Donald Trump to hold rally with candidate accused of sexual assault

Former US president Donald Trump was due to appear at a rally on Friday to endorse a political candidate accused of sexually assaulting eight women, including a state senator.

Charles Herbster, a multimillionaire cattle-breeding executive, has denied the allegations but faces a backlash from conservatives in Nebraska, where he is vying to be the next governor.

State senator Julie Slama told the Nebraska Examiner two weeks ago that Mr Herbster had sexually assaulted her during an event in 2019, while seven other women made misconduct accusations anonymously.

“I am not seeking media attention or any other gain. I simply was not going to lie and say it did not occur,” Ms Slama said, adding that she was 22 at the time.

Mr Herbster, whose fortune comes in part from selling bull semen, was described as a “special guest speaker” by organisers of Mr Trump's Save America rally at a racetrack near Omaha.

Aides told Mr Trump of the allegations earlier this month, according to Politico, but the Republican leader doubled down, pushing for Mr Herbster to fight back.

Mr Herbster has dismissed the scandal as a “smear campaign”, similar to attempts to target Mr Trump, who has been accused of sexual misconduct himself by more than two dozen women.

“Charles will continue to fight to expose politically-motivated lies, to clear his good name, and to focus on the issues that he will tackle as the next governor of Nebraska,” his spokeswoman Ellen Keast said.

Mr Trump has a long history of backing public figures accused of misconduct, including his former White House aide Rob Porter after he was fired over accusations of battering two of his ex-wives.

Former White House aide Rob Porter, with then-president Donald Trump, was fired over accusations that he assaulted two of his ex-wives. Reuters

Others who have benefited from his support include former Fox News star Bill O'Reilly, accused of sexual harassment and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who faced historic sexual assault allegations during his confirmation.

The race for the Republican nomination in Nebraska on May 10 is a three-way toss-up between Mr Herbster, multimillionaire pig farmer Jim Pillen and state senator Brett Lindstrom.

Mr Trump's October endorsement of Mr Herbster, a prolific donor, rankled much of the Republican establishment in the state that Mr Trump won by 20 points in 2020.

Former US President Donald Trump attends a rally to boost Ohio Republican candidates before the May 3 primary election. Reuters
US Senate Republican candidate JD Vance, a writer and lawyer, was endorsed by Donald Trump for the coming primary elections. Reuters
Supporters of former US president Donald Trump gather for a Save America rally at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Ohio. EPA
Supporters of former US president Donald Trump at Saturday's Save America rally. EPA
The crowd at the Save America rally at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Delaware, Ohio. EPA
At the Save America rally. Reuters
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose was acknowledged by former president Donald Trump at Saturday's Save America rally at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. AP
A Trump supporter at Saturday's rally holds up an image of the former US president. AP
A Trump supporter wears a 'God and guns' T-shirt as she waves two American flags at the Save America rally on Saturday. AP

An unwavering loyalist who attended Mr Trump's 2015 campaign launch and the rally ahead of the 2021 US Capitol assault, Mr Herbster is vying to replace Pete Ricketts, the scion of a powerful Republican dynasty that owns the Chicago Cubs.

The outgoing governor, who tried to dissuade Trump from anointing Mr Herbster, said on Monday the candidate should apologise to his accusers, quit the race and “seek help".

Frustration is mounting on the right over the endorsements, which often appear to have more to do with the candidates' fame than their conservative credentials.

Mr Trump's support of Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance in Ohio and celebrity surgeon Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania underlines his willingness to defy the establishment, often putting him at odds with his own side.

And while Mr Trump's popularity with the hardliners that make up his core support appears undiminished, his endorsements may not be the panacea they once were.

Mr Vance's popularity has surged but Dr Oz still trails a former US Treasury official, and Georgia gubernatorial challenger David Perdue has gone from seven to 25 points behind since Mr Trump's endorsement in February.

“This is not a question of politics — it is an issue of character and basic human decency,” said Ms Slama's female colleagues in Nebraska in a joint statement.

“Charles Herbster's behaviour is completely unacceptable for anyone, especially someone seeking a public office of authority and trust.”

Company%20profile

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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme

Priority access to new homes from participating developers
Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
Flexible payment plans from developers
Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh12 million

Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16

Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto

Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm

Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds

Top speed 420 kph (governed)

Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)

Dengue%20fever%20symptoms

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Red flags

Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Key findings of Jenkins report

Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

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