Ocasio-Cortez Campaign Fined For Denying Employees Proper Benefits

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s 2018 congressional campaign was fined by the state of New York for failing to provide workers’ compensation coverage to campaign staffers.

“The employer did not have the required workers’ compensation coverage from March 31, 2018 to April 30, 2018,” Melissa Stewart, the spokeswoman for New York’s Workers Compensation Board told The New York Daily News. “[It] was issued a final penalty of $1,500, which was paid.”

“This coverage is vital to ensuring workers are protected for on-the-job injuries,” Stewart continued.

The self-proclaimed Democratic socialist has been portraying herself as a champion for workers’ rights. During her campaign, she advocated for a $15 an hour minimum wage and a Federal Jobs Guarantee because according to her website, “anyone who is willing and able to work shouldn’t struggle to find employment.”

Interestingly, the progressive congresswoman bemoaned in August the closing of a restaurant where she was previously employed, however, the restaurant cited an Ocasio-Cortez-endorsed policy for its closure.

“The times have changed in our industry. The rents are very high and now the minimum wage is going up and we have a huge number of employees” one of restaurant’s co-founders said at the time.

“Ocasio-Cortez’s desired ‘living wage’ of $15 an hour has been a living hell for many small business owners in New York, who’ve been unable to offset the cost through higher prices,” Employment Policies Institute Managing Director Michael Saltsman said in response to the closure. “It’s fine to mourn the impending closure of your former employer — it’s better to understand the misguided minimum-wage mandates that contributed to that closure.”

Ocasio-Cortez’s office did not respond to The Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

Israel bombs weapons targets in Syria

CNN reports that US believes Israel bombed weapons targets in Syria overnight local time. Initial reports indicate that weapons targets have been destroyed on the ground in Syria, and while Israel is not making comments on the specific incident, their security forces have stated that they will take whatever actions they must to prevent weapons from reaching the hands of their enemies.

The Israeli military had no comment. But a source in the Israeli defense establishment told CNN’s Sara Sidner, “We will do whatever is necessary to stop the transfer of weapons from Syria to terrorist organizations. We have done it in the past and we will do it if necessary the future.”

Fox News report:

More details will be posted as they become available.

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Syria Withdrawal Begins

The Heemo Base in Northeastern Syria is a crucial US base.

The US withdrew its forces from a base in Qamishli in Northeastern Syria, according to Al-Manar TV in Lebanon.

In December of 2018, the US President announced the withdraw of US troops from Syria and a partial withdraw of forces from Afghanistan and immediately in Washington it drew a fierce backlash from the majority of Congress which has been aggressively Pro-War and nation building but also even administration officials like James Mattis and Brett McGurk resigned.

Pressure has grown for Trump to keep U.S. forces in Syria despite ISIS holding just 1.5 kilometers of territory and being surrounded by Turkish aligned forces, Syrian regime forces, and SDF forces, but he is sticking to his guns on the withdraw.

Report: Bank Card Defaults Highest in 6 years despite strong economy

S&P Dow Jones Indices and Experian released today data for 2018 through April for their Consumer Credit Default Indices. The indices represent a comprehensive measure of changes in consumer credit defaults and show that the composite rate decreased four basis points to 0.92%. The bank card default rate rose eight basis points to 3.86%. The auto loan default rate fell six basis points from last month to 0.99%. The first mortgage default rate declined by four basis points, to a level of 0.68%.

Four of the five major cities saw decreases in composite default rates in April 2018Chicago had the largest drop, down 14 basis points to 0.90%. The default rate for Dallas fell nine basis points, to 0.82%, while the rate for New York fell five basis points to 0.90%. Los Angeles saw a one basis point decrease, to 0.59%. Miami was the only major city which experienced an increase in default rates, up 65 basis points to 2.78%.

The composite default rate for Miami has increased to its highest level in more than five years. Default rates have remained stable for the other four major cities.

Bank card default rates have been higher or unchanged for seven consecutive months, and now are at their highest level since June 2012. Auto loan and first mortgage default rates continue to remain stable.

“The overall economic picture is positive, with continued moderate growth, a further decline in unemployment to below 4%, and quite strong consumer sentiment,” says David M. Blitzer, Managing Director and Chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices. “Inflation remains at or below 2%, a level where most consumers tend to ignore small or periodic price increases. Among a wide range of economic indicators, there are two that hint of possible future concerns for some consumers. First, wage gains have not accelerated as the economy has improved. Average hourly earnings are rising at a 2.6% annual rate, only slightly faster than inflation. Second, home prices are increasing by 6% annually with some regions are seeing even larger gains. Neither of these has affected consumer credit defaults so far.

“Consumer borrowing is expanding as the economy continues to grow. Revolving credit – borrowing through bank and credit card accounts – is growing at about the same pace as the overall economy. Mortgage debt outstanding is rising at a similar pace. Non-revolving loans, including auto loans, are growing faster than the overall economy. As today’s modest default levels show, current debt levels are manageable. The fear is that when the next recession comes, debt levels will have climbed far higher while personal savings will have remained modest at best.”

The table below summarizes the April 2018 results for the S&P/Experian Credit Default Indices. These data are not seasonally adjusted and are not subject to revision.

S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices

National Indices

Index

April 2018 Index
Level

March 2018
Index Level

April 2017 Index
Level

Composite

0.92

0.96

0.90

First Mortgage

0.68

0.72

0.69

Bank Card

3.86

3.78

3.35

Auto Loans

0.99

1.05

0.90

Source: S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices

Data through April 2018

The table below provides the S&P/Experian Consumer Default Composite Indices for the five MSAs:

Metropolitan
Statistical Area

April 2018 Index
Level

March 2018
Index Level

April 2017 Index
Level

New York

0.90

0.95

1.10

Chicago

0.90

1.04

0.94

Dallas

0.82

0.91

0.69

Los Angeles

0.59

0.60

0.69

Miami

2.78

2.13

1.30

Source: S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices

Data through April 2018

Rampage: The Movie

Rampage is the latest film with Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson and it is an exciting, thrilling and fun escapism type of movie. You can never go wrong with a Dwayne Johnson film. Here he plays a primatologist named Davis Okoya who keeps people at a distance who has bonded with a white Gorilla named George whom he rescued when he was two years old when his family was killed by poachers. George lives with other rescued animals on a San Diego wildlife preserve. George and Davis communicate quite frequently and proficiently through sign language.

Meanwhile, in 1998 a science lab was dealing with mutant microorganisms in space to conquer diseases but was discontinued in 2016 to turn the experiments into weapons of mass destruction. When the space station explodes in space it sends canisters containing the organisms down to the preserve area and they infect George, a wolf and a crocodile to gargantuan size. George is at least 20 feet tall and the wolf is 30 feet tall and the crocodile is huge and bigger than both of them and gives Godzilla a run for its’ money. All three are invincible and impervious to any machine gun fire of any military kind. The three battle it out in Chicago destroying buildings, crashing through buildings and on top of one another.  As the mutated beasts embark on a path of destruction, Okoye teams up with a discredited genetic engineer Dr. Kate Caldwell (Naomie Harris), who explains that the pathogen was developed by a company called Energyne to rewrite genes on a massive scale and the military to secure an antidote and prevent a global catastrophe. She had hoped to advance CRISPR research as a potential cure for the disease but discovered that Energyne planned to use it as a biological weapon. The company fired her and sent her to prison for attempting to expose them.

Meanwhile, George escapes from captivity and goes on a rampage at the preserve. Davis calms him down, but George is captured by a government team led by Agent Harvey Russell and is put on an airplane. Meanwhile,  Energyne CEO Claire Wyden and her brother, Brett, send a squad of mercenaries led by Burke to capture the mutated wolf named Ralph, but they are all killed.

Claire, hoping to capture Ralph and use George to kill Kate so they can cover up their plans, uses a massive transmitter atop the Willis Tower to lure the animals, who have been engineered to respond aggressively to a certain sound frequency, to Chicago.

There are plenty of realistic action sequences the CGI of the creatures is very real and is getting more so as each new picture comes out. Dwayne Johnson has plenty of one line zingers too as when the wolf spreads its’ skin to reveal wing-like appendages, Okoya says sarcastically and surprised at the same time, “of course, the wolf has wings.”

When some mercenary guys fully loaded with guns and ammo are flown into the wildlife area one says, “What’s it like down there?” to which his partner says, “Just vegetation and animals, you’ll fit right in.”

If fun, action sequences and escapism with Dwayne Johnson and huge monsters is to your liking then I would suggest Rampage. Check out the exciting trailer below.

Navy to Commission Submarine South Dakota > U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE > News Release View

The Navy will commission its newest fast attack submarine, the future USS South Dakota (SSN 790), during an 11 a.m. (EST) ceremony Saturday, Feb. 2, at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut.

The principal speaker will be U.S. Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota. The submarine’s sponsor is Mrs. Deanie Dempsey, wife of the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey. She will give the order to “man our ship and bring her to life!” in a time-honored Navy tradition.

“USS South Dakota enters service during a period of dynamic security challenges,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “I am confident USS South Dakota and its crew will ensure our Navy and nation remain safe and strong, and proudly serve our nation’s interest for decades to come.”

USS South Dakota, a Virginia-class submarine designated SSN 790, is the third ship to bear the state’s name. The first South Dakota was an armored cruiser commissioned Jan. 27, 1908. The ship served in a convoy escort role during World War I before being renamed Huron June 7, 1920.  She was decommissioned following seven years of service in the Pacific on June 17, 1927. The second ship was a battleship commissioned March 20, 1942. She saw service in a number of important World War II battles including Santa Cruz, Guadalcanal, Philippine Sea, and Okinawa, earning thirteen battle stars over the course of the war. South Dakota was present at Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrendered and was later placed out of commission on Jan. 31, 1947.

USS South Dakota is the 17th Virginia-class attack submarine and the seventh Virginia-class Block III submarine. Virginia-class submarines are built to operate in the world’s littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface ship warfare; strike warfare; special operation forces support; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions. Their inherent stealth, endurance, mobility, and firepower directly enable them to support five of the six maritime strategy core capabilities—sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.

Live Stream of USS South Dakota Commissioning Ceremony:

Five Things to Know About USS South Dakota (SSN 790)

  1. Namesake: USS South Dakota is named after the 40th state added to the Union.
    The submarine is the third ship to be christened “South Dakota.” The first USS South Dakota (ACR9/CA 9) was launched in 1904. Assigned to the Armored Cruiser Squadron, Pacific Fleet, South Dakota cruised off the west coast of the United States through August 1908. It was then sent on a cruise to Samoa and later operated in Central and South American waters. It returned home in 1912 and was placed in reserve at Puget Sound Navy Yard. The second USS South Dakota (BB 57) was commissioned March 1942 and assigned to Task Force 16 centered on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV 6). South Dakota conducted blockade operations against Japanese forces approaching Guadalcanal, where they engaged Japanese carrier forces in the Battle of Santa Cruz. BB-57 saw action in the Battle of Savo Island, Battle of Philippine Sea, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, and other Japanese strongholds earning 13 battle stars.
  2. Sponsor: Deanie Dempsey, wife of former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman and retired Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, is the ship’s sponsor and will be in attendance for the commissioning.
    Deanie spent several decades of service in support of the Army, before becoming a champion for all of the services in her role as the chairman’s spouse. In that capacity, she has engaged in countless activities in support of military families, coached and mentored military spouses of all services, participated in dozens of private and charitable organizations, traveled the world representing the United States military, hosted visits to the United States by the spouses of foreign military leaders, and coordinated the family support activities of the White House and Department of Defense.
  3. Size/Endurance: The submarine is 377 feet long, has a 34-foot beam, and will be able to dive to depths greater than 800 feet and operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots submerged while displacing approximately 7,800 tons submerged. It will operate for over 30 years without ever refueling.
  4. Capability:  South Dakota is the seventh Block III submarine of the Virginia-class.
    The Virginia class has been improved to enhance littoral operations. The class has special features to support Special Operations Forces, including a reconfigurable torpedo room which can accommodate a large number of SOF and all their equipment for prolonged deployments and future off-board payloads. The class also has a large lock-in/lock-out chamber for divers. Traditional periscopes have been replaced by two photonics masts that host visible and infrared digital cameras atop telescoping arms. The Block III submarines have replaced the 12 individual Vertical Launch System (VLS) tubes with two 87-inch Virginia Payload Tubes (VPTs), each capable of launching six Tomahawk cruise missiles. The VPTs simplify construction, reduce acquisition costs, and provide for more payload flexibility than the smaller VLS tubes due to their added volume.
  5. Missions: South Dakota is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.

Walking Tour of the USS South Dakota:

U.S Navy Fact File on the USS South Dakota:

Unmanned Systems
Unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV)
MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned air vehicles (FIRE SCOUT)
Flying-Swimmer (Flimmer) UAV/UUV
MQ-4C Triton
Shipboard Autonomous Firefighting Robot (SAFFiR)
MQ-25 UAS
Aircraft, Fixed Wing
C-2A Greyhound logistics aircraft
C-9 Skytrain logistics aircraft
C-12 Huron logistics aircraft
C-20 Gulfstream logistics aircraft
C-26
C-37A (Gulfstream V) and C-37B (Gulfstream 550)
C-130 Hercules logistics aircraft
C-40A Clipper logistics aircraft
E-2 Hawkeye Early Warning and Control Aircraft
E-6B Mercury airborne command post
EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft
EA-18G Growler Airborne Electronic Attack Aircraft
F-5N/F Adversary aircraft
F-16A/B Fighting Falcon Fighter
F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter
F-35C Lightning II
Learjet 35/36
NU-1B Otter
P-8A Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA)
P-3C Orion and EP-3 Aries
S-3B Viking detection and attack of submarines aircraft
T-2C Buckeye jet trainer
T-6A Texan II Turboprop trainer
T-6B Texan II Turboprop Trainer
T-34C Turbomentor training aircraft
T-38 Talon supersonic trainer
T-39D radar-navigational trainer
T-39N/G Sabreliner training aircraft
T-44 Pegasus trainer
T-45A Goshawk training aircraft
TC-12 Huron trainer
U-6A Beaver all-purpose utility transport
RQ-2A Pioneer Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
RQ-8A and MQ-8B Fire Scout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
X-26A high performance glider
Aircraft, Rotary Wing
HH/UH-1N Iroquois helicopter
CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter
CH-53K King Stallion
H-3 Sea King helicopter
MH-53E Sea Dragon Helicopter
MH-60 Seahawk Helicopter
MH-60R Seahawk
MH-60S Seahawk
TH-57 Sea Ranger Helicopter
TH-6B helicopter
VH-3D Sea King helicopter
V-22B Osprey Tilt Rotor Aircraft
VH-60N Night Hawk helicopter
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Training Targets
MK 30 Mod 1 Anti-Submarine Warfare Target
MK 30 Mod 2 Anti-Submarine Warfare Target
MK 39 Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target (EMATT)
Guns, Weapon Systems
AEGIS Weapon System
AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW)
Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR)
AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS)
AN/BPS-15/16 Radar
AN/SPQ-9B Radar Set
AN/SQQ-34 Aircraft Carrier Tactical Support System (CV-TSC)
AN/SQQ-89(V) Undersea Warfare / Anti-Submarine Warfare Combat System
AN/USQ-T46 Battle Force Tactical Training (BFTT)
AN/UYQ-100 Undersea Warfare Decision Support System (USW-DSS)
CEC – Cooperative Engagement Capability
CMS – Countermine System
Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)
Littoral Combat Ships – Mission Modules
Littoral Combat Ships – Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Mission Package
Littoral Combat Ships – Mine Countermeasures Mission Package
Littoral Combat Ships – Surface Warfare Mission Package
Open Systems Architecture (OSA)
SeaRAM Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) Anti-Ship Missile Defense System
Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP)
MK 15 – Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS)
MK 38 – 25 mm Machine Gun System
MK 46 – 30 mm Gun Weapon System
MK 41 – VLS
MK 45 – 5-inch 54/62 Caliber Guns
MK 53 – Decoy Launching System (Nulka)
MK 60 Griffin Missile System (GMS)
MK 75 – 76 mm/62 Caliber Gun
MK 46 – Torpedo
MK 48 – Heavyweight Torpedo
MK 50 – Torpedo
MK 54 – Torpedo
MK 110 57 mm Gun
US Navy Mines
AN/ASQ-235 Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS)
AN/DVS-1 Coastal Battlefield Reconnaissance and Analysis – (COBRA)
AN/SPS-48G
AN/SPS-49(V) Radar Set
AN/SPS-67(V) Radar Set
AN/SPS-73(V)12 Radar Set
AN/SPS-74(V) Radar Set
Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MCM USV)
Missiles
AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range, Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM)
Harpoon Missile
AGM-88 HARM Missile
AGM-114B/K/M Hellfire Missile
AGM-65 Maverick Guided Missile
Penguin Anti-Ship Missile
AIM-54 Phoenix Missile
RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM)
Seasparrow Missile (RIM-7)
EVOLVED SEASPARROW MISSILE Block 1 (ESSM) (RIM 162D)
AIM-9 Sidewinder Missile
SLAM-ER Missile
Standard Missile
Tomahawk Cruise Missile
Trident II (D5) Missile
Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket ASROC (VLA) Missile
People
Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (The Blue Angels)
Navy Rank Structure
Navy Seabees
Navy Seals
Task Force Simulation and Modeling
Submarines
Attack Submarines – SSN
Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines – SSBN
Guided Missile Submarines – SSGN
Undersea Rescue Command (URC) Assets
Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System (SRDRS)
Large Scale Vehicle – LSV 2
Surface Ships
USS Constitution
Aircraft Carriers – CVN
Amphibious Assault Ships – LHD/LHA(R)
Amphibious Command Ships – LCC
Amphibious Transport Dock – LPD
Cruisers – CG
Destroyers – DDG
Dock Landing Ship – LSD
Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF)
Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC)
Ship to Shore Connector (SSC)
Landing Craft, Mechanized and Utility – LCM/LCU
Littoral Combat Ship Class – LCS
Mark V Special Operations Craft
Mine Countermeasures Ships – MCM
Patrol Coastal Ships – PC
11 Meter Naval Special Warfare Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB)
Riverine Command Boat
Yard Patrol Craft – YP
Mark VI Patrol Boat
Underwater Search and Recovery Equipment
CURV 21 – Remotely Operated Vehicle
Deep Drone 8000 – Remotely Operated Vehicle
Magnum ROV – Remotely Operated Vehicle
MINIROVs – Remotely Operated Vehicle
MR2 HYDROS
Orion – Towed Side Scan Sonar
Shallow Water Intermediate Search System – Towed Side Scan Sonar
Towed Pinger Locator 25

Obama’s Reset World

According to Yevgeny Fyodorov, the head of the Committee on Economic Policy and Entrepreneurship of the Russian State Duma, the U.S. is slowly but surely losing unchallenged global economic and political power.

Fyodorov said that: “… but in reality it is the key event in today’s global scenario. With the onset of the global economic crisis, with political and economic turbulence, the APEC is a key event in terms of the demonstration of new vectors of unity of the international community outside the United States.

It is clear that it is not a split – everyone still plays by American rules, but the countries already demonstrate their independence in economic policy. I was there and saw how angry Mrs. Hillary Clinton was when she came from China, where several Chinese leaders – especially those who are to become top officials of China next year – did not even want to meet her. In China, Clinton was told no when she wanted to take on mediator’s functions in resolving China’s territorial disputes with Asian countries.

She also heard no in response to her requirement to set the yuan rate. It is an annual requirement of the United States to China to set the yuan rate for political reasons to pump resources and opportunities from China to the U.S. It is an additional form of tribute from China, which China had to deal with every year for political motives. Nowadays, the U.S. was refused. The world is changing.”

Welcome to the world after is has been reset by Barack Obama and his foreign policy initiatives.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking to replace the American dollar as the world’s reserve currency with regional currencies. Russia and China have already begun using this system and Putin is actively promoting the idea that other countries should follow along.

America’s enemies are seeking to reformat the world’s entire economic system.  They see the U.S. in the same light “progressive” politicians in America see the U.S.

America’s wealth comes at the expense of less successful countries. America did not build its success, somehow America stole it.

And if that is not enough, Russia sees the weakness of Obama’s America providing them the opportunity to form a world national liberation movement to “free the world from the U.S. occupation”.

http://english.pravda.ru/russia/politics/21-09-2012/122236-russia_apec-0/

Rest assured America, the Islamist world is not the only place where Obama’s foreign policy initiatives have resulted in disaster. What will happen if Obama is re-elected and is “more flexible” with Putin?

America needs an American President. The international/global/UN/brave new world approach is decidedly not working in America’s interests.

Obama’s Reset World

Report: CNN Legal Analyst Mark Geragos is Avenatti Co-Conspirator

Mark Geragos, the celebrity attorney and CNN analyst, is the co-conspirator cited in a federal indictment handed down Monday against Michael Avenatti, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Avenatti was indicted and arrested in New York on Monday on charges of wire fraud, bank fraud and attempting to extort $20 million from Nike Inc. According to the indictment, Avenatti threatened to publicly disparage Nike if the company did not pay him millions of dollars.

The indictment was announced less than an hour after Avenatti announced that he was holding a press conference on Tuesday about Nike.

According to The Journal, Avenatti’s co-conspirator was Geragos, a lawyer famous for representing clients like Michael Jackson, Jussie Smollett, and Colin Kaepernick.

According to the indictment, Avenatti and the alleged co-conspirator met with lawyers from Nike’s lawyers at the firm Boies Schiller on March 19. The duo said that they would release information damaging to Nike unless the company paid them more than $20 million on top of $1.5 million to a client who Avenatti was representing.

Boies Schiller lawyers agreed to record a follow-up conversation with Avenatti on behalf of federal prosecutors, according to one of The Journal’s sources.

In the March 20 phone call, Avenatti again requested the $1.5 million for his client and also sought a lucrative retainer to conduct an internal investigation of Nike.

Avenatti then threatened that if Nike failed to meet his demands, “I’ll go take ten billion dollars off your client’s market cap.”

“I’m not fucking around,” Avenatti said in the phone call, according to The Journal.

CNN did not return a request for comment about Geragos, who is still listed on CNN’s site as a legal analyst.

Avenatti was a frequent guest on CNN last year. The network put him on air to attack President Trump over Stormy Daniels, the porn star who claims she had an affair with Trump in 2006.

Daniels issued a statement after Avenatti’s arrest saying that she was “saddened but not shocked” by the news. She suggested that she will release damning information about Avenatti in the near future.

Avenatti was also indicted Monday in California on embezzlement and bank fraud charges related to a coffee business he operated.

Get Your Dream Job With These 12 Resume Tips

We all want to land our dream job and have a career that interests us and that we love going into each day. The first step to this is your resume. So, here are 12 tips to improve it and set you up on the road to success.

1. Grab The Recruiter’s Attention

The first few sentences of your resume need to make a good impression on a potential recruiter. Use strong words, highlight the most relevant details or achievements, and think about which qualities need to be demonstrated in the industry you are interested in.

2. Write A Strong Summary

Your summary should be short and straight to the point. Explain how your unique skills, talents, and experiences will translate into the things the recruiter is looking for.

You can write a few sentences at the top of your resume, or use bullet points. This is where your most important qualifications should be highlighted.

3. Customize Your Resume

Don’t send out the same resume for every position you apply to. Take the time to customize your summary to address the skills the recruiter is likely to look for. You might also need to make a few changes to the rest of your resume, for instance to draw attention to a previous work experience that is particularly relevant to the position you are going after.

4. Use Keywords

Read the job description carefully and look for the keywords used by the recruiter. Some employers use software to automatically scan resumes for these keywords, while others will read resumes and expect to find these keywords. Using the same keywords as a potential employer shows you have the right skills for the job, and shows you’re speaking the employer’s language and will fit right in.

5. Skip The Objectives

Stating what your professional goals and objectives are is not relevant in most situations. Most professional resume writers suggest you use this space for other valuable information. Focus on showing employers what you can do for them, and talk about your objectives during the job interview if the recruiter asks questions.

6. Keep It Short

Your resume shouldn’t be more than two pages long. You will only need one page if you have limited work experience. Your list of relevant skills and the description of your most recent or most relevant positions should take up the most space on your resume.

7. Stand Out From The Rest

Don’t limit yourself to listing previous job responsibilities. Recruiters aren’t looking for job descriptions. They want to find out about the skills you developed thanks to previous work experiences and about your achievements. Tell recruiters how you excelled in your previous positions.

8. Use Numbers When You Can

If you can, add some numbers to show recruiters what kind of difference you made. Talk about sales numbers, conversion rates, or about how much money you helped a previous employer save.

9. References Are Available Upon Request

There is no need to list your references on your resume. Add a single line to let a recruiter know you can share this information if needed.

10. Your Personality Is Important

Your resume should give recruiters the impression that you are an interesting and dynamic person. There is no need to talk about personality traits, but look for ways to make your personality shine through when a recruiter looks at your resume. You could mention volunteer activities, or hobbies as long as they demonstrate that you possess certain skills.

11. Get Some Feedback

Have a friend look at your resume and ask for an honest opinion. Your friend might be able to spot mistakes you missed and will tell you whether or not they would consider calling you to schedule a job interview if they received this resume.

12. Don’t Forget To Proofread

Spelling and grammar mistakes won’t make a good impression on a potential employer. You might not notice mistakes until you go back to your resume later. You should also pay attention to the presentation. Make sure everything is consistent, properly aligned, and easy to read.

British Court rules on search of Miranda property

Romana Klee (CC)

David Miranda, the Brazilian man who had been working with The Guardian’s Glenn Greenwald, obtained a partial victory in British court. His property that had been seized by authorities cannot be searched, unless it is for the purpose of “national security.”

BBC News reports:

The High Court ruled the authorities could examine the seized material for the defence of national security and also to investigate whether Mr Miranda, 28, is a person who is or has been concerned with the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Mr Miranda’s lawyers said he had had nine items, including his laptop, mobile phone, memory cards and DVDs, taken during the detention on Sunday.

They sought the injunction to prevent access to the data, arguing his detention was unlawful and threatened “journalistic sources whose confidential information is contained in the material seized”.

Speaking after the case, Gwendolen Morgan, from law firm Bindmans, said the injunction was a “partial victory”.

She said the government now has seven days to “prove there is a genuine threat to national security”.

Ms Morgan added she knew “very little” about the criminal investigation police revealed they were undertaking.

“We don’t know of any basis for that,” she added.

Miranda had been stopped presumably because of his association with Greenwald, and the Edward Snowden affair. It can be presumed that the British authorities had been hoping to find more Snowden documents before they were released to the public. In the wake of Miranda’s detainment, Guardian editors revealed that the British government had destroyed their hard drives. Given the nature of the information, and Snowden’s claims that the information will be released no matter what happens to him, it is unlikely that destroying hard drives or seizing property of journalists will put an end to the Snowden information releases. As for the Miranda situation, while his counsel is unaware of any reason the British government would have to prove that the is a danger to national security, time will tell what sort of case the Crown will manage to present in court.