Biden calls criticism of Trump jury verdict ‘dangerous, irresponsible’/node/2521021
Biden calls criticism of Trump jury verdict ‘dangerous, irresponsible’
A US flag flies upside down outside a home in East Bangor, Pennsylvania on May 31, 2024, as part of a protest by Trump supporters against the guilty verdict slapped on the former president. (REUTERS)
Biden calls criticism of Trump jury verdict ‘dangerous, irresponsible’
“It’s reckless, it’s dangerous, it’s irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don’t like the verdict,” Biden said
He added that Donald Trump was given every opportunity to defend himself
Updated 01 June 2024
WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden said on Friday that it was dangerous for people to question the integrity of the guilty verdict in Donald Trump’s hush money jury trial.
In his first public comments since a New York jury on Thursday found Trump guilty on 34 counts over a payment to silence a porn star ahead of the 2016 election, Biden, a Democrat, struck out hard at Trump and other Republicans who have criticized the verdict.
“Donald Trump was given every opportunity to defend himself.” Biden said in remarks at the White House. He noted that the case against Trump in New York was brought by the state, that it was not a federal case, and that the verdict was delivered by “a jury of 12 citizens, 12 Americans, 12 people like you.”
The US justice system has endured for nearly 250 years, Biden said, and he criticized Trump and his supporters for attempting to tear it down with false allegations.
“It’s reckless, it’s dangerous, it’s irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don’t like the verdict,” Biden said.
In rambling remarks earlier on Friday at the Trump Tower lobby in Manhattan, Trump repeated his complaints that the trial was an attempt to hobble his White House comeback bid and said it showed that no American was safe from politically motivated prosecution.
“If they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone,” Trump said in an unscripted 33-minute speech.
Thursday’s guilty verdict catapults the United States into unexplored territory ahead of the Nov. 5 vote, when Trump, 77, will try to win back the White House from Biden, 81.
Later on Friday, Biden was asked by a reporter if he was worried that he could find himself in the same situation some day. “Not at all. I didn’t do anything wrong. The system still works,” he said.
Biden said he had “no idea” whether the conviction would help Trump in the 2024 election, when the two face a rematch. (Reporting By Steve Holland and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Heather Timmons, Leslie Adler and Bill Berkrot)
Oil Updates — crude climbs as investors weigh new US tariffs
Updated 11 min 29 sec ago
Reuters
SINGAPORE: Oil prices ticked higher on Monday even as investors weighed US President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threat, this time on all steel and aluminum imports, which could dampen global economic growth and energy demand.
Brent crude futures climbed 54 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $75.20 a barrel by 10:34 a.m. Saudi time while US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $71.50 a barrel, up 50 cents, or 0.7 percent. The market posted its third consecutive weekly decline last week on concerns about a global trade war.
Trump said he will announce on Monday 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the US, in another major escalation of his trade policy overhaul.
Just a week ago, the president announced tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, but suspended those for the neighboring countries the next day.
In light of Trump’s temporary backdown last week, investors appeared to be shrugging off the steel and aluminum tariff threat for now, Tony Sycamore, a Sydney-based analyst at IG said.
“The market has realized tariff headlines are likely to continue in the weeks and months ahead,” he said, adding that there was an equal chance they could be walked back or even increased at some point in the near future.
“So perhaps investors are coming to the conclusion it’s not the best course of action to react to every headline negatively.”
China’s retaliatory tariffs on some US exports are due to take effect on Monday, with no sign as yet of progress between Beijing and Washington.
Oil and gas traders are seeking waivers from Beijing for US crude and liquefied natural gas imports.
Trump said on Sunday that the US is making progress with Russia to end the Ukraine war, but declined to provide details about any communications he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Sanctions imposed on Russian oil trade on January 10 disrupted Moscow’s supplies to its top clients China and India.
Washington also stepped up pressure on Iran last week, with the US Treasury imposing new sanctions on a few individuals and tankers that help to ship millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil per year to China.
Sanctions on Iran and failure to reach a nuclear deal are upside risks to oil prices even though Trump’s policies are aimed at driving energy prices lower, Citi analysts said in a note.
“We see oil likely trading sideways to down over the next month or so, with the fundamental downward pressure building on crude in our base case throughout the year,” they said.
Brent is forecast to average $60 to $65 a barrel in the second half of 2025 as Trump will be persistent in his desire to lower energy prices, and he will ultimately prove to be a bearish influence on the oil market, Citi said.
ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of lawyers are protesting on Islamabad’s streets today, Monday, against controversial constitutional amendments that they say are aimed at undermining the judiciary and the recent transfer of three high court judges to the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Pakistan’s ruling coalition government passed the contentious 26th constitutional amendment bill from both houses of parliament in October 2024, amid stiff resistance from opposition parties and Pakistani lawyers. The amendments empower a parliamentary committee to appoint the Supreme Court’s chief justice for a fixed term of three years, and call for the creation of new group of senior judges to weigh exclusively on constitutional issues. The government says the amendments are aimed at providing speedy justice to citizens and it is parliament’s right to pass laws it deems fit to ensure its sovereignty.
The protests are taking place as the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) is expected to meet on Monday to consider the elevation of eight high court judges to the Supreme Court. Four Supreme Court judges on Friday wrote to Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, who is also the chair of the JCP, to postpone the meeting and not decide on new judicial appointments until a challenge to the controversial amendments is decided one way or the other.
The lawyers are also protesting against President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent move to transfer three judges from the Sindh, Balochistan and Lahore high courts to the Islamabad High Court (IHC), alleging that the move is unconstitutional as it undermines the seniority of the judges already serving in the IHC.
“Our job is very clear and it is that we have to participate in this [protest] and present our stance,” Barrister Ali Zafar, a prominent lawyer, told reporters at Islamabad’s Red Zone area.
Zafar acknowledged that some lawyers were in favor of the judicial transfers and the constitutional amendments, acknowledging that a “division” existed among them.
“There is definitely a division among lawyers, some are on this side and some are on that side,” he said. “But you will see that this movement will keep on growing.”
Footage on social media showed lawyers chanting slogans against the government and demanding independence of the judiciary. Local media reported deployment of heavy police contingent within the Supreme Court’s premises while entry points to the Red Zone, which houses the highest executive, judicial and legislative authority buildings of the country, were sealed to keep the lawyers away.
Local media also reported that Serena Chowk, Nadra Chowk and Express Chowk areas were sealed to prevent lawyers from arriving at the iconic D-Chowk venue to register their protest.
Meanwhile, Islamabad Police took to social media account X to assure residents it would ensure their protection despite the protests.
“Islamabad Police is actively working to ensure your safety and to ensure the establishment of law and order throughout the district,” police wrote on X.
Manufacturing sector drives Saudi industrial growth to 2.1% in December
Updated 46 min 5 sec ago
Dayan Abou Tine
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Industrial Production Index recorded a 2.1 percent annual increase in December, driven by a rise in manufacturing activity and waste management services, according to recent data.
Figures from the General Authority for Statistics show that non-oil activities expanded by 4 percent year on year, reflecting growth across most sectors except for electricity and gas supply.
Manufacturing emerged as the main driver of growth, recording a 6.3 percent annual increase, according to the report.
The latest IPI figures reinforce Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification efforts under Vision 2030, as the Kingdom continues to expand its industrial base and attract investment beyond oil.
The growth in manufacturing and non-oil activities highlights the ongoing structural transformation of the Saudi economy, positioning the country as a key player in the global industrial landscape.
The manufacturing sector’s expansion was supported by a strong performance in key industries, particularly the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products, which surged 9.3 percent year on year.
This refers to the processes of refining crude oil into fuels and chemicals such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, as well as producing coke by heating coal in low-oxygen conditions. Coke, a carbon-rich product, is primarily used in steel production.
The chemical manufacturing sector also contributed to the increase, rising 4.8 percent annually. Similarly, the food industry saw an 8.8 percent annual rise, while the paper products sector grew by 8.7 percent. The electrical devices sector posted a 10.5 percent increase during this period.
Mining and quarrying activity, which holds significant weight in the general index, declined 0.4 percent year on year in December. The sector also recorded a 0.2 percent drop compared to November, reflecting the impact of reduced oil production levels.
Meanwhile, utility-related activities showed mixed performance. The water supply, sewerage, and waste management sector grew 0.8 percent annually but saw a 1.9 percent monthly decline.
The electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply sector registered a 1.9 percent annual decline, with a sharper 15.6 percent monthly drop.
Meanwhile, the oil sector posted an annual increase of 1.3 percent, despite a slight reduction in Saudi Arabia’s oil production, which declined to 8.91 million barrels per day in December compared to 8.94 million bpd a year earlier.
As the Kingdom seeks to reduce its reliance on oil revenues, refining and petrochemical sectors have become key pillars of economic diversification.
The production of refined fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel not only supports domestic energy needs but also contributes to the Kingdom’s export capacity, generating significant non-oil revenues.
Additionally, coke production, primarily used in the steel industry, strengthens Saudi Arabia's industrial base, supporting its ambitions in sectors like construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
These industries align with Vision 2030, driving economic growth while fostering technological innovation, job creation, and value-added production within the Kingdom’s non-oil economy.
Almost all nations miss UN deadline for new climate targets
Just 10 of nearly 200 countries required under the Paris Agreement to deliver fresh climate plans by February 10 did so on time
Under the climate accord, each country is supposed to provide a steeper headline figure for cutting heat-trapping emissions by 2035
Updated 52 min 2 sec ago
AFP
PARIS: Nearly all nations missed a UN deadline Monday to submit new targets for slashing carbon emissions, including major economies under pressure to show leadership following the US retreat on climate change.
Just 10 of nearly 200 countries required under the Paris Agreement to deliver fresh climate plans by February 10 did so on time, according to a UN database tracking the submissions.
Under the climate accord, each country is supposed to provide a steeper headline figure for cutting heat-trapping emissions by 2035, and a detailed blueprint for how to achieve this.
Global emissions have been rising but need to almost halve by the end of the decade to limit global warming to levels agreed under the Paris deal.
UN climate chief Simon Stiell has called this latest round of national pledges “the most important policy documents of this century.”
Yet just a handful of major polluters handed in upgraded targets on time, with China, India and the European Union the biggest names on a lengthy absentee list.
Most G20 economies were missing in action with the United States, Britain and Brazil — which is hosting this year’s UN climate summit — the only exceptions.
The US pledge is largely symbolic, made before President Donald Trump ordered Washington out of the Paris deal.
There is no penalty for submitting late targets, formally titled nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
They are not legally binding but act as an accountability measure to ensure governments are taking the threat of climate change seriously.
Last week, Stiell said submissions would be needed by September so they could be properly assessed before the UN COP30 climate conference in November.
A spokeswoman for the EU said the 27-nation bloc intended to submit its revised targets “well ahead” of the summit in Belem.
Analysts say China, the world’s biggest polluter and also its largest investor in renewable energy, is also expected to unveil its much-anticipated climate plan in the second half of the year.
The UAE, Ecuador, Saint Lucia, New Zealand, Andorra, Switzerland and Uruguay rounded out the list of countries that made Monday’s cut-off.
The sluggish response will not ease fears of a possible backslide on climate action as leaders juggle Trump’s return and other competing priorities from budget and security crises to electoral pressure.
Ebony Holland from the London-based International Institute for Environment and Development said the US retreat was “clearly a setback” but there were many reasons for the tepid turnout.
“It’s clear there are some broad geopolitical shifts underway that are proving to be a challenge when it comes to international cooperation, especially on big issues like climate change,” she said.
Saudi Arabia bets on flying taxis and autonomous vehicles to transform mobility
Updated 10 February 2025
Tamara Aboalsaud
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is positioning itself at the forefront of mobility innovation, with industry leaders highlighting the potential of flying taxis and autonomous vehicles at the LEAP conference in Riyadh.
FlyNow, a developer of electric aviation solutions, is preparing to roll out a modular system of electric helicopters to transport goods and passengers, according to co-founder and chief operating officer Yvonne Winter.
“Economic growth is tightly linked to mobility,” Winter said during a panel discussion. “And to solve traffic issues related to congestion, air quality pollution, and noise pollution, air transportation is the way to go.”
She said this is an entirely new economy that is emerging, “which is the low-altitude economy, but together we have to find a way to unlock it.”
FlyNow COO and co-founder Yvonne Winter. AN Photo
Winter noted that one of the biggest challenges for international governments and regulatory bodies is the absence of a feasible blueprint for implementation — an issue FlyNow has tackled with a step-by-step approach that “is considered to be very safe.”
As part of this approach, a regulatory sandbox has been developed to validate different vehicles, air traffic management systems, and operational reports before progressing to cargo applications.
Following extensive cargo trials over low-population areas, FlyNow plans to expand testing to urban settings and passenger transport.
Winter said e-helicopters will reduce waiting times and be both affordable and accessible to the public.
Mobility push
Ayman Mesfer, general manager of the Intelligence and Future Sector at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, said Saudi Arabia is embracing new technologies across all transportation modes: land, air, and sea.
The ministry plans to launch an incubator to provide financial and advisory support for small and medium-sized enterprises working on mobility solutions.
Ayman Mesfer, general manager of the Intelligence and Future Sector at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services. AN Photo
“The ministry will take a look at deployment of new and major technologies from all aspects, from AI applications, data utilizations, as well as the talents as the enablers, and the infrastructure,” Mesfer said.
Omaima Bamasag, deputy of transport enablement at the Transport General Authority, highlighted the agency’s new Future Mobility Program. The initiative comprises 12 stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, working to identify gaps in Saudi Arabia’s mobility systems and propose new plans.
Omaima Bamasag, deputy of transport enablement at the Transport General Authority. AN Photo
Approved by the Higher Committee for Transportation, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the committee has already introduced 216 projects and identified 16 gaps, with alternative projects designed to bridge them.
Key successes include the development of a framework for autonomous vehicle policies, pilot requirements for AVs, the deployment of scooters during the past two Hajj seasons, a student shuttle at King Saud University, and Jahez food delivery services during Hajj.
“This is all piling up toward realizing AV ambitions and validating the AV policy and regulation that has been put forward. And keep an eye out for a pilot AV taxi that you will be seeing soon here in Riyadh,” Bamasag said.
Infrastructure and partnerships
According to Mesfer, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services has partnered with multiple entities to develop the regulatory framework and infrastructure for these technologies.
Alongside the General Authority for Civil Aviation, the ministry has developed an advanced air mobility roadmap tracking aviation and drone deployment.
It has also partnered with KAUST to construct a new testing ground, described as a “living lab” to assess technologies across land, maritime, railway, and aviation sectors. Additional collaborating entities include TGA and the Roads General Authority.
The country has already piloted an air taxi in NEOM, signaling its commitment to integrating futuristic transportation solutions.
In November 2023, TGA established a regulatory sandbox to facilitate the testing of unregulated mobility technologies. Since then, five business models have emerged: micromobility, e-scooters, e-car rentals, ride-sharing, and drop-off and pick-up boxes.
“Gathering all these challenges, trying to resolve them, and paving the way for these technologies to be regulated and then licensed.
Once these technologies or companies are licensed, they will have a tremendous impact on GDP and job creation,” he said.
On innovative mobility solutions, Antonio Jara, chief security officer of Libelium, spoke about the company’s work in Saudi Arabia and Europe to create digital twins for low-emission zones. These models integrate data from IoT sensors, noise, and air quality metrics.
Antonio Jara, chief security officer of Libelium. AN Photo
Jara emphasized the importance of data spaces for normalization, smart modeling, classification, and quality assessment, creating a secure data exchange platform between stakeholders.
That data is then incorporated into AI models, such as zonification for clustering, pollution simulation and forecasting or digital twins, CO2 equivalent modeling, and low-emission zone analysis.
These models help track pollution sources, provide sustainability impact assessments, and monitor crowd movement.
Libelium’s AI capabilities include data standardization, already implemented in major cities such as Amsterdam, Helsinki, and Paris. Other models focus on traffic prediction, meteorological data, clustering, and an LEZ service model for impact assessment.
Speaking to Arab News about Saudi applications, Jara said: “Aramco, Johns Hopkins — they are optimizing parking with these AI models. NEOM is another real example; they are monitoring all the pollution propagation from the tunnels, The Line.”
Pollution tracking involves both real-time data and predictive analysis.
“We are also doing a proof of concept in Riyadh Municipality because they want to understand the real benefit of the metro in reducing traffic-related pollution,” Jara added.
