A judge has sentenced US President-elect Donald Trump to an “unconditional discharge,” bringing to an end the first criminal trial of a former US president. The sentence in the hush-money payment case means the incoming president has been spared any penalty, including jail time or a fine, but he will still take office as the first US president with a felony conviction. “Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances,” Justice Juan Merchan said shortly before announcing the sentence, calling it a “truly extraordinary case”. Appearing via video call from Florida and flanked by his attorney and two prominent American flags, Trump declared he was “totally innocent”. It was the first time in this year-and-half long legal saga that Trump had uttered more than a “not guilty” or given a brief affirmative answer. Granted the chance to speak ahead of his sentencing, Trump railed against the case for several minutes. “This has been a very terrible experience,” he said. He claimed there had been a “weaponisation” of the judicial system and claimed the case was brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for political reasons. “I would like to explain that I was treated very, very unfairly, and I thank you very much,” he said, before falling silent. As Bragg watched Trump address him directly for the first time, he maintained a mostly stoic expression. He did, however, chuckle when Trump claimed Bragg had never wanted to bring the case. After Trump had his say, Justice Merchan then took several moments to reflect on the “paradox” of the trial. Justice Merchan noted that despite the media and political circus outside, “once the courtroom doors were closed, it was no more unique than all the other cases taking place at the same time”. But he added that after Trump was convicted, the case took another turn when the American people elected him in November to a second presidential term. After careful consideration, he had determined that “the only lawful sentence, without encroaching upon the highest office of the land”, was unconditional discharge – a sentence that would allow the American people a president unencumbered by pending court proceedings. One of Trump’s attorneys, Emil Bove, attends his sentencing hearing in person. The end of a historic trial Trump was found guilty by a New York jury of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in May 2024. His sentencing was delayed multiple times due to Supreme Court rulings and the November presidential election. The charges stemmed from a plot to cover up a hush-money payment to an adult film star in the waning days of the 2016 election. Prosecutors argued the payment was a form of election interference aimed at keeping vital information from voters, and therefore broke the law. In October 2016, Trump’s then-attorney, Michael Cohen, paid a woman named Stormy Daniels $130,000 (£106,000) to remain silent about a years-old alleged sexual encounter with the soon-to-be president. After he was elected, Trump reimbursed Cohen in installments – and then falsely recorded them as legal expenses. Each of Trump’s guilty verdicts correlates to a false document related to the cover-up. Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges and denied the sexual encounter with Ms Daniels. He repeatedly claimed the case was politically motivated persecution. The six-week trial became a legal, political and media firestorm. Larger-than-life characters like Cohen and Daniels took the stand to face questioning from Trump’s attorneys. Trump brought a string of family members and Republican allies to court with him each day to fill the benches behind his defence table. Each day, he turned a small media pen in the hallway outside the courtroom into his personal pulpit, using the opportunities to rail against the justice system, the press, and other adversaries. Trump also used the furore of the trial to raise millions from supporters for his legal battles, and his campaign to retake the White House. In the four years between his terms in office, Trump was indicted in four separate criminal cases, including his New York case. In the end, this was the only one to go to trial. On the campaign trail and social media, Trump used his legal quagmires to portray himself – and his supporters – as victims of a rigged justice system. Despite the multiple indictments, including two that centred on his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, Trump decisively defeated Vice-President Kamala Harris in November. His victory quashed the two federal prosecutions against him, including his federal election interference case and one involving alleged mishandling of classified documents. The third, an election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, has been stuck in a series of delays and side dramas for months. Only Trump’s hush-money trial ever reached its conclusion, after Justice Merchan dug his heels in early January and demanded Trump appear virtually or in person for his sentencing. The battles did not stop there, however. Trump’s lawyers frantically filed appeals and even petitioned the US Supreme Court to halt the Friday hearing. The Supreme Court rejected him in a brief order issued Thursday night. They also fought to have the case dismissed by arguing that presidents-elect have immunity from criminal prosecution, an argument Justice Merchan rejected but they have continued to argue to higher courts. When Trump’s New York trial adjourned with a final bang of the gavel on Friday, it also brought to a close this particularly fraught chapter in his personal and political history. When he is sworn in 10 days from now, he will do so as the first US president to have ever been convicted of a felony. As he concluded his sentencing on Friday, Justice Merchan had one final message for Trump. “I wish you Godspeed as you assume your second term in office,” he said. Source: BBC

The Taliban has vehemently denied President-elect Donald Trump’s claims that they have received billions of dollars in US financial aid since regaining control of Afghanistan. Apexnewsgh reports Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy Taliban spokesperson, asserted that the Kabul administration neither anticipates nor seeks any assistance from the United States. Fitrat stated that the US has not provided a single penny to the Islamic Emirate, instead confiscating and freezing billions of dollars that rightfully belong to the people of Afghanistan. He also claimed that the US funds in question were primarily utilized for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan and the relocation and resettlement of their Afghan allies. The controversy surrounding US aid to the Taliban has been ongoing, with Congressman Tim Burchett expressing concern over foreign aid being directed to the de facto Afghan authorities. Burchett warned that these cash shipments are nearly impossible to track and may be funding terrorism worldwide. Despite the Taliban’s denial, reports suggest that some US aid may have ended up in the hands of the Taliban. The UN has flown over $2.9 billion in cash to Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power, with some of these funds potentially being diverted to the Taliban-controlled central bank. The US has maintained that it does not provide funding directly to the Taliban, instead channeling aid through the UN and other humanitarian organizations. However, concerns remain about the potential misuse of these funds and the need for greater transparency and oversight. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

U.S. lawmakers gathered to pay tribute to Jimmy Carter, the nation’s 39th president, as his body arrived at the U.S. Capitol to lie in state. Apexnewsgh reports Vice President Kamala Harris led the tribute, praising Carter’s enduring legacy and selfless service. “Today, we gather to celebrate the life of a man whose works will echo for generations to come,” Harris said. Carter’s casket arrived at the Capitol on a horse-drawn caisson, accompanied by a military honor guard and mourners. The ceremony marked the beginning of a two-day period during which the American public can pay their final respects to the former president. Lawmakers from both parties remembered Carter’s presidency, which was marked by significant challenges, including economic inflation and crises in Iran and Afghanistan. Despite these difficulties, Carter remained committed to his values and left a lasting impact on American politics. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described Carter as “one of the most decent men ever to hold the office of president,” while Speaker of the House Mike Johnson praised his selfless service and patriotism. Carter’s post-presidency was also notable for his humanitarian work and diplomacy. As the longest-living U.S. president, he redefined how American presidents lived after leaving office. Only 46 individuals have lain in state or in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda since the nation’s founding. Carter’s remains will return to his home state of Georgia on Thursday for a private family burial. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

A series of small-scale earthquakes has struck Ethiopia’s Afar, Oromia, and Amhara regions, prompting the government to evacuate approximately 80,000 people. Apexnewsgh reports At least 10 earthquakes have been reported since Friday, with signs of possible volcanic activity raising concerns among authorities and residents. The latest earthquakes shook the Awash Fentale district, which stretches between the Afar and Oromia regions, at 3:52 a.m. on Saturday. The United States Geological Survey recorded a 5.8-magnitude earthquake about 56 kilometers southeast of Ambosa, in the Oromia region. Atalay Ayele, head of the Seismology Department at Addis Ababa University, confirmed that the epicenter was in the middle of Dofen Mountain, Awash Fentale district, in the Afar region. A second tremor, measuring 4.7, was reported hours later, about 10 kilometers east of Awash in the Afar region. According to the federal government, the earthquakes are increasing in size and frequency, with data showing an earthquake measuring up to 5.8 on the Richter scale. The earthquake was felt in the capital, Addis Ababa, and cities such as Adama and Metehara, with residents living in condos and high-rise buildings also reporting feeling the tremors. As many as two dozen quakes and aftershocks have been reported in Awash Fentale district since September, according to residents and officials. The frequent quakes have created a natural hot spring water crater in the Afar region, which is reportedly widening. While no casualties have been reported, the quakes have damaged dozens of homes in Afar. The government has deployed emergency workers to assess the damage and evacuate the most vulnerable residents. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with experts in the field working to identify the epicenter of the earthquake and potential volcanic activity. Fears of volcanic eruptions have been raised after smoke was seen coming from vents in the Dofen volcano, signaling potential volcanic activity. The government has assured that it is making great efforts to identify the most vulnerable residents and evacuate them from the area, while also monitoring the possible impact of the earthquake on social service institutions, economic institutions, and infrastructure. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

A devastating terror attack struck New Orleans on New Year’s Day, leaving a trail of death and destruction on Bourbon Street. The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and former Army reservist, was killed in a shootout with police. As the investigation unfolds, early indications point to a plot inspired by the Islamic State terror group. The FBI confirmed that Jabbar had planted an IS flag in the pickup truck used in the attack, and President Joe Biden revealed that the suspect had posted videos on social media indicating his loyalty to ISIS just hours before the attack. The investigation is ongoing, with search warrants executed in New Orleans and other states, and a possible connection to an attempted bombing in Las Vegas being explored. Experts say the attack bears a chilling resemblance to tactics long promoted by IS propagandists. “What we saw fits in with the common pattern we’ve seen from the Islamic State for a while,” said Aaron Zelin, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. “They’ve been calling for car ramming attacks for years.” The use of vehicles as weapons of terror is a tactic that has been employed by IS-inspired attackers in the past, including a devastating attack in Nice, France, in 2016 that killed over 80 people. As the investigation into the New Orleans attack continues, one thing is clear: the threat of terrorism remains a grim reality, and vigilance is key to preventing such atrocities.

The Treasury Department said in its letter to lawmakers that the China-based actor was able to override security via a key used by a third-party service provider that offers remote technical support to its employees. The compromised third-party service – called BeyondTrust – has since been taken offline, officials said. They added that there is no evidence to suggest the hacker has continued to access Treasury Department information since. Along with the FBI, the department has been working with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and third-party forensic investigators to determine the breach’s overall impact. Based on evidence it has gathered so far, officials said the hack appears to have been carried out by “a China-based Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actor”. “In accordance with Treasury policy, intrusions attributable to an APT are considered a major cybersecurity incident,” Treasury Department officials wrote in their letter to lawmakers. The department was made aware of the hack on 8 December by BeyondTrust, a spokesperson told the BBC. According to the company, the suspicious activity was first spotted on 2 December, but it took three days for the company to determine that it had been hacked. The spokesperson added that the hacker was able to remotely access several Treasury user workstations and certain unclassified documents that were kept by those users. The department did not specify the nature of these files, or when and for how long the hack took place. They also did not specify the level of confidentiality of the computer systems. For instance, access to 100 low-level workers would likely be less valuable then access to only 10 computers at a higher echelon within the department. The hackers may have been able to create accounts or change passwords in the three days that they were being watched by BeyondTrust. As espionage agents, the hackers are believed to have been seeking information, rather than attempting to steal funds. The spokesperson said the Treasury Department “takes very seriously all threats against our systems, and the data it holds”, and that it will continue to work on protecting its data from outside threats. The department letter states that a supplemental report on the incident will be provided to lawmakers in 30 days. Chinese embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu denied the department’s report, saying in a statement that it can be difficult to trace the origin of hackers. “We hope that relevant parties will adopt a professional and responsible attitude when characterizing cyber incidents, basing their conclusions on sufficient evidence rather than unfounded speculation and accusations,” he said. “The US needs to stop using cyber security to smear and slander China, and stop spreading all kinds of disinformation about the so-called Chinese hacking threats.” This is the latest high-profile and embarrassing US breach blamed on Chinese espionage hackers. It follows another hack of telecoms companies in December that potentially breached phone record data across large swathes of American society. Source: BBC

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away on December 29, 2024, at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the remarkable age of 100. Apexnewsgh reports His death was confirmed by the Carter Center, which he founded with his wife Rosalynn. Born on October 1, 1924, Carter grew up in Plains, Georgia, and went on to graduate from the US Naval Academy. He served in the navy before retiring to take over his family’s business. Carter’s entry into politics began with his election as Governor of Georgia in 1970, and he later launched a successful bid for the presidency in 1976, narrowly defeating incumbent President Gerald Ford. During his presidency, Carter pursued a policy of warm relations with the US’s foes and competitors, including the Soviet Union. He achieved significant foreign policy successes, including the Camp David Accords, which established a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, and the normalization of diplomatic relations between the US and China. Carter was also a champion of environmental and renewable energy policies, and he deregulated the transportation and telecommunication sectors of the economy. Although he lost his re-election bid to Ronald Reagan in 1980, Carter’s post-presidency was marked by his establishment of the Carter Center and his work with Habitat for Humanity, promoting human rights and building homes for disadvantaged people around the world. His contributions to peace earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, and he is widely regarded as the most impactful former American president in history. As the world mourns the loss of this remarkable leader, the Carter Center will provide updates on activities and ceremonies to honor his legacy in the coming days. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

Sunday Adelaja’s life took a dramatic turn on February 24, 2022. The 57-year-old Nigerian pastor woke up to the sound of explosions in Irpin, a town just outside Kyiv, Ukraine. Russia’s invasion had begun. As the sounds of war drew closer, Adelaja quickly gathered his family, four students living with them, and a few essentials. They fled to the Polish border, leaving behind their home and a remarkable legacy – the Embassy of God church, one of Europe’s largest churches, built by Adelaja in Kyiv. Adelaja’s journey to Ukraine began in 1994, when he arrived as a student. He soon discovered a passion for preaching and a vision to build a massive church. Despite facing numerous challenges, Adelaja persevered, and his church grew rapidly. Today, the Embassy of God church stands as a testament to Adelaja’s determination and faith. With a congregation of over 20,000, it is a symbol of hope and unity in a country torn apart by conflict. As Adelaja and his family rebuild their lives in exile, they remain committed to their spiritual mission. The Embassy of God church continues to thrive, a beacon of light in the midst of darkness.