A former associate of Hunter Biden takes questions from Congress. Just how involved was President Biden in his son’s business dealings? Plus, how the government is tackling long COVID. These stories and more highlight The Rundown for August 1, 2023.
Hunter Biden’s former business partner testifies
A former business partner of Hunter Biden testified for more than five hours before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee on July 31, as the investigation into Biden family businesses continues. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle walked away with different viewpoints on what was revealed.
According to those present during the closed-door questioning, Devon Archer, who served with Hunter on the board of Burisma, testified that President Joe Biden was never directly involved in his son’s financial dealings, but Hunter would often put his father on speakerphone to impress clients and business associates.
New York Representative Dan Goldman, who was representing Democrats inside the room, told reporters that Archer testified that Hunter sold “the illusion of access” to his father.
The Committee’s Chair, Representative James Comer, said Archer testified that Joe Biden was put on the phone to sell “the brand.” Comer said the testimony shows that Joe Biden lied to the American people when he said he had no knowledge about his son’s business dealings.
“We are aware that all sides are claiming victory following Mr. Archer’s voluntary interview today,” said Archer’s attorney Matthew Schwartz in a statement. “But all Devon Archer did was exactly what we said he would: show up and answer the questions put to him honestly and completely.”
The White House issued a statement of its own saying the testimony fell short of House Republicans promising to deliver “bombshell evidence.”
Haitians protest over kidnapping of American nurse
About 200 Haitians marched through their capital city in protest of the kidnapping of an American nurse and her daughter in Haiti last week.
Alix Dorsainvil works for El Roi Haiti, a non-profit Christian ministry. She was working at a clinic on July 27 when armed men broke in and took her and her daughter. Some members of the local community said the kidnappers asked for $1 million in ransom, which is typical for Haitian gangs to do following a kidnapping. But on July 31, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller refused to say whether the abductors made any demands.
According to a local nonprofit, there have been hundreds of kidnappings in Haiti this year alone.
The kidnapping on July 27 came the same day the State Department advised Americans to avoid traveling to Haiti and ordered non-emergency personnel to leave the country over kidnapping concerns.
Heat streak in Arizona snapped after 31 days above 110 degrees
After 31 days of consecutive 110 degrees days, Phoenix, Arizona broke its heat-streak record after cooling to a still-scorching 108 degrees on July 31. It’s the first time the city has seen a day below 110 in an entire month.
The “cool front” was created by a round of thunderstorms and will be short-lived. Temps are expected to creep back above 110 by the end of the week.
Biden administration to study Long COVID, begins clinical trials
Anywhere from 8 million to 23 million Americans have developed Long COVID after being infected with the virus. Long COVID is diagnosed when symptoms linger for months or even years.
Now the U.S. government is providing a resource to aid people still suffering with the disease.
Clinical trials are launching under a government funded COVID research team that will study the condition and help those diagnosed. The goal is to prevent Long COVID and treat some of its symptoms like extreme fatigue, which is a common side effect in four out of every five Long COVID patients.
Hollywood grieves loss of Pee-Wee Herman and ‘Euphoria’ actor
Hollywood is grieving the loss of two actors from two different eras. Paul Reubens, best known for his role as Pee-Wee Herman, died July 31 at the age of 70. Reubens had been privately battling cancer for six years.
And Angus Cloud from the HBO hit “Euphoria” has died at the age of 25. Cloud played the character of Fez, a fan favorite. No cause of death was released. Cloud’s family said he had been struggling with the recent passing of his father who he buried last week.
Elon Musk’s ‘X’ sign atop headquarters removed
The bright ‘X’ atop the company’s San Francisco headquarters has been removed just a few days after its installation. The logo was part of Elon Musk’s rebranding of Twitter. But the city says X failed to apply for the proper permits to install the sign and had received about two dozen complaints about its bright light shining into nearby apartment buildings.