UK authorities seek warrant to access Cambridge Analytica offices

U.K. Investigators Raid Cambridge Analytica Offices In London

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/23/596558772/u-k-in...

Investigators with Britain's information commissioner searched the London headquarters of Cambridge Analytica on Friday amid reports that the firm harvested the personal data of millions of Facebook users as part of a campaign to influence the U.S. 2016 presidential elections.

The move comes after a British High Court judge granted a warrant to the data watchdog Information Commissioner's Office, allowing its investigators to search the firm's offices.

The search is reported to be part of a broader investigation into possible ties between Cambridge Analytica and the campaign for the U.K. Brexit referendum.

The BBC reports,

"Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham has said she was looking at whether personal data was acquired in 'an unauthorised way', whether there was sufficient consent to share the data, what was done to safeguard it and whether Facebook acted robustly when it found out about the loss of the data."

The search was conducted by more than a dozen people wearing jackets identifying them as ICO personnel, according to The Associated Press.

The Guardian reports that a former Cambridge Analytica business development director, Brittany Kaiser, said that the firm provided data analysis for Leave.EU.

"Cambridge Analytica conducted data research for one of the leading Brexit campaign groups and then misled the public and MPs over the work the company had undertaken, according to a former employee who has spoken to the Guardian."

The Guardian added:

"Kaiser's revelations will reignite a fierce argument about the tactics used to try to influence voters in the Brexit campaign – and will add to the pressure on Alexander Nix, the [suspended] CEO of Cambridge Analytica.

The company is already under investigation by the Electoral Commission over what role, if any, it played in the EU referendum campaign."

A spokesman for Leave.EU, Aaron Banks, denied the claim, saying that his group did not receive any data or work from Cambridge Analytica.

Netanyahu hospitalized with high fever

https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5202492,00.html

03.27.18

Shortly after PM Netanyahu admitted to Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem with inflammation in respiratory system, high fever, doctors say will be discharged the same night.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was hospitalized in Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem’s Ein Kerem Tuesday evening due to suffering from a high fever and a severe cough.

After undergoing medical examinations, doctors decided that he would be discharged the same night.

His personal physician, Dr. Berkowitz, said that he believes the prime minister's symptoms from an illness he was suffering two weeks ago may have worsened due to not completing the period of rest required for recovery.

Doctors said he was suffering from an inflammation in his respitory system and that he was not in life-threatening danger.

Dr. Berkowitz decided that the prime minister should undergo a number of medical examinations at the hospital, and he was therefore admitted.

RELATED:

Former PM Olmert's advice to Netanyahu 'go home and fast'
03.18.18

https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5176787,00.html

In interview with Ynet, the former prime minister, who served as 16-month prison sentence for corruption, says returning to politics 'is not on the agenda'; says unlike PM Netanyahu, 'I didn't attack anyone as prime minister, my criticism today is done as a private citizen.'

In a veiled criticism of his successor Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Olmert claimed that "I've never waged a battle against law enforcement authorities as part of my job, and I never preached about morals

The difference between him and Netanyahu, he claimed, was that "I didn't do such a thing as prime minister. As prime minister, I never attacked anyone
The person you're talking about is taking advantage of his status as prime minister to threaten people that he could fire them and that he could disrupt their work. And he's doing that to people he appointed,

His advice to Netanyahu is "Bibi, go home fast and in an elegant manner,"
he said, referring to the prime minister by his nickname.

Bezos Battered : $13 Billion Net Worth Loss As Amazon Crashes

Farewell, Tiangong-1: Chinese Space Station Meets Fiery Doom Over South Pacific   4-1-2018

https://www.space.com/40101-china-space-station-tiangong-1-crashes....

https://www.facebook.com/100006909727422/videos/2077114525862185/

Tiangong-1, whose name translates as "Heavenly Palace-1," launched without anyone aboard on Sept. 29, 2011. It settled into an orbit about 217 miles (350 kilometers) above Earth — a little lower than the International Space Station, whose average altitude is 250 miles (400 km).

Retiring politicians : Latest Q

Roadblocks to the Announcement of Planet X are retiring. They know what's coming, and either are jumping off a sinking ship, or were made an "Offer they couldn't refuse."

Arrested on Rape Charges, Weinstein Posts $1 Million Bail

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/25/nyregion/harvey-weinstein-arrest...

After noting that the charges had emerged after “months of investigation,” Ms. Illuzzi added that the inquiry had shown “that this defendant used his money, power and position to lure young women into situations where he was able to violate them sexually.”

More here...

Nazca DNA Results + Debunking The Headlines

New DNA results are in on the Nazca mummies. While a number of publications have claimed to know the truth about these three-fingered beings, the actual research is still in progress... and the preliminary results are incredible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiKGcIDdcB4

Update 7: The Next Sequence
Unearthing Nazca
S1:Ep9   16 mins   June 2018

Since the investigation into the three-fingered Nazca mummies began, research teams around the world have worked to match samples from the large mummy, Maria, to the human genome. This next phase of DNA sequencing now suggests the body’s genetic makeup is unlike anything in our known fossil record.

https://www.gaia.com/video/update-7-next-sequence

https://www.gaia.com/video/update-7-next-sequence?fullplayer=feature

-----

ZetaTalk Chat Q&A for June 24, 2017
http://zetatalk.com/ning/24ju2017.htm

This intact mummy, found in the dry caves of Peru, is genuine and almost 100% alien in its DNA. Affection developed in the past between the visitors and humans, so an occasional hybrid survived to pass along some human DNA. But the obvious characteristics of an alien body – 3 long fingers, long arms, long toes, lack of external ears, and large eyes – are definitive. Such discoveries, on the increase over the past few years, are the result of a guided search, where contactees are guided to the location. The Awakening to the alien presence is being expedited.

https://www.aol.com/article/news/2018/06/25/the-entire-police-force...

The entire police force of a Mexican town has been arrested after a candidate for mayor was murdered

Merkel's Troubles Began In Syria And End In Italy

It looks like we are entering the end of Merkel-ism in Europe.  German Chancellor Angela Merkel is approaching her final days in that position.

Be it next week or the end of this year, we are looking at unprecedented change in European politics thanks to Merkel’s insistence on taking in millions of Syrian and North African refugees from chaos unleashed by aggressive and insane foreign policy actions by the U.S. and supported by the EU.

From the destruction of Libya to the manufactured ‘civil war’ in Syria the displacement of millions of people was created from the desired to destabilize the entire region for the betterment of the U.S. and its allies in the region, Saudi Arabia and Israel. Jordan, Turkey and Qatar were originally involved but have since jumped ship in the wake of Russia’s intervention there.

Merkel’s current plight politically stems from her intractability in accepting the chain of events that led us to this point. All of the problems of Europe now stem from the collision of these foreign policy disasters and the economic degradation of the euro-zone from the flawed structure of the euro itself.

And the insistence of the U.S./Saudi/Israeli alliance to continue trying to manufacture a win in Syria that is clearly beyond their control at this point only tightens the noose around Merkel’s neck.

Let me explain.

Simply put, there is a perfect storm now arising in Europe as the consequences of a number of policies converge into this period of time.  They are as follows:

1. Having each country maintain a separate central bank to issue sovereign debt denominated in euros is the main culprit for enriching Germany and the northern bloc like the Netherlands and Holland and impoverishing much of the rest of Europe — Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece, to name a few.

2. This mispriced the risk of these loans by implying a German backstop to them via the ECB and the Bundesbank.

3. As the euro rose in the 2000’s the value of the debt these countries issued skyrocketed in real value, destroying their fiscal situation and forcing debt restructuring which kicked the can down the road.

4. The Troika of the IMF, the ECB and the EU, led by Germany, forced new loans on these countries with ‘easy terms’ to pay off the old loans but never fixed the underlying problem because, well, Keynesianism.

5. To obtain this ‘relief’ from the Troika these countries had to accept onerous and politically unpopular ‘austerity’ measures which targeted budget deficits without reforming the euro to achieve any kind of growth.

6. This fueled the rise of populism across Europe which began stirring with early strong returns from Five Star Movement in Italy, Syriza in Greece and UKIP in the U.K.

7. The economic ruination of Europe climaxed with the horrific Greek debt showdown of 2015 which ripped the kindly mask off of Germany as the beneficent Emperor of the EU and revealed Merkel and her henchman Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble as the rapacious oligarchs they are.

8. Meanwhile the U.S. began the operation to overthrow Assad in Syria in 2012, which by early 2015 had displaced millions into countries like Turkey, who, at Merkel’s invitation, began shipping them to Europe so she could then play Mother Theresa to the world’s ‘tired and hungry, yearning to breathe free’ or some such nonsense.

9. Now with all of these refugees coming into Europe, the countries who were under ‘austerity’ from the Troika got no help nor any accounting relief from them.  Merkel et.al. insisted that they absorb these people in principle while also adhering to strict budgetary restraints imposed on them for Merkel’s loan-sharking  assistance.

10. By 2017 the revolt against migrants in Western Europe saw the overthrow of ruling parties all over the map.  Merkel was losing allies left and right.  It continues today.

11. The Italian elections ended with a hostile coalition to her while her own elections left her without much support within the Bundestag and vulnerable to a ‘no-confidence’ vote over immigration policy, which is where we are today.

12. President Trump is attacking Germany’s status as the rentier class of the EU through both tariffs on Germany’s main exports to the U.S. as well as its refusal to honor its commitment to NATO on defense spending.

13. The U.S. and Israel continue to drag out their loss in Syria by opposing any further consolidation of President Assad’s power in the hope of retaining enough territory to keep Syria an open wound to make headlines with while frustrating Iran and Russia.

It is the last point, however, I want to focus on now.  Merkel is trapped now by this situation.  There is no ‘third way’ out of this.  The people who stand behind her, the Soros-Set, for lack of a better term, want continued influx of migrants into Europe.

Those that oppose Trump domestically are tying his hands politically to keep him in Syria for as long as possible.  Every time he mentions getting out of Syria another false flag occurs.

Right now the SAA has begun its campaign to retake the southwestern part of Syria around Dara’a which the U.S. and Israel vehemently protest.  Is the protest real or just some much theatre?

As long as Iranian troops aren’t involved, it is likely just theatre.  But. at the same time, as discussed in this great post at Moon of Alabama, the U.S. is stirring the pot heavily in the Southeast near Deir Ezzor and the Iraqi border.

The interesting part about this is that the SAA is, apparently, pushing back against the unilaterally-declared deconfliction zone around the U.S. base at Al-Tanf, near the Iraq/Jordan/Syria border.

Trump’s campaign in Syria goes beyond just trying to effect regime change in Iran.  It is also part of his full-court press to force real change in Europe.  By keeping Syria a mess, with multiple areas of the country unstable it puts even more pressure on Europe to deal with potential migration issues.

This morning, as part of his election campaign, President Erdogan in Turkey vowed to send the Syrian refugees in Tu...  But to where, exactly?

Merkel herself, in support of her own policy, visited Lebanon where there are millions of Syrian refugees and said Syria isn’t stable enough for them to return home.

Are you getting the picture yet?

But any substantive change in the U.S.’s military position in Syria will change that in a heartbeat.  The main source of the instability in Syria would end and life there could begin to return to normal.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t serve the goals of the power elite nor their quislings, like Merkel.  And so this insanity will continue until it can’t and then something radical will change.

For Merkel, she no longer has any allies.  Macron in France wants to take over for her as leader of the EU, so he’ll back the U.S. in Syria.

It is Italy that has the leverage over her now.  They can’t come out against the U.S. in Syria when they need Trump’s help with Merkel.  So, the immigration issue will stay on the front burner long enough to get Merkel removed from power and gain the new government domestic support.

For her part Merkel and Macron’s new EU restructuring plan would be in Italy’s favor but it was solidly rejected by most of the creditor nations, unsurprisingly.

Let the negotiations for Merkel’s future begin.

---------------------------------------------

The Zetas Right Again!

http://www.zetatalk.com/ning/01oc2016.htm

Merkel has been an aggressive proponent of bringing in Syrian refugees, who seem to be disproportionately young men rather than complete families with women and young children and the aged. This begs the question, why did these young men desert their families? The suggestion made by this German engineer, in his deathbed confession, is that this refugee welcome is deliberate, to sculpt the population into a worker force rather than a citizen base demanding social services. The refugee influx into Europe has proved to be a disaster, with an aggressive counter push to keep refugees in their homeland, to be resettled there. Was this Merkel’s plan, and has it failed? Yes.

http://www.zetatalk.com/ning/30ap2018.htm

Germany under Merkel has pushed to establish what might be termed a 4th Reich, using ISIS sleeper cells as her secret militia and partnering with Erdogan in Turkey.

http://www.zetatalk.com/ning/01jy2017.htm

But is there more to this? Many hands can start fires, inciting copycat fires to follow suit. Knowing this, covert interests that want to rid Europe of the threat of ISIS have joined this effort. They are aware of the takeover plan by Erdogan and Merkel, to control the new Europe in the Aftertime, using an army of obedient young Muslim soldiers. Sending the immigrants back to Syria, is a worthwhile plan, but will take too long in the opinion of these covert interests. This is a battle with many fronts and many parties, and only just beginning.

Marketing Firm Exactis Leaked a Personal Info Database With 340 Million Records

https://www.wired.com/story/exactis-database-leak-340-million-records/

You've probably never heard of the marketing and data aggregation firm Exactis. But it may well have heard of you. And now there's also a good chance that whatever information the company has about you, it recently leaked onto the public internet, available to any hacker who simply knew where to look.

Earlier this month, security researcher Vinny Troia discovered that Exactis, a data broker based in Palm Coast, Florida, had exposed a database that contained close to 340 million individual records on a publicly accessible server. The haul comprises close to 2 terabytes of data that appears to include personal information on hundreds of millions of American adults, as well as millions of businesses. While the precise number of individuals included in the data isn't clear—and the leak doesn't seem to contain credit card information or Social Security numbers—it does go into minute detail for each individual listed, including phone numbers, home addresses, email addresses, and other highly personal characteristics for every name. The categories range from interests and habits to the number, age, and gender of the person's children.

"It seems like this is a database with pretty much every US citizen in it," says Troia, who is the founder of his own New York-based security company, Night Lion Security. Troia notes that almost every person he's searched for in the database, he's found. And when WIRED asked him to find records for a list of 10 specific people in the database, he very quickly found six of them. "I don’t know where the data is coming from, but it’s one of the most comprehensive collections I’ve ever seen," he says.

In the Open

While it's far from clear if any criminal or malicious hackers have accessed the database, Troia says it would have been easy enough for them to find. Troia himself spotted the database while using the search tool Shodan, which allows researchers to scan for all manner of internet-connected devices. He says he'd been curious about the security of ElasticSearch, a popular type of database that's designed to be easily queried over the internet using just the command line. So he simply used Shodan to search for all ElasticSearch databases visible on publicly accessible servers with American IP addresses. That returned about 7,000 results. As Troia combed through them, he quickly found the Exactis database, unprotected by any firewall.

"I’m not the first person to think of scraping ElasticSearch servers," he says. "I’d be surprised if someone else didn't already have this."

Troia contacted both Exactis and the FBI about his discovery last week, and he says the company has since protected the data so that it's no longer accessible. Exactis did not respond to multiple calls and emails from WIRED asking for comment on its data leak.

Aside from the sheer breadth of the Exactis leak, it may be even more remarkable for its depth: Each record contains entries that go far beyond contact information and public records to include more than 400 variables on a vast range of specific characteristics: whether the person smokes, their religion, whether they have dogs or cats, and interests as varied as scuba diving and plus-size apparel. WIRED independently analyzed a sample of the data Troia shared and confirmed its authenticity, though in some cases the information is outdated or inaccurate.

While the lack of financial information or Social Security numbers means the database isn't a straightforward tool for identity theft, the depth of personal info nonetheless could help scammers with other forms of social engineering, says Marc Rotenberg, executive director of the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center. "The likelihood of financial fraud is not that great, but the possibility of impersonation or profiling is certainly there," Rotenberg says. He notes that while some of the data is available in public records, much of it appears to be the sort of nonpublic information that data brokers aggregate from sources like magazine subscriptions, credit card transaction data sold by banks, and credit reports. "A lot of this information is now routinely gathered on American consumers," Rotenberg adds.

Without confirmation from Exactis, the precise number of people affected by the data leak remains tough to count. Troia found two versions of Exactis' database, one of which appears to have been newly added during the period he was observing its server. Both contained roughly 340 million records, split into about 230 million records on consumers and 110 million on business contacts. On its website, Exactis boasts that it possesses data on 218 million individuals, including 110 million US households, as well a total of 3.5 billion "consumer, business, and digital records."

"Data is the fuel that powers Exactis," the site reads. "Layer on hundreds of selects including demographic, geographic, lifestyle, interests, and behavioral data to target highly specific audiences with laser-like precision."

A Database Dilemma

Massive leaks of user databases that are accidentally left accessib... have nearly reached epidemic status, affecting everything from health information to password caches stored by software firms. One particularly prolific researcher, security firm UpGuard's Chris Vickery, has discovered those database leaks again and again, from 93 million Mexican citizens' voter registration records to a list of 2.2 million "high-risk" people suspected of crime or terrorism, known as the World Check Risk Screening database.

But if the Exactis leak does in fact include 230 million people's information, that would make it one of the largest in years, bigger even than 2017's Equifax breach of 145.5 million people's data, though smaller than the Yahoo hack that affected 3 billion accounts, revealed last October. (It's worth emphasizing in the case of the Exactis leak, unlike in those earlier data breaches, the data wasn't necessarily stolen by malicious hackers, only publicly exposed on the internet.) But like the Equifax breach, the vast majority of people included in the Exactis leak likely have no idea they're in the database.

EPIC's Marc Rotenberg argues that the timing of the breach, just after the implementation of Europe's General Data Protection Regulation, highlights the persistent lack of regulation around privacy and data collection in the US. A GDPR-like law in the US, he notes, might not have prevented Exactis from collecting the data it later leaked, but it might have required the company to at least disclose to individuals what sort of data it collects about them and allow them to limit how that data is stored or used.

"If you have a profile on someone, that person should be able to see their profile and limit its use," Rotenberg says. "It’s one thing to subscribe to a magazine. It’s another for a single company to have such a detailed profile of your entire life."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5890179/Anti-child-abuse-ad...

Head of prominent charity that campaigns against child abuse is arrested for ‘trying to arrange to rape multiple children as young as two’

• Joel Davis, 22, was arrested in New York on Tuesday on child sex abuse charges
• Davis is the chairman of the International Campaign to Stop Rape and Gender Violence in Conflict - an organization devoted to ending sexual violence 
• He is accused of trying to set up sexual encounters between himself and children as young as two years old
• Davis also allegedly solicited an undercover FBI agent to send sexually explicit videos of young children

Published: 23:02 EDT, 26 June 2018

The head of a charity that campaigns against sexual violence has been arrested in New York for child pornography and allegedly trying to meet with children as young as two for sex. 

Joel Davis, 22, is accused of trying to set up sexual encounters between himself and young children, as well as soliciting an undercover FBI agent to send sexually explicit videos of minors. 

The New Yorker was arrested on Tuesday on child sex abuse and child pornography charges.

Davis is the chairman of the International Campaign to Stop Rape and Gender Violence in Conflict - an organization devoted to ending sexual violence. 

Charges: Joel Davis, 22, is accused of trying to set up sexual encounters between himself and young children, as well as soliciting an undercover FBI agent to send sexually explicit videos of minors

Prosecutors say despite his involvement in the organization, Davis exchanged text messages with undercover agents over the course of several weeks earlier this month.

The 22-year-old allegedly arranged to meet the nine-year-old daughter of one of the undercover agents and with the purported two-year-old daughter of the officer's girlfriend.

He allegedly went into detail in the text messages about what sexual activities he intended to engage in with the children. 

Prosecutors say Davis repeatedly asked the undercover agent to take naked and sexually explicit pictures and videos of the children and to send them to him. 

Following his arrest, Davis allegedly admitted to officers that he had abused a 13-year-old boy in the past and that he kept child porn images on his phone. 

+3

Davis is the chairman of the International Campaign to Stop Rape and Gender Violence in Conflict - an organization devoted to ending sexual violence

'Having started an organization that pushed for the end of sexual violence, Davis displayed the highest degree of hypocrisy by his alleged attempts to sexually exploit multiple minors,' FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said.

'As if this wasn't repulsive enough, Davis allegedly possessed and distributed utterly explicit images of innocent infants and toddlers being sexually abused by adults.'

Davis faced Manhattan federal court on Tuesday charged with enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of child pornography and receipt and distribution of child pornography.  

According to his LinkedIn profile, Davis has attended Oxford University, Columbia University and The Juilliard School. 

US Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman described Davis' alleged actions as 'unfathomable' and 'sickening'.

'Davis started an organization devoted to stopping sexual violence, while allegedly engaged in the duplicitous behavior of sharing explicit images of infants engaged in sexual activity,' he said.

'Davis also allegedly solicited an undercover officer - whom he thought to be a willing participant – to send sexually explicit videos of his nine-year-old daughter, and even to set up a sexual encounter between himself and a two-year-old. 

'The conduct alleged against Joel Davis is as unfathomable as it is sickening, and as this case demonstrates, law enforcement will keep its watchful eye on the darkest corners of the internet to bring predators to justice.'

https://www.aol.com/article/news/2018/07/01/exit-polls-show-mexicos...

Exit polls show Mexico's Lopez Obrador winning election; rivals concede

MEXICO CITY, July 1 (Reuters) - Leftist outsider Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador won Mexico's presidential election handily on Sunday, exit polls showed, setting the stage for a government that will inherit tense relations with Washington and the scrutiny of nervous investors.

Jose Antonio Meade, the candidate of the ruling centrist Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, conceded defeat to Lopez Obrador, a 64-year-old former Mexico City mayor, within minutes of the polls closing.

"For the good of Mexico, I wish him the very best of success," Meade said in a speech. Lopez Obrador's other rivals also conceded that the race was lost.

Lopez Obrador is expected to move Mexico in a more nationalist direction as he becomes the first leftist to rule the country in decades. He has pledged to reduce economic dependence on the United States.

Mexico's current government has sparred with U.S. President Donald Trump over trade and migration for months

One exit poll by Parametria showed Lopez Obrador with a lead of 20 percentage points, winning between 53 percent and 59 percent of the vote, far ahead of his two main rivals from Mexico's traditional parties.

An official "quick count" of results is expected at midnight EDT (0400 GMT), with a margin of error of 0.5 percent.

Consulta Mitofsky for broadcaster Televisa showed Lopez Obrador, who had maintained a healthy lead in polls ahead of the vote, winning between 43 percent and 49 percent of the vote. Mitofsky and others also showed him winning by at least 20 percentage points.

If confirmed, the results would represent a resounding defeat for outgoing President Enrique Pena Nieto's PRI, which has ruled Mexico for all but 12 of the last 89 years.

The runner-up in the 2006 and 2012 presidential elections, Lopez Obrador pitched himself as the only one capable of cleaning up the government after years of poor economic growth and rampant gang violence eroded faith in the political class.

Seeking support from economic nationalists, leftist liberals and social conservatives, Lopez Obrador has been vague on policy details. But he vows to reduce inequality, improve pay and welfare spending and run a tight budget.

How $21 Trillion in U.S. Tax Money Disappeared. “Full Scope Audit” of the Pentagon

https://www.globalresearch.ca/how-21-trillion-in-u-s-tax-money-disa...

This is part of our series on the unaccounted for $21 Trillion in taxpayer money. As unbelievable and absurd as that sounds, the actual total of unaccounted for money at the Pentagon is most likely significantly more than $21 trillion. The First ever “full-scope audit” of the Pentagon is presently underway. Read the first report from this series here.

According to the Department of Defense Inspector General and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, $21 Trillion in Taxpayer Funding Is Unaccounted For.

To help people comprehend the scale of this, $1 Trillion is $1000 Billion. This means that $21,000 Billion in taxpayer money has gone missing.

https://www.aol.com/article/news/2018/07/10/israeli-police-again-qu...

Israeli police again question Netanyahu over alleged corruption

Jul 10th 2018 5:47AM

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces three investigations over alleged corruption, was questioned again by police over a case involving Israel's largest telecoms firm on Tuesday, Army Radio said.

The authorities allege Netanyahu awarded regulatory favors to Bezeq Telecom Israel in return for favorable coverage of him and his wife on a news site owned by the company. Netanyahu, Bezeq and its owner have all denied wrongdoing.

A Reuters cameraman saw a police car pulling into the driveway of the prime minister's official residence in Jerusalem. Netanyahu has been questioned over the case before and police have yet to make a recommendation about charges.

A police spokesman declined comment, and a spokesman for Netanyahu had no immediate comment.

In the two other cases in which police have already recommended that Netanyahu be charged with bribery, the final decision about whether to prosecute rests with the Israeli attorney general -- that could be months away.

So far, partners in Netanyahu’s governing coalition have stood by him, saying they are awaiting the attorney general’s next moves. However, political pressure could mount on Netanyahu to step down if he is charged.

Netanyahu could also call a snap election to try to stall legal proceedings during the campaign and rally his right-wing power base behind him. Polls show Netanyahu’s Likud party gaining seats and positioned far ahead of all other factions.

CFTC Approves Record $30 Million Award For JP Morgan Whistle-Blower

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-07-12/cftc-approves-record-30-m...

The CFTC has finally approved what is expected to be the largest award in the history of its whistle-blower-awards program: According to Bloomberg, the commission has authorized a $30 million award for information about JP Morgan neglecting to inform its wealthy asset-management clients about conflicts of interest involving the bank's investment recommendations.

The award represents 30% of the $100 million in penalties and surrendered profits that the CFTC received in a December 2015 settlement with the bank. 

The CFTC made the award public on Thursday without naming individuals or the bank. According to the attorney, Edward Siedle, it was the culmination of a December 2015 settlement in which JPMorgan agreed to pay regulators a total of $367 million for failing to disclose that it was steering asset-management clients into investments that would be especially profitable to the bank.

That included $100 million that went to the CFTC -- $40 million in penalties and $60 million in disgorgement. The bank agreed to pay an additional $267 million at the time to the Securities and Exchange Commission, where a pair of preliminary whistle-blower awards totaling $61 million were authorized a year ago but still await final approval.

It's also the fifth award in the history of the CFTC program, which was created along with a separate whistle-blower program at the SEC as part of the Dodd-Frank act. As the claimant's attorney, Edward Siedle, said, many bank whistle-blowers aren't aware that there's "a commodities element" to many cases of investment fraud, which opens the door to the CFTC's involvement, and the possibility of more settlement money.

"We hope that an award of this magnitude will incentivize whistle-blowers to come forward with valuable information and provide notice to market participants that individuals are reporting quality information about violations" of commodities-trading law, said CFTC Chairman J. Christopher Giancarlo.

Siedle acknowledged earlier Thursday that an unnamed client of his acted as a whistle-blower in obtaining the CFTC award. Siedle said he had also obtained a preliminary award from the SEC on behalf of the same client.

"Most would-be whistle-blowers overlook the fact that there’s a commodities element in most investment fraud," Siedle said. "This award demonstrates that the CFTC is willing to act quickly on those complaints if contacted."

In a separate award granted last year, the Securities and Exchange Commission handed two whistle-blowers a combined $61 million bounty, equivalent to roughly 23% of its $267 million settlement with JPM.

Under Dodd-Frank, the SEC and CFTC run two separate whistle -blower award programs. Each allows whistle-blowers to receive between 10% and 30% of total recoveries, depending on the value of the information they provide. Those settlements are often worth tens - if not hundreds - of millions of dollars.

So far, no comments from fortress-balance-sheet CEO Jamie Dimon on the award or the underlying fraud as he likely sees this a just another 'storm in a teacup'... although he knows a fraud when he sees one.

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/jul/17/the-ugly-scandal-that-...

The ugly scandal that cancelled the Nobel prize

Sweden’s literary elite has been thrown into disarray by allegations of sexual harassment and corruption.

In the eyes of its members, there is no more important cultural institution in the world than the Swedish Academy. The members, who call themselves The Eighteen (always in capitals), are elected for life by their peers, and meet for a ritual dinner every Thursday evening at a restaurant they own in the heart of the old town in Stockholm. And once a year, at a ceremony brilliant with jewels and formality, the permanent secretary of the academy hands out the Nobel prize in literature and all the world applauds.

But this year there will be no prize and no ceremony. In November 2017, it was revealed in the Swedish press that the husband of one of the academy members had been accused of serial sexual abuse, in assaults alleged to have taken place over more than 20 years. Jean-Claude Arnault, a French photographer and cultural entrepreneur, is married to the poet and academician Katarina Frostenson. In addition to assault accusations against him, the pair are accused of misusing academy funding. Arnault has denied all accusations, and Frostenson has refused to comment.

The academy is paralysed by the scandal, which was followed by a slew of resignations and expulsions. Six of The Eighteen have withdrawn from any part in its deliberations; another two were compelled to do so. The statutes say that 12 members must be present to elect any new ones, so with only 10, no important decisions can be taken and no new members elected. The vacuum has been filled with invective.

According to one senior academy member, the man responsible for the moral decay of the institution – through his “rotten macho values and arrogant high-handedness” – is the critic and historian Horace Engdahl, a former secretary of the academy. Engdahl, a close friend of Arnault, has in turn called the current secretary the worst the academy has ever had.

The scandal broke when the Stockholm daily paper Dagens Nyheter published the testimonies of 18 women who said that they had been assaulted or exploited by Arnault. Even if many were anonymous, the cumulative effect was impossible to ignore. In two cases the allegations amounted to rape.

What made the matter a wider global scandal is that it seemed to reveal something rotten at the heart of the Swedish Academy: many of the attacks were said to have taken place in luxurious apartments owned by the academy, in Stockholm and in Paris. Arnault and Frostenson also profited for years from academy subsidies to an arts club they owned and ran together. In addition, Frostenson has been accused of leaking the names of literature prize winners to Arnault, with the result that large bets were placed with bookies in Paris. Arnault’s lawyer, Björn Hurtig, told Expressen that his client was “disturbed and resigned … He says this is totally wrong and he is innocent of the allegations.”

Soon after the scandal broke, the secretary of the academy, Sara Danius, announced that she had herself been sexually harassed by Arnault. She called in lawyers and attempted to expel Frostenson from the academy. Arnault, meanwhile, has powerful defenders. His great friend Engdahl campaigned to have Danius expelled in turn. In an article for the national tabloid Expressen, Engdahl deprecated the vulgarity of his opponents in the academy, and called them “a clique of bad losers … who plotted to wound and humiliate Katarina Frostenson”

In the event, both women stepped down. Enough members resigned in support of Danius that the academy was left inquorate, with Engdahl in control of the rump. It seems possible that the king of Sweden, who has ultimate responsibility for the academy, will simply close the whole thing down this summer, with potentially disastrous consequences for the Nobel prize in literature. The Nobel Foundation, which funds the prize, is refusing to keep doing so until the academy is cleaned up.

The scandal has elements of a tragedy, in which people who set out to serve literature and culture discovered they were only pandering to writers and the people who hang around with them. The pursuit of excellence in art was entangled with the pursuit of social prestige. The academy behaved as if the meals in its clubhouse were as much an accomplishment as the work that got people elected there.

The academy had thought it stood for the culture of TS Eliot: somewhat masculine and unashamedly elitist, in which power is channelled in the service of tradition. It turns out to be much more like the culture of an ageing rock star: smug, macho, with its cool self-importance armoured by money and fame. The destruction of the academy’s reputation is not just damaging to an old, odd, Swedish institution, but also to the ideals it upheld, and to the dream of a global high culture that the Nobel prize represents

Swedish academy member Katarina Frostenson and her husband, Jean-Claude Arnault, who has been accused of multiple sexual assaults. Photograph: IBL/REX/Shutterstock

The Academy was, from its inception in 1786, an elitist institution. It was to contain the best writers and scholars in Sweden, and to guard and nourish the language. It puts out an official list of all the recognised words in Swedish and is still working, after more than a century, on the definitive dictionary of the language. Members are elected for life, and inducted at a banquet with a fanfare of trumpets. It is rich, with investments worth an estimated £110m. Membership brings considerable financial advantages: there are a great many perks in the way of apartments in the loveliest parts of Stockholm, dinners, and the use of delightful offices. The members’ compensation is not published, but according to an investigation of their tax returns by one Stockholm paper, they receive around £40,000 a year when they are active participants. To be the secretary is a full-time post, and while the salary is unknown, the pension increases by £10,000 for every year served.

It’s harder to discover what the academy’s use to contemporary Sweden is. The kind of literature it exists to nourish is kept alive largely by subsidy. With a few exceptions, its members could not make a living from writing. This is, of course, true of writers everywhere today, but in a world dominated by a few global languages, the chief of them English, a language like Swedish – with only 9 million speakers – can’t sustain many writers economically. The books that sell in Sweden are almost always those that can be profitably translated, which means crime novels, with the occasional quirky literary breakout such as the novel Popular Music from Vittula.

In the 1970s, the idea that the academy was the pinnacle of Swedish culture came under attack, at the same time as the wider belief that European – and particularly Swedish – culture represented the peak of human achievement was looking rather unconvincing. To the academy, this was a slowly growing but existential threat. The extraordinary ambition of the academy’s judges was not just to read foreign literature in the original language but, beyond that, to judge their originality and importance within their own traditions. However, as the world of literature expanded to include Latin America, Africa, India, Japan and China, this aspiration began to look unrealistic.

The academy had been established to embody and to strengthen the claim that Swedish was one of the great languages of European civilisation, as worthy of respect as any other. In 1974 the academy put this belief to the test by choosing two of its own members, the poets Harry Martinson and Eyvind Johnson, for the prize – a choice that was greeted with a storm of derision. (Four years later, Martinson killed himself.) This criticism seems unduly harsh: Martinson is a much better poet than, for example, Bob Dylan, who was awarded the prize in 2016. But the dismissive reaction was a warning of things to come

Very long article continues...........

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/20/trump-poised-to-take-control-of-the...

Dick Bove: Trump poised to take control of the Federal Reserve

6:26 PM ET Fri, 20 July 2018

Former Hillary Clinton Employee Arrested On Treason Charges

https://topalertnews.com/former-hillary-clinton-employee-arrested-o...

July 23 2018

Candace Marie Claiborne has become the first Clinton-era State Department employee indicted on treason charges, after a federal grand jury indicted her for conspiring to defraud the U.S. government, concealing contact with foreign spies, obstructing an official proceeding, and making false statements to the FBI.

Claiborne, a veteran State Department employee who possessed a Top Secret security clearance, concealed her extensive contacts with Chinese intelligence agents, who for years lavished her with thousands of dollars in gifts as part of a pay-for-play scheme, according to a Department of Justice press release.

In addition to cash payments, Chinese spies provided Claiborne with vacations, an apartment, Apple electronics, and tuition to a Chinese fashion school, according to the indictment. Suggesting she learned tricks from Hillary Clinton, her former boss, Claiborne allegedly told co-conspirators to delete all emails and evidence after getting caught.

The bill of charges contains numerous felonies and Claiborne, 60, is facing spending the rest of her life behind bars, as prosecutors warn she is “the first of many” corrupt Clinton-era State Department employees that will be bought to justice by a reinvigorated DOJ.

“Candace Marie Claiborne is a U.S. State Department employee who possesses a Top Secret security clearance and allegedly failed to report her contacts with Chinese foreign intelligence agents who provided her with thousands of dollars of gifts and benefits,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General McCord.

“Claiborne used her position and her access to sensitive diplomatic data for personal profit. Pursuing those who imperil our national security for personal gain will remain a key priority of the National Security Division.”

He added: “This case demonstrates that U.S. government employees will be held accountable for failing to honor the trust placed in them when they take on such sensitive assignments.”

“Candace Claiborne is accused of violating her oath of office as a State Department employee, who was entrusted with Top Secret information when she purposefully mislead federal investigators about her significant and repeated interactions with foreign contacts,” said Assistant Director in Charge Vale.

“The FBI will continue to investigate individuals who, though required by law, fail to report foreign contacts, which is a key indicator of potential insider threats posed by those in positions of public trust.”

The grand jury found Claiborne’s Washington, D.C. home and her savings account are subject to forfeiture, if she’s convicted.

She wrote in a journal that she could “generate 20k in 1 year” through one of her Chinese agents, according to an affidavit. She was allegedly wired nearly $2,500 shortly after and was asked to provide the U.S. government’s analyses of its 2011 economic talks with China.

According to the Department of Justice’s press release, Claiborne is facing decades behind bars for her crimes:

“The maximum penalty for a person convicted of obstructing an official proceeding is 20 years in prison. The maximum penalty for making false statements to the FBI is five years in prison. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors"

CBS Shares Plunge on Pending Moonves Sexual Misconduct Story

Shares in the television company move lower on reports that The New Yorker is set to release a Ronan Farrow expose about the CEO.

https://www.thestreet.com/markets/cbs-tanks-on-speculation-of-new-y...

The Battle for Planet Earth is reaching a critical phase. 

✨ Qanon - You Are Witnessing The Largest Mass Treason Event In Living History ✨
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The people of the world are sick and tired of being set against each other by powerful criminals who want us divided so they can continue to rape, steal and exploit us.
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Currently the gravest threat to the world is the corrupt mainstream media who has been taken over by a powerful cabal. They have been lying to us for decades, twisted our minds and led us down a path of darkness. The evidence is all around you.
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The only way we can defeat this evil is by removing their power and turning them off. They are named the "Mockingbird Media" after a criminal operation of the same name to infiltrate journalism and take control of the narratives.

President Trump proclaims September 2018 to be National Preparedness Month. Q draws attention to this soon after. The Transformation Team hard at work!

Presidential Proclamation on National Preparedness Month, 2018

Issued on: August 31, 2018

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-procla...

https://8ch.net/qresearch/res/2832966.html#2833619

National Preparedness Month is a time to focus our attention on the importance of preparing our families, homes, businesses, and communities for disasters that threaten our lives, property, and homeland. During this time, we also honor the brave men and women who selflessly respond to crises and disasters, rendering aid to those in need. These first responders, who work tirelessly to safeguard our Nation and protect our citizens, deserve our utmost gratitude and appreciation.

Over the past year, communities nationwide and across the Territories have witnessed and endured damage from multiple hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters. The historic hurricane season of 2017 included three catastrophic storms that made landfall within a month, and was followed by a destructive series of wildfires in California. Combined, these natural disasters affected 47 million people and tens of thousands were mobilized to provide aid, comfort, and assistance. We are also especially mindful of those currently affected by ongoing wildfires in California, Oregon, and Colorado. In spite of tremendous challenges, the resilience of the American people continues to prevail.

Tragedies are somber reminders that preparedness is a shared responsibility and that it is critical to maintain readiness. All Americans can prepare for potential disasters by developing and practicing a family emergency response plan, assembling a disaster supply kit, signing up for alerts on mobile devices, setting aside emergency savings, and maintaining adequate insurance policies for their homes and businesses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Ready Campaign outlines other important steps to best prepare for a major disaster.

This month, I encourage all Americans to take the opportunity to ensure they have an emergency response plan in place and ready to be properly executed. Emergencies and disasters test the resilience and strength of families, communities, and our Nation. It is impossible to avoid every challenge and threat, but we can and must prepare for them. By doing so, we can help protect our communities and save lives.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2018 as National Preparedness Month. I encourage all Americans, including Federal, State, and local officials, to take action to be prepared for disaster or emergency by making and practicing their emergency response plans. Each step we take to become better prepared makes a real difference in how our families and communities will respond and persevere when faced with the unexpected.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.

DONALD J. TRUMP

BREAKING: President Trump Orders Declassification of Some FISA Court Documents, All Texts From Russia Investigation

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2018/09/17/breaking-trum...

After months of requests, President Trump declassified a number of FISA court documents late Monday afternoon and directed the relevant government agencies to release them to the public.

"At the request of a number of committees of Congress, and for reasons of transparency, the President has directed the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Justice (including the FBI) to provide for the immediate declassification of the following materials: (1) pages 10-12 and 17-34 of the June 2017 application to the FISA court in the matter of Carter W. Page; (2) all FBI reports of interviews with Bruce G. Ohr prepared in connection with the Russia investigation; and (3) all FBI reports of interviews prepared in connection with all Carter Page FISA applications," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders released in a statement.

President Trump also ordered the unredacted release of all text messages related to the Russia investigation from fired FBI Director James Comey, fired Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, fired FBI agent Peter Strzok and FBI lawyer Lisa Page.  

"In addition, President Donald J. Trump has directed the Department of Justice (including the FBI) to publicly release all text messages relating to the Russia investigation, without redaction, of James Comey, Andrew McCabe, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, and Bruce Ohr," the statement continues. 

On Sunday House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, who has been requesting President Trump declassify these documents for months, argued the documents needed to be declassified before the2018 midterm elections. Nunes also announced he would be declassifying a number of depositions by key players in the Russia probe.

"Are we alone?"

The enigmatic Q strikes another blow against the Cover-Up!

ZetaTalk Chat Q&A for March 31, 2018
http://zetatalk.com/ning/31mr2018.htm

When Obama was under constant assassination attempts by the crowd who did not want him to admit the presence of Nibiru, Dunford sought to expedite the announcement by running Jade Helm 2015 to manage any riots that might emerge. When Obama lacked courage and failed, Dunford stepped in. The US has been run by a Junta ever since – Mattis, Dunford and his Marines. We have stated that behind the scenes, Hillary and hundreds of others were tried by military tribunals, and their laundered stolen funds taken from them. Fort Knox Gold has now been reinstated.

Meanwhile, the announcement admitting Nibiru is dragging, though the public no longer trusts the media. The Deep State wanting to wrest control of the US from Trump and his Junta has become vicious, like a trapped animal. It has been rumored that there are 1,400 sealed indictments allowing arrests of the Deep State and the Bush/Clinton cabal, and this is true though the number is multiples higher. Arrests and interrogations have garnered more names. But how to take those under House Arrest out of circulation? How to inform the public?

Trials await, and this latest EO by Trump allows them to proceed according to Military Law. Does this not imply that the true situation in the Trump administration, that it is being run by a Junta, will be admitted? One of the blocks to admitting the Junta was the state of matters adjudicated in civil and criminal courts. Trumps March 1 EO clarifies. It does not cover matters already adjudicated. Does this trial by tribunal of Deep State crimes not require, in step, an admission that Nibiru exists? More later re all of that.

ZetaTalk: Roswell

Jul 15, 1995

http://www.zetatalk.com/govmt/g03.htm

Roswell is all the rage here in the United States. It is the flag-bearer in the parade of those who march to learn the truth. The facts are well known, and the facts that are known relate almost completely to the truth. This is a true story. What is not well known is that Roswell was not an accident.

At that time, within the United States, many alien groups wanted a dialog with the United States government. We chose the United States because of its leadership in the community of nations. The United States was and is sticking its nose into every activity throughout the globe. We knew we could rely on the United States to be the message bearer for any message the alien groups wished to get out. The United States, as other governments, was not approachable. Individuals who were contacted by the alien groups were treated as though they were infected. They were not listened to. The block in these matters was the human desire to be in control. Therefore, in order to allow the humans in the United States government to be open to our messages, we allowed them to be in control. Several entities within the alien groups trying to contact the United States government volunteered to be of service. They expected to die. The plan was to allow ships to crash, ostensibly at the hands of humans. This maximized the feeling of control the humans would experience, particularly as the front end of any contact was, unfortunately, through the military. Once they felt they could harm us, they were willing to parley.

The rumor that delicate flowers, in shades of white and yellow, were found etched into the impermeable metal on the inside of the crashed ship is true. Were these wall decorations to remind the homesick travelers of flowers in their homeland? Yes. Just as humans decorate their homes with those items that are powerful reminders and trigger emotions, the better to become lost in delicious reverie, just so these travelers carried with them a reminder of their home planet, so far away and, in the case of those setting out to create the Roswell crash, never to be seen again. They sacrificed themselves at Roswell not because they had nothing to lose, but because of what they hoped the Earth would gain.

Read more...

Hungary approves 'STOP Soros' law, defying EU, rights groups

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-soros/hungary-approves-s...

20 JUNE, 2018

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary’s parliament on Wednesday approved a package of bills that criminalizes some help given to illegal immigrants, defying the European Union and human rights groups.

The legislation narrows the scope for action by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), making their workers liable for jail terms for helping migrants to seek asylum when they are not entitled to it.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban has led eastern European opposition to EU quotas that aim to distribute asylum seekers around the bloc, criticizing the open-door policy that German Chancellor Angela Merkel proclaimed at the height of the European migrant crisis in 2015.

Orban’s right-wing Fidesz party tightened its grip on parliament in April elections after campaigning on an anti-immigration platform. Fidesz also demonized Hungarian-born U.S. billionaire George Soros and the liberal NGOs he backs, naming the new legislation the “STOP Soros” law.

Orban accuses Soros of encouraging mass immigration to undermine Europe, a charge he denies.

“The Hungarian people rightfully expect the government to use all means necessary to combat illegal immigration and the activities that aid it,” Interior Minister Sandor Pinter wrote in a justification attached to the draft legislation.

“The STOP Soros package of bills serves that goal, making the organization of illegal immigration a criminal offense. We want to use the bills to stop Hungary from becoming a country of immigrants,” he said.

Parliament, where Fidesz has a two-thirds majority, also passed on Wednesday a constitutional amendment stating that an “alien population” cannot be settled in Hungary - a swipe at Brussels over its quota plan.

Germany’s Europe minister Michael Roth expressed regret that Hungary had not waited for the Venice Commission, an expert body, to issue a report on the issue along with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

“We share the concerns of the Venice Commission regarding the criminalization of the activities of non-governmental organizations in the area of refugee aid,” he said.

TOUGH STANCE IS VOTE-WINNER

Immigration has become a major concern for voters across the EU, helping to propel anti-migrant parties into power in Italy and Austria and threatening to fracture Merkel’s three-month-old coalition in Germany.

Orban has played on Hungarians’ memories of large numbers of mostly Muslim migrants fleeing war and poverty who surged into the country in the summer of 2015.

Most moved on to wealthier western European countries, but Orban has branded the migrants a threat to Europe’s Christian civilization and built a border fence along Hungary’s southern borders to deter more from coming.

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Italy migrant crisis: Government passes tough bill

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45625833

24 Sept 2018

The Italian government has passed a decree which will make it easier to deport migrants and strip them of Italian citizenship.

Migrants could now be expelled if they are found guilty of serious crimes such as rape and assault.

Previously, this was only possible at the end of a lengthy appeals process.

Interior Minister Matteo Salvini described the measure as "a step forward to make Italy safer". The measure needs the backing of lawmakers.

The decree also envisages that asylum seekers accused of drug dealing will have their applications denied, Mr Salvini said.

He has been a prominent figure in a public immigration crackdown in Italy since his government, a coalition between the right-wing League party and the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, came to power in June.

The minister has frequently come into conflict with rescue ship operators and last month was involved in a public stand-off about the disembarkation of 150 migrants on a coast guard ship on the island of Sicily.

Mr Salvini is under investigation for his role in the dispute.

Rescue ship allowed to disembark in Sicily

In a separate development, a rescue vessel operating in the central Mediterranean Sea has had its registration revoked by Panama leaving its future operations in jeopardy.

When the Aquarius next docks, it will have to remove its Panama maritime flag and cannot set sail without a new registration, raising the possibility it may end up stuck in port.

It is the last private rescue ship picking up migrants trying to cross from Libya to Europe and is currently sailing to the French port of Marseille with migrants on board

The charities running the Aquarius accuse the Italian government of pressuring Panama into deflagging it.

The two groups which lease it, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and SOS Mediterranée, say they were notified of the decision by the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) on Saturday.
Workers on board Aquarius in dockImage copyrightAFP
Image captionThe Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) only registered the ship last month, after the Gibraltar authorities revoked its flag

The authority is said to have described the ship as a "political problem" for the country's government, and said Italian authorities had urged them to take "immediate action" against them, according to SOS Mediterranée.

Mr Salvini, who has previously described the aid boats as a "taxi service" for migrants, denies his country put pressure on Panama.

According to the United Nations, more than 1,700 migrants have died trying to cross to Europe in 2018.

The Aquarius has been operating in the area since February 2016, finding itself at the centre of diplomatic stand-offs in recent months over where to land rescued migrants.

It was under the flag of the Gibraltar Maritime Administration until August this year, when it was given "notice of removal" and re-registered with Panama.

The ship's operators say they were notified of the new decision while on a current mission, and say they have 58 survivors on board from two boats they found in distress.

In a joint statement, the charities insisted they were in "full compliance" with maritime law and denounced the decision as condemning hundreds to death.

The statement asks for European governments to step in to allow the vessel to continue its operations by either reassuring the Panamanian authorities or issuing it a new flag.

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Hungary pursued by EU over 'Stop Soros' migrant law

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44887638

19 July 2018

The European Commission says a law in Hungary that criminalises support for asylum seekers is illegal amid a battle with the country over EU migration.

Hungary has now been referred to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for "non-compliance" with EU legislation.

Viktor Orban's government passed a law in June stating anyone "facilitating illegal immigration" could face prison.

The law was dubbed "Stop Soros" after the billionaire philanthropist Hungary accuses of supporting Muslim migrants.

On Thursday, the Commission chided Hungary over the law, which it said curtailed asylum applicants' right to turn to national, international and non-governmental organisations for help.

It said that an infringement procedure had been opened against the country because the new legislation broke EU rules, adding that a "letter of formal notice" had been issued.

The Commission has accused Hungary of failing to respect European law when it returns asylum seekers to other countries or detains them on its border with Serbia.

"The Commission considers that the indefinite detention of asylum seekers in transit zones without respecting the applicable procedural guarantees is in breach of EU rules," it said in a statement.

Last month, a report by the Council's Venice Commission leaked to the BBC raised concerns over the new Hungarian law, noting that the legislation "criminalises organisational activities which are not directly related to the materialisation of the illegal migration".

The Hungarian government argues that it is doing the rest of Europe a service by limiting the flow of what it regards as illegal migrants into the bloc.

Hungary has also said that immigration threatens its national security, but its hardline stance has been met with widespread international criticism.

Hungarian-American businessman George Soros is one of the world's most renowned, and philanthropic, financial investors.

At the height of Europe's refugee crisis, Mr Soros pledged generous backing for aid groups supporting migrants.

---------------------------------------

Soros Foundation sues Hungary over laws making it illegal to help asylum-seekers at European Court of Human Rights

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/soros-foundation-hu...

24 Sept 2018

The international philanthropic organisation founded by George Soros has said it will take Hungary to the European Court of Human Rights over laws which make it a crime to help asylum-seekers.

However, Budapest has staunchly asserted it will not repeal the laws, no matter what judges decide.

In June, Hungary passed the “Stop Soros” legislation which threatens anyone who helps refugees who are not entitled to protection apply for asylum, or helps illegal migrants gain status to stay in Hungary, with jail.

Viktor Orban’s policy also introduced a 25 per cent special tax on aid groups it says support migration.

Mr Soros’s group, Open Society Foundations (OSF), said the “Stop Soros” legislation “breaches the guarantees of freedom of expression and association enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights and must be repealed”.

“The Hungarian government has fabricated a narrative of lies to blind people to the truth: that these laws were designed to intimidate independent civil society groups, in another step towards silencing all dissent,” OSF president Patrick Gaspard said in a statement.

OSF said the provisions of the legislation were so broadly written that ”they will have a far-reaching and chilling effect on the work of civil society far beyond the field of migration”.

Budapest, which has accused Mr Soros and the liberal groups he supports of trying to destroy Europe’s Christian culture by promoting mass migration, responded with defiance.

“The government stands by the Stop Soros package of laws ... as the legislation serves the will of the Hungarian people, and the security of Hungary and Europe,” a government spokesman said.

“The Soros organisation attacks the Stop Soros package with all possible means as the legislation stands in the way of illegal immigration. The aim of George Soros and organisations supported by him is to flood Europe with migrants.”

Mr Soros, who was born in Hungary, denies trying to promote mass migration into Europe from the Middle East and elsewhere.

In May, OSF announced it would close its office in Budapest after more than 30 years and move to Berlin.

http://conservativefighters.org/news/clinton-accuser-juanita-broadd...

Clinton Accuser Juanita Broaddrick Demands FBI Probe on Clinton Rape Claim, Amid Kavanaugh Furor

Juanita Broaddrick is calling on the FBI to launch an investigation into her longstanding allegations that former President Bill Clinton raped her in 1978 — accusing Democrats of a “double standard” for ignoring her case while demanding such a probe into allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Broaddrick slammed Democrats for not treating her claims as seriously as those brought by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick — all of whom have accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault or sexual misconduct.

“It’s not politically advantageous for them to circle around me and support me,” Broaddrick told Fox News. “These are the same people that refused to read my deposition with Ken Starr back in 1999. Not one Democrat would read it. [Chuck] Schumer, [Dianne] Feinstein, [Dick] Durbin—they completely turned their backs on me.”
Despite the lapse in the statute of limitations, she told Fox News on Tuesday — and tweeted over the 

weekend — that she wants an investigation launched into her claims, suggesting the findings could at least be used to strip benefits for the former president.

Broaddrick was interviewed by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr in 1999 as part of his investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct brought by Paula Jones. At first, Broaddrick signed a sworn affidavit denying the rape ever occurred. But when Starr approached her, he offered her immunity. She told BuzzFeed News in 2016 that was when she decided it “was time to tell the truth.”
A week after Ford testified on Capitol Hill that Kavanaugh forced himself on her at a high school party — an allegation Kavanaugh denied — Broaddrick detailed her own account, which dates back more than four decades when Clinton was Arkansas’ attorney general, in the interview with Fox News.

“It scared me to death. After the rape, after he left my room, I thought someone was going to come in to get rid of my body. That’s how I felt,” Broaddrick said. “My lip was swollen twice the size, I couldn’t even cover it up with makeup for three or four days.”
“After it was done, he coldly looked at me and said ‘you’d better put some ice on that.’ I’ll never forget it,” Broaddrick said.

She recalled sitting on the bed “crying and devastated, not even beginning to realize what had happened to me.” She said Clinton assured her, “’Don’t worry. I’m sterile. … I had mumps when I was a boy,’” adding, “That just made me cry even harder. I had just been raped.”
A spokesperson for Clinton did not respond to Fox News’ request for comment.
Clinton denied Broaddrick’s allegations through his attorney back in 1999, saying, “Any allegation that the president assaulted Mrs. Broaddrick more than 20 years ago is absolutely false. Beyond that, we’re not going to comment.”

Broaddrick, who attended last week’s hearing where both Ford and Kavanaugh testified, told Fox News there needs to be “corroboration regarding an incident” of this kind — and suggested she has more than Kavanaugh’s accusers.
“I have so many witnesses. The lady that was traveling with me found me 30 minutes after the rape, and then I have five other people I told,” she said. “You need something that can link the abuser to the abused. And there was everything to corroborate this rape.”

In the wake of last week’s testimony and the emergence of even more claims, Broaddrick said she has become “wary” of the allegations brought against Kavanaugh, arguing there is not enough evidence to support them.

Ford maintained last week that she’s “100 percent” sure Kavanaugh assaulted her. She claimed his friend, Mark Judge, was also in the room. Ford has said she considered it to be “attempted rape.” The FBI has opened a supplemental background investigation to review her and others’ allegations against the nominee.

Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick also accused Kavanaugh of misconduct. Ramirez claimed that at a dorm party during their freshman year at Yale University, Kavanaugh exposed himself to her. Swetnick claimed that in the early 1980s, Kavanaugh would “drug” the “punch” at parties, and was involved in “gang” and “train” rapes.

Kavanaugh has vehemently denied the allegations.

As the FBI launches another background investigation into Kavanaugh, Broaddrick wants a criminal probe.
This would seem unlikely, as the statute of limitations has expired in Arkansas. Broaddrick, though, tweeted last month that “Rape has no Statute of Limitations on the trauma suffered by the victim” and called for all states to remove such prosecution restrictions. Speaking with Fox News, she said the former president’s taxpayer benefits should at least be stripped.
“I would like to see Bill Clinton, the former president, be stripped of his perks—this man takes in millions of dollars each year from our tax dollar,” Broaddrick said. “I would love to be able to have my case reviewed by the FBI and consider taking these perks away from a rapist.”

Broaddrick said that she “absolutely” wants President Trump to demand an investigation, but noted she doesn’t “have a direct line to him” and hasn’t spoken to him since he invited her to appear in a panel with other Clinton victims immediately prior to the second presidential debate in St. Louis, Mo., in October 2016.
Broaddrick first returned to the public eye in early 2016, after Hillary Clinton said victims of sexual abuse should come forward and be believed.
On Tuesday, Clinton said at a forum that she found Ford’s testimony to be “credible” and “convincing.” Last week, Clinton said on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” that it would be “very easy for the FBI to go back” and investigate the Kavanaugh allegations.
Broaddrick fired back on Twitter...….

“EXCELLENT…..then you @HillaryClinton would support my request for the FBI to investigate my RAPE by your husband……since it’s ‘very easy’ to go back that far,” Broaddrick tweeted.

Israeli Police Recommend Bribery Charges Against Netanyahu And Wife Over "Bezeq Walla Affair"

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-12-02/israeli-police-recommend-...

NY Attorney General Opens Investigation Into Massive Marriott Hack

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-11-30/500-million-affected-mass...

Update: New York State Attorney General Barbara Underwood has launched an investigation into the hack of Starwood's guest registration system announced Friday morning.

And while one analyst who appeared on CNBC Friday morning said he didn't expect the scandal to have a long-term impact on Marriott shares, analysts at Cowen have warned that it could impact enrollment in Starwood's loyalty program, which is seen as one of its most successful assets.

* * *

This is terrible news for Marriott shareholders (and great news for the VC backers of Airbnb).

Marriott shares have fallen more than 2% in premarket trading after the hotel chain announced news of a massive data breach of its guest registration system at Starwood hotels, the hotel chain that it purchased in September 2016. 

According to a press release, Marriott believes the compromised database had information on up to 500 million guests who had made a reservation at a Starwood property. The information compromised includes sensitive details including their passport numbers (for those who booked at foreign hotels) as well as name, date of birth, dates of their reservation, email address and mailing address. The infiltration dates back to at least September 2014 - before Starwood was purchased by Marriott - and continued through September of this year. Payment card numbers and payment card expiration dates belonging to some of those affected were also stolen, but the payment card numbers were encrypted using Advanced Encryption Standard encryption.

To put these numbers in context, going by sheer volume, the Starwood Hotels hack would be the largest since Yahoo announced that information belonging to roughly 3 billion users had been taken by hackers. Marriott was alerted to the breach when a security tool notified the company of an attempted intrusion back in September. After an investigation, the company learned that hackers had been accessing data from its guest registration system and had even attempted to remove and encrypt it.

Just like Equifax and other major data breaches before it, news of the hack is bound to raise a number of questions about what Marriott knew and when, and whether Starwood should have been aware of and disclosed this information before the IPO, as well as exactly what the fallout for those affected might be.

Marriott has informed the UK Information Commissioner's office about the hack of its global reservation system.

"We have received a data breach report from Marriott Hotels, involving its Starwood Hotels and will be making enquiries," the regulator said. It asked any concerned customers impacted by the hack to report any suspicious activity.

Read the full release below:

BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Marriott has taken measures to investigate and address a data security incident involving the Starwood guest reservation database. On November 19, 2018, the investigation determined that there was unauthorized access to the database, which contained guest information relating to reservations at Starwood properties* on or before September 10, 2018.

On September 8, 2018, Marriott received an alert from an internal security tool regarding an attempt to access the Starwood guest reservation database in the United States. Marriott quickly engaged leading security experts to help determine what occurred. Marriott learned during the investigation that there had been unauthorized access to the Starwood network since 2014. The company recently discovered that an unauthorized party had copied and encrypted information, and took steps towards removing it. On November 19, 2018, Marriott was able to decrypt the information and determined that the contents were from the Starwood guest reservation database.

The company has not finished identifying duplicate information in the database, but believes it contains information on up to approximately 500 million guests who made a reservation at a Starwood property. For approximately 327 million of these guests, the information includes some combination of name, mailing address, phone number, email address, passport number, Starwood Preferred Guest (“SPG”) account information, date of birth, gender, arrival and departure information, reservation date, and communication preferences. For some, the information also includes payment card numbers and payment card expiration dates, but the payment card numbers were encrypted using Advanced Encryption Standard encryption (AES-128). There are two components needed to decrypt the payment card numbers, and at this point, Marriott has not been able to rule out the possibility that both were taken. For the remaining guests, the information was limited to name and sometimes other data such as mailing address, email address, or other information.

Marriott reported this incident to law enforcement and continues to support their investigation. The company has already begun notifying regulatory authorities.

“We deeply regret this incident happened,” said Arne Sorenson, Marriott’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We fell short of what our guests deserve and what we expect of ourselves. We are doing everything we can to support our guests, and using lessons learned to be better moving forward.”

“Today, Marriott is reaffirming our commitment to our guests around the world. We are working hard to ensure our guests have answers to questions about their personal information, with a dedicated website and call center. We will also continue to support the efforts of law enforcement and to work with leading security experts to improve. Finally, we are devoting the resources necessary to phase out Starwood systems and accelerate the ongoing security enhancements to our network,” Mr. Sorenson continued.

Guest Support

Marriott has taken the following steps to help guests monitor and protect their information:

Dedicated Website and Call Center

We have established a dedicated website (info.starwoodhotels.com) and call center to answer questions you may have about this incident. The frequently-asked questions on info.starwoodhotels.com may be supplemented from time to time. The call center is open seven days a week and is available in multiple languages. Call volume may be high, and we appreciate your patience.
Email Notification

Marriott will begin sending emails on a rolling basis starting today, November 30, 2018, to affected guests whose email addresses are in the Starwood guest reservation database.
Free WebWatcher Enrollment

Marriott is providing guests the opportunity to enroll in WebWatcher free of charge for one year. WebWatcher monitors internet sites where personal information is shared and generates an alert to the consumer if evidence of the consumer’s personal information is found. Due to regulatory and other reasons, WebWatcher or similar products are not available in all countries. Guests from the United States who activate WebWatcher will also be provided fraud consultation services and reimbursement coverage for free. To activate WebWatcher, go to info.starwoodhotels.com and click on your country, if listed, for enrollment.
Marriott is furnishing a Form 8-K with the SEC attaching a copy of this press release and presenting certain other information with respect to the incident.

Starwood brands include: W Hotels, St. Regis, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Element Hotels, Aloft Hotels, The Luxury Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, Four Points by Sheraton and Design Hotels. Starwood branded timeshare properties are also included.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-02-10/salvini-calls-elimination...

Salvini Calls For Elimination Of Italy's Central Bank, "Prison Time For Fraudsters"

Sun, 02/10/2019 - 19:56

On Friday, in a moment of predictive insight, Bank of America correctly warned that the greatest threat to EPS - i.e., markets - in the next 3 years "is an acceleration of global populism via taxation, regulation & government intervention." Just one day later, this warning to the financial establishment was starkly manifest in that ground zero for Europe's populist revolt, Italy, where the country's coalition government hinted at where the global populist wave is headed next when he slammed the country’s central bank leadership and stock market regulator, escalating its attacks on establishment figures ahead of the European parliamentary vote in May.

Matteo Salvini, the outspoken head of the anti-immigrant League party, said the Bank of Italy and Consob, the country’s stock market regulator, should be "reduced to zero, more than changing one or two people, reduced to zero", or in other words eliminated, and that “fraudsters” who inflicted losses on Italian savers should "end up in prison for a long time."

As the FT notes, this latest broadside against Italy’s financial establishment comes as the two parties which are increasingly at odds with each other amid speculation Salvini may hold elections to become the sole leader of Italy, prepare to run against each other in the European parliamentary elections in May, a contest widely seen as a proxy for national polls. Meanwhile, both leaders have also increased their attacks against targets including the EU and French president Emmanuel Macron.

Confirming the rising animosity between the two coalition partners, the League and Five Star have openly squabbled over the future of an Alpine rail line and migration, while the two leaders’ repeated attacks against France which culminated with Di Maio meeting the leaders of the anti-Macron Yellow Vest moment, triggered a diplomatic crisis which last week saw Paris recall its ambassador from Rome.

Saturday's latest verbal crackdown targeting of the Bank of Italy comes after central bankers issued more pessimistic economic growth forecasts for this year compared with the numbers underpinning the government’s budget. As we reported last month, Italy entered into a technical recession in the second half of 2018, with the Bank of Italy cutting its GDP forecast for 2019 to 0.6% compared with a 1% forecast made by the government. At the same time, the European Commission slashed Italy's GDP forecast from 1.2% to a borderline recessionary 0.2% for the full year, hinting that Italy's budget deficit forecast will not only be missed, but could re-emerge as a focal point of renewed tensions between Rome and Brussels in the coming months.

Meanwhile, ECB head Mario Draghi, an Italian and former former governor of the Bank of Italy, last year warned that central bank independence was under threat by populist governments, while not making a direct reference to Italy. Should Salvini cement his de facto Italian leadership in upcoming elections, it would make life for the local central bank especially complicated.

Separately, Di Maio and other Five Star ministers said they want to block Luigi Federico Signorini, the deputy director-general of the Bank of Italy, from renewing his term, according to La Repubblica. The newspaper reported that the Italian cabinet was divided on the issue.

As previously reported, in the latest anti-establishment shot across the bow, several days ago the government nominated Paolo Savona, a veteran economist and prominent Eurosceptic who had previously served as minister for European affairs, as the new president of Consob. Savona was last year been blocked as the coalition’s first choice as economy minister by Italian president Sergio Mattarella, following strong pressure from Brussels and a revolt in the Italian bond market.

Israel AG rejects Netanyahu request to push back pre-indictment hearing

https://www.foxnews.com/world/netanyahu-israel-pre-indictment-hearing

Israel’s attorney general Thursday rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request to postpone a pre-indictment hearing in the corruption cases against him.

Netanyahu's request to postpone the early October hearing cited the snap election set for Sept. 17 due to his inability to form a government, The Times of Israel reported.

Netanyahu had until midnight on May 29 to cobble together a coalition government made up of his conservative Likud party and allied religious and nationalist parties, but negotiations fell apart over military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men. In response, the 120-member Israeli parliament, the Knesset, voted to dissolve itself.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said that the new elections did not justify a second delay, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Mandelblit pointed out that he had already agreed to postpone the hearing once, from July to early October, even though his pre-indictment announcement dated back to Feb. 28.

Netanyahu’s lawyers initially asked for a full-year postponement until next July, reportedly arguing that there was too much evidence to review in three months, but that request was denied.

Mandelblit's decision to reject a second postponement request came in response to a petition to the High Court of Justice by the Movement for the Quality of Government in Israel, which wanted him to stick to the original July 10 hearing date, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Netanyahu responded by claiming that Mandelblit and state prosecutors had allowed a two-year delay of a pre-indictment hearing in a case against a judge.

A spokesman for Netanyahu reportedly argued that it was not fair that the judge was granted a two-year extension for a building violation and the prime minister was only given a three-month extension for a more complex case.

“This is the definition of injustice. It is thoroughly shocking,” Netanyahu’s statement said.

A justice ministry spokeswoman said that the case against Netanyahu, which includes bribery charges, is much more serious and therefore, his case is on a regular bribery case track and not the extremely delayed track for insignificant building-zoning cases, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Netanyahu’s attorneys must notify the attorney general’s office by June 10 if he intends to move forward with the hearing, where he would get the opportunity to try and persuade Mandelblit not to prosecute him. If Netanyahu decides not to go through with a hearing, the attorney general could file indictments within days or weeks, according to The Times of Israel.

Mandelblit has recommended pressing criminal charges against the Israeli prime minister in three corruption cases, pending the hearing. The charges include allegations that Netanyahu accepted gifts from billionaire friends and promoted beneficial regulations for a telecom magnate in exchange for positive news coverage.

Netanyahu has denied all the allegations against him and has called the charges the product of a media-orchestrated witch hunt to try and remove him from office.

-------------------------------------------

New interim justice minister Netanyahu to be taken to court

A source close to Netanyahu said he needed “another day or two” to decide on the appointment.

https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/New-interim-justice-minister-Neta...

The Movement for the Quality of Government in Israel will petition the High Court of Justice on Wednesday against the prime minister for remaining acting justice minister in violation of the attorney-general’s legal advice.

Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he could not be acting justice minister because of the public corruption charges he faces in three cases. KAN reported that Mandelblit gave Netanyahu “one day – maximum” to hold the sensitive post.

A source close to Netanyahu said he needed “another day or two” to decide on the appointment.

Netanyahu automatically became acting justice minister and acting education minister at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, when his firing of Ayelet Shaked and Naftali Bennett took effect.

While the Education portfolio will wait for a reshuffle of cabinet ministries next week, the Justice Ministry is more urgent due to Mandelblit’s decision. Candidates for interim justice minister include Likud ministers Yariv Levin and Ze’ev Elkin, deputy minister Tzipi Hotovely and MK Amir Ohana. One of them will become acting justice minister during the transition period until after the September 17 repeat election when a new coalition is formed that can approve a permanent justice minister.

More...

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Is This the End for Netanyahu?

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/01/world/middleeast/netanyahu-israe...

Jeffrey Epstein Has Been Arrested For Sex Trafficking of Minors

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-07-06/jeffrey-epstein-has-been-...

Jeffrey Epstein has been arrested for allegedly sex trafficking dozens of minors in New York and Florida between 2002 and 2005, according The Daily Beast. Epstein is reportedly due to appear in court on Monday, about 12 years after the 66 year old received a slap on the wrist for allegedly molesting dozens of underage girls.

The new charges claim that "Epstein sexually exploited dozens of underage girls in a now-familiar scheme: paying them cash for 'massages' and then molesting or sexually abusing them in his Upper East Side mansion or his residence in Palm Beach."Epstein's abuse allegations date back more than a decade and have been recently brought to light by his victims and authorities. Up until now, and even in the midst of the #MeToo movement, Epstein has been able to avoid any type of meaningful jail time. 

In an era where #MeToo has toppled powerful men, Epstein’s name was largely absent from the national conversation, until the Miami Herald published a three-part series on how his wealth, power and influence shielded him from federal prosecution. For years, The Daily Beast reported on Epstein’s easy jail sentence and soft treatment by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which ultimately scrapped a 53-page indictment against Epstein. An earlier version of Epstein’s plea deal included a 10-year federal sentence—before his star-studded lawyers threatened to go to trial in a case prosecutors feared was unwinnable, in part because Epstein’s team dredged up dirt on the victims, including social media posts indicating drug use.

Employees and associates of Epstein allegedly recruited the girls for Epstein, and some victims also became recruiters themselves. The girls were as young as 14 and police allege that Epstein knew they were underage. Epstein's attorney, Martin Weinberg, declined to comment Saturday night. 

Epstein has been accused of transporting young women on his private jet to facilitate the abuse, according to his alleged victims. For more background on the allegations already made in lawsuits, and in the public domain against Epstein, read the full Daily Beast article here. 

Recall, back in 2017, we wrote about former secret service agent Dan Bongino threatening to reveal new details about Bill Clinton’s 26 documented trips aboard notorious pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet, nicknamed the “Lolita Express."

Bongino dropped a ominous-sounding threat at the time: “...people know things not yet released publicly about your messiah Hillary. Don’t poke the bear loser, you may not like the results. #Epstein #EmailGate,” tweeted Bongino.

In addition to Clinton, Epstein also has ties to President Trump. One of his alleged victims was a 15 year old employee at Mar-a-Lago and various of Epstein's allies have close ties to Trump. 

Past alleged victims of Epstein include a 15-year-old Mar-a-Lago employee. Past alleged co-conspirators include Trump ally Alan Dershowitz and Prince Andrew. The architect of Epstein’s past federal sweetheart deal is current Trump administration labor secretary Alex Acosta. https://t.co/a5Y9NcJWqL

— Adam Weinstein (@AdamWeinstein) July 7, 2019

For those who are unfamiliar with his story, Jeffrey Epstein is a New York City financier who pled guilty in 2008 to a single count of soliciting sex from an underage girl. He eventually spent 13 months in prison and was forced to register as a level three sex offender (considered the highest risk of re-offending) though stories of his lust for girls as young of 12 have spread like wildfire in recent years.

Epstein allegedly installed beds in his custom jet, and also purportedly filmed powerful men during romps with underage girls to obtain materials for blackmail.

According to Fox News, Epstein allegedly had a team of traffickers who procured girls as young as 12 to service his friends on Epstein’s “Orgy Island,” an estate on Little St. James in the US Virgin Islands. Epstein now lives permanently in the US Virgin Islands.

Clinton chose to continue his association with Epstein even after the lurid trial, according to the Alliance to Rescue Victims of Trafficking, “everyone within his inner circles knew was a pedophile." Speculation that Clinton was involved with Epstein was noted in "Bill Clinton Was Here": The Elite One-Percent’s 'Orgy Island' Exposed." An article by the now defunct Gawker titled "Flight Logs Put Clinton, Dershowitz on Pedophile Billionaire’s Sex Jet" added to speculation about Clinton's troubling relationship with the convicted sex offender.

Back in 2017, we revealed the full flight logs from Epstein's "Lolita Express".

ZETAS RIGHT AGAIN!  

Labor Secretary Acosta announces he will step down, amid criticism over Epstein plea deal

By Adam Shaw, Brooke Singman | Fox News

Published 19 hours ago

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/labor-secretary-acosta-plans-to-re...

Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta said Friday he will be stepping down over his past involvement in a highly controversial plea deal for financier Jeffrey Epstein, who is now facing sex trafficking charges.

Acosta and President Trump revealed the secretary’s decision Friday morning during remarks to reporters outside the White House. Acosta said he submitted his resignation to the president that morning and would resign from his post next week.

"Over the last week, I've seen a lot of coverage about the Department of Labor," Acosta said, noting the reports have been related to the Epstein controversy and not success at the agency. "I do not think it is right and fair for this administration's Labor Department to have Epstein as the focus rather than the incredible economy we have today."

"I called the president today ... I submitted my resignation," Acosta said. "It would be selfish for me to stay in this position and continue talking about a case that is 12 years old rather than the incredible economy we have today."

Acosta came under heavy fire this week for his role as U.S. attorney for Florida in securing a plea deal for Epstein that resulted in an 18-month sentence — he served just 13 months.

The deal was criticized as lenient because Epstein could have faced a life sentence. Acosta negotiated a deal that resulted in two state solicitation charges, but no federal charges.

Epstein was charged this week with sex trafficking and conspiracy during the early 2000s based on new evidence. Epstein pleaded not guilty on Monday in New York City federal court.

The president, though, underscored that it was Acosta's decision to resign from his post, and touted his work in the administration.

"Alexander is a great labor secretary -- not a good labor secretary," he said. "There is no need at all, as far as I'm concerned...This is a person that I've gotten to know. There hasn't been an ounce of controversy at the Department of Labor."

Trump added: "He's doing this not for himself. He's doing this for the administration. I said, 'You don't have to do this.' He doesn't have to do this."

Trump announced that deputy secretary of Labor, Pat Pizzella, will take over the agency as acting secretary.

Trump, who was said to have been friends with Epstein, added that he "was not a fan" of him and has not spoken to him in 15 years.

"I wasn't a big fan of Epstein. That I can tell you," he said. "I will say this and say it again. I say it loud and clear. Alex Acosta was a great secretary of labor."

(continued)

-----

Epstein arrest

ZetaTalk Chat Q&A for July 31, 2019

http://zetatalk.com/ning/31jy2019.htm

President Trump knew Epstein socially, as they were both billionaires in the social swirl in New York City. But when Trump learned of Epstein’s tendencies he banned him immediately from Mar-a-Lago golf course. During Epstein’s first trial and plea agreement in 2007 Trump’s current Labor Secretary Acosta was the prosecutor, but will resign. None of this reflects on President Trump.

Emmanuel Macron announces the creation of a military command of space
FRANCE

http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/emmanuel-macron-annonce-la-cre...

https://translate.google.com.ar/translate?sl=fr&tl=en&u=htt...

Update the 13/07/2019

This command will be created within the Air Force which eventually become "the air force and space," announced the President in his speech on the eve of the National Day at the Brienne Hotel.

President Emmanuel Macron announced Saturday the creation next September of a command dedicated to space, an area essential to military operations and become a field of confrontation between powers.

"To ensure the development and reinforcement of our space capabilities, a major space command will be created next September" within the Air Force which "will ultimately become the Air Force and Air Force. Space, "said the head of state at the traditional reception given to the Ministry of the Armed Forces on the eve of the annual parade on the Champs-Elysees.

Describing the space as "a real national security issue, because of the conflict it provokes", last year Emmanuel Macron wanted to endow France with "a defense space strategy". It is now ready, he said Saturday. "We will strengthen our knowledge of the space situation, we will better protect our satellites, including actively," he said

"The new space and military doctrine that was proposed to me by the Minister [of the Armies Florence Parly, Ed], which I approved, will ensure our defense of space and space", a- he underlined, with the minister in question, who should detail soon the outline of the French strategy.

Trump wants to create a "Space Force"

The largest space powers in the world - the United States, China and Russia - have been engaged for several years in a race for the domination of space. In the United States, the Pentagon has announced its intention to set up a "Space Force" desired by President Donald Trump, subject to congressional approval.

This space force will be equal to other US military corps, while remaining in the lap of the Air Force, and will bring together all military and civilian personnel working in the space sector in the Pentagon (satellites, rockets, weapons, technologies ...). The monitoring of space will be one of his priorities.

“It’s Going to Be Staggering, the Amount of Names”: As the Jeffrey Epstein Case Grows More Grotesque, Manhattan and DC Brace for Impact

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/07/jeffrey-epstein-case-grows-...

The disgraced financier “collected people,” said a source. Could some of them be implicated in his crimes? Meanwhile, Alan Dershowitz (“He’s a bad person”) and David Boies (“He’s a liar”) are already at war over the case.

The Jeffrey Epstein case is an asteroid poised to strike the elite world in which he moved. No one can yet say precisely how large it is. But as the number of women who’ve accused the financier (at least, that’s what he claimed to be) of sexual assault grows to grotesque levels—there are said to be more than 50 women who are potential victims—a wave of panic is rippling through Manhattan, DC, and Palm Beach, as Epstein’s former friends and associates rush to distance themselves, while gossiping about who might be ensnared. Donald Trump’s labor secretary, Alexander Acosta, architect of the original 2007 non-prosecution agreement that let Epstein off with a wrist slap, has already been forced to resign.

Hackers breach FSB contractor, expose Tor deanonymization project and more

SyTech, the hacked company, was working on research projects for the FSB, Russia's intelligence service

https://www.zdnet.com/article/hackers-breach-fsb-contractor-expose-...

Hackers have breached SyTech, a contractor for FSB, Russia's national intelligence service, from where they stole information about internal projects the company was working on behalf of the agency -- including one for deanonymizing Tor traffic.

The breach took place last weekend, on July 13, when a group of hackers going by the name of 0v1ru$ hacked into SyTech's Active Directory server from where they gained access to the company's entire IT network, including a JIRA instance.

Hackers stole 7.5TB of data from the contractor's network, and they defaced the company's website with a "yoba face," an emoji popular with Russian users that stands for "trolling."

Hackers posted screenshots of the company's servers on Twitter and later shared the stolen data with Digital Revolution, another hacking group who last year breached Quantum, another FSB contractor.

This second hacker group shared the stolen files in greater detail on their Twitter account, on Thursday, July 18, and with Russian journalists afterward.

FSB's secret projects

Per the different reports in Russian media, the files indicate that SyTech had worked since 2009 on a multitude of projects since 2009 for FSB unit 71330 and for fellow contractor Quantum. Projects include:

• Nautilus - a project for collecting data about social media users (such as Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn).
• Nautilus-S - a project for deanonymizing Tor traffic with the help of rogue Tor servers.
• Reward - a project to covertly penetrate P2P networks, like the one used for torrents.
• Mentor - a project to monitor and search email communications on the servers of Russian companies.
• Hope - a project to investigate the topology of the Russian internet and how it connects to other countries' network.
• Tax-3 - a project for the creation of a closed intranet to store the information of highly-sensitive state figures, judges, and local administration officials, separate from the rest of the state's IT networks.

BBC Russia, who received the full trove of documents, claims there were other older projects for researching other network protocols such as Jabber (instant messaging), ED2K (eDonkey), and OpenFT (enterprise file transfer).

Other files posted on the Digital Revolution Twitter account claimed that the FSB was also tracking students and pensioners.

Some projects came to be, were tested

But while most of the projects look to be just research into modern technology -- which all intelligence services carry out -- there are two that appear to have been tested in the real world.

The first was Nautilus-S, the one for deanonymizing Tor traffic. BBC Russia pointed out that work on Nautilus-S started in 2012. Two years later, in 2014, academics from Karlstad University in Sweden, published a paper detailing the use of hostile Tor exit nodes that were attempting to decrypt Tor traffic.

Researchers identified 25 malicious servers, 18 of which were located in Russia, and running Tor version 0.2.2.37, the same one detailed in the leaked files.

The second project is Hope, the one which analyzed the structure and make-up of the Russian segment of the internet.

Earlier this year, Russia ran tests during which it disconnected its national segment from the rest of the internet.

SyTech, the hacked company, has taken down its website since the hack and refused media inquiries.

Iranian Rocket Launch Ends In Failure, Imagery Shows

https://www.npr.org/2019/08/29/755406765/iranian-rocket-launch-ends...

Satellite imagery shared exclusively with NPR shows that an Iranian rocket appears to have exploded on the launch pad Thursday.

The imagery from the commercial company Planet and shared via the Middlebury Institute of International Studies shows smoke billowing from the pad at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in northern Iran. The pad had been given a fresh coat of paint in recent days, and numerous vehicles had been spotted around the site in preparation for the launch attempt.

"This look likes the space launch vehicle blew up on the launch pad," says Dave Schmerler, a senior research associate at the Middlebury Institute who has analyzed the imagery taken Thursday. "This failure happened maybe a couple of minutes before the image was taken."

The failure is the third this year. In January and February, Iran attempted to launch two rockets, both of which failed to reach orbit.

Imagery from a second commercial satellite owned by the company Maxar, showed the accident's aftermath in more detail. The images appeared to show the rocket still attached to the machinery used to transport and erect it for launch.

Enlarge this image

A second image from the commercial company Maxar shows the rocket still attached to equipment used to transport and erect it.

©2019 Maxar Technologies

"This looks to me like an accident during launch preparation," says Michael Elleman, Director of the Nonproliferation and Nuclear Policy Program at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. "It'd probably likely be a problem during fueling the missile, or an electrical shortage."

The Trump administration has accused Iran of using its space program to develop long-range missiles, but Elleman says he doesn't believe the space program is directly applicable to missiles. "I think it's a real stretch what the administration is claiming," he says. "I don't know of a single satellite launcher that's been converted into a ballistic missile."

Domestically, Iran's space program is much more about trying to show the nation as a technological leader, says Ariane Tabatabai, a political scientist at the RAND Corporation. "The regime tries to portray Iran as being at the forefront of science and tech," Tabatabai says. "The space program really sits within that narrative."

This latest failure is likely to put still more pressure on Iran's small space program. "This is probably not going to reflect well on the space team in Iran and all the resources going towards it," Schmerler says.

But Tabatabai says that despite the spate of failures this year, it's unlikely Iran will give up entirely on its space ambitions. "The program has been around for a few decades now," she says. "I don't think we're going to stop seeing Iran trying."

In fact, another launch could be imminent. Schmerler says satellites have picked up activity at a second, larger launch pad near where the failure took place. "We might still get a launch off that pad in the near future," he says.

Mission over: Russia terminates its ‘Fedor’ space robot

• Fedor, or Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research, was built to assist space station astronauts, but wasn’t up to the task

It’s mission over for a robot called Fedor that Russia blasted to the International Space Station, the developers said, admitting he could not replace astronauts on spacewalks.

“He won’t fly there any more. There’s nothing more for him to do there, he’s completed his mission,” Yevgeny Dudorov, executive director of robot developers Androidnaya Tekhnika, told RIA Novosti state news agency.

The silvery anthropomorphic robot cannot fulfil its assigned task to replace human astronauts on long and risky spacewalks, Dudorov said.

Fedor, or Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research, was built to assist space station astronauts.

A storm of publicity surrounded Fedor’s space odyssey and provided some light relief for Russia’s beleaguered space industry.

In the last year the industry has suffered the unprecedented failure of a manned launch and continuing delays on construction of the Vostochny spacepad where President Vladimir Putin upbraided officials last week.

Fedor, officially Skybot F-850, 

rocketed to the ISS

 on August 22 in an unmanned spacecraft carrying supplies, entering the orbiting laboratory five days later.

On the station, the robot posed holding a Russian flag and for hugs with cosmonauts who were assigned to train it.

But Fedor turned out to have a design that does not work well in space – standing 180cm tall, its long legs were not needed on spacewalks, Dudorov said.

The Russian space agency said the legs were immobilised during the trip and Fedor was not programmed to grab space station hand rails to move about in microgravity.

  https://twitter.com/FEDOR37516789/status/1167805168227954688

Space agency chief Dmitry Rogozin said that the next-generation robot would not look so humanlike.

There appear to be other issues.

Footage of the robot ahead of the mission suggested it needed support to stand up.

Cosmonaut Alexei Ovchinin complained to mission control that it took more than a dozen attempts to switch on the robot and suggested: “Maybe I should bash it with a hammer,” RIA Novosti reported.

In a video on its Twitter feed, the robot is shown shakily holding a drill monitored by Ovchinin, who at one point takes it away.

Dudorov said developers were sketching out plans for a replacement “that must suit the demands of working on the outside of the ship”, hoping “we will be the first” to send a robot on a spacewalk.

The Fedor robot was “the very first step,” space expert Igor Marinin told the National News Service agency, while next-generation robots will “be more technically advanced” and have “more serious tasks.”

The robot touched down back on Earth at the weekend.

A final tweet posted in an account in the robot’s name on Tuesday said that it was at the developers’ plant outside Moscow.

 https://twitter.com/roscosmos/status/1171139532978343938

Russia’s Fedor robot inside the Russian Soyuz MS-14 spacecraft. Photo: Reuters

It’s mission over for a robot called Fedor that Russia blasted to the International Space Station, the developers said, admitting he could not replace astronauts on spacewalks.

“He won’t fly there any more. There’s nothing more for him to do there, he’s completed his mission,” Yevgeny Dudorov, executive director of robot developers Androidnaya Tekhnika, told RIA Novosti state news agency.

The silvery anthropomorphic robot cannot fulfil its assigned task to replace human astronauts on long and risky spacewalks, Dudorov said.

Fedor, or Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research, was built to assist space station astronauts.

Nasa’s Robonaut 2, Russia’s Fedor, and Japan’s humanoid robot Kirobo. Photo: AFP

A storm of publicity surrounded Fedor’s space odyssey and provided some light relief for Russia’s beleaguered space industry.

In the last year the industry has suffered the unprecedented failure of a manned launch and continuing delays on construction of the Vostochny spacepad where President Vladimir Putin upbraided officials last week.

rocketed to the ISS

 on August 22 in an unmanned spacecraft carrying supplies, entering the orbiting laboratory five days later.

On the station, the robot posed holding a Russian flag and for hugs with cosmonauts who were assigned to train it.

But Fedor turned out to have a design that does not work well in space – standing 180cm tall, its long legs were not needed on spacewalks, Dudorov said.

The Russian space agency said the legs were immobilised during the trip and Fedor was not programmed to grab space station hand rails to move about in microgravity.

          https://twitter.com/FEDOR37516789/status/1167805168227954688 

Space agency chief Dmitry Rogozin said that the next-generation robot would not look so humanlike.

There appear to be other issues.

Footage of the robot ahead of the mission suggested it needed support to stand up.

Cosmonaut Alexei Ovchinin complained to mission control that it took more than a dozen attempts to switch on the robot and suggested: “Maybe I should bash it with a hammer,” RIA Novosti reported.

In a video on its Twitter feed, the robot is shown shakily holding a drill monitored by Ovchinin, who at one point takes it away.

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Dudorov said developers were sketching out plans for a replacement “that must suit the demands of working on the outside of the ship”, hoping “we will be the first” to send a robot on a spacewalk.

The Fedor robot was “the very first step,” space expert Igor Marinin told the National News Service agency, while next-generation robots will “be more technically advanced” and have “more serious tasks.”

The robot touched down back on Earth at the weekend.

A final tweet posted in an account in the robot’s name on Tuesday said that it was at the developers’ plant outside Moscow.

           https://twitter.com/roscosmos/status/1171139532978343938

“Now I’m in my case. I await directions for further tests after the flight,” it said.

Fedor was originally intended as a rescue robot for the emergencies ministry. It was shown shooting at targets from two handguns in a video posted by space agency chief Rogozin.

It was not the first robot to go into space. In 2011, Nasa sent up Robonaut 2, a humanoid developed with General Motors that had a similar aim of working in high-risk environments.

It was returned to Earth in 2018 after experiencing technical problems.

In 2013, Japan sent up a small robot called Kirobo along with the ISS’s first Japanese space commander. Developed with Toyota, it was able to hold conversations – albeit only in Japanese.

Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3026836...

Posted: September 12, 2019

"This Assange “arrest” and AG Barr’s testimony this week are but the opening scenes of a long awaited drama." http://zetatalk.com/newsletr/issue656.htm

Today was a day of exodus for 4 CEOs of major companies @CNBC

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/22/nike-ceo-mark-parker-to-step-down-j...

ALL ISRAELI DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE CLOSING. 10-29-2019

"Due to the decision of the Ministry of Finance to breach understandings and to alter a protocol that has been in place for several decades, we are forced to close our Embassy.
No consular services will be provided and no one will be allowed to enter...Israeli diplomats are committed at all times to strive to enhance Israel’s strength and resilience. Unfortunately, the decision of the MOF does not leave us any choice, since the vital interests of Israel have been harmed. We hope for prompt solving of this crisis...ALL ISRAELI DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE CLOSING."

https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-embassies-around-the-world-sh...

From another: 

Major Patriot@Q2ndWave·2h

This week we learn:
US Forces take-down al-Baghdadi and his successor
Dog with "No Name" alludes to McCain
"Origin" comms & "Cables" reportedly recovered (sent from Hillary Clinton State Dept)
All Israeli diplomatic representations world-wide closing

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israeli-pm-netanyahu-indicted-ch...