News
As Jury Selection Starts In Hunter Biden’s Gun Case, President Says He Has ‘Boundless Love’ For Him
WILMINGTON, Delaware – A federal gun lawsuit against President Joe Biden’s son Hunter began Monday with jury selection following the collapse of a plea agreement that would have spared the spectacle of a trial so close to the 2024 election. First Lady Jill Biden was seated in the courtroom’s front row, showing her support for her son.
“I am the President, but I am also a Dad,” he added, adding that he would have no further remark on the subject. “Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today.”
As Jury Selection Starts In Hunter Biden’s Gun Case, President Says He Has ‘Boundless Love’ For Him
Hunter Biden, who spent the weekend with his parents, has been charged in Delaware with three felonies coming from a 2018 handgun purchase made when he was, according to his memoir, suffering from a crack cocaine addiction. He has been accused of lying to a federally registered gun dealer, making a false claim on the application used to screen gun applicants when he stated that he did not use drugs, and illegally possessing the pistol for 11 days.
He has pled not guilty and claims the Justice Department is unfairly targeting him after Republicans criticized the now-defunct agreement as preferential treatment for the Democratic president’s son.
The trial comes only days after Donald Trump, the GOP’s expected 2024 presidential contender, was convicted of 34 felonies in New York City. A jury convicted the former president of conspiring to conceal a hush money payment to a porn performer to protect his 2016 presidential campaign. The two criminal cases are unrelated, but their proximity demonstrates how the criminal courthouse has grabbed center stage in the 2024 campaign.
The judge will examine prospective jurors’ ability to serve impartially on the jury, including whether they have donated to political campaigns or run for political office. She will inquire whether their views on the 2024 presidential campaign preclude them from remaining neutral.
She’ll also ask prospective jurors if they believe Hunter Biden is being persecuted because his father is president. She will also inquire about handgun purchases and addiction issues, such as: “Do you believe someone who is addicted to drugs should not be charged with a crime?”
Hunter Biden will also face a second trial in California in September on charges of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes. Both cases were supposed to be concluded by a bargain with prosecutors last July, marking the end of a years-long inquiry into his financial operations.
However, Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was nominated to the bench by Trump, questioned some unusual aspects of the agreement, including a proposed guilty plea to misdemeanor offenses to resolve the tax crimes and a diversion agreement on the gun charge, which stated that if he stayed out of trouble for two years, the case would be dismissed. The lawyers argued over the arrangement and could not reach an agreement; therefore, the contract fell apart. Attorney General Merrick Garland designated the lead investigator as a special counsel in August, and Hunter Biden was indicted the following month.
This trial is not about Hunter Biden’s overseas business dealings, which Republicans have used without evidence to portray the Biden family as crooked. But it will expose some of Hunter Biden’s darkest moments.
The president’s aides are anxious about the trial’s impact on the elder Biden, who has long been concerned about his only living son’s health and sobriety and must now watch as his son’s tragic past mistakes are publicly probed. He’s also protective: Hunter Biden spent the weekend with his father before the case began, riding and attending church together.
On Sunday evening, President Biden changed his plans and returned to his Wilmington complex instead of his Rehoboth Beach house. Boarding a chopper on Sunday was the president’s lone public appearance without his son this weekend.
As Jury Selection Starts In Hunter Biden’s Gun Case, President Says He Has ‘Boundless Love’ For Him
Hunter Biden came first at the Delaware Courthouse on Monday. The first lady, who celebrated her 73rd birthday on Monday, arrived about 15 minutes later and entered court quickly with help from US Secret Service agents. Hunter Biden’s sister, Ashley Biden, also appeared in court to support him. Later that day, the president remained at their Wilmington home until he left for a campaign reception in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Allies are also concerned that the trial will become a diversion as the president tries to campaign despite low poll ratings and prepares for an upcoming presidential debate while the procedures occur.
Prosecutors aim to prove Hunter Biden was addicted when he purchased the rifle and so lied on the documents. They have stated that they intend to utilize his published book as evidence and the contents of a laptop that he left at a Delaware repair shop and never returned. The contents made their way to Republicans in 2020 and were publicly published, including embarrassing and personal photographs of him naked and using drugs, as well as messages in which he requests suppliers for scores.
As Jury Selection Starts In Hunter Biden’s Gun Case, President Says He Has ‘Boundless Love’ For Him
The case against Hunter Biden arises from a time when, according to his public admission, he was addicted to crack. His spiral into drugs and alcohol began after his brother, Beau Biden, died of cancer in 2015. He acquired and owned a gun for 11 days in October 2018 and stated on the gun purchase form that he did not use drugs.
Hunter Biden has pled not guilty in both cases, and his attorneys have hinted that he may argue that he did not consider himself an addict when prosecutors claim he ticked “no” to the form question. They will also undermine the gun store owner’s credibility.
Prosecutors intend to bring as witnesses Hunter Biden’s ex-wife and his brother’s widow, Hallie, with whom he became romantically connected.
If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison, though first-time offenders seldom receive the maximum sentence, and it’s uncertain if the judge would impose it.
SOURCE – (AP)
News
Trudeau Rocks to Taylor Swift While Montreal Burns
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire yet again after a video surfaced on X, showing him dancing at a Taylor Swift performance while anti-Nato protestors ransacked downtown Montreal.
Trudeau attended Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto on Friday night. Before Taylor Swift approached the stage, X shared a viral video of him dancing and singing along to the song “You Don’t Own Me.”
The image of Trudeau dancing amid violent protests in Montreal generated widespread indignation online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to the ancient Roman dictator Nero, known for “fiddling while Rome burned.”
Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.
Lawless protestors run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest.
The Prime Minister dances.
This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.
Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved. pic.twitter.com/PVJvR6gtmf
— Don Stewart (@donstewartmp) November 23, 2024
“Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances,” Stewart wrote. “This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.”
“Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved,” the MP added.
On Saturday, the day after Taylor Swift’s concert, Trudeau condemned the anti-NATO protests, calling them “appalling.”
Anti-NATO activists set off smoke bombs and marched through Montreal’s streets waving Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, rioters set fire to automobiles and battled with police.
Pro-Palestinian protests
Protesters also tossed tiny explosives and metal objects at officers. At one point, the mob torched an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the gathering, and three persons were arrested for attacking officers and impeding police operations.
Masked protesters were seen burning flares and bashing storefront windows in videos and photographs shared on social media. Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza conflict began late last year.
Critics have lambasted Trudeau for doing nothing to stop the violent pro-Palestinian marches, with some claiming he has fueled anti-Israel sentiment in Canada.
On Friday, Trudeau stated that Canada would respect the orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu, even if it meant arresting the Israeli prime leader on Canadian soil.
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News
Calgary Zoo Admits Human Error in Death of Baby Gorilla
The Calgary Zoo has admitted in a public statement that a zookeeper’s negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla. Eyare, a newborn gorilla, died last week after being slammed in the head by a hydraulic door.
The accident occurred when a zoo worker attempted to separate Eyare from the rest of the gorilla tribe for a solitary training session.
The gorilla died from significant head injuries, according to the zoo’s statement.
“This tragedy has struck us all in the deepest way imaginable,” Colleen Baird, director of animal care at the Calgary Zoo, said during a news conference. “Eyare’s brief but meaningful existence gave so much joy to our community, and all will sorely miss her. We will do everything possible to prevent repeat accidents.”
According to Baird, the staff member involved was immediately removed from the workplace and will be reassigned to another area of the zoo. The Calgary Zoo stated that it would take preventive steps, such as specialist personnel training and animal behavioral training, to avoid a similar incident.
Calgary Zoo Questioned
It is not the first time an animal at the zoo has died from negligence at the Calgary Zoo. A capybara was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic door similar to the one that killed Eyare in 2019.
An otter died in 2016 after being entangled in an “unauthorized” pair of jeans that a zookeeper had dropped in its enclosure. In 2013, a penguin died in “a freak accident” after swallowing a stick.
Animal Justice, a Canadian group that promotes animal welfare, has called for an independent investigation of animal safety and oversight at the Alberta facility.
“The Calgary Zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos, and in light of Eyare’s death there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices, conducted transparently by the government or another outside party,” according to Camille Labchuk, the executive director of Animal Justice.
The Calgary Zoo refuted that it has more animal deaths than other zoos, emphasizing that it adheres to operating requirements and has maintained accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission since 1978.
“We love and care for more than 4,000 animals representing over 100 species that call our zoo home,” stated a Calgary Zoo representative.
“Human error-related deaths in animals are quite infrequent. We have lost two animals in the last ten years: a North American river otter in 2016 and ‘Eyare’ this week.
While rare, even one human-caused death is too many. These unfortunate instances have served as vital learning experiences, prompting us to examine and tighten protocols to provide the greatest level of care.”
Baird said at the news conference that using hydraulic doors is “common practice with accredited zoos,” adding that the facility will consider switching to alternate doors to improve safety.
The Calgary Zoo, which established the Wilder Institute in 2021, caters to nearly 4,000 creatures, including six more western lowland gorillas.
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News
Canada’s Lotto Max Jackpot Climbs to $80M
Lotto Max in Canada has reached $80 million for only the second time in Canadian lottery history. Friday’s draw sought a winner for a $75 million pool, but the top reward remained unclaimed as of Saturday, increasing the jackpot.
Only once did the jackpot reach $80 million in September, when it broke the previous record. Before that, the prize was $75 million, a record.
The Lotto Max prize maximum was boosted earlier this year, enabling for jackpots of more than $70 million. The cap is now at $80 million.
While a greater fee may encourage more people to play, the odds of winning the lottery remain extremely low.
According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the odds for a $5 ticket are around one in 33,294,800.
While there was no jackpot winner in Friday’s draw, someone did match six of the seven winning numbers, plus a bonus, earning them a payout of more than $320,000.
Lotto Max History
Lotto Max is one of three national lottery games in Canada, overseen by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. The game was introduced on September 19, 2009, and its inaugural draw occurred on September 25, 2009. It replaced Lotto Super 7.
The odds of winning the Lotto Max are 1 in 33,294,800. This is correct to a point but misleading.
Let’s have a look at the rules:
- Players choose 7 numbers out of 50
- Numbers cannot be repeated
- Numbers are automatically sorted into ascending order
- Each play buys 3 lines
- Each play costs $5
Seeing that players choose 7 out of 50 non-repeating numbers, the equation for the total number of possible combinations (this is different from permutations where the order in which the numbers appear is significant) when playing the Lotto Max is 50! / (7! x 43!)
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