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US News.
Police chief who bungled Gilgo Beach investigation arrested
Disgraced police chief James Burke begged Suffolk County law enforcement not to arrest him for soliciting sex from an undercover ranger – before asking ‘Do you know who I am?’
Burke, 59, was detained at 10.15am on Tuesday morning and charged with offering a sex act, public lewdness, indecent exposure, and criminal solicitation.
Authorities confirmed that Burke was soliciting sex from a male undercover park ranger near the Suffolk County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park when he was arrested.
Poll: Americans overwhelmingly concerned about situation at border
The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll, conducted in conjunction with Noble Predictive Insights, asked 2,500 registered voters, including 1,000 registered Democrats, 1,000 registered Republicans, and 500 independents: “How concerned are you about the situation at the border?”
Eighty-two percent responded that they are concerned, with 47% saying they are very concerned and an additional 35% saying they are somewhat concerned.
Just 13% said they are not concerned at all and 4% are unsure.
“The general public still very much believes the border is an issue, but it also should be ringing alarm bells for politicians because they haven’t come up with solutions at the border,” Mike Noble, founder and CEO of Noble Predictive, told The Center Square. “Especially for those 55 and older, they’re the most concerned, and they’re the most likely to vote.”
For voters 55 and older, 56% of respondents said they are very concerned about the border and an additional 31% said they are somewhat concerned, 87% of the demographic. Just 10% said they are not concerned and 3% are unsure.
Since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, more than 8 million people have illegally crossed the southern and northern borders, greater than the population of 38 U.S. states, as The Center Square previously reported.
Whistleblower to DOJ: You’ve left the door open for more fraud
When Sarah Feinberg was a young lead associate at the consulting firm of Booz Allen Hamilton between 2010 and 2016, she noticed that the company was overbilling the U.S. government for its defense and national security contracts, and thus was effectively subsidizing the firm’s work for the Saudi government.
That discovery set off a series of events that culminated in July with a government settlement with the McLean, Va.-based firm worth $377 million — a return that made Feinberg a hero under the whistleblower statute and entitled her to a $70 million reward.
But now, Feinberg tells POLITICO, she believes the government did not go far enough in recovering money from Booz Allen, and that government contractors continue to be incentivized to defraud the government because of the Justice Department’s weakness.
Wall Street Firms Move $2 Trillion Out of N.Y., Calif.
Repelled by rampant crime, high taxes and exorbitant housing costs, financial firms managing $2 trillion in assets have left New York and California for Texas, Florida and other Sun Belt states where the cost of living is as much as 40% cheaper, Bloomberg reports.
In the three years through March 2023, 370 major investment firms with $2.7 trillion in assets under management—2.5% of the total assets managed by investment firms in the U.S.—moved their headquarters to a new state.
Even North Carolina and Tennessee saw more than $600 billion in assets seek refuge, primarily due to AllianceBernstein’s jump from New York to Nashville in 2021 and Allspring Global Investment giving up San Francisco for Charlotte in 2022.
Christian charity claims it was ‘debanked’ by Bank of America
Memphis-based non-profit Indigenous Advance Ministries has filed a complaint to the Tennessee Attorney-General’s office over concerns its accounts were closed because the bank disagrees with its ‘religious views.’
The organization – which claims to have had a banking relationship with BofA since 2015 – purports pro-life and anti-same sex relationship values on its website.
Associated accounts belonging to partner entity Indigenous Advance Customer Center and a church operating at the same address – Servants of Christ Community dba University House of Prayer – were also closed.
The correspondence from BofA stated: ‘Upon review of your accounts, we have determined you’re operating in a business type we have chosen not to service at Bank of America.’
Biden’s Vacation Under Investigation After POTUS Rented $18 Million Home
Biden rented Steyer’s $18 million property for a six-day vacation in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, for “fair market value,” the White House said. The president is accompanied by first lady Jill Biden and son Hunter Biden at the mansion.
A local resident filed a complaint against Steyer claiming he did not have a VHR permit, The Nevada Globe first reported Monday. VHR Program Manager Ernie Strehlow confirmed to the Daily Caller that the complaint is “being researched.”
If found to be in violation of VHR policies, Steyer could face a fine of up to $20,000, Douglas County policies state.
‘What We’ve Done Has Backfired’: Col. Douglas Macgregor Tells Tucker Why The Ukraine War Must End Immediately
Col. Douglas Macgregor told Daily Caller co-founder Tucker Carlson on Monday why the war in Ukraine must end immediately.
Carlson said in his starting monologue that the media is lying that Ukraine’s army is thriving in the war against Russia.
He warned that U.S. troops will have to take over to defeat Russian President Vladimir Putin, but Macgregor warned the U.S. could lose in a potential “catastrophic war.”
“I think all of the lies that have been told for more than a year-and-a-half about the Ukrainians are winning, the Ukrainian cause is just, the Russians are evil, the Russians are incompetent,” Macgregor began. “All of that is collapsing, and it’s collapsing because what’s happening on the battlefield is horrific.”
‘Read the room:’ Biden jokes about the ‘hot ground’ while observing Maui fire damage
Biden arrived in Hawaii that day to give remarks on the aftermath of that devastating wildfires that have taken the lives of over 110 people.
Prior to his speech, he met and shook hands with a group of officials, stopping in front of a search and rescue dog.
While petting the dog, he joked the boots the canine was wearing.
“You guys catch the boots out here?” Biden appeared to ask the press watching him. He smiled and said, “That’s some hot ground, man.”
Commentary.
Kim Kardashian SHUTS DOWN DMV for Driver’s License Photo Shoot
No one likes their driver’s license photo, until now. Kim Kardashian brought her glam team and shut down the DMV to get the perfect shot. Shemeka Michelle joins Jason to debate the ultimate diva move.
Maui Residents Shout ‘F YOU’ To Joe Biden As He GETS DESTROYED During Hawaii Trip After Vacation
President Biden, while visiting the fire-ravaged remains of Maui, said he knows what it is like to lose a home, recalling that 15 years ago lightning started a fire in his residence in Delaware.
World News.
Ukraine war: Russia repels border attack, Black Sea spy ship destroyed, Wagner boss post-coup debut
Iran unveils upgraded military drone
Iran has revealed the latest incarnation of a military drone capable of flying 24 hours and carrying several types of armaments.
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The Islamic Republic has been repeatedly accused of supplying Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, including the notorious Shahed (martyr) suicide bombers, to carry out deadly strikes on Ukraine.
Russia shoots down two Ukrainian drones in Moscow region
Russia announced early on Tuesday it had destroyed two Ukrainian drones heading for Moscow, as such attacks increase in recent weeks.
“An attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out terrorist attacks using unmanned aerial vehicles was foiled” overnight from Monday to Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Telegram.
18 bodies found in Greek forest as wildfires ravage north of the country
The discovery near the city of Alexandroupolis came as hundreds of firefighters battled dozens of wildfires across the country amid gale-force winds. On Monday, two people died and two firefighters were injured in separate fires in northern and central Greece.
With their hot, dry summers, southern European countries are particularly prone to wildfires. Another major blaze has been burning across Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands for a week, although no injuries or damage to homes was reported.
In Greece, police activated the country’s Disaster Victim Identification Team to identify the 18 bodies, which were found near a shack in the Avantas area, fire department spokesman Ioannis Artopios said.
Afghan refugee arrested for homosexual rape of teen in Munich subway
The attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning when the 18-year-old victim, who was heavily intoxicated and traveling alone, was approached on the platform of the Max-Weber-Platz underground station.
The perpetrator took advantage of his victim’s inability to resist and subjected him to a sexual assault that lasted for several hours, according to a Munich police report.
After the ordeal, the attacker stole his victim’s mobile phone and fled the scene undetected.
The German teen filed a complaint with the local police the following day, and, using the geolocation tracker on the victim’s phone, authorities were able to track the whereabouts of the suspect who was living in Munich.
US State Department approves sale of 96 Apache helicopters to Poland
“According to my agreement with Defense Secretary L. Austin, until the completion of procedures and delivery of the purchased helicopters to Poland, the U.S. Army will provide us with Apache helicopters from their own resources,” Błaszczak posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Last September, Poland sent a request to the U.S. regarding the purchase of Apache helicopters. The AH-64E Apache is the primary attack helicopter of the U.S. Army, designed to combat armored weapons and support ground units.
Currently, this equipment is operated by countries including Japan, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Earlier on Monday, Błaszczak announced that the Korean K239 Chunmoo rocket launcher had been delivered to Poland; he also showcased the FA-50 plane Poland purchased from South Korea.
Last of 12 Hongkongers caught by China during escape bid handed over to police after 3 years in mainland prison
A Hong Kong man who was arrested by the Chinese authorities in 2020 during a bid to escape to Taiwan by sea has been handed over to Hong Kong police.
Tang Kai-yin was facing a charge relating to the 2019 protests when he attempted to flee.
After serving a three-year jail sentence in a southern city of Guangdong province, he was escorted back to the city on Tuesday morning, local media reported.
He is scheduled to appear at the city’s District Court on Wednesday.
Tang was among a group of 12 Hongkongers caught by the mainland Chinese coastguard on August 23, 2020 when they attempted to flee to Taiwan on a speedboat.
Indonesia to buy 24 F-15EX fighter jets from Boeing
The MoU was signed on Monday by Air Vice Marshal Yusuf Jauhari, head of the Indonesian ministry’s defense facilities agency, and Boeing Fighters Vice President and Program Manager Mark Sears.
“We are pleased to announce our commitment to procure the critical F-15EX fighter capability for Indonesia,” said Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who witnessed the signing ceremony at the F-15 production facility in the U.S. city of St. Louis. “This state-of-the-art fighter will protect and secure our nation with its advanced capabilities.”
Recent years have seen a number of incidents involving Indonesian and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, including standoffs between Chinese coast guards and Indonesian navy ships.
China also has protested against Indonesia’s oil and gas drilling activities in its exclusive economic zone off Natuna, and Jakarta’s naming of the waters in the area the North Natuna Sea.
China has said the waters are part of its traditional fishing grounds.
Syria blames Israel for Damascus strike; Counter-terror ops escalate TV7 Israel News 22.08.23
· 1) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns Iran of consequences for its proactive involvement in the spike of terrorism, directed at Israelis, throughout Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley. ·
2) Syria blames Israel for separate strikes targeting military infrastructure in the vicinity of Damascus. ·
3) Iran boastfully proclaims that it has gained the upper hand versus the United States, Israel and its alliance in the greater Middle East region.
Military deployments in Syria; Assessing the battlefield – Jerusalem Studio 789
Japan to release treated radioactive water from Fukushima into ocean
“I expect the water release to start on August 24, weather conditions permitting,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, according to Reuters.
The Japanese government approved the plan two years ago as part of the plant’s decommissioning process following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed nearly 20,000 people and resulted in the worst nuclear accident since the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine.
The first stage of discharge involves testing seawater mixed in with the water that was treated with multi-nuclide removal equipment, the company said.
The second stage is discharging 7,800 cubic meters of water into the ocean over 17 days, the wire service reported.
After Tu-95 Bomber, Russia’s Tu-22 M3 Backfire Destroyed In Ukraine Drone Attack – Reports
A drone attack targeted the Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire swing-wing bomber based at Soltsy-2 on August 19. As soon as the news broke out, visuals appeared on social media showing thick black smoke billowing from the air base. However, it was initially unknown what asset at the base caught fire.
Now, another set of visuals posted on social media indicates that a Tu-22M3 strategic bomber was struck by the drone allegedly belonging to the Ukrainian military. The pictures first surfaced on Telegram and have subsequently spread to other social media sites.
Politics.
Governors on border security: ‘Americans will not tolerate it anymore’
Joining Abbott were governors Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Jim Pillen of Nebraska, Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, and Kristi Noem of South Dakota. They’ve all sent their National Guard troops to Texas to participate in Abbott’s border security mission, Operation Lone Star. In total, troops from 15 states are currently serving in Texas participating in OLS, bbott said.
When all states expressing support for Texas are included, they total 25.
“Half the states in America are banding together to secure a border that President [Joe] Biden has abandoned. … From the northern border to the southern border, governors are coming together to push back against the Biden administration.”
When asked by The Center Square if Abbott knew if this was the first time in Texas history that 25 governors had come together to help secure the border, he replied, “This is the first time I’m aware of. It shows the unity we have in this country among governors. …
Tammy Bruce’s message to GOP hopefuls: ‘Stand on your own two fricken feet’
Fox News contributor Tammy Bruce joined ‘Fox & Friends’ to preview the upcoming presidential debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Biden jets back to billionaire’s house after disastrous Maui visit
‘Outnumbered’ co-hosts react to President Biden’s visit to Maui following the deadly wildfires.
New memos undercut Biden-Ukraine narrative Democrats sold during 2019 impeachment scandal
The recommendation is one of several U.S. government memos gathered by Just the News over the last 36 months from Freedom of Information Act litigation, congressional inquiries and government agency sources that directly conflict with the long-held narrative that Biden was conducting official U.S. policy when he threatened to withhold a $1 billion U.S. loan guarantee to force Ukraine to fire Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin, the country’s equivalent of the American attorney general.
During Trump’s first impeachment in late 2019, State officials testified that Hunter Biden’s acceptance of a job at Burisma at a time when his father was vice president created the appearance of a conflict of interest but did not materially impact U.S. policy in Ukraine.
But in a private, classified email shared with Just the News, one of the top U.S. officials in the Kyiv embassy told then-Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch at the end of the Obama administration that Hunter Biden had, in fact, impacted the U.S. anti-corruption agenda in Ukraine.
The disclosure prompted then-President Donald Trump to ask Ukraine’s new president, Volodymyr Zelensky, to investigate.
Democrats howled and eventually impeached Trump in late 2019. The Senate acquitted the former president. Today, the original column that prompted the controversy is preserved in the official records of Congress.
Former Thai prime minister goes to jail same day parliament elects his ally as leader
The populist Pheu Thai Party backed Srettha, a 60-year-old real estate tycoon, for the position, and he received 482 votes out of 747 possible in the country’s bicameral parliament, according to CNN.
King Maha Vajirilongkorn still needs to endorse Srettha before he can officially assume the position of prime minister.
Meanwhile, Pheu Thai founder Thaksin returned to the country Tuesday following more than 15 years of self-imposed exile.
Incoming Ga. Commission Could Punish DA Willis
Republican lawmakers in Georgia are working on ways to sanction Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, the prosecutor who brought criminal charges against former President Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants, including the use of a new state law that creates a commission that can punish or throw out prosecutors.
The Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission will begin proceedings in October, and comes after GOP Gov. Brian Kemp signed the measure into law earlier this year to form a board that will punish prosecutors they determine are committing violations or neglecting their job duties, reports The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
State Sen. Clint Dixon, R-Gwinnett County, said Monday he plans to file a complaint against Willis when the commission goes into effect in October, and claimed that the indictments against Trump and the others were the result of her “unabashed goal to become some sort of leftist celebrity.”
House Oversight Committee starting to paint ‘very clear picture’ of Biden family
FOX Business’ Cheryl Casone, The Spectator Washington editor Amber Athey and CULTURE+ Group CEO and co-founder Lili Gil Valletta discuss House Republicans sending subpoenas to IRS and FBI investigators amid the ongoing probe into the Biden family’s business.
‘The truth is coming out’ about the Bidens, DOJ, FBI: Republican lawmaker
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., explains why House Republicans are subpoenaing IRS and FBI investigators in the Hunter Biden probe.
Tom Fitton calls out DOJ’s potential ‘big lie’
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton discusses Rep. Jim Jordan issuing subpoenas to IRS and FBI investigators, special counsel David Weiss, and Trump’s legal issues.
It’s going to be ‘so embarrassing’ when Biden has to debate: Hurt
Fox News contributor Charles Hurt discusses the first GOP primary debate as Trump is expected to skip and Kamala Harris trying to change her narrative.
We’ve got to hold the line: Chip Roy | The Record
On Monday’s “The Record,” Rep. Chip Roy explains Republican Freedom Caucus demands for the budget ahead of a looming government shutdown.
Laura Ingraham: Democrats think you’re stupid
Fox News host Laura Ingraham mocks the left’s attempt at arguing the Constitution bars Trump from becoming president again.
Newsfeed News.com 