WORLD NEWS
Renewable Energy Fails Sweden, Braces For Winter Of Power Cuts
Emergency scenarios are being prepared in Sweden in case of power cuts. The Scandinavian country has had a dry and windless summer, which has resulted in less electricity being produced from renewable energy, while its nuclear power plants are not ready to supply consumers. Meanwhile, the economic situation is worsening as inflation skyrockets and housing costs continue to rise.
Falling energy prices, a worsening economy, and a change of government have all contributed to the declining economic situation in Sweden, according to a recent study by the Hungarian Oeconomus Economic Research Foundation. Consumer inflation hit an all-time high in August, reaching 9.8 percent, the highest in 30 years. The biggest increases were in housing and transport costs.
VIDEO: Did Biden Just Provoke A Nuclear Attack?
Man Trying to Protect His Spiritual Books Dies After Police Push Him Out of Window in China
A Chinese man fell to his death after two police officers pushed him out of the window of his home. He was trying to stop them from confiscating his personal belongings and spiritual books.
Yin Zhibo, 44, from Yanji City, Jilin Province, was at home when the officers broke in. Someone had reported him to the police for distributing informational materials exposing the Chinese regime’s persecution of Falun Gong.
Though Yin died on March 16, 2021, his death was only recently confirmed by Minghui.org, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that reports on the ongoing persecution of the Falun Gong spiritual system in China. Given the regime’s tight control, it isn’t easy to get information out of China
Taiwan Expands ‘1st Strike’ Definition, Will Retaliate Against CCP Air Incursions
Taiwan is expanding its definition of a “first strike” for the purposes of determining whether to militarily retaliate against Chinese aggression, according to a top defense official.
The government of Taiwan now will consider significant incursions into its airspace by Chinese aircraft and drones to constitute a first strike in the same manner as a missile attack, defense minister Chiu Kuo-cheng told lawmakers on Oct. 5.
Chiu said the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) recent aggression necessitated the expanded definition. He added that CCP crossings of the median line, the midpoint of the Taiwan Strait, are an effort to create a new norm for intimidation and harassment.
“The median line was supposed to be a tacit agreement for everyone,” Chiu said. “That tacit agreement has been destroyed.”
The median line was decided upon as a buffer zone by the United States in the 1950s as a means of de-escalating conflict between communist China and Taiwan. Since then, both sides generally have respected the boundary.
However, in the past several months, CCP forces under Xi Jinping have initiated an aggressive campaign to “normalize” a military presence on Taiwan’s side of the waterway.
Taiwan previously held that it wouldn’t strike militarily against China unless China struck first. Until now, that meant that CCP forces would need to strike the island with a missile.
U.S. NEWS, POLITICS & GOVERNMENT
US Buys $290 Million Worth of Drugs in Preparation for Nuclear Emergencies
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is buying $290 million worth of drugs as part of its “long-standing, ongoing efforts to be better prepared to save lives following radiological and nuclear emergencies.”
HHS is purchasing a supply of the drug Nplate from Amgen USA, a biotechnology headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California.
The $290 million purchase was announced on Oct. 4 by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), an agency within the HHS that’s tasked with preparing the nation for future disasters and public health emergencies.
Federal Appeals Court Rules That DACA Program Is Illegal, Orders Review of Biden’s Final Rule
A federal appeals court on Wednesday ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which shields certain immigrants who came to the United States illegally as children from deportation, is illegal.
The ruling by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday (pdf) affirms a decision in July 2021 by a Texas federal judge—U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen—who declared the DACA program illegal and blocked new applications but kept the policy intact for current beneficiaries. The appeals court similarly left the DACA program intact for current beneficiaries, which means current DACA recipients can continue to file renewal applications.
Secret List of Documents Seized From Mar-a-Lago Released Online
A secret list detailing some of the documents seized from former President Donald Trump was released online overnight, even though a judge ordered the list to remain under seal.
The five-page list included specific descriptions of documents sized from Mar-a-Lago in August that the government has set aside as potentially being protected by privilege. According to the list, the documents include an internal analysis on the commutation of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, an unsigned letter from attorneys to former special counsel Robert Mueller, a Senate clemency request for “RN,” a medical letter, and tax forms.
Also included was a confidential settlement agreement between the Professional Golfers’ Association and Trump Golf, a settlement agreement in another case, documents from an agreement involving the Trump Media Group, and a signed letter from a Trump campaign legal adviser to the Joe Biden campaign.
The list was contained in two exhibits filed in court in August by the Department of Justice. The exhibits were attached to a document that updated the court on the status of the review of potentially privileged material. Government lawyers filed the document and the exhibits under seal.
The main document was unsealed on Oct. 3 on orders from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, the Trump appointee overseeing the case.
IRS Employees Used COVID-19 Relief Funds for Luxury Cars, Trips to Las Vegas: Justice Department
Five former and current employees of the IRS have been charged with schemes to defraud COVID-19 relief measures like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The two programs were federal stimulus initiatives authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Court documents show that the five defendants obtained funds under the two programs by submitting fraudulent loan applications seeking more than $1 million. The funds were used for personal purposes like purchasing luxury goods, cars, and travel, including trips to Las Vegas, the DOJ announced in an Oct. 4 press release.
Brian Saulsberry, 46, of Memphis, Tennessee, received $171,400 in loans, using a portion of the funds to buy a Mercedes-Benz.
Courtney Quinshe Westmoreland, 38, of Cordova, Tennessee, obtained $11,500 in loan funds, using them to buy luxury clothing and services like massages and manicures.
Fatina Hewitt, 35, of Olive Branch, Mississippi, received $28,900 in loans, spending the money on a Las Vegas trip and Gucci clothing.
Roderick DeMarco White II, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, obtained $66,666 in funds, using them to buy personal items including a Gucci satchel
Election Software CEO Arrested Over Data Theft, Storing Data on Servers in China
The head of Konnech Corp., a Michigan-based software company, was arrested on Oct. 4 for allegedly stealing and storing personal data of Los Angeles County election workers on servers in China.
Konnech CEO Eugene Yu, 51, was arrested in Michigan on charges of stealing “the personal identifying information” of Los Angeles County election workers, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Investigators also seized computer hard drives and other digital data relevant to the case. The office stated that it would seek Yu’s extradition to Los Angeles.
According to the office, Konnech won a five-year, $2.9 million contract with Los Angeles County in 2020 for an election worker management system—named PollChief software—that was used by the county in the last California election.
The software was designed to assist with poll worker assignments, communications, and payroll, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement.
Under the contract, Konnech was supposed to securely maintain the data and only provide access to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. But investigators found that the company stored the data on servers in China.
“In this case, the alleged conduct had no impact on the tabulation of votes and did not alter election results,” Gascón said. “But security in all aspects of any election is essential so that we all have full faith in the integrity of the election process.”
Trump Says National Archives Should Return Documents After Mar-a-Lago Raid
Former President Donald Trump wrote Tuesday the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) should return documents to him amid the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) investigation into whether the 45th president mishandled classified information.
“NARA lost a whole hard drive full of HIGHLY SENSITIVE information from the Clinton White House,” wrote Trump on Truth Social, referring to previous reports on the subject that said the hard drive went missing in 2009 from NARA’s Maryland facility. “What else have they ‘lost’? How can Americans trust a system like this?”
DOJ prosecutors say the FBI seized roughly 11,000 documents, including about 100 that were allegedly marked classified or top secret, during a raid targeting Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. That probe was launched, according to the federal agency, after the former president handed over materials to NARA earlier this year before NARA indicated that some of the records were classified.
But Trump said that “there is no security at NARA,” pointing to the CNN report. “I want my documents back!” he wrote. It’s not clear if Trump is referring to the FBI-seized materials, the documents he handed over to NARA this year, or both.
An archived news release issued by NARA in July 2009 stated that an external hard drive “containing copies of Clinton Administration Executive Office of the President data” was lost National Archives facility in College Park, Maryland. It’s not clear what was on the hard drive.
Teachers Leave National Education Association, Say Union Pushes Politics With Member Dues
Imagine part of your paycheck is removed each month and sent to a rich, powerful nonprofit that advances culture-changing causes in conflict with your values, such as anti-gun legislation, promoting racism, and teaching children to how to alter their gender.
That is the reality for many teachers union members.
Some Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) members were troubled in 2021 when the union presented a 10-hour workshop, “Nice White Parents: A Look at How Parent Groups Have Systemically Impacted the Education System.”
A workshop flyer promised to discuss the “key driver blocking educational integration and equity: the actions of white families.”
2022 Midterm Action List – SEVEN STEPS You Can Take to SAVE OUR ELECTIONS From Fraud
One thing we learned from the 2020 election is that post-election litigation does not prevent Democrats from cheating and stealing elections. It’s time to be proactive and step up before the midterm election. We currently have one month to act. Patriots must register as poll workers, observers, and get involved. But we must do more.
Now that citizens are aware of the fraud, many jurisdictions are taking active measures to prevent discovery and disclosure of it. Below are several county-level suggestions to help prevent fraud. A few might require legal action. If you have additional suggestions add it to the “Comments” section. If those suggestions need a more private disclosure, contact GP directly using this email. A more detailed version of this article is available in PDF that we will update as needed.
FBI Issues Update on US Elections Ahead of 2022 Midterms
The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said on Wednesday that both agencies are confident that election infrastructure will not be compromised during the 2022 midterms.
“The FBI and CISA will continue to quickly respond to any potential threats, provide recommendations to harden election infrastructure, notify stakeholders of threats and intrusion activity, and impose risks and consequences on cyber actors seeking to threaten U.S. elections,” the agencies said (pdf) in a joint statement.
Both agencies said there is no indication to suggest cyber activity has prevented someone from casting a ballot or compromised the integrity of the ballot.
“As of the date of this report, the FBI and CISA have no reporting to suggest cyber activity has ever prevented a registered voter from casting a ballot, compromised the integrity of any ballots cast, or affected the accuracy of voter registration information. Any attempts tracked by FBI and CISA have remained localized and were blocked or successfully mitigated with minimal or no disruption to election processes,” the statement said.
Neither agency provided an example of how voting may have been manipulated. They also did not provide an example of how they successfully blocked malicious actors from targeting U.S. elections.
The statement did acknowledge that some election systems that house voter registration information and data could be targeted by malign actors.
“Cyber actors may also seek to spread or amplify false or exaggerated claims of cybersecurity compromises to election infrastructure; however, these attempts would not prevent voting or the accurate reporting of results,” CISA, which is run by the Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI also said.
The FBI, meanwhile, has been accused of meddling in the 2020 election by Republican lawmakers using whistleblower statements accusing the bureau of suppressing damning information about President Joe Biden’s family.
With weeks to go before the November 2020 elections, a former Biden family associate, Tony Bobulinski, came forward and corroborated messages found on Hunter Biden’s laptop and accused the Bidens of being compromised by Chinese officials. In one email exchange, Hunter referred to his father as “the big guy” who was slated to receive 10 percent on the CEFC deal, which was confirmed by Bobulinski two years ago.
DEA Agents Seize 15,000 Rainbow Fentanyl Pills Stuffed Inside Lego Box in New York City
The DEA announced Tuesday that a task force team busted a New Jersey woman trafficking approximately 15,000 rainbow fentanyl pills stuffed in Lego boxes in Manhattan. The drug agency noted that this “significant seizure” of the multi-colored pills was the largest in New York City’s history.
On September 28, at around 7:10 p.m., task force members — compromised of officers in the New York City’s DEA office and the NYPD — were surveilling a woman who was about to enter a rental car in the Hudson Yards neighborhood. She was noted to be carrying a large black tote bag wrapped around an object.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
US Debt Tops $31 Trillion for First Time Ever on Biden Admin Spending Spree
The national debt of the United States has surpassed $31 trillion for the first time in history, according to Treasury Department data published on Oct. 4.
Data showed that the total national debt was $31.123 trillion as of Oct. 3, after passing the $30 trillion mark just nine months ago in late January.
President Joe Biden and Congress increased government borrowing amid the COVID-19 pandemic in order to prop up the economy amid job losses and chronic supply chain disruptions, while further borrowing was undertaken to help stimulate the economy coming out of lockdown.
Prior to the pandemic, at the end of 2019, the national debt stood at $22.7 trillion. Just a year later, it had risen to $27.7 trillion and has continued to add gains since.
However, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) noted in a statement on Oct. 3 that the United States has now overcome the most severe challenges of the pandemic but that the Biden administration continues to borrow huge amounts of money.
“This is a new record no one should be proud of,” Maya MacGuineas, president of the CRFB, said in a statement. “In the past 18 months, we’ve witnessed inflation rise to a 40-year high, interest rates climbing in part to combat this inflation, and several budget-busting pieces of legislation and executive actions.”
“Just in 2022, Congress and the President have approved a combined $1.9 trillion in new borrowing, and President Biden has approved $4.9 trillion in new deficits since taking office. We are addicted to debt,” MacGuineas said.
Inflation reached 8.3 percent year-over-year in the United States in August, prompting the Federal Reserve to continue with its aggressive interest rate hikes in order to bring the cost of living down. The Central bank rolled out another 75 basis-point rate hike on Sept. 21.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Man Left Stranded in Middle of the Road by His $115K Hummer Electric Truck
A man bought a brand new $115,000 Hummer electric truck, only to find that it immediately left him stranded in the middle of the road — and the vehicle had less than 250 miles on it.
“I’m very unhappy. I’m in a brand new Hummer, in traffic, and the truck has taken a complete dump, and it will not go into gear, and it won’t go out of gear,” Roman Mica, who operates the website The Fast Lane Truck, explained in a YouTube video posted on Tuesday.
HEALTH
New Communist Law Forces Doctors to Promote Pharma Products
A proposed California law — AB 2098 — gives the state power to take away doctors’ medical licenses if they spread “misinformation” that goes against the standard COVID-19 rhetoric
It’s akin to putting shackles on their wrists, forcing doctors to conform to a narrative intent on pushing dangerous gene therapies and ineffective medications
Making the law even more unsettling is its vagueness; what constitutes “misinformation” or “disinformation” worthy of taking away a person’s medical license is anyone’s guess
AB 2098 is packed with misinformation that continues to be parroted as facts, ignoring the scientific truths about COVID-19
The bill, if it passes, will stop doctors from practicing medicine the way they deem best for the individual patient; it will also stop dissent — even when dissent is necessary and beneficial, and coming from people with expertise
The Link Between Ultra Processed Food and Cognitive Decline
Research presented at the 2022 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference showed that people who ate 20% of their diet from breakfast cereal, frozen food and soda had a 28% faster rate of cognitive decline and a 25% faster rate of decline in executive function
Cognitive decline may likely be related to the high level of omega-6 linoleic acid from vegetable and seed oils found in junk food; these can trigger mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis in the brain, which uses nearly 25% of the body’s energy supply
Multiple studies show people in the U.S., Britain and Canada eat junk foods at levels ranging from 48% to 57%. Dr. Chris Van Tulleken increased his total junk food to 80% for one month and experienced multiple health effects, including gaining 15.4 pounds in four weeks
Ultraprocessed foods are also associated with obesity, reduced gut microbiome diversity, poor immune health, stunted bone growth and an increased risk of fracture
As you consider the looming food shortages and choices you make to stock up on shelf-stable food, also eliminate ultraprocessed foods from this list. The food choices you make have an enormous impact on your health and resilience
A study funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found a “positive association” between vaccine-related aluminum exposure and persistent asthma.
The study (pdf), published on Sept. 28 in the medical journal Academic Pediatrics, sought to “assess the association between cumulative aluminum exposure from vaccines before age 24 months [2 years of age]” and see whether this group of children developed asthma between ages 2 and 5.
Authors of the retrospective cohort study included current and former CDC staffers. They analyzed data from a cohort of 326,991 children who were born between 2008 and 2014 at seven medical care organizations across the United States that participate in the Vaccine Safety Datalink, a network of health groups that collaborate with the CDC in studying vaccine safety.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
OPEC+ Agrees to Sharply Cut Oil Output in Blow to Biden
The OPEC+ alliance of crude-producing countries has agreed to deep cuts in oil output, providing a likely floor to falling prices and delivering a blow to U.S. President Joe Biden’s pleas for the cartel to boost production to help quell soaring inflation.
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its oil-producing allies, known as OPEC+, agreed to cut production by 2 million barrels per day (bpd), with the decision coming at an Oct. 5 meeting in Vienna.
The cuts came as little surprise to markets, which had been expecting the cartel to slash output even as the White House reportedly launched a last-ditch effort to persuade OPEC to not go ahead with the cuts.
Draft White House talking points to the U.S. Treasury Department, which were reported by CNN, described the expected cuts as a “total disaster” and stated that they could be seen as a “hostile act.”
At a press conference following OPEC’s meeting, Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman dismissed suggestions from reporters that the cuts could be seen as “belligerent,” arguing instead that the decision is meant to provide stability to oil markets.
Crude prices jumped upon news of OPEC’s cuts. Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were up by 2.1 percent and 1.96 percent respectively as of 11 a.m. EST on Oct. 5. Brent was trading at $93.61 per barrel, while WTI was trading at $88.05 per barrel.
Buttigieg Pushes Total Transition To EVs By 2035
On Tuesday’s broadcast of the Fox News Channel’s “Your World,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated that states like New York and California will be ready to transition to electric vehicles by 2035, and that “if the United States of America can’t execute a transition like this over the course of more than a decade, I don’t know what to tell you, this is America, of course, we can do something like that.” Buttigieg also stated that different states will have different approaches, and the power issues in California and post-hurricane outages in Florida, are “a great example of one of the many benefits” of electric vehicles because some have power that can flow in both directions.
Host Neil Cavuto asked, “Secretary, as you know, much of the power was out across half the state of Florida for a while. Much of it has resumed, sir. But it did make some folks think, boy, these electric vehicles that are being pushed, between what happened in Florida and the grid that was compromised to the point where California Gov. Newsom (D) wanted people to cool it for a while on when and how often they charged their EVs, do you think this reminds folks that we’re not ready or the EVs are not ready for prime time?”
Buttigieg responded, “Well, actually, I think this is a great example of one of the many benefits of those tools. You know, I was just at the Detroit Auto Show a couple of weeks ago. One of the things that was very impressive about some of the vehicles that we saw, including, for example, the pickup trucks that are on the market — entering onto the market right now, is that their power can actually flow both ways. So, in an extreme event, from a neighborhood resiliency perspective, they can actually work, basically like a generator, except that you don’t have to have diesel ready for them. What they’re doing is they’re using the battery capacity to power a home, and in that sense, could be very useful in a scenario like this. Look, I don’t think anybody thinks that we’re ready here, sitting here in 2022 for a scenario where, overnight, there is some instant transition to electric vehicles.”
Cavuto then cut in to ask, “You want to do so by 2035, right? In some states like California…in New York, we want to do so by 2035. You think we’d be ready to do that?”
Buttigieg answered, “Well, yeah, I mean, GM said they’re not even going to be making anything but electric vehicles after 2035. So, if the United States of America can’t execute a transition like this over the course of more than a decade, I don’t know what to tell you, this is America, of course, we can do something like that. Different states have different approaches.”
High gas prices in America are caused by a mismatch between U.S. oil production and refining, bad policies or political hostility, and the Biden administration’s inaction, according to experts and oil industry insiders.
Inflation in the United States has been running high since March when the yearly Consumer Price Index (CPI) reached 8.5 percent, the highest level since 1981.
A dramatic increase in energy prices has drawn special attention.
Between May and August, energy prices rose between 20 percent to 40 percent year-over-year.
President Joe Biden and the Democrats have proposed different solutions to the high energy prices, including a windfall tax for oil companies, urging gas stations to cut prices, imposing an oil export ban, and allowing countries to buy Russian oil with a price cap.
However, oil industry insiders and experts said most of those proposed measures either will not work or won’t lower the gas prices in America permanently.
Michael Wirth, chairman and CEO of U.S. oil giant Chevron, rejected the idea of taxing oil companies’ profits.
“Windfall profits taxes have been tried before in this country. They didn’t achieve the goal that was desired. It is pretty basic that if you want more of something, you tend not to tax it. If you want less of something, you put taxes on it,” he said during an interview with CNN on Sept. 13.
COVID RELATED NEWS
COVID Jab mRNA Detected in Human Breastmilk
As recently as late September 2022, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Rochelle Walensky claimed it’s perfectly safe for pregnant and nursing women, and those planning a pregnancy, to get the COVID jab. According to Walensky, “There’s NO bad time to get a COVID vaccine”
Meanwhile, Pfizer’s data show the risk of miscarriage could be as high as 87.5%
Safety for nursing mothers was not evaluated in the initial clinical trials, and subsequent investigations have been scarce. In mid-July 2021, a small study found no trace of mRNA vaccine in breastmilk, but a September 2022 study did find mRNA in breastmilk for up to 48 hours post-jab
These studies did not analyze the breastmilk for the presence of spike protein. Even if the mRNA is only transferable during the first 48 hours post-jab, that does not mean it’s safe to breastfeed thereafter. The breastmilk could potentially also transfer spike protein produced by the mother’s body, and that production, we know, can continue for at least four months, and likely longer
Walensky also continues to claim the COVID shots have no adverse effects on fertility, even though birth rates have plummeted since the rollout of the shots, raising alarm across the world. A Pfizer-BioNTech rat study found the injection more than doubled the incidence of infertility
National Guard Gives Service Members COVID-19 Vaccine Instead of Influenza Shot
The National Guard administered the COVID-19 vaccine to multiple service members who were lined up for the influenza vaccine, including a member who objected to the COVID-19 vaccine on religious grounds, according to officials and one of the members.
The incident took place in late 2021.
During a vaccination clinic where both flu and COVID-19 vaccines were being administered, “three service members were accidently given a COVID vaccine,” Maj. Carl Lamb, a spokesman for the Maine National Guard, told The Epoch Times in an email.
Mathew Bouchard, who is no longer with the Guard, has identified himself as one of the members.
CANCEL CULTURE
Global Warming: UN Claims To ‘Own The Science’, Partners With Google To Stifle Skeptics
A United Nations representative revealed her globalist organization had partnered with Google to prioritize messages underscoring the gravity of the climate crisis.
Melissa Fleming, the U.N.’s Under-Secretary for Global Communications, said at a Sept. 29 World Economic Forum (WEF) event the U.N. is working with Google to “elevate the content.”
“You know, we partnered with Google, for example, if you Google climate change, you will, at the top of your search, get all kinds of U.N. resources,” Ms. Fleming declared. “We started this partnership when we were shocked to see that when we Googled climate change, we were getting incredibly distorted information right at the top.”
“So we’re becoming much more proactive,” she continued. “You know, we own the science and we think that the world should know it and the platforms themselves also do.”
“But again, it’s a huge, huge challenge that I think all sectors of society need to be very active in,” she said.
Fleming said that the problem of disinformation “exploded with COVID-19” and required a concerted effort to make sure the right messages get through.
As social media platforms became more dominant, she said, there was “a proliferation of mis- and disinformation that was making achieving what we were trying to achieve — a better world, and a more inclusive, a more peaceful and harmonious world — it was making it more difficult.”
Fixing the situation required reversing “an algorithmic shift that was deliberately taken to favor individuals over institutions,” which had placed at a disadvantage “the institutions who are there to serve the public for good.”
Social media users are looking for a more curated environment where they can avoid being exposed to the wrong messages, she asserted.
“I think there’s certain people who’ve totally got lost down rabbit holes and they’re going to hopefully find their way out at some point. But I do think there are all kinds of people in the middle,” she said.
ICYMI
Election Software CEO Arrested Over Data Theft, Storing Data on Servers in China
The head of Konnech Corp., a Michigan-based software company, was arrested on Oct. 4 for allegedly stealing and storing personal data of Los Angeles County election workers on servers in China.
Konnech CEO Eugene Yu, 51, was arrested in Michigan on charges of stealing “the personal identifying information” of Los Angeles County election workers, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Investigators also seized computer hard drives and other digital data relevant to the case. The office stated that it would seek Yu’s extradition to Los Angeles.
According to the office, Konnech won a five-year, $2.9 million contract with Los Angeles County in 2020 for an election worker management system—named PollChief software—that was used by the county in the last California election.
The software was designed to assist with poll worker assignments, communications, and payroll, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement.
Under the contract, Konnech was supposed to securely maintain the data and only provide access to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. But investigators found that the company stored the data on servers in China.
“In this case, the alleged conduct had no impact on the tabulation of votes and did not alter election results,” Gascón said. “But security in all aspects of any election is essential so that we all have full faith in the integrity of the election process.”
‘Scooby-Doo’s’ Velma ‘Officially Gay’ as She Swoons for Female Character
Producers of Warner Bros.’ the latest Scooby-Doo cartoon, Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo!, have officially confirmed that team sleuth Velma Dinkley is a lesbian as she appears to get googly-eyed over a new female character.
LGBTQ fans of the series have for years insisted that the turtleneck-sweatered, be-speckled Velma is gay, or bi, or some such thing. And other producers have also reported trying to make the character explicitly gay. Yet until now, there has never been any obvious allusions to her LGBTQ sexuality on the screen.
Enter the new Halloween special, which sees Velma (Kate Micucci) getting steamed glasses and googly eyed when the show introduces Coco Diablo, a fashion designer that joins the Mystery Crew to solve the Halloween mystery, Variety reported.
Diablo (Myrna Velasco) is portrayed as a hip black woman with long white hair, and when she first appears on screen, Velma’s reaction is an obvious sexual one.
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