Mass shooting in Moscow mall: LIVE UPDATES

A large mall in Moscow was the scene of a mass shooting and has been set on fire with many casualties reported

Crocus City, a large mall and music venue just northwest of the Russian capital, came under attack by unknown assailants late on Friday. At least three individuals armed with assault rifles attacked visitors, as well as targeted a concert hall at the mall, setting it on fire.

18:49 GMT

The White House has condemned the attack on the mall, describing it as a “terrible” incident. “The images are just horrible and just hard to watch,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters. The spokesman also insisted the US possessed no intelligence on the attack, nor does it believe it is somehow linked to Ukraine.

18:35 GMT

A new explosion has been reported from the burning mall. An RT correspondent from the scene, however, has not corroborated such claims.

18:20 GMT

The attackers have reportedly barricaded themselves inside of the burning building. The group has apparently not attempted to take hostages or make any statements, shooting people on sight instead.

18:20 GMT

The incident triggered a massive emergency response, with numerous ambulances, as well as heavily armed police special ops units spotted at the location.

18:12 GMT

The attackers breached the concert hall and targeted fleeing concert goers. The assailants also set the hall on fire, with reports of at least one explosion at the scene

18:10 GMT

Reports suggest at least ten people have been killed, with more than 50 injured, with the tally expected to grow given the scale of the attack and massive fire at the mall.

18:01 GMT

A massive fire broke out at the mall, with flames engulfing the roof of the building, which has reportedly partially collapsed.

17:38 GMT

Multiple heavily armed attackers, apparently wearing body armor, entered the venue, shooting visitors on sight, extremely graphic footage circulating online shows.

17:30 GMT

The attack was first reported shortly after 8PM local time, just as a concert of the iconic Russian rock band Piknik was about to begin at the venue

https://www.rt.com/russia/594701-moscow-mall-mass-shooting/

Russia is at war – Kremlin

What started as a military operation has escalated after the West became a participant, Dmitry Peskov has said

Russia’s military operation in Ukraine has turned into full-fledged war after the West became a participant in the conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with national media published on Friday.

Moscow will continue to pursue its goal of ensuring that the Ukrainian military cannot pose a threat to Russian citizens or territory, the spokesman told the Argumenti i Fakty newspaper, noting that the country now has four new federal subjects which must be protected and fully liberated from Kiev’s forces.

Peskov stressed that Russia cannot allow the existence on its borders of a state that publicly claims it will seize the Crimean Peninsula as well as Russia’s new territories, referring to the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics and Zaporozhye and Kherson regions.

“We are at war,” Peskov stated, explaining that while the conflict began as a special military operation, as soon as “the collective West became a participant in this on the side of Ukraine, for us it became a war.”

In a phone conversation with journalists later in the day, Peskov explained that despite the conflict “de facto turning into a war,” legally it remains classified in Russia as a special military operation and that nothing has changed in that regard.

The Russian Defense Ministry recently reported that since the start of the military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, over 13,000 foreign nationals have taken part in the fighting on the side of Kiev’s forces.

Of these fighters, which Moscow describes as mercenaries, some 5,962 have been “eliminated,” according to the ministry. Most of them came from Poland, Georgia, the US, Canada, the UK, Romania, Germany, and France, it reported.

The head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Sergey Naryshkin, claimed earlier this week that France is preparing its forces for deployment to Ukraine and is allegedly looking to send as many as 2,000 troops to fight for Kiev.

French President Emmanuel Macron has hinted in recent weeks at the possible deployment of NATO forces to Ukraine, stating he could not “exclude” this possibility while branding Russia an “adversary.”

https://www.rt.com/russia/594669-ukraine-war-russia-kremlin/

President Trump: “I currently have almost $500 Million in CASH” For Bail….Liberal Heads Are About to Explode

THROUGH HARD WORK, TALENT, AND LUCK, I CURRENTLY HAVE ALMOST FIVE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH, A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF WHICH I INTENDED TO USE IN MY CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT. THE OFTEN OVERTURNED POLITICAL HACK JUDGE ON THE RIGGED AND CORRUPT A.G. CASE, WHERE I HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG, KNEW THIS, WANTED TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME, AND THAT’S WHERE AND WHY HE CAME UP WITH THE SHOCKING NUMBER WHICH, COUPLED WITH HIS CRAZY INTEREST DEMAND, IS APPROXIMATELY $454,000,000. I DID NOTHING WRONG EXCEPT WIN AN ELECTION IN 2016 THAT I WASN’T EXPECTED TO WIN, DID EVEN BETTER IN 2020, AND NOW LEAD, BY A LOT, IN 2024.THIS IS COMMUNISM IN AMERICA!

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/03/breaking-trump-makes-stunning-announcement-about-bail-money/

CIA Accused Of Directly Meddling In Hunter Biden IRS, DOJ Investigations

The Chairmen of the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees, Jim Jordan (R-OH) and James Comer (R-KY) say that a whistleblower has brought them information that 'seems to corroborate our concerns' that the CIA directly interfered with DOJ and IRS investigations of Hunter Biden.

According to the whistleblower, the CIA "intervened in the investigation of Hunter biden to prevent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) from interviewing a witness," the letter, addressed to CIA Director William Burns, reads.

Specifically, the Committees were concerned at how "the DOJ deviated from its standard processes to afford preferential treatment to Hunter Biden," which they learned "after two brave whistleblowers testified to Congress" that the Justice Department had done just that.

"DOJ officials restricted what investigative steps the investigators could pursue, tipped off Hunter Biden’s attorneys about investigative steps, and even prevented investigators from conducting witness interviews. The whistleblowers’ testimony about the preferential treatment provided to Hunter Biden has been corroborated by testimony from other witnesses and documents the Committees have received."

The new whistleblower says that in August 2021, the IRS wanted to interview Hunter Biden associate Patrick Kevin Morris - and that "the CIA intervened to stop the interview."

"Two DOJ officials were allegedly summoned to CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia for a briefing regarding Mr. Morris," at which "it was communicated that Mr. Morris could not be a witness during the investigation."

The Committees have asked the CIA to explain the alleged intervention - for which the Chairman have requested "all documents and communications" regarding the DOJ and/or IRS investigations of Hunter Biden, as well as "referring or relating to Patrick Kevin Morris."

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/cia-accused-directly-meddling-hunter-biden-irs-doj-investigations

MTG Files Motion to Vacate the Chair and Remove Mike Johnson as House Speaker

It appears the GOP will have another new round of House elections in the near future, thanks to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).

A short time ago, the Georgia Congresswoman filed a motion to vacate the chair and remove Mike Johnson as House Speaker thanks to his actions over the House Omnibus bill, which will fund the government until September 30.

The legislation passed by a 286-134 vote, achieving the necessary 2/3 vote to avoid a government shutdown. Democrats bailed out Johnson after over 100 members of his caucus rebelled.

Sherman notes that MTG must go to the mike next and call up the resolution. Moreover, she needs to ask for privilege, or the House will ignore her.

MTG may have decided to hold off on the next steps for another day, leaving the chamber following the Omnibus vote.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/03/breaking-mtg-files-motion-vacate-chair-remove-mike/

New York Authorities Warn Residents to Expect Cellular Disruptions During Upcoming Solar Eclipse, Suggest Residents to Stock Up on Food, Water, and Fuel

The New York State Police, in close collaboration with other state, local, and federal law enforcement, emergency services, and transportation agencies, has meticulously developed an emergency operation plan. Our unwavering goal is to provide a comprehensive and uniform presence, ensuring the safety of both visitors and residents as they experience and travel home from the eclipse. Members of the State Police will implement security measures appropriate for large gatherings and take all necessary actions to maintain order and smooth traffic flow.

Building on past experiences, the planning process for this event has been proactive, aiming to address potential impacts within Troop E. Our goal is to minimize any adverse effects associated with the large influx of visitors to the local area. This approach is based on the lessons learned from the 2017 solar eclipse, where some regions experienced a 100 percent increase in their population in the days leading up to and during the eclipse.

Troop E Headquarters will operate as the command post for all State Police operations, with forward operating bases established at SP Zone Headquarters located in Rochester, Auburn, and Bath. Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) will also be located in every county, with State Police representatives there. The State Police plan to increase the number of available personnel during the event. Strike Teams will be strategically deployed to monitor traffic and respond rapidly to any issues that may interfere with the safe flow of traffic or affect the quick clearance of any incidents. The State Police will have additional aviation assets on hand to monitor traffic and perform rescue operations if needed. We will also have Marine, ATV/UTV, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Motorcycles, and UAS assets strategically located if needed.

Concerns for the area due to the influx of population:

• Potential for transportation system disruptions and/or impacts.

• Potential for delayed/disrupted emergency service responses and prolonged response times.

• Potential for stranded motorists.

• Out of the area visitors and potential weather/road concerns.

• Fuel infrastructure may not be able to support an increase in vehicular traffic.

• Gridlocked traffic may increase fuel, food, and water demand depending on duration.

• Cellular networks may be overloaded by high volume.

• Increase in 911 call volume.

• Do NOT park or stop in the roadway. If you wish to stop, find a safe location that does not interfere with traffic.

The New York State Police make the following recommendations based on expectations:

• Plan on staying in the region the night of the event.

• If you can’t stay, fuel/charge up the day before the event.

• Have extra food and water in your vehicle for your trip; shop the day before.

• Local residents should avoid the roadways after the event.

• Have cellphones charged and bring chargers with you.

• Schools are recommended to have the day off or a half-day.

• Plan on being in traffic for an extended period.

• Plan on viewing the event from designated viewing sites.

• If you are going to view the eclipse, ensure you use the appropriate approved glasses.

• If from out of the area, don’t use vehicles that can’t travel for ten-plus hours without charging – stranded EVs in traffic will be towed.

IF YOU PLAN ON LEAVING AFTER THE EVENT, BE PATIENT AND RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS ON THE ROADWAYS.

https://troopers.ny.gov/news/new-york-state-police-troop-e-prepare-total-solar-eclipse

NBC News Hires Ronna McDaniel as On-Air Contributor

NBC News is hiring former Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Ronna McDaniel to be a contributor at its cable network, with her debut appearance slated for Meet the Press on Sunday, March 24.

The New York Times reported Friday that the network is bringing McDaniel aboard and that she is also anticipated to make appearances on far-left MSNBC:

“It couldn’t be a more important moment to have a voice like Ronna’s on the team,” Carrie Budoff Brown, who oversees NBC News political coverage, wrote in a memo, adding that Ms. McDaniel would provide “an insider’s perspective on national politics and the future of the Republican Party.” Ms. McDaniel will be especially involved in the coverage of the 2024 campaign, including election nights.

The pro-Trump former RNC chairwoman announced in February ahead of Super Tuesday that she would be stepping down from her post in March to allow the GOP’s presidential nominee to pick the next chair. Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, was on a glide path to the nomination at the time, with one opponent left for the GOP nomination in former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2024/03/22/nbc-news-hires-ronna-mcdaniel-as-on-air-contributor/