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Trump’s historic New York hush money trial begins with jury selection

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Trump’s historic New York hush money trial begins with jury selection

Trump’s historic New York hush money trial begins with jury selection

Donald Trump would become the first former president in U.S. history to stand trial on criminal charges when jury selection begins on Monday in New York.

The trial of the case stemmed from payments made to an adult film actress ahead of the 2016 election.

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Trump, who was the 45th president of the U.S. is set for an election rematch with incumbent President Joe Biden coming this November.

Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records as part of a scheme involving his former lawyer Michael Cohen to conceal the 130,000 dollars pay-off made to Stormy Daniels.

Daniels said the money was given to keep her quiet about an affair she had with Trump in 2006.

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He has admitted to paying her on the eve of the 2016 election to stop her “false and extortionist accusations’’ but denied any sexual encounter.

Trump’s lawyers made several unsuccessful attempts to have the hush money trial delayed; a tactic they have also used in the former president’s three other ongoing criminal cases.

The process of selecting a jury in New York, a heavily Democratic city, could take several days, with potentially hundreds of people ultimately whittled down to just 12 jurors and six alternates.

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The whole trial, in which Cohen and Daniels are expected to testify for the prosecution, could last up to eight weeks.

Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, faces a maximum of four years behind bars if convicted.

At a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Friday, he told reporters he was ready to take the stand to defend himself.

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“I’m testifying. I tell the truth’’, Trump said, although it was far from certain the Republican real estate tycoon would undertake such a high-risk legal strategy.

In any case, Trump’s campaign for the presidency would collide with his courtroom obligations.

He was required to be present every day of the historic trial, which is sure to generate a frenzy of media coverage.

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Trump’s legal entanglements were extensive.

The most serious are his four criminal indictments in four different cities.

Besides the New York case, two involve his alleged efforts to keep himself in power after Biden defeated him in 2020 and other concerns the retention of classified documents after leaving office.

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The three other trials don’t have firm start dates.

Trump has been dealt with major blows in two New York civil lawsuits.

One is accusing him and his organisation of committing fraud and another of defaming magazine columnist E Jean Carroll when he denied her claims of sexual assault.

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Trump owed more than half a billion dollars in legal penalties in the combined cases.

Trump claimed, without evidence, that he was a victim of political persecution orchestrated by Democrats to keep him from the White House.

Even if he was convicted, the Constitution did not prevent a felon from running for the presidency.

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Trump and Biden remain locked in a neck-and-neck race.

(dpa/NAN)

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Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial

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President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed London in the early hours of Tuesday with the remains of Buhari back to Nigeria.
On arrival at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Airport Katsina, Tinubu was received by Gov. Dikko Radda,  former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, governors, Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, and Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Tajudeen Abbas.
Others are Ministers, former governors, former and serving Senators, Alhaji Dahiru Managl,  former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NEC), amongst others.
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“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial

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Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.

“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.

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Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.

“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.

Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.

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“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.

Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.

“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.

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On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.

The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.

Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.

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King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader

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His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.

In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.

King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”

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He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”

Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”

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