Read the latest news on Donald Trump's arraignment
Former US president Donald Trump on Tuesday was charged with 34 felony counts for falsifying business records in New York, making him the first president to face criminal charges.
The National takes a look at what they are:
What was Trump charged with?
The indictment, unsealed after his court appearance along with a statement of facts, alleges that Mr Trump and others breached election laws through a scheme to suppress the publication of negative information about him ahead of the 2016 US election.
It contains details about payoffs to three people, with the help of Mr Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen, who conducted the payoffs; and American Media, the publisher of the National Enquirer, which co-ordinated "catch and kill" operations.
They were adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who said they had extramarital sexual encounters with him years earlier.
The third was a Trump Tower doorman who claimed to have a story about a child he alleged the former president had out of of wedlock.
Mr Trump denies having encounters with either woman and has denied any wrongdoing involving payments.
How were the payments falsifying business records?
Manhattan District Court Attorney Alvin Bragg said the way reimbursements for Cohen were itemised in business records, and how payments were made through another company, in this case American Media, led to illegal falsehoods.
"To make these payments, they set up shell companies and they made yet more false statements," Mr Bragg said after the arraignment.
Why was it illegal to reimburse Cohen?
Cohen, who served prison time for campaign finance offences, had a part in paying Ms Daniels $130,000 on behalf of Mr Trump.
Mr Trump's reimbursement cheques to Cohen for the suppression payments falsely stated that the money was for a "retainer agreement", prosecutors said.
Why was it illegal to pay people like Stormy Daniels?
Mr Bragg says the payment breaks a New York state law that prohibits benefiting a campaign through illegal efforts.
"Less than two weeks before the presidential election, Mr Cohen wired $130,000 to Stormy Daniels' lawyer," he said.
"That payment was to hide damaging information from the voting public. The participants scheme was illegal.
"The scheme violated New York election law, which makes it a crime to conspire to promote a candidacy by unlawful means."
How directly was Trump involved?
Mr Bragg said there was evidence that Mr Trump was part of the scheme despite claims he did not take part in any wrongdoing.
In one instance, the court's statement of facts claims Mr Trump "asked, 'So what do we got to pay for this? One fifty?'" in order to suppress a story by a woman with their American Media partner.
The court also alleges Mr Trump was constantly in communication with American Media about their "catch and kill" efforts.
The statement of facts says Mr Trump "met with the AMI CEO privately in Trump Tower in Manhattan".
"The defendant thanked the AMI CEO for handling the stories of the doorman and woman 1, and invited the AMI CEO to the inauguration".
Agencies contributed to this report
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
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Pakhtoons 137-6 (10 ov)
Fletcher 68 not out; Cutting 2-14
Sindhis 129-8 (10 ov)
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Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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Walcott 21', Sigurdsson 51'
Tottenham 6
Son 27', 61', Alli 35', Kane 42', 74', Eriksen 48'
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Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania.
Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anezan.
Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef.
Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.
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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
