Imagine defeating a home invader with the honor and skill of a Japanese samurai warrior.
One Seattle senior citizen did exactly that, according to the Seattle Police Department's account of his interaction with an alleged burglar.
The unnamed 71-year old resident of the home describes finding a trespasser in his Beacon Hill neighborhood on Sunday, according to KIRO-TV.
The homeowner revealed that his alleged assailant had attacked him with his own unconventional weapon.
"My house has been burglarized. He was inside my house," the man stated in police body camera footage, according to KCPQ-TV.
That's when the man revealed his assailant's peculiar weapon: "He was inside my house and he attacked me with a pitchfork."
After an altercation in the home's living room, the homeowner rushed to his bedroom -- first in pursuit of a firearm.
When his home defense firearm jammed, the resident resorted to a weapon associated with Japanese feudal warriors.
His alleged assailant exited the home after the resident inflicted a stab wound with a samurai sword.
The authorities tracked him down at a nearby residence and brought him into custody.
The suspect in the home invasion is facing a first-degree burglary charges and is slated for booking at the King County Jail after he's discharged from an area hospital, according to KCPQ.
The homeowner -- who incurred a gouged eye in the struggle -- told the police how he fought back against the uninvited guest, inflicting a stab wound on the man.
"I grabbed the samurai sword and defend myself with the samurai sword."
The finely-curved and exquisitely crafted sword associated with samurai are known as katana.
Shikoto Rurousha Handmade Katana / Samurai Sword
Full tang 30" Damascus steel blade accented with twin fullers, engraved kanji; expertly hand forged by seasoned swordsmiths using proven, centuries-old techniques
Overall length: 41 1/4" pic.twitter.com/CgRn7Pyszk— Riley's Tools LLC (@RileyTools37939) June 23, 2023
Swords that resembled the katanas of old were used in "Banzai" charges by the imperialist Japanese military during World War II, according to National Interest.
The finely crafted weapons are considered some of the most lethal cutting melee weapons in history.
The swords are collected by enthusiasts of Japanese culture to this day.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
Belmont University, a private Christian college in Nashville, Tennessee, made waves in the Christian community this month when it opted to cancel a scheduled event with Promise Keepers, a well-known Christian men's ministry.
According to a June 19 report from ChurchLeaders.com, the university cited a clash of values as the primary reason behind the event's cancellation.
Belmont said in a statement that a Promise Keepers blog post about "pride month" included "comments that we believe unnecessarily fan the flames of culture wars and are harmful to members of our community."
In the May 30 post, the organization -- founded in 1990 by former Colorado University football coach Bill McCartney -- expressed its unwavering support for the biblical definition of marriage as a sacred union between one man and one woman.
Additionally, Promise Keepers raised concerns about the potential hazards associated with the pervasive influence of gender ideology in contemporary society.
"We will not stand on the sidelines and remain quiet," the ministry said. "As fathers, husbands, grandfathers, and young men -- we see the dangers of gender ideology and the harm it causes.
"In our present day, men and women are increasingly confused about their identities. Biological identity has been severed as separate from 'gender identity,' while children across the United States are actively indoctrinated into intense inner turmoil about who they 'really are.'
"What’s behind this change? Throughout history, humans have traditionally looked to God, the church, and their families as the starting points for identity. Now, our culture has decided each person must decide his or her own identity by looking inward -- which leads to isolation, loneliness, and confusion.
"As fathers, husbands, grandfathers, and young men, we see the dangers of gender ideology and the harm it causes. At Promise Keepers, we believe it is more important than ever to stand up boldly for what we believe as Christians. God's Word is very clear on this topic -- and we also see the way gender ideology has damaged lives, mutilated bodies, and torn apart families in our own communities."
The organization has long been a steadfast advocate for men striving to live with integrity, faithfully dedicated to their wives, actively engaged in their local churches and committed to deepening their Christian faith.
Throughout its history, Promise Keepers has organized large-scale national conferences that have gathered millions of men in stadiums and arenas, fueling a fire within their hearts to lead Christ-centered lives.
The event at Belmont, aptly named "Daring Faith," was designed to be an inspiring gathering for men of faith.
The planned date was Sept. 29, and the venue was set to be the school's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts -- an ideal location to foster spiritual growth and empower attendees to embark on a bold journey of faith.
Yet, just as anticipation was building and preparations were underway, Belmont abruptly withdrew its support, leaving many perplexed.
In a June 20 news release, Promise Keepers said the university "canceled an event hosted by Promise Keepers after the men’s ministry released a statement reaffirming its support for the Biblical, biological, sexual identity of male and female, man and woman, in the context of marriage. Belmont representatives cited a conflict in values."
Ken Harrison, the group's CEO, shed light on the disheartening turn of events during an interview with the Edifi Podcast Network.
He said the ministry had a signed contract with the university and had actively promoted the event. However, a mere two days before ticket sales were scheduled to commence, an email arrived delivering the shocking news: The university expressed that "due to recent information, we realize our values don't align with your values or something to that effect, so we can't do the event here."
Harrison noted the stark contradiction between the event's intended purpose and the university's decision: The theme of "Daring Faith" was intended to inspire men to exercise audacious faith in their lives, and the cancellation seemed to undermine the very essence of the gathering.
During his interview, Harrison also issued a cautionary warning regarding the state of Christian colleges and universities, expressing concern about a growing trend of institutions deviating from the fundamental teachings of Scripture.
He questioned the authenticity of institutions that claim to train individuals for Christ while simultaneously disregarding foundational biblical principles. Although some Christian colleges and universities continue to fight to preserve the free exercise of their faith, all too many have compromised on gender ideology in recent years amid a flurry of attacks.
Belmont issued a statement about the cancellation to ChurchLeaders.com.
[firefly_poll]
"Promise Keepers recently issued a press release that incorrectly states why Belmont University decided to withdraw the campus’ Fisher Center as the potential venue for an event anticipated for late September in Nashville," the university said.
"Belmont informed Promise Keepers leadership that the event could not be held on our campus because a blog the organization posted, 'In Light of June Being Designated as "Pride Month,"' includes comments that we believe unnecessarily fan the flames of culture wars and are harmful to members of our community.
"The Promise Keepers press release also falsely asserts that Belmont had not responded, when in fact University leaders have had multiple conversations with senior leaders at Promise Keepers, including CEO Ken Harrison. In these phone calls our reasoning was thoroughly and respectfully discussed, and we believed we reached mutual understanding.
"Belmont and the Fisher Center welcome the opportunity to host and work with a variety of groups that hold disparate opinions, and we encourage the exchange of dialogue. Yet as an ecumenical, Christ-centered institution we are also unequivocal in our belief in the value of each human being, and we are committed to engaging in constructive conversations that demonstrate kindness and seek understanding. We will not knowingly provide a space for any group whose language we believe to lack that same respect."
Belmont has an enrollment of more than 7,000 students from across the United States and various countries.
In 2007, the university severed its ties with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, concluding a 56-year-long relationship. This decisive action positioned the college as an independent, ecumenical Christian university with no denominational affiliation.
The school’s separation from the Tennessee Baptist Convention raised questions regarding Belmont's stance on matters of sexuality and its commitment to a biblical worldview.
Its cancellation of the Promise Keepers event raises broader questions about the difficulty in maintaining fidelity to core Christian values in an increasingly secular world. The controversy serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing cultural battles faced by Christian organizations that stand firm on traditional biblical principles.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
Responding to growing protests against Target stores, a coalition of 15 Democrat attorneys general have sent a letter urging Target CEO Brian Cornell to restore their support to the LGBT community and to take legal action against those making "anti-LGBTQIA+ threats."
Protests against the retail giant began last month after social media users discovered the company was selling "tuck friendly" bathing suits for transgender individuals, Pride-themed apparel for teens, children, and infants, and for their connection to an allegedly Satanic brand.
Consumers who opposed these products moved to boycott Target, causing the company to suffer significant financial losses.
Target responded by removing several of the controversial items, saying in a statement that the move was made to ensure the safety of employees.
However, by attempting to resolve the conflict with conservative protesters, Target only drew backlash from the LGBT community.
According to The Washington Post, "Several bomb threats soon followed, targeting stores in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Utah, from people claiming to be angry about the removal of merchandise."
Some of the threats, sent to local news stations in New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont, "accused Target of betraying the LGBTQ+ community," the Post reported.
“You have betrayed the LGBTQ+ community. You are pathetic cowards who bowed to the wishes of far right extremists who want to exterminate us,” read one emailed threat, according to KLFY. “We will not tolerate intolerance nor indifference. If you are not with us then you are against us. That is why we placed a bomb in each of your locations, evacuate now as this is only to cause economic damage.”
Another threat, emailed to KFOR, listed 7 Target locations and alleged that a bomb had been placed in two of the stores.
“We are going to play a game … 2 of these Target locations have bombs in them. We hid the bombs inside some product items. The bombs will detonate in several hours, guess which ones have the bombs. Time is ticking. 4/19/1995,” the threat read, citing the 1995 Oklahoma City domestic terrorist attack.
So far, none of the bomb threats have turned out to be credible.
The coalition of the state attorneys general noted the threats in their June 16 letter but blamed it wholly on "anti-LGBTQIA+" individuals, and made no mention of the threats from LGBT individuals.
Instead, they began their letter by pointing out their "resolute and unequivocal support for the LGBTQIA+ community" and condemned the "intimidation and destruction of certain Pride-related merchandise."
The letter urged Target to consider taking legal action against the "bullies" they accused of harassing LGBT customers, and offered to aid them if they choose to prosecute such individuals.
"As we see it, Target has been the victim of potentially criminal acts, in response to which we encourage you to reach out to responsible authorities. We stand ready to help address anti-LGBTQIA+ threats and harassment in Target stores," they wrote.
They also condemned states who have enacted laws "barring public schools from discussing LGBTQIA+ identity, limiting gender-affirming care, prohibiting transgender individuals from using bathrooms or playing on sports teams aligned with their gender identity, and restricting drag performances."
"Against this backdrop, Pride merchandise like Target’s helps LGBTQIA+ people see that they enjoy considerable support and that loud and intimidating fringe voices and bullies do not represent the views of society at large," the letter read.
"Our states have many resources to support Target’s efforts to protect its staff and customers in the face of hate-based intimidation, harassment, threats, or attacks," the letter continued. "Many states also have other tools at their disposal to combat anti-LGBTQIA+ harassment."
The letter would go on to remind Target of state laws which allow for the prosecution of those seeking to prevent the sale of LGBT products.
"The Massachusetts Civil Rights Act empowers the Commonwealth to seek injunctive relief against anyone who interferes with others’ constitutional and statutory rights by means of threats, intimidation, or coercion," they noted.
Additionally, "The Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) ... prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity."
This law, they said, protects stores like Target who provide goods and services to the LGBT community, and allows for the prosecution of any person who "intentionally [obstructs] or [prevents] any person from complying with the Act."
"If Target again finds itself facing anti-LGBTQIA+ harassment—whether of customers or employees—store management or the corporate office are encouraged to reach out to our offices. We are ready, willing, and able to work with you in the spirit of progress, inclusivity, and equality," they wrote.
The letter was signed by attorneys general representing Massachusetts, Minnesota, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
Scientists have made an incredible and alarming breakthrough in creating synthetic human embryos, without the use of a sperm and egg.
Overall, while the development of a human embryo has been largely seen as a scientific breakthrough, some experts say the "synthetic" embryo models were not truly synthetic.
As noted by Dr. Ildem Akerman, an associate professor in functional genomics at the University of Birmingham -- who was not involved in the research project -- the models were "derived from living stem cells that originate from an embryo," according to the U.K. Daily Mail.
"Essentially, what scientists do is cultivate a single stem cell and encourage its growth into an organised group of cells that, in theory, possess the potential to develop into an implantable embryo," Akerman explained.
The new findings, however, do not prove an embryo model could be grown to full-term, since the scientists only cultivated the embryos for 14 days, according to multiple reports.
Additionally, it would be illegal to actually implant the embryo into a patient's womb, The Guardian reported.
Scientists are currently limited to stopping human embryo growth at 14 days — but now, the International Society for Stem Cell Research wants to rethink that limit. pic.twitter.com/UvUffbw0Bf
— Seeker by The Verge (@Seeker) July 18, 2022
The creation of the embryo models was done by scientists at Cambridge University and California Institute of Technology.
The development of the synthetic embryos was announced at the Wednesday annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research.
The goal of the project is to ultimately be able to further analyze early human development and possibly even aid in the prevention of miscarriages.
Details regarding their work are not wholly clear, as their research has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
However, Akerman and other experts have warned of the "significant implications" that this type of research can have.
"Obviously, this research can provide a deeper understanding of how tissues and organs form, potentially leading to advancements in regenerative medicine and the treatment of developmental disorders," Akerman said, according to the Daily Mail.
"Nevertheless, the ability to do something does not justify doing it; ethical frameworks should be established and maintained in line with the public’s view on the subject."
The advancement of creating synthetic embryos follows similar research conducted among animals.
Last year, scientists revealed they had developed synthetic mice embryos which had begun to grow a beating heart, a brain, and organs. Once implanted into female mice, the embryos failed to grow into live animals, The Guardian reported.
Scientists in China have conducted similar research among monkeys. However, all attempts to impregnate female monkeys with the synthetic embryos have also been unsuccessful, according to BBC News.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
One of the most-watched personalities in the history of cable news has a trick he's used to interview two presidents.
Former longtime Fox News prime-time host Bill O'Reilly spoke about his interview experiences with former Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama on Tuesday, according to The Wrap.
O'Reilly, 73, was speaking on the syndicated “Clay Travis & Buck Sexton” radio show.
Sexton asked O'Reilly about Fox's Bret Baier's interview of Trump earlier this month.
"Donald Trump is an extremely difficult man to chat with," O'Reilly said of Baier's interview.
"I’ve done more interviews with Donald Trump than any human alive.
"I did the first interview when he announced for president in 2016, the escalator thing, I did the Super Bowl interview with him, I know him inside and out."
O'Reilly and Trump do have a longstanding relationship. And they staged a mutual “History Tour” in 2021, according to Newsweek.
O'Reilly went on to explain his use of a simple conversational trick in interviews of both Trump and Obama and said it worked every time.
“My secret was, I would tell him before the interview, if my hand goes up, if you see my finger go up, I want to jump in," O'Reilly said, according to The Wrap.
"I don’t want to interrupt you and be rude, but when you see my finger, wrap it. And I said the same thing to Obama when I interviewed him three times.
"They could do five minutes on your socks, OK? They filibuster!”
O'Reilly went on to express doubts that President Joe Biden would follow through on his declared intention to run for re-election.
The longtime face of conservative cable news suggested that California Gov. Gavin Newsom might emerge as the alternative Democratic candidate for 2024.
In terms of Obama, O'Reilly interviewed him before Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, scrutinizing his performance as it pertained to several scandals surrounding his presidency.
O'Reilly hosted The O'Reilly Factor from 1996 until 2017 -- becoming the de facto face of America's most-watched conservative media television network.
The longtime host was fired in 2017 amid a series of sexual harassment claims.
O'Reilly was replaced by Tucker Carlson -- who was fired earlier this year after wearing out his welcome with Fox's corporate management.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
A Maryland woman has been accused of killing her 71-year-old mother and then enlisting her teenage daughter -- the victim's granddaughter -- to help her dispose of the body in a gruesome fashion.
Candace Craig, 44, and her daughter Salia Hardy, 19, were arrested June 2 after officers came to their home in Largo, just outside of Washington, to check on the welfare of Craig's 71-year-old mother, Margaret Craig, the Prince George's County Police Department reported.
The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit charged a mother and daughter in connection with a murder inside of the family’s Landover home. The suspects are 44-year-old Candace Craig and 19-year-old Salia Hardy.https://t.co/mOPFIoyYDK pic.twitter.com/ZXeqjFkXBO
— PGPDNEWS (@PGPDNews) June 3, 2023
"A 911 caller advised he had not communicated with Margaret Craig for several days and was worried for her welfare," the department said in its news release.
"Candace Craig answered the door and allowed patrol officers access to the home to search for Margaret Craig.
"When the officers entered the basement, they immediately smelled the odor of decomposition. The Homicide and Evidence Units were notified and assumed the investigation."
WARNING: The following account contains graphic details that some may find disturbing.
A report by WJLA-TV quoted court documents as saying, "Upon entering the basement officers immediately recognized the smell of putrefaction and observed blood and tissue on the floor near three white plastic trash bags."
The detectives reported finding "what appeared to be brain matter" in an open trash bag on the floor.
They also saw a knife on the basement floor, but when they returned to the basement, they said the knife was missing.
"Police also said they found a cover to a chainsaw, cutting utensils, cleaning materials and blood spatter throughout the basement where the remains were found," WJLA reported.
A mother and daughter in Prince George’s County are accused of murdering their 71yr old mother/grandmother then using a chain saw to dismember her then burn her remains on a charcoal grill. pic.twitter.com/rLX2DYzyx0
— Brad Bell (@Brad7News) June 5, 2023
Investigators said they came to the conclusion that Candace Craig murdered her mother on May 23. The following day, they said, Hardy helped her mother attempt to dispose of the remains.
WTOP-TV quoted Prince George’s County Assistant State’s Attorney Jessica Garth as saying Craig and her daughter "dismembered the body, I believe using a chain saw, and then attempted to dispose of the parts of the body using fire on a grill and in a bonfire.”
State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy told the news station, "To say it’s disturbing is an understatement. It’s horrifying.”
Maj. David Blazer, commander of the police department's major crimes division, promised that detectives would "ensure a thorough investigation is conducted and that both suspects are held accountable for their cruel and criminal behavior.”
WTOP quoted charging documents as saying Margaret Craig had accused her daughter Candace of credit card fraud, "prompting an argument that led to the elder Craig’s death."
Craig was charged with first- and second-degree murder, according to the report, while Hardy was charged with accessory after the fact.
Police asked anyone with information about the incident to call detectives at 301-516-2512.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
A 2022 voyage to the wreck of the Titanic was anything but smooth last year when CBS journalist David Pogue made the trip, with the vessel getting lost once on the ocean floor.
Although his dive on the submersible Titan made it to the famous wreck in the end, he recorded some of the complications along the way for a 2022 episode of “CBS Sunday Morning.”
The submersible went to explore the wreck once again on Sunday but has not been heard from since. On Tuesday, CNN reported that the U.S. Navy is sending what it calls the “Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System” to help in the search efforts.
The FADOSS is a “motion compensated lift system designed to provide reliable deep ocean lifting capacity for the recovery of large, bulky, and heavy undersea objects such as aircraft or small vessels,” a representative said. The Navy says the equipment can lift an object as heavy as 60,000 pounds.
The equipment is expected to arrive in Newfoundland overnight, as Coast Guard officials said Tuesday the crew had about 40 hours of oxygen left.
When Pogue went for his dive, the first attempt was canceled because of strong winds and waves, which led venture organizers to propose a dive to the Continental Shelf.
“The crew closes the hatch, from the outside, with 17 bolts. There's no other way out,” he said.
“Here's how the launch is supposed to go: The sub is attached to a huge floating platform. Motorboats drag it down the big orange ramp into the sea."
"The platform submerges to about 30 feet, where the water is much calmer than on the surface... Divers detach the sub from the platform … and away you go!” he said.
But reality interfered.
“Our dive in the OceanGate submersible had made it down only 37 feet when [floats came off the platform],” Pogue said.
That led to his dive being scrubbed.
Passenger Renata Rojas had been philosophical about the mishap.
"Every expedition has its challenges, all of them. I have not been in one expedition where things haven't had to be adjusted, adapted, changed or canceled at the end of the day. You're at the mercy of the weather," she said.
On his sixth day at sea, the weather cleared. “The dive was a go!” he said.
But the good news got murky, as Pogue explained
“There's no GPS underwater, so the surface ship is supposed to guide the sub to the shipwreck by sending text messages,” he said.
But on this dive, communications somehow broke down. The sub never found the wreck.
"We were lost," submersible passenger Shrenik Baldota said. "We were lost for two-and-a-half hours."
On the final day out at sea, Pogue was able to film shots of the fabled wreck.
Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owns the submersible, was on the missing vessel, according to NBC.
“Every time I go deeper, the experience gets cooler and cooler,” Rush said in an interview with Smithsonian. “At the very bottom of the ocean, there must be a bunch of octopuses playing chess, wondering why it’s taken us so long to get there.”
In that interview, he offered his opinion on U.S. government safety regulations for tourist submersibles.
“There hasn’t been an injury in the commercial sub industry in over 35 years. It’s obscenely safe, because they have all these regulations. But it also hasn’t innovated or grown -- because they have all these regulations,” he said then.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
A Michigan woman is facing the possibility of a life sentence after being convicted of killing her father with a dangerous chemical.
Megan Joyce Imirowicz, 19, was adjudicated guilty by a 12-person jury at the conclusion of her trial Thursday, according to the Oakland County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.
Imirowicz was convicted of unlawful possession or use of harmful devices/irritants causing death and domestic violence.
The defendant broke down in tears as the jurors confirmed their verdict.
A jury returned a guilty verdict for #MeganJoyceImirowicz Thursday for attacking her father with a mix of lye and water while he slept on the couch. Imirowicz was convicted of unlawfully using chemical irritants, causing her father's death, Konrad Imirowicz. pic.twitter.com/5rYYdxGAbS
— Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) June 15, 2023
Imirowicz's charges stem from an October 2021 incident in which she threw a dangerous mix of lye and water on her 64-year-old father, Konrad Imirowicz.
The corrosive substance can inflict serious chemical burns on human skin.
Megan Joyce Imirowicz attacked her father when he told her he was too drunk to drive her to a hair care appointment before her 18th birthday party, according to People.
Konrad Imirowicz's son, Austin, testified that she sought access to her injured father's bank account the same night he was attacked with the chemical, according to Fox News.
He said the defendant wanted to use it to pay for a hotel room birthday party with her friends.
The victim survived for five months after the chemical attack but ultimately succumbed to his injuries in March 2022 -- days after being removed from life support.
Austin Imirowicz recounted his father's double amputations in his testimony during the four-day trial.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald called it a "tragic case" of family violence.
"The defendant lashed out in anger and wound up killing her father," McDonald said.
"I commend the prosecution team for the tremendous work that went into the prosecution and securing justice for the victim in this case."
The teen's sentencing is slated for July 25, according to People.
It's unknown whether prosecutors intend to seek a life sentence for the defendant.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
A former Google executive who campaigned for Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential election has purchased an abandoned superyacht in Antigua and Barbuda that had previously been owned and apparently deserted by a now-sanctioned Russian oligarch.
Andrey Guryev, who has been sanctioned in 2022 and 2023 by the United Kingdom, European Union, Japan and New Zealand in relation to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has denied owning the 276-foot Alfa Nero, which as apparently been left sitting off the southern coast of Antigua since March, 2022.
In addition to an on-board helipad, the yacht reportedly features a 40-foot infinity pool, spa, and Jacuzzi.
Attempts to block the auction of the vessel in court failed, although the High Court of the West Indies island nation did allow a judicial review of the ownership of the yacht.
Former Google executive Eric Schmidt, who has an estimated net worth in the $25 billion range according to Bloomberg, won the auction with a bid of $67.6 million (U.S.), according to Financial Review.
Schmidt “won the auction this morning in a fully transparent process,” Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua's ambassador to the U.S., said in a statement cited by Superyacht News.
Schmidt listed a New York address when he purchased the yacht, but was reportedly working in 2020 to become a citizen of Cyprus.
Loop News, which bills itself as the "the Caribbean’s number one news app in the Google Play store and Apple App store," said that two ownership claims had risen only in the day prior to Friday's auction.
“It is passing strange you would not say that for over a year and months nobody came forward, but just two days prior to the sale everybody is coming out of the woodwork,” the attorney general of the island nation, Steadroy Benjamin, told Loop News.
“I am not too bothered by that because I do not think the application has any merit at all and I cannot see why that should in any way [prevent] the sale," he added. "We are proceeding as normal and I am sure that the sale will take place as planned.”
Andrew O’Kola, an attorney representing one or more of the other parties claiming ownership interest in the yacht, disputed that claim, however.
"To be clear, however, whether the auction goes ahead [Friday] or not, anyone intending to bid for the yacht needs to know that the government’s argument that it has the legal power to transfer ownership of the yacht to a purchaser is still the subject of an ongoing challenge in the courts,” O'Kola said in a letter addressed to the media and cited by Loop News.
Last month, the U.S. Treasury Department granted a license to the government of Antigua and Barbuda to auction the Alfa Nero.
Schmidt now has a week to complete the transaction and take possession of the vessel, multiple outlets reported.
"We do have a hurricane season in existence now and as such it is quite important that the vessel be removed from where it is at and on its way," Port Authority manager Darwin Telemacque told reporters following the sale, according to Loop News.
"We do have a vessel that poses some threat," he added. "That vessel is 259 tonnes, it is not a small ship, it drags well over eight meters (and) that means it cannot go many places within our circle around Antigua."
"He now owns it and he has the means to move it so let's hope it gets going,” Telemacque said, saying that getting the ship crewed and safely operated as the storm season heats up was "the ultimate intent."
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
Tucker Carlson’s broadcast team is growing at the expense of Fox News, according to his biographer.
In a series of tweets, Chadwick Moore claimed that multiple Fox News employees have jumped ship after seeking out Carlson.
“My sources have now told me *NINE* former Tucker Carlson Tonight staffers have left Fox News to join Tucker on his next venture. There are others who are waiting to leave as soon as a role opens up for them with Tucker. Each of the 9 approached Tucker, not the other way around,” he wrote on Saturday.
My sources have now told me *NINE* former Tucker Carlson Tonight staffers have left Fox News to join Tucker on his next venture. There are others who are waiting to leave as soon as a role opens up for them with Tucker. Each of the 9 approached Tucker, not the other way around.
— Chadwick Moore (@Chadwick_Moore) June 17, 2023
“Also, quietly, many familiar faces from Tucker Carlson Tonight are refusing to appear on Fox News since Tucker was bizarrely pulled off the air—and not just the ones who got blacklisted for writing a book about him!” he wrote.
“Tucker Carlson’s team at Fox was extremely close. Most of them were there from the launch of the show until it’s end, and they’ve stood by their boss in the aftermath,” he continued.
Also, quietly, many familiar faces from Tucker Carlson Tonight are refusing to appear on Fox News since Tucker was bizarrely pulled off the air—and not just the ones who got blacklisted for writing a book about him!
— Chadwick Moore (@Chadwick_Moore) June 17, 2023
Last week, Carlson jabbed Fox after it parted company with a producer who took responsibility for a chyron posted Tuesday that called President Joe Biden a “wannabe dictator,” according to Vanity Fair.
Alexander McCaskill, who was a producer for Carlson’s show, wrote, “Wannabe Dictator Speaks At the White House After Having His Political Rival Arrested,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
“The women who run the network panicked,” Carlson said on his Twitter broadcast Thursday, according to Vanity Fair.
“First they scolded the producer who put the banner on the screen. Less than 24 hours after that, he resigned. He had been at Fox for more than a decade. He was considered one of the most capable people in the building. He offered to stay for the customary two weeks, but Fox told him to clear out his desk and leave immediately,” Carlson said.
According to a report in The New York Times, Thomas Fox, a senior editorial producer on Carlson’s former Fox News show, also left Fox News last week.
The Times report, which cited “two people with knowledge of the moves,” said one of those sources said McCaskill and Fox had been looking at leaving Fox News even before the Tuesday incident.
Charles Couger, executive producer of “Tucker Carlson Originals,” Carlson’s former Fox Nation show, left Fox News last month.
NBC recently took a stab at trying to discern the size of Carlson's audience.
According to what it was told by Tubular Labs, a media analytics firm, about 26 million people watched Carlson's first Twitter video.
The second episode was watched by about 13.2 million people while his most recent one last Tuesday drew 18.7 million people, NBC reported, noting that there is a significant difference between views logged by Twitter and the number developed by the media analytics firm.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
