Latest news with #U.S.IntelligenceCommunity
News18
22-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Trump Deflects From Epstein Mess? Obama Accused Of Creating 'False Russia Narrative' In 2016
Donald Trump's efforts to shift his base's focus away from the Epstein Files fallout, has led to bombshell allegations against former President Barack Obama. Trump's Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said ehe was turning over evidence of an 'Obama Administration Conspiracy to Subvert Trump's 2016 Victory and Presidency' to the Department of Justice 'for criminal referral.' Gabbard's office declassified a number of documents and released a memo outlining a timeline of alleged information 'manipulated and withheld' by the U.S. Intelligence Community beginning in 2016. In a series of social media posts summarizing her findings, she said the documents 'detail a treasonous conspiracy by officials at the highest levels of the Obama White House to subvert the will of the American people and try to usurp the President from fulfilling his mandate.' n18oc_world n18oc_crux
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Texas just blocked these 4 countries from buying land — the new law shakes things up, here's what it means
Which countries are affected and why? Live Events What's actually banned under the new law? FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Texas recently passed a law that has already sparked national debate. With national security in mind, the state is prohibiting citizens and businesses from four countries from purchasing landand the consequences could be will reportedly now prohibit China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from purchasing land beginning September 1, 2025. The purchase of land and property by specific foreign nationals and entities is being outlawed by a major U.S. move is being framed as a national security measure, but critics believe it will lead to racial discrimination. The law imposes stiff penalties and applies to almost all types of property, including homes and Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 17 into law, making it illegal for people and groups from North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran to purchase real estate in the Lone Star State. These nations are listed as threats in the U.S. Intelligence Community's 2025 Annual Threat Assessment, as per a report by term "real property" as defined by the bill, is broad and includes standing timber, commercial and industrial properties, residential properties, agricultural land, mines, minerals, and groundwater and water are considered state jail felonies under the law, and the civil penalties are $250,000 or 50% of the market value of the property, whichever is higher. Additionally, on September 1, 2025, the bill will go into effect."Gov. Abbott signed our bill to shield Texas from the influence of hostile foreign countries," said State Representative Cole Hefner, who co-authored the bill. "This is about defending Texas—our way of life, our security, and our sovereignty."Since people may be denied business opportunities even if they do not fit into this category, critics of the bill warn that it could result in discrimination. They may cut their losses and declare they will not sell to Asians of any kind after state representative Gene Wu warns that people may be turned away from Asian September 1, 2025, citizens, companies, and governments from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea will be prohibited from purchasing real estate in includes residential and commercial real estate, farmland, mineral rights, and even water access.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas just passed a law banning China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from buying land within its borders
Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. A major U.S. state is moving forward with a sweeping ban on land and property purchases by certain foreign nationals and entities. Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently signed Senate Bill 17 into law, prohibiting individuals and organizations from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from acquiring real property in the Lone Star State. These countries are identified as threats in the 2025 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community. The bill's definition of 'real property' is broad, covering residential properties, commercial and industrial properties, agricultural land, mines, minerals, groundwater and water rights and standing timber. It's a serious measure: Under the law, violations are classified as state jail felonies and carry civil penalties of $250,000 or 50% of the property's market value — whichever is greater. And the bill is set to take effect on Sept. 1, 2025. 'Gov. Abbott signed our bill to protect Texas from the influence of hostile foreign nations,' said State Rep. Cole Hefner, a co-author of the legislation in a statement. 'This is about defending Texas — our sovereignty, our security, and our way of life.' @placement But critics warn the bill could lead to discrimination. 'People may be turned away from business opportunities even if they are not falling into this category, because most people don't know who's Chinese and who's Japanese and who's anything or what their immigration status (is),' said State Rep. Gene Wu. 'They're going to see [an] Asian face, and they're going to say, 'I'm not sure if I can legally sell to you. I might get in trouble. I'm just going to cut my losses and say we're not going to sell to Asian people of any kind.'' According to the Congressional Research Service, 'at least 22 states enacted legislation regulating foreign ownership of real property' between January 2023 and July 2024. While measures like Texas's new law highlight the national security concerns around foreign land ownership, they also underscore just how valuable U.S. real estate remains — and why so many investors continue to see it as a cornerstone of wealth building. In 2022, when illustrating what a productive asset looks like, legendary investor Warren Buffett famously said that if you offered him '1% of all the apartment houses in the country' for $25 billion, he would 'write you a check.' Why? Because no matter what's happening in the broader economy, people still need a place to live and apartments can consistently produce rent money. Real estate also serves as a natural hedge against inflation. When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts with inflation. @placement Over the past five years, the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index has surged more than 50%. And while high home prices and elevated mortgage rates mean buying a home can be a challenge, investing in real estate has become easier than ever thanks to crowdfunding platforms like Arrived. Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants. The process is simple: Browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you'd like to purchase, and then sit back as you start receiving positive rental income distributions from your investment. Another option is Homeshares, which gives accredited investors access to the $35 trillion U.S. home equity market — a space that's historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors. With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property. With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets. @placement This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
UPI
28-05-2025
- Politics
- UPI
Latin America serves as platform for Russian espionage
Latin America has become a strategic hub for Russian operatives seeking to operate beyond the direct surveillance of U.S. and European agencies, according to the U.S. Intelligence Community. File Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo May 28 (UPI) -- U.S. and NATO intelligence reports have documented an increase in Russian espionage activity in Latin America, particularly since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022. The region has become a strategic hub for Russian operatives seeking to operate beyond the direct surveillance of U.S. and European agencies, according to the U.S. Intelligence Community. Recent investigations reveal that Russia has used countries like Brazil as launchpads to create false identities and conduct international espionage. Over the past two decades, Russia has expanded its footprint in Latin America through trade agreements, military cooperation, cultural diplomacy and intelligence operations, said Luis Pacheco of the Security College in Washington. This expansion reflects a geopolitical effort to counter U.S. influence in the region. "Although not always visible, Russian intelligence has cultivated networks of influence, disinformation and surveillance, acting as a silent tool of power," said Pacheco. Intelligence services in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay have reported activity by Russia's SVR and GRU intelligence agencies. In addition to on-the-ground espionage, these entities are accused of spreading disinformation, launching cyberattacks and carrying out psychological operations aimed at swaying public opinion, destabilizing pro-Western governments and promoting Kremlin-aligned narratives. "Russian intelligence serves as a tool of geopolitical deterrence, sending a message that Moscow can also exert strategic influence in Latin America, a region traditionally within Washington's sphere of influence," Pacheco said. Uruguay has a notable history involving Russian espionage. In September 2022, Alejandro Astesiano, the head of security for President Luis Alberto Lacalle, was arrested for leading a criminal network that forged documents to help Russian citizens obtain Uruguayan passports. Authorities estimate that the network facilitated as many as 10,000 passports, charging roughly $20,000 each. More recently, Brazilian counterintelligence expelled nine Russian agents who had obtained Brazilian documents. According to officials, Uruguay's intelligence service tracked SVR agents into Brazil and alerted local authorities. The investigation included cooperation from the CIA and other Western intelligence agencies concerned that SVR presence aimed to influence opinion in favor of Russia's stance on the war in Ukraine. A New York Times investigation detailed growing Russian espionage activity in Brazil, describing the country as a key platform for covert Kremlin operations. One notable case is that of Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov, a GRU agent who posed as a Brazilian national under the name "Victor Muller Ferreira." In his book El Topo (The Mole), Argentine journalist Hugo Alconada recounts the 2023 arrest in Slovenia of a Russian spy couple carrying Argentine passports. Artjom Viktorovič Dulcev and Anna Valerevna Dulceva allegedly lived under false identities in Buenos Aires between 2012 and 2019. Their mission reportedly focused on gathering intelligence about Argentina's massive Vaca Muerta oil reserve in the south of the country.
Skift
14-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
How Risk Managers Keep Their Own Attendees Safe
Other events could take a page from the volumes of safety advice that Riskworld, the world's largest gathering of global risk professionals, creates for its attendees. Need to make sure your next meeting is safe for attendees? Use the playbook from Riskworld 2025. Its web site covers everything from security at McCormick Place Convention Center, where the event took place last week with nearly 11,000 attendees, to business travel safety. There's information on emergency procedures, a list of prohibited items (including firearms and explosives, but also things like pamphlets deemed disruptive to the event), a directory of nearby urgent care facilities and pharmacies, and a custom video created for attendees. Many of the tips apply to attendees at any conference: 'Remove your registration badge when you leave the convention center;' 'Do not display hotel guest room keys in public;' and 'Only use the main entrance of your hotel.' Preparing for the Unknown It's hard to identify the single biggest threat to a large event like Riskworld because there are so many, said Stuart Ruff-Lyon, chief events and sales officer at RIMS, the risk management society, which puts on the annual conference — the world's largest gathering of global risk professionals. RIMS had to activate its own crisis management plan in 2023 when a fatal shooting in Atlanta forced the organizers to cancel the final day of the conference at the Georgia World Congress Center, about two and a half miles away. With the shooter, who killed one and injured four, still at large, they sent home 9,000 attendees and 300 exhibitors. 'Violence and cyberattacks remain a top concern,' Ruff-Lyon said. 'But it isn't always threats that we have to address. When you bring thousands of people to one location, event organizers are bound to have attendees experience illnesses, weather concerns, challenging facility layouts, complicated shuttle routes, and other potential obstacles that are unique to the destination.' Multifaceted Security Plan RIMS employs security guards during the show to monitor entrances and exits to the convention center. Merrill Herzog, whose team includes former members of the U.S. Intelligence Community and U.S. Special Operations, manages on-site security for Riskworld. Chicago police and medical staff are also on site during the conference. 'In addition to those key players, everyone from our shuttle bus providers to our housing vendors are involved in security calls leading up to Riskworld, as well as taking part in the on-site security walk-through the day before the show begins,' Ruff-Lyon said. The entire RIMS staff pitches in to help. 'We count on their eyes and ears to address issues before they escalate.' Riskworld is also the first conference in the world to use a smart, incident-response technology called Gabriel Protects, which allows an attendee to notify the security command center of an issue, then provides instant communication to the attendee and visual surveillance of the area. Challenges With Changing Locations RIMS changes up its risk management plan for Riskworld every year. 'When a large-scale event moves from location to location annually, the biggest change is the security team itself,' said Ruff-Lyon. 'Moving from the San Diego Convention Center to McCormick Place in Chicago required RIMS and the security team to assess the layout of the new convention center, understand where egresses were, and devise a plan that made the most sense.' Then they had to make sure everyone was on board, from convention center leaders, to city executives, to the local police force. After the show, the organizers do a recap with all the partners and then start preparing six months out for the next year's show (to be held in Philadelphia May 3-6, 2026).
