Briefly

UNITED STATES

Trump berates fraud trial judge in New York

Donald Trump ignored warnings from the judge in his New York civil fraud trial on Thursday and turned closing arguments into an election campaign attack, claiming that prosecutors are out to stop his political comeback. Prosecutors are demanding $370 million from Trump over fraud allegations — and to bar him from conducting business in the state where he made his name as a celebrity real estate tycoon. This trial is one of multiple criminal and civil cases that Trump faces as he seeks to return to the White House.

RUSSIA

Putin states wish to visit Kuril Islands

President Vladimir Putin said he will definitely visit the southern Kuril Islands one day, which are at the center of a dispute with Japan that has lasted since World War II. The islands are known by Japan as the Northern Territories. At a meeting in Russia's far eastern city of Khabarovsk on Thursday, Putin said tourism should be developed on the islands. "They say it is very interesting there," Putin said. "I have never once been there, but I will definitely go there."

Agencies Via Xinhua