Trump's lawyers rebuff DA's idea for upholding his hush money conviction
Furman vs. South Carolina State Predictions & Picks: Spread, Total – December 14Two financial backers of the Geelong Football Club have been accused in court documents of orchestrating an elaborate fraud estimated at $14.5 million against one of the nation’s largest service providers for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Not-for-profit organisation genU has launched Supreme Court action against its former information technology operations manager, Sy Giang Nguyen, and Geelong businessman Keith Greenwood, who owns an office supplies company in Geelong West. Former genU IT operations manager Sy Giang Nguyen (circled) in a past photo with the Geelong team. Nguyen allegedly colluded with Greenwood to siphon millions of dollars from the registered charity by buying or leasing thousands of IT products on behalf of genU that were never delivered, according to documents filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria. Greenwood’s business, Ryrie Office Machines, is also accused of oversupplying and overcharging for IT hardware and software ordered by Nguyen, who had worked for genU since it was founded in 2016. GenU, which has 5500 staff and provides disability, aged care and employment services, became aware of the alleged fraud in September 2021, when an employee detected allegedly suspicious transactions. Nguyen was dismissed in October 2022 and police were notified in December that year. GenU engaged a forensic auditor, a private investigator and law firm RBK Legal as part of an internal probe which discovered Nguyen was living in a $5 million property in Geelong owned by Greenwood. Nguyen in happier times. Nguyen is accused in court documents of living at another property, owned by Greenwood, in the Geelong suburb of Newtown, while also spending significant time at Crown casino, where he had access to a luxury villa. Documents obtained by a private investigator reveal Nguyen corresponding with Crown Hotels’ former chief executive Peter Crinis. In 2015, Nguyen helped set a Guinness World Record when he consumed the world’s most expensive cocktail – a $12,500 drink known as “The Winston” – at Crown’s former venue Club 23. Nguyen did not finish the drink, made with 1858-vintage Croizet Cuvee Leonie cognac, and was reimbursed for the entire cost of the cocktail by Crown Resorts.Stock market today: Wall Street slips at the end of a bumpy week
CONX Corp. Announces Acquisition of Red Technologies SASThousands of Syrians gathered in Damascus’ main square and a historic mosque for the first Muslim Friday prayers since former President Bashar Assad was overthrown , a major symbolic moment for the country’s dramatic change of power. The rebels are now working to establish security and start a political transition after seizing the capital on Sunday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Friday, pressing ahead with efforts to unify Middle East nations in support of a peaceful political transition in Syria. It’s part of Blinken’s 12th trip to the Mideast since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year in Gaza but his first after Assad was ousted. The U.S. is also making a renewed push for an ceasefire in Gaza, where the war has plunged more than 2 million Palestinians into a severe humanitarian crisis. Israel’s war against Hamas has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The October 2023 attack by Hamas in southern Israel that sparked the war killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and around 250 others were taken hostage. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Here's the latest: WASHINGTON — The U.S. military has transported out of Syria an American who disappeared seven months ago into former President Bashar Assad’s notorious prison system and was among the thousands released this week by rebels, a U.S. official said Friday. Travis Timmerman was flown out of Syria on a U.S. military helicopter, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation. Timmerman, 29, told The Associated Press he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in Palestine Branch, a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.” Timmerman said he was released Monday morning alongside a young Syrian man and 70 female prisoners, some of whom had their children with them. He had been held separately from Syrian and other Arab prisoners and said he didn’t know of any other Americans held in the facility. — By Lolita C. Baldor THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A Dutch court on Friday rejected a bid from human rights groups to block weapons exports to Israel and trading with the occupied territories, after finding there were sufficient checks already in place to comply with international law. The ten organizations told The Hague District Court last month that they thought the Netherlands was in violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention, drawn up following World War II, by continuing to sell weapons to Israel more than a year into the conflict in Gaza. “The government uses my own tax money, that I pay, to kill my own family. I’ve lost 18 members of my own family,” Ahmed Abofoul, a legal adviser for the pro-Palestinian organization Al-Haq, one of the groups involved in the lawsuit, told the court during a hearing in November . The court ruling said that “it is not up to the interim relief judge to order the state to reconsider government policy. That is primarily a political responsibility.” Lawyers for the government argued it wasn’t up to a judge to decide foreign policy for the Netherlands. The activist groups pointed to several emergency orders from another court, the International Court of Justice, as confirming the obligation to stop weapons sales. In January, the top U.N. court said it was plausible Palestinians were being deprived of some rights protected under the Genocide Convention. The coalition said it will review the court’s ruling and is considering an appeal. CAIRO — Israeli attacks in and around a hospital in northern Gaza wounded three medical staff overnight into Friday and caused damage to the isolated medical facility, according to its director. Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya said Israeli quadcopter drones carrying explosives deliberately targeted the emergency and reception area of Kamal Adwan Hospital, where one doctor was wounded for a third time. Abu Safiya said “relentless” drone and artillery strikes throughout the night exploded “alarmingly close” to the hospital, heavily damaging nearby buildings and destroying most of the water tanks on the hospital’s roof and blowing out doors and windows. Kamal Adwan Hospital in the town of Beit Lahiya has been hit multiple times over the past two months since Israel launched a fierce military operation against Hamas in northern Gaza. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the strikes. “We demand international protection for the hospital and its staff,” Abu Safiya said in a statement released via the U.K.-based aid group Medical Aid for Palestinians, “as well as the entry of delegations with surgical expertise, medical supplies, and essential medications to ensure we can adequately serve the people we are treating.” Abu Safiya said there were 72 wounded patients at the hospital, one of the few medical facilities left in northern Gaza. He said he expected Israeli forces would allow a World Health Organization aid convoy to bring supplies to the hospital on Friday or Saturday, as well as a team of doctors from Indonesia. Israel has allowed almost no humanitarian or medical aid to enter the three besieged communities in northern Gaza — Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun and the urban Jabaliya refugee camp — and ordered tens of thousands to flee to nearby Gaza City. Israeli officials have said the three communities are mostly deserted, but the United Nations humanitarian office said Tuesday it believes around 65,000 to 75,000 people are still there, with little access to food, water, electricity or health care. Experts have warned that the north may be experiencing famine . BAGHDAD — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced stop in Iraq on Friday on his latest visit to the Middle East aimed at stabilizing the situation in Syria to prevent further regional turmoil. Blinken met in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani as part of the hastily arranged trip, his 12th to the region since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year but his first since the weekend ouster of Syrian strongman Bashar Assad. Blinken has already been to Jordan and Turkey on his current tour and will return to Jordan for urgent meetings on Saturday with Arab foreign ministers to try to unify support for an inclusive post-Assad transition that does not allow the Islamic State group to take advantage of the political vacuum in Syria and secures suspected chemical weapons stocks. In Baghdad, Blinken “will underscore U.S. commitment to the U.S.-Iraq strategic partnership and to Iraq’s security, stability, and sovereignty,” the State Department said. “He will also discuss regional security opportunities and challenges, as well as enduring U.S. support for engagement with all communities in Syria to establish an inclusive transition,” it said in a statement. His trip comes as the Biden administration winds down with just over a month left before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Trump has been highly critical of Biden’s approach to the Middle East and skeptical of the U.S. military presence in both Iraq and Syria. The U.S. and Iraq agreed in September to wrap up U.S.-led military operations against the Islamic State in Iraq next year, although Assad’s ouster and the potential for the group taking advantage of a political vacuum in Syria could complicate the timing of the withdrawal, according to American officials. DAMASCUS — The kingdom of Bahrain sent a message Friday to Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It said Bahrain is “fully prepared to consult with you continuously and to provide support in regional and international organizations to achieve what is in the interest of the brotherly Syrian people.” It added, “We look forward to Syria regaining its authentic role in the Arab League.” Bahrain is the current head of the Arab summit. Syria was readmitted to the Arab League last year after 12 years of ostracization. It is still unclear how the international community will deal officially with the new interim government in Syria. JERUSALEM - Israel’s defense minister told troops to prepare to remain through the winter months on the peak of Mount Hermon, Syria’s highest point, located in a swath of southern Syria that Israeli troops moved into after the fall of Damascus to insurgents. The comments by Defense Minister Israel Katz signaled that the military will extend its occupation of the zone along the border, which Israel says it seized to create a buffer zone. In a statement Friday, Katz said that holding the peak was of major importance for Israel’s security and that it would be necessary to build facilities there to sustain troops through the winter. The summit of Mount Hermon, the highest peak on the eastern Mediterranean coast at 2,814 meters (9,232 feet), gives a commanding view over the plains of southern Syria. It also positions Israeli troops about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the center of Damascus. The mount is divided between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Lebanon and Syria. Only the United States recognizes Israel’s control of the Golan Heights. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israeli troops would remain in the zone until another force across the border in Syria could guarantee security. Israeli troops moved into the zone -– set as a demilitarized area inside Syrian territory under truce deals that ended the 1973 Mideast war -- after the regime of Bashar al-Assad fell last weekend. ANKARA, Turkey -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday there was “broad agreement” between Turkey and the United States on what they would like to see in Syria following the ouster of President Bashar Assad. “There’s broad agreement on what we would like to see going forward, starting with the interim government in Syria, one that is inclusive and non-sectarian and one that protects the rights of minorities and women” and does not “pose any kind of threat to any of Syria’s neighbors,” Blinken said in joint statements with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The insurgent groups that toppled Assad in Syria have not made clear their policy or stance on Israel, whose military in recent days has bombed sites all over the country, saying it is trying to prevent weapons from falling into extremist hands. Blinken also said it was crucial to keep the Islamic State group under control. “We also discussed the imperative of continuing the efforts to keep ISIS down. Our countries worked very hard and gave a lot over many years to ensure the elimination of the territorial caliphate of ISIS to ensure that that threat doesn’t rear its head again,” Blinken said. The Turkish foreign minister said the two discussed ways of establishing prosperity in Syria and ending terrorism in the country. “Our priority is establishing stability in Syria as soon as possible, preventing terrorism from gaining ground, and ensuring that IS and the PKK aren’t dominant,” Fidan said, in a reference to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party. Blinken said: “We’re very focused on Syria, very focused on the opportunity that now is before us and before the Syrian people to move from out from under the shackles of Bashar al-Assad to a different and better future for the Syrian people, one that the Syrian people decide for themselves.” Blinken and Fidan said they had also discussed a ceasefire for Gaza. “We’ve seen in the last couple of weeks more encouraging signs that (a ceasefire) is possible,” Blinken said. Blinken, who is making his 12th trip to the Mideast since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year but first since the weekend ouster of Assad, met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan late Thursday. The outgoing Biden administration is particularly concerned that a power vacuum in Syria could exacerbate already heightened tensions in the region, which is already wracked by multiple conflicts, and create conditions for the Islamic State group to regain territory and influence. Later Friday, Blinken is to return to Jordan for meetings on Saturday with Arab foreign ministers and senior officials from the European Union, the Arab League and the United Nations. ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey has appointed a temporary charge d’affaires to reopen its embassy in Syria, Turkey’s state-run news agency reported. The Turkish Embassy in Damascus had suspended operations in 2012 due to the escalating security problems during the Syrian civil war and embassy staff and their families were recalled to Turkey. The Anadolu Agency said late Thursday that Turkey appointed Burhan Koroglu, its ambassador in Mauritania, to the post. UNITED NATIONS- – Two U.N. aid convoys were violently attacked in Gaza, making it virtually impossible for humanitarian agencies to operate without putting staff and civilians at risk, the U.N. food agency says. On Wednesday, a 70-truck convoy from Kerem Shalom was waiting for personnel to safeguard the food and other aid destined for central Gaza when there were reported attacks by Israeli forces in the nearby humanitarian zone, the U.N. World Food Program said Thursday. More than 50 people are now estimated to have died in the attacks, including civilians and local security personnel who had been expected to ensure the convoy’s safety, WFP said. The Rome-based agency said the convoy was forced to proceed from Kerem Shalom to central Gaza without any security arrangements, using the Philadelphi corridor, an Israeli-controlled route that had been recently approved and successfully utilized twice. On the way, WFP said, conflict and insecurity led to a loss of communication with the convoy for more than 12 hours. ”Eventually, the trucks were found but all food and aid supplies were looted,” the U.N. agency said. In a second incident, Israeli soldiers approached a WFP convoy moving out of the Kissufim crossing into central Gaza, fired warning shots, conducted extensive security checks, and temporarily detained drivers and staff, the agency said. “As the trucks were delayed, four out of the five trucks were lost to violent armed looting,” WFP said. UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations chief has a message for Israel: Stop the attacks on Syria. Secretary-General António Guterres is particularly concerned about several hundred Israeli airstrikes on several Syrian locations and stresses “the urgent need to de-escalate violence on all fronts throughout the country," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Thursday. The Israeli military said Tuesday it carried out more than 350 strikes in Syria over the previous 48 hours, hitting “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in the country to stop them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also acknowledged pushing into a buffer zone inside Syria following last week’s overthrow of President Bashar Assad. The buffer zone was established after Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1973 war. Dujarric said Guterres condemns all actions violating the 1974 ceasefire agreement between the two countries that remain in force. And the U.N. chief calls on the parties to uphold the agreement and end “all unauthorized presence in the area of separation” and refrain from any action undermining the ceasefire and stability in the Golan Heights, the spokesman said.Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the Senate
Trump names David Sacks as White House AI and crypto czarA South West city has announced several recipients for this year’s event and community assistance funding. Recipients of the city of Busselton’s Events Sponsorship Program have been locked in to receive the city’s pledge of more than $1 million to help reinforce Busselton’s events capital status. Seven events were approve for funding at the city’s November council meeting, with the Festival of Busselton, Carols by the Jetty, Cape Naturaliste Pro and Busselton Runners Club Bay Run some of the recipients. At the meeting, councillors also endorsed round two of the city’s Community Assistance Program 2024-25 recipients for community groups and not-for-profits looking to deliver programs, services and projects to enhance social, environmental and cultural development within the city. Mayor Phill Cronin said the event funding helped support a diverse calendar of events to maximise economic and social benefits for the community and local businesses. He said 12 community and not-for-profit organisations would receive funding through the Community Assistance Program. “The program is an integral part of the city’s Community Development Plan and its aspirations to continue supporting projects that promote a safe, healthy, and capable community,” Mr Cronin said.None
Mace, activist dispute handshake that resulted in arrestTwo years ago, Colorado athletic director Rick George hired Deion Sanders in an effort to bring life back to the football program. So far, it’s been an unquestioned success, to the point that national pundits often talk about Sanders being a great fit for jobs at other schools, or even the NFL. George, however, is confident Sanders will be in Boulder for a while. Two years removed from a 1-11 season, CU (9-3, 7-2 Big 12) is ranked No. 23 in the College Football Playoff Top 25, No. 20 in the Associated Press Top 25, and awaiting Sunday’s bowl selections to find out where they’ll play next. CU is 13-11 in Sanders’ two seasons. “Everybody talks about all these rumors and all these other things, and I kind of tune out that noise,” George said in an interview with BuffZone. “I know who Deion is, and I know what he represents and I believe he wants to be here for the long haul. We’ve supported all the initiatives that he’s embraced and we’ll continue to do that. My expectation is that he’ll be here and he can write some of our record books moving forward.” How long Sanders coaches in Boulder isn’t known, of course. He still has three years remaining on the five-year, $29.5-million contract he signed two years ago and there have been discussions about an extension. “Coach and I have talked about this three different times and we’ll continue to have discussions about it and that’s kind of where I’m at,” George said, while adding that Sanders doesn’t want to be distracted with contract talks until after the season. Sanders’ base and supplemental salary was $5.7 million this year and he will add $600,000 in bonuses for getting to nine regular season wins and a bowl game. Per the terms of his current deal, Sanders will receive $200,000 raises each season, which means he has $18.3 million left on his deal. Since being introduced as head coach on Dec. 4, 2022, Coach Prime has resuscitated the program. Considered the worst Power 5 conference program at the time, the Buffs improved to 4-8 a year ago (with five one-score losses) and vaulted to 9-3 this year. Led by Coach Prime’s son, Shedeur, at quarterback and dynamic cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter, the Buffs were in the race for the Big 12 title game until the final moments of the regular season last week. CU has been one of the most watched teams in the country, both on social media and on TV. And, of the 24 games CU has played under Coach Prime, 20 have been in sold-out stadiums, including 10 of 12 at Folsom Field. “I’m incredibly happy on where we are today,” George said. “We’ve got another game left, so we can still get to that 10th win, which was the high number that I thought this year that we could get to.” Adding to CU’s profile and Sanders’ coaching resume is that Hunter is the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, while Shedeur Sanders has a shot to be invited to New York as a finalist, as well. (Finalists will be announced Monday). Yet, even with Hunter and Shedeur heading off to the NFL, George said, “I think our best days are ahead of us. “I think what excites me is the recruiting class that he just had, and getting (five-star quarterback) JuJu Lewis is a really important factor in that. There’s a lot of people to build around that I think are going to be here for a while. I like his coaching staff a lot. I like his coordinators. ... And, coach has kind of proven over two years that he can reassemble a roster and get them working together and playing together to compete for a championship.” Coach Prime has often said 2023 was about instilling hope and 2024 was about expectations. George added to that, saying, “I’m sure the third year is going to be even higher expectations on where we think we can go. ... We gotta keep his coaching staff intact and if we do that, with his leadership, I think we’ll have a really good year.” George feels the future is so bright, in fact, that me might consider extending his own time at CU. In September of 2021, he signed a five-year deal that runs through June 30, 2026. In the summer of 2023, George, 64, told BuffZone he didn’t see himself working past then. That could change, however. “I’m contemplating that,” said George, who is in his 11th school year as the Buffs’ AD. “I’m not ready to say, ‘OK, I’ll definitely be done in two years. ... Talking with the family and all that, it’s fun to win again and I like what coach is doing. We have a good relationship and he’s great to work with, so that’s a factor for sure. I think coach and I from the start have had a really good relationship and it seems to get better and better as we go.”