International
Special prosecutor defends comments on Biden’s memory in classified documents probe
The special prosecutor who investigated Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents during his time as vice president of the United States, Robert Hur, justified the decision to include comments on the memory of the current US president in his report.
Hur pointed out in the statement he will read this Tuesday before a committee of the House of Representatives of Congress, and which was obtained by US media, that it was necessary not only to reach a conclusion about the president’s actions but also to explain the reason for his decision.
In his February 8 report, Hur exempted Biden, 81, for the retention of classified documents but added that the politician proved to have “a significantly limited memory,” a comment criticized by the president of the United States.
“I knew that for my decision to be credible, I could not simply announce that I recommended that no charges be filed and leave it at that. I needed to explain why,” says Hur in his statement delivered before this morning’s hearing in the Judicial Committee of Congress.
The special prosecutor added that both “the evidence and the president himself put his memory at the center” of the investigation and that his assessment in the report on the relevance of the president’s memory “was necessary, accurate and fair.”
“And what is more important, what I wrote is what I think the evidence shows, and what I hope the jury would perceive and believe. I didn’t dilute my explanation. And I didn’t unfairly disqualify the president either. I explained to the Attorney General my decision and the reasons,” he explained.
The Department of Justice began investigating Biden since at the end of 2022 they were found at his home in Delaware, and in a private office, about twenty classified documents from the time when he was Barack Obama’s vice president (2009-2017).
The result of that investigation is a 400-page report, which was written by Hur, who was appointed special prosecutor of the case by the Attorney General of the United States, Merrick Garland.
The report points out that Biden demonstrated “a significantly limited memory” in the interrogations and that his condition in 2023 had worsened compared to the recordings of 2017 since, for example, he did not remember the dates on which he served as vice president.
“He didn’t even remember when his son Beau,” who died of cancer in 2015, explained the prosecutor.
In response to Hur’s report, Biden stated that his memory is fine.
“I have good intentions, and I am an older man, and I know what the hell I am doing,” Biden said on February 8 when he was asked about his reaction to Hur’s conclusions.
International
Rubio rules out 2028 presidential bid if Vance runs
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would not seek the presidency in 2028 if current Vice President JD Vancedecides to run as the Republican nominee to succeed President Donald Trump.
“If JD Vance runs for president, he will be our candidate, and I will be one of the first people to support him,” Rubio said in an interview with Vanity Fair, in which he appeared alongside other senior members of the presidential cabinet.
Rubio, 54, and Vance, 41, are widely viewed as two of the leading Republican figures who could headline the party’s ticket in the 2028 election. Under the U.S. Constitution, Trump is barred from seeking another term after completing two presidential mandates.
In a lighthearted moment during the interview, Vance jokingly offered photographers $1,000 if they managed to make him look better than Rubio in the photos. Both leaders have received public backing from Trump, who last October floated the idea of a joint ticket featuring Rubio and Vance, without clarifying who would lead it.
“I think that if they ever teamed up, they would be unstoppable. I don’t think anyone would run against us,” Trump said at the time.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who also took part in the interview, confirmed that Trump does not intend to violate the 22nd Amendment, which prohibits a third presidential term, though she acknowledged that the president is “having fun” with speculation about a possible return to office.
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, served as a Republican senator from 2010 to 2025. He sought the party’s presidential nomination in 2016 but was defeated by Trump after a bruising primary contest. His name was floated as a potential vice presidential pick in 2024, but Vance ultimately secured the spot. After taking office, Trump appointed Rubio as secretary of state, making him the first Latino to hold the position.
International
Authorities search for armed and dangerous suspect in fatal Brown University attack
According to the statement, investigators are “seeking the public’s help to identify and speak with an individual” who was seen “near” the suspect at the time of the attack.
The Providence Police Department in Rhode Island released three photos of the person of interest, whose face has been blurred. In the images, the individual is wearing navy blue clothing, what appears to be a green hood, and carrying a light-colored backpack.
Earlier, authorities had released several photos and videos of a suspect described as “approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a stocky build,” dressed in dark clothing, with their face covered by a surgical mask and wearing a beanie. The suspect’s identity remains unknown.
Authorities are offering a $50,000 reward for any information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the person responsible for the killings, who is considered armed and dangerous.
The gunman opened fire on Saturday at Brown University’s engineering and physics building, where exams were being held, killing students Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov. The names of the nine people injured have not been released.
International
Police investigate deaths of Rob Reiner and wife as apparent homicide
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating the deaths of Hollywood actor and filmmaker Rob Reinerand his wife as an “apparent homicide,” amid a wave of tributes to the director of classics such as When Harry Met Sally.
According to U.S. media reports on Sunday, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found dead at their Los Angeles mansion with what appeared to be stab wounds.
Several political figures shared messages of condolence following the reported deaths of the director of A Few Good Menand his wife.
While the LAPD did not officially confirm the identities of the victims, it stated that homicide detectives were dispatched to the Reiner residence.
“At this time, no additional details are available and the investigation into an apparent homicide is ongoing,” the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement posted on social media.
LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton told reporters that no arrests have been made and that no individuals are currently being questioned as suspects.
“I’m not going to confirm whether anyone is being questioned at this moment or not. We are going to try to speak with as many family members as we can,” Hamilton said.
CNN reported that a family spokesperson confirmed the deaths of Reiner and his wife.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, former U.S. President Barack Obama, and former Vice President Kamala Harrisissued statements expressing their condolences.
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