Security Council cancels week’s meetings as virus hits UN
World body still functioning, but planned summits on Darfur and multilaterialism pushed off; at least one staff member sick
By AFP
Today, 5:31 am
https://www.timesofisrael.com/security-council-cancels-weeks-meetings-as-virus-hits-un/
Former head of Milan Jewish community dies from coronavirus
Passing of Michele Sciama, 79, mourned as ‘great loss’ for city at epicenter of largest COVID-19 outbreak outside of China
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
Today, 3:06 am
https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-head-of-milan-jewish-community-dies-from-coronavirus/
China's Wuhan will require all overseas returnees to undergo quarantine
By REUTERS MARCH 17, 2020 04:48
https://m.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Chinas-Wuhan-will-require-all-overseas-returnees-to-undergo-quarantine-621248
Columbia closes borders due to coronavirus, all of Venezuela quarantined
By REUTERS MARCH 17, 2020 03:12
https://m.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Columbia-closes-borders-due-to-coronavirus-all-of-Venezuala-quarantined-621239
Monday, March 16, 2020
Jury Finds Los Angeles Businessman Guilty in $1 Billion Biodiesel Tax Fraud Scheme
Four Members of Kingston Family, including the CEO and CFO of Washakie Renewable Energy, Previously Pleaded Guilty
A federal jury in Salt Lake City, Utah, convicted California businessman Lev Aslan Dermen, also known as Levon Termendzhyan, of criminal charges today relating to a $1 billion renewable fuel tax credit fraud scheme, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney John W. Huber for the District of Utah, Don Fort Chief of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - Criminal Investigation, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Lance Ehrig for the Denver Area Office of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Criminal Investigation Division, and Special Agent-in-Charge Michael Mentavlos for the Denver Area Office of Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
“Today’s guilty verdict brings Lev Dermen and his coconspirators to justice. They created and implemented this massive biofuel scheme to fund their greed at the expense of all taxpayers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division. “The conviction should serve as clear notice that we will vigorously prosecute those criminals who engage in any form of tax fraud.”
“These guilty verdicts show that no amount of bank accounts, shell companies, burner phones, or transfers of millions of dollars to foreign countries will stop the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners from tracking down money stolen from the government and holding criminals responsible for their wrongdoing,” said U.S. Attorney John W. Huber for the District of Utah. “I also want to thank the investigators, prosecutors, and support professionals who have dedicated so much time to this important case.” ……
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/jury-finds-los-angeles-businessman-guilty-1-billion-biodiesel-tax-fraud-scheme
Jetstar flight JQ660 landed at Mildura Airport in Victoria's northwest on Tuesday
The A320 left Sydney at 10.25am for Uluru, when the cargo hold caught fire
Eight emergency services vehicles are currently on the scene at the airport
The incident was under control at 12.30pm and no passengers were injured
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8119699/Jetstar-flight-forced-make-emergency-landing-Mildura-Airport.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8119433/Australians-chose-Bali-self-isolate-two-weeks-governor-bans-activites.html
Israel tightens restrictions on Palestinian workers, bans commuting
Only Palestinians in certain essential industries okayed to enter country, and will need to stay in Israel for month or more, Defense Ministry says
By TOI STAFF
Today, 6:22 am 0
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-tightens-restrictions-on-palestinian-workers-bans-commuting/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8119227/Unexpected-technical-complications-NASAs-Lunar-Gateway-fully-operational-2024.html