” if her husband knew of his aphasia – a condition affecting his cognitive abilities.

She said the actor’s dementia had been “hard on the family” since he was diagnosed more than a year ago.

Bruce Willis and Emma Heming Willis attend the "Motherless Brooklyn" premiere during the 57th New York Film Festival at Alice Tully Hall on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
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Bruce Willis and wife Emma Heming Willis in 2019. Pic: AP

“What I’m learning is that dementia is hard,” she said. “It’s hard on the person diagnosed, it’s also hard on the family.

“That is no different for Bruce, or myself or our girls. And when they say that this is a family disease, it really is.”

The model, who has been married to the Die Hard star since 2009, said she was now a “care partner” and that the disease was spoken about as part of an “open and honest household”.

Pic: AP
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Bruce Willis retired from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia. Pic: AP

She said: “The most important thing was to be able, for us, to say what the disease was, explain what it is, because when you know what the disease is from a medical standpoint it sort of all makes sense.

“It was important that we let [our daughters] know what it is because I don’t want there to be any stigma or shame attached to their dad’s diagnosis or any form of dementia.”

The couple have two young daughters, Evelyn and Mabel, and Willis, 68, has three adult daughters with his first wife and actress, Demi Moore.

Emma Heming Willis opened up during World FTD (frontotemporal dementia) Awareness Week.

She said his diagnosis was a “blessing and a curse”, explaining that “just being in the know” of what was happening “made it a little bit easier… [but didn’t] make it any less painful”.

“Honestly, he is the gift that keeps on giving. Love. Patience. Resilience. So much and he’s teaching me and our whole family. For me to be out here doing this, this is not my comfort zone. This is the power of Bruce,” she said.

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The 45-year-old said it was important to ask for “help and support” and care partners should “look after themselves” so they can be the best care partner for the person they are caring for.

On her daughters’ experience, she added how the situation was “teaching them how to care and love” and that it was a “beautiful thing amongst the sadness”.

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FTD is thought to account for less than one in 20 of all dementia cases.

It is named for the parts of the brain it affects – the frontal and temporal lobes and causes changes to personality, behaviour, language and movement.

As with other forms of dementia, the onset of the disease is slow to begin with but gradually gets worse.

There is currently no cure for FTD, but there are medicines, therapies and memory activities that can help control some of the symptoms.

The average survival time after symptoms start is between eight and 10 years.

Willis came to national attention alongside Cybill Shepherd in the 1980s TV hit Moonlighting.

His first big film role was as John McClane in the smash hit Die Hard in 1988. He went on to star in movies including Pulp Fiction, 12 Monkeys and The Sixth Sense.

Over four decades he starred in more than 100 films, which have amassed over $5bn (£4.17bn) at the box office worldwide.

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