Friday, November 16, 2018

Medal of Freedom Awards Presented at the White House


Miriam Adelson is among seven people Mr. Trump is recognizing with the medal, the highest honor America can give a civilian. She is a doctor, philanthropist and humanitarian, but is perhaps best known as the wife of Sheldon Adelson, a Las Vegas casino magnate considered one of the nation's most powerful Republican donors. 

The other recipients include retiring Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, one of the longest-serving senators in U.S. history; Alan Page, who was elected to the Minnesota Supreme Court after an NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears; and Roger Staubach, the Hall of Fame Dallas Cowboys quarterback. 

Posthumous honors are being granted to Elvis Presley, Babe Ruth and Antonin Scalia, the conservative Supreme Court justice.

Blind Runner Finds Love with Sighted Marathon Trainer

Random Acts of Kindness: Restoring Faith in Humanity


This video was published on YouTube on August 24, 2018. 

Source: Fast And Furious

Inspiring Moments of Respect in Sports


This video was published on YouTube on May 18, 2018. 

Source: Heart Of Champions

Challenged Athletes Foundation Triathlon Challenge (2018)


This video was published on YouTube on October 24.

'Joey Baseball', 11-Year-Old Phenom


This video was published on YouTube on October 30, 2018.

On Learning from Students... 2018 New York Teacher of the Year, Christopher Albrecht


This video was published on YouTube on May 6.

Police Donate Dirty Money to Help Kids in St. Petersburg


Lady Gaga Volunteers at Red Cross Shelter, 'Let's Keep the Faith'


This report was published on YouTube on November 12. 

Lady Gaga is putting her heart and soul into helping people driven from their homes by the California wildfires -- and she delivered an emotional speech to evacuees.

Curtis 'Wall Street' Carroll: How I Learned to Read and Trade Stocks....in Prison


This video was published on YouTube on May 18, 2017.

Clowns Bring Joy to Refugee Children


This report was published on YouTube on March 5, 2018.

Zen Architecture: Exhibition Opens in Paris Celebrating Work of Tadao Ando


Concerts Without Borders: Making Classical Music Accessible


Companion Dogs Helping with Airport Stress


How Verna Kirkness Changed Indigenous Education


This report was published on YouTube on November 15.

How One Man Found Meaning Removing Swastikas from the Streets of Montreal


This video was published on YouTube on November 15.

Corey Fleischer runs a graffiti removal company. He made it his pastime nine years ago to remove hate symbols from public spaces in Montreal.

Korean Lovers in Baghdad


This report was published on YouTube on November 15.

RISE: Eva Wong Powers Way to FinTech Stardom with Confidence


This report was published on YouTube on November 15. 

Eva Wong is a co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Borrowell, a Canadian company that offers free credit scores and personal loans.

Prince Charles Attends Special Tea Party to Celebrate 70th Birthday


This report was published on YouTube on November 14. 

Prince Charles continued to celebrate his 70th birthday on Wednesday by attending a tea party, complete with birthday cake, at Spencer House in London.

Thursday, November 15, 2018

The Green Book: Listings of Where Negroes Could and Couldn't Go


From the Introduction to the 1949 edition: With the introduction of this travel guide in 1936, it has been our idea to give the Negro traveler information that will keep him from running into difficulties, embarrassments and to make his trips more enjoyable. The Jewish press has long published information about places that are restricted and there are numerous publications that give the gentile whites all kinds of information. But during these long years of discrimination, before 1936 other guides have been published for the Negro, some are still published, but the majority have gone out of business for various reasons. In 1936 the Green Book was only a local publication for Metropolitan New York, the response for copies was so great it was turned into a national issue in 1937 to cover the United States. This guide while lacking in many respects was accepted by thousands of travelers. Through the courtesy of the United States Travel Bureau of which Mr. Chas. A. R. McDowell was the collaborator on Negro Affairs, more valuable information was secured. With the two working together, this guide contained the best ideas for the Negro traveler.

Click here for the complete description.

Source:  The New York Public Library Digital Collections

Amazon HQ2 Will Cost Taxpayers at Least $4.6 Billion, More Than Twice What the Company Claimed, New Study Shows

 

Amazon’s announcement this week that it will open its new headquarters in New York City and northern Virginia came with the mind-boggling revelation that the corporate giant will rake in $2.1 billion in local government subsidies. But an analysis by the nation’s leading tracker of corporate subsidies finds that the government handouts will actually amount to at least $4.6 billion.

But even that figure, which accounts for state and local perks, doesn’t take into account a gift that Amazon will also enjoy from the federal government, a testament to the old adage that in Washington, bad ideas never die.

The Amazon location in Long Island City, in the New York City borough of Queens, is situated in a federal opportunity zone, a Jack Kemp-era concept resurrected in the 2017 tax law that, in theory, is supposed to bring money into poverty-stricken areas. The northern Virginia site, in the Arlington neighborhood of Crystal City (which developers and local officials have rebranded as “National Landing”), is not directly in an opportunity zone but is virtually surrounded by other geographic areas that are.

Under the tax overhaul signed by President Donald Trump last year, investors in opportunity zones can defer payments of capital gains taxes until 2026, and if they hold them for seven years, they can exclude 15 percent of the gains from taxation. If investors carry the opportunity zone investment for 10 years, they eliminate taxes on future appreciation entirely. Investment managers have been salivating at the chance to take advantage of opportunity zones. Special funds have been built to cater to people holding unrealized capital gains — such as Amazon employees with large holdings of company stock.

Not only could Amazon benefit from the opportunity zone directly in Long Island City, but Virginia employees with unrealized capital gains will have an escape valve next door to an Amazon campus. “People who happen to be sitting around with long-term capital gains may now have vehicles for hiding them,” said Greg LeRoy of Good Jobs First, a nonprofit that scrutinizes economic development incentive deals between cities and companies, and has analyzed the Amazon deal.

Amazon did not respond to a request for comment on the opportunity zone or the Good Jobs First estimate of the subsidies it could receive.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: The Intercept_ 

Representative Ryan Costello on the Future of the Republican Party

 
Click here for video.

Source: C-SPAN

House Minority Leader Pelosi Addresses Leadership Question

 
Pelosi (D-CA) addressed whether she has the votes to become Speaker of the House in the 116th Congress.

Click here for video.

House Veterans' Affairs Hearing on GI Bill Payments


Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Benefits Paul Lawrence testifies on GI Bill payment issues before a House Veterans' Affairs subcommittee.

Click here for video. 

Source: C-SPAN 

Congressional Hearing on Misconduct and Retaliation in the U.S. Forest Service


U.S. Hits 17 Saudis with Sanctions Over Khashoggi's Killing


N.J. Health Workers Speak Out After Deadly Adenovirus Outbreak


Canada: Groundbreaking Legal Action Alleges Nursing Home Chains Put Profit Ahead of Care


 
By Kevin O'Keefe 

Early one Saturday morning in September, dozens of families gathered at a conference room in a North Toronto hotel for a meeting by the Nursing Home Action Coalition.

The families claim that the nursing homes they paid to look after their loved ones failed them miserably and they want those homes held accountable.

Over 200 families have joined an unprecedented lawsuit about to be launched against Canada’s three biggest for-profit long-term care home chains: Revera, Extendicare and Sienna Senior Living.

Click here for the full article.

Ukrainian Congress Committee of America's Autumn 2018 Bulletins

Click here to download the October 2018 Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) Bulletin in Ukrainian.

Click here to download the bulletin in English.

Click here to download the September 2018 UCCA Bulletin in Ukrainian

Click here to download the bulletin in English.

Source: UCCA

Saudi Prosecutor Seeks Death Penalty for Five in Khashoggi Murder


'My Deal, No Deal or No Brexit': UK's May Fights for Survival


Central African Republic Calls on Russia to Train Its Army


A Year After Mugabe, Hopes for a New Zimbabwe Still Low


Rohingya in Bangladesh Will Not Be Forced Back to Myanmar


Cuba to Pull Doctors from Brazil After Bolsonaro Threats


Navy SEALs, Marines Charged With Green Beret Logan Melgar’s Murder


A Daily Beast Exclusive

The victim allegedly discovered SEALs in Mali were stealing money from an informant fund and soliciting prostitutes.

By Kevin Maurer and Spencer Ackerman 

The military has formally charged two Navy SEALs and two special-operations Marines in one of the most grisly cases of fratricide in recent U.S. history, The Daily Beast has learned.

Two members of elite SEAL Team Six, Petty Officer Anthony E. DeDolph and Chief Petty Officer Adam C. Matthews, along with two Marine Raiders face charges that include felony murder, conspiracy, obstruction of justice, burglary, hazing, and involuntary manslaughter in the strangulation death of a Green Beret, Army Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar. All four were charged with felony murder and with lying to investigators.

The charges were proffered against the four on Wednesday, according to the Navy. A preliminary hearing in military court is scheduled for December 10.

Melgar, assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group, was killed in the West African nation of Mali in June 2017, as first reported by the New York Times

Click here for the full article. 

Jim Mattis Visits Troops Stationed at US-Mexico Border


NY Senator to Provide Assistance with Property Tax Exemptions and Utility Bill Reduction

 Click on the flier to increase its size.

New York State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village, Far Rockaway) will be hosting a four-part event to provide his constituents with property tax exemptions and utility bill reduction assistance. Representatives from the following agencies will be present: NYS Comptroller's Office, NYC Department of Finance, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, Margert Community Corporation and Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica.

Source: The Office of State Senator James Sanders Jr. 

Judge Rejects Deal to Overhaul City’s Public Housing

 

By Luis Ferré-Sadurní and Benjamin Weiser

A federal judge rejected a sweeping settlement on Wednesday that would have appointed a monitor to oversee the troubled New York City Housing Authority and required the city to pump at least $1.2 billion into repairs.

The judge, William H. Pauley III, also strongly suggested that the federal government should take over the authority instead.

In a scathing opinion, Judge Pauley deplored the “breathtaking scope” of the squalid living conditions in the city’s public housing complexes. He rebuked the city for its mismanagement of the agency, and said the federal government had abdicated its legal responsibility to overhaul the nation’s largest stock of public housing that is home to about 400,000 vulnerable New Yorkers.

Click here for the full article.

Source: The New York Times (via Empire Report New York) 

NYC Public Advocate Candidates Debate, Clarify Mayoral Aspirations

 
By Gloria Pazmino

Candidates seeking to become New York city’s next public advocate debated the powers and role of the office during a town hall on Wednesday, with most agreeing it should be strengthened amid talk in the City Council of abolishing the position altogether.

The race for public advocate is expected to be one of the most crowded contests next year after Tish James, who currently holds the post, is sworn in as attorney general. Council Members Rafael Espinal, Eric Ulrich and Jumaane Williams were in attendance, along with Assemblymen Daniel O’Donnell and Michael Blake, as well as first-time candidates Dawn Smalls and Nomiki Konst. 

Click here for the full article.

Source: Politico (via Empire Report New York) 

MTA Proposals for Toll, Subway and Commuter Rail Hikes Revealed Ahead of Thursday Board Meeting


A source described one of the proposed hikes as the MTA's "own version of congestion pricing" 

By Andrew Siff

The MTA plans to propose an 8 percent toll hike -- double the usual percentage increase -- along with a 4 percent hike for commuter rail and express buses while keeping subway base fare the same and eliminating the MetroCard bonus, sources familiar with the plans tell News 4.

The agency plans to present its proposals at a board meeting Thursday.

Click here for summary. 

Source: NBC News 4 New York (via Empire Report New York)

NYS Unemployment Rate Dips to 4.0%, Matching All-Time Low


ALBANY, NY — New York State’s unemployment rate fell to 4.0% in October 2018, matching its lowest level on record (last reached in May 1988), according to preliminary figures released today by the New York State Department of Labor. In addition, the number of unemployed New Yorkers fell in October, from 397,600 to 387,700, its lowest level since April 2001. There was also a 26,600 person increase in the state’s civilian labor force, the largest monthly gain recorded since March 2004. Current labor force data extend back to 1976.

In addition, New York State’s private sector job count rose by 22,600, or 0.3%, to 8,218,800 in October 2018, a new, all-time high. Since the beginning of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s administration, New York State’s economy has added 1,124,700 private sector jobs and experienced employment growth in 81 of the past 94 months.

Click here for the full article.

Source: NEWZJUNKY.com (via Empire Report New York) 

New State Government Internship Opportunities for the Spring 2019 Semester


The New York State Department of Civil Service today announced the availability of more than 400 new student internships for the upcoming spring 2019 semester throughout New York State government and encouraged students to apply before the December 21, 2018 application deadline.

The Student Intern Program is part of Governor Cuomo’s New New York Leaders Initiative, which focuses on attracting new and highly-skilled individuals to the State workforce through internship and fellowship programs. More than 1,600 students have participated in the Student Intern Program since its launch in 2012.

“Through Governor Cuomo’s Student Intern Program, New York State is attracting and developing the next generation of leaders interested in serving our great Empire State,” said Lola W. Brabham, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Civil Service. “I encourage all interested students to apply and to learn firsthand the value of a career in public service.”

“For SUNY students aspiring to work in public service, the Student Intern Program is a valuable offering from our partners at the Department of Civil Service,” said SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson. “This program opens doors to real hands-on experiences throughout New York State government and a wide range of work in science, technology, and humanities-related professions, which complements the education SUNY provides on our 64 campuses.”

Student internships are available across a wide array of state agencies – both upstate and downstate – with opportunities in many professional disciplines such as information technology, criminal justice, human services, and engineering. Through this program, undergraduate and graduate students get valuable work experience and mentorship from government leaders and policy-makers.

“During college and graduate school, I had the good fortune to participate in a variety of internship programs with New York State,” said Jessica Rowe, Staffing Services Program Manager at the New York State Department of Civil Service. “It was through these internships that my interest in public service truly blossomed. I have come a long way from my first job with the State – planting flowers at a state park. Now, I have the opportunity to effect positive change on human resources policies that impact New Yorkers statewide.”

New York State has created a one-stop website – nysinternships.cs.ny.gov – that allows applicants to view job descriptions, create profiles, specify occupational interests, and upload resumes, writing samples, and letters of recommendation. Students can apply for multiple internships at the same time.
A current list of available internships for the spring 2019 session is available at: nysinternships.cs.ny.gov/nnyl/spring2019. Student internships will continue to be added to the Student Internship Portal through December 17, 2018.

Student internships are available to undergraduate and graduate students at colleges and universities throughout New York State, as well as New York residents enrolled elsewhere. Each intern works in a particular area within an Executive Branch agency or department.

Opportunities include paid and unpaid positions, and internships may provide academic credit depending on the policy of the intern’s educational institution.

Featured internships for the spring 2019 session include:
 
Enforcement Intern (Alcoholic Beverage Control Board - New York City): Student interns will assist Investigators and other Enforcement staff in researching data, summarizing police and/or investigative reports, taking phone complaints regarding possible violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, and other daily activities. Interns will also participate in underage compliance checks and assist Investigators in the field. 
 
Classification and Compensation Intern (Department of Civil Service - Albany):  As part of the Department’s Division of Classification and Compensation, interns will gain an exposure to human resource management, division operations, and how budget considerations affect agency operations. Intern duties will consist of a range of activities that include position classification and reclassification, title allocation and reallocation, preparation of Classification Standards, review and analysis of requests for salary differentials, and occupational studies. 
 
Bureau of Pesticide Management Intern (Department of Environmental Conservation – Stony Brook): The intern will work with the Bureau of Pesticide Management’s Outreach and Web committees to proactively promote program objectives. Tasks may include drafting GovDelivery publications, updating program brochures, publicizing pollinator protection, and videotaping program objectives for training and social media promotion. 
 
Youth and Young Adult Services Intern (Office of Children and Family Services-Rensselaer): There are two internships in the Office of Youth and Young Adult Services. One will support the agency's Anti-Trafficking work, and the other will support the Youth Development and Cross-Over Youth program areas. Duties include research, supporting program initiatives and special events, creating, reading, reviewing, and evaluating program materials, managing program resources such as SharePoint, and other duties as assigned.

Three internship sessions are offered each year: spring, summer, and fall.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

The Republican Candidates Who Say Counting Votes Is ‘Stealing Elections’


In tight races across the country, some Republican candidates have sought to create a narrative without evidence that their wins are being stolen from them.

By Gideon Resnick

As a number of races have yet to be called throughout the country, a number of Republican candidates in close contests have said that standard vote-counting procedures are an effort by Democrats to steal elections.

This has been most visible in Florida, where a messy ballot process and a state-mandated machine recount have complicated a razor-thin Senate race between Republican Gov. Rick Scott and incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. (The state’s gubernatorial race between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum is also under recount, though the initial margin there is larger for DeSantis.)

The senate election recount has involved lawsuits and questions about how many provisional and mail-in ballots were determined invalid because of signature discrepancies. It’s even possible that a poor ballot design in liberal Broward County—where there were a lot of undervotes—could cost Nelson the race.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: The Daily Beast

Will Renewed US Sanctions on Iran Bite?


Con Edison: Scammers Trying to Steal Money via Bitcoin Scheme


This report was originally broadcast on November 9.

Vatican Delays Taking Action on Sexual Abuse by Priests


Georgia Legislator, Arrested at Work, Says She Was ‘Singled Out as a Black Female Senator’

 
A white male colleague, who was not arrested at the same voting protest, agrees that state Sen. Nikema Williams was “treated differently.”


Georgia state Sen. Nikema Williams (D-Atlanta) was arrested along with more than a dozen other protesters at the Georgia State Capitol on Tuesday afternoon at a demonstration asking the state to “count every vote” from last week’s gubernatorial election. Protesters shouted “Let her go!” as Williams was handcuffed while the General Assembly was in session. 

Williams, a civil rights advocate who organized domestic workers for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, was charged with misdemeanor obstruction of justice and spent about six hours at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta.

“There are countless Georgians who cast their ballots and still don’t feel like their voices are heard,” she said in a statement after being released. “I joined them down on the floor, and I was singled out as a Black female senator standing in the rotunda with constituents.”

Click here for the full article. 

Source: The Huffington Post  

An Emoluments Suit Against Trump Is Moving Ahead. ProPublica Speaks to a Plaintiff About What’s Next.




“Trump, Inc.” Podcast Extra

Source: ProPublica

Vice President Pence Presses Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi on Rohingya, Jailed Journalists

 
Pence tells Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi in at a bilateral meeting in Singapore that violence against Rohingya Muslims is “without excuse.” Suu Kyi replies: “We understand our country better than any other country does.”

Click here for video. 

Source: C-SPAN 

Senate Republican Leaders Hold Press Conference


Following leadership elections, newly elected Senate Republican leaders speak with reporters.

Click here for video. 

Source: C-SPAN 

House Democratics Speak with Reporters About Party Leadership


Click here for video.

Analyzing the Florida Recounts in Governor and Senate Races

 
Florida State University’s Michael Morley talked about the ballot recount in Florida’s governor and Senate races. He spoke via video link from Tallahassee.

Click here for video. 

Source: C-SPAN 

Democracy Now!: Top U.S. & World Headlines


Acting Attorney General Whitaker Gives Remarks on Violent Crime and the Opioid Crisis


Camp Fire Claims at Least 48 Lives, as Search for Missing Continues

Family Files Lawsuit After Bar Security Guard Fatally Shot by Police


Trudeau Speaks with Putin at Paris Forum


This report was published on YouTube on November 12.

Central African Republic: Leader of Seleka Fighters Speaks Up


Ukrainians Protest as Gas Price Dispute Leaves Houses Freezing


Singapore Summit: US-China Trade War Dominates Talks


Hariri Accuses Hezbollah of Blocking Lebanon Government Formation


May Calls Cabinet Meeting After UK, EU Agree on Draft Brexit Deal


US Trial of Mexico's 'El Chapo' to Begin Amid Heavy Security


Field for Public Advocate Special Election Comes Into Focus


Letitia James’ win in the race to become the next New York Attorney General means there will be a special election early in 2019 to name New York City’s next Public Advocate. The candidates for what will be a roughly three-month race were just beginning to become clear when news broke of planned City Council legislation calling for the position of public advocate to be abolished, as reported by Politico.

Though the post of public advocate has had critics since it was created during a massive 1989 New York City Charter revision process, the Council bill faces an uphill path to passage, and the race to replace James as one of just three popularly-elected citywide officials will capture much of the city’s political attention over the coming weeks.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: Gotham Gazette (via Empire Report New York)

Cor Development Launches Thanksgiving Food and Clothing Drive

 
by CNYCentral

COR Development, is hosting a Thanksgiving holiday food and clothing drive that will take place in COR’s shopping centers and other locations around the Syracuse area.

From now through through November 20th, neighbors are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items and toiletries, winter coats and jackets for adults and children, and packaged white socks for adults and children.

The donations will be given to local non-profits In My Fathers Kitchen and the Dewitt Food Pantry.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: Empire Report New York 

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Stan Lee Created 'The X-Men' as an Anti-Bigotry Story


This video was published on YouTube on July 29, 2013.

Stan Lee answering a question at 2013 Fandomfest in Louisville, Kentucky on why he created the X-Men as diverse characters.

Source: Comicbook.com

Trump Points to Polls in France, Where 80 Percent Say He’s a Dangerous, Incompetent Racist


On Tuesday morning, the President of the United States encouraged Americans to study opinion polls in France, apparently unaware of a recent survey there showing that 8 of 10 French citizens consider him to be a dangerous, incompetent racist.

According to the polling, conducted last week for Le Figaro, a conservative newspaper, just 20 percent of French citizens call Donald Trump competent, while 84 percent agree that he is “racist” and 83 percent say he is “dangerous.” His overall approval rating comes in at 10 percent.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: The Intercept_

CNN Sues Trump for Banning Journalist Jim Acosta from White House


Lawsuit names six White House and Secret Service staff, including the president

By Sarah Harvard, New York, and Chris Stevenson 

CNN is suing Donald Trump and several of his aides after the network’s chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta was banned from accessing the building.

Last week, the White House suspended Mr Acosta’s press pass, after the reporter asked the president about his language surrounding the migrant caravan heading to the US border, resulting in a heated exchange. The White House accused Mr Acosta of placing his hands on an intern who was trying to take a microphone away from him during the press conference.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders later shared an apparently distorted video clip of the press conference as evidence.

Click here for the full article.

Source: The Independent 

Senators Schumer and Nelson Call for the Recusal of Gov. Rick Scott


Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer
and Senator Bill Nelson call for the recusal of Governor Rick Scott in the Florida U.S. Senate race and say all votes should be counted even if it takes longer than the current Sunday deadline.

Click here for video.