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Boston Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Obtaining COVID-Relief Funds-DOJ

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BOSTON – A Boston woman pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain pandemic-related relief funds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) made available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

Jameela Gross, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Dec. 5, 2024. Gross, a Heath Street Gang member/associate, was arrested in February 2024 along with over 40 Heath Street Gang members/associates, who were charged with racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking, firearms charges and financial frauds, including COVID-related fraud.

In April 2021, Gross submitted a fraudulent PPP loan application on behalf of her purported business. The application contained multiple false statements, including false representations regarding the purported business’s total gross income in 2020 and the purpose of the loan. Gross also submitted false tax records in support of her loan applications. Based on the fraudulent application, Gross received approximately $18,750, which she then spent on non-business-related expenses.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act created a temporary loan program directed at small businesses called the Paycheck Protection Program. PPP loans were processed by private financial institutions and fully guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. If the small business used the loan funds for approved purposes, such as payroll, the loan could be forgiven by the financial institution and paid for by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Harry T. Chavis Jr, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Hoefle and Lucy Sun of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

Ballon d’Or Nominees Announced: Messi, Ronaldo Absent, Spain and England Stars Dominate

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The organizers of the Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual award, revealed the list of nominees on Wednesday, notably excluding eight-time winner Lionel Messi while featuring a strong contingent of Spanish and English stars.

Messi, 37, who claimed his record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or last year after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, is absent from the 30-player shortlist. The former Barcelona star, now playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, was also omitted in 2022 when Karim Benzema won the award. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal was also excluded from the list. He had won it five time.

The nomination list highlights several key trends:

Real Madrid Dominance: Six members of Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League-winning team are nominated, including Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior, considered among the favorites. Other Madrid nominees are Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos, Antonio Rudiger, and Fede Valverde.

Spanish National Team Recognition: Following their Euro 2024 victory, several Spanish national team players made the list, including Carvajal, Alejandro Grimaldo, Dani Olmo, Rodri, Nico Williams, and Lamine Yamal.

English Talent: Six England internationals feature among the nominees, reflecting the strength of English football on both domestic and international stages.

Notable Inclusions: Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane are among the high-profile nominees.

Significant Omissions: Alongside Messi, five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo, now 39, is also absent from the list.

The Ballon d’Or is voted for by a jury of journalists from the top 100 countries in FIFA’s world ranking.

OUT!

In the coaching category, Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga season, is considered a favorite. He faces competition from Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti and Spain’s Luis de la Fuente, among others.

For the women’s Ballon d’Or, Barcelona and Spain’s Aitana Bonmati is hoping to retain her title. Former winners Ada Hegerberg and Alexia Putellas are also nominated, along with five members of the United States’ Olympic gold medal-winning team: Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman, Lindsey Horan, and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place in Paris on October 28th.

This year’s nominations reflect the evolving landscape of world football, with younger talents and team achievements gaining prominence in the absence of long-standing individual dominance.

Elon Musk’s Starlink Reverses Course, to Comply with Brazil’s Ban on X

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Elon Musk’s satellite internet service provider Starlink reversed its stance late Tuesday, announcing it would comply with a Brazilian Supreme Court justice’s order to block access to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

The decision marks a significant shift from Starlink’s earlier position. The company had initially informed Brazil’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel, that it would not comply with Justice Alexandre de Moraes’s order until he reversed course.

In a statement posted on X, Starlink said, “Regardless of the illegal treatment of Starlink in freezing our assets, we are complying with the order to block access to X in Brazil.” The company added that it continues to “pursue all legal avenues” against what it describes as a violation of the Brazilian constitution.

This development comes after de Moraes froze Starlink’s assets last week, aiming to compel the company to cover X’s accumulated fines exceeding $3 million. The justice reasoned that Starlink and X are part of the same economic group, although Musk has noted on X that the two companies have different shareholder structures.

The legal dispute centers on X’s refusal to name a local legal representative in Brazil, a requirement for swift compliance with court decisions, particularly regarding account takedowns. A Supreme Court panel unanimously upheld the block on X on Monday, challenging Musk’s portrayal of de Moraes as an authoritarian figure intent on censoring political speech in Brazil.

Musk has been vocal in his criticism of de Moraes, calling him an “evil tyrant” and “a disgrace to judges’ robes” in recent posts on X. However, he has not commented on Starlink’s decision to comply with the court order since the announcement.

The reversal alleviates concerns for Starlink’s estimated 250,000 customers in Brazil, many of whom rely on the service in remote areas with limited internet access. Starlink’s easy-to-install kits and high-quality connections have significantly improved communication in some communities, surpassing even major Amazonian cities in internet speed.

Despite its growing importance in rural Brazil, Starlink’s market share remains relatively small. Since beginning operations in Brazil in January 2022, it has captured only 0.5% of the internet market, according to Anatel data.

Artur Coimbra, an Anatel board member, had warned that continued non-compliance could have led to the seizure of equipment from Starlink’s 23 ground stations in Brazil, potentially disrupting service quality.

The conflict highlights the complex interplay between tech companies, national regulations, and judicial authority. Marietje Schaake, international policy director at Stanford University’s Cyber Policy Center, commented, “The battle of the titans, between de Moraes and Musk, reminds us of how powerful, political and provocative tech leaders have become. Brazil won’t be the last country to seek accountability or to put up guardrails.”

As the situation continues to evolve, observers are closely watching how this case might influence future interactions between global tech companies and national regulatory frameworks, particularly in emerging markets like Brazil.

Source: theguardian.com

Nvidia’s Stock Plunge Shakes Market, Raises Questions About AI Investment

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Nvidia, the chipmaker at the forefront of the artificial intelligence revolution, experienced a significant stock plunge on Tuesday, erasing $278.9 billion from its market value in a single day. This record-breaking loss for a U.S. stock has sent ripples through the global market, prompting a fresh sell-off and raising questions about the sustainability of AI investments.

Nvidia’s shares dropped 9.5% on Tuesday, followed by another 1.7% decline on Wednesday. Despite these losses, the company’s market capitalization remains around $2.6 trillion, maintaining its position as America’s second-largest public company behind Apple.

The sell-off appears to be driven by several factors:

Growing concerns about a broader economic slowdown have made investors more cautious. The U.S. labor market shows signs of weakening, China’s housing sector is struggling, and global oil prices have fallen to three-year lows.

Skepticism about the timeline for AI profitability is increasing. Daron Acemoglu, an economist at MIT, told the Financial Times that AI might not have the same broad impact as the internet, calling it “a few-trick pony.”

Reports of a potential Justice Department antitrust investigation into Nvidia have added to investor concerns.

Nvidia’s stock has become a bellwether for the global economy, particularly in the tech sector. The company’s graphics processing units (GPUs) have become essential for AI development, with major tech companies like Microsoft and Meta spending over 40% of their hardware budgets on Nvidia equipment.

“Nvidia has changed the tech and global landscape as its [GPUs] have become the new oil and gold in the IT landscape, with its chips powering the AI revolution and being the only game in town for now,” said Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives.

However, the recent market reaction suggests growing doubts about the immediate returns on AI investments. BlackRock Investment Institute analysts noted that investors are debating whether future revenues for top tech firms could justify the billions being spent on AI.

Despite the recent downturn, Nvidia’s stock price has more than doubled in 2024, reaching about $109. The tech-heavy Nasdaq index also remains 16% higher for the year.

Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers, suggests that much of the selling may be due to investment managers securing profits from Nvidia’s significant price increases earlier in the year.

As the market grapples with these developments, the broader implications for AI investments and the tech industry remain a subject of intense discussion among investors and analysts.

Florida Surgeon Allegedly Removes Patient’s Liver Instead of Spleen, Causing Death

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A Florida surgeon allegedly removed a patient’s liver instead of his spleen during surgery, leading to the patient’s death on the operating table, according to a lawyer representing the deceased man’s widow.

William Bryan, 70, of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, underwent surgery on August 21 at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital in Miramar, Florida, for spleen abnormalities. The procedure ended in tragedy when the operating surgeon, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, allegedly removed Bryan’s liver by mistake.

Joe Zarzaur, attorney for Bryan’s widow Beverly, stated that the surgeon “removed Mr. Bryan’s liver and, in so doing, transected the major vasculature supplying the liver, causing immediate and catastrophic blood loss resulting in death.”

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office and Office of the State Attorney, confirmed they are investigating the circumstances surrounding Bryan’s death.

Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, allegedly removed Bryan’s liver by mistake

According to Zarzaur, Shaknovsky initially told Beverly Bryan that her husband’s spleen was diseased and had grown to four times its normal size, moving to the other side of his body. However, Zarzaur pointed out that in a typical human body, the liver exists on the opposite side of the abdomen and is much larger than a spleen.

Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital released a statement saying they are “performing a thorough investigation” into Bryan’s death and take such allegations “very seriously.” The hospital emphasized that patient safety is their top priority but declined to comment on specific patient cases or active litigation.

Zarzaur alleges that Shaknovsky had made a similar mistake in 2023, removing portions of a pancreas instead of an adrenal gland in a case that was settled privately.

Beverly Bryan is pushing for both criminal and civil proceedings. “My husband died while helpless on the operating room table by Dr. Shaknovsky. I don’t want anyone else to die due to his incompetence at a hospital that should have known or knew he had previously made drastic, life-altering surgical mistakes,” she said through her attorney.

As of Wednesday afternoon, both Dr. Shaknovsky and Dr. Christopher Bacani, the hospital’s chief medical officer who was allegedly involved in discussions about Bryan’s treatment, still had active medical licenses according to the Florida Board of Medicine.

UPDATED: 14-Year-Old Arrested for Killing Two Students, Two Teachers in Georgia High School Shooting

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The tragic shooting at Apalachee High School, located about an hour outside of Atlanta, Georgia, has left two students and two teachers dead, with nine others wounded, authorities reported Wednesday. The incident has shocked the community and drawn national attention to the ongoing issue of gun violence in schools.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation director Chris Hosey announced at a late Wednesday afternoon news conference that a 14-year-old student suspect was taken into custody shortly after the incident. The juvenile, according to Hosey, surrendered immediately when confronted by law enforcement and is cooperating with authorities.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith provided further details, stating that the suspect will be charged with murder and handled as an adult in the legal system. “He gave up, got on the ground and the deputy took him into custody,” Smith said, describing the arrest.

The shooting was first reported around 10:30 a.m. as an “active shooter” situation, prompting a rapid response from law enforcement and school resource officers. All nine wounded individuals suffered gunshot injuries and were transported to hospitals for treatment.

As the investigation unfolds, many questions remain unanswered. The motive behind the shooting is still unclear, and authorities are unsure whether the victims were specifically targeted. Sheriff Smith expressed uncertainty about how the shooter obtained the firearm and managed to bring it into the school.

Describing the event as “pure evil” and a “hateful event,” Smith lamented that the reason behind the shooting may never be fully understood. “I don’t know why it happened. I may not ever know. We may not ever know,” he said.

The incident has drawn responses from high-level officials. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp directed all available state resources to respond to the tragedy. President Joe Biden issued a statement mourning the victims and calling for gun safety legislation, emphasizing, “We cannot continue to accept this as normal.” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed devastation for the affected families and offered Justice Department support.

Apalachee High School, which opened in 2000, has been in session since August 1. In response to the shooting, Barrow County Schools Superintendent Dallas LeDuff announced that schools will be closed for the rest of the week. FBI agents from Atlanta were dispatched to assist local authorities in the ongoing investigation.

As the community grapples with this tragedy, officials continue their efforts to reunite students with their parents and piece together the events that led to this devastating incident. The shooting has reignited debates about school safety and gun control measures, with many calling for action to prevent such tragedies in the future.

U.S. Government Announces Criminal Charges, Seizure of Internet Domains Due to Russian Efforts to Influence Election.

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The Biden administration on Wednesday accused Russia of orchestrating a wide-ranging effort to influence the U.S. presidential election, including using state media to spread disinformation and enlisting unwitting American influencers to propagate propaganda.

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced criminal charges, the seizure of internet domains, and sanctions related to these Russian disinformation efforts. The actions specifically target Russia’s use of state media to recruit American influencers for spreading propaganda and misinformation.

The measures include sanctions against leaders of RT, a Russian state media organization previously required by the Justice Department to register as a foreign agent. Visa restrictions have also been imposed as part of the U.S. response.

U.S. intelligence agencies have previously asserted that Russia was employing disinformation tactics to interfere in the election. The announcement from Garland is expected to reveal the extent of U.S. concerns and signal legal actions against suspected participants.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, in a recent speech, identified Russia as the primary threat to the election. She highlighted the increasingly sophisticated techniques used by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his proxies in their interference operations, targeting specific voter demographics and swing-state voters to manipulate election outcomes.

The U.S. government’s concerns focus on cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns designed to influence the November vote. Tactics include using state media like RT to advance anti-U.S. messages and content, as well as networks of fake websites and social media accounts that amplify claims and inject them into American online conversations.

U.S. officials note that Russia is taking a whole-of-government approach to influence the election, including the presidential race. Groups linked to the Kremlin are increasingly outsourcing the creation of digital propaganda to marketing and communications firms within Russia, partly to obscure their involvement.

The ultimate goal, according to U.S. authorities, is to get Americans to spread Russian disinformation unknowingly. Methods include creating fake websites mimicking U.S. news outlets and using AI-generated social media profiles.

The Russian Embassy has not immediately responded to requests for comment on these accusations.

As the situation develops, U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies continue to monitor and respond to perceived threats to election integrity.

At Least Two Killed, Four Wounded in Georgia School Shooting

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At least two people were killed and four wounded in a school shooting approximately an hour outside of Atlanta on Wednesday, according to preliminary information from law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation.

The shooting occurred at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta. The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that one suspect is in custody following the incident, which unfolded shortly before 10:30 a.m.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith, speaking at a news conference, confirmed “multiple injuries” but declined to provide specific details, stating it would take “multiple days” to determine exactly what happened. “Every minute, it’s developing on what we’re finding,” Smith said, describing the event as an “evil thing.”

Emergency responders, including officers from multiple law enforcement agencies and Fire/EMS personnel, rushed to the scene after reports of an active shooting. Helicopter footage showed dozens of emergency vehicles surrounding the school campus.

Students were evacuated to the school’s football stadium as authorities worked to reunite them with their parents. Erin Clark, 42, whose son Ethan is a senior at the school, described the chaotic scene. Clark said her son texted her about an active shooter, prompting her to leave work immediately. “I’m so proud of him for doing that,” she said, referring to her son’s actions to barricade the classroom door and hide with classmates.

Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta confirmed it was treating one gunshot victim from the incident.

FBI agents from the Atlanta field office were dispatched to assist local authorities, underscoring the severity of the situation. The FBI’s Atlanta office stated, “Our agents are on scene coordinating with and supporting local law enforcement.”

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp directed all available state resources to respond to the incident, urging Georgians to pray for the safety of those affected. The White House reported that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the situation by his Homeland Security Advisor, Liz Sherwood-Randall.

The shooting has prompted increased security measures in other areas, with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announcing heightened patrols of schools in the city “for the rest of the day out of an abundance of caution.”

Apalachee High School, which opened in 2000, has approximately 1,900 students and is Barrow County’s second-largest public high school. The school year had begun just over a month ago, adding to the shock of the community.

As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials are expected to provide more details. The incident has left the community grappling with fears about school safety, with parents like Erin Clark expressing uncertainty about sending their children back to school.

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Allegedly Orders Executions of 30 Officials After Deadly Floods

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South Korean media outlet Chosun TV reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un allegedly ordered the execution of 20 to 30 officials for their purported failure to prevent severe flooding and landslides this summer. The report, which cites an unnamed North Korean official, claims the floods resulted in approximately 4,000 deaths.

According to the anonymous source quoted by Chosun TV, Kim Jong Un demanded “strict punishment” for those held responsible for the “unacceptable loss” of lives. The executions, reportedly carried out late last month, were said to be on charges of corruption and negligence.

“It has been determined that 20 to 30 cadres in the flood-stricken area were executed at the same time late last month,” the official was quoted as saying.

While the identities of the allegedly executed officials were not disclosed, North Korea’s state news agency KCNA reported that Kang Bong-hoon, who had served as the secretary of the Chagang Province Provincial Party Committee since 2019, was among the leaders removed from their positions by Kim Jong Un.

In July, North Korea experienced severe rainfall causing widespread landslides and flooding, affecting more than 4,000 homes and displacing 15,000 residents. Kim Jong Un personally visited the affected areas and acknowledged that rebuilding would take several months.

However, the North Korean leader has previously denied reports of a high death toll from the flooding, dismissing such claims as “false rumors” and accusing South Korea of spreading them as part of a “smear campaign.”

The Korea Times, another South Korean media outlet, reported that public executions in North Korea have increased significantly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming a rise from about 10 per year to approximately 100 annually.

These reports have not been independently verified, and North Korea has not publicly commented on the alleged executions. Due to the closed nature of North Korean society, obtaining and verifying information about internal affairs remains challenging for outside observers.

Woman Dies While Being Sodomized by Husband in Oyam District, Ugandan

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Police in Uganda’s Oyam District are searching for a man suspected of assaulting his wife, leading to her death. The incident has raised concerns about domestic violence and access to healthcare in the region.

Sam Odongo, 28, a resident of Ngai Sub-county in Oyam District, allegedly assaulted his wife, Sarah Angom, at their home in Omac Parish in the early hours of August 8, 2024. Angom suffered severe injuries and died on August 29 after failing to receive adequate medical care.

Jimmy Anywar, the LC3 chairperson for Ngai Sub-county, reported that Angom had been found tied with a rope and severely injured. She was initially taken to Ngai Police Post, where Odongo was arrested and detained.

Odongo was later released on police bond after the family agreed he should be allowed to seek treatment for his wife. However, according to Anywar, Odongo left Angom at Ngai Health Centre III and disappeared.

The victim was subsequently referred to Aboke Health Centre IV in Kole District due to the severity of her injuries. A further referral to Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala was recommended, but the family could not afford transportation costs.

North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema stated that medical documents indicated Angom had suffered complications affecting her uterus and anus. Okema added that a post-mortem report suggested the use of objects in the assault.

“The file has already reached the office of the district CID, and the matter has been taken up,” Okema said. He noted that the police only learned of the case on Monday, despite the incident occurring nearly a month earlier.

The case has highlighted issues of domestic violence in the region and the challenges faced by victims in accessing timely and adequate healthcare.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about Odongo’s whereabouts to come forward as the investigation continues.

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