After Hobbling NATO, Trumpf Targets NAFTA (USMCA)

After making unreasonable demands on the governments of Canada and Mexico, Trumpf enacted 25% tariffs on imports from these countries. He also included China in this imbroglio igniting an international trade war. Even though Canada PM Justin Trudeau and Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum made good faith efforts to appease the American tyrant, they should have realized Trumpf was committed to this destructive plan because that is what Russian President Vladimir Putin wants: A disruption in the Western political, economic, and military architecture. These tariffs amount to a 25% sales tax for American consumers that the US government will collect on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. Ottawa immediately responded with counter-tariffs, while Mexico City and Beijing are deliberating on their responses.

“Have fun???”

Economic analysts forecast the potential for a recession in the West, which won’t harm Russia or the global oligarchs. The economic downturn won’t hurt Trumpf either, as his immense holdings are in real estate.     

Meanwhile millions of Americans shop at the Dollar Stores— even for food items– whose prices will now increase since 95% of their goods are made in China.

This is No Way to Treat an Ally

Besides being NATO partners, the US and Canada jointly operate NORAD, defending North American airspace. Here they are intercepting Russian and Chinese bombers on 24 July 2024.

(Photo: NORAD)

And in actual combat, Canadians suffered casualties on behalf of America’s imperial overdrive. 159 Canadian soldiers and seven civilians were KIA in Afghanistan as part of NATO (ISAF). Moreover, these warriors were sent into the teeth of the Taliban, Kandahar. And while avid golfer Donald Trumpf dodged the draft because of spurious “bone spurs,” he avoided combat in Vietnam. Meanwhile, 20,000 Canadians enlisted in the US military to fight in Vietnam where at least 134 were KIA, like this US Army Ranger below:

Mexico, attacked, defeated, and dismembered by the US (1846-48), remained a neutral country until the Second World War when they joined the Allies. The Mexican Air Force flew with the USAAF during WWII. The “Aztec Eagles” of the 201st Squadron lost several pilots fighting the Japanese alongside American aviators.

Aztec Eagles pilots Lt. Raul Garcia Mercado, squadron commander Capt. Radames Gaxiola, Lt. Manio Lopez Portillo, Capt. Pablo Rivas Martinez and Lt. Roberto Urias Abelleyka review a mission plane before takeoff at Luzon in July 1945. The National WWII Museum, Gift in Memory of Isaac Utley, 2012.019.234.

Mexican and American aircraft stand side-by-side at Clark Field in the Philippines. The one on the left is a 201 Escuadrón aircraft with a vertically-striped tail. If you look closely, you can see the Mexican national insignia on the fighter’s right wing. (Courtesy National Archives).

The Aztec Eagles were Mexico’s only military unit to ever engage in combat outside the country’s national borders.

In the years after World War II, no less than five of the young pilots who began their flying careers in Escuadrón 201 would reach the rank of general in the Mexican Air Force.

What a way for the US to treat its allies, friends, and trade partners. But none of this should be a surprise as this is Putin’s plan: Split the West and sow discord within the system and it’s working. Canadians are booing the US national anthem and ridding their shelves of American products throughout the provinces. They are also traveling to other destinations and selling their winter homes in Florida.

Republican voters wanted to “take back the country,” meaning electing a white man to the White House, so they voted against their own economic interests as capitalism only works for the wealthy. The masses need social safety nets and affordable housing, food, and medical care.

Now some Republican voters are regretting voting for Trumpf and those resentments will increase and harden as the effects of the uncalled trade wars cause hardship for Americans. Prices will go up along with a reduced demand for US products, potentially causing layoffs. The value of 401K investments will decrease along with Wall Street. While Trumpf was announcing his tariffs on TV, the chiron showed the S & P 500 plummet in value.

Sources:

Nero Plays Lyre While the Carolinas Burn

NORTHCOM informs:

“Approximately 2,400 Soldiers from elements of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), 4th Infantry Division, from Fort Carson, CO will soon deploy to enhance DHS and ICE efforts to maintain security at the southern border. Tasks carried out by 2nd SBCT will include detection and monitoring; administrative support; transportation support; warehousing and logistic support; vehicle maintenance; and engineering support. Personnel will not conduct or be involved in interdiction or deportation operations. The 2nd SBCT provides unique military capabilities to protect and maintain the sovereignty and territorial integrity and security of the southern border, a top priority of the DOD.”

Strykers are built for the US Army in Ontario, Canada. I wonder if Trumpf knows that? (Photo: US Army)

Meanwhile, North and South Carolina are combatting wildfires like the ones that devastated southern California earlier this year. So, what does America’s Godzilla do? Rather than sending these Soldiers to help in disaster assistance, he is deploying them to the already over-militarized Mexican border to stop the flow of “illegal migrants” and drugs. The Carolinas are Red States that voted for Nero is who is busy playing the lyre.

Through Elon Musk’s notorious DOGE, America’s Godzilla has fired federal employees from NOAA, NPS, the USFS, and FEMA (as well as other agencies), all people that could prevent, mitigate, or repair damages to America’s infrastructure.

Sources:

Additional troops to enhance border security operations > U.S. Northern Command > Press Releases

American Warzone: Two Suspects in Georgia Beauty Queen Murder Arrested

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has charged Tsion Clayton (23) and Kimone Green (21) both of Lowndes County, GA with one count of Malice Murder in connection to the death of Brianna Long on 29 Oct 2023. Brianna was hit by a stray bullet as she worked as a bartender at The Pier Bar near Valdosta State University (VSU), where she was a student. A co-worker at the bar was also hit by a bullet and later recovered from his injuries. In an average year, 1,543 die by firearms violence in Georgia. In 2022, 48,000 Americans lost their lives to gun violence. These are wartime casualty figures without a foreign invader that Americans seem to tolerate.

The lives of young Tsion Clayton and Kimone Green are effectively over as well, since they will either face life imprisonment or the death penalty. Georgia has executed 1,022 convicts since 1735; 77 between 1983 and 2024.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Sources:

Two individuals arrested in Remerton death investigation – Valdosta Today

 everytownresearch.org

California Food Safety: Botulism Risk Prompts Vegetable Recall

The FDA informs:

“AKT Trading Inc. of Torrance, California, is recalling certain prepared vegetable products manufactured by Choshiya Honten Co., Ltd. due to a potential risk of Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.  The products lack the necessary “Keep Refrigerated” statement, which could lead to hazardous bacterial growth if stored at room temperature. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.”

The products were distributed at Tokyo Central / Marukai stores located in California. Consumers with questions may contact AKT Trading Inc. at 310-715-2174 (M-F 9:30am-6:00pm in PST) or info@aktusa.com.

Source:

AKT Trading Inc. Recalls Prepared Vegetable Products Because of Possible Health Risk | FDA

US Aviation Update

When flying was fun…

Multiple Flights Landing in DC Receive False Midair Collision Warnings

Traffic Collision Avoidance System in cockpit of commercial aircraft. (Photo: Wu Hao / Getty Images)

The FAA launched an investigation into multiple mid-air collision warnings heard by more than a dozen flights on the approach to Ronald Reagan National Airport this past weekend. The planes reportedly heard the warnings despite there being no other air traffic in the immediate vicinity.

Several flight crews on aircraft due to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport, which is near Washington DC, heard warnings on their alerts on their Traffic Collision Avoidance System. The messages told crews that another aircraft “was nearby when no other aircraft were in the area. “

The mid-air collision warnings come just weeks after a deadly crash between a helicopter and a commercial jet in the skies above Washington DC. The aerial crash between American Eagle flight 5342 and a US Army Blackhawk helicopter occurred just a few miles from Ronald Reagan National Airport and killed 67 people. Trumpf had idiotically compared this aviation tragedy to a round of golf.

As Ian Fleming once wrote: “Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action.” This could be the work of disgruntled or fired FAA personnel, or other malicious actors angry with the Trumpf administration and Felon Musk for firing people. Years ago there was a spate of high-powered green laser attacks at landing aircraft in the US and Canada, temporarily blinding the crew. If another aviation tragedy occurs because of these false warning signals, causing confusion for the pilots, innocent passengers and crew will be killed in an effort to discredit Trumpf and Felon Musk. These two miscreants are already discredited and need no help from the outside.

Miami Couple Accused of Throwing Coffee at Airport Staff

Rafael Seirafe-Novaes and Beatriz Rapoport De Campos Maia. (Photo: Miami-Dade Corrections)

Rafael Seirafe-Novaes (40) and Beatriz Rapoport De Campos Maia (29) were arrested for assault at Miami Intl Airport. The couple were denied boarding when they arrived late for their American Airlines flight to Cancun and attempted to force their way onto the flight. Both suspects ignored no trespassing signs and verbal commands from a ticket agent before busting through staff onto the restricted jet bridge. The two allegedly pushed and threw coffee at the staff and were charged with battery and trespassing.

Besides potential incarceration, the two possibly face a lifetime ban from flying American Airlines. Rowdiness and attacks on aircrew have increased over the years. Passengers must overcome traffic getting to the airports, then are pressured to get through the rigmarole of exhausting airport security screening. Then economy class passengers have the pleasure of being crammed together like olives in a jar on some flights. This is why some airports utilize stress-relief pets to avoid circumstances like this. But in the case of rushed Rafael Seirafe-Novaes and Beatriz Rapoport De Campos Maia, probably nothing could have defused them.

Xeli is a 12 pound, 5-year-old, female domestic short hair cat. She is a registered therapy cat at Denver Intl Airport and loves meeting new people.

Delta Air Lines Flight to New Orleans Returns to Boston After ‘Smoky Odor’ Detected in Cabin

Among other planes, Delta operates a fleet of 36 environmentally efficient and quiet A220-100s. (Photo: Delta Airlines)

A Delta Air Lines flight to New Orleans Sunday morning was forced to return to Boston after a “smoky odor” was detected in the aircraft’s cabin.

Shortly after takeoff, Delta Flight 1398 to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport declared an emergency for priority handling from air traffic control.

“Our flight crew followed established procedures and returned to Boston safely,” a Delta spokesperson said in a statement. “We sincerely apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels.”

The Airbus A220 aircraft carrying 87 passengers, three flight attendants and two pilots made it back to the gate at Boston Logan International Airport safely, and the plane was met with emergency response personnel on the ground, per protocol.

There is no further information yet on the cause of the smoky odor in the cabin. Hazarding a guess, this could have either been overheated internal wires in the console or overheated powerful lithium-ion batteries. The most common lithium-ion-powered devices on planes are phones, laptops, wireless headphones and tablets. About 35% of reported overheating incidents involved e-cigarettes, and 16% involved power banks. Battery overheating incidents rose 28% from 2019 to 2023, although such events remain relatively rare, according to UL Standards & Engagement.

Lithium-ion battery burning a Smartphone.

Russia Asks US to Reopen Airspace and Resume Direct Flights Despite Sanctions

A harem of Aeroflot flight attendants in front of an Airbus 350-900 named “Tchaikovsky.”

Russia has asked US representatives to consider reopening US airspace to Russian aircraft and resume direct flights between the two countries.

In a statement issued on 28 Feb 2025, the ministry said the official proposal was made during discussions between Russian and US authorities in Istanbul, Turkiye, on 27 Feb 2025. 

The statement discussed “the normalization of the functioning of the diplomatic missions of both countries as a follow-up to recent bilateral contacts at the top and high levels.” 

In accordance with the instructions of the foreign ministers, the two leaders discussed ways to overcome the numerous “irritants” inherited from previous US administrations, the Russian statement noted. The Russian Foreign Ministry added that the US was asked to consider the possibility of restoring direct flights to and from Russia.  

According to a statement from the US after the Istanbul meeting, the US and Russia had “constructive discussions,” but did not specifically mention Russia requesting that direct flights between the two countries be restored. 

Meanwhile, Europe is tightening the screws on Moscow. On 24 Feb 2025, the European Commission announced renewed sanctions against Moscow, including an extension of the flight ban on airlines from other countries flying to Europe if they operate domestic flights within Russia.  The latest package extends the flight ban to third-country airlines that conduct domestic flights within Russia or supply aviation goods to Russian airlines. The ban impacts transactions with two airports in Moscow, Vnukovo Airport (VKO) and Zhukovsky Airport (ZIA), as well as four regional airports. 

Putin’s protege, Trumpf, has already ordered USCYBERCOMMAND to stop offensive operations against the Kremlin and the Justice Department is no longer investigating election interference or Russian oligarchs. With a public distraction turning the world’s eyes to the left, on the right Trumpf will ease the flight sanctions on Russia.

An international arrest warrant from the ICC remains active against Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes.

All indictments are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Sources:

https://www.jalopnik.com/1803349/multiple-flights-dc-false-midair-collision-warings/

Couple accused of throwing coffee at airplane staff

Delta flight 1398 returns to Boston after reports of odor on board | CNN

Lithium-Ion_Battery_Incidents_and_Their_Impact_on_Aviation_Safety

Russia asks US to reopen airspace and resume direct flights

EUROPOL: Criminal Ringleader and Nine Associates Arrested After Killing Witness

Slovenian special police officer in action.

A Bosnian criminal leader ran his operations from prison and after he was released, hid in Slovenia. In late Nov 2024, the undercover ringleader allegedly organised and coordinated the professional assassination of a witness in a case.

Taking a multi-stage approach, police forces methodically moved against the criminals. In three separate action days, ten people were arrested, including the organisation’s leader, and significant amounts of weapons, explosives, and drugs were seized.

The high-value target was taken into custody during the operation’s first action day in December 2024. His criminal network was hierarchically organized, with each member fulfilling roles such as logistician, counter-surveillance specialist, assassin, as well as weapons, explosives and drug trafficker. Investigations are ongoing.

Amongst the items seized: An automatic rifle, several handguns (some with removed serial numbers), silencers, and over 200 Rounds of ammunition; several remote controls and electric detonators for explosive charges; 10 Kg of Heroin, 3.5 Kg of Cocaine, 18 Kg of Morphine; a large number of electronic devices, mobile phones, SIM Cards, forged and counterfeit documents.

The Balkans remains atop the Global Organized Crime Index for Europe. Gangs compete with each other trafficking people, drugs, weapons, counterfeit currency, and stolen items. Unfortunately, bystanders and innocent people get hurt or killed by these international gangsters where religion or ethnicity can take a second place to profits.   

Sources:

Criminal ringleader and nine associates arrested after killing a witness | Europol

The Slovenia Times

Morocco: Measles Spreading

Morocco has a population of 37,387,585 people and enjoy a $8,900 per capita income. (Source: CIA)

The Moroccan Ministry of Health announced that the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region recorded two deaths and 441 new infections of Bouhamroun, as measles is called there.  

According to the ministry, the Tangier region ranks third nationally in terms of infection rates, after the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region, which came first with 807 cases and two deaths, followed by the Casablanca-Settat region with 558 cases and two deaths.

Measles symptoms. (Photo: Getty Images)

Nationwide, the total number of deaths from the disease has reached eight, while the number of cases has exceeded 2,860, according to the latest official statistics.

Morocco is among the countries with high rates of Bouhamroun cases, along with other countries such as Romania. Measles is also spreading in Texas, thanks to anti-vaxxers, and Mexico issued a warning to its citizens to avoid traveling to the Lone Star State.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), immunization coverage in Morocco among one-year-olds improved between 1990 and 2013: Measles from 79.0% to 99.0% and polio type 3 from 81.0% to 99.0%.

Sources:

EMROPUB_2016_EN_19275.pdf

Ministry of Health reveals death toll and injuries in Tangier – Tangier News Magazine

Cat Falls in Love With Girl Next Door

Young Palestinian Man Killed as Israeli Settlers Torch Homes and Cars in West Bank Village

The Palestinian Authority health ministry said 23-year-old Rasheed Seda was killed and another Palestinian was critically wounded by the “settlers’ bullets.”

Dozens of extremist Israeli settlers, many of them masked, rampaged in the West Bank Palestinian village of Jit, setting fire to homes and vehicles. A Palestinian man was killed in the attack.

The settlers hurled stones and Molotov cocktails, torching at least four homes and six vehicles in the village, located just west of Nablus. More than 100 assailants were involved. Minutes after the “grave incident” was reported, troops and border police officers were dispatched to the scene. The IDF said the troops used riot dispersal means and fire rounds in the air while taking the Israelis out of the village.

Israeli authorities rarely arrest Jewish perpetrators in such attacks. Rights groups lament that convictions are even more unusual, and the vast majority of charges in such attacks are dropped.

While many members of the Israeli cabinet condemned the attack, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the storming of Jit was “not connected in any way to the settlement enterprise or to settlers.”

According to the UN, more than 500 Palestinians have been murdered in the West Bank over the past several years. Recently, the US sanctioned four Israeli settlers for violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, but these measures were apparently not enough to deter this type of wanton rampaging, murder, and displacing Palestinians from their homes.

Sources:

Palestinian killed as settlers torch homes and cars in West Bank village | The Times of Israel

More than 500 Palestinians killed in occupied West Bank: UN rights chief | UN News

US sanctions Israeli settlers over West Bank violence (bbc.com)

Cardinals Superfan Known as Rally Runner Gets Ten Months in Prison for January 6 Attack on Capitol

Rally Runner, F.K.A., Daniel Donnelly, Jr. (44) of St. Louis, MO, was sentenced to ten months in prison, 24 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $3,000 in fines and restitution by US District Judge Jia M. Cobb. Runner previously pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder on 22 March 2024.

Rally Runner attended the former President’s rally at the Ellipse on 6 Jan 2021. Runner then proceeded to the US Capitol building and then to the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, wearing a red “Keep America Great” hat, red jacket, and distinctive red face paint. The Tunnel was the site of some of the most violent attacks against US Capitol Police officers that day. Seditionists at the Tunnel battled police officers for hours as they attempted to storm the Capitol building. Police had retreated inside the Tunnel to protect an entrance to the Capitol building.

The defendant made his way to the threshold of the Tunnel’s entrance, facing off with police while holding a riot shield he had obtained earlier. USCP officers attempted to move the crowd out of the Tunnel. Runner is seen holding up the stolen riot shield to the USCP officers, forming a wall in connection with other shields held by other seditionists. After finally being forced out of the Tunnel, Runner triumphantly celebrated his conduct.

Tucker Carlson featured this flamboyant seditionist on a December 2021 segment of his now-canceled Fox News show. Carlson showed an image of Rally Runner outside the Capitol — wearing red face paint and red clothes — as the television host promoted conspiracy theories that uncharged “agent provocateurs” had infiltrated the mob.

Another member of America’s “Fedayeen Saddam” (FS), a white supremacist dead-ender, has been incarcerated and will most likely watch the November election from prison.

Source:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/missouri-man-sentenced-felony-charge-actions-during-jan-6-capitol-breach

NYC Paid $120,000 to Settle Police Misconduct Allegations Against now-GOP Congressional Candidate Alison Esposito

In an episode straight out of the TV show American Horror Story (FX), a former NYPD officer twice-sued over wrongful arrests during her 25 glorious years with New York’s Finest, is a Republican candidate for Congress, a position that pays $174,000 per annum plus extraordinary benefits. Alison Esposito is the NYS GOP selection to run against West Point graduate Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY, 18th CD). This the same Republican cabal that afflicted the world with infamous ex-Congressman George Santos (whose name anagrams into “Strange Goose”).

Two wrongful arrest lawsuits against Alison Esposito cost NYC taxpayers $120,000 in settlements. In 2005, three black women sued Officer Esposito for wrongful arrest and were awarded $95,000 in damages. In 2017, Esposito was sued again for entering into an apartment building where she “did unlawfully stop, assault, frisk, handcuff, detain, arrest and imprison” an infant named Rebecca Cuevas. The mother was ultimately given $25,000 in a settlement.

Furthermore, Esposito received eight complaints through the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board, though none of those were substantiated. On 12 Aug, Politico reported that Esposito was reprimanded by her superiors in the NYPD after she left her service weapon and badge in an unlocked car which were stolen. We can only hope that nobody was killed with the missing firearm.

What an episode of American Horror Story.

Sources:

https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2024/08/nyc-paid-120000-settle-police-misconduct-allegations-against-now-gop-candidate-alison-esposito/398813/

https://patryan.house.gov/

Silk non-Dairy Milk Recalled in Canada Amid Listeria Outbreak: Three deaths

The death of a third person has been linked to almond, oat and other non-dairy milks recalled in Canada for potential listeria contamination.

Do not consume, use, sell, serve or distribute various recalled plant-based refrigerated beverages.

The Public Health Agency of Canada issued an alert on 17 July advising people to avoid drinking certain refrigerated non-dairy milk products produced by Danone Canada and sold in the country under the Silk brand and Walmart’s Great Value brand. Consuming plant-based drinks had been linked to two deaths and 12 cases of listeria infection.

A third death and eight more cases – 15 have been hospitalized and 20 cases have been linked to the outbreak. Thirteen of the cases were reported in Ontario, five in Quebec and one each in Alberta and Nova Scotia; people became sick between August 2023 and early July 2024.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency continues to investigate and said additional products may be recalled. “More recent illnesses may continue to be reported in the outbreak because there is a period between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported to public health officials.”

Sources:

Public Health Notice: Outbreak of Listeria infections linked to recalled plant-based refrigerated beverages – Canada.ca

Silk non-dairy milk recalled in Canada amid listeria outbreak: Deaths increased to three (msn.com)

Beijing Reports “Destroying Large Network” of Taiwanese Spies

The Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) announced they had “destroyed” a large network of Taiwanese spies in the mainland and uncovered more than 1,000 espionage cases in a vow to fight “separatism.”

“The cases involved espionage activities and leaking state secrets,” said the MSS. The ministry cited the case of Taiwanese citizen Yang Zhiyuan, who was arrested in August 2022 in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, on suspicion of engaging in “separatist activities” and endangering China’s national security.

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council reports that the MSS uses “vague and unclear laws” to detain people from Taiwan who do not conform with the political ideology of China’s ruling Communist Party.

In 2022 researcher Cheng Yu-chin, a former aide to Taiwan’s former President Tsai,  was imprisoned for seven years on espionage-related charges. Taiwanese activist Lee Ming-che was sentenced to five years prison for subversion before being released in 2022, while Taiwanese businessman Lee Meng-chu was jailed on espionage charges in Shenzhen in 2019 for taking photos of armed police officers.

Without further data, this political sweep by the MSS appears to be out of the movie Casablanca:

“Round up the usual suspects.”

Whether the MSS uncovered genuine deep penetration sources, double agents, sleeper cells, low level informants, or commercial spies remains to be seen.

Beijing has dialed up diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan since former president Tsai Ing-wen’s administration came to power in 2016. Tsai and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) refuse to acknowledge that Taiwan and the mainland belong to “One China.” President Lai Ching-te, who is also a DPP member, is viewed with suspicion by the CCP.

Sources:

China says it ‘destroyed large network’ of Taiwanese spies — Radio Free Asia (rfa.org)

Dual US-Russian Citizen Sentenced To 12 Years for Treason over $51 Donation to Ukrainian Charity

A Russian court in Yekaterinburg sentenced dual US-Russian citizen Ksenia Karelina to 12 years in prison after convicting her of treason for transferring $51 to a Ukrainian aid charity in early 2022. Karelina’s lawyer said his client admitted making the donation, but planned to appeal the verdict.

Karelina (33) moved to the US in 2015, married a US citizen, and received US citizenship in 2021. She was arrested in Yekaterinburg in January on suspicion of petty hooliganism.

On 7 February treason charges were filed against her after investigators learned that on the second day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, she had transferred $51 to Razom, a Ukrainian aid group that helps civilians affected by the war. Prosecutors found evidence of the donation on her mobile phone.

This is the same judge who in July sentenced US journalist Evan Gershkovich to 16 years in prison on espionage charges.

According to rights groups, nearly 900 Russians have been convicted of treason, espionage, or cooperation with foreign governments since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Sources:

Dual U.S.-Russian Citizen Sentenced To 12 Years For Treason In Yekaterinburg (rferl.org)

LAPD Arrests Four Suspects in Slaying of ‘General Hospital’ Actor Johnny Wactor

Three 18-year-olds and a 22-year-old accomplice have been arrested in connection with the slaying of General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor in Los Angeles. The three teenagers were arrested on murder charges while the older man was taken into custody as an accessory, police said in a statement.

The teenage suspects are Robert Barceleau, Leonel Gutierrez, and Sergio Estrada. Frank Olano (22) was jailed on the accessory warrant.

Wactor (37) was shot on 25 May. Witnesses said the slaying happened after Wactor had finished a shift working as a bartender when he discovered three suspects were in the process of stealing his car’s catalytic converter. The actor was “shot without provocation” after which the suspects fled in a stolen 2018 black Infiniti Q50. Police sources told The Los Angeles Times they suspect the Florencia 13 street gang is involved in this crime.

In an average year, 3,089 people die by guns in California. With a rate of 7.7 deaths per 100,000 people, the Golden State has the 44th-highest rate of gun deaths in the US.

California Firearms Licenses in 2021: 406,360

An estimated 28.3% of adults in California have guns in their homes. The number of illegal firearms flooding the streets of California is unknown.

Sources:

LAPD arrests 4 in slaying of ‘General Hospital’ actor Johnny Wactor – UPI.com

4. California – Gun map: Ownership by state – statistics and rates (cbsnews.com)

Every-State-Fact-Sheet-2.0-042720-California.pdf (everytownresearch.org)

Florida Man Arrested for Threatening and Attacking Energy Facility

Source: Case number 6:24-cr-201 in the Middle District of Florida, Document 17. Supplement to motion for detention. Solar panels with cracked glass that Hnaihen damaged.

Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen (43) a Jordanian citizen residing in Orlando, FL is charged with four counts of threatening to use explosives and one count of destruction of an energy facility.

Beginning around June 2024, Hnaihen targeted and attacked businesses in the Orlando area for their perceived support for Israel. Wearing a mask, under the cover of night, Hnaihen smashed the glass front doors of businesses and left behind “Warning Letters.”

At the end of June, Hnaihen broke into a solar power generation facility in Wedgefield, FL, and spent hours systematically destroying solar panel arrays. He smashed panels, cut wires, and targeted critical electronic equipment. Hnaihen left behind two more copies of his threatening demand letter. Hnaihen is believed to have caused more than $700,000 in damage.

Hnaihen was arrested on 11 July, shortly after another “Warning Letter” threatening to “destroy or explode everything” was discovered at an industrial propane gas distribution depot in Orlando.

Hnaihen is charged with four counts of threatening to use explosives and one count of destruction of an energy facility. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each threat offense and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the destruction of an energy facility offense.

Frustration and anger at US foreign policy, and the fact that Jordan lies in-between Israel and Iran, no doubt motivated this Jordanian to commit sabotage. Any conflict between Israel and Iran could affect Jordan with collateral damage. Moreover, war increases the risk of political instability in the Hashemite Kingdom as an estimated three million displaced Palestinians have been living there for decades.  

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Sources:

Office of Public Affairs | Man Arrested for Explosives Threats and Attack on Energy Facility | United States Department of Justice

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinians_in_Jordan

Four US Flight Attendants Convicted of Smuggling Drug Money to Dominican Republic

Photo by Vinh Lu00e2m on Pexels.com

Four New York-based flight attendants admitted to smuggling drug money to the Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic.

Sarah Valerio Pujols (42), Charlie Hernandez (42), Emmanuel Torres (34), and Jarol Fabio (35) pleaded guilty to one count of operation of an unlicensed money transmission business.

“These four flight attendants abused their privileges as flight attendants to move money for drug traffickers,” SDNY US Attorney Damian Williams said.

Prosecutors say the flight attendants worked for different international airlines and had elevated TSA security clearance that allowed them to pass through a less-scrutinized security screening at airports. A cooperating witness operated a money laundering business that specialized in the movement of cash from New York City drug sales to the Dominican Republic.

The flight attendants were allegedly paid a fee to get the money past airport security and hand them off to a person in the Dominican Republic. The four suspects were caught through a series of orchestrated sting operations.

The four defendants face up to five years in prison when they are sentenced.

Sources:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/flight-attendants-charged-connection-smuggling-drug-money-dominican-republic

https://www.hngn.com/articles/262787/20240814/flight-attendants-smuggling-drug-money-dominican-republic.htm