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Bitcoin Breaks Record, Surges to $102K

Bitcoin hit over $100,000 for the first time on Wednesday, surging to a new record after US President-elect Donald Trump unveiled administration picks believed to usher in crypto-friendly policies when he takes office in January.

Among the picks by Trump is Paul Atkins, whom Trump intends to nominate to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which regulates cryptocurrency.

Atkins, a crypto advocate and former SEC commissioner, is expected to regulate cryptocurrency with a lighter touch than Gary Gensler, who leads the commission under the Biden administration. Gensler, who aggressively fought the industry’s expansion in the US, is set to resign on Inauguration Day.

Bitcoin hit over $100,000 just hours after Atkins was announced as Trump’s choice for SEC chair.

The new milestone builds on the shocking crypto rise since Trump was projected to win the presidency on November 6, which fueled a $6,000 one-day spike in bitcoin that brought it to a new record above $74,000. A week later, it hit $90,000.

Bitcoin is up 130% for the year so far, with the post-election rally accounting for a significant portion of its gains. Its performance far outpaces the S&P 500, which is up 28% over the same period.

Trump, once a crypto skeptic, had called it “not money,” labeling it “highly volatile and based on thin air.”

But he took a rapid switch in the months leading up to his reelection as he sought to attract younger male voters, who tend to own more crypto compared to other demographic groups.

In July, Trump headlined the largest crypto convention in Nashville, where he vowed to create a “strategic national bitcoin stockpile” and to hold on to bitcoin the government seizes from criminals rather than auctioning it off, which is the current practice.

“If crypto is going to define the future, I want it to be mined, minted and made in the USA,” Trump said.

Then in September, Trump launched his own cryptocurrency business called World Liberty Financial.

That month, he also purchased burgers from a Manhattan bar frequented by crypto enthusiasts using bitcoin. “History in the making,” he declared.

Additionally, Trump’s media company, which owns Truth Social, is reportedly in talks to buy crypto trading forum Bakkt, according to the Financial Times.

“If you like bitcoin at $100,000, you’re going to love it at $1 million,” Anthony Pompliano, a well-known crypto supporter and founder and CEO of Professional Capital Management, an investment firm, said in a post on X Wednesday night.

The cryptocurrency industry threw its weight behind Trump and the Republican Party during this election cycle, with leading super PACs donating around $131 million to elect pro-crypto candidates in congressional races.

The Trump campaign, which began accepting crypto donations in May, raised millions from the move.

In addition to Atkins, Trump nominated Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, a prominent cheerleader for Tether, the company behind one of the world’s biggest crypto assets.

Additionally, Trump is considering creating the first-ever White House role solely dedicated to crypto policy, Bloomberg reported.

US judge denounces President Joe Biden's pardon of his son saying he misrepresented the criminal case

The judge who presided over Hunter Biden's federal tax case in Los Angeles rebuked President Joe Biden for pardoning his son this week, saying he misrepresented the facts of his son's criminal case when he announced the move.

In a brief order, U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi also called out the president for maligning law enforcement and the justice system in his rationale for issuing the clemency, and the judge even indicated that part of the pardon may be unconstitutional.

The criticism of a sitting president from a federal judge adds to the condemnation by both Republicans and Democrats of the president's extraordinary decision Sunday to give the "full and unconditional" pardon after repeatedly saying he wouldn't.

Scarsi, who was nominated to the federal bench by then-President Trump, took issue with the claim of unequal, biased treatment that the president invoked to spare his son prison time in the tax case. The pardon, which absolves Hunter Biden of any and all federal offenses in an 11-year period, also wiped away the verdict by a Delaware jury that convicted him of illegally purchasing a handgun.

"The President asserts that Mr. Biden 'was treated differently' from others 'who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions,'" Scarsi wrote.

The judge explained what he sees as the flaw in that thinking: Hunter Biden had pleaded guilty to tax evasion that occurred after he became sober, when he misclassified personal expenses like luxury clothing, escort services and his daughter's tuition as business expenses.

Scarsi also questioned Biden's assertion that no "reasonable person" could reach "any other conclusion" than Hunter Biden was singled out because of his last name.

"But two federal judges expressly rejected Mr. Biden's arguments that the Government prosecuted Mr. Biden because of his familial relation to the president," Scarsi wrote.

"And the President's own Attorney General and Department of Justice personnel oversaw the investigation leading to the charges.

"In the President's estimation, this legion of federal civil servants, the undersigned included, are unreasonable people," the judge wrote

Millions of immigrants might be forced to leave Canada next year

Nearly five million temporary permits in Canada are set to expire by the end of 2025, raising significant concerns about the future of visa holders in the country. 

Immigration Minister Marc Miller addressed these concerns earlier this week during his testimony before the Commons immigration committee. The permits in question include those for temporary foreign workers, students, and asylum claimants engaged in employment.

Conservative MP Tom Kmiec raised concerns about the government’s preparedness to manage the expiring permits, questioning how Canada would ensure that the 4.9 million visa holders leave the country if required. 

In response, Minister Miller emphasized that the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) is actively enforcing immigration laws and that most individuals are expected to leave voluntarily. He also addressed the issue of 766,000 study permits expiring by December 2025, stating that many students would either renew their permits or apply for post-graduate work permits to extend their stay.

Key statistics from Statistics Canada reveal that work permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP) are significant components of the temporary foreign workforce. In 2021, 87% of TFWP permit holders and 69% of IMP permit holders for work purposes were employed. Temporary residents, particularly international students, make up a considerable portion of the workforce in Canada, but their growing numbers have raised concerns about the strain on infrastructure and social services.

The Canadian government, responding to mounting criticism of strained resources, has announced changes to immigration policies aimed at reducing the intake of both permanent and temporary residents. By 2025, the target for permanent residents will drop from 500,000 to 395,000, a 21% reduction. The number of temporary foreign workers is expected to decrease by over 40% by 2026, and the number of international students will also reduce by 10%.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the economic pressures caused by rapid immigration growth, particularly following the pandemic. While temporary foreign workers are vital to Canada’s economy, the pace of immigration has overwhelmed housing, healthcare, and social services. The new immigration caps are designed to balance the need for workers with the country’s infrastructure capacity.

Immigration analyst Darshan Maharaja noted that the growing influx of temporary residents, which now make up 7.3% of the population, is exacerbating the housing crisis, with high rental costs and overcrowded living conditions becoming more common. He also highlighted the strain on Canada’s healthcare system and the rising cost of living. Maharaja suggested that Indian workers, who make up a significant portion of Canada’s immigration landscape, may want to consider opportunities in other countries due to these growing challenges.

Nigerian man accused of beating his wife to d3ath breaks silence; says she d!ed after childbirth, alleges negligence by her mother who forced her to deliver at home

 

A forensic auditor from Amaokwe Item in Bende LGA of Abia State, Mr. Samuel Chukwu, who is being accused of beating his wife, Jessica Olua, to d3ath, has denied the allegation, saying it is a false narrative to tarnish his image. 

 

Jessica, 24, d!ed on August 21, 2024, shortly after childbirth and was laid to rest on November 29. 

 

However, speaking with ABN TV, Mr. Chukwu said Jessica d!ed as a result of alleged negligence by her mother who he claimed “forced” her to give birth at home even though he had sent N25,000 to them to convey her to the hospital when she went into labour. 

 

He also alleged that his in-laws assaulted him and his brother when they travelled to Aba to find out what led to Jessica's d£ath.

 

According to Chukwu, Jessica's mother allegedly deprived her of proper prenatal care during pregnancy, labour and delivery.

 

Chukwu, who got married to his wife in March 2023, said there was no form of spousal abuse in their union. 

 

Narrating what happened, Mr. Chukwu, who resides in Lagos said immediately after their marriage, he took his wife along with him to Lagos and even invited her mum in January 2024 to stay with them to look after her during her first and second trimesters.

 

According to him, when she took in, he registered her at a renowned medical centre in Lagos, where she was undergoing antenatal care with clinical attention. 

 

He claimed to have paid in full throughout her pregnancy antenatal period along with adequate care he gave her.

 

He narrated that Jessica's mother sometime in May 2024 prior to her return trip to Aba where she lives, demanded that her daughter be brought home, when the pregnancy was at its 7th month (which fell on June 2024) so that she can take adequate care of her.

Mr. Chukwu said he was reluctant to let her embark on the journey to Aba to meet her mother, but later obliged and supported the request by making all necessary arrangements and even accompanied her to the in-laws house in Aba. 

 

The journey was made through GUO Jibowu branch transport service on 28 June 2024.

 

While she was in Aba, he said he ensured that he took care of her by providing basic things she needed. 

 

She stayed in Aba within the period of 28 June 2024 until 21 August 2024.

 

"I sent feeding money monthly, amounting to N47,000, which can be verified through bank statements. I also sent toiletries and body health products in bulk from Lagos,” he explained. 

 

According to Mr Chukwu, on August 21, 2024, Jessica went into labour but instead of taking her to the hospital, her mother forced her to give birth at home. 

 

“Even though I sent N25,000 to Jessica Olua as a transport allowance to convey her to where she would deliver her child. Due to the deceit and negligence of my mother-in-law, both her and Jessica Olua stayed back at home for delivery,” he said. 

 

Complications, however, arose as reports had it that the baby's placenta refused to come out.

 

Chukwu said that his wife had not disclosed that she was in active labour throughout their phone conversations the previous night, which was 20 August 2024. 

 

Apparently, this was done to conceal their intention of not utilising the transport allowance for the intended purpose.

 

He was shocked when his in-laws informed him that Jessica died shortly after delivery. 

 

He insisted that he had no quarrel with the wife and could not have been beating her from Lagos while she was in Aba from the month of June to August.

 

“All our communication before her death showed no signs of conflict or distress. I have WhatsApp chats and call logs as evidence, and they will be presented in court,” he said.

 

“Jessica and I had a peaceful relationship. There were no issues of violence or abuse (you may verify this from the tenants where I reside in Lagos). My wife’s passing was a tragic medical event, not a result of my foul play,” he maintained.

 

He wondered why autopsy was not requested and conducted by his in-laws before her burial.

 

Following Jessica’s death, Mr. Chukwu said he travelled to Aba to find out the circumstances surrounding his wife's death.

 

He met with hostility as the family of his late wife allegedly attacked him and his brother. 

 

“My in-laws attacked me and my brother. I sustained various degrees of wound, including profuse bleeding on the face, dislocation on the leg, and swollen skull. It was the Rapid Response Squad, Eziama division of the police who were alerted, and they intervened in rescuing us from what could be described as near death experience. Despite the pain of losing my wife, I have been accused of unfounded crimes,” he recounted.

 

After the tragic incident, Samuel and his brother went and informed the CPS Aba division of the situation and registered the case of attempted murder on Samuel Chukwu with pictorial evidence. 

 

It was the DPO who issued a police report for Samuel Chukwu to be treated by the hospital of his choice.

 

Mr. Chukwu has urged members of the public to ignore the narrative that he killed the wife, insisting that the allegation is false and unfounded.

 

He said his lawyer, Chief Gabriel Emperor Ogbonna & Co is gathering evidence, including medical reports from the hospitals where Jessica had her routine medical checkups, antenatal bookings and clinical investigations in Lagos, financial records, and communication logs, to present during court proceedings to prove his innocence.

 

"This loss has been devastating for me and my family. I loved my wife and invested in her happiness, health, education, personal development, and wellbeing. (I have all the bank statements proof to back up these claims)These accusations are not only false but also hurtful,” he concluded. 

 

 

Finnish official explains why Simon Ekpa cannot be granted bail

Finnish authorities have provided reasons for why controversial pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, cannot be granted bail in Finland. 

Mikko Laaksonen, a Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, told Punch newspaper that the Finnish legal system does not allow bail for suspects accused of the type of offences Mr. Ekpa is facing.

Ekpa was arrested alongside four others on November 21 on suspicion of terrorist activities. The Finnish police accused him of contributing to violence and crimes against civilians in southeastern Nigeria.

The District Court of Päijät-Häme subsequently ordered that Ekpa be imprisoned “with probable cause on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.” 

He is set to face charges in May 2025, according to Finnish authorities. The pro-Biafra agitator has also been indicted for financing terrorism along with the four other suspects. Finnish authorities suspect Ekpa violated the Finnish Money Collection Act by allegedly collecting money for terrorist activities between August 23, 2021, and November 18, 2024, in Lahti, Finland.

A Nigerian-Finnish citizen, Ekpa leads the Autopilot faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group advocating for an independent state of Biafra in southeastern and parts of south-south Nigeria. While IPOB has been linked to deadly attacks in the region, it has consistently denied any involvement.

Hours after Ekpa's arrest, the IPOB faction loyal to Nnamdi Kanu disowned Ekpa, stating that he was never a member of their group.

When asked whether Ekpa’s charges were bailable or if the prosecution was willing to release him on bail, Laaksonen explained, “Finnish criminal procedure/coercive measures do not recognise bail procedure. Our procedure is based on, depending on the case, remand or travel ban as coercive measures for limiting freedom of movement for persons suspected of offences to which such measures are applicable.”

This means that Ekpa will remain in custody until May 2025, when he is scheduled to stand trial at the District Court of Päijät-Häme.

Troops deactivate 56 illegal oil bunkering sanctuaries and recover 1.2 million litres of stolen crude in Niger Delta

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have deactivated 56 illegal oil bunkering sanctuaries and recovered 1.2 million litres of stolen products in the Niger Delta. 

 

Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel, Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, December 1, 2024, said troops also arrested 17 suspected oil thieves, destroyed 88 cooking drums and 20 boats used for the illicit activity in four states, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom, respectively. 

 

Danjuma stated that the operations which were conducted from November 25 to December 1, 2024. 

 

“Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, have increased the rhythm of the ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations across the Niger Delta Region, with visible operational footprints,” the statement read.

 

"The operations, which were conducted from 25 November - 1 December 2024, led to the deactivation of over 56 illegal oil bunkering sanctuaries, 88 cooking drums, and 20 boats,s, as well as the recovery of over 1.2 Million litres of stolen crude. Others included the arrest of 17 suspected oil thieves, interception of seven vehicles, discovery of six illegal connection points and destruction of five motorcycles used for perpetrating economic sabotage across the region.

 

"In Bayelsa State, at an abandoned Oando wellhead situated in Okordia Forest, Yenagoa Local Government Area (LGA), 15 illegal refining sites were deactivated with over 755,000 litres of stolen crude as well as over 53,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) recovered. Similarly, around Biseni Forest, also in Yenagoa LGA, 12 illegal refining sites with over 34,000 litres of stolen crude as well as 5,500 litres of illegally refined AGO were confiscated.

 

"In a related development in Rivers State, around Kula I, general area in Akuku-Toru LGA, troops discovered one illegal connection on 36 inch Government pipeline, with three inches hose connected on it, used as a loading point by oil thieves. This was in addition to a ground reservoir of 80 by 80 tarpaulin stocked with over 100,000 litres of stolen products recovered during the operations. 

 

"The operation was also extended to Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, where an abandoned truck ladened with 35,000 litres of stolen crude stocked in a fabricated tank and concealed with bags of sawdust was uncovered. 

 

"Relatedly, around Bakana and Buguma general area in Degema LGA, eight illegal refining sites with over 27,000 litres of stolen crude were confiscated. Three wooden boats, one fibre speed boat, several pots of different sizes, two receivers containing AGO and a local boat with over 12,000 litres of stolen were intercepted. The operation also led to the arrest of three suspected oil thieves in connection to the economic sabotage.

 

"Also in Bukuma community in Degema LGA, one illegal refining site, a reservoir with over 5,000 litres of stolen crude was dismantled. While at Imo River, eleven illegal refining sites, 88 cooking drums, 26 metal container receivers, 14 plastic tanks, eleven boats, and four pumping machines with over 42,500 litres of stolen crude were recovered, with three suspects arrested. Around Obiafu Oil Field, several vehicles were intercepted with over 5500 litres of stolen products recovered.

 

"Similarly, in Delta State, troops pursued economic saboteurs to Ugo Community in Orhionwon LGA of Edo State, where one suspected oil thief was arrested. He subsequently led troops to a bunkering site. Enroute the site, troops discovered a stationary Toyota Sequoia Jeep with Reg No Edo WWR 896 JU, loaded with sacks meant for stealing products. 

 

"Further combing of the area, led to the discovery of a storage filled with stolen crude as well as over 200 sacks filled with over 40,000 litres of stolen products. At Yeye general area in Warri South LGA, one active illegal refining site, two ovens containing substances suspected to be over 2,000 litres of illegally refined AGO, were confiscated. 

 

"Additionally, one Yamaha outboard engine with four suspected oil thieves arrested. While in Akwa Ibom, troops acting on credible intelligence, intercepted several drums of estimated to be over 5,580 litres of petroleum motor spirit at Enwang Bridge in Mbo LGA. The products were being prepared for onward smuggling to a neighbouring country.

 

“The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, while commending troops for the huge operational successes recorded, reassured that the ongoing onslaught against illegal oil bunkering would be sustained. This, he averred is aimed at securing all critical national infrastructures within the Division's Area of Responsibility.”