Hope Hicks, a former Communications Director at the White House, expressed concerns during her testimony on Friday regarding the 2016 presidential campaign of former President Donald Trump.

She disclosed that there was significant apprehension surrounding the potential fallout from the “Access Hollywood” tape featuring Trump and adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Hicks, testifying in a hush money trial in Manhattan, revealed that the leak of this tape had a profound impact on Trump’s campaign, causing turmoil among his advisors.

The tape, released in October 2016 just weeks before the election, captured Trump making lewd comments about women without their consent. Additionally, it was revealed that Trump had allegedly paid $130,000 to Stormy Daniels through his attorney, Michael Cohen, to keep her from publicizing her claims of a sexual encounter with him.

Hicks described her reaction to learning about the tape’s existence and immediately recommended a strategy of denial when approached by a reporter from The Washington Post. She emphasized the significance of the tape as a damaging development that set the campaign back and created obstacles that were difficult to overcome.

Prosecutors called Hicks to testify in their case alleging that Trump orchestrated efforts to suppress damaging stories about his personal life in an attempt to influence the 2016 election illegally. Hicks’ testimony aimed to underscore the gravity of the situation and the extent of Trump’s involvement in managing potential scandals during his campaign.

During her testimony, Hicks stated that Trump initially denied knowledge of the payment to Daniels but later acknowledged the prudence of burying her story before the election. She noted that Trump was primarily concerned with how these issues would affect the campaign, frequently seeking feedback on his public appearances and policies to gauge their impact on voters.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of dire consequences if Israel goes ahead with an impending military operation in Rafah.

The organization gave the warning on its X page on Saturday.

It said the planned push into the southern border city of Rafah would lead to “a bloodbath.*

WHO said that more than 1.2 million people were currently sheltering in the area, many unable to move anywhere else.

“A new wave of displacement would exacerbate overcrowding, further limiting access to food, water, health and sanitation services, leading to increased disease outbreaks, worsening levels of hunger, and additional loss of lives,” it said.

According to the WHO, only 33 per cent of Gaza’s 36 hospitals and 30 per cent of primary health care centres were functional in some capacity amid repeated attacks and shortages of vital medical supplies, fuel, and staff.

WHO called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire and the removal of the obstacles to the delivery of urgent humanitarian assistance into and across Gaza, at the scale that is required.

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu is determined to launch an offensive in Rafah to eliminate the remaining strongholds of Hamas.

CREDIT: DAILY POST

At least eight individuals have tragically lost their lives in a fire accident involving an oil tanker in Ometan community, located in the Okpe local government area of Delta State. The incident, which occurred on Friday, happened when the tanker, traveling from Effurun, allegedly lost control while overtaking another truck near the boundary bridge between Uvwie and Okpe Local Government Area.

Witnesses reported that the front portion of the tanker separated suddenly from the rear while in motion, resulting in an explosion that engulfed all structures within the accident vicinity. Some residents trapped in nearby buildings also perished in the flames.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori visited the site to express condolences to the Ometan community and the victims’ families. He, alongside the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, and the former chairman of Okpe local government area, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. The governor noted the gravity of the situation and empathized with those affected by the tragic event.

This incident follows closely on the heels of a gas tanker explosion that claimed numerous lives and caused extensive damage to properties in Rivers State, just four days prior.