ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The grand jury in New York has officially indicted Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States of America – in office from 2016 to 2020 and running for the 2024 elections – with the accusation of having paid an amount of $130,000 during his campaign seven years ago to buy the silence of porn actress and director Stormy Daniels, in order to conceal their relationship. The tycoon thus became the first US President or former president to be indicted by a court, and the charges will be formalized early next week, according to one of his lawyers, Joe Tacopina. According to CNN, which cites reliable sources, Trump will face more than 30 counts of corporate fraud. The Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, a young African American already known for having overseen the case of Harvey Weinstein, the famous Hollywood producer accused of various sexual harassment, is carrying out the accusations against Trump.
It is precisely against Bragg that Donald Trump himself lashes out, who according to US media reports he is in his residence in Mar-a-Lago and did not expect the decision of the grand jury to arrive in these days: “This is a persecution and interference in politics at the highest level in the history of an election, reads a long statement from the former Republican president, adding “since I came down the golden escalator of the ‘Trump Tower’, even before becoming president of the United States, radical left Democrats, enemies of the hard working men and women of this country, have been engaged in a witch hunt to destroy the Make America Great Again movement. The Democrats have lied, cheated and stolen in their obsession with the intention to hurt Trump,” the statement said. It added “now they have done the unthinkable: indict a completely innocent person in an act of blatant election interference. Never before in our nation’s history has this been done. Democrats have cheated before, and this time they’re using our judicial system to punish a political opponent and by far the leading Republican presidential candidate like never before.”
Joe Biden is also mentioned in Trump’s statements: “Alvin Bragg was chosen and paid by George Soros and it is shameful. Hès doing Joe Biden’s dirty work, ignoring the murders, burglaries and assaults. This is how Bragg spends his time. I believe this witch hunt will come back to haunt Joe Biden in a big way. The American people understand exactly what the Democrats on the radical left are doing here. Our party and our men will first defeat Alvin Bragg and then Joe Biden,” he concluded, while declaring “we will drive out the Democrats by making America great again “.
For the moment, the White House has not released any statement on the matter. The reactions are manifold, above all that of his son Eric, who considers the indictment of his father as a political act that “would make Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot to fade”.
Stormy Daniels’ attorney, Clark Brewster, commented on Twitter: “The indictment of Donald Trump is no cause for joy. Now let truth and justice prevail, no one is above the law”. Another lawyer, at the time in the service of Donald Trump, is precisely the key character in this story. In fact, it was Michael Cohen, the tycoon’s former lawyer, who provided the testimony that led to the request, now accepted, for the indictment of the former president: “For the first time in the history of our country, a former president of the United States, wrote Cohen on Twitter, “I am not happy to release this statement and I also want to remind everyone of the presumption of innocence. However, today’s indictment is not the end of this chapter but only the beginning,” he concluded, while claiming his testimony and the evidence he provided to the New York prosecutor’s office”.
One of Trump’s lawyers reported that his client should travel to New York on Tuesday to surrender to the Manhattan authorities and be indicted: subsequently, according to practice, he will be arrested for taking fingerprints and a mug shot, but not will go to jail. According to another Trump lawyer, Chris Kise, “there is a complete lack of legal basis for this indictment, which should frighten every citizen of this country regardless of opinions about President Trump”.
In the United States there is already a debate about Trump’s intention to continue in the electoral campaign and to contest the presidential election. However it is up to the Republicans to decide. An indictment or even a criminal conviction would not prevent him from continuing his presidential campaign if he so chooses – and he has given every indication that he will keep pushing ahead regardless of what happens. There is nothing in US law that prevents a candidate who is found guilty of a crime from campaigning for, and serving as, president – even from prison. Meanwhile Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor of Florida as well as candidate in the race for the White House is in a close fight with Trump, said, the prosecutor district of Manhattan is breaking the law to target a political opponent: Florida will not respond to his extradition request.”

– photo agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The European Commission expressed concern about the efficiency of the justice system in Malta, especially in cases related to high-level corruption.

While addressing the European Parliament during a discussion on the rule of law in Malta, European Commissioner for Values and Transparency V?ra Jourovà acknowledged the reforms implemented by the Maltese government, including the appointments in the judiciary, however, she declared “challenges remain such as the efficiency of justice and the length of proceedings which continued to deteriorate in recent years”.

Jourovà added that several initiatives are underway to improve the efficiency of Maltàs justice system but “although Malta took additional measures and increased resources allowed to investigative and prosecution bodies, the investigation of high-level corruption cases remains lengthy.” She added that final judgements are still lacking results and “remain a cause of concern”.

The debate, which also looked into the rule of law in Spain and Greece, came after the European Peoplès Party (EPP) moved a motion to debate the latest developments in Malta following the criminal investigation launched against author and journalist Mark Camilleri.

Camilleri has published a series of messages between former junior minister and current MP Rosianne Cutajar and the man indicted for commissioning the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Yorgen Fenech.

– photo Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri told Parliament that 974 migrants were either returned to their country of origin or deported to another country. This includes the return of persons who arrived in Malta irregularly, and have had their asylum request rejected, and persons who were residing in the country irregularly.

Meanwhile from the beginning of this year, 186 people were deported to their country of origin, or another country.

The Home Affairs Minister also said that 738 failed asylum seekers are still living in Malta, some dating back to 2004. The failed asylum seekers came from Nigeria and Sudan, with 117 and 103 respectively. There are also a few migrants from Mali and Ivory Coast, with 86 and 78 respectively. The failed asylum seekers come from 35 different countries, with most coming from sub-Saharan Africa.

– photo Police Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BRUXELLES (BELGIUM) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “Ukraine will define the terms of a just peace, which requires the withdrawal of invading troops. Any peace plan that would actually consolidate the
Russian annexations is simply not a viable plan. We have to be frank on this point”. This was declared by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in her speech on EU-China relations at the Mercator Institute for China Studies and the European Policy Centre, in Brussels.
“The way China continues to interact with Putin’s war will be a determining factor for the future of relations between the EU and China,” Von der Leyen stressed.
“Even China itself has taken a more assertive stance towards own neighborhood,” she continued, adding that the performance of military strength in the South China Sea and the Eastern China Sea and bordering India, directly affects our partners and their legitimate interests. We also emphasize the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Any weakening of the regional stability in Asia, the fastest growing region in the world, affects security and global economy, the free flow of trade and our interests in the area”.

– foto Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Two out of five households in Ukraine are in dire need of livelihoods and basic necessities, and the country is facing unprecedented rates of displacement, inflation and unemployment a year after the conflict. The alarm was raised today by Save the Children, the international organization that has been fighting for over 100 years to save the lives of girls and boys and guarantee them a future.
According to the latest Multisectoral Needs Report on Ukraine, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Community Affairs (OCHA) more than 40% of households reported that they are having difficulty to meet their daily needs for food, water and supplies of basic necessities, and in the areas mostly affected by the fighting in the east and south of the country, the rate rises to 60%. The National Bank of Ukraine last month estimated an inflation rate of 25%, with the cost of products rising by half in the eastern regions. In September, one in five consumers in Ukraine said they could not afford the products available in stores.
In Ukraine, 5.3 million people are still away from home and the need for financial assistance for displaced families is growing by the day. One in four people is currently unemployed because many struggle to find stable work in their temporary place of residence.
“Families in Ukraine are living in extreme need which is getting worse every day as the war plunges more and more children and parents into poverty”, said Sonia Khush, Director of Save the Children Ukraine. “People are losing their sources of income as businesses across the country are closing and there are no wages. It is a devastating situation for displaced families, who have already lost almost everything because of the war and are now on the brink of survival. Ukrainian families need humanitarian support and the international community must commit itself to help in the recovery of this generation, ensuring these children and young people, together with their families, safe and dignified living conditions, but also to give a future to the children who are the next generation of Ukraine, but their development and future are severely hampered by the ongoing conflict”, concluded Sonia Khush.

– photo Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The French Supreme Court of Appeal has confirmed the refusal to extradite ten former Red Brigades Italian terrorists, which have been living in France for decades, convicted of terrorist acts in Italy. The court upheld the decision of the Paris Court of Appeal, which in June 2022 already opposed to the extradition because the former terrorists are entitled to a fair trial.
“We take note of the decision of the French Supreme Court of Appeal, which in full autonomy decided to deny the extradition to Italy of 10 former terrorists convicted for very serious crimes committed years ago,” commented the Italian Minister of Justice, Carlo Nordio, adding “Italy has done everything in its power to eliminate the political obstacle that for decades has prevented the French judiciary to evaluate our requests. I had already thanked personally, in our first meeting, colleague Eric Dupond-Moretti for having stood by Italy and for his constant attention to our requests. With him
I also had a telephone conversation, and Minister Dupond-Moretti understood our need to seek truth and justice and, giving course to our requests for extradition, he testified full
confidence of the French Government in our judiciary, which it has judged the defendants always in compliance with all guarantees”.
“Disconcerting decision by the French Supreme Court of Appeal. They reject immigrant children at the borders but spoil the assassins from the Red Brigades,” commented the Lega in a statement.

– photo Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese Parliament started debating amendments to the Conversion Therapy legislation so that the promotion or advertising of such practice carries a harsher penalty.

Conversion therapy refers to any treatment, practice or sustained effort that aims to change, repress or eliminate a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression.

Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms Rebecca Buttigieg said “we believe in a society which is open to everyone, and these amendments ensure our commitment to improving human rights in the country”.

The bill also includes penalties and jail terms for anyone who offers, performs, or refers a person to any type of conversion procedure.

Buttigieg said the practices do not work, and only serve to inflict psychological damage on the individuals who decide to participate in the practice.

She added that the change in mentality when it comes to how people view and treat LGBTIQ+ individuals came after legislation was endorsed. Buttigieg said that this amendment will continue to strengthen Maltàs credentials among European countries.

– photo Department of Information –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu succumbed to the pressure of tens of thousands of protestors and announced that his government will be postponing the judiciary reform to find a comprise with those objecting to the controversial reform. “When therès an opportunity to avoid civil war through dialogue, I, as prime minister, am taking a timeout for dialogue,” Netanyahu said.
Earlier Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he had agreed with Netanyahu to the delay until the Israeli parliament reconvened for its summer session on April 30.
Following the prime minister’s announcement, the trade unions ended a nationwide strike. 700,000 workers in health, transit and banking, among other sectors, stopped working for hours.
Tens of thousands of Israelis protested against the reforms outside parliament following the firing of the defense minister who urged a halt to the reforms.
(ITALPRESS).
-photo credit agenziafotogramma.it-

Source: medNews

TUNIS (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The President of Tunisia Kais Saied has cancelled a scheduled meeting with the EU’s economic affairs commissioner, Paolo Gentiloni, who arrived in Tunis on Monday on an official visit.

No reasons have been given yet, neither by the EU’s delegation in Tunis nor by the Tunisian Presidency.

However, Gentiloni met with the foreign minister, Nabil Ammar, while talks were scheduled with the Economics Minister Samir Said and the central bank chief, Marouane Abassi,

The visit was expected conclude on Monday after a meeting with Finance Minister Sihem Boughdiri Nemsia and talks with Prime Minister Najla Bouden.

Gentiloni is discussing the economic reforms and potential new financial assistance for Tunisia, which the European Commission said it could consider if “specific preconditions are met”.

Tunisia continues to face a worsening economic situation and urgently needs to enact a package of reforms to secure a deal with the International Monetary Fund. The agreement of 1.9 billion dollars, could facilitate the obtaining of other loans and aid through bilateral agreements between Tunisia and European and Arab countries.

– photo Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TEL AVIV (ISRAEL) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The largest trade union in Israel ordered a strike across various sectors in a sign of support for the ongoing protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahùs plan to overhaul the judiciary.

The strike was ordered by the Histadrut group, which represents nearly 800,000 workers in the health and banking sectors among others, and is expected to paralyze large parts of Israel’s economy.

Thousands of travelers were affected as departing flights out of Israel’s main international airport were grounded in protest. Local governments, which manage pre-schools and other essential services, and a main doctors union confirmed their participation in the strike against the government.

The growing resistance to the plan came hours after tens of thousands of people burst into the streets around Israel in a spontaneous show of anger at Netanyahùs decision to fire his defense minister after he called for a pause to the overhaul of the judiciary system.

Chanting “the country is on fire,” they lit bonfires on Tel Aviv’s main highway, closing the throughway and many others throughout the country for hours. Thousands of protesters were gathering on Monday outside the Knesset to put more pressure on the government.

Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, and his allies in Israel’s most right-wing government ever, has plummeted Israel into one of its worst domestic crises. It has sparked a sustained and intensifying protest movement including its military, who have come out publicly to say they will not serve a country veering toward autocracy.

– photo Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews