Tag: United States

The US supports illegal annexations by Israel and Morocco. Why the hypocrisy? | Joe Biden | The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/10/america-ukraine-russia-international-law

US slap tariffs of up to 25% on Irish exports including dairy and pork

https://www.breakingnews.ie/business/us-slap-tariffs-of-up-to-25-on-irish-exports-including-dairy-and-pork-954615.html

Stormy Daniels case: Trump repaid lawyer ‘hush money’, says Giuliani

Mr Trump has previously said he knew nothing of the payment to Ms Daniels.

President Donald Trump personally repaid his lawyer the $130,000 that was used to buy an adult film actor’s silence about an alleged affair, his legal aide Rudy Giuliani has said.

It appears to contradict Mr Trump, who said he did not know about the payment made by lawyer Michael Cohen to Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.

Mr Trump has denied Ms Daniels’ claims of an affair in 2006.

Mr Giuliani said no campaign finance was used, a key issue in the matter.

Should Trump be worried about Stormy Daniels?
The president and the porn star: Why this matters
What did Mr Giuliani say and why?
The former New York City mayor recently joined Mr Trump’s legal team and was talking to Sean Hannity on Fox News.

The campaign finance issue appeared to be one his main motives for appearing on the programme – to deny that there was any wrongdoing.

Skip Twitter post by @FoxNews
Rudy Giuliani: #Trump repaid Cohen for Stormy Daniels payment https://t.co/C8jTlglAFv pic.twitter.com/1lsjXJSm52

— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 3, 2018
Report
End of Twitter post by @FoxNews
Mr Cohen’s $130,000 (£95,650) payment to Ms Daniels just before the 2016 election could count as an illegal contribution to President Trump’s campaign.

Mr Giuliani said: “That money was not campaign money. Sorry, I’m giving you a fact now that you don’t know. It’s not campaign money. No campaign finance violation.

“They funnelled it through a law firm and the president repaid it.”

He added that the president “didn’t know about the specifics of it, as far as I know, but he did know about the general arrangement that Michael would take care of things like this”.

Mr Giuliani later spoke to the New York Times, saying: “Some time after the campaign is over, they set up a reimbursement, $35,000 a month, out of his personal family account.” The sum paid was $460,000-$470,000, including expenses, he said.

He also said Mr Trump was aware of what he was going to say on Fox News and that he had spoken to the president before and after the interview.

What are the issues over campaign finance?
US federal law restricts how much individuals and organisations can contribute to campaign financing and there are also strict regulations on the disclosure of the financing.

The first question is whether the payment to Ms Daniels was campaign related. Legal expert Lawrence Noble told the Washington Post: “If the purpose of this was to stop [Daniels] from hurting the campaign, then what you have is Cohen made a loan to the campaign.”

The $130,000 would exceed the amount an individual can donate to a presidential campaign.

Michael Cohen is facing a criminal investigation over the matter.

Any repayment by the Trump campaign would violate the law.

But presidential candidates are allowed to contribute an unlimited amount to their own campaign. Mr Trump may be arguing, through Mr Giuliani, that the personal nature of the repayment makes it legal.

However, if the $130,000 is deemed to have been a loan, the president could face questions as to why his personal financial disclosure form from June 2017 made no mention of any debt to Mr Cohen.

The repayment would have had to be disclosed to the Federal Election Commission if it were an election-related expense. A wilful violation could be a crime.

Ms Daniels’ lawyer said it would need to be determined whether the payment was hidden in such a way as to violate anti-money laundering statutes.

So does this contradict the president?
When asked by reporters a month ago if he knew about the payment to Ms Daniels, Mr Trump said: “No.”

When asked why the payment was given to Ms Daniels, he added: “You’ll have to ask Michael Cohen.”

The president might argue that the lawyer “took care of things like this”, as Mr Giuliani suggested and that he knew nothing of the “specifics”, making the repayment personally later.

Mr Giuliani told the Times he did not know whether Mr Trump was aware of the payment to Ms Daniels at the time but his understanding was that the president had only learned about it recently. It is unclear how this fits with his statement that repayments were made over several months.

Speaking on Fox TV last week, Mr Trump suggested some knowledge of the matter in admitting Mr Cohen had represented him during the “crazy Stormy Daniels deal”, but did not go into specifics.

Mr Cohen, for his part, told the New York Times in February: “Neither the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign was a party to the transaction with Ms Clifford, and neither reimbursed me for the payment, either directly or indirectly.”

How this relates to any personal repayments by Mr Trump is unclear.

What has been the reaction?
Ms Daniels’ lawyer, Michael Avenatti, said that Americans “should be outraged” at Mr Giuliani’s comments.

“We predicted months ago that it would be proven that the American people had been lied to as to the $130k payment and what Mr Trump knew,” he wrote on Twitter.

He told Associated Press: “Mr Trump evidently has participated in a felony and there must be serious consequences for his conduct and his lies and deception to the American people.”

Stormy clouds not going away
Analysis by BBC’s Anthony Zurcher in Washington

There are two ways to look at Rudy Giuliani’s blockbuster revelation.

The first is that the former New York mayor was freelancing and caught the president and the White House communications team flatfooted. In that case, Mr Giuliani’s brief return to the political spotlight will be short-lived.

The other possibility is that this was a pre-planned revelation in the friendly confines of Sean Hannity’s Fox News talk show. Some in the White House may have been caught by surprise, but there was a strategy in play. Perhaps Mr Giuliani and the president decided that the legal exposure from hiding that Mr Trump made the payment was more dangerous than the political risk from admitting he cut the cheque and lied about it.

Mr Trump has proven bulletproof when it comes to most political scandals and this one may prove no different, although the Stormy saga has proven to have staying power. Even with the revelation, the president and Mr Cohen’s payment may still constitute a campaign finance law violation.

The Stormy clouds aren’t going away.

How did the payment come about and what has happened since?
The payment relates to allegations by Ms Daniels that she had sex with Mr Trump in 2006, allegations he denies.

After initially denying the payment, Mr Cohen eventually admitted he had paid the sum privately to Ms Daniels, real name Stephanie Clifford, in October 2016 out of his own funds in exchange for her silence in a non-disclosure agreement.

“I was threatened”

He denied that Mr Trump was a party to the transaction.

Mr Cohen is now facing a criminal investigation. FBI agents searched his home and office in New York recently in relation to the nondisclosure agreement.

In March this year, Ms Daniels filed a lawsuit against the president, alleging that the agreement was invalid because Mr Trump did not sign it.

She later lost a court motion for Mr Trump to give sworn testimony about her claim that they had a relationship.

While Mr Trump has denied her claims, his lawyers are seeking $20m in damages from Ms Daniels, arguing she broke the non-disclosure deal.

Ms Daniels is also suing the president over a “defamatory” tweet he posted after she said she was threatened by a man in a Las Vegas car park to drop her allegations of the affair.

Mr Trump said her claims were “a total con job”.

With many thanks to: BBC News for the origional story.

Stormontgate food waste ‘scandalous’ !!!

’66 tonnes thrown out in three years’.

2010 (Sept-Dec) 11,800kg

2011         24,476kg

2012         18,497kg

2013(Jan-Sept)    11,912kg

Total =                   66,685kg

 STORMONT is throwing away more than a tonnes of unused food every month. The assembly has thrown out over 66 tonnes of uneaten food over the past three years, figures obtained by The Irish News can reveal.

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The huge amount of unused food (payed for at the taxpayers expence) is the equivalent of more than 16 full-grown African elephants or 148 polar bears. In some years the assembly produced more than three tonnes of waste in a single month. The alarming figures come as the executive continues to urge householders through environmental campaigns to stop wasting food. Leader of the Green Party in the North of Ireland Steven Agnew described the level of food waste as “scandalous”. The North Down MLA for the assembly to tackle the problem in 2014 by introducing new legislation encouraging unused food donations. “It is scandalous that at a time when so many food banks are opening because people cannot afford food, so much edible surplus food is simply being thrown away at the seat of local government,” he said. “The public are not only paying for that food to be bought, cooked and served but they are also paying for the costs of its disposal and I am very concerned that with the amount of food wasted, ttaxpayers money is not being spent wisely.” Not to mention also the public are paying the wages of the government MLA’s that are wasting the food.

Stormont was provided with more than £165,000 worth of food during 2013, according to figures obtained by The Irish News Through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. It started recording its food waste in August 2010, with an average of 1,750kg of uneaten food being disposed of by parliament buildings and the wider Stormont Estate on average since then. In a FOI rresponds the assembly said its current waste management contractor was “not commissioned to recycle food waste” but was “committed to do so”. However, it said commercially produced food waste is recycled. Earlier this year The Irish News revealed hungry MLAs have munched their way through more than £180,000 worth of refreshments at assembly committee meetings over the past six years.

Stormonts committee meetings are supplied with trays of tasty snacks, from tea and coffee to sandwiches and variates of biscuits. In October Tesco sparked a food waste debate after the supermarket giant revealed it had thrown away 28,500 tonnes of food in the first six months of 2013. Mr Agnew said food waste was a major environmental problem which if tackled would be the equivalent of taking one in four cars off the road. “While there has been a reduction in the level of food wasted at the assembly over the last couple of years, the fact that so much food is still being thrown away certainly doesn’t set a good example or leave a good impression with the public,” he said. “We need a similar law to the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act in place in the USA to enable organisations to donate excess food without the threat of liability.” A spokesman for the assembly said: “The assembly endeavours to ensure that food waste from all its outlets is minimised.”

With many thanks to: Brendan Hughes, The Irish News.

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End State Neglect in Portlaoise – Free Aiden Hulme!

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Michilín Mhíc Fheargail

Derry Sceal

Got this through Michilín Mhíc Fheargail: Aidan Hulme has been transferred to the hospital over the last few days, his foot and hand had swollen to great length we think he has caught septicemia as currently on medication through IV’s……His health is deteriorating daily and he should not be returned back to Portlaoise!!

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Disgraceful conditions this man is being allowed to exist in .. Portlaoise neglect is nothing new and Aiden should be freed immediately.. —  with Michilín Mhíc Fheargail

End State Neglect in Portlaoise – Free Aiden Hulme!

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TRIO DENY HAVING ARMOUR-PIERCING BOMB

THREE Derry men appeared before Belfast Crown Court yesterday to deny having an armour-piercing bomb. 

HELD IN CUSTODY: From left, Jason Ceulemans, Damien Hark in and Neil Hegarty at previous court appearances. All three appeared before Belfast Crown Court yesterday charged with possessing an armour-piercing bomb with intent to endanger life on December 6 last year. All were remanded back into custody until their trial which is due to take place in November

Jason Ceulemans (41), Damien Harkin (48) and Neil Hegarty (48) pleaded not guilty to possessing “an explosively formed projectile-type improvised device” with intent to endanger life on December 6 last year. Ceulemans, of Lecky Road, Harkin, of Westland Avenue, and Hegarty, of Sackville Court, also denied having the device under suspicious circumstances and possessing two walkie-talkies and a torch for terrorist purpose. The arraignment on a count of conspiring together to cause an explosion was adjourned for legal applicatins to be heard. Previous court hearings have been told that an explosively formed projectile is a special type of shaped charge designed to penetrate armour effectively at distances and that such devices are uusually fired by rocket. The device was found in a car stopped by police in Derry’s Creggan area. Judge David McFarland remanded all three defendants back into custody until their trial, due to take place in November.

With many thanks to : The Irish News.

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MAN JAILED FOR STORING WEAPONS

A “RRELUCTANT store man” who was caught red handed with a small arsenal of weaponry has been jailed for more than three years.

Some of the weapons found on Thomas John Edwards. He was jailed yesterday for six and a half years, with half spent on licence.

Belfast Recorder Judge David McFarland told 49-year-old Thomas John Edwards he accepted he had been under a degree of pressure from others to become a “reluctant store man” for the items. He sentenced him to six and a half years with half spent on licence. Just before his trial was due to start last July EEdwards, from Tullygalley in Craigavon, pleaded guilty to having guns, ammunition and explosives with intent to enable others to endanger life on 10 August 2011. Edwards also admitted possessing a balaclava for terrorist purposes and providing his home, for terrorism. Prosecuting QC Ciaran Murphy told Belfast Crown Court that in an intelligence led operation, police searched Edwards home and uncovered the items at locations in the house.

An AK47 assault rifle along with numerous bullets were found. The grip stock and trigger mechanism for a recoil less improvised grenade launcher was uncovered in a bag in the kitchen cupboard while 5.1 grammes of black arms propellant was hidden inside s pepper pot. Mr Murphy said that wrapped in a yellow in a yellow duster in the same cupboard was an automatic Beretta pistol with a loaded magazine. He added that in total, police found 46 bullets and told the court how small arms propellant was commonly used in pipe bombs while a grenade launcher was first used in an attack in Belfast in May 1991 but “has been encountered on a number of other occasions”. Following the sentencing, PSNI Detective Superintendent Glenn Wright of Serious Crime Branch said: “Mr Edwards is in jail, the weapons are off the streets. This is yet aanother example of the PSNI’s determination to protect the community and bring terrorists to justice.”

With many thanks to : The Irish News.

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This lady needs legal advice our help – PLEASE IF ABLE TO HELP PLEASE CONTACT ME !!

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Anna MacIntyre

This is a sworn affidavit by a solicitor and it was dismissed as HEARSAY along with all the evidence on this page. We now have to wait 4 years for an appeal to the supreme court in Ireland. This is not a joke and if you would not mind posting this page to anyone such as media, politicians etc that might be able to help it would be much appreciated.

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Today, September 2nd 2013, is the 63rd Birthday of Martin Corey – RELEASE HIM NOW !!!

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James Connolly Assoc Australia

Statement received by us from Jim McIlmurray on Martin Corey‘s continuing internment. It is tragic today is Martin’s birthday and he remains indefinitely interned in Maghaberry.

Today, September 2, 2013, is the 63rd birthday of Martin Corey.

Today is also the date the Parole Commissioners were to commence Martin’s annual

Parole hearing. We received communication on Friday, the 30th of August, informing us that this open hearing to review Martin’s ongoing detention would NOT commence on this date, with no alternative date being suggested or Today, September 2, 2013, is the 63rd birthday of Martin Corey.

Today is

also the date the Parole Commissioners were to commence Martin’s annual

Parole hearing. We received communication on Friday, the 30th of

August, informing us that this open hearing to review Martin’s ongoing

detention would NOT commence on this date, with no alternative

date being suggested or discussed

with us.

Martin is entitled by law to an annual Parole hearing,

and yet he has NOT received one in over TWO YEARS. A variety of reasons

have been given for the delay, including blaming Martin himself for his

“legal challenges”

against his detention under Article 5 (4) (the right to have a court

decide the lawfulness of his detention under the European convention of

Human Rights).

Recent violations of Human Rights in the Middle

East have received worldwide condemnation, including by the British

government who stated “they will continue to play an active and

forthright role in international institutions that promote and protect

human rights.” They also emphasised the UK’s own commitment to

strengthen human rights, both domestically and internationally.

The

European Court of Human Rights ruled in 2012 that it was unacceptable

to deny an annual parole hearing to anyone held in custody. This ruling

followed a case of a man who waited 14 months for a parole hearing.

Martin Corey has now waited 25 MONTHS.

The Secretary of State in a

recent communication stated, “an individual who served a life sentence

can be returned to prison if

they pose a risk to the public or commits further offences.” Since

Martin’s arrest in April 2010, he has NEVER been charged with a crime,

questioned by police regarding a crime, or given any explanation as to

the risk he poses to the public.

Martin served 19 years in prison

prior to his release in 1992. He has now served the equivalent of a

seven year sentence since his arrest in 2010.

Martin has NOT committed any crime. He poses NO risk to the public and I am calling for his immediate release today.

I

spoke with Martin this morning and he wishes to express his gratitude

to those who sent messages and cards and also for their continued

support in highlighting the ongoing injustice perpetrated upon him by

the British government.

Jim McIlmurray with us.

Martin is entitled by law to an annual Parole hearing, and yet he has NOT received one in over TWO YEARS. A variety of reasons have been given for the delay, including blaming Martin himself for his “legal challenges” against his detention under Article 5 (4) (the right to have a court decide the lawfulness of his detention under the European convention of Human Rights).

Recent violations of Human Rights in the Middle East have received worldwide condemnation, including by the British government who stated “they will continue to play an active and forthright role in international institutions that promote and protect human rights.” They also emphasised the UK’s own commitment to strengthen human rights, both domestically and internationally.

The European Court of Human Rights ruled in 2012 that it was unacceptable to deny an annual parole hearing to anyone held in custody. This ruling followed a case of a man who waited 14 months for a parole hearing.

Martin Corey has now waited 25 MONTHS.

The Secretary of State in a

recent communication stated, “an individual who served a life sentence can be returned to prison ifthey pose a risk to the public or commits further offences.”

Since Martin’s arrest in April 2010, he has NEVER been charged with a crime, questioned by police regarding a crime, or given any explanation as to the risk he poses to the public.

Martin served 19 years in prison

prior to his release in 1992. He has now served the equivalent of a seven year sentence since his arrest in 2010.

Martin has NOT committed any crime. He poses NO risk to the public and I am calling for his immediate release today.

I spoke with Martin this morning and he wishes to express his gratitude to those who sent messages and cards and also for their continued support in highlighting the ongoing injustice perpetrated upon him by the British government.

Jim McIlmurray

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World Record attempt – White-line picket – Smash Internment

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Anti-Internment Rally

The Anti-Internment League invites all political, community, cultural and sporting organisations as well as ex prisoners groups, trade unions, human and civil rights groups and the republican/nationalist people of this Island to participate in a record attempt to hold the Worlds largest White-Line Picket on the Falls Road to highlight the continued unjustifiable use of Internment against Republicans in Ireland.

The record attempt will be for entry into the Guinness book of Records and will again bring to prominence the issue of Internment, putting it in the headlines and keeping it high on the political agenda.

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