Former US president Donald Trump on the front page of a New York newspaper after he is charged by a Manhattan grand jury. Reuters
Former US president Donald Trump on the front page of a New York newspaper after he is charged by a Manhattan grand jury. Reuters
Former US president Donald Trump on the front page of a New York newspaper after he is charged by a Manhattan grand jury. Reuters
Former US president Donald Trump on the front page of a New York newspaper after he is charged by a Manhattan grand jury. Reuters

Trump's legal team considers trying to move criminal case over fair trial concern


  • English
  • Arabic

Donald Trump will be arraigned in New York on Tuesday, court officials confirmed, after a grand jury voted to charge the US former president in a historic indictment.

The eye of a legal and political storm will now settle over the District Attorney's office in lower Manhattan as Mr Trump returns to his hometown to be formally charged and stand trial.

The charges are founded in an alleged scheme to cover up a sexual encounter that adult film star Stormy Daniels said she had with him in 2006.

Mr Trump denies the affair or any involvement in hush-money payments to keep Daniels quiet.

Mr Trump's legal team is reportedly considering requesting to move his criminal case from Manhattan to Staten Island, a more conservative New York borough, over concerns that he will not receive a fair trial.

However, any attempt to move the trial venue is likely to fail, as defendants are not entitled to seek out juries based on specific characteristics they find more favourable.

The lawyers have not made a final decision, and the charges in the indictment by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg will be unsealed on Tuesday.

Outside the DA's office on Friday, police officers and journalists gathered in anticipation of any possible protests.

“If he's indicted for paying off Stormy to hush up, why didn't this happen a long time ago? Why did it come out now?” Maria Shkerli, an independent voter, told The National outside the courthouse.

She said the prospect of a former president standing trial in today's polarised America made her “a little nervous”.

“I'm not sure if it's just political stuff, trying to get him indicted so he doesn't have to run … We need some fresh blood to unite the country and I think this is going to cause more havoc with Trump supporters.”

Kate Norman, another passer-by, said the indictment would not change anything.

“They just want to make a show of power,” she said.

The number and nature of the charges Mr Trump faces were not made public on Friday. CNN reported he faced more than 30 counts.

In the 2020 election that Mr Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden, 75 per cent of people in Manhattan voted against him. The former New Yorker once boasted that he “could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody” and not lose voters.

“Corrupt powerful men that do bad things in our society have to be held to account,” said anti-Trump protester Marina Kalasa.

  • Supporters of former US president Donald Trump line up as they gather near his Mar-a-Lago resort and home in Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday. Getty
    Supporters of former US president Donald Trump line up as they gather near his Mar-a-Lago resort and home in Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday. Getty
  • Mr Trump said in a social media post that would be arrested in connection with an investigation into a hush money scheme. Getty
    Mr Trump said in a social media post that would be arrested in connection with an investigation into a hush money scheme. Getty
  • He called for protests and asked his supporters to take to the streets. Reuters
    He called for protests and asked his supporters to take to the streets. Reuters
  • A demonstrator holds a sign outside Manhattan Criminal Court as a grand jury is expected to vote this week on whether to indict Mr Trump. Getty
    A demonstrator holds a sign outside Manhattan Criminal Court as a grand jury is expected to vote this week on whether to indict Mr Trump. Getty
  • Anti-Trump followers gather in New York. Getty
    Anti-Trump followers gather in New York. Getty
  • A demonstrator holds a sign depicting Mr Trump behind bars. Getty
    A demonstrator holds a sign depicting Mr Trump behind bars. Getty
  • Mr Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has called the investigation a 'witch hunt'. Getty
    Mr Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has called the investigation a 'witch hunt'. Getty
  • An anti-Trump demonstrator holds up a sign. Getty
    An anti-Trump demonstrator holds up a sign. Getty
  • A Secret Service agent guards Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort and home in Florida. Reuters
    A Secret Service agent guards Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort and home in Florida. Reuters
  • A supporter of Mr Trump near his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach. Getty
    A supporter of Mr Trump near his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach. Getty
  • Mr Trump's supporters in Palm Beach, Florida, insisted they were not protesting, but rather having a party. Getty
    Mr Trump's supporters in Palm Beach, Florida, insisted they were not protesting, but rather having a party. Getty

“Maybe this isn't going to stop him from running for public office but at the same time, still like the grand jury indicted him, and I think that's a powerful message.”

Unchartered territory

In terms of his legal situation, Mr Trump is being prosecuted for an alleged campaign finance violation.

Mr Trump allegedly failed to disclose payments to Daniels with the purpose of influencing an election. Details on the charges have not yet been made public.

The central question is what was the purpose of the alleged hush payment, said Claire Rajan, a political partner at the Allen & Overy law firm.

“Was it to influence the election? Or was it he didn't want his family to find out? Or [was it that] he just didn't want to deal with bad press because of his businesses?” Ms Rajan told The National.

No president has been charged with a felony crime, but that is not a precluding factor in Mr Trump running for the White House next year.

“Being charged with a felony, being found guilty of a felony is not a disqualifier under the Constitution,” said Anna Cominsky, an associate professor of law at New York Law School.

  • Former US president Donald Trump arrives for a rally at the Waco Regional Airport in Texas. AFP
    Former US president Donald Trump arrives for a rally at the Waco Regional Airport in Texas. AFP
  • A Trump supporter wipes away tears while listening to Mr Trump's speech. AFP
    A Trump supporter wipes away tears while listening to Mr Trump's speech. AFP
  • Mr Trump at the podium. Getty
    Mr Trump at the podium. Getty
  • Trump supporters take videos of his speech. AFP
    Trump supporters take videos of his speech. AFP
  • Republican Matt Gaetz from Florida signs posters and hats. AFP
    Republican Matt Gaetz from Florida signs posters and hats. AFP
  • Singer Ted Nugent performs. AFP
    Singer Ted Nugent performs. AFP
  • A Trump supporter sports a unique tattoo. AFP
    A Trump supporter sports a unique tattoo. AFP
  • Supporters held signs saying 'WITCH HUNT' as Mr Trump attacked the multiple investigations against him. Getty
    Supporters held signs saying 'WITCH HUNT' as Mr Trump attacked the multiple investigations against him. Getty
  • He accused President Joe Biden of orchestrating his criminal prosecution. AFP
    He accused President Joe Biden of orchestrating his criminal prosecution. AFP
  • Mr Trump spoke for two hours. AFP
    Mr Trump spoke for two hours. AFP
  • It was Mr Trump's first campaign rally since announcing his candidacy for president in 2024. Reuters
    It was Mr Trump's first campaign rally since announcing his candidacy for president in 2024. Reuters
  • Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia attended the event. AFP
    Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia attended the event. AFP
  • Mr Trump is being investigated over his alleged payment of hush money to an adult film actress. AFP
    Mr Trump is being investigated over his alleged payment of hush money to an adult film actress. AFP
  • Mr Trump held his rally in Waco on the 30th anniversary of a federal raid on the Branch Davidians religious sect. Reuters
    Mr Trump held his rally in Waco on the 30th anniversary of a federal raid on the Branch Davidians religious sect. Reuters

Mr Trump has long galvanised his base around the idea that he has been unfairly attacked by Democrats and the mainstream media.

He is currently the Republican front-runner, with a commanding lead in the polls over other declared or would-be contenders.

The indictment is unlikely to change how his “hardcore” base views him, said Clifford Young, president of US public affairs at Ipsos.

“They might double down on him,” Mr Young told The National.

Presidential historians are struggling to understand what the charges mean for the office itself and Mr Trump's legacy.

“In many ways, the Trump presidency is not over yet. We're still living with it,” said Thomas Balcerski, a presidential historian and visiting professor at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

“To have not just a former president, but a potential political front-runner of a major political party in this country in the 2024 election, to have him also be under this kind of legal scrutiny, is something we've not seen before.”

THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

While you're here
NBA FINALS SO FAR

(Toronto lead 3-2 in best-of-seven series)

Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109

Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109

Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123

Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105

Game 5 Raptors 105 Warriors 106

Game 6 Thursday, at Oakland

Game 7 Sunday, at Toronto (if needed)

Teams

Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi

Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag

Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC

Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC

Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan

Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes

Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20myZoi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Syed%20Ali%2C%20Christian%20Buchholz%2C%20Shanawaz%20Rouf%2C%20Arsalan%20Siddiqui%2C%20Nabid%20Hassan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2037%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Initial%20undisclosed%20funding%20from%20SC%20Ventures%3B%20second%20round%20of%20funding%20totalling%20%2414%20million%20from%20a%20consortium%20of%20SBI%2C%20a%20Japanese%20VC%20firm%2C%20and%20SC%20Venture%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Jigra
Director: Vasan Bala
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Rated: 3.5/5
MATCH INFO

Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)

Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm

Andor
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tony%20Gilroy%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDiego%20Luna%2C%20Genevieve%20O'Reilly%2C%20Alex%20Ferns%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%205%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

match info

Athletic Bilbao 1 (Muniain 37')

Atletico Madrid 1 (Costa 39')

Man of the match  Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao)

Scoreline

Syria 1-1 Australia

Syria Al Somah 85'

Australia Kruse 40'

Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

Personalities on the Plate: The Lives and Minds of Animals We Eat

Barbara J King, University of Chicago Press 

ANATOMY%20OF%20A%20FALL
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJustine%20Triet%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESandra%20Huller%2C%20Swann%20Arlaud%2C%20Milo%20Machado-Graner%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3ECompany%3A%20Zywa%3Cbr%3EStarted%3A%202021%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Nuha%20Hashem%20and%20Alok%20Kumar%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20UAE%3Cbr%3EIndustry%3A%20FinTech%3Cbr%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%243m%3Cbr%3ECompany%20valuation%3A%20%2430m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The Saga Continues

Wu-Tang Clan

(36 Chambers / Entertainment One)

BULKWHIZ PROFILE

Date started: February 2017

Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: E-commerce 

Size: 50 employees

Funding: approximately $6m

Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait

Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
%3Cp%3E-%20Diriyah%E2%80%99s%201.9km%20King%20Salman%20Boulevard%2C%20a%20Parisian%20Champs-Elysees-inspired%20avenue%2C%20is%20scheduled%20for%20completion%20in%202028%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20The%20Royal%20Diriyah%20Opera%20House%20is%20expected%20to%20be%20completed%20in%20four%20years%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20Diriyah%E2%80%99s%20first%20of%2042%20hotels%2C%20the%20Bab%20Samhan%20hotel%2C%20will%20open%20in%20the%20first%20quarter%20of%202024%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20On%20completion%20in%202030%2C%20the%20Diriyah%20project%20is%20forecast%20to%20accommodate%20more%20than%20100%2C000%20people%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20The%20%2463.2%20billion%20Diriyah%20project%20will%20contribute%20%247.2%20billion%20to%20the%20kingdom%E2%80%99s%20GDP%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20It%20will%20create%20more%20than%20178%2C000%20jobs%20and%20aims%20to%20attract%20more%20than%2050%20million%20visits%20a%20year%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20About%202%2C000%20people%20work%20for%20the%20Diriyah%20Company%2C%20with%20more%20than%2086%20per%20cent%20being%20Saudi%20citizens%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Biog

Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara

He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada

Father of two sons, grandfather of six

Plays golf once a week

Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family

Walks for an hour every morning

Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India

2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business

 

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare

Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Tonight's Chat on The National

Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.

Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.

Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.

Facebook | Our website | Instagram

 

Scoreline

Ireland 16 (Tries: Stockdale Cons: Sexton Pens: Sexton 3)

New Zealand 9 (Pens: Barrett 2 Drop Goal: Barrett)

Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE

There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.

It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.

What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.

When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.

It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.

This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.

It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.

Tu%20Jhoothi%20Main%20Makkaar%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELuv%20Ranjan%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERanbir%20Kapoor%2C%20Shraddha%20Kapoor%2C%20Anubhav%20Singh%20Bassi%20and%20Dimple%20Kapadia%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Other key dates
  • Finals draw: December 2
  • Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
  • Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
  • Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
Asia Cup Qualifier

Venue: Kuala Lumpur

Result: Winners play at Asia Cup in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in September

Fixtures:

Wed Aug 29: Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore

Thu Aug 30: UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman

Sat Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal

Sun Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore

Tue Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong

Thu Sep 6: Final

 

Asia Cup

Venue: Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Schedule: Sep 15-28

Teams: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, plus the winner of the Qualifier

Updated: April 01, 2023, 5:02 PM