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Treason Trial Begins For South Sudan VP Machar As ‘Unity Government’ Breaks

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South Sudan has started holding a trial for First Vice President Riek Machar, who has been sacked by his decades-long rival, President Salva Kiir, and charged with murder, treason and crimes against humanity in relation to rebellion and an attack by a militia linked with ethnic tensions.

Machar and seven others who have been charged alongside him, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, were seen sitting inside a barred cage in the court on Monday during a live broadcast on national television.

Machar has been held in house arrest at his residence in the capital, Juba, for months following investigations by the government of his allies.

Earlier this month, a decree read on state radio said Kiir suspended the first vice president due to charges stemming from his alleged involvement in attacks by the White Army against federal forces in March.

The White Army, a loose band of armed youths, attacked a military base in Nasir, northeastern South Sudan, and killed more than 250 soldiers on Machar’s orders, according to the government.

Edmund Yakani, executive director of South Sudan activist group Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, told local media that the trial must be transparent and fair to build up trust in the judicial system.

He urged both leaders and their parties to “adhere to the principle of resolving political misunderstanding through dialogue” rather than violence, which would benefit no one.

Machar’s party, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in Opposition (SPLM/IO), has called the charges “fabricated” and said its members were arrested illegally. Machar’s lawyer on Monday said “an incompetent court” that lacks jurisdiction is judging him.

Fears of a return to ruinous civil war
After the vice president’s arrest, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) called on all parties to exercise restraint and warned that they risked losing the “hard-won gains of the past seven years” and returning to a state of civil war.

In 2013, two years after the country gained independence from Sudan following decades of war, oil-producing South Sudan descended into a civil war.

The devastating conflict, which scarred the country and left some 400,000 people killed, pitted Kiir and his allies from the ethnic Dinka group against Machar, who is from the Nuer, the second-largest ethnic group in South Sudan.

More than four million people, or about one-third of the population, were displaced from their homes before a 2018 peace deal saw the pair form a “national unity” government.

But they never fully saw eye-to-eye, leaving the country in a state of limbo.

Both leaders held on to their armed factions that were never fully integrated and unified despite agreements, while reforms were delayed, and presidential elections were repeatedly postponed.

Armed clashes have erupted in several parts of the country over the past months, with both sides accusing each other of breaking ceasefire agreements.

Authorities in South Sudan are, in the meantime, plundering billions of dollars in public funds as the impoverished country also deals with a deepening food crisis, according to the UN.

“The country has been captured by a predatory elite that has institutionalised the systematic looting of the nation’s wealth for private gain,” the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan said last week.

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Canada Publishes 2 Official Websites to Find Jobs, Says Over 2,000 Vacancies Are Posted Daily 

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Canada has made it easier for unemployed individuals and foreigners who wish to live and work in the country to find jobs that can help them live comfortably and meet their basic responsibilities.

On the official Canadian government website, two links are provided to websites where job seekers can find available jobs in Canada

According to the Canadian government website, applicants who apply for jobs through these platforms can get hired by different companies, as more than 2,000 jobs are posted every day.

Aside from these two websites, the Canadian government explains that individuals can also use employment agencies to help them find jobs that match their skills.

A job seeker can also ask friends or family members if there are job openings or vacancies, as not all positions are advertised on these websites.

1. Job Bank

The Canadian government explains that thousands of jobs are advertised on this platform every day by organisations and companies. The link to access the website can be found in the detailed post published on the Canadian government website.

2. Jobs GC

Another website where foreigners who wish to work in Canada or Canadian citizens can find government jobs is the Jobs GC website. Federal public service jobs are advertised on the website, alongside several other opportunities that may match an applicant’s skills.

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US Releases List, Photos of 5 Nigerians Popular Alleged Yahoo Boys Facing Deportation 

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The United States Government, through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has updated its public register of online fraudsters (Yahoo boys) slated for deportation.

Among the list of 124 Nigerians flagged on the portal are five notorious, well-known cyber fraudsters whose identities, photographs, and criminal profiles have been officially published.

The database, known as the “Worst of the Worst” (WOW) portal, highlights some Nigerians who have been convicted of major federal crimes and are prioritised for deportation by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Legit has collated a detailed report on the five popular Nigerian fraudsters (Yahoo Boys) who are now awaiting deportation, including a former Forbes-celebrated businessman.

1. Obinwanne Okeke (Invictus Obi)

Perhaps the most famous name on the deportation list is Obinwanne Okeke, widely known as Invictus Obi. In 2016, Okeke was celebrated internationally, even making the prestigious Forbes “30 Under 30” list of Africa’s most promising entrepreneurs.

However, his empire crumbled when the FBI arrested him for masterminding an $11 million global cyber-intrusion and Business Email Compromise (BEC) scheme. His team successfully hacked the email systems of Unatrac Holding Limited, a heavy machinery supplier, to divert massive payments.

Okeke was sentenced to 10 years in a US federal prison in 2021. Following his release from custody, he was transferred to ICE and placed on the priority deportation list.

2. Oriyomi Aloba

Oriyomi Aloba carried out one of the most unusual cyberattacks on the list by targeting the US justice system itself. Aloba successfully hacked into the Los Angeles Superior Court computer system.

He then hijacked the court’s servers to send over 2 million malicious phishing emails to unsuspecting recipients, aiming to steal credit card details and personal identity data.

In 2019, US federal authorities sentenced him to 145 months (over 12 years) in prison. He has now been officially listed on the DHS portal for deportation to Nigeria.

3. Chibundu Anuebunwa

Chibundu Anuebunwa specialised in high-level corporate impersonation to swindle international companies. Anuebunwa was a key player in a transnational cyber fraud ring that ran a $2.5 million BEC scheme.

The crime team specialised in spoofing and hacking corporate emails to impersonate high-ranking executives, tricking companies worldwide into executing fraudulent wire transfers. He was sentenced to 66 months (5.5 years) in federal prison in 2023. His profile and photo are now active on the US deportation registry.

4. Quazeem Adeyinka

Quazeem Adeyinka was part of a team that exploited US government emergency funds during the global pandemic crisis.

Adeyinka participated in a wire fraud conspiracy that used stolen identities to file fraudulent claims for COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits. The scheme successfully siphoned over $2.2 million from US taxpayer-funded relief programs.

He was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison and has been marked on the priority list for deportation.

5. Olaolu Alabi

Olaolu Alabi used stolen pandemic relief and corporate fraud proceeds to fund a lavish lifestyle before his arrest. Operating out of Owings Mills, Maryland, Alabi was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

He defrauded individuals and businesses of over $1.5 million using stolen identities to claim pandemic relief. Alabi personally pocketed at least $500,000, some of which he spent on a luxury trip to Hawaii for himself and his friends. He was sentenced to 66 months (5.5 years) in federal prison and is now awaiting repatriation to Nigeria on the DHS list.

While the US Government has published their names and photographs, the DHS has not released specific deportation flight dates. Under US law, each individual’s deportation will be processed systematically as they complete their prison sentences or exhaust their remaining legal options.

-Source: Legit

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Elon Musk’s Net Worth Surges To $1.3 Trillion As SpaceX Stock Rally Continues

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Elon Musk’s net worth surged to $1.3 trillion after SpaceX shares soared following its record-breaking IPO, adding an estimated $165 billion to his fortune in a single day.

Elon Musk’s wealth jumped by about $165 billion in one day as SpaceX stock surged after its historic stock market debut. SpaceX briefly crossed a $3 trillion valuation, making it one of the world’s most valuable companies and further cementing Musk’s position as the richest person on earth. The company also holds 18,712 bitcoin, while some analysts warn that SpaceX’s rapid rise in value may be difficult to sustain over the long term.

Elon Musk has added an astonishing $165 billion to his personal fortune in just one day, pushing his estimated net worth to around $1.3 trillion after SpaceX shares continued their explosive run on the stock market.

The sharp jump came as SpaceX stock gained nearly 20% during its second full trading session following its historic Nasdaq debut. The rally briefly pushed the company’s market valuation above $3 trillion, cementing its position among the world’s most valuable publicly traded companies.

SpaceX entered the public market under the ticker symbol SPCX after pricing its initial public offering (IPO) at $135 per share. The company raised approximately $75 billion, making it the largest IPO ever recorded. Investor demand was reportedly overwhelming, with orders exceeding $350 billion, nearly four times the amount of stock available.

By Monday’s close, SpaceX shares had climbed as high as $229.40, giving the aerospace and satellite internet giant a market capitalization of about $2.52 trillion. At one point during trading, the company’s value crossed the $3 trillion mark.

The rally has had a massive impact on Musk’s wealth because he remains the company’s largest shareholder. According to estimates, his one-day gain exceeded the entire net worth of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

Investor and entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano highlighted the scale of the surge in a post on X, writing:

“SpaceX hit a $3 trillion market cap today. This means Elon Musk made more money in the last 24 hours than Warren Buffett made in his entire lifetime.”

At an estimated $1.3 trillion, Musk’s fortune now stands far ahead of every other billionaire on the planet. His wealth is worth roughly two-thirds of the combined fortunes of the next nine richest individuals.

Much of that wealth is now tied directly to SpaceX, which has rapidly become one of the most valuable companies in the United States following its public listing. The company’s businesses span reusable rocket launches, satellite communications through Starlink, government contracts, and emerging artificial intelligence infrastructure projects.

Institutional investors have also rushed into the stock. ARK Invest, led by Cathie Wood, purchased nearly 3.3 million SpaceX shares across multiple exchange-traded funds shortly after trading began. Wood has previously expressed confidence in the company’s long-term prospects, citing Starlink’s global broadband network and SpaceX’s leadership in reusable rocket technology.

SpaceX’s Bitcoin holdings draw attention

Beyond its space and telecommunications businesses, SpaceX has also attracted attention for its cryptocurrency holdings.

The company reportedly owns 18,712 bitcoin, making it one of the largest corporate holders of the digital asset. When combined with Tesla’s reported holdings of 11,509 BTC, companies linked to Musk control more than 30,000 bitcoin.

Earlier this year, crypto asset manager Grayscale suggested that SpaceX could become the most valuable publicly traded company with direct bitcoin exposure once it completed its IPO.

The development has fueled debate among investors about whether capital is shifting away from cryptocurrencies and into high-growth technology stocks. Some market participants believe blockbuster public listings such as SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic are attracting money that might otherwise have flowed into digital assets.

Despite the excitement, not everyone is convinced the rally can continue at its current pace.

Some analysts argue that SpaceX’s valuation may have moved ahead of its underlying financial performance. Critics have pointed to the company’s heavy reliance on Starlink revenue and warned that post-IPO enthusiasm could fade once insider lockup periods expire and early investors begin taking profits.

Still, supporters argue that SpaceX’s dominance in commercial space launches, satellite internet services and future space exploration initiatives gives it a unique position in global markets.

For now, investors appear focused on growth, with the company’s stock continuing to attract strong demand as Wall Street bets on SpaceX becoming one of the defining technology companies of the coming decade.

 

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