Russian president Vladimir Putin called collusion between Trump and Russia “utter nonsense” during a joint press conference Mond
“We should be guided by facts. Could you name a single fact that would definitively prove the collusion?” Putin asked a reporter who asked about collusion.
“It is utter nonsense. Just like the president recently mentioned. The public at large in the United States had a certain perceived opinion of the candidates during the campaign, but there is nothing particularly extraordinary about it,” he continued.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
New Details Emerge About Mossad Raid to Obtain Iranian Nuclear Secrets
A new report sheds light on how Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency acquired secret documents pertaining to Iran’s nuclear program. It reveals Mossad agents monitored a Tehran warehouse containing the nuclear documents for a year before launching a previously disclosed raid in January.
The raid yielded a massive haul of intelligence: about 50,000 pages and 163 compact discs, according to the New York Post. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in April that the documents "proved Iran had been holding onto information from its ostensibly defunct nuclear research program, signaling its aspiration to resume its research."
Mossad agents had just over six hours to infiltrate the warehouse, cut through dozens of safes, extract the documents, and exit the city, according to officials who relaying details of the raid to the New York Times. Several papers shown to reporters contain clear evidence that Iran had worked in the past to make atomic weapons.
"The papers show these guys were working on nuclear bombs," said one former inspector for International Atomic Energy Agency.
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The raid yielded a massive haul of intelligence: about 50,000 pages and 163 compact discs, according to the New York Post. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in April that the documents "proved Iran had been holding onto information from its ostensibly defunct nuclear research program, signaling its aspiration to resume its research."
Mossad agents had just over six hours to infiltrate the warehouse, cut through dozens of safes, extract the documents, and exit the city, according to officials who relaying details of the raid to the New York Times. Several papers shown to reporters contain clear evidence that Iran had worked in the past to make atomic weapons.
"The papers show these guys were working on nuclear bombs," said one former inspector for International Atomic Energy Agency.
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The Immigration Scandal No One Is Talking About
Among the least talked about scandals in Washington is how immigration officials spent decades misleading Congress about the number of migrants evading court. I discussed that scandal at length in my last article.
In advancing this decadeslong effort, no accounting trick and no false narrative was out of bounds. Never in any year did these officials tell the real story of a court system in crisis. Brave rhetoric and bleached numbers consistently camouflaged the courts’ disarray.
“The fight against terrorism,” the Bush and Obama administrations boldly declared from 2005 through 2012, “is the first and overriding priority of the Department of Justice. … A key component of this effort is the securing of our nation’s borders and the repair of the immigration system as a whole. The application and enforcement of our immigration laws remain a critical element of this national effort.”
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In advancing this decadeslong effort, no accounting trick and no false narrative was out of bounds. Never in any year did these officials tell the real story of a court system in crisis. Brave rhetoric and bleached numbers consistently camouflaged the courts’ disarray.
“The fight against terrorism,” the Bush and Obama administrations boldly declared from 2005 through 2012, “is the first and overriding priority of the Department of Justice. … A key component of this effort is the securing of our nation’s borders and the repair of the immigration system as a whole. The application and enforcement of our immigration laws remain a critical element of this national effort.”
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Rand finds lots to like in Trump's presser with Putin
Cut the president some slack, say the Kentucky senator and some of his GOP colleagues.
As the GOP’s long-dominant hawkish wing hammers President Donald Trump over his chummy appearance Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a minority of Republicans aren't ready to clip their president's diplomatic wings.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), whose non-interventionist streak has long put him at odds with GOP foreign policy orthodoxy, plans to travel to Russia in early August to play shuttle diplomacy for Trump. In an interview on Monday, Paul said he hopes to meet with Trump before he heads overseas to “to see if there’s anything he wants us to follow up on.”
“It’s gotten so ridiculous that someone has to stand up and say we should try to engage even our adversaries and open up our lines of communication,” Paul said. "We’re going to talk to the president about some small steps in order to try to thaw the relations between our countries."
It’s hard to imagine any other GOP president empowering a legislator like Paul to pursue his goals of diplomacy with a longtime adversary like Russia. Paul's focus, for now, is on cultural exchange and fostering cross-Atlantic visits by U.S. and Russian ambassadors.
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As the GOP’s long-dominant hawkish wing hammers President Donald Trump over his chummy appearance Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a minority of Republicans aren't ready to clip their president's diplomatic wings.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), whose non-interventionist streak has long put him at odds with GOP foreign policy orthodoxy, plans to travel to Russia in early August to play shuttle diplomacy for Trump. In an interview on Monday, Paul said he hopes to meet with Trump before he heads overseas to “to see if there’s anything he wants us to follow up on.”
“It’s gotten so ridiculous that someone has to stand up and say we should try to engage even our adversaries and open up our lines of communication,” Paul said. "We’re going to talk to the president about some small steps in order to try to thaw the relations between our countries."
It’s hard to imagine any other GOP president empowering a legislator like Paul to pursue his goals of diplomacy with a longtime adversary like Russia. Paul's focus, for now, is on cultural exchange and fostering cross-Atlantic visits by U.S. and Russian ambassadors.
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Rod Rosenstein Impeachment Plans Drawn Up: Report
House GOP members led by Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (NC) have drawn up articles of impeachment against Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, according to Politico.
GOP legislators could also try to hold Rosenstein in contempt of Congress prior to actual impeachment.
The knives have been out for Rosenstein for weeks, as Congressional investigators have repeatedly accused the DOJ of "slow walking" documents related to their investigations. Frustrated lawmakers have been given the runaround - while Rosenstein and the rest of the DOJ are hiding behind the argument that the materials requested by various Congressional oversight committees would potentially compromise ongoing investigations.
In late June, Rosenstein along with FBI Director Christopher Wray clashed with House Republicans during a fiery hearing over an internal DOJ report criticizing the FBI's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation by special agents who harbored extreme animus towards Donald Trump while expressing support for Clinton. Republicans on the panel grilled a defiant Rosenstein on the Trump-Russia investigation which has yet to prove any collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin.
“This country is being hurt by it. We are being divided,” Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) said of Mueller’s investigation. “Whatever you got,” Gowdy added, “Finish it the hell up because this country is being torn apart.”
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GOP legislators could also try to hold Rosenstein in contempt of Congress prior to actual impeachment.
The knives have been out for Rosenstein for weeks, as Congressional investigators have repeatedly accused the DOJ of "slow walking" documents related to their investigations. Frustrated lawmakers have been given the runaround - while Rosenstein and the rest of the DOJ are hiding behind the argument that the materials requested by various Congressional oversight committees would potentially compromise ongoing investigations.
In late June, Rosenstein along with FBI Director Christopher Wray clashed with House Republicans during a fiery hearing over an internal DOJ report criticizing the FBI's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation by special agents who harbored extreme animus towards Donald Trump while expressing support for Clinton. Republicans on the panel grilled a defiant Rosenstein on the Trump-Russia investigation which has yet to prove any collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin.
“This country is being hurt by it. We are being divided,” Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) said of Mueller’s investigation. “Whatever you got,” Gowdy added, “Finish it the hell up because this country is being torn apart.”
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HSI, Border Patrol agents arrest 18 alien smugglers, 117 illegal aliens; seize cash, vehicles, drugs
EL PASO, Texas — Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and agents with U.S. Border Patrol arrested 18 alien smugglers and seized cash, vehicles and more than 1,000 lbs. of marijuana last month in a joint effort.
Special agents assigned to HSI El Paso’s human smuggling group and Border Patrol agents, who are part of HSI’s Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST), worked together to identify, locate and arrest smugglers operating alien smuggling organizations in southern New Mexico and the El Paso area.
The following two U.S. citizens are among the alien smugglers who were arrested and charged with alien smuggling:
- Elias Serrano, 42, with prior convictions for aggravated stalking, kidnapping, possessing a deadly weapon and possessing marijuana with intent to distribute; and
- Jesus Briseno, 25, with prior convictions for escape from custody, possessing marijuana, assault/causing injury to family member, and driving while intoxicated.
Additionally, agents arrested 117 illegal aliens, which included the following criminal aliens:
- a 34-year-old Guatemalan with an outstanding warrant out of Florida for driving under the influence, and also charged with illegally re-entering the U.S. after deportation;
- a 30-year-old Mexican with ties to a Mexican drug cartel was arrested for fraud and misuse of visas; and
- a 32-year-old Mexican with convictions for child endangerment and driving while intoxicated, was arrested for illegally re-entering the U.S. after deportation.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Gangs Update
Violent gang charged with using machetes, a shotgun, and other weapons to attack 10 victims
DALLAS — A federal grand jury this week indicted eight MS-13 gang members on the following criminal charges: racketeering conspiracy; attempted murder in aid of racketeering; assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering; and using, carrying and possessing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
The July 11 indictment was announced by the following agency heads: U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox for the Northern District of Texas, Special Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Dallas Office, Field Office Director Marc Moore of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Chief Jeff Spivey of the Irving (Texas) Police Department, Chief U. Reneé Hall of the Dallas Police Department, and District Attorney Faith Johnson of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
Charged in the 18-count indictment, which was unsealed July 13, are the following alleged MS-13 members and associates:
Rolan Ivan Hernandez-Fuentes, 25, aka Ivan Fuentes, Tasmania, Ronal Ivan and Fuentes Hernandez;
Jerson Gutierrez-Ramos, 20, aka Gerson Gutierrez and Sparky;
Cristian Wilfredo Cabrera-Cruz, 26, aka Cristin Benjamin Vigil and Mama;
Kevin Cruz, 19, aka Street Danger;
Jose Armando Saravia-Romero, 19, aka Jose Saravia, Mandy and Pinky;
Manuel Amaya-Alvarez, 21, aka Manuel Amaya and Chocolate; and
Jonathan Alexander Baires, 20, aka Splinter.
The name of the eighth defendant is currently under seal.“Gangs – and especially transnational gangs like MS-13 – are responsible for many of the violent crimes that occur throughout the country,” said Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger, HSI Dallas. “Some of these violent gang members have illegally entered the United States as unaccompanied alien children. As demonstrated with this HSI-led investigation, an ongoing coordinated multi-agency law enforcement effort is the best means of curtailing gang numbers, gang finances, and gang effectiveness to operate.
DALLAS — A federal grand jury this week indicted eight MS-13 gang members on the following criminal charges: racketeering conspiracy; attempted murder in aid of racketeering; assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering; and using, carrying and possessing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
The July 11 indictment was announced by the following agency heads: U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox for the Northern District of Texas, Special Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Dallas Office, Field Office Director Marc Moore of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Chief Jeff Spivey of the Irving (Texas) Police Department, Chief U. Reneé Hall of the Dallas Police Department, and District Attorney Faith Johnson of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
Charged in the 18-count indictment, which was unsealed July 13, are the following alleged MS-13 members and associates:
Rolan Ivan Hernandez-Fuentes, 25, aka Ivan Fuentes, Tasmania, Ronal Ivan and Fuentes Hernandez;
Jerson Gutierrez-Ramos, 20, aka Gerson Gutierrez and Sparky;
Cristian Wilfredo Cabrera-Cruz, 26, aka Cristin Benjamin Vigil and Mama;
Kevin Cruz, 19, aka Street Danger;
Jose Armando Saravia-Romero, 19, aka Jose Saravia, Mandy and Pinky;
Manuel Amaya-Alvarez, 21, aka Manuel Amaya and Chocolate; and
Jonathan Alexander Baires, 20, aka Splinter.
The name of the eighth defendant is currently under seal.“Gangs – and especially transnational gangs like MS-13 – are responsible for many of the violent crimes that occur throughout the country,” said Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger, HSI Dallas. “Some of these violent gang members have illegally entered the United States as unaccompanied alien children. As demonstrated with this HSI-led investigation, an ongoing coordinated multi-agency law enforcement effort is the best means of curtailing gang numbers, gang finances, and gang effectiveness to operate.
February Interview: Bourdain Blasted 'Gropey' and 'Disgusting' Bill Clinton, Condemned Hillary for Destroying Accusers
Anthony Bourdain railed against Bill and Hillary Clinton in a newly published interview conducted months before his death, calling the former's behavior toward women "monstrous" and the latter's discrediting of his accusers disqualifying for higher office.
Bourdain, a chef, writer and travel show host, spoke with culture writer Maria Bustillosin February for her new outlet Popula. A supporter of the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, Bourdain condemned the former president as "gropey," "grabby" and "disgusting," while calling him a charming man in person.
"Bill Clinton, look, the bimbo eruptions—it was f—king monstrous," Bourdain said. "That would not have flown today. A piece of s—t. Entitled, rapey, gropey, grabby, disgusting, and the way that he—and she—destroyed these women and the way that everyone went along, and, and are blind to this! Screamingly apparent hypocrisy and venality. How you can on the one hand howl at the moon about all these other predators. And not at least look back. OK, let’s say, well, it was all consensual: powerful men, starstruck women, okay fine, let’s accept it at its most charitable interpretation. Fine. He is a very charming man, I met him, he’s f—king magnetic."
"Wow, yeah. I’ve never seen anything like him," Bustillos said.
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Bourdain, a chef, writer and travel show host, spoke with culture writer Maria Bustillosin February for her new outlet Popula. A supporter of the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, Bourdain condemned the former president as "gropey," "grabby" and "disgusting," while calling him a charming man in person.
"Bill Clinton, look, the bimbo eruptions—it was f—king monstrous," Bourdain said. "That would not have flown today. A piece of s—t. Entitled, rapey, gropey, grabby, disgusting, and the way that he—and she—destroyed these women and the way that everyone went along, and, and are blind to this! Screamingly apparent hypocrisy and venality. How you can on the one hand howl at the moon about all these other predators. And not at least look back. OK, let’s say, well, it was all consensual: powerful men, starstruck women, okay fine, let’s accept it at its most charitable interpretation. Fine. He is a very charming man, I met him, he’s f—king magnetic."
"Wow, yeah. I’ve never seen anything like him," Bustillos said.
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New York Times Runs Cartoon Depicting Trump, Putin as Gay Lovers
In a cartoon published and boosted by The New York Times, President Donald Trump fantasizes about having a gay relationship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
"In Episode Two of ‘Trump Bites…' Mr. Trump’s not-so-secret admiration for President Vladimir Putin of Russia plays out in a teenager’s bedroom, where the fantasies of this forbidden romance come to life," reads the Times description.
The video was created by Academy Award-nominated animator Bill Plympton and set to audio clips of Trump praising Putin. In the video, a shirtless Trump flies on a unicorn with buff, shirtless Putin in front of a backdrop of rainbows. Trump plays with Putin's nipples before they comically and graphically make out.
The video ends with the revelation that it was all a fantasy in Trump's head, as he fires a gun into his television screen over audio of Trump defending Putin's murder of journalists.
The cartoon was published in June as the second of three videos, but went largely unnoticed until the Times‘ Opinion Twitter account tweeted it out Monday.
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"In Episode Two of ‘Trump Bites…' Mr. Trump’s not-so-secret admiration for President Vladimir Putin of Russia plays out in a teenager’s bedroom, where the fantasies of this forbidden romance come to life," reads the Times description.
The video was created by Academy Award-nominated animator Bill Plympton and set to audio clips of Trump praising Putin. In the video, a shirtless Trump flies on a unicorn with buff, shirtless Putin in front of a backdrop of rainbows. Trump plays with Putin's nipples before they comically and graphically make out.
The video ends with the revelation that it was all a fantasy in Trump's head, as he fires a gun into his television screen over audio of Trump defending Putin's murder of journalists.
The cartoon was published in June as the second of three videos, but went largely unnoticed until the Times‘ Opinion Twitter account tweeted it out Monday.
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Mexican national gets prison time for faking citizenship, stealing $350G in benefits
Andres Avelino Anduaga, a Mexican national who impersonated an American citizen for more than 30 years, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for stealing more than $350,000 in government benefits from government agencies, Fox 5 San Diego reported.
He was also reportedly ordered to pay back $360,908.85 in restitution to the Social Security Administration, the California Department of Health Care Services and the county of San Diego.
The report, citing court documents, said in 1980, he used a birth certificate belonging to a U.S. citizen to obtain a California driver’s license and a Social Security card, then used his new false identity to commit a variety of crimes.
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He was also reportedly ordered to pay back $360,908.85 in restitution to the Social Security Administration, the California Department of Health Care Services and the county of San Diego.
The report, citing court documents, said in 1980, he used a birth certificate belonging to a U.S. citizen to obtain a California driver’s license and a Social Security card, then used his new false identity to commit a variety of crimes.
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Putin Claims U.S. Intelligence Agents Funneled $400 Million To Clinton Campaign
Vladimir Putin made a bombshell claim during Monday's joint press conference with President Trump in Helsinki, Finland, when the Russian President said some $400 million in illegally earned profits was funneled to the Clinton campaign by associates of American-born British financier Bill Browder - at one time the largest foreign portfolio investors in Russia. The scheme involved members of the U.S. intelligence community, said Putin, who he said "accompanied and guided these transactions."
Browder made billions in Russia during the 90's. In December, a Moscow court sentenced Browder in absentia to nine years in prison for tax fraud, while he was also found guilty of tax evasion in a separate 2013 case. Putin accused Browder's associates of illegally earning over than $1.5 billion without paying Russian taxes, before sending $400 million to Clinton.
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Browder made billions in Russia during the 90's. In December, a Moscow court sentenced Browder in absentia to nine years in prison for tax fraud, while he was also found guilty of tax evasion in a separate 2013 case. Putin accused Browder's associates of illegally earning over than $1.5 billion without paying Russian taxes, before sending $400 million to Clinton.
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Comey Calls For A Coup? "Patriots Needs To Reject The Behavior Of This President"
President Trump's language and demeanor at Monday's summit in Helsinki with Vladimir Putin sent his detractors on both sides of the aisle into fits, just 72 hours after the Department of Justice indicted 12 Russian officials for hacking the DNC.
Trump's position has more or less been that peace with Russia is more important than election meddling, which didn't influence the election - and that the United States has been meddling in elections for a long time, so perhaps let's mend fences and move forward as two nuclear superpowers. Also Hillary sold Russia 20% of American uranium after a bunch of people connected to the transaction heavily contributed to her foundation, which was approved by a rubber-stamp committee, four months after Bill Clinton collected $500k in a speech to a Russian investment bank during a trip where he hung out with Putin at his house. All pre-Crimea of course, so no biggie.
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Trump's position has more or less been that peace with Russia is more important than election meddling, which didn't influence the election - and that the United States has been meddling in elections for a long time, so perhaps let's mend fences and move forward as two nuclear superpowers. Also Hillary sold Russia 20% of American uranium after a bunch of people connected to the transaction heavily contributed to her foundation, which was approved by a rubber-stamp committee, four months after Bill Clinton collected $500k in a speech to a Russian investment bank during a trip where he hung out with Putin at his house. All pre-Crimea of course, so no biggie.
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Survivors File Lawsuit Against Broward County Schools, Sheriff's Office
As we’ve repeatedly seen, what happened at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida was a complete and total failure of local government. The school system dropped the ball on the eventual killer, and so did the sheriff’s office. For all the talk of guns from the Parkland kids, it was their government–the people they seem to trust completely with firearms, I might add, while trying to disarm the rest of us–that screwed up so royally.
Now, a group of survivors wants to make those entities pay. Literally.
More than a dozen students who survived the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have filed a civil rights lawsuit alleging that numerous officials failed to stop the Valentine’s Day massacre at their school.
The lawsuit names Broward County, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie, Broward County sheriff’s deputy and school resource officer Scot Peterson, Capt. Jan Jordan with the Broward Couty Sheriff’s Department and school security monitor Andrew Medina among the defendants. It alleges various civil rights violations under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments that caused “severe psychological injury and trauma” related to the Feb. 14 mass shooting that left 17 students and faculty members dead.
According to the suit, Runcie and Israel were “both well aware of the potential danger [suspect Nikolas Cruz] posed to the school and its students and faculty, yet they did nothing meaningful to enhance security from this known threat.”
Plaintiffs claim that Peterson, Jordan and Medina’s actions and inactions during the course of their response to the shooting directly led to the death, injury and traumatizing of children, and they blame the county for a lack of training and preventative policies that could have stopped the shooting.
“Numerous failures by numerous government actors, including law enforcement, strongly continued to Shooter’s ability to [carry out] this horrific attack, without which this attack could not have happened,” the plaintiffs allege.
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Now, a group of survivors wants to make those entities pay. Literally.
More than a dozen students who survived the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have filed a civil rights lawsuit alleging that numerous officials failed to stop the Valentine’s Day massacre at their school.
The lawsuit names Broward County, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie, Broward County sheriff’s deputy and school resource officer Scot Peterson, Capt. Jan Jordan with the Broward Couty Sheriff’s Department and school security monitor Andrew Medina among the defendants. It alleges various civil rights violations under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments that caused “severe psychological injury and trauma” related to the Feb. 14 mass shooting that left 17 students and faculty members dead.
According to the suit, Runcie and Israel were “both well aware of the potential danger [suspect Nikolas Cruz] posed to the school and its students and faculty, yet they did nothing meaningful to enhance security from this known threat.”
Plaintiffs claim that Peterson, Jordan and Medina’s actions and inactions during the course of their response to the shooting directly led to the death, injury and traumatizing of children, and they blame the county for a lack of training and preventative policies that could have stopped the shooting.
“Numerous failures by numerous government actors, including law enforcement, strongly continued to Shooter’s ability to [carry out] this horrific attack, without which this attack could not have happened,” the plaintiffs allege.
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Millsboro Man Charged with 5th Offense DUI After Crash - Millsboro
Earl A. Antonio
Millsboro- Delaware State Police have arrested a Millsboro man with his 5th offense DUI after he was involved in a single motor vehicle crash.
The incident occurred on Sunday, July 15, 2018 at approximately 5:10 p.m. when Troopers were dispatched to John J. Williams Highway and Rosedale Road for a report of a truck in a ditch. Upon arrival, Troopers made contact with the driver, 65-year-oldEarl A. Antonio. An odor of alcohol was detected, and a DUI investigation ensued. A computer check revealed that Antonio had four previous DUI convictions, making this his fifth offense.
Antonio was transported back to Troop 4 where he was charged with 5th Offense Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (Felony), Driving While Suspended or Revoked, and other traffic related offenses. Antonio was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $6,102.00 secured bond.
Insurance Commissioner to Visit Wicomico County Aug. 15 to Meet with Consumers, Business Owners and Producers
Regional Meeting to be held Wednesday, August 15th in Salisbury
BALTIMORE – Maryland Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer, Jr. will hold a public meeting in Wicomico County to hear from consumers, business owners and regulated entities about the insurance marketplace.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Salisbury at Wor-Wic Community College, Hazel Center (Room 302), 3200 Campus Center Drive, Salisbury, MD 21804.
“As Maryland’s Insurance Commissioner, I am very interested in gathering information and opinions about the State’s insurance climate,” Commissioner Redmer said. “In these types of forums, we are reaching out to consumers, producers, business owners and insurance entities to hear opinions, questions and concerns about any recent changes in the insurance markets.”
The Commissioner and his staff will be available for interviews with the media.
Please RSVP to Denise Sellers at denise.sellers@maryland.gov if you plan to attend. If you have questions regarding this meeting, please contact Tracy Imm at tracy.imm@maryland.gov.
About the Maryland Insurance Administration
The Maryland Insurance Administration is an independent State agency charged with regulating Maryland’s $28.5 billion insurance industry. For more information about the Insurance Administration, please visit www.insurance.maryland.gov or follow us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/MDInsuranceAdmin or Twitter at @MD_Insurance.
BALTIMORE – Maryland Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer, Jr. will hold a public meeting in Wicomico County to hear from consumers, business owners and regulated entities about the insurance marketplace.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Salisbury at Wor-Wic Community College, Hazel Center (Room 302), 3200 Campus Center Drive, Salisbury, MD 21804.
“As Maryland’s Insurance Commissioner, I am very interested in gathering information and opinions about the State’s insurance climate,” Commissioner Redmer said. “In these types of forums, we are reaching out to consumers, producers, business owners and insurance entities to hear opinions, questions and concerns about any recent changes in the insurance markets.”
The Commissioner and his staff will be available for interviews with the media.
Please RSVP to Denise Sellers at denise.sellers@maryland.gov if you plan to attend. If you have questions regarding this meeting, please contact Tracy Imm at tracy.imm@maryland.gov.
About the Maryland Insurance Administration
The Maryland Insurance Administration is an independent State agency charged with regulating Maryland’s $28.5 billion insurance industry. For more information about the Insurance Administration, please visit www.insurance.maryland.gov or follow us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/MDInsuranceAdmin or Twitter at @MD_Insurance.
Former Sen. Nathaniel Oaks sentenced to federal prison
BALTIMORE — Former Baltimore City state Sen. Nathaniel Oaks was sentenced Tuesday to 42 months in federal prison in a bribery case.
The prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release for one count of wire fraud and one count of honest services wire fraud. The judge also ordered Oaks to pay a $30,000 fine and perform 80 hours of community service.
Oaks, 71, pleaded guilty in March to trading his position for $15,300 in bribes from an FBI informant posing as a developer. Oaks agreed to use his legislative position to help get state funding for a housing project.
Oaks asked for a sentence of 18 months. Judge Richard Bennett said he would have considered it had Oaks not tipped off another FBI target, obstructing justice.
"I was stunned. You single-handedly knocked out a whole investigation. To obstruct an FBI investigation is serious as the underlying crimes," Bennett said.
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YouthWorks at Risk of Losing State Funding
Baltimore’s summer youth jobs program is riddled with problems. That’s according to an audit presented to the Board of Estimates this morning. Acting City Auditor Audrey Askew says it puts the program at risk of losing state funding.
The audit found the 2017 YouthWorks program paid roughly $3800 last summer to 11 participants who never did any work, others lied on timesheets about hours worked and in at least one case, someone falsified a youth’s name for job placement.
Jason Perkins-Cohen, director of Youth Works, says the problems stem from a lack of resources.
“It’s really just a matter of staffing,” says Perkins-Cohen. “If we want to have more staff people and that would involve more costs that reduces the number of young people we put to work we can do that and we would have more time to deal with these fairly minor discrepancies.”
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The audit found the 2017 YouthWorks program paid roughly $3800 last summer to 11 participants who never did any work, others lied on timesheets about hours worked and in at least one case, someone falsified a youth’s name for job placement.
Jason Perkins-Cohen, director of Youth Works, says the problems stem from a lack of resources.
“It’s really just a matter of staffing,” says Perkins-Cohen. “If we want to have more staff people and that would involve more costs that reduces the number of young people we put to work we can do that and we would have more time to deal with these fairly minor discrepancies.”
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President Trump Says He Mis-spoke Regarding Russian Interference
President Donald Trump says he meant the opposite when he said in Helsinki that he doesn't see why Russia would have interfered in the 2016 U.S. elections.
Back at the White House on Tuesday, the president told reporters that he said he meant he doesn't see why Russia "wouldn't" be responsible.
He also said he accepts the American intelligence community's conclusion that Russia interfered in the election, but he denied that his campaign had colluded in the effort.
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Back at the White House on Tuesday, the president told reporters that he said he meant he doesn't see why Russia "wouldn't" be responsible.
He also said he accepts the American intelligence community's conclusion that Russia interfered in the election, but he denied that his campaign had colluded in the effort.
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Gun-Rights Groups Sue California Over Registration Failures That Could Result in Gun Owners Being Locked Up
'People who wanted to comply with the law simply couldn’t and now they face becoming criminals because they couldn’t do what the law requires'
Four gun-rights groups sued the state of California on Wednesday over the failed implementation of an online registration system they claim has left certain gun owners unable to comply with the state's new assault weapons restrictions through no fault of their own.
The Second Amendment Foundation, the Calguns Foundation, the Firearms Policy Coalition, and the Firearms Policy Foundationfiled suit alongside three California citizens against the California Department of Justice and Attorney General Xavier Becerra. They claim that California's online gun registration system, the California Firearms Application Reporting System, has not worked properly since its inception and did not work at all in the lead up to the registration deadline set for certain rifles. Further, they claim that the state was aware of the problems with the system.
"We're suing because California DOJ’s Firearms Application Reporting System (CFARS) broke down during the deadline week for people to register their firearms in accordance with new state laws," Alan Gottlieb, Second Amendment Foundation founder, said. "For a whole week the system was largely inaccessible. People who wanted to comply with the law simply couldn’t and now they face becoming criminals because they couldn’t do what the law requires."
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Four gun-rights groups sued the state of California on Wednesday over the failed implementation of an online registration system they claim has left certain gun owners unable to comply with the state's new assault weapons restrictions through no fault of their own.
The Second Amendment Foundation, the Calguns Foundation, the Firearms Policy Coalition, and the Firearms Policy Foundationfiled suit alongside three California citizens against the California Department of Justice and Attorney General Xavier Becerra. They claim that California's online gun registration system, the California Firearms Application Reporting System, has not worked properly since its inception and did not work at all in the lead up to the registration deadline set for certain rifles. Further, they claim that the state was aware of the problems with the system.
"We're suing because California DOJ’s Firearms Application Reporting System (CFARS) broke down during the deadline week for people to register their firearms in accordance with new state laws," Alan Gottlieb, Second Amendment Foundation founder, said. "For a whole week the system was largely inaccessible. People who wanted to comply with the law simply couldn’t and now they face becoming criminals because they couldn’t do what the law requires."
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Interns Send Signed Letter to DCCC Chairman Demanding Intern Pay, Call Out ‘White and Wealthy’ Interns Who Didn't Sign Letter
A group of 13 interns at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee sent a signed letter to chairman Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D., N.M.) on Thursday demanding that they be paid for their internships.
Lydia Murray, who is Chinese-American, penned the letter and got the signature of 12 of her colleagues, also calling out her fellow interns who did not want to sign the letter. She characterized those who refused to sign the letter as "white and wealthy," adding that they don't have a "real understanding of the perspectives of everyday working Americans," according to Roll Call.
"Most of our fellow interns, while undoubtedly bright, are white and wealthy and have no real understanding of the perspectives of everyday working Americans, nor do we have fellow interns with diverse backgrounds to discuss issues, ideas, or experiences with," her letter stated. "This disconnect is then reflected [in] policy positions, now and in the future."
The letter was written in coordination with Pay Our Interns, a bipartisan non-profit organizationthat advocates for government and non-profit organizations to increase the amount of money interns make.
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Lydia Murray, who is Chinese-American, penned the letter and got the signature of 12 of her colleagues, also calling out her fellow interns who did not want to sign the letter. She characterized those who refused to sign the letter as "white and wealthy," adding that they don't have a "real understanding of the perspectives of everyday working Americans," according to Roll Call.
"Most of our fellow interns, while undoubtedly bright, are white and wealthy and have no real understanding of the perspectives of everyday working Americans, nor do we have fellow interns with diverse backgrounds to discuss issues, ideas, or experiences with," her letter stated. "This disconnect is then reflected [in] policy positions, now and in the future."
The letter was written in coordination with Pay Our Interns, a bipartisan non-profit organizationthat advocates for government and non-profit organizations to increase the amount of money interns make.
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White House: New indictments 'consistent' with Trump's message about collusion
The White House on Friday said the latest round of indictments against 12 Russian nationals as part of the special counsel investigation is "consistent" with President Trump's claim that his campaign did not collude with the Kremlin during the 2016 election.
[READ HERE: Mueller's indictment against 12 Russians for hacking Democrats in 2016]
"Today's charges include no allegations of knowing involvement by anyone on the campaign and no allegations that the alleged hacking affected the election result," White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said in a statement. "This is consistent with what we have been saying all along."
Friday's charges against a dozen Russian intelligence officers include a laundry list of offenses related to Moscow's involvement in the hacking of Democratic National Committee emails and state election operations in 2016. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who told reporters he briefed Trump on the charges earlier this week, said the Russians involved worked for the military intelligence agency GRU.
Rosenstein's announcement occurred just as Trump was meeting with Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle in England, and two days before he is scheduled to participate in his first bilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Some Democratic lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have called on Trump to cancel his meeting with Putin "until Russia takes demonstrable and transparent steps to prove that they won't interfere in future elections."
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[READ HERE: Mueller's indictment against 12 Russians for hacking Democrats in 2016]
"Today's charges include no allegations of knowing involvement by anyone on the campaign and no allegations that the alleged hacking affected the election result," White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said in a statement. "This is consistent with what we have been saying all along."
Friday's charges against a dozen Russian intelligence officers include a laundry list of offenses related to Moscow's involvement in the hacking of Democratic National Committee emails and state election operations in 2016. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who told reporters he briefed Trump on the charges earlier this week, said the Russians involved worked for the military intelligence agency GRU.
Rosenstein's announcement occurred just as Trump was meeting with Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle in England, and two days before he is scheduled to participate in his first bilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Some Democratic lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have called on Trump to cancel his meeting with Putin "until Russia takes demonstrable and transparent steps to prove that they won't interfere in future elections."
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Marc A. Thiessen: Trump Isn't Attacking NATO. He's Strengthening It.
As President Trump put Germany and other allies on notice for the harm they are doing to NATO with their failure to spend adequately on our common defense, Democrats in Washington came to Germany’s defense. “President Trump’s brazen insults and denigration of one of America’s most steadfast allies, Germany, is an embarrassment,” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a joint statement.
Sorry, Trump is right. The real embarrassment is that Germany, one of the wealthiest countries in Europe, spends just 1.24% of its gross domestic product on defense — in the bottom half of NATO allies. (The U.S. spends 3.5% of GDP on its military.) A study by McKinsey & Co. notes that about 60% of Germany’s Eurofighter and Tornado fighter jets and about 80% of its Sea Lynx helicopters are unusable. According to Deutsche Welle, a German parliamentary investigation found that “at the end of 2017, no submarines and none of the air force’s 14 large transport planes were available for deployment due to repairs,” and “a Defense Ministry paper revealed German soldiers did not have enough protective vests, winter clothing or tents to adequately take part in a major NATO mission.” Not enough tents?
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Sorry, Trump is right. The real embarrassment is that Germany, one of the wealthiest countries in Europe, spends just 1.24% of its gross domestic product on defense — in the bottom half of NATO allies. (The U.S. spends 3.5% of GDP on its military.) A study by McKinsey & Co. notes that about 60% of Germany’s Eurofighter and Tornado fighter jets and about 80% of its Sea Lynx helicopters are unusable. According to Deutsche Welle, a German parliamentary investigation found that “at the end of 2017, no submarines and none of the air force’s 14 large transport planes were available for deployment due to repairs,” and “a Defense Ministry paper revealed German soldiers did not have enough protective vests, winter clothing or tents to adequately take part in a major NATO mission.” Not enough tents?
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Seven Additional Arrests Made And More Pending As Police Continue To Dismantle Heroin/Fentanyl Distribution Operation In Maryland
(ANNAPOLIS, MD) – A cooperative cross-jurisdictional and multi-state drug investigation has led to seven additional arrests with more expected as police continue to dismantle a drug trafficking organization they believe was responsible for the distribution of heroin and fentanyl throughout Maryland.
The seven additional arrests include two juveniles. The remaining five arrests are adults, all of whom were transported to the Jennifer Road Detention Center in Annapolis. They are identified as:
Sterling Nugen, 36, of Lusby, MD, charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics (heroin and fentanyl).
Richard Mattingly, 32, of Leonardtown, MD, charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics (heroin and fentanyl).
Bdonshee Wells, 24, of Annapolis, MD, charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics (heroin and fentanyl) and multiple criminal charges pertaining to criminal gang participation.
Keyo Fox, 18, of Glen Burnie, charged with possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance (heroin).
Rachel Keys, 28, of Severna Park, MD, charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin).
The arrests of the first seven suspects occurred between June 20 and June 27, 2018. They were identified in a news release issued on June 28, 2018 as:
Traymont Wiley, age 27, of Columbia, MD, who was charged with being a drug kingpin (heroin and fentanyl), conspiracy to distribute narcotics (heroin and fentanyl) and multiple criminal charges pertaining to criminal gang participation.
Vincent Clark, age 26, of Arnold, MD, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics (heroin and fentanyl), and multiple criminal charges pertaining to criminal gang participation.
Willie Rhodes, age 28, of Annapolis, MD, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics (heroin and fentanyl), and multiple criminal charges pertaining to criminal gang participation.
Quentin Jones, age 32, of no fixed address, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics (heroin and fentanyl), and multiple criminal charges pertaining to criminal gang participation.
Ashley Jaxel, age 29, of Upper Marlboro, Ronald McElwain, age 33, of Baltimore and Timothy Aminzadeh, age 43, of Annapolis who were all charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics (heroin and fentanyl).
The investigation began in the fall of 2015 and was led by the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, Central South Narcotics unit in partnership with the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office. Information developed during the investigation indicates the arrestees were part of a drug trafficking operation supplying drugs, especially heroin and fentanyl throughout Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
Assistance in this investigation is being provided by agents from Homeland Security Investigations, officers from the Annapolis City Police Department and the Anne Arundel County Police Department. The Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office is also actively involved in providing guidance and support as the investigation continues. Additional arrests and charges are expected.
The seven additional arrests include two juveniles. The remaining five arrests are adults, all of whom were transported to the Jennifer Road Detention Center in Annapolis. They are identified as:
Sterling Nugen, 36, of Lusby, MD, charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics (heroin and fentanyl).
Richard Mattingly, 32, of Leonardtown, MD, charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics (heroin and fentanyl).
Bdonshee Wells, 24, of Annapolis, MD, charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics (heroin and fentanyl) and multiple criminal charges pertaining to criminal gang participation.
Keyo Fox, 18, of Glen Burnie, charged with possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance (heroin).
Rachel Keys, 28, of Severna Park, MD, charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin).
The arrests of the first seven suspects occurred between June 20 and June 27, 2018. They were identified in a news release issued on June 28, 2018 as:
Traymont Wiley, age 27, of Columbia, MD, who was charged with being a drug kingpin (heroin and fentanyl), conspiracy to distribute narcotics (heroin and fentanyl) and multiple criminal charges pertaining to criminal gang participation.
Vincent Clark, age 26, of Arnold, MD, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics (heroin and fentanyl), and multiple criminal charges pertaining to criminal gang participation.
Willie Rhodes, age 28, of Annapolis, MD, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics (heroin and fentanyl), and multiple criminal charges pertaining to criminal gang participation.
Quentin Jones, age 32, of no fixed address, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics (heroin and fentanyl), and multiple criminal charges pertaining to criminal gang participation.
Ashley Jaxel, age 29, of Upper Marlboro, Ronald McElwain, age 33, of Baltimore and Timothy Aminzadeh, age 43, of Annapolis who were all charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics (heroin and fentanyl).
The investigation began in the fall of 2015 and was led by the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, Central South Narcotics unit in partnership with the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office. Information developed during the investigation indicates the arrestees were part of a drug trafficking operation supplying drugs, especially heroin and fentanyl throughout Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
Assistance in this investigation is being provided by agents from Homeland Security Investigations, officers from the Annapolis City Police Department and the Anne Arundel County Police Department. The Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office is also actively involved in providing guidance and support as the investigation continues. Additional arrests and charges are expected.
Sterling Nugen Richard Mattingly Bdonshee Wells
Keyo Fox Rachel Keyes
Drug Investigation Leads to Arrest of Multiple Suspects
Lewes- The Delaware State Police concluded a month long drug investigation that led to the arrest of multiple suspects on several drug and other related charges.
During the month of June 2018, Troop 7 patrol units and detectives from the Rehoboth Beach Police Department developed information regarding the sale of drugs occurring in the 17000 block of Callaway Drive, Fairway Village. Investigators determined that the residence was occupied by 34-year-old Chelsea Coffin and 41-year-old Aaron Jones, and was also frequented by 17-year-old Talim Muhammad-Hunt of Philadelphia and 50-year-old Demetrius Greene of Lewes.
On Thursday July 12, 2018, at approximately 2:20 p.m., Troopers observed Hunt and Green exiting the residence and walking over to the Midway Movie Theater where they made contact with a female, identified as 26-year-old Felicia N. League of Rehoboth Beach, by telephone. League was observed responding to the residence in Fairway Village where she obtained a large gray metal box. League entered into a vehicle and began traveling towards the movie theater. A traffic stop was conducted and contact was made with the driver, a 47-year-old male from Salisbury MD, and League. A search of the vehicle revealed a grey lock box, over $300.00 in cash and drug paraphernalia. The driver was found in possession of 9.5 pills containing approximately 7.5 mg of Hydrocodone. Both the driver and League were taken into custody without incident.
As Hunt exited the movie theater, he was contacted by police and found to be in possession of over $2,400.00 in cash. Greene who was located hiding in the bathroom of the movie theater was found in possession of 20 small plastic vials containing crack cocaine and a quantity of marijuana.
All subjects were transported back to Troop 7. A search warrant was obtained for the residence as well as the gray lock box. Upon execution of the search warrant, the lock box was found to contain 651 bags (approx. 4.557 grams) of heroin, 3.01 grams of powder cocaine, 159 plastic vials containing 11.58 grams of crack cocaine and a small quantity of marijuana. The search warrant was then executed at the Fairview Village residence where Coffin and Jones were contacted and taken into custody. Numerous items of drug paraphernalia were located throughout the residence.
As a result of this investigation, the following items were seized:
Study: People Who Live In Rural Towns Are Happier Than Those In Big Cities
A recent study conducted on those who live rurally as opposed to those who live in big cities suggests that people residing in rural areas are in fact happier. The reason? It might surprise you, but it shouldn’t.
The Canadian study was conducted by a team of researchers from the Vancouver School of Economics and McGill University. The goal of the study was to find out the happiness levels of 400,000 Canadians. Using the responses and by cross-referencing them with other survey data, they were able to identify which factors actually bring happiness to people. Rural people are happier than city dwellers.
Why? Because simply: their lives are more simple. According to Natural News, it wasn’t even close either. Those who live more rurally are about eight times happier than their city-dwelling counterparts. This was measured using responses from the participants when they were asked to rate “how satisfied” they are with their lives. On a scale of one to 10, the average score ranged from 7.04 to 8.94.
According to the study’s authors, the findings made it obvious that “Life is significantly less happy in urban areas.” This is mostly due to the fact that living in busy cities may also mean it’s more difficult to connect with family and friends.
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The Canadian study was conducted by a team of researchers from the Vancouver School of Economics and McGill University. The goal of the study was to find out the happiness levels of 400,000 Canadians. Using the responses and by cross-referencing them with other survey data, they were able to identify which factors actually bring happiness to people. Rural people are happier than city dwellers.
Why? Because simply: their lives are more simple. According to Natural News, it wasn’t even close either. Those who live more rurally are about eight times happier than their city-dwelling counterparts. This was measured using responses from the participants when they were asked to rate “how satisfied” they are with their lives. On a scale of one to 10, the average score ranged from 7.04 to 8.94.
According to the study’s authors, the findings made it obvious that “Life is significantly less happy in urban areas.” This is mostly due to the fact that living in busy cities may also mean it’s more difficult to connect with family and friends.
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Donald Trump Calls on DNC to Hand Over Email Server
President Donald Trump called on the Democrat National Committee (DNC) during his press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Finland on Monday to hand over its server to the FBI to prove Russia hacked into it.
Associated Press reporter Jonathan Lemire asked Trump if he believed U.S. intelligence agencies that say Russia interfered in the election or Putin’s assertion that Russia did not and if he would denounce that interference and tell Putin to never do it again.
Trump said he had confidence in both parties but added he would like to see the DNC hand over its server.
“I will say this: I don’t see any reason why it would be [Russia]. But I really do want to see the server,” he said.
The DNC refused to turn over its server to authorities, and, instead, had a private company, Crowdstrike, examine it for forensic evidence. Crowdstrike attributed the hacking to two Russian groups, Fancy Bear and Cozy Bear.
Trump also said he wanted to see the House Democrat Caucus server handled by former DNC chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz’s former IT aide, Imran Awan, who went missing.
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Associated Press reporter Jonathan Lemire asked Trump if he believed U.S. intelligence agencies that say Russia interfered in the election or Putin’s assertion that Russia did not and if he would denounce that interference and tell Putin to never do it again.
Trump said he had confidence in both parties but added he would like to see the DNC hand over its server.
“I will say this: I don’t see any reason why it would be [Russia]. But I really do want to see the server,” he said.
The DNC refused to turn over its server to authorities, and, instead, had a private company, Crowdstrike, examine it for forensic evidence. Crowdstrike attributed the hacking to two Russian groups, Fancy Bear and Cozy Bear.
Trump also said he wanted to see the House Democrat Caucus server handled by former DNC chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz’s former IT aide, Imran Awan, who went missing.
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DARPA's Secretive "Phantom Express" Hypersonic Spaceplane Passes Key Test
DARPA selected the Boeing Company in May 2017 to complete advanced design work for the agency’s Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1) program, which intends to develop and fly the first of an entirely new class of hypersonic spacecraft that would bolster national security by providing short-notice, low-cost satellite launches into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
“The XS-1 would be neither a traditional airplane nor a conventional launch vehicle but rather a combination of the two, with the goal of lowering launch costs by a factor of ten and replacing today’s frustratingly long wait time with launch on demand,” Jess Sponable, DARPA program manager, said during a press conference in May 2017. “We’re very pleased with Boeing’s progress on the XS-1 through Phase 1 of the program and look forward to continuing our close collaboration in this newly funded progression to Phases 2 and 3—fabrication and flight.”
With XS-1 Phase 1 recently completed, it seems as DARPA has transitioned into XS-1 Phase 2, which includes design, construction, and testing of the technology demonstration vehicle through 2019. It also calls for test firing the vehicle’s engine on the ground ten times in 10 days to demonstrate propulsion readiness for flight tests, which was just completed on July 06 by Aerojet, Boeing, and DARPA.
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“The XS-1 would be neither a traditional airplane nor a conventional launch vehicle but rather a combination of the two, with the goal of lowering launch costs by a factor of ten and replacing today’s frustratingly long wait time with launch on demand,” Jess Sponable, DARPA program manager, said during a press conference in May 2017. “We’re very pleased with Boeing’s progress on the XS-1 through Phase 1 of the program and look forward to continuing our close collaboration in this newly funded progression to Phases 2 and 3—fabrication and flight.”
With XS-1 Phase 1 recently completed, it seems as DARPA has transitioned into XS-1 Phase 2, which includes design, construction, and testing of the technology demonstration vehicle through 2019. It also calls for test firing the vehicle’s engine on the ground ten times in 10 days to demonstrate propulsion readiness for flight tests, which was just completed on July 06 by Aerojet, Boeing, and DARPA.
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MSP Princess Anne June DUI Arrests
The following persons were arrested by Troopers assigned to the Maryland State Police Princess Anne Barracks and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the month of June 2018:
Gary Parker, 70 YOA, Princess Anne, MD
Domiesha Roberts, 30 YOA, Gaithersburg, MD
Connie Allison, 57 YOA, Eden, MD
Antonio Robles-Artega, 35 YOA, Lincoln, DE
Paul Brawner, 56 YOA, Goldsboro, NC
David Creager, 45 YOA, Parkville, MD
William Perez, 23 YOA, Quinby, VA
Michael Smith, 36 YOA, Baltimore, MD
David Foltz, 57 YOA, Middle River, MD
Gary Parker, 70 YOA, Princess Anne, MD
Domiesha Roberts, 30 YOA, Gaithersburg, MD
Connie Allison, 57 YOA, Eden, MD
Antonio Robles-Artega, 35 YOA, Lincoln, DE
Paul Brawner, 56 YOA, Goldsboro, NC
David Creager, 45 YOA, Parkville, MD
William Perez, 23 YOA, Quinby, VA
Michael Smith, 36 YOA, Baltimore, MD
David Foltz, 57 YOA, Middle River, MD
USCIS Updates Policy Guidance for Certain Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny
WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today posted a policy memorandum (PDF, 113 KB) (PM) that provides guidance to USCIS adjudicators regarding their discretion to deny an application, petition, or request without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) when required initial evidence was not submitted or the evidence of record fails to establish eligibility.
This updated guidance is effective September 11, 2018 and applies to all applications, petitions, and requests, except for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) adjudications, received after that date. Due to preliminary injunctions issued by courts in California and New York, this new PM does not change the RFE and NOID policies and practices that apply to the adjudication of DACA requests.
“For too long, our immigration system has been bogged down with frivolous or meritless claims that slow down processing for everyone, including legitimate petitioners. Through this long overdue policy change, USCIS is restoring full discretion to our immigration officers to deny incomplete and ineligible applications and petitions submitted for immigration benefits,” said USCIS Director L. Francis Cissna. “Doing so will discourage frivolous filings and skeletal applications used to game the system, ensure our resources are not wasted, and ultimately improve our agency’s ability to efficiently and fairly adjudicate requests for immigration benefits in full accordance with our laws.”
The 2013 PM addressed policies for the issuance of RFEs and NOIDs when the evidence submitted at the time of filing did not establish eligibility. In practice, the 2013 PM limited denials without RFEs or NOIDs to statutory denials by providing that RFEs should be issued unless there was “no possibility” of approval. This “no possibility” policy limited the application of an adjudicator’s discretion.
The policy implemented in this guidance restores to the adjudicator full discretion to deny applications, petitions, and requests without first issuing an RFE or a NOID, when appropriate. This policy is intended to discourage frivolous or substantially incomplete filings used as “placeholder” filings and encourage applicants, petitioners, and requestors to be diligent in collecting and submitting required evidence.
USCIS will continue issuing statutory denials when appropriate without first issuing an RFE or NOID when the applicant, petitioner, or requestor has no legal basis for the benefit/request sought, or submits a request for a benefit or relief under a program that has been terminated.
If all required initial evidence is not submitted with the benefit request, USCIS, in its discretion, may deny the benefit request for failure to establish eligibility based on lack of required initial evidence. Examples of filings that may be denied without sending an RFE or NOID include, but are not limited to:
This updated guidance is effective September 11, 2018 and applies to all applications, petitions, and requests, except for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) adjudications, received after that date. Due to preliminary injunctions issued by courts in California and New York, this new PM does not change the RFE and NOID policies and practices that apply to the adjudication of DACA requests.
“For too long, our immigration system has been bogged down with frivolous or meritless claims that slow down processing for everyone, including legitimate petitioners. Through this long overdue policy change, USCIS is restoring full discretion to our immigration officers to deny incomplete and ineligible applications and petitions submitted for immigration benefits,” said USCIS Director L. Francis Cissna. “Doing so will discourage frivolous filings and skeletal applications used to game the system, ensure our resources are not wasted, and ultimately improve our agency’s ability to efficiently and fairly adjudicate requests for immigration benefits in full accordance with our laws.”
The 2013 PM addressed policies for the issuance of RFEs and NOIDs when the evidence submitted at the time of filing did not establish eligibility. In practice, the 2013 PM limited denials without RFEs or NOIDs to statutory denials by providing that RFEs should be issued unless there was “no possibility” of approval. This “no possibility” policy limited the application of an adjudicator’s discretion.
The policy implemented in this guidance restores to the adjudicator full discretion to deny applications, petitions, and requests without first issuing an RFE or a NOID, when appropriate. This policy is intended to discourage frivolous or substantially incomplete filings used as “placeholder” filings and encourage applicants, petitioners, and requestors to be diligent in collecting and submitting required evidence.
USCIS will continue issuing statutory denials when appropriate without first issuing an RFE or NOID when the applicant, petitioner, or requestor has no legal basis for the benefit/request sought, or submits a request for a benefit or relief under a program that has been terminated.
If all required initial evidence is not submitted with the benefit request, USCIS, in its discretion, may deny the benefit request for failure to establish eligibility based on lack of required initial evidence. Examples of filings that may be denied without sending an RFE or NOID include, but are not limited to:
Waiver applications submitted with little to no supporting evidence; or
Cases where the regulations, the statute, or form instructions require the submission of an official document or other form of evidence establishing eligibility at the time of filing and there is no such submission. For example, an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), if required, was not submitted with an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485).
This PM updates Chapters 10.5(a) and 10.5(b) of the USCIS Adjudicator’s Field Manual and contains an “additional considerations” section. The policy in this “additional considerations” section is not new, and is nearly identical to the policy contained in the superseded 2013 PM.
Cases where the regulations, the statute, or form instructions require the submission of an official document or other form of evidence establishing eligibility at the time of filing and there is no such submission. For example, an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), if required, was not submitted with an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485).
This PM updates Chapters 10.5(a) and 10.5(b) of the USCIS Adjudicator’s Field Manual and contains an “additional considerations” section. The policy in this “additional considerations” section is not new, and is nearly identical to the policy contained in the superseded 2013 PM.
After The Strzok Stonewall: WSJ Says Trump Should Declassify This To Expose The Truth
While the left and the liberal media desperately defended 'FBI lovebird' Peter Strzok this week as he came under attack from a rightly angry 'right' over the level of cognitive dissonance required to ignore his text expletions and 'assume' no bias, The Wall Street Journal's Kimberley Strassel was carefully observing and asking 'awkward' questions...
But it is the full Editorial Board of The Wall Street Journal that today's lays out the path ahead, after Strzok's stonewalling - Here’s what Trump should declassify if he wants the truth known...
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But it is the full Editorial Board of The Wall Street Journal that today's lays out the path ahead, after Strzok's stonewalling - Here’s what Trump should declassify if he wants the truth known...
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Majority Of Clinton Emails Funneled To "Foreign Entity"; When IG Told Strzok - He Completely Ignored
As we sift through the ashes of Thursday's dumpster-fire Congressional hearing with still employed FBI agent Peter Strzok, Luke Rosiak of the Daily Caller plucked out a key exchange between Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tx) and Strzok which revealed a yet-unknown bombshell about the Clinton email case.
Nearly all of Hillary Clinton's emails on her homebrew server went to a foreign entity that isn't Russia. When this was discovered by the Intelligence Community Inspector General (ICIG), IG Chuck McCullough sent his investigator Frank Ruckner and an attorney to notify Strzok along with three other people about the "anomaly."
Four separate attempts were also made to notify DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz to brief him on the massive security breach, however Horowitz "never returned the call." Recall that Horowitz concluded last month that despite Strzok's extreme bias towards Hillary Clinton and against Donald Trump - none of it translated to Strzok's work at the FBI.
In other words; Strzok, while investigating Clinton's email server, completely ignored the fact that most of Clinton's emails were sent to a foreign entity - while IG Horowitz simply didn't want to know about it.
The Intelligence Community Inspector General (ICIG) found an “anomaly on Hillary Clinton’s emails going through their private server, and when they had done the forensic analysis, they found that her emails, every single one except four, over 30,000, were going to an address that was not on the distribution list,” Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas said during a hearing with FBI official Peter Strzok. -Daily Caller
Gohmert continued; “It was going to an unauthorized source that was a foreign entity unrelated to Russia.”
More/Video
Nearly all of Hillary Clinton's emails on her homebrew server went to a foreign entity that isn't Russia. When this was discovered by the Intelligence Community Inspector General (ICIG), IG Chuck McCullough sent his investigator Frank Ruckner and an attorney to notify Strzok along with three other people about the "anomaly."
Four separate attempts were also made to notify DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz to brief him on the massive security breach, however Horowitz "never returned the call." Recall that Horowitz concluded last month that despite Strzok's extreme bias towards Hillary Clinton and against Donald Trump - none of it translated to Strzok's work at the FBI.
In other words; Strzok, while investigating Clinton's email server, completely ignored the fact that most of Clinton's emails were sent to a foreign entity - while IG Horowitz simply didn't want to know about it.
The Intelligence Community Inspector General (ICIG) found an “anomaly on Hillary Clinton’s emails going through their private server, and when they had done the forensic analysis, they found that her emails, every single one except four, over 30,000, were going to an address that was not on the distribution list,” Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas said during a hearing with FBI official Peter Strzok. -Daily Caller
Gohmert continued; “It was going to an unauthorized source that was a foreign entity unrelated to Russia.”
More/Video
"Credible" Lisa Page Wows House GOP; Supports Theory FBI Had "Desired Outcome" In Russia Probe
GOP lawmakers were pleased with former FBI attorney Lisa Page's Friday closed-door interview with select House committee members - in sharp contrast to her former FBI co-worker and lover Peter Strzok's Thursday testimony which was mostly a ten-hourtrain wreck.
After just five hours, a "cooperative" and "credible" Page answered many questions Strzok didn't, according to Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) as reported by Politico's Kyle Cheney, in large part because FBI attorneys present at the session backed off and let her answer more questions.
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After just five hours, a "cooperative" and "credible" Page answered many questions Strzok didn't, according to Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) as reported by Politico's Kyle Cheney, in large part because FBI attorneys present at the session backed off and let her answer more questions.
Rep. Ratcliffe says Lisa PAGE answered many questions Strzok didn’t and that lawmakers learned a lot of new information. He declined to provide any other details.
Report: HHS Grants For Detained Illegal Alien Children Reaches $1 Billion
$75 million to $1 billion in 10 years
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) handed out nearly $1 billion in grants last year for child welfare services for detained migrant children, the Associated Press reported Friday.
The grants for the services, which include shelters and foster care for the children, have skyrocketed from $74.5 million in 2007 to $958 million in 2017, according to the AP.
More than 11,800 of the children are being housed in about 90 facilities in 15 states. The children are held as their parents wait for their immigration proceedings, or are considered for asylum if they arrived in the U.S. unaccompanied.
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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) handed out nearly $1 billion in grants last year for child welfare services for detained migrant children, the Associated Press reported Friday.
The grants for the services, which include shelters and foster care for the children, have skyrocketed from $74.5 million in 2007 to $958 million in 2017, according to the AP.
More than 11,800 of the children are being housed in about 90 facilities in 15 states. The children are held as their parents wait for their immigration proceedings, or are considered for asylum if they arrived in the U.S. unaccompanied.
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Second leg of USSSA Eastern National Championship arrives on Delmarva
Glen Ave. road closure announced for opening ceremony
Salisbury, MD – Over 120 girls softball teams will arrive on Delmarva this evening for the second leg of the USSSA Eastern National Championship.
The opening ceremony for week two of the tournament will be held this evening at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. The parade of teams begins at 6 p.m. Media is welcome to attend.
To provide safe passage of players, coaches and spectators, a portion of Glen Ave. in front of the WY&CC will close today from 2-11 p.m. The closed portion runs from Civic Ave. to St. Albans Drive.
Tournament play begins on Wednesday. The tournament schedule, brackets and results can be found online athttp://www.usssa.com/fastpitch/event_gameCenter/?eventID=296900.
Salisbury, MD – Over 120 girls softball teams will arrive on Delmarva this evening for the second leg of the USSSA Eastern National Championship.
The opening ceremony for week two of the tournament will be held this evening at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. The parade of teams begins at 6 p.m. Media is welcome to attend.
To provide safe passage of players, coaches and spectators, a portion of Glen Ave. in front of the WY&CC will close today from 2-11 p.m. The closed portion runs from Civic Ave. to St. Albans Drive.
Tournament play begins on Wednesday. The tournament schedule, brackets and results can be found online athttp://www.usssa.com/fastpitch/event_gameCenter/?eventID=296900.
Air Force No Longer Spending $10,000 on Toilet Seats, Officials Say
After intense scrutiny on parts costs, the U.S. Air Force is 3D printing toilet seat covers for its cargo airlift planes instead of spending $10,000 to replace them.
"We now produce the latrine cover for the C-5 [Galaxy] using 3D printing," service spokeswoman Ann Stefanek told Military.com in an email Wednesday. "Using this new process allows us to make parts that are no longer in production and is driving major cost savings."
The news comes after Sen. Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, demanded that the Defense Department's Inspector General's office investigate why the service was spending so much to purchase individual seat covers for the planes.
Grassley last month queried the department on the "egregious and wasteful" spending after Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Will Roper told DefenseOne in an interview the service was shelling out thousands of dollars each time to replace broken seat covers instead of using 3D printing for a quick and less expensive fix.
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"We now produce the latrine cover for the C-5 [Galaxy] using 3D printing," service spokeswoman Ann Stefanek told Military.com in an email Wednesday. "Using this new process allows us to make parts that are no longer in production and is driving major cost savings."
The news comes after Sen. Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, demanded that the Defense Department's Inspector General's office investigate why the service was spending so much to purchase individual seat covers for the planes.
Grassley last month queried the department on the "egregious and wasteful" spending after Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Will Roper told DefenseOne in an interview the service was shelling out thousands of dollars each time to replace broken seat covers instead of using 3D printing for a quick and less expensive fix.
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Nearly $4.7B awarded in suit linking cancer, Johnson & Johnson baby powder
ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis jury on Thursday awarded nearly $4.7 billion in total damages to 22 women and their families after they claimed asbestos in Johnson & Johnson talcum powder contributed to their ovarian cancer in the first case against the company that focused on asbestos in the powder.
The jury announced the $4.14 billion award in punitive damages shortly after awarding $550 million in compensatory damages after a six-week trial in St. Louis Circuit Court.
Johnson & Johnson called the verdict the result of an unfair process that allowed the women to sue the company in Missouri despite most of them not living in the state and said it would appeal, as it has in previous cases that found for women who sued the company.
“Johnson & Johnson remains confident that its products do not contain asbestos and do not cause ovarian cancer and intends to pursue all available appellate remedies,” spokeswoman Carol Goodrich said.
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The jury announced the $4.14 billion award in punitive damages shortly after awarding $550 million in compensatory damages after a six-week trial in St. Louis Circuit Court.
Johnson & Johnson called the verdict the result of an unfair process that allowed the women to sue the company in Missouri despite most of them not living in the state and said it would appeal, as it has in previous cases that found for women who sued the company.
“Johnson & Johnson remains confident that its products do not contain asbestos and do not cause ovarian cancer and intends to pursue all available appellate remedies,” spokeswoman Carol Goodrich said.
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White House Council Of Economic Advisers: 53 Percent Of Non-Disabled Working Age Medicaid Recipients Do Not Work
Fifty-three percent of non-disabled working age Medicaid recipients worked an average of zero hours per month while receiving benefits, according to a Thursday report from the White House Council of Economic Advisers.
The subset of recipients with the largest percentage of non-workers was adults aged 50-64 without children, according to the report. The subset with the smallest percentage of non-workers was working age recipients with a youngest child aged 1 to 5, with 49 percent of recipients reporting an average of zero work hours per month.
Of individuals receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits, 54 percent of non-disabled working age adults reported an average of zero hours of work per month while receiving benefits, according to the report.
For non-disabled working age adults receiving housing assistance, 45 percent reported an average of zero work hours per month when receiving benefits.
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The subset of recipients with the largest percentage of non-workers was adults aged 50-64 without children, according to the report. The subset with the smallest percentage of non-workers was working age recipients with a youngest child aged 1 to 5, with 49 percent of recipients reporting an average of zero work hours per month.
Of individuals receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits, 54 percent of non-disabled working age adults reported an average of zero hours of work per month while receiving benefits, according to the report.
For non-disabled working age adults receiving housing assistance, 45 percent reported an average of zero work hours per month when receiving benefits.
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Russian troll farm made Twitter accounts for fake newspapers to spread real news
Operatives of the Kremlin-linked troll farm called the Internet Research Agency reportedly created Twitter accounts pretending to be local newspapers — and shared real local stories rather than fake news.
According to NPR, at least 48 separate Twitter accounts were created well before the 2016 presidential election and were designed to look like legitimate city newspapers.
In some cases, they used names of newspapers from the past, such as the Chicago Daily News, which folded in 1978.
The accounts, some of which gathered nearly 20,000 followers, didn’t purposely spread false news and instead shared credible local news stories without any particular slant.
NPR notes that the plan for such accounts was to create trust among media consumers before starting to infuse misinformation into its shared posts.
“They set them up for a reason. And if at any given moment, they wanted to operationalize this network of what seemed to be local American news handles, they can significantly influence the narrative on a breaking news story,” Bret Schafer, a social media analyst for the Alliance for Securing Democracy, told the outlet.
“But now instead of just showing up online and flooding it with news sites, they have these accounts with two years of credible history,” he added.
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According to NPR, at least 48 separate Twitter accounts were created well before the 2016 presidential election and were designed to look like legitimate city newspapers.
In some cases, they used names of newspapers from the past, such as the Chicago Daily News, which folded in 1978.
The accounts, some of which gathered nearly 20,000 followers, didn’t purposely spread false news and instead shared credible local news stories without any particular slant.
NPR notes that the plan for such accounts was to create trust among media consumers before starting to infuse misinformation into its shared posts.
“They set them up for a reason. And if at any given moment, they wanted to operationalize this network of what seemed to be local American news handles, they can significantly influence the narrative on a breaking news story,” Bret Schafer, a social media analyst for the Alliance for Securing Democracy, told the outlet.
“But now instead of just showing up online and flooding it with news sites, they have these accounts with two years of credible history,” he added.
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Trump Responds To Russia Indictment: "Where Is The DNC Server? Why Didn't Obama Do Something?"
President Trump issued his first public comment about the indictment of 12 Russian military officers "for conspiring to interfere with the 2016 presidential election" by blaming former President Obama and the "deep state" and asking, as many others have, where the DNC server, the so-called "Exhibit A" in the case against the Russian hackers, is currently.
On Saturday morning, Trump tweeted from Scotland that "The stories you heard about the 12 Russians yesterday took place during the Obama Administration, not the Trump Administration" and asked “why didn’t they do something about it, especially when it was reported that President Obama was informed by the FBI in September, before the Election?" As one of his last acts as president, late in December 2016 and over a month after Trump had won the election, Obama issued sanctions against Russia for the meddling. He also expelled 35 Russian diplomats from the U.S. and ordered two Russian compounds to be closed.
On Friday afternoon, the DOJ announced the indictment of 12 Russian intel officials who are charged with hacking Democratic National Committee officials and dispersing the stolen documents online. However, as explicitly stated in the indictment, there was "no indication that any American was a knowing participant in this activity, and no indication that these efforts altered the vote count in any way", something Trump has repeatedly noted.
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On Saturday morning, Trump tweeted from Scotland that "The stories you heard about the 12 Russians yesterday took place during the Obama Administration, not the Trump Administration" and asked “why didn’t they do something about it, especially when it was reported that President Obama was informed by the FBI in September, before the Election?" As one of his last acts as president, late in December 2016 and over a month after Trump had won the election, Obama issued sanctions against Russia for the meddling. He also expelled 35 Russian diplomats from the U.S. and ordered two Russian compounds to be closed.
On Friday afternoon, the DOJ announced the indictment of 12 Russian intel officials who are charged with hacking Democratic National Committee officials and dispersing the stolen documents online. However, as explicitly stated in the indictment, there was "no indication that any American was a knowing participant in this activity, and no indication that these efforts altered the vote count in any way", something Trump has repeatedly noted.
More