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The IndependentFather of teen arrested with AK47 in New York subway station was killed in police shootout
18-year-old man from Ohio with assault rifle and wearing gas mask taken into custody
- The Independent
Biden news: President plays golf for first time in office as woman charged with threatening VP Harris
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- The Independent
Conservative conference with prominent QAnon supporters to close out with Covid mask-burning event
Disgraced general Michael Flynn, Tulsa Sheriff Vic Regalado, and Jim Caviezel, an actor who played Jesus in movie The Passion of the Christ, were among the speakers at the two-day event
- The Telegraph
Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai sentenced to 12 months in prison
Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was jailed for 12 months on Friday along with four other veteran democracy activists for helping to lead one of the city's biggest-ever protests. Organisers say 1.7 million people – almost one quarter of Hong Kong's population – turned out for a huge rally that formed the backbone of demonstrations that wracked the city throughout 2019. Mr Lai was among nine of Hong Kong's most prominent democracy campaigners found guilty of organising and participating in the rally. Many of them have spent decades advocating non-violence in their ultimately fruitless campaign for universal suffrage. Mr Lai, 73, was sentenced to 12 months in prison while four other campaigners were jailed for between eight and 18 months. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tweeted: "The Hong Kong authorities' decision to target leading pro-democracy figures for prosecution must stop. We will continue to stand together with the people of Hong Kong." Among the other defendants were Martin Lee, 82, a respected barrister known as the "father of democracy" in Hong Kong, who was once chosen by Beijing to help write the city's mini-constitution. They also include Margaret Ng, a 73-year-old barrister and former opposition lawmaker. Mr Lee and Ms Ng were also given prison terms, but their sentences were suspended. Mr Lai was brought to the court from custody, where he was being held after arrest under Beijing's new national security law. Seven of the defendants who had earlier pleaded not guilty submitted their mitigation on Friday morning.
- The Independent
‘It is the right thing to do’: Chelsea Clinton calls on Trump to release a vaccination photo to help win over MAGA anti-vaxxers
Referencing concerns that Republicans are warier of Covid vaccines, 41-year-old says ‘real difference’ could be made in vaccine effort with image of former president’s jab
- LA Times
U.S. pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccine could be felt the most in poor countries
Experts said that while the pause on Johnson & Johnson's vaccine may make sense for the U.S., stoppages in poorer countries would end up costing lives.
- Associated Press
Nemechek outruns boss to win NASCAR truck race at Richmond
John Hunter Nemechek passed teammate Chandler Smith with 17 laps to go and outran team owner Kyle Busch to win the NASCAR Truck Series race at Richmond Raceway on Saturday. Nemechek, already the series points leader, gave Kyle Busch Motorsports its fourth consecutive victory in the series but deprived Busch of a victory at the only track where he hasn't won in the Truck Series. Busch also was trying to become the only driver to win in all three of NASCAR's top series on the 0.75-mile, D-shaped oval.
- Kansas City Star
Two people injured in shooting in Westport, Kansas City police say
Their injuries are non-life threatening, dispatch confirmed.
- Reuters
EU, UK step up Northern Ireland talks as EU continues legal action
The European Union insisted on Friday that Britain not change trading rules in Northern Ireland on its own and said it would continue legal action against unilateral British action in the province for as long as necessary. European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic hosted UK negotiator David Frost for talks on Thursday evening and said that only agreements by joint bodies established by the Brexit divorce deal could provide stability in Northern Ireland. The British-ruled province is in the EU single market for goods to ensure an open border with EU member Ireland and so requires checks on goods coming from other parts of the United Kingdom.
- INSIDER
A Connecticut teacher raised $41,000 to help neighbors during the pandemic. He's now asking for help to settle a $16,000 tax bill as a result.
"It was a little gut-wrenching. As a teacher ... $16,000 for me is significant. It is a huge part of my yearly income," Goffinet told WVIT.
- BBC
Helen McCrory: Peaky Blinders actress dies aged 52, husband Damian Lewis says
The star, who has died of cancer, was a "beautiful and mighty woman", her husband Damian Lewis said.
- BBC
Helen McCrory: Stars pay tribute to Peaky Blinders actress
Cillian Murphy, JK Rowling and Sir Sam Mendes lead tributes to the "fearless and magnificent" actress.
- The Independent
Elon Musk’s SpaceX will build spacecraft to land Nasa astronauts on moon, report says
Artemis will land the first woman and person of colour on the moon
- LA Times
Angels' games Saturday and Sunday postponed because of Twins' COVID issues
MLB postponed the Angels' games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday against visiting Minnesota because of the Twins' multiple positive COVID-19 tests.
- Reuters
Myanmar releases prisoners for New Year, though likely not dissidents
Saturday is the first day of the traditional New Year in Myanmar and the last day of a five-day holiday that is usually celebrated with visits to Buddhist temples and rowdy water throwing and partying in the streets. Pro-democracy activists called for the cancellation of the festivities this year and instead for people to focus on a campaign to restore democracy after the military's ouster of the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Suu Kyi is among 3,141 people arrested in connection with the coup, according to a tally by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) activist group.
- Charlotte Observer
Why the Hornets will ‘look hard’ at rookie Vernon Carey the rest of this NBA season
The former Duke star Carey scored 21 points in his debut as an NBA starter.
- The Independent
Death toll rises to four after vessel capsized in freak storm amid fears for nine men still missing
The Seacor Power vessel capsized on Tuesday in the Gulf of Mexico during a severe storm with 19 people onboard. Nine men are still missing
- The Independent
From Asian hate crime to a minimum wage: 25 things Ted Cruz has voted against this year
All the votes the Texas senator opposed in 2021 – including not one confirmation of a woman to the position of Cabinet secretary
- Business Insider
Biden is running out of time to dodge Trump's traps with Iran
The window of opportunity to revive the deal is closing, and Biden will need to act quickly and boldly to clear away the political traps set by Trump.
- LA Times
Elliott: Season's first taste of Dodgers-Padres drama has everyone wanting more
The first game this season between the Dodgers and Padres wasn't April baseball as we usually see it. It was madness and it was magical.