Hunter Biden, US President Joe Biden's son, appeared in court on Monday as a federal gun case against him began with jury selection.
The trial comes after the collapse of a deal with prosecutors that would have avoided a court case so close to the presidential election.
Hunter Biden has been charged in Delaware with three crimes stemming from a 2018 firearm purchase when he was, according to his memoir, in the throes of drug addiction.
He has been accused of lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the application used to screen firearms applicants when he said he was not a drug user and illegally having the gun for 11 days.
Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty and has argued he has been unfairly targeted by the Justice Department, after Republicans decried the now-defunct deal as special treatment.
The trial begins days after former president Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, was convicted of 34 felonies in New York for his role in a hush-money scheme.
Hunter Biden is also facing a separate trial in California in September on charges of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes.
That case, also, was to have been resolved through a deal with prosecutors last July, the culmination of a years-long investigation into his business dealings, but the judge – appointed by Trump – introduced concerns about the agreement that led to it falling apart.
Over the course of President Biden's term in office, his son has been a lightning rod for Republicans, who have, without evidence, accused him and his father of involvement in a criminal family enterprise.
Democrats are worried the trial could become a distraction as the President tries to campaign under weak poll numbers and as he is preparing for a presidential debate while the proceedings play out.
“I am the President, but I am also a dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today,” President Biden said in a statement.
“As the President, I don’t and won’t comment on pending federal cases, but as a dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength.”
Prosecutors are hoping to show Hunter Biden was in the throes of addiction when he bought the gun and therefore lied on the forms.
They have said they are planning to use his published memoir as evidence and they may also introduce contents from a laptop he left at a Delaware repair shop and did not retrieve.
If he is convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison, but as a first-time offender, he is unlikely to receive the maximum sentence and may not receive jail time.
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Price: from Dh498,542
On sale: now
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SERIES%209
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
AWARDS
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Superliminal%20
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Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
