Headlines
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
Trump and Biden remain locked in a neck-and-neck race.
(dpa/NAN)
Headlines
China Introduces Instant Tax Refunds for Foreign Tourists to Boost Shopping Experience

China has revamped its tax refund policy for foreign tourists, shifting from a refund-upon-departure model to a more convenient refund-upon-purchase system, according to the State Taxation Administration (STA).
The STA announced on Tuesday that under the new system, foreign visitors can now claim Value Added Tax (VAT) rebates instantly at designated tax-free stores. This change allows tourists to use their refunded amount immediately for additional shopping, enhancing their overall experience in China.
Previously, VAT rebates could only be withdrawn upon departure, but with the new policy, tourists will be able to access their refunds in real-time during their stay. The policy, which was initially tested in cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangdong, has now passed all operational requirements and will be rolled out nationwide.
The STA emphasized its dedication to improving policy guidance and simplifying refund procedures to better serve international visitors.
Li Xuhong, Vice-President and Professor at the Beijing National Accounting Institute, welcomed the change, stating that the nationwide implementation would raise China’s tourism service standards. “It will foster a friendly, efficient, and convenient tourism environment,” Xuhong added.
Headlines
Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to One-China Policy Amid Taiwan’s Trade Office Claims

Rep. Jaafaru Yakubu, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on China-Nigeria Parliamentary Relations, has reiterated Nigeria’s firm commitment to the One-China Policy, following recent comments by Taiwan’s Trade Mission Head in Nigeria, Andy Yih-Ping Liu.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Yakubu firmly declared that Nigeria continues to recognize Taiwan as an integral part of the People’s Republic of China. He rejected Liu’s claim that Taiwan was not part of China, labelling it as “propaganda” aimed at undermining the strong diplomatic ties between Nigeria and China.
“For the record, United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, recognised the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of all of China, including Taiwan,” Yakubu stated. “The One-China Policy remains the cornerstone of China-Nigeria relations.”
He emphasized that since Nigeria and China established diplomatic ties in 1971, the country has consistently upheld this principle. “Efforts by Taiwan’s trade office to challenge this stance are futile and will not succeed,” Yakubu added.
Yakubu criticized Liu’s comments as an attempt to draw Nigeria into China’s internal matters, accusing the Taiwanese official of deliberately sowing discord and provoking a diplomatic rift. “Nigeria’s relationship with China is built on mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s political matters,” he said.
In response to Liu’s claim that China acted as a bully, Yakubu pointed to the positive trajectory of Nigeria-China relations. “Contrary to these baseless assertions, Nigeria has enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership with China, yielding tangible results for both nations. Since 1971, our ties have grown significantly.”
He highlighted the strategic nature of the partnership, referencing the elevation of the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the 2024 FOCAC Summit in Beijing. “Today, Nigeria stands as China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade surpassing 20 billion dollars,” Yakubu noted.
Furthermore, Yakubu praised China’s role in Nigeria’s infrastructural development, with investments in sectors such as rail networks, roads, ports, power stations, and water treatment facilities.
Headlines
Shettima Warns Media Against Romanticising National Challenges

Vice President Kashim Shettima has cautioned Nigerian media practitioners against the growing tendency to romanticise serious national issues, describing the trend as a dangerous departure from the media’s constitutional duty of promoting truth and accountability.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Modibbo Umar, the Vice President issued the warning on Tuesday while delivering a speech at the 17th LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards held at the Old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.
“We must resist the temptation to romanticise serious national issues or frame them in ways that distort public understanding,” Shettima said. “Doing so only weakens the fabric of our democracy and derails our collective efforts at nation-building.”
The Vice President’s remarks came as stakeholders in governance, business, and civil society gathered to reflect on the theme of the event, “Challenges and Opportunities in Nigeria’s Fiscal Federalism.” The conference provided a platform for thoughtful engagement on some of the country’s most pressing issues, with a focus on the responsibilities of leadership at all levels.
Shettima also used the occasion to commend LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group for its consistent contributions to national discourse and its commitment to celebrating excellence in leadership.
“I commend LEADERSHIP Newspaper for the vision to convene this vital discourse and for shining the light on those who have chosen to lead with courage and competence. May we never tire of striving for a better Nigeria,” he said.
The annual LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards continues to be a major event that brings together influential voices to deliberate on national progress and honour individuals and institutions making meaningful impact in society.
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