The US Supreme Court is this week expected to deliver a decision on whether American presidents are immune from criminal prosecution after they leave office.
The expected decision stems from a case against former president Donald Trump, who has been charged in Washington with trying to subvert the 2020 election and prevent the peaceful transfer of power after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.
Trump's legal team says former presidents have immunity from prosecution for official acts, which extends to after they leave office – and that the election interference indictment he faces should be dismissed.
Special counsel Jack Smith, however, has argued that only sitting presidents can claim immunity from criminal prosecution.
Oral arguments produced several notable exchanges, with perhaps the most shocking being a claim from Trump's legal representative that a president had the authority to assassinate a political rival.
During previous lower court proceedings, Trump lawyer John Sauer had said that, under certain circumstances, a president could order Seal Team 6 to take out a political rival without facing prosecution.
“I'm going to give you a chance to say … if you stay by it: the president decides that his rival is a corrupt person and he orders the military, or orders someone, to assassinate him – is that within his official acts for which he can get immunity?” Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked Mr Sauer.
He responded: “It would depend on the hypothetical. We could see that could well be an official act."
Mr Sauer referred to a Supreme Court ruling from the 1980s that held a president is immune from civil liability related to official acts.
Donald Trump’s legal woes – in pictures
The Supreme Court has previously ruled that former presidents cannot be sued in civil cases for what they did in office, but it has never included criminal immunity.
The court's decision could come as early as Thursday or Friday, before the current term ends. It has been reviewing the case since April.
In late May, a New York jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up payments made to people claiming to have scandalous stories during his 2016 campaign. He is set to be sentenced on July 11.
He has been charged in three other criminal cases, although it is the election interference case that has made it to the Supreme Court.
If the heavily conservative court sides with Trump, it could upend many of the charges against him connected to the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
A decision this week would come at about the same time as the first debate between Trump and Mr Biden.
Critics have said that the Supreme Court, which has a conservative majority and three justices appointed by Trump, has politicised the case and is taking longer to rule to delay the Washington trial until after the November 5 election.
Eric Holder, a former US attorney general, said the idea that a president can be protected after committing a crime if it was done within their “official capacity” is “an absurd and dangerous conclusion”.
“And I'm worried that the length of time that it has taken for the … court to decide this case, that something along those lines might come out in the Supreme Court,” Mr Holder told MSNBC.
Others, however, have cautioned against jumping to conclusions about the reasons behind the amount of time the court is taking to consider the case.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
BLACKBERRY
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SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Benevento (Kick-off 11.45pm)
Saturday Crotone v Spezia (6pm), Torino v Udinese (9pm), Lazio v Verona (11.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Atalanta v Fiorentina (6pm), Napoli v Sampdoria (6pm), Bologna v Roma (6pm), Genoa v Juventus (9pm), AC Milan v Parma (11.45pm)
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
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Winner: Baccarat, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby (trainer)
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Winner: Baroot, Christophe Soumillon, Mike de Kock
7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes Group 3 $200,000 1,600m
Winner: Heavy Metal, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.15pm: Handicap (95-108) $125,000 1,200m
Winner: Yalta, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.50pm: Balanchine Group 2 $200,000 1,800m
Winner: Promising Run, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm: Handicap (95-105) $125,000 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
10pm: Handicap (95-105) $125,000 1,400m
Winner: Oh This Is Us, Tom Marquand, Richard Hannon
Rooney's club record
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Specs
Price, base Dh379,000
Engine 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 503bhp
Torque 443Nm
On sale now
Company%20profile
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The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
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Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5