Jury weighs case of Trump White House adviser Navarro’s failure to cooperate with Jan. 6 committee

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:00:30 GMT

Jury weighs case of Trump White House adviser Navarro’s failure to cooperate with Jan. 6 committee WASHINGTON (AP) — A jury began weighing contempt of Congress charges against Trump White House official Peter Navarro on Thursday over his failure to cooperate with a subpoena from the committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.Prosecutors argued that Navarro “chose allegiance to former President Donald Trump” over obeying a subpoena from the House panel investigating after a mob of the Republican’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol and interrupted the certification of the 2020 presidential vote for Joe Biden, a Democrat.Navarro, a former senior trade adviser, is charged with two counts of contempt of Congress. A defense attorney argued Navarro didn’t purposely ignore the House Jan. 6 Committee. Navarro instead told staffers to contact Trump about what might be protected by executive privilege, something that didn’t happen, defense attorney Stanley Woodward argued.A judge has ruled the executive privilege argument isn’t a defense against the charges...

Prince Harry to attend charity event in London — but meeting up with the family isn’t on the agenda

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:00:30 GMT

Prince Harry to attend charity event in London — but meeting up with the family isn’t on the agenda LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry is attending a charity event Thursday night in London, though he isn’t expected to meet with King Charles III or Prince William as Britain prepares to mark the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.Harry’s relationship with his family has been strained since he and his wife, Meghan, moved to California in 2020. The rift deepened over the past year as Harry critiqued the family in a six-part Netflix series and his memoir, “Spare,” a title that alludes to his position as the spare royal son rather than William’s role as heir to the throne.The Daily Mail newspaper cited a palace insider as saying Charles had no time in his diary to see his younger son. The king is at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where the queen died on Sept. 8, 2022. William is 100 miles (160 kilometers) from London in Bournemouth. Harry traveled to Britain to take part in the annual awards ceremony sponsored by WellChild, which helps seriously ill children get the treatment they ne...

Changes to minimum tax to add $2.6 billion over five years for feds: PBO

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:00:30 GMT

Changes to minimum tax to add $2.6 billion over five years for feds: PBO OTTAWA — The parliamentary budget officer says the federal government’s proposed changes to the alternative minimum tax will generate an additional $2.6 billion in revenue over five years.The tax aims to ensure high-income earners and trusts don’t pay disproportionately less in taxes than other taxpayers. The Liberal government proposed in the 2023 budget changes to the alternative minimum tax so that the highest income earners pay the greatest share of the revenue generated from the tax.The changes, which come into effect in January 2024, would increase the minimum tax from 15 per cent to 20.5 per cent.At the same time, it would increase the amount that is excluded from the calculation from $40,000 to $173,000. While the budget watchdog finds the changes will lead to the highest-income earners paying the largest share, it does not find that to be the case with trusts.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 7, 2023. The Canadian Press<!– Phot...

Search for escaped Pennsylvania murderer enters eighth day

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:00:30 GMT

Search for escaped Pennsylvania murderer enters eighth day WEST CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — A murderer who made a brazen escape from a suburban Philadelphia jail yard was still on the lam Thursday as the search entered its second week.Residents who were under siege as heavily armed police hunted for the fugitive roaming their neighborhood for several days described frustration with the search and anxiety at being locked down.Danilo Souza Cavalcante, a 34-year-old from Brazil, escaped from the Chester County prison on Aug. 31 by scaling a wall, climbing over razor wire and jumping from a roof. The breakout wasn’t detected by guards for a full hour, authorities say. Considered extremely dangerous, Cavalcante has since been spotted at least six times. Authorities continue to move and expand their search perimeter — now a vast area filled with forests and thick brush — while residents remain on edge.Ryan Drummond, 42, had a harrowing encounter with the man believed to be the escapee when his home in Pocopson was broken into late Friday.After awaking to...

Cave rescue teams launch major operation to save American researcher in southern Turkey

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:00:30 GMT

Cave rescue teams launch major operation to save American researcher in southern Turkey ISTANBUL (AP) — Rescue experts from across Europe converged on a cave in Turkey on Thursday, launching an operation to save an American researcher who became trapped around 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) below the surface after suffering gastrointestinal bleeding.Experienced caver Mark Dickey, 40, suddenly became ill during an expedition in the Morca cave in southern Turkey’s Taurus Mountains, the European Association of Cave Rescuers said.Dickey, who had been bleeding and losing fluid from his stomach, is doing better, has stopped vomiting and has eaten for the first time in days, according to a New Jersey-based cave rescue group he’s affiliated with. It’s unclear what caused his medical issue.The New Jersey Initial Response Team said Dickey is “very sick” and is located about 1,000 meters below the surface. The rescue will require many teams and constant medical care, the group said. Communication takes about five to seven hours and is carried out by runners, who go from Dickey t...

This town is Florida's first LGBTQ+ sanctuary city

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:00:30 GMT

This town is Florida's first LGBTQ+ sanctuary city LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) - A south Florida town has become the first in the state to formally declare itself an LGBTQ+ sanctuary city.In a Lake Worth Beach city commission meeting Tuesday, members voted unanimously in favor of the decision, according to a report from NBC affiliate WPTV.City council members and advocates cited concerns from the community - particularly from parents, educators and students - regarding recently enacted legislation aimed at LGBTQ+ people. The expanded Parental Rights in Education law, which took effect in June, further limits the discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in Florida classrooms. The restrictions originally went up to third grade, but now the law covers pre-K through eighth grade.Lake Worth Beach Mayor Betty Resch vowed to work with the city council to create a plan of action supporting LGBTQ+ people and helping them feel safe. Pinellas accounting manager stole over $700,000 from HOAs, deputies say "This is a crucial time...

American man stuck in Turkish cave after becoming 'severely ill' over 1,000 meters below surface

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:00:30 GMT

American man stuck in Turkish cave after becoming 'severely ill' over 1,000 meters below surface (NEXSTAR) – An American speleologist exploring the Morca Cave in Turkey is currently trapped at a depth of more than 1,000 meters after becoming ill during the expedition.Mark Dickey, 40, was co-leading an expedition on Saturday, Sept. 2, to map new passages within the Morca Cave — Turkey’s third-deepest — when he became “severely ill,” according to Gretchen Baker, the National Coordinator of the National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC), an all-volunteer organization based in Huntsville, Alabama.Dickey, from New York, is the NCRC’s international exchange program coordinator, and has been teaching instructional classes on cave-rescue techniques for 10 years, Baker told Nexstar.“Currently, Mark is improving and is not as sick,” said Baker, who did not provide additional details on the cause of Dickey’s illness. 3 sailors safe after sharks nearly sink catamaran on round-the-world trip The European Cave Rescue Association (ECRA) provided slightly more information, publicly stating that ...

Hurricane Lee strengthens into Category 2 storm, expected to become major hurricane Thursday

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:00:30 GMT

Hurricane Lee strengthens into Category 2 storm, expected to become major hurricane Thursday TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hurricane Lee whirled through open waters on Thursday as forecasters warned it could become the first Category 5 storm of the Atlantic season.Lee was not expected to make landfall while on a projected path that will take it near the northeast Caribbean, although forecasters said tropical storm conditions are possible on some islands. Meteorologists said it was too early to provide details on potential rainfall and wind gusts. Hurricane Lee strengthens into Category 2 storm, Tropical Depression 14 forms in Atlantic The Category 2 hurricane was located about 870 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands. It had winds of up to 105 miles per hour and was moving west-northwest at 15 mph.Lee was forecast to develop into an “extremely dangerous” major hurricane late Thursday.“The environment around the cyclone looks ideal for rapid intensification,” the National Hurricane Center said.(WFLA)Life-threatening surf was expected to hit the Lesser Antilles on Friday and r...

Paxton impeachment: Whistleblower Ryan Bangert kicks off Thursday testimony

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:00:30 GMT

Paxton impeachment: Whistleblower Ryan Bangert kicks off Thursday testimony AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The historic impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton is underway as senators weigh 16 articles of impeachment that accuse Paxton of abuse of office, bribery and corruption. A comprehensive guide to Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial KXAN’s Monica Madden is following the proceedings from the Senate Chamber and will bring updates live on X, formerly known as Twitter.Good morning from the TX Senate, where day 3 of Ken Paxton's impeachment trial is underway. Starting where we left off yesterday, w/ testimony from a far top OAG deputy, Ryan Bangert, who reported Paxton to the FBI. #txlege Watch live/read updates here: https://t.co/GuLY2GOcMG— Monica Madden (blue check) (@themonicamadden) September 7, 2023 Day three of the trial picked back up a little after 9 a.m. on Thursday, starting with prosecutor's second key witness — Ryan Bangert, a former deputy first assistant attorney general who also reported Paxton to the FBI.During the beginning of h...

Gear up for spooky season with Tiki Terror at The Apostle in St. Paul

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:00:30 GMT

Gear up for spooky season with Tiki Terror at The Apostle in St. Paul It’s almost spooky season, and The Apostle Supper Club in downtown St. Paul is ready to offer up some scares.The midcentury-modern-themed restaurant across from the Xcel Energy Center is decking out its tiki bar, promising a “startling transformation into the eerie and enchanting realm of Tiki Terror,” beginning Sept. 13.The atmosphere will be reminiscent of Pirates of the Caribbean, a news release tells us, and they are offering some seasonal movies paired with a special menu on the patio, too.Specialty drinks at False Eye Doll tiki lounge in The Apostle Supper Club include an IV bag presentation. (Courtesy of The Apostle)Skeletons will hang from the bar ceiling, and there will be Halloween-themed specials, including a spiced rum-infused Pirate’s Booty cocktail, a Captain Red Beard rum mule and other specialty drinks like Pirate’s Grog and Walk the Plank. Each cocktail is served in a themed glass that you can take home. There will be Halloween beer-can glasses, IV-bag cocktail disp...