The Daily Populous

Thursday January 4th, 2024 morning edition

image for Former advisers to Trump, Ben Carson admit to unlawful lobbying on behalf of Qatar

Former advisers to Trump, Ben Carson admit to unlawful lobbying on behalf of Qatar.

A former adviser to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, along with a former aide to one-time presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson, have admitted to unlawfully lobbying on behalf of Qatar, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.

The admissions are part of a deferred prosecution agreement that will dismiss charges against them after a year of compliance.

Both Bennett and Watts served as advisers to Carson's 2016 presidential campaign before Bennett ultimately joined Trump's campaign as an unpaid adviser.

Bennett has agreed to pay the U.S. a $100,000 fine as part of the deferred prosecution agreement, while Watts will pay a $25,000 fine.

The charges against them will be formally lifted after one year of compliance with the terms of the deal.

Former advisers to Trump, Ben Carson admit to unlawful lobbying on behalf of Qatar originally appeared on abcnews.go.com. »

Names in Jeffrey Epstein court documents unsealed

Authored by cnbc.com

New York federal court documents containing previously hidden names of people associated in some way with the late notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein began being unsealed Wednesday evening.

They include victims of Epstein who testified at the criminal trial of his procurer and former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.

The documents were filed in connection with a Manhattan federal court lawsuit by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre against Maxwell. »

Climate scientists hail 2023 as ‘beginning of the end’ for fossil fuel era

Authored by theguardian.com

A growing number of climate analysts believe that 2023 may be recorded as the year in which annual emissions reached a pinnacle before the global fossil fuel economy begins a terminal decline.

“We can take a small pause to celebrate this tipping point,” said Dave Jones, a director at the climate thinktank Ember.

This creates a disincentive to switch from a fossil fuel vehicle or heating system to an electric alternative if it’s cheaper to use gas or oil. »

NATO to Buy 1,000 Patriot Missiles in Face of Russia Threat

Authored by thedefensepost.com

NATO members in Europe have signed a contract for up to 1,000 Patriot missiles to bolster air defenses in the face of the threat from Russia, the alliance said Wednesday.

Alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the “timely announcement to invest in up to 1,000 new Patriot air defense missiles to bolster the alliance’s security.”.

Patriot missiles are estimated to cost around $4 million each, and NATO said the deal also includes other elements including test equipment and spare parts for future maintenance. »