AP Reporter Grills State Department Spox Over Biden’s Sanctions on Russia, ‘List of Exemptions is Frankly Huge’

AP reporter Matt Lee grilled State Department spokesman Ned Price on Biden’s sanctions against Russia.

Joe Biden on Thursday announced he sanctioned 4 Russian banks – after Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.

Putin already factored in sanctions when he decided to invade Ukraine so Biden is once again struggling to keep up.

Joe Biden’s “devastating” sanctions on Russia include a huge list of exemptions.

For example, Joe Biden won’t sanction Russian oil – but he froze ALL new oil and gas drilling projects in the US just THREE DAYS AGO.

After pointing out the ‘huge’ list of exemptions in Biden’s sanctions, AP reporter Matt Lee asked Ned Price, “Can you point to something specific that is now no longer able to be talked about with Russians?”

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/02/ap-reporter-grills-state-department-spox-bidens-sanctions-russia-list-exemptions-frankly-huge-video/

New Prosecutor Will Lead Trump Probe After Lawyers Resign: Manhattan DA

A new prosecutor has been chosen to spearhead the criminal probe into Trump’s businesses after two lawyers quit earlier this week, the Manhattan DA’s office announced on Friday.

“Susan Hoffinger will now lead the probe into Trump and the practices of his family business, the Trump Organization, according to Danielle Filson, a spokeswoman for Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney.” – Reuters reported.

“Hoffinger worked at a private law firm focusing on criminal defense before joining Bragg’s office as executive assistant district attorney and chief of investigations in February, according to her LinkedIn profile. She had previously served in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office in the 1990s.” – According to Reuters.

Two prosecutors leading the Manhattan District Attorney’s investigation into President Trump’s business practices abruptly resigned on Wednesday.

According to The New York Times, the new Manhattan DA, Alvin Bragg, has ‘serious doubts’ about the case against Trump – leading two of his top prosecutors to resign.

“The two prosecutors leading the Manhattan district attorney’s investigation into former President Donald Trump and his business practices abruptly resigned on Wednesday amid a monthlong pause in their presentation of evidence to a grand jury, throwing the future of the high-stakes inquiry into serious doubt,” the New York Times reported.

“The prosecutors, Carey Dunne and Mark Pomerantz, submitted their resignations after the new Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, indicated to them that he had doubts about moving forward with a case against Mr. Trump.”

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/02/new-prosecutor-will-lead-trump-probe-lawyers-resign-manhattan-da/

Multiple Los Angeles USPS Workers Plead Guilty To EDD Fraud

A former United States Postal Service (USPS) clerk, who was charged with committing unemployment benefits fraud, was sentenced Feb. 24 to three years of probation, one year of home detention, and ordered to pay over $160,000 in restitution.

Armand C. Legardy, 33, of Inglewood, California, obtained nine state Employment Development Department (EDD) debits cards from unidentified people that were issued for unemployment insurance benefits between August 2020 and February 2021, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

A discarded envelope containing EDD information sits in Irvine, Calif., on April 21, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The former USPS clerk, who worked out of the La Tijera Post Office on Crenshaw Boulevard, pled guilty to a federal count of use of unauthorized access devices, and acknowledged illegally using the nine EDD cards to purchase tens of thousands of dollars worth of postal money orders that were fraudulently obtained with false claims of COVID-related job losses.

“[He] saw that EDD checks were being returned as undelivered,” Defense Attorney Meghan Blanco said, according to City News Service.

“Mr. Legardy understood that the checks were likely fraudulent and that they were returned after being delivered to fake or nonexistent addresses”.

“Regrettably, he and others took a number of these checks from the returned mail pile …” Blanco stated.

“… and as the government described in its papers, had others cash the checks for them.’’

Less than three miles down the road at the Culver City Main Post Office, another USPS employee pleaded guilty to a similar charge.

Christian J. James, 32, was charged last year with using at least eight EDD debit cards in other people’s names, causing a loss of more than $142,000, according to the California District Attorney’s Office.

Sentenced to probation, he was also ordered to pay $142,000 in restitution.

A joint effort was made investigating the incidents by the USPS Office of the Inspector General, the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the California Employment Development Department.

EDD’s website states that the department actively investigates cases of fraud, with the most recent recording listed in August of 2021 to the sentencing of an inmate in San Diego, who was ordered to pay over $23,000 back to the state after applying and collecting public aid while serving a prison sentence, claiming he was unemployed as a result of COVID.

https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/multiple-los-angeles-usps-workers-plead-guilty-edd-fraud

NYC Firms Hire Off-Duty Police Amid Soaring Violent Crime

Rather than making the borough safer, the newly-elected Democratic Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (funded by George Soros) has implemented new procedures to keep criminals out of jail and on the streets by downgrading burglary, armed robbery, and drug dealing from felonies to just misdemeanors. New progressive policing has sparked a wave of violent crime this year, forcing businesses to hire more off-duty police officers.

Bloomberg reports the number of hours off-duty officers standing watch in front of Manhattan office buildings, retail shops, and other buildings has recently soared as crime worsens.

New York City has long administered its own program for off-duty officers to stand guard outside private businesses — badge, gun and all — and taken a 10% cut of the fees. But after the pandemic hit, spending for the paid detail program shot up to its highest amount in more than a decade. The money New York derives from the program jumped by nearly 70% to $3.2 million in fiscal year 2021 from four years before, according to data from the city's Independent Budget Office. The additional hours standing watch in front of Manhattan office towers like the General Motors building, Duane Reade pharmacies, or Whole Foods supermarkets translated to roughly $32 million in officers' pockets in 2021, given the structure of the fees. -BBG

The expanded use of off-duty officers by businesses began after the virus pandemic, then George Floyd protests, and now a progressive DA whose new policing sent robberies and assaults up 42% and 20%, respectively, so far this year.

Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City, a business group composed of the city's largest companies, said the wave of retail thefts has led to an exodus of employees.

"They've got people quitting over this, so they're really concerned with the uptick," Wylde said. "Luxury retailers say 'our products are insured but our people are what we're worried about.'"

There's also been a flurry of violent attacks on Gotham's public transportation network, the largest in the country. In January alone, 57 robberies were reported, more than double the 24 incidents in the same month last year. Total major felonies are also up, to 198 from 114 a year prior. In response, Wall Street firms have paid for car service or shuttles to ferry employees to and from offices. Some firms have told their employees to "dress down" to avoid being targets.

Meanwhile, the head of the NYPD's largest union expressed serious concerns about the message progressive policing sends to both police officers and criminals.

"Police officers don't want to be sent out to enforce laws that the district attorneys won't prosecute," said Police Benevolent Association president Patrick Lynch. "And there are already too many people who believe that they can commit crimes, resist arrest, interfere with police officers and face zero consequences."

The reality is that Bragg's progressive policing could spark even more violent crime that would force companies to employ more off-duty cops.

So how many Wall Street firms will leave before law and order is restored in Manhattan?

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/nyc-firms-hire-duty-police-amid-soaring-violent-crime

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tells Anthony Blinken to BAN Russia from the SWIFT banking system after Zelensky slammed Biden for watching invasion 'from a distance' - while Congress pushes $600 million weapons package for Kiev

Ukraine's foreign minister urged the US to help secure a ban on Russia using the SWIFT banking network

Kyiv has become frustrated at what it sees as a lack of support as Russian troops close on the capital

Dmytro Kuleba took to Twitter to say he had asked Secretary Blinken for help excluding Russia from SWIFT

Earlier NATO leaders agreed to send thousands of troops to shore up its eastern frontiers

Meanwhile U.S. intelligence officials are worried the Ukrainian capital could fall within days

Ukrainian President Zelensky slammed the United States and its allies for leaving his country to fight alone

'The most powerful forces in the world are watching this from a distance,' he said

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10552699/Ukrainian-Foreign-Minister-Kuleba-tells-Anthony-Blinken-BAN-Russia-SWIFT-banking-system.html

Elon Musk Can’t Get Enough of China: Tesla Plans to Double Production in Communist Country

A recent report claims that Tesla plans to start the development of a new facility in Shanghai as soon as next month, more than doubling its production capacity in China. Elon Musk has frequently praised China’s genocidal communist regime. In one meeting with the government, Musk said “I love China very much and I am willing to come here more.”

Reuters reports that Tesla plans to begin construction on a new plant in Shanghai soon as part of its efforts to grow its presence in China. The new facility will more than double its production capacity in China to meet the growing demand for its vehicles in the country and other markets.

https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2022/02/25/elon-musk-cant-get-enough-of-china-tesla-plans-to-double-production-in-communist-country/

Ukrainian officials are already discussing terms of potential negotiations with Russia, Kiev claimed

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to start negotiating a ceasefire with Russia, his spokesperson has said, claiming that Kiev has been in touch with the Kremlin about a possible venue and the date of the talks. Moscow previously said the Ukrainian leader “disappeared” after initially agreeing to negotiations.

“I have to refute the claims that we have refused to negotiate,” Zelensky spokesman Sergii Nykyforov wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday.

“Ukraine was and remains ready to talk about ceasefire and peace” he said, insisting that currently, “the parties are consulting about the place and time of the negotiation process.”

Kiev also appeared to confirm reports that the Zelensky government had asked Tel Aviv to serve as a mediator at the talks with the Kremlin.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk told the New York Times that Tel Aviv has yet to respond. “They didn’t say no. They are trying to figure out where they are in this chess play,” he said, adding “We do believe that Israel is the only democratic state in the world that has great relations with both Ukraine and Russia.”

Shortly before Nykyforov released his statement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed that Kiev refused to hold negotiations on Friday, adding that Kiev suggested postponing the discussion of the issue till Saturday.

Zelensky had earlier suggested the Polish capital of Warsaw as a venue for the talks rather than Moscow’s proposal of Minsk, but “disappeared” soon after, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier on Friday. The Kremlin spokesman also accused “nationalist elements” within Ukraine of deploying rockets into residential areas around the same time, warning that could result in civilian casualties.

In a national address early Friday, the Ukrainian president said he is “not afraid to talk with Russia,” including about a “neutral status” for Ukraine, but demanded third-party guarantees. The Ukrainian leader also claimed that NATO and the European leaders left Ukraine to fend for itself.

Moscow launched a “special military operation” in the Donbass early on Thursday morning at the request of the region’s recently recognized Donetsk (DPR) and Lugansk (LPR) People’s Republics, vowing to demilitarize Ukraine and defend the people against “Ukranian aggression.” The mission has targeted military sites across Ukraine and Russian forces have since advanced into major cities, reportedly closing in on the capital of Kiev.

Western leaders have reacted with a series of harsh sanctions targeting Russian financial institutions, senior officials, lawmakers and media organizations, including penalties on President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov personally.

https://www.rt.com/russia/550667-ukraine-ready-negotiate-russia/

Australia State Media is pushing Rothschild's plan

Putin is bad

Cut off Russia from Swift

Collapse the world economy

TOP KEK

Funny af

Russia vetoes UN Security Council resolution to denounce war in Ukraine

Russia vetoes Security Council resolution to denounce invasion

As expected, Russia has vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that would have denounced Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Eleven members of the council voted in favour, while China, the United Arab Emirates and India all abstained from the vote.

The draft resolution is now expected to be taken up by the 193-member UN General Assembly.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-26/russia-ukraine-war-live-blog-saturday-feb-26/100863590

Russia-linked hacker gang claims ransomware attack on McDonald's as feds issue 'shields up' alert for ALL American companies to 'prepare for disruptive cyber activity'

Hacker gang Snatch on Friday claimed to have stolen 500 GB from McDonald's

The ransomware group all appear to be Russian-speaking, experts say

It could be the opening salvo in Russian cyber retaliation against the US

CISA issued a 'shields up' alert to all US organizations over potential attacks

A ransomware group linked to Russia has claimed a cyberattack on McDonald's Corporation, as federal officials warn of potential widespread targeting of US businesses after Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

The hacker gang Snatch on Friday claimed to have stolen 500 gigabytes of data from the fast-food giant headquartered in Chicago, posting their demand for an undisclosed ransom on the dark web.

A McDonald's spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com.

The iconic company, which signifies America's economy and culture around the world with more than 38,000 locations in 100 countries, has a market capitalization of $186 billion.

The purported McDonald's breach comes as the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issues a 'shields up' alert to all American businesses and organizations, urging them to take measures to protect themselves from potential Russian cyberattack.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10553013/Russia-linked-hacker-gang-claims-ransomware-attack-McDonalds.html

Russian McHackers

Ten Florida Residents Indicted for $67 Million Health Care Fraud, Wire Fraud, Kickback, and Money Laundering Scheme

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ten-florida-residents-indicted-67-million-health-care-fraud-wire-fraud-kickback-and-money