Hunter Biden's lawyers have called for a criminal investigation into a number of right-wing political figures, including Rudy Giuliani, for allegedly accessing and disseminating personal data from a laptop left at a Delaware computer repair shop in 2019. The letters sent to the Delaware attorney general and the Justice Department allege that the individuals involved committed computer and other criminal violations to use the laptop contents against President Joe Biden. The Delaware attorney general's office has confirmed receipt of the letter and is reviewing it, though it is unclear if any criminal charges will be brought against the individuals involved.
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The FBI is investigating a claim by Navy veteran Richard Osthoff that Rep. George Santos misused funds from an online fundraising campaign intended to cover lifesaving surgery for Osthoff's service dog. Osthoff has provided the FBI with text messages and other records related to the campaign, and the US Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of New York is leading the investigation. Santos has not responded to questions about the matter, and the FBI has yet to comment.
Hunter Biden has launched an aggressive new strategy to combat long-running federal criminal investigations and new probes promised by congressional Republicans. His legal team has sent letters to the Delaware attorney general, the Department of Justice, the I.R.S. and attorneys for Fox News and Tucker Carlson, demanding state and federal investigations into the dissemination of material from his laptop. They have also threatened a defamation lawsuit against Fox News' Tucker Carlson for allegedly failing to correct false statements. This proactive approach marks a dramatic shift in strategy for the president's son.
President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met at the White House to discuss the looming showdown over raising the debt ceiling, which the US has hit due to its obligations. No agreements were made, but the House GOP majority is pushing for a clean debt limit increase while the White House is looking for a longer-term solution. The outcome of the meeting between the two leaders will likely have a significant impact.
The Federal Reserve has raised its benchmark interest rate for the eighth consecutive time in an effort to subdue inflation. This brings the federal funds rate to its highest level since late 2007, and Fed chair Jerome Powell has indicated that more rate hikes are on the way. Investors have responded positively to the news, with the Dow and other major indexes climbing steadily since the announcement.
On Tuesday evening, a fight broke out during a seventh- and eighth-grade boys basketball game between Alburgh and St. Albans, resulting in the death of a 60-year-old man. The Vermont State Police are actively investigating the incident, and Jay Nichols of The Vermont Principals’ Association and the Alburgh School District have released statements expressing their condolences and commitment to providing a safe environment.
Philadelphia Eagles backup offensive lineman Joshua Sills has been indicted on rape and kidnapping charges stemming from an incident in December 2019. He is set to appear in court on the same day as the Super Bowl, and the Eagles have yet to comment on the situation. It is unclear how the charges will affect Sills’ status with the team.
The College Board has released a revised syllabus for its new Advanced Placement course in African American studies, which has been met with both praise and criticism. The changes come after pushback from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and include the removal of material associated with Black feminism, LGBTQ issues and critical race theory. Supporters of the changes argue that the College Board is right to remove politically charged material, while critics argue that the College Board is caving to political pressure and not allowing students to learn important aspects of Black history. The revised syllabus is now available for students and teachers to review.