Daily Archives: October 23, 2022

Cell Phone Fraud | Federal Communications Commission

Posted: October 23, 2022 at 1:42 pm

Cellular fraud is defined as the unauthorized use, tampering or manipulation of a cellular phone or service. Types of cellular fraud include SIM swapping, cloning and subscriber fraud.

What is SIM Swapping or a Port-Out Scam?

Your mobile phone number may be the key to your most important financial accounts. Text messages are often used by banks, businesses and payment services to verify your identity when you request updates to your account.

Mobile phone numbers can legally be ported from one provider to another when you switch your mobile phone service, and can also be ported from one mobile phone to another when you upgrade or change devices. But with enough of your personal information, scammers can have your number ported to a device they possess.

When scammers initiate a porting request, they con the victims mobile phone company into believing the request is from the authorized account holder. If the scam is successful, the phone number will be ported to a different mobile device controlled by the scammer.

Another way to perpetrate this scam is to physically steal the victims SIM card, a removable device in some mobile phones that carries a unique ID and stores the consumers personal data. The scammer can then use the stolen SIM card in their own mobile device.

In either case, the scammer can gain control over the victim's private texts and calls, and may then try to reset credentials for the victim's financial data and social media accounts. If successful, the scammer can drain the victims bank accounts and sell or ransom their social media data.

Learn more about this scam and how to protect yourself.

eSIM May Decrease SIM Swap Risk

Embedded SIM cards eSIM cards for short have replaced traditional SIM cards in newer cell phone models. The eSIM cards are much smaller and hardwired inside the phone, so theyre not removable, eliminating some of the security risk for physical SIM swaps. However, port-out scams remain a security concern.

Also, consumers should always wipe their eSIM data when they replace their phones. Learn more in our eSIM consumer FAQ.

What is cell phone or SIM cloning fraud?

Every cell phone should have a unique factory-set electronic serial number (ESN) and a mobile identification number (MIN). A cloned cell phone is one that has been reprogrammed to transmit the ESN and MIN belonging to another cell phone. Scammers can steal ESN/MIN combinations by illegally monitoring the radio wave transmissions from the cell phones of legitimate subscribers. After cloning, both the legitimate and the fraudulent cell phones have the same ESN/MIN combination and cellular providers cannot distinguish the cloned cell phone from the legitimate one. Scammers can then run up expensive toll charges and the legitimate phone user gets billed for the cloned phone's calls. Alert your service provider if you see unauthorized calls or charges on your account.

What is subscriber fraud?

Subscriber fraud occurs when a scammer signs up for cellular service with fraudulently obtained customer information or false identification. Criminals can obtain your personal information and use it to set up a cell phone account in your name. It may take time to discover that subscriber fraud has occurred, and even more time to prove that you did not incur the debts. Millions of dollars are lost each year due to subscriber fraud.

If you think you have been a victim of subscriber fraud:

Continue to monitor your credit report at each credit bureau at least once a year. Consider checking a different credit bureau report every four months for free at annualcreditreport.com.

Cell Phone Fraud (pdf)

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Cell Phone Fraud | Federal Communications Commission

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Bankruptcy Basics Glossary | United States Courts

Posted: at 1:38 pm

A| B| C| D| E| F| G| H| I| J| K| L| M| N| O| P| Q| R| S| T| U| V| W| X| Y| ZA

adversary proceeding

A lawsuit arising in or related to a bankruptcy case that is commenced by filing a complaint with the court. A nonexclusive list of adversary proceedings is set forth in Fed. R. Bankr. P. 7001.

assume

An agreement to continue performing duties under a contract or lease.

automatic stay

An injunction that automatically stops lawsuits, foreclosures, garnishments, and all collection activity against the debtor the moment a bankruptcy petition is filed.

bankruptcy

A legal procedure for dealing with debt problems of individuals and businesses; specifically, a case filed under one of the chapters of title 11 of the United States Code (the Bankruptcy Code).

bankruptcy administrator

An officer of the judiciary serving in the judicial districts of Alabama and North Carolina who, like the U.S. trustee, is responsible for supervising the administration of bankruptcy cases, estates, and trustees; monitoring plans and disclosure statements; monitoring creditors' committees; monitoring fee applications; and performing other statutory duties. Compare U.S. trustee.

Bankruptcy Code

The informal name for title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. 101-1330), the federal bankruptcy law.

bankruptcy court

The bankruptcy judges in regular active service in each district; a unit of the district court.

bankruptcy estate

All legal or equitable interests of the debtor in property at the time of the bankruptcy filing. (The estate includes all property in which the debtor has an interest, even if it is owned or held by another person.)

bankruptcy judge

A judicial officer of the United States district court who is the court official with decision-making power over federal bankruptcy cases.

bankruptcy petition

The document filed by the debtor (in a voluntary case) or by creditors (in an involuntary case) by which opens the bankruptcy case. (There are official forms for bankruptcy petitions.)

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chapter 7

The chapter of the Bankruptcy Code providing for "liquidation,"(i.e., the sale of a debtor's nonexempt property and the distribution of the proceeds to creditors.)

chapter 9

The chapter of the Bankruptcy Code providing for reorganization of municipalities (which includes cities and towns, as well as villages, counties, taxing districts, municipal utilities, and school districts).

chapter 11

The chapter of the Bankruptcy Code providing (generally) for reorganization, usually involving a corporation or partnership. (A chapter 11 debtor usually proposes a plan of reorganization to keep its business alive and pay creditors over time. People in business or individuals can also seek relief in chapter 11.)

chapter 12

The chapter of the Bankruptcy Code providing for adjustment of debts of a "family farmer," or a "family fisherman" as those terms are defined in the Bankruptcy Code.

chapter 13

The chapter of the Bankruptcy Code providing for adjustment of debts of an individual with regular income. (Chapter 13 allows a debtor to keep property and pay debts over time, usually three to five years.)

chapter 15

The chapter of the Bankruptcy Code dealing with cases of cross-border insolvency.

claim

A creditor's assertion of a right to payment from the debtor or the debtor's property.

confirmation

Bankruptcy judges's approval of a plan of reorganization or liquidation in chapter 11, or payment plan in chapter 12 or 13.

consumer debtor

A debtor whose debts are primarily consumer debts.

consumer debts

Debts incurred for personal, as opposed to business, needs.

contested matter

Those matters, other than objections to claims, that are disputed but are not within the definition of adversary proceeding contained in Rule 7001.

contingent claim

A claim that may be owed by the debtor under certain circumstances, e.g., where the debtor is a cosigner on another person's loan and that person fails to pay.

creditor

One to whom the debtor owes money or who claims to be owed money by the debtor.

credit counseling

Generally refers to two events in individual bankruptcy cases: (1) the "individual or group briefing" from a nonprofit budget and credit counseling agency that individual debtors must attend prior to filing under any chapter of the Bankruptcy Code; and (2) the "instructional course in personal financial management" in chapters 7 and 13 that an individual debtor must complete before a discharge is entered. There are exceptions to both requirements for certain categories of debtors, exigent circumstances, or if the U.S. trustee or bankruptcy administrator have determined that there are insufficient approved credit counseling agencies available to provide the necessary counseling.

creditors' meeting

see 341 meeting

current monthly income

The average monthly income received by the debtor over the six calendar months before commencement of the bankruptcy case, including regular contributions to household expenses from nondebtors and income from the debtor's spouse if the petition is a joint petition, but not including social security income and certain other payments made because the debtor is the victim of certain crimes. 11 U.S.C. 101(10A).

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debtor

A person who has filed a petition for relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

debtor education

see credit counseling

defendant

An individual (or business) against whom a lawsuit is filed.

discharge

A release of a debtor from personal liability for certain dischargeable debts set forth in the Bankruptcy Code. (A discharge releases a debtor from personal liability for certain debts known as dischargeable debts and prevents the creditors owed those debts from taking any action against the debtor to collect the debts. The discharge also prohibits creditors from communicating with the debtor regarding the debt, including telephone calls, letters, and personal contact.)

dischargeable debt

A debt for which the Bankruptcy Code allows the debtor's personal liability to be eliminated.

disclosure statement

A written document prepared by the chapter 11 debtor or other plan proponent that is designed to provide "adequate information" to creditors to enable them to evaluate the chapter 11 plan of reorganization.

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equity

The value of a debtor's interest in property that remains after liens and other creditors' interests are considered. (Example: If a house valued at $100,000 is subject to a $80,000 mortgage, there is $20,000 of equity.)

executory contract or lease

Generally includes contracts or leases under which both parties to the agreement have duties remaining to be performed. (If a contract or lease is executory, a debtor may assume it or reject it.)

exemptions, exempt property

Certain property owned by an individual debtor that the Bankruptcy Code or applicable state law permits the debtor to keep from unsecured creditors. For example, in some states the debtor may be able to exempt all or a portion of the equity in the debtor's primary residence (homestead exemption), or some or all "tools of the trade" used by the debtor to make a living (i.e., auto tools for an auto mechanic or dental tools for a dentist). The availability and amount of property the debtor may exempt depends on the state the debtor lives in.

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insider (of individual debtor)

Any relative of the debtor or of a general partner of the debtor; partnership in which the debtor is a general partner; general partner of the debtor; or a corporation of which the debtor is a director, officer, or person in control.

insider (of corporate debtor)

A director, officer, or person in control of the debtor; a partnership in which the debtor is a general partner; a general partner of the debtor; or a relative of a general partner, director, officer, or person in control of the debtor.

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joint administration

A court-approved mechanism under which two or more cases can be administered together. (Assuming no conflicts of interest, these separate businesses or individuals can pool their resources, hire the same professionals, etc.)

joint petition

One bankruptcy petition filed by a husband and wife together.

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lien

The right to take and hold or sell the property of a debtor as security or payment for a debt or duty.

liquidation

A sale of a debtor's property with the proceeds to be used for the benefit of creditors.

liquidated claim

A creditor's claim for a fixed amount of money.

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means test

Section 707(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code applies a "means test" to determine whether an individual debtor's chapter 7 filing is presumed to be an abuse of the Bankruptcy Code requiring dismissal or conversion of the case (generally to chapter 13). Abuse is presumed if the debtor's aggregate current monthly income (see definition above) over 5 years, net of certain statutorily allowed expenses is more than (i) $12,850, or (ii) 25% of the debtor's nonpriority unsecured debt, as long as that amount is at least $7,700. The debtor may rebut a presumption of abuse only by a showing of special circumstances that justify additional expenses or adjustments of current monthly income.

motion to lift the automatic stay

A request by a creditor to allow the creditor to take action against the debtor or the debtor's property that would otherwise be prohibited by the automatic stay.

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no-asset case

A chapter 7 case where there are no assets available to satisfy any portion of the creditors' unsecured claims.

nondischargeable debt

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Bankruptcy Basics Glossary | United States Courts

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Royal Island – Eleuthera, Bahamas , Caribbean – Private Islands

Posted: at 1:36 pm

Located off Russell Island in North Eleuthera, Royal Island is a 430 acre private island with beautiful beaches, great elevations a large natural harbour and a turn key private resort operation all less than 20 Minutes from North Eleuthera with its international Airport and FBO.

In 2007 Royal Island was approved for a major marina in the natural harbour in addition to an 18 Hold Golf Course. These approvals can be utilised or modified ...

Located off Russell Island in North Eleuthera, Royal Island is a 430 acre private island with beautiful beaches, great elevations a large natural harbour and a turn key private resort operation all less than 20 Minutes from North Eleuthera with its international Airport and FBO.

In 2007 Royal Island was approved for a major marina in the natural harbour in addition to an 18 Hold Golf Course. These approvals can be utilised or modified to create an incredible private island retreat that will be perfect in our current times with many people planning their own private island retreat.

The accommodations in place include 5 luxury one bedroom beachfront villas, with large wraparound decks, a Welcome centre complete with Spa rooms and a gym, a restaurant/bar building and a guest house near the main buildings. All of the community buildings offer sweeping wrap around verandahs and both overlook the beaches and an a stunning oval shaped pool.

Royal Island, as set up currently, is excellent for private gatherings. Guests enjoy a customised experience, with a world class private chef, beach club, spa, fitness centre, a private catamaran, sports and security. Located approximately 40 miles northeast of Nassau and only a 15 minute boat ride from North Eleuthera,

Royal Island is the only island on the market with approvals for both a Golf Course and a marina and is well priced in the market.

Showing by appointment only.

Located off Russell Island in North Eleuthera, Royal Island is a 430 acre private island with beautiful beaches, great elevations a large natural harbour and a turn key private resort operation all less than 20 Minutes from North Eleuthera with its international Airport and FBO.

In 2007 Royal Island was approved for a major marina in the natural harbour in addition to an 18 Hold Golf Course. These approvals can be utilised or modified to create an incredible private island retreat that will be perfect in our current times with many people planning their own private island retreat.

The accommodations in place include 5 luxury one bedroom beachfront villas, with large wraparound decks, a Welcome centre complete with Spa rooms and a gym, a restaurant/bar building and a guest house near the main buildings. All of the community buildings offer sweeping wrap around verandahs and both overlook the beaches and an a stunning oval shaped pool.

Royal Island, as set up currently, is excellent for private gatherings. Guests enjoy a customised experience, with a world class private chef, beach club, spa, fitness centre, a private catamaran, sports and security. Located approximately 40 miles northeast of Nassau and only a 15 minute boat ride from North Eleuthera,

Royal Island is the only island on the market with approvals for both a Golf Course and a marina and is well priced in the market.

Showing by appointment only.

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Royal Island - Eleuthera, Bahamas , Caribbean - Private Islands

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Iguana Island – Nicaragua, Central America – Private Islands

Posted: at 1:36 pm

The sound of the Caribbean Sea lapping against the shoreline provides the daily soundtrack on Iguana Island, a volcanic island 12 miles off the coast of Bluefields, Nicaragua. Clear blue-green water dominates sight lines in all directions, and the regions spectacular sunrises and sunsets make the views all the more dramatic at daybreak and nightfall. This five-acre retreat, cloaked in coconut palms and banana trees for maximum privacy, ...

The sound of the Caribbean Sea lapping against the shoreline provides the daily soundtrack on Iguana Island, a volcanic island 12 miles off the coast of Bluefields, Nicaragua. Clear blue-green water dominates sight lines in all directions, and the regions spectacular sunrises and sunsets make the views all the more dramatic at daybreak and nightfall. This five-acre retreat, cloaked in coconut palms and banana trees for maximum privacy, combines a turnkey, freehold property with a very affordable price tag something rarely found in a tropical setting this close to the United States.

As previously showcased on an episode of the HGTV series Island Hunters hosted by Private Islands CEO Chris Krolow, Iguana Island features a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with wraparound porch, dining room, bar and living area, plus additional accommodations for staff on the other side of the island, all built to modern standards by an American developer. A boardwalk meanders around the property to encourage leisurely strolls among the foliage, home to migrating butterflies; a 28-foot observation tower allows visitors to gaze across the ocean to the rainforests in the distance.

There is ample room to add a swimming pool, but a refreshing dip is as simple as wading into the sea on the calm west side of the island near the dock. This part of Nicaragua earns raves for its fishing, and anglers can cast off the dock for snapper, mackerel and barracuda, venture offshore for tuna, billfish and wahoo or delve into the virgin jungle rivers of the mainland to pursue trophy-size tarpon and snook. Abundant tropical fish on the surrounding reefs will appeal to snorkeling and scuba enthusiasts.

The reliable longtime island staff, which includes an on-site manager and caretakers, is willing to stay on with Iguana Islands new owners. A back-up generator, septic system and water catchment system add to the islands self-sufficiency. Water tanks on towers pressurize the faucets and toilets. Television, internet and cell service are available as well. The proximity to Bluefields, which has the largest population center on Nicaraguas east coast, means that supplies are more readily reachable than they are in many other Central American or Caribbean island locales. Iguana Island is also safely below the hurricane belt with pleasant year-round temperatures and a noticeable lack of biting insects.

Nicaraguas country profile remains on the rise, thanks to a system that doesnt tax foreign-sourced income, the low cost of living, and an increasing number of travelers drawn to its relaxed beauty. The World Travel & Tourism Council projects growth in international tourist arrivals to Nicaragua for at least the next decade, with numbers exceeding 2.7 million visitors by 2027.

Numerous daily flights connect between the United States and Managua, Nicaraguas capital, and then its a 45-minute hop by plane to Bluefields for a boat transfer to Iguana Island from one of the towns many public or private docks. The island has an area suitable for building a helipad, which would further reduce transit time.

With its well-maintained infrastructure and small monthly maintenance fees, Iguana Island easily could be reimagined into a retreat for an organization or transformed into a source of rental income with more competitive rates than other island areas of Nicaragua. (Private Islands can assist with setting up a rental plan.) It could also provide a safe, idyllic place to retire on a much smaller budget than youd find on comparable tropical islands. Due to a death in the family, the current owner has Iguana Island on the market at a reduced rate and all reasonable offers will be taken into consideration.

The sound of the Caribbean Sea lapping against the shoreline provides the daily soundtrack on Iguana Island, a volcanic island 12 miles off the coast of Bluefields, Nicaragua. Clear blue-green water dominates sight lines in all directions, and the regions spectacular sunrises and sunsets make the views all the more dramatic at daybreak and nightfall. This five-acre retreat, cloaked in coconut palms and banana trees for maximum privacy, combines a turnkey, freehold property with a very affordable price tag something rarely found in a tropical setting this close to the United States.

As previously showcased on an episode of the HGTV series Island Hunters hosted by Private Islands CEO Chris Krolow, Iguana Island features a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with wraparound porch, dining room, bar and living area, plus additional accommodations for staff on the other side of the island, all built to modern standards by an American developer. A boardwalk meanders around the property to encourage leisurely strolls among the foliage, home to migrating butterflies; a 28-foot observation tower allows visitors to gaze across the ocean to the rainforests in the distance.

There is ample room to add a swimming pool, but a refreshing dip is as simple as wading into the sea on the calm west side of the island near the dock. This part of Nicaragua earns raves for its fishing, and anglers can cast off the dock for snapper, mackerel and barracuda, venture offshore for tuna, billfish and wahoo or delve into the virgin jungle rivers of the mainland to pursue trophy-size tarpon and snook. Abundant tropical fish on the surrounding reefs will appeal to snorkeling and scuba enthusiasts.

The reliable longtime island staff, which includes an on-site manager and caretakers, is willing to stay on with Iguana Islands new owners. A back-up generator, septic system and water catchment system add to the islands self-sufficiency. Water tanks on towers pressurize the faucets and toilets. Television, internet and cell service are available as well. The proximity to Bluefields, which has the largest population center on Nicaraguas east coast, means that supplies are more readily reachable than they are in many other Central American or Caribbean island locales. Iguana Island is also safely below the hurricane belt with pleasant year-round temperatures and a noticeable lack of biting insects.

Nicaraguas country profile remains on the rise, thanks to a system that doesnt tax foreign-sourced income, the low cost of living, and an increasing number of travelers drawn to its relaxed beauty. The World Travel & Tourism Council projects growth in international tourist arrivals to Nicaragua for at least the next decade, with numbers exceeding 2.7 million visitors by 2027.

Numerous daily flights connect between the United States and Managua, Nicaraguas capital, and then its a 45-minute hop by plane to Bluefields for a boat transfer to Iguana Island from one of the towns many public or private docks. The island has an area suitable for building a helipad, which would further reduce transit time.

With its well-maintained infrastructure and small monthly maintenance fees, Iguana Island easily could be reimagined into a retreat for an organization or transformed into a source of rental income with more competitive rates than other island areas of Nicaragua. (Private Islands can assist with setting up a rental plan.) It could also provide a safe, idyllic place to retire on a much smaller budget than youd find on comparable tropical islands. Due to a death in the family, the current owner has Iguana Island on the market at a reduced rate and all reasonable offers will be taken into consideration.

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Iguana Island - Nicaragua, Central America - Private Islands

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Viscontea Island – Italy, Europe – Private Islands for Sale

Posted: at 1:36 pm

The Viscontea Island is located in Lecco, where the branch of lake Como becomes, again, the river Adda. Its origins are uncertain, but can easily be linked to the fate of the Azzone Visconti bridge. This became a source of discord between Lecco, Como, and the lakeside lands because it was believed that it could be the cause of the flooding of the lake that constantly submerged the main square of Como. It was therefore decided to proceed with t ...

The Viscontea Island is located in Lecco, where the branch of lake Como becomes, again, the river Adda. Its origins are uncertain, but can easily be linked to the fate of the Azzone Visconti bridge. This became a source of discord between Lecco, Como, and the lakeside lands because it was believed that it could be the cause of the flooding of the lake that constantly submerged the main square of Como. It was therefore decided to proceed with the widening of the river bed and a ninth, a tenth and a eleventh arch were added to the Azzoni Visconti bridge around and after 1440.

The material generated by these works was deposited in the area called "The Lazzaretto" and subsequently to ensure that the waters flowed better a canal was created that separated the Viscontea Island from the mainland and it is in this way that the islet was probably formed. Some researchers argue that Leonardo Da Vinci may have played an active role in these operations around the year 1500.

Viscontea island was used as a defense fort and as a military garrison. Later, however, it became a fisherman's house. The island building was inhabited until 1956. It was rented until 1961 before the last owners took possession of it.

The land size of the island is approximately 2150 square meters. The main building has a size of 238 square meters and needs to be completely renovated. As these are historic buildings, they are protected by landscape restrictions. There are also small ancillary buildings in the garden for a size of about 25 square meters.The island is located in a strategic position: just 50 minutes from the international airports of Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate. Only 30 minutes from Bergamo airport. The city of Lecco has a train station that connects it to Milan in just 45 minutes, and Switzerland is about an hour away.

Years ago a local weekly newspaper had written:"Hello, tiny, romantic, ancient Isola Viscontea, green almost triangular raft in the galloping waters of the Adda, which is noticed by those who enter in Lecco from Visconti bridge. In a river where everything has changed on the banks, the Island remains unchanged, almost mysterious and impenetrable".

The Viscontea Island is located in Lecco, where the branch of lake Como becomes, again, the river Adda. Its origins are uncertain, but can easily be linked to the fate of the Azzone Visconti bridge. This became a source of discord between Lecco, Como, and the lakeside lands because it was believed that it could be the cause of the flooding of the lake that constantly submerged the main square of Como. It was therefore decided to proceed with the widening of the river bed and a ninth, a tenth and a eleventh arch were added to the Azzoni Visconti bridge around and after 1440.

The material generated by these works was deposited in the area called "The Lazzaretto" and subsequently to ensure that the waters flowed better a canal was created that separated the Viscontea Island from the mainland and it is in this way that the islet was probably formed. Some researchers argue that Leonardo Da Vinci may have played an active role in these operations around the year 1500.

Viscontea island was used as a defense fort and as a military garrison. Later, however, it became a fisherman's house. The island building was inhabited until 1956. It was rented until 1961 before the last owners took possession of it.

The land size of the island is approximately 2150 square meters. The main building has a size of 238 square meters and needs to be completely renovated. As these are historic buildings, they are protected by landscape restrictions. There are also small ancillary buildings in the garden for a size of about 25 square meters.The island is located in a strategic position: just 50 minutes from the international airports of Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate. Only 30 minutes from Bergamo airport. The city of Lecco has a train station that connects it to Milan in just 45 minutes, and Switzerland is about an hour away.

Years ago a local weekly newspaper had written:"Hello, tiny, romantic, ancient Isola Viscontea, green almost triangular raft in the galloping waters of the Adda, which is noticed by those who enter in Lecco from Visconti bridge. In a river where everything has changed on the banks, the Island remains unchanged, almost mysterious and impenetrable".

Originally posted here:

Viscontea Island - Italy, Europe - Private Islands for Sale

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China lays out ambitious space plans for next 5 years | Space

Posted: at 1:34 pm

China's next five years in space may be even busier than the previous five.

On Friday (Jan. 28), the nation released a white paper outlining its plans and priorities for the next half-decade of spaceflight and exploration. China has achieved a great deal in the final frontier recently, from returning moon samples to Earth to starting the assembly of a space station, and the document makes clear that the country plans to build on those successes.

"In the next five years, China will integrate space science, technology and applications while pursuing the new development philosophy, building a new development model and meeting the requirements for high-quality development," states the white paper (opens in new tab), which is called "China's Space Program: A 2021 Perspective."

"It will start a new journey towards [becoming] a space power," the document's authors write. "The space industry will contribute more to China's growth as a whole, to global consensus and common effort with regard to outer space exploration and utilization and to human progress."

Related: The latest news about China's space program

China launched 207 space missions from 2016 to December 2021, the white paper notes. That's an impressive tally, but the nation is not content with its current stable of launch vehicles.

"In the next five years, China will continue to improve the capacity and performance of its space transport system and move faster to upgrade launch vehicles," the document states. "It will further expand the launch vehicle family, send into space new-generation manned carrier rockets and high-thrust solid-fuel carrier rockets and speed up the R&D [research and development] of heavy-lift launch vehicles."

China launched Tianhe, the core module of its new space station, in April 2021 and sent two three-astronaut missions to the orbiting lab shortly thereafter, one in June and the other in October. The country plans to finish building the station this year, a task that will entail the launch of two other modules, known as Mengtian and Wentian.

In addition, China is building a space telescope called Xuntian, which will launch to the same orbit as the space station and dock with it periodically.

Xuntian will launch within the next five years, the new document states. And the space station will get quite a workout during that stretch; astronauts will live there on "long-term assignments," conducting a variety of research and maintenance activities.

China also aims to put boots on the moon in the relatively near future, a bold goal that will get serious attention over the next five years. Over the next half-decade, China will "continue studies and research on the plan for a human lunar landing, develop new-generation manned spacecraft and research key technologies to lay a foundation for exploring and developing cislunar space," the white paper states.

In January 2019, China's robotic Chang'e 4 mission became the first ever to ace a soft landing on the moon's far side. In December 2020, Chang'e 5 brought pristine lunar samples back to the Earth, the first time that had been done since the 1970s. And in February 2021, China's first fully homegrown interplanetary mission, Tianwen 1, slipped into orbit around Mars. In May of that year, a rover called Zhurong separated from the Tianwen 1 orbiter and landed successfully on the Red Planet.

China intends to notch more robotic exploration successes over the next five years. According to the white paper, over this stretch, the nation will launch the Chang'e 6 sample-return mission to a lunar polar region; launch Chang'e 7 "to perform a precise landing in the moon's polar regions and a hopping detection [of water ice, presumably] in lunar shadowed area;" and finish research and development on important technologies for Chang'e 8, which is designed to help lay the foundation for a lunar research outpost. (Chang'e 6 and Chang'e 7 are both targeted for the mid-2020s, and Chang'e 7 will likely lift off first.)

China will also launch a mission (called ZhengHe (opens in new tab)) that will both return samples from an asteroid and study a comet up close, according to the document. And there's more.

Over the next five years, the nation will also "complete key technological research on Mars sampling and return, exploration of the Jupiter system and so forth," as well as "study plans for boundary exploration of the solar system," the white paper states.

"Boundary exploration" is an apparent reference to a mission that would send twin probes to the edge of the heliosphere the huge bubble of charged particles that the sun blows around itself and beyond, into interstellar space. China aims to launch that mission in the mid-2020s, according to SpaceNews (opens in new tab).

"China's Space Program: A 2021 Perspective" is the fifth five-year space exploration plan that China has published, following similar releases in 2000, 2006, 2011 and 2016. You can read the new document in English here (opens in new tab).

Mike Wall is the author of "Out There (opens in new tab)" (Grand Central Publishing, 2018; illustrated by Karl Tate), a book about the search for alien life. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall (opens in new tab). Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom (opens in new tab) or on Facebook (opens in new tab).

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China lays out ambitious space plans for next 5 years | Space

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Lucky Roulette – Game on the App Store

Posted: at 1:32 pm

I love the classy look of this app, the customizing options, sound effects, etc. better than other apps. What I really need, though, is an app to add an option for an entry I input to be weighted. I do giveaways on my business page, but it is very tedious and time consuming to enter one persons name 8 or 10 times, another persons name 5 times, etc. I would love an option when inputting an entry to say whether that entry should have one slice on the wheel, 5, 8, or 10 slices on the wheel, etc. I did find a couple of other apps that have an option to weight an entry, but it makes the slice or wedge larger. I would prefer multiple slices randomly placed around the wheel for someone that needs multiple entries. Those other apps also do not look anywhere near as professional as this one, so would love it if this app could update to what my needs are. If it did, I would even be willing to pay a bit for the app, and pass the word on to others I know that have the same needs in an app as I do!

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Lucky Roulette - Game on the App Store

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What roulette has in common with sports betting – We Are Brighton

Posted: at 1:32 pm

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What roulette has in common with sports betting - We Are Brighton

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Suit: Inflated Voter Rolls, Botched Review Foiled Woke DA Recall

Posted: at 1:29 pm

After its push to oust L.A. County District Attorney George Gasconfailedbecause nearly 200,000 petition signatures were invalidated, the campaign to recall Gasconannouncedit is filing for injunctive relief after an initial review showed 39 percent of the signatures invalidated by the L.A. County registrar were likely wrongfully rejected.

The initial review of invalidated signatures demonstrates the Registrars counting process was seriously flawed, resulting in substantial errors, the wrongful invalidation of many valid signatures, and the disenfranchisement of thousands of Los Angeles County Voters, the campaign wrote in a press release.

After the California countys registrar-recorder, Dean Logan, rejected the campaigns recall petition over an insufficient number of valid signatures (Logan determined the petition had only 520,050 valid signatures, a figure just short of the 566,857 they needed), volunteer attorneys began conducting a review of the invalidated signatures. They identified legitimate challenges for 39 percent of the invalidated signatures reviewed so far.

Examples of improper invalidation by the registrar include:

The recall campaign also claims that the L.A. County registrar placed arbitrary limits on the campaigns review process, limiting review hours, the number of reviewers, and access to information necessary to determine the validity of a signature. It will take more than a year for the volunteers to review all the invalidated signatures under those limitations, the recall effort claims. The campaign is filing for injunctive relief to seek expanded access.

In addition to claiming improper signature invalidation, the campaign also argues that L.A. Countys voter rolls were artificially inflated by 208,000 to 515,000 ineligible names at the time the number of signatures required for the recall was determined (10 percent of all Los Angeles County registered voters).

Had L.A. County been actively maintaining its voter rolls, theres a good chance the recall petition would have gone through, even with the rejected signatures.

The original requirement of 566,857 signatures to qualify (based on bloated voter rolls showing 5,668,569 active voters at the time) should have been set anywhere from 515,357 to 546,357, according to the press release. This issue alone could substantially affect the outcome of the recall given that the Registrar has already identified what it deems to be 520,050 valid signatures.

This isnt the first time L.A. County has been criticized for failing to clean its voter rolls. Back in 2019, California and Los Angeles Countyagreed to purgeas many as 1.5 million ineligible voters from its rolls after Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit arguing the Golden State and its biggest county were not complying with federal law requiring the removal of inactive registrants.

If I were interested in Los Angeles, I would be dredging the records of list maintenance through the NVRA [the National Voter Registration Act, a federal law that governs voter registration and removal] to see how responsive theyve been to the Judicial Watch lawsuit settlement, because theyre under some kind of obligation already, President of the Public Interest Legal Foundation J. Christian Adams told The Federalist.

Adams has spent 10 years litigating voter roll maintenance and other election integrity-related cases. Most recently, PILF hasfiledsix complaints surrounding 515 duplicate voter registrations in six Minnesota counties. The nonprofit law group also filed a lawsuitagainst Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Bensonfor her failure to remove nearly 26,000 dead registrants from Michigans voter rolls.

Due to an11thCircuit Court decisionthat refused to accept the inflated voter roll theory, Adams recommended the recall campaign instead find the ineligible registrants duplicates, deceased, those that have moved, etc. on L.A. Countys voter rolls, just like what PILF does.

They need to be doing the analysis, and not just the math, Adams said. Because the courts have foreclosed the math part.

While it looks like many Democrat-run cities Los Angeles,Philadelphia,Detroit are plagued by inflated voter rolls (and many critics rightly blamenefariouspolitical operatives), Adams believes its because there are more renters than property owners in cities, thus more people move around and fail to change their voter registration.

The NVRA does not let you remove people who are ineligible at the pace that theyre coming onto the rolls, Adams said. That limits your ability to take people off with the same amount of speed theyre moving.

Although voter roll maintenance can be a slow and arduous process for municipalities, Adams still emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate records.

This [Gascon recall petition] is the first time Ive heard of bad list maintenance potentially impacting a signature drive, Adams said. In all the years Ive worked in this space Ive never contemplated how having ineligible voters on your rolls makes it harder for people to get enough signatures in a place like California. Its a big deal.

Victoria Marshall is a staff writer at The Federalist. Her writing has been featured in the New York Post, National Review, and Townhall. She graduated from Hillsdale College in May 2021 with a major in politics and a minor in journalism. Follow her on Twitter @vemrshll.

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Suit: Inflated Voter Rolls, Botched Review Foiled Woke DA Recall

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Aileen Cannon Joined The Federalist Society in 2005

Posted: at 1:29 pm

U.S. CourtsAileen Cannon.

Judge Aileen Cannon said she had been a member of the Federalist Society since 2005 in her application for her position. The Federalist Society is a group of conservative judges. Cannons bias has been called into question as she was thrust into the spotlight in hearings on the investigation into former President Donald Trump and documents found at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Cannon ordered a halt on the Department of Justice review of evidence seized from the estate on Monday, September 5, 2022, citing a possible threat caused by potential media leaks in the case. Read the full order here.

Plaintiff faces an unquantifiable potential harm by way of improper disclosure of sensitive information to the public, Cannon wrote in the 24-page ruling.

Heres what you need to know:

Cannon wrote in her 24-page application for her current role as federal judge that she became a member of the Federalist Society in 2005. The application to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary for U.S District Court Judge in southern Florida position required her to list all professional, business, fraternal, scholarly, civic, charitable, or other organizations.

The other memberships she listed were the Delta Delta Delta Fraternity, the Duke University Alumni Association, The Moorings Yacht & Country Club, Order of the Coif at The University of Michigan Law School, and The University of Michigan Law School Alumni Association.

Cannon was appointed by Trump to her position as U.S. District Court Judge in 2020 following a confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Cannons bias has been called into question as she renders critical rulings on the investigation into evidence seized from Trumps estate.

Aileen Cannon, a 38-year old lawyer and member of the Federalist Society with no prior judicial experience, was hand-picked by Marco Rubio, further blessed by Rick Scott and then nominated by Trump. Cant imagine that was a factor when Trump went judge shopping, Peter Vroom wrote on Twitter.

The Federalist Societys website says it was founded in 1982 as a group of conservatives and libertarians dedicated to reforming the current legal order.

The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is a group of conservatives and libertarians interested in the current state of the legal order, the organizations page says. It is founded on the principles that the state exists to preserve freedom, that the separation of governmental powers is central to our Constitution, and that it is emphatically the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be. The Society seeks both to promote an awareness of these principles and to further their application through its activities.

The website includes commendations from conservative leaders including former President Ronald Reagan and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

The Federalist Society is changing the culture of our nations law schools, Reagan said, according to the website. You are returning the values and concepts of law as our founders understood them to scholarly dialogue, and through that dialogue, to our legal institutions.

READ NEXT: Aileen Cannons Background, Husband & Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

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Aileen Cannon Joined The Federalist Society in 2005

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