Will Trump’s hush money conviction stand?
New York, Nov 11: A gut punch for most defendants, Donald Trump turned his criminal conviction into a rallying cry. His supporters put “I’m Voting for the Felon” on T-shirts, hats and lawn signs. “The real verdict is going to be Nov 5 by the people,” Trump proclaimed after his conviction in New York last spring on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Now, just a week after Trump’s resounding election victory, a Manhattan judge is poised to decide whether to uphold the hush money verdict or dismiss it because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision in July that gave presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution. Judge Juan M Merchan has said he will issue a written opinion Tuesday on Trump’s request to toss his conviction and either order a new trial or dismiss the indictment entirely. Merchan had been expected to rule in September, but put it off “to avoid any appearance” he was trying to sway the election. His decision could be on ice again if Trump takes other steps to delay or end the case. (AP)
Japan’s parliament reelects Ishiba as Prime Min
Tokyo, Nov 11: Japan’s parliament reelected Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Monday after his governing coalition suffered the worst election loss in more than a decade, forcing the struggling leader to form his second Cabinet in just over a month since taking office. Ishiba’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner Komeito together lost their majority in the 465-seat Lower House, the more powerful of Japan’s two-house parliament, in the Oct 27 election due to continued voter outrage over financial misconduct by his party and its lukewarm response. (AP)
Man charged for stabbing priest in mouth
Singapore, Nov 11: A 37-year-old Singaporean man was charged in court on Monday for allegedly causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon after stabbing a priest in the mouth during a children’s mass in a church. The stabbing incident took place on Saturday last week at St Joseph’s Church in Upper Bukit Timah area, The Straits Times newspaper reported. According to court documents, Basnayake Keith Spencer, a Singaporean Sinhalese, stabbed Reverend Christopher Lee while the 57-year-old was celebrating evening mass. (PTI)
Pak court gives 14-page questionnaire to Imran, his wife
Islamabad, Nov 11: A Pakistani court has handed over a 14-page questionnaire to jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi in a GBP 190 million settlement case. The questionnaire, which contains 79 questions related to the Al-Qadir Trust case, was provided for Khan and his wife’s final statements, The News International newspaper reported on Sunday. It is alleged that Khan and his wife caused a loss to the tune of GBP 190 million or over PKR 50 billion while facilitating a property tycoon. Khan’s counsel Salman Safdar received the questionnaire in the presence of both the accused in the last hearing. The couple was directed to submit their responses to the court on Monday. (PTI)