Impeachment hearing: Republicans in the House had a 9:30 a.m. start time for the first day of their impeachment hearing against President Biden. They did not produce any evidence to support claims that Biden was involved in the business dealings of his son Hunter. Representative Jason Smith of Missouri, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, was questioned by reporters at a new conference yesterday regarding what evidence the Republicans had against President Biden that would justify impeachment. Smith said they had emails from 2017 but Smith was unaware that President Biden was a private citizen then and was not holding elected office nor was he a candidate for office in 2017.
Republican debate: Last night’s Republican Primary debate is being described as having been a mess, with moderators Fox News host Dana Perino, Fox Business Network host Stuart Varney and Univision anchor Ilia Calderón frequently being unable to control the debate participants. The candidates shouted at each other, talked over each other and refused to comply with the format that called for only one candidate at a time to speak. Notably absent was any mention or question about Donald Trump’s call for the execution of Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley, Trump’s pledge to shut down NBC if he returns to the White House and Trump visiting a non-union company in Michigan while the debate was underway and claiming he supports unions.
Lottery winner: The Florida Lottery has revealed that the person who won the $1.6 billion Mega Millions jackpot in August has claimed the prize. The winner will remain anonymous for 90 days after claiming the prize according to lottery rules. The winning ticket had been bought at a Publix supermarket in Neptune, Florida.
Russian railroad: A Ukrainian official says that Russia is building a new railroad line in the area of Ukraine it controls that will connect the cities of Mariupol, Volnovakha and Donetsk to southern Russia. Ukraine today claims to have shot down about 30 Russian drones that were sent to attack the southern part of Ukraine.
Ransacked businesses: At least 52 people have been arrested in Philadelphia after mobs ransacked numerous retail stores including state-run liquor stores. Pharmacies, sporting goods stores and shoe stores were among those attacked. Seven cars were stolen from an auto dealer’s lot. Philadelphia’s Mayor Jim Kenney called it a sickening display of criminal activity.
Sir Michael Gambon dies: Irish-born actor Sir Michael Gambon, who played the role of headmaster Dumbledore in six Harry Potter movies, has died in a London hospital at age 82. He was suffering from pneumonia. Gambon had a long career in British TV, movies and theater and was also celebrated for playing the French detective Jules Maigret in the British TV series “Maigret” and King George V in the Oscar-winning film “The King’s Speech.”
Cover photo courtesy Warner Bros.
