Former President Jimmy Carter Honoured
An official state funeral was held at Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 9 to honour former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29 aged 100. He was the longest-living president in U.S. history.He was later buried in his home in Georgia.
Carter served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. He was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, his unwavering support for democracy and human rights, and for promoting economic and social development.
Before becoming president, the peanut farmer from Georgia served as the state’s governor from 1971 to 1975, and was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy.
Florida People’s Panel Concludes Investigating COVID-19 Vaccines
A people’s panel tasked with investigating COVID-19 vaccines has concluded by reporting that no illegal activity occurred.The grand jury blamed vaccine makers Pfizer and Moderna in a 144-page report for what it described as “many acute and systematic problems” being uncovered but found no evidence of law-breaking.
Florida Gov. Ron Desantis petitioned the state’s Supreme Court in 2022 to investigate any wrongdoings surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines.
A grand jury, consisting of citizens, like jurors, is usually assembled to investigate any evidence of criminal wrongdoing, which would then proceed to a trial.
Trump Receives Unconditional Discharge in NY Business Records Case
President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced to an “unconditional discharge” in his New York business records case by a Manhattan judge on Jan. 10.He will not receive a fine or face prison time, but the conviction will remain on his record, making him the first U.S. president to enter office with a felony criminal conviction.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged Trump in March 2023 with 34 counts of falsifying business records over disguising a $130,000 payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels as a legal expense.
Owing to the nature of the timing of the event, leading up to 2016 presidential election, prosecutors elevated the charge to election interference, making it a felony.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing, calling it a political witch hunt.
This is one of five main lawsuits being filed against him, and Trump has said he will appeal the conviction.
Supreme Court Hears Arguments From TikTok as US Ban Looms
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments from TikTok on Jan. 10, seeming sceptical over its attempt to delay a ban, with only nine days left.TikTok has been given until Jan. 19 to divest itself from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance or face a national ban.
Prosecutors and U.S. congressmen have deemed that TikTok creates a severe national security threat owing to its access to 170 million Americans’ data, which is about half the U.S. population.
TikTok and ByteDance lawyer Noel Francisco argued that this is a case for free speech and requested a stay for a few days at least until President-elect Donald Trump, a TikTok supporter, comes into office on Jan. 20.
Justices accused Francisco of ignoring the fact that the Chinese regime could at any time weaponize TikTok for its own purposes.
Chinese law requires all organisations to carry out the Chinese Communist Party’s activities and assist with national intelligence.
