Top Advisor to Rep. Nunes Sues CNN, Lev Parnas, and others in $30 million defamation action

Derek Harvey, a top advisor to Ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Rep. Devin Nunes, is suing CNN, along with several other defendants, for defamation, alleging that a series of stories beginning in November, 2019 falsely suggested he participated in an effort to “aide and abet the commission of criminal, unethical and dishonest conduct.”

Retired Army Col. Harvey, a long-time military intelligence officer, who also worked as a Middle East analyst and expert for the White House National Security Council, filed the lawsuit Wednesday. Harvey, who is not a public figure, accused CNN of “false statements exposed Plaintiff to public scorn, ridicule and contempt. Defendants attributed to Plaintiff statements he never made and imputed to him deception, lack of integrity, and ethical improprieties that severely prejudiced Plaintiff in his employment.”

“CNN chose to tarnish the reputation of Colonel Derek Harvey based on the word of a renowned liar,”

Steven Biss, Attorney for Derek Harvey

Harvey’s attorney Steven Biss, who also represented Nunes in several defamation lawsuits against the media, filed the detailed 45 page complaint against CNN, as well as Lev Parnas, a Ukrainian born businessman who turned on then associate and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani after being charged by the Justice Department for defrauding investors in his company. The complaint filed Wednesday afternoon, also named Parnas’ lawyer Joseph Bondy, a criminal defense attorney, in the lawsuit. Bondy participated in tweeting and allegedly defaming Harvey while representing Parnas.

“CNN chose to tarnish the reputation of Colonel Derek Harvey based on the word of a renowned liar,” said Biss to this reporter. “Even Jake Tapper acknowledged that Parnas had no credibility. That’s a huge admission. These demonstrably false statements about Colonel Harvey and Devin Nunes should never have been published.”

Biss pointed out in the complaint that “CNN, Parnas and Bondy published the Defamatory Statements as part of a broad smear campaign orchestrated by House Democrats and other powerful interests within the United States to discredit Plaintiff (and Nunes) and to further the goal of impeaching the President.”

He also noted that “the millions who read the defamatory statements clearly understood them to be referring to Plaintiff [Harvey] and clearly understood them to convey a defamatory meaning, including that Plaintiff committed federal crimes, aided and abetted the commission of crimes, or otherwise engaged in unethical and dishonest conduct.”

CNN officials could not be immediately reached for comment. In January, CNN has settled a defamation lawsuit with a Kentucky high school student Nicholas Sandmann. He sought $275 million in damages, however, the actual amount of the settlement was never disclosed.

In one instance, Harvey points out that CNN allegedly defamed him in a story written November, 2019 that stated “Nunes had “meetings … in Vienna last year with a former Ukrainian prosecutor to discuss digging up dirt on Joe Biden … Parnas was told directly by the former Ukrainian official that he met last year in Vienna with Rep. Devin Nunes … Nunes and three aides traveled to Europe from November 30 to December 3, 2018 … Nunes’ entourage included retired colonel Derek Harvey”

Neither Harvey, nor Nunes, traveled to Vienna to “dig up dirt on Joe Biden,” based on established evidence and testimony.

https://saraacarter.com/top-advisor-to-rep-nunes-sues-cnn-lev-parnas-and-others-in-30-million-defamation-action/

No Diplomatic Solution To Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict At This Stage: Armenian PM

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on October 21 there was no diplomatic solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at this stage.

In a live speech on Facebook, Pashinyan revealed that everything that was acceptable to Armenia now, is not acceptable to Azerbaijan anymore.

“Azerbaijan no longer agrees with what we agree or will agree, which means that at this stage it is at least pointless to talk about any diplomatic solution,” the Armenian President said.

Pashinyan also touched on the ongoing battles in Nagorno-Karabakh, saying that Armenian forces are inflicting heavy losses on the Azerbaijani troops. The PM claimed that more than 10,000 Azerbaijani soldiers have been killed, so far.

The Armenian PM concluded his speech by calling on everyone cable of carrying weapons to go and fight for Nagorno-Karabakh.

Despite Pashinyan’s claims, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held separate meetings with the foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow, the press service of the Ministry of foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation reported on October 21. Foreign Ministers will also meet U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on October 23 in Washington.

Meanwhile, clashes continue in the disputed region. Azerbaijani forces are making new gains on a daily basis, despite receiving some losses.

Pashinyan’s speech will not likely improve the chances of a political solution for the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. The battle there may continue for weeks, if not months.

https://southfront.org/no-diplomatic-solution-to-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-at-this-stage-armenian-pm/

Europol: Police in Europe, Latin America Crack Down on Trafficking

In a joint operation earlier this month, Spanish and Dutch police cracked down on drug trafficking routes from Latin America to Europe, seizing six metric tons of cocaine.

Police raided locations in the Dutch cities of Amsterdam, Papendrecht, Rotterdam, Utrecht and the Spanish cities of Valencia and Malaga. (Source: Europol)Police raided locations in the Dutch cities of Amsterdam, Papendrecht, Rotterdam, Utrecht and the Spanish cities of Valencia and Malaga. (Source: Europol explained)The two authorities raided locations across both Spain and the Netherlands, arresting five suspects for their alleged involvement in an international drug smuggling network, involving sophisticated technology and military logistics.

“Individuals with military training and experience in war missions supported the logistical set-up of the criminal network,” Europol explained. “The suspects are believed to have used self-developed encrypted mobile applications to communicate with their counterparts.”

One of the five suspects is believed to be the leader of the group. Along with the suspects and cocaine, police seized jewelry, cash, and the encrypted devices.

At the same time, police in France and Colombia worked to dismantle an international human trafficking network, Europol said Tuesday.

In a series of raids around Paris in early October, French police seized nearly $150,000 in assets and identified 9 victims from several countries who had been trafficked for the purposes of prostitution and sexual exploitation by a Colombian organized crime group.

“The organized crime group composed of Colombian nationals has been active since November 2015,” Europol said. “The suspects recruited their victims from South America and the EU and exploited them in several rental apartments in Paris and other cities spread over three French regions.”

According to Europol, the victims were trafficked through Italy, Spain and Switzerland en route to France.

https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/13285-europol-police-in-europe-latin-america-crack-down-on-trafficking

‘Our account was hacked!’ Fort Bragg, home of US Special Operations, nukes account after posting sexually explicit tweets

Fort Bragg, the massive US military base in North Carolina, has deleted its official Twitter account after first claiming it had been hacked to explain a string of embarrassing sexually explicit messages.

The messages were “not the work of our admins,” the base said in a now-deleted tweet on Wednesday afternoon. “Our account was hacked. We apologize to our followers.” The entire account disappeared shortly thereafter.

It appears no one on Twitter seemed to buy the “we were hacked” excuse. Journalist Sophia Narwitz speculated that it’s far more likely the social media manager at Bragg forgot to log out of the base and into his (definitely his) personal account before simping for an e-girl.

Fort Bragg’s embarrassment isn’t even the first instance this week of someone getting in trouble online over their sex drive. CNN commentator and New Yorker writer Jeffery Toobin was just suspended over indulging in some extra pleasure, so to speak, during a recent work Zoom call.

However, the 250-square-mile (650 square kilometer) facility is on a somewhat different level, seeing as it serves as the headquarters of the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), Army Forces Command and Army Reserve Command, among others. It is also the home of one military intelligence and two psychological operations brigades.

As of Wednesday evening, the account @FtBraggNC now shows “Joined October 2020” as its status, a blank avatar and zero followers. It follows only one account, a podcast producer named “Dr. Strategy,” who highlighted their predicament earlier in the day.

https://www.rt.com/usa/504195-fort-bragg-explicit-twitter-hacked/

Nigerian president appeals for ‘calm’ after soldiers fire on protesters amid chaos in the capital

President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari called for “understanding and calm” a day after soldiers opened fire on police-brutality protesters against the now dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Lagos on Tuesday night.

“The Presidency appeals for understanding and calm across the nation, as the implementation of the reforms, gathers pace at Federal and State levels,” a statement delivered via the president’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, and published on the Nigerian Television Authority website on Wednesday, said.

It did not address the previous day's shooting at protesters and focused largely on to the establishment of judicial panels to address issues of police brutality across the country. Buhari's office said the dissolution of the SARS was "the first step” in a set of reforms that “will deliver a police system accountable to the Nigerian people.”

The statement came just as the headquarters of a local TV station and of the Nigerian Ports Authority were set on fire in Lagos, while other properties across the city were also damaged, according to reports.

Earlier on Wednesday, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu apologized to Lagosians for the bloodshed and confirmed that at least 25 were being treated in hospitals as a result of police firing at protesters.

The shooting occurred at the Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos, where a small group of protesters had gathered in defiance of the curfew. Witnesses to the event posted graphic videos online as well as photos of blood-soaked garments and flags.

https://www.rt.com/news/504162-nigeria-shooting-sars-appeal-calm/

CNN Anchor Chris Cuomo Caught Violating His Own Brother's Mask Order, Humiliated by Tucker

CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, who preaches the need for mask-wearing to protect everyone from coronavirus, is a hypocrite.

On Wednesday, Fox News host Tucker Carlson shared a letter sent to him by the building superintendent where Chris Cuomo lives.

“As I’m sure you know, because of the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, on April 5, 2020 Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.17, which requires anyone over the age [of] two to wear a face mask or cloth that covers their mouth and nose while in a public space. That requirement includes all the required areas at [REDACTED],” the building superintendent wrote.

It is also a good bet that he knows it because the governor who issued the executive order is his brother and Chris himself has had the virus.

“You have been observed entering and exiting the building and riding the elevator without the required face coverings,” the superintendent added.

“Even though staff members have asked you to comply with this requirement, you have refused to do so,” she wrote.

That sentence indicates that this letter has not come out of the blue and that others informed Cuomo of his actions and of the need to correct them.

This all took place while, it bears repeating, Cuomo went on television night after night on his show Cuomo Prime Time and telling the viewers that they need to “wear a damn mask.”

“This is a violation of the Executive Order, building policy, and places other residents and our staff at risk. There are no exceptions to this rule, you are required to comply. As per the attached Newsletter, the board has implemented a policy which imposes a $500 fine on repeat offenders who refuse to wear a mask after one written warning,” the superintendent added.

“Please note, this will serve as your only warning before a fine is imposed. Your immediate cooperation in this matter is expected,” she wrote.

Carlson said that his show contacted the superintendent of the building who admitted to writing the letter but, he said, she became upset when the show mentioned Chris Cuomo by name.

Prior to showing the letter, Carlson showed video after video of the prime-time news host imploring, nay demanding, that others wear their masks.

“If we care about doing the right things, I wear a mask for you as much as I wear it for me. I had the disease,” he said in one video.

Speaking to fellow CNN host Don Lemon, an impassioned Cuomo proclaimed to the viewing audience, “You need to wear a damn mask!”

This is the same Chris Cuomo who harassed a biker when he was supposed to be in quarantine during his infection.

Hypocrisy, thy name is Cuomo.

https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/carminesabia/2020/10/21/cnn-anchor-chris-cuomo-caught-violating-his-own-brothers-mask-order-humiliated-by-tucker-n1076437

Cryptocurrency News: Is A Digital Euro Currency A Realistic Goal?

Facebook’s plan to launch its own “Libra” digital currency also raised stakes for global central banks

The ECB said this new form of currency would enable fast, easy and secure payments

Sweden’s Riksbank, the Swiss National Bank and the People’s Bank of China, have seriously considered forming their own digital currencies

The European Central Bank (ECB) has stated this year that it may seek to develop a “digital euro” currency and make it accessible to all citizens and companies, creating many benefits and risks.

The possible emergence of a “virtual euro” comes as the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many consumers away from handling paper cash, while private cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have become more prominent. In addition, Facebook’s (FB) plan to launch its own “Libra” digital currency also raised stakes for global central banks.

The ECB said this new form of currency would enable fast, easy and secure payments but would only complement the use of cash, not replace it.

The issuance and transference of digital euros would likely be done using the technology known as blockchain, which supports Bitcoin.

Other central banks, including Sweden’s Riksbank, the Swiss National Bank and the People’s Bank of China, have seriously considered forming their own digital currencies and moved ahead on these projects.

"Europeans are increasingly turning to digital in the ways they spend, save and invest," said ECB President Christine Lagarde. "Our role is to secure trust in money. This means making sure the euro is fit for the digital age. We should be prepared to issue a digital euro, should the need arise."

Fabio Panetta, a member of the ECB’s executive board, said a digital euro would “strengthen the international role of the euro.”

Panetta told the Financial Times, “We have been observing a decline in demand for cash as means of payments… It would have been unwise not to be ready to do as much as possible to provide as quickly as possible a [digital] means of payment by the central bank in case people ask for such services.”

The central bank continues to study the feasibility and efficacy of a digital euro and seeking public commentary. The process could take more than a year and a half.

Martin Sandbu, FT's European economics commentator, wrote that a digital euro is certain to arrive and perhaps as soon as the end of 2025.

https://www.ibtimes.com/cryptocurrency-news-digital-euro-currency-realistic-goal-3066299

Australia Post spent $12,000 on Cartier watches for executives, Senate estimates hears

Australia Post's Chief Executive is facing tough questioning at a Senate estimates hearing over claims the service paid $12,000 to gift four Cartier watches to executives of the organisations.

Christine Holgate was questioned at length by a Senate committee as to why the money was spent on rewarding executives.

Ms Holgate said the watches were bought from a Melbourne store in October 2018 and were for people that needed to be rewarded. Each of the watches were valued at $3000 each.

They were a gift from herself, the Chair and the board of Australia Post.

The hearing could not establish which corporate credit card was used to purchase the watches.

The questions are just one line of inquiry into the spending of the organisation, which is a government-owned business with the Australian Government as the only shareholder.

Despite this, Australia Post is a self-funding business that does not receive government funding and is run by the board of the organisation, not the government.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-post-spent-12000-on-cartier-watches-for-executives/1f14bcb9-6eb4-4e79-a853-feeee77f7e8b

Coronavirus Australia live: Victoria, Qld, NSW COVID-19 updates

Melbourne was just days away from its next round of restriction-easing, now a new outbreak has forced 400 people back into isolation and put everything at risk.

Melbourne was just days away from its next round of restriction-easing, now a new outbreak has forced 400 people back into isolation and put everything at risk.

Two schools have closed in Melbourne, as five suburbs have been put on alert and a social housing block has been forced into lockdown after a student who was supposed to be isolating tested positive for coronavirus this week. The source of the outbreak is East Preston Islamic College, which has been closed after a year 5 boy tested positive.

Melburnians were looking forward to a further round of easing COVID-19 restrictions on Sunday, and Daniel Andrews says that will “hopefully” still happen but now an infectious diseases specialist has warned the latest outbreak may put the plans at risk.

Associate Professor Sanjaya Senanayake told the Today show the new clusters were a “serious worry” that will push state’s contact tracing system to its limits.

“In the first few days you need to try and identify all the cases and try and work out who those contacts are, so having this focused blitz early on is really important and will determine how successful your contact tracing is,” he said.

However, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says the outbreak is not a good enough reason for Victoria to delay its easing of restrictions.

Mr Hunt told ABC News Breakfast that Victoria’s improved contact tracing and low case numbers meant restaurants and retail stores should still be allowed to reopen.

“NSW has been able to manage low levels of case numbers … by being predominantly open, which is immensely important to health and mental health, in particular, as well as giving people back their employment,” he said. “And that’s a model that Victoria can follow.”

Victoria has recorded five new cases today. The suburbs on high alert include Roxburgh Park, Dallas, Preston and West Heidelberg.

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/coronavirus-australia-live-victoria-qld-nsw-covid19-updates/live-coverage/501037d90f0974d06d2d658906b5c820

Streaming service Quibi scuttled after only six months

After only six months in operation, a much vaunted streaming service has been scuttled in one of the most high-profile corporate failures in years.

After only six months in operation, the much vaunted $2.4 billion ($US1.8 billion) streaming service Quibi is calling it quits.

According to the Wall Street Journal, co-founder Jeffrey Katzenbergcalled investors to tell them the service is shutting down. The report said Katzenberg and Whitman made the decision to scuttle Quibi and return what money they could to investors rather than prolong the inevitable.

The quick death of Quibi will go down as one of the most high-profile and embarrassing corporate failures this century so far. Investors in Quibi had so much misplaced faith in Katzenberg and fellow founder Meg Whitman’s idea, they put billions behind the venture.

Katzenberg is the co-founder of Dreamworks studios while Whitman was the head of Hewlett Packard and a former presidential candidate.

Katzenberg and Whitman soon confirmed the news to Deadline, adding that there will be a two-month wind down to cease operations.

The pair conceded that the business had tried a number of marketing strategies over the past few months but nothing made enough of a difference.

“There was no question that keeping us going was not going to have a different outcome,” Katzenberg told Deadline. “It was just going to spend a whole lot of money without any value to show for it.

“So out of respect for these people that put up this extraordinary amount of capital to do it, that’s irresponsible and we both felt we shouldn’t do it.”

https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/streaming-service-quibi-scuttled-after-only-six-months/news-story/54bdd9016da122dc43cf617165d1f1fb

(((Every time)))