themindunleashed--2020-07-07--Ghislaine Maxwell Plans To Share ‘Secret Stash’ of Recorded Evidence Used To Blackmail Epstein’s Fri

Ghislaine Maxwell Plans To Share ‘Secret Stash’ of Recorded Evidence Used To Blackmail Epstein’s Friends

Sources close to Ghislaine Maxwell have revealed that she has a secret stash of recordings and plans to use the footage as a bargaining tool with prosecutors .
Maxwell ’ s former friend , who spoke under the condition of anonymity with The Daily Mail , said that these tapes could implicate some extremely powerful people .
“ Ghislaine has always been as cunning as they come .
She wasn ’ t going to be with Epstein all those years and not have some insurance .
The secret stash of sex tapes I believe Ghislaine has squirreled away could end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ card if the authorities are willing to trade .
She has copies of everything Epstein had .
They could implicate some twisted movers and shakers , ” the source said .
“ If Ghislaine goes down , she ’ s going to take the whole damn lot of them with her , ” they added .
The former friend of Maxwell also said that she and Epstein intentionally collected evidence on all of their associates to use as blackmail .
“ Not only did Epstein like to capture himself with underage girls on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had something to hold over the rich and powerful men who took advantage of his sick largesse .
I ’ ll bet anything that once it comes out that Ghislaine has those tapes these men will be quaking in their Italian leather boots .
Ghislaine made sure that she socked away thumb drives of it all .
She knows where all the bodies are buried and she ’ ll use whatever she had to save her own a** , ” They said .
In an interview with The Sun , Epstein ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maxwell ‘ knows everything ’ and will ‘ totally co-operate ’ after her arrest .
Hoffenberg , said that ‘ there ’ s a lot of people very worried ’ about what Maxwell could tell investigators .
Following Maxwell ’ s arrest , Prince Andrew has canceled his trips abroad and plans to stay in the UK out of fears that he could be intercepted by authorities , the New York Post reported .
Friends have indicated that Prince Andrew is one person that Maxwell doesn ’ t intend to share information about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question him for months , but he has continued to avoid their requests .
Laura Goldman , a former investment banker who said she has known Maxwell since she moved to the U.S. , told BBC Radio 4 ’ s Today that she considered Andrew a real friend .
“ No .
She ’ s always told me that she would never ever say anything about him .
I think she felt that he was her friend and she was never ever going to say anything about him .
She really felt that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Prince Andrew was there for her , in many ways , ” Goldman said .
Epstein and Maxwell were connected with major players on both sides of the political spectrum , including the Clintons and the Trumps , who have a lot to lose if Maxwell discusses their involvement with Epstein ’ s trafficking ring .
With how many people that Epstein was connected to there is no telling what can be revealed in these recordings .

Sources close to Ghislaine Maxwell have revealed that she has a secret stash of recordings and plans to use the footage as a bargaining tool with prosecutors.
Maxwell’s former friend, who spoke under the condition of anonymity with The Daily Mail, said that these tapes could implicate some extremely powerful people.
“Ghislaine has always been as cunning as they come. She wasn’t going to be with Epstein all those years and not have some insurance. The secret stash of sex tapes I believe Ghislaine has squirreled away could end up being her get out of jail card if the authorities are willing to trade. She has copies of everything Epstein had. They could implicate some twisted movers and shakers,” the source said.
“If Ghislaine goes down, she’s going to take the whole damn lot of them with her,” they added.
The former friend of Maxwell also said that she and Epstein intentionally collected evidence on all of their associates to use as blackmail.
“Not only did Epstein like to capture himself with underage girls on camera – he wanted to make sure he had something to hold over the rich and powerful men who took advantage of his sick largesse. I’ll bet anything that once it comes out that Ghislaine has those tapes these men will be quaking in their Italian leather boots. Ghislaine made sure that she socked away thumb drives of it all. She knows where all the bodies are buried and she’ll use whatever she had to save her own a**,” They said.
In an interview with The Sun, Epstein’s former employer Steven Hoffenberg said that Maxwell ‘knows everything’ and will ‘totally co-operate’ after her arrest.
Hoffenberg, said that ‘there’s a lot of people very worried’ about what Maxwell could tell investigators.
Following Maxwell’s arrest, Prince Andrew has canceled his trips abroad and plans to stay in the UK out of fears that he could be intercepted by authorities, the New York Post reported. Friends have indicated that Prince Andrew is one person that Maxwell doesn’t intend to share information about, but investigators have been trying to question him for months, but he has continued to avoid their requests.
Laura Goldman, a former investment banker who said she has known Maxwell since she moved to the U.S., told BBC Radio 4’s Today that she considered Andrew a real friend.
“No. She’s always told me that she would never ever say anything about him. I think she felt that he was her friend and she was never ever going to say anything about him. She really felt that in the 90s when her father died that Prince Andrew was there for her, in many ways,” Goldman said.
Epstein and Maxwell were connected with major players on both sides of the political spectrum, including the Clintons and the Trumps, who have a lot to lose if Maxwell discusses their involvement with Epstein’s trafficking ring. With how many people that Epstein was connected to there is no telling what can be revealed in these recordings.
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themindunleashed--2020-07-07--Phoenix Police Execute Man in Parked Car in Front of Shocked Neighbors, Sparking New Protests

Residents of Phoenix , Arizona , have responded with fury and renewed community protests after a Latino man was shot to death on July 4th , in broad daylight , while seated in his parked car in a shocking incident captured on video by neighbors .
In the video , several uniformed officers can be seen surrounding the parked vehicle while shouting and pointing their guns at 28-year-old James “ Jay ” Porter Garcia .
One of the officers shouted “ Hey , stop f*cking moving !
I will f*cking shoot you , ” as bystanders watching the scene pleaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” Seconds later , officers appear to have shattered the passenger-side window , followed by the sound of a shout .
After a brief moment of silence , police rapidly fired on the man from point-blank range about ten times .
As officers continue to shout and bark commands at the wounded Garcia , whose head was slumped over onto the window sill , witnesses could angrily be heard shouting at the officers , “ That ’ s f*cked up … What the f*ck !
” and “ He ’ s dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Garcia was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead , according to the Phoenix Police Department .
Video footage of the deadly shooting in the majority-Latino/Chicano neighborhood of Maryvale Village quickly went viral over the weekend , leading to raucous community protests .
On Sunday , community members from across West Phoenix and beyond marched on the Maryvale Estrella Mountain police station , where they were blocked from storming the building by dozens of officers clad in riot gear , according to social media reports .
The killing of Garcia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutality and killings of Black and Latino people .
However , the PPD have garnered a notorious reputation for being national leaders in terms of police violence .
In 2019 , police shot and killed 12 people .
In 2018 , PPD had 23 fatal shootings after averaging 21 per year from 2009 to 2017 .
Advocates , elected officials , and community groups have voiced outrage over the Phoenix police ’ s seeming unwillingness to address its culture of brutality and use of excessive force .
The Phoenix PD , headed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been engulfed in controversy after a report last June revealed thousands of racist , anti- homophobic and bigoted social media posts by Phoenix police officers .
Williams — who arrived in Phoenix after departing her scandal-plagued tenure as chief of police in Oxnard , California — was forced to place dozens of officers on “ non-enforcement assignments ” after what she called the “ embarrassing and disturbing ” revelation .
The social media posts showed Phoenix officers gleefully bragging about their use of excessive force and brutality against civilians .
Critics have also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information about police shootings such as police reports , 911 calls , and body-worn camera footage for cases that were recorded , according to AZCentral .
“ It does not shock us that despite all the scrutiny from community Phoenix PD continues to respond violently to calls , ” Carlos Garcia , a member of the Phoenix City Council , said in a Facebook post .
“ The department also issued a premature statement leaving out facts about the case .
We can not allow for dishonest narratives to be built by violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for independent investigations into officer-involved shootings.
” Phoenix police claim that they were responding to a 911 call about an aggravated assault , and allege that James Garcia was holding a handgun and brandishing it toward an officer before they unloaded the salvo on him .
Spokeswoman Sgt .
Mercedes Fortune said officers spoke to Garcia for roughly 10 minutes before shooting him , and that he was only killed after he told officers to shoot him and lifted his gun in their direction , according to the New York Times .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the scene following the shooting , a handgun could be seen being retrieved from inside the vehicle .
Neighbors and friends of the victim , however , dispute that the man was carrying any weapon .
“ They put the gun on his head like this and they ’ re still telling him not to move , to get his hand off a gun he don ’ t have and then they shot him again , ” Steven Merry , a friend of Garcia , told KSAZ .
Neighbor Lisa Wagner said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sounded like a war had broken out in front of my house.
” Wagner , whose 26-year-old son Shawn Hansen considered James Garcia a best friend , described him as “ very well mannered , very well-dressed [ and ] pretty much an all-around good guy.
” She also said that he was easily frightened and “ kind of scared of his own shadow at times.
” “ I keep thinking it ’ s a bad dream and we ’ re going to wake up and we ’ re all going to laugh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to my driveway and I realize that it ’ s real , ” Wagner added .
“ Everyone kind of feels like they ( police ) murdered Jay.
” Community organizers are demanding that the Phoenix PD release body-camera footage from the two officers who killed Garcia , but remain skeptical about whether the footage would be made available to them .
“ What we want is the whole footage , ” said Viri Hernandez , executive director of Maryvale-based community organization Poder in Action , during a Monday candlelight vigil attended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single body camera .
Every single cop who showed up .
Everything from when they were driving to when they got there to when they killed him.
” Family members have also been grief-stricken by the loss of their loved one .
“ Please help me get justice for my brother , ” a woman identifying herself as Garcia ’ s sister told the crowd as she weeped .
“ Please .
That ’ s all we want , that ’ s all we want .
We love him so much .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother and a great son.
” Jacqueline Fernandez , a sister of Garcia , also told New York Times : “ I can only tell you what a good man [ Jamess ] was … How kind and loving .
Good father , son and brother .
I can tell you that we are going to fight for justice , that we want to fight for the release of the body cams so that we can move forward.
” At the end of the vigil , community members tearfully sang “ Lean on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the home where the shooting occurred .
Dozens of protesters then marched once again to the Maryvale Estrella Mountain Precinct , blocking traffic at one point to bring attention to the killing .

Residents of Phoenix, Arizona, have responded with fury and renewed community protests after a Latino man was shot to death on July 4th, in broad daylight, while seated in his parked car in a shocking incident captured on video by neighbors.
In the video, several uniformed officers can be seen surrounding the parked vehicle while shouting and pointing their guns at 28-year-old James “Jay” Porter Garcia. One of the officers shouted “Hey, stop f*cking moving! I will f*cking shoot you,” as bystanders watching the scene pleaded, “Don’t shoot him!”
Seconds later, officers appear to have shattered the passenger-side window, followed by the sound of a shout. After a brief moment of silence, police rapidly fired on the man from point-blank range about ten times.
As officers continue to shout and bark commands at the wounded Garcia, whose head was slumped over onto the window sill, witnesses could angrily be heard shouting at the officers, “That’s f*cked up … What the f*ck!” and “He’s dead, what are you guys doing?”
Garcia was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to the Phoenix Police Department.
Video footage of the deadly shooting in the majority-Latino/Chicano neighborhood of Maryvale Village quickly went viral over the weekend, leading to raucous community protests.
Yesterday, Phoenix PD killed James “Jay” Garcia. (Warning video is graphic) this was taken by a bystander. We send our condolences to his family who is mourning his sudden death. It does not shock us that despite all the scrutiny from community Phoenix PD continues to respond violently to calls. But, we must all continue to ask for transparency and accountability. The department also issued a premature statement leaving out facts about the case. We cannot allow for dishonest narratives to be built by violent departments. We will continue to call for independent investigations into officer involved shootings. Posted by Carlos Garcia on Sunday, July 5, 2020
On Sunday, community members from across West Phoenix and beyond marched on the Maryvale Estrella Mountain police station, where they were blocked from storming the building by dozens of officers clad in riot gear, according to social media reports.
The killing of Garcia adds to mounting grievances over nationwide police brutality and killings of Black and Latino people. However, the PPD have garnered a notorious reputation for being national leaders in terms of police violence. In 2019, police shot and killed 12 people. In 2018, PPD had 23 fatal shootings after averaging 21 per year from 2009 to 2017.
Advocates, elected officials, and community groups have voiced outrage over the Phoenix police’s seeming unwillingness to address its culture of brutality and use of excessive force.
The Phoenix PD, headed by Chief Jeri Williams—who herself is Black—has also been engulfed in controversy after a report last June revealed thousands of racist, anti- homophobic and bigoted social media posts by Phoenix police officers.
Williams — who arrived in Phoenix after departing her scandal-plagued tenure as chief of police in Oxnard, California — was forced to place dozens of officers on “non-enforcement assignments” after what she called the “embarrassing and disturbing” revelation. The social media posts showed Phoenix officers gleefully bragging about their use of excessive force and brutality against civilians.
Critics have also blasted the department for routinely withholding basic information about police shootings such as police reports, 911 calls, and body-worn camera footage for cases that were recorded, according to AZCentral.
“It does not shock us that despite all the scrutiny from community Phoenix PD continues to respond violently to calls,” Carlos Garcia, a member of the Phoenix City Council, said in a Facebook post.
“The department also issued a premature statement leaving out facts about the case. We cannot allow for dishonest narratives to be built by violent departments. we will continue to call for independent investigations into officer-involved shootings.”
Phoenix police claim that they were responding to a 911 call about an aggravated assault, and allege that James Garcia was holding a handgun and brandishing it toward an officer before they unloaded the salvo on him. Spokeswoman Sgt. Mercedes Fortune said officers spoke to Garcia for roughly 10 minutes before shooting him, and that he was only killed after he told officers to shoot him and lifted his gun in their direction, according to the New York Times.
In body-camera footage from an officer who arrived at the scene following the shooting, a handgun could be seen being retrieved from inside the vehicle.
Join us tonight at 6 PM to hold a vigil for James Garcia, who was killed by Phoenix Police on Saturday. We will march to… Posted by Poder in Action on Monday, July 6, 2020
Neighbors and friends of the victim, however, dispute that the man was carrying any weapon.
“They put the gun on his head like this and they’re still telling him not to move, to get his hand off a gun he don’t have and then they shot him again,” Steven Merry, a friend of Garcia, told KSAZ.
Neighbor Lisa Wagner said that during the encounter, “It sounded like a war had broken out in front of my house.” Wagner, whose 26-year-old son Shawn Hansen considered James Garcia a best friend, described him as “very well mannered, very well-dressed [and] pretty much an all-around good guy.”
She also said that he was easily frightened and “kind of scared of his own shadow at times.”
“I keep thinking it’s a bad dream and we’re going to wake up and we’re all going to laugh about this, but unfortunately I walk out to my driveway and I realize that it’s real,” Wagner added. “Everyone kind of feels like they (police) murdered Jay.”
Community organizers are demanding that the Phoenix PD release body-camera footage from the two officers who killed Garcia, but remain skeptical about whether the footage would be made available to them.
“What we want is the whole footage,” said Viri Hernandez, executive director of Maryvale-based community organization Poder in Action, during a Monday candlelight vigil attended by about 100 people. “Every single body camera. Every single cop who showed up. Everything from when they were driving to when they got there to when they killed him.”
Posted by Poder in Action on Monday, July 6, 2020
Family members have also been grief-stricken by the loss of their loved one.
“Please help me get justice for my brother,” a woman identifying herself as Garcia’s sister told the crowd as she weeped. “Please. That’s all we want, that’s all we want. We love him so much. He was a great father, a great brother and a great son.”
Jacqueline Fernandez, a sister of Garcia, also told New York Times: “I can only tell you what a good man [Jamess] was … How kind and loving. Good father, son and brother. I can tell you that we are going to fight for justice, that we want to fight for the release of the body cams so that we can move forward.”
At the end of the vigil, community members tearfully sang “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers outside of the home where the shooting occurred. Dozens of protesters then marched once again to the Maryvale Estrella Mountain Precinct, blocking traffic at one point to bring attention to the killing.
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themindunleashed--2020-07-07--The US Government Might Ban TikTok, Mike Pompeo Says

During an interview on Monday , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that US authorities are considering a ban on TikTok and other social media apps that were developed in China .
“ With respect to Chinese apps on people ’ s cell phones , I can assure you the United States will get this one right too .
I don ’ t want to get out in front of the President , but it ’ s something we ’ re looking at , ” he said .
Pompeo added that US citizens should only download the app , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.
” The company behind TikTok has been forced to respond to the issue by emphasizing their ties in the US and insisting that they have never shared information with the Chinese government and would not do so if they were asked .
“ TikTok is led by an American CEO , with hundreds of employees and key leaders across safety , security , product , and public policy here in the US .
We have no higher priority than promoting a safe and secure app experience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided user data to the Chinese government , nor would we do so if asked , ” a TikTok spokesperson said in a statement .
It is now well-established that basically every app on your phone is harvesting your data , but the United States government and many of its allies have chosen to focus on TikTok specifically because it is owned by a company based in China , ByteDance .
However , TikTok insists that it operates independently of ByteDance , and promises that all of its data centers are located outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US user data is stored in the United States , with a backup in Singapore .
TikTok has also received criticism for a feature that collects information from the “ clipboards ” of iPhone users .
Last week , security experts warned that this feature could allow the app to collect sensitive information from your phone , such as email passwords or cryptocurrency wallets .
The flaw was discovered after the new developer beta release of iOS 14 began telling users that TikTok was accessing their clipboards .
TikTok responded to the controversy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the app as part of a feature to detect spammy behavior on accounts , but they said the feature is still in beta and has not been rolled out to users yet .
In light of the controversy about how the feature works , the company has promised to stop collecting data from iPhone clipboards .
TikTok has quickly become one of the most popular social media apps in the world but has recently faced roadblocks in countries where diplomacy with China has deteriorated .
India , for example , banned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connected to China last week .
The ban comes at a time of heightened tensions between China and India , as clashes have taken place along the border between the two countries in recent weeks .
As a result of the ban in India , the company stands to lose an estimated $ 6 billion .

During an interview on Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that US authorities are considering a ban on TikTok and other social media apps that were developed in China.
“With respect to Chinese apps on people’s cell phones, I can assure you the United States will get this one right too. I don’t want to get out in front of the President, but it’s something we’re looking at,” he said.
Pompeo added that US citizens should only download the app, “If you want your private information in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.”
The company behind TikTok has been forced to respond to the issue by emphasizing their ties in the US and insisting that they have never shared information with the Chinese government and would not do so if they were asked.
“TikTok is led by an American CEO, with hundreds of employees and key leaders across safety, security, product, and public policy here in the US. We have no higher priority than promoting a safe and secure app experience for our users. We have never provided user data to the Chinese government, nor would we do so if asked,” a TikTok spokesperson said in a statement.
It is now well-established that basically every app on your phone is harvesting your data, but the United States government and many of its allies have chosen to focus on TikTok specifically because it is owned by a company based in China, ByteDance.
However, TikTok insists that it operates independently of ByteDance, and promises that all of its data centers are located outside of China. The company says that US user data is stored in the United States, with a backup in Singapore.
TikTok has also received criticism for a feature that collects information from the “clipboards” of iPhone users. Last week, security experts warned that this feature could allow the app to collect sensitive information from your phone, such as email passwords or cryptocurrency wallets.
The flaw was discovered after the new developer beta release of iOS 14 began telling users that TikTok was accessing their clipboards.
TikTok responded to the controversy by insisting that this function was built into the app as part of a feature to detect spammy behavior on accounts, but they said the feature is still in beta and has not been rolled out to users yet.
In light of the controversy about how the feature works, the company has promised to stop collecting data from iPhone clipboards.
TikTok has quickly become one of the most popular social media apps in the world but has recently faced roadblocks in countries where diplomacy with China has deteriorated.
India, for example, banned the application along with a list of others connected to China last week. The ban comes at a time of heightened tensions between China and India, as clashes have taken place along the border between the two countries in recent weeks.
As a result of the ban in India, the company stands to lose an estimated $6 billion.
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themindunleashed--2020-07-08--Deutsche Bank Fined $150 Million for Ignoring and Profiting From Jeffrey Epstein’s Crimes

New York state financial regulators announced on Tuesday that it would be hitting Deutsche Bank with a $ 150 million penalty for what it described as “ significant compliance failures ” in the bank ’ s relationship with late financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein .
Essentially , the major German bank gave Epstein the freedom to move large amounts of money as he pleased while they turned a blind eye to the obviously criminal nature of his transactions .
The New York State Department of Financial Services stressed that the move was totally unprecedented and marked the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial institution for dealing with the accused child sex trafficker .
The notorious registered sex offender committed suicide in dubious conditions last August while in a Manhattan jail just one month after he was arrested for sexually exploiting dozens of women and under-aged girls .
The disgraced 66-year-old financier was intensely well-connected with elite political and business figures across the globe .
Deutsche Bank failed to properly monitor Epstein ’ s account , allowing millions of dollars to be transferred in suspicious transactions despite Epstein ’ s monstrous criminal record requiring such additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter how rich , how big or how powerful an institution you are , predatory behavior of any type will not be tolerated in New York , ” state Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement .
“ For years , Mr. Epstein ’ s criminal , abusive behavior was widely known , yet big institutions continued to excuse that history and lend their credibility or services for financial gain.
” Numerous red flags were ignored by Deutsche Bank when dealing with Epstein , whom the bank itself saw as a “ high-risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his sex trafficking and abuse charges , including his 2007 guilty plea to state prostitution charges .
Regardless , the financial institution continued to process hundreds of transactions that were “ obviously implicated ” by Epstein ’ s past from August 2013 to December 2018 , when the relationship ended amid a storm of negative press regarding his crimes .
According to the New York financial regulator , Epstein was able to pay of his alleged co-conspirators in the sexual abuse of young women .
He was also able to pay off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Eastern European surnames , pay settlements totaling over $ 7 million , and pay over $ 6 million in legal expenses to law firms connected with Epstein and his co-conspirators .
Payments were also made for women ’ s school tuition , hotel , and housing expenses .
Emails also showed that Deutsche Bank had weighed the risks of retaining Epstein as a client but ultimately shrugged them off due to his potential ability to generate millions of dollars in annual revenue , reports Reuters .
When the bank noticed suspicious payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agent in 2017 , the bank chose not to scrutinize the transactions .
In one email , a compliance monitor said that “ since this type of activity is normal for this client it is not deemed suspicious.
” According to the New York financial agency , Epstein had over 40 accounts with the German institution including some that were specifically for his “ Butterfly Trust , ” which benefited his co-conspirators and facilitated payments to “ further or coverup criminal activity and perhaps even to endanger more young women.
” In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sewing admitted that retaining Epstein “ was a critical mistake and should never have happened.
” “ We acknowledge our error of onboarding Epstein in 2013 and the weaknesses in our processes , and have learnt from our mistakes and shortcomings .
Immediately following Epstein ’ s arrest , we contacted law enforcement and offered our full assistance with their investigation , ” a spokesperson for Deutsche Bank said in a statement .

New York state financial regulators announced on Tuesday that it would be hitting Deutsche Bank with a $150 million penalty for what it described as “significant compliance failures” in the bank’s relationship with late financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Essentially, the major German bank gave Epstein the freedom to move large amounts of money as he pleased while they turned a blind eye to the obviously criminal nature of his transactions.
The New York State Department of Financial Services stressed that the move was totally unprecedented and marked the first time regulators had imposed such penalties on a financial institution for dealing with the accused child sex trafficker.
The notorious registered sex offender committed suicide in dubious conditions last August while in a Manhattan jail just one month after he was arrested for sexually exploiting dozens of women and under-aged girls. The disgraced 66-year-old financier was intensely well-connected with elite political and business figures across the globe.
Deutsche Bank failed to properly monitor Epstein’s account, allowing millions of dollars to be transferred in suspicious transactions despite Epstein’s monstrous criminal record requiring such additional scrutiny, reports NBC.
“No matter how rich, how big or how powerful an institution you are, predatory behavior of any type will not be tolerated in New York,” state Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. “For years, Mr. Epstein’s criminal, abusive behavior was widely known, yet big institutions continued to excuse that history and lend their credibility or services for financial gain.”
Despite Deutsche Bank's knowledge of Epstein's criminal history, they failed to prevent millions of dollars in suspicious transactions. No matter how rich, how big or how powerful an institution you are, predatory behavior of any kind will not be tolerated in New York. https://t.co/Rd8HJHb60K — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) July 7, 2020
Numerous red flags were ignored by Deutsche Bank when dealing with Epstein, whom the bank itself saw as a “high-risk client” due to their full knowledge of his sex trafficking and abuse charges, including his 2007 guilty plea to state prostitution charges. Regardless, the financial institution continued to process hundreds of transactions that were “obviously implicated” by Epstein’s past from August 2013 to December 2018, when the relationship ended amid a storm of negative press regarding his crimes.
According to the New York financial regulator, Epstein was able to pay of his alleged co-conspirators in the sexual abuse of young women. He was also able to pay off Russian models and directly pay likely victims with Eastern European surnames, pay settlements totaling over $7 million, and pay over $6 million in legal expenses to law firms connected with Epstein and his co-conspirators. Payments were also made for women’s school tuition, hotel, and housing expenses.
Additionally, Epstein made a number of “suspicious” cash withdrawals totaling approximately $200,000 per year.
Emails also showed that Deutsche Bank had weighed the risks of retaining Epstein as a client but ultimately shrugged them off due to his potential ability to generate millions of dollars in annual revenue, reports Reuters.
When the bank noticed suspicious payments to a Russian model and Russian publicity agent in 2017, the bank chose not to scrutinize the transactions. In one email, a compliance monitor said that “since this type of activity is normal for this client it is not deemed suspicious.”
#NEWS: #NYDFS Supt. @LindaLacewell announces #NYDFS imposes $150M penalty on Deutsche Bank in connection with the bank's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein & correspondent relationships with Danske Estonia & FBME Bank. Read more —> https://t.co/bRN1ZM6G5w — NYDFS (@NYDFS) July 7, 2020
According to the New York financial agency, Epstein had over 40 accounts with the German institution including some that were specifically for his “Butterfly Trust,” which benefited his co-conspirators and facilitated payments to “further or coverup criminal activity and perhaps even to endanger more young women.”
In a memo, Deutsche Bank Chief Executive Christian Sewing admitted that retaining Epstein “was a critical mistake and should never have happened.”
“We acknowledge our error of onboarding Epstein in 2013 and the weaknesses in our processes, and have learnt from our mistakes and shortcomings. Immediately following Epstein’s arrest, we contacted law enforcement and offered our full assistance with their investigation,” a spokesperson for Deutsche Bank said in a statement.
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themindunleashed--2020-07-08--Brave Illinois Police Sergeant Faces Retaliation After Exposing Fellow Cops Torturing Man to Death

A police sergeant in Joliet , Illinois , has been stripped of his police powers and placed on administrative leave after he blew the whistle on the cover-up of the murder of a man who was effectively tortured to death by his fellow officers .
Community members are hailing the actions of whistleblower police Sgt .
Javier “ Butch ” Esqueda , who was moved to reveal the grisly nature of the in-custody death of Eric Lurry , a Black man from Joliet , who was choked to death in the back of a squad car in grueling footage captured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rallied around the Joliet Police Department calling for justice for Lurry while praising Sgt .
Esqueda , a 27-year veteran of the force who has faced retaliation after breaking the code of silence regarding what he sees as the criminal actions of his colleagues , reports CBS2 Chicago .
Joliet City Manager Steve Jones quit following a Tuesday City Council meeting where the brutal events surrounding Lurry ’ s death were discussed .
During the session , Joliet Mayor Bob O ’ Dekirk remarked that he had “ grave concerns ” over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eric Lurry Jr. , 37 , was arrested in an undercover drug operation after he was allegedly found to be hiding drugs in his mouth .
Police claim that he suffered a medical emergency while he was in custody before he later died at St. Joseph ’ s Hospital .
The Will County coroner ’ s office later ruled his death to be accidental and the result of h***** , f******l , and c*****e intoxication , with Lurry having over 10 times the lethal dosage in his system .
However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the squad car depict a far different picture .
In the video , Joliet Police Sgt .
Doug May and another officer can be seen shaking a handcuffed Lurry and beating him while holding his nose shut in an attempt to force the drugs out of his mouth .
Lurry was motionless as the officers held him down .
At some point , one of the officers placed his baton in Lurry ’ s mouth before officers shined a flashlight in his mouth and he slumped over .
Internal investigators later found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force before he handed the footage over to CBS2 .
The ensuing scandal has outraged community members and led to calls for an independent investigation of Lurry ’ s death .
“ He was suffocating , ” Esqueda said .
“ In my opinion , anybody would suffocate in that situation.
” For five months , the video never saw the light of day while the officers who killed Lurry were cleared of any wrongdoing .
Additionally , the video was stripped of all sound – meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remove any incriminating audio .
“ It was almost like the supervisor looks off and says something to somebody , and then you hear the sound cut out , ” Esqueda added .
“ That ’ s what alerted me that possibly , they were trying to get rid of evidence.
” “ There had to be ” a deliberate attempt to remove the audio , he added .
“ There ’ s no way that can happen.
” Esqueda was stirred by the shocking footage to reveal it to the public , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family would never come close to attaining justice for their lost loved one if he didn ’ t act .
Esqueda knew that his superiors would come down on him hard if he broke the unofficial “ code of silence ” by which police officers are bound .
“ There ’ s some fear [ of retaliation ] , ” Esqueda said .
“ [ But ] when you see stuff like this , you have to come forward .
You can ’ t sit there and be quiet , because then , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem.
” On Monday , Esqueda was placed on administrative duty in the Joliet PD records section as the department launched a criminal probe and internal investigation .
“ The video that was accessed was shared outside the police department , violating chain of custody and potentially evidence in the criminal matter , ” JPD Chief Al Roechner told the Joliet Herald-News .
“ When this was found out on June 18 of 2020 , I immediately opened a criminal investigation.
” However , the local community and even the Black Police Officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various ranks , is backing Esqueda .
“ He ’ s a member , and we ’ re going to back him , ” Dave Jackson , president of the Joliet BPOA chapter , told Joliet Patch .
“ If someone ’ s doing the right thing , we ’ re going to stand right there with them , ” he added .
“ Sergeant Esqueda has been held as a well-respected supervisor and United States Marine and has served his country and his community proudly.
” “ Without Sgt .
Esqueda drawing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this in-custody death may still be pending , ” Jackson said .
For Esqueda , releasing the footage was crucial in terms of restoring trust with the community and sending the message that not all cops are brutal killers who abuse vulnerable civilians under the color of authority .
“ In light of everything that ’ s ’ been happening – you know George Floyd really had a lot of us police officers [ upset ] , ” Esqueda said .
“ When we saw that video , a lot of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that.
” “ But the thing is , there are a lot of good officers out of 750,000 , ” he added .
“ Not everybody is a bad cop .
Most cops that I know were upset by George Floyd.
” Watching the grueling and painful death of Eric Lurry at the hands of his brothers struck an equally if not more powerful emotional chord with Esqueda .
“ Seeing that video was so disturbing , I cried , ” Esqueda said .
“ Every day , having to live with that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration was probably going to do nothing about it.
” In the meantime , Lurry ’ s loved ones have been left to pick up the pieces after his fatal run-in with the law .
“ That was my soulmate , my best friend , ” widow Nicole Lurry said .
“ For him to just be gone in a blink of an eye , it just tears me up inside.
” However , Lurry ’ s family is deeply grateful to Sgt .
Esqueda for his brave and selfless act .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Lurry ’ s cousin , Effie Lee .
“ That ’ s what police officers are supposed to do .
He ’ s supposed to lead by example , and he did … He said he cried for days seeing my cousin treated like that.
” Community members are now circulating a petition on Change.org titled “ Immediate and Full Reinstatement of Police Sergeant Javier Esqueda.
” “ [ Sgt .
Esqueda ] ’ s one of the few honorable police officers , ” the petition reads .
“ The rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ones who should be fired.
” “ Sgt .
Esqueda stood up for what is right , ” it added .
“ He is now being scapegoated by the JPD while they ’ re trying to cover their ***** .
”

A police sergeant in Joliet, Illinois, has been stripped of his police powers and placed on administrative leave after he blew the whistle on the cover-up of the killing of a man who was effectively tortured by his fellow officers.
Community members are hailing the actions of whistleblower police Sgt. Javier “Butch” Esqueda, who was moved to reveal the grisly nature of the in-custody death of Eric Lurry, a Black man from Joliet, who was choked to death in the back of a squad car in grueling footage captured on video.
On Tuesday, protesters rallied around the Joliet Police Department calling for justice for Lurry while praising Sgt. Esqueda, a 27-year veteran of the force who has faced retaliation after breaking the code of silence regarding what he sees as the criminal actions of his colleagues, reports CBS2 Chicago.
Cop who blew whistle on death of #EricLurry is stripped of his badge. “That’s what you get,” says one source for going against the “blue wall of silence” Lurry had nose pinched shut for 98 seconds in cuffs. Police Sgt Javier Esqueda, a 27 year vet fighting for job. @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/E61I1pGqcQ — Dave Savini CBS (@davesavinicbs2) July 7, 2020
Joliet City Manager Steve Jones quit following a Tuesday City Council meeting where the brutal events surrounding Lurry’s death were discussed. During the session, Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk remarked that he had “grave concerns” over the footage and subsequent cover-up by Joliet PD.
Eric Lurry Jr., 37, was arrested in an undercover drug operation after he was allegedly found to be hiding drugs in his mouth. Police claim that he suffered a medical emergency while he was in custody before he later died at St. Joseph’s Hospital. The Will County coroner’s office later ruled his death to be accidental and the result of h*****, f******l, and c*****e intoxication, with Lurry having over 10 times the lethal dosage in his system.
However, the facts that emerged from video recorded in the squad car depict a far different picture.
In the video, Joliet Police Sgt. Doug May and another officer can be seen shaking a handcuffed Lurry and beating him while holding his nose shut in an attempt to force the drugs out of his mouth. Lurry was motionless as the officers held him down.
At some point, one of the officers placed his baton in Lurry’s mouth before officers shined a flashlight in his mouth and he slumped over.
Internal investigators later found that Esqueda gained unauthorized access to the video from the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force before he handed the footage over to CBS2.
The ensuing scandal has outraged community members and led to calls for an independent investigation of Lurry’s death.
“He was suffocating,” Esqueda said. “In my opinion, anybody would suffocate in that situation.”
For five months, the video never saw the light of day while the officers who killed Lurry were cleared of any wrongdoing. Additionally, the video was stripped of all sound – meaning that police tampered with the footage to remove any incriminating audio.
“It was almost like the supervisor looks off and says something to somebody, and then you hear the sound cut out,” Esqueda added. “That’s what alerted me that possibly, they were trying to get rid of evidence.”
“There had to be” a deliberate attempt to remove the audio, he added. “There’s no way that can happen.”
Esqueda was stirred by the shocking footage to reveal it to the public, knowing full well that Lurry’s family would never come close to attaining justice for their lost loved one if he didn’t act.
Esqueda knew that his superiors would come down on him hard if he broke the unofficial “code of silence” by which police officers are bound.
“There’s some fear [of retaliation],” Esqueda said. “[But] when you see stuff like this, you have to come forward. You can’t sit there and be quiet, because then, we’re just part of the problem.”
On Monday, Esqueda was placed on administrative duty in the Joliet PD records section as the department launched a criminal probe and internal investigation.
“The video that was accessed was shared outside the police department, violating chain of custody and potentially evidence in the criminal matter,” JPD Chief Al Roechner told the Joliet Herald-News. “When this was found out on June 18 of 2020, I immediately opened a criminal investigation.”
However, the local community and even the Black Police Officers Association, which has 30 members of various ranks, is backing Esqueda.
“He’s a member, and we’re going to back him,” Dave Jackson, president of the Joliet BPOA chapter, told Joliet Patch.
“If someone’s doing the right thing, we’re going to stand right there with them,” he added. “Sergeant Esqueda has been held as a well-respected supervisor and United States Marine and has served his country and his community proudly.”
“Without Sgt. Esqueda drawing attention to this death to city officials, this in-custody death may still be pending,” Jackson said.
For Esqueda, releasing the footage was crucial in terms of restoring trust with the community and sending the message that not all cops are brutal killers who abuse vulnerable civilians under the color of authority.
“In light of everything that’s’ been happening – you know George Floyd really had a lot of us police officers [upset],” Esqueda said. “When we saw that video, a lot of us cried. People don’t believe that.”
“But the thing is, there are a lot of good officers out of 750,000,” he added. “Not everybody is a bad cop. Most cops that I know were upset by George Floyd.”
Watching the grueling and painful death of Eric Lurry at the hands of his brothers struck an equally if not more powerful emotional chord with Esqueda.
“Seeing that video was so disturbing, I cried,” Esqueda said. “Every day, having to live with that was a hard thing, knowing this administration was probably going to do nothing about it.”
In the meantime, Lurry’s loved ones have been left to pick up the pieces after his fatal run-in with the law.
“That was my soulmate, my best friend,” widow Nicole Lurry said. “For him to just be gone in a blink of an eye, it just tears me up inside.”
However, Lurry’s family is deeply grateful to Sgt. Esqueda for his brave and selfless act.
“He’s supposed to tell,” said Lurry’s cousin, Effie Lee. “That’s what police officers are supposed to do. He’s supposed to lead by example, and he did … He said he cried for days seeing my cousin treated like that.”
Community members are now circulating a petition on Change.org titled “Immediate and Full Reinstatement of Police Sergeant Javier Esqueda.”
“[Sgt. Esqueda]’s one of the few honorable police officers,” the petition reads. “The rest are corrupting the force. Those are the ones who should be fired.”
“Sgt. Esqueda stood up for what is right,” it added. “He is now being scapegoated by the JPD while they’re trying to cover their asses.”
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themindunleashed--2020-07-08--Tourists Beat Endangered Caspian Seal Unconscious So Children Can Snap Selfies With It

A seal was beaten unconscious by tourists in Kazakhstan so that they could snap photos of their children posing with it , according to witnesses .
The gut-wrenching scenes were captured on video at a beach near the coastal village of Kuryk , located on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea , and went viral after they began circulating online Tuesday .
In the clip , a group of men can be seen surrounding the defenseless Caspian seal with sticks and large rocks after it came close to the shore .
In the meantime , a crowd of spectators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scene but fail to intervene or even voice their displeasure with the show of brutality .
Local media say report that the needless assault on the seal persisted until the gentle creature was knocked unconscious , according to the Daily Mail .
“ They beat the seal up until it passed out .
Then they pulled it out of the water so that children could take pictures and have fun , ” an unnamed witness explained to local media .
“ After that , they threw the motionless body back into the sea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it survived.
” The grisly video has emerged mere days after a similar incident of wanton brutality toward the marine mammals shocked online audiences .
In a video shared to Instagram by Kazakh model Yevgeniya Mukasheva , beachgoers in the city of Aktau , which lies roughly 43 miles from Kuryk , can be seen throwing large rocks at a baby seal after it approached them .
“ Do people really have a complete lack of brains ?
” “ How could you throw stones at the defenseless pup and laugh ?
Have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she said : “ When will we already understand that it is necessary to value and care for every creature on the planet ?
What more pain do we need to strike so that we understand that mercy and compassion must be in our minds ?
” Mukashev ’ s online followers also expressed their disgust over the clip , with one person commenting : “ What a horror !
!
!
He is a little [ pup ] , too … He came with confidence.
” Others highlighted the irresponsibility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their children , who would themselves grow accustomed to such sadistic acts of animal cruelty .
One users asked : “ What kind of people will they raise ?
How can you ridicule a helpless and trustworthy little seal ?
” The incident has gained the attention of authorities in the Central Asian republic .
“ The way people acted in the video is outrageous and wild , ” said Saken Dildakhmet , a spokesperson for Kazakhstan ’ s Ministry of Ecology , Geology and Natural Resources .
“ Such an attitude can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Caspian Sea and adversely affect the behavior of these animals who may become aggressive and attack people , ” the official added .
“ We ask you to show respect to nature.
” Seals are generally curious , friendly and harmless creatures that often approach people along shorelines .
“ The seal in the clip is young and playful , ” Dildakhmet added .
“ The seals are mostly very friendly and curious marine mammals .
We should admire them.
” Authorities are now searching for the perpetrators in both attacks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years in prison for their crime against nature .
The Caspian seal is endemic to the Caspian Sea and its population has plummeted by over 90 percent since the beginning of the 20th Century , according to regional conservationist group Caspian Seal Project .
In 2008 , the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) officially announced that the Caspian seal was “ Endangered ” and at risk of extinction due to economic activities around the Caspian Sea and coastal development in the Caspian littoral states of Azerbaijan , Iran , @ @ @ @ @ @

A seal was beaten unconscious by tourists in Kazakhstan so that they could snap photos of their children posing with it, according to witnesses.
The gut-wrenching scenes were captured on video at a beach near the coastal village of Kuryk, located on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, and went viral after they began circulating online Tuesday.
In the clip, a group of men can be seen surrounding the defenseless Caspian seal with sticks and large rocks after it came close to the shore.
In the meantime, a crowd of spectators gather nearby to gawk at the violent scene but fail to intervene or even voice their displeasure with the show of brutality.
https://twitter.com/vadim137502/status/1280855445297602560
Local media say report that the needless assault on the seal persisted until the gentle creature was knocked unconscious, according to the Daily Mail.
“They beat the seal up until it passed out. Then they pulled it out of the water so that children could take pictures and have fun,” an unnamed witness explained to local media. “After that, they threw the motionless body back into the sea. I don’t know if it survived.”
The grisly video has emerged mere days after a similar incident of wanton brutality toward the marine mammals shocked online audiences.
In a video shared to Instagram by Kazakh model Yevgeniya Mukasheva, beachgoers in the city of Aktau, which lies roughly 43 miles from Kuryk, can be seen throwing large rocks at a baby seal after it approached them.
In the video’s caption, Mukasheva wrote:
“Do people really have a complete lack of brains?”
“How could you throw stones at the defenseless pup and laugh? Have you lost your mind?”
Continuing, she said: “When will we already understand that it is necessary to value and care for every creature on the planet? What more pain do we need to strike so that we understand that mercy and compassion must be in our minds?”
Mukashev’s online followers also expressed their disgust over the clip, with one person commenting: “What a horror!!! He is a little [pup], too … He came with confidence.”
Others highlighted the irresponsibility of attacking the baby seal in front of their children, who would themselves grow accustomed to such sadistic acts of animal cruelty.
One users asked: “What kind of people will they raise? How can you ridicule a helpless and trustworthy little seal?”
The incident has gained the attention of authorities in the Central Asian republic.
“The way people acted in the video is outrageous and wild,” said Saken Dildakhmet, a spokesperson for Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources.
“Such an attitude can cause great damage to the fauna of the Caspian Sea and adversely affect the behavior of these animals who may become aggressive and attack people,” the official added. “We ask you to show respect to nature.”
Seals are generally curious, friendly and harmless creatures that often approach people along shorelines.
“The seal in the clip is young and playful,” Dildakhmet added. “The seals are mostly very friendly and curious marine mammals. We should admire them.”
Authorities are now searching for the perpetrators in both attacks, who face a maximum sentence of two years in prison for their crime against nature.
The Caspian seal is endemic to the Caspian Sea and its population has plummeted by over 90 percent since the beginning of the 20th Century, according to regional conservationist group Caspian Seal Project.
In 2008, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) officially announced that the Caspian seal was “Endangered” and at risk of extinction due to economic activities around the Caspian Sea and coastal development in the Caspian littoral states of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan.
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themindunleashed--2020-07-09--“CAREN Act” Proposed In San Francisco Would Outlaw Racially Motivated 911 Calls

This week , San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton introduced an ordinance to criminalize racially motivated 911 calls .
The ordinance is called the CAREN Act , which many people have interpreted as a play on words for “ Karen , ” a term that has come to symbolize privileged white women who call the police on people of color over petty and often non-existent issues .
If it becomes law , the ordinance would make it illegal for people to make racist 911 calls , which seems fairly open to interpretation on a case by case basis .
“ Racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why I ’ m introducing the CAREN Act at today ’ s SF Board of Supervisors meeting .
This is the CAREN we need , ” Walton tweeted on Tuesday .
The ordinance is similar to state Assemblymember Rob Banta ’ s Assembly Bill 1550 , which also calls for legal penalties against overzealous cop callers .
During a Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday , Walton said both measures “ are part of a larger nationwide movement to address racial biases and implement consequences for weaponizing emergency resources with racist intentions.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Washington have recently introduced similar bills to criminalize racist 911 calls .
This is a problem that is as old as the institution of policing in the United States , but a string of highly publicized incidents have helped to raise awareness about how police are needlessly called on peaceful people of color .
Earlier this year in New York City , a wealthy white woman named Amy Cooper was filmed while calling the cops on a Black man who asked her to not walk her dog in the park without a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident went viral , Cooper was quickly fired from her job and became a pariah on the internet .
Earlier this week , District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. announced that his office had charged Amy Cooper with falsely reporting a crime , a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of a year in prison .
She is scheduled to appear in court on October 14 .
However , Christian Cooper , the man who she called the police on , has decided to take the high road and is refusing to cooperate with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last same last name , but they are not related and never met before the day the incident occurred .
Christian told the New York Times that Amy has already suffered enough for her actions .
“ On the one hand , she ’ s already paid a steep price .
That ’ s not enough of a deterrent to others ?
Bringing her more misery just seems like piling on .
If the DA feels the need to pursue charges , he should pursue charges .
But he can do that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian told The View that he accepts Amy ’ s apology , but hopes that she is able to grow as a person from this experience .
“ I do accept her apology I think it ’ s a first step .
I think she ’ s got ta do some reflection on what happened because up until the moment when she made that statement it was just a conflict between a birder and a dog walker , and then she took it to a very dark place .
I think she ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and how that happened , ” he said .

This week, San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton introduced an ordinance to criminalize racially motivated 911 calls. The ordinance is called the CAREN Act, which many people have interpreted as a play on words for “Karen,” a term that has come to symbolize privileged white women who call the police on people of color over petty and often non-existent issues.
CAREN reportedly stands for Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies.
If it becomes law, the ordinance would make it illegal for people to make racist 911 calls, which seems fairly open to interpretation on a case by case basis.
“Racist 911 calls are unacceptable that’s why I’m introducing the CAREN Act at today’s SF Board of Supervisors meeting. This is the CAREN we need,” Walton tweeted on Tuesday.
Racist 911 calls are unacceptable that's why I'm introducing the CAREN Act at today’s SF Board of Supervisors meeting. This is the CAREN we need. Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies. #CARENact #sanfrancisco — Shamann Walton (@shamannwalton) July 7, 2020
The ordinance is similar to state Assemblymember Rob Banta’s Assembly Bill 1550, which also calls for legal penalties against overzealous cop callers.
During a Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Walton said both measures “are part of a larger nationwide movement to address racial biases and implement consequences for weaponizing emergency resources with racist intentions.”
Lawmakers in New York, Oregon, and Washington have recently introduced similar bills to criminalize racist 911 calls.
This is a problem that is as old as the institution of policing in the United States, but a string of highly publicized incidents have helped to raise awareness about how police are needlessly called on peaceful people of color.
Earlier this year in New York City, a wealthy white woman named Amy Cooper was filmed while calling the cops on a Black man who asked her to not walk her dog in the park without a leash. After the video of the incident went viral, Cooper was quickly fired from her job and became a pariah on the internet.
Earlier this week, District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. announced that his office had charged Amy Cooper with falsely reporting a crime, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of a year in prison. She is scheduled to appear in court on October 14. However, Christian Cooper, the man who she called the police on, has decided to take the high road and is refusing to cooperate with the police. Christian and Amy have the last same last name, but they are not related and never met before the day the incident occurred.
Christian told the New York Times that Amy has already suffered enough for her actions.
“On the one hand, she’s already paid a steep price. That’s not enough of a deterrent to others? Bringing her more misery just seems like piling on. If the DA feels the need to pursue charges, he should pursue charges. But he can do that without me,” Christian said.
Christian told The View that he accepts Amy’s apology, but hopes that she is able to grow as a person from this experience.
“I do accept her apology I think it’s a first step. I think she’s gotta do some reflection on what happened because up until the moment when she made that statement it was just a conflict between a birder and a dog walker, and then she took it to a very dark place. I think she’s gotta sort of examine why and how that happened,” he said.
Caren Act proposed in SF A San Francisco Supervisor is proposing "The Caren Act" to stop racially bias 911 calls from happening. The act refers to #Karen…a phrase people use on social media to describe someone who called 911 with a false claim against a person of color. Watch here: Posted by Sara Stinson on Wednesday, July 8, 2020
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themindunleashed--2020-07-09--BUSTED! Oregon Man Fleeing Cops in Stolen Car Crashes Into Woman Driving Another Stolen Car

A wild police chase in Oregon ended in semi-slapstick manner as a man fleeing officers in a stolen car smashed his car into a woman driving another stolen car .
It ’ s one of those stories that seems like it might have come from The Onion , but no – it ’ s just a wacky tale from the police blotter in eastern Oregon .
According to the Newberg-Dundee Police Department , the debacle unfolded after officers responded to a report that a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser was being driven around downtown Newberg on Sunday morning .
When police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to apprehend the driver .
However , he tried to flee and led the cops on a chase through several blocks before colliding with a Buick Regal .
Officers then arrested the driver of the first car , 27-year-old Randy Lee of Portland .
However , they soon realized that the second car was also reportedly stolen in a completely separate crime three weeks prior .
Additionally , they found that the driver – 25-year-old Kristin Nicole Begue of Newberg – was under the influence of intoxicants , according to a police press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of a motor vehicle , attempting to elude police , third-degree assault , reckless driving , and other related crimes .
Kristin Nicole Begue was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants , and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle .
Both car thieves appear to be in decent condition following their failed adventures , judging by Cooper ’ s slightly embarrassed grin and Begue ’ s broad smile in their respective mugshots .
Hopefully , the two young adults exchanged numbers during the booking process – after all , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As one cheeky Twitter user noted , this might be less a case of Bonnie and Clyde and more a case of “ Bonnie and collide .
”

A wild police chase in Oregon ended in semi-slapstick manner as a man fleeing officers in a stolen car smashed his car into a woman driving another stolen car.
It’s one of those stories that seems like it might have come from The Onion, but no – it’s just a wacky tale from the police blotter in eastern Oregon.
According to the Newberg-Dundee Police Department, the debacle unfolded after officers responded to a report that a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser was being driven around downtown Newberg on Sunday morning.
When police located the stolen vehicle, they attempted to apprehend the driver. However, he tried to flee and led the cops on a chase through several blocks before colliding with a Buick Regal.
Officers then arrested the driver of the first car, 27-year-old Randy Lee of Portland.
However, they soon realized that the second car was also reportedly stolen in a completely separate crime three weeks prior. Additionally, they found that the driver – 25-year-old Kristin Nicole Begue of Newberg – was under the influence of intoxicants, according to a police press release.
Cooper was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, attempting to elude police, third-degree assault, reckless driving, and other related crimes.
Kristin Nicole Begue was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Both car thieves appear to be in decent condition following their failed adventures, judging by Cooper’s slightly embarrassed grin and Begue’s broad smile in their respective mugshots.
Hopefully, the two young adults exchanged numbers during the booking process – after all, they do seem perfect for each other.
As one cheeky Twitter user noted, this might be less a case of Bonnie and Clyde and more a case of “Bonnie and collide.”
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themindunleashed--2020-07-10--Man Designs An Off-Road “Wheelchair” So That His Wife Can Go Places She Never Imagined

( TMU ) – In the USA alone , there are around 2.7 million people who are bound to a wheelchair .
Most of us take our abled bodies for granted at times .
We don ’ t think twice when we climb stairs , or go for a walk in nature .
Meet Cambry , for almost all her adult life she has been wheelchair bound , unable to get around like her able-bodied friends , she ’ s been restricted to the pavement .
In hopes of getting Cambry to see more and be less restricted , her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , created a hybrid wheel chair so she could go places she could not before .
He merged two electric bikes and put a seat in the center .
The best part was , it worked , and Cambry was able to experience a new found freedom thanks to the awesome creation Zack made for her .
The new spliced bike creation allowed Cambry to tackle obstacles that would normally be impossible in a regular wheelchair , and she could go on for miles without her shoulders hurting from pushing herself along .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Cambry and Zack are not only married , but they have begun mass producing the “ Not-a-Wheelchair ” – the amazing off road vehicle has taken a year to perfect .
Choosing an adaptive off roader for disabled people doesn ’ t leave you with many options , the couple have said .
They can cost as much as a regular car or are just insanely slow .
Zack and Cambry came up with their design which is light and quick and comes with a long range , but it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cambry explained : “ The toughest challenge when developing ‘ Not-A-Wheelchair ’ is the price .
We wanted to create something that is affordable for everyone .
Finding quality components , and a simple enough design at the cheapest price possible took quite a bit of time .
But I think we have something now that everyone will be able to enjoy , at a fraction of the cost of other ‘ off-road wheelchairs ’ currently on the market.
” ‘ Not-a-Wheelchair ’ is definitely not an indoor machine , so Cambry still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home but any time she and Zack go to the park , or on a hike , she jumps in The Rig .
“ Its silent , which means that we can all still talk and chat while she rides next to the group , ” her husband explained .
During these trips , ‘ Not-a-Wheelchair ’ really showed what it ’ s capable of .
“ We have taken The Rig to Hawaii twice for testing .
The bike has to be shipped with a freight company before we go , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before we fly out ourselves , and it ’ s waiting there for us when we arrive .
All this travel was before COVID was a thing .
Luckily , we also live near mountains and snow with long wide flat trails to try the bike out on .
”

(TMU) – In the USA alone, there are around 2.7 million people who are bound to a wheelchair. Most of us take our abled bodies for granted at times. We don’t think twice when we climb stairs, or go for a walk in nature.
Meet Cambry, for almost all her adult life she has been wheelchair bound, unable to get around like her able-bodied friends, she’s been restricted to the pavement.
In hopes of getting Cambry to see more and be less restricted, her boyfriend at the time, Zack Nelson, created a hybrid wheel chair so she could go places she could not before. He merged two electric bikes and put a seat in the center. The best part was, it worked, and Cambry was able to experience a new found freedom thanks to the awesome creation Zack made for her.
The new spliced bike creation allowed Cambry to tackle obstacles that would normally be impossible in a regular wheelchair, and she could go on for miles without her shoulders hurting from pushing herself along.
It’s a year later now, and Cambry and Zack are not only married, but they have begun mass producing the “Not-a-Wheelchair“ – the amazing off road vehicle has taken a year to perfect.
Choosing an adaptive off roader for disabled people doesn’t leave you with many options, the couple have said. They can cost as much as a regular car or are just insanely slow. Zack and Cambry came up with their design which is light and quick and comes with a long range, but it was not all easy and smooth sailing. Cambry explained:
“The toughest challenge when developing ‘Not-A-Wheelchair’ is the price. We wanted to create something that is affordable for everyone. Finding quality components, and a simple enough design at the cheapest price possible took quite a bit of time. But I think we have something now that everyone will be able to enjoy, at a fraction of the cost of other ‘off-road wheelchairs’ currently on the market.”
‘Not-a-Wheelchair’ is definitely not an indoor machine, so Cambry still uses her normal wheelchair for inside their home but any time she and Zack go to the park, or on a hike, she jumps in The Rig. “Its silent, which means that we can all still talk and chat while she rides next to the group,” her husband explained.
During these trips, ‘Not-a-Wheelchair’ really showed what it’s capable of. “We have taken The Rig to Hawaii twice for testing. The bike has to be shipped with a freight company before we go, but we ship The Rig about a week before we fly out ourselves, and it’s waiting there for us when we arrive. All this travel was before COVID was a thing. Luckily, we also live near mountains and snow with long wide flat trails to try the bike out on.”
More info: notawheelchair.com | YouTube
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themindunleashed--2020-07-10--Forget Drive-Ins: Paris to Host Floating Movie Theater With Socially Distant Boats on Seine River

( TMU ) – Earlier this year as the COVID-19 pandemic began sinking its hooks into the world , drive-in movie theaters were a huge topic of surging interest , with many people clamoring for a safe and socially-distanced outlet for entertainment outside the home .
The idea of reviving the old past-time caught on so well that drive-in theaters popped up across the U.S. , with many restaurants turning their parking lots into drive-in cinemas .
And now , with summer approaching , there may be no better idea than taking a nice swim to watch your favorite films @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Seine river in Paris , France , will host an innovative floating movie theater where people can enjoy films alongside their families from socially distant boats .
Dubbed the “ Cinéma sur l ’ Eau ” ( cinema on the water ) the spectacular event will make its debut on July 18 to celebrate the beginning of Paris Plages , an annual event organized by the city that creates temporary beaches along the Seine and Bassin de Villette every summer .
The free screening will begin at 7:30pm next Saturday as 38 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , will disembark for the event .
Each boat will be exclusive to families and closed to strangers in order to comply with physical distancing guidelines , while an additional 150 people will watch from deck chairs that will be available on a first-come , first-served basis , according to Broadway World .
Paris residents will also have an opportunity to win seats on the boats through July 15 through an online raffle .
Viewers will be treated to ” Le Grand Bain ” ( Sink or Swim ) , a 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form a synchronized swimming team .
Audiences will also have a chance to watch A Corona Story , a short film about the coronavirus pandemic that won a contest organized by movie theater chain Mk2 , which also organized the event alongside ice cream company Häagen-Daz .
“ Le Cinéma sur l ’ Eau ” is being held to celebrate the recent reopening of French movie theaters after a prolonged lockdown .
Last month , the theaters were able to reopen at 50 percent capacity after being shut down for three months due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only have one word – finally !
” Emmanuel Delesse , a director of cinema chain UGC , told AFP after the theaters opened in late June .
Paris cinema 5 Caumartin opened with “ Les Parfums ” ( The Perfumes ) , a French comedy about a prima donna perfume “ nose ” who devises a number of new fragrances .
“ Watching series on Netflix is one thing , but the cinema is something else , ” said the film ’ s star Emmanuelle Devos .
As is the case in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delayed releasing some of their most high-profile films while film production crews have also faced setbacks in tackling new projects .
However , French cinephiles are expected to flock to theaters to watch some of the classics of cinéma français .
“ France is at a real advantage in the world for this reopening because , [ of France ’ s ] 6,000 screens , 40 percent of them are art houses , which means that French people are more than happy to pay for , quote unquote , old films , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

(TMU) – Earlier this year as the COVID-19 pandemic began sinking its hooks into the world, drive-in movie theaters were a huge topic of surging interest, with many people clamoring for a safe and socially-distanced outlet for entertainment outside the home.
The idea of reviving the old past-time caught on so well that drive-in theaters popped up across the U.S., with many restaurants turning their parking lots into drive-in cinemas.
And now, with summer approaching, there may be no better idea than taking a nice swim to watch your favorite films.
Next week, the waters of the Seine river in Paris, France, will host an innovative floating movie theater where people can enjoy films alongside their families from socially distant boats.
Dubbed the “Cinéma sur l’Eau” (cinema on the water) the spectacular event will make its debut on July 18 to celebrate the beginning of Paris Plages, an annual event organized by the city that creates temporary beaches along the Seine and Bassin de Villette every summer.
The free screening will begin at 7:30pm next Saturday as 38 boats, each holding four to six people, will disembark for the event. Each boat will be exclusive to families and closed to strangers in order to comply with physical distancing guidelines, while an additional 150 people will watch from deck chairs that will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, according to Broadway World.
Paris residents will also have an opportunity to win seats on the boats through July 15 through an online raffle.
Viewers will be treated to ”Le Grand Bain” (Sink or Swim), a 2018 comedy about a group of men who form a synchronized swimming team. Audiences will also have a chance to watch A Corona Story, a short film about the coronavirus pandemic that won a contest organized by movie theater chain Mk2, which also organized the event alongside ice cream company Häagen-Daz.
“Le Cinéma sur l’Eau” is being held to celebrate the recent reopening of French movie theaters after a prolonged lockdown. Last month, the theaters were able to reopen at 50 percent capacity after being shut down for three months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Pour l’ouverture de Paris Plage 2020, fini le Drive-in, place au Boat-in ! Au programme : projection gratuite du film "Le Grand Bain" à bord d'un bateau électrique. Alors, envie de vous jeter à l'eau ? ?
➡ https://t.co/y8zXPRVVgk Avec @Haagen_Dazs_FR, @Paris et @ubi_bene — mk2 (@mk2) July 8, 2020
“I only have one word – finally!” Emmanuel Delesse, a director of cinema chain UGC, told AFP after the theaters opened in late June.
Paris cinema 5 Caumartin opened with “Les Parfums” (The Perfumes), a French comedy about a prima donna perfume “nose” who devises a number of new fragrances.
“Watching series on Netflix is one thing, but the cinema is something else,” said the film’s star Emmanuelle Devos.
https://twitter.com/TV5MONDEINFO/status/1275033806152622082
As is the case in Hollywood, film studios in France have delayed releasing some of their most high-profile films while film production crews have also faced setbacks in tackling new projects.
However, French cinephiles are expected to flock to theaters to watch some of the classics of cinéma français.
“France is at a real advantage in the world for this reopening because, [of France’s] 6,000 screens, 40 percent of them are art houses, which means that French people are more than happy to pay for, quote unquote, old films,” said FRANCE 24 culture editor Lisa Nesselson.
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themindunleashed--2020-07-10--Oklahoma Woman Attacks Skechers Worker With Boxes of Shoes After Being Asked to Wear Mask

In the latest incident in a string of disturbances inspired by mask policies at private retail stores across the United States , a woman in Oklahoma could be seen hurling boxes of shoes at an employee in a fit of rage .
The shocking incident unfolded Wednesday at a Skechers shoe store in a strip mall in Oklahoma City , reports FOX25 .
The worker at the sneaker shop told police that the shopper entered the store without a face mask and was informed several times that she must wear one per company policy .
The employee noted that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states that those entering the store must wear a mask , but the woman continued shopping and ignored staff .
When the customer approached the cash register to buy her shoes , the exasperated employee suggested that the woman purchase a mask at a nearby Lowe ’ s before coming back to complete her purchase .
At that point , the woman became livid at the suggestion and launched a violent outburst in the store , assaulting the employee by throwing boxes filled with shoes at her before leaving the store .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the video , Myah Joycelynn , filmed part of the incident and posted it to her Facebook profile .
“ All we wanted was for her to wear a mask , ” Joycelynn wrote .
“ I hope this lady is embarrassed of herself and her actions.
” “ [ T ] he dumbass left her wallet at the store so we turned that into the police as well , ” she added .
The young shoe store employee pressed charges , according to the post .
The video of the disturbance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assailant has been variously dubbed “ Skechers Karen , ” “ Okie Karen , ” and “ Krusty Karen ” by social media users .
The name Karen has been adopted by social media users as a negative nickname for middle-aged white women who demand to speak to a store manager or throw histrionic fits in reaction to minor slights .
The incident comes as Oklahoma continues to see massive increases in COVID-19 infections and surging hospitalizations .
On Tuesday , the state saw 858 new cases .
In an attempt to stem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city officials in Oklahoma City , Tulsa , and Yukon have issued executive orders requiring some employees – including restaurant and bar employees – to wear protective masks during their shifts .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also issued official health guidance urging U.S. residents to always wear a cloth face mask in public in lieu of physical distancing measures .
Despite the advice – and numerous studies showing how face coverings are a simple way to help prevent person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 – many have angrily and sometimes violently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those reminding them that the masks are mandatory in some private businesses .
The Oklahoma City video has emerged days after bizarre video footage went viral depicting an Oregon woman throwing a childish tantrum in a Costco and launching an impromptu sit-in protest after being told she must wear the face covering .

In the latest incident in a string of disturbances inspired by mask policies at private retail stores across the United States, a woman in Oklahoma could be seen hurling boxes of shoes at an employee in a fit of rage.
The shocking incident unfolded Wednesday at a Skechers shoe store in a strip mall in Oklahoma City, reports FOX25. The worker at the sneaker shop told police that the shopper entered the store without a face mask and was informed several times that she must wear one per company policy.
The employee noted that a sign prominently displayed on the front door states that those entering the store must wear a mask, but the woman continued shopping and ignored staff.
When the customer approached the cash register to buy her shoes, the exasperated employee suggested that the woman purchase a mask at a nearby Lowe’s before coming back to complete her purchase.
At that point, the woman became livid at the suggestion and launched a violent outburst in the store, assaulting the employee by throwing boxes filled with shoes at her before leaving the store.
The coworker of the woman who was assaulted in the video, Myah Joycelynn, filmed part of the incident and posted it to her Facebook profile.
So this happened at work today…? stupid Karens. All we wanted was for her to wear a mask lol I hope this lady is embarrassed of herself and her actions. Posted by Myah Joycelynn on Wednesday, July 8, 2020
“All we wanted was for her to wear a mask,” Joycelynn wrote. “I hope this lady is embarrassed of herself and her actions.”
“[T]he dumbass left her wallet at the store so we turned that into the police as well,” she added.
The young shoe store employee pressed charges, according to the post.
The video of the disturbance has since spread rapidly online. The assailant has been variously dubbed “Skechers Karen,” “Okie Karen,” and “Krusty Karen” by social media users. The name Karen has been adopted by social media users as a negative nickname for middle-aged white women who demand to speak to a store manager or throw histrionic fits in reaction to minor slights.
https://twitter.com/Latin4Cookies/status/1281315792584310789
The incident comes as Oklahoma continues to see massive increases in COVID-19 infections and surging hospitalizations. On Tuesday, the state saw 858 new cases.
In an attempt to stem the sharp rise in coronavirus cases, city officials in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Yukon have issued executive orders requiring some employees – including restaurant and bar employees – to wear protective masks during their shifts.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also issued official health guidance urging U.S. residents to always wear a cloth face mask in public in lieu of physical distancing measures.
Despite the advice – and numerous studies showing how face coverings are a simple way to help prevent person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 – many have angrily and sometimes violently resisted the use of masks and attacked those reminding them that the masks are mandatory in some private businesses.
The Oklahoma City video has emerged days after bizarre video footage went viral depicting an Oregon woman throwing a childish tantrum in a Costco and launching an impromptu sit-in protest after being told she must wear the face covering.
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themindunleashed--2020-07-10--Brilliant Comet NEOWISE, ‘The Best Comet in Decades,’ Now Visible With the Naked Eye

People waking up early in the morning will be treated to a brilliant site this week : the newly discovered comet NEOWISE , which is the first visible comet of 2020 that can be seen with the naked eye .
Officially known as C/2020 F3 , the comet was first spotted by NASA ’ s NEOWISE satellite in March some 326 miles ( 525 km ) above the Earth ’ s surface as it began to approach the Sun , shining brightly as it released water vapor from its icy core .
The comet surprisingly survived its loop around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth this week , after which it is expected to remain visible to the naked eye through July , reports CNN .
The icy space rock , which looks like a bright ball with a luminous tail , can be easily seen at early dawn and dusk across the northern hemisphere .
The comet is the first “ great comet ” to streak through Earth ’ s skies in 2020 after two other much-hyped comets , Comet ATLAS and Comet SWAN , fizzled out earlier this year – a common phenomenon since comets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall apart as they come closer to the Sun .
“ About once a decade you get [ a comet ] that is really bright , [ with ] naked eye visibility , ” Paul Delaney , an astronomy professor at York University , told Global News .
“ That ’ s surprisingly what NEOWISE has become .
We weren ’ t expecting it.
” Comets typically appear faint in the sky , which is why it ’ s recommended that you look for the comet in the early morning and evening , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to see it against the night sky but without washing the spectacle out .
“ For the northern hemisphere , it ’ s very low to the horizon in the early morning , ” said astrophysicist Karl Battams of the U.S .
Naval Research Laboratory in Washington , D.C. “ People need to get up early , but it ’ s easily visible with binoculars.
” The comet will be visible at dawn until July 11 , when it reaches the highest point in the sky , according to EarthSky .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become visible just after sunset near the horizon in the northwest .
Earthsky reports that the comet nay stick around through the second half of the month , during which time it will be higher in the sky at dusk .
NEOWISE is expected to disappear into its orbit in August .
While many have caught some amazing glimpses of NEOWISE with their naked eye alone , stargazers are recommended to use binoculars while astrophotographers should use a quality camera with a zoom lens to catch an even closer look at the magnificent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Space Station ( ISS ) have captured some amaing photos and videos of NEOWISE .
In a tweet , ISS cosmonaut Ivan Vagner of Russia tweeted about the comet , noting that its large tail is quite clearly visible from the space station .
It also bears repeating that while comets have historically been the basis of misperceptions borne of superstitious beliefs , these distant snowballs pose absolutely zero danger to terrestrial life .
NASA is urging photographers , both amateur and professional , to submit any photos to its Astronomy Picture @ @ @ @ @ @

People waking up early in the morning will be treated to a brilliant site this week: the newly discovered comet NEOWISE, which is the first visible comet of 2020 that can be seen with the naked eye.
Officially known as C/2020 F3, the comet was first spotted by NASA’s NEOWISE satellite in March some 326 miles (525 km) above the Earth’s surface as it began to approach the Sun, shining brightly as it released water vapor from its icy core.
The comet surprisingly survived its loop around the Sun and will be coming closest to Earth this week, after which it is expected to remain visible to the naked eye through July, reports CNN.
The icy space rock, which looks like a bright ball with a luminous tail, can be easily seen at early dawn and dusk across the northern hemisphere.
I have a strong dislike of early mornings—but so worth it today because wow is that comet beautiful! C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) I was at Sunset Crater by 4AM. It was an easy naked-eye object, but really rewarding through binoculars. Last pic is closest to naked eye scale.#neowise pic.twitter.com/1I0Cx2fZQJ — Jeremy Perez (@jperez1690) July 5, 2020
The comet is the first “great comet” to streak through Earth’s skies in 2020 after two other much-hyped comets, Comet ATLAS and Comet SWAN, fizzled out earlier this year – a common phenomenon since comets are inherently fragile bodies that tend to fall apart as they come closer to the Sun.
Rising Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) over Santa Catalina Mountains. AT72ED + Sony A7S + GIMP, ISO 800, 280X1/4s. This is my second try made this morning near the Rillito River Park, Tucson, AZ, USA.#cometNEOWISE #NEOWISE #comet pic.twitter.com/0eKNV6RYnL — Jianwei Lyu (@astroskii77) July 5, 2020
“About once a decade you get [a comet] that is really bright, [with] naked eye visibility,” Paul Delaney, an astronomy professor at York University, told Global News. “That’s surprisingly what NEOWISE has become. We weren’t expecting it.”
Comets typically appear faint in the sky, which is why it’s recommended that you look for the comet in the early morning and evening, right when the level of sunlight allows you to see it against the night sky but without washing the spectacle out.
“For the northern hemisphere, it’s very low to the horizon in the early morning,” said astrophysicist Karl Battams of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. “People need to get up early, but it’s easily visible with binoculars.”
The comet will be visible at dawn until July 11, when it reaches the highest point in the sky, according to EarthSky.
Comet NEOWISE and the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada ?! I was up really early for this shot. It's not often that we get the opportunity to see or photograph a comet of this brightness and with a tail. I hope you like it!? https://t.co/BFyxFFw2DE pic.twitter.com/sGZBiEVryM — Kerry LH? (@weatherandsky) July 5, 2020
In mid-July, however, comet NEOWISE will become visible just after sunset near the horizon in the northwest. Earthsky reports that the comet nay stick around through the second half of the month, during which time it will be higher in the sky at dusk.
NEOWISE is expected to disappear into its orbit in August.
Comet NEOWISE is the best comet in decades. See it low in the NE about 75 minutes before sunrise. This photo July 7, Portal, AZ. pic.twitter.com/OoxtfgXt8i — Fred Espenak (@FEspenak) July 7, 2020
While many have caught some amazing glimpses of NEOWISE with their naked eye alone, stargazers are recommended to use binoculars while astrophotographers should use a quality camera with a zoom lens to catch an even closer look at the magnificent display.
Comet Neowise on july 7 courtesy Michael Jager pic.twitter.com/m6WLASLOyy — Con Stoitsis (@vivstoitsis) July 8, 2020
Astronomers and astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) have captured some amaing photos and videos of NEOWISE.
In a tweet, ISS cosmonaut Ivan Vagner of Russia tweeted about the comet, noting that its large tail is quite clearly visible from the space station.
На следующем витке попробовал чуть ближе сфотографировать самую яркую за последние 7 лет комету C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE). Довольно хорошо видно ее хвост из космоса, с борта Международной космической станции!#МКС #комета #NEOWISE pic.twitter.com/zo7INtT01l — Ivan Vagner (@ivan_mks63) July 4, 2020
It also bears repeating that while comets have historically been the basis of misperceptions borne of superstitious beliefs, these distant snowballs pose absolutely zero danger to terrestrial life.
NASA is urging photographers, both amateur and professional, to submit any photos to its Astronomy Picture of the Day program here.
#Comet C/2020 F3 #NEOWISE over Santa Catalina Mountains, Tucson, AZ. Photographed with astro-modified Sony A7s and 400/5.6 telephoto lens. 38 frames of 0.25s exposure, background grandient removed and stacked. 2020-07-04 ~11:30 UTC pic.twitter.com/lXVlPbrMxW — Yujing "Eugene" Qin (@yujing_qin) July 4, 2020
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