Author: Fox News

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., on Friday said an impeachment inquiry against President Biden will only move forward if there is a formal House vote. 

“To open an impeachment inquiry is a serious matter, and House Republicans would not take it lightly or use it for political purposes. The American people deserve to be heard on this matter through their elected representatives,” McCarthy told Breitbart News in a statement. “That’s why, if we move forward with an impeachment inquiry, it would occur through a vote on the floor of the People’s House and not through a declaration by one person.”

McCarthy’s position is a departure from how his predecessor Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., handled the first impeachment inquiry against former President Donald Trump. In 2019, Pelosi unilaterally proclaimed that the House would advance an impeachment inquiry against Trump after the controversy over his infamous phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

“This week, the president has admitted to asking the president of Ukraine to take actions which would benefit him politically,” Pelosi said on Sept. 24, 2019. “Therefore, today, I’m announcing the House of Representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry. I’m directing our six committees to proceed with their investigations under that umbrella.

HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERS WANT TO LAUNCH BIDEN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY NEXT MONTH, SOURCES SAY

U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks to reporters outside the Speakers Balcony at the U.S. Capitol Building on July 25, 2023 in Washington, DC. McCarthy held the media availability with reporters to discuss a potential impeachment inquiry against U.S. President Joe Biden that would focus on the Biden family’s alleged financial misconduct. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“The president must be held accountable,” she continued. “No one is above the law.”

Initially, the Trump White House refused to cooperate with the investigation, raising concerns that the whole House had not voted to launch the inquiry. It wasn’t until weeks later, on Oct. 31, 2019, that the House would authorize the impeachment inquiry by a vote of 232 to 196. 

A McCarthy spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Sources told Fox News Digital that House Republican leaders are looking to launch an impeachment inquiry against Biden this month. 

TOP OVERSIGHT DEMOCRAT URGES COMER, REPUBLICANS TO SUBPOENA TRUMP’S SON-IN-LAW JARED KUSHNER

Republicans have been investigating President Joe Biden (L) for his alleged involvement with his son Hunter Biden’s (R) foreign business dealings.  (Fox News)

McCarthy told GOP lawmakers in a members-only conference call on Monday night that an impeachment inquiry is “the natural progression from our investigations that have been going on,” one Republican who has been granted anonymity to discuss the call said. 

The lawmaker said Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio., informed members on an earlier call that McCarthy suggested the House would vote on opening an impeachment inquiry next month.

“What Jim Jordan said was that McCarthy told him that it was…coming to the floor in September,” the lawmaker said.

A source familiar with the discussions similarly told Fox News Digital that McCarthy told several conference members that Congress’ probes have enough momentum to push for an impeachment inquiry in the fall after lawmakers return from August recess.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS LAUNCH INVESTIGATION INTO CAUSE OF MAUI WILDFIRES

The president and his son Hunter Biden are under scrutiny by three separate House GOP-led committees over allegations of bribery and other corruption in the latter’s foreign business dealings. They are also looking into a plea deal nearly struck between Hunter Biden and the Justice Department in a years-long investigation into the First Son’s taxes – though that deal has since fallen apart.

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The House of Representatives is returning from its six-week August recess on Sept. 12, at which point the impeachment inquiry will likely take a backseat to Congress’ race to strike a deal on funding the government by Sept. 30 – otherwise risking a partial government shutdown. 

Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report. 

Celebrities from the world of music and beyond are mourning the loss of Jimmy Buffett.

The “Margaritaville” singer/songwriter passed away at age 76 on Friday, surrounded by his friends and family, according to a statement on his website and social media accounts.

Elton John shared a touching tribute to Buffet on his social media, writing, “Jimmy Buffett was a unique and treasured entertainer. His fans adored him and he never let them down. This is the saddest of news. A lovely man gone way too soon.”

“Condolences to Jane and the family from David and me,” he added, referring to Buffettt’s wife Jane Slagsvol and their three children: Savannah, Sarah and Cameron.

DREW CAREY, ADAM SANDLER LEAD STARS PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE LATE BOB BARKER: ‘AMERICAN TREASURE’

Elton John shared his condolences to Buffett’s family an a touching tribute on Instagram. (Elton John/Instagram)

Jimmy Buffett passed away at age 76, surrounded by friends and family according to a statement on his social media. ( Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys shared a simple message reading, “Love and Mercy” on his X account.

Fellow Beach Boys member Mike Love shared a tribute to the star, recalling performing with him several years ago on stage.

“Your music brought joy to so many people, including me. It was always a pleasure when our paths crossed and we were able to share the stage together. I will hold dear our time spent together on stage, especially you singing “Kokomo” with us,” Love wrote. 

“Your sense of humor and gracious nature was a pleasure to be a round. Although we’ll miss you, we’ll continue to enjoy the beautiful music that you’ve blessed upon us. No more shoes, just your toes in heaven’s sand. Rest in peace Brother Jimmy.” 

John Stamos shared a clip from a performance of “Kokomo” with Buffett and Love, writing, “Rest well, Jimmy. Thank you for the teaching us all to live life to the fullest. What a loss.”

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Toby Keith shared photos of himself with the iconic singer over the years, writing, “The pirate has passed. RIP Jimmy Buffett. Tremendous influence on so many of us.”

Kenny Chesney posted a video of himself sitting on the beach in Key West, Florida, playing Buffett’s song “A Pirate Looks at Forty,” and recalled their friendship.

“So goodbye Jimmy. Thanks for your friendship and the songs I will carry in my heart forever. Sail On Sailor,” he wrote.

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Blake Shelton shared a behind the scenes memory of working on his series “Barmageddon” with the late icon.

“Heart broken this morning hearing of Jimmy Buffett’s passing. What an incredible talent and man. His songs will live on forever. I’ll bet most of y’all don’t know that he wrote the theme song for @BarmageddonUSA for me about 2 years ago. Raising a glass today to the Son of a son of a Sailer.”

On David Letterman’s official Facebook page, he shared a clip from an early appearance by “The great Jimmy Buffett” on his show, performing two songs, “Distantly in Love” and “Come Monday,” as well as their interview.

“Today” host Hoda Kotb shared a memory of her mom meeting the “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” singer.

“Oh no. This man personified joy. Embodied goodness. Always smiling. I remember the time he met my mom at jazzfest and showered her with love… like he knew her his whole life. Bet he did that millions of times to millions of people. RIP,” Kotb wrote.

Bravo host Andy Cohen posted a throwback pic of Buffett, writing, “The king of cool… paradise was wherever Jimmy Buffet was.”

“Top Gun: Maverick” star Miles Teller shared a quote along with a photo of himself and “the legend” Buffett.

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“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination,” he wrote.

“Blue Bloods” star Donnie Wahlberg recalled working with Buffett, saying he was one of the “absolute nicest guys I ever knew.”

“Jimmy Buffett was that guy,” Wahlber wrote. “The coolest, and one of the absolute nicest, guys I ever knew. I was so looking forward to seeing you, and working with you, again Jimmy. Now, I’ll look forward to catching a most heavenly sunset with you some day, instead. My eternal respect and gratitude to you, my friend.”

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President Joe Biden issued a statement on the passing of Buffett, noting his songs “celebrate a uniquely American cast of characters.”

“A poet of paradise, Jimmy Buffett was an American music icon who inspired generations to step back and find the joy in life and in one another,” the statement read. “His witty, wistful songs celebrate a uniquely American cast of characters and seaside folkways, weaving together an unforgettable musical mix of country, folk, rock, pop, and calypso into something uniquely his own.”

It continued, “We had the honor to meet and get to know Jimmy over the years, and he was in life as he was performing on stage – full of goodwill and joy, using his gift to bring people together.”

U.S. President Joe Biden issued a statement honoring the passing of iconic “Margaritaville” musician Jimmy Buffett, calling him a “poet of paradise.” (REUTERS/Joshua Roberts)

“Over more than 50 studio and live albums and thousands of performances to devoted Parrot Heads around the world, Jimmy reminded us how much the simple things in life matter – the people we love, the places we’re from, the hopes we have on the horizon. A two-time Grammy nominee and winner of multiple country music awards, he was also a best-selling writer, businessman, pilot, and conservationist who championed the waters and Gulf Coast that he so loved.”

The statement concluded with condolences to Buffett’s family, friends, and fans, reading, “Jill and I send our love to his wife of 46 years, Jane; to their children, Savannah, Sarah, and Cameron; to their grandchildren; and to the millions of fans who will continue to love him even as his ship now sails for new shores.”

Bill Richardson, a former two-term Democratic governor of New Mexico and later U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has died. He was 75.

The Richardson Center for Global Engagement, which he founded, said in a statement Saturday that he died in his sleep at his home in Chatham, Massachusetts.

“Governor Richardson passed away peacefully in his sleep last night. He lived his entire life in the service of others — including both his time in government and his subsequent career helping to free people held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad. There was no person that Governor Richardson would not speak with if it held the promise of returning a person to freedom. The world has lost a champion for those held unjustly abroad and I have lost a mentor and a dear friend,” said Mickey Bergman, vice president of the Richardson Center.

“Right now our focus is on supporting his family, including his wife Barbara of over 50 years, who was with him when he passed. We will share further information as it becomes available,” he added. 

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Bill Richardson, former governor of New Mexico, speaks during the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. Richardson died in his sleep at his home in Chatham, Massachusetts, the Richardson Center for Global Engagement announced Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.  (Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Richardson was a U.S. congressman and Secretary of Energy under President Bill Clinton in addition to his roles as governor and ambassador to the U.N. 

However, he is best known for his post-government career, in which he worked with his nonprofit foundation to free people held as political prisoners or hostages in foreign countries. 

Founded in 2011, the Richardson Center for Global Engagement has worked with more than 80 million families and provided them support and guidance while their loved ones were detained abroad. Richardson engaged in “fringe diplomacy” to bring foreign parties to the negotiating table and bring those detained back home, the center said.

NEW MEXICO AG VOWS TO PROCEED WITH EDUCATION LAWSUIT

FILE – Bill Richardson, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. addresses the press in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday, March 26, 1998. Richardson also served as a U.S. congressman, Secretary of Energy for President Bill Clinton, and two-term governor of New Mexico.  (AP Photo/Donald Stampfli, File)

Fox News Digital confirmed in May that Richardson was involved in freeing WNBA star Brittney Griner from Russian custody. Richardson previously helped secure the release of American journalist Danny Fenster from a Burmese prison in November.

Richardson’s work earned him multiple nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize, including for this year. 

Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., issued a statement calling Richardson a “giant in public service and government.” 

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FILE – Former U.S. diplomat Bill Richardson speaks to reporters during a news conference in New York, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

“In his post-government career, he was trusted to handle some of the most sensitive diplomatic crises, and he did so with great success. Here in New Mexico, we will always remember him as our Governor. He never stopped fighting for the state he called home,” Luján said. 

“Governor Richardson was a close friend who held the same House seat that I was elected to. He knew how to get things done, and he worked closely with my late father in the Legislature.

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“His passing is incredibly heartbreaking for so many New Mexicans who knew and respected him. He leaves behind a legacy that will never be matched, and one that New Mexicans will always take pride in. My prayers are with Barbara, the Richardson family, and all New Mexicans. His memory will always be a blessing.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

A 16-year-old was killed, and a 28-year-old was wounded, in a Friday-night shooting at a school sporting event in Louisiana.

The shooting took place outside a West Baton Rouge School District stadium during a game between Port Allen High School and Brusly High School. 

“We are deeply saddened by the shooting that took place at the Port Allen High/Brusly High football game on Friday night,” the West Baton Rouge School Board wrote in a statement following the tragedy. “Our first priorities at this time are to assist the family of the student who died, and all our students, and to assist the West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office in its investigation.”

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Image of Port Allen High School taken from Google Maps. (Google Maps)

“Although we had extra security at this game, it ended in a tragic incident. At this time, we ask for prayers for all involved. We will have crisis teams ready to talk with and assist our students at our high schools when classes resume on Tuesday morning. And while we do not expect any problems at schools, we will have an increased security presence at schools for the coming period.”

The 16-year-old victim was shot in the head and taken to the local hospital, where they died from their wounds. The 28-year-old victim was shot in the arm.

The victims have not yet been identified beyond their ages.

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“We have on-going programs in our schools that teach students ways to resolve disputes with their peers. We will re-double those efforts and work with the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office and others in the coming months to teach our students that violence destroys many people’s lives,” said Superintendent Chandler Smith.

Satellite image of the Port Allen High School football stadium taken from Google Earth. (Google Maps)

He added, “Our prayers are with everyone touched by this tragedy. In times like these, our entire community grieves. By loving and supporting each other, we will get through it.”

Officials ended the game at halftime after the incident, moving bystanders out of the area as medics and law enforcement arrived at the scene.

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The investigation is ongoing, and a suspect has not yet been identified.

UFC legend and Hawaii native B.J. Penn decried the state’s leadership as the people of Maui try to recover and rebuild after fires that killed more than 100 and wiped out the historic city of Lahaina.

Penn, who came in second in the primary to 2022 GOP gubernatorial nominee Duke Aiona, told Fox News the civic distrust is getting so intense, the politics of Hawaii might be shifting to the center.

“They say that the state is very left, and it’s that type of state, but I think everybody’s starting to pick up real quick about what’s going on — about the agenda, about, you know, the state wants to take over everything,” Penn said on “Jesse Watters Primetime” Thursday. 

“Hawaii has always been a socialist-communist state, and it’s time to get out of it. The people are in the position right now with this, with the… assessment property tax. It’s killing everybody. Everybody’s going to have to leave.”

Host Jesse Watters further reported that Mauians are concerned about “vulture developers” seeking “land grabs” of devastated properties that the wealthy moguls could build back with an eye for the millionaire class instead of working-class native Hawaiians. 

EX-FEMA CHIEF CALLS BIDEN’S MAUI FIRE RESPONSE ‘ABJECT FAILURE’

Penn recently spoke passionately at a local meeting where he accused public officials of disrespecting their “employees” — the citizens of Hawaii.

BJ Penn is seen in attendance during UFC 267 in Yas Island, UAE (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty)

“We come here to talk about something and then you guys start fighting back with us,” Penn said at the meeting. “You work for us. You don’t talk to your boss like that, right? Who talks to the boss like that? Shame.”

The former UFC champion argued some actions by those in Honolulu are politically motivated rather than service-oriented.

“That’s not what Hawaii is about. ‘Aloha’ is the law.”

On “Jesse Watters Primetime,” Penn said public officials are like “waiters,” but Hawaii’s leaders have forgotten they serve and answer to the people. He claimed some officials have openly argued with residents.

“You’re here for us, and I knew when — because I ran for governor, and I knew that as soon as I got in, [these] would be my first words: At your service,” he said.

Watters presented Penn with comments from Hawaii Democratic Gov. Josh Green from an interview on CNN.

“Of course, people are traumatized, and we’re in an era of mistrust, and I respect that… We have to build trust, like with all things, so we’ll be building back,” Green said.

“We want everyone to know that we’ll only build Lahaina back when the people of Lahaina tell us how they want to do it,” the governor added.

In a statement in August, Green also touted how quickly the state, working with other partners, has been able to start “housing more than 4,400 shelter survivors and hotel employee survivors, while some 900 people are booked in Airbnb units.”

Green also released $30 million from a discretionary fund to help with recovery, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 

MAUI FIRE VICTIMS RECEIVING SCANT SUPPORT FROM ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, GABBARD CLAIMS

Charred remains of a burned neighborhood is seen in the aftermath of a wildfire, in Lahaina (YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty)

Penn argued it is “obvious” developers are salivating over recently leveled swaths of Maui. He suggested they could first target Lahaina to “set a precedent there, and then come to all the other places.” 

Penn quipped that despite hailing from Hilo — the easternmost city in Hawaii, over on Big Island — he will proudly stand with Mauians across the Alenuihaha Channel. 

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“I’ve got no problem fighting these guys for any state, city, land, one acre, a quarter-acre — whatever it is, 100 feet — we’ve got to fight them,” he said.

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The college football season is officially underway, and there is already a candidate for “catch of the year.” 

Michigan State opened its season Friday night against Central Michigan with the Spartans moving to 1-0 on the season in a 31-7 win over the Chippewas. 

Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Tyrell Henry (2) eludes a pair of Central Michigan defenders on a punt return during a college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and Central Michigan Chippewas on September 1, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.  (Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

In the fourth quarter with Michigan State up 17-7, Spartans quarterback Noah Kim floated a pass into the endzone from the Central Michigan 10-yard line. 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 1 PREVIEW: DEION SANDERS MAKES COLORADO DEBUT

Wide receiver Tyrell Henry leaped into the air to make the grab, coming down with a brilliant one-handed touchdown catch, the first of his collegiate career.

Henry, a sophomore, finished the night with two catches for 25 yards as Michigan State pulled away in the fourth quarter. 

“It’s a SportsCenter highlight,” Central Michigan coach Jim McElwain said of the catch, according to Michigan Live. 

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Michigan State wide receiver Tyrell Henry (2) makes a catch for a touchdown against Central Michigan defensive back De’Javion Stepney (5) during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, September 1, 2023. (Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Henry did not have a catch in his freshman season, but he did average over 18 yards on kickoff returns.

“My whole goal coming to college was to be the playmaker,” Henry said. “Even when I was younger, I’ve always been the player that’s going to be explosive. That’s what I bring, the elusiveness, the quickness, stuff like that.”

Michigan State is coming off a disappointing season in 2022, going 5-7 in Mel Tucker’s third season as head coach. 

Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after a play in the fourth quarter of a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Spartan Stadium on September 1, 2023, in East Lansing, Michigan.  (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

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“We started slow, but we kept chopping,” Tucker said after beating Central Michigan, via 247 Sports. “We were able to execute in all three phases and get the win. It’s a good start for us, we’re 1-0. The 24-hour rule, we’re gonna get back to work, get on Richmond. We expect to have a better football team next week.” 

The Spartans welcome the Richmond Spiders to East Lansing in Week 2. 

Russia has deployed the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles that President Vladimir Putin once said would make the world “think twice” for combat, its Roscosmos space agency said Friday. 

“The Sarmat strategic complex has been put on combat duty,” Roscosmos general director Yuri Borisov said, Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency reported, according to the Moscow Times. 

Putin first announced Sarmat, also called “Satan II,” in 2018. The ballistic missile system is capable of carrying at least 10 nuclear warheads and is intended to replace the R-36 ICBMs that are known by the NATO reporting name of Satan.

“Putin is clearly strategic messaging to the United States and NATO that nuclear option in Ukraine remains on the table,” Rebekah Koffler, president of Doctrine & Strategy Consulting and a former Defense Intelligence Agency officer, told Fox News Digital.

PUTIN ALLY CLAIMS WEST FAILS TO ‘FULLY REALIZE’ THREAT OF NUCLEAR WAR WITH RUSSIA

Russia has deployed the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles for combat duty.  (Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via Reuters/File)

She added that Putin “placed Russia’s nuclear forces on a special combat regime shortly after he invaded Ukraine out of the fear that the US and NATO may intervene on behalf of Ukraine. So the fallback option is the so-called escalate to de-escalate strategy, which envisions a detonation of a tactical (small yield) nuclear warhead on the battlefield, to deter US/NATO intervention.”

Sarmat is a “strategic weapon, reserved for strategic targets, like the United States,” Koffler, who wrote the book “Putin’s Playbook: Russia’s Secret Plan to Defeat America” and has briefed the Pentagon, the White House, National Security Council and NATO on Russia’s nuclear doctrine, explained. 

“But Putin would never attack the US homeland kinetically, especially with nuclear weapons, unless of course, Russia detects signs that we attack them first. So this Sarmat move is for deterrence purposes,” she added. 

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Russian President Vladimir Putin once said Sarmat would make the world “think twice.” (Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images/File)

After Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Putin claimed Sarmat would “reliably ensure the security of Russia from external threats and make those who, in the heat of aggressive rhetoric, try to threaten our country, think twice,” she said. 

Koffler said that much of Russia’s media, including RIA Novosti, Gazeta and Young Moscow Communist, has published an English article translated into Russian claiming that Sarmat could wipe out London in six minutes. 

“So the deterrence message appears to be directed at the UK in this case, which is of course a committed supporter of Ukraine,”Koffler noted. “Again, Putin will not attack London or any NATO country, unless Russian intelligence concludes that Russia is about to be attacked by NATO.” 

She said the fear of “unintended escalation” is what keeps her and other national security professionals “up at night.” 

The Kremlin’s Spasskaya Tower in central Moscow, Russia.  (Reuters/Evgenia Novozhenina/File)

“In other words, when a kinetic strike is authorized by mistake because of a flawed assessment by intelligence services and conflict spirals out of control,” she explained. “That is what wargaming conducted by the US intelligence community has revealed. A local or regional conflict such as the one between Russia and Ukraine now spills out because of miscalculation or misunderstanding, dragging in the US and NATO. At that point, it has to go nuclear, in Russia’s view because of its conventional inferiority vis-à-vis NATO. This is why nuclear weapons have always been the centerpiece of Russia’s war-fighting doctrine. The longer this conflict drags on, the higher the risk of a direct war between Russia and the U.S.” 

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She added, “At the same time, Putin knows that Washington and especially the Biden Administration fear such a war with Russia, so he plays up the nuclear card. It’s a conundrum for us.” 

On Friday, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters he couldn’t confirm the Russian reports. 

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

• The Supreme Court in North Carolina has decided to not overturn the conviction and death sentence of a man who sexually abused, tortured, and murdered a 4-year-old girl under his care.
• In 2010, Jonathan Douglas Richardson killed Teghan Skiba while her mother, Richardson’s then-girlfriend, was traveling for Army Reserve training.
• Richardson is among more than a hundred people sentenced to capital punishment in North Carolina.

The North Carolina Supreme Court upheld on Friday the first-degree murder conviction and death sentence of a man found by a jury to have abused and tortured his then-girlfriend’s 4-year-old daughter.

In a 6-1 ruling, the state’s highest court kept in place the conviction of and punishment for Jonathan Douglas Richardson in the July 2010 death of Teghan Skiba.

Prosecutors during his 2014 trial said that Richardson killed the girl while she was in his care for 10 days when the girl’s mother went to New Mexico for Army Reserve training.

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North Carolina man Jonathan Douglas Richardson killed a 4-year-old girl in July 2010. The state Supreme Court has decided to not overturn his conviction and death sentence.

Investigators accused Richardson, who was living in an outbuilding behind his grandparents’ home in Johnston County at the time of the death, of shaking the girl violently and hitting her head against something. An autopsy determined the cause of her death was blunt force trauma to the head.

The girl’s body contained numerous “lacerations, puncture wounds, burns, bite marks and bruising” and evidence of sexual abuse, according to the prevailing opinion written by Associate Justice Michael Morgan. The jury also found Richardson guilty on kidnapping, sexual offense with a child and child abuse counts.

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“We conclude that defendant received a fair trial and capital sentencing proceeding free of prejudicial error and that the death sentence recommended by the jury and imposed by the trial court is not excessive or disproportionate,” Morgan wrote in his opinion, which covered more than 180 pages.

Associate Justice Anita Earls wrote a dissenting opinion, saying while she affirmed the conviction, a new sentencing hearing was needed because “the trial court committed both structural error and allowed the State to present unfairly prejudicial evidence.”

Richardson, now 34, is among more than 130 people on North Carolina’s death row. The state last carried out an execution in 2006.

Commuters in Karachi, Pakistan experienced an unusual traffic jam on Tuesday, August 29, when a lion escaped and was roaming about the road. 

The lion “escaped from a private vehicle,” Reuters reported — and was on the lam for about two hours before it was captured.

Karachi police said the lion was in transit when it made its great escape during rush-hour traffic.

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“Our teams rushed here immediately. Praise be to Allah, it is with us safely and no one is in danger now,” wildlife inspector Mukhtyar Soomro told Reuters. 

Video from the scene shows the lion being led out by the scruff of its neck. 

A lion that escaped from a private vehicle amid heavy traffic is shown captured in this video screengrab, in Karachi, Pakistan, on Aug. 29, 2023. Nobody was injured during the two hours the lion was roaming free. (REUTERS TV/via REUTERS)

The lion was captured after it apparently grew bored with walking through traffic and wandered into the basement of a building, said Reuters. 

A witness at the scene told the news agency that there was a “massive traffic jam” of both media vehicles and curious onlookers who were trying to spot the lion. 

Pakistan’s Wildlife Department said the lion had been taken to a compound. 

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“The owner of the lion has been detained and a case will be registered against him,” Senior Superintendent of Police Shiraz Nazir said in a statement.

It was later reported in Pakistani media that the lion’s owner, Shamsul Haq, along with four other dependents, had been given bail. 

People carry a cage for capturing a lion that escaped from a private vehicle in this video screengrab, in Karachi, Pakistan, Aug. 29, 2023.  (REUTERS TV/via REUTERS)

While it is illegal to keep exotic animals such as lions, as pets in residential areas, the practice is “not uncommon” in Pakistan, said Reuters.

“Wealthy businessmen have been known to operate private zoos and sometimes parade the animals for the public,” said the agency.

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In court, Haq stated, “I don’t want the lion” — and that the “court may hand over its custody to anyone it deems fit.” 

There was a “massive traffic jam” of both media vehicles and curious onlookers. 

Pakistani media reported it is thought that Haq and others were in the process of illegally smuggling the lion to another province when the big cat got out of the vehicle.

Lions are not native to Pakistan — but are often illegally kept as pets. (FOX)

Initially, the five suspects tried to say that the lion was sick and that they were taking it to see the veterinarian, said Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune. 

That story fell apart, said The Express Tribune, when officials detected “the presence of an aged tortoise” in the vehicle. 

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On Wednesday, the medical team at the Karachi Zoo, where the lion is being held, found that the lion had no health problems, further casting doubt on the story. 

Haq admitted to officials that he bought the lion about a year ago, when the animal was 18 months old. 

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It is still unclear as to how or why the lion escaped in transit.

Officials told The Express Tribune that they believe it could have gotten “agitated” from being transported in a very small and dilapidated cage. 

Reuters contributed reporting to this article. 

“Friends” director James Burrows is sharing details that could have altered the beloved sitcom.

In his new memoir, “Directed By James Burrows,” the director explains that Ross Geller’s wife, Emily, was nearly recast because of the lack of chemistry Helen Baxendale (Emily) had with David Schwimmer (Ross).

“She was nice, but not particularly funny,” Burrows wrote in his memoir of Helen, according to People magazine.

“Friends” originally went on-air in 1994. (Photo by: David Bjerke/NBCU Photo Bank)

Per the outlet, Burrows explained that it was hard to find chemistry like Ross and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) has onscreen.

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“Schwimmer had no one to bounce off,” Burrows said. “It was like clapping with one hand.”

The 82-year-old director continued, “In sitcoms and any type of romantic comedy, the funny is just as important as the chemistry. We discovered that any new girlfriend for Ross needed to be as funny as Rachel.”

Helen Baxendale as Emily Waltham, David Schwimmer as Ross Geller in “Friends.” (Photo by Joseph Del Valle)

Casting a new actress to portray Emily was never completely off the table for Burrows, but due to the sitcom’s “tight” schedule, it never happened.

“Often, you can’t recast, because of tight shooting deadlines or other logistical considerations,” Burrows said. “You need someone who gets laughs. Sometimes you start an arc and it ain’t working out, so you have to get rid of that person. If it’s a day player, it’s a quick goodbye.”

Burrows said that if the opposite were true and there was chemistry “the writers go to work to figure out some way of keeping the actor.”

Ross and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) eventually rekindled their romance in “Friends.” (Photo by Oliver Upton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

Baxendale appeared as Emily in a total of 14 episodes and made her debut in season four. Emily and Ross’ wedding appeared in season five.

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Longtime “Friends” fans will remember their wedding – specifically when Ross Geller infamously muttered Rachel’s name during his wedding vows to Emily.

Eventually, Ross and Rachel reunited. At the “Friends” reunion special in 2021, Schwimmer shed some insight on his and Aniston’s onscreen romance.

“Friends” went off-air in 2004. (NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

“At some point, we were crushing hard on eachother,” he began. “But it was like two ships passing because one of us was always in a relationship and we never crossed that boundary. We respected that.”

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Aniston said, “Honestly, I remember saying one time to David, ‘It’s going to be such a bummer if the first time you and I actually kiss is going to be on national television.'”