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By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A former FBI informant is set to plead guilty on Monday to lying about a phony bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden and his son Hunter that became central to the Republican impeachment inquiry in Congress. Alexander Smirnov is expected to make the plea in Los Angeles to a felony charge in connection with the bogus story, along with a tax evasion charge stemming from a separate indictment accusing him of concealing millions of dollars of income, according to court papers. Smirnov has been behind bars since his arrest in February on charges that he told his FBI handler that executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma had paid President Biden and Hunter Biden $5 million each around 2015. Prosecutors and the defense have agreed to recommend a sentence of between four and six years in prison, according to the plea agreement. Smirnov had been an informant for more than a decade when he made the explosive allegations about the Bidens in June 2020, after “expressing bias” about Joe Biden as a presidential candidate, prosecutors said. But Smirnov had only routine business dealings with Burisma starting in 2017, according to court documents.

I had a plan for my holiday shopping (OK, a concept of a plan), but of course now I’m scrambling. You, too? We’re here to help. With a focus on local shops, venues and creators, here is a roundup of ways to fill the holes on your shopping list with gifts that are so thoughtful, it will look like you, even you, planned it. PLACES TO SHOP Flamango Vending: Probably my favorite “place” to look for a gift with a South Florida vibe is Flamango Vending, a vending machine that offers affordable art pieces by more than two dozen Palm Beach County artists for under $50.

Dear Eric: I’m a 75-year-old amateur songwriter who enjoys recording what I write. I’m also a widower going on three years. Related Articles Advice | Asking Eric: I may be wrong but I swear my boyfriend is flirting with younger women Advice | Asking Eric: A senior without close family is hesitant to give friend power of attorney Advice | Miss Manners: These family members practically called my daughter an ugly baby Advice | Asking Eric: Is it weird that my son’s old classmate keeps in touch with me? Advice | Asking Eric: My brother is a billionaire, and I buy clothes at the 99-cent sale When my wife of 42 years was alive, I wrote songs for and about her and us.

8212; President Joe Biden will sign a proclamation Monday establishing a national monument honoring the late FDR-era Labor Secretary Frances Perkins, the first woman appointed to serve in a presidential Cabinet and a driving force behind the New Deal, according to the White House. Biden is expected to visit the Labor Department on Monday to make the announcement and sign the proclamation that will establish the monument in Newcastle, Maine, the White House said. As labor secretary, Perkins helped President Franklin D.

Today is Monday, Dec. 16, the 351st day of 2024. There are 15 days left in the year. Today in history: On Dec. 16, 1773, the Boston Tea Party took place as American colonists boarded a British ship and dumped more than 300 chests of tea into Boston Harbor to protest tea taxes. Also on this date: In 1907, 16 U.

Here are the top stories for Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 Get the weather forecast for today here. SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get our free Morning Update email. Sign up here. Things we learned in Miami Dolphins’ 20-12 loss at the Houston Texans Broward school calendar includes longer middle school days and Hindu holiday US agencies should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer says Dave Hyde: Time for Boss Ross to shake things up after Dolphins go kaput in Houston Graham says Hegseth plans to release accuser from confidential agreement In wake of ‘horrendous mistake,’ Heat, Spoelstra back in Detroit after timeout that wasn’t Stop Congress from taking away crucial online safe spaces for LGBTQ youth | Opinion Israel will close its Ireland embassy over Gaza tensions as Palestinian death toll nears 45,000 Asking Eric: My sister was told her reference to ‘not having spoons’ was insensitive Flawed pandemic record follows Trump’s NIH candidate | Opinion