Trump investigations into classified documents and efforts to overturn election have cost more than $9m
Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigations of President Donald Trump's retention of classified records and efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election have cost more than $9m over the first several months, according to documents released Friday. The special counsel's office spent more than $5.4m on things like employees' salaries, travel and transportation, rent, supplies and materials from Mr Smith’s appointment by Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022 through the end of March, Justice Department statement of expenditures show. Justice Department agencies spent another $3.8m to support the special counsel. Those expenses include the cost of the protective details for the special counsel's office as well as hours worked by agents and analysts on the probes. Mr Trump was indicted last month on 37 felony counts alleging he illegally kept classified records at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and refused government demands to give them back. Mr Trump and his valet, Walt Nauta — who was charged alongside the former president — have both pleaded not guilty. Mr Trump has denied any wrongdoing and slammed the prosecution as an attempt to hurt his bid to reclaim the White House in 2024. Mr Smith has also been digging into efforts by Mr Trump and his allies to undo President Joe Biden's election victory. Since Mr Smith’s appointment, he has cast a broad net in demanding interviews and testimony related to fundraising,Mr Trump’s rally that preceded the US Capitol riot on 6 January 2021, and communications between Trump associates and election officials in battleground states. In December, Mr Smith subpoenaed local election officials in Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona and Pennsylvania, asking for communications with or involving Mr Trump, his 2020 campaign aides and a list of allies who were involved in his efforts to try to overturn the results of the election. Read More Trump news - live: Trump attacks DeSantis and makes awkward ‘markers’ gaffe at farmers campaign event More bad news for Trump as judge rules his son can be subpoenaed in Trump Organization case Chris Christie says Trump took secret documents so he could keep pretending he was president
2023-07-08 22:45
Six people charged in straw donor scheme to elect Eric Adams as New York City mayor
Six people were charged Friday in an alleged scheme to divert tens of thousands of dollars in public funds to New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign months before his election. The indictment announced by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg does not implicate Mr Adams or any other city employees. Rather, it describes a straw donor scheme orchestrated by individuals with business before the city who hoped to maximize their donations to the future mayor in exchange for political favors. “We allege a deliberate scheme to game the system in a blatant attempt to gain power,” Mr Bragg said in a statement. “The New York City Campaign Finance Board program is meant to support our democracy and amplify the voices of New York City voters. When the integrity of that program is corrupted, all New Yorkers suffer.” Prosecutors said the scheme was led by Dwayne Montgomery, a former NYPD inspector currently listed as the director of integrity for the Teamsters Local 237, which represents municipal workers. According to the indictment, Mr Montgomery recruited friends and relatives to take advantage of the city’s generous matching funds system, which provides an eight-to-one match for the first $250 donated by a city resident. In addition to Mr Montgomery, the indictment names as defendants Shamsuddin Riza, Millicent Redick, Ronald Peek, Yahya Mushtaq, and Shahid Mushtaq. According to prosecutors, between 2020 and 2021, those who made donations in their own name were reimbursed by Mr Montgomery, who provided more than $40,000 of his money. He worked with a string of co-defendants to help recruit donors, including Mr Riza, who indicated he was hoping to secure work from the city. “FYI ! This is the one I want , Safety , Drywall , and Security one project but we all can eat,” Mr Riza wrote in a July 2021 email to Mr Montgomery, sending along the information for a construction project called Vital Brooklyn, prosecutors allege. Mr Montgomery also worked alongside a campaign representative to organize a virtual fundraiser for Mr Adams in August, 2020, prosecutors contend. The representative is not named in the indictment. None of the defendants could immediately be reached for comment. Mr Adams' campaign released a statement denying any involvement in the alleged scheme. “There is no indication that the campaign or the mayor is involved in this case or under investigation,” a spokesperson for Mr Adams’ campaign, Evan Thies, said in a statement. “The campaign always held itself to the highest standards and we would never tolerate these actions.” The defendants each face charges of conspiracy, attempted grand larceny, and offering a false instrument. Read More NYC Mayor Eric Adams accused of doctoring photo of police officer friend killed in the line of duty Ex-NYC mayor Bill de Blasio and wife are separating – but will still live with each other New York City's Rikers Island, facing possible federal takeover, found violating safety standards NYC mayor accused of doctoring photo of murdered police officer friend Ex-NYC mayor Bill de Blasio and wife are separating – but will still live together
2023-07-08 22:21
Avalanche kills hiker in California mountains
One hiker was killed and two others injured in a "wet, loose avalanche" on Split Mountain in California, authorities said Friday.
2023-07-08 22:17
Donegal Orange parade takes place in Rossnowlagh
Up to 60 lodges from across counties Donegal. Cavan and Monaghan as well as Northern Ireland take part.
2023-07-08 21:52
San Francisco's new venture capital hotspot: a national park a world away from downtown
By Krystal Hu SAN FRANCISCO Venture capital firm Headline used to be in one of San Francisco's most
2023-07-08 18:25
14 promises Donald Trump has made in his campaign for a second term
Former President Donald Trump has hit the 2024 campaign trail and is giving voters a preview of what a second Trump presidency could look like if he's elected. He's made many campaign promises -- many of which are often vague and lacking in details or specifics -- including ending the war in Ukraine, building 10 new cities and giving drug smugglers the death penalty.
2023-07-08 18:24
This is what happens when ChatGPT tries to create crochet patterns
ChatGPT, a publicly available language-learning AI, was not designed to create things like crochet or knitting patterns, but what happens when you ask it to do just that? We crocheted some ChatGPT-generated patterns to find out.
2023-07-08 18:15
'No danger to the transgender community' after missing South Carolina teen found dead, sheriff says
South Carolina law enforcement officials say there is "no danger to the transgender community" as a transgender teenager was found dead this week after going missing and two suspects were taken into custody.
2023-07-08 15:29
Casey DeSantis charms Iowa Republicans at first solo campaign trail event
In a packed barn of more than 100 attendees, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis had the crowd laughing as she recalled bringing her 5-year-old daughter with her to an event last year.
2023-07-08 10:46
White House says US has destroyed its chemical weapons stockpile
The US on Friday announced it had completed the more than three-decade process of destroying its chemical weapons stockpiles. “Today—as we mark this significant milestone—we must also renew our commitment to forging a future free from chemical weapons,” Joe Biden said in a statement. “I continue to encourage the remaining nations to join the Chemical Weapons Convention so that the global ban on chemical weapons can reach its fullest potential,” he added. “Russia and Syria should return to compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention and admit their undeclared programs, which have been used to commit brazen atrocities and attacks.” The US and Soviet Union agreed in 1989 in principle to destroy their stores of the deadly weapons, condemned following their widespread use in wartime atrocities in conflicts like World War I. Later, in 1997, the US Senate ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention. The US chemical weapons stock included cluster bombs and land mines with verve agent, mustard gas artillery shells, and poison that could be sprayed via jet, according to the New York Times. The effort to destroy the weapons was decades behind schedule and cost an estimated $42bn, according to the paper. “Chemical weapons are responsible for some of the most horrific episodes of human loss,” Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said in a statement, the AP reports. “Though the use of these deadly agents will always be a stain on history, today our nation has finally fulfilled our promise to rid our arsenal of this evil. The news of the destruction of the stockpile comes as the US offloaded some of its other controversial weapons to Ukraine. The US will be sending cluster munitions to the country as part of a $800m aid package to help its beleagured armed forces fend off the Russia invastion. More than 120 countries, including numerous US allies in Europe, have joined a convention banning the use of such rounds, because they can cause a high number of civilian casualties. Read More U.S. destroys last of its declared chemical weapons, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell says Global chemical weapons watchdog says it found no evidence to back Syrian claim of 2017 gas attack US will provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, White House says The Body in the Woods | An Independent TV Original Documentary The harrowing discovery at centre of The Independent’s new documentary
2023-07-08 09:16
Banshees of Inisherin: Film set pub is saved and opens for business
Real stout, real donkey and a real hope Colin Farrell visits as Banshees of Inisherin set is saved.
2023-07-08 07:52
Master Musicians of Joujouka: The Moroccan band who wowed Glastonbury
The Master Musicians of Joujouka have been performing for generations - and recently opened Glastonbury.
2023-07-08 07:50