News and Headlines: 3/15/2022.

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Report: Russian troops take patients and staff hostage at Ukrainian hospital

An aerial view shows damaged residential buildings, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Mariupol, Ukraine March 14, 2022.Azov regiment press service/via REUTERS
An aerial view shows damaged residential buildings, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in Mariupol, Ukraine March 14, 2022.Azov regiment press service/via REUTERS

Media Human Rights Initiative (MHRI), a Ukrainian organization, shared a post on Facebook on Tuesday, describing the alleged hostage situation.

In a translation of their post, the organization said, Mariupol residents reached out to the organization’s hotline and said Russian troops have been occupying the Mariupol Regional Intensive Care Hospital on 46 Troitskaya Street since Monday morning.

MHRI went on to say staff and patients are being held hostage at the hospital. Some witnesses told the organization that the Russian troops were either “driving out” or forcing other civilians in the area into the hospital.

MHRI further alleged the Russian troops have also begun firing at nearby Ukrainian forces from the hospital windows in an effort to provoke Ukrainian forces to fire back, while risking the lives of civilians.

Journalist Oleksandra ‘Sasha’ Kuvshynova killed in Ukraine

Kuvshynova, who was serving as a Fox News consultant, was killed alongside cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski while in the field with Benjamin Hall.

Former CNN war correspondent mocks Fox News reporter injured in Ukraine war: ‘A case of friendly fire?’

Charles Jaco
Charles Jaco

After generating outrage, Jaco deleted his tweet and apologized for being an “asshole” — but still peddled his theory about Fox News.

“My tweet about a Fox News journo was idiotic & stupid. I apologize. I wrote ‘A Fox News journo was injured near Kyiv. If it was the Russians, was it friendly fire?’ While Fox is neo-fascist propaganda, that’s the hosts, not reporters. I was an asshole,” Jaco said.

Critics of Fox News have repeatedly accused the network of pushing pro-Kremlin propaganda, but have provided little to no evidence to substantiate their claims. While it is true that Russian state media is using Fox News host Tucker Carlson in its propaganda, the substance of Carlson’s rhetoric is not pro-Russia, but anti-American interventionism.

‘Nuclear option’: Saudis in talks with China to pivot from U.S. dollar

(Image by Dr StClaire from Pixabay)
(Image by Dr StClaire from Pixabay)

The United States dollar’s position as the chief currency of trade for the global oil industry has been a foundation of the American economy for decades, keeping inflation at bay amid the Fed’s unprecedented printing of money.

But now Saudi Arabia and China are in talks to price some of the monarchy’s oil sales in the Chinese yuan, rather than dollars, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the paper said that after six years of off-and-on discussions, talks stepped up this year amid Riyadh’s strong opposition to Washington’s nuclear negotiations with Iran and other issues.

Is CHINA leading an eastern bloc alliance against the West?

Companies in Russia now are making payments to foreign creditors with the Russian ruble rather than the U.S. dollar.

Glenn predicts we’ll see more moves away from the U.S. dollar like this one, weakening our currency further.

China is leading a new eastern bloc, Glenn explains, against the West: ‘We are making an Axis and Allied power, and that is going to affect us…’

Squires: ‘Media laundering’ keeps the public misinformed and advances the left’s dangerous plans

Dean Mitchell/Getty Images
Dean Mitchell/Getty Images

The recent controversy over Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill demonstrates how the corporate press acts as a “media laundering” operation that “washes” unpopular ideas on behalf of activists, politicians, corporations, and entertainers on the left. On virtually every major issue, media outlets like MSNBC, the Washington Post, and the Atlantic shape and amplify the preferred narrative of the Democratic party.

The actual proposed legislation that awaits Governor Ron DeSantis’ signature is in reality called the “Parental Rights in Education” bill, but virtually no one outside his state would know that.

In Florida’s case, the most controversial part of its parental rights bill would prohibit classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for children in kindergarten through third grade or in higher grades in a way that is not developmentally appropriate according to state standards.

One reporter from the Associated Press announced the passage of the bill this way: “The Florida legislature has passed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign into law.” Headlines from other “mainstream” sources included the following.

Hunter Biden ex-partner tries to avoid starting prison sentence, prosecutors object strenuously

Hunter Biden’s ex-business partner was convicted nearly four years ago of securities fraud and still he has not spent a day in prison. And now Devon Archer’s lawyers are trying to delay his punishment yet again with a new appeal that did not amuse federal prosecutors.

Archer faces one year and one day in prison and was ordered last month to pay financial penalties of $15 million and over $43 million in restitution.

His arguments to appeal and postpone serving prison time have no merit, the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan told the trial judge Monday.

US funeral assistance for COVID tops $2B, more eligible

WASHINGTON — The federal government has provided more than $2 billion to help cover funeral costs for more than 300,000 families of people who died from COVID-19, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Tuesday as it launches a new campaign to raise awareness about the aid to eligible families. More than 965,000 people have died in the U.S. from the virus.

The COVID-19 Funeral Assistance program provides up to $9,000 per funeral and covers COVID-19 related deaths since Jan. 20, 2020. The average amount awarded per death is $6,500, according to FEMA.

On Tuesday, the agency is launching a new paid ad campaign in California, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas targeted at areas with large rates of COVID-19 deaths but lower rates of reimbursement requests to help connect people to available assistance. The agency is also reaching out to community groups and local media outlets to help publicize the program.

Suspect Shoots Milwaukee Police Officer And Steals His Squad Car

The officer, identified as Herbert Davis, was dispatched to the area after a passerby reported a man slumped over in a parked car. Body camera video shows the officer walk up to the car and open the door, finding the man slumped over as had been reported.

While Rodthong was driving off in the squad car, you can hear over the radio Officer Davis saying he needs medical attention, shots had been fired and that Rodthong had stolen his car.

He drives several minutes until crashing into another car in an intersection.

Tucker Carlson Responds and Destroys Mitt Romney’s Treason Accusations | DM CLIPS | Rubin Report

Dave Rubin of “The Rubin Report” shares a clip of Tulsi Gabbard and Tucker Carlson responding to accusations of treason from Mitt Romney for discussing Ukraine biolabs.

Prosecutors Admit Mistake in Bannon Probe

 (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
 (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

The Justice Department, in a 10-page filing, acknowledged that errors were made while trying to obtain email and phone logs of Bannon’s attorney Robert Costello, Politico reported.

Bannon’s trial for contempt of Congress is scheduled to begin July 18, though attorneys representing former President Donald Trump’s chief strategist are trying to have the charges thrown out.

A hearing on that and other issues was scheduled for Wednesday morning by U.S. District Court Judge Carl Nichols.

Pennsylvania agency’s staff shortage compounds fraud problems

Kendra Brawn / Shutterstock.com
Kendra Brawn / Shutterstock.com

That pattern was repeated nationwide. The Department of Justice has uncovered $8 billion in coronavirus aid fraud, which could be an underestimate.

“Pennsylvania has definitely been hit with its fair share of fraud,” Berrier said. “I will equate to how we’ve responded to it as playing the hardest game of whack-a-mole that I’ve ever played in my life.”

In response, the department has added more levels of security, such as using ID.me to verify identity and multi-factor authentication, to stop identity theft. The tradeoff has been risking some levels of fraud to send out relief faster to affected Pennsylvanians.

“The main priority was paying off benefits to those entitled to receive them,” Berrier said. “But our next priority was making sure we were addressing the fraud that we saw occurring.”

Israel intensifies Kyiv-Moscow mediation; US-Russia at odds on faltering JCPOA TV7 Israel News 15.03

1) Israel prepares for thousands of new immigrants and refugees from Ukraine – amid Jerusalem’s continued efforts to broker a cessation of hostilities between Moscow and Kyiv.

2) Iraq demands proof from Iran after the Islamic Revolutionary Guards claimed its missile attack sought to target an installation belonging to the Israeli Intelligence Agency, Mossad.

3) The United States and Russia are exchanging accusations over the suspended nuclear talks with Iran in Vienna.

30 Per Cent of ‘Ukrainian Refugees’ Are Actually From Other Countries

Indians and Kyrgyzstan nationals also represent a chunk of the fake refugees, in addition to migrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Pakistan, Nigeria, and China, who are all falsely claiming to be Ukrainian.

The incentive for economic migrants to obtain asylum in France by pretending to be Ukrainian is clear given that they are given immediate blanket refugee status, guaranteed accommodation, as well as educational, financial and medical support.

Despite his usually staunch opposition to immigration, presidential candidate Éric Zemmour said Ukrainians with family ties in France should be allowed in.

Mitt Romney Lies About Supporting GOP Primary Candidates 

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Claiming that he will likely not support fellow Utah Sen Mike Lee’s (R-UT) reelection bid because he does not “get involved in primaries” or make endorsements, Romney once again said one thing but did another behind closed doors, Politico reported.

On Monday, Romney reportedly delivered an introductory speech at a closed fundraiser for embattled Cheney (R-WY), who is fending off attacks from GOP primary opponent Trump-endorsed Harriet Hageman. 

“We are really the only significant experiment in democracy, and preserving liberal democracy is an extraordinary challenge,” Romney said in McClean, Virginia, according to CBS News.

“People of character and courage,” Romney reportedly added, “have stood up for right at times when others want to look away. Such a person is Liz Cheney.”

CDC Study Confirms Devastating Side Effects of COVID Vaccines, Including Death

(AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
(AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

While data shows that “most reported adverse events were mild and short in duration,” according to the study, which was published in the UK-based medical journal The Lancet, 6.6% of all side effects were categorized as “serious,” and resulted in “inpatient hospitalisation, prolongation of hospitalisation, permanent disability, life-threatening illness, congenital anomaly or birth defect.”

Deaths represented a stunning 1.3% of side effects reports.

Many, however, argue that data from the federal government’s Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), which the study relied on, isn’t the most reliable.

Last year, the CDC kicked Kulldorff off a vaccine safety panel for publicly questioning its recommendation to pause the distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine over a statistically insignificant number of reports of severe blood clots.

Biden Admin Celebrates as Transgender Appointee Receives ‘Woman of the Year’ Award

Joe Biden appointee Rachel Levine, right, has been named one of USA Today's 'Women of the Year', despite the fact that he is a biological male. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images; Caroline Brehman / Getty Images)
Joe Biden appointee Rachel Levine, right, has been named one of USA Today’s ‘Women of the Year’, despite the fact that he is a biological male. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images; Caroline Brehman / Getty Images)

The awards are an annual event. This year, the newspaper singled out Vice President Kamala Harris, gymnast Simone Biles, who withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics, and Melinda French Gates as among its national honorees.

Some have said all the celebration of Levine is a bit much.

Levine is allowed to call himself “admiral” because the job he holds puts him in command of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. The Biden administration has claimed that his appointment meant he is the first four-star admiral of the corps, according to CBS.

Although not one himself, Levine said women are essential for society.

Meme Police: DHS Scanning Employees’ Social Media for ‘Conspiracy Theories,’ ‘Extremism’

Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a report recommending an increased focus on scanning the social media accounts of its employees in order to detect “extremism.”

Among the examples of “extremism” cited by DHS are: a belief that fraud occurred in the 2020 election, and objections to current coronavirus policies.

From the report:

Studies and pilots have suggested that certain online activity may represent behavior of potential concern to national security and could be useful in assessing an individual’s trustworthiness, judgment, or reliability.  [Publicly Available Electronic Information], including social media checks, have proven to be of limited value as stand-alone sources of information. However, when coupled with and corroborated by other data and investigative follow-up, the use of PAEI can be a powerful tool in preventing and detecting domestic violent extremism-related threats.

Republicans urge Newsom to suspend California gas tax as prices skyrocket

 California gas costs shattered another record last week, with consumers in the state paying the most expensive prices in the country. A group of House Republicans from the state think they have the solution. 

“Even as prices skyrocket, California continues to tax gasoline at 51.1 cents per gallon,” the lawmakers wrote. “While market forces are responsible for today’s extreme prices, California’s high taxes represent an added burden, and working Californians simply cannot afford gas prices approaching $6 per gallon.”

California state Republicans introduced a bill in January that would immediately suspend the gas tax in response to the surging prices and backfill the projects from the state’s $45 billion surplus, but the proposal failed to secure enough votes on Monday.

The lawmakers said they are open to supporting Newsom’s rebate in the future, but only in addition to a gas tax holiday.

Washington Post piece highlights how schools that did ‘less’ to contain COVID ‘flourished’

The piece, authored by D.C. education reporter Perry Stein, noted that teachers and teachers unions across the country, especially in cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, fought to keep schools closed and continued with virtual learning throughout the pandemic. 

“But, over time, these measures also imposed costs: Today, students are contending with significant learning loss and mental health issues,” Stein wrote. 

“We wanted it to be as normal as possible, and children wearing masks is not normal,” Chris Taylor, the president of the Lewis-Palmer school board, told the Washington Post. “The focus of the board was to give parents as much choice as possible and children could wear masks if they wanted.”

The article noted that politics still played a role like it did across the U.S., with some parents fighting for harsher mask requirements and others calling for no masking. Overall, the school district didn’t report any massive COVID outbreaks.  

Man who punched pregnant woman on SEPTA bus identified as homeless, police say

SEPTA police is looking for this man who is accused of punching a pregnant woman on a bus on Sunday morning.
SEPTA police is looking for this man who is accused of punching a pregnant woman on a bus on Sunday morning. 

PHILADELPHIA – Authorities believe a homeless man assaulted a pregnant woman aboard a SEPTA bus when she would not give up her seat early Sunday morning in Center City. 

he suspect, who police later found, allegedly struck the woman in the face and pushed her into a metal pole. 

The suspect also allegedly threatened to follow the woman and beat her up. She was taken to Jefferson University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to police. 

This is the second incident involving the assault of a pregnant woman on the SEPTA in the last six months. 

VIDEO: NYPD Searches for Suspected Daytime Rapist in Bronx Attack

The unidentified assailant “placed the 27-year-old female victim in a chokehold until she lost consciousness & raped her,” police said.

Chilling footage of the attack, shared by NYPD’s Crime Stoppers, appears to show the woman attempting to pass the suspect near a stairwell in the building’s hallway.

When she turns her back to him, he apparently swings his right arm around her neck and begins dragging her backward out of frame. Footage also seems to show the suspect in a nearby store prior to the attack, AMNY noted

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact NYPD’s Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (8477).

New York woman allegedly punched 125 times in hate crime by man with lengthy rap sheet

(Yonkers Police Department)
(Yonkers Police Department)

Tammel Esco, 42, reportedly called the 67-year-old victim an “Asian b—-” as she entered the building’s vestibule, police told FOX 5 New York

The woman ignored Esco, but he approached her from behind without warning before punching her in the head, knocking her to the ground. 

“He has 14 previous arrests, half of them on felony charges, according to the Yonkers police.

He was convicted of assault in 2011, sentenced to just over three years in prison and released on parole after about two and a half years in October 2013, state prison records show,” The New York Times reports.  

Russia announces sanctions against Biden and top US officials

(Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
(Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Russia has imposed “retaliatory sanctions” against President Biden, a number of his top administration officials, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Biden’s son Hunter Biden amid its ongoing war with Ukraine.

The sanctions, according to the report, were imposed “in response to a series of unprecedented sanctions prohibiting, among other things, entry into the United States for top officials of the Russian Federation.” 

The individuals included on the list are Biden; his son Hunter, Clinton; Secretary of State Antony Blinken; Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin; National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan; CIA Director William Burns; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley; White House press secretary Jen Psaki; Deputy Assistant National Security Adviser Duleep Singh; Director of the Agency for International Development Samantha Power; Deputy Treasury Secretary Adewale Adeyemo;  and president and chairman of the Export-Import Bank Reta Joe Lewis.

Manchin opposes another Biden idea

Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., on Joe Manchin opposing President Biden’s Fed pick and the inflation blame game.

Antifa VANDALISES Forum for Democracy’s Office – Thierry Baudet responds

Antifa has once again attacked our office in Amsterdam.

Thierry explains that these incidents are the result of a continued trend of demonisation, exclusion and hatred towards our party in the media and politics.

Cancel culture is worsening – but we must do all we can to ensure that this atmosphere does not come to define the future politics in our countries.

Fox News Cameraman Pierre Zakrezewski Killed in Ukraine

Tulsi Gabbard Ruins Mitt Romney’s Treason Accusations with Facts | Direct Message | Rubin Report

Dave Rubin of “The Rubin Report” talks about Mitt Romney calling Tulsi Gabbard treasonous, Tucker Carlson discussing Ukraine biolabs, Whoopi Goldberg calling for prison time for Russian assets, and Joe Biden blaming Putin for everything.

Ep. 1725 The Real Reason They’re Attacking Tucker and Tulsi – The Dan Bongino

In this episode, I address the disturbing reason the media/liberal symbiote is attacking Tucker and Tulsi.