Anonymous ID: 2b3d4d Dec. 27, 2018, 2:45 p.m. No.4490707   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>0733 >>1152 >>1403

Congress Cashes Out as Rich Members Depart

 

The combined wealth of Congress is set to plummet next year after a deluge of departures and the results of the midterm elections. Some of the wealthiest lawmakers on Capitol Hill won’t be returning next year, and the body’s $2.43 billion of personal net worth will drop by $933 million.

 

Biggest retirements

Of the top 10 richest members of Congress, four are packing their bags. Most are staying in the public sector. California Rep. Darrell Issa, net worth of $283 million and the perennially richest member of Congress, announced his retirement in January 2018. The inventor of the Viper car alarm was expected to leave public office but will move to the Trump administration, after being appointed to the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

 

Colorado Rep. Jared Polis won his gubernatorial bid and will be sworn in come January. A tech investor, Polis brings his net worth of $122 million to the state capital.

 

Rep. Dave Trott, whose seat flipped for Democrat Haley Stevens in 2018, returns to the private sector with $119 million.

 

Maryland’s John Delaney does not have an immediate home after 2019, but he’s set his sights on the White House. The third-term lawmaker and former private equity investment executive announced on July 2017 that he would make a run at the presidency.

 

Rich in defeat

Rep. James B. Renacci lost his bid for the Senate and now leaves Congress with an estimated net worth of $34 million.

 

In New Jersey, Rep. Tom MacArthur lost a tightly contested race to Democrat Andy Kim. He departs with an estimated $30 million in net worth.

 

Rep. Steve Pearce unsuccessfully sought the New Mexico governorship against fellow Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham and now leaves Congress with his $7.5 million. Hawaii’s Colleen Hanabusa, who came back to the 115th Congress after a brief departure, retires again from public office following defeat in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.

 

Sen. Claire McCaskill is the richest Democratic member defeated in a re-election bid. Her $27 million mostly come from her husband, real estate developer Joseph Shepard. Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke lost in his highly publicized bid for the Senate. He takes $3 million in net worth with him.

 

Rep. Louise M. Slaughter and Sen. John McCain, both millionaires, died in 2018. The longtime Arizona senator had a net worth of $14 million and was the 34th richest member during the 115th Congress.

 

Retirement savings

Florida’s Tom Rooney, who held more than $55 million in net worth from his holdings in the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers and a stacked trust fund, announced his retirement in February 2018.

 

After New Jersey’s Rodney Frelinghuysen decided not to seek re-election, he saw his House seat flip to Democratic Rep.-elect Mikie Sherrill. Frelinghuysen held more than $28 million.

 

Sen. Bob Corker, a commercial real estate developer before he got into politics, was the richest senator to announce his retirement. He was worth $23 million.

 

Members in the red

Twenty-three members of Congress who listed more in liabilities than assets will not return for the 116th Congress. California’s David Valadao leaves with his net negative $17 million. The dairy farmer from California’s Central Valley regularly won the honor of Congress’ “poorest” member. He was defeated in a long contest with Democratic opponent TJ Cox.

 

New money?

On first glance, three Republican senators are almost certain to join the ranks of the richest members in Congress. Years in the private sector, including at investment firm Bain Capital, have made Sen.-elect Mitt Romney millions. His financial disclosure included unique high-value assets like mutual funds in excess of $20 million and horses owned by his wife, Ann Romney.

 

Indiana’s Mike Braun, who defeated first-term Sen. Joe Donnelly, is a former auto parts and marketing distributor executive. A career in the automotive industry was one of the common sources of wealth for the 50 richest members of Congress.

 

Outgoing Florida Gov. Rick Scott defeated Sen. Bill Nelson, with $64 million of his own money. Scott made his fortune as the CEO of Columbia/HCA and had built substantial personal wealth prior to running for public office.

 

Among Democrats, California’s Gil Cisneros will certainly take a spot among Congress’ new richest members list. The former naval officer won $266 million in a 2010 lottery and largely self-funded his bid for Congress.

 

Another Democrat who might make the 50 richest in the 116th is Rep.-elect Dean Phillips. The Minnesota businessman comes from an influential family and was once the co-owner of gelato company Talenti.

 

https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/congress-cashes-out

Anonymous ID: 2b3d4d Dec. 27, 2018, 3:14 p.m. No.4490966   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>1152 >>1403

Following UAE, Bahrain set to reopen diplomatic mission in Syria

 

Arab states are preparing to restore their presence in Syria after years of absence following the outbreak of a foreign-sponsored conflict more than seven years ago, with Bahrain being the next in the line of countries to reopen its embassy in Damascus.

 

Diplomatic sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Arabic service of Russia’s Sputnik news agency that Bahrain’s mission in the Syrian capital would resume its activities next week.

 

Bahrain decided to shut down its embassy in Damascus and to withdraw all diplomats and staff on March 15, 2012.

 

On Thursday, the United Arab Emirates officially reopened its embassy in Damascus.

 

The Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the reopening of its embassy “reaffirms the keenness of the United Arab Emirates to restore relations between the two friendly countries to their normal course.”

 

The move “will strengthen and activate the Arab role in supporting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic and to prevent the dangers of regional interference in Syrian Arab affairs,” the ministry pointed out.

 

UAE's charge d'affaires Abdul Hakim Naimi visited the embassy in the afternoon, and witnessed his country's flag being raised on the compound in central Damascus.

 

The development is another sign that the incumbent Damascus government is being admitted back into the Arab world.

 

On December 18, an Iraqi diplomatic source, requesting not to be named, said President Barham Salih was going to pay an official visit to Damascus.

 

The report came only two days after Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir became the first Arab League leader to visit Damascus.

 

Syria's official news agency SANA said Bashir was greeted by his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad upon arrival at Damascus International Airport, before they both headed to the presidential palace.

 

The two leaders discussed bilateral ties and the "situations and crises faced by many Arab countries," the Syrian presidency said in a statement.

 

SANA quoted the Sudanese leader as saying during the meeting that he hoped Syria will recover its important role in the region as soon as possible.

 

He also affirmed Khartoum’s readiness to provide all it can to support Syria's territorial integrity.

 

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The Syrian government says the Israeli regime and its Western and regional allies are aiding Takfiri terrorist groups wreaking havoc in the country.

 

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018/12/27/584135/Following-UAE-Bahrain-is-set-to-reopen-diplomatic-mission-in-Syria

Anonymous ID: 2b3d4d Dec. 27, 2018, 3:22 p.m. No.4491078   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>1152 >>1403

https://brazil.liveuamap.com/en/2018/27-december-orbn-and-netanyahu-to-attend-rightwing-bolsonaros

 

https://twitter.com/blackopscyber1/status/1078430356502528001

Anonymous ID: 2b3d4d Dec. 27, 2018, 3:24 p.m. No.4491101   🗄️.is 🔗kun

Terror Cell Behind Hikers' Gruesome Murder Targeted Security Services, Tourists

 

http://www.terrorismwatch.org/2018/12/terror-cell-behind-hikers-gruesome.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Anonymous ID: 2b3d4d Dec. 27, 2018, 3:31 p.m. No.4491180   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>1187 >>1403

US Navy Virginia Class Submarine passing Gourock inbound for Faslane - Dry Deck Shelter (DDS) for Navy Seals attached

 

https://twitter.com/blackopscyber1/status/1078416922683699200

 

https://uk.liveuamap.com/en/2018/27-december-us-navy-virginia-class-submarine-passing-gourock

Anonymous ID: 2b3d4d Dec. 27, 2018, 3:38 p.m. No.4491258   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>1288

Shelter-in-place ordered near Hall of Justice in San Francisco

 

Officials in San Francisco have ordered a shelter-in-place in the area around the Hall of Justice.

 

Police activity prompted the order, which is in place for areas around Bryant and 7th streets. The police activity was prompted by a bomb threat that was made to the Adult Probation Department. Sheriff deputies are reportedly searching the building.

 

https://newsbreakinglive.com/2018/12/27/breaking-shelter-in-place-ordered-near-hall-of-justice-in-san-francisco/

Anonymous ID: 2b3d4d Dec. 27, 2018, 3:40 p.m. No.4491288   🗄️.is 🔗kun

>>4491258

Almost 2 months ago

 

Man Detained After Incendiary Device Lit At San Francisco Hall Of Justice

 

https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2018/11/29/man-detained-after-incendiary-device-ignited-at-san-francisco-hall-of-justice/