Archives for June 2021

US antivirus software creator fights extradition from Spain

MADRID (AP) — Detained antivirus software entrepreneur John McAfee testified in a Spanish court Tuesday as part of his fight against extradition to the United States, where he is wanted on tax-related criminal charges that carry a prison sentence of up to 30 years.

McAfee, 75, appeared from prison via videolink at a hearing in Spain’s National Court. He argued that the charges against him are politically motivated and said he would spend the rest of his life in prison if he was returned to the United States, according to a report by private Spanish news agency Europa Press.

A Spanish judge is set to rule in coming days on whether he should be extradited.

McAfee was arrested last October at Barcelona’s international airport on a warrant issued by Tennessee. A judge ordered at that time that McAfee should be held awaiting the outcome of a hearing on extradition.

Tennessee prosecutors have charged McAfee with evading taxes after failing to report income made from promoting cryptocurrencies while he did consultancy work, as well as income from speaking engagements and selling the rights to his life story for a documentary.

US intel report warns of more violence by QAnon followers

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new federal intelligence report warns that adherents of QAnon, the conspiracy theory embraced by some in the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol, could target Democrats and other political opponents for more violence as the movement’s false prophecies don’t come true.

Many QAnon followers believe former President Donald Trump was fighting enemies within the so-called “deep state” to expose a cabal of Satan-worshipping cannibals operating a child sex trafficking ring. Trump’s loss to President Joe Biden disillusioned some believers in “The Storm,” a supposed reckoning in which Trump’s enemies would be tried and executed. Some adherents have now pivoted to believing Trump is the “shadow president” or Biden’s victory was an illusion.

The report was compiled by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security and released Monday by Sen. Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat. It predicts that while some QAnon adherents will pull back, others “likely will begin to believe they can no longer ‘trust the plan’ referenced in QAnon posts and that they have an obligation to change from serving as ‘digital soldiers’ towards engaging in real world violence.”

As major social media companies suspend or remove QAnon-themed accounts, many followers have moved to less well-known platforms and discussed how to radicalize new users on them, the report says.

The report says several factors will contribute to QAnon’s long-term durability, including the COVID-19 pandemic, some social media companies allowing posts about the theories, societal polarization in the U.S., and the “frequency and content of pro-QAnon statements by public individuals who feature prominently in core QAnon narratives.”

The report does not identify any of those public individuals. But Trump, who while in office praised QAnon followers as “people that love our country,” has repeatedly refused to acknowledge the election is over and spoken baselessly of his victory being “stolen,” despite multiple court rulings and a finding by his own Justice Department upholding the integrity of the election. One longtime ally told The Associated Press that Trump has given credence to a conspiracy theory that he could somehow be reinstated into the presidency in August.

Heinrich pressed FBI Director Chris Wray in April to release an assessment of how the government views QAnon. “The public deserves to know how the government assesses the threat to our country from those who would act violently on such beliefs,” he said then.

The movement around QAnon has already been linked to political violence, notably during the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection in which some rioters believed they would reverse Trump’s defeat. At least 20 QAnon followers have been charged with federal crimes related to Jan. 6, according to an Associated Press review of court records.

Some charged in the riot wore attire bearing the telltale letter “Q” when they stormed the Capitol. One of the defendants, Jacob Chansley, calls himself the “QAnon Shaman” and famously wore a furry hat with horns, face paint and no shirt that day. Others had posted about QAnon on social media before the riot.

The Justice Department has arrested more than 400 people in the insurrection, where pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, did about $1.5 million in damage and sent lawmakers running for their lives. Five people died and dozens of police officers were wounded. Defendants have argued that Trump himself spurred them on, or they were just following the crowd, or law enforcement allowed them in, or they were the victims of disinformation stoked by right-wing media.

Lawyers for some of the defendants have argued their clients were specifically misguided by QAnon.

Defense attorney Christopher Davis argued that his client, Douglas Jensen, is a victim of internet-driven conspiracy promoted by “very clever people, who were uniquely equipped with slight, if any, moral or social consciousness.” Jensen now realizes that he “bought into a pack of lies,” his lawyer maintains.

“For reasons he does not even understand today, he became a ‘true believer’ and was convinced he doing a noble service by becoming a digital soldier for ‘Q.’ Maybe it was mid-life crisis, the pandemic, or perhaps the message just seemed to elevate him from his ordinary life to an exalted status with an honorable goal,” Davis wrote.

A witness told the FBI that another defendant, Kevin Strong, expressed a belief that Jan. 6 would usher in “World War 3″ and the military would be involved. Strong, who was a Federal Aviation Administration employee in San Bernardino, California, had a flag with a QAnon slogan on his house and has declared that he had “Q clearance,” an FBI agent wrote in an affidavit.

“He had recently purchased a new truck and believed that QAnon would cover the debt,” the agent wrote.

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Kunzelman reported from College Park, Maryland. Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report.

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This version corrects the previous story to reflect that the report was released Monday.

Wembley crowd to grow to at least 40,000 at Euro 2020

LONDON (AP) — The capacity at Wembley Stadium will increase to at least 40,000 as the European Championship progresses after the British government decided Monday to further ease coronavirus restrictions in the coming weeks.

The number of spectators will be increased from the 22,500 currently permitted for the group matches despite the government delaying the removal of more wider coronavirus restrictions in England by four weeks to July 19.

The first match to benefit from the enlarged capacity will be the round of 16 game on June 29 that could feature England if the team wins its group. The government’s reference to the 90,000-seat Wembley being “at minimum 50% capacity” for the latter matches offers the prospect of the attendance growing again for the semifinals and final.

Spectators at Wembley have to provide proof of being fully vaccinated or a negative COVID-19 test to access the stadium. That has enabled Wembley to host the biggest crowds at events in England since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

“We want to gather further evidence on how we can open up all big events safely, and for good,” Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said.

On the same weekend as the Euro 2020 final, a full crowd of 15,000 will be allowed at Wimbledon for the men’s and women’s finals at Centre Court.

The grass-court Grand Slam tournament, which begins June 28, can have 50% capacity at the start and that will increase to 100% by the close on July 10-11 with the women’s and men’s singles title matches.

The pandemic prevented Wimbledon and Euro 2020 from being staged last year.

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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Wanna join the TSP millionaires club? Ask one!

The mostly upward trajectory of the stock market has surprised lots of people, from ordinary investors to financial experts. Some ordinary investors have done exceedingly well. Some self-appointed stock market gurus have lost assets. But a lot of feds get it and have made the ranks of Club Mill. Some are even working on their second million dollar nestegg, which many may not have to touch for years.

Most experts say to avoid the buy-low-sell-high approach because few are gifted with the ability to know when the market has bottomed out or peaked. Most TSP millionaires have one thing in common. They’ve been investing in the TSP for 25 to 30 years. They invested in the stock-indexed C, S and I funds. They invested at least enough to get the government 5% match. And most continued to invest in the C, S and I funds even when they nosedived in 2008. As it turned out, they bought “low” and got more shares when they were in fact on sale. The best advice many have learned is from fellow feds who have done well, and from financial planners who really understand the TSP, which is unique — as in much better than the rest — among employer-sponsored 401k type plans.

So we asked Abraham Grungold, a full-time fed, part time financial coach, how he and others got into the millionaires club. As per usual, he’s full of ideas. Here’s his advice:

Who can you trust with your TSP?

It’s an “elite club.” With over 75,000 members, the TSP millionaires received their title by contributing to the TSP for 25-30 years, being at least moderately aggressive with investing their funds. New members are welcome, but once you make it to the financial “top”, you need to work just as hard to stay there.

Successful TSP millionaires stay up to date with the plan’s constant changes. They read and utilize the TSP literature from performance charts to detailed policy, improving their financial literacy as the resources grow. They avoid the financial hypes and woes. They ignore the downfalls in the market and ride the TSP rollercoaster through every high and every dip.

Today, I find that TSP participants seek financial advice from anyone willing to give it. For example, they are on financial-focused Facebook groups asking non-professionals for help to manage and invest their TSP. Accepting financial assistance from others poses a greater risk for you than accepting suggestions for a great Netflix series or a good restaurant. If the show or the restaurant fails to meet your expectations, the financial loss is little to none. However, when the advice you get from your Facebook acquaintance fails, you may watch your money go straight down the drain.

Many years ago, I spent lunches with co-workers, and we would discuss the TSP and where everyone planned to invest their accounts. Back in those days, our only options were just the G, C, F, and I Funds, a small fraction of current TSP funds. Many believed the economy looked promising and spoke about investing aggressively in the C fund. Others chose a more cautious path by not taking any chances and investing 100% of their account in the G fund. In my opinion, both paths of investing – whether aggressive or cautious—can lead to success; you just need to make the choice that will let you sleep at night. These discussions I shared with co-workers reminds me of people who swap recipes. I may make my dish with oregano and thyme and maybe you make that same dish with dill and basil. Just like you can make a great dish in different ways, you can also become a TSP millionaire through various avenues… other than Facebook!

If you plan to ask someone for financial advice regarding your TSP, they must have one of these two criteria. Either they are a federal employee who also is a TSP millionaire, or they are a financial advisor who has specific knowledge regarding the TSP but does not try to sell you insurance or annuities. Like Facebook, YouTube is filled with people who call themselves “experts” on TSP investing. However, they only base their presentation on financial terms from “Investing for Dummies” (a book I recommend for new investors), and fail to include any specifics of the TSP. For you to invest wisely in the TSP, you must understand the mechanics of how the TSP works, the rules, the forms, and the definitions of each investment fund. Once you learn the basics, your path to become and/or remain a TSP millionaire is as easy as tying your shoes

I am an active federal employee and a longstanding TSP millionaire. With this background, I started a financial coaching business to help others reach their TSP millionaire dreams. Many federal employees contact me whether they are TSP millionaires or want to become one. Together, we discuss TSP investments, strategies, and retirement goals. I also help clients who wish to open an IRA or to find the right investments for financial goals outside of the TSP. Creating a strong financial profile, like the status of TSP millionaire, is a challenging task, but with my guidance, we will achieve it together.

Financial success can easily be achieved; it only takes a little effort.

Any questions or comments please contact me at Abraham Grungold – AG Financial Services or my Facebook page at FERS Federal Employees.

Nearly Useless Factoid

By Alazar Moges

Cows do not sleep standing up despite urban legend. The widely known idea of cow-tipping is simply a myth. Unlike horses, who do actually sleep while standing, cows rest on their bellies and are generally very apprehensive creatures that would not be easy to approach or let alone tip over.

Source: Modern Farmer

The Latest: Pedri, 18, becomes youngest Spaniard at Euros

The Latest on soccer’s European Championship:

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Pedri González has become the youngest Spaniard to play in a European Championship.

The 18-year-old Pedri started in Spain’s Group E opener against Sweden in Seville.

It was only the fifth international appearance for the Barcelona midfielder.

The previous youngest player for Spain at the continental tournament was Miguel Tendillo. He was 19 years old in the 1980 edition.

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The capacity at Wembley Stadium will increase to about 40,000 as the European Championship progresses after the British government decided to further ease coronavirus restrictions later this month.

The number of spectators will be increased from the permitted 22,500 currently for the group matches.

One round of 16 game, both semifinals and the final will benefit from the enlarged capacity. The move comes despite the government’s delaying the removal of more coronavirus restrictions in England by four weeks until July 19.

Spectators at Wembley have to provide proof of being fully vaccinated or a negative COVID-19 test to access the stadium.

Wembley’s normal capacity for soccer is 90,000.

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Slovakia capitalized on a second-half red card and got a goal from Milan Skriniar in a 2-1 victory over Poland at the European Championship.

The Inter Milan center back brought down a corner and toe-poked the ball into the net from 15 meters in the 69th minute. The goal came seven minutes after Poland midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak had been sent off for a second yellow card.

Slovakia went ahead in the 18th minute when Wojciech Szczesny became the first goalkeeper to score an own-goal at the tournament. Szczesny was unfortunate as the ball rebounded off his near post, onto his outstretched arm and back into the net following a shot by Slovakia winger Robert Mak.

Karol Linetty equalized barely 30 seconds into the second half.

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Wojciech Szczesny has become the first goalkeeper to score an own-goal at a European Championship.

The Poland keeper was unfortunate as the ball rebounded off his near post, onto his outstretched arm and back into the net following a shot by Slovakia winger Robert Mak.

The 18th-minute goal gave Slovakia a 1-0 lead in St. Petersburg.

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Cristiano Ronaldo says speculation about his future at Juventus “doesn’t faze me at all.”

The Portugal forward says he’s focused only on the European Championship “regardless of staying in Juve or being transferred.”

Ronaldo has been linked with a return to Manchester United. He left the English club in 2009 for Real Madrid. He has spent the past three seasons in Turin.

Ronaldo says “if I were 18 or 19 maybe I would have some sleepless nights. But I’m 36 years old and whatever comes will be for the best.”

Defending champion Portugal will play its opening match at Euro 2020 on Tuesday against Hungary at the Puskas Arena. The group also includes World Cup champion France and Germany.

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Bavaria health minister Klaus Holetschek has called on soccer fans to “show the coronavirus the red card” by remaining careful while Germany plays its European Championship games in Munich.

Up to 14,000 fans will be allowed into the stadium for the German team’s group games against France, Portugal and Hungary under strict hygiene conditions. A quarterfinal match will take place in Munich on July 2.

Fans attending matches will need to show a negative test result for COVID-19, proof of two vaccine shots or proof of recovery from an infection. They will also need to wear protective masks at all times.

Holetschek says “we all know the pandemic is not over. Therefore the European Championship will be different from what some may have wanted.”

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UEFA has defended itself from claims Denmark players were put under pressure to resume their European Championship game against Finland after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field.

UEFA says it’s “sure it treated the matter with utmost respect for the sensitive situation and for the players.”

UEFA announced the game in Copenhagen on Saturday would restart after a 90-minute stoppage “following the request made by players of both teams.”

But former Denmark great Peter Schmeichel questioned that on a British TV. Schmeichel is the father of Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Schmeichel says the players were given options to resume, come back on Sunday at noon, or forfeit the game as a 3-0 loss.

UEFA says “the players’ need for 48 hours’ rest between matches eliminated other options.”

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Patrik Schick scored his second goal from near the halfway line to give the Czech Republic a 2-0 victory over Scotland at the European Championship.

Scotland lost possession in their half and the ball fell to the Bayern Leverkusen forward. He spotted opposing goalkeeper David Marshall off his line and launched a curling shot that bounced into goal in the 52nd minute.

UEFA says it was the longest distance for a goal in the tournament at 49.7 meters. The previous record 38.6 meters came from Germany midfielder Torsten Frings at Euro 2004.

Schick earlier gave the Czechs the lead in the 42nd minute with a powerful header after he muscled himself between two Scotland defenders.

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Patrik Schick’s second goal came from way out.

The Czech Republic forward scored the goal against Scotland from near the halfway line in his team’s opening European Championship match.

UEFA says it was the longest distance for a goal in the tournament at 49.7 meters. The previous record 38.6 meters came from Germany midfielder Torsten Frings at Euro 2004.

Scotland had just lost possession in their half and Schick spotted Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall off his line. His shot squeezed inside the near post in the 52nd minute to give the Czechs a 2-0 lead.

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Belgium’s players will spend less time in St. Petersburg ahead of their third European Championship match because team management wants the squad to prepare “in a more COVID-safe environment.”

The change in Belgium’s plans comes as authorities in the Russian city say they are tightening anti-coronavirus restrictions from Thursday in an effort to curb a new spike in infections.

That includes closing food courts in the city’s shopping malls and its Euro 2020 fan zone.

Belgium’s squad was planning to fly to St. Petersburg for a three-day training camp starting the day after its second group match against Denmark in Copenhagen on Thursday. Instead it will return to its training base in Tubize near Brussels and fly to St. Petersburg the day before the game against Finland on June 21.

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Dejan Kulusevski and Mattias Svanberg will join up with the Sweden squad at the European Championship once they have finished their periods of isolation after testing positive for the coronavirus.

The six players who were brought in to train in a reserve bubble alongside the Euro 2020 squad have been released.

Sweden team doctor Ander Valentin says Kulusevski and Svanberg “will return to us in the squad as soon as they are guaranteed infection-free.”

They returned positive tests on Tuesday.

Sweden’s first game at Euro 2020 is against Spain on Monday.

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Christian Eriksen has told his Denmark teammates to look forward to their European Championship game against Belgium on Thursday.

Three of Denmark’s players have spoken to the media for the first time since Eriksen’s collapse during Saturday’s game against Finland at Euro 2020.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg says Eriksen delivered a message via video link from the hospital that he is doing OK and that they should try to focus on playing the next game. He says seeing Eriksen smile gave him ”a form of energy” and that the team will play for the midfielder against Belgium.

Eriksen suffered cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated with a defibrillator. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel praised Denmark’s medical staff as ”heroes” who performed ”a miracle.”

Forward Martin Braithwaite fought back tears as he described praying for Eriksen on the field as he was getting treatment.

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Robert Lewandowski will make his first appearance at this European Championship on Day 4 of the tournament.

The FIFA player of the year will be Poland’s main scoring threat when the team takes on Slovakia in St. Petersburg in the middle of three Euro 2020 matches.

Scotland will play the Czech Republic in the first match of the day in Glasgow and Spain will take on Sweden in Sevilla in the last one.

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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Archives for June 2021

Who can you trust with your TSP?

Nearly Useless Factoid

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