The wife of a former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent has claimed that an American Airline flight attendant allegedly locked her in the aeroplane's bathroom alongside her three-year-old son due to racism.&nbsp;

Yazz Giraldo, alongside her husband Ali Moghaddam and children, was flying from Fort Lauderdale in Florida to New York in September last year. During the flight, one of her kids wanted to urgently use the loo.&nbsp;Seeing that most passengers were using the washroom in front of the plane which was near her seat, Giraldo took her little son there but was soon stopped in the tracks by the flight attendant.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/drunk-passenger-accused-of-forcibly-kissing-deltas-male-flight-attendant-585257">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Drunk passenger accused of forcibly kissing Delta's male flight attendant</a>

Afterwards, she was forced to go to the rear of the place to change the baby's diaper. There, another flight attendant told Giraldo that there was no restriction in using the nearby lavatory and she took her son in it.&nbsp;

<h2>Attendant locks&nbsp;Giraldo and her son</h2>

However, soon Giraldo heard a noise indicating she had been locked inside the washroom from outside.&nbsp;

“I closed the door, when I’m inside the bathroom I start hearing the noise, ‘tick, tick, tick. I freaked out. I was already under so much stress. I started to panic, I banged on the door a few times and I said, ‘Let me out of here'," she was quoted as saying bY NY Post.&nbsp;

Giraldo, a former TV host said she lost count of time inside the toilet and upon being released, could feel herself 'shaking'. However, a supervisor soon came onto the scene and started scolding her, alleging that the pilot was forced to put the plane under a 'terrorist attack' warning because of her.&nbsp;

"I immediately knew it was racism. I immediately knew I was being discriminated against," she added.&nbsp;

Giraldo believes she was racially targetted because the flight attendants had heard her talking in Farsi to her toddlers.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Moghaddam became aware of the drama after the police came to escort his family off the plane in New York.&nbsp;

“I dedicated about a decade of my life to public service, to protecting the community. Joint Terrorism Task Force, undercover, S.W.A.T., all of this...for my family to be labeled as terrorist and be marched off a plane just because we want to change a diaper?” said Moghaddam, a former Pennsylvania prosecutor&nbsp;

“For me there’s certain terms that have a history and connotation that is very negative. That word terrorism is unique, especially considering all my sacrifices…you don’t throw that around.”

WATCH | Air India Urination Case: Man arrested for peeing on woman on plane, sent to jail

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Meanwhile, American Airlines released a statement saying, “American strives to provide a positive and welcoming experience to everyone who travels with us and we take allegations of discrimination very seriously. We are reviewing the details of the lawsuit.”

Giraldo is currently undergoing therapy while the family has filed a discrimination lawsuit in a&nbsp;Brooklyn Federal Court.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The wife of a former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent has claimed that an American Airline flight attendant allegedly locked her in the aeroplane's bathroom alongside her three-year-old son due to racism.

The wife of a former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent has claimed that an American Airline flight attendant allegedly locked her in the aeroplane's bathroom alongside her three-year-old son due to racism. Yazz Giraldo, alongside her husband Ali Moghaddam and children, was flying from Fort Lauderdale in Florida to New York in September last year. During the flight, one of her kids wanted to urgently use the loo. Seeing that most passengers were using the washroom in front of the plane which was near her seat, Giraldo took her little son there but was soon stopped in the tracks by the flight attendant. ALSO READ | Drunk passenger accused of forcibly kissing Delta's male flight attendant Afterwards, she was forced to go to the rear of the place to change the baby's diaper. There, another flight attendant told Giraldo that there was no restriction in using the nearby lavatory and she took her son in it. Attendant locks Giraldo and her son However, soon Giraldo heard a noise indicating she had been locked inside the washroom from outside. “I closed the door, when I’m inside the bathroom I start hearing the noise, ‘tick, tick, tick. I freaked out. I was already under so much stress. I started to panic, I banged on the door a few times and I said, ‘Let me out of here'," she was quoted as saying bY NY Post. Giraldo, a former TV host said she lost count of time inside the toilet and upon being released, could feel herself 'shaking'. However, a supervisor soon came onto the scene and started scolding her, alleging that the pilot was forced to put the plane under a 'terrorist attack' warning because of her. "I immediately knew it was racism. I immediately knew I was being discriminated against," she added. Giraldo believes she was racially targetted because the flight attendants had heard her talking in Farsi to her toddlers. Meanwhile, Moghaddam became aware of the drama after the police came to escort his family off the plane in New York. “I dedicated about a decade of my life to public service, to protecting the community. Joint Terrorism Task Force, undercover, S.W.A.T., all of this...for my family to be labeled as terrorist and be marched off a plane just because we want to change a diaper?” said Moghaddam, a former Pennsylvania prosecutor “For me there’s certain terms that have a history and connotation that is very negative. That word terrorism is unique, especially considering all my sacrifices…you don’t throw that around.” WATCH | Air India Urination Case: Man arrested for peeing on woman on plane, sent to jail Meanwhile, American Airlines released a statement saying, “American strives to provide a positive and welcoming experience to everyone who travels with us and we take allegations of discrimination very seriously. We are reviewing the details of the lawsuit.” Giraldo is currently undergoing therapy while the family has filed a discrimination lawsuit in a Brooklyn Federal Court. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Ex-FBI agent's wife, son locked in plane bathroom, racial discrimination angle being probed

The FBI has arrested a 21-year-old National Guard airman in connection with the leak of classified US government and military documents. The leaked documents revealed intelligence about the war in Ukraine and US spying on allies.

Pentagon leaks: Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder flags 'criminal act' | WION

The FBI has warned people against using public USB charging ports as hackers are using them for "Juice Jacking". How will you know if your device has been hacked? Molly Gambhir brings you a report.

Gravitas: Hackers taking over USB charging ports

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning people to not use public phone charging stations or USB ports to avoid exposing their devices to malicious software. The Denver branch in a tweet said, "Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centres. Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead." The organisation told CBS News that there is no specific incident that caused the public announcement, rather was meant as a "field warning." While these charging stations are useful to many when devices are running low on battery, cyber experts have been raising security&nbsp;concerns for years.

In the last four years, the threats designed to propagate over USB or exploit USB for infection rose to 52 per cent, the 2022 USB Threat report by Honeywell Forge said. &nbsp;

In 2011, they introduced the term "juice jacking" to describe the problem.&nbsp;

<h3>What is juice jacking?</h3>

A term coined in 2011, still remains a concern. It means a security vulnerability in which a tampered or infected USB charging station is used to compromise linked devices.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officials warned malware installed through corrupted USB ports can lock a device or even export personal data including passwords directly to criminals.&nbsp;

Drew Paik, a former employee of security firm Authentic8 told news agency CNN that plugging your phone into a (compromised) charger infects your device and data. If the port is compromised, then&nbsp;there is no limit to what extent a hacker could access the information. The hacker can even lock your device.

Experts have advised never to use a charger that isn't yours or someone you know.

The FCC in its recent blog post said, "In some cases, criminals may have intentionally left cables plugged in at charging stations.&nbsp;There have even been reports of infected cables being given away as promotional gifts."

<h3>Steps to avoid juice jacking?</h3>

Like the FBI, FCC recommends public to avoid using public USB charging stations and use a power outlet instead. In case you're travelling, always carry a portable charger or an external battery.&nbsp;

If you don't have any of these and are compelled to use a public station, thoroughly inspect it and if it appears to have been tampered with in any way, don't use it.&nbsp;

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning people to not use public phone charging stations or USB ports to avoid exposing their devices to malicious software.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning people to not use public phone charging stations or USB ports to avoid exposing their devices to malicious software. The Denver branch in a tweet said, "Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centres. Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead." The organisation told CBS News that there is no specific incident that caused the public announcement, rather was meant as a "field warning." While these charging stations are useful to many when devices are running low on battery, cyber experts have been raising security concerns for years. In the last four years, the threats designed to propagate over USB or exploit USB for infection rose to 52 per cent, the 2022 USB Threat report by Honeywell Forge said. In 2011, they introduced the term "juice jacking" to describe the problem. What is juice jacking? A term coined in 2011, still remains a concern. It means a security vulnerability in which a tampered or infected USB charging station is used to compromise linked devices. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officials warned malware installed through corrupted USB ports can lock a device or even export personal data including passwords directly to criminals. Drew Paik, a former employee of security firm Authentic8 told news agency CNN that plugging your phone into a (compromised) charger infects your device and data. If the port is compromised, then there is no limit to what extent a hacker could access the information. The hacker can even lock your device. Experts have advised never to use a charger that isn't yours or someone you know. The FCC in its recent blog post said, "In some cases, criminals may have intentionally left cables plugged in at charging stations. There have even been reports of infected cables being given away as promotional gifts." Steps to avoid juice jacking? Like the FBI, FCC recommends public to avoid using public USB charging stations and use a power outlet instead. In case you're travelling, always carry a portable charger or an external battery. If you don't have any of these and are compelled to use a public station, thoroughly inspect it and if it appears to have been tampered with in any way, don't use it.

Beware of juice jacking: FBI warns against using public USB charging points over security concerns

US enforcement agency FBI urges people to use their own charging equipment at airports, hotels and shopping centres. Watch the video to know more.

Juice Jacking: How Hackers can steal your Info when you charge devices

Roy McGrath was the former chief of staff for Governor Larry Hogan. He became the subject of a manhunt in the United States. However, McGrath died in an encounter with federal agents on Monday, April 3, 2023.

Roy McGrath was the former chief of staff for Governor Larry Hogan. He became the subject of a manhunt in the United States. However, McGrath died in an encounter with federal agents on Monday, April 3, 2023. Joseph Murtha, a defence attorney, confirmed the news of Roy McGrath's death. He said, "Roy succumbed to the injuries inflicted earlier this evening. It is unclear if it was a self-inflicted wound or a result of an exchange of gunfire with the FBI. It is a tragic ending to three weeks of uncertainty. I think it's important to stress that Roy never wavered about his innocence." McGrath did not appear at his scheduled trial in the federal court of Baltimore on March 13. It was related to the eight-count indictment about his employment at the quasi-public Maryland Environmental Service and as the governor's chief of staff. Here's everything you need to know about Roy McGrath, his trial and his death. What did Roy McGrath do? Roy McGrath was the chief of staff for Larry Hogan in the spring of 2020 for three months. He faced eight counts, including wire fraud, theft, and falsification of government documents. According to reports, he wanted to secure a $233,648 severance payment from the Maryland Environmental Service during his joining. The payment was equal to his annual salary as chief of staff. Furthermore, McGrath sought reimbursement for many expenses from the state and failed to claim vacation time while in Florida and on a Mediterranean cruise. The state court has charged him for allegedly recording private calls of a senior state official without consent during his time at the Maryland Environmental Service and as chief of staff. More about Roy McGrath's wife, age & personal life Roy McGrath got famous when the media exposed that he falsified records and theft as the chief of staff for Governor Larry Hogan. Reports say that his net worth was around $2 million. He tendered his resignation as the chief of staff after the allegations. Roy McGrath (53) was married to Laura Burner. However, not much information is available about her personal or professional life.

Who was Roy McGrath? Ex-Hogan chief of staff killed in confrontation with FBI in Tennessee

TikTok, the video-sharing application owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is being investigated by the US Department of Justice and FBI over the allegations of its employees spying on journalists, said a law enforcement official on Friday as per media reports.

Justice Department prosecutors are conducting the investigation in the Eastern District of Virginia and in Washington along with the FBI, said the officials.

While speaking to NBC about the news report, a spokesperson of ByteDance said, "We have strongly condemned the actions of the individuals found to have been involved, and they are no longer employed at ByteDance. Our internal investigation is still ongoing, and we will co-operate with any official investigations when brought to us."

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-why-are-countries-banning-tiktok-573111">Explained: Why are countries banning TikTok?</a>

Forbes first reported about the investigation on Thursday, stating that the company fired the employees who were implicated in the surveillance after it was confirmed that efforts were being made by them to discover the sources of leaks and business documents to journalists.

An investigation by ByteDance found that employees of the company gained access to the IP addresses as well as other data of the reporters as well of some of their contacts which were connected through their accounts on TikTok, reported Forbes.

Investigation into TikTok is going on at a time when concern over the security threats to the citizens of the United States due to TikTok has increased.

A potential ban has been threatened by the Biden administration on the video-sharing application in the United States if its Chinese owners do not agree to sell their stakes in the company.

WATCH | Gravitas: EU purges TikTok from official devices

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The step has been taken after concerns were expressed by US intelligence officials that TikTok can be used by China to spy on Americans or influence public opinion in the United States.

Speaking about the message sent by the White House to TikTok users in the US, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Thursday said, "We’ve expressed concerns over China’s potential use of software platforms that could endanger or threaten America’s safety and their national security. So that is the president’s concern. That is why we have called on Congress to take action."

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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TikTok, the video-sharing application owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is being investigated by the US Department of Justice and FBI over the allegations of its employees spying on journalists, said a law enforcement official on Friday as per media reports.

TikTok, the video-sharing application owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is being investigated by the US Department of Justice and FBI over the allegations of its employees spying on journalists, said a law enforcement official on Friday as per media reports. Justice Department prosecutors are conducting the investigation in the Eastern District of Virginia and in Washington along with the FBI, said the officials. While speaking to NBC about the news report, a spokesperson of ByteDance said, "We have strongly condemned the actions of the individuals found to have been involved, and they are no longer employed at ByteDance. Our internal investigation is still ongoing, and we will co-operate with any official investigations when brought to us." ALSO READ | Explained: Why are countries banning TikTok? Forbes first reported about the investigation on Thursday, stating that the company fired the employees who were implicated in the surveillance after it was confirmed that efforts were being made by them to discover the sources of leaks and business documents to journalists. An investigation by ByteDance found that employees of the company gained access to the IP addresses as well as other data of the reporters as well of some of their contacts which were connected through their accounts on TikTok, reported Forbes. Investigation into TikTok is going on at a time when concern over the security threats to the citizens of the United States due to TikTok has increased. A potential ban has been threatened by the Biden administration on the video-sharing application in the United States if its Chinese owners do not agree to sell their stakes in the company. WATCH | Gravitas: EU purges TikTok from official devices The step has been taken after concerns were expressed by US intelligence officials that TikTok can be used by China to spy on Americans or influence public opinion in the United States. Speaking about the message sent by the White House to TikTok users in the US, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Thursday said, "We’ve expressed concerns over China’s potential use of software platforms that could endanger or threaten America’s safety and their national security. So that is the president’s concern. That is why we have called on Congress to take action." (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US Justice Department, FBI investigate TikTok over allegations of spying

US and Mexican authorities on Monday said that they are urgently working to ensure that the four US citizens, who were shot and kidnapped by the gunmen after they crossed the border into Mexico, return safely.

A reward worth $50,000 was announced by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for anyone who could help them find the unidentified victims and arrest the kidnappers involved in the crime, in which one Mexican national was also killed.

On Friday, the four US citizens crossed into Matamoros, Tamaulipas in a white minivan which had North Carolina license plates, read the statement issued by the FBI which was released by the US embassy in Mexico.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-asks-mexico-to-extradite-el-chapos-son-ovidio-guzman-lopez-weeks-after-arrest-sparked-violence-566679">US asks Mexico to extradite El Chapo's son, Ovidio Guzmán-López, weeks after arrest sparked violence</a>

"Shortly after crossing into Mexico, unidentified gunmen fired upon the passengers in the (minivan). All four Americans were placed in a vehicle and taken from the scene by armed men," the FBI stated.

The White House said that the US is closely following the "unacceptable" kidnapping of US citizens in Mexico.

"Our thoughts are with the families of these individuals and we stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance and U.S. law enforcement is in touch with Mexican law enforcement," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said it is believed that the victims had entered Mexico to buy medicines and were caught up in a conflict between criminal groups.

The Mexican security ministry and the FBI have been working together to find the US citizens, he added.

In a statement, US ambassador to Mexico Ken Salzar said that an "innocent Mexican citizen was tragically killed" in the incident.

"US law enforcement officials from numerous agencies are working with Mexican authorities at all levels of government to secure the safe return of our compatriots," he added.

Matamoros, which is located across the US border from Brownsville, Texas, has seen a lot of violence related to organised crimes like drug trafficking.

The highways of Tamaulipas are considered among Mexico's most dangerous areas because of the threat of extortion and kidnapping by criminal gangs.

The US State Department advises people against travelling to Tamaulipas because of crime and kidnapping.

WATCH | President Joe Biden visits US-Mexico border town

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"Organised crime activity - including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault - is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria," stated a US travel advisory.

"Criminal groups target public and private passenger buses, as well as private automobiles travelling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers and demanding ransom payments," it added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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US and Mexican authorities on Monday said that they are urgently working to ensure that the four US citizens, who were shot and kidnapped by the gunmen after they crossed the border into Mexico, return safely.

US and Mexican authorities on Monday said that they are urgently working to ensure that the four US citizens, who were shot and kidnapped by the gunmen after they crossed the border into Mexico, return safely. A reward worth $50,000 was announced by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for anyone who could help them find the unidentified victims and arrest the kidnappers involved in the crime, in which one Mexican national was also killed. On Friday, the four US citizens crossed into Matamoros, Tamaulipas in a white minivan which had North Carolina license plates, read the statement issued by the FBI which was released by the US embassy in Mexico. ALSO READ | US asks Mexico to extradite El Chapo's son, Ovidio Guzmán-López, weeks after arrest sparked violence "Shortly after crossing into Mexico, unidentified gunmen fired upon the passengers in the (minivan). All four Americans were placed in a vehicle and taken from the scene by armed men," the FBI stated. The White House said that the US is closely following the "unacceptable" kidnapping of US citizens in Mexico. "Our thoughts are with the families of these individuals and we stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance and U.S. law enforcement is in touch with Mexican law enforcement," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said it is believed that the victims had entered Mexico to buy medicines and were caught up in a conflict between criminal groups. The Mexican security ministry and the FBI have been working together to find the US citizens, he added. In a statement, US ambassador to Mexico Ken Salzar said that an "innocent Mexican citizen was tragically killed" in the incident. "US law enforcement officials from numerous agencies are working with Mexican authorities at all levels of government to secure the safe return of our compatriots," he added. Matamoros, which is located across the US border from Brownsville, Texas, has seen a lot of violence related to organised crimes like drug trafficking. The highways of Tamaulipas are considered among Mexico's most dangerous areas because of the threat of extortion and kidnapping by criminal gangs. The US State Department advises people against travelling to Tamaulipas because of crime and kidnapping. WATCH | President Joe Biden visits US-Mexico border town "Organised crime activity - including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault - is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria," stated a US travel advisory. "Criminal groups target public and private passenger buses, as well as private automobiles travelling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers and demanding ransom payments," it added. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Gunmen kidnap four US citizens in Mexico, FBI goes on a manhunt

Authorities said on Wednesday (March 1) that a man was arrested at the Pennsylvania airport after he checked in a suitcase that had an explosive device hidden in its lining. The criminal complaint says that Marc Muffley, 40, was charged with possessing or attempting to place an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft, the news agency AP reported.&nbsp;

Prosecutors alleged the material was found in the suitcase that Muffley checked in on Monday at the Lehigh Valley International Airport to Allegiant Air Flight 201 for a flight bound to&nbsp;Florida. Authorities said when&nbsp;the explosive&nbsp;was detected in his suitcase during screening, Muffley was paged over the airport's public address system but he did not report and security cameras caught him leaving the airport. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested him from his residence on Monday night.&nbsp;

When the suitcase was examined during security screening,&nbsp;a circular compound about three inches in diameter encased in wax-like paper and clear plastic wrap was&nbsp;found hidden in its lining following which an alert was issued.&nbsp;

A bomb technician from the FBI, who X-rayed the compound, said that it had a granular powder consistent with a commercial-grade firework and was suspected to be a mixture of flash powder and the dark granulars that are used in commercial-grade fireworks, the AP reported.&nbsp;

<p data-analytics-observe="off" data-component-name="paragraph" data-editable="text" data-uri="archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/paragraph/instances/paragraph_9258D9E4-4B01-3376-C7B0-9F4A394F8D8B@published">Attached to the compound were a quick fuse and a hobby fuse. The criminal complaint said the authorities concluded both the black powder and flash powder were susceptible to igniting from heat and friction and posed a significant risk to the aircraft and the passengers.&nbsp;

Authorities also said that Muffley's suitcase also contained a can of butane, a lighter, a pipe with white powder residue, a wireless drill with cordless batteries, and two GFCI outlets (a type of circuit breaker) taped together with black tape.&nbsp;

Bomb technicians determined the item was indeed a live explosive device, and&nbsp;out of an abundance of caution, the immediate area of airport was evacuated and the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were notified.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Authorities said on Wednesday (March 1) that a man was arrested at the Pennsylvania airport after he checked in a suitcase that had an explosive device hidden in its lining.

Authorities said on Wednesday (March 1) that a man was arrested at the Pennsylvania airport after he checked in a suitcase that had an explosive device hidden in its lining. The criminal complaint says that Marc Muffley, 40, was charged with possessing or attempting to place an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft, the news agency AP reported. Prosecutors alleged the material was found in the suitcase that Muffley checked in on Monday at the Lehigh Valley International Airport to Allegiant Air Flight 201 for a flight bound to Florida. Authorities said when the explosive was detected in his suitcase during screening, Muffley was paged over the airport's public address system but he did not report and security cameras caught him leaving the airport. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested him from his residence on Monday night. When the suitcase was examined during security screening, a circular compound about three inches in diameter encased in wax-like paper and clear plastic wrap was found hidden in its lining following which an alert was issued. A bomb technician from the FBI, who X-rayed the compound, said that it had a granular powder consistent with a commercial-grade firework and was suspected to be a mixture of flash powder and the dark granulars that are used in commercial-grade fireworks, the AP reported. Attached to the compound were a quick fuse and a hobby fuse. The criminal complaint said the authorities concluded both the black powder and flash powder were susceptible to igniting from heat and friction and posed a significant risk to the aircraft and the passengers. Authorities also said that Muffley's suitcase also contained a can of butane, a lighter, a pipe with white powder residue, a wireless drill with cordless batteries, and two GFCI outlets (a type of circuit breaker) taped together with black tape. Bomb technicians determined the item was indeed a live explosive device, and out of an abundance of caution, the immediate area of airport was evacuated and the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were notified. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: Man arrested after screening detects explosives hidden in his suitcase at Pennsylvania airport

A compilation of national statistics by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US has revealed that Sikhs and Jews have been the religious group who have been at the receiving end of maximum number of hate crimes in the year 2021. The FBI said that a total of 1005 religion-related hate crimes were reported in 2021

The largest categories of religion-based crime included anti-Jewish incidents at 31.9 per cent followed by anti-Sikh incidents at 21.3 per cent. Anti-Muslims accounted for 9.5 per cent of religion-based hate crimes. Anti-Catholic incidents accounted for 6.1 per cent and anti-Eastern Orthodox (Russian, Greek, Other) for 6.5 per cent.

Overall, law enforcement agencies reported 7,262 total incidents and 9,024 victims, demonstrating that hate crimes remain a concern for communities across the country, the FBI said.

The overall number of agencies reporting decreased to 11,834, from 15,138 in 2021, so data cannot reliably be compared across years, it said.

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FBI data says that in 2021, 64.8 per cent of victims were targetted because of the offenders' bias towards race/ ethnicity/ ancestry. This continues to be the largest bias motivation category.

Anti-Black or African American hate crimes continue to be the largest bias incident category, with 63.2 per cent of all single-bias incidents in 2021. Additionally, anti-Asian incidents represented 4.3 per cent of incidents reported in 2021.

The other largest categories of hate crimes include anti-Hispanic or Latino incidents, with 6.1 per cent of incidents, and anti-White incidents, with 13.4 per cent of incidents.

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A compilation of national statistics by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US has revealed that Sikhs and Jews have been the religious group who have been at the receiving end of maximum number of hate crimes in the year 2021.

A compilation of national statistics by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US has revealed that Sikhs and Jews have been the religious group who have been at the receiving end of maximum number of hate crimes in the year 2021. The FBI said that a total of 1005 religion-related hate crimes were reported in 2021 The largest categories of religion-based crime included anti-Jewish incidents at 31.9 per cent followed by anti-Sikh incidents at 21.3 per cent. Anti-Muslims accounted for 9.5 per cent of religion-based hate crimes. Anti-Catholic incidents accounted for 6.1 per cent and anti-Eastern Orthodox (Russian, Greek, Other) for 6.5 per cent. Overall, law enforcement agencies reported 7,262 total incidents and 9,024 victims, demonstrating that hate crimes remain a concern for communities across the country, the FBI said. The overall number of agencies reporting decreased to 11,834, from 15,138 in 2021, so data cannot reliably be compared across years, it said. × FBI data says that in 2021, 64.8 per cent of victims were targetted because of the offenders' bias towards race/ ethnicity/ ancestry. This continues to be the largest bias motivation category. Anti-Black or African American hate crimes continue to be the largest bias incident category, with 63.2 per cent of all single-bias incidents in 2021. Additionally, anti-Asian incidents represented 4.3 per cent of incidents reported in 2021. The other largest categories of hate crimes include anti-Hispanic or Latino incidents, with 6.1 per cent of incidents, and anti-White incidents, with 13.4 per cent of incidents. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US: Sikhs, Jews most targetted in religion-based hate crimes, says FBI

The United States has said that it has successfully concluded recovery efforts to retrieve the debris of a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon. The balloon was shot down by a US fighter jet in February 4th.

US recovers debris of Chinese balloon; FBI to analyse downed spy balloon

The FBI has found an additional classified document at the property of former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence. Searches were conducted at his Indiana residence following the discovery of classified documents at his residence last month.

Additional classified document found at Mike Pence's home after FBI search

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) found an additional classified document at the property of former vice president Mike Pence on Friday (February 10).&nbsp;This development comes two weeks after Pence had acknowledged that he has a "small number" of government files at his home. Details of the document&nbsp;were not revealed.&nbsp;

In a statement, Pence's spokesman Devin O'Malley said that the officials and agents had turned up the material in a "thorough and unrestricted" five-hour search of the Carmel, Indiana house. The search was conducted with Pence's consent, he noted.&nbsp;

O'Malley further added that they removed "one document with classified markings and six additional without such markings that were not discovered in the initial review by the vice president's counsel".&nbsp;

Watch this report:&nbsp;

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He also mentioned that Pence and his legal team "fully cooperated with the appropriate authorities." During the search, Pence and his wife were not at home.&nbsp;

However, a member of his legal team was reportedly present. The Justice Department got full access to the home for the search.&nbsp;

Last month, Pence said that an aide had uncovered classified papers. The Republican, who is weighing a run for the presidency in 2024, reported that the documents might have been taken with other material when he left the White House in January 2021.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) found an additional classified document at the property of former vice president Mike Pence on Friday (February 10). This development comes two weeks after Pence had acknowledged that he has a "small number" of government files at his home.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) found an additional classified document at the property of former vice president Mike Pence on Friday (February 10). This development comes two weeks after Pence had acknowledged that he has a "small number" of government files at his home. Details of the document were not revealed. In a statement, Pence's spokesman Devin O'Malley said that the officials and agents had turned up the material in a "thorough and unrestricted" five-hour search of the Carmel, Indiana house. The search was conducted with Pence's consent, he noted. O'Malley further added that they removed "one document with classified markings and six additional without such markings that were not discovered in the initial review by the vice president's counsel". Watch this report: × He also mentioned that Pence and his legal team "fully cooperated with the appropriate authorities." During the search, Pence and his wife were not at home. However, a member of his legal team was reportedly present. The Justice Department got full access to the home for the search. Last month, Pence said that an aide had uncovered classified papers. The Republican, who is weighing a run for the presidency in 2024, reported that the documents might have been taken with other material when he left the White House in January 2021. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

FBI finds another classified document during search at ex-VP Mike Pence’s home

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted a raid on President Joe Biden’s Rehoboth Beach, Delaware home on Wednesday as part of its investigation amidst a row over classified documents being found in his home and think tank, American media reported. However, as per Biden's attorney,&nbsp;no documents were found in the search.

The FBI was investigating the potential mishandling of classified documents.&nbsp;

In a statement, Biden's attorney said the search was "planned" with the president's "full support", according to BBC.&nbsp; 
 
The probe followed the November 2, 2022&nbsp;discovery of documents with classified markings by Biden's lawyers as they closed up an office at the Penn Biden Center, a think tank affiliated with the Ivy League school.&nbsp;Documents were also found at his Wilmington home by his personal lawyers, who initiated a search after the Penn Biden Center documents were discovered. 
 
Raids were also conducted at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in mid-November after classified documents were discovered there, NBC News reported Tuesday.&nbsp;

The Biden documents probe is being handled by a special counsel, Robert Hur.

Hur, a former top federal prosecutor in Baltimore, is starting work this week, inheriting a months-long investigation by FBI agents and Justice Department prosecutors.&nbsp;The Bidens had purchased the Rehoboth Beach home, which overlooks a state park adjacent to the beach, in June 2017, months after he left the vice presidency.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted a raid on President Joe Biden’s Rehoboth Beach, Delaware home on Wednesday as part of its investigation amidst a row over classified documents being found in his home and think tank, American media reported.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted a raid on President Joe Biden’s Rehoboth Beach, Delaware home on Wednesday as part of its investigation amidst a row over classified documents being found in his home and think tank, American media reported. However, as per Biden's attorney, no documents were found in the search. The FBI was investigating the potential mishandling of classified documents. In a statement, Biden's attorney said the search was "planned" with the president's "full support", according to BBC. The probe followed the November 2, 2022 discovery of documents with classified markings by Biden's lawyers as they closed up an office at the Penn Biden Center, a think tank affiliated with the Ivy League school. Documents were also found at his Wilmington home by his personal lawyers, who initiated a search after the Penn Biden Center documents were discovered. Raids were also conducted at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in mid-November after classified documents were discovered there, NBC News reported Tuesday. The Biden documents probe is being handled by a special counsel, Robert Hur. Hur, a former top federal prosecutor in Baltimore, is starting work this week, inheriting a months-long investigation by FBI agents and Justice Department prosecutors. The Bidens had purchased the Rehoboth Beach home, which overlooks a state park adjacent to the beach, in June 2017, months after he left the vice presidency. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Classified documents probe: FBI raid at Biden’s Delaware home fails to find more classified papers

The FBI conducted a planned search of US President Joe Biden's home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware amid an ongoing probe into the potential mishandling of classified documents.

FBI searches US President Biden's beach home in Delaware, in classified documents probe

In the latest, the FBI conducted a raid on President Joe Biden’s beach house in Delaware on Wednesday amidst row over classified documents being found in his home and think tank.&nbsp;Several suspects have been arrested in connection with Monday’s&nbsp;suicide bomb blast&nbsp;in a mosque in Pakistan’s northern city of Peshawar that killed more than 100 people. In India, the finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2023-24 in the parliament.&nbsp;

Click on the headlines for more.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-raids-president-joe-bidens-home-in-delaware-558003">FBI raids President Joe Biden’s home in Delaware &nbsp;</a>

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted a raid on President Joe Biden’s beach house in Delaware on Wednesday amidst row over classified documents being found in his home and think tank, American media reported.&nbsp;In a statement, Biden's attorney said the search was "planned" with the president's "full support", according to BBC.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/police-nab-suspects-involved-in-pakistan-mosque-blast-investigate-security-lapse-557943">Police nab suspects involved in Pakistan mosque blast, investigate security lapse</a>

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Several suspects were arrested by the police in Peshawar, Pakistan as the investigation into the suicide bomb blast in the mosque, which killed more than 100 people, continues.

The police said that the chances of a bomber being able to evade security checks because of internal assistance cannot be ruled out completely.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/budget-2023-pm-modi-says-steps-taken-to-empower-middle-class-ensure-ease-of-living-557883">Budget 2023: PM Modi says steps taken to empower middle class, ensure ease of living</a>

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Expressing his thoughts on India’s Union Budget 2023–24&nbsp;after it was tabled by India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament on Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that it will build a strong foundation of a developed India.&nbsp;"The first budget of ‘Amrit Kaal’ (after 75 years of Independence)&nbsp;will build a strong foundation for building a developed India. This budget will fulfil the dreams of aspirational society including poor people, middle-class people, farmers," PM Modi said

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/massive-avalanche-hits-kashmirs-gulmarg-casualties-feared-557860">Massive avalanche hits Kashmir's Gulmarg, two dead, 18 rescued</a>

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A day after Jammu Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) issued an alert, a massive avalanche hit the upper reaches of the Afarwat peak of Gulmarg in North Kashmir, officials informed on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Bodies of two persons belonging to Poland have been retrieved from underneath the snow mass while 18 (eight Russians, 10 Polish) tourists have been rescued, according to&nbsp;officials.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/earthquake-of-60-magnitude-hits-southern-philippines-no-reports-of-major-damage-557955">Earthquake of 6.0-magnitude hits southern Philippines, no reports of major damage</a>

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An earthquake of 6.0 magnitude struck the southern Philippines on Wednesday (February 1), according to the US Geological Service. The earthquake struck at 1044 GMT near the &nbsp;Monkayo municipality in Davao de Oro province on Mindanao island. There were no immediate reports of any major damage. Speaking to the news agency AFP, Monkayo police Staff Sergeant Harvey Asayas said the quake was strong at the beginning but gradually weakened and stopped after 40 seconds.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/s-koreas-economy-inches-towards-first-recession-in-three-years-says-data-557946">S. Korea's economy inches towards first recession in three years, says data</a>

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Data released on Wednesday (Feb 1) indicated that South Korea's economy has&nbsp;advanced closer to its first recession in three years in January as a result of a record-high trade deficit, largely driven by falling exports as a result of extended holidays and a slowing global economy.

The fourth-largest economy in Asia, which is largely dependent on trade for growth, contracted by 0.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2018 and is now in danger of entering its first recession since the middle of 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tyre-nichols-murder-questions-raised-over-white-cops-delayed-suspension-from-memphis-police-557906">Tyre Nichols murder: Questions raised over White cop's delayed suspension from Memphis Police, says report</a>

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As authorities continue to investigate the death of Tyre Nichols, 29, who died after being thrashed by Memphis Police Department officers, questions have now started raising as why did the police wait for weeks to name a White cop in the beating of the Black man. On Monday (January 30), the police suspended Officer Preston Hemphill, a White man who had joined the police force in 2018. "The Memphis Police Department began administrative investigations on officers involved in the death of Tyre Nichols on January 7, 2023. On January 8, seven officers including Officer Preston Hemphill were relieved of duty," the police department said in a statement.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranian-couple-dancing-in-the-streets-sentenced-to-over-10-years-in-prison-557849">Iranian couple dancing in the streets sentenced to over 10 years in prison</a>

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A couple in their 20s has been sentenced to more than 10 years in jail by an Iranian court for posting a video of themselves dancing in a street. The court convicted them of 'encouraging corruption' and 'public prostitution' under archaic Islamic laws.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-local-governments-struggle-to-pay-interest-on-mounting-loan-558008">China’s local governments struggle to pay interest on mounting loan &nbsp;</a>

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Provincial governments in China are at risk of default and might struggle to provide even basic services in the months to come as authorities struggle to pay off the interest on 123 trillion yuan ($18 trillion) loan, reports CNN.&nbsp;

Strict pandemic controls and real estate crash have drained the coffers of local governments, who have spent their budgets on enforcing frequent Covid lockdowns, mass testing, and setting up quarantine centers before&nbsp;the abrupt end of Xi Jinping’s zero-Covid policy in December.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/recovering-post-attack-but-salman-rushdie-wont-promote-new-novel-557828">Recovering post attack but Salman Rushdie won't promote new novel</a>

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Salman Rushdie will not promote his new novel amid major backlash for the same. The author is currently recovering after he was attacked some five months ago and has no plans of promoting his new novel, according to his agent.&nbsp;

In a statement, the agent said that the author’s “recovery is progressing, but he will not be making any public appearances to promote his forthcoming novel”. His new book is called Victory City.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In the latest, the FBI conducted a raid on President Joe Biden’s beach house in Delaware on Wednesday amidst row over classified documents being found in his home and think tank.

In the latest, the FBI conducted a raid on President Joe Biden’s beach house in Delaware on Wednesday amidst row over classified documents being found in his home and think tank. Several suspects have been arrested in connection with Monday’s suicide bomb blast in a mosque in Pakistan’s northern city of Peshawar that killed more than 100 people. In India, the finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2023-24 in the parliament. Click on the headlines for more. FBI raids President Joe Biden’s home in Delaware The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted a raid on President Joe Biden’s beach house in Delaware on Wednesday amidst row over classified documents being found in his home and think tank, American media reported. In a statement, Biden's attorney said the search was "planned" with the president's "full support", according to BBC. Police nab suspects involved in Pakistan mosque blast, investigate security lapse Several suspects were arrested by the police in Peshawar, Pakistan as the investigation into the suicide bomb blast in the mosque, which killed more than 100 people, continues. The police said that the chances of a bomber being able to evade security checks because of internal assistance cannot be ruled out completely. Budget 2023: PM Modi says steps taken to empower middle class, ensure ease of living Expressing his thoughts on India’s Union Budget 2023–24 after it was tabled by India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament on Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that it will build a strong foundation of a developed India. "The first budget of ‘Amrit Kaal’ (after 75 years of Independence) will build a strong foundation for building a developed India. This budget will fulfil the dreams of aspirational society including poor people, middle-class people, farmers," PM Modi said Massive avalanche hits Kashmir's Gulmarg, two dead, 18 rescued A day after Jammu Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) issued an alert, a massive avalanche hit the upper reaches of the Afarwat peak of Gulmarg in North Kashmir, officials informed on Wednesday. Bodies of two persons belonging to Poland have been retrieved from underneath the snow mass while 18 (eight Russians, 10 Polish) tourists have been rescued, according to officials. Earthquake of 6.0-magnitude hits southern Philippines, no reports of major damage An earthquake of 6.0 magnitude struck the southern Philippines on Wednesday (February 1), according to the US Geological Service. The earthquake struck at 1044 GMT near the Monkayo municipality in Davao de Oro province on Mindanao island. There were no immediate reports of any major damage. Speaking to the news agency AFP, Monkayo police Staff Sergeant Harvey Asayas said the quake was strong at the beginning but gradually weakened and stopped after 40 seconds. S. Korea's economy inches towards first recession in three years, says data Data released on Wednesday (Feb 1) indicated that South Korea's economy has advanced closer to its first recession in three years in January as a result of a record-high trade deficit, largely driven by falling exports as a result of extended holidays and a slowing global economy. The fourth-largest economy in Asia, which is largely dependent on trade for growth, contracted by 0.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2018 and is now in danger of entering its first recession since the middle of 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tyre Nichols murder: Questions raised over White cop's delayed suspension from Memphis Police, says report As authorities continue to investigate the death of Tyre Nichols, 29, who died after being thrashed by Memphis Police Department officers, questions have now started raising as why did the police wait for weeks to name a White cop in the beating of the Black man. On Monday (January 30), the police suspended Officer Preston Hemphill, a White man who had joined the police force in 2018. "The Memphis Police Department began administrative investigations on officers involved in the death of Tyre Nichols on January 7, 2023. On January 8, seven officers including Officer Preston Hemphill were relieved of duty," the police department said in a statement. Iranian couple dancing in the streets sentenced to over 10 years in prison A couple in their 20s has been sentenced to more than 10 years in jail by an Iranian court for posting a video of themselves dancing in a street. The court convicted them of 'encouraging corruption' and 'public prostitution' under archaic Islamic laws. China’s local governments struggle to pay interest on mounting loan Provincial governments in China are at risk of default and might struggle to provide even basic services in the months to come as authorities struggle to pay off the interest on 123 trillion yuan ($18 trillion) loan, reports CNN. Strict pandemic controls and real estate crash have drained the coffers of local governments, who have spent their budgets on enforcing frequent Covid lockdowns, mass testing, and setting up quarantine centers before the abrupt end of Xi Jinping’s zero-Covid policy in December. Recovering post attack but Salman Rushdie won't promote new novel Salman Rushdie will not promote his new novel amid major backlash for the same. The author is currently recovering after he was attacked some five months ago and has no plans of promoting his new novel, according to his agent. In a statement, the agent said that the author’s “recovery is progressing, but he will not be making any public appearances to promote his forthcoming novel”. His new book is called Victory City.

Top 10 world news: Police nab Pakistan mosque blast suspects, & more

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been approached by the Jamaican government to assist in probing the fraud in which eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt lost over $12.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been approached by the Jamaican government to assist in probing the fraud in which eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt lost over $12.7 million. Jamaican Finance Minister Nigel Clarke informed about the decision and said the FBI and other international partners were urged to join the investigation against investment firm Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) to bring 'to justice all perpetrators and co-conspirators'. After the fraud came to light, Bolt's representatives informed that his account containing $12.7 million had dwindled to just $12,000. Bolt's attorneys have given a Friday deadline to SSL to recover the money or prepare to be dragged to the court. WATCH | Gravitas: Why do millionaires end up in turmoil? × The multi-billion fraud appears to have spanned for more than a decade before the lid was blown over it. Clarke questioned how a scam of such magnitude that targetted elderly clients and government agencies could go on without anyone coming to know about it. "The central issue, my fellow Jamaicans, is, how did this fraud, this alleged fraud, go undetected for 13 years, between 2010 and 2023. Perhaps even longer," he said in a press conference. The authorities, at this point, do not know how much money was stolen. However, given the timeline of the scam, it can be said with certainty it is a multi-billion dollar scam. SSL has attempted to shrug off the responsibility by suggesting that a rogue former employee was behind the operation. "Like all Jamaicans I am in shock, and feel a profound level of anger and disgust, at the alarming and evil fraud that has allegedly been committed at Stocks and Securities Limited, and which is the source of public discussion and anxiety at this time," added Clarke. Read more: Olympic champion Usain Bolt missing millions from investment accounts, investigation launched - Reports Bolt's $90 million fortune may not have taken a substantial hit due to the fraud but the elderly clients who planned their retirement with the private investment firm are staring down the barrel of a bleak future. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

FBI to help probe multi-billion dollar fraud case targetting Olympic champion Usain Bolt, others

A former senior FBI agent in New York had been arrested due to his affiliations with a Russian oligarch,&nbsp;ABC News reported on Monday.&nbsp;Charles McGonigal, a special agent in charge of counterintelligence at the FBI's New York Field Office, has been&nbsp;arrested because of his ties with Oleg Deripaska, a Russian billionaire who the US has sanctioned and who was criminally accused last year of breaching those sanctions.

McGonigal left the FBI in 2018. He was detained on Saturday afternoon after arriving at JFK Airport from Sri Lanka, according to the sources.

The Justice Department claims that in 2021, McGonigal and Shestakov, two FBI oligarch investigators, agreed to look into a rival Russian tycoon in exchange for money from Deripaska. In order to conceal the fact that Deripaska was paying McGonigal and Shestakov, it is alleged that they utilised phoney firms to receive money and forged signatures.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/doomsday-clock-may-tick-closer-to-midnight-as-experts-warn-of-nuclear-war-555300">Doomsday clock may tick closer to midnight, as experts warn of nuclear war</a>

Along with allegations of breaking sanctions, both of them are accused of money laundering. The maximum jail time for each of the four offences is 20 years.

"The FBI is committed to the enforcement of economic sanctions designed to protect the United States and our allies, especially against hostile activities of a foreign government and its actors," FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael Driscoll said in a statement. "Russian oligarchs like Oleg Deripaska perform global malign influence on behalf of the Kremlin and are associated with acts of bribery, extortion, and violence."

"As alleged, Mr. McGonigal and Mr. Shestakov, both US&nbsp;citizens, acted on behalf of Deripaska and fraudulently used a US&nbsp;entity to obscure their activity in violation of US&nbsp;sanctions. After sanctions are imposed, they must be enforced equally against all US&nbsp;citizens in order to be successful. There are no exceptions for anyone, including a former FBI official like Mr. McGonigal,"&nbsp;Driscoll added.&nbsp;

Shestakov, 69, who was based in Morris, Connecticut, is also accused of lying to FBI agents about his connection with Deripaska in November 2021. He faces one count of making false statements in addition to the other accusations.

According to Treasury officials, Deripaska, an aluminum mogul, was one of twenty Russians sanctioned by the Treasury Department in 2018 as retaliation for "the Russian government's continuous and more nefarious operations throughout the globe."

Also watch |&nbsp;US Mass Shooting: Gunman open fire at a dance studio in Monterey Park, California

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In 2021, the FBI raided his residences in Washington and New York.

Deripaska, 55, is reported to have a net worth of $1.7 billion on Forbes' Billionaires List, despite having a value of roughly $7 billion in 2018 when US&nbsp;sanctions were imposed.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A former senior FBI agent in New York had been arrested due to his affiliations with a Russian oligarch, ABC News reported on Monday. Charles McGonigal, a special agent in charge of counterintelligence at the FBI's New York Field Office, has been arrested because of his ties with Oleg Deripaska, a Russian billionaire who the US has sanctioned and who was criminally accused last year of breaching those sanctions.

A former senior FBI agent in New York had been arrested due to his affiliations with a Russian oligarch, ABC News reported on Monday. Charles McGonigal, a special agent in charge of counterintelligence at the FBI's New York Field Office, has been arrested because of his ties with Oleg Deripaska, a Russian billionaire who the US has sanctioned and who was criminally accused last year of breaching those sanctions. McGonigal left the FBI in 2018. He was detained on Saturday afternoon after arriving at JFK Airport from Sri Lanka, according to the sources. The Justice Department claims that in 2021, McGonigal and Shestakov, two FBI oligarch investigators, agreed to look into a rival Russian tycoon in exchange for money from Deripaska. In order to conceal the fact that Deripaska was paying McGonigal and Shestakov, it is alleged that they utilised phoney firms to receive money and forged signatures. Also read | Doomsday clock may tick closer to midnight, as experts warn of nuclear war Along with allegations of breaking sanctions, both of them are accused of money laundering. The maximum jail time for each of the four offences is 20 years. "The FBI is committed to the enforcement of economic sanctions designed to protect the United States and our allies, especially against hostile activities of a foreign government and its actors," FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael Driscoll said in a statement. "Russian oligarchs like Oleg Deripaska perform global malign influence on behalf of the Kremlin and are associated with acts of bribery, extortion, and violence." "As alleged, Mr. McGonigal and Mr. Shestakov, both US citizens, acted on behalf of Deripaska and fraudulently used a US entity to obscure their activity in violation of US sanctions. After sanctions are imposed, they must be enforced equally against all US citizens in order to be successful. There are no exceptions for anyone, including a former FBI official like Mr. McGonigal," Driscoll added. Shestakov, 69, who was based in Morris, Connecticut, is also accused of lying to FBI agents about his connection with Deripaska in November 2021. He faces one count of making false statements in addition to the other accusations. According to Treasury officials, Deripaska, an aluminum mogul, was one of twenty Russians sanctioned by the Treasury Department in 2018 as retaliation for "the Russian government's continuous and more nefarious operations throughout the globe." Also watch | US Mass Shooting: Gunman open fire at a dance studio in Monterey Park, California In 2021, the FBI raided his residences in Washington and New York. Deripaska, 55, is reported to have a net worth of $1.7 billion on Forbes' Billionaires List, despite having a value of roughly $7 billion in 2018 when US sanctions were imposed. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Ex top FBI officer Charles McGonigal held over ties with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska

In pics: FBI's top 10 most wanted list of criminals, that you need to lookout for

Earlier this month, an engineer with ties to Chinese companies was arrested by the FBI and charged with theft of trade secrets. Priyanka Sharma tells you more in this report.

WION Fineprint: US cracks down on Chinese industrial espionage

The latest and the ninth instalment of the 'Twitter Files' has uncovered a web of coordination between the tech giant and US government agencies.&nbsp;Releasing the latest instalment on Christmas eve, Substack writer Matt Taibbi claims that it goes beyond the FBI which was acting as the "doorman to a vast programme of social media surveillance and censorship, encompassing agencies across the federal government – from the State Department to the Pentagon to the CIA."&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;The Twitter files: How Twitter handled Hunter Biden story?

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Posting part of a screenshot of an email, Taibbi alleges that "Twitter had so much contact with so many agencies that executives lost track."

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6.Twitter had so much contact with so many agencies that executives lost track. Is today the DOD, and tomorrow the FBI? Is it the weekly call, or the monthly meeting? It was dizzying. <a href="https://t.co/C8d8jntnC0">pic.twitter.com/C8d8jntnC0</a>
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) <a href="https://twitter.com/mtaibbi/status/1606701408967090177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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In the long series of tweets, he further claims that one of Twitter's executives is ex-CIA.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/twitter-files-70-shows-fbi-pressured-to-discredit-hunter-biden-laptop-story-all-you-need-to-know-544882">Twitter files 7.0 show FBI pressured social media platforms to ‘discredit’ Hunter Biden laptop story</a>

"It was an open secret at Twitter that one of its executives was ex-CIA, which is why Chan referred to that executive’s 'former employer'". He also shared another screenshot as evidence in which, there is a clear mention of this.

"The first Twitter executive abandoned any pretense to stealth and emailed that the employee “used to work for the CIA, so that is Elvis’s question”.

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12.The first Twitter executive abandoned any pretense to stealth and emailed that the employee “used to work for the CIA, so that is Elvis’s question.” <a href="https://t.co/5kL8xNRZcO">pic.twitter.com/5kL8xNRZcO</a>
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) <a href="https://twitter.com/mtaibbi/status/1606701420543381504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-acted-as-a-subsidiary-shared-master-canine-quality-relationship-with-fbi-543922">Twitter Files 6.0: Twitter acted as a 'subsidiary', shared “master-canine quality” relationship with FBI</a>

The US government was in contact "not just with Twitter but with virtually every major tech firm". This includes Facebook, Microsoft, Verison, Reddit, Pinterest and "many others".

As per the revelations, around the 2020 elections, the government had "overwhelmed" Twitter with lists of hundreds of "problem accounts" that were to be taken down for misleading information.

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23. Email after email came from the San Francisco office heading into the election, often adorned with an Excel attachment: <a href="https://t.co/2xCKHPcBRE">pic.twitter.com/2xCKHPcBRE</a>
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) <a href="https://twitter.com/mtaibbi/status/1606701446325735429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Apparently, most of these accounts were domestic, Taibbi remarks that "It seemed to strike no one as strange that a “Foreign Influence” task force was forwarding thousands of mostly domestic reports, along with the DHS, about the fringiest material".&nbsp; 
 
One of the most common forums was a regular meeting of the multi-agency Foreign Influence Task Force (FITF), attended by spates of executives, FBI personnel, and – nearly always – one or two attendees marked “OGA”, mentions Matt on his twitter handle.

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30. It seemed to strike no one as strange that a “Foreign Influence” task force was forwarding thousands of mostly domestic reports, along with the DHS, about the fringiest material: <a href="https://t.co/YlOQQeUbkw">pic.twitter.com/YlOQQeUbkw</a>
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) <a href="https://twitter.com/mtaibbi/status/1606701461718863873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The previous instalments of the so-called Twitter files too have made similar surprising revelations including that tweets by former US President Donald Trump in the run-up to January 6 Capital riots did not violate the company's policies.

(With inputs from agencies)

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The latest and the ninth instalment of the 'Twitter Files' has uncovered a web of coordination between the tech giant and US government agencies. Releasing the latest instalment on Christmas eve, Substack writer Matt Taibbi claims that it goes beyond the FBI which was acting as the "doorman to a vast programme of social media surveillance and censorship, encompassing agencies across the federal government – from the State Department to the Pentagon to the CIA.

The latest and the ninth instalment of the 'Twitter Files' has uncovered a web of coordination between the tech giant and US government agencies. Releasing the latest instalment on Christmas eve, Substack writer Matt Taibbi claims that it goes beyond the FBI which was acting as the "doorman to a vast programme of social media surveillance and censorship, encompassing agencies across the federal government – from the State Department to the Pentagon to the CIA." Watch | The Twitter files: How Twitter handled Hunter Biden story? Posting part of a screenshot of an email, Taibbi alleges that "Twitter had so much contact with so many agencies that executives lost track." 6.Twitter had so much contact with so many agencies that executives lost track. Is today the DOD, and tomorrow the FBI? Is it the weekly call, or the monthly meeting? It was dizzying. pic.twitter.com/C8d8jntnC0 — Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 24, 2022 × In the long series of tweets, he further claims that one of Twitter's executives is ex-CIA. Also read | Twitter files 7.0 show FBI pressured social media platforms to ‘discredit’ Hunter Biden laptop story "It was an open secret at Twitter that one of its executives was ex-CIA, which is why Chan referred to that executive’s 'former employer'". He also shared another screenshot as evidence in which, there is a clear mention of this. "The first Twitter executive abandoned any pretense to stealth and emailed that the employee “used to work for the CIA, so that is Elvis’s question”. 12.The first Twitter executive abandoned any pretense to stealth and emailed that the employee “used to work for the CIA, so that is Elvis’s question.” pic.twitter.com/5kL8xNRZcO — Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 24, 2022 × Also read | Twitter Files 6.0: Twitter acted as a 'subsidiary', shared “master-canine quality” relationship with FBI The US government was in contact "not just with Twitter but with virtually every major tech firm". This includes Facebook, Microsoft, Verison, Reddit, Pinterest and "many others". As per the revelations, around the 2020 elections, the government had "overwhelmed" Twitter with lists of hundreds of "problem accounts" that were to be taken down for misleading information. 23. Email after email came from the San Francisco office heading into the election, often adorned with an Excel attachment: pic.twitter.com/2xCKHPcBRE — Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 24, 2022 × Apparently, most of these accounts were domestic, Taibbi remarks that "It seemed to strike no one as strange that a “Foreign Influence” task force was forwarding thousands of mostly domestic reports, along with the DHS, about the fringiest material". One of the most common forums was a regular meeting of the multi-agency Foreign Influence Task Force (FITF), attended by spates of executives, FBI personnel, and – nearly always – one or two attendees marked “OGA”, mentions Matt on his twitter handle. 30. It seemed to strike no one as strange that a “Foreign Influence” task force was forwarding thousands of mostly domestic reports, along with the DHS, about the fringiest material: pic.twitter.com/YlOQQeUbkw — Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 24, 2022 × The previous instalments of the so-called Twitter files too have made similar surprising revelations including that tweets by former US President Donald Trump in the run-up to January 6 Capital riots did not violate the company's policies. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Twitter Files 9.0 reveals a web of ‘social media surveillance, censorship’ by not just FBI, other agencies too

The seventh round of internal Twitter staff communication was published on the microblogging network on Monday. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) paid a stunning $3.4 million to Twitter between October 2019 and February 2021, according to the "Twitter Files 7.0," which also revealed how the FBI forced top Twitter executives to kill the "Hunter Biden narrative" under duress.

Twitter Chaos: Emails reveal FBI's involvement to suppress Hunter-Biden laptop story

The sixth part of “Twitter Files”, which was released by Independent journalist Matt Taibbi on Friday, revealed how Twitter was treated as a “subsidiary” by the FBI along with different law enforcement organisations, as various accounts were flagged by the government body for harmful “misinformation” since January 2020.

Taibbi said that the FBI and Twitter's relationship had a “master-canine quality” and that the bureau and the tech giant remained in “constant and pervasive” contact.

“Between January 2020 and November 2022, there were over 150 emails between the FBI and former Twitter Trust and Safety chief Yoel Roth,” Taibbi tweeted, pointing to the executives who worked towards suppressing the report prepared by The Post on the extensive overseas business of US President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden.

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-files-30-reveal-how-donald-trump-was-de-platformed-by-supreme-court-of-moderation-541763">Twitter Files 3.0 reveal how Donald Trump was deplatformed by ‘Supreme Court of moderation’</a>

Holding the tech giant's reins&nbsp;

The journalist also revealed that Twitter received a “surprisingly high number” of missives from the FBI requesting “Twitter to take action on election misinformation,” which also included some jokes posted by accounts which had less number of followers.

Recently on November 22, an email was sent to Twitter from the FBI’s San Francisco office in which four accounts were flagged that “may potentially constitute violations of Twitter’s Terms of Service”.

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1. THREAD: The Twitter Files, Part Six 
TWITTER, THE FBI SUBSIDIARY
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) <a href="https://twitter.com/mtaibbi/status/1603857534737072128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
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One of those accounts had the most satirical tweets, however, the employees at Twitter still hurriedly started to “look for reasons to suspend” the mentioned account for “civic misinformation”.

Although Twitter has been accused by the conservatives of unfairly targetting them through their enforcement actions, Taibbi claimed that left-wing accounts were also flagged by Twitter for policing overzealous speech.&nbsp;

In one such case, a user was noted by the FBI with the name “ULTRA MAGA” after he posted a tweet on November 8, which was the day of mid-term elections, saying, “Americans, Vote today. Democrats you vote Wednesday 9th.”

In a different incident, an account of a user, who according to Taibbi, “kids a lot,” and tweeted, “I’m a ballot counter in my state. If you’re not wearing a mask, I’m not counting your vote. For every negative comment on this post, I’m adding another vote for the Democrats”, was also flagged by the FBI.

“Anyone who cannot discern obvious satire from reality has no place making decisions for others or working for the feds,” said the user, @ClaireFosterPHD while speaking to Taibbi about the flagging.&nbsp;

During the 2016 elections, FBI authorities' focus increased on social media, as its social media-focused task force unit grew to 80 agents and outside security think tanks and contractors were partnered with the Department of Homeland Security partnering “to pressure Twitter to moderate content”, Taibbi revealed.&nbsp;

“You have to prove to me that inside the f—ing government you can do any kind of massive data or AI search,” said a former intelligence officer as quoted by the journalist.

WATCH|&nbsp;Twitter Files 4.0 reveal how executives changed policies to permanently ban Trump

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Twitter presence in FBI meetings&nbsp;

The sixth instalment also talked about Twitter's presence in the monthly meetings of not only the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, and also the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Justice Department.&nbsp;

A letter was sent to Twitter's former Deputy General Counsel Jim Baker on September 16, in which notes of the meetings were shared by Twitter legal executive Stacia Cardille, who also stated they were “soon to be weekly”.

As per Cardille's letter, Twitter and the FBI shared such a good relationship that the feds were “adamant” that the classified information can be shared with executives.

A packet containing “products” was sent by the FBI to Cardille in March 2021, which she later passed on to other Twitter employees, which Taibbi said were “really DHS bulletins stressing the need for greater collaboration between law enforcement and ‘private sector partners.'”

The alleged threat of the spread of Iranian and Russian misinformation on the social media platform was highlighted in the FBI bulletins, along with the “Domestic Violent Extremist Threat.”

The aggressiveness of Federal law enforcement in sending “possible violative content” to Twitter for review was so much that one of the materials sent to review was described by an employee as a “monumental undertaking” which required help from several employees.

Taibbi's report highlighted the flagging of similar content by the state governments, DHS as well as partner organisations like the Center for Internet Security, which was described by the journalist as a “DHS contractor”, and the Election Integrity Project of Stanford University, which he called “one of a series of government-affiliated think tanks that mass-review content.”

Summing up his tweets, Taibbi said, “Instead of chasing child sex predators or terrorists, the FBI has agents — lots of them — analysing and mass-flagging social media posts. Not as part of any criminal investigation, but as a permanent, end-in-itself surveillance operation. People should not be okay with this.”

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musks-second-installment-of-twitter-files-reveals-how-right-wing-users-were-targeted-541462">Elon Musk's second installment of Twitter Files reveals how right-wing users were targeted</a>

FBI's response to its engagements with Twitter

Responding to the allegations, The FBI, speaking to the New York Post on Friday, said that it “regularly engages” with companies to send them information about malicious foreign actors' activities.&nbsp;

However, the bureau refused to comment on Taibbi’s characterisation of Twitter and the FBI's relationship and did not disclose if any classified information was provided by the social media platform.

“The FBI regularly engages with private sector entities to provide information specific to identified foreign malign influence actors’ subversive, undeclared, covert, or criminal activities. Private sector entities independently make decisions about what, if any, action they take on their platforms and for their customers after the FBI has notified them,” stated the FBI, in its statement.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The sixth part of “Twitter Files”, which was released by Independent journalist Matt Taibbi on Friday, revealed how Twitter was treated as a “subsidiary” by the FBI along with different law enforcement organisations, as various accounts were flagged by the government body for harmful “misinformation” since January 2020.

The sixth part of “Twitter Files”, which was released by Independent journalist Matt Taibbi on Friday, revealed how Twitter was treated as a “subsidiary” by the FBI along with different law enforcement organisations, as various accounts were flagged by the government body for harmful “misinformation” since January 2020. Taibbi said that the FBI and Twitter's relationship had a “master-canine quality” and that the bureau and the tech giant remained in “constant and pervasive” contact. “Between January 2020 and November 2022, there were over 150 emails between the FBI and former Twitter Trust and Safety chief Yoel Roth,” Taibbi tweeted, pointing to the executives who worked towards suppressing the report prepared by The Post on the extensive overseas business of US President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden. ALSO READ| Twitter Files 3.0 reveal how Donald Trump was deplatformed by ‘Supreme Court of moderation’ Holding the tech giant's reins The journalist also revealed that Twitter received a “surprisingly high number” of missives from the FBI requesting “Twitter to take action on election misinformation,” which also included some jokes posted by accounts which had less number of followers. Recently on November 22, an email was sent to Twitter from the FBI’s San Francisco office in which four accounts were flagged that “may potentially constitute violations of Twitter’s Terms of Service”. 1. THREAD: The Twitter Files, Part Six TWITTER, THE FBI SUBSIDIARY — Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 16, 2022 × One of those accounts had the most satirical tweets, however, the employees at Twitter still hurriedly started to “look for reasons to suspend” the mentioned account for “civic misinformation”. Although Twitter has been accused by the conservatives of unfairly targetting them through their enforcement actions, Taibbi claimed that left-wing accounts were also flagged by Twitter for policing overzealous speech. In one such case, a user was noted by the FBI with the name “ULTRA MAGA” after he posted a tweet on November 8, which was the day of mid-term elections, saying, “Americans, Vote today. Democrats you vote Wednesday 9th.” In a different incident, an account of a user, who according to Taibbi, “kids a lot,” and tweeted, “I’m a ballot counter in my state. If you’re not wearing a mask, I’m not counting your vote. For every negative comment on this post, I’m adding another vote for the Democrats”, was also flagged by the FBI. “Anyone who cannot discern obvious satire from reality has no place making decisions for others or working for the feds,” said the user, @ClaireFosterPHD while speaking to Taibbi about the flagging. During the 2016 elections, FBI authorities' focus increased on social media, as its social media-focused task force unit grew to 80 agents and outside security think tanks and contractors were partnered with the Department of Homeland Security partnering “to pressure Twitter to moderate content”, Taibbi revealed. “You have to prove to me that inside the f—ing government you can do any kind of massive data or AI search,” said a former intelligence officer as quoted by the journalist. WATCH| Twitter Files 4.0 reveal how executives changed policies to permanently ban Trump Twitter presence in FBI meetings The sixth instalment also talked about Twitter's presence in the monthly meetings of not only the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, and also the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Justice Department. A letter was sent to Twitter's former Deputy General Counsel Jim Baker on September 16, in which notes of the meetings were shared by Twitter legal executive Stacia Cardille, who also stated they were “soon to be weekly”. As per Cardille's letter, Twitter and the FBI shared such a good relationship that the feds were “adamant” that the classified information can be shared with executives. A packet containing “products” was sent by the FBI to Cardille in March 2021, which she later passed on to other Twitter employees, which Taibbi said were “really DHS bulletins stressing the need for greater collaboration between law enforcement and ‘private sector partners.'” The alleged threat of the spread of Iranian and Russian misinformation on the social media platform was highlighted in the FBI bulletins, along with the “Domestic Violent Extremist Threat.” The aggressiveness of Federal law enforcement in sending “possible violative content” to Twitter for review was so much that one of the materials sent to review was described by an employee as a “monumental undertaking” which required help from several employees. Taibbi's report highlighted the flagging of similar content by the state governments, DHS as well as partner organisations like the Center for Internet Security, which was described by the journalist as a “DHS contractor”, and the Election Integrity Project of Stanford University, which he called “one of a series of government-affiliated think tanks that mass-review content.” Summing up his tweets, Taibbi said, “Instead of chasing child sex predators or terrorists, the FBI has agents — lots of them — analysing and mass-flagging social media posts. Not as part of any criminal investigation, but as a permanent, end-in-itself surveillance operation. People should not be okay with this.” ALSO READ| Elon Musk's second installment of Twitter Files reveals how right-wing users were targeted FBI's response to its engagements with Twitter Responding to the allegations, The FBI, speaking to the New York Post on Friday, said that it “regularly engages” with companies to send them information about malicious foreign actors' activities. However, the bureau refused to comment on Taibbi’s characterisation of Twitter and the FBI's relationship and did not disclose if any classified information was provided by the social media platform. “The FBI regularly engages with private sector entities to provide information specific to identified foreign malign influence actors’ subversive, undeclared, covert, or criminal activities. Private sector entities independently make decisions about what, if any, action they take on their platforms and for their customers after the FBI has notified them,” stated the FBI, in its statement. (With inputs from agencies)

Twitter Files 6.0: Twitter acted as a 'subsidiary', shared “master-canine quality” relationship with FBI

A self-proclaimed prophet and a cult leader of a small polygamous group in US had more than 20 wives, most of them minors, and punished his followers who failed to recognise his divine powers, according to FBI’s affidavit filed in federal court.

Samuel Bateman, 46, was arrested in August and charged in September after he was found transporting three minor children, aged between 11 and 14, believed to be for sexual activity. It has been claimed that&nbsp;&nbsp;Bateman engaged in child sex trafficking and polygamy.

According to the FBI, Bateman used to engage in sexual acts with women who were given up by their husbands to be his wife. He claimed that it was God's will for him to engage in such acts.

Bateman was a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) and later left to start his own small offshoot group near the Arizona-Utah border. He was financially supported by his male followers.

The court documents that were revealed on Wednesday provide fresh insight into what investigators found in the case that first became public in August, Sky News reports.

The FBI filed the affidavit a day after the enforcement officials tracked down eight girls who were under Bateman's care. They had escaped from their group homes in Arizona, the affidavit said.

The state authorities managed to track them down after an officer spotted a vehicle driven by one of Bateman's wives, according to the affidavit.

The FLDS Church was designated as a hate group by the Southern Law Poverty Center.

In 2011, an FLDS leader was jailed for life for sexually assaulting two underage followers he took as brides.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A self-proclaimed prophet and a cult leader of a small polygamous group in US had more than 20 wives, most of them minors, and punished his followers who failed to recognise his divine powers, according to FBI’s affidavit filed in federal court.

A self-proclaimed prophet and a cult leader of a small polygamous group in US had more than 20 wives, most of them minors, and punished his followers who failed to recognise his divine powers, according to FBI’s affidavit filed in federal court. Samuel Bateman, 46, was arrested in August and charged in September after he was found transporting three minor children, aged between 11 and 14, believed to be for sexual activity. It has been claimed that Bateman engaged in child sex trafficking and polygamy. According to the FBI, Bateman used to engage in sexual acts with women who were given up by their husbands to be his wife. He claimed that it was God's will for him to engage in such acts. Bateman was a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) and later left to start his own small offshoot group near the Arizona-Utah border. He was financially supported by his male followers. The court documents that were revealed on Wednesday provide fresh insight into what investigators found in the case that first became public in August, Sky News reports. The FBI filed the affidavit a day after the enforcement officials tracked down eight girls who were under Bateman's care. They had escaped from their group homes in Arizona, the affidavit said. The state authorities managed to track them down after an officer spotted a vehicle driven by one of Bateman's wives, according to the affidavit. The FLDS Church was designated as a hate group by the Southern Law Poverty Center. In 2011, an FLDS leader was jailed for life for sexually assaulting two underage followers he took as brides. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Self-proclaimed prophet Samuel Bateman had 20 wives, most of them minor: FBI

Federal Bureau of Investigation chief Christopher Wray has sounded a warning over Chinese apps like Tik-Tok and&nbsp;raising national security concerns, warned that the control of the popular video sharing app is in the hands of a Chinese government that doesn’t share ‘our values’. Wray&nbsp;said the Chinese government can use TikTok and other&nbsp;such apps for espionage. TikTok is a massively popular short video-sharing platform in America.&nbsp;Wray was talking at Gerald R Ford School of Public Policy when he sounded the warning bell.

Wray expressed FBI's concerns about China's ability to control the app's recommendation algorithm. He said the algorithm allows the Chinese company to manipulate content. He added that this strategy can be used for traditional espionage. 
 
"All of these things are in the hands of a government that doesn’t share our values, and that has a mission that's very much at odds with what’s in the best interests of the United States. That should concern us," he said.

Wray had echoed similar sentiments in front of US lawmakers during a congressional appearance last month. He was asked by the lawmakers about the app's ability to cllect data from Americans and its other functionalities

"China’s vast hacking programme is the world’s largest, and they have stolen more Americans’ personal and business data than every other nation combined," he had told the lawmakers.

Wray said the FBI is also concerned about Chinese government’s ‘talent programmes’ that at times pay American professors through secret relationships.&nbsp;“The Chinese government, and the Chinese Communist Party, are engaged in an international talent war to try to leverage and steal intellectual property and sensitive research and data from countries all over the world and so it’s our responsibility to protect the information.” 
 
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Federal Bureau of Investigation chief Christopher Wray has sounded a warning over Chinese apps like Tik-Tok and raising national security concerns, warned that the control of the popular video sharing app is in the hands of a Chinese government that doesn’t share ‘our values’.

Federal Bureau of Investigation chief Christopher Wray has sounded a warning over Chinese apps like Tik-Tok and raising national security concerns, warned that the control of the popular video sharing app is in the hands of a Chinese government that doesn’t share ‘our values’. Wray said the Chinese government can use TikTok and other such apps for espionage. TikTok is a massively popular short video-sharing platform in America. Wray was talking at Gerald R Ford School of Public Policy when he sounded the warning bell. Wray expressed FBI's concerns about China's ability to control the app's recommendation algorithm. He said the algorithm allows the Chinese company to manipulate content. He added that this strategy can be used for traditional espionage. "All of these things are in the hands of a government that doesn’t share our values, and that has a mission that's very much at odds with what’s in the best interests of the United States. That should concern us," he said. Wray had echoed similar sentiments in front of US lawmakers during a congressional appearance last month. He was asked by the lawmakers about the app's ability to cllect data from Americans and its other functionalities "China’s vast hacking programme is the world’s largest, and they have stolen more Americans’ personal and business data than every other nation combined," he had told the lawmakers. Wray said the FBI is also concerned about Chinese government’s ‘talent programmes’ that at times pay American professors through secret relationships. “The Chinese government, and the Chinese Communist Party, are engaged in an international talent war to try to leverage and steal intellectual property and sensitive research and data from countries all over the world and so it’s our responsibility to protect the information.” You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Chinese apps like TikTok can be used for espionage, says FBI chief Christopher Wray

FBI director Chris Wray is raising National Security concerns about Tik Tok stating that it doesn't share our values. The control of the popular video sharing app was in the hands of the Chinese government.

US: FBI's Wray raises concerns over National Security issues on Tik Tok

If you think about Black Friday sales, what comes to mind? Probably shoes, electronic gadgets or maybe even toys but for America it also means guns. As the citizens rushed to the markets to take advantage of one of the most awaited sales of the year, the FBI was busy doing background checks only to find that last Friday was likely the third highest day for gun sales ever.

Black Friday Sale: Surge in gun sales come as Biden threatens to ban popular arms

Republican leader and South Dakota governor Kristi Noem on Tuesday issued an executive order banning the use of Chinese TikTok by state employees and contractors on government gadgets, citing the short video app's ties to Beijing.

Republican leader and South Dakota governor Kristi Noem on Tuesday issued an executive order banning the use of Chinese TikTok by state employees and contractors on government gadgets, citing the short video app's ties to Beijing. “South Dakota will have no part in the intelligence gathering operations of nations who hate us," said Noem in a statement posted on Twitter. "The Chinese Communist Party uses information that it gathers on TikTok to manipulate the American people, and they gather data off the devices that access the platform." Noem added that the order which goes into effect immediately "prohibits downloading or using the TikTok application or visiting the website on state-owned or state-leased electronic devices capable of internet connectivity". South Dakota is banning TikTok for state government. We will have no part in intelligence gathering for China, a nation that hates America. I hope other states quickly follow this example and protect the vital private information of our citizens. pic.twitter.com/rJ2H2k0Rlk — Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) November 29, 2022 × TikTok did not immediately respond to Noem's order or the ban imposed. Notably, the GOP leaders, in recent weeks have increased the pressure on TikTok and its owner ByteDance to come clean regarding its data-sharing policies. WATCH | US: Senators call TikTok a 'massive surveillance tool; Is TikTok spying on you for China? × Last week, Republican lawmakers Cathy McMorris Rodgers and James Comer wrote a letter criticising ByteDance saying the Chinese company may have misled Congress about how much data it shares with China. Both Rodgers and Comer are expected to set the House agenda next year after Republicans won the lower chamber in the just-concluded midterm elections. Read more: Republicans target TikTok for sharing users’ data with China, likely to unleash probe Previously, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also warned against data leaks through the app. Director Christopher Wray told a House panel that potential Chinese government access to users’ data or software through the app is reason to be “extremely concerned”. Wray added that ByteDance embeds specific application programming interfaces (APIs) in the app which gives Beijing access to “control data collection of millions of users or control the recommendation algorithm". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Wary of China, US state of South Dakota bans TikTok on state-owned devices

FBI Director Christopher Wray has said that bomb-laden drones are circulating in the U.S. He has further claimed that these drones can carry drugs or launch weaponry withing America. Priyanka Sharma reports.

Gravitas: FBI Director says bomb-laden drones are circulating in America

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Christopher Wray expressed concern over reports of police stations linked to the Chinese government springing up across the US cities.

Speaking at the US Senate’s homeland security and governmental affairs committee hearing, Wray said that the bureau is investigating these claims, but declined to give further details.

I’m very concerned about this. We are aware of the existence of these stations,” Wray told the lawmakers.

“But to me, it is outrageous to think that the Chinese police would attempt to set up shop, you know, in New York, let’s say, without proper coordination. It violates the sovereignty and circumvents standard judicial and law enforcement cooperation processes.”

When asked by Republican Senator Rick Scott if such stations violated US law, Wray said that the FBI was “looking into the legal parameters”, reports BBC.

Apprehensions of a Chinese police station emerged after NGO Safeguard Defenders in its September report revealed the presence of these establishments across the world, including New York.

<h2>WION Dispatch | FBI: TikTok a threat to national security of the United States</h2>

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According to the Spain-based organisation, in its investigation, it found that Chinese public security bureaus established "overseas police service stations" in several continents, including two in London and one in Glasgow. In North America, it found stations in Toronto and in New York.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-director-says-tiktok-poses-national-security-threat-535009">FBI director says TikTok poses ‘national security threat’, gives Beijing access to data, devices</a>

It is said that police stations were created to tackle transnational crime and to provide administrative services to Chinese nationals abroad, such as renewing driver's licences abroad and other consular services

The NGO, however, believes that they also serve a "more sinister goal", by contributing to "cracking down on all kinds of illegal and criminal activities involving overseas Chinese".

The report prompted the Irish government to order to close one of the Chinese "police stations" in Dublin.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Christopher Wray expressed concern over reports of police stations linked to the Chinese government springing up across the US cities.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Christopher Wray expressed concern over reports of police stations linked to the Chinese government springing up across the US cities. Speaking at the US Senate’s homeland security and governmental affairs committee hearing, Wray said that the bureau is investigating these claims, but declined to give further details. I’m very concerned about this. We are aware of the existence of these stations,” Wray told the lawmakers. “But to me, it is outrageous to think that the Chinese police would attempt to set up shop, you know, in New York, let’s say, without proper coordination. It violates the sovereignty and circumvents standard judicial and law enforcement cooperation processes.” When asked by Republican Senator Rick Scott if such stations violated US law, Wray said that the FBI was “looking into the legal parameters”, reports BBC. Apprehensions of a Chinese police station emerged after NGO Safeguard Defenders in its September report revealed the presence of these establishments across the world, including New York. WION Dispatch | FBI: TikTok a threat to national security of the United States According to the Spain-based organisation, in its investigation, it found that Chinese public security bureaus established "overseas police service stations" in several continents, including two in London and one in Glasgow. In North America, it found stations in Toronto and in New York. Also read | FBI director says TikTok poses ‘national security threat’, gives Beijing access to data, devices It is said that police stations were created to tackle transnational crime and to provide administrative services to Chinese nationals abroad, such as renewing driver's licences abroad and other consular services The NGO, however, believes that they also serve a "more sinister goal", by contributing to "cracking down on all kinds of illegal and criminal activities involving overseas Chinese". The report prompted the Irish government to order to close one of the Chinese "police stations" in Dublin. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

FBI probing presence of Chinese ‘police station’ in New York, says chief Wray

Israel has confirmed that the United States is conducting an investigation into the "tragic passing" of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. However, calling the investigation a "mistake" a senior Israeli official said that the country &nbsp;"will not cooperate with an external investigation".

Benny Gantz, Israel's Defence Minister in a statement said that "The decision taken by the US Justice Department to conduct an investigation into the tragic passing of Shireen Abu Akleh, is a mistake."

Watch |&nbsp;Probe in journalist Abu Akleh's death: 'Will not cooperate with US investigation,' says Israel

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Gatz added that the nation's military has already conducted an investigation: The IDF (Israeli army) has conducted a professional, independent investigation, which was presented to American officials with whom the case details were shared."

While a Politico report said that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has opened a probe into the killing, the agency as per AFP has neither confirmed nor denied the investigation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-admits-accidental-killing-of-al-jazeera-journalist-shireen-abu-akleh-513183">Israel says Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh 'probably' got shot by its forces unintentionally</a>

B'Tselem, an Israeli human rights group that documents violations in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories as per AFP said that it always believed that "some form of international intervention" would be needed to bring the slain journalist some justice.

However, the outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid said that Israeli soldiers "will not be probed" by the FBI.

In a statement to UN investigators last week, Abu Akleh's family and colleagues said that Israel had purposefully targeted her as part of its "wide-scale war" against Palestinian media workers. They also demanded accountability and justice.

The apparent launch of a US investigation, according to the murdered reporter's family, is "an essential step."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Israel has confirmed that the United States is conducting an investigation into the "tragic passing" of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. However, calling the investigation a "mistake" a senior Israeli official said that the country "will not cooperate with an external investigation".

Israel has confirmed that the United States is conducting an investigation into the "tragic passing" of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. However, calling the investigation a "mistake" a senior Israeli official said that the country "will not cooperate with an external investigation". Benny Gantz, Israel's Defence Minister in a statement said that "The decision taken by the US Justice Department to conduct an investigation into the tragic passing of Shireen Abu Akleh, is a mistake." Watch | Probe in journalist Abu Akleh's death: 'Will not cooperate with US investigation,' says Israel Gatz added that the nation's military has already conducted an investigation: The IDF (Israeli army) has conducted a professional, independent investigation, which was presented to American officials with whom the case details were shared." While a Politico report said that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has opened a probe into the killing, the agency as per AFP has neither confirmed nor denied the investigation. Also read | Israel says Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh 'probably' got shot by its forces unintentionally B'Tselem, an Israeli human rights group that documents violations in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories as per AFP said that it always believed that "some form of international intervention" would be needed to bring the slain journalist some justice. However, the outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid said that Israeli soldiers "will not be probed" by the FBI. In a statement to UN investigators last week, Abu Akleh's family and colleagues said that Israel had purposefully targeted her as part of its "wide-scale war" against Palestinian media workers. They also demanded accountability and justice. The apparent launch of a US investigation, according to the murdered reporter's family, is "an essential step." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Israel opens up about US investigation into journalist Shireen Abu Akleh's killing, says 'won't cooperate'

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