President Biden introduced late Sunday that he had signed a full and unconditional pardon for his son Hunter Biden.

The pardon comes within the final weeks of President Biden’s time in workplace and regardless of his public assurances previously that he would neither pardon nor commute his son’s sentence.

“I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” Biden stated in a White Home assertion. “It’s clear that Hunter was handled in another way.”

The pardon, first reported by NBC Information, additionally comes lower than two months earlier than President-elect Donald Trump will return to the White Home. In a Sunday evening submit on social media, Trump referred to as Biden’s pardon “Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!” In his submit, Trump requested if Biden’s pardon would apply to folks convicted of attacking the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as Congress was certifying the 2020 presidential election.

Trump stated throughout this yr’s presidential marketing campaign that one of many first acts of his second time period can be to free lots of of the Jan. 6 rioters.

Hunter Biden was convicted in June of federal gun prices for mendacity about his dependancy to crack cocaine when he bought a gun. Three months later, he entered a responsible plea to tax offenses for failing to pay no less than $1.4 million in federal taxes. Sentencing was anticipated later this month in each circumstances.

Each of the prosecutions have been introduced by Justice Division particular counsel David Weiss. The circumstances have been rooted in a time period when Hunter Biden was wrestling with the dying of his brother, Beau, and struggling together with his personal dependancy to crack cocaine.

In June, President Biden promised to not pardon his son and stated, “I can’t pardon him” after his son was convicted for 3 federal gun prices.

The 82-year-old appeared to deal with this reversal in his assertion.

“I consider within the justice system, however as I’ve wrestled with this, I additionally consider uncooked politics has contaminated this course of and it led to a miscarriage of justice,” Biden wrote.

President Biden and his son Hunter spent the Thanksgiving weekend collectively in Nantucket, Mass. The Biden household is thought to be very shut.

“In making an attempt to interrupt Hunter, they’ve tried to interrupt me — and there isn’t any motive to consider it is going to cease right here,” Biden stated. “Sufficient is sufficient.”

Hunter Biden’s authorized troubles have lengthy been considered as a political legal responsibility for his father, and Republicans steadily sought to tarnish President Biden.

On the time of Hunter Biden’s gun trial in Delaware in June, his father was nonetheless working for reelection in a what was seen as a decent race with Donald Trump. A financial institution of reports cameras lined the walkway into the federal courthouse in downtown Wilmington, Del.

By the point of the tax trial in early September, President Biden had dropped out of the race and the potential political affect of Hunter Biden’s felony conduct had largely disappeared.

In an announcement emailed to NPR, Hunter Biden appeared to acknowledge how his authorized points had affected his father’s political life.

“I’ve admitted and brought duty for my errors through the darkest days of my dependancy — errors which have been exploited to publicly humiliate and disgrace me and my household for political sport.”

Sir Elton John was unable to look at the premiere of a brand new West Finish musical he wrote lyrics for because of dropping his eyesight.

The 77-year-old informed the viewers on the gala night time for The Satan Wears Prada musical on the Dominion Theatre in London “it’s arduous for me to see it [the show] however I like to listen to it”.

Sir Elton, who has written the rating for the musical, which is an adaptation of the movie and e-book of the identical title, added: “I have never been capable of come to lots of the previews as a result of, as you already know, I’ve misplaced my eyesight.”

He was accompanied off-stage by his husband David Furnish on Sunday, who the singer stated was his “rock”.

Final week, the singer stated his sight loss has meant he’s additionally unable to complete his newest album, which he began creating alongside his long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin.

He admitted throughout an interview on ABC Information’ Good Morning America that he was okay to do interviews, however was unable to learn or watch something.

Sir Elton first revealed he was struggling along with his sight in an Instagram publish again in September, after he stated he had suffered from an an infection in one in every of his eyes.

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On the time, he stated he was “therapeutic”, however that the restoration course of is “extraordinarily gradual” and “it is going to take a while earlier than sight returns to the impacted eye”.

Sunday’s London gala attracted a number of well-known faces, together with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Italian designer Donatella Versace and Emily In Paris star Lily Collins.

US President Joe Biden has issued an official pardon for his son Hunter, who was as a consequence of face sentencing this month on federal felony gun and tax convictions.

The president beforehand dominated out issuing a pardon for his son.

Hunter Biden pleaded responsible to tax expenses earlier in September. He was additionally discovered responsible of being an unlawful drug person in possession of a gun in June – which made him the primary youngster of a sitting president to be a convicted of against the law.

Right here is Sunday’s assertion from President Joe Biden in full:

In the present day, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took workplace, I stated I’d not intrude with the Justice Division’s decision-making, and I stored my phrase at the same time as I’ve watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted. With out aggravating elements like use in against the law, a number of purchases, or shopping for a weapon as a straw purchaser, individuals are nearly by no means delivered to trial on felony expenses solely for a way they crammed out a gun kind. Those that had been late paying their taxes due to critical addictions, however paid them again subsequently with curiosity and penalties, are usually given non-criminal resolutions. It’s clear that Hunter was handled in a different way.

The costs in his circumstances happened solely after a number of of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to assault me and oppose my election. Then, a rigorously negotiated plea deal, agreed to by the Division of Justice, unraveled within the courtroom room – with plenty of my political opponents in Congress taking credit score for bringing political strain on the method. Had the plea deal held, it will have been a good, affordable decision of Hunter’s circumstances.

No affordable one that seems to be on the information of Hunter’s circumstances can attain another conclusion than Hunter was singled out solely as a result of he’s my son – and that’s unsuitable. There was an effort to interrupt Hunter – who has been 5 and a half years sober, even within the face of unrelenting assaults and selective prosecution. In attempting to interrupt Hunter, they’ve tried to interrupt me – and there’s no cause to imagine it’s going to cease right here. Sufficient is sufficient.

For my whole profession I’ve adopted a easy precept: simply inform the American folks the reality. They’ll be fair-minded. Right here’s the reality: I imagine within the justice system, however as I’ve wrestled with this, I additionally imagine uncooked politics has contaminated this course of and it led to a miscarriage of justice – and as soon as I made this resolution this weekend, there was no sense in delaying it additional. I hope People will perceive why a father and a President would come to this resolution.

###

Government Grant of Clemency

Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

President of the USA of America

To All to Whom These Presents Shall Come, Greeting:

Be It Recognized, That This Day, I, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the USA, Pursuant to My Powers Underneath Article II, Part 2, Clause 1, of the Structure, Have Granted Unto

ROBERT HUNTER BIDEN

A Full and Unconditional Pardon

For these offenses in opposition to the USA which he has dedicated or could have dedicated or taken half in throughout the interval from January 1, 2014 via December 1, 2024, together with however not restricted to all offenses charged or prosecuted (together with any which have resulted in convictions) by Particular Counsel David C. Weiss in Docket No. 1:23-cr-00061-MN in the USA District Court docket for the District of Delaware and Docket No. 2:23-CR-00599-MCS-1 in the USA District Court docket for the Central District of California.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I’ve hereunto signed my title and brought about the Pardon to be recorded with the Division of Justice.

Accomplished on the Metropolis of Washington this 1st day of December within the 12 months of our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-four and of the Independence of the USA the Two Hundred and Forty-ninth.

At present, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took workplace, I stated I’d not intervene with the Justice Division’s decision-making, and I stored my phrase whilst I’ve watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted. With out aggravating components like use in a criminal offense, a number of purchases, or shopping for a weapon as a straw purchaser, individuals are virtually by no means dropped at trial on felony prices solely for a way they stuffed out a gun type. Those that have been late paying their taxes due to severe addictions, however paid them again subsequently with curiosity and penalties, are usually given non-criminal resolutions. It’s clear that Hunter was handled otherwise. 
 
The costs in his circumstances took place solely after a number of of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to assault me and oppose my election. Then, a rigorously negotiated plea deal, agreed to by the Division of Justice, unraveled within the court docket room – with various my political opponents in Congress taking credit score for bringing political stress on the method. Had the plea deal held, it will have been a good, cheap decision of Hunter’s circumstances.   
 
No cheap one that appears on the information of Hunter’s circumstances can attain another conclusion than Hunter was singled out solely as a result of he’s my son – and that’s incorrect. There was an effort to interrupt Hunter – who has been 5 and a half years sober, even within the face of unrelenting assaults and selective prosecution. In making an attempt to interrupt Hunter, they’ve tried to interrupt me – and there’s no purpose to consider it’ll cease right here. Sufficient is sufficient. 
 
For my total profession I’ve adopted a easy precept: simply inform the American individuals the reality. They’ll be fair-minded. Right here’s the reality: I consider within the justice system, however as I’ve wrestled with this, I additionally consider uncooked politics has contaminated this course of and it led to a miscarriage of justice – and as soon as I made this resolution this weekend, there was no sense in delaying it additional. I hope People will perceive why a father and a President would come to this resolution. 
 

###

 
Government Grant of Clemency
Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
President of america of America
 
To All to Whom These Presents Shall Come, Greeting:
 
Be It Recognized, That This Day, I, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of america, Pursuant to My Powers Below Article II, Part 2, Clause 1, of the Structure, Have Granted Unto
 
ROBERT HUNTER BIDEN
 
A Full and Unconditional Pardon
 
For these offenses in opposition to america which he has dedicated or might have dedicated or taken half in through the interval from January 1, 2014 by means of December 1, 2024, together with however not restricted to all offenses charged or prosecuted (together with any which have resulted in convictions) by Particular Counsel David C. Weiss in Docket No. 1:23-cr-00061-MN in america District Court docket for the District of Delaware and Docket No. 2:23-CR-00599-MCS-1 in america District Court docket for the Central District of California.
 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I’ve hereunto signed my title and prompted the Pardon to be recorded with the Division of Justice.
 
Executed on the Metropolis of Washington this 1st day of December within the 12 months of our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-four and of the Independence of america the Two Hundred and Forty-ninth.

###

Reuters

What did Hunter Biden do?

What’s a presidential pardon?

What number of pardons produce other presidents issued?

What have Biden and Trump stated about pardons?

Nationwide Financial savings and Funding (NS&I) has introduced the 2024 December winners.

Solely two fortunate winners get to say the highest million-pound prize with the primary claimed by a winner from Kent with the bond quantity 405PY086681.

The proprietor’s profitable bond was valued at £49,950 and was bought in July 2020 with an general holding of £50,000.

The second Premium Bond winner to say £1 million is from Cumbria with bond quantity 538KR930303.

The winner has an general holding of £33,275 with a profitable bond price £10,000 bought in April 2023.

Quantity of Premium Bond prizes in December 

Each month solely two winners take residence £1 million however loads of different prizes can be found, with 71 folks profitable the second prize of £100,000 and 141 claiming £50,000.

You’ll be able to try the massive winners for November by way of the NS&I web site right here.

• £1million – 2
• £100,000 – 71
• £50,000 – 141
• £25,000 – 284
• £10,000 – 590
• £5,000 – 1,177
• £1,000 – 12,573
• £500 – 37,719
• £100 – 1,280,509
• £50 – 1,280,509
• £25 – 2,376,161

Have you ever gained a money prize on this month’s Premium Bond draw? (Picture: Getty)

Easy methods to examine when you’ve got gained on Premium Bonds

You’ll be able to examine your account by way of the NS&I web site.

Prize attracts are performed each month and see prizes as much as £1,000,000 given away.

To seek out out when you’ve got ever gained a Premium Bonds prize, you have to to dig out your holder’s info and head over to the prize checker.

RECOMMENDED READING: 

You have to your holder’s quantity which you’ll find in your bond document, or within the app.

You can too use your NS&I quantity which it is best to be capable of discover on any communication about your bonds.

Premium Bonds are the UK’s largest financial savings product, with greater than 24 million folks saving over £122 billion in them, based on Cash Saving Skilled.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars’ season took one other flip for the more serious Sunday when Trevor Lawrence sustained a concussion on a sort out by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair — which the quarterback’s teammates described as a “soiled hit.”

Lawrence was making his return to motion Sunday after lacking two video games due to a left shoulder harm. The concussion has led to questions over whether or not the Jaguars ought to shut Lawrence down for the remainder of the season moderately than danger additional harm to their franchise quarterback, who signed a five-year, $275 million contract within the offseason.

The Jaguars at the moment are 2-10 and have been formally eradicated from competition within the AFC South with the 23-20 loss to the Texans. One other loss would get rid of them from playoff competition.

Lawrence’s concussion is the most recent setback in a disappointing 2024. The season started with playoff expectations after proprietor Shad Khan mentioned this was the very best Jaguars group ever assembled. However nothing has gone to plan.

The group has been riddled with accidents, the offense has regressed, and the Jaguars entered Sunday with the worst protection within the league. Coach Doug Pederson and basic supervisor Trent Baalke additionally face unsure futures.

Right here is an preliminary have a look at Lawrence’s standing:

What will we learn about Lawrence’s harm?

Al-Shaair hit Lawrence within the head after the quarterback slid on the finish of a 6-yard scramble late within the first half, and Lawrence’s helmet hit the turf onerous as he was knocked backward. Jaguars tight finish Evan Engram retaliated in opposition to Al-Shaair, and that sparked the primary of two fights between the groups. By the point the scrum cleared, officers ejected Al-Shaair for an unlawful hit to the quarterback’s head and neck space and assessed Engram a private foul penalty.

The brawl occurred just a few yards away from Lawrence, who was down on his again together with his arms in what seemed to be the fencing posture — an involuntary place that happens after a mind harm. Lawrence was on the sphere for a number of minutes being tended to by medical employees earlier than ultimately being taken off on a cart — he rode in entrance sitting up. The group then dominated him out for the remainder of the sport due to a concussion.

Apart from confirming Lawrence is within the concussion protocol, Pederson did not have a lot info instantly after the sport as a result of he mentioned he hadn’t but talked to group medical doctors. However he did say he talked to Lawrence at halftime and that “Trevor’s going to be superb.”

Lawrence was seen strolling out of the locker room postgame together with his spouse, Marissa. He posted to X on Sunday evening saying he was “house and feeling higher.”

He should progress by means of the protocol, and that is one thing that might take days or perhaps weeks. Pederson mentioned earlier this season that he realized throughout Lawrence’s stretch of accidents final season (ankle, knee, shoulder and a concussion) that Lawrence wants apply to really feel comfy taking part in, so it is logical to imagine that if Lawrence does not return to apply till late within the week, his likelihood of taking part in in opposition to Tennessee on Sunday is not good.

Might the group shut down Lawrence for the season?

Pederson mentioned after the sport it was too quickly to consider that, however it actually would make sense. Lawrence sprained his left AC joint in opposition to the Eagles in Week 9 and had missed the group’s previous two video games. He is not utterly wholesome and earlier within the week mentioned he wasn’t going to rule out surgical procedure on his shoulder earlier than the season ended.

The Jaguars are down two beginning receivers (Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis) and the season is actually over, so they won’t need to danger his well being any additional.

Is that this Lawrence’s first concussion?

It is his second recognized concussion with the Jaguars and third recognized recognized concussion relationship again to his three-year profession at Clemson.

Lawrence suffered a concussion within the Jaguars’ Week 15 loss to Baltimore final December however began the Jaguars’ subsequent recreation in opposition to Tampa Bay. Lawrence additionally suffered a concussion in opposition to Syracuse throughout his freshman season at Clemson (2018) however began the next week in opposition to Wake Forest.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion earlier this season wherein he displayed the fencing posture. He spent 5 weeks on injured reserve. Tagovailoa had a historical past of three earlier concussions. Relying on the severity of Lawrence’s concussion, the Jaguars might decide to observe an analogous path by resting him for the remainder of the season.

Will Mac Jones proceed to be the backup if Lawrence is out long run?

Sure. The Jaguars actually do not have a lot selection. The group re-signed C.J. Beathard on Nov. 6, three days after Lawrence injured his nonthrowing shoulder in opposition to Philadelphia, as extra QB depth, and he was Jones’ backup in opposition to Minnesota and Detroit.

Beathard, who had been Lawrence’s backup from 2021 to 2023, was the emergency quarterback Sunday and was eligible to play in opposition to the Texans had Jones gotten harm. Jones had struggled in his two begins whereas Lawrence was out, throwing for a mixed 249 yards and no touchdowns with three interceptions and main the Jaguars to a mixed 13 factors in losses to Minnesota and Detroit.

Jones had his finest recreation of the season in opposition to the Texans, throwing for 235 yards and two touchdowns after Lawrence left.

NS&I has introduced this morning that the festive season is beginning early for 2 Premium Bonds holders from Kent and Cumbria who’re every unwrapping a £1 million tax-free Premium Bonds prize.

There have been over 5.8 million prizes in December’s draw, with a complete prize fund of greater than £441 million in response to NS&I.

The primary Bond quantity drawn was 405PY086681 and is held by a Bond holder in Kent. The winner has a holding of £50,000 in Premium Bonds and bought their successful Bond in July 2020. They grow to be the twenty fourth £1 million jackpot winner from Kent.

The second Bond quantity to win £1 million this month was 538KR930303 and the Bond holder lives in Cumbria. The winner holds £33,275 in Premium Bonds and bought the successful Bond in April 2023. They’re the sixth Premium Bonds jackpot millionaire from Cumbria.

Andrew Westhead, NS&I Retail Director, mentioned: 
“Congratulations to our newest Premium Bonds millionaires from Kent and Cumbria. What an exquisite early Christmas shock because the festive season begins. 

“With hundreds of thousands of tax-free prizes gained each month, Premium Bonds proceed to be a well-liked option to save, providing the joy of potential winnings.” 

December 2024 prize draw breakdown
Within the December 2024 prize draw, a complete of 5,806,049 prizes value £441,743,525 have been drawn. There have been 127,733,062,250 Bond numbers eligible for the draw. For the reason that first attract June 1957, ERNIE has now drawn 731 million prizes with a complete worth of £34.1 billion.

Unclaimed prizesPremium Bonds prize winners are notified when a prize is gained, however typically individuals transfer or change their contact particulars with out letting NS&I do know. This will result in unclaimed prizes if the Bond holder has opted to obtain prizes by cheque somewhat than paid instantly right into a checking account.
In Kent, there are at present 65,269 unclaimed prizes value over £2.3 million. The most important unclaimed prize is £50,000 from the November 2007 prize draw.
Whereas in Cumbria, 15,116 prizes with a complete worth of £517,450 are ready to be claimed by Premium Bonds holders. 

Greater than 9 in ten prizes are both paid instantly into winners’ financial institution accounts or robotically reinvested into extra Premium Bonds. Direct cost or automated reinvestment are faster and safer than ready for a cheque. Prospects can change how they obtain their prizes right here. 

Folks can test for unclaimed Premium Bonds prizes simply by utilizing NS&I’s on-line prize checker or the prize checker app utilizing their holder’s quantity.

There are at present 2,484,321 unclaimed prizes value £90,963,050 ready to be claimed by holders of Premium Bonds.

Former snooker world champion Terry Griffiths has died aged 77 after “a prolonged battle with dementia”, his household has mentioned.

Griffiths’ son Wayne wrote on Fb: “To our mates and snooker followers usually, we’re deeply saddened to share the information of our loss.

“Terry Griffiths OBE handed away peacefully on 1st December, after a prolonged battle with dementia. He was surrounded by his household in his beloved home-town in South Wales.

“A proud Welshman, Terry was born in Llanelli, introduced delight to Llanelli and now he has discovered peace in Llanelli. He wouldn’t have had it every other method.”

A ‘triple crown’ profession

Born in 1947, Griffiths began enjoying snooker on the age of 13. He additionally labored as a miner when he was 15, and later had jobs as a bus conductor, a postman, and an insurance coverage agent.

Impressed by fellow Welsh snooker participant Ray Reardon – a six-time world champion who died in July – Griffiths turned skilled and later received the World Championship in 1979 as a qualifier.

He went on to finish snooker’s illustrious “triple crown” – one in all solely 11 gamers to take action – by profitable the Masters in 1980 after which the UK Championship in 1982.

Griffiths stayed on the prime finish of the game throughout the Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties, reaching a minimum of the quarter-finals of the World Championship for 9 straight years, and reaching the ultimate once more in 1988.

After retiring in 1997, Griffiths grew to become a coach, inspiring the likes of Stephen Hendry, Mark Williams and Mark Allen. He additionally acquired an OBE in 2007 for companies to snooker.

‘A legend of a person’

Williams – a three-time world champion – was among the many first to pay tribute on social media, describing Griffiths as a “mentor, coach, pal, legend”.

Allen additionally mentioned on social media: “What a legend of a person who helped form my profession and life each on and off the desk.

“Completely heartbroken. He wasn’t only a coach, he was household.”

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After profitable the UK Championship on Sunday, present world primary Judd Trump mentioned: “It’s extremely unhappy information. He’s a legend of the sport.

“Terry was a really witty man. At any time when I used to be on the Welsh Open, he would come over and make a joke. I had a very good reference to him.

“It’s arduous to attach with a few of the older technology however he was somebody I felt I might get together with. It’s a unhappy day for Welsh sport.”

In 2020 when requested about his coiffure that appeared just like the Welshman’s, Trump mentioned: “I wish to be like Terry Griffiths. Hopefully I can play as gradual as him in the future as properly.”

Former world champion Shaun Murphy additionally mentioned: “Simply listening to the information that Terry Griffiths has handed away. My deepest condolences to his household and family members.”

The Welsh Billiards and Snooker Affiliation – of which Griffiths was president – added it was “deeply saddened” and sends its “deepest condolences to Terry’s household”.