Grand jury indictments for Trump Org, Cosby’s release and China warns it won’t be bullied

Thursday, July 1, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     In a major development in the investigation into former President Donald Trump's business dealings, New York grand jury indictments against the Trump Organization and one of its top leaders are expected to be handed down today. We have more on what some say are prosecutorial missteps that lead to Bill Cosby's release. And China celebrates 100 years of its ruling Communist Party with pomp and propaganda.    Here's what we're watching this Thursday morning. Grand jury indicts Trump Organization, CFO on tax crimes, led by New York AG, district attorney The Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the New York Attorney General's Office have obtained indictments against the Trump Organization and its chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, two people familiar with the matter told NBC News.   Weisselberg surrendered himself to the Manhattan District Attorney's office early Thursday.   The charges, handed up by a New York grand jury, are expected to be unsealed in court Thursday afternoon in Manhattan, one Trump representative told NBC News.   The charges stem from a scheme to pay compensation to Weisselberg and possibly others "off the books" by the Trump Organization. Thursday's top stories Chinese Communist Party whips up patriotic fervor to celebrate 100 years in power By Eric Baculinao | Read more From rockets to rappers, Beijing is rolling out the red carpet to celebrate 100 years of the Chinese Communist Party. President Xi Jinping presided over a massive gathering in Beijing's Tiananmen Square Thursday to mark the centenary of his ruling party, vowing that China will "never allow foreign bullying." A procedural violation got Bill Cosby out of jail. Legal experts say someone dropped the ball. By Erik Ortiz | Read more  A previous nonprosecution agreement cited as a cornerstone in the argument for Bill Cosby's stunning release from prison Wednesday has set off scrutiny over how the once-celebrated entertainer could walk free on what some are calling a technicality. Meantime, Cosby's accusers say they are "stunned" at the court's decision. Judge denies request to remove Britney Spears' father as co-conservator By Wilson Wong and Diana Dasrath | Read more   The Los Angeles Superior Court denied Britney Spears' request to have her father removed as the conservator of her estate on Wednesday.  OPINION Democrats investigating the Capitol riot need to finally call GOP's bluff By Kurt Bardella  | Read more   Democrats need to stop worrying about what the GOP thinks and start worrying about what will happen if Republicans believe they can get away with pretty much anything, writes Bardella, a former GOP advisor.  Princes William and Harry unite to unveil Diana statue, but all eyes will be on their relationship By Rachel Elbaum | Read more  The event to honor the princes' mother on what would have been her 60th birthday will be only the second time the pair are seen together in public since Harry stepped back from his role as a senior royal. BETTER Please, don't try this at home.   By Meghan Holohan | Read more Videos of people putting garlic up their noses are trending on TikTok, but experts say the practice won't relieve symptoms. Want to receive the Morning Rundown in your inbox? Sign up here. Also in the news ... Biden heads to Florida to meet with families, rescue teams impacted by building collapse 17 people injured in blast after Los Angeles police seized fireworks Public health experts warn that a 'hot vax summer' could lead to a spike in sexually transmitted diseases James Franco agrees to over $2 million settlement in sexual misconduct suit U.S. to add third gender option to American passports Federal judge puts Florida 'deplatforming' law on hold, citing First Amendment SHOPPING From outdoor furniture to small appliances, these are the best sales and deals to shop this July 4th. One wacky thing That's some NFT.   A blockchain-based token representing the original source code for the World Wide Web written by its inventor Tim Berners-Lee sold for $5.4 million at Sotheby's in an online auction on Wednesday.   The source code was sold in the form of a non-fungible token (NFT) — a crypto asset which records ownership of digital items.   Read the full story here. Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: petra@nbcuni.com   If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Petra Cahill Download the NBC News App Follow NBC News Privacy | Unsubscribe | More NBC Newsletters | Contact View in browser