Michael Welu worked at the IRS for decades as a specialist in helping agents identify and investigate possible tax crimes. In an agency known for offices working in their own silos, Welu had the rare ability to move between divisions, dissecting and learning each office’s particular customs and procedures. But that experience had its own … Read more
A drug squad officer has been found guilty of causing a road death in Larnaca district court. The accident occurred on January 16, 2022, in Ayia Anna village, resulting in the death of 70-year-old Alain Merhege, a French national. Witnesses stated that the officer had been speeding at the time of the incident. The officer was convicted of causing death by a reckless act, which could lead to up to four years in jail. The court found the officer’s testimony lacking credibility.
Donald Trump, the first former U.S. president convicted of a crime, will remain free while awaiting sentencing for falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment. The judge must approve the verdict, and sentencing could lead to fines or probation instead of prison time. Trump could appeal the conviction, arguing legal errors and that state law doesn’t apply to federal elections. He could still run for president and be sworn in from jail if he were to unseat Biden.
Turkish Cypriot journalist Ali Kismir’s trial has been postponed until September 27. He is facing up to 10 years in jail for “insulting” the Turkish Cypriot armed forces by likening their headquarters to a brothel in his writings in 2020.
South Africans are casting their ballots in the country’s most unpredictable election in three decades of democracy. Some voters are losing patience with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) due to economic and social problems it has failed to fix since the end of apartheid. Some once loyal supporters of the ANC are considering voting for other parties, with pollsters expecting the ANC to lose its parliamentary majority.
Julian Assange has been granted permission to appeal against extradition to the U.S. by arguing that he might not have free speech rights in a U.S. court. The appeal is based on concerns that he could be discriminated against as a foreign national. Assange is wanted in the U.S. on 18 charges related to WikiLeaks’ release of secret U.S. documents. The appeal was welcomed by his supporters, who gathered outside the court. If the ruling had gone against him, Assange could have been extradited to the U.S. within 24 hours. U.S. assurances that Assange could rely on First Amendment protections were deemed inadequate by his legal team. The appeal will now cover all 18 charges against him.
Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza, was imprisoned by Israel for 23 years before rising to a leadership role in the militant group. He made a speech in December 2022 promising a fierce strike against Israel, which was carried out less than a year later in an assault that killed 1,200 people. Sinwar had a history of punishing collaborators with Israel and has been devoted to the destruction of Israel and killing Jews.
– The African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa is facing a decline in support and is expected to receive less than 50% of the vote in the upcoming election.
– The decline of the ANC has not led to the emergence of new parties with new ideas, but rather the same old parties with the same old ideas.
– South Africa remains a country with high levels of poverty and inequality, with official unemployment at 32%.
– Former president Jacob Zuma has founded a new party that is expected to attract Zulu votes and further decrease the ANC’s support.
– The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, led by Julius Malema, is polling at 11.5% and has a radical platform that includes nationalizing banks and mines.
– Malema’s best chance of gaining power may be through a coalition with the ANC.
– Despite challenges, South Africa still has resources and potential for change.
Fact: Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was detained by police while trying to enter the Valhalla Golf Club for the second round of the PGA Championship.
Fact: Former pro-Kurdish party leader Selahattin Demirtas was sentenced to more than 40 years in jail for instigating protests in 2014 triggered by an Islamic State attack on the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani.