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US Politicians facing TIME-IN-PRISON
7/15/2016 9:41:11 AM
'Bridgegate' figure admits graft in United Airlines case

David Samson
Richard Perry/The New York Times David Samson

NEWARK, N.J., July 14 (Reuters) - A close confidant of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie pleaded guilty on Thursday to his role in a bribery scheme involving United Airlines, in a case that emerged from the federal investigation into the "Bridgegate" scandal.

David Samson, 76, the former chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, faces up to two years in prison under a plea agreement for using his position to pressure United into operating a flight between Newark, New Jersey, and Columbia, South Carolina, near where he owned a vacation home.

The plea deal does not require his cooperation with authorities.

The airline agreed to pay a $2.25 million penalty as part of a non-prosecution agreement with the government that also mandates improvements in the company's anti-bribery program.

The case grew out of the probe into the shutdown of lanes on the George Washington Bridge in September 2013 that caused massive traffic delays. Two former Christie allies have been charged with orchestrating that plot as political payback against a local mayor.

The airline scheme, which was unrelated to the bridge scandal, nevertheless served as a further embarrassment for Christie, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination and has seen his approval ratings tank. Christie's office declined to comment.

The case also had an impact on United Continental Holdings Inc, whose chief executive Jeff Smisek and two other senior executives resigned in September 2015 after an internal probe into the matter.

"As we move forward, continuing to earn and keep the trust of our employees, customers, shareholders, and the communities we serve around the world remains critical to our success," Oscar Munoz, who took over as CEO after Smisek's resignation, said in a statement.

"CHAIRMAN'S FLIGHT"

The flights to Columbia from Newark Liberty International Airport, which is run by the Port Authority and where United sought improvements, were more than half-empty on average, according to U.S. government data. They ended after Samson resigned in 2014.

"This kind of case shakes public confidence in our institutions of government when people who are so accomplished, and who have occupied so many positions of public trust, misuse their authority to get something for themselves," Paul Fishman, the U.S. attorney in New Jersey, said in a statement.

In September 2011, Samson and Jamie Fox, a paid lobbyist for United who was Christie's former state transportation commissioner, had dinner with several United employees.

At the time, United was the largest carrier at Newark. The Port Authority's board was considering a proposal to build a hangar for wide-bodied planes, a project that stood to benefit United.

Samson and Fox urged United to restore the flight between Newark and Columbia, which had been canceled in 2009, prosecutors said. When airline representatives concluded the flight would lose money, Samson removed the hangar proposal from the board's agenda.

Following a series of email exchanges, the board took up the proposal again and approved it in December 2011. United then reinstated the flight, which Samson called the "Chairman's Flight," according to prosecutors.

Fox, 61, was charged on Thursday with conspiring to commit bribery.

Samson's attorney, Michael Chertoff, did not respond to a request for comment.

The Bridgegate scandal has led to charges against two former Christie allies: William Baroni, a former Port Authority official, and Bridget Kelly, the governor's former deputy chief of staff, are scheduled to face trial in September.

David Wildstein, also a former official at the Port Authority, has pleaded guilty and is cooperating.

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RE: Oh Really? WOW!
7/15/2016 10:13:55 AM

Bastille Day attack: What we know so far

No group has claimed responsibility

A truck rammed into a crowd that had gathered to celebrate Bastille Day in Nice, killing at least 84 people, according to French media.

The crowd had watched a fireworks show on the promenade and was leaving the area when a large white truck appeared. The driver of the truck fired a shot at the people and then plowed through the crowd on the main street for more than a mile. One witness said that the truck appeared to zigzag through the crowd, and another witness said the driver appeared to accelerate when hitting people. The driver was shot and killed.

Here's the rundown:

Who's responsible? It's unclear so far. No group has claimed responsibility. But the French and U.S. presidents are calling this a terror attack.

French president delivers yet another somber address: French president Francois Hollande vowed to crackdown on France's enemies and is asking parliament to extend the country's state of emergency by three months. "France is afflicted, but she is strong, and she will always be stronger than the fanatics who want to strike her today," he said.

What was the scene like? One minute, it was a jubilant celebration of Bastille Day. The next, it devolved into chaos and carnage.

World leaders express shock and sympathy: It feels almost routine now. Another terror attack results in an outpouring of condemnation against the attacker and expressions of solidarity for the victims.

Have trucks been used as weapons before? Yes, they have been used as weapons before, but the lethality of such attacks had been relatively low until the attack in Nice. Not only do we have to worry about truck bombs, now the vehicles are used as weapons, writes Peter Bergen, CNN's national security analyst.

What's the reaction in the U.S.? Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton chimed in on the France terror attack. Trump: "We have to be tough," and he reiterated that the U.S. should reverse its decision to allow Syrian refugees into the country. Clinton told CNN that greater intelligence gathering, not military force, is necessary.

There's more from the U.S. though: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wants the U.S. to test and deport every person with a Muslim background who believes in Sharia law.



Quote:
Bastille Day attack in Nice: World reactions

A truck rammed into the crowd during Bastille Day celebrations in the French city of Nice during Bastille Day celebrations on July 14, 2016, killing at least 80 people and injuring hundreds. Following the attack, world leaders and renowned personalities expressed their sorrow and sent condolence messages to the families of the victims.

Reuters TV/Reuters

François Hollande

"France is weeping, grieved, but it is strong and will always be stronger that the fanatics who want to strike today. #Nice"

Barack Obama

"On behalf of the American people, I condemn in the strongest terms what appears to be a horrific terrorist attack in Nice, France, which killed and wounded dozens of innocent civilians. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and other loved ones of those killed, and we wish a full recovery for the many wounded. We stand in solidarity and partnership with France, our oldest ally, as they respond to and recover from this attack."

Justin Trudeau

"Canadians are shocked by tonight's attack in Nice. Our sympathy is with the victims, and our solidarity with the French people."


Getty Images

Angela Merkel

"All of us who have come together at the ASEM summit are united in our feeling of disbelief at the attack of mass murder in Nice. Germany stands in the fight against terrorism at France's side, united with many, many others. I am convinced that, despite all the difficulties, we shall win this fight."

Enrique Peña Nieto

"Mexico condemns all acts of violence such as occurred in Nice. We regret the loss of life and we stand in solidarity with the French people."

John Kerry

"Today's horrendous attack in Nice is an attack against innocent people on a day that celebrates Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. On behalf of all Americans, and especially the great many with close ties to France, I offer our deepest condolences to the friends and family of those who were killed and our hopes for a speedy recovery to those who were injured."

AP Photo

Hillary Clinton

"Every American stands in strong solidarity with the people of France, and we say with one voice: we will not be intimidated. We will never allow terrorists to undermine the egalitarian and democratic values that underpin our very way of life. This cowardly attack only strengthens our commitment to our alliance and to defeating terrorism around the world."

Narendra Modi

"Appalled by the horrific attack in Nice. I strongly condemn such mindless acts of violence. My thoughts are with the families of deceased."

Donald J. Trump

"Another horrific attack, this time in Nice, France. Many dead and injured. When will we learn? It is only getting worse."


Gabe Ginsberg/WireImage/Getty Images

Jennifer Lawrence

"Tragic and sad news once again, thoughts and prayers with all the victims and their families. #PrayForNice"

Jenson Button

"Another horrific attack, My heart goes out to all the people affected by this disgusting attack on innocent lives. #JeSuisNice"

Ted Cruz

"Tonight, our close ally France is reeling from yet another major attack apparently carried out by radical Islamic terrorists."

Jacopo Raule/WireImage/Getty Images

Paulo Coelho

"Is prayer enough? I don't know, but this is the only thing I can do tonight. God, give us strength. #PrayForNice"

Lea Michele

"So very sad to hear about the news in Nice. Sending all my love and prayers… #PrayForNice"

Boris Johnson

"Shocked and saddened by the appalling events in Nice, and the terrible loss of life."


Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Mia Farrow

"Sending love to friends in France. #Nice"

Amu Schumer

"Enough #PrayForNice"

Lily Allen

"So sad to learn of the situation in Nice right now. I wish senseless killings would stop happening, the world over."

URL

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RE: Oh Really? WOW!
7/15/2016 2:49:12 PM
DL Hughley Rips Fox News on ‘Kelly File': ‘I’m Insulted by the Things I Hear on This Network’ (Video)

D.L. Hughley appeared on Megyn Kelly's Fox News show Wednesday night to discuss police brutality and the two didn't exactly see eye to eye, eventually leading the comedian to openly mock the network in front of his visibly annoyed host.

Hughley started off the segment by saying that he didn't know Mark Fuhrman, who is now a Fox News contributor but gained fame being portrayed as a racist cop in O.J. Simpson trial, was going to be on the show before him.

"I think that cops have a different perspective than us and I think it was interesting to hear Mark Fuhrman, who got in trouble for perjuring himself call someone a liar. It's ridiculous to me," Hughley said.

Hughley went on to question why cops gets a presumption of innocence and recent shootings captured by Facebook Live would be enough evidence if the roles were reversed.

"We could see somebody getting shot down death... '[They'll say] we don't know what happened before. We don't know what happened after,'" Hughley said before pondering why the first question when a black man is caught with a gun in an open-carry state isn't, "Do you have a permit for that?"

Kelly chimed in, saying, "You're making assumptions because we don't know what happened," which resulted in an argument over the facts of the case.

DL Hughley Rips Fox News on ‘Kelly File': ‘I’m Insulted by the Things I Hear on This Network’ (Video)Provided by TheWrap DL Hughley Rips Fox News on ‘Kelly File': ‘I’m Insulted by the Things I Hear on This Network’

At one point Hughley said, "Wow," in which Kelly responded, "Don't 'wow' me."

"Don't tell me not to wow you," Hughley said angrily. "I can say wow if I want to."

Hughley said in a sarcastic tone that, "The only place racism doesn't exist is Fox News and the police department."

Kelly said Hughley's comments offended Fox News viewers.

"I'm insulted by the things I hear on this network, so we're even," Hughley responded. "I couldn't care less about insulting people who insult me on a daily basis."

Kelly tried to get Hughley to stop with the "insults" and go back to a conversation, but Hughley continued to pile on and Kelly eventually ended the segment.

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RE: Oh Really? WOW! ~ #FoxNews
7/15/2016 10:47:25 PM

Picture

"Wayne Simmons is a fraud. Simmons has no military or intelligence background, or any skills relevant to the positions he attained through his fraud," said Dana Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
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RE: Oh Really? WOW! ~ Openly Gay Speaker ... GOP
7/16/2016 2:25:17 AM
GOP to Welcome Openly Gay Speaker to Convention

In an interview with AP, Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus addressed the inclusion on the speaking program of PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, believed to be the first openly gay speaker featured on a National Republican Convention stage. (July 15)

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