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When Guy Raffitt's son Jackson testified against him in court, he sobbed. Guy Reffitt had to face not only a court and jury, but also his own son on the witness stand when he became the first person to stand trial for storming the US Capitol. Reffitt is a big talker, according to those who know him. So much so that Reffitt's defense lawyer used it as the main reason for dismissing the case against him, who was charged with bringing a firearm to the US Capitol during the disturbance on January 6th. However, it was the sheer number of evidence - detailed in messages, videos, and audio - that persuaded jurors of his guilt in a unanimous conviction on Tuesday after less than four hours of discussion. On June 8, he will be sentenced for five felonies, including impeding a congressional official proceeding, trespassing at the Capitol while carrying a holstered semiautomatic weapon, interfering with police in a riot, and witness tampering. Reffitt's conviction stems from a massive...

A heroic father tossed his three-year-old son from a blazing building's second story. The toddler was caught by first responders on the ground, followed by his father, who had to jump to safety as well. Both are in good health and have only minor injuries. The fire started in an apartment on the third floor of the apartment complex in New Jersey and quickly spread throughout the structure. The fire forced fifty individuals to flee their homes. Around 8:15 a.m. on Monday, a three-alarm fire broke out on the second and third floors of the South Ridge Woods Apartment Complex. Eight fire crews were dispatched to the area and were able to put out the fire before searching the structure. The fire displaced around 50 people, according to Monmouth Junction Fire Chief Scott Smith, but it might have been worse. "We were immediately confronted with really strong fire conditions, as well as reports of persons remaining inside," Smith said Monday. "All of the residents were fortu...

Kamala Harris, the US Vice President, has left for Poland and Romania, providing her the opportunity to personally talk with Polish leaders on the topic of fighter jet shipments to Ukraine. The subject has revealed divisions within the Nato alliance. Poland's offer to give the US with MiG-29 fighter jets as a step toward transferring them to Ukraine was rejected by American officials on Tuesday as "not tenable." On Wednesday afternoon, US Defense Department spokesman John Kirby went even farther, warning that such a transfer posed a "high risk" of a Russian retaliation that might result in a military escalation with Nato. "We believe that adding aircraft to the Ukrainian inventory will have little impact on the Ukrainian Air Force's efficacy in comparison to Russian capabilities," he continued. A German government official dismissed the Polish idea as "not currently on the table," according to the statement. Officials from the United Stat...

The White House has stated that Russia may be contemplating a chemical or biological weapon assault in Ukraine, and that "we should all be on the lookout." Russia's accusations regarding US biological weapon facilities and chemical weapon development in Ukraine, according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki, are absurd. The bogus charges, she said, were a "obvious effort" to justify more deliberate, unjustified attacks. It comes following similar fears from Western officials about new assaults. They expressed "grave concern" about the likelihood of the battle escalating, particularly if Russia used non-conventional weapons. Chemical weapons are most commonly in mind, but the word also encompasses tactical (small-scale) nuclear weapons, biological weapons, and dirty bombs. "We have reason to be alarmed," one Western diplomat remarked. They said this was partially due to what had happened in other areas where Russia had been involved, such...

Despite being kept at home by a Sporting Lisbon side bent on limiting the damage, Manchester City glided into the Champions League quarter-finals. City's 5-0 triumph in the first leg in Lisbon last month had virtually ended the tie, and it was evident from the start that the Portuguese had no chance of making an extraordinary comeback. They stacked their defense, possibly fearful of suffering yet another humiliating defeat, leaving Pep Guardiola's side in complete control of the ball but unable to create significant chances. Before the break, Raheem Sterling squandered City's best chance when he sprinted on to Phil Foden's pass and attempted to dink the ball over Antonio Adan but failed to gain enough height on his shot. At the opening of the second half, Gabriel Jesus scored for the home side, but a VAR review determined he was offside from Riyad Mahrez's pass, and the goal was disallowed. Despite failing to score, City were in perfect control, and Guardiola was at...

The United States and the United Kingdom have banned Russian oil, and the European Union has ended its reliance on Russian gas, ratcheting up the economic response to Ukraine's invasion. The move, according to US President Joe Biden, is aimed at "the main artery of Russia's economy." Energy exports are a major source of income for Russia, but the decision is expected to have an impact on Western customers. Meanwhile, major corporations have continued to withdraw from Russia, with McDonald's and Coca-Cola being the most recent to do so. The economy of Russia is strongly reliant on energy. After Saudi Arabia and the United States, it is the world's third-largest oil production. The economy of Russia is strongly reliant on energy. After Saudi Arabia and the United States, it is the world's third-largest oil production. Russia warned of "catastrophic" consequences for the world economy before the sanctions were revealed, and suggested it might shut d...

The Florida Senate has passed a law prohibiting primary school students from discussing their sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill, which would prohibit instructors from teaching these themes to children under the age of ten, is expected to be signed by Governor Ron DeSantis. The bill's opponents claim that it will alienate LGBT youth. Proponents argue that it is about giving parents more control over their children's education. It's been called the "Don't Say Gay" bill by activists. The Parental Rights in Education Bill is the official name for it. Between kindergarten and third grade, when pupils are between the ages of five and nine, it is illegal to teach about sexual orientation or gender identity. It also urges school districts to steer clear of LGBT issues "when not age- or developmentally appropriate for pupils." Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, denounced the passage of "hateful legislation targeting vulnerable stud...

In the city of Grand Rapids, jury selection for the federal trial of four men accused of plotting to abduct Michigan's Democratic governor has begun. Prosecutors say the men targeted Gretchen Whitmer because of Covid rules she imposed early in the pandemic. The government's case is insufficient, according to the accused's lawyers, who have suggested an entrapment defense. The study, which will be keenly followed, is planned to run roughly six weeks. The men planned to blow up a bridge near the governor's vacation house, abduct her, and put her on a "treason trial," according to the FBI, which says it foiled the plot 17 months ago. In the end, 14 suspected plotters were apprehended. Six members of the gang were arrested and charged in federal court. The other eight are facing separate charges from the state. Two of the individuals facing federal charges have already pled guilty, and the remaining four are anticipated to testify against them during the trial. Th...

Russian planes owned or chartered by Russians would be prosecuted if they cross UK airspace, according to ministers. Russian-owned aircraft are already barred from flying to the UK, but the latest measure is aimed at affluent Russians who charter private jets registered in a third nation. The administration stated that the sanctions will be aimed at Kremlin insiders. One plane at Hampshire's Farnborough Airport is already being investigated. The Luxembourg-registered private plane is being seized by UK officials as part of an investigation into whether it is Russian-owned and carried a Russian passenger to the UK in violation of sanctions. New commercial sanctions have also been declared by the government, prohibiting all UK exports of aviation or space-related technology to Russia, as well as associated services such as insurance. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the latest penalties will cause more "economic damage to Russia and people close to the Kremlin" when she ann...

People waiting for visas at a "understaffed" UK application centre are angry and frustrated, according to the daughter of a Ukrainian refugee. "It does feel like there will be rioting," Marianne Kay of Yorkshire says if the delays continue much longer. She traveled to Rzeszow, Poland, to assist her 79-year-old mother Antonina Kolodii in obtaining asylum in the United Kingdom. She said that people began congregating outside the center in the early morning, despite the frigid conditions. MPs have chastised the Home Office for its poor reaction to the influx of over two million people fleeing Ukraine, claiming that individuals seeking asylum are being held up or turned away by bureaucracy. The Ukraine Family Scheme has granted about 500 visas, with more than 10,000 people applying to join family in the UK. A second visa path is also being developed, which will require a British sponsor. The "large and very generous" immigration program, according to Prime Min...