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Special counsel in the Hunter Biden case insists he was the ‘decision-maker’ in rare testimony

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:22:35 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The prosecutor overseeing the Hunter Biden investigation testified Tuesday that he had the ultimate authority in the yearslong case as he made an unprecedented appearance before Congress to rebut Republicans’ explosive claims that the probe has been plagued with interference. Weiss’ interview with the House Judiciary Committee marked the first time a special counsel has ever testified to lawmakers in the middle of a probe. He agreed to the unusual appearance under heavy pressure from House Republicans, who are looking to ramp up their impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and his family.In his opening statement, Weiss told lawmakers he would not answer questions that could jeopardize the investigation and would only talk about the scope of his authority. “I am, and have been, the decision-maker on this case,” he told lawmakers. “I do not, however, make these decisions in a vacuum.”He acknowledged being required to follow Justice Department guidel...

A man with a gun is arrested in a park near the US Capitol

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:22:35 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A man with a gun was arrested in a park near the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, police said. The man was in a park outside Senate office buildings and across from Washington’s Union Station when he was arrested, the U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement posted online. Police said they searched the area where the man was arrested as well as his belongings out of an abundance of caution. Officers said they did not believe there was an ongoing threat.Openly carrying firearms in public is prohibited in Washington and on U.S. Capitol grounds.Source

Israel fights Hamas in ‘depths’ of Gaza City, foresees control of enclave’s security after war

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:22:35 GMT

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli army said Tuesday that its forces are battling Hamas fighters inside Gaza’s largest city, signaling a major new stage a month into a war that has claimed thousands of lives and leveled swaths of the territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is likely to maintain control of security in Gaza once Hamas is defeated.The move into Gaza City risks a further escalation in casualties, while Netanyahu’s comments pointed to the uncertainty surrounding the endgame of a war that Israel says will go on for some time until it destroys Hamas rule.Already the war has brought a staggering cost.Memorial events were planned in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to mark the 30th day — a milestone in Jewish mourning — since the deaths of around 1,400 killed in Hamas’ Oct. 7 rampage in southern Israel that sparked the war. Some 240 people that Hamas abducted during the attack remain in the militants’ hands. More than 250,000 have evacuated homes near Gaza and...

Florida State receiver Johnny Wilson returns to practice and could play against rival Miami

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:22:35 GMT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida State standout receiver Johnny Wilson returned to practice Tuesday, giving the fourth-ranked Seminoles more hope that he will be able to play against rival Miami.Wilson missed FSU’s last two games, lopsided road wins against Wake Forest and Pittsburgh, because of an undisclosed injury. The 6-foot-7 junior, widely considered a second-day NFL draft pick in April, has 25 catches for 415 yards and two touchdowns this season.The Seminoles (9-0, 7-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who already clinched a spot in the league title game next month, also played without star receiver Keon Coleman against the Panthers as well as backups Hykeem Williams and Deuce Spann. Coleman leads Florida State with 38 receptions for 538 and nine touchdowns. Williams and Spann have five catches combined.The status of that trio for Saturday’s game against the Hurricanes remains uncertain.FSU coach Mike Norvell expressed optimism Monday that his receiving corps would be closer ...

Undrafted players stay mindful of roots on paths to big paydays in the NFL

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:22:35 GMT

If Carl Granderson and Terence Steele splurged after joining a short list of undrafted free agents to sign big contracts, they aren’t telling.The New Orleans edge rusher and Dallas offensive lineman fit the profile of players who wait three days and never hear their names called during the draft, feeling as far as possible from NFL riches.Humble. Grateful. Mindful of their roots.“I guess your lifestyle changes a little bit,” said Carolina receiver Adam Thielen, who once followed the same path to a big payday in Minnesota. “You’re not maybe pinching pennies as much. But you still try to have that humble beginning.”Steele signed an $87 million, five-year extension with $50 million guaranteed about a week before the season started, jumping to second behind former Dallas quarterback Tony Romo ($55 million) in guaranteed money for undrafted players over the past 20 years, according to ESPN.About three weeks later, Granderson agreed on a $52 million extension with up to $35 million ...

Beneficiarios del Seguro Social: cuidado con estas notificaciones

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:22:35 GMT

Algunos beneficiarios del Seguro Social están recibiendo notificaciones relacionadas con pagos de más que la agencia federal ha abonado y ahora, reclama que el dinero sea devuelto a la brevedad.El problema no es nuevo y afecta a millones que dependen de la mensualidad jubilatoria del Seguro Social.La misma agencia estima que en 2022, los beneficiarios recibieron más de $20,000 millones en pagos de más. Estos 4 beneficios del Seguro Social podrían ayudarte si no puedes trabajar hasta la jubilación, según CNBC Beneficiarios del Seguro Social recibirán un aumento en el 2024 En el año fiscal 2022, el Seguro Social envió 1,028,389 notificaciones a beneficiarios para que devuelvan el dinero que recibieron de más, según reportó el director del Seguro Social ante un comité del Congreso.Durante el año fiscal 2023, fueron enviadas 986,912 notificaciones.Una beneficiaria de 73 años recibió una notificación del Seguro Social, informándole que...

Live updates | Israel will have ‘overall security responsibility’ in Gaza after war, Netanyahu says

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:22:35 GMT

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will have “overall security responsibility” in Gaza “for an indefinite period” after its war with Hamas and expressed openness to “little pauses” in the current fighting to facilitate the release of hostages.His comments, in an interview that aired late Monday on ABC News, offered the clearest indication yet that Israel plans to maintain control over the territory that is home to some 2.3 million Palestinians.Netanyahu ruled out any general cease-fire without the release of the more than 240 captives seized by Hamas in its Oct. 7 raid into Israel, but said he was open to “tactical little pauses.” U.S. President Joe Biden had raised the need for humanitarian pauses directly with Netanyahu on a call earlier Monday, but no agreement was reached, the White House said.The Palestinian death toll in the war surpassed 10,300, including more than 4,200 children, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza. Hundreds more Palestinian...

State Announces New Overnight Shelter Partnership With United Way

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:22:35 GMT

With Gov. Maura Healey’s promised shelter cap about to hit, her administration announced a partnership with the United Way of Massachusetts Bay to support “overnight safety-net shelter” for families and pregnant individuals with no other shelter options.The United Way plans to administer a $5 million grant program as part of the partnership to provide funds to community organizations, faith-based groups and volunteer organizations to stand up short-term, overnight shelter sites.The administration said prospective sites include communal gathering spaces with restroom facilities and heat, such as community centers, school buildings, and places of worship. Grants could be used to support staff and supplies like cots, blankets and food.Emergency Assistance Director General Scott Rice is holding a press conference at the State House to discuss further efforts as the state copes with a continuing influx of asylum-seeking migrant families moving into Massachusetts.The adm...

This is the least affordable housing market since 1984. It’s getting worse

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:22:35 GMT

New York (CNN) — The last time America’s housing market was this unaffordable, Ronald Reagan was in the White House.It now takes nearly 41% of the median household’s monthly income to cover the principal and interest payments on a median-priced home, according to research from Intercontinental Exchange.That’s the biggest chunk of paychecks since 1984, according to ICE, the owner of the New York Stock Exchange. That’s up 0.4% from last month’s report, which also showed America’s homes were at the least affordable level in 39 years.The portion of households’ paychecks needed to pay for housing has surged in the past few decades. Over the past 35 years, this metric averaged less than 25%.Wannabe homebuyers are getting hammered by a painful combination of high mortgage rates and high home prices.That one-two punch has pushed the principal and interest payment needed to buy a median-priced home up by $144 over just the past month alone, according to ICE...

A beginner’s guide to birdwatching

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:22:35 GMT

So you want to try birdwatching, or as some of us call it, birding.Something about our feathered friends has grabbed your attention. A great-horned owl, perhaps, hooting outside your window after dusk. Or an American robin slurping worms from your lawn. Maybe you spied a group of birdwatchers at the park across the street, hot on the trail of a rare warbler and, well, you want in on the action.Could be you simply overheard the ongoing debate of birb, borb or floof. Translation: which bird is cute, which bird is round, which bird is fluffy? You will have opinions on this – I know I do.Or maybe you’ve had a “spark bird,” a creature so magnificent, it sparked your interest in birding.BirdNote, a popular radio show, provides wonderful two-minute stories on how birds capture our imaginations. When I was on the show, I told interviewer Mark Bramhill my spark bird was a Vermillion Flycatcher, a glorious ruby. It’s a shining jewel of plumage and attitude. This bird is a show-off. Within a f...