Connect with us

International News

Trump Receives Reprieve As Court Cuts Bond Demand In Fraud Case

Published

on

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.

International News

ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Others

Published

on

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step, issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The charges include crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during Israel’s recent assault on Gaza.

In a detailed statement, the ICC accused the Israeli leaders of “intentionally and knowingly depriving the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity.”

READ MORE: Osun Govt Decries Attempted Murder Of Park Mgt  Chairman By Police

The ICC’s move marks a significant escalation in international scrutiny of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu and Gallant are alleged to have orchestrated policies that caused severe harm to the civilian population in Gaza, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.

Alongside the charges against Israeli officials, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. Deif has long been a central figure in Hamas’s military operations. Israel’s military claims to have killed him in a July airstrike, although this has not been independently verified.

The warrants highlight growing calls for accountability amid the ongoing conflict in the region. The ICC’s actions are likely to provoke heated debate and may complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.

With the warrants issued, global attention now turns to how the international community will respond and whether any practical steps will be taken to enforce them.

Continue Reading

International News

COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations

Published

on

As the 29th United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP29) nears its conclusion, tensions are rising over a newly published funding proposal aimed at assisting developing nations in addressing climate-induced crises.

The proposal, released by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Thursday, has sparked widespread debate among delegations, activists, and observers at the summit.

The document, spanning ten pages, outlines funding options to support developing countries in implementing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

READ ALSO: Osun Explains N75,000 New Minimum Wage

However, it fails to specify how much wealthier nations are required to contribute annually—a key sticking point that has drawn criticism from the Global South and climate advocates.

Ambiguity in Funding Commitments

Critics argue that the absence of concrete figures undermines the credibility of the proposed framework.

Mohamed Adow, Founder and Director of Power Shift Africa, described the proposal as “a blank piece of paper,” highlighting the lack of clarity on financial commitments.

“This is the ‘finance COP.’ We came here to talk about money. The way you measure money is with numbers. We need a cheque, but all we have right now is a blank piece of paper,” Adow remarked during an interview.

The Global South, led by African delegations, is demanding at least $1.3 trillion annually by the end of the decade to adapt to climate change impacts and transition to sustainable energy systems.

Yet, developed nations have yet to commit to a specific annual figure, raising concerns over the summit’s ability to deliver tangible outcomes.

Key Provisions and Concerns

The new text acknowledges the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations and the financial barriers they face, including high costs of capital and limited fiscal space.

READ ALSO: NNPCL Launches Utapate Crude Oil Blend, Eyes Production Expansion In 2025

It proposes the establishment of a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, suggesting a framework of “at least USD [X] trillion annually” from 2025 to 2035.

However, the absence of defined numbers has led to frustration among negotiators.

David Tong, Global Industry Campaign Manager at Oil Change International, emphasized the critical role of finance in achieving meaningful progress.

“Without finance, there is no phase-out [of fossil fuels], no energy transition, no adaptation. The ambitious options are simply missing,” Tong stated during a press briefing.

Rising Frustration from the Global South

Delegates from the Global South have expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceive as weak commitments from developed nations.

Many fear that without concrete financial pledges, the summit’s outcomes may fall short of expectations.

“This summit is about delivering justice to those who suffer most from climate impacts. Wealthy nations must step up and provide the necessary funding,” said an African negotiator, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A Critical Juncture

With less than 48 hours remaining in the summit, the stakes are high. The COP29 negotiations in Baku, dubbed the “finance COP,” are expected to set a precedent for addressing the financial needs of vulnerable nations.

Delegates are calling on world leaders to finalize an ambitious NCQG target and bridge the growing divide between developed and developing nations.

 

 

Continue Reading

International News

Biden Approves Anti-Personnel Mines For Ukraine

Published

on

In a significant policy move, U.S. President Joe Biden has authorised the transfer of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, signaling heightened support for the country amid its ongoing struggle against Russian forces.

The decision underscores the administration’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defensive capabilities as the conflict shows no signs of abating.

This announcement follows reports that Ukrainian forces have employed U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to conduct precision strikes within Russian territory.

These developments have reportedly prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to modify elements of Russia’s nuclear doctrine, further intensifying global scrutiny of the conflict’s escalation.

READ MORE: Vinicius Jr. Honors Cameroonian Roots Ahead Of Brazil’s Clash With Uruguay

In addition to the mines, the U.S. is set to unveil a new $275 million military aid package for Ukraine in the coming days. The package is expected to include a range of munitions and equipment aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s operational readiness.

This move aligns with Washington’s broader strategy to maintain robust support for Kyiv, even as questions loom over potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy with the approaching transition to a new administration.

The U.S. government has remained steadfast in its support for Ukraine, with officials emphasizing that these measures are essential for helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty. The provision of anti-personnel mines, however, marks a controversial step, reflecting the urgency of the situation on the ground.

As the conflict continues, the Biden administration’s decisions will likely have profound implications not only for Ukraine but also for the broader geopolitical landscape, where tensions remain high and outcomes uncertain.

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.