Last week, Donald Trump, Biden’s chief political opponent, was convicted on 34 felony counts of murder. And Joe Biden said that the justice system had worked. Any talk about the justice system not working was “undermining our democracy,” was “undermining our institutions.” But now, Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, is in the dock in Wilmington, Delaware, on federal gun charges because it turns out that he pretty clearly lied on his gun registration form when he went to buy a gun. He clearly was a drug addict. He lied on his forms about being a drug addict. All of that culminated in a situation in which his girlfriend, who at the time was his brother’s widow, apparently was so afraid of Hunter having a gun that she took it, drove it over to a local store, and tossed it in a trash can which happened to be near a school. The Secret Service then tried to cover it up. As you’ll recall, this was looked into by Joe Biden’s DOJ. There are whistleblowers who came forward alleging that the Biden DOJ had essentially hamstrung prosecutors from investigating Hunter Biden’s involvement with his father, Joe, and went out of their way to cut some sort of deal to close the tax case that was also being investigated against Hunter Biden. There were two simultaneous cases being investigated against Hunter Biden. One was the gun charge. The other was the fact that Hunter Biden had spent his entire adult life traveling around the globe, picking up stacks of cash on behalf of the Biden family, because Joe Biden is an extraordinarily corrupt politician on behalf of his own family. Literally every adult member of his family has trafficked in Joe Biden’s name in order to make money, with Joe Biden’s permission and or involvement. WATCH: The Ben Shapiro Show So there was a full-scale tax investigation going on. Whistleblowers came forward, and they said that Joe Biden’s DOJ had been told to basically look the other way on the tax investigation. This all came to a head when it turned out that the DOJ tried to cut a sweetheart deal with Hunter Biden wherein he would be essentially directed to rehab for his drug problem but as part of the plea agreement, all the tax charges would simply go away. They would randomly be dismissed. The judge in that particular case looked at this plea agreement and said this makes no sense, how is this okay? Why is it my job to excuse him on the tax charges because you are trying to sign some sort of agreement with him on the drug charges? She asked the prosecution if they were actually freeing him up on the tax charges? They said no. The defense then said if you’re not freeing him up on the tax charges, then we’re not taking the deal. We’re not going to plead guilty in any way if you’re not going to free him up on the tax charges. The prosecution and the defense had essentially gotten together and decided to try to sneak one past the judge. The judge said no and the whole thing blew up. That’s how you end up with a prosecution in Wilmington, Delaware, on these gun charges. This is an open and shut case. It is obvious that Hunter Biden lied on his federal drug forms on his federal gun forms. The Wall Street Journal reported: On a Friday evening in October 2018, Hunter Biden rolled up in a black Cadillac to StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply in the Delaware city where he had been born and raised. A salesman standing in the window didn’t initially recognize him as the son of the state’s longtime Democratic senator, now-President Biden, and would later recall declining a tip from the younger Biden as he purchased a .38-caliber Colt Cobra revolver. Hunter’s clearly guilty. Everyone in the family knew that he was a drug addict. The Wall Street Journal noted: In the gun case, federal prosecutors are planning to use the younger Biden’s own words against him. They are expected to draw from excerpts of Biden’s memoir published in 2021, ‘Beautiful Things.’ Among the excerpts is a section of the book about his return to Delaware in October 2018. ‘All my energy revolved around smoking drugs and making arrangements to buy drugs—feeding the beast,’ Hunter Biden wrote in one excerpt that prosecutors referenced in court filings. Hunter literally wrote in his memoir about being a drug addict at a time he was lying on his federal gun forms. The Journal continues: In court papers ahead of trial, federal prosecutors have also previewed a witness list that includes Hunter Biden’s ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, and Hallie Biden. Prosecutors didn’t reference either woman by name, but both are identifiable by the descriptions of their respective relationships to Hunter Biden, who had a romantic relationship with Hallie Biden following his brother’s death. Prosecutors said Buhle checked Hunter Biden’s car periodically because she didn’t want their children in a vehicle with drugs. On about a dozen occasions, prosecutors said, she found drugs or paraphernalia, which she discarded in a trash can. In a March 2018 text message, she wrote: “I also found a few crack pipes. I took them out because our daughter was driving the car.” Hunter Biden’s defense supposedly is the legality of the gun sale. They’re going to try and blame it on the gun shop. They’re going to say they should have known that he was lying then. They shouldn’t have sold him the gun in the first place, because also they accepted Biden’s passport as identification. So what is really going on here? I’ll tell you what’s really going on here. Joe Biden won Wilmington, Delaware, the jurisdiction for this trial and his hometown, 26,688 votes to 3,580 votes. Donald Trump won roughly 11.8% of the vote in the jurisdiction where Hunter Biden is currently being tried. Delaware is a very small state. Joe Biden has long been the favorite son of Delaware because he’s brought home the bacon. Joe Biden was largely involved in the transformation of Delaware from a sleepy backwater to a place where most businesses are organized, particularly credit card businesses, which have made an absolute bundle of their association with Joe Biden over the years. In other words, this is Joe Biden’s town. This is so much Joe Biden’s town that there are buildings named for him at the University of Delaware, where his wife got her PhD. The Biden family owns Wilmington. This is the opposite of Donald Trump’s Manhattan trial. You have very strong charges against Hunter Biden, but you have a jury pool in which likely the vast majority of them voted for Hunter’s dad. In Trump’s case, there was a very weak case against Donald Trump, a case that didn’t even specify one specific crime, but you had a jury pool that hated Donald Trump. So here’s the question for Biden: Is it better for Joe Biden’s campaign if Hunter Biden is convicted or if he is acquitted? If Hunter Biden is acquitted, everyone is going to see this for what it is, which is that the DOJ tried to cut a sweetheart deal with Joe Biden’s son. They failed when a judge called them on it. Then they brought the prosecution in a jurisdiction that is the most favorable jurisdiction in human history for a defendant, and then either Hunter gets acquitted or there’s a hung jury. Does that look like a justice system that is working on behalf of the people? Does that really sound like what Joe Biden said about Donald Trump? That no one is above the law if he gets convicted? Will Hunter be acquitted? It’s doubtful. The charges are too strong. But could there be a hung jury? You bet. I’d bet there are at least one or two holdouts inside that jury who believe that the only reason that Hunter is being brought up on charges at all is because of an attempt by the DOJ to look evenhanded. And if there is a hung jury, Biden will bloviate about how the jury system worked yet again.

President Joe Biden’s 2024 presidential campaign said this week that the stakes for the upcoming election are “sky high” so it will again accept dark money donations despite previously condemning such donations.  Biden’s campaign made the statement to CBS News as it reported on a massive $64 million anonymous donation that was sent to his campaign in 2020. The donation was routed to his campaign coffers through the Impetus Fund, a 501c4 tax-exempt organization that says it is focused on “social welfare.”  This pledge to accept dark money comes after Biden previously said that dark money “erodes public trust” and that it “flows in the shadows to influence our elections.” However, like in 2020, Biden has again signaled he has no issue taken money that is routed to his campaign coffers without scrutiny. “The stakes of this election are sky high,” a Biden adviser told CBS. “We will protect our democracy with every tool that is legally available.” The focus on Biden’s acceptance of dark money comes with lingering questions about the mysterious $64 million donation. A large bulk of that donation, $55 million, was moved from Impetus to Future Forward USA Action, a nonprofit Biden super PAC. Then, Future Forward USA Action sent $60 million to Future Forward PAC for use in electioneering, CBS News reported. Since the money was sent to the nonprofit first, the donor/donors were shielded from exposure.  Little is known about the D.C.-based Impetus Fund except that it says it “works with changemakers across the country to unlock a more inclusive, accessible, and vibrant democracy.” The group’s president, Ezra Reese, is tied to Democrat election lawyer Marc Elias. Reese is the political law chair at the Elias Law Group. Impetus is a project of Arabella Advisors, a massive leftist dark money group that had about $3 billion on hand for the 2022 midterm elections. Back in 2020, it had $410 million that it used against former President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans. Biden’s acceptance of dark money funding has drawn criticism from government watchdog groups. “For too long the left has been playing a game of decrying dark money while at the same time being fully dependent on it, even supercharging Mr. Biden’s reelection campaign,” Caitlin Sutherland, the executive director of Americans for Public Trust, told CBS. Anna Massoglia, the editorial and investigations manager at OpenSecrets, said that dark money hid important information about who was trying to influence American voters.  “Without information about who is funding groups spending to influence elections, voters won’t know who is trying to color their views, won’t be aware of any potential conflicts of interest that a funder has or what stake they may have in the outcome of the election,” she said. So far in the 2024 election cycle, Biden has held a significant advantage in fundraising, but Trump has been pulling closer in recent months with big hulls coming alongside his legal battles.

People in the modeling industry told Christie Brinkley she had a timestamp on her career, and she certainly proved them wrong.  The iconic supermodel got her start in 1973 when she was only 19. With so many women getting their starts much younger, critics already thought she was aging out. Their words planted self-doubt and gave her anxiety over aging. “They told me by the time you’re 30, you’ll be chewed up and spit out of this business,” she told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview. “But 50 isn’t 50 anymore. Thirty isn’t 30 anymore.” While many women, especially in the entertainment industry, have lost their jobs due to ageism, Christie did not get pushed out. After rising to stardom in 1976 with a CoverGirl contract, she graced the front of Sports Illustrated four times and went on to work in film. To this day, she has no trouble staying in the public eye. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Christie Brinkley (@christiebrinkley) In February, Christie Brinkley turned 70 and celebrated with her most recent SI cover. She admitted she never believed she’d be modeling into her golden years. “It’s the start of a great decade,” she shared. “I’m hearing from women on my Instagram, like, ‘Now I’m looking forward to my 7-0. I was kind of dreading it, but you’re making it look so fun. And it is really important to make it fun and so far so great.” Christie Brinkley Hopes Women Will Stop Fighting Time Christie Brinkley admitted that at some point, she stopped worrying about the inevitable, and realized that growing older doesn’t make her less beautiful, exciting, or important. More recently, she also realized that the industry seems to ditching its ridiculous standards, too, because she’s not the only star who is getting national attention past their “primes.” At 82, Martha Stewart made her SP debut. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Christie Brinkley (@christiebrinkley) “I think it’s really, really fantastic that Sports Illustrated not only has me, but Martha, who looks so great,” Christie gushed. “She has the distinction of being the oldest cover model on Sports Illustrated. I sat right behind Martha and I can vouch that her skin is perfection!” The moral of the story? Christie Brinkley hopes more women get out there and “shine” and stop letting old standards get in their way. “So many women are getting out there and changing the ideas of what these numbers represent. Women at 70 want to see women like me and that’s okay!” This story’s featured image is by Romain Maurice/Getty Images. The post Christie Brinkley Was Told She’d Never Last In Modeling—Now She Has A “Sports Illustrated” Cover At 70 appeared first on InspireMore.

'The Administration is deeply concerned about the ICC Prosecutor’s heedless rush to apply for arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials'

'I actually thought you'd just be happy for me'

Biden's Time Interview Was Full Of Senior Moments

'I am unqualified to answer this question'

Long story short, Im lucky to be alive

'It's terrible'

The post 15 Clingy Cat Breeds: Pictures, Facts & Info by Chris Dinesen Rogers appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Many pet parents know that there isn’t a greater gift than the love of a cat. While dogs are almost always vying for attention, you have to put in a bit of extra work for a cat. However, certain breeds tend to be a bit more affectionate than others. For those who are looking for a cat who is a bit clingy, you’re in the right place. Read on as we go over some of the clingiest cat breeds so that you can find your own Velcro kitty companion. Signs of a Clingy Cat Please note that while some cats are naturally clingy or overly affectionate in temperament, clinginess could also be a sign that something is wrong. So, if you’ve recently gotten a cat and they started being clingy out of nowhere, it would definitely be a good idea to get them checked out by a vet, just to be safe. With that said, there are quite a few clues as to whether or not you’re dealing with a stage five clinger. To start, they’re likely going to follow you wherever you go, even to the bathroom. Clingy cats tend to constantly want your attention and to be sitting or lying down on you, and they might even meow constantly to get your attention. Sometimes they can even be quite demanding about it, regardless of whether you’re trying to focus on something else. Clingy cats might also do things like refuse to eat when you’re not around, act shy and stick by your side when visitors are over, or sulk or hide when you’re getting ready to leave. Basically, a clingy cat wants as much of you as they can get. Again, this behavior can sometimes be a cause for concern, but if you’re simply looking to purchase or adopt a cat breed that is known for being overly affectionate, then start your research with some of the breeds listed just below. The 15 Clingy Cat Breeds 1. Abyssinian Image Credit: Pandora Pictures, Shutterstock Origin: Ethiopia (formerly Abyssinia) or ancient Egypt Size: 6–12 pounds Lifespan: 9–15 years The precise origin of the Abyssinian is unknown. However, this cat’s appearance suggests a close relationship with their wild counterparts. The breed’s probable birthplace is within the Fertile Crescent, where scientists believe humans developed agriculture. This long association with people undoubtedly influenced the feline’s behavior, subsequent sociability, and sometimes clinginess. The Abyssinian is an energetic animal with insatiable curiosity. This activity level may account for the breed’s relatively long lifespan. This cat is intelligent and needs enrichment for their well-being. They tolerate handling and will readily seek attention from their caregivers. 2. American Shorthair Image Credit: Apisit Hrpp, Shutterstock Origin: United States Size: 6–15 pounds Lifespan: 15–20 years The American Shorthair is a loving and affectionate animal. These cats make excellent pets because of their adaptability and easy-going nature. They are friendly and open to meeting strangers, including other felines. This breed is quite cuddly, making one a decent option for anyone wanting this trait in a pet. That makes them a great choice for families. The breed standard for the American Shorthair accepts just about any color or pattern. They are medium-sized animals without a definitive weight range, so just keep that in mind if you’re looking for a specific size. 3. Balinese Image Credit: Pasiaflora, Shutterstock Origin: United States Size: 5–12 pounds Lifespan: 18–20 years The Balinese looks like a long-haired Siamese, with many of the same traits of this breed. Research has shown this animal to be the most sociable toward humans and within the top four toward other cats.1 They have many qualities that people want and expect to find in felines. However, they are quite curious and need mental stimulation to make good pets. The Balinese is active and outgoing, demanding attention when wanted. Pet owners are well-advised to fulfill these needs, as they will hear about it if they don’t. The cats are also relatively long-lived animals, sometimes living up to 20 years. 4. Birman Image Credit: Daydream Photographie, Shutterstock Origin: Burma Size: 12 pounds Lifespan: 9–15 years The Birman is a striking animal with four white feet and beautiful azure eyes. Although they are large cats, they are adaptable and gentle pets. They are also the quintessential lap cats. Look no further when looking for a pet that will follow you from room to room and snuggle up with you. The breed’s likely origin is Burma. However, it was in Europe where their popularity soared. Research identified the Birman as the most sociable toward other felines. However, they aren’t as vocal as other cats, like Siamese. Their voice is low and sweet, like their temperament. 5. Bombay Image Credit: Lolame, Pixabay Origin: United States Size: 6–10 pounds Lifespan: 9–15 years The Bombay is a beautiful animal with their sleek black coat and amber eyes. Their appearance and muscular build resemble a panther, giving the breed a unique look. These cats love people and crave attention from their caregivers, making them almost dog-like. It’s not unusual for these felines to greet their owners when they return home. The Bombay is an American breed despite its exotic appearance and name. They are friendly toward other cats and people, including children. They are also highly curious and active in between snuggling sessions. These felines love interaction with their families, including learning tricks. 6. Burmese Image Credit: jojosmb, Shutterstock Origin: Thai-Burma border Size: Medium-sized Lifespan: 10–16 years The Burmese is a sweetheart. They are one of the friendliest cats toward people and other felines. They are also one of the least fearful and always in touch with their inner kitten. These cats are loyal pets and are often susceptible to separation anxiety if left alone. Their lives revolve around their families and the attention they give them. Enthusiasts selectively bred the Burmese from animals brought stateside from their native land. They are tolerant and adaptable animals, suitable for families with small children. They are intelligent and playful, which matches their active nature. 7. Cornish Rex Image Credit: Rita_Kochmarjova, Shutterstock Origin: Cornwall, England Size: 5–10 pounds Lifespan: 15–20 years The Cornish Rex epitomizes curiosity. If something is happening in your home, you can be sure your pet is close by observing the action. The ancestors of the breed came from England but soon found enthusiasts worldwide. The animal’s appearance demands your attention, with their unique wavy coat and bat-like ears. The Cornish Rex is highly people-oriented, like many breeds on our list. They don’t like being alone and prefer to be with their family, although they excel at entertaining themselves with their athleticism and curiosity. 8. Maine Coon Image Credit: Aleksei Verhovski, Shutterstock Origin: United States Size: 12–22 pounds Lifespan: 9–15 years You can’t help but notice the Maine Coon. They are large and muscular animals, and their size belies their temperament. They are truly gentle giants in the cat world. These cats are gentle and sweet-natured. They are affectionate and welcoming of other pets in the household. They are playful kitties that will enjoy games and snuggling. The Maine Coon thrives in their family’s company. While they are vocal, their repertoire doesn’t include the typical meows and mews. Their voice is more of a chirp, but these cats always have something to say to their loved ones. 9. Oriental Image Credit: Eric Isselee, Shutterstock Origin: England Size: 5–12 pounds Lifespan: 15–20 years The Oriental includes long-haired and short-haired variations. The cat’s appearance resembles that of a Siamese with its sleek body. Both have similar temperaments and physical characteristics, including the feline’s vocal nature. The Oriental is people-oriented and bonds with family members quickly. All they need is loving attention in return. This cat develops slowly, something we’d expect to see in large breeds instead of this medium-sized animal. They are active felines and will gladly accompany you around your home to stay in touch with the household activities. 10. Persian Image Credit: CKYN stock photo, Shutterstock Origin: Most likely Persia Size: 7–10 pounds Lifespan: 12–20 years The Persian is unmistakable. This feline exudes elegance, pampering, and finickiness. While the breed is undoubtedly ancient, its history is a little unclear. Their appearance suggests that of one of the domestic animal’s probable ancestors, the sand cat (Felis margarita). References to the cat go back to 1684 BC. While their faces may appear like they are mean, they are sweet pets. They are quiet and not vocal, like many of their counterparts. They relish attention from their owners and return their attention with unbridled loyalty. 11. Ragdoll Image Credit: absolutimages, Shutterstock Origin: United States Size: 10–20 pounds Lifespan: 12–15 years Except for the ancient breeds, many are products of selective breeding that have only occurred within the last 85 years. The Ragdoll is no exception. Ann Baker of Riverside, California, spearheaded the quest for this appropriately named feline. They are larger than most cats, with a sweet, almost dog-like temperament. The Ragdoll is a sweetheart, ready to cuddle or go on their back for a good belly rub. They are also good with kids and other pets. While they are easy-going, these cats like to play, making mental stimulation essential. 12. Russian Blue Image Credit: Review News, Shutterstock Origin: Russia Size: 7–15 pounds Lifespan: 12–15 years The Russian Blue is a graceful animal. Considering the breed’s purported royal connections, their sleek and elegant form is fitting. They are affectionate cats that will freely bestow their love on their family members. Like many pets, they often pick a favorite with whom they may become inseparable. Yet, they still maintain their independence and enjoy their me-time. The Russian Blue is sometimes a vocal animal with different sounds and meanings. They are intelligent felines needing enrichment to be happy. They will oblige interaction with an almost insatiable desire for play. 13. Scottish Fold Image Credit: Alexander Sobol, Shutterstock Origin: Scotland Size: 7–10 pounds Lifespan: 14–16 years The Scottish Fold makes it easy to encourage this kitty to be clingy. You can’t help but want to cuddle with this cutie. This cat has gone a long way from being a mere barn animal. They like to be part of the household activities. You won’t find this cat hiding from the goings-on. They are right there with everyone else, curious about what’s happening. The Scottish Fold loves people and loathes being alone. These cats also need regular interaction and mental stimulation to keep them active and fit. Singer Taylor Swift is a big fan of these cute cuddlers. 14. Siamese Image Credit: BearFotos, Shutterstock Origin: Thailand (Siam) Size: 5–12 pounds Lifespan: 15–20 years You don’t have to wonder where your cat is hiding with this breed because the Siamese ensures you know where they are and what they want at all times. They are active felines with a big voice. They are also curious and likely to greet strangers in your home rather than hide. These cats are intelligent animals, making mental stimulation vital for their well-being. They also need human interaction to prevent boredom. The Siamese is a gorgeous animal with an elegant form and well-defined profile. They thrive on interacting with family members. Consequently, they make themselves a noticeable part of the household. There’s no ignoring this breed. 15. Somali Image Credit: Nataliya Kuznetsova, Shutterstock Origin: Ethiopia (formerly Abyssinia) or ancient Egypt Size: 6–10 pounds Lifespan: 12–14 years The Somali and curiosity go together like peas and carrots. Not only do these cats notice everything, but they have the energy and athleticism to explore whatever has caught their eye. They are beautiful animals that demand your attention. The breed is more closely related to the Abyssinian than their name, which is evident in their appearance. The Somali is the sister breed of the Abyssinian, with whom the cat shares many traits. This feline is a quick learner, making mental stimulation essential to keep them out of mischief. They thrive in active households that give them plenty to do. Conclusion Many feline breeds enjoy human company so much that we call them clingy. They want to be a part of the action and are saddened without attention. Selective breeding may have encouraged this behavior, much to pet owners’ delight. It’s important to understand your cat’s needs and deliver the goods. So, if you’re looking for a cat that is a bit clingy and you have lots of love to offer, start by researching some of the breeds above. Sources https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms16082 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41437-022-00568-4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7401521/ https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(19)31086-3 https://acfacat.com/breed_synopsis.htm https://www.tica.org/breeds/browse-all-breeds https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/7-akc-dog-breed-groups-explained/ https://www.britannica.com/place/Fertile-Crescent https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/7/1991 https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Felis_margarita/ https://cfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/persian-brochure.pdf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3594446/ Featured Image Credit: Stella_E, Shutterstock The post 15 Clingy Cat Breeds: Pictures, Facts & Info by Chris Dinesen Rogers appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.