In Brief:

Former U.S. President Donald Trump was convicted of 34 felonies in "hush money" trial.
  • He was found guilty of falsifying business records to cover a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels.
  • Trump has become the first U.S. president to be convicted of a crime.
  • Faces sentencing on July 11, with possible penalties of up to four years in prison per count.
  • Trump has denounced the trial as "unfair" and "rigged" and vowed to appeal the conviction.

Situation Report:

In a landmark decision, former U.S. President Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in a trial centred on a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.

The Manhattan jury reached the verdict after two days of deliberation, marking the first time a former U.S. president has been convicted of a crime.

The charges stem from allegations that Trump sought to cover up an alleged sexual encounter with Daniels, which he has denied. The conspiracy, prosecutors argued, spanned Trump's 2016 campaign and continued into his presidency.

Following the verdict, Trump condemned the trial as "unfair" and "rigged," maintaining his innocence. The sentencing is set for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention, potentially influencing his campaign as the presumptive Republican nominee for president.

The conviction could carry significant penalties, but the judge has discretion over the final sentence, which might include alternatives to imprisonment.