konami casino slots
(CNN) — Newly released pictures show then-Vice President Joe Biden meeting some of his son Hunter Biden’s Chinese business partners during an official visit to the country, as well as Hunter meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping and other senior officials. This is the first time these images have been made public, even though the photo ops and meetings they depict have been known about for years. The National Archives and Records Administration released the images after a public records request from a pro-Trump right-wing legal group. The photographs are from Joe Biden’s visit to China in 2013. In one set of images, Hunter Biden is seen, along with his father, meeting and chatting with Xi. In another set of images, Joe Biden introduces his son to Li Yuanchao, who was China’s vice president at the time. Another group of pictures shows Hunter Biden introducing his father to his Chinese business partners, some of whom were executives at the private equity firm BHR Partners. After handshakes and hugs, the Bidens posed for a group picture with a few of the Chinese businessmen. These images are notable because they further undercut Joe Biden’s already-diminished unequivocal assertions that he never had any business-related contact with his son. In fact, the House Republicans’ impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden uncovered at least two dozen interactions between him and his son’s business partners from China and other countries. However, Hunter Biden and others involved have testified that — despite occasional phone calls, meet-and-greets and dinners with Joe Biden — business was never substantively discussed. Hunter Biden’s former main US business partner later testified that Hunter was selling the “illusion” of access to his father, but “nothing of material was discussed” during these interactions. Hunter Biden’s attorney Abbe Lowell criticized the Trump-aligned groups that fought to obtain and release the images, saying in a statement, “There is simply nothing new here.” “The photos match perfectly to Hunter’s congressional testimony description of who he saw at this public event during a 2013 trip to China,” Lowell said, referring to Hunter Biden’s closed-door deposition in February, during which he was grilled by Republicans for six hours. “These attacks trying to twist these images into something they are not is just more of the same old tired, misinformation spin from some Republicans who can’t let go of their ridiculous conspiracy theories and baseless accusations,” Lowell said in the statement. America First Legal, a pro-Trump group, filed the records request in 2022 and later sued the National Archives to obtain the records. The group is led by Stephen Miller , who served in President-elect Donald Trump ’s first White House and is set to return next year as deputy chief of staff for policy. “These photos corroborate the House Oversight Committee’s investigative findings that Hunter Biden arranged for his father to meet with Jonathan Li and other BHR executives during the 2013 China trip, where ‘Mr. Li sought — and received — access to Vice President Biden’s political power,’” America First Legal said in a news release last week. CNN has reached out to the White House for comment about the newly released pictures. Hunter Biden’s foreign business deals drew intense scrutiny from Hill Republicans and Justice Department investigators. Federal prosecutors charged him with tax crimes partly stemming from unpaid taxes from his overseas deals. He was never accused of corruption or illegal lobbying, despite GOP claims that he engaged in criminal influence-peddling. In a controversial postelection move, Joe Biden pardoned his son for the 12 tax and gun crimes he was convicted of earlier this year. The sweeping pardon also shielded Hunter Biden from future prosecution for any potential federal crimes he may have committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024. The-CNN-Wire TM & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.Article content BERLIN — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Recommended Videos Germany is to vote in an early election on Feb. 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s stagnant economy. Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag — a sister publication of POLITICO owned by the Axel Springer Group — published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD. “The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the last spark of hope for this country,” Musk wrote in his translated commentary. He went on to say the far-right party “can lead the country into a future where economic prosperity, cultural integrity and technological innovation are not just wishes, but reality.” The Tesla Motors CEO also wrote that his investment in Germany gave him the right to comment on the country’s condition. The AfD is polling strongly, but its candidate for the top job, Alice Weidel, has no realistic chance of becoming chancellor because other parties refuse to work with the far-right party. An ally of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, the technology billionaire challenged in his opinion piece the party’s public image. “The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party’s leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!” My opinion piece in Weld https://t.co/J56Oof6tO4 Musk’s commentary has led to a debate in German media over the boundaries of free speech, with the paper’s own opinion editor announcing her resignation, pointedly on Musk’s social media platform, X. “I always enjoyed leading the opinion section of WELT and WAMS. Today an article by Elon Musk appeared in Welt am Sonntag. I handed in my resignation yesterday after it went to print,” Eva Marie Kogel wrote. A critical article by the future editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Jan Philipp Burgard, accompanied Musk’s opinion piece. “Musk’s diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally wrong,” Burgard wrote. Responding to a request for comment from the German Press Agency, dpa, the current editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Ulf Poschardt, and Burgard — who is due to take over on Jan. 1 — said in a joint statement that the discussion over Musk’s piece was “very insightful. Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression.” “This will continue to determine the compass of the “world” in the future. We will develop “Die Welt” even more decisively as a forum for such debates,” they wrote to dpa.
Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season on Sunday. Barkley entered the game against the visiting Dallas Cowboys needing 162 yards to join the exclusive club. He reached the milestone with a 23-yard run with about 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and Philadelphia leading 34-7. That gave him 167 for the day on 31 carries and 2,005 for the season. With one game remaining, Barkley has a chance to break Eric Dickerson's NFL single-season record of 2,105 yards, set during a 16-game season in 1984. In addition to Dickerson, the others to rush for 2,000 yards are Adrian Peterson, Jamal Lewis, Barry Sanders, Derrick Henry, Terrell Davis, Chris Johnson and O.J. Simpson. With the Eagles locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC, it's unclear whether Barkley will play in next weekend's regular-season finale against his former team, the New York Giants. Barkley also broke LeSean McCoy's 2013 franchise record of 2,146 all-purpose yards. --Field Level MediaWoman arrested over alleged stolen shotgun, break-in at a Wollombi property | live updatesChief Timipre Sylva, the former Bayelsa State Governor at the weekend said the dream of making Okpoama in Brass Local Government of Bayelsa State a proper globally recognized tourism destination is on course. He also applauded the emerging global status of the yearly Okpoama International Beach Carnival at Brass Island, saying it has added to the steady growth of the country’s entertainment industry. Hailing the steady growth of the entertainment industry in Nigeria, Sylva particularly applauded the performances of Patoranking, Nyanya, Spiro, and other emerging musical and comic artists that stormed Bayelsa and thrilled guests, tourists and residents that attended the carnival. The former Minister of State for Petroleum described the event as beautiful sights and sounds from this year’s Okpoama International Beach Carnival. He said: “Ultimately, the dream of making Okpoama a proper globally recognized tourism destination is on course. “The best of our country’s musical talents performed and enjoyed the ambience of Brass Island. “Indigenous musical prospects were given the chance to perform alongside Internationally recognized stars in a deliberate act of raising their stock.” Recall that Okpoama International Beach Carnival has always paraded top musical and comic artists yearly and attracted a multitude of tourists from within and outside the state. In the time past, Timaya, Davido, Wizkid, and Tiwa Savage were among the top artists who identified with and thrilled visitors at previous events. The event has always presented an indispensable opportunity for people outside the state to enjoy Bayelsa hospitality and savour local state delicacies. The 2025 Okpoama International Beach Carnival, which MC Senibo coordinated as the Master of Ceremony is usually organized by Sylva’s team and political associates including Kojo Sam to highlight the potential of Okpoama and Brass Island as a destination of choice for tourists.
Haynes' 18 help George Mason defeat Mount St. Mary's 64-56Meat is a staple part of the diet across the globe. Enjoyed in numerous ways, they are among the best sources for protein and other nutrients. However, cooking meat to perfection is an art and each technique gives the dish a special taste and texture and braising and roasting are two popular ways for achieving tender and flavourful results. While both methods elevate your meal experience, their approaches are quite different. Let's understand the difference between braising and roasting. Also Read: Avocado Toast, Khichdi And More, Malaika Arora Reveals What She Eats In A Day What Is Braising? Braising is basically a combination cooking technique that uses both dry and moist heat to cook the tough cuts of meat into tender and flavourful dishes. The process beings by searing the meat at high heat, which creates a rich crust and locks in juices. In the next step, the meat is half submerged in a liquid, like broth, wine or stock and cooked slowly at low temperature, either on the stovetop or in the oven. This method works well for cuts like brisket, short ribs or pork shoulder that contain connective tissues, helping to break them down during the slow cooking process. Vegetables and spices are also added to the meat for depth and extra flavour. This technique is great for meals like pot roasts or stews. What Is Roasting? Roasting, on the other hand, is a dry-heat cooking technique that uses consistent heat to create a crisp and caramelised exterior. Unlike braising, roasting doesn’t involve adding liquid and it completely depends on the natural moisture of the meat or vegetables. Roasting generally requires higher temperatures, particularly between 325°F to 450°F. This method works perfectly for tender cuts of meat, like tenderloin, pork loin or even a whole chicken, as they don’t require long cooking hours to become tender. You can also cook vegetables with this method. Braising Vs Roasting When choosing between braising and roasting, your decision should completely depend on the type of meat and the desired outcome. Braising is ideal for tougher cuts that require low and slow cooking for mouth melting texture. It is particularly suited for dishes that need moisture retention. Roasting, on the other hand, is ideal for cuts that are naturally tender and do not need prolonged cooking times. It is a great choice for enjoying a crispy and golden crust and when the time is crucial. Both braising and roasting have their own benefits and can give you delicious results. Whether you choose braising to create a comforting pot roast or roasting to achieve a golden and crispy chicken, exploring these techniques will give you a perfect experience. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Food News, Lifestyle and around the world.Tax reform bills: No provisions for consultants to collect revenue, Oyedele insistsElon Musk defended his support for Germany's far-right AfD party in an opinion piece in the Welt am Sonntag newspaper on Saturday, prompting a senior editor to resign. The world's richest man doubled down on his comments from December 20 that "only the AfD can save Germany", writing that the anti-immigration AfD was the "last ray of hope for the country" at the "brink of cultural and economic collapse". Despite various branches of the AfD being labelled "extremist" by Germany's domestic security agency, Musk said the AfD's classification as far-right was "clearly false" as party leader Alice Weidel "has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka". With Musk set to play a key role in US President-elect Donald Trump's administration, the billionaire's interventions have triggered accusations of meddling in Germany's democracy. The country is set to head to the polls on February 23, with the AfD polling at around 19 percent of the vote. Musk's guest opinion piece in the Welt am Sonntag provoked outraged reactions and the resignation of the conservative title's opinion editor. "Today a piece by Elon Musk appeared in the Welt am Sonntag. Yesterday I handed in my resignation after it went to print," Eva Marie Kogel wrote on the X social media platform Musk owns. Meanwhile the Greens' campaign director Andreas Audretsch wrote: "We must not allow the Elon Musks of this world, the Chinese state or Russian troll factories to undermine our democracies in Europe." The Association of German Journalists (DJV) protested against the "election advertising" allowed by the newspaper's editorial staff. "The German media must not allow itself to be manipulated into acting as a mouthpiece for autocrats and their friends," said DJV leader Mika Beuster. Even the Welt's new editor-in-chief Jan Philipp Burgard was compelled to disagree with Musk in the opinion piece, writing: "Even a genius can be wrong". COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our
Kari Dziedzic, former Minnesota Senate majority leader, dies at 62
Seazen Group Limited ( OTCMKTS:SZENF – Get Free Report ) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,152,100 shares, a decrease of 19.1% from the November 30th total of 1,424,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently ∞ days. Seazen Group Price Performance Shares of Seazen Group stock opened at $0.70 on Friday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $0.70 and its 200-day moving average price is $0.70. Seazen Group has a 12-month low of $0.70 and a 12-month high of $0.70. About Seazen Group ( Get Free Report ) Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Seazen Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Seazen Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Controversial Allegations Stir Diplomatic Row in Pakistan
Tua Tagovailoa's TD pass to Jonnu Smith gives Dolphins 32-26 overtime win over Aaron Rodgers, Jets
It's easy to feel nostalgic for the past, and looking back on your childhood, you probably remember a simpler, more wholesome time. Well, Redditor innocentxmelody asked, "What's that one thing you miss the most from the 2000s generation?" Here's what people seriously miss about the '90s, 2000s, and the good ol' days. 3. "Video games being finished releases. I’m so tired of developers releasing broken games with the 'we’ll fix it with updates later' mindset." — ActuallAlbatross 6. "I honestly miss the internet from the '90s. I spent so many hours exploring, and reading things. Every webpage felt like I was visiting someone's house; They were so personal as web design standards did not yet exist. I enjoyed my Netscape navigator. And I LOVED my IRC chat rooms. Keep in mind I was like nine or ten, so I mostly spent time in Pokemon chat rooms that had bots. Discord today is not the same as it was in the IRC days." — UnusualSoup 9. "In the 2000s, politics was a boring thing to talk about. Now, it’s the only thing people talk about these days, at least in the US." — Willtip98 11. "In a weird way, monoculture. Sure, it’s great that nowadays, everyone can have a different movie, show, music, and style they like, but try to remember the blissful ignorance of everything but what was on mainstream TV or magazines. Everyone got hyped for the same music, shows, and movies, and that brought people together. Remember Lost , Survivor , Blink182, and how everyone wore similar styles. Now there’s just so much out there it’s hard to find a community sometimes." — Ramses3 14. "The point where technology started to be more integrated into our lives but not so much that we can’t last ten minutes without instinctually reaching for our devices." — Stock-Wolf 17. "Business was still being done in brick-and-mortar stores. I still think this is underrated. Yes, now we have a much wider selection of stuff available instantly, but it used to be extremely fun to go out on a Sunday, go to a record store or video rental store with your friends, discuss options, and settle on one. Scrolling on Netflix never produces the same enjoyable experience for me, but maybe I remember those trips with rose-colored glasses, and today's youth will remember this too." — Humble_Shoulder Do you have something to add? What do you miss most or what was the best thing about the decade in which you grew up? Tell us in the comments or in this anonymous form .What are the top New Year’s resolutions for 2025?Proud Wayne Rooney shares sweet message to wife Coleen as he urges I’m a Celeb fans to vote her for a trial
SINGAPORE: Pacing up and down near the Singapore Sports Hub's Water Sports Centre, with brows furrowed and sweat trickling down their faces, they checked their phones every 10 seconds. Then, amid the charged atmosphere of nervousness mixed with excitement, a shout: “One minute and one second ... second place!” The team, dressed in bright turquoise T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Different Dragons", erupted into cheers and hugs as they celebrated their silver medal at the Singapore Regatta Waterfest in November. At this annual dragon boat race, hundreds of competitors - from educational institutions, business organisations and other entities - vie to be the quickest over a 200m distance in the Kallang Basin. For Different Dragons, a second-place finish in the adaptive open category was especially sweet - and perhaps more so for nine members who are paddlers with disabilities of both physical and intellectual nature. “I find it difficult to paddle because of a back problem I’ve had, and it’s also difficult to paddle at the same speed as everyone,” said Jarran Ng, who has Williams syndrome. The genetic condition affects physical features, cognitive development and other parts of the body like the heart. “(But) the team never made me feel like I couldn’t do it and I felt like I belonged." SERIOUS ABOUT HAVING A GOOD TIME At the Singapore Regatta Waterfest, one of the biggest dragon boat contests in the country, teams were heard chanting "in it to win it". Different Dragons, which was founded in 2019, has other goals in mind. “We’re a very chill team, having fun is one of the most important aspects for us,” said Rayson Oon, a volunteer coach since the team started out. This approach should not be mistaken for a lack of focus and determination. They had trained for the November race all year, aiming to prove their abilities matter more than their disabilities - which they ultimately did. Naturally, it hasn't been all smooth sailing. The past few years have been a constant exercise in trial-and-error, patience and positivity, as volunteers sought to find the right ways to teach the sport, even in basics such as holding a paddle. When Tan Cher Hui first signed up with Different Dragons as a volunteer, she struggled to support her twin brother with autism, who had also joined the team as a competitor. Race rules dictate that each paddler with a disability can be accompanied by one able-bodied caregiver or volunteer inside the boat. For instance, her brother couldn't cope with changes to the training schedule caused by rain, and would often have meltdowns. "Because to him, dragon boating happens every Sunday,” said Tan, 26, who added that this was a huge challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic when such activities came to a halt. “It took a toll on him and I didn’t know if it was worth carrying on." But the encouragement and perseverance of other volunteers that pushed her to stay on, and the siblings have now reaped the rewards. “I learnt how to interact and engage with people of all different disabilities, and even picked up sign language," she said. "And it was heartwarming to see the other members be welcoming and inclusive with my brother." ANOTHER FAMILY For members of Different Dragons, being part of a team - and one that empathises with each other - was something especially precious. Jimmy Chan, a deaf paddler, told CNA how his condition made it tough in work settings and that he often felt isolated during conversations. "I wanted a space where I would not feel judged or different, and the team offered that," he said through sign language. The 53-year-old relies on vibrations from the dragon boat drum beat, along with the strokes of the first paddler seated in front, to sync with the rest of the team. “We share resilience, teamwork and a drive to break barriers. Each step feels like a victory, and our strong bonds make every challenge worthwhile, keeping us going,” Chan said. Outside of training, the team makes a conscious effort to do activities together, from meals to hikes and an annual Christmas party. “There are days when the paddlers aren’t feeling their best, but they look forward to seeing each other and that motivates them to come for trainings,” said Hamza Lu, another volunteer coach. “We may not be as competitive as other teams, but we have more of a family bond. When I miss sessions, they’ll be spamming my phone and asking me when they’ll see me next.” Take Teng Der Shuin, a paddler with an intellectual disability, who every Saturday makes sure to remind his mother Teo Leng Leng that he needs to wear his "dragon boat clothes" the next day. "(He) isn’t very active when he’s at home. It was a very big problem that I was worried about. So I’m happy that this is an activity that he enjoys,” said Teo, 57. “This gave him an opportunity to make new friends and be exposed to the world outside." Outside of training, the team makes a conscious effort to do activities together, from meals to hikes and an annual Christmas party. “There are days when the paddlers aren’t feeling their best, but they look forward to seeing each other and that motivates them to come for trainings,” said Hamza Lu, another volunteer coach. “We may not be as competitive as other teams, but we have more of a family bond. When I miss sessions, they’ll be spamming my phone and asking me when they’ll see me next.” Take Teng Der Shuin, a paddler with an intellectual disability, who every Saturday makes sure to remind his mother Teo Leng Leng that he needs to wear his "dragon boat clothes" the next day. "(He) isn’t very active when he’s at home. It was a very big problem that I was worried about. So I’m happy that this is an activity that he enjoys,” said Teo, 57. “This gave him an opportunity to make new friends and be exposed to the world outside." MOVING DISABILITY SPORTS FORWARD Having an adaptive category in a prestigious dragon boat event like the Regatta Waterfest gives people with disabilities access to the right resources and a level playing field, said Ms Kelly Fan, executive director of the Singapore Disability Sports Council. “Inclusive sports focus on creating platforms where persons with and without disabilities can play together. "The primary goal is to foster firsthand understanding and appreciation of the challenges that individuals with disabilities overcome to participate in sports, while also providing opportunities for meaningful social interaction,” she added. Singapore is set to launch an Enabling Sports Fund next year, which aims to "encourage impactful community-initiated disability sports initiatives.” The government will match dollar for dollar donations made to this fund, which hopes to raise at least S$10 million (US$7.4 million) by 2030. It's part of Singapore's Enabling Masterplan 2030 , a national roadmap for people with disabilities to live and participate more actively in the community. Progress has been made but more needs to be done to continue promoting inclusivity, said Ms Fan, pointing to costs and accessibility as remaining barriers. “It is not just about ramps or lifts within a venue," she said. "It extends to the awareness that sport opportunities exist for persons with disabilities; the affordability of sport involvement on top of enhanced costs of living of a (person with disability); the proximity and accessibility of an accessible venue; and the readiness of a venue to cater to disability sports.” Members of Different Dragons, meanwhile, are happy to continue playing their part in not just raising awareness, but sending out a more profound message - that paddlers with disabilities can be capable of anything, said Lu, the volunteer coach. “The perception many have is that members with disabilities can’t paddle as well as able-bodied individuals, but that’s not true,” said Oon, the other coach. Paddler Lee Wei Kiong, who has an intellectual disability, told CNA how the team has inspired him to work hard and keep practising. “I never thought we could beat other teams, but our process is getting better,” he said, while standing next to a trolley filled with bottled drinks he lugged from home to give out to his teammates. “When I was younger, people used to say that I have a low IQ (intelligent quotient) and I wouldn’t be able to do anything. But I learnt that whatever others can do, I can do too." "Normal people can dragon boat, so can I.”FSK Completes Public Offering of $100 million 6.125% Unsecured Notes Due 2030