Conspiracy Theorists Are Creating their Own Nation | Decade of Hate
https://youtu.be/i0ZbfkBCwtk
Panic - vice
Authorities Seize $13 Billion From Abramovich Associates In "Largest Asset Freeze In UK History"
Update (1400ET): UK authorities are aggressively pursuing assets belonging to Roman Abramovich to such an intense degree that they have even decided to freeze £10 billion ($13.1 billion) of his assets.
Here's the FT with more:
The UK is to freeze an estimated £10bn of assets held by two longstanding business associates of Roman Abramovich, the Russian oligarch best known for his ownership of Chelsea Football Club.
The sanctions on Eugene Tenenbaum and David Davidovich bring the total number of oligarchs, family members and associates with ties to Russia on the UK list to 106, the government said on Thursday. According to the government, corporate filings show that Tenenbaum, a director at Chelsea, took control of Ervington Investments, an Abramovich-linked investment vehicle, on February 24, the day Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine.
UK foreign secretary Liz Truss called the move the "largest asset freeze action in UK history."
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/jersey-authorities-freeze-7-billion-assets-allegedly-belonging-roman-abramovich
Former University of Michigan Professor Sentenced on Charges of Child Exploitation of a Minor
https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/pr/former-university-michigan-professor-sentenced-charges-child-exploitation-minor
Ten Members Of International Stock Manipulation Ring Charged In Manhattan Federal Court
Global “Pump-and-Dump” Scheme Targeted Retail Investors and Generated Over $100 Million in Illicit Proceeds
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/ten-members-international-stock-manipulation-ring-charged-manhattan-federal-court
Russian Legislator And Two Staff Members Charged With Conspiring To Have A U.S. Citizen Act As An Unregistered Agent Of The Russian Government In The United States
Russian Legislator Aleksandr Mikhaylovich Babakov and Staff Members Aleksandr Nikolayevich Vorobev and Mikhail Alekseyevich Plisyuk Allegedly Conspired to Commit U.S. Crimes in Furtherance of a Global Foreign Influence Scheme
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/russian-legislator-and-two-staff-members-charged-conspiring-have-us-citizen-act
Tennessee invites Hillsdale College to help start charter schools as alternatives to woke curricula
The private conservative college developed the 1776 curriculum, which teaches students about the strengths of America and the Western tradition.
Tennessee GOP Gov. Bill Lee has invited the private conservative Hillsdale college to help open charter schools in his state as alternatives to public school that teach "woke" curriculums.
Hillsdale official told Just the News it has received three application for curriculum
The offer for Hillsdale, a liberal arts college with about 1,500 students in Michigan, to use public funds includes $32 million for charter facilities.
Hillsdale developed the "1776 Curriculum," a direct response to the New York Times' "1619 Project" about so-called Critical Race Theory, which in suggests American is inherently racist.
Hillsdale's version teaches students that America is "an exceptionally good country."
Critics of the 1776 Curriculum say it has an overly positive take on American history.
"It talks about the enormity of slavery, but in almost every case, everything that’s bad about America will be undone by what is good. Almost, literally, that American ideals will overcome whatever evils may be there," Sean Wilentz, a Princeton professor told the New York Times.
But Hillsdale has big plans to expand its network of classical public charter schools, which are publicly funded by privately run, that emphasize "the centrality of the Western tradition," and Lee is on board.
"For decades, Hillsdale College has been the standard-bearer in quality curriculum and in the responsibility of preserving American liberty," Lee recently told Tennessee lawmakers. "I believe their efforts are a good fit for Tennessee."
He calls his plan for charter school expansion part of an effort to help develop "informed patriotism" in Tennessee students.
Hillsdale has a network of 22 charter schools, which receive curriculums and training from the college. A large handful of additional schools are set to open shortly. The schools have, thus far, produced higher-than-average SAT scored among their students, and produced acceptances to a number of prestigious colleges and universities.
https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/education/tennessee-gov-offers-hillsdale-college-funding-50-charter-schools
Potato
https://twitter.com/Breaking911/status/1514685811593302017
https://twitter.com/Breaking911/status/1514684182328483851
Prime Minister’s security car involved in crash in Tasmania during election campaign
Members of Scott Morrison’s security detail were taken to hospital for assessment following the crash
The prime minister’s security car has been involved in a crash in Tasmania.
The crash involving Scott Morrison’s security follow vehicle occurred near Elizabeth Town, south east of Devonport, on Thursday.
Two Tasmanian Police officers and two Federal Police officers from the security detail who were in the vehicle were taken to hospital for further assessment.
“All officers were conscious when transferred. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured,” a spokesperson for the prime minister said.
“The PM is not injured and was not involved in the accident.
“Family members of the officers have been contacted and are being kept informed of their condition.
“The PM is always extremely grateful for the protection provided by his security team and extends his best wishes for their recovery and to their families.”
Tasmania Police and emergency services are at the scene of the crash.
“Motorists are asked to avoid the area, police are on scene managing traffic,” a police spokesperson said.
Video from the scene shows one vehicle on its side, on the side of the road.
https://7news.com.au/politics/scott-morrison/prime-ministers-security-car-involved-in-crash-in-tasmania-during-election-campaign-c-6448325
Russian flagship sank – military
Missile cruiser ‘Moskva’ went down in the Black Sea while being towed to port, the Russian Defense Ministry said
The Russian missile cruiser Moskva, flagship of the Black Sea fleet, sank while being towed into port amid stormy sea conditions, the defense ministry in Moscow said on Thursday. According to the Russian military, the warship’s hull had been damaged by an ammunition explosion, itself caused by a fire on board, on Wednesday.
Ukrainian officials claimed their forces had struck the vessel with anti-ship missiles. The Pentagon said it could not confirm the claim. A US drone circled above the cruiser on Thursday, monitoring its progress towards Sevastopol.
“While being towed to the port destination, due to hull damage caused by ammunition detonation sparked by fire, the cruiser Moskva lost stability. In the stormy sea conditions, the ship sank,” the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday evening.
The Moskva was reportedly some 90 kilometers south of Odessa on Wednesday when a fire broke out on board. This caused the unspecified ammunition stores to explode and damaged the hull, according to the Russian military. The cruiser’s crew was evacuated by nearby Black Sea Fleet ships, and tugs dispatched to tow the Moskva to Crimea for repairs.
https://www.rt.com/russia/553902-flagship-sank/
US lawmakers arrive in Taiwan unannounced
China has warned US against “going further down the dangerous path”
A group of six US lawmakers arrived in Taiwan on Thursday on an unannounced two-day visit, amid growing tensions between Beijing and Washington. The visit has been confirmed by the American Institute in Taiwan, which serves as a de-facto embassy of the United States in Taipei.
“The congressional delegation will meet with senior Taiwan leaders to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, and other significant issues of mutual interest,” the Institute said in a statement.
According to Reuters, the bipartisan group – which includes the chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Menendez and senior Republican senator Lindsey Graham – arrived on Thursday in Taipei on an Air Force aircraft and were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu.
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen will meet the lawmakers on Friday.
Presidential Office spokesman Xavier Chang said that the lawmakers' visit would contribute to deepening partnership between the island and the US, and underlined that Taipei would continue to work with the United States for the benefit of “global and regional peace, stability, prosperity and development.”
The parliamentarians' visit has angered China. At a daily press briefing on Thursday Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian underlined that Beijing “firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Taiwan region.”
“Members of the US Congress should act in consistence with the US government's one-China policy. The US side should abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiqués, stop official exchanges with Taiwan and avoid going further down the dangerous path,” Lijian said.
He warned that China would continue to take “strong measures” to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Since 1949, Taiwan has de facto been independent from mainland China, after the losing side in the Chinese civil war fled to the island and installed its own administration there. China, however, has always considered Taiwan to be part of its territory and views it as a breakaway province.
Chinese President Xi Jinping made clear that China would not hesitate to use force against Taiwan if the island of 25 million tries to cut ties with Beijing. However, a peaceful solution is apparently more preferable for the Chinese officials.
Despite recognizing Beijing as the sole legitimate authority in China since 1979, the US is keeping strong unofficial ties with the island and supports it militarily.
https://www.rt.com/news/553880-taiwan-lawmakers-us-visit/
Russia Is Making High-Budget, High Quality Christian Cartoons - Imagine If Disney Were Christian
In old Russia, nearly 1000 years ago, Saints Peter & Fevronia set an enduring example of Christian devotion — both to God and to each other. While Peter bravely conquered dangerous foes, his bride Fevronia was skilled in medicine, healing her patients with herbs and prayer. This new movie tells a story inspired by their lives . . .
https://youtu.be/o1d5YA4FFmo
'Stranger Things' actress Millie Bobby Brown says she's been 'sexualized' ever since she was a little girl
Millie Bobby Brown, breakout star of Netflix's "Stranger Things," said that people began to sexualize her as a very young child.
What are the details?
British actress Brown, now 18, recently appeared on "The Guilty Feminist" podcast where she recalled being objectified and sexualized even when she was just a pre-teen.
“I deal with the same things any 18-year-old is dealing with, navigating being an adult and having relationships and friendships, and it’s all of those things,” Brown told hosts Deborah Frances-White and Susan Wokoma. “Being liked and trying to fit in, it’s all a lot, and you’re trying to find yourself while doing that. The only difference is that obviously, I’m doing that in the public eye.”
She added that now that she's turned 18, she feels like she's being sexualized "more within the last two weeks of turning 18" and is very well aware of the "difference between the way people act and the way that the press and social media have reacted to me coming of age."
A viral Reddit forum with a “NSFW” teaser that told users it wouldn’t be available to view until Brown's 18th birthday. Before the bizarre page was banned, it had more than 6,000 members.
“I believe that shouldn’t change anything, but it’s gross and it’s true," she added. "It’s just a very good representation of what’s going on in the world and how young girls are sexualized. So, I have been dealing with that, but I have also been dealing with that for forever.”
She added that for example, she was included in a W magazine roundup of "Why TV is Sexier Than Ever" — an article that ran when she was just 13 years old. During another instance, GQ in 2016 — when she was just 12 — described her as a "very grown-up child" and commented on the appearance of her prepubescent legs.
https://www.theblaze.com/news/stranger-things-actress-millie-bobby-brown-says-she-s-been-sexualized-ever-since-she-was-a-little-girl
Ex-Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano sentenced to 12 years in prison
Former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano was sentenced to 12 years behind bars Thursday for accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from a Queens restaurateur.
Central Islip federal Judge Joan Azrack handed down the prison term along with a $20,000 fine Thursday and ordered Mangano to turn himself in on June 13.
The judge said the amount that Mangano should pay in restitution would be determined at a later date.
Mangano was convicted in 2019 of accepting bribes and kickbacks from the restaurateur, Harendra Singh, including five paid vacations, a $3,600 vibrating chair and a no-show job for his wife, Linda.
In exchange, the once-powerful politician helped secure $20 million in loans for Singh.
The jury also found Linda guilty of helping to cover up the corrupt arrangement. She is slated to be sentenced later Thursday.
Mangano’s lawyer Kevin Keating told The Post by email: “We are disappointed with the sentence, and we now move on to the appeal. We remain confident.”
During a seven-week trial — following a 2018 mistrial — star witness Singh testified under a cooperation agreement that he was a major donor to Mangano and that he lavished the county exec and Linda with gifts to curry favor with them.
Mangano was convicted of accepting bribes in exchange for official government action and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Linda was convicted of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and making false statements. The pair both faced up to two decades in prison.
https://nypost.com/2022/04/14/ex-nassau-county-executive-ed-mangano-sentenced-to-12-years-in-prison/
Mobster Whitey Bulger’s nephew played role in Hunter Biden’s Chinese business ventures: emails
The namesake nephew of bloodthirsty Boston mobster James “Whitey” Bulger worked closely with Hunter Biden in his Chinese business ventures, according to emails reviewed by The Post.
Jim Bulger, chairman and co-founder of the Boston-based Thornton Group financial advisory firm, forwarded an email in January 2014 from associate Mike Leonard proposing a meeting among Hunter Biden — whose father, Joe Biden, at the time was vice president of the United States — Bulger, and Rosemont Seneca co-founder Devon Archer.
The email sent on Jan. 27, 2014 — with a subject line that read, “Meeting with Chinese Ambassador” — suggested the group meet in Washington, DC, to “talk about the fund,” according to the message.
“Pretty interesting that someone at the Embassy in Beijing would be interested in what the domestic Bohai PE Fund was up to,” Jim Bulger wrote. “Thought you guys should see this. I still believe a meeting early next week with the Ambassador if possible would be best, hope this as not cause to [sic] much of an ass ache.”
Archer, Biden’s business partner at Rosemont Seneca, replied hours later that he was “providing notes to the Embassy” on the purpose of the meeting and to confirm if timing was “possible,” according to the message.
It’s unclear, however, if the meeting ever took place. A message seeking comment from BHR Partners in Beijing was not immediately returned early Thursday.
“BHR, with its unique mixed ownership, combines the resources and platforms of China’s largest financial institutions … and the networks and know-how of our US-based investment fund and advisory firm shareholders,” its website states.
Rosemont Seneca was working with the Thornton Group years after Jim Bulger’s father and Whitey’s younger brother, William “Billy” Bulger, served as the Democratic president of the Massachusetts state Senate from 1978 to 1996.
During the time Billy Bulger ran Massachusetts politics, his brother Whitey ran the Irish mob in Boston, protected by rogue FBI agents to whom he fed information against largely Italian-run Mafia crews. He spent 16 years as a fugitive after being tipped off that he was about to be arrested — and even replaced Osama bin Laden as the nation’s most wanted outlaw — before getting busted in California in 2011.
In 2013, he was convicted of dozens of felonies, including participating in 11 murders, and sentenced to two life terms plus five years by a judge who told him that the “scope, callousness and depravity of your crimes are almost unfathomable.” Five years later, he was killed in prison.
Billy Bulger, meanwhile, had also worked closely with US Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), whose stepson, Christopher Heinz, co-founded the Washington-based Rosemont Seneca investment fund named after the Heinz family’s estate near Pittsburgh.
In 2013, Thornton Group teamed up with Rosemont Seneca to launch a joint venture with Chinese investment firm Bohai Capital to form BHR Partners, which is controlled by the Bank of China Limited.
https://nypost.com/2022/04/14/hunter-biden-laptop-connects-whitey-bulger-nephew-to-china-dealings/
Democrats fear Sen. Dianne Feinstein no longer mentally fit for Congress: report
Longtime Sen. Dianne Feinstein is showing clear signs of cognitive decline, according to a new report, leaving her colleagues in Congress scrambling for ways to persuade her to retire before her term expires in 2024.
“It’s bad, and it’s getting worse,” one Democratic senator told the San Francisco Chronicle, which also reported that a member of California’s congressional delegation who has known Feinstein (D-Calif.) for 15 years recently had to reintroduce themselves to her repeatedly over a discussion lasting several hours.
“I have worked with her for a long time and long enough to know what she was like just a few years ago: always in command, always in charge, on top of details, basically couldn’t resist a conversation where she was driving some bill or some idea,” the lawmaker said. “All of that is gone. She was an intellectual and political force not that long ago, and that’s why my encounter with her was so jarring. Because there was just no trace of that.”
The Chronicle report, which cited four of Feinstein’s Senate colleagues and three former staffers as well as the House member, indicated that the 88-year-old’s memory is rapidly deteriorating and her staff does much of her work.
“There’s a joke on the Hill, we’ve got a great junior senator in Alex Padilla and an experienced staff in Feinstein’s office,” one former aide remarked.
Feinstein, a former San Francisco mayor who was first elected to the Senate in 1992, has been one of the most powerful and prominent members of the chamber over the past three decades, chairing the Senate Intelligence Committee for six years and serving as ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee during the Trump administration.
However, two senators who spoke to the Chronicle told the outlet that while they believe Feinstein partially recognizes them, she may not be able to recall their name or home state. One staffer who works for another senator claimed to have seen their boss preemptively introduce themselves to Feinstein in the Senate hallways, as if meeting her for the first time.
The sources who raised concern about Feinstein noted that she has good days as well as bad days, and occasionally appears like her old self.
https://nypost.com/2022/04/14/democrats-fear-sen-dianne-feinstein-no-longer-mentally-fit/
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AI Next Campaign
researchers work to establish the feasibility of new AI concepts within 18 months of award. DARPA uses streamlined contracting procedures and funding mechanisms to move these efforts from proposal…Twitter Facebook YouTube Instagram Linked In RSS Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 675 North Randolph Street Arlington, VA 22203-2114 703.526.6630 This is an official U.S. Department of Defense
For more than five decades, DARPA has been a leader in generating groundbreaking research and development (R&D) that facilitated the advancement and application of rule-based and statistical-learning based AI technologies. Today, DARPA continues to lead innovation in AI research as it funds a broad portfolio of R&D programs, ranging from basic research to advanced technology development. DARPA believes this future, where systems are capable of acquiring new knowledge through generative contextual and explanatory models, will be realized upon the development and application of “Third Wave” AI technologies.
DARPA announced in September 2018 a multi-year investment of more than $2 billion in new and existing programs called the “AI Next” campaign. Key areas of the campaign include automating critical DoD business processes, such as security clearance vetting or accrediting software systems for operational deployment; improving the robustness and reliability of AI systems; enhancing the security and resiliency of machine learning and AI technologies; reducing power, data, and performance inefficiencies; and pioneering the next generation of AI algorithms and applications, such as “explainability” and common sense reasoning.
AI Next builds on DARPA‘s five decades of AI technology creation to define and to shape the future, always with the Department’s hardest problems in mind. Accordingly, DARPA will create powerful capabilities for the DoD by attending specifically to the following areas:
New Capabilities: AI technologies are applied routinely to enable DARPA R&D projects, including more than 60 exisiting programs, such as the Electronic Resurgence Initiative, and other programs related to real-time analysis of sophisticated cyber attacks, detection of fraudulent imagery, construction of dynamic kill-chains for all-domain warfare, human language technologies, multi-modality automatic target recognition, biomedical advances, and control of prosthetic limbs. DARPA will advance AI technologies to enable automation of critical Department business processes. One such process is the lengthy accreditation of software systems prior to operational deployment. Automating this accreditation process with known AI and other technologies now appears possible.
Robust AI: AI technologies have demonstrated great value to missions as diverse as space-based imagery analysis, cyberattack warning, supply chain logistics and analysis of microbiologic systems. At the same time, the failure modes of AI technologies are poorly understood. DARPA is working to address this shortfall, with focused R&D, both analytic and empirical. DARPA’s success is essential for the Department to deploy AI technologies, particularly to the tactical edge, where reliable performance is required.
Adversarial AI: The most powerful AI tool today is machine learning (ML). ML systems can be easily duped by changes to inputs that would never fool a human. The data used to train such systems can be corrupted. And, the software itself is vulnerable to cyber attack. These areas, and more, must be addressed at scale as more AI-enabled systems are operationally deployed.
https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/ai-next-campaign