US President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to two tax crimes on Wednesday, shortly after a plea deal unravelled earlier in the day.
Hunter Biden was initially going to plead guilty over an agreement with prosecutors, who were planning to recommend two years of probation.
Instead, the routine plea hearing turned into a three-hour session featuring hushed negotiations between lawyers and pointed questions from US District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika.
There appeared to be a dispute in court over whether the initial agreement gave him protection against any future charges, Reuters reported.
“I cannot accept the plea agreement today,” the judge appointed by former president Donald Trump said, asking the parties to brief her on why she should accept it.
That means that .Hunter Biden's lawyers and prosecutors may yet persuade Ms Noreika to approve the deal as it was previously negotiated, or to alter it to a form she can accept.
He is charged in a separate case with unlawfully owning a firearm while addicted to and using a controlled substance, which is a felony.
“Hunter Biden is a private citizen and this was a personal matter,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
“The President and first lady, they love their son and continue to support him as rebuilds his life.”
He was charged with two misdemeanour tax crimes in which he failed to pay more than $100,000 in taxes in 2017 and 2018. He was also charged with possession of a firearm by a known drug user.
An earlier plea agreement would have ended a long-running investigation by the Justice Department into Hunter Biden, who has admitted to his struggles with addiction, AP reported.
Republicans considered the agreement, which would have spared him from prison, as a sweetheart deal.
They have accused Hunter Biden of using his father's political power in his business activities in China and Ukraine, although no evidence supports those claims.
They have also accused the Justice Department of a double standard, comparing his treatment to the federal investigations dealing with 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump.
President Biden has said little publicly about the case, except to say “I'm very proud of my son”.
Tour de France 2017: Stage 5
Vittel - La Planche de Belles Filles, 160.5km
It is a shorter stage, but one that will lead to a brutal uphill finish. This is the third visit in six editions since it was introduced to the race in 2012. Reigning champion Chris Froome won that race.
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
Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
THE BIO
Favourite author - Paulo Coelho
Favourite holiday destination - Cuba
New York Times or Jordan Times? NYT is a school and JT was my practice field
Role model - My Grandfather
Dream interviewee - Che Guevara
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Related
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.
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
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