News and Headlines: In The News, Politics, World news, Commentary/Opinion.
In The News:
Mueller report witness to be sentenced on child sex charges
Nader was previously convicted in the Czech Republic of 10 cases of sexually abusing minors and sentenced to a one-year prison term in 2003.
Nader also pleaded guilty to a charge of transporting child pornography images in Virginia in 1991.
The current investigation of Nader began in 2018 when images depicting child pornography and bestiality were found on his phone after it was confiscated under a search warrant connected to the Mueller probe.
Crater of Diamonds visitor finds 2.23-carat brown diamond in the dirt
Arkansas State Parks said Mena resident Beatrice Watkins, 56, was sifting the soil at the Murfreesboro park with her daughter and granddaughters this month when she came across the gem.
“I thought it was shiny but had no idea it was a diamond!” Watkins said. “My daughter googled similar-looking stones and thought it might have been iron pyrite, so I stuck it in my sack and kept sifting.”
Park officials said Watkins’ diamond, dubbed the Lady Beatrice Diamond, is the largest diamond found at the park since the discovery of a 3.29-carat brown diamond in October 2019.
Pomona city councilman charged with possessing child pornography
Rubio Ramiro Gonzalez was charged Wednesday with possessing child pornography and taking inappropriate photographs of girls at two elementary schools where he was a substitute teacher, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
Gonzalez, 45, was charged with one felony count of possessing child pornography and four misdemeanor counts of annoying or molesting a child.
According to the district attorney’s office, he inappropriately took photos of female students at Cortez and Arroyo elementary schools in Pomona.
He also is accused of having pornographic images of children in his email accounts.
NJ Politician, 3 Others Charged With Voter Fraud In Mail-In Election
Paterson City Councilman Michael Jackson, Councilman-elect Alex Mendez, and two other men are alleged to have exploited the mail-in voting process in the May 12th Special election in Paterson, New Jersey.
The investigation was opened when U.S. Postal Inspection Service found hundreds of mail-in ballots stuffed in a single mailbox in Paterson and a number of additional ballots in a mailbox in Haledon.
Governor Phil Murphy ordered that elections be conducted by mail in New Jersey, according to a March 19th executive order. Murphy did so over concerns of the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Since the order was placed, however, there have been many mistakes that threaten the integrity of the elections. For example, Passaic County Board of Elections commissioners failed to count 800 ballots, a county spokesperson earlier told NJ.com.
Facebook to Label All Voting-Related Posts, Not Just Trump’s
The new policy on voting announced Friday by Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg means Facebook will label future posts from U.S President Donald Trump, and everyone else, about mail-in ballots or other voting-related issues, regardless of whether they contain misleading information.
Facebook will funnel users to a voting information hub meant to provide facts from state authorities.
Users will also be able to register to vote using this hub. Facebook has set a goal of helping register 4 million new voters before the 2020 U.S. election in November.
Facebook, Twitter Tumble on Unilever’s Social-Media Pullback
Facebook Inc. and Twitter Inc. tumbled the most in weeks after consumer giant Unilever NV said it would halt U.S. ads on the social media platforms for the rest of 2020 because of concerns over hate speech and polarized American politics.
The move added the maker of Hellmann’s mayonnaise and Axe shower gel to a growing list of high-profile consumer companies to pull ads from Facebook and Instagram.
Unilever’s ban also sweeps in Twitter, which has also struggled to deal with offensive posts but has recently taken a more active stance than Facebook in some cases.
CHOP protesters refuse to let city workers clear out parts of protest zone
Workers from Seattle’s Department of Transportation (SDOT) arrived around 6 a.m. local time with trucks and heavy construction machinery and were staged around the edges of the protest area.
They ended up leaving the site at 8 a.m. without removing the barriers.
City workers intended to remove barriers blocking roadways and clean up Cal Anderson Park, which has been inhabited for weeks by protesters in tents, the mayor’s spokesperson told Fox News.
D.C. Protesters Invade Restaurant to Demand Recognition of BLM
Over a dozen left-wing activists entered Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar, a restaurant serving Peruvian cuisine with limited capacity due to coronavirus-related decrees restricting commerce.
A male led the charge, shouting a prepared script in segments that he read off a mobile phone. His fellow protesters repeated his remarks in a mantra-esque manner.
Breitbart News asked an employee of Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar if the Black Lives Matter protesters coordinated their performance with the restaurant’s management.
“No,” replied the restaurant employee. “They came in of their own free will, and there were too many of them to kick out, so I just kind of let them do what they wanted to.”
Court rules Trump using $2.5B from Pentagon for border wall ‘unlawful
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a 2-1 decision Friday that President Donald Trump’s 2019 order to reprogram $2.5 billion in military funds for wall construction on the U.S.-Mexico border was unlawful.
Chief Judge Sidney R. Thomas wrote the ruling opinion, issued Friday in the case of Sierra Club v. Donald Trump.
In the opinion, Thomas ruled that the transfer of funds was not lawful because the wall did not constitute a sufficient military project, based on Section 8005 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2019.
The Supreme Court previously ruled in favor of the Trump administration’s request to remove a lower court’s injunction, blocking it from proceeding with border wall construction based on reprogrammed $2.5 billion in Pentagon funds.
The Media Ignored A Massive Mob Ambush Of Police In Tampa Bay
Early Saturday morning, two Tampa Bay police officers were jumped by a mob in an attack that received virtually no mainstream coverage.
The two officers received phony calls about a shooting at a nearby intersection and were dispatched to find the victims. When they arrived, they found hundreds of anti-police demonstrators.
The mob blocked off all four exits and surrounded the officers, shouting and throwing glass bottles.
Both were struck on the heads as they searched for victims and were hospitalized when backup eventually got them away from the crowd.
Tennessee Planned Parenthood Advocates Burn American Flag to Protest Pro-Life Legislation
The Tennessee chapter of Planned Parenthood posted a video to Twitter of a protest that involved attendees burning the American flag and placing it in a garbage can.
Cuomo, de Blasio wrong to limit worship services, condone mass protests: federal judge
A federal judge said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General Letitia James, and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio “exceeded” their executive limits by limiting worship services and condoning mass protests as the state continues to reopen from coronavirus restrictions.
U.S. District Judge Gary L. Sharpe issued a preliminary injunction Friday on behalf of two Catholic priests — Steven Soos and Nicholas Stamos — and a trio of Orthodox Jewish congregants — Elchanan Perr, Daniel Schonborn, and Mayer Mayerfeld — in Brooklyn, represented by the Thomas More Society.
De Blasio had “simultaneous pro-protest/anti-religious gathering messages” when he “actively encouraged participation in protests and openly discouraged religious gatherings and threatened religious worshipers,” Sharpe said in his federal order.
Wisconsin violence erupted over arrest of activist with felony conviction, history of controversial social media posts
Devonere Johnson, who also goes by Yeshua Musa, was captured on video entering a restaurant in Madison carrying a bat, using profanities and speaking through a bull horn after what appeared to be a dispute with a white man over racism, according to police reports cited by Madison.com.
He was arrested outside of the restaurant for disorderly conduct while armed, resisting arrest and attempting to flee and probation violation.
The Madison Police Department posted videos of the conduct that led his arrest on YouTube.
Protests calling for Johnson’s release soon spiraled into vandalism and violence during which vandals pulled down two statues – one of an anti-slavery Union defender and another of Lady Forward who represents progress.
Several protesters also allegedly beat a Democratic state senator who was filming the protests while heading into the capitol building.
Pics: Dozens mark WWII vet’s 100th birthday with neighborhood parade
The surprise parade, organized by friend Dave McGovern, consisted of a wide array of makeshift floats. Families packed golf carts, Vietnam War veterans drove military-style humvees. Local police officers showed up on motorcycles.
The parade included some local dignitaries, like Tequesta Mayor Abby Brennan and Tequesta Police Chief Gus Medina. Martin County Fire Rescue, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and Jupiter Police all sent representatives.
Among the crowd were some who didn’t even know Thompson, but said they felt compelled to pass along their gratitude for his military service and send him love on his birthday.
L.A. Sheriff To Quadruple Gun-Carry Permits
The number only sounds striking on paper.
A 2017 audit by the California State Auditor found the county had only issued 197 permits and there were only 9 active permits belonging to applicants outside the law enforcement community, despite the county having a population of more than 10 million.
Philadelphia County in Pennsylvania, which has a population of about 1.5 million and a “shall issue” gun-carry law, issued 9,239 permits in 2019.
Microsoft to Permanently Close All Physical Stores
Like other retailers, the software and computing giant had to temporarily close all of its stores in late March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to its website, Microsoft has 72 stores in the U.S. and several others abroad where they showcase and sell laptops and other hardware.
Friday’s announcement reflects what the company calls a “strategic change” for its retail business as sales increasingly shift online.
Abolish the police? Black residents in Harlem say no as white liberals push for it in video
Commentary/Opinion:
Ami Horowitz first went to the East Village in New York City, asking white liberals if they think it will help the black community.
The responses showed apparent anger and hatred toward law enforcement.
“Absolutely,” one man responded. “They’re monsters.”
However, when Horowitz traveled to Malcolm X Boulevard in Harlem, he heard a different tune from black residents.
A man wearing a Black Lives Matter t-shirt said abolishing the police would be “suicide” and added, “There’s too many criminals out here. I wouldn’t feel safe.”
Politics:
Tucker: President Trump’s hope for re-election
Commentary/Opinion:
President Trump needs to defend institutions that we hold dear.
Not many people are saying it out loud on the right, but the fact is that President Trump could well lose this election.
In fact, unless fundamental facts change soon, it could be tough for him to be reelected.
If the president does lose, that would mean that just a few months from now, Joe Biden would become the president.
The United States government would fall under the control of the radicals who control Joe Biden, and they will remake the country.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley says Black Lives Matter is a mandated directive: ‘Pay us what you owe us’
She pointed out the importance of the Justice in Policing Act, which she explained is a “critical step forward” for the United States.
“With the power of the pen we must legislate accountability, dismantle these systems, and move in the direction of justice and healing,” she insisted.
“The Justice in Policing Act is a critical step forward and I applaud the leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus. But our work is unfinished.
There is a rallying cry in communities across the nation. Black Lives Matter is a mandate from the people. It’s time. Pay us what you owe us.”
California Rep Calls To ‘Defund The Pentagon’
The tweet, which had been shared nearly 80,000 times by Friday morning, was echoed by Jamaal Bowman, who had a nearly-insurmountable lead over Democratic New York Rep. Eliot Engel in the state’s 16th district primary.
Lee’s district includes Oakland and is one of the bluest in the country, according to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
She has been one of the most outspoken members in the House on the need to address systemic racism, and has championed policies including “Medicare for All” and legislation removing all Confederate monuments.
US Senate passes bill to sanction China over Hong Kong takeover
The bill, the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, passed by a vote of unanimous consent on Thursday.
The sanctions bill would target individuals and entities that contribute to introducing and enforcing crackdown measures on Hong Kong favored by mainland China, according to a congressional summary.
The bill opposing China’s takeover of Hong Kong was sponsored by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA).
With the Senate vote complete, the measure will go to the U.S. House of Representatives and, if it passes, to President Donald Trump’s desk for signature.
Illinois Treasurer says progressive tax needed to tax high-earning retirees
Illinois is one of a handful of states that does not tax retirement or pension income as taxable revenue.
Polling has shown a slight majority supporting the progressive income tax, but taxing retirement income remains unpopular. Polls from AARP show broad majorities of respondents strongly oppose taxing income.
This idea has been a hot-button issue surrounding the coming progressive income tax vote. The Chicago Sun-Times wrote an editorial last September calling on the passage of the progressive income tax so that high-earning retirees could be added to the state’s tax rolls.
Cooper signs North Carolina criminal records expungement law
Starting Dec. 1, people with criminal records can seek the expungement of more than one misdemeanor conviction after seven years instead of waiting five years for each misdemeanor, or 10 years for one felony.
The new law also removes a record of an offense, once the case is dismissed (except for a plea deal), or the person is found not guilty, starting Dec. 1, 2021. It does not apply to violent or sexual crimes or those involving impaired driving.
The measure received bipartisan support in the General Assembly.
Better education through school choice, encouraging the economy to make good jobs and encouraging stable family structures are the best ways to help people become part of the middle class.
CNN Laughed at Donald Trump When He Gave This Serious Warning Three Years Ago
The Democrats are pushing to solve the racial divide in America by communism.
Communism has a far uglier history than the history of America.
Researchers estimate that communism has killed 94 million people within the last century.
The left is trying to replace the American heritage with socialism.
“…Can’t change history, but you can learn from it. Robert E Lee, Stonewall Jackson – who’s next, Washington, Jefferson? So foolish!” Trump wrote three years ago.
He was mocked by the media at the time.
House Democrats Approve Bill To Make Washington DC 51st State
Precisely zero House Republicans voted for the bill, which passed 232 to 180. Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson (MN) – who voted against impeaching President Trump, voted no along with the Republicans, as did independent Rep. Justin Amash.
The bill is expected to die in the Senate, while Trump also opposes the move which would likely grant the new state two Democratic senators.
On Thursday, Joe Biden(‘s handlers) tweeted: “DC should be a state. Pass it on,” adding to a long chain of Democrats ‘passing it on’ which was started by Ilyse Hogue, president of pro-choice organization NARAL.
World News:
More than 100 killed by lightning as India’s monsoon storms arrive early
Eighty-three people were killed Thursday in the northeastern state of Bihar and 24 others died during thunderstorms in the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh, local officials reported.
More than 20 districts in Bihar reported fatalities, with Gopalganj in the northern part of the state registering the highest total with 13 deaths, according to state disaster management officials.
They said families of the victims will be compensated with $5,300.
Israel to force Iran out of Syria; Hamas threatens ‘war over annexation’ – TV7 Israel News 26.06.20
1) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterates Israel’s resolve to force Iran’s military out of Syria.
2) The Islamist Hamas threatens Israel with war over prospects of expending its sovereignty over parts of the West Bank.
3) The United Arab Emirates and Israel sign a historic cooperation agreement on efforts to fight the corona contagion.
US watching if Beijing declares Air Defense Zone in South China Sea
A Chinese move to claim an ADIZ in the sea region could have a negative impact on the ability of nations to fly, sail and operate in a free and open Indo-Pacific “wherever international law allows,” Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. said during a special teleconference briefing from Hawaii.
“It really goes against the rules-based international order, and that’s concerning not only for PACAF and the United States, but I would say many of the nations in the region,” Brown said, referring to a potential Chinese ADIZ in the South China Sea, while he fielded questions from reporters across the region about a range of issues related to his Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) command.
The air force commander said he was also “concerned by increasing opportunistic activity by the PRC [People’s Republic of China] to coerce its neighbors and press its unlawful maritime claims while the region and the world is focused on addressing the COVID pandemic.”
Mexico City Police Chief Wounded In Daylight Assassination Attempt Using .50 Cal Rifles & Grenades
Mexico City’s public security chief, Omar Garcia Harfuch, survived the attack and his now considered “out of danger” according to Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum.
The top cop was wounded and is in the hospital, while at least two of his police bodyguards were killed.
Though details remain sparse, the attack appears to have been a major public street shootout scenario, akin to much of the cartel violence Mexican towns have been prone to, given the mayor also said an “undetermined number of people were killed” in the morning shootout.
Six people, including police officer, stabbed in Glasgow; suspect dead, cops say
Sky News reported that shots were fired and several other people were also stabbed, although those details have not yet been confirmed by police. Paramedics in hazmat suits were seen treating a person on a blood-stained pavement.
The news agency reported that it appears the stabbing may have happened inside the Park Inn Hotel– which reportedly houses asylum seekers– and people were being taken out of the hotel on stretchers.
Heavy police presence dominated West George Street with more than a dozen police vehicles in attendance, according to the Associated Press.
Kenya police kill 3 people after clash over coronavirus face masks turns violent
The BBC quoted a police statement as saying officers shot at the crowd in the small town of Lessos after clashes broke out. The police have ordered the arrest of the officers involved.
Human rights activists for weeks have protested alleged killings by Kenyan police officers while enforcing virus-related restrictions, the Associated Press reported. They also accuse officers of using the measures to extort bribes.
A witness to the shooting, Kenneth Kaunda, told the AP that Lessos residents were tired of police shaking down people for not wearing masks.
Commentary/Opinion:
The Hard Truth, Episode 4: Manipulative Media with An0maly
“The Undoing of American Liberty”—Dennis Prager Talks Communism, Cancel Culture & Systemic Racism
In the eyes of Dennis Prager, how is the suppression of opinion in America today unprecedented, and what are the parallels between this and McCarthyism of the 1950’s?
How do liberals and conservatives actually have more in common than they think?
And, what is the full impact of the decline of religiosity in America?
In this episode, we sit down with radio talk show host Dennis Prager, the founder of Prager University.
He co-stars in the recent documentary “No Safe Spaces” with Adam Carolla.
Rush Limbaugh Confessed One Unpleasant Truth About Black Lives Matter
Rush also shared how Christians he knew would go to church and hear their pastors telling them they were guilty of white privilege and they needed to confront America’s systemic racism.
Limbaugh said the reason so many conservatives felt down in the dumps was because no one in an official position of power in the Republican Party or in the broader culture was pushing back on Black Lives Matter and the attempts to hijack this moment to impose a cultural revolution leading to socialism.
Limbaugh explained that the lack of pushback by anyone against a radical Marxist movement trying to reshape America was a major mistake.