1 plus game Tua Tagovailoa's TD pass to Jonnu Smith gives Dolphins 32-26 overtime win over Aaron Rodgers, JetsMideast marks somber Xmas

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation ( SGF), Senator George Akume, Sunday admonished those eyeing the presidency of Nigeria to wait till 2031 when the incumbent president, Bola Tinubu, must have finished his second term. Akume gave the admonition while featuring on Politics on Sunday programme of TVC, anchored by Femi Akande. He ssured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu has not lost goodwill among Nigerians as result of Tax Reform Bills and other strategic economic decisions taken within the last 17 months. He specifically defended the Tax Reform Bills as well as envisioned laws that will take the country out of the woods when fully considered and passed by the National Assembly . “President Tinubu as a southerner, should be allowed to have a second term, meaning that those eyeing the presidency from the north in 2027, should look beyond that year by waiting till 2031. “If it is the will of God for Alhaji Atiku to be president of Nigeria , even at the age of 90 years , he can get it, but he and other northerners, eyeing the office now should look beyond 2027,” he said. On the tax reforms, Akume appealed to Nigerians to allow the bills to scale through required legislative, saying, “they are well envisioned for Nigeria and Nigerians. President Tinubu through the reform bills, wants to reposition the nation’s economy as he earlier did with the removal of fuel subsidy and harmonisation of the foreign exchange windows in the country.”Qatar tribune It’s an abiding promise of newly elected American presidents: The executive branch henceforth will be liberated from the perils of waste, fraud and abuse. President-elect Donald Trump, in his contribution to the canon, has announced he’ll create the Department of Government Efficiency, led by tech impresarios Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. The aim, Trump says, is to “dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies.” There’s reason to be skeptical about Trump’s ambitions for this body. And many previous efforts along these lines — from the Truman Committee to Al Gore’s “reinventing government” initiative — have failed to tame the federal leviathan. But the goal of getting taxpayers better value for their money remains eminently desirable. As a start, any effort of this kind requires setting achievable goals — and Musk and Ramaswamy have already emphasized a good one. They want to get federal workers back to the office. Long after the pandemic, government buildings are still conspicuously underpopulated. In his 2022 State of the Union address, President Joe Biden called on federal workers to return to their offices, and his administration has periodically urged people back to their desks, but with little apparent effect. A recent report on telework arrangements at four agencies found that one (the Veterans Benefits Administration) has failed to collect the data it needs to manage the system effectively, and that the other three (the Farm Service Agency, the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) haven’t evaluated telework’s effects on performance. There’s little here to allay taxpayers’ suspicions that absence from the office means less work being done. What taxpayers should expect from public services would, more generally, be a good focus for DOGE’s efforts. The client-facing aspects of the U.S. government badly need attention. Whether it’s filing taxes, claiming benefits, buying savings bonds from TreasuryDirect, securing licenses and permissions, or dealing with regulators with overlapping jurisdictions, effective customer service rarely seems to be a priority. Entrepreneurs like Musk and Ramaswamy don’t need to be told why this matters. As important as this mission is, however, voters should be realistic. Musk once said he aimed to cut “at least $2 trillion” from Biden’s proposed $6.5 trillion-a-year budget. On the face of it, such a claim isn’t credible: It would mean cutting all spending, including defense, Medicare and Social Security, by a third. Trump has already promised to protect the main entitlement programs. Regardless of who’s in charge, even modest cuts in such spending are politically perilous. The savings from thinning the federal workforce, as Musk and Ramaswamy have advocated, are trivial when set against the biggest outlays. Another concern is that both men may have conflicts of interest and, as outside advisers, may not be subject to normal disclosure rules. For their effort to work, they’ll need to be forthright with the public about their financial involvements. Ideally, DOGE would aim to strengthen and broaden the audit powers that currently reside with the Government Accountability Office (which advises Congress) and the Office of Management and Budget (a branch of the White House). To the general public, these existing functions are all but invisible and lack teeth: Too often, reports are issued and little if anything happens. DOGE could improve this oversight by publicizing opportunities to make government work better — by highlighting the real waste, duplication, underperformance and poor customer service that the existing audit systems let slide, as well as recommending changes. Set up that way, DOGE can promote accountability as well as transparency. But to succeed, its leaders will need to know what they’re talking about and command credibility with taxpayers. Musk and Ramaswamy should be commended for their ambition. They should also remember that fixing the government is an incredibly arduous task — and making ridiculous promises doesn’t help. Copy 09/12/2024 10Gildan Activewear Inc. stock falls Monday, underperforms marketCES 2025 Preview: TESSAN to Showcase Charging Solutions for Enhanced Connectivity and Convenience

June 28, 2005 April 4, 2005 July 24, 2016 Joselito Zulueta started his journalism career in 1986 and witnessed how the advancement of technology brought many changes to the profession. For one, reporters no longer need to come to the newsroom in person because online meetings have become more convenient. Zulueta, a University of Santo Tomas professor and former Philippine Daily Inquirer editor, said this spared reporters from getting scolded by their editors who learned the trade under a much stricter environment. “The editors of old were also very harsh,” he recalled. “Reporters have to pass through the crucible, through the fire.” However, he acknowledged that “by the harshness of those editors, they became good reporters.” For Zulueta, who first worked at the defunct newspaper Manila Chronicle, the editorial practices founded by traditional media—print, radio and television—set it apart from digital media that is more prevalent now. “Their (traditional media) advantage will always be that their reports are more authoritative, more balanced, and at the same time, deeper,” he said. “They have more context, more background.” Over the past years, online and social media continued to be the most popular sources of news in the country compared to print and television, based on the 2024 Digital News Report of the Reuters Institute. However, the same study also noted that established media brands continued to enjoy “relatively high levels of trust” from their audiences. One of the problems with the digitalization of news, according to Zulueta, is that editors are no longer as thorough in checking the accuracy of reports, given how media outfits are always in a rush to break the story first. “Much of the gatekeeping and winnowing process and validation, the mechanisms and the techniques, they’re established by the traditional news media,” he said, which is why he believes that newspapers, radio and television are here to stay despite the prevalence of digital media. “Successful online news media, they’re based on traditional media, print and broadcast,” he pointed out. “So I don’t think you can do away with traditional news media at this time because much of the foundational reporting has been done by it.” Jan Victor Mateo, a journalism instructor at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, noted that the COVID-19 pandemic sped up the digitalization of news after people became wary of touching physical objects. “One of the casualties was the newspapers because many said that it might cause the spread of the virus,” he said. “We saw that newspapers were no longer found in hotel lobbies, coffee shops, among others.” But for Mateo, it was “good, to some extent,” that the pandemic forced traditional media to make changes because the digitalization of news had been inevitable. “Newsrooms were starting to adapt to the digital tools, to the digital platforms,” he said. “It’s just that the pandemic sort of forced us to move ahead with our plans.” UP associate professor Danilo Arao said traditional media needs to “push for convergence” with new media and make use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), to stay relevant in the future. Feb. 18, 2017 June 27, 2021 July 27, 2021 “Technological breakthroughs in both software, like AI, and hardware, such as mobile devices, can offer good opportunities for the Philippine news media to reach out to a broader audience,” he said. Some media outlets in the country have already started using AI, as noted by the Reuters study, with a TV network introducing AI-generated sportscasters and newsrooms using AI to summarize reports and moderate online spaces. But Arao said that traditional news sources would endure, particularly in remote areas, even with the emergence of AI and the growing reach of digital media. This was echoed by Francis Allan Angelo, trustee for Visayas of the Philippine Press Institute, who said: “In areas with limited internet connectivity, traditional media remains more accessible.” As the editor in chief of an Iloilo-based newspaper, he said that traditional media shows “remarkable resilience” especially in his province. One of the reasons for this, Angelo said, is that traditional media “have deep roots in their communities and strong institutional relationships that digital-only platforms often lack.” He added that local newspapers and radio stations excel in covering community issues that national digital outlets might overlook. While Angelo agrees that the news media “is poised for a significant transformation” given the need to adapt to the current digital environment, this has to be done without compromising one’s credibility. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . “Outlets must develop robust digital presences while maintaining the quality of their traditional formats,” he said. INQ

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LONDON: Erling Haaland had a second-half penalty saved as crisis-torn Manchester City failed to end their dismal run with a 1-1 draw against lowly Everton, while title contenders Chelsea suffered a first home defeat against Fulham since 1979 on Thursday. Champions City have just one victory in their last 13 games in all competitions as their Christmas schedule started in disappointing fashion. Bernardo Silva put City in front early on before Iliman Ndiaye salvaged a point for Everton. City are languishing in seventh place and sit five points adrift of the top four, with their astonishing decline showing no sign of ending. City boss Pep Guardiola conceded ahead of the game that his troubled side are at risk of failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 15 years and their latest setback was another blow to that target. “Of course we need results and we didn’t get it. The team played really good again in all departments and unfortunately could not win,” Guardiola said. “We accept it. It is life. We did not expect it to not win games many times. But what do you have to do? Continue.” Everton had kept five clean sheets in their last six games but were breached after just 14 minutes. Jeremy Doku fed Silva and his effort across goal deflected off Jarrad Branthwaite and looped beyond the helpless Jordan Pickford. Everton levelled when Manuel Akanji sliced an attempted clearance into the path of Ndiaye, who fired into the top corner for Everton’s first away goal in over two months. Seven minutes into the second half, Haaland had the chance to end his longest goal drought at the Etihad but Pickford dived low to his right to make the save. At Stamford Bridge, second-placed Chelsea were stunned by Fulham’s late fightback for a 2-1 win in a dramatic west London derby. Cole Palmer put Chelsea ahead after 16 minutes, the England forward drilling home from the edge of the area after weaving through the Fulham defence in dazzling style. Forest on the rise But Fulham levelled with eight minutes left when Antonee Robinson’s cross was headed down by Timothy Castagne and Harry Wilson nodded in from close range. Chelsea were furious, claiming Alex Iwobi had fouled Pedro Neto in the build-up to the goal. But there was worse to come for the Blues in stoppage-time when Rodrigo Muniz converted Sasa Lukic’s pass with a clinical strike. Chelsea are four points behind leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand and host Leicester later on Thursday. Nottingham Forest climbed to third place after a 1-0 win against spluttering Tottenham at the City Ground. Forest went ahead in the 28th minute when Anthony Elanga raced onto Morgan Gibbs-White’s pass and stroke a composed finish past Fraser Forster. Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo had just 17 games in charge of Tottenham before being sacked in 2021. But Forest’s fourth successive win was sweet revenge for Nuno, whose former club had Djed Spence sent off in the closing moments for a second booking. Tottenham are stuck in 11th place as the pressure mounts on boss Ange Postecoglou. Newcastle swatted aside 10-man Aston Villa 3-0, moving up to fifth place after winning three consecutive league games for the first time since 2023. Anthony Gordon struck with a superb curling strike after just two minutes at St James’ Park. Villa’s Jhon Duran was sent off in the 32nd minute for violent conduct after stamping on Newcastle’s Fabian Schar. Alexander Isak made Newcastle’s numerical advantage count in the 59th minute as the Swedish striker tapped in his seventh goal in his last six appearances. Joelinton wrapped up the points in stoppage-time with a curler from 18 yards. Jarrod Bowen’s 59th-minute goal gave West Ham a 1-0 win at bottom of the table Southampton after the visitors saw Guido Rodriguez’s red card overturned by VAR. It was a frustrating start for new Saints boss Ivan Juric, who has replaced the sacked Russell Martin. Bournemouth and Crystal Palace shared a goalless draw at the Vitality Stadium. — AFPIt’s Time to Make Canada More CompetitiveNetflix stock sees biggest weekly gain since January — and analysts say there's more room to run

Americans still dreaming of a really big Christmas present can keep that dream alive during Friday's Mega Millions drawing for a jackpot worth an estimated $1.15 billion. Friday’s jackpot will potentially be the fifth largest in the game's history. Mega Millions tickets are $2 a piece. But the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350, and the odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24, according to lottery officials. Tickets for the game are sold in 45 states, along with Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Here is a look at the largest U.S. jackpots won and the states where the winning tickets were sold: 1. $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022 (one ticket, from California) 2. $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023 (one ticket, from California) 3. $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023 (one ticket, from Florida) 4. $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016 (three tickets, from California, Florida, Tennessee) 5. $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018 (one ticket, from South Carolina) 6. $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023 (one ticket, from Maine) 7. $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022 (one ticket, from Illinois) 8. $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024 (one ticket, Oregon) 9. $1.13 billion, Mega Millions, March 26, 2024 (one ticket, from New Jersey) 10. $1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023 (one ticket, from California)

Lawyer says ex-Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller met with NCAA for hours amid gambling probeSAN DIEGO (AP) — SAN DIEGO (AP) — Genasys Inc. (GNSS) on Monday reported a loss of $11.4 million in its fiscal fourth quarter. The San Diego-based company said it had a loss of 26 cents per share. The results missed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of three analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for a loss of 11 cents per share. The developer of directed sound technologies used by the military and police posted revenue of $6.7 million in the period, which also did not meet Street forecasts. Three analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $9 million. For the year, the company reported a loss of $31.7 million, or 72 cents per share. Revenue was reported as $24 million. This story was generated by Automated Insights ( http://automatedinsights.com/ap ) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on GNSS at https://www.zacks.com/ap/GNSS

Hedge fund manager Scott Bessent is a credible, safe choice for US Treasury secretary -- and one that is likely positive for markets -- observers said Saturday following President-elect Donald Trump's highly anticipated nomination. His selection came after competition for the top economic job spilled into the open last weekend, with the world's richest man Elon Musk throwing his support instead behind Trump's transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick. Lutnick has since been named commerce secretary to lead Trump's tariff and trade agenda, and Bessent's nomination days later appears to be uncontroversial for now. "Scott Bessent is a credible, mainstream pick for Treasury Secretary," said Jason Furman, a professor at Harvard University and former top White House economic adviser. "I could see previous administrations as having chosen him," Furman, a former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, told AFP. But a key difference is that Bessent, 62, has had to adopt and defend views on topics like tariffs, in a way "he never would have in pursuit of the job for a previous Republican administration." Tariffs are a key part of Trump's economic agenda, with the Republican president-elect vowing sweeping duties on allies and adversaries alike. In an opinion piece published earlier this month on Fox News, Bessent defended the potential use of tariffs as a means to raise revenue for the government, protect strategic US industries and negotiate with trading partners. He would be one of the first openly gay Cabinet officials if confirmed by the Senate, and the first at the helm of the Treasury Department. Jens Nordvig, chief executive of data and analytics firm Exante Data who has worked with Bessent, drew a contrast between his demeanor and that of other Trump supporters. While some Trump allies have a tendency towards "general sweeping statements," Bessent is an "analytical thinker, and he communicates accordingly," Nordvig told AFP. He counts Bessent among his early clients. More from this section "I would expect his messaging to be very focused, to get his key points across, without any unnecessary flamboyance or gusto," Nordvig added of the Wall Street veteran. Calling Bessent a "safe choice," Brookings senior fellow in economic studies David Wessel told AFP: "He will be an adult in the room for the Trump administration." Besides Bessent, others seen as top contenders for Treasury chief in recent days included former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh, Apollo Global Management chief executive Marc Rowan, and Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty. It remains to be seen if Bessent will be a big influence "moderating some of the administration's more aggressive trade policy" or simply be a spokesman, Wessel said. He does not have much experience in dealing with Congress either, and this would be important next year as the Trump administration works to raise the debt ceiling and effort a tax bill to deliver on his economic promises. Bessent would also have to grapple with the country's debt burden, with debt borrowed at much lower interest rates previously and Trump's plans estimated to add trillions over time. In an open letter published Saturday, Nordvig called for "thoughtful leadership" at the Treasury, saying a realistic approach to tax cuts and bond issuance was needed. He also sounded a hopeful note, saying Bessent would work to reduce extreme risks for markets. Krishna Guha, vice chairman of Evercore ISI, believes Bessent's nomination "will be well received by financial markets," given his deep understanding of markets and macro conditions. Guha also warned of the risk of bond yields spiking and "pushing up mortgage rates and tanking the housing market, while also causing stocks to sell off." In his past administration, Trump has viewed the stock market as a gauge of his success. bys/mdEl Sailon hosts an ongoing speaker series focusing on Artificial Intelligence in Santa Fe(BPT) - Every year, roughly 20-30% of older Americans head to warmer climates for the colder winter months. Snowbirds are often retirees on fixed incomes, though flexible work environments now provide more opportunities for anyone to spend several months escaping the chill. Whether on a fixed income or an empty nester with disposable income, consumers are interested in saving money where they can. With this in mind, snowbirds can look to their AARP membership to take advantage of relevant discounts and offerings as they fluff their feathers and get ready for takeoff. From savory breakfast options while driving to your seasonal destination, to home and auto protection, and even resources to support mental and physical health, AARP member benefits offer deals and savings that will help snowbirds take flight this winter. "Spending winters in warmer places has so many benefits that come with being able to be outside more often. Warmth and sunlight not only increase serotonin levels , which can result in more positive moods and a calm, focused mental outlook, but they also stimulate vitamin D production and may even boost immunity ," said Elvira Christiansen, Director of Retail and Loyalty for AARP Services. "An AARP membership makes it even better by offering savings as you plan your trip, as well as at many dining, entertainment and retail locations you will come across in your winter getaway destination, helping you to enjoy it to the fullest." 1. Order Up Road trips are often the preferred way to travel to a winter home for the flexibility of having a car once there. Whether your drive will have you behind the wheel for hours or days, you'll want to make sure you have your meals planned out. Fill up with a tasty breakfast or lunch with a stop at Denny's, which is easy to spot from most major highways. AARP members can save when heading to Denny's . With over 1,500 locations nationwide, members save 15% on everything from diner classics to breakfast items every day; maximum discount not to exceed $10. Restrictions apply. 2. Primary Care from Almost Anywhere Feeling under the weather can put a damper on your winter travels, so it's a good idea to make sure you can access quality healthcare even when you're at your winter destination. If you are on Medicare, you can check whether there is an Oak Street Health primary care clinic near you. Oak Street Health , the only primary care provider to carry the AARP name, provides primary care for adults on Medicare and focuses on prevention with personalized care to help keep you healthy — physically, mentally and socially. Benefits include same-day/next-day appointments where available, convenient locations, a dedicated care team and a 24/7 patient support line. AARP membership is not required to visit an Oak Street Health clinic. 3. Wellness Checklist Once you check off primary care needs for your winter destination, don't overlook other priorities like maintaining your prescriptions and protecting your vision. Start by making sure your prescriptions are up to date before you head out of town. If you do need a refill while you're away, you have access to a free prescription discount card from AARP ® Prescription Discounts provided by Optum Rx ® that can be used at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide for savings on FDA-approved medications. You do not need to be an AARP member to take advantage of these benefits, though AARP members receive additional perks, including deeper discounts on medications, home delivery, coverage for your dependents and more. If you're having trouble with your vision, want to update your sunglass prescription, or simply want to maintain your annual visits to an optometrist or ophthalmologist while away, AARP members have access to information on vision insurance options that offer individual and family plans, featuring a large doctor network, savings on frames, lens enhancements, progressives and more. 4. Home (Safety) Away from Home One thing that should always be a priority is keeping your home safe while you're away for the winter. While Neighborhood Watch is always helpful, long periods away from a home require additional security systems. With an AARP membership, homeowners can secure their homes for less. Members save 5% on monthly home security monitoring with ADT Home Security , which covers smart home security systems including intrusion monitoring, connected smoke and CO detection, and smart automation for video doorbells, security cameras and smart locks. 5. Pack Auto Coverage in Your Luggage Driving south for the winter? Utilize AARP member benefits to save on auto care so you can road trip worry free. AARP members save up to 20% on annual membership fees for Allstate Roadside Assistance plans, which provides access to assistance for towing, jump-starts, tire changes, lockout assistance, fuel delivery and more. Allstate Roadside plan benefits can be used 24/7 in any car you drive, including rented and borrowed ones. And, if you want to bring any personal items with you but don't have room to squeeze them in your car, Budget Truck Rental has a variety of trucks for you to choose from. AARP members can save 20% on local or one-way truck rentals on Sunday through Thursday and 10% on Friday and Saturday, plus receive a $10-per-day Physical Damage Waiver. Regardless of how you're traveling or spending your winter months, AARP member benefits can help you maximize your budget while you prioritize the things that matter. To learn more about the benefits and discounts for AARP members to help you prepare for your relaunch, please visit aarp.org/save . AARP member benefits are provided by third parties. AARP receives a royalty fee for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions.

Israel's attorney general orders investigation into Netanyahu's wife after she is accused of harassing witnesses and opponents in Israeli PM's corruption trial By TARYN PEDLER Published: 15:56 EST, 26 December 2024 | Updated: 16:34 EST, 26 December 2024 e-mail View comments Israel's attorney general has ordered police to open an investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's wife on suspicion of harassing political opponents and witnesses in the Israeli leader's corruption trial. The Israeli Justice Ministry made the announcement in a terse message late Thursday, saying the investigation would focus on the findings of a recent report by the 'Uvda' investigative program into Sara Netanyahu. The program uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages in which Mrs Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aide to organise protests against political opponents and to intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in the trial. The announcement did not mention Mrs Netanyahu by name, and the Justice Ministry declined further comment. But in a video released earlier Thursday, Netanyahu listed what he said were the many kind and charitable acts by his wife and blasted the Uvda report as 'lies.' It was the latest in a long line of legal troubles for the Netanyahus - highlighted by the prime minister's ongoing corruption trial. The Prime Minister will answer during his appearances to charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases. He is accused of promoting advantageous regulation for media moguls in exchange for favourable coverage of himself and his family. Israel's attorney general has ordered police to open an investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife The Uvda program uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages in which Mrs Sara Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aide to organise protests against political opponents and to intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in the trial He is also accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars worth of cigars and champagne from a billionaire Hollywood producer in exchange for assisting him with personal and business interests. But the Prime Minister told his version of events and shared personal details about his life that he might hope would shape the judges' perception of him. Read More Benjamin Netanyahu condemns 'absurd accusations' as he denies corruption charges He said at the start of his career he would lose sleep over media coverage but learned it had no meaningful bearing - in contrast to the prosecution's attempts to paint him as image-obsessed. He said he smoked cigars but could hardly finish them because of his workload, and hated champagne. Earlier this month he promised defiantly to refute the corruption allegations against him as he began giving evidence in his trial. Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli leader to take the stand as a criminal defendant at the same time as he faces an international arrest warrant for war crimes allegations. In a packed Tel Aviv courtroom, Netanyahu portrayed himself as a dedicated leader and a defender of Israel 's interests, swatting away the charges against him as a 'drop in the sea' compared to the challenges he has faced protecting his country. He also said he could balance appearing at his trial with his duties as prime minister. Supporters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold up signs outside Tel Aviv's court as Netanyahu testifies in a corruption trial on December 10 The charges have divided Israel, sparking protests and a political crisis over his fitness to serve under indictment Demonstrators protest against Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu outside the court in Tel Aviv 'I waited eight years for this moment, to say the truth,' Mr Netanyahu said, adding that his evidence would 'poke holes in the absurd accusations'. The charges against Netanyahu have cast another shadow over the country's longest-serving leader and complicated his legacy. They have divided Israel, sparking protests and a political crisis over his fitness to serve under indictment. Read More Benjamin Netanyahu becomes first Israeli prime minister to take the stand as a criminal defendant Netanyahu denies the charges and says he is the victim of a 'witch hunt' by overzealous prosecutors, police and the media. Under Israeli law, indicted prime ministers are not required to step down, but the charges against Netanyahu cleaved deep divisions in Israel. Protesters have demanded that he resign and former political allies have refused to serve in government with the Israeli leader, triggering a political crisis that led to five elections in less than four years beginning in 2019. Netanyahu's supporters view the charges as the result of bias and overreach by the justice system. Despite the pressure, Netanyahu has rejected calls to step down and has used his position as prime minister to lash out at law enforcement, media and courts. The trial will be an inconvenient legal spectacle for the Israeli leader at a time when he is still fighting a war in Gaza with no end in sight and as he faces an international arrest warrant over Israel's conduct during that conflict. 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