Donald Trump is set to make a surprise appearance on the first day of his trial for “astounding” fraud which begins in New York today.
The former president, who is the favourite to be the Republican presidential candidate next year, is the central defendant in the civil trial which begins today at a courtroom in southern Manhattan.
Trump, along with several members of his family and other associates, is accused of inflating the value of the Trump property empire by billions of dollars to secure loans in a case brought by New York’s Attorney General Letitia James.
On Tuesday last week, a remarkable pre-trial ruling by Judge Arthur Engoron, set in motion the prospect of Trump losing his New York business licence which could force him to sell all his New York property including the iconic Trump Tower on 5th Avenue.
Trump had been expected not to attend this trial unless forced to testify.
However, court documents in a separate lawsuit, published late last week, hint at a potential courtroom showdown with Judge Engoron who he has branded ‘deranged’.
Trump had been due in court in Florida in a case he brought to sue his former attorney, Michael Cohen. However he has sought to delay that case in order to appear in person at the New York trial instead.
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“Through counsel, plaintiff [Trump] represented that he would be attending his New York trial in person – at least for each day of the first week of trial.” the court papers in the Florida lawsuit said.
Last night, with trademark Trumpian double-speak, the former president said: “According to news reports, I will be attending the civil trial in New York tomorrow where an anti-Trump judge is attempting to bring down the Trump Organisation and financially break me.”
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The news reports had been based on his own indication to attend the New York trial.
Image: Trump could be about to lose Trump Tower. Pic: AP
His surprise appearance could trigger a long string of trials
If he does appear, the case will mark the beginning of a long string of unprecedented civil and criminal trials against the 45th President of the United States in New York, Georgia and Florida.
Referring to today’s fraud trial, Trump said last night: “An anti-Trump judge is attempting to bring down the Trump Organisation and financially break me.”
In a statement emailed to his supporters nationwide, he said: “Democrats are seeking to bring down the world-famous ‘Trump Tower’ and impose what some are calling “the corporate death penalty” upon me. This will be the FIRST TRIAL in the Democrats’ string of witch hunts designed to destroy our 2024 presidential campaign.”
The case was brought by New York’s attorney general after Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, revealed what he claimed to show mass fraud by Trump.
It is alleged that the Trump Organisation routinely inflated the value of the former president’s assets to the tune of billions of dollars and the size of his properties in order to obtain better terms from banks and insurers.
In one example alleged by the attorney general, it is claimed that Trump’s triplex penthouse apartment in Trump Tower was 30,000 sq ft when in fact it is one third of that size.
Defending him, his lawyers have said that statements about the value of his assets were never relied on by the banks who had never complained about being misled.
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September: Trump ‘doesn’t think about’ jail
He could lose his New York property – but Trump says it’s a ‘witch-hunt’
Attorney General James is seeking a $250m (£201.3m) fine and to bar Trump and his sons Donald Trump Jr, and Eric Trump from leading the family business.
The pre-trial ruling already puts Trump’s ability to control his New York properties in immediate jeopardy because he is unable to operate them without a business licence.
His lawyers are likely to seek clarity to this ruling in court this week, perhaps with their client now present too.
Financially and symbolically, this represents a huge moment for Donald Trump. He stands to lose control of a property empire in a city from where he built his fortune and fame.
But politically, it perfectly fits his “witch-hunt” narrative; a case brought by a judge and an attorney general, both stated Democrats, who he says are “out to get him”. It is a narrative which unquestionably resonates with his supporters across the country.
“I have a Deranged, Trump Hating Judge, who RAILROADED this FAKE CASE through a NYS Court at a speed never before seen,” he wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Israel pounded the outskirts of Gaza City overnight, as Benjamin Netanyahu’s government vowed to press on with a planned offensive on the city.
Families streamed out of the city as the explosions hit.
“I stopped counting the times I had to take my wife and three daughters and leave my home in Gaza City,” said Mohammad, 40.
“No place is safe, but I can’t take the risk. If they suddenly begin the invasion, they will use heavy fire.”
Image: Mahmoud Abedrabo mourns over the body of his son Hamada in Gaza City on 24 August. Pic: Reuters
Others said they would prefer to die and not leave.
“We are not leaving, let them bomb us at home,” said Aya, 31, who has a family of eight, adding that they couldn’t afford to buy a tent or pay for the transportation.
“We are hungry, afraid and don’t have money,” she said.
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Image: Mourners pray next to the body of Palestinian boy Hamada Abedrabo on 24 August. Pic: Reuters
Witnesses said that overnight they heard nonstop explosions in Zeitoun and Shejaia.
Tanks shelled houses and roads in Sabra, and buildings were blown up in Jabalia.
On Sunday, the IDF said its forces had returned to combat in Jabalia to strengthen its control of the area and dismantle militant tunnels.
Image: Smoke rises following an Israeli strike in Gaza City. Pic: Reuters
It added that the operation there “enables the expansion of combat into additional areas and prevents Hamas terrorists from returning to operate in these areas.”
This month, Israel approved a plan to seize control of Gaza City. The offensive isn’t expected to start for another few weeks.
In the meantime, mediators in Egypt and Qatar are trying to resume ceasefire talks between the two sides.
On Friday, Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz said that Gaza City will be razed unless Hamas releases all its remaining hostages and ends the war on Israel’s terms.
Image: Mourners transport the body of Ahmed Balata on 24 August. Pic: Reuters
Around half of Gaza’s two million residents currently live in the city and on Friday a global hunger monitor said that Gaza City and its surrounding areas are officially suffering from famine that will likely spread.
Israel said the monitor ignores steps Israel has taken since late July to increase aid supplies into and across Gaza.
Eight more people died of malnutrition and starvation in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry on Saturday.
281 people, including 114 children, have now died of malnutrition and starvation since the war started, according to the ministry.
The war began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen killed around 1,200 people in southern Israel, mainly civilians, and took 251 hostages.
Since then, Israel has killed at least 62,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, and internally displaced nearly its entire population.
Two married couples have died after a British car veered off the road and crashed in Germany, according to police.
The fatal accident happened shortly after midnight on Saturday in the trees near a highway in the Kassel district, north of Hesse in central Germany.
The 32-year-old male driver, a 31-year-old female passenger, a 32-year-old female passenger, and a 30-year-old female passenger all died at the scene, despite the efforts of German emergency services.
Sky News understands UK officials have not been contacted for assistance.
At roughly 12.30am on Saturday, the car appears to have veered off the road and crashed into nearby trees around 30m from the road, according to the Kassel police department.
Image: Pic: Feuerwehr Reinhardshagen
One of the victim’s phones automatically alerted the emergency services to the incident, who sent an ambulance to the scene.
Soon, fire engines, ambulances, command vehicles and emergency support vehicles were all dispatched.
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When emergency workers arrived, the car was lying on its side, wedged between several trees.
It wasn’t until they removed the roof that they found all four passengers.
Image: Pic: Feuerwehr Reinhardshagen
Image: The accident happened on Highway L3229
The emergency workers who dealt with the victims were immediately supported by the specialist mental health workers at the fire station in Reinhardshagen.
“This high number of deaths is an extraordinary operation for our Reinhardshagen Volunteer Fire Department,” said a fire department spokesperson.
“For some of the emergency personnel, it is the first time they have been confronted with death in this way.
“Therefore, a great deal is being done to help us process these images. We will also discuss this among ourselves and within families, because not everyone can easily shake off what they have seen.”
An investigation into the accident is ongoing and is being conducted by the Hofgeismar police station.
Legendary boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. will stand trial over alleged cartel ties and arms trafficking, his lawyer has said.
A Mexican court has granted a three-month extension for further investigation into the case, according to Chávez’s lawyer, Rubén Fernando Benítez Alvarez.
He said the claims against his client were “speculation” and “urban legends” after a court hearing on Saturday in the northern Mexican city of Hermosillo.
If convicted, Chávez – who took part in the hearing virtually from a detention facility – could face a prison sentence of four to eight years, Mr Alvarez said.
Chávez, 39, who has been living in the United States for several years, was arrested in early July by federal agents outside his Los Angeles home for overstaying his visa and providing inaccurate details on an application to obtain a green card.
The arrest came just days after a fight he had with famed American boxer Jake Paul in Los Angeles.
Mexican prosecutors have been investigating the boxer since 2019 after US authorities filed a complaint against the Sinaloa Cartel for organized crime, human trafficking, arms smuggling, and drug trafficking.
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The case prompted investigations into 13 individuals, including Ovidio Guzmán López – the son of convicted drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán – as well as several associates, hitmen, and accomplices of the criminal organization. Guzmán López was arrested in January 2023 and extradited to the US eight months later.
Following the inquiry, the Federal Attorney General’s Office issued several arrest warrants, including one against Chávez.
The boxer was deported by the US on 9 August and handed over to agents of the Federal Attorney General’s Office in Sonora state, who transferred him to the Federal Social Reintegration Center in Hermosillo.
The high-profile case comes amid the Trump administration’s efforts to pressure Mexico into cracking down on organized crime, including cancelling visas of prominent Mexican artists and celebrities, and increasing deportations.
Chávez has struggled with drug addiction throughout his career and has been arrested multiple times. In 2012, he was found guilty of driving under the influence in Los Angeles and was sentenced to 13 days in jail.
The boxer was arrested last year for weapons possession. Police said Chávez had two rifles.
He was released shortly afterward upon posting $50,000 bail (£36,000), on the condition that he attend a facility to receive treatment for his addiction.