US judge voids Donald Trump's $1.8 billion settlement with IRS, citing improper purpose and potential ethics violations
via The Namibian3 min read
A US judge has invalidated a legal agreement between former President Donald Trump and federal agencies that granted him immunity from tax audits and established a now-abandoned $1.8 billion "anti-weaponisation" fund. US District Judge Kathleen Williams stated that Trump's lawsuit, filed by him, his two sons, and the Trump Organization in 2026, was for an improper purpose. She described the lawsuit as an action carried out by lawyers with ties to Trump and those claiming to be government targets, rather than a genuine dispute between opposing sides. The judge also referred a Trump lawyer to state authorities to investigate potential ethics rule violations and disciplinary action. The ruling prevents those involved from citing the settlement in future legal proceedings, potentially allowing the IRS to proceed with future audits of Trump's tax claims. Trump's initial lawsuit claimed no action was taken to prevent the leak of his private tax information by a former IRS contractor. The leaked information, prior to the 2020 presidential election, revealed he paid $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and no taxes in 10 of the previous 15 years. Judge Williams noted that Trump pursued his claims after re-entering the White House and appointing former lawyers to prominent positions in the Department of Justice, who then negotiated the "settlement." One of Trump's attorneys, Alejandro Brito, was referred to the Florida bar for potential disciplinary action, and another lawyer, Daniel
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
The Namibian Football Association's NFA aspirations to co-host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations Afcon are dependent on a formal commitment from the government. NFA secretary general Mabos Vries stated that government support is crucial, particularly for ensuring football stadiums are prepared by 2028. This follows an invitation from the Confederation of African Football CAF for Namibia to join a regional bid. If successful, Namibia would co-host the event with South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe as part of a proposed four-country southern African bid. Vries clarified that this Afcon bid is a distinct, medium- to long-term project and should not be confused with operational funding for football. While Namibia meets several of CAF's infrastructure requirements, the main challenge is securing a CAF-compliant stadium. Vries noted that the government's plans to renovate Independence Stadium indicate ongoing efforts, but a firm commitment is still needed. The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture allocated N$60 million for the Independence Stadium upgrade and N$23.6 million for other sport facility construction and rehabilitation, including a national high-performance center at the University of Namibia. However, Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of sport Bertha Nghifikwa-Kambonde warned that recent funding cuts for sport bodies could jeopardize Namibia's Afcon bid and harm the country's sporting reputation.
BreakingA Sudanese court in Port Sudan has sentenced Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces RSF, and 15 other senior RSF members to death in absentia. The conviction is for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide related to atrocities in West Darfur, specifically in el-Geneina. Among those sentenced are Hemedti's brother and deputy, Abdelrahim Hamdan Dagalo, another brother, Al-Qoni Hamdan Dagalo, and the RSF's West Darfur commander, Abdul Rahman Juma Barkallah. The court found them guilty of orchestrating attacks on civilians, widespread destruction, looting, and targeting schools, places of worship, and residential neighborhoods, including the June 2023 killing of state governor Khamis Abbakar. Special Judge Mohamed Al-Amin ordered the confiscation of all RSF assets and instructed authorities to seek Interpol Red Notices for their arrest. The Sudan Founding Alliance, which includes the RSF, called the trial a "sham trial." This marks the first judicial conviction of RSF leadership since the civil war began in April 2023, which has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and displaced 12 million people. Both the RSF and the Sudanese army have been accused of human rights abuses and war crimes, with UN investigators and human rights organizations citing ethnically targeted attacks against the Masalit population in Darfur.
Must ReadPresident Cyril Ramaphosa is investigating the conduct of Andrea Johnson, head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption Idac, following her failure to appear before the Madlanga Commission. Johnson cited illness, submitting a medical certificate that commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga described as "useless." Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that the President was "looking forward" to her testimony. Johnson was expected to address allegations of collusion and defeating the ends of justice. A whistleblower previously testified that Johnson secretly sent evidence of a complaint against him to Crime Intelligence deputy head General Feroz Khan. This is not the first time Johnson's name has surfaced in relation to police matters; she was questioned in 2025 about her failure to recuse herself from a job interview where her husband, a Crime Intelligence officer, was an applicant. More recently, Idac's attempt to re-arrest General Dumisani Khumalo, head of Crime Intelligence, was halted. Johnson has expressed fear for her life in connection with these cases. Her ongoing involvement in these issues, rather than leading anti-corruption efforts, poses a challenge for National Director of Public Prosecutions Andy Mothibe. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago stated that only the President, who appointed Johnson, can take action against her. Tebogo Khaas of Public Interest SA expressed concern over the repeated non-appearances of k