bonginoreport--2020-05-20--Judicial Watch Receives “Electronic Communication” That Officially Launched Crossfire Hurricane

Judicial Watch Lawsuit Forces Declassification and Release of “ Electronic Communication ” Used to Launch Obama Administration ’ s Spy Operation on President Trump ’ s 2016 Campaign ( Washington , DC ) Judicial Watch announced today that it received the “ electronic communication ” ( EC ) that officially launched the counterintelligence investigation , termed “ Crossfire Hurricane , ” of President Trump ’ s 2016 presidential campaign .
The document , which was written by former FBI official Peter Strzok and was obtained as the result of a Judicial Watch FOIA ( Freedom of Information Act ) lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Electronic Communication that initiated the counterintelligence investigation of President Trump ’ s 2016 presidential campaign.
” ( Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice ( No .
1:19-cv-02743 ) ) .
The redacted document details seeming third hand information that the Russian government “ had been seeking prominent members of the Donald Trump campaign in which to engage to prepare for potential post-election relations should Trump be elected U.S. President.
” The document also alleges Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos , claimed to an unnamed party that “ they ( the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the anonymous release of information during the campaign that would be damaging to Hillary Clinton.
” The document notes , “ It was unclear whether he [ Papadopoulos ] or the Russians were referring to material acquired publicly of [ sic ] through other means .
It was unclear how Mr. Trump ’ s team reacted to the offer .
We note the Trump team ’ s reaction could , in the end , have little bearing of what Russia decides to do , with or without Mr. Trump ’ s cooperation.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2016 .
The text of the “ electronic communication ” is reprinted below : This document contains information that is restricted to case participants ( S/ ) An investigation is being opened based on information received by Legat [ Redacted ] on 07/29/2016 .
The text of that email follows : Synopsis : ( U/ / ) Legat [ Redacted ] received information from the [ Redacted ] Deputy Chief of Mission related to the hacking of the Democratic National Committee ’ s website/server .
Details : ( S/ / [ Redacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 , Legal Attaché ( Legat ) [ Redacted ] was summoned to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Mission ( DCM ) for the [ Redacted ] who will be leaving [ Redacted ] post Saturday July 30 , 2016 and set to soon thereafter retire from government service , advised [ Redacted ] was called by [ Redacted ] about an urgent matter requiring an in person meeting with the U.S .
Ambassador .
[ Note : [ Redacted ] .
The [ Redacted ] was scheduled to be away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Redacted ] attended the meeting .
( S/ [ Redacted ] ) [ Redacted ] advised that [ Redacted ] government had been seeking prominent members of the Donald Trump campaign in which to engage to prepare for potential post-election relations should Trump be elected U.S. President .
One of the people identified was George Papadopolous ( although public media sources provide a spelling of Papadopoulos ) , who was believed to be one of Donald Trump ’ s foreign policy advisers .
Mr. Papdopoulos was located in [ Redacted ] so the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several occasions , with [ Redacted ] attending at least one of the meetings .
( S/ [ Redacted ] ) [ Redacted ] recalled [ Redacted ] of the meetings between Mr. Papdopolous and [ Redacted ] concerning statements Mr. Papadopolous made about suggestions from the Russians that they ( the Russians ) could assist the Trump campaign with the anonymous release of information during the campaign that would be damaging to Hillary Clinton .
[ Redacted ] provided a copy of the reporting that was provided to [ Redacted ] from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] .
The text is exactly as follows : ( s/ [ Redacted ] [ Redacted ] ( s/ [ Redacted ] Legat requests that further action on this information should consider the sensitivity that this information was provided through informal diplomatic channels from [ Redacted ] to the U.S. Embassy ’ s DCM .
It was clear from the conversation Legal [ Redacted ] had with DCM that [ Redacted ] knew follow-up by the U.S. government would be necessary , but extraordinary efforts should be made to protect the source of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a request from our organization can be made to [ Redacted ] to obtain this information through formal channels .
( S/ / ) Based on the information provided by Legat [ Redacted ] this investigation is being opened to determine whether individual ( s ) associated with the Trump campaign are witting of and/or coordinating activities with the Government of Russia .
“ No wonder the DOJ and FBI resisted the public release of this infamous ‘ electronic communication ’ that ‘ opened ’ Crossfire Hurricane – it shows there was no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch an unprecedented spy operation on the Trump campaign , ” stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton .
“ We now have more proof that Crossfire Hurricane was a scam , based on absurd gossip and innuendo .
This document is Exhibit A to Obamagate , the worst corruption scandal in American history.
” Included with each of Judicial Watch ’ s July , 2019 FOIA requests to the FBI and DOJ was an April 2018 letter from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to the DOJ concerning a congressional subpoena for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided the Intelligence Committee a heavily redacted copy of the Electronic Communication it sought .
Only after the Intelligence Committee issued a subpoena did the DOJ , on April 10 , 2018 , provide a less redacted version , which has not been released publicly .
The DOJ IG also referenced and quoted the EC in its December report on FISA abuse targeting President Trump and Carter Page .
The IG report , FBI texts , and testimony show President Obama was aware of Crossfire Hurricane .
Judicial Watch had previously received a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strzok and former FBI attorney Lisa Page in which the Electronic Communication was discussed .
On July 31 , 2016 , Strzok sent an email under the subject line “ Opening EC ” to Jonathan Moffa , a deputy assistant director in the bureau ’ s Counterintelligence Division , Lisa Page and an unidentified FBI Office of General Counsel official .
Strzok : Hey just realized I need a succinct statement for the Opening EC .
To open bidding I propose : [ redacted ] .
Comments , please .
Moffa : I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Page : I like Jon ’ s additions and subtraction .
Strzok : Thanks .
So : [ redacted ] .

Judicial Watch Lawsuit Forces Declassification and Release of ‘Electronic Communication’ Used to Launch Obama Administration’s Spy Operation on President Trump’s 2016 Campaign
(Washington, DC) Judicial Watch announced today that it received the “electronic communication” (EC) that officially launched the counterintelligence investigation, termed “Crossfire Hurricane,” of President Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. The document was written by former FBI official Peter Strzok and was obtained as the result of a Judicial Watch FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) lawsuit against the FBI and DOJ for: “The Electronic Communication that initiated the counterintelligence investigation of President Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.” (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:19-cv-02743)).
The redacted document details seeming third-hand information that the Russian government “had been seeking prominent members of the Donald Trump campaign in which to engage to prepare for potential post-election relations should Trump be elected U.S. President.” The document also alleges Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, claimed to an unnamed party that “they (the Russians) could assist the Trump campaign with the anonymous release of information during the campaign that would be damaging to Hillary Clinton.”
The document notes, “It was unclear whether he [Papadopoulos] or the Russians were referring to material acquired publicly of [sic] through other means. It was unclear how Mr. Trump’s team reacted to the offer. We note the Trump team’s reaction could, in the end, have little bearing of what Russia decides to do, with or without Mr. Trump’s cooperation.”
The document is dated July 31, 2016. The text of the “electronic communication” is reprinted below:
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Electronic Communication
Title: Crossfire Hurricane Date: 07/31/2016
Cc: [Redacted]
Strzok Peter P II
From: COUNTERINTELLIGENCE
[Redacted]
Contact: Strzok Peter P II, [Redacted]
Approved by: Strzok Peter P II
Drafed by: Strzok Peter P II
Case ID #: [Redacted]
CROSSFIRE HURRICANE;
FOREIGN AGENTS REGISTRATION ACT –
RUSSIA;
SENSITIVE INVESTIGATIVE MATTER
DOCUMENT RESTRICTED TO CASE PARTICIPANTS
This document contains information that is restricted to case participants
Synopsis: (S/ / CC/NF ) Opens and assigns investigation
Reason 1.4 (b)
Derived from: FBI
NSISC-20090615
Declassify On: 20411231
[Redacted]
(S/ NF ) An investigation is being opened based on information received by Legat [Redacted] on 07/29/2016. The text of that email follows:
SECRET/ ORCON/NOFORN
[Redacted]
Title: (S/ / CC/NF) CROSSFIRE HURRICANE
Re: [Redacted] 07/31/2016
BEGIN EMAIL
(U/ / FOUO ) Legat [Redacted] information from [Redacted] Deputy Chief of Mission
Synopsis:
(U/ / FOUO ) Legat [Redacted] received information from the [Redacted] Deputy Chief of Mission related to the hacking of the Democratic National Committee’s website/server.
Details:
(S/ / REL TO USA [Redacted] On Wednesday, July 27, 2016, Legal Attaché (Legat) [Redacted] was summoned to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) for the [Redacted] who will be leaving [Redacted] post Saturday July 30, 2016 and set to soon thereafter retire from government service, advised [Redacted] was called by [Redacted] about an urgent matter requiring an in person meeting with the U.S. Ambassador. [Note: [Redacted]. The [Redacted] was scheduled to be away from post until mid-August, therefore [Redacted] attended the meeting.
(S/ [Redacted]) [Redacted] advised that [Redacted] government had been seeking prominent members of the Donald Trump campaign in which to engage to prepare for potential post-election relations should Trump be elected U.S. President. One of the people identified was George Papadopolous (although public media sources provide a spelling of Papadopoulos), who was believed to be one of Donald Trump’s foreign policy advisers. Mr. Papdopoulos was located in [Redacted] so the [Redacted] met with him on several occasions, with [Redacted] attending at least one of the meetings.
(S/ [Redacted]) [Redacted] recalled [Redacted] of the meetings between Mr. Papdopolous and [Redacted] concerning statements Mr. Papadopolous made about suggestions from the Russians that they (the Russians) could assist the Trump campaign with the anonymous release of information during the campaign that would be damaging to Hillary Clinton. [Redacted] provided a copy of the reporting that was provided to [Redacted] from [Redacted] to Legal [Redacted]. The text is exactly as follows:
(Begin Text)
(S/ [Redacted]) 5. Mr. Papadopolous [Redacted] also suggested the Trump team had received some kind of suggestion from Russia that it could assist this process with the anonymous release of information during the campaign that would be damaging to Mrs. Clinton (and President Obama). It was unclear whether he or the Russians were referring to material acquired publicly of through other means. It was also unclear how Mr. Trump’s team reacted to the offer. We note the Trump team’s reaction could, in the end, have little bearing of what Russia decides to do, with or without Mr. Trump’s cooperation.
(End Text)
(s/ [Redacted]
[Redacted]
(s/ [Redacted] Legat requests that further action on this information should consider the sensitivity that this information was provided through informal diplomatic channels from [Redacted] to the U.S. Embassy’s DCM. It was clear from the conversation Legal [Redacted]
had with DCM that [Redacted] knew follow-up by the U.S. government would be necessary, but extraordinary efforts should be made to protect the source of this information until such a time that a request from our organization can be made to [Redacted] to obtain this information through formal channels.
END EMAIL
(S/ / CC/NF ) Based on the information provided by Legat [Redacted] this investigation is being opened to determine whether individual(s) associated with the Trump campaign are witting of and/or coordinating activities with the Government of Russia.
“No wonder the DOJ and FBI resisted the public release of this infamous ‘electronic communication’ that ‘opened’ Crossfire Hurricane – it shows there was no serious basis for the Obama administration to launch an unprecedented spy operation on the Trump campaign,” stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “We now have more proof that Crossfire Hurricane was a scam, based on absurd gossip and innuendo. This document is Exhibit A to Obamagate, the worst corruption scandal in American history. This document shows how Attorney General Barr and U.S. Attorney Durham are right to question the predicate of this spy operation.”
Included with each of Judicial Watch’s July, 2019 FOIA requests to the FBI and DOJ was an April 2018 letter from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to the DOJ concerning a congressional subpoena for the same record.
The DOJ initially provided the Intelligence Committee a heavily redacted copy of the Electronic Communication it sought. Only after the Intelligence Committee issued a subpoena did the DOJ, on April 10, 2018, provide a less redacted version, which has not been released publicly.
The DOJ IG also referenced and quoted the EC in its December report on FISA abuse targeting President Trump and Carter Page. The IG report, FBI texts, and testimony show President Obama was aware of Crossfire Hurricane.
Judicial Watch had previously received a production of 144 pages of emails between Strzok and former FBI attorney Lisa Page in which the Electronic Communication was discussed.
On July 31, 2016, Strzok sent an email under the subject line “Opening EC” to Jonathan Moffa, a deputy assistant director in the bureau’s Counterintelligence Division, Lisa Page and an unidentified FBI Office of General Counsel official.
Strzok: Hey just realized I need a succinct statement for the Opening EC. To open bidding I propose: [redacted]. Comments, please.
Moffa: I would recommend: [redacted].
Page: I like Jon’s additions and subtraction.
Strzok: Thanks. So: [redacted].
###


bonginoreport--2020-05-20--This Satire of a Jen Rubin Column Might as Well Be Real

The Washington Free Beacon analytics bureau used a proprietary algorithm to program a bot to read 1,000 Jennifer Rubin columns and write its very own Jennifer Rubin column based on its analysis .
This was the result : President Trump tweeted rage on Wednesday , the worst in history .
To compare with decent man Joe Biden , the difference is leadership courage .
Trump possesses the bad qualities without precedent , said the expert .
The expert is also a victim of Trump because he is an elite nonwhite immigrant .
That 's why Trump invented birtherism , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The respected African American was our most popular president who deserved to lose to Mitt Romney .
The extreme right wants to deport him , according to the recent poll .
Sadly , I regret the GOP emoluments culture that experienced a 90 percent increase in spineless anxiety , feverish to enable him .
Congratulations , Mitch McConnell .
As we know , Trump helps Congress threaten a dangerous inaction .
Never mind abandoned ethics , because the White House does n't fit this falsehood-in-chief .
The president ignored coronavirus , which made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large government of inclusive science .
It is hardly surprising that Trump would favor death , literally .
Emphasize these points : First , egregious Trump lies destroy facts .
Second , we know Biden is the right president who made the decision perfectly .
The Post reported it as antidote to Trump pandemic .
Quote , said the Democrat .
Third , ethics are compromised by downward economics .
Trump dismantled justice for the first time in history without American support .
Fourth , white grievance .
Needless to say , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result indicates Trump 's ego lacks credibility .
That 's why the American people unsuccessfully avoided death on his watch .
Use data to attack the virus , Andrew Cuomo explained .
Trump 's latest Twitter tantrum is evidence to the contrary , but female Nancy Pelosi is the reason why .
The result : dysfunction , disunity , and disgrace .
It does not have to be that way .
In other words , `` elite '' genocide is unwanted at this time , except by Trump .
( I know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News and extreme friends of right-wing media injected toxic money online , thanks to gerrymandering in Georgia .
Pathetic , but true .
Let 's be real : Biden 's basement exoneration .
His campaign partner , Bernie Sanders , injured himself in U.S.S.R .
He does n't have enough fruit to avoid death , according to capitalism poll .
His brothers make noise .
Fortunately for democracy , only Biden can rectify coronavirus nightmare with nuclear empathy .
Trump 's election disaster was reported by the Post , but democracy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ca n't wait to support Mitt Romney , Democratic candidate for president .

The Washington Free Beacon analytics bureau used a proprietary algorithm to program a bot to read 1,000 Jennifer Rubin columns and write its very own Jennifer Rubin column based on its analysis. This was the result:
Biden is right. Trump's disaster gambit lacks competence.
By Jennifer Rubin
President Trump tweeted rage on Wednesday, the worst in history. To compare with decent man Joe Biden, the difference is leadership courage. Trump possesses the bad qualities without precedent, said the expert. The expert is also a victim of Trump because he is an elite nonwhite immigrant.
That's why Trump invented birtherism, a sin of racism against Barack Obama. The respected African American was our most popular president who deserved to lose to Mitt Romney. The extreme right wants to deport him, according to the recent poll. Sadly, I regret the GOP emoluments culture that experienced a 90 percent increase in spineless anxiety, feverish to enable him. Congratulations, Mitch McConnell.
As we know, Trump helps Congress threaten a dangerous inaction. Never mind abandoned ethics, because the White House doesn't fit this falsehood-in-chief. The president ignored coronavirus, which made evidence of Democratic Party to confirm a large government of inclusive science. It is hardly surprising that Trump would favor death, literally.
Emphasize these points: First, egregious Trump lies destroy facts. Second, we know Biden is the right president who made the decision perfectly. The Post reported it as antidote to Trump pandemic. Quote, said the Democrat. Third, ethics are compromised by downward economics. Trump dismantled justice for the first time in history without American support. Fourth, white grievance.
A fatal decision, folks.
Needless to say, when Republican Party assault on Constitution, the result indicates Trump's ego lacks credibility. That's why the American people unsuccessfully avoided death on his watch. Use data to attack the virus, Andrew Cuomo explained. Trump's latest Twitter tantrum is evidence to the contrary, but female Nancy Pelosi is the reason why. The result: dysfunction, disunity, and disgrace.
It does not have to be that way. In other words, "elite" genocide is unwanted at this time, except by Trump. (I know, it's a confusing subject.) Fox News and extreme friends of right-wing media injected toxic money online, thanks to gerrymandering in Georgia. Pathetic, but true.
Let's be real: Biden's basement exoneration. His campaign partner, Bernie Sanders, injured himself in U.S.S.R. He doesn't have enough fruit to avoid death, according to capitalism poll. His brothers make noise. Fortunately for democracy, only Biden can rectify coronavirus nightmare with nuclear empathy. Trump's election disaster was reported by the Post, but democracy is at war with the consequences.
I can't wait to support Mitt Romney, Democratic candidate for president.
Jennifer Rubin reports opinions for The Washington Post.


bonginoreport--2020-05-20--Here’s How All The Major U.S. Retailers Fared in the First Quarter

With the coronavirus causing unprecedented financial disruptions and a major shift in consumer spending , some retailers are seeing sales surge amid heightened demand but also face higher costs .
Here ’ s what happened to major retailers in the first quarter during wide scale economic shutdowns .
As retailers adjusted to widespread coronavirus lockdown restrictions many experienced a huge surge in the growth of digital orders and e-commerce across the board .
Retailers have seen higher demand for groceries and household essentials during the pandemic which has helped drive increased sales , but customers are also foregoing higher-margin items @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sales has resulted in extra costs ( think packing and shipping ) and a squeeze on profits .
Retailers operating during the pandemic are also facing higher costs related to additional pay for workers and store cleanings .
While Target ’ s stores stayed open during the first quarter many of its customers turned to online shopping .
The company saw its same-store sales jump 10.8 % , which was largely fueled by a surge in e-commerce—digital sales surged by 141 % .
Target reported profits of 59 cents per share on revenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter , both of which topped analyst expectations .
Despite higher demand for groceries and household essentials during the pandemic , the coronavirus crisis has cut into Target ’ s profits with many shoppers skipping higher-margin items like apparel .
The company has warned of increased costs related to the coronavirus—including higher pay for workers , store cleaning and other expenses—which have so far totaled roughly $ 500 million , CEO Brian Cornell said during the company ’ s earnings call .
Lowe ’ s stores were deemed essential amid the shutdowns as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry ’ s busiest time of year .
The company ’ s same-store sales jumped 11.2 % , compared to the 3.3 % growth expected from analysts .
Lowe ’ s reported profits of $ 1.77 per share on revenue of $ 19.7 billion , both of which beat Wall Street expectations .
Online sales in particular have taken off ; with capacity at stores reduced , Lowe ’ s has rolled out curbside pickup to accommodate digital orders .
Lowe ’ s said its financial position remains strong , having recently raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marvin Ellison predicts that sales “ will only get better ” throughout the rest of 2020 , with no expected downturn in demand because consumers will continue to invest in their houses despite the coronavirus .
“ I am also pleased with our ability to pivot to serve increased online demand with Lowes.com sales increasing 80 % in the quarter , ” Ellison said .
Big-box retailer Walmart saw its same-store sales jump by 10 % in the first quarter , with a 74 % increase in e-commerce sales as consumers stocked up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The company beat Wall Street expectations by reporting profits of $ 1.18 per share on revenue of $ 134.6 billion in the first quarter .
Walmart said it worked hard to keep up inventory as many products flew off the shelves : “ For many of these items we were selling in two or three hours what we normally sell in two or three days , ” CEO Doug McMillon noted .
While sales grew during the pandemic , the company ’ s costs did , too .
Walmart spent nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus ; it hired more than 200,000 new employees to help clean stores , stock shelves and fulfill online orders .
Walmart , along with many of its competitors , withdrew its financial outlook for the rest of the year .
Its chief financial officer warned that the coronavirus has created “ unprecedented variability ” in the economy that could still impact sales .
Home Depot saw its sales rise sharply but first quarter profits were weighed down by extra costs .
The company reported $ 28.3 billion in revenue , topping analyst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
Home Depot ’ s profits fell to $ 2.08 per share , below the $ 2.27 per share expected by Wall Street , as higher costs pressured the bottom line .
Home Depot said it had spent $ 640 million after tax , or about 60 cents a share , on boosting wages and bonuses to keep employees coming into work during the pandemic .
Home Depot saw a boom in its e-commerce business during the pandemic .
“ As shelter-in-place orders rolled out across the country in mid- to late-March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from approximately 30 % growth in early March to triple digit growth in early April , ” Ted Decker , vice president of merchandising , told investors .
“ During the last three weeks of the quarter , traffic to HomeDepot.com was consistently above Black Friday levels.
” Department store retail chain Kohl ’ s , which only recently reopened about half of its stores across the U.S. , reported that its sales tanked almost 44 % during the first quarter .
The company , hard-hit by coronavirus shutdowns , was already struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It declined to report same-store sales results in the first quarter because of its temporary store closures .
Kohl ’ s reported a loss of $ 3.20 per share , with revenue falling to just under $ 2.2 billion—down from $ 3.8 billion a year ago .
The retailer showed a net loss of $ 541 million , compared to a profit of $ 62 million a year before .
It has about $ 2 billion in cash on hand .
“ While we have a fast-growing digital business , it has only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss from our entire store base , ” CEO Michelle Gass said during the earnings call .
Kohl ’ s digital sales were up 24 % overall , with more than 60 % growth in April—but those shipping costs hit profit margins .
60 % Of America ’ s CFOs Don ’ t Expect A Return To Normal Until At Least 2021 ( Forbes ) These Stocks Will Thrive In A Post-Coronavirus World , According To Experts ( Forbes ) U.S. Executives Are More Worried About The Economy Than Last Month .
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buffett Sells More Stocks , Including Goldman Sachs , With No ‘ Elephant-Sized ’ Acquisition On The Horizon ( Forbes ) Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus

TOPLINE
With the coronavirus causing unprecedented financial disruptions and a major shift in consumer spending, some retailers are seeing sales surge amid heightened demand but also face higher costs. Here’s what happened to major retailers in the first quarter during wide scale economic shutdowns.
Retailers have seen higher demand, with online sales booming, but also higher costs related to the ... [+] pandemic. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
KEY FACTS
As retailers adjusted to widespread coronavirus lockdown restrictions many experienced a huge surge in the growth of digital orders and e-commerce across the board. Retailers have seen higher demand for groceries and household essentials during the pandemic which has helped drive increased sales, but customers are also foregoing higher-margin items like apparel. A surge in online sales has resulted in extra costs (think packing and shipping) and a squeeze on profits. Retailers operating during the pandemic are also facing higher costs related to additional pay for workers and store cleanings.
BEST BUY
The company said its revenue and earnings fell in the first quarter, despite an initial surge in demand early on during the pandemic. Best Buy BBY reported profits of 61 cents per share on $8.6 billion of revenue, both of which beat expectations but were down from a year ago. Same-store sales fell over 5% during the quarter.
As widespread lockdowns were put into place, Best Buy decided to shut its stores and switch to curbside pickup in late March. Online sales subsequently surged 154% from last year, the company said. In mid-April, the company said it would furlough 51,000 employees and take other cost-cutting measures, however.
The retailer had initially seen sales spike early in the pandemic as customers stocked up appliances and other supplies for their extended periods staying at home. CEO Corie Barry touted that Best Buy retained about 81% of last year’s sales during the last six weeks of the quarter, “even though not a single customer set foot in our stores.”
Target
While Target’s stores stayed open during the first quarter many of its customers turned to online shopping. The company saw its same-store sales jump 10.8%, which was largely fueled by a surge in e-commerce—digital sales surged by 141%. Target reported profits of 59 cents per share on revenue of $19.6 billion in the first quarter, both of which topped analyst expectations.
Despite higher demand for groceries and household essentials during the pandemic, the coronavirus crisis has cut into Target’s profits with many shoppers skipping higher-margin items like apparel. The company has warned of increased costs related to the coronavirus—including higher pay for workers, store cleaning and other expenses—which have so far totaled roughly $500 million, CEO Brian Cornell said during the company’s earnings call.
Lowe’s
Lowe’s stores were deemed essential amid the shutdowns as the spring season is the home improvement industry’s busiest time of year. The company’s same-store sales jumped 11.2%, compared to the 3.3% growth expected from analysts. Lowe’s reported profits of $1.77 per share on revenue of $19.7 billion, both of which beat Wall Street expectations. Online sales in particular have taken off; with capacity at stores reduced, Lowe’s has rolled out curbside pickup to accommodate digital orders.
Lowe’s said its financial position remains strong, having recently raised $4 billion in debt. CEO Marvin Ellison predicts that sales “will only get better” throughout the rest of 2020, with no expected downturn in demand because consumers will continue to invest in their houses despite the coronavirus. “I am also pleased with our ability to pivot to serve increased online demand with Lowes.com sales increasing 80% in the quarter,” Ellison said.
Walmart WMT
Big-box retailer Walmart saw its same-store sales jump by 10% in the first quarter, with a 74% increase in e-commerce sales as consumers stocked up on groceries and other essentials during the pandemic. The company beat Wall Street expectations by reporting profits of $1.18 per share on revenue of $134.6 billion in the first quarter. Walmart said it worked hard to keep up inventory as many products flew off the shelves: “For many of these items we were selling in two or three hours what we normally sell in two or three days,” CEO Doug McMillon noted.
While sales grew during the pandemic, the company’s costs did, too. Walmart spent nearly $900 million on expenses related to coronavirus; it hired more than 200,000 new employees to help clean stores, stock shelves and fulfill online orders. Walmart, along with many of its competitors, withdrew its financial outlook for the rest of the year. Its chief financial officer warned that the coronavirus has created “unprecedented variability” in the economy that could still impact sales.
Home Depot HD
Home Depot saw its sales rise sharply but first quarter profits were weighed down by extra costs. The company reported $28.3 billion in revenue, topping analyst expectations, with same-store sales growing 6.4%. Home Depot’s profits fell to $2.08 per share, below the $2.27 per share expected by Wall Street, as higher costs pressured the bottom line. Home Depot said it had spent $640 million after tax, or about 60 cents a share, on boosting wages and bonuses to keep employees coming into work during the pandemic.
Home Depot saw a boom in its e-commerce business during the pandemic. “As shelter-in-place orders rolled out across the country in mid- to late-March, we saw our digital businesses accelerate from approximately 30% growth in early March to triple digit growth in early April,” Ted Decker, vice president of merchandising, told investors. “During the last three weeks of the quarter, traffic to HomeDepot.com was consistently above Black Friday levels.”
Department store retail chain Kohl’s, which only recently reopened about half of its stores across the U.S., reported that its sales tanked almost 44% during the first quarter. The company, hard-hit by coronavirus shutdowns, was already struggling with declining sales before the outbreak. It declined to report same-store sales results in the first quarter because of its temporary store closures. Kohl’s reported a loss of $3.20 per share, with revenue falling to just under $2.2 billion—down from $3.8 billion a year ago. The retailer showed a net loss of $541 million, compared to a profit of $62 million a year before. It has about $2 billion in cash on hand.
“While we have a fast-growing digital business, it has only replaced a small portion of the sales loss from our entire store base,” CEO Michelle Gass said during the earnings call. Kohl’s digital sales were up 24% overall, with more than 60% growth in April—but those shipping costs hit profit margins.
Further reading
60% Of America’s CFOs Don’t Expect A Return To Normal Until At Least 2021 (Forbes)
These Stocks Will Thrive In A Post-Coronavirus World, According To Experts (Forbes)
U.S. Executives Are More Worried About The Economy Than Last Month. Here’s Why. (Forbes)
Buffett Sells More Stocks, Including Goldman Sachs, With No ‘Elephant-Sized’ Acquisition On The Horizon (Forbes)
Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus


bonginoreport--2020-05-20--No, Florida Didn’t Fire a Department of Health Employee for Refusing to Manipulate Data

Dozens of media outlets , both in Florida and nationally , published the sensational story of Dr. Rebekah Jones , a state Department of Health employee who was fired by the administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis , a Trump ally , after – she says – she refused to manipulate data to support the governor ’ s plan to reopen the state .
But a deeper look at the underlying facts expose a less sensational , yet all-too-common narrative : a media feeding frenzy caused by a deep-seated desire to report on scandal and cover-ups , which Rebekah Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were true .
They are not .
Let ’ s pick through the individual pieces of wreckage from this crashed-and-burned narrative one by one : Claim # 1 : Rebekah Jones was the “ architect ” of the Florida ’ s COVID-19 dashboard .
The truth : Jones was more like the drywall hanger of the dashboard rather than the “ architect.
” The dashboard was built on the same visual mapping tool that Johns Hopkins University made famous at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis .
In fact , Florida ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s because Johns Hopkins University is not the “ architect ” of the dashboard , either .
The tool is actually built not on any of Florida ’ s many data servers , but using ready-made modules from a subscription service called ArcGIS .
Jones ’ job was to load data into those modules and decide how it appeared to visitors .
• Media outlets who published the false “ architect ” claim : Florida Today , The Daily Beast , New York Post , The Guardian , CBS 12 News , The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WEAR-TV • Who got it right ?
The Tampa Bay Times described her as a “ top Florida Department of Health data manager ” and never ran with the “ architect ” claim .
They even correctly pointed out that it was Jones herself who claimed to have built the site “ from scratch.
” The truth : Jones has a doctorate degree in geography .
Her skill set , as applicable to COVID-19 , was in mapping data , as we explained above .
That ’ s it .
No special skills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health .
Depending on the narrative a media outlet wants to convey , using the term “ scientist ” in headlines about coronavirus carries with it a very specific connotation , leading readers to believe Jones was involved in the front lines of coronavirus research .
If media outlets insist on describing her as a “ scientist , ” they owe their readers a fuller explanation of her role , and should , at most , describe her as a “ data scientist , ” though even that could be misleading and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Media outlets who ran with the “ scientist ” narrative : National Public Radio , The Guardian , MSNBC , and many others .
Claim # 3 : Rebekah Jones was asked to manipulate data to support the governor ’ s plan to reopen Florida The truth : Jones was asked to temporarily disable the ability to export data from the dashboard so that it could be verified that the data matched other sources .
We previously gave credit to the Tampa Bay Times for accurately describing Jones ’ role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accurately describe events leading to Jones termination .
Don ’ t misunderstand – the Times is still guilty of trying to make Jones a martyr .
Take a look at how they describe what happened : [ On May 4th ] the [ EventDate ] column vanished from the “ Person Cases ” data , which lists anonymized records for every confirmed case in Florida .
The Palm Beach Post reported the disappearance the next day , May 5 .
The Tampa Bay Times automatically checks for changes in the data and archives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on May 4. , data still included the EventDate field , showing records with listed dates that people reported symptoms as early as January 1 .
By 3:02 p.m. , the column was gone .
For much of the next day , May 5 , the column was either missing or empty , with every row listing “ None.
” Finally , it returned shortly before 8:02 p.m .
If you ’ re struggling to see what all the fuss is about , you ’ re not alone .
By the Times own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became temporarily unavailable for a day and a half .
The only other item worthy of note in the Times ’ story is that the state ’ s official epidemiologist ( i.e .
an actual medical scientist , not a data mapper , like Jones ) asked to have the ability to export data from the dashboard temporarily disabled while health officials verify that the dates match other official sources .
This is critical .
The Tampa Bay Times had the full explanation for why the data was temporarily unavailable , but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with “ coronavirus conspiracy ” instead .
In fact , the Times headline claims Jones was asked to “ delete ” data .
No where in the story itself does the word “ delete ” appear .
It ’ s another clickbait headline .
• Media outlets who published the “ manipulated or deleted data ” conspiracy theory : National Public Radio , The Guardian , MSNBC , USA Today , Tampa Bay Times and many others .
Claim # 4 : Rebekah Jones was fired because she refused to comply with orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth : The idea that Jones is somehow a martyr for truth about coronavirus and a victim of a DeSantis administration cover up is a narrative too many media outlets were willing to jump on .
She was fired for insubordination , according to the DeSantis Administration : Jones is no stranger to insubordination .
In 2016 , she was arrested on the campus of her employer , Louisiana State University , for refusing to obey the orders of a police officer : It ’ s not clear why LSU ’ s Human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff members to leave the area .
Jones also has an extensive criminal history in Leon County , where she ’ s been arrested and charged with three felonies , including one for robbery , and a handful of misdemeanor cases including “ sexual cyberstalking , ” a case where she created a website and used it to sexually harass her ex-boyfriend .
The website has been taken down , but images from the case exist in Leon County court records .
Most of the charges filed against her came after she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so they would not have turned up in any background check .
The bottom line : Rebekah Jones was fired for performance issues , not for “ refusing to manipulate data.
” And her extensive criminal history , which predates her employment in Florida , lends credence to the DeSantis administration that she was just a troublesome employee who is now disgruntled and trying to get media attention about her firing .
The easiest way to get media attention right now is to claim a Republican elected official is involved in a conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening the state economy .
The media outlets listed above will not issue retractions .
They will double down on the idea that DeSantis ’ s administration is withholding / manipulating / deleting / altering data .
That , too is totally false .
But mark these words , the embarrassment of touting Rebekah Jones as their coronavirus martyr will quickly fade into the mainstream media memory hole .

By Brian Burgess, The Capitolist
Dozens of media outlets, both in Florida and nationally, published the sensational story of Dr. Rebekah Jones, a state Department of Health employee who was fired by the administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Trump ally, after – she says – she refused to manipulate data to support the governor’s plan to reopen the state.
But a deeper look at the underlying facts expose a less sensational, yet all-too-common narrative: a media feeding frenzy caused by a deep-seated desire to report on scandal and cover-ups, which Rebekah Jones’ claims delivered – if only they were true.
They are not.
Let’s pick through the individual pieces of wreckage from this crashed-and-burned narrative one by one:
Claim #1: Rebekah Jones was the “architect” of the Florida’s COVID-19 dashboard.
The truth: Jones was more like the drywall hanger of the dashboard rather than the “architect.” The dashboard was built on the same visual mapping tool that Johns Hopkins University made famous at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis. In fact, Florida’s tool looks extremely similar. That’s because Johns Hopkins University is not the “architect” of the dashboard, either. The tool is actually built not on any of Florida’s many data servers, but using ready-made modules from a subscription service called ArcGIS. Jones’ job was to load data into those modules and decide how it appeared to visitors.
Claim #2: Rebekah Jones was a coronavirus “scientist”
The truth: Jones has a doctorate degree in geography. Her skill set, as applicable to COVID-19, was in mapping data, as we explained above. That’s it. No special skills in epidemiology, biology, or even public health. Depending on the narrative a media outlet wants to convey, using the term “scientist” in headlines about coronavirus carries with it a very specific connotation, leading readers to believe Jones was involved in the front lines of coronavirus research. If media outlets insist on describing her as a “scientist,” they owe their readers a fuller explanation of her role, and should, at most, describe her as a “data scientist,” though even that could be misleading and would still be misconstrued for political gain.
Claim #3: Rebekah Jones was asked to manipulate data to support the governor’s plan to reopen Florida
The truth: Jones was asked to temporarily disable the ability to export data from the dashboard so that it could be verified that the data matched other sources.
We previously gave credit to the Tampa Bay Times for accurately describing Jones’ role in managing the COVID-19 dashboard. They also accurately describe events leading to Jones termination. Don’t misunderstand – the Times is still guilty of trying to make Jones a martyr. Take a look at how they describe what happened:
[On May 4th] the [EventDate] column vanished from the “Person Cases” data, which lists anonymized records for every confirmed case in Florida. The Palm Beach Post reported the disappearance the next day, May 5. The Tampa Bay Times automatically checks for changes in the data and archives new updates. Shortly before 10:12 a.m on May 4., data still included the EventDate field, showing records with listed dates that people reported symptoms as early as January 1. By 3:02 p.m., the column was gone. For much of the next day, May 5, the column was either missing or empty, with every row listing “None.” Finally, it returned shortly before 8:02 p.m.
If you’re struggling to see what all the fuss is about, you’re not alone. By the Times own account, a single column of data became temporarily unavailable for a day and a half. The only other item worthy of note in the Times’ story is that the state’s official epidemiologist (i.e. an actual medical scientist, not a data mapper, like Jones) asked to have the ability to export data from the dashboard temporarily disabled while health officials verify that the dates match other official sources.
This is critical. The Tampa Bay Times had the full explanation for why the data was temporarily unavailable, but they and other media outlets decided to run with “coronavirus conspiracy” instead. In fact, the Times headline claims Jones was asked to “delete” data. No where in the story itself does the word “delete” appear. It’s another clickbait headline.
Claim #4: Rebekah Jones was fired because she refused to comply with orders to hide the truth about COVID-19
The truth: The idea that Jones is somehow a martyr for truth about coronavirus and a victim of a DeSantis administration cover up is a narrative too many media outlets were willing to jump on.
She was fired for insubordination, according to the DeSantis Administration:
“Rebekah Jones exhibited a repeated course of insubordination during her time with the department, including her unilateral decisions to modify the department’s COVID-19 dashboard without input or approval from the epidemiological team or her supervisors,” DeSantis spokeswoman Helen Ferre said in a statement. “The blatant disrespect for the professionals who were working around the clock to provide the important information for the COVID-19 website was harmful to the team.”
Jones is no stranger to insubordination. In 2016, she was arrested on the campus of her employer, Louisiana State University, for refusing to obey the orders of a police officer:
On June 13, 26-year-old University staff member Rebekah Jones was booked on one count of battery on a police officer, one count of remaining after forbidden and two counts of resisting arrest, Scott said. Scott said officers arrived at the Sea Grant building when Jones refused to leave at the request of LSU Human Resources. Scott said Jones initiated physical contact against two LSUPD officers while resisting arrest and officers were forced to subdue her.
It’s not clear why LSU’s Human Resources department asked one of their own staff members to leave the area.
Jones also has an extensive criminal history in Leon County, where she’s been arrested and charged with three felonies, including one for robbery, and a handful of misdemeanor cases including “sexual cyberstalking,” a case where she created a website and used it to sexually harass her ex-boyfriend. The website has been taken down, but images from the case exist in Leon County court records.
Most of the charges filed against her came after she was hired by the Department of Health, so they would not have turned up in any background check.
The bottom line: Rebekah Jones was fired for performance issues, not for “refusing to manipulate data.” And her extensive criminal history, which predates her employment in Florida, lends credence to the DeSantis administration that she was just a troublesome employee who is now disgruntled and trying to get media attention about her firing. The easiest way to get media attention right now is to claim a Republican elected official is involved in a conspiracy to cover up COVID-19 data detrimental to reopening the state economy.
The media outlets listed above will not issue retractions. They will double down on the idea that DeSantis’s administration is withholding / manipulating / deleting / altering data. That, too is totally false. But mark these words, the embarrassment of touting Rebekah Jones as their coronavirus martyr will quickly fade into the mainstream media memory hole.


bonginoreport--2020-05-21--Liberal Lunacy: University Researchers Argue That Displaying Wedding Photos is Bigoted

Researchers at taxpayer-funded Michigan State University and University of Colorado are attempting to root out “ unconscious bias in virtual meetings , ” advocating ridiculous remedies such as abstaining from using a heterosexual wedding picture as a background since they “ unintentionally reinforce the idea that marriage is most fitting between opposite sexes.
” It ’ s clear the coronavirus , the catalyst for the shift to online meetings , hasn ’ t dampened universities ’ resolve to push political correctness and identity politics .
Professors Amy Bonomi and Nelia Viveiros , the co-authors of the article , view virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another domain for “ language , symbolism and nonverbal cues that reinforce normative social identities with respect to gender , race , sexual preference and socioeconomic status ” to metastasize , a priority woefully out of touch with the struggles faced by many American workers and businesses in light of coronavirus .
“ Without paying attention to how unconscious bias and how dominant paradigms get reinforced , we risk unintentionally alienating and potentially harming minoritized people , ” Bonomi frets .
Even something as banal as an icebreaker could “ be a pathway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” And the question “ what ’ s the most fun thing you ’ ve done with your family during quarantine ?
” is similarly offensive since it could “ prevent several Latinx attendees from sharing their experiences of losing family members to novel coronavirus.
” Even the responses such as “ gardening with my husband ’ to ‘ dance parties with my family ” can “ crowd out the experiences of people with minoritized social identities.
” Bonomi and Viveiros implore the use “ inclusive language ” and “ approaching conversations with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be cautious of the backdrops they use , singling out a “ wall of family photos ” as “ exclusive.
” And in typical leftist lingo , the article also calls on “ allies ” to “ challenge microaggressions , ” defined as “ brief , commonplace verbal , behavioral or environmental indignities that communicate hostile , derogatory or negative racial slights.
” The focus on such a trivial , unfounded issue is a testament to the left-wing academia bubble : Americans are reeling from coronavirus ’ impact on the economy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a top priority .
But leave it to universities to prioritize political correctness and ignore the real issue plaguing online meeting platforms such as Zoom , now banned by the Department of Defense over “ security concerns ” of Chinese Communist Party access to the platform .

Researchers at taxpayer-funded Michigan State University and University of Colorado are attempting to root out “unconscious bias in virtual meetings,” advocating ridiculous remedies such as abstaining from using a heterosexual wedding picture as a background since they “unintentionally reinforce the idea that marriage is most fitting between opposite sexes.”
It’s clear the coronavirus, the catalyst for the shift to online meetings, hasn’t dampened universities’ resolve to push political correctness and identity politics.
Professors Amy Bonomi and Nelia Viveiros, the co-authors of the article, view virtual meetings on platforms such as Zoom as another domain for “language, symbolism and nonverbal cues that reinforce normative social identities with respect to gender, race, sexual preference and socioeconomic status” to metastasize, a priority woefully out of touch with the struggles faced by many American workers and businesses in light of coronavirus.
“Without paying attention to how unconscious bias and how dominant paradigms get reinforced, we risk unintentionally alienating and potentially harming minoritized people,” Bonomi frets.
Even something as banal as an icebreaker could “be a pathway for reinforcing dominant social norms and identities.”
And the question “what’s the most fun thing you’ve done with your family during quarantine?” is similarly offensive since it could “prevent several Latinx attendees from sharing their experiences of losing family members to novel coronavirus.” Even the responses such as “gardening with my husband’ to ‘dance parties with my family” can “crowd out the experiences of people with minoritized social identities.”
The solution?
Bonomi and Viveiros implore the use “inclusive language” and “approaching conversations with sensitivity to differences.”
And call participants should be cautious of the backdrops they use, singling out a “wall of family photos” as “exclusive.”
And in typical leftist lingo, the article also calls on “allies” to “challenge microaggressions,” defined as “brief, commonplace verbal, behavioral or environmental indignities that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative racial slights.”
The focus on such a trivial, unfounded issue is a testament to the left-wing academia bubble: Americans are reeling from coronavirus’ impact on the economy and championing political correctness is by no means a top priority.
But leave it to universities to prioritize political correctness and ignore the real issue plaguing online meeting platforms such as Zoom, now banned by the Department of Defense over “security concerns” of Chinese Communist Party access to the platform.


bonginoreport--2020-05-21--Report: FBI Offered to Pay Dossier Author to Dig up Dirt on Michael Flynn

• Former British spy Christopher Steele peddled an unfounded rumor in December 2016 that Michael Flynn had an extramarital affair with a Russian woman , according to documents released earlier in May .
• Months before Steele discussed Flynn , the FBI offered to pay the ex-spy to collect intelligence on Flynn and other Trump associates who were the targets of a counterintelligence investigation .
• An FBI source provided information about Flynn that matches what Steele provided the bureau , an FBI memo from early 2017 also said .
• Rumors about Flynn and a Russian-British woman , Svetlana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March 2017 .
An FBI offer to pay former British spy Christopher Steele to collect intelligence on Michael Flynn in the weeks before the 2016 election has been one of the more overlooked revelations in a Justice Department inspector general ’ s report released in December .
The reference to the FBI proposal , which was made in an Oct. 3 , 2016 , meeting in an unidentified European city , has received virtually no press attention .
But it might have new significance following the recent release of government documents that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Flynn had an extramarital affair with a Russian woman in the United Kingdom .
It is not clear how and when Steele came across the rumor , or if it was the result of the FBI asking him to look into Flynn .
( RELATED : Dossier Author Told John McCain Aide Of Unfounded Michael Flynn Affair Rumor ) The inspector general ’ s report , released on Dec. 9 , 2019 , said that FBI agents offered to pay Steele “ significantly ” to collect intelligence from three separate “ buckets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of Crossfire Hurricane , its counterintelligence probe of four Trump campaign associates .
One bucket was “ Additional intelligence/reporting on specific , named individuals ( such as [ Carter Page ] or [ Flynn ] ) involved in facilitating the Trump campaign-Russian relationship , ” the IG report stated .
FBI agents also sought contact with “ any individuals or sub sources ” who Steele could provide to “ serve as cooperating witnesses to assist in identifying persons involved in the Trump campaign-Russian relationship.
” Steele at the time had provided the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the Trump campaign had conspired with the Kremlin to influence the 2016 election .
An FBI agent provided Steele with a “ general overview ” of the ongoing Crossfire Hurricane probe , according to the IG report .
The agent told Steele about the actions of George Papadopoulos , a Trump campaign aide , and said the FBI had undertaken a “ small analytical effort ” that centered on Paul Manafort , Carter Page and Flynn .
Some FBI agents who attended the meeting questioned whether the lead agent had disclosed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the IG report .
Steele was not previously known to have deeply investigated Flynn as part of his dirt-digging mission against the Trump campaign .
The former MI6 officer compiled 17 memos that focused instead on Donald Trump , Page , Manafort and Michael Cohen , a former lawyer for Trump .
But two documents released in recent weeks raise the question of whether the FBI ’ s request of Steele has any link to the rumors that Flynn had an affair with a Russian woman .
One of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCain associate David Kramer ’ s interview with the House Intelligence Committee .
Kramer testified on Dec. 17 , 2017 , that Steele told him in December 2016 that he suspected that Flynn had an extramarital affair with a Russian woman .
“ There was one thing he mentioned to me that is not included here , and that is he believed that Mr. Flynn had an extramarital affair with a Russian woman in the U.K. , ” Kramer told lawmakers .
Kramer said that Steele conveyed that Flynn ’ s alleged mistress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ may have been a dual citizen.
” An FBI memo dated Jan. 4 , 2017 , contained another allegation regarding Flynn and a mysterious Russian woman .
The memo , which was provided to Flynn ’ s lawyers on April 30 , said that an FBI confidential human source ( CHS ) told the bureau that they were present at an event that Flynn attended while he was still working in the U.S. intelligence community .
The CHS said that after dinner and drinks , Flynn “ surprised ” everyone by leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBI source suspected had ties to Russians .
( RELATED : Secret FBI Source Provided Information On Flynn Visit To U.K. ) Lokhova became the target of a whisper campaign in early 2017 regarding Flynn ’ s visit to Cambridge three years earlier , when he served as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency ( DIA ) .
The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian reported in March 2017 that Flynn had a suspicious encounter with Lokhova that drew the attention of American and British intelligence officials .
Lokhova has vehemently denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she met Flynn just once , at the Cambridge event .
Lokhova ’ s husband has told the Daily Caller News Foundation that he picked Lokhova up after the Cambridge dinner and that she did not leave with Flynn .
A DIA official who attended the Cambridge event with Flynn also told TheWSJ in March 2017 that Flynn did not engage in any improper behavior .
In the FBI memo , the Washington Field Office proposed closing a counterintelligence investigation of Flynn because investigators found no evidence that he was acting as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the deputy chief of counterintelligence , intervened at the last minute to keep the investigation open after the FBI obtained a transcript of Flynn ’ s phone calls in late December 2016 with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak .
Strzok helped set the “ primary objectives ” for the FBI meeting with Steele in October 2016 , the IG report also stated .
The FBI source discussed in the Flynn memo has not been identified .
Steele was officially a CHS from 2013 until Nov. 1 , 2016 , when the FBI terminated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with the media regarding the dossier .
Steele ’ s handling agent , Michael Gaeta , told the House Intelligence Committee that the FBI decided not to pay Steele for his help with Crossfire Hurricane because of his contacts with the media .
Stefan Halper is another FBI source who was a co-convener of the Cambridge event that Flynn attended .
The FBI tasked Halper to meet with and record Page , Papadopoulos and Sam Clovis .
The IG report also said that Halper was previously acquainted with Flynn , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any intelligence on the retired general .
Halper told the FBI he was acquainted with Flynn , the IG report stated .
Neither Steele nor Halper are known to have attended the Cambridge event , making it difficult to ascertain who is the FBI source mentioned in the Jan. 4 , 2017 , memo on Flynn .
Both Halper and Steele have a relationship with Sir Richard Dearlove , the former chief of MI6 .
Dearlove hosted Flynn at the Cambridge event .
Steele ’ s firm , Orbis Business Intelligence , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowledge of Lokhova .
A source familiar with Steele ’ s activities in 2016 previously told the DCNF that the retired spy was aware of Lokhova .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Former British spy Christopher Steele peddled an unfounded rumor in December 2016 that Michael Flynn had an extramarital affair with a Russian woman, according to documents released earlier in May.
Months before Steele discussed Flynn, the FBI offered to pay the ex-spy to collect intelligence on Flynn and other Trump associates who were the targets of a counterintelligence investigation.
An FBI source provided information about Flynn that matches what Steele provided the bureau, an FBI memo from early 2017 also said.
Rumors about Flynn and a Russian-British woman, Svetlana Lokhova, began circulating in the media in March 2017.
An FBI offer to pay former British spy Christopher Steele to collect intelligence on Michael Flynn in the weeks before the 2016 election has been one of the more overlooked revelations in a Justice Department inspector general’s report released in December.
The reference to the FBI proposal, which was made in an Oct. 3, 2016, meeting in an unidentified European city, has received virtually no press attention. But it might have new significance following the recent release of government documents that show that Steele peddled an unfounded rumor that Flynn had an extramarital affair with a Russian woman in the United Kingdom.
It is not clear how and when Steele came across the rumor, or if it was the result of the FBI asking him to look into Flynn. (RELATED: Dossier Author Told John McCain Aide Of Unfounded Michael Flynn Affair Rumor)
The inspector general’s report, released on Dec. 9, 2019, said that FBI agents offered to pay Steele “significantly” to collect intelligence from three separate “buckets” that the bureau was pursuing as part of Crossfire Hurricane, its counterintelligence probe of four Trump campaign associates.
One bucket was “Additional intelligence/reporting on specific, named individuals (such as [Carter Page] or [Flynn]) involved in facilitating the Trump campaign-Russian relationship,” the IG report stated.
FBI agents also sought contact with “any individuals or sub sources” who Steele could provide to “serve as cooperating witnesses to assist in identifying persons involved in the Trump campaign-Russian relationship.”
Steele at the time had provided the FBI with reports he compiled alleging that members of the Trump campaign had conspired with the Kremlin to influence the 2016 election.
An FBI agent provided Steele with a “general overview” of the ongoing Crossfire Hurricane probe, according to the IG report. The agent told Steele about the actions of George Papadopoulos, a Trump campaign aide, and said the FBI had undertaken a “small analytical effort” that centered on Paul Manafort, Carter Page and Flynn.
Some FBI agents who attended the meeting questioned whether the lead agent had disclosed too much to Steele about Crossfire Hurricane, according to the IG report.
Steele was not previously known to have deeply investigated Flynn as part of his dirt-digging mission against the Trump campaign. The former MI6 officer compiled 17 memos that focused instead on Donald Trump, Page, Manafort and Michael Cohen, a former lawyer for Trump.
But two documents released in recent weeks raise the question of whether the FBI’s request of Steele has any link to the rumors that Flynn had an affair with a Russian woman.
One of the documents is a transcript of longtime John McCain associate David Kramer’s interview with the House Intelligence Committee. Kramer testified on Dec. 17, 2017, that Steele told him in December 2016 that he suspected that Flynn had an extramarital affair with a Russian woman.
“There was one thing he mentioned to me that is not included here, and that is he believed that Mr. Flynn had an extramarital affair with a Russian woman in the U.K.,” Kramer told lawmakers.
Kramer said that Steele conveyed that Flynn’s alleged mistress was a “Russian woman” who “may have been a dual citizen.”
An FBI memo dated Jan. 4, 2017, contained another allegation regarding Flynn and a mysterious Russian woman.
The memo, which was provided to Flynn’s lawyers on April 30, said that an FBI confidential human source (CHS) told the bureau that they were present at an event that Flynn attended while he was still working in the U.S. intelligence community.
The CHS said that after dinner and drinks, Flynn “surprised” everyone by leaving in a cab with a person that the FBI source suspected had ties to Russians. (RELATED: Secret FBI Source Provided Information On Flynn Visit To U.K.)
Svetlana Lokhova, a Russian-British academic who studied at the University of Cambridge, said she is the woman at the center of the FBI memo and Kramer testimony.
Lokhova became the target of a whisper campaign in early 2017 regarding Flynn’s visit to Cambridge three years earlier, when he served as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian reported in March 2017 that Flynn had a suspicious encounter with Lokhova that drew the attention of American and British intelligence officials.
Lokhova has vehemently denied allegations of wrongdoing. She has said that she met Flynn just once, at the Cambridge event.
Lokhova’s husband has told the Daily Caller News Foundation that he picked Lokhova up after the Cambridge dinner and that she did not leave with Flynn. A DIA official who attended the Cambridge event with Flynn also told TheWSJ in March 2017 that Flynn did not engage in any improper behavior.
In the FBI memo, the Washington Field Office proposed closing a counterintelligence investigation of Flynn because investigators found no evidence that he was acting as an agent of Russia.
Peter Strzok, the deputy chief of counterintelligence, intervened at the last minute to keep the investigation open after the FBI obtained a transcript of Flynn’s phone calls in late December 2016 with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak.
Strzok helped set the “primary objectives” for the FBI meeting with Steele in October 2016, the IG report also stated.
The FBI source discussed in the Flynn memo has not been identified.
Steele was officially a CHS from 2013 until Nov. 1, 2016, when the FBI terminated the relationship because the ex-spy had unauthorized contact with the media regarding the dossier. Steele’s handling agent, Michael Gaeta, told the House Intelligence Committee that the FBI decided not to pay Steele for his help with Crossfire Hurricane because of his contacts with the media.
Stefan Halper is another FBI source who was a co-convener of the Cambridge event that Flynn attended.
The FBI tasked Halper to meet with and record Page, Papadopoulos and Sam Clovis. The IG report also said that Halper was previously acquainted with Flynn, but it did not make reference to Halper providing any intelligence on the retired general.
Halper told the FBI he was acquainted with Flynn, the IG report stated.
Neither Steele nor Halper are known to have attended the Cambridge event, making it difficult to ascertain who is the FBI source mentioned in the Jan. 4, 2017, memo on Flynn. Both Halper and Steele have a relationship with Sir Richard Dearlove, the former chief of MI6. Dearlove hosted Flynn at the Cambridge event.
Steele’s firm, Orbis Business Intelligence, has declined repeated requests for comment about his knowledge of Lokhova. A source familiar with Steele’s activities in 2016 previously told the DCNF that the retired spy was aware of Lokhova.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


bonginoreport--2020-05-21--Kamala Harris Introduces Resolution to Condemn Completely Accurate Term “Chinese Virus” As Racist

Democratic California Sen. Kamala Harris introduced a resolution last week calling on the Senate to condemn the term “ Wuhan virus ” as racist .
The resolution , introduced May 14 , describes the terms “ Chinese Virus , ” “ Wuhan Virus , ” and “ Kung-flu ” as “ anti-Asian terminology and rhetoric ” that “ have perpetuated anti-Asian stigma.
” The resolution on the Senate to condemn “ all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID–19 , ” including “ all manifestations or expressions of racism , xenophobia , discrimination , anti-Asian sentiment , scapegoating , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a press release from early April , the senator announced that she was planning to introduce the resolution along with Democratic Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Democratic Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono .
( RELATED : Cuomo Refers To Wuhan Coronavirus As The ‘ European Virus ’ ) “ There have been disturbing reports of increased profiling , intimidation , or hate towards Asian-Americans and Asian immigrants during the COVID-19 crisis – this is inexcusable , ” Harris said .
She cited an FBI intelligence report that was discussed in an ABC news article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to increase and an NBC News report saying that anti-Asian sentiments have increased during COVID-19 .
“ Let ’ s be clear : COVID-19 does not target any group by race or ethnicity .
We must condemn any instance of racism or discrimination , wherever it exists , ” Harris added .
“ The increased use of anti-Asian rhetoric has resulted in Asian Americans being harassed , assaulted , and scapegoated for the COVID–19 pandemic , ” the bill reads .
President Donald Trump has frequently referred to COVID-19 as the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , ” which some have condemned as racist .
According to a Washington Post article published in March , “ several experts ” spoke out against the president ’ s use of the terms , including UCLA professor Gilbert Gee , who told the Post that “ they ’ ve basically made it okay to have anti-Asian bias.
” University of Maryland at Baltimore County psychology professor Charissa Cheah , who is conducting research on anti-Asian bias during the pandemic , called Trump ’ s use of the terms “ reckless and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s report .
“ [ Trump is ] essentially throwing his American citizens or residents of Chinese and Asian descent ‘ under the bus ’ by ignoring the consequences of the language he uses , ” she said .
“ He ’ s fueling these anti-Chinese sentiments among Americans.
” The president has defended his use of the terms , saying at a White House press briefing in March that “ It ’ s not racist at all .
No , not at all .
It comes from China , that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I want to be accurate , ” according to a Politico report .

Democratic California Sen. Kamala Harris introduced a resolution last week calling on the Senate to condemn the term “Wuhan virus” as racist.
The resolution, introduced May 14, describes the terms “Chinese Virus,” “Wuhan Virus,” and “Kung-flu” as “anti-Asian terminology and rhetoric” that “have perpetuated anti-Asian stigma.” The resolution on the Senate to condemn “all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID–19,” including “all manifestations or expressions of racism, xenophobia, discrimination, anti-Asian sentiment, scapegoating, and ethnic or religious intolerance.”
In a press release from early April, the senator announced that she was planning to introduce the resolution along with Democratic Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Democratic Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono. (RELATED: Cuomo Refers To Wuhan Coronavirus As The ‘European Virus’)
“There have been disturbing reports of increased profiling, intimidation, or hate towards Asian-Americans and Asian immigrants during the COVID-19 crisis – this is inexcusable,” Harris said.
She cited an FBI intelligence report that was discussed in an ABC news article that said hate crimes against Asian-Americans were likely to increase and an NBC News report saying that anti-Asian sentiments have increased during COVID-19.
“Let’s be clear: COVID-19 does not target any group by race or ethnicity. We must condemn any instance of racism or discrimination, wherever it exists,” Harris added.
“The increased use of anti-Asian rhetoric has resulted in Asian Americans being harassed, assaulted, and scapegoated for the COVID–19 pandemic,” the bill reads.
President Donald Trump has frequently referred to COVID-19 as the “Chinese virus” and the “Wuhan virus,” which some have condemned as racist. According to a Washington Post article published in March, “several experts” spoke out against the president’s use of the terms, including UCLA professor Gilbert Gee, who told the Post that “they’ve basically made it okay to have anti-Asian bias.”
I always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously, and have done a very good job from the beginning, including my very early decision to close the “borders” from China – against the wishes of almost all. Many lives were saved. The Fake News new narrative is disgraceful & false! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020
University of Maryland at Baltimore County psychology professor Charissa Cheah, who is conducting research on anti-Asian bias during the pandemic, called Trump’s use of the terms “reckless and irresponsible,” according to the Post’s report.
“[Trump is] essentially throwing his American citizens or residents of Chinese and Asian descent ‘under the bus’ by ignoring the consequences of the language he uses,” she said. “He’s fueling these anti-Chinese sentiments among Americans.”
The president has defended his use of the terms, saying at a White House press briefing in March that “It’s not racist at all. No, not at all. It comes from China, that’s why. It comes from China. I want to be accurate,” according to a Politico report.


bonginoreport--2020-05-21--Senate Passes Bill Increasing Oversight of Chinese Companies

The Senate passed legislation on Wednesday that could ban many Chinese companies from listing shares on U.S. exchanges or raising money from American investors without adhering to Washington 's regulatory and audit standards .
The bill , sponsored by Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy , would require companies to certify that `` they are not owned or controlled by a foreign government . ''
Alibaba , an e-commerce giant based in China , saw its U.S.-listed shares fall more than 2 % on the news .
Though the law could be applied to any foreign company that seeks access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to strengthen disclosure requirements is aimed principally at Beijing .
`` The Chinese Communist Party cheats , and the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act would stop them from cheating on U.S. stock exchanges , '' Kennedy , a member of the Senate Banking Committee , wrote Tuesday afternoon on Twitter .
`` We ca n't let foreign threats to Americans ' retirement funds take root in our exchanges . ''
Specifically , the statute would require a foreign company to certify it 's not owned or manipulated by a foreign government if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to audit specified reports because the company uses a foreign accounting firm not subject to inspection by the board .
If the board is unable to inspect the company 's accounting firm for three consecutive years , the issuer 's securities are banned from trade on a national exchange .
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board , overseen by the Securities and Exchange Commission , is the nonprofit body that oversees audits of all U.S. companies that wish to raise money in the public markets .
The bill 's passage via unanimous consent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. lawmakers toward China , its handling of the Covid-19 outbreak and what many American regulators say is a persistent disregard of American financial disclosure standards .
`` Hopefully , this is a wake-up call to China to bring itself into conformity with the rest of its world and allow transparency into the audits of its companies , '' Clete Willems , a former Trump administration trade advisor and a partner at Akin Gump , told CNBC .

The Senate passed legislation on Wednesday that could ban many Chinese companies from listing shares on U.S. exchanges or raising money from American investors without adhering to Washington's regulatory and audit standards.
The bill, sponsored by Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy, would require companies to certify that "they are not owned or controlled by a foreign government." Alibaba, an e-commerce giant based in China, saw its U.S.-listed shares fall more than 2% on the news.
Though the law could be applied to any foreign company that seeks access to U.S. capital, lawmakers say the move to strengthen disclosure requirements is aimed principally at Beijing.
The White House declined to comment.
"The Chinese Communist Party cheats, and the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act would stop them from cheating on U.S. stock exchanges," Kennedy, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, wrote Tuesday afternoon on Twitter. "We can't let foreign threats to Americans' retirement funds take root in our exchanges."
Specifically, the statute would require a foreign company to certify it's not owned or manipulated by a foreign government if the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board is unable to audit specified reports because the company uses a foreign accounting firm not subject to inspection by the board. If the board is unable to inspect the company's accounting firm for three consecutive years, the issuer's securities are banned from trade on a national exchange.
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, overseen by the Securities and Exchange Commission, is the nonprofit body that oversees audits of all U.S. companies that wish to raise money in the public markets.
The bill's passage via unanimous consent around noon reflects the growing anger among U.S. lawmakers toward China, its handling of the Covid-19 outbreak and what many American regulators say is a persistent disregard of American financial disclosure standards.
"Hopefully, this is a wake-up call to China to bring itself into conformity with the rest of its world and allow transparency into the audits of its companies," Clete Willems, a former Trump administration trade advisor and a partner at Akin Gump, told CNBC.


bonginoreport--2020-05-21--Global Coronavirus Cases Top Five Million

( Reuters ) - Global coronavirus cases surpassed 5 million on Wednesday , with Latin America overtaking the United States and Europe in the past week to report the largest portion of new daily cases globally .
It represents a new phase in the virus ’ spread , which initially peaked in China in February , before large-scale outbreaks followed in Europe and the United States .
Latin America accounted for around a third of the 91,000 cases reported earlier this week .
Europe and the United States each accounted for just over 20 % .
A large number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which recently surpassed Germany , France and the United Kingdom to become the third-largest outbreak in the world , behind the United States and Russia .
Cases in Brazil are now rising at a daily pace second only to the United States .
The first 41 cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Wuhan , China , on Jan. 10 and it took the world until April 1 to reach its first million cases .
Since then , about 1 million new cases are reported every two weeks , according to a Reuters tally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the virus has infected more people in under six months than the annual total of severe flu cases , which the World Health Organization estimates is around 3 million to 5 million globally .
The pandemic has claimed over 326,000 lives , though the true number is thought to be higher as testing is still limited and many countries do not include fatalities outside of hospitals .
Over half of the total fatalities have been recorded in Europe .
Despite the continued increase in cases , many countries are opening schools and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stemmed the spread .
Financial markets have also been boosted slightly by promising early results from the first U.S. vaccine trial in humans .

(Reuters) - Global coronavirus cases surpassed 5 million on Wednesday, with Latin America overtaking the United States and Europe in the past week to report the largest portion of new daily cases globally.
It represents a new phase in the virus’ spread, which initially peaked in China in February, before large-scale outbreaks followed in Europe and the United States.
Latin America accounted for around a third of the 91,000 cases reported earlier this week. Europe and the United States each accounted for just over 20%.
A large number of those new cases came from Brazil, which recently surpassed Germany, France and the United Kingdom to become the third-largest outbreak in the world, behind the United States and Russia.
Cases in Brazil are now rising at a daily pace second only to the United States.
Slideshow ( 2 images )
The first 41 cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Wuhan, China, on Jan. 10 and it took the world until April 1 to reach its first million cases. Since then, about 1 million new cases are reported every two weeks, according to a Reuters tally.
At more than 5 million cases, the virus has infected more people in under six months than the annual total of severe flu cases, which the World Health Organization estimates is around 3 million to 5 million globally.
The pandemic has claimed over 326,000 lives, though the true number is thought to be higher as testing is still limited and many countries do not include fatalities outside of hospitals. Over half of the total fatalities have been recorded in Europe.
Despite the continued increase in cases, many countries are opening schools and workplaces following weeks of lockdown that have stemmed the spread.
Financial markets have also been boosted slightly by promising early results from the first U.S. vaccine trial in humans.


bonginoreport--2020-05-21--FBI Says Corpus Christi Naval Base Shooting is “Terrorism Related”

The entrances to the Naval Air Station-Corpus Christi are closed following an active shooter threat , Thursday , May 21 , 2020 , in Corpus Christi , Texas .
Naval Air Station-Corpus Christi says the shooter was `` neutralized '' and the facility is on lockdown .
( Annie Rice/Corpus Christi Caller-Times via AP ) The entrances to the Naval Air Station-Corpus Christi are closed following an active shooter threat , Thursday , May 21 , 2020 , in Corpus Christi , Texas .
Naval Air Station-Corpus Christi says the shooter was `` neutralized '' and the facility is on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via AP ) A shooting at a Texas naval air station that wounded a sailor and left the gunman dead early Thursday was being investigated as “ terrorism-related , ” the FBI said , but divulged few details as to why .
The suspect was identified as Adam Alsahli of Corpus Christi , according to three officials familiar with the investigation who were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity .
At about 6:15 a.m. , the gunman tried to speed through a security gate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening fire and wounding the sailor , a member of base security , U.S. officials told the AP .
But she was able to roll over and hit the switch that raised a barrier , preventing the man from getting onto the base , the officials said .
Other security personnel shot and killed the man .
There was an initial concern that he may have an explosive device , but Navy experts swept the area and the car and found nothing .
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still working to process the crime scene late into the day and had recovered some type of electronic media .
The base was on lockdown for about five hours , but it was lifted shortly before noon .
The main gate was reopened , though the gate where the incident occurred was still shut down .
FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Leah Greeves said at a news conference that investigators were working to determine whether a second person of interest was at large but did not elaborate .
She also would not discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigators to believe the shooting was related to terrorism .
“ We have determined that the incident this morning at the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi is terrorism related , ” Greeves said .
“ We are working diligently with our state , local and federal partners on this investigation , which is fluid and evolving.
” The FBI ’ s field office in Houston has taken the lead on the investigation , and neither investigators nor the Navy provided details on the shooter or a possible motive .
Attorney General William Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department spokeswoman said .
The injured sailor was discharged from a hospital where she was treated for minor injuries , according to a statement from the command .
The air station is surrounded by water on three sides and is home to Naval pilot training since 1941 , according to its website .
Marine Corps , Navy , U.S. Coast Guard student pilots train there .
It ’ s also home to the Corpus Christi Army Depot , a depot for the Department of Defense rotary wing aircraft .
The station had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident at the base last year , a man pleaded guilty to destruction of U.S. government property and possession of a stolen firearm for ramming his truck into a barricade at the Corpus Christi station .
The shooting also comes months after a Saudi Air Force officer who was training at a Navy base in Pensacola , Florida , killed three U.S. sailors and wounded eight other people in a shooting that American officials described as an act of terrorism .
The country ’ s top federal law enforcement officials said this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack , Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani , had been in touch with al-Qaida operatives about planning and tactics in the months before the shooting .
Alshamrani was killed by a sheriff ’ s deputy .
According to U.S. officials , unlike Pensacola , there are no international or foreign national students at the Texas base .
The military put a number of new safety procedures in place after the Pensacola shooting to restrict and better screen international students .
Associated Press writers Eric Tucker and Colleen Long in Washington , Jill Zeman in Little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New York contributed to this report .

A shooting at a Texas naval air station that wounded a sailor and left the gunman dead early Thursday was being investigated as “terrorism-related,” the FBI said, but divulged few details as to why.
The suspect was identified as Adam Alsahli of Corpus Christi, according to three officials familiar with the investigation who were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
At about 6:15 a.m., the gunman tried to speed through a security gate at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, opening fire and wounding the sailor, a member of base security, U.S. officials told the AP. But she was able to roll over and hit the switch that raised a barrier, preventing the man from getting onto the base, the officials said.
Other security personnel shot and killed the man.
There was an initial concern that he may have an explosive device, but Navy experts swept the area and the car and found nothing. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details about an ongoing investigation. Officials were still working to process the crime scene late into the day and had recovered some type of electronic media.
Later, federal agents were seen carrying items from inside a house that a Corpus Christi police tactical unit had surrounded and a public records search by local television station KRIS indicated was Alsahli’s last known address. A police spokesman would not confirm that the activity was related to the shooting at the Naval station.
The base was on lockdown for about five hours, but it was lifted shortly before noon. The main gate was reopened, though the gate where the incident occurred was still shut down.
FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Leah Greeves said at a news conference that investigators were working to determine whether a second person of interest was at large but did not elaborate. She also would not discuss a potential motive or specify what led investigators to believe the shooting was related to terrorism.
“We have determined that the incident this morning at the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi is terrorism related,” Greeves said. “We are working diligently with our state, local and federal partners on this investigation, which is fluid and evolving.”
The FBI’s field office in Houston has taken the lead on the investigation, and neither investigators nor the Navy provided details on the shooter or a possible motive. Attorney General William Barr has also been briefed, a Justice Department spokeswoman said.
The injured sailor was discharged from a hospital where she was treated for minor injuries, according to a statement from the command.
The air station is surrounded by water on three sides and is home to Naval pilot training since 1941, according to its website. Marine Corps, Navy, U.S. Coast Guard student pilots train there. It’s also home to the Corpus Christi Army Depot, a depot for the Department of Defense rotary wing aircraft.
The station had a similar lockdown last December. In another incident at the base last year, a man pleaded guilty to destruction of U.S. government property and possession of a stolen firearm for ramming his truck into a barricade at the Corpus Christi station.
The shooting also comes months after a Saudi Air Force officer who was training at a Navy base in Pensacola, Florida, killed three U.S. sailors and wounded eight other people in a shooting that American officials described as an act of terrorism. The country’s top federal law enforcement officials said this week that the gunman in December’s attack, Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, had been in touch with al-Qaida operatives about planning and tactics in the months before the shooting. Alshamrani was killed by a sheriff’s deputy.
According to U.S. officials, unlike Pensacola, there are no international or foreign national students at the Texas base. The military put a number of new safety procedures in place after the Pensacola shooting to restrict and better screen international students.
___
Associated Press writers Eric Tucker and Colleen Long in Washington, Jill Zeman in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed to this report.