The FDA’s Ties to the Gates Foundation

In 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Under the MOU, the two entities agreed to share information to “facilitate the development of innovative products, including medical countermeasures,” such as diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics to combat disease transmission during a pandemic.

The FDA has MOUs with many academic and non-profit organisations, but few have as much to gain as Bill Gates, who has invested billions into pandemic countermeasures.

Experts are concerned the Gates Foundation could have undue influence over the FDA’s regulatory decisions of these countermeasures.

David Gortler, an ex-senior adviser to the FDA commissioner between 2019 and 2021, says he is “suspicious” of the MOU.

“If the Gates Foundation establishes an MOU with a regulator on a product they want to develop, it seems like it would be a conflict of interest. What if every other drug company did the exact same thing as the Gates Foundation?” he says.

Gortler, now a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, DC, explained that normally, meetings between developers and regulators are supposed to be an official part of the public record and subject to Freedom of Information Act requests.

“However, an MOU such as this can circumvent the usual requirements for the transparency of official communications,” says Gortler. “This way their communications can be kept secret.”

David Bell, a former medical officer for the World Health Organisation (WHO) who now works as a public health physician and biotech consultant, agrees that the MOU has potential to corrupt the regulatory process.

“The narrative is that philanthropic foundations can only be good, because they’re making vaccines and saving thousands of lives, so we need to cut the red tape and help the FDA get stuff done quickly otherwise children will die,” says Bell. “But in reality, it has potential to corrupt the whole system.”

Bell adds, “Speaking generally, close relationships between regulators and developers raise inevitable risks that shortcuts and favours will breakdown the rigorousness of the product review, putting the public at risk.”

Revolving door

The FDA has been roundly criticised for its “revolving door.” Ten of the past 11 FDA commissioners left the agency and secured roles with pharmaceutical companies they once regulated.

Similarly, the Gates Foundation hired high-ranking members of the FDA, who bring with them intimate knowledge of the regulatory process.

MORE

https://brownstone.org/articles/fda-ties-to-gates-foundation/

"Children Are Not Social Experiments": Oklahoma Ban On Sex Changes For Minors Upheld By Federal District Court

The ruling on Oct. 5, 2023, came as a result of a motion for injunctive relief to restrain the state from implementing the law.

Five young people identifying as transgender and in some degree of transition, their parents or legal guardians, and a health care provider are the plaintiffs in the case.

The defendant is Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, a Republican.

In an email to The Epoch Times, Mr. Gentner's press secretary, Leslie Berger, stated: "The Attorney General's Office continues to fulfill its duty to defend Senate Bill 613, and has won a ruling that results in full enforcement of that law."

The lawsuit was filed on May 2, 2023, the day after the Republican-controlled Oklahoma State Legislature resoundingly passed Senate Bill 613 enacting the ban.

Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, signed the bill into law just hours after it passed. Then, the state agreed to hold off on implementation until the court ruled on the motion.

The court decided that a child’s parents do not have the right to obtain medical services to change the sex of their minor son or daughter, as the plaintiffs contended.

However, in the ruling, there is a recognition of the longstanding legal acknowledgment that Americans have the right to refuse medical treatment.

The statute does not keep Oklahomans who are 18 years old and over from obtaining such procedures.

Judge Heil, a Trump appointee, wrote that there is a distinction between adults who are ready to make life-altering decisions and “minors, who, at least in the eyes of the legislature, are not.

“Indeed, courts have upheld restrictions designed to protect and prevent minors from engaging in behaviors that are far less risky than the procedures banned in SB 613,” he wrote.

Judge Heil cited precedent that recognized a balance between “the truth that parents generally know what is best for their children,” and the reality that state governments have an abiding interest in protecting public health, preserving and promoting the welfare of children, and keeping the medical profession ethical and honest.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/children-are-not-social-experiments-oklahoma-ban-sex-changes-minors-upheld-federal

Trump Attorney Kenneth Chesebro Pleads Guilty in Georgia RICO Case in Exchange For Reduced Charges

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/10/trump-attorney-kenneth-chesebro-pleads-guilty-georgia-rico/

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US Justice Dept recommends police hire former criminals

The agency has urged a “modernization” of hiring standards, citing difficulty recruiting and keeping employees

Explaining that law enforcement is having trouble finding and keeping new recruits who measure up to existing professional standards, the document suggests police departments reconsider categorically rejecting candidates with “minor, isolated criminal offenses, especially where offenses occurred a long time ago.”

Lesser convictions are likely the result of “minor unwise decisions” made before a candidate’s brain was wholly mature and capable of fully understanding the consequences of those decisions, the policing experts argued, insisting that recruiters should always allow candidates “room for redemption.”

Additionally, visible tattoos and other “grooming” issues should not keep an individual from joining the force, so long as they don’t indicate bigotry, the panel reasoned. Nor should a lack of educational achievement be a stumbling block – recruiters might consider scrapping written examinations altogether, and a candidate’s financial or credit history should also be deemphasized, they argued. Even physical fitness standards should be relaxed, as candidates can get in shape on the job, they added.

https://www.rt.com/news/585449-justice-department-police-hire-criminals/

Justice Department Releases Report on Recommendations for Law Enforcement Agencies Facing Recruitment and Retention Challenges

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-releases-report-recommendations-law-enforcement-agencies-facing

17 suspected child sex predators arrested, police say

A multi-agency operation targeting online child sex predators led to 17 arrests recently, including a Clark County prosecutor.

Those arrested between Oct. 13-14 were: Randy Thomsen, 38; Jazoni Hickman, 20; Siaju Brown, 20; Angel Rivera, 40; Eskipper Monasterio, 36; Daniel Frentzel, 39; Robert Kafaka II, 35; Scott Rotolo 34; Tanner Castro, 26; Pablo Martinez, 44; Jhon Adajar, 35; Peter Forseth, 64; Andrew Logsdon, 42; Johnathan Adame, 31; Santiago Guzman, 40; Everado Escobedo, 22; and Cristian Valera-Rodriguez, 38, according to a Metropolitan Police Department release.

They all face charges for luring a minor with a computer to engage in sex.

Undercover agents with the Internet Crimes Against Children joint operation posed as 13- and 14-year-old children, the release said. After being solicited for sex by the adult suspects, a meeting was set up and the suspects were taken into custody.

Metro would like to remind parents to discuss with their children the dangers of online chats with strangers. Parents are encouraged to routinely monitor their children’s activity on social media and other online applications to prevent them from becoming victims of a child sex predator.

https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/sex-crimes/17-suspected-child-sex-predators-arrested-police-say-2924565/

UK and US raid “dark web” of child pornography: 337 arrests in 38 countries

UK and US authorities investigating a “dark web” child pornography site run from South Korea on Wednesday announced the arrest of 337 suspects in 38 countries. Britain's National Crime Agency (NCA) said the “Welcome to Video” site contained 250,000 videos that were downloaded a million times by users across the world.

“The website monetized the sexual abuse of children and was one of the first to offer sickening videos for sale using the cryptocurrency bitcoin,” the NCA said in a statement.

“The arrests were made in 38 countries including the UK, Ireland, America, South Korea, Germany, Spain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the Czech Republic and Canada.”

https://en.mercopress.com/2019/10/17/uk-and-us-raid-dark-web-of-child-pornography-337-arrests-in-38-countries

On a Single Day, NJ Arrests 4 Teachers, Politician on Child Sex Crime Charges

It was a week of shocking headlines involving teachers and community leaders.

In Bergen, Burlington and Hudson counties on Thursday, police arrested four men — who all work with children in schools — on charges of either sexually abusing children or downloading photos or videos of that kind of abuse.

In the most shocking arrest, officials in Bergen busted the City Council president in Tenafly along with his son on child porn charges.

Here is a look at the charges.

Students molested in Jersey City, officials say

A substitute teacher in Jersey City was charged with sex crimes involving two students.

Fayez Yassa, 64, was arrested on Oct. 12 at his Jersey City home.

Yassa is charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault by contact and two counts of second-degree child endangerment.

Prosecutors say Yassa was terminated from his job.

https://wpgtalkradio.com/on-single-day-nj-arrests-4-teachers-and-politician-on-child-sex-crime-charges/

Decatur, Town Creek men among 8 arrested in child exploitation sting

A child exploitation sting by Cullman police last week resulted in the arrest of a Decatur man and Town Creek man, as well as six others.

Through cooperation with the Covenant Rescue Group, the Cullman Police Department's Investigative Division and Tactical Unit made the arrests last Friday. Police said the investigation into the arrested individuals and others is ongoing, with more charges likely to follow.

Juan Carlos Gutierrez, 41, of Decatur, was among those arrested and is charged with first-degree human trafficking, traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, and electronic solicitation of a child, according to police.

Investigator affidavits filed in Cullman County District Court elaborate on the charges.

"Gutierrez engaged in a text-based message by cellphone with a female he believed to be fifteen years old," the affidavit reads. "Gutierrez traveled to meet with the female at a hotel after he agreed to pay $100 to engage in sexual contact with the female he believed to be a child."

Sgt. Adam Clark, Cullman Police Department's public information officer, said Thursday that although his department hasn't received many child exploitation complaints, they decided to run the sting operation with the understanding that child exploitation is a problem across the nation.

Clark urged parents to pay attention to their children's use of social media.

"There are apps that you can get to monitor your child's phone," he said. "Just make sure you're monitoring your kids' electronic devices and know what they're doing and who they're talking to."

Ryan Philip Nobriga, 31, of Town Creek, apparently didn't know who he was talking to online on Oct. 13. According to an investigator's affidavit, Nobriga responded to an internet advertisement for a sexual service and began chatting with an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old girl.

"Nobriga acknowledged that he knew he was speaking with a 15-year-old," the affidavit reads. "He asked how much it would be for sexual intercourse and oral sex with no condom … . The price was agreed at $150."

Nobriga was arrested after arriving at a hotel with $150 in cash, according to the affidavit. Like Gutierrez, he is also charged with first-degree human trafficking, traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, and electronic solicitation of a child.

Court documents show Nobriga is also charged with transmitting obscene material to a child.

"Nobriga transmitted a picture of his penis to an undercover police officer, which he believed to be a 15-year-old female," the affidavit reads. "Nobriga later confirmed that the image he sent was his penis which, in whole or in part, depicts actual or simulated nudity, sexual conduct, or sadomasochistic abuse to a child."

https://news.yahoo.com/decatur-town-creek-men-among-124500521.html

Sheriff: 10 men charged in connection with Clay County undercover child sex sting

‘Operation Shining Light’ involved local, state, federal agencies

At a news conference Wednesday, Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook announced the arrest of 10 men in connection with “Operation Shining Light,” an undercover sting aimed at catching those using the internet to sexually exploit children.

Those arrested ranged in age from 19 to 53 years old, and all believed they were chatting online with a child who was either 13 or 14 years old, Cook said.

One of the men, 30-year-old Luke Parrish, engaged two different undercover chatters during the four-day operation, Cook said.

The operation ran from Aug. 2-6.

Cook said the delay in announcing the arrests after the sting operation was because investigators were working to ensure “that the charges would stick.”

“We wanted to make sure that we had done everything to the fullest extent possible and that we had done it right,” Cook said. “The investigation continued through interviews, subpoenas, search warrants – so that all the cases could be wrapped up and solid before we came forward with the names and the information.”

Three of the men now face federal charges, including one arrested in California and one arrested in Gainesville, Georgia.

Here’s the list of the men arrested, with their age, city and charges:

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/10/18/clay-county-sheriff-announces-results-of-undercover-child-sex-sting/

Haiti arrests key suspect in President Jovenel Moise's murder

Haitian police have arrested a former justice ministry official suspected of ordering the assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

Joseph Felix Badio was caught as he was driving out of a supermarket car park in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Mr Moise was murdered in his bedroom by Colombian mercenaries in 2021. Most have since been arrested or killed.

His death threw Haiti into a prolonged political crisis and led to unprecedented levels of lawlessness.

Within months, criminal gangs extended their control over the capital, including its infrastructure and main fuel port.

Mr Badio is accused of ordering hitmen to carry out the attack. He is charged with murder, attempted murder and armed robbery.

Local media said Mr Badio had been fired from his post as an anti-corruption official in the justice ministry a few months before the assassination, after he was allegedly bribed to release a prisoner.

Some of the hitmen arrested hours after the killing alleged that Mr Badio, 60, had given them their orders.

Haiti's president killed in attack at home

Inside capital taken hostage by gangs

Thousands flee violence in Port-au-Prince

Others implicated in the case have been convicted in the US. They include John Joel Joseph, a former Haitian senator, and Haitian-Chilean businessman Rodolphe Jaar.

The US has also accused Venezuelan-American Antonio Intriago, the owner of Florida-based CTU Security, of hiring the hitmen. He faces a number of charges including conspiracy to kill or kidnap.

Haiti's unelected government has struggled to provide even basic services since Mr Moise's death.

According to a UN report this week, gangs have taken control of much of the capital, running schools and clinics but also terrorising the population and fighting turf wars.

Thousands of Haitians have fled their homes in Port-au-Prince amid the soaring violence, and thousands have already died this year.

The UN recently ratified deploying an international force to support Haiti's police, but few countries have committed personnel and it has yet to materialise.

It approved earlier this month Kenya's offer to lead a multinational force to help restore order.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/haiti-arrests-key-suspect-president-092937053.html

More than 1,600 arrests in week-long crackdown on county lines gangs

More than 1,600 suspected members of county lines drug dealing gangs have been arrested in one week across England and Wales.

Action by police forces across the two countries saw class A drugs worth £1.2 million, the same amount in cash and more than 100kg (220lb) of cannabis seized.

A total of 710 people, including 58 children, were referred to safeguarding services as possible victims of exploitation by the gangs.

County lines refers to urban-based drug dealers who stretch out into more rural areas, using dedicated phone lines to take orders from customers.

The gangs are notorious for exploiting children to work as drug runners, and taking over the homes of vulnerable people to store illegal substances.

The week’s action saw 250 phone lines closed down, and 458 weapons seized, including 33 firearms, 377 knives, three crossbows, 21 batons and 28 knuckle dusters.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for county lines Commander Paul Brogden said: “County lines drug dealing destroys lives, and we are committed to tackling the supply of illegal drugs, and the exploitation and violence that is frequently associated with it.

“Our message is clear to anyone running county lines across the country – we will be relentless in our pursuit of you, we will shut down your county lines, we will take drugs off our streets, and we will rescue those who are being exploited by you.”

Since a national county lines programme was launched in 2019, 4,755 lines have been closed, 14,887 arrests made and 7,267 children or vulnerable people referred to safeguarding services.

Mr Brogden said the reality of being in a county lines gang is not like popular TV series such as Toy Boy.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/more-1-600-arrests-week-230100632.html