Wednesday, December 21 top stories
It is Wednesday, December 21. Here are today’s top stories.
Zelenskyy in D.C.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy arrived in D.C. today. It is his first international trip since the Russian military offensive started almost a year ago.
Zelenskyy met with President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House this afternoon. U.S. officials said the two leaders will have a strategic discussion about the war and then hold a press conference this afternoon — past the time I am signing this news. Zelenskyy will give an address before a joint session of Congress at the Capitol tonight.
I will recap the press conference and the address in tomorrow’s news.
In related news, the U.S. announced it would provide another $1.8 billion in military assistance for Ukraine, including the advanced Patriot Air Defense System that can intercept incoming missile attacks.
Cop sentenced 11 years for killing of Atatiana Jefferson
Aaron Dean, the former police officer who was convicted of manslaughter for killing Atatiana Jefferson at her home in Fort Worth, Texas in 2019, was sentenced to 11 years and 10 months in prison on Tuesday.
Atatiana was at her home playing video games with her 8-year-old nephew when she noticed that there was a commotion in her backyard. Thinking it was an intruder, she grabbed her firearm and looked out the window. She was shot by Dean, who was an on-duty police officer responding to a call that there may be a burglary in progress due to the home’s front door being left ajar. Dean never identified himself as a police officer.
The district attorney in the case said the verdict and sentence won’t bring Atatiana Jefferson back but that she prays that her family will find peace.
Steelers legend Franco Harris dies at 72
Franco Harris, who was a star football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, passed away at the age of 72. His son said he died overnight and it is not known what the cause is.
Franco helped the Steelers to win four Super Bowls and is most well-known for the “Immaculate Reception,” a play in which he caught a deflected pass and ran it for a touchdown in the final few seconds of a playoff game. It was the Steelers’ first playoff victory and opened the door to their successes in eventual years.
Franco had an African American father and an Italian mother. He played college football at Penn State University. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
———
[Sponsored Video from Sorenson: www.sorenson.com]
—------
Millions in Argentina celebrate World Cup victory
About five million people swarmed the streets of Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, to celebrate the country’s World Cup victory. There are stunning images and videos of the downtown area and some highways just filled with a sea of people.
The Argentinian team rode on a bus with an open top to celebrate with the crowds but couldn’t complete their planned journey due to the crowds. They ended up boarding helicopters to send greetings to the masses.
Star player Lionel Messi’s Instagram photo of him holding the World Cup trophy has become the most-liked post ever on Instagram. It now has about 70 million likes.
Trump’s taxes from 2015-2020 revealed
Donald Trump’s tax returns from 2015 to 2020 have been revealed by a Democratic House committee.
Donald and Melania Trump paid about $1.1 million in total taxes in that six-year period. Four of these years saw the Trumps paying almost no taxes and two of these years saw the Trumps paying sizable tax bills.
In 2015 and 2016, the couple paid only $750 in taxes and reported losses of about $30 million each year.
In 2017, the Trumps also paid only $750 in taxes. The couple said they had about $13 million in losses so that’s why they didn’t have to pay more taxes.
In 2018, the couple reported a total income of $24 million and paid about $1 million in taxes.
In 2019, the couple reported a $4 million income and paid about $130,000 in taxes.
In 2020, the couple reported a negative income of $4.7 million and paid zero taxes.
The New York Times said the Trumps’ reports to the IRS “portrayed a businessman who took in hundreds of millions of dollars a year, yet racked up chronic losses that he aggressively employed avoid paying taxes.”
Taliban bans university education for women
News reports said the Taliban government in Afghanistan is now banning women from receiving an education at universities. There is already a ban against girls from receiving education beyond the sixth grade.
The U.S. said it condemns the Taliban’s decision, calling it “indefensible.”
CNN said women in Afghanistan can no longer work in most sectors, require a male guardian for long-distance travel and have been ordered to cover their faces in public.
That is all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.
https://www.axios.com/2022/12/21/zelensky-visit-us-congress-biden
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35296389/steelers-hall-fame-running-back-franco-harris-dies-72
https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/21/business/messi-most-liked-instagram-post-intl-hnk/index.html
https://www.axios.com/2022/12/21/trump-tax-returns-house-report
https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/21/investing/trump-taxes/index.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/21/us/politics/trump-taxes-income.html