From pardoning Hunter Biden to banned rare minerals: Stories you may have missed

Joe Biden pardons Hunter Biden after years of court trials

On Sunday Dec. 1, President Joe Biden officially pardoned his son Hunter Biden. This decision was a reversal of his previous statements that he would not pardon his son or commute his sentence, according to CNN.

NBC News reports that President Biden pardoned his son for all criminal actions he may or may not have committed dating back to 2014, including his recent conviction on federal gun charges and federal tax evasion.

In a statement, Hunter Biden expressed his gratitude for the pardon and acknowledged his past mistakes.

“I have admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction,” Biden said. “...I will never take the clemency I have been given today for granted and will devote the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering.”

The move sparked backlash, even from members of the President’s own party, according to USA Today.

California Democrat Senator-Elect Adam Schiff did not approve of Biden’s pardon.

“I think it sets a bad precedent. I understand as a father he wanted to help his son, but that precedent will almost certainly be abused by his successor, and he committed to not pardoning his son,” Schiff said. “He should have kept that.”

China bans rare mineral exports to the United States

China has banned several rare minerals commonly exported to the United States. According to CBS News, this move comes one day after the Biden administration began cracking down on the Chinese semiconductor industry.

Newsweek reports that the banned minerals, including gallium, germanium and antimony, are used in semiconductors, military equipment and solar panels.

U.S. News adds that these minerals are critical for U.S. national security.

Along with the ban on exporting these minerals, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, released a statement condemning the United States for the increased sanctions.

“China has lodged stern protests with the U.S. for its update of the semiconductor export control measures, sanctions against Chinese companies, and malicious suppression of China’s technological progress,” Lin said.

These moves by the U.S. and China escalate the ongoing trade war, which has been ongoing since 2018 and continues to worsen relations between the two countries.