Housing

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said in an interview late last week that if Republicans win back control of the U.S. House of Representatives, he will use their subpoena power to find out what U.S. intelligence agencies knew about the Hunter Biden laptop before the 2020 election, and what they knew of his foreign activities while his father was vice president. McCarthy, who made the remarks in an interview with the New York Post, warned that “we will use the subpoena” option if top officials with the intelligence agencies don’t cooperate with Republicans. The report noted that in the days leading up to the 2020 election, more than 50 former intelligence officials signed a letter claiming that the Hunter Biden laptop story was likely a Russian disinformation campaign. “You would want to ask these individuals first of all, ‘Would you still sign the letter today, and who asked you to sign the letter and why did you sign the letter, and what information did you have … [Read more...] about Kevin McCarthy On Potential GOP House Takeover: We’ll ‘Subpoena’ Intel Agencies Over Hunter Biden Scandal | The Daily Wire

A four-year property dispute between brothers was a big factor in a Levin man’s 24-hour standoff with armed police. Police are still considering whether Paul Kenneth Smith, 62, will be charged after he barricaded himself inside his Bledisloe St home on Thursday, with indications he had weapons. Armed police and emergency blocked off streets and evacuated 80 residents, while a negotiation team was brought in. Police described it as a self-harm incident. A fire broke out in the house on Friday night and Smith was taken to Palmerston North Hospital. The cause of the blaze is yet to be confirmed. READ MORE: Levin standoff comes to fiery end as residents of Bledisloe St return to sense of normality Levin man who sparked police stand-off in moderate condition Levin standoff comes to fiery end as residents of Bledisloe St return to sense of normality A police spokesperson told Stuff on Monday officers had finished the scene examination. “The man remains in a … [Read more...] about Police standoff in Levin rooted in legal dispute over late mother’s house

STUFF Piotr Mierzejewski, a wheelchair user, laments lack of accessible housing in Dunedin, as he has to shower at the local swimming pool. Piotr Mierzejewski is living in a sleepout without hot water or an accessible bathroom, while he waits on the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Kāinga Ora to find him a home. In the meantime he’s resorted to sponge baths or showering at the local swimming pool to wash himself. So far he’s been waiting five months on MSD's Public Housing Register , ever since he and his wife were evicted from their Dunedin home, but the couple has been searching for an accessible home for more than three years. While he doesn’t like to complain, Mierzejewski, who uses a wheelchair, describes their search as like trying to find a needle in a haystack. READ MORE: Wheelchair user asks Kāinga Ora for safer home each month for 18 years Wheelchair user worries she won't be able to bathe in emergency housing Lack of accessible housing … [Read more...] about Wheelchair-user forced to shower at local swimming pool due to lack of accessible housing

Chinese media outlets have mocked U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's visit to Taiwan with a series of unflattering cartoons. Pelosi's visit to the self-ruled island last week sparked a furor, with China announcing on Monday that it was extending its military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. China has also cut off defense and climate talks with the U.S. and imposed sanctions on Pelosi in retaliation for the visit. Taiwan has maintained a separate government from China since 1949, but China insists the island is its territory and has not ruled out using military force. The U.S. doesn't recognize Taiwan as independent under its "one China" policy but has pledged to help the island protect itself against any aggression. Beijing considers visits to Taiwan by foreign officials to be a recognition of the island's sovereignty. Several cartoons published by Chinese state media in recent days slammed Pelosi's visit. One cartoon published by the Xinhua News Agency showed a … [Read more...] about How Chinese cartoonists mocked Nancy Pelosi over Taiwan visit

A Chinese diplomat has criticized America, saying the U.S. "makes war" whereas China "makes everything else". The comments were made by Zhang Meifang, the Consul General of China in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She also mocked a warship from Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province, which she described as a "museum piece". On Twitt er Zhang posted a split photo with an armed soldier in the top half, and boxes marked "Made in China" below. She wrote: "The #US makes war. #China makes most everything else. Who exactly is leading the world in the right direction?" Just minutes earlier Zhang posted a tweet mocking one of Taiwan's ships. Tensions are high between the two countries after a controversial visit from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi . She posted two pictures of Taiwanese frigate ROCS Lan Yang, and compared it unfavorably with those in use by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA). Zhang added: "This is #Taiwan warship under the nose of #PLA - a museum piece. … [Read more...] about Chinese official says U.S. ‘making war’ while China ‘makes everything else’