Donald Trump: Ex-US president suing CNN as he claims defamation – and seeks $475m in damages, says court filing

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Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against CNN, seeking $475 million (£420 million) in punitive damages on the grounds that the network engaged in a “campaign of libel and slander” against him.

In his lawsuit, the former president of the United States, age 76, claims that CNN used its considerable influence as a leading news organisation to defeat him politically.

 

According to the Reuters news agency, the company declined to comment on the case.

 

Mr. Trump alleges in his 29-page lawsuit that CNN has a long history of criticising him, but has intensified its attacks in recent months out of fear that he will run for president again in 2024.

 

As part of a concerted effort to tilt the political balance to the left, CNN allegedly attempted to tarnish the plaintiff with a series of increasingly scandalous, false, and defamatory labels, including ‘racist,’ ‘Russian lackey,’ ‘insurrectionist,’ and ultimately ‘Hitler.’

 

Also included is a January 2022 special report by host Fareed Zakaria that included footage of the German dictator.

 

The Republican, who lost his re-election bid in 2020 to Democrat Joe Biden, has not stated whether he will run again.

 

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, comes as the Justice Department investigates the former president for keeping government records at his Mar-a-Lago estate in the southern state after he leaves office in January 2021.

 

Mr. Trump and three of his children were served with a lawsuit last month, alleging “years of bank, tax, and insurance fraud.”

 

Letitia James, the attorney general of New York, is suing the former president, his family, and the Trump Organization.

 

If successful, it could prevent Mr. Trump from conducting business in the state for years, and includes a referral for potential federal prosecution.

 

Ms. James stated that the penalties could amount to a “death penalty” for his organisation.

 

A congressional committee is investigating the assault on the US Capitol by Trump supporters on 6 January 2021, with a focus on the former president’s role in the attack.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Her Majesty queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96, Buckingham Palace announces

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Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in British history, has died aged 96, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The Queen died on Thursday afternoon at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, the palace said.

“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow,” a statement from Buckingham Palace said.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow ..

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After stopping Shavon Newman on the road, deputies present him with a brand-new bicycle.

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On August 6th, police officers in the afternoon shift stopped at 38th St. and Whipple Ave N.W. to check on Shavon Newman, who appeared to be working on an old rusted bicycle.

Shavon told deputies that his bike was his daily mode of transportation to and from work. He lives on Fawcett Avenue Northwest and works at a restaurant in Jackson Township.

Unfortunately, due to its age and rust, his bike could not be repaired. Deputies offered him a ride home so he wouldn’t have to walk the entire distance with his broken bike.

Afternoon shift deputies were told the story of young Shavon Newman, and it touched their hearts. Today, deputies White and Miller along with Sgt Cook went to Shavon Newman’s residence to present him with a brand new bicycle.

Seeing the excitement on Shavon’s face as he tried out his new bike proved to us all that if anyone was deserving of this small token of kindness, he was truly the one. Keep up the good work Shavon your brothers and sisters at the Sheriff’s office have your back.

Credit: Stark County Sheriff’s Office

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Pitt claims Jolie intended ‘harm’ by selling her vineyard stake to a Russian oligarch.

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Brad Pitt has accused his ex-wife Angelina Jolie of attempting to “harm” him by selling her half stake in their French vineyard to a Russian oligarch with “poisonous associations and intentions.”

The allegations, made in new court filings as part of Pitt’s lawsuit against Jolie over the sale of Chateau Miraval, are the latest salvo in the former Hollywood power couple’s bitter legal battle, which began in 2016.

Pitt sued in February, saying the couple had agreed never to sell their interests without the other’s consent, and accusing Jolie of seeking “unearned” profits.

In an amended complaint seen by AFP, Pitt’s lawyers argue “Jolie sought to inflict harm on Pitt” with the sale, and describe Shefler as “a stranger with poisonous associations and intentions.”

The filing received by a Los Angeles court last Friday alleges Shefler “maintains personal and professional relationships with individuals in Vladimir Putin’s inner circle.”

Shefler has long been an outspoken critic of Putin, and his Stoli Group drinks conglomerate is based in Latvia.

In March, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Shelfer issued a statement saying he has been “exiled from Russia since 2002 due to my opposition to Putin,” and rebranded his company in “solidarity with Ukraine.”

But Pitt’s latest filing says: “Despite Shefler’s desperate attempt to disassociate himself from the Putin regime, the Stoli brand is now a massive international liability.”

It adds: “Stoli vodka is synonymous with Russia, as the countless images of consumers pouring Stoli vodka down the drain make clear.”

“Since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Miraval’s insurer has sought assurances that Shefler is not aligned with Putin and that affiliation with Stoli would not create commercial risk,” the filing says.

The complaint also lists Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman within Shefler’s alleged “network of ill-reputed professional associates” which “threatens lasting harm to Miraval’s reputation.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Justin Bieber is ‘heartbroken’ to have to cancel tour dates as his mystery illness ‘worsens.’

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Justin Bieber has been forced to postpone his upcoming tour dates due to a mysterious illness.

The Peaches singer is currently on his massive Justice world tour in support of his number-one album of the same name.

His most recent performance was on Sunday in Detroit, and he was scheduled to resume his tour on Monday with two nights at New York City’s prestigious Madison Square Garden. However, Justin announced that he will be unable to perform his next set of shows.

‘Can’t believe I’m saying this,’ the 28-year-old singer said in an Instagram story to fans. I’ve tried everything to get better, but my illness is worsening. My heart breaks knowing that I will have to cancel the next few shows (doctors orders).

‘I love you all so much, and I’m going to rest and get better.’

It is unknown what ailment Justin has, but it is thought to be unrelated to Covid. He may also be forced to cancel his tour stop in Philadelphia on June 16 at the Wells Fargo Center.

Justin isn’t the only one in his family to have fallen ill recently as his wife, Hailey Bieber, also suffered a medical incident. 

The 25-year-old model was having breakfast with Justin when she started to feel unwell and temporarily lost the ability to speak as she began experiencing stroke-like symptoms.

In a recent YouTube video, Hailey explained that she had experienced a ‘really weird sensation’ which travelled from her shoulder, all the way down to her arm and into her fingertips.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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The United States wins a case in Fiji to seize a Russian superyacht, which sails away.

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The court decision represented a significant victory for the United States as it faces challenges in its efforts to seize the assets of Russian oligarchs around the world.

The US won a legal battle to seize a Russian-owned superyacht in Fiji on Tuesday and wasted no time taking command of the $325 million vessel and sailing it away from the South Pacific country.

The court decision represented a significant victory for the United States as it faces challenges in its efforts to seize the assets of Russian oligarchs around the world. While many opponents of the Ukrainian war applaud those efforts, some actions have stretched the boundaries of American jurisdiction abroad.

The Supreme Court of Fiji lifted a stay order that had prevented the United States from seizing the superyacht Amadea.

Chief Justice Kamal Kumar ruled that based on the evidence, the chances of defense lawyers mounting an appeal that the top court would hear were “nil to very slim.”

Kumar said he accepted arguments that keeping the superyacht berthed in Fiji at Lautoka harbor was “costing the Fijian government dearly.”

“The fact that U.S. authorities have undertaken to pay costs incurred by the Fijian government is totally irrelevant,” the judge found. He said the Amadea “sailed into Fiji waters without any permit and most probably to evade prosecution by the United States of America.”

The U.S. removed the motorized vessel within an hour or two of the court’s ruling, possibly to ensure the yacht didn’t get entangled in any further legal action.

In early May, the Justice Department issued a statement saying the Amadea had been seized in Fiji, but that turned out to be premature after lawyers appealed.

It wasn’t immediately clear where the U.S. intended to take the Amadea, which the FBI has linked to the Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov.

Fiji’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, stated that unresolved issues of money laundering and ownership of the Amadea must be resolved in the United States.

“The decision recognises Fiji’s commitment to complying with international mutual assistance requests and its international obligations,” Pryde said.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Montessori Sunday School Inspires Children to Create Their Own Gods

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BOSTON— Teachers from Montessori Sunday School Guidepost Academy told reporters this week that they strongly encouraged students to invent their own gods, describing the curriculum as a way to help children recognize the value of their own imaginations.

“While more traditional-minded Sunday schools may teach only one way to think of a supreme deity—as a white-bearded man up in the clouds—we insist that our kids really ponder whether they want their god to have, say, a bird head, or maybe the power to harness volcanoes in order to create and destroy the cosmos,” explained Guidepost Academy Head Chaplain Valerie Sweeney, explaining how the religious education programme empowered students to let their minds run wild as they.

“I always love the way a child’s eyes light up when they realize that their god can have wings or a thousand arms, or that there could be hundreds of gods, all of whom personally squabble to determine who lives and dies. Heck, some of our students have even created trickster spider gods or monkey deities that nurse humanity at their 40 breasts. And after that, we even urge them to write their own Bible! It’s just wonderful to see.” Sweeney added that she understood there was such a thing as too much freedom, and therefore always emphasized to students that their god could only be a man.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Biden Says The U.S. Will Defend Taiwan Militarily If China Attacks

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TOKYO — President Joe Biden said Monday that the U.S. would intervene militarily if China were to invade Taiwan, saying the burden to protect Taiwan is “even stronger” after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It was one of the most forceful presidential statements in support of Taiwan in decades.

Biden, at a news conference in Tokyo, said “yes” when asked if he was willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan if China invaded. “That’s the commitment we made,” he added.

The U.S. traditionally has avoided making such an explicit security guarantee to Taiwan, with which it no longer has a mutual defense treaty, instead maintaining a policy of “strategic ambiguity” about how far it would be willing to go if China invaded. The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which has governed U.S. relations with the island, does not require the U.S. to step in militarily to defend Taiwan if China invades, but makes it American policy to ensure Taiwan has the resources to defend itself and to prevent any unilateral change of status in Taiwan by Beijing.

Biden’s comments drew a sharp response from the China, which has claimed Taiwan to be a rogue province.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin expressed “strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition” to Biden’s comments. “China has no room for compromise or concessions on issues involving China’s core interests such as sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

He added, “China will take firm action to safeguard its sovereignty and security interests, and we will do what we say.”

A White House official said Biden’s comments did not reflect a policy shift.

Speaking alongside Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Biden said any effort by China to use force against Taiwan would “just not be appropriate,” adding that it “will dislocate the entire region and be another action similar to what happened in Ukraine.”

China has stepped up its military provocations against democratic Taiwan in recent years aimed at intimidating it into accepting Beijing’s demands to unify with the communist-ruled mainland.

“They’re already flirting with danger right now by flying so close and all the maneuvers that are undertaken,” Biden said of China.

Under the “one China” policy, the U.S. recognizes Beijing as the government of China and doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, the U.S. maintains unofficial contacts including a de facto embassy in Taipei, the capital, and supplies military equipment for the island’s defense.

Making an example out of Putin for China

Biden said it is his “expectation” that China would not try to seize Taiwan by force, but he said that assessment “depends upon just how strong the world makes clear that that kind of action is going to result in long-term disapprobation by the rest of the community.”

He added that deterring China from attacking Taiwan was one reason why it’s important that Russian President Vladimir Putin “pay a dear price for his barbarism in Ukraine,” lest China and other nations get the idea that such action is acceptable.

Fearing escalation with nuclear-armed Russia, Biden quickly ruled out putting U.S. forces into direct conflict with Russia, but he has shipped billions of dollars in U.S. military assistance that has helped Ukraine put up a stiffer-than-expected resistance to Russia’s onslaught.

Taipei cheered Biden’s remarks, with Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Joanne Ou expressing “sincere welcome and gratitude” for the comments.

“The challenge posed by China to the security of the Taiwan Strait has drawn great concern in the international community,” said Ou. “Taiwan will continue to improve its self-defense capabilities, and deepen cooperation with the United States and Japan and other like-minded countries to jointly defend the security of the Taiwan Strait and the rules-based international order, while promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers stand in line after a commemoration in Beijing on November 11, 2016.

It’s not the first time Biden has pledged to defend Taiwan against a Chinese attack, only for administration officials to later claim there had been no change to American policy. In a CNN town hall in October, Biden was asked about using the U.S. military to defend Taiwan and replied, “Yes, we have a commitment to do that.”

Biden’s comments came just before he formally launched a long-anticipated Indo-Pacific trade pact that excludes Taiwan.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed Sunday that Taiwan isn’t among the governments signed up for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which is meant to allow the U.S. to work more closely with key Asian economies on issues like supply chains, digital trade, clean energy and corruption.

Inclusion of Taiwan would have irked China.

Sullivan said the U.S. wants to deepen its economic partnership with Taiwan on a one-to-one basis.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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US President Joe Biden backs Sweden, Finland bid to join NATO

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The United States Wednesday gave its full support for Sweden and Finland’s bids to join NATO, promising to stand by them if threatened by Russia and pressing Turkey to not block their membership.

Hours after the two Nordic countries formally submitted their applications to enter the Atlantic alliance, President Joe Biden welcomed the move and said he would work with other NATO members and with the US Congress to ensure the process moved quickly.

“I warmly welcome and strongly support the historic applications,” Biden said, calling the two countries “long-time, stalwart partners.”

“While their applications for NATO membership are being considered, the United States will work with Finland and Sweden to remain vigilant against any threats to our shared security, and to deter and confront aggression or the threat of aggression,” he said in a statement.

Biden made the comments a day before welcoming Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson to the White House for meetings that will likely underscore the geopolitical shift of their decision to join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

US officials pledged to work with them to overcome key issues on their way to membership, including the need for some security guarantees before they are accepted into the alliance and Turkey’s opposition to their joining.

Turkey, which like all NATO members has the right to veto a nation’s candidacy, has raised objections, and ambassadors’ meeting in Brussels failed Wednesday to reach consensus on starting formal membership negotiations.

Turkey has accused the two countries, especially Sweden, of giving safe haven to members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is designated as a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in New York Wednesday as the NATO question loomed.

 

They met “to reaffirm their strong cooperation as partners and NATO allies,” the State Department said in a statement, not mentioning the controversy over Sweden and Finland.

– White House ‘confident’ –

But White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the Biden administration was “confident” that Turkey’s concerns can be addressed and the two countries will join the alliance.

“We feel very good about where this will track to,” he said.

Meanwhile, Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist met Wednesday at the Pentagon with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin where they discussed joining NATO and interim security cooperation.

“The secretary made it very clear that we have a comfort level with their military, going back many years,” said spokesman John Kirby, noting the Pentagon’s willingness “to have a discussion with them about security and capability needs that they might have to help assure them and to deter Russia, should that be necessary.”

“We need to remember these are not two militaries that are strangers to us. We know them very well. We operate with them, we exercise with them,” Kirby said.

“So being able to provide some security assurances will not be a giant leap for us at all.”

Asked about the issue of Turkey — also an important US defense partner — Kirby said they were “still working with Turkey to clarify” the specifics of its opposition to Sweden and Finland entering NATO.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Video: Chelsea Handler, Conan O’Brien Get Naked and Fight in the Shower

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Read Time:1 Minute, 38 Second

Who knew Conan O’Brien was hiding that buff body under all those suits? On Wednesday, April 3, the TBS late-night personality showed off his surprisingly toned torso when he snuck up on fellow late-night host Chelsea Handler in the shower — part of a sketch for the comedienne’s E! Network show, Chelsea Lately. Handler, 38, was just about to lather up when a naked O’Brien, 49, appeared next to her and began to pick a fight.

“Oh no, not again!” Handler lamented, alluding to her previous shower confrontation with a nude Sandra Bullock. “How do people keep getting in here?”

“This is my studio. You stole it, remember? I still have the key. Plus, this is the best water pressure in Hollywood,” O’Brien replied with a hint of faux anger.

The hosts — both still naked — then proceeded to argue over who was more deserving of the studio and its posh parking space, which is “four inches wider” than O’Brien’s parking space at his new studio. He also accused her of taking and using his beloved back massager.

“I do use that back massager,” Handler fired back, adding lasciviously, “Although I had no idea it was for my back.”

“Just be a man,” O’Brien challenged her. “Admit what you’ve done.”

“I am not a man!” Handler exclaimed. “Everybody knows that I am the first woman in late night.”

“No, that was Joan Rivers,” O’Brien corrected her. To which Handler replied, “Have you taken a good look at her recently?”

The hilarious war of words continued to escalate into an actual physical fight, with Handler slapping O’Brien around and yelling at him to hit her. By the end of the sketch, both stars had (fake) black eyes.

VIDEO: Kate Beckinsale criticizes Chelsea’s “toxic” lifestyle

“I feel fantastic!” O’Brien said afterward.

“Good for you, you surprisingly sexy son of a bitch,” Handler quipped. “Now soap me up!”

Chelsea Lately airs weeknights at 11 p.m. EST on the E! Network.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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