Fani Willis, the lead prosecutor in the Georgia election case involving Donald Trump, faced intense scrutiny over her relationship with fellow prosecutor Nathan Wade during a contentious hearing on Thursday (Feb 15). The defence alleged that her association with Wade, whom she appointed, presented a conflict of interest that could undermine the charges against Trump.

During the heated two-hour session, Willis vehemently denied the accusations, expressing increasing frustration. At one point, she exclaimed, "It is a lie," prompting a surprised reaction from Judge Scott McAfee, who called for a brief recess, as reported by the BBC.

<h2>Undermining the case</h2>

The allegations against Willis and Wade were brought forth by one of Trump's co-defendants, Mike Roman.

He claimed that the two prosecutors had an improper relationship and financially benefited from it. These claims threatened to weaken the election-subversion charges against Trump.

Roman alleged that Willis overpaid Wade for his role as special prosecutor and that they enjoyed luxury vacations together, including trips to the Bahamas, Napa Valley, and Caribbean resorts. Willis and Wade admitted to their relationship but denied any wrongdoing.

During questioning, both Willis and Wade faced inquiries regarding financial reimbursements and vacations.

Wade testified that Willis typically repaid him in cash, making it difficult to trace transactions. Willis said she was independent and denied any reliance on others for financial matters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stormy-daniels-hush-money-case-new-york-judge-sets-march-25-date-for-historic-trump-criminal-trial-690678">Also read |&nbsp;Stormy Daniels hush money case: New York judge sets March 25 date for historic Trump criminal trial</a>

<h2>Focus on Trump's case</h2>

Throughout her testimony, Willis redirected attention to Trump's case, stressing on&nbsp;its significance over personal matters. She dismissed suggestions that she was on trial.

Former friend and employee Robin Yeartie contradicted Willis and Wade's timeline, claiming to have witnessed their romantic involvement years before Wade joined the Trump case.

Willis disputed this, asserting that their relationship began later and was not physical due to Wade's cancer diagnosis.

Judge McAfee expressed the possibility of disqualifying Willis from the case if the evidence supports the defence's claims. Such a decision could significantly impact the proceedings against Trump, potentially leading to delays or even derailment.

Also watch |&nbsp;New York court judge denies Trump's dismissal request

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Legal experts noted the uncertainty surrounding the case's outcome. While Wade's testimony was deemed nearly flawless, Willis' combative demeanour raised concerns about her credibility.&nbsp;

Willis is scheduled to resume her testimony on Friday morning (Feb 16), with the case poised to have far-reaching implications for the 2024 election and beyond.

(With inputs from agencies)

Fani Willis, the lead prosecutor in the Georgia election case involving Donald Trump, faced intense scrutiny over her relationship with fellow prosecutor Nathan Wade during a contentious hearing on Thursday (Feb 15).

Fani Willis, the lead prosecutor in the Georgia election case involving Donald Trump, faced intense scrutiny over her relationship with fellow prosecutor Nathan Wade during a contentious hearing on Thursday (Feb 15). The defence alleged that her association with Wade, whom she appointed, presented a conflict of interest that could undermine the charges against Trump. During the heated two-hour session, Willis vehemently denied the accusations, expressing increasing frustration. At one point, she exclaimed, "It is a lie," prompting a surprised reaction from Judge Scott McAfee, who called for a brief recess, as reported by the BBC. Undermining the case The allegations against Willis and Wade were brought forth by one of Trump's co-defendants, Mike Roman. He claimed that the two prosecutors had an improper relationship and financially benefited from it. These claims threatened to weaken the election-subversion charges against Trump. Roman alleged that Willis overpaid Wade for his role as special prosecutor and that they enjoyed luxury vacations together, including trips to the Bahamas, Napa Valley, and Caribbean resorts. Willis and Wade admitted to their relationship but denied any wrongdoing. During questioning, both Willis and Wade faced inquiries regarding financial reimbursements and vacations. Wade testified that Willis typically repaid him in cash, making it difficult to trace transactions. Willis said she was independent and denied any reliance on others for financial matters. Also read | Stormy Daniels hush money case: New York judge sets March 25 date for historic Trump criminal trial Focus on Trump's case Throughout her testimony, Willis redirected attention to Trump's case, stressing on its significance over personal matters. She dismissed suggestions that she was on trial. Former friend and employee Robin Yeartie contradicted Willis and Wade's timeline, claiming to have witnessed their romantic involvement years before Wade joined the Trump case. Willis disputed this, asserting that their relationship began later and was not physical due to Wade's cancer diagnosis. Judge McAfee expressed the possibility of disqualifying Willis from the case if the evidence supports the defence's claims. Such a decision could significantly impact the proceedings against Trump, potentially leading to delays or even derailment. Also watch | New York court judge denies Trump's dismissal request Legal experts noted the uncertainty surrounding the case's outcome. While Wade's testimony was deemed nearly flawless, Willis' combative demeanour raised concerns about her credibility. Willis is scheduled to resume her testimony on Friday morning (Feb 16), with the case poised to have far-reaching implications for the 2024 election and beyond. (With inputs from agencies)

Georgia election case: Trump prosecutor Fani Willis accuses defence of lying in testimony

Texas police face scrutiny over why it took an hour to neutralise the gunman who murdered 19 children and two teachers at elementary school in Uvalde, as video emerged of desperate parents begging officers to storm the school.

Texas Police face scrutiny over late response to elementary school shooting

Even as the sale of Twitter has been confirmed to billionaire Elon Musk for $44 billion, the purchase of initial 9% stake in the company before the takeover is being probed, said a news report. &nbsp;

The investigation is being carried out by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), said a report of The Information on Thursday. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/judge-rejects-elon-musk-bid-to-free-tweets-from-oversight-474662" hreflang="en">Judge rejects Elon Musk bid to free tweets from oversight</a>

This comes as the sale was announced recently. The shareholders are reportedly going to receive $54.20 in cash for each share of Twitter stock they own as per the deal. &nbsp;

So, what is the FTC looking for? It is checking the compliance of an antitrust reporting requirement by Musk while buying the stake in Twitter in early April, the report said, citing people familiar with the development. &nbsp;

Watch | Crackdown on hate: How will Elon Musk deals with new EU law?

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If the rules about reporting significant stock purchases is not followed, the companies can be fined up to $43,792 per day. &nbsp;

The inquiry of the FTC focusses on whether Musk bought the stake to influence management of Twitter or he wanted to be a passive shareholder, the report said. &nbsp;

However, Musk had characterised his stake as passive in his April 4 filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. &nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Even as the sale of Twitter has been confirmed to billionaire Elon Musk for $44 billion, the purchase of initial 9% stake in the company before the takeover is being probed, said a news report.

Even as the sale of Twitter has been confirmed to billionaire Elon Musk for $44 billion, the purchase of initial 9% stake in the company before the takeover is being probed, said a news report. The investigation is being carried out by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), said a report of The Information on Thursday. Also Read: Judge rejects Elon Musk bid to free tweets from oversight This comes as the sale was announced recently. The shareholders are reportedly going to receive $54.20 in cash for each share of Twitter stock they own as per the deal. So, what is the FTC looking for? It is checking the compliance of an antitrust reporting requirement by Musk while buying the stake in Twitter in early April, the report said, citing people familiar with the development. Watch | Crackdown on hate: How will Elon Musk deals with new EU law? × If the rules about reporting significant stock purchases is not followed, the companies can be fined up to $43,792 per day. The inquiry of the FTC focusses on whether Musk bought the stake to influence management of Twitter or he wanted to be a passive shareholder, the report said. However, Musk had characterised his stake as passive in his April 4 filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. WATCH WION LIVE HERE (With inputs from agencies)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s purchase of initial 9% stake in Twitter under scrutiny, says report  

Plans to expand lithium mining in Chile, the world’s second largest producer, hit political roadblocks this week, raising new questions about supplies of a metal that is in high demand as the world transitions away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources.

Lithium is used in batteries, including those that power electric vehicles, and demand is soaring globally. It is also at the heart of a profound debate among Chileans, who are at odds over the social and environmental risks of lithium extraction. The New York Times reported last week on the consequences of mining for lithium in the ecologically sensitive salt flats of northern Chile and on how a new constitution, being drafted by an elected body, could change the mining sector, water rights and the country’s response to climate change.

The outgoing government of President Sebastián Piñera had invited bids in October from private companies to expand lithium production to 400,000 metric tons a year. But that plan has come under new scrutiny.

On Tuesday, opposition lawmakers from the left-of-center Partido por la Democracia, or Party for Democracy, filed an objection before an appeals court in the capital, Santiago, demanding that the bids be halted. And Wednesday, the centrist Christian Democrats introduced a bill in the Chilean legislature to prevent sitting presidents from inviting new mining-contract bids in the final 90 days of a term.

Also on Wednesday, advisers to President-elect Gabriel Boric, who takes office in March, met with the current government to express their concerns about the lack of a national policy on the future of lithium. The latest call for bids would create contracts to extract lithium over a 29-year period.

Boric’s supporters have in the past urged the outgoing government to suspend the bids.

Diego Pardow, one of Boric’s advisers, said the president-elect’s team favored what he called “common ground” between the outgoing government and the incoming administration.

Juan Carlos Jobet, the minister for energy and mining in the outgoing government, said he would look into the incoming government’s “legitimate concerns,” including whether to suspend the request for bids.

How to handle lithium production is likely to be one of the toughest issues facing Boric, a leftist former student leader who had campaigned on a promise to expand the social safety net and take ambitious climate action. With prices soaring on the global market, lithium mining could raise huge sums of money for his government, even as it carries yet unknown risks to the ecology of the area. Not least, lithium mining is divisive among Indigenous people of the area.

Boric has said little about his lithium plans, except to propose the creation of a national lithium company. Currently, two companies, Albemarle and Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile, or SQM, produce lithium under contracts with the government.

Plans to expand lithium mining in Chile, the world’s second largest producer, hit political roadblocks this week, raising new questions about supplies of a metal that is in high demand as the world transitions away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources.

Plans to expand lithium mining in Chile, the world’s second largest producer, hit political roadblocks this week, raising new questions about supplies of a metal that is in high demand as the world transitions away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources. Lithium is used in batteries, including those that power electric vehicles, and demand is soaring globally. It is also at the heart of a profound debate among Chileans, who are at odds over the social and environmental risks of lithium extraction. The New York Times reported last week on the consequences of mining for lithium in the ecologically sensitive salt flats of northern Chile and on how a new constitution, being drafted by an elected body, could change the mining sector, water rights and the country’s response to climate change. The outgoing government of President Sebastián Piñera had invited bids in October from private companies to expand lithium production to 400,000 metric tons a year. But that plan has come under new scrutiny. On Tuesday, opposition lawmakers from the left-of-center Partido por la Democracia, or Party for Democracy, filed an objection before an appeals court in the capital, Santiago, demanding that the bids be halted. And Wednesday, the centrist Christian Democrats introduced a bill in the Chilean legislature to prevent sitting presidents from inviting new mining-contract bids in the final 90 days of a term. Also on Wednesday, advisers to President-elect Gabriel Boric, who takes office in March, met with the current government to express their concerns about the lack of a national policy on the future of lithium. The latest call for bids would create contracts to extract lithium over a 29-year period. Boric’s supporters have in the past urged the outgoing government to suspend the bids. Diego Pardow, one of Boric’s advisers, said the president-elect’s team favored what he called “common ground” between the outgoing government and the incoming administration. Juan Carlos Jobet, the minister for energy and mining in the outgoing government, said he would look into the incoming government’s “legitimate concerns,” including whether to suspend the request for bids. How to handle lithium production is likely to be one of the toughest issues facing Boric, a leftist former student leader who had campaigned on a promise to expand the social safety net and take ambitious climate action. With prices soaring on the global market, lithium mining could raise huge sums of money for his government, even as it carries yet unknown risks to the ecology of the area. Not least, lithium mining is divisive among Indigenous people of the area. Boric has said little about his lithium plans, except to propose the creation of a national lithium company. Currently, two companies, Albemarle and Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile, or SQM, produce lithium under contracts with the government.

Mining of lithium, key to the climate fight, faces new scrutiny in Chile

Tesla Inc said on Tuesday that&nbsp;it will drop a radar sensor in favour of a camera-focused Autopilot system for its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in North America starting this month.&nbsp;

The move came amid growing scrutiny by regulators and media about the safety of what Tesla dubs 'Autopilot' and 'Full Self-Driving (FSD)' features, following a series of crashes.&nbsp;

"Pure vision Autopilot is now rolling out in North America," CEO Elon Musk said in a tweet.&nbsp;

He said it plans to release an improved 'FSD beta V9.0' based on the pure vision system about three weeks later.&nbsp;

"FSD subscription will be enabled around the same time," he said.&nbsp;

In October, Tesla rolled out the test version of its new FSD system to a limited number of people, enabling cars to navigate on city streets in semi-autonomous mode as well as highways. A wider launch has been delayed.&nbsp;

While most companies like Waymo equip autonomous cars with cameras paired with sensors like lidars and radars, Tesla relied on cameras and one radar to detect and analyse objects.&nbsp;

Tesla's approach helped reduce costs and commercialise its driver assistant features, but experts and other companies have raised safety concerns.&nbsp;

Tesla said the transition to a camera-focused system may result in limitations of some features, such as lane-centering and parking assistance, saying those functions will be restored via software updates 'in the weeks ahead’.&nbsp;

All new Model S and Model X cars, as well as all vehicles built for markets outside North America, will still be equipped with a radar, Tesla said.&nbsp;

A radar sensor uses radio waves and sensors to detect objects.&nbsp;

In March, Tesla told California regulators, it might not achieve full self-driving technology by the end of 2021.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Tesla Inc said on Tuesday that it will drop a radar sensor in favour of a camera-focused Autopilot system for its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in North America starting this month.

Tesla Inc said on Tuesday that it will drop a radar sensor in favour of a camera-focused Autopilot system for its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in North America starting this month. The move came amid growing scrutiny by regulators and media about the safety of what Tesla dubs 'Autopilot' and 'Full Self-Driving (FSD)' features, following a series of crashes. "Pure vision Autopilot is now rolling out in North America," CEO Elon Musk said in a tweet. He said it plans to release an improved 'FSD beta V9.0' based on the pure vision system about three weeks later. "FSD subscription will be enabled around the same time," he said. In October, Tesla rolled out the test version of its new FSD system to a limited number of people, enabling cars to navigate on city streets in semi-autonomous mode as well as highways. A wider launch has been delayed. While most companies like Waymo equip autonomous cars with cameras paired with sensors like lidars and radars, Tesla relied on cameras and one radar to detect and analyse objects. Tesla's approach helped reduce costs and commercialise its driver assistant features, but experts and other companies have raised safety concerns. Tesla said the transition to a camera-focused system may result in limitations of some features, such as lane-centering and parking assistance, saying those functions will be restored via software updates 'in the weeks ahead’. All new Model S and Model X cars, as well as all vehicles built for markets outside North America, will still be equipped with a radar, Tesla said. A radar sensor uses radio waves and sensors to detect objects. In March, Tesla told California regulators, it might not achieve full self-driving technology by the end of 2021. (With inputs from agencies)

Tesla doubles down on camera-based Autopilot amid growing scrutiny 

By Saurabh Bose&nbsp;and Ayushi Agarwal 

The alleged forced conversion and marriage of minor girls from the Hindu and minority communities in Pakistan have kicked up a furore.&nbsp;

The most recent example is of two Hindu sisters who were allegedly abducted in Daharki, Sindh on Holi eve, and forcibly married in a dargah after having being converted to Islam. With the shocking incident surfacing in international media and exerting heat on the authorities in Pakistan, the alleged perpetrators fled to Punjab.

When the two minors are produced in court on Monday, both the inadequate handling of the case by the government as well as the existing legislation in the country will come under further scrutiny.

The Sindh assembly bars the conversion of minors in the absence of their parents or elders till the age of 18. In 2015, the Sindh assembly passed a law to curb child marriages; that law enables the arrest of a priest who marries off such a minor and all others who were part of the gathering.

Pakistan MP and Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council, Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, spoke to WION and disclosed that he is bringing in a five-point resolution seeking to end the kidnapping of Hindu girls and forced conversions. The resolution will&nbsp;be tabled in the next session of the National Assembly.&nbsp;

"The bill against forced conversions which was unanimously passed by Sindh Assembly in 2016 and then reverted due to the pressure of extremist elements, must be resurrected and passed in the Assembly on priority basis," the draft of the resolution says.

The resolution also mentions that the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights —&nbsp;and the Sindh Assembly — has already unanimously approved the draft bill to amend the Child Marriage Restraint Act, raising the minimum age of marriage to 18 years.&nbsp;

According to Dr Ramesh Kumar, the bill must be passed in National Assembly on an urgent basis and implemented throughout the country in letter and spirit.

"These cases are not new. Since Rinkle Kumari and Asha Kumari cases we have been witnessing that such crime in the past as well,''&nbsp;Pakistani journalist Veengas told WION.

In fact, Veengas&nbsp;added, the Sindh Police's version helped the culprits escape to Rahim Yar Khan in Punjab.

By Saurabh Bose and Ayushi Agarwal The alleged forced conversion and marriage of minor girls from the Hindu and minority communities in Pakistan have kicked up a furore.

By Saurabh Bose and Ayushi Agarwal The alleged forced conversion and marriage of minor girls from the Hindu and minority communities in Pakistan have kicked up a furore. The most recent example is of two Hindu sisters who were allegedly abducted in Daharki, Sindh on Holi eve, and forcibly married in a dargah after having being converted to Islam. With the shocking incident surfacing in international media and exerting heat on the authorities in Pakistan, the alleged perpetrators fled to Punjab. When the two minors are produced in court on Monday, both the inadequate handling of the case by the government as well as the existing legislation in the country will come under further scrutiny. The Sindh assembly bars the conversion of minors in the absence of their parents or elders till the age of 18. In 2015, the Sindh assembly passed a law to curb child marriages; that law enables the arrest of a priest who marries off such a minor and all others who were part of the gathering. Pakistan MP and Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council, Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, spoke to WION and disclosed that he is bringing in a five-point resolution seeking to end the kidnapping of Hindu girls and forced conversions. The resolution will be tabled in the next session of the National Assembly. "The bill against forced conversions which was unanimously passed by Sindh Assembly in 2016 and then reverted due to the pressure of extremist elements, must be resurrected and passed in the Assembly on priority basis," the draft of the resolution says. The resolution also mentions that the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights — and the Sindh Assembly — has already unanimously approved the draft bill to amend the Child Marriage Restraint Act, raising the minimum age of marriage to 18 years. According to Dr Ramesh Kumar, the bill must be passed in National Assembly on an urgent basis and implemented throughout the country in letter and spirit. "These cases are not new. Since Rinkle Kumari and Asha Kumari cases we have been witnessing that such crime in the past as well,'' Pakistani journalist Veengas told WION. In fact, Veengas added, the Sindh Police's version helped the culprits escape to Rahim Yar Khan in Punjab.

Forced conversions place Pakistani leadership, legislation under scrutiny

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