1………….> White Christmas In US
Most of Midwest US got a lot of Christmas white, including Pennsylvania with almost 3 feet of snow, miles of heavy traffic and plenty of accidents.
http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-42487535/sea-smoke-phenomenon-on-lake-superior-minnesota
2…………> A Dashing Virtuoso: Fashion Star
Uzbekistan born young pianist Lola Astanova has apparently created a new fusion of music and latest fashion: breaking a centuries old “modus operandi” of a view of virtuosi as people who spend endless hours of exercising in lonely and dark rooms in clouds of dandruff for the pleasure and prize of hour or two of flashing their musical gifts in front of well fed establishment types who would pay any amount of money in search of the latest cultural phenomenon as a desperate proof that the are not stupid.
Astanova virtuosity, coupled with her beauty and extreme fashion has created unique sense of style, which is feminine, sexy and vivacious.
https://sputniknews.com/society/201712261060327935-modern-day-virtuoso-pianist-lola-astanova/
3………..> Crooked Arms Dealer: Italy
Giovanni Zannoni, 35, of Gavorrano, Italy, has pleaded guilty to illegally exporting and attempting to export night vision equipment and assault rifle components, and agreed to forfeit $436,673.73, in addition to the dozens of gun parts and night vision and thermal imaging devices recovered by the government in connection with this prosecution.
“Over a period of four years, Zannoni illegally moved military equipment half way around the globe for a profit, with no concern of the buying agent,” said HSI NY Special Agent in Charge, Angel M. Melendez. “His actions supported the military potential and weapons proliferation of other nations, creating potential national security risks. Protecting our homeland encompasses many missions, including safeguarding our nation’s technologies, and Zannoni will now face the consequences of his actions.”
“The defendant’s guilty plea is the result of a successful joint investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, HSI and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service,” stated DCIS Special Agent in Charge, Leigh-Alistair Barzey. “The illegal exportation of controlled military technology poses a significant threat to our national security and DCIS is committed to working with its law enforcement partners to ensure that sensitive defense technology is properly protected.”
“The defendant Giovanni Zannoni skirted laws intended to safeguard our national security by keeping specialized technologies out of the wrong hands,” stated Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Bridget M. Rohde. “We will investigate and prosecute those who illegally export our defense technology, upon which our troops rely, to the fullest extent of the law.”
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/italian-national-pleads-guilty-illegally-exporting-and-attempting-export-military
4…………>Drug Gang Busted: New York
Twenty-one individuals were indicted following an extensive joint investigation by ICE and NYPD, and were charged with a variety of criminal offenses including: first, second and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance; first, second and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; second and fourth-degree conspiracy; and other related charges. Two individuals, Mario Martinez, 46, of the Bronx and Joan Velez, 36, of the Bronx, have been indicted for operating as major traffickers, moving major narcotics throughout the New York Metropolitan area. Each face a maximum of 25 years to life in prison if convicted of that charge.
“These individuals are alleged to have trafficked large quantities of highly addictive drugs through our local communities and into our surrounding states,” said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI New York. “Our neighborhoods have been plagued with opioid addictions, and we will continue joint law enforcement efforts with the NYPD in order to rid our streets of the dealers and traffickers of these deadly drugs.”
“These narcotics traffickers operated an organized criminal network through which major quantities of illicit and potentially deadly drugs infected the streets of the Bronx during a period in which opioid-related deaths have been reaching epidemic levels. Through major cases like this one, the NYPD, along with our law enforcement and prosecution partners, continues to focus on the source and supply of illegal drugs and together we are committed to bring these criminals to justice,” said NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill.
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-new-york-nypd-dismantle-major-heroin-cocaine-trafficking-organization
5…………>Snake In The Bag:New Britain
FBI announced that SIDIKJON MAMADJONOV, 31, a citizen of Uzbekistan residing in New Britain, was arrested today on a criminal complaint charging him with immigration offenses.
He was admitted to the U.S. and became to U.S. Citizen in 2011, knowing that
during a trip to Turkey in May 2013, he was informed that his brother Saidjon had died in May or June 2013 while fighting in Syria with the “Al Nusra Brigade” group, which was affiliated with ISIS. In subsequent interviews with the FBI MAMADJONOV stated that Saidjon Mamadjonov was still alive when he knew he was dead.
The complaint charges MAMADJONOV with the unlawful procurement of naturalization, and making a false oath or declaration under penalty of perjury, offenses that carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. The complaint also charges MAMADJONOV with making false statements on a naturalization application, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/lawful-permanent-resident-uzbekistan-charged-immigration-offenses
6…………> For The Glory Of Allah:New York
A federal complaint was unsealed today, charging Everitt Aaron Jameson, 26, of Modesto, with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, after he had several online interactions with a confidential source in which he expressed support for the October 31, 2017, terrorist attack in New York City and offered his services for “the cause.” In subsequent communications with an undercover agent, Jameson referred to his training in the U.S. military and noted he had been trained for combat and war. Jameson later met with another undercover agent whom he believed to be associated with the senior leadership of the foreign terrorist organization, ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, also known as ISIL). During his interactions with this undercover agent, Jameson offered to carry out violent acts and to provide financial support for the terrorist organization.
“The Department of Justice works resolutely every day to prevent terrorist attacks,” said Attorney General Sessions. “In my time back at the Department, nothing has impressed me more. Today, our incredible law enforcement officers have once again helped thwart an alleged plot to kill Americans. I want to thank the FBI agents and federal prosecutors and everyone else who helped make this possible. The threat from radical Islamic terrorism is real—and it is serious—but the American people can be assured that the Department of Justice remains vigilant in protecting our homeland.”