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Biden pick to run unemployment program oversaw $600M in losses to Nigerian fraud scheme: report

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Video Suzi LeVine, the departing head of  Washington state ’s Employment Security Department (ESD), reportedly will run a federal agency office that assists states in processing unemployment claims.  But LeVine’s transition into the Biden administration role comes amid an unemployment fraud scandal at her state-level department that cost Washington state over $600 million. The  fraudulent  unemployment claims were believed to be linked to a well-organized  Nigerian  fraud ring using identities stolen in prior data breaches, such as the massive 2017 Equifax breach. More than 122,000 fraudulent claims made in the state siphoned off the cash.  The Secret Service announced that Washington state was the main prey of the scandal, though other states were also targeted. Separately, California has its own unemployment scandal amounting to over $11 billion, while another $20 billion in possible losses is still being investigated. LeVine's forthcoming role will be interim assistant secretary

Pentagon halting Guantanamo Bay COVID vaccine plan after backlash

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"It's the most ludicrous thing I've ever heard," said one 9/11 hero of the plan. Image U.S. Military Prison, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (THOMAS WATKINS/Getty) The Pentagon announced on Saturday that it was temporarily halting a plan to vaccinate prisoners at the U.S. Military Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba after major backlash to the proposal.  The government had reportedly planned to offer the coronavirus vaccine to the prisoners in the coming weeks, allowing them to jump ahead of the vast majority of Americans who have not yet received the medicine.  The plan was blasted by numerous commentators, including Americans associated with relief efforts during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, such as former New York City Fire Commissioner Tom Van Essen, who  in the New York Post  called the Pentagon's decision "theater of the absurd." "It's the most ludicrous thing I've ever heard," former Ground Zero demolition supervisor John Feal told the paper. Under

GOP Slams Biden on Vaccinating Gitmo Detainees; Pentagon Pauses Plan

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(Ben Fox/AP) Republicans slammed the Biden administration's decision to offer COVID-19 vaccination to detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, including alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, leading to the Pentagon to pause the plan Saturday. "It is inexcusable and un-American that President Biden is choosing to prioritize vaccinations for convicted terrorists in Gitmo over vulnerable American seniors or veterans," Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y.,  tweeted . The Pentagon said Saturday it was putting on hold a plan to give COVID vaccines to terror detainees at Guantanamo, following an outcry as the United States struggles to deliver jabs to frontline workers and vulnerable elderly Americans. "No Guantanamo detainees have been vaccinated," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby tweeted. "We're pausing the plan to move forward, as we review force protection protocols. We remain committed to our obligations to keep our troops safe." The Navy base at Guantanamo

Chidi Ibeh-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo Today Announced a Short Down of Enugu Secretariat

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The Engr. Chidi Ibeh-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Sunday, announced a shutdown of the national secretariat of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization. It also declared that the Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in 2023 was not negotiable, even as he commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Major. Gen Lucky Irabor as the Chief of Defence Staff. DAILY POST reports that he made the pronouncement after a tour of the secretariat with some members of the National Executive Council. It could be recalled that the Ohanaeze election held early January pronounced two factions- one led by Ibeh and another under the leadership of Amb. George Obiozor. Ibeh, who arrived at the Enugu National secretariat for the first time since his emergence, said the place was not conducive for activities. Ibeh said a temporary secretariat also in Enugu would soon be unveiled to Ndigbo pending the completion of work on the new secretariat being built by Owelle Rochas Okorocha. He said, “We have come to O

Trump Parts Ways with Impeachment Lawyers

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Former President Donald Trump has parted ways with his lead impeachment lawyers just over a week before his Senate trial is set to begin, two people familiar with the situation said late Saturday. Butch Bowers and Deborah Barbier, both South Carolina lawyers, are no longer with Trump's defense team. One of the people described the parting as a “mutual decision” that reflected a difference of opinion on the direction of the case. Both insisted on anonymity to discuss private conversations. One said new additions to the legal team were expected to be announced in a day or two. The upheaval injects fresh uncertainty into the makeup and strategy of Trump's defense team as he prepares to face charges that he incited the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. However, all but five Senate Republicans this week voted in favor of an effort to dismiss the trial before it even started, making clear a conviction of the former president is unlikely regardless of his defense team. Three

Sarah Huckabee Sanders Unveils Platform For 2022 Ark. Governor Race

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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 10: Sarah Huckabee Sanders prepared to take the podium during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on September 10, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Ad How to Live 120 Years Cholesterol is Afraid of This Simple Remedy Cardiovax 97-yr-old Lagos Man's Secret for Good Health and Low Cholesterol Cardiovax Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders unveiled her gubernatorial platform for the 2022 race. On Friday, Sanders issued a series of tweets outlining policies she believes will benefit the the people of Arkansas. She said the Natural State needs a leader with the courage to do what’s right, not what’s politically convenient. “Everything we love about America is at stake, and with the radical left now in control of Washington, your governor is your last line of defense,” Sanders said. “In fact, your governor must be on the front line.” Her policies aim to empower Arkansans by g