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Trump Receives Reprieve As Court Cuts Bond Demand In Fraud Case

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Former President Donald Trump was granted a significant reprieve on Monday as an appeals court reduced a potentially crippling demand for a nearly half-billion-dollar bond payment and extended his deadline by 10 days.

The development came during Trump’s attendance at a separate hearing for his impending criminal trial related to payments made to a prominent porn star.

Previously facing a looming deadline to pay a substantial bond in his New York civil fraud case, Trump expressed difficulty in meeting the $454 million requirement, risking seizure of parts of his property empire by New York state.

With the court’s decision, he now has an extended timeframe of 10 days to pay a reduced sum of $175 million.

On his Truth Social app, Trump announced his intention to comply with the Appellate Division’s decision, committing to post either a bond, equivalent securities, or cash.

The 77-year-old Republican commenced a day marked by dual legal challenges in a Manhattan courtroom, where a hearing was convened to reschedule his trial concerning payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election to prevent the disclosure of a sexual encounter.

Addressing reporters outside the courtroom, Trump denounced the proceedings as a “witch hunt” before proceeding inside.

The hush money trial, originally slated to commence on Monday, faced an eleventh-hour delay due to the belated production of tens of thousands of pages of potential evidence by prosecutors.

Manhattan District Attorney, in discussions with Judge Juan Merchan, indicated a willingness to accommodate a postponement of up to 30 days for the trial’s commencement.

Conversely, Trump’s legal team has petitioned for a more substantial delay, seeking a minimum of three months to adequately prepare for the proceedings.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump vehemently condemned both legal cases as politically motivated assaults, strategically timed ahead of the November 5 presidential election, where he is expected to once again contend against Democratic incumbent Joe Biden.

In a fiery post, Trump asserted, “These are Rigged cases, all coordinated by the White House and DOJ for purposes of Election Interference. No crime. Our Country is CORRUPT!”.

Trump remains a vocal critic of a judicial system he perceives as stacked against him, consistently decrying it as “fixed.”

He has singled out New York Attorney General Letitia James, accusing her of racism, and Judge Arthur Engeron, whom he has branded as “crooked,” particularly in the context of his civil fraud case.

However, amidst these legal challenges, Trump received a financial boon last week with the announcement that Truth Social is poised to go public through a merger. This transaction holds the potential to generate billions of dollars for Trump.

Although Trump will be unable to access the funds for six months, the upcoming public debut of Truth Social could potentially bolster his ability to secure a bond.

Nevertheless, in the event of non-payment, New York Attorney General Letitia James retains the authority to freeze Trump’s bank accounts or initiate proceedings to seize some of his properties in New York.

Trump’s legal team has consistently sought to delay his numerous trials, with the ultimate aim of postponing them until after the presidential election.

One such trial involves adult film actress Stormy Daniels, known legally as Stephanie Clifford. In this case, Trump faces allegations of unlawfully using campaign funds to ensure her silence regarding an alleged 2006 sexual encounter.

Had Stephanie Clifford spoken out, the consequences for Trump’s presidential aspirations could have been devastating, particularly following closely on the heels of another scandal.

This previous incident involved a leaked recording in which the married businessman boasted about his ability, as a celebrity, to inappropriately touch women.

Trump stands accused of orchestrating the hush money payments in a manner that allegedly involved falsifying business records, constituting illegal conduct.

If convicted, the former president could potentially face a prison sentence of up to four years, underscoring the gravity of the charges against him in this ongoing legal saga.

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US Diplomats In Israel For High-Stake-Talks On Lebanon Truce

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Senior U.S. officials are set to meet their Israeli counterparts on Thursday to negotiate a potential agreement aimed at stabilizing Israel’s northern border and reducing the escalating conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

This high-stakes visit comes amid ongoing hostilities in Gaza, where the Palestinian militant group Hamas has rejected multiple ceasefire proposals as Israeli strikes persist.

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Just days before the U.S. presidential election, American envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk are expected to arrive in Israel.

Their mission focuses on securing a framework that could see Hezbollah withdraw approximately 20 miles (30 kilometers) north, beyond the Litani River.

In exchange, Israeli forces would pull back from Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army, supported by UN peacekeepers, to manage border security.

Under this arrangement, Lebanon would be responsible for preventing Hezbollah from rearming, while Israel would retain its right to self-defense under international law, according to Israeli media reports.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed hope on Wednesday that a ceasefire could be reached “in the coming hours or days.”

Newly appointed Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has indicated that the group would consider a truce under certain conditions, saying Hezbollah could sustain its resistance but remains open to negotiation.

Qassem’s appointment follows the assassination of his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike last month.

In parallel, U.S. and Qatari mediators are attempting to negotiate a brief humanitarian pause in Gaza, where Israel’s campaign against Hamas is ongoing.

However, on Thursday, senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu reiterated the group’s stance against a temporary ceasefire, stating, “The idea of a temporary pause in the war, only to resume aggression later, is something we have already expressed our position on.

Hamas supports a permanent end to the war, not a temporary one.”

This proposed pause would have allowed essential humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and opened up negotiations for a longer-term resolution, but Hamas’s rejection of the offer dims prospects for an immediate breakthrough.

As a result, attention remains firmly fixed on Lebanon, where efforts for a ceasefire along Israel’s northern front are likely to take precedence.

Last week, Israeli Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi spoke to the growing potential for resolution in Lebanon, saying, “In the north, there’s a possibility of reaching a sharp conclusion.”

Israel’s military has since intensified its strikes, particularly in southern Lebanon, where it issued evacuation orders in areas such as the Palestinian refugee camp of Rashidieh, warning of imminent action following previous strikes.

 

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Deadly Super Typhoon Kong-rey Wreaks Havoc Across Taiwan

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Super Typhoon Kong-rey barreled into Taiwan on Thursday, bringing fierce winds, towering waves, and heavy rainfall that led to widespread destruction and the suspension of daily activities across the island.

Packing sustained winds of 184 km/h (114 mph) and waves reaching 10 meters high, the typhoon marked one of the most powerful storms to strike Taiwan in nearly three decades.

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Kong-rey’s vast radius of 320 kilometers made it the largest storm to hit the island since 1995, surpassing Typhoon Gaemi earlier this year in both size and scope.

Officials say the storm could continue to impact the island through Friday morning, with flooding and dangerous winds expected to persist.

Fatalities and Damage as Taiwan Endures Kong-rey’s Wrath

Amid the chaos, one fatality was reported in central Nantou County, where a falling tree crushed a vehicle, while 73 others have been injured across Taiwan as the storm swept through.

Hundreds of rescue workers, including nearly 35,000 military troops, have been deployed island-wide to manage emergency responses, with ongoing rescues in the hardest-hit areas, like coastal Hualien County.

In Hualien, floodwaters rose quickly, prompting emergency evacuations. “The situation is very serious,” reported Wang Ming-chung, Hualien’s fire department chief.

First responders are grappling with multiple incidents involving fallen trees, downed power lines, and injuries from flying debris.

The typhoon has also led to power outages for more than 100,000 households, cancellations of over 400 flights, and suspension of all ferry services.

Four mudslides have been reported so far, and roads across Taiwan remain blocked by fallen trees and debris.

A Country on High Alert

Officials in Taiwan have evacuated more than 8,600 residents from high-risk regions, including Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, and public schools and workplaces were closed as the storm approached.

Authorities have also managed to reach two Czech tourists who were reported missing while hiking in Taroko Gorge; they are now safely sheltering in the mountains.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te urged citizens to prioritize safety, emphasizing that Kong-rey’s effects would continue to be felt well into the night.

“This storm is extremely dangerous. Please avoid any unnecessary outings, especially near the coast,” he said.

Growing Storm Intensity a Sign of Climate Change

Scientists warn that climate change is contributing to stronger storms worldwide, with rising temperatures leading to heavier rainfall and intense winds.

Chu Mei-lin from Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration reiterated that Kong-rey’s size and strength are a clear sign of this trend, stressing the need for preparedness in the face of increasingly severe storms.

Economy on Alert, but Industry Resilient

As Taiwan mobilizes recovery efforts, the island’s crucial semiconductor industry remains largely unaffected.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a global chip leader, announced it has activated storm preparedness measures, stating it does not expect significant disruptions at its facilities.

Kong-rey is the third typhoon to make landfall in Taiwan this year, following Typhoons Gaemi and Krathon.

Both previous storms caused fatalities, extensive injuries, and widespread property damage, adding to the urgency of Taiwan’s disaster response efforts.

 

 

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Hezbollah Appoints Naim Qassem As New Secretary-General After Nasrallah’s Death

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Hezbollah has appointed Naim Qassem as its new secretary-general, following the killing of Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli forces last month.

The announcement was made by the group’s media office in a statement on Tuesday.

Hezbollah’s Senior Council stated that the selection of Qassem adhered to the group’s established leadership protocols.

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Known for his deep-rooted commitment to “Prophet Mohammed’s authentic Islam” and Hezbollah’s founding principles, Qassem brings decades of experience within the organization.

Qassem, who has long served as a prominent figure within Hezbollah, was a close associate of Nasrallah and previously held the position of deputy secretary-general.

The leadership change comes at a volatile time, with increased regional tensions and ongoing conflicts impacting Lebanon.

 

 

 

More to follow………. 

 

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