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Controversial Elvis Chan, an FBI agent, has denied warning Twitter’s former security chief about an alleged Russian attempt to hack and release false information on Hunter Biden.

Yoel Roth said in a sworn statement to the Federal Election Committee in December 2020 that he felt obligated to delete the Hunter Biden laptop narrative and describe it as originating from “hacked materials” based on information provided by FBI agents at these weekly sessions.

‘During these meetings, I was informed that the intelligence community anticipated that individuals associated with political campaigns would be the target of hacking attacks and that information obtained through these hacking attacks would likely be disseminated via social media platforms, such as Twitter.

“I also learned in these meetings that there were rumors a hack-and-leak operation would involve Hunter Biden,” he said as Twitter attempted to defend itself against a claim by the Tea Party Patriots Foundation that its censorship constituted a “in-kind” campaign contribution to then-candidate Joe Biden.

However, Chan, a supervisory FBI special agent, stated in a November deposition that none of the agents specifically named the Hunter Biden story as one of the probable “hack-and-leak” activities.

He testified in a lawsuit against the Biden administration, alleging the current president of scheduling meetings in San Francisco for up to seven FBI agents based in Washington, D.C., in the months preceding the 2020 presidential election.

Under the premise of combatting misinformation, these FBI agents would then meet with Big Tech representatives to remove “disfavored speakers, perspectives, and content on social media platforms,” according to the Republican attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouri.

In a deposition, disgraced FBI agent Elvis Chan disputed that the FBI ever referenced Hunter Biden’s laptop in relation to a hypothetical “hack-and-leak” operation.

His assertion directly contradicts the December 2020 sworn declaration provided by Twitter’s former security chief, Yoel Roth.

Chan stated, in response to questions from Solicitor General John Sauer late last month, that he ‘would understand differently’ what Roth said in his sworn evidence.

In weekly meetings with content moderation authorities from Facebook, Google, Twitter, Yahoo!, Reddit, and even LinkedIn, he insisted he never mentioned that Hunter Biden’s laptop was subject to a “hack-and-leak operation.”

According to him, Hunter Biden was never discussed specifically with Twitter. The way I saw that is that there are hack-and-leak operations, and I believe he mentioned one of the potential current events that were occurring before to the elections at the time.

Chan then said that because he does not recall discussing the laptop belonging to Hunter Biden, ‘we did not discuss it.

Therefore, he would have independently identified this as a contentious subject.

Chan also disclosed in his testimony that the FBI intends to hold additional scheduled talks with Big Tech executives prior to the 2024 presidential election, this time including Apple and Wikimedia Foundation personnel.

Apple was added to the conversations due to the fact that it is a cloud infrastructure provider, he explained.

And we believe that the tactical information, notably the markers relating to foreign state-sponsored entities, that we shared with them may surface in any iCloud scans they conduct.

Hunter Biden’s misplaced laptop had some racy pictures of the current First Son.

The report concerning his laptop, which indicated strong ties to Chinese bureaucrats, was immediately exploited on Twitter.

Chan also discussed his close contacts to the so-called ‘FBI lovers’ who had attempted to discredit then-President Trump by alleging that his administration had intimate ties to the Kremlin.

Peter Strzok, a former deputy assistant director of counterintelligence for the Bureau, and Lisa Page, an FBI attorney, were known to him.

Peter Strzok, a former deputy assistant director of counterintelligence for the FBI, was fired after it was discovered that he had texted his girlfriend about his dislike for then-candidate Donald Trump.

While investigating whether Trump’s 2016 campaign coordinated with or was assisted by Russia, the two were having an affair in secret and had texted one other about their distaste for a Trump administration.

After his texts became public, Special Counsel Robert Mueller removed Strzok from the investigation in late 2017 to protect its integrity.

Chan stated in his testimony one month ago that he had met with them to discuss the Yahoo! News leak that Carter Page was under investigation for his ties to Russia.

In response, Page abruptly left the Trump campaign, and two campaign spokespeople denied he had ever been involved.

Chan stated that he never mentioned the possibility of a Russian “hack-and-leak” operation with the two Feds, but noted that Jim Baker, a former FBI attorney who now works for Twitter, was present at the sessions.

Baker is currently under fire for meeting in secret with former colleagues at the FBI before pressuring Roth to characterize the Hunter Biden laptop report as “disinformation.”

He then thanked the FBI for its assistance in concealing the report in a letter.

Jim Baker, who served in a similar capacity for the FBI before becoming Twitter’s deputy general counsel, is now under criticism for meeting in secret with some of his former colleagues before pressuring Roth to characterize the Hunter Biden laptop allegation as “disinformation.”

Chan’s testimony contradicts Roth’s claims from 2020, as well as what Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told podcaster Joe Rogan years later.

He stated in August that Facebook representatives attended the same meeting, and he assumed the agents were implying that the Hunter Biden story was also the result of a “hack-and-leak” operation.

“Hey, just so you know, you should be on high alert… we believed there was a lot of Russian propaganda in the 2016 election,” the FBI essentially told Facebook employees, according to Zuckerberg.

At that point, he stated: We’ve been notified that a leak identical to this is imminent. So just be alert.’

Zuckerberg acknowledged that the FBI did not specifically reference the Hunter Biden story, but that it “fit the pattern” of what the agency had addressed.

The CEO of Meta then expressed regret for the choice to bury the story.

‘It turned out after the event — fact-checkers investigated it, and no one could say it was wrong,’ he explained.

In essence, it had a period of diminished distribution.

Mark Zuckerberg stated in an August podcast interview with Joe Rogan that he believed the government was implying that the Hunter Biden tale was part of a Russian plan.

The FBI stated in a subsequent statement that it routinely alerts social media businesses of potential security issues.

The news release included the following passage: “The FBI has given firms with foreign danger indicators to assist them in protecting their platforms and consumers from foreign malign influence actors.”

The agency noted that they cannot “request or direct corporations to act on received information.”

According to NBC News, it also stated, “[The FBI] routinely alerts U.S. private sector firms, including social media providers, of potential threat information so they may decide how best to defend themselves against threats.”

Later, Meta reacted to the FBI’s announcement on Twitter, writing, “The FBI issued generic cautions about foreign interference, but nothing particular about Hunter Biden.”

But on Monday, journalist Michael Shellenberger reported that the FBI met with Jim Baker prior to the 2020 presidential election in order to persuade Roth that the information on Hunter Biden’s laptop could be ‘Russian misinformation.’

Shellenberger’s collection of documents revealed that a number of former FBI officials had joined Twitter, and that those remaining at the Bureau had attempted to obtain top-level security clearance for Twitter personnel so they could be notified of any alleged election intervention.

Allegedly, agents paid Twitter officials $3.5 million to bury the story.

Shellenberger stated that as a result of these measures, Twitter has erased all references to the New York Post article about Hunter Biden’s business contacts with China less than two hours after its publication.

»FBI agent Elvis Chan DENIES he warned Twitter security chief about Hunter Biden leak operation«

The Department of Water and Sanitation has encouraged the people to use extra care around bodies of water as the country’s water levels increase as a result of recent heavy rains in most areas.

This follows the recent flash floods in Johannesburg, Gauteng, which claimed the lives of many people.

Wisane Mavasa, a department spokeswoman, has urged residents to be cautious during this time of severe rains, especially those living in floodplains or near rivers, dams, or streams.

“We have recently witnessed severe flash floods due to thunderstorms in Gauteng. We therefore appeal to community members to be extremely careful, especially those who reside close to bodies of water like dams, rivers and streams.

“This is also the jolly time of the festive season, when people will take their celebrations to places with water to cool themselves and for enjoyment. We also appeal to those people to exercise extreme caution, as we are experiencing rising water levels due to heavy rainfalls,” Mavasa said.

Meanwhile, the government said that the rainy season has increased water levels in the country’s dams, which had been steadily declining in previous weeks.

According to the Department of Water and Sanitation’s weekly report, water levels in the country’s reservoirs increased sharply this week to 94.6%, up from 91.6% last week.

“This is a huge improvement from last year’s 88.4% national average mark currently. Most of the country’s water supply systems have also steadily increased,” Mavasa said.

The Integrated Vaal River System is the country’s largest system, consisting of 14 dams with catchments in four provinces: the Free State, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, and North West.

The Kingdom of Lesotho’s Lesotho Highlands Water Project has grown from 99.5% last week to 102.3% this week, while the Polokwane Water Supply System has also increased to 105.7% this week, up from 104.7% last week.

Water delivery systems in the Eastern Cape have been improved. The Butterworth Water Supply System remains at high levels this week, with 100.3%, a slight increase from previous week’s 100.0%.

Amathole Water Supply System has also climbed considerably this week to 102.8%, up from 98.9% previous week. Only the Algoa Water Supply System remains at a dangerously low level, at 15.8% this week.

“Some water supply systems in the Eastern Cape are at their high levels but stagnant. Klipplaat Water Supply System, which supplies the Sarah Baartman District Municipality, is at its full capacity of 100.4%, an improvement from last week’s 100.2%.

“Eastern Cape water levels have experienced a slight increase, with the provincial water storage level at 77.6% this week, up from last week’s 76.8%,” Mavasa said.

Mavasa urged citizens to use water carefully, especially in Nelson Mandela Bay, which faces the significant threat of taps running dry owing to diminishing water levels in the water delivery system if residents do not respond positively.

“Despite figures showing an improvement in the Eastern Cape, it is known that the province is experiencing water supply challenges, particularly in Nelson Mandela Bay.

“We continue to make an appeal to the community of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and the surrounding areas to double their efforts to reduce their water usage and to save water,” Mavasa said.

She also urged consumers to continue using water sparingly, “despite the reprieve provided by this rainfall season, which resulted in high levels of water in the country”.

»Department of Water and Sanitation urges the public to be cautious near water bodies«

»BA woman with an £8 meal voucher gets stranded at Gatwick Airport over the Christmas season«

This weekend, do you have any plans for a braai? How about being creative with your braai’s appetisers and main course, both of which may be thrown on the fire for a fun and memorable outdoor meal with loved ones? Easy to make and delicious, these chicken sosaties with bacon and yoghurt are perfect for a weekend meal. They work well as an appetiser for your hungry visitors or as a main dish any night of the week.

BACON AND YOGHURT CHICKEN SOSATIES SUGGESTIONS

You’ll love them if you’re a fan of savoury and nutritious fare. While the chicken and red peppers provide lean protein, the bacon also provides protein, but we love it for what it is, right? The chicken is tenderised by the yoghurt marinade, which also adds some spicy flavour. They go well with tzatziki, a cucumber and dill sauce, or a yoghurt dipping sauce.

These chicken sosaties with bacon and yoghurt are a fun twist on the traditional braai dish.

»BACON AND YOGHURT CHICKEN SOSATIES RECIPE«

»Sergeant of police custody who authorized a warrantless strip search of a female subject kept his job«

The fifth episode of Willow, titled “Wildwood,” irreversibly alters the relationship between Kit (Ruby Cruz) and Jade (Erin Kellyman). Not only do the longtime best friends finally express their sexual emotions for each other, but Jade also discovers that she is the long-lost daughter of Bone Reaver General Kael (Pat Roach). That implies not only that Jade will be reunited with her sister Scorpia (Adwoa Aboah), but also that Kit’s father Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) murdered Jade’s father.

This news naturally threatens to build a gap between the young women, yet their love triumphs thanks to the magic of truth plums. Not really, no. The two were ready to engage in a much more passionate rendition of their Episode 1 kiss when Kit is abducted by a creature and pulled away.

Nonetheless, Willow on Disney+ has verified Kit and Jade’s romantic relationship. It is neither a subtext nor anything forcefully implied. This is an openly gay love story.

Creator of Willow Jonathan Kasdan explained to Decider that the reason Jade and Kit first kissed in Episode 1 was because it was “baked into [his] DNA.”

“It’s in my DNA as a writer. This would be the type of impulse my father would have. He would add, “If two individuals have so much tension and excitement between them, why don’t they kiss?” And why is it not chaotic? And why can’t they know how each feels about the other?’” Kasdan stated, with a nod to the lessons he acquired from his father Lawrence Kasdan, that he had taken to heart. As a writer/director, Lawrence Kasdan is known for The Big Chill and Body Heat, but his work on the scripts for the Lucasfilm films The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark is possibly his most enduring legacy. That is definitely his voice in my brain stating that this is the courageous and honest decision.

The actors who portray Kit and Jade gushed to Decider about the plot.

Ruby Cruz stated, “Their friendship meant so lot to me, and it was an incredible honor to be able to portray a realistic, complicated, and perplexing connection between two young women.” “In queerness, I believe friendship can become really complicated, and I was thrilled to reflect that and go into it.”

Erin Kellyman stated that it is difficult to put into words or a sentence how it feels to be a lesbian actress playing this part. “I believe I desperately needed that as a child. So I’m thrilled to be able to do this for younger or older individuals who are still discovering themselves out.”

Kellyman was hesitant to elaborate on their connection because she wanted viewers to “experience it naturally,” but she did suggest that her favorite Kit/Jade sequence will be shown in Episode 7. Cruz’s favorite moment, though, occurs in this week’s Willow episode.

Cruz remarked that the scene in Episode 5 just before he was swooped was a lot of fun to film. Because so much of their relationship consisted of beating about the bush, it was so refreshing to see Kit and Jade finally express their feelings to one another.

Obviously, this confession follows a very significant event for the young couple. Scorpia, the commander of the Bone Reavers, identifies Jade as her long-lost sister when the Bone Reavers capture our heroes, which comes as quite a surprise to everyone. It appears the Bone Reavers did not murder Jade’s family. She was in fact stolen from her people and reared in Tir Asleen as part of a re-education scheme reminiscent of occurrences in contemporary history in which indigenous children were taken from their families and educated to “assimilate” to colonist culture.

Kellyman discussed with Decider how this discovery simultaneously helps Jade “feel at home” for the first time and reveals a significant obstacle in her ongoing connection with Kit.

“You know, Jade has grown up without a family, and she has no idea who she is or where she comes from. Kellyman stated, “I believe that for so many years, she has continually put that away because it hurts too much.” “I don’t think she’s been able to discuss it with Kit because Kit comes from such a rich background,” she said.

Therefore, she pushed it down continuously. However, I believe there were times during the night when she would become engrossed in it and feel lost and lonely. The following morning, they would be gone.”

“I imagine that this is how she has maneuvered through this circumstance. Consequently, I believe that her world has been utterly thrown into a whirlwind and turned upside down and on its side, etc. “I believe that made her feel at home,” said Kellyman.

Amar Chadha-Patel, a co-star, commented, “It’s definitely worse that it makes me your brother-in-law.” In addition, it is revealed that Scorpia and Boorman are in a relationship.

“We’re not discussing it,” quipped Kellyman.

»In ‘Willow,’ Erin Kellyman and Ruby Cruz Gush About Kit and Jade’s Romance«

Kari Lake has asserted for weeks that her loss in the Arizona governor’s race was illegitimate, and she will finally have the chance to present her case to a judge this week during a two-day trial planned to begin on Wednesday.

She will have the opportunity to inspect ballots, summon witnesses, and present evidence in an effort to prove she was the true winner of the contest, which was won by Democrat Katie Hobbs by a margin of just 17,000 votes.

She faces insurmountable odds. Peter Thompson, judge of the Maricopa County Superior Court, stated that she must demonstrate not only that wrongdoing occurred, but also that it was meant to deny her victory and did result in the wrong lady being named the winner.

At a Tuesday gathering for the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, Lake said, “We have a chance to show the world that our elections are actually corrupt and that we will no longer accept it.”

There is no jury present. Thompson will provide a decision based on the presented facts, and the losing party will likely appeal to the Arizona Supreme Court. Lake is requesting that the judge either declare her the victor in Maricopa County or order a new election. The new governor begins his term on January 2.

Hobbs’s attorneys assert that the trial will be a spectacle and a chance for Lake to promote implausible notions regarding electoral fraud.

Abha Khanna, an attorney for Hobbs, urged the judge on Monday to dismiss the lawsuit in its entirety before to trial, stating that the court should not allow plaintiffs to put on such a show. The courtroom is not a stage.

Monday, Thompson dismissed eight of Lake’s ten claims, including her assertion that Hobbs and Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer engaged in censorship by flagging social media posts containing election misinformation for probable removal by Twitter. In addition, he refuted her charges of discrimination against Republicans and the illegality of mail-in voting processes.

Thompson, who was chosen to the bench by former Republican Governor Jan Brewer, took no view on the merits of Lake’s two remaining claims, but he stated that the statute permits her to present her case.

Lake was one of the most outspoken 2022 Republicans in support of former President Donald Trump’s election lying, which she made the core of her campaign. While the majority of other election deniers across the nation have recognized defeat, Lake has not.

She has honed in on issues with ballot printers at some polling locations in Maricopa County, home to more over 60 percent of registered voters. The malfunctioning printers created ballots that were too light for the tabulators at the polling locations to read. In several instances, lines backed up due to the confusion.

Affected votes were transferred to the more advanced counters at the elections department’s downtown Phoenix headquarters. According to county officials, everyone had the opportunity to vote and all ballots were counted. Officials are investigating why some Oki printers failed when used with the same settings as in previous elections, although it appears to have been a problem with the fuser, which warms the toner to imprint it into the paper.

The second allegation of Lake is that the chain of custody for ballots was breached at an off-site facility where a contractor scans postal ballots in preparation for processing. She asserts that personnel at the facility placed their own mail-in ballots in the pile, rather than returning them through proper means, and that there is no documentation of the ballot transfer.

The county contests the assertion.

Lake must demonstrate, for both the printer and chain of custody arguments, that her election was stolen purposefully and successfully. The Arizona Supreme Court declared almost a century ago that mistakes by election officials, even significant ones, are insufficient to reverse an election; the losing candidate must demonstrate that the errors affected the outcome.

In the meantime, a judge in conservative Mohave County ruled on Tuesday that Republican Abraham Hamadeh may continue with his lawsuit disputing the results of the attorney general election, which he lost to Democrat Kris Mayes by a margin of 514 votes. Hamadeh’s claim concerns the same printing difficulties as Lake’s, and also says that his race was harmed by inappropriate treatment of ballots that were duplicated or judged by humans because they were unreadable by tabulators.

Hamadeh is permitted to view votes in Maricopa, Pima, and Navajo counties before to his Friday trial, according to Judge Lee Jantzen. Originally planned for distribution on Thursday, the results of an automatic recount of the election will now be withheld until Hamadeh’s complaint is completed.

»Kari Lake will assert in court that the governorship was taken from her«

Rainy summer nights are perfect for curling up on the couch with some warm comfort food. Spicy, soothing curries are the most comfortable meals, but they still require accompaniments. For a convenient and tasty vehicle for the curry, try making some homemade roti. The flatbread may be prepared using common pantry components. Indian flatbread, roti, is created with only four ingredients and then roasted in a skillet, making it a perfect accompaniment to spicy dishes like curry.

HOMEMADE ROTI TIPS

If you plan on eating more than one roti, the recipe may easily be multiplied to accommodate your needs. To the last basting, try adding a touch of garlic butter flavoured with lemon juice. The flaky, buttery pastry pairs well with the rich, flavorful curry, and it also adds a nice textural contrast to each mouthful. We won’t even look at you funny if you eat it with the rest of the sauce still in the bowl.

The leftover fragrant and flavorful sauce from a fantastic curry should be paired with something. Make your own roti with this simple recipe!

»HOMEMADE ROTI RECIPE«

We all love a delicious roast when it’s time to prepare our favourite dishes. If you want to wow your guests, roast some beef, pork, lamb, or chicken and serve it with a tasty side dish. Vegetables roasted in the oven are a nutritious and delicious addition to any meal. We guarantee that you will love these roasted mushrooms and vegetables Italian style as much as we do.

ROASTED MUSHROOMS AND VEGGIES SUGGESTIONS

Roasted mushrooms bring out their full flavour and versatility, making them a must-have in any kitchen. Cherry tomatoes give this meal a wonderful sweetness and also liven up the cauliflower. To spice things up, try adding some of your favourite veggies, such as sweet potato, fennel, or even broccoli, sliced very thinly. You may experiment with this recipe in your air fryer in half the time and end up with something as delicious.

This weekend, gather the family around the table for a delicious slow-cooked supper. Try this recipe for roasted mushrooms and vegetables in Italian style.

»ROASTED MUSHROOMS AND VEGGIES RECIPE«