Business NewsJuly 18, 2019 / 12:37 PM / Updated 12 minutes ago

Trump meets with airline CEOs over Qatar subsidy accusations

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump met on Thursday with the chief executives of major American airlines to discuss their accusations that subsidies by Qatar and United Arab Emirates are costing jobs in the United States.

The meeting between Trump and the CEOs of American Airlines (AAL.O), United Airlines (UAL.O), JetBlue Airways Corp (JBLU.O), FedEx Corp (FDX.N) and Atlas Air (AAWW.O) included Vice President Mike Pence, the White House said.

The meeting also included the CEO of state-owned Qatar Airways, Akbar al-Baker, who was also at the White House last week to tout its decision in June to buy five new Boeing 777 freighters.

The White House did not immediately provide details of the meeting.

Since 2015 the largest U.S. carriers - Delta Air Lines (DAL.N), American and United Airlines - have argued their Gulf rivals are being unfairly subsidized by their governments, distorting competition and costing U.S. jobs - something the Gulf carriers deny.

The Partnership for Open & Fair Skies, a group representing Delta, American, United and aviation unions, said it had a “productive meeting” with Trump.

“The president shares our concerns and instructed us to keep working with the U.S. Department of Transportation, which we plan to do,” Scott Reed, the group’s managing partner, said in a statement.

The CEOs of JetBlue, FedEx and Atlas Air have warned that restricting the rights of Qatar Airways could lead to retaliation against U.S. carriers and added, in an April letter, it could lead to “a rapid unraveling of hard-fought aviation rights around the world when other governments take similar action to shield their state-owned airlines from competition.”

Last week, the CEOs of Delta, United and American wrote a joint USA Today op-ed urging the White House to act “decisively to hold Qatar and the UAE accountable.” They suggested that failing to respond would “signal to other countries that they too are free to exploit American workers.”

Rhttps://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-qatar-airlines-gulf/trump-meets-with-airline-ceos-over-qatar-subsidy-accusations-idUSKCN1UD2G2?EAD MORE:

PoliticsJuly 18, 2019 / 4:11 PM / Updated 4 hours ago

Senate expected to confirm Trump's second Secretary of Defense next week

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate is due to vote next week to confirm Mark Esper as President Donald Trump’s second Secretary of Defense, ending the longest period by far that the Pentagon has been without a permanent top official.

The Senate Armed Services Committee approved Esper’s nomination during a closed meeting on Thursday. Senator Jim Inhofe, the panel’s Republican chairman, said he hoped the confirmation vote in the full Senate would begin as soon as Monday.

The vote breakdown in the committee was not made public.

Esper’s confirmation hearing on Tuesday was mostly smooth, except for a sharp exchange with Democratic Senator and presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren, who said Esper should not be confirmed because of ethical concerns related to his former lobbyist job at defense contractor Raytheon Co.

Esper, 55, is expected to easily win confirmation in the Senate, where he has the support of many Democrats as well as Trump’s fellow Republicans. He has served a Secretary of the Army since November 2017.

There has been no confirmed defense secretary since Jim Mattis resigned in December over policy differences with Trump.

The armed services panel also voted to advance 1,231 other pending military nominations, including that of General Mark Milley to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

READ MORE:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-defense-esper/senate-expected-to-confirm-trumps-second-secretary-of-defense-next-week-idUSKCN1UD2YA

Cordicon

Trump Calling Out China in 2011

Boss

Trump taps Scalia's son as Labor secretary pick

By Alex Gangitano - 07/18/19 07:20 PM EDT

President Trump announced Thursday evening that he would nominate, Eugene Scalia, the son of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, to lead the Labor Department.

"I am pleased to announce that it is my intention to nominate Gene Scalia as the new Secretary of Labor," Trump tweeted late Thursday.

"Gene has led a life of great success in the legal and labor field and is highly respected not only as a lawyer, but as a lawyer with great experience working with labor and everyone else. He will be a great member of an Administration that has done more in the first 2 ½ years than perhaps any Administration in history!" Trump added

Eugene Scalia, 55, is a partner at the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and is a member and former co-chairman of its Labor and Employment Practice Group. He also co-chairs the firm’s Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Group.

The younger Scalia served as Solicitor of the Labor Department from 2002 to 2003 after his appointment by former President George W. Bush.

He represented Bush in 2000 in the Supreme Court’s Bush v. Gore case over the Florida election recount. He also represented Wal-Mart in 2006 against a law in Maryland that would have required large companies — those with more than 10,000 employees — to spend more of their health care money on employees.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) denounced Trump's decision, writing in a statement, "Workers and union members who believed candidate Trump when he campaigned as pro-worker should feel betrayed."

"President Trump is missing an opportunity to nominate a fighter for workers, like a union member, to be America’s next Labor Secretary," Schumer wrote. "Instead, President Trump has again chosen someone who has proven to put corporate interests over those of worker rights.”

Acting Labor Secretary Patrick Pizzella was instated last week after former Secretary Alexander Acosta resigned amid questions over a plea deal he brokered more than a decade ago as a U.S. attorney for sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who was arrested recently on new charges.

https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/453826-justice-scalias-son-likely-to-be-nominated-labor-secretary-report

Kim Kardashian thanks Trump, Kushner for helping efforts to free A$AP Rocky from Swedish jail

By Chris Mills Rodrigo - 07/18/19 10:25 PM EDT

Kim Kardashian on Thursday thanked President Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and White House adviser Jared Kushner for assisting in efforts to get rapper A$AP Rocky freed from jail in Sweden.

"Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @SecPompeo, Jared Kushner & everyone involved with the efforts to Free ASAP Rocky & his two friends," Kardashian tweeted.

"Your commitment to justice reform is so appreciated."

Axios and TMZ reported Thursday that Pompeo was working at the request of the president to have A$AP Rocky released from solitary confinement, following discussions between Kardashian and Kushner. Kardashian and Kushner reportedly spoke earlier this month, after which Kushner alerted the president to A$AP Rocky's arrest.

The New York rapper was arrested on July 2 after voluntarily going to the police in Stockholm for questioning over a street fight in which he played a role.

Swedish authorities are set to decide whether to charge the rapper with a crime or release him on Friday.

Kardashian, who has lobbied for criminal justice reform, worked with Trump last year to secure clemency for Alice Marie Johnson, a 64-year-old who was serving a life sentence on charges of money laundering and drug offenses.

https://thehill.com/homenews/453839-kim-kardashian-thanks-trump-kushner-for-helping-efforts-to-free-aap-rocky-from-jail

Most HHS Regulations Unconstitutional, Report Says

By Matthew Vadum

July 19, 2019 Updated: July 19, 2019

Seven out of every 10 of the nearly 3,000 regulations enacted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) during the past two decades were unconstitutionally issued by politically unaccountable bureaucrats, according to a new “first-of-its-kind” study.

The report, “But Who Rules the Rulemakers? A Study of Illegally Issued Regulations at HHS,” by Angela C. Erickson and Thomas Berry, was recently published by Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), a Sacramento, California-based public interest law firm that frequently argues cases before the Supreme Court.

Only a fraction of regulations have reliable cost estimates and their actual cost often exceeds projected benefits, the report states.

“Burdensome regulations cost Americans $4 trillion in economic growth from 1980 through 2012, resulting in a loss of nearly $13,000 per American,” the report states, referencing an earlier study by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.

“The public bears these costs directly and indirectly through higher prices for goods and services, reduced consumer choices, stagnant wages, lost jobs, and limitations on their freedoms. Businesses don’t ‘absorb’ these losses—people do.”

Then there is the political problem, the report argues.

Executive agencies are sometimes referred to as the “fourth branch” of the federal government in the United States. Critics say officials in this so-called administrative state are unaccountable to voters and allow unelected government officials to usurp the functions of other branches of government.

READ MORE:

https://www.theepochtimes.com/most-hhs-regulations-unconstitutional-report-says_3007947.html

US Navy Shoots Down Iranian Drone Near Strait of Hormuz, Trump Says

By Jack Phillips

July 18, 2019 Updated: July 18, 2019

President Donald Trump announced the U.S. Navy shot down an Iranian drone near the Strait of Hormuz, amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington.

“The Boxer took defensive action against an Iranian drone, which had closed into a near distance, approximately 1,000 yards,” Trump said July 18 about the incident in the strait that lies between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf.

The president was referring to the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship that is often deployed in and around the Persian Gulf.

“The drone was immediately destroyed,” Trump continued. He gave no other details.

“This is the latest of many provocative and hostile actions by Iran against vessels operating in international waters,” Trump said, according to a White House pool report.

The United States, he explained, has “the right to defend our personnel, our facilities, and interests, and calls upon all nations to condemn Iran’s attempts to disrupt freedom of navigation and global commerce.”

READ MORE:

https://www.theepochtimes.com/us-navy-shoots-down-iranian-drone-near-strait-of-hormuz-trump-announces_3007985.html

Democrat Who Introduced Articles of Impeachment Walks Off CNN During Interview

By Jack Phillips

July 18, 2019 Updated: July 18, 2019

Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) walked out during a live TV interview on CNN after being questioned about introducing articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.

CNN’s Kate Bolduan asked Green if he was playing into the president’s hand after Trump mentioned the move during his rally in North Carolina, terming it “a disgrace.”

“The base is not the American people. The American people don’t want to tolerate bigotry. I just have faith in the American people and I will continue. We will March on until victory is won,” Green told the news outlet.

Green said he will introduce more articles of impeachment.

During the July 17 vote, the House voted 332-95 against Green’s measure.

House Speaker “Nancy Pelosi also is not—is going to stand up against bigotry, but she has been very clear about the path forward for Democrats on impeachment. She’s not caved to any of the pressure when it comes to impeachment proceedings from Democrats,” Bolduan told Green.

The CNN anchor then read aloud a quote from Pelosi (D-Calif.) in May, saying that Trump is trying to get Democrats “to impeach him.”

Green said he and the speaker have the “same goal” before saying he has to leave.

“I must tell you, I have a vote that’s on now and I must leave, so I do appreciate you very much, but I do have to run now. Thank you,” the Texas Democrat said before abruptly leaving.

“Welcome to live television,” Bolduan said, laughing.

READ MORE:

https://www.theepochtimes.com/democrat-who-introduced-articles-of-impeachment-walks-off-cnn-during-interview_3007673.html

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/07/creepy-nadler-stalks-hope-hicks-calls-her-in-to-testify-again-to-clarify-previous-statements-threatens-hicks-with-serious-consequences/

Russian Nuclear Reactors Taken Offline In 2nd Serious Incident In Under A Week

by Tyler Durden

Fri, 07/19/2019 - 02:45

In a deeply worrisome development related to Russia's network of ten nuclear power plants nationwide, two of them suffered significant operating incidents in under only one week, causing multiple reactors to be take offline.

Russia's TASS reported that a "transformer short circuit" at the Kalinin nuclear power plant (NPP) resulted in "a complete shutdown of two and a partial shutdown of another power unit in the Tver region" early on Thursday. In total 3 out of the 4 nuclear plant's reactors had to be unplugged.

Hours later, as evening fell, Reuters reported one or more of the units suffering shutdown were back online. Russia is well-known as among the world's largest producers of nuclear energy.

READ MORE:

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-07-18/russian-nuclear-reactors-taken-offline-second-serious-incident-under-week

House Democrats want extra security for Ilhan Omar after the 'send her back' chants

7/19/2019

House Democrats are demanding additional security for Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, who was recently targeted by President Donald Trump in a series of incendiary attacks.

Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee, requested an urgent review of security arrangements by Capitol Police in face of Trump's attacks.

Illinois Rep. Bobby Rush, a senior member of the Congressional Black Caucus, also told Politico: "It's crystal clear to me that her life is in imminent danger."

Trump supporters specifically targeted Omar at a North Carolina on Wednesday, chanting "send her back."

The chant came after the president singled out four progressive Democratic congresswomen of color earlier this week.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

House Democrats are demanding extra security for Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar after President Donald Trump's supporters repeatedly chanted "send her back" on a Wednesday rally, where Trump smeared her as a terrorist sympathizer.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, wrote to the Capitol Police Board on Thursday: "Since last night's Trump campaign rally, the hashtag #SendHerBack is trending on Twitter with tweets referring to Rep. Omar as a terrorist sympathizer and calls for her deportation despite being a US citizen."

"The President's attacks on Members of Congress have emboldened people to pursue acts of violence towards public officials," he added

Thompson on Monday had already asked Capitol Police to convene an emergency meeting to review their security procedures in light of Trump's attacks on four progressive Democrats — Reps. Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts — earlier this week.

READ MORE:

https://www.businessinsider.com/ilhan-omar-house-democrats-extra-security-send-her-back-chants-2019-7

>>19759

>https://mobile.twitter.com/JuliansRum/status/1151929259809824768

>>19759

Maya Ajmera

Founder & President

The Global Fund for Children

Siobhan Aalders

Public Relations Consultant

Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwid

Fazle Hasan Abed

Founder and Chairperson

BRAC

Reuben Abraham

Director, Base of the Pyramid Learning Lab

Indian School of Business

Wendy Abrams

Principal

Medline Industries, Inc.

Nishith Acharya

Executive Director

The Deshpande Foundation

Maya Ajmera

Founder & President

The Global Fund for Children

Siobhan Aalders

Public Relations Consultant

Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwid

Fazle Hasan Abed

Founder and Chairperson

BRAC

Reuben Abraham

Director, Base of the Pyramid Learning Lab

Indian School of Business

Wendy Abrams

Principal

Medline Industries, Inc.

Nishith Acharya

Executive Director

The Deshpande Foundation

Safaa Elagib Adam

Secretary General & Gender Advisor

Community Development Association (CDA

Gerry Adams

President

Sinn Féin

Andre Agassi

Founder

Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation

Doug Ahlers

Senior Fellow

Harvard Kennedy School of Government

Jacques Aigrain

Chief Executive Officer

Swiss Re

Some of the names on the Clinton Foundation List

https://media.8ch.net/file_store/eccfd76b1d41b1d5b99ba397549563cbb8392e48f931a672677536a5e8d70fdb.pdf

"There Were Photos Of Topless Women Everywhere": Epstein's Former IT Guy Quit Over Disturbing Pictures

by Tyler Durden

Fri, 07/19/2019 - 08:45

Jeffrey Epstein's former IT contractor, Steve Scully, says that he ended his business relationship with the 66-year-old pedophile over hordes of young women all over his infamous private island, as well as an extensive collection of photographs depicting topless women displayed in the island's various compounds, according to Good Morning America.

“There were photos of topless women everywhere," said contractor Steve Scully, who said he worked for Epstein for six years beginning in 1999. "On his desk, in his office, in his bedroom,” Scully, a 69-year-old father of three girls, said of the private island dubbed "Little St. James." -GMA

Of note, the FBI found a "substantial collection of photographic trophies of his victims (p. 12) and other young females" at Epstein's Manhattan residence.

READ MORE: https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-07-19/there-were-photos-topless-women-everywhere-former-epstein-it-guy-quit-over

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/07/that-same-ideology-led-to-genocide-in-somaliland-somali-american-speaks-out-against-ilhan-omars-extreme-ideology-and-antisemitism/

HEADS UP!

Strong Earthquake Near Athens Sends People Fleeing in Greek Capital

A strong earthquake hit Friday near the Greek capital of Athens, causing residents to run into the streets in fear and firefighters to check for people trapped in elevators.The Athens Institute of Geodynamics gave the earthquake a preliminary magnitude of 5.1 but the US Geological Survey gave it a preliminary magnitude of 5.3.

The Athens Institute says the quake struck at 2:13 p.m. local time (1113 GMT) about 26 kilometres (13.7 miles) north of Athens.The quake sparked limited power cuts and communication problems around Athens and the fire brigade reported receiving calls about people being trapped in elevators. The shock was caught live in the studios of state broadcaster ERT.

The Civil Protection Authority said there was no immediate word on injuries or damages, but that police and volunteers north of the capital were carrying out searches for possible damage. The most powerful quake to hit the Greek capital in the last 20 years came in 1999, when a temblor of magnitude 6.0 caused extensive damage and killed more than 140 people.

Gerasimos Papadopoulos, the senior seismologist at the Geodynamics Institute said Friday's quake was felt across southern Greece.

The Historic Moment Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin Set Foot on the Moon

Raw Moon Landing Footage

Breaking

A number of Hezbollah & IRGC members were killed in the bombing of a PMF base in Iraq by an unknown drone.

Iraqi security forces confirm the "Shohada" base was targeted by drones Friday morning, leaving at least two dead.

Reports: Hezbollah & IRGC members were killed.

https://twitter.com/HeshmatAlavi/status/1152222800133984257