Month: March 2019

GOP Rep. Devin Nunes of California said Thursday that former FBI lawyer Lisa Page confirmed the Justice Department conspired to bury Hillary Clinton’s email scandal.

Nunes was asked on “America’s Newsroom” about former GOP Rep. John Ratcliffe of Texas who tweeted out an excerpt of Page’s closed-door testimony before Congress. Ratcliffe said he asked Page if she was being ordered by the DOJ to avoid charging Clinton, and her answer was yes.

“I think it’s very significant. Look it’s never made any sense,” Nunes told Fox News. “If anyone in the military or anybody in the intelligence community, including people within the FBI — if they were to leak like that, they would be fired. They would be in prison. They would be prosecuted.”

“There were dozens and dozens of classified emails that were actually put onto an illegal server that was then destroyed, that was likely picked up by foreign intelligence, God knows what countries have these classified emails that Clinton was sending,” he added. “But the bottom line is, is that she should have been held accountable and she wasn’t. And there was an orchestrated effort, a conspiracy so to speak, to insure that she was not prosecuted.”

Host Bill Hemmer asked Nunes to respond to former FBI director James Comey’s comments about the investigation and Nunes said he has no credibility left.

“I’m not sure what credibility Comey has left. I mean, he went out and sold a book,” he said. “This guy brought tremendous disgrace on the FBI. We are still trying to get to the bottom and clean up what has been a total disaster for the FBI and DOJ. And we’re a long way from getting it cleaned up to get the FBI and Department of Justice back on track so that the American people have confidence in their capabilities.”

LTG William B. Caldwell

Several US military officers accused a US commander in Afghanistan of trying to cover up a scandal at a US-funded hospital in Kabul beginning in 2010. Speaking to the Congressional Committee of Oversight, the officers told lawmakers that they were discouraged by Lt General William Caldwell from reporting concern about the hospital. The implication given the officers was that such revelations could harm President Obama politically.

The US officers began noting concerns about misuse of funds from the Afghan Dawood National Military Hospital and lack of appropriate treatment offered to wounded Afghan soldiers in 2010. The United States government spent more than $150 Million in 18 months on the hospital in an effort to help the Afghans properly care for their wounded soldiers. The testifying officers have alleged that money was embezzled, medications hoarded including surgeries done without medicines. Some Afghan soldiers died of malnutrition at the hospital, in conditions that one retired Army colonel described as “Auschwitz-like.”

AFP/Yahoo News: “The general did not want bad news to leave his command before the election – or AFTER the election,” Colonel Gerald Carozza, Jr., a now-retired US Army judge advocate, said in written testimony to the House Committee on Oversight.

“The general, like too many generals, was too concerned about the message, creating a stifling climate for those who had to deal with the reality,” Carozza said, comparing Dawood to the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz.

In addition to the political implications there also was evidence of a cover up as evidenced by a memo introduced by House Panel Chair, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah.

The Blaze: Chaffetz introduced a Sept. 12, 2011, memo from the training command that he described as an attempt to destroy evidence. The memo ordered destruction or deletion of unofficial audio and video recordings and photos of patients and conditions at the hospital.

“Under no circumstances will they be shared outside of this command, transmitted via email, posted to the internet, or duplicated in any way without prior approval of the Command Surgeon….” the memo said.

The following report from CNN’s Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr shares more details of this terrible situation. Please note: The video contains some graphic images.

Johnny Depp returns to the big screen as the iconic, swashbuckling anti-hero Jack Sparrow in the all-new “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.”

The rip-roaring adventure finds down-on-his-luck Captain Jack feeling the winds of ill-fortune blowing strongly his way when deadly ghost sailors, led by the terrifying Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem), escape from the Devil’s Triangle bent on killing every pirate at sea—notably Jack. Jack’s only hope of survival lies in the legendary Trident of Poseidon, but to find it he must forge an uneasy alliance with Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), a brilliant and beautiful astronomer, and Henry (Brenton Thwaites), a headstrong young sailor in the Royal Navy.

At the helm of the Dying Gull, his pitifully small and shabby ship, Captain Jack seeks not only to reverse his recent spate of ill fortune but to save his very life from the most formidable and malicious foe he has ever faced.

In theaters May 26th, 2017.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” also stars Kevin R. McNally as Joshamee Gibbs, Golshifteh Farahani as the sea-witch Shansa, Stephen Graham as Scrum, David Wenham as Scarfield and Geoffrey Rush as Captain Hector Barbossa.

Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg are directing “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” with Jerry Bruckheimer producing. The executive producers are Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Joe Caracciolo, Jr. and Brigham Taylor. Jeff Nathanson wrote the screenplay. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” drops anchor in U.S. theaters on May 26, 2017.

• New car prices hit record highs
• Certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle sales expected to rise as affordable alternatives

Used vehicle sales in 2019 are poised to hit the highest level since the recession, according to a new report from Edmunds. In 2018, 40.2 million used vehicles were sold in the U.S.; in 2019, Edmunds analysts predict used vehicle sales could approach 41 million. Edmunds experts say rising vehicle prices and high interest rates are pushing buyers out of the new market, and a record number of lease returns this year will give shoppers more options than ever in the used market.

“Typically sales of new and used vehicles follow the same pattern — if sales of new vehicles rise or fall, so do sales of used vehicles, and vice versa,” said Ivan Drury, Edmunds’ senior manager of industry analysis. “But now we’re seeing new vehicle sales fall while used rise, indicating the market has reached a flash point. New cars are getting so expensive that they’re out of reach for many car shoppers, but there are so many more affordable used vehicles coming off lease that the market is naturally shifting in that direction.” 

Edmunds data shows that in 2013, the price gap between new and 3-year-old used vehicles was 56 percent, amounting to more than $11,000 in savings on average. In 2018, that number grew to 62 percent, totaling nearly $14,000 in savings on average. Edmunds data also reveals that new car interest rates jumped by 17 percent in 2018, whereas rates for used vehicles have risen at a slower clip, with interest rates increasing by 9 percent in the same period.

Edmunds experts say that these market conditions have never been more favorable for CPO vehicles, but there’s an opportunity for automakers to better educate car shoppers on the benefits of these programs. According to Google Trends data, relative search interest for CPO vehicles has steadily increased over the last five years, but the top pages viewed on Edmunds for shoppers of CPO vehicles are “What Are Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles?” and “Certified Pre-Owned Cars Vs. Used Cars With Extended Warranties.”

“Many shoppers are unaware of the benefits of CPO vehicle programs, but given the tough financial conditions in the new market, it’s never been a better time to look into them,” said Drury. “Between more affordable prices, the assurance of an automaker warranty, and lower interest rates, CPO vehicles give car shoppers a way to enjoy many of the benefits of a new car and minimize many of the risks of buying a used car.”

Yesterday was the 24th anniversary of the bombing of Pan Am 103. The truth behind that attack remains in shadow, but there may be light at the end of that tunnel.

dctim1 (CC)

The new Libyan government in Tripoli stated that they intend to open their files on the tragedy, and hand them over to Scottish authorities eventually. Libya’s ambassador to the UK, Mahmud Nacua, stated that his new government intends to give information on the bombing that killed 270 in 1988 as soon as the Libyan government is more settled and stable.

Nacua suggested that may happen in a year’s time, so it is possible that on the 25th anniversary of the attack, the families of the victims may finally have the answers they have been asking for from the beginning. While Scottish authorities are hopeful that they may be able to bring charges against additional Libyans in this, the fact remains that time is not on their side. The only one charged thus far, bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, died earlier this year of cancer. It’s not unreasonable to think that many, if not all, of his co-conspirators have died in the intervening years – either from illness, or from violence. However, there is the possibility of getting some closure from at least finally knowing the names.

Daisy Ridley, Rey from Star Wars, tackles a Lego Millenium Falcon build while talking about the films, her career and life-in-general.

GRANJENO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley apprehend the largest group encountered in the area so far this year.

This morning, just after midnight, McAllen agents working near Granjeno, Texas, responded to a report of a large group of suspected illegal aliens walking towards the river levee.  As agents responded, they observed hundreds of people consisting of family units and unaccompanied children cross the river levee. Agents took 289 illegal aliens into custody and transported them to be processed.

In all, Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol arrested over 1,000 illegal aliens within the last 24 hours.

In the month of February, Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley Sector apprehended over 14,000 family units and more than 2,900 unaccompanied children.

Border Patrol is processing the subjects accordingly.

The average Thanksgiving dinner host this year will have 11 hours of prep work, 11 dinner guests and $334 in Thanksgiving expenses, but most hosts love the opportunity.

Those who host Thanksgiving sacrifice a lot of time and money during this holiday, but most wouldn’t have it any other way, another reason to be thankful for Thanksgiving hosts. LendingTree conducted a survey of 1,040 people who are hosting Thanksgiving dinner in 2018 to gauge the emotional and financial toll involved in doing so and how hosts plan to manage Thanksgiving expenses.

According to LendingTree’s 2018 Thanksgiving Survey, Americans will host an average of 11 dinner guests, spend an average of $251.11 on the meal itself, and buy an average of $83.23 worth of housewares like dishes, serving ware and decorations. On top of that, the survey found that Americans will take an average of 1.8 days off work to host Thanksgiving, resulting in an average of $587.62 in lost wages.

Although hosting Thanksgiving dinner means extra responsibilities, the survey found only 18 percent of hosts are very stressed about it; meanwhile, nearly half of respondents (46%) showed no signs of being stressed at all. And despite the stress and financial strain, 76 percent say they love to host Thanksgiving dinner.

Key takeaways

• With an average of 11 dinner guests, Americans will spend on average of $334 to host Thanksgiving, or about $31 per guest.
• More than one in four hosts (28%) say this Thanksgiving will be a financial strain.
• 42% will take time off of work to prepare; of those taking time off, 56%  will give up an average of $588 in pay to do so.
• 28% will charge credit cards or borrow money to pay for Thanksgiving, and over one third don’t expect to pay it off right away.
• One in four hosts wish they had more help around the holiday, while one in ten wishes someone else was hosting the dinner altogether. Over one-half say they have stress around the holiday.
• Despite the stress and financial strain, 76% say they love to host Thanksgiving dinner.

Trimming Thanksgiving costs

• Make it a potluck dinner. Asking guests to bring a dish could reduce costs and effort for hosts. Or, you can ask your guests to bring beverages, like their favorite wine and spirits, a significant portion of overall dinner expenses.
• Create a realistic budget. It’s important to know how much money you can spend before spending any, especially with additional holiday expenses in the weeks ahead. LendingTree’s Thanksgiving survey showed that most Americans aren’t budgeting properly this holiday season:
  • only 24% have a strict budget for holiday spending
  • 55% have a general idea of their budget
  • 21% had no budget in mind at all
• Stick to your grocery list. It can be tempting to buy all the treats you see displayed on the shelves, but if you have a clear list of what you need and adhere to it, you can avoid the unnecessary and unbudgeted expenses.
• Buy generic and use coupons. Chances are, no one will notice you opted for generic-brand cranberry sauce at the store. Even fewer will fault you for using coupons or modifying the menu to take advantage of sales.
• Pay your bills early. Many Thanksgiving hosts (around 28%) plan to use a credit card to pay for dinner-related expenses, with 64 percent planning to pay it off in about a month and another 20 percent within two months. If you can pay your bills before you start your holiday shopping (or put something toward the bills early on), it can help to not only alleviate stress, but also help you avoid paying unnecessary interest fees.
• Consolidate your debt after the holidays. While its better to avoid going deep into debt in the first place, it’s not uncommon to overspend during the holidays. Depending on your financial situation, it may make sense to explore debt consolidation options. This can help you pay off debt sooner by potentially cutting the interest you pay over time. LendingTree’s personal loan tool can help your explore loan options.

Donald Trump’s Treasury Secretary nominee told a CNBC panel about the administration’s plan to re-energize the economy.

President-elect Trump announced Wednesday morning that he had selected Steve Mnuchin to lead the Department of the Treasury.

Mnuchin told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that corporate and individual tax reform are the “first priority” in order to achieve sustained GDP growth of 3-4%.

Geisha Williams is stepping down as the CEO of PG&E Corp., the largest utility in the U.S., while potential liability over recent California wildfires drives the company into bankruptcy.Watch the latest video at foxnews.com

PG&E announced Williams’s departure Sunday and its plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy a day later. Investigators found that the power utility had caused 17 major wildfires in 2017, and evidence suggests the company may be responsible for others in 2018 as well, The Wall Street Journal reports.

PG&E’s general counsel John Simon will serve as interim CEO until the board of directors finds a new head. The California Public Utilities Commission is considering breaking up the power company.

“While we are making progress as a company in safety and other areas, the board recognizes the tremendous challenges PG&E continues to face,” PG&E board chairman Richard Kelly said in a statement Sunday, according to WSJ. “Our search [for a new CEO] is focused on extensive operational and safety expertise, and the Board is committed to further change at PG&E.”

The company will file for bankruptcy around Jan. 29, giving its employees a 15-day notice in line with California law, Reuters reports.

The PG&E board of directors is pushing Williams out as CEO over fallout from the company’s liability in sparking deadly wildfires across California.

The Camp Fire, the most deadly and destructive fire in state history, has yet to be assigned an official cause, but PG&E reporting having an equipment malfunction near the spot around the same time the fire ignited. The Camp Fire killed 86 people and all but destroyed the town of Paradise.

California’s wildfires in 2017 and 2018 will likely cost tens of billions of dollars. Just two 2018 wildfires, the Camp and Woolsey fires, are estimated to have done $8.6 billion in damage.

The company has about $1.5 billion in cash heading into bankruptcy and is negotiating with lenders to get about $5.5 billion more in debtor-in-possession financing to stay in business and continue providing power and gas to millions of Californians, according to Reuters.

The company does not expect bankruptcy to interfere with providing its customers with power and other services, the company said in a statement Monday.