Saturday, July 27, 2019

John Paul Stevens Left 'Profound' Legacy Challenging Death Penalty, Gun Laws & Executive Power


This report was published on YouTube on July 26.

'Beyond the Streets' Exhibit Showcases Street Art


How Violinist Gaelynn Lea is Redefining Who Can Be a Musician


This report was published on YouTube on July 26.

Anger Spreading After Fraternity Poses at Vandalized Emmett Till Memorial


This report was published on YouTube on July 26.

Supreme Court Lifts Funds Freeze for Border Wall


Biden Still Tops 2020 Democratic Field Ahead of Debates Next Week


This report was published on YouTube on July 26.

Behind the Dramatic Arrest of 16 Marines: 'It's a Shock to the System'


This report was published on YouTube on July 26.

Do American Political Divisions Impact Troops? Here’s What Enlisted Leaders Have to Say

 
Click here for the report. 

Source: The Military Times

Jews & Comedy: An Analysis by Renowned Historian Joseph Dorinson


This video was published on YouTube on July 3, 2019. 

BJHI: Historian Sarina Roffe interviews Joseph Dorinson about Jews in comedy and their shared Brooklyn roots.

A noted authority in the field of popular culture, Dorinson's research specialties involve sports history, with emphasis on the Brooklyn Dodgers and African American sports heroes, humor studies, Russian immigration, Brooklyn and Jewish history, and World War II movies and music. 

His television appearances have included Fox News; NBC Morning News; the WLIW-TV program, "Brooklyn: The Way It Was;" and New York 1 News.

Source: The Brooklyn Jewish Historical Initiative (BJHI)

Thursday, July 25, 2019

A$AP Rocky: Did Far-Right Extremism Play a Role in New York Rapper's Altercation?


By Gary Glennell Toms 

Over the last several years, a number of European news outlets have published reports on the rise of far-right extremists and political parties in Stockholm and other sections of Sweden. The reports revealed that the number of assaults against immigrants, particularly those from African and Muslim countries, have steadily increased and that the victims were often attacked without justification or warning.  

In 2015, The Guardian reported on the case of Kyle James. The publication noted that James,"a black New Yorker with a top job in banking, had been warned to expect problems in bars and nightclubs in Stockholm when he visited the city in July. But nothing prepared him for what happened when he entered a well-known bar with two black friends." The article goes into detail about how bouncers at the establishment confronted James and asked him to leave shortly after finishing his drink. When James asked them why he was being asked to leave, "they dragged him outside, pepper-sprayed his eyes and pinned him to the ground. Police then handcuffed him and his friends. James, 32, was made to strip naked and spent the night without clothes in a cell,"  according to the report.

In 2017, DW News reported the following: "Far-right groups in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries are gaining ground. There are growing calls from their ranks for a Nordic revolution. And they are not afraid to use violence to support these racist views." 


In 2018, the Swedish newspaper The Local reported that the United Nations issued a report expressing concern over the “racist hate speech against Afro-Swedes, Jews, Muslims and Roma”, a problem that the committee said is particularly prevalent "during election campaigns, as well as in the media and on the internet.”

From The G-Man has no information on what may have been the catalyst for the situation the Harlem native now finds himself in. However, given the aforementioned reports and others that have been published online, this news site has three critical questions for the Swedish government, its judiciary and law enforcement officials. 

Are the United Nations report and the cited news stories accurate? 

If they are accurate, can you guarantee that every effort will be made to investigate if A$AP and the men with him may have been provoked because of their race? 

In the wake of these reports, especially the one concerning Kyle James, can you guarantee that A$AP will receive a fair trial? 

110th NAACP National Convention Recap




(Bonus Report)
Democratic Presidential Candidates Speak at NAACP Convention

Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats on the First 200 Days of Congress


Click here for video.

Source: C-SPAN

House Minority Leader Weekly Briefing

 
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) held a news conference on the legislative agenda, taking questions from reporters on a two-year budget deal and testimony from former Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

Click here for video.

Source: C-SPAN

House Committee to Vote on Holding Kellyanne Conway in Contempt


A$AP Rocky Officially Charged with Assault in Sweden


Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló Resigns


North Korea Fires Two Short-Range Missiles from Coastal City


Iran's Rouhani Hints at Possible Swap for Seized Tankers


Sudan's Opposition Coalition Leaders Reach 'Political Deal'


Pop Icon to Presidential Candidate: Who is Uganda's Bobi Wine?


Turkey Allegedly Deporting Thousands of Migrants to Syria


Paris Records All-Time Hottest Day as Europe Bakes in Heatwave


France's Flyboard Hero Fails to Cross the English Channel


Tunisia President Dies: 'One of the Last Giants of Tunisian Politics'


After 17 Cyclists Die, New York City Makes $58.4 Million Plan

 
Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plans will include more protected lanes and more police enforcement at high-crash intersections.

Click here for the report. 

Source: The New York Times 

The Power of the Pen: Legislation Signed to Protect New Yorkers Against Data Breaches


Governor Andrew Cuomo today signed legislation to protect New Yorkers against security breaches. The Governor signed the Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security - or SHIELD - Act (S.5575B/A.5635), which imposes stronger obligations on businesses handling private data to provide proper notification to affected consumers when there is a security breach. The Governor also signed legislation (A.2374/S.3582) requiring consumer credit reporting agencies to offer identity theft prevention and mitigation services to consumers who have been affected by a security breach of the agency's system. 

"As technology seeps into practically every aspect of our daily lives, it is increasingly critical that we do everything we can to ensure the information that companies are trusted with is secure," Governor Cuomo said. "The stark reality is security breaches are becoming more frequent and with this legislation New York is taking steps to increase protections for consumers and holding these companies accountable when they mishandle sensitive data." 

Attorney General Letitia James said, "The SHIELD Act is now the law of the land and provides better protections for consumers' private information. New Yorkers deserve the peace of mind that companies will be held accountable for securing their information. We thank Governor Cuomo and the bill's co-sponsors, Senator Thomas and Assembly Member DenDekker, for their advocacy and support for this important piece of legislation." 

Click here for the full announcement.

Note: If the aforementioned report is not listed, check the site a little later. 

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo 

Real Estate Weekly: Owners Put Rehabs on Hold


New York City’s biggest landlord has stopped apartment renovations at the giant Stuy Town apartment complex as it weighs the impact of new rent laws on its bottom line.

The company said last week , “In light of the recent legislation, we are in the process of evaluating capital investments at Stuy Town.”

Blackstone owns over 14,000 apartment units across the city. As well as the 11,200-unit Stuy Town rental, the world’s biggest asset manager owns Kips Bay Court in Manhattan and Parker Towers in Queens.

Click here for the report. 

250 NY State Government Internships Available for the Upcoming Fall Semester


On National Intern Day, the Department of Civil Service announced more than 250 new student internship opportunities currently available for the upcoming fall semester throughout New York State government and reminded students to apply prior to the September 13, 2019 application deadline. Internships are available across a wide array of State agencies and include opportunities in human services, environmental conservation, criminal justice, health care, and engineering.

The Department of Civil Service has created a one-stop website – www.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. A list of available internships for the fall 2019 Session is available by visiting: www.nysinternships.cs.ny.gov/nnyl/main/viewinternships.cfm.

“Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York State is attracting and developing our future leaders in State government and providing them with valuable skills and hands-on experience that will assist them as they step out into the workplace,” said Lola W. Brabham, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Civil Service. “Today and every day, let us thank our student interns for their valuable contributions to State government and their efforts in building a better and stronger New York for all.”

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 State government through both internship and fellowship programs. Through this program, students are exposed to the work of governing, while gaining valuable hands-on experience serving the people and interacting with government leaders and policy-makers.

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 both paid and unpaid positions. Academic credit may be given for internships depending on the policy of the intern’s educational institution.

Featured internships for the fall 2019 session include:

Classification & 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. 

Accounting & Investigative Intern (Gaming Commission – New York City): Student interns will work within the Office of the Gaming Inspector General and will assist staff with investigations of allegations of corruption, fraud, criminal activity or abuse in the Commission. Interns will be exposed to a number of different experiences, including attending public meetings, participating in interviews, and preparing data analysis and/or memoranda.

Social Work Intern (Office of Children and Family Services - Rensselaer): Working within the Bureau of Behavioral Health Science, the student intern will learn how to process applications for Medicaid waiver services, and receive supervision to develop a short-term wellness program for staff. In addition, the intern will learn about the process of assessing and treating youth with mental health diagnoses. 

Program Services Intern (Department of Corrections and Community Supervision – Gowanda): Student interns will assist staff in completing initial assessments, risk assessments, and participate in the development of treatment plans for inmate clients. In addition, interns will become familiarized with the Criminal Justice System, from courts, to incarceration and release to the community. They will also develop clinical skills and professionalism, while maintaining ethical standards in the field.

Source:  The Department of Civil Service

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Iowa Man Used His Fortune to Send 33 Strangers to College


The Young Lords: Exploring the Legacy of the Radical Puerto Rican Activist Group 50 Years Later


Senate Passes 9/11 Bill Pushed by Jon Stewart


Neighbors Who Stopped ICE from Arresting Undocumented Immigrant Speak Out


FTC Expected to Fine Facebook $5B Over Privacy Claims


Tensions Remain High in Persian Gulf as United Kingdom Calls for Protection from Iran


Can China Become a Military Superpower?


West Africa Piracy: Attacks on Ships Continue to Rise


French ‘Flyboard’ Inventor Prepares for Channel Crossing


Theresa May: 'Thank You for Putting Your Faith in Me'


Boris Johnson's First Speech as British PM: New Leader Vows to Leave EU


UCCA: Ukraine Proves Its Commitment To Democracy

Click on the graph to increase its size. 

Kyiv, Ukraine -The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America’s (UCCA) international Election Observer Mission (EOM), which observed the elections in every region of Ukraine, as well as at the diplomatic posts in the United States – affirms that the July 21stparliamentaryelections met international standards for free and fair elections that accurately reflects the will of the electorate.

Click here for the full announcement. 


UCCA President Visits Ukrainian-American Community in Oregon 

The President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the representative organization of over one million Americans of Ukrainian descent, traveled to Oregon on July 9-10 to meet with representatives of the Ukrainian-American community.  

During his two-day visit, UCCA’s Andriy Futey met with the leadership and members of the Ukrainian American Cultural Association of Oregon and Southwest Washington (UACA), a non-profit, educational & cultural organization that promotes Ukrainian heritage and traditions in the Pacific Northwest, and which provides assistance to Ukrainians in the greater Portland metropolitan area as well as to Ukrainians in Ukraine. During their discussions, Mr. Futey outlined the work of UCCA, emphasized the importance of unity within the Ukrainian-American community, and encouraged UACA to join UCCA, which unites fraternal, educational, veterans, religious, cultural and humanitarian Ukrainian-American organizations under one national umbrella organization.
 
During his visit to the area, UCCA’s President also met with the management and employees of two Pacific Northwest branches of the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union, located in Portland, OR, and Federal Way, WA. Highlighting UCCA’s long collaboration with the Ukrainian National Federal Credit Union Association — a UCCA member organization which is represented on UCCA’ Executive Board — Mr. Futey emphasized how important it is for the community to continue to invest in Ukrainian Credit Unions, as these institutions continually reinvest their earnings into community projects and initiatives.
 
Over the course of his two-day visit, Mr. Futey also appeared on two live radio programs on Nashe Radio, where he once again underscored the importance of unity within our Ukrainian-American community.  During the radio call-in portion of the show, Mr. Futey addressed the various ways UCCA supports the community and their issues of concern.
 
On the final evening of his visit, UCCA’s President addressed the parishioners of the Ukrainian Bible Church, a large Ukrainian Pentecostal Christian congregation located in Fairview, OR.  During his remarks, Futey outlined the historical role UCCA played in advocating for religious freedom in Ukraine, and how UCCA continues work with the various religious denominations in Ukraine, specifically the Christian community.
 
“It was an honor to meet so many members of this active and vibrant Pacific Northwest hromada.  I hope UCCA will be able to strengthen its cooperation with this 80,000-strong community, because together we can wield much more influence on the United States political process, and have a greater ability to assist our brethren in Ukraine” remarked Futey. “I’m grateful to the Ukrainian American Cultural Association of Oregon and Southwest Washington for inviting me to Oregon, and I look forward to a fruitful relationship going forward” concluded UCCA’s President.

Source: UCCA  

Robert Mueller Testifies on His Report, Trump and Russia


Tuesday, July 23, 2019

New Budget Deal Raises Concerns About National Debt


Vigil for Slain Transgender Woman in South Carolina


'We Are Not Anti-Science': Why Indigenous Protectors Oppose the Thirty Meter Telescope at Mauna Kea


Citing Intense Public Interest, Judge Unseals Files in Case of Trump Associate Felix Sater

 
Click here for the report.

Source: The Intercept_

He Was Told to Go Back to Africa. Instead, He May Go to the U.S. Senate.


Click here for the report.

Source: The Intercept_

Banking and Cannabis Sellers


The Senate Banking Committee holds a hearing about banking challenges for cannabis owners and sellers in states where marijuana has been legalized.

Click here for video. 

Source: C-SPAN 

This Detroit Nonprofit Provides Jobs, Clothing and Shelter All at Once


This report was published on YouTube on July 22.

FBI Director Wray Faces Questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee


Senate Votes on 9/11 First Responders' Funding


What to Expect from Robert Mueller's Testimony Tomorrow


Police and Protesters Clash in Puerto Rico as Political Crisis Escalates


US Introduces New Fast-Track Deportation Process


Greta Thunberg: Who is She and What is She Asking of France?


UK Creating 'Maritime Protection Mission' in Response to Iran


Massive Power Cut in Venezuela Plunges Caracas Into Darkness


RCMP Warning Public About Safety in Wake of B.C. Double Murder, Missing Teens


Global News: Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are warning the public to stay vigilant about safety in the wake of a double murder and two teens missing both in the northern B.C. area.

Politicians, UK Residents and Boris Johnson's Father React to Leadership Win


'Deliver Brexit, Defeat Jeremy Corbin': Boris Johnson New UK PM


Full Acceptance Speech

Global News: Boris Johnson, the ebullient Brexiteer who has promised to lead Britain out of the European Union with or without a deal by Halloween, will replace Theresa May as prime minister after winning the leadership of the Conservative Party on Tuesday. 

His victory catapults the United Kingdom towards a Brexit showdown with the EU and towards a constitutional crisis at home, as British lawmakers have vowed to bring down any government that tries to leave the bloc without a divorce deal. 

Johnson, the face of the 2016 Brexit referendum, won the votes of 92,153 members of the Conservative party, to 46,656 for his rival, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

The Power of the Pen: New Law Criminalizes the Publication of Revenge Porn in NY

 
Governor Cuomo today signed into law S.1719C/ A.5981, criminalizing the publication of "revenge porn," or the non-consensual sharing or publication of an intimate image. This new law subjects abusers to criminal penalties of up to a year in jail, plus civil damages, and empowers victims to seek a court order to remove these images online. 

"Our laws have not kept pace with technology and how abusers can use it to harass, intimidate and humiliate intimate partners," Governor Cuomo said. "By criminalizing the publication of revenge porn, we are empowering victims of this heinous act to take action against their abusers and showing them a path to justice." 

Click here for the full announcement.

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo 

New York City to Consider Banning Sale of Cellphone Location Data


A bill would make it illegal for cellphone companies and mobile apps to share user location information collected in the city without a customer’s explicit permission.

Click here for the report.

Source: The New York Times 

Storms Bring Floods and Power Failures to Weary N.Y. and N.J. Residents

 
The winds, and in some cases, hail, left more than 200,000 customers without power in New Jersey on Tuesday morning.

Click here for the report.

Source: The New York Times 

Groups of Jeering Men Douse NYPD Cops with Water


Click here for the written report.

Source: The New York Daily News

From The G-Man is urging young men and women in the Harlem community and abroad to refrain from engaging in this type of behavior. These actions will only increase the level of tension between police officers and communities of color, and it is an extremely bad look. This site hopes that residents will stand up and speak out against the young people committing these acts before the situation turns deadly.  

Monday, July 22, 2019

EPA Refuses to Ban Dangerous Pesticide Chlorpyrifos Linked to Brain Damage in Children


House Republicans Vow Tough Questions for Mueller at Hearing

 
Click here for the report.

Source: Associated Press

Racism Is an Impeachable Offense

 
By Shaun King

Donald Trump has a rich, varied history of racism, bigotry, and discrimination going back to at least 1973, when the Justice Department filed a racial bias suit against him for mistreating Black applicants and tenants all over New York. At the time, it was one of the largest lawsuits of its kind. That was 46 years ago. Since then, the list of offenses has piled up. In a better time, his racist behavior would have prevented him from ever being elected, but here we are. He’s president and now he’s openly carrying that bigotry right into the Oval Office. Not only do I think he is violating his oath of office — I think his open, flagrant bigotry is an impeachable offense.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: The Intercept_

The Week Ahead in Washington


Los Angeles Times White House reporter Noah Bierman and Wall Street Journal congressional reporter Siobhan Hughes preview the week ahead in Washington.

This video may not play on certain browsers. Click here if you experience problems.

Justice Stevens Lies in Repose at the Supreme Court


Mom Searches for Answers After Daughter 'Vanished'


Protesters in Puerto Rico Call for Governor Ricardo Rosello to Step Down


WARNING: Stream may contain graphic language. Viewer discretion advised. 

Protesters representing various groups gather to call on Governor Ricardo Rosello to step down from power, after a corruption scandal and inappropriate chat messages rocked his administration.

Kenya's Finance Minister, Top Officials Arrested for Corruption


Ethiopia's Water Problem: Excessive Fluoride Treated with Bones


Iraq's Polluted Water Supply Sickens 120,000 People


Pakistan's Khan to Meet Trump with Afghan Peace on Agenda


Iran Announces Breakup of 'CIA Spy Ring', Some Sentenced to Death



Israel Demolishes Palestinian Homes on Jerusalem Outskirts


Ukraine's President Zelenskiy on Course for Absolute Majority in Parliament


Melinda Gates: 'In Africa, Digital Financial Inclusion for Women is Fundamental'


Britain Mulls Sanctions in Response to Iran Tanker Seizure, Report Says


Hong Kong Police Fire Tear Gas as Protests Descend Into Chaos


Global News: On July 22, protests in Hong Kong turned chaotic as police fired at demonstrators with rubber bullets and tear gas. 

Anger over an extradition bill morphed into a fresh front against what many see as a broader erosion of freedoms by the city's political masters in Beijing, China.

$19.2 Million Settlement Reached with EQUIFAX Over 2017 Data Breach


Governor Andrew Cuomo and Attorney General Letitia James today announced that New York is holding Equifax Inc. accountable for the 2017 data breach that exposed the sensitive financial and personal information of millions of Americans, including 8.5 million New Yorkers.

The settlement stems from separate investigations by the Department of Financial Services and the New York Attorney General's Office into the credit rating agency and two of its subsidiaries, Equifax Information Services LLC and Equifax Consumer Services LLC.

Under the settlement, the companies will pay a fine of $10 million to DFS, $9.2 million to the New York Attorney General's Office as part of $175 million to Multi-State Attorney Generals including New York, and Equifax has committed up to $425 million to the consumer restitution fund.

"Credit rating agencies have a responsibility to safeguard consumers' financial and personal information, and this egregious data breach and the agency's response was completely unacceptable," Governor Cuomo said. "In New York we are sending a clear message to these agencies that they will be held accountable if they leave consumers' private data vulnerable to exposure, and we will continue our rigorous oversight of these agencies to ensure New Yorkers are protected in the future."

Attorney General Letitia James said, "Equifax put profits over privacy and greed over people, and must be held accountable to the millions of people they put at risk. This company's ineptitude, negligence, and lax security standards endangered the identities of half the U.S. population. Now it's time for the company to do what's right and not only pay restitution to the millions of victims of their data breach, but also provide every American who had their highly sensitive information accessed with the tools they need to battle identity theft in the future."

Click here for the full announcement.

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

N.Y. Power Outages: After 50,000 Lose Electricity, Service Begins to Return


More than 21,000 customers, mostly in Brooklyn, were still without power on Monday, as an intense three-day heat wave ended.

Click here for the report.

Source: The New York Times

Robert Morgenthau, Manhattan D.A. for More Than Three Decades, Dies at 99

 
Click here for the report.

Source: The New York Daily News 

Statement from Governor Andrew Cuomo 

 "I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Robert Morgenthau, a true New York hero whose dedication to public service and the law was matched only by the impact he had on the young prosecutors and lawyers like me who worked for him.

"Mr. Morgenthau was the gold standard of prosecutors and the model public servant, dedicating his life to achieving justice and protecting the public over the course of a storied career as a federal prosecutor under two presidents and as the longest serving Manhattan DA in history.

"He did his work with humility and integrity, and created the prestige of the DA's office — and New York is a better place because of him. I keep my assistant district attorney badge from the time I worked for Mr. Morgenthau on my desk as a daily reminder of his unrelenting pursuit of justice.

"In honor of Mr. Morgenthau, I am directing flags on State government buildings to be lowered to half-staff starting Wednesday, July 24th until interment.   

"On behalf of the entire New York family, I extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Morgenthau's family, including his wife Lucinda, his children Jenny, Anne, Elinor, Robert, Barbara, Joshua and Amy and his six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren."

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo 

NYPD Detective Dies from 9/11-Related Cancer

Det. Christopher Cranston

Click here for the report.

Source: The New York Daily News