Germany seizes server hosting leaked US police files

July 10, 2020 KANKENNEWS

At the request of the U.S. government, German officials last week seized a computer server that hosted leaked files from scores of police agencies taken in a Houston data breach last month.

The server was used by Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDoSecrets), a WikiLeaks-like data transparency group, to distribute information called “BlueLeaks” from more than 200 federal, state and local police agencies, The Associated Press reported Thursday.

The prosecutor’s office in Zwickau, Germany, told the AP in a statement that the server was taken on July 3 in Falkenstein after a request from U.S. officials. The prosecutors’ statement said German judicial authorities would decide whether to give the server to the U.S. and that it wouldn’t reveal the reason for the Americans’ request.

The FBI declined to comment.

DDoSecrets founder Emma Best told the AP that they assume the confiscation was related to the posting of the BlueLeaks documents. DDoSecrets obtained the documents, dating back to 1996, from an individual who sympathized with the protests over police killings of Black unarmed individuals, including George Floyd in May, Best said.

Some of the documents that were released last month suggest that the FBI is collecting intelligence on protesters from social media and sending it to local law enforcement. The data was taken from the Houston web-design company Netsential, which hosts portals for police agencies and fusion centers.

The data did not include references to sexual assault cases or children but did not remove the names, phone numbers and emails of officers, Best said.

Hacking and taking data is a federal crime, but several U.S. courts have ruled that journalists can publish stolen documents if they weren’t involved in the theft. DDoSecrets identifies as a journalistic organization.

Twitter permanently suspended the DDoSecrets account when it posted the data, pointing to a ban on posting hacked information.

Hillicon Valley: Pressure mounts on Facebook to rein in hate speech | UK, Australia launch joint investigation into facial recognition firm | Amazon removing Redskins merchandise from site

July 10, 2020 KANKENNEWS

Welcome to Hillicon Valley, The Hill’s newsletter detailing all you need to know about the tech and cyber news from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. If you don’t already, be sure to sign up for our newsletter with this LINK.

Welcome! Follow our cyber reporter, Maggie Miller (@magmill95), and tech reporter, Chris Mills Rodrigo (@chrisismills), for more coverage.

FACEBOOK UNDER PRESSURE: Facebook came under renewed public scrutiny Wednesday with the release of an independent audit slamming the platform’s progress on civil rights issues, adding to internal and external pressure on the company to rein in hate speech and misinformation.

The audit was the third shoe to drop this month after a group of high-profile advertisers launched a boycott of the site and the release of a Democratic National Committee memo bashing the company just months before a crucial election.

The independent review of the company’s policies released Wednesday — the third in a set of three commissioned by the social media giant in 2018 — criticized Facebook for failing to develop a mechanism for protecting civil rights and for a hands-off approach when it comes to free speech, even in cases of violent posts.

Outside critics said the findings report shows the company needs to step up and make changes. If it doesn’t, they argued, government intervention would be warranted.

“If Facebook won’t create rules for the platform that protect free elections and public safety, then Congress must intervene to ensure civil rights are protected,” said Rashad Robinson, head of Color of Change. “Our work continues with or without Facebook’s collaboration; we won’t rest until the platform is a safe and just place for Black people.”

Auditors took particular issue with Facebook’s handling of posts from President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump on Kanye West’s presidential run: ‘He is always going to be for us’ Marie Yovanovitch on Vindman retirement: He ‘deserved better than this. Our country deserved better than this’ Trump says Biden has been ‘brainwashed’: ‘He’s been taken over by the radical left’ MORE. One of the posts they highlighted was one from the president in response to protests in Minneapolis over the police killing of George Floyd in which Trump wrote “when the looting shoots, the shooting starts.”

The review said Facebook’s decision to leave such posts untouched has “real world consequences.”

The report acknowledged Facebook has made “some significant improvements in the platform,” but the overall audit was a scathing rebuke.

The report adds to growing pressure on Facebook to tighten its policies against hate speech and misinformation.

Biden to review Trump move pulling troops from Germany if elected, aide says

July 10, 2020 KANKENNEWS

Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe BidenJoe BidenTrump says Biden has been ‘brainwashed’: ‘He’s been taken over by the radical left’ Trump says he’ll wear mask during upcoming trip to Walter Reed Latino group ‘Mi Familia Vota’ launches M voter turnout campaign targeting swing states MORE would review President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump on Kanye West’s presidential run: ‘He is always going to be for us’ Marie Yovanovitch on Vindman retirement: He ‘deserved better than this. Our country deserved better than this’ Trump says Biden has been ‘brainwashed’: ‘He’s been taken over by the radical left’ MORE’s controversial decision to withdraw thousands of troops from Germany, according to a top Biden campaign aide.

“We would review all of the decisions that President Trump has taken, including that one,” Antony Blinken, Biden’s senior adviser for foreign policy, told Reuters an interview Wednesday.

Blinken told the newswire the issue over Trump’s decision “certainly begins with the way it was done,” referring to the fact that Trump did not consult Germany before.

“But we have a profound problem with the substance of it as well,” he added.

President Trump confirmed last month his administration plans to cut the U.S. troop size in Germany roughly in half. The decision drew backlash from both sides of the aisle.

Blinken also told the newswire that Biden would seek to use NATO to address Chinese threats to global security, including potentially efforts by Chinese-company Huawei to help build out 5G communication networks in European countries including Germany.

U.S. sanctions against Huawei, have prompted European countries to consider whether to allow the company’s involvement, Reuters notes.

“It is a problem, it’s a real problem, and it’s one that we need urgently to address, but we need to address it together, not divided,” Blinken said.

Top general vows to 'get to the bottom' of Russia bounty intel

July 10, 2020 KANKENNEWS

The top general in the U.S. military vowed Thursday to “get to the bottom” of intelligence on Russia offering bounties for the Taliban to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan and pledged his “1000 percent commitment” to sufficiently protecting U.S. forces.

“I’ve got three tours in Afghanistan and multiple tours in a lot of other places, and I’ve buried a lot of people in Arlington National Cemetery, so I am committed to the nth degree to protect our force,” Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley told the House Armed Service Committee.

“Units of people are and were informed and will remain informed,” he added about the intelligence on Russia. “We’re going to get to the bottom of all that, but I can assure the families that force protection of our force, not only for me but for every commander all the way down the line, that’s the No. 1 priority for every one of us.”

Milley later called the bounties a “unique, discrete piece of information that is not corroborated,” but said Pentagon officials “are taking it serious, we’re going to get to the bottom of it, we’re going to find out if in fact it’s true, and if it is true, we will take action.”

Defense Secretary Mark EsperMark EsperOvernight Defense: Top general says military must take ‘hard look’ at Confederate symbols on installations | Milley vows to ‘get to bottom’ of Russia bounty intel | Woman to join Green Berets for first time Top general vows to ‘get to the bottom’ of Russia bounty intel Top general: US military needs to take ‘hard look’ at Confederate symbols MORE similarly vowed force protection, but saved his most impassioned words to rail against leaks to the media.

“We are aggressively pursuing leaks within the Defense Department,” he said. “I’ve launched an investigation that is under way to go after leaks, whether it’s of classified information or unclassified information that is sensitive and also unauthorized discussions with the media. All those things, again, hurt our nation’s security. They undermine our troops, their safety. They affect our relations with other countries. They undermine our national policy. It’s bad.”

The comments, made at a House Armed Services Committee hearing originally called to discuss the military’s response to protests over racial injustice, mark Esper and Milley’s first public remarks on the reports that a Russian military intelligence unit offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants to kill U.S. and coalition troops in Afghanistan.

A firestorm erupted in Washington, D.C., after The New York Times, followed by several other news outlets, reported on the U.S. intelligence assessments that dated back months. Lawmakers, including some Republicans, demanded answers on what Trump knew and what he has done in response.

The White House and President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump on Kanye West’s presidential run: ‘He is always going to be for us’ Marie Yovanovitch on Vindman retirement: He ‘deserved better than this. Our country deserved better than this’ Trump says Biden has been ‘brainwashed’: ‘He’s been taken over by the radical left’ MORE have sought to downplay the controversy, dismissing the intelligence as uncorroborated and arguing he wasn’t briefed because of that. Reports have said the intelligence was included in written material given to Trump known as the President’s Daily Brief.

On Wednesday, Milley said there is no military action on the ground that could be done at this point that hasn’t been, but suggested the administration could be doing more to respond to foreign support to the Taliban at the strategic level such as using diplomatic and economic tools.

“Are we doing as much as we could or should? Perhaps not,” Milley said. “Not only to the Russians, but to others.”

Esper, meanwhile, first told the committee he was never briefed on intelligence that specifically included the word “bounty.”

But later in the hearing, Esper acknowledged that he was briefed on intelligence about “payments” to militants.

Esper said he was first made aware of the intelligence at issue in February. Gen. Frank McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, and Gen. Scott Miller, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan, were aware as early as January, Esper said, adding “neither thought the reports were credible as they dug into them.”

Esper also said the intelligence was not produced by defense intelligence agencies and that “all of the defense intelligence agencies have been unable to corroborate that report.”

Esper and Milley’s comments come after McKenzie told reporters earlier this week he found the intelligence “worrisome,” but that he has not found a “causative link” between the bounties and U.S. service member deaths.

Esper on Thursday specifically said officials have not found “causality” between any payments and a suicide bombing that killed three Marines in April 2019, which reports have indicated the military was investigating as possibly spurred by the bounties.

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“As of today, right now, we don’t have cause and effect linkages to a Russian bounty program causing U.S. military casualties,” Milley added. “However, we are still looking. We’re not done. We’re going to run this thing to ground.”

Fauci says reputation for 'speaking the truth' may be why he's on TV less

July 10, 2020 KANKENNEWS

Top infectious disease doctor Anthony FauciAnthony FauciOvernight Health Care: Fauci says hard-hit states should be ‘pausing’ reopening | Florida records record number of coronavirus deaths | Redfield says keeping schools closed poses greater health threat to children than reopening Fauci: Partisanship in US has made it harder to suppress coronavirus Azar points to ‘individual responsibility’ as answer to mounting outbreaks MORE, a key member of the White House coronavirus task force, said he thinks his reputation for speaking bluntly may be why he hasn’t been on television as much recently.

In an interview with the Financial Times published Friday, Fauci acknowledged that he won’t water down the truth and indicated that may be why his public appearances on behalf of the administration have decreased at a time when the president has sounded an optimistic tone about the crisis.

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“I have a reputation, as you probably have figured out, of speaking the truth at all times and not sugar-coating things. And that may be one of the reasons why I haven’t been on television very much lately,” said Fauci, who serves as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Fauci and other members of the White House coronavirus task force have been making increasingly rare appearances on major network television. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said he has been on only six programs since June 1.

Fauci and some other administration scientists have warned of the danger of worsening outbreaks of COVID-19 around the country, which are leading to spikes in hospitalizations in hard-hit states.

Meanwhile, President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump on Kanye West’s presidential run: ‘He is always going to be for us’ Marie Yovanovitch on Vindman retirement: He ‘deserved better than this. Our country deserved better than this’ Trump says Biden has been ‘brainwashed’: ‘He’s been taken over by the radical left’ MORE and other White House political officials argue that the U.S. is winning the battle against the coronavirus, despite evidence to the contrary.

Trump has publicly broken with Fauci on several occasions, including insisting earlier this week that the U.S. is in a “good place” with the pandemic after Fauci warned that the state of the pandemic in the country is “really not good.”

During political rallies and other speeches, the president consistently downplays the extent of the pandemic, and how widespread the new surge of cases is across many states.

“The reason we show so many Cases, compared to other countries that haven’t done nearly as well as we have, is that our TESTING is much bigger and better,” Trump tweeted on Thursday.

Fauci told the Financial Times that he hasn’t seen the president in person since early June.

Committee votes to block Trump's 'secret science' EPA rule

July 10, 2020 KANKENNEWS

The House Appropriations Committee on Friday voted to block a controversial Trump Administration transparency rule that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) own independent board of science advisers criticized.

“This rule would place new crippling limits on what studies can be utilized when EPA crafts new regulation,” said the amendment’s sponsor, Rep. David PriceDavid Eugene Price189 House Democrats urge Israel to ‘reconsider’ annexation Partisan divide on annexation complicates US-Israel relationship National service will give thousands of Americans a chance to recover and rebuild their communities MORE (D-N.C.), citing a slew of experts and scientific associations.

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Scientists have decried the 2018 rule, which the administration sought to broaden in March, as an effort to block the EPA from being able to use significant amounts of research in its rulemaking.

“The problem is throwing up impossible standards of reproducibility that make it exclude huge swaths of research from being considered for the scientific rulemaking enterprise,” Price said.

The Trump administration has argued that the rule, which gives preference to studies based on public data, will increase transparency by banning “secret science.”

But the EPA’s own independent Science Advisory Board said there was no justification for the rule and raised “concerns about the scientific and technical challenges of implementing” it.

“It is plausible that in some situations, the proposed rule will decrease efficiency and reduce scientific integrity,” the board wrote in its review of the rule.

The amendment, which tackled the rule by blocking funding for its implementation, passed by voice vote in the House Appropriations Committee’s markup of the $36.8 billion interior and environment spending bill for the 2021 fiscal year.

The bill, which also rejected deep cuts to environmental programs, passed the committee in a largely party-line vote of 30 to 19.

The House is expected to take up the measure later in the month, but its various positions, including the provision denying funds for implementing the rule, may face challenges in the Senate, where bipartisan support is required to pass spending bills.

Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo's 'Romeo & Juliet' Delights Rapt Crowd

July 10, 2020 KANKENNEWS

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Living on the East End, there’s an embarrassment of artistic riches, with actors, vocalists and writers bringing the best of their work to a place where nature’s canvas inspires creative magic.

But sometimes, even in the Hamptons, there’s a performance so extraordinary and just, well, brilliant that it leaves audiences breathless.

Such was the case this weekend when the Bay Street Theater and Guild Hall, in association with Jamie Cesa & Bel Chiasso Entertainment, presented “The Romeo and Juliet Project” featuring the music of Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.

With a book by Bradley Bredeweg and directed by Scott Schwartz, artistic director of the Bay Street Theater, the show is sublime in its seamless ability to weave together the 40 years of lyrics and music Benatar and Giraldo have created with the timeless tale of a Shakespearean classic.

“This is the very first public presentation of this work,” Schwartz told the crowd who gathered at Mashashimuet Park for the free “Under the Stars” event in Sag Harbor Friday night, adding how overjoyed he was to present the show and thanking the many supporters who came together to make vision a reality.

With Alex Nee as Romeo, Ashely Argota as Juliet and a powerhouse cast that conveyed the story of the ill-fated lovers with a modern twist and language, the story transcended time and place and centered on emotion and the timeless conflicts that have long ripped society asunder.

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(Lisa Finn)

“There’s so much hate out there,” the Friar, played by Howard McGillin, said, echoing words that resonate.

“Sometimes it feels as though all hope is lost,” said Nee’s Romeo. Indeed, the vision of this relevant piece centers on reminding audiences of happens when the impact of love, equality, and acceptance is forgotten, a release for the show said.

“The show brings us into the modern, war-torn metropolis of Verona as the newly-minted Chancellor Paris takes control and promises to return the city to its traditional roots and destroy the progressive resistance. This new musical is an intricate weaving of Benatar and Giraldo’s deeply emotional rock anthems exploring the question — what does it take to regain a world where peace is possible?”

Beyond even the acting chops of the stellar cast, the star of the show, the front and center force that sends this production into the stars with the power of the most fierce strat, is the music. That heart-searing music that defined a generation and is now, in this production, newly re-imagined with new, soulful riffs and ballads so pure they shatter the night.

For a first-time audience member, the show stands on its own merits, at times joyful, funny, agonizingly painful and, in the end, a testament to the enduring power of love.

But for ardent supporters of Benatar’s and Giraldo’s work, listening to iconic classics such as “All Fired Up,” “Promises in the Dark,” “Invincible,” “Treat Me Right,” “Heartbreaker,” “Hell is for Children,” “Shadows of the Night,” and “We Belong,” and then, hearing glimpses of cuts rarely played today at the couple’s concert appearances — a stirring rendition of “Brave,” from the 2003 album “Go”, for example, was a rare treat, as was “Kingdom Key,” from 1993’s “Gravity’s Rainbow” — made the night one that longtime fans will cherish.

The show showcases masterful editing of timeless lyrics, as the cast segues from “Treat Me Right” into “I Won’t”, and with teases of other favorites including “In the Heat of the Night” during the scene at The Ball.

A spirited new rendition of “Lookin’ for a Stranger” brought down the proverbial house.

(Lisa Finn)

Long Island-born Pat and her husband, whom she affectionately calls Spyder, have been married since 1982, and their shows — the couple, who performed last week at the Bay Street Theater, is on tour celebrating 40 years of music — are an homage to their love story, featuring timeless classics paired with personal stories from their lives and shared with devoted audiences.

(Lisa Finn)

Speaking with Patch before the show — he smiled graciously for fans who asked for photos — Giraldo said he enjoys performing outside, soaking in the air and the natural elements.

Speaking about the astounding symmetry of the music with “Romeo and Juliet,” Giraldo said: “I don’t know why it’s so well-suited but it really is remarkable to me. I’m really humbled to have music in a Shakespeare play,” he said.

Sag Harbor, Giraldo added, was the perfect place to debut a piece that carries such deep meaning. “I lived in Hawaii for awhile and when I woke up here and the morning, I looked at the harbor and saw the sunrise. It felt like when I was in Hawaii. And when I was in Sicily, I went to a place called Isola Bella, that place reminded me of Hawaii, too, and this does, as well. It’s the air; the light is spectacular. I love it here — and the people are so friendly. It’s great.”

Of seeing her lifetime of work performed and sung so passionately by the cast, and seeing a dream for a musical take shape, Benatar smiled. “It’s a joy,” she said.

(Lisa Finn)

In an interview with Patch, Schwartz said the “Under the Stars” program, presenting free concert readings in the park, was created by Bay Street to serve the community. “The Romeo and Juliet Project,” he said, represents the fourth time the “Under the Stars” program has been offered.

“This musical seemed uniquely appropriate for this program because it has great popular appeal and is a work in progress that will benefit from having an audience to experience it,” he said.

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo’s music was the perfect fit for the classic tale, he said.

“It is amazing how will suited Pat and Neil’s body of work is to this timeless story. Their songs are filled with passion, energy, love and righteous anger. It almost feels as if they were written for this play,” he said.

The show, Schwartz added, is deeply personal, especially based on the current climate. “The music and story combine to tell a timeless but also timely story of love in the face of war. In our world today, to see young people struggle to find love and triumph with it feels so relevant,” he said.

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo’s music has long addressed social issues, including child abuse in “Hell is for Children.” And their work is well-suited for a show dealing with human themes and struggles relevant throughout history, Schwartz said.

“I have tried to work with our writers to intertwine the music seamlessly with the story. And to bring the strong social consciousness of many of the songs into the world in the context,” Schwarz said. “I hope the audience will think about the divisions in our country and our world, the hate that seems to be on the rise everywhere and consider again if there is another more hopeful and loving way we can approach each other.”

When asked about the enduring power of love, Schwartz said: “I’m not sure love can conquer all, but I do think it has a power unparalleled in our lives. It is transformative and healing, and I hope this musical will be that for our audience at the show and beyond.”

Brandi Rhodes on How Equal Pay For Men & Women Will Work in AEW

July 10, 2020 KANKENNEWS

All Elite Wrestling recently held their Double Or Nothing Ticket Announcement Party in Las Vegas, Nevada. As part of the festivities, Chief Brand Officer Brandi Rhodes held a press conference in which she discussed a number of topics including equal pay for AEW Male & Female Wrestlers.
Brandi Rhodes was first asked to elaborate about the base pay for an incoming talent to AEW, as seen below:
“Obviously I’m under NDAs so I can’t tell you how much people make,” said Rhodes. “So, if you’re someone coming straight from the indies, maybe you haven’t been on television for a while – if you’re male or female, you’re starting at the same spot.

“If you’re someone who has been on tv for a while and maybe you’ve been a champion at a company… there’s a lot of players who look the same whether they’re male or female. So, they start at the same spot.”
Rhodes then shared situations from her history in wrestling in which female talent at one level was paid less than male talent at a lower level, as seen below:
“At places I’ve worked before, no matter what, you start at this [set level of pay] or this is your weekly or your per show,” stated Rhodes. “But then if you talk to a man, the per show is completely different and they may be a man who’s never been on tv before.
“I’ve worked for a company where I had a pay that was okay, but it was way below pays of people who had never been on tv before. I’ve been in this industry for a long time and worked for some of the top companies, so why is that? So that’s something we really didn’t want to do. We’re achieving that and it’s going really good right now. Everybody seems to be really happy so we’re gonna keep going.”

Rhodes’ statement jibes with a tweet she sent out last month regarding equal pay in which she stated that there would be no gender pay gap for people on equal levels. She also said that it doesn’t mean everyone will be paid the same, but that people of the same stature would be paid the same regardless of gender.
You can listen to the interview in the video below:

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High School Results – Wednesday, December 6, 2017

July 10, 2020 KANKENNEWS

St. Paul Central Quad
Irondale 39, St. Thomas 30
St. Thomas 47, Minneapolis Patrick Henry 13
Irondale 56 St. Paul Central 15
St. Paul Central 57 Minneapolis Patrick Henry 18
St. Thomas Academy 54 St. Paul Central 24
St. Paul Johnson Quad
Brooklyn Center 36 Edina 30
Brooklyn Center 51 St. Paul Highland Park 27
Brooklyn Center 45 St. Paul Johnson 33
Edina 36 St. Paul Highland Park 30
St. Paul Johnson 36 Edina 30
St. Paul Johnson 48 St. Paul Highland Park 18

More on WWE Asking Talent To Re-Sign Contracts, Usos A Priority

July 10, 2020 KANKENNEWS

After last Tuesday night’s episode of Smackdown LIVE, WWE Management approached several talents whose contracts were coming up for expiration asking them to re-sign new long term deals, according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The catalyst for this was Dean Ambrose telling the promotion that he wasn’t interested in signing another contract extension which has prompted officials to try and “quell” the talk of people wanting out. They have also promised a major focus on The Tag Team Division, while also giving guys who are unhappy pushes and overall upping the pay of anyone who re-signs.

One of the key talent that WWE is looking to re-sign are The Usos, whose contracts are coming up due in April of this year. The Usos would likely be a strong target for All Elite Wrestling given they would make natural opponents for The Young Bucks.

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Monthly Archives: July 2020

Germany seizes server hosting leaked US police files

Hillicon Valley: Pressure mounts on Facebook to rein in hate speech | UK, Australia launch joint investigation into facial recognition firm | Amazon removing Redskins merchandise from site

Biden to review Trump move pulling troops from Germany if elected, aide says

Top general vows to 'get to the bottom' of Russia bounty intel

Fauci says reputation for 'speaking the truth' may be why he's on TV less

Committee votes to block Trump's 'secret science' EPA rule

Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo's 'Romeo & Juliet' Delights Rapt Crowd

Brandi Rhodes on How Equal Pay For Men & Women Will Work in AEW

High School Results – Wednesday, December 6, 2017

More on WWE Asking Talent To Re-Sign Contracts, Usos A Priority