"Its all a coordinated attack with the FBI. Do you think that the FBI director is going to raid the former presidents house without getting the approval of President [Biden]?"

Eric Trump

Son of former President Donald Trump

"They see the support that he has all over the country. His rallies terrify them."

Marjorie Taylor Greene

U.S. Representative

"I think for anyone who doubted that there was a swamp when Donald Trump was saying drain the swamp now I think theres true believers."

Warren Davidson

U.S. Representative

"Three FBI agents visited me and seized my cell phone. Im outraged ... [that the FBI] would seize the phone of a sitting Member of Congress."

Scott Perry

U.S. Representative

"[Russia hoaxers] have now been promoted into the Biden administration. ... Theyre definitely targeting [former] president Trump because they dont want him to run for president."

Devin Nunes

Former U.S. Representative

"[The raid] was the latest link a long series of operations starting six years ago with absurd claims that Donald Trump was the asset of a foreign country. That operation was called Russia gate."

Lee Smith

Author, The Plot Against the President

"Half the country believes that when it comes to President Trump there are no rules. They have lost faith in the system."

Lindsey Graham

Chairman, US. Senate Judiciary Committee

"It seems like this was ... without buy-in or notification of higher levels of government. But literally no one will believe that."

Andrew Yang

Former Democratic presidential candidate

"Beginning in 2016, Americans began to have doubts when we began to unravel the Russia collusion reporting. ... Those doubts kept growing and you started to hear people say we have a dual justice system in America."

John Solomon

Editor-in-Chief, Just the News

"[Democrat Party attorney] Marc Elias is saying that the criminal statute could result in President Trump being barred from future office. And I think its clearly part of his plan."

Jeff Clark

Former lawyer, Justice Department

"The security state complex and the complexity of the security state ... is now overtaking our system of government and our rule of law."

Michael Flynn

Retired lieutenant general

"AG must explain why 250 yrs of practice was upended with this raid."

Mike Pompeo

Former Secretary of State

"This is the modern day version of Watergate. Except the only difference is it wasn't political operatives breaking in to their opponents headquarters. It was the FBI and DOJ."

Kash Patel

Former Chief of Staff to the Acting Secretary of Defense

"Theyre using the full powerillegally, I think, unconstitutionallyof the law to harass, intimidate, and try to push Trump out of the picture."

Louie Gohmert

U.S. Representative

"These are dark times for our Nation, as my beautiful home, Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents."

Donald Trump

Former President

"[The] raid on the home of a former U.S. president without explanation will only further erode confidence in the FBI and the Justice Department."

Chuck Grassley

Ranking Member, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee

"I didnt actually get to oversee the search, they wouldnt let anybody see what they were doing."

Christina Bobb

Attorney to Trump

"DOJ must immediately explain the reason for its raid ... or it will be viewed as a political tactic and undermine any future credible investigation."

Andrew Cuomo

Former New York Governor

"[The raid represents] another escalation in the weaponization of federal agencies against the Regimes political opponent."

Ron DeSantis

Florida Governor

"If theres anything negative about Trump or his allies, that gets accelerated, leaked, and used for political purposes."

Matt Gaetz

Member, U.S. House Judiciary Committee

"No person is above the law. Not even the president of the United States. Not even a former president of the United States."

Nancy Pelosi

U.S. House Speaker

"We've got a job as the Oversight Committee to push back on this and to really get to the bottom of what's going on and to help bring sunlight to the bad corrupt actions that are going on and then to work to get it out."

Michael Cloud

Member, House Committee on Oversight and Reform

"Lets be clear: This is a brazen weaponization of the FBI by Bidens DOJ against his political opponentwhile giving their political allies free passes."

Steve Scalise

U.S. House Minority Whip

"The country deserves a thorough and immediate explanation of what led to the events."

Mitch McConnell

U.S. Senate Minority Leader

"Because we're in a revolutionary cycle, or the left has now said, under the pretext that Donald Trump is so extraordinarily threatening to the Republic, that it requires any means necessary to end him."

Victor Davis Hanson

Classicist and Military Historian

"When Republicans take back the House, we will conduct immediate oversight of [the DOJ]."

Kevin McCarthy

U.S. House Minority Leader

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Chess Pieces: Taiwan and the Great Game - The Epoch Times

D. Gukesh continued his relentless climb in the world rankings after scoring a hat-trick of wins in the ongoing Turkish Isbank Chess Super League in Ankara on Thursday.

Playing on the top board for third-round leader Turkish Airlines Sports Club, Gukesh defeated Grandmasters Aryan Gholami (2507), Andrey Esipenko (2682) Vahap Sanal (2574) to reach World No. 18 in live rankings and 2735.9 as per live ratings.

With R. Praggnanandhaa making waves in the cash-rich FTX Crypto Cup rapid event, and Arjun Erigaisi leading the Abu Dhabi Masters after three rounds, Gukesh added to the joy by gaining another 10 rating points and six places from the time he finished the Chess Olympiad with twin medals.

As things stand, the country's youngest Grandmaster trails 12th ranked Viswanathan Anand (2756) by around 20 points and leads third-placed P. Harikrishna by 19 points.

Like never before, India has five players in the top 35 of world rankings and eight in the top 90.

Praggnanandhaa (2675.5) and Nihal Sarin (2671.5), with live rankings of 66 and 69, are targeting the coveted 2700-rating barrier.

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D. Gukesh breaks into top 20 in chess rankings, is World No. 18 in live ratings - Sportstar

Misha Butler is blazing *** trail, bringing *** bit of silicon valley to Brooklyn. Let's run your Butler opened the steam champs education center in july that stem with an extra *** for arts teaching skills from computer coding to robotics to chess. We are science technology engineering, arts and math center. We wanted to include *** lot of times. The kids are on the computer *** lot and they don't have *** lot of Unplugged activities for this native New Yorker. It's another pivot in an already impressive career that began and the basketball court at Georgia Tech and then the WNBA's New York Liberty. But the stem seed was planted when she was 12 and took her first computer science class. I really looked back to that time because that set the foundation that gave me the confidence that gave me the skill. It was *** yearlong class. Um, and I realized I was the only female in that class and of course the only person of color in that class *** poll released last year found black people account for just 9% of the stem workforce. *** statistic. Butler wants to change seven year old Theodore Van is one of her students though *** stem job is just one of his career goals. I want to be *** basketball player, soccer player player and I want to be *** scientist, *** pizza chef and I want to go up to space. Did you imagine this would be your after life after basketball. You know what? No, I didn't, I'm actually having *** purpose to make *** difference in these kids lives *** difference that could open young minds to new possibilities and build *** pathway to success astrid Martinez CBS, news, Brooklyn new york.

Education center teaches skills from computer coding to robotics to chess

Updated: 6:17 AM CDT Aug 15, 2022

You might have seen Niesha Butler scoring points as a professional basketball player. But now shes scoring points for education, bringing a bit of Silicon Valley to Brooklyn. Butler opened the S.T.E.A.M. Champs education center in July, CBS News reports. That's STEM with an extra "a" for arts. The New York location teaches skills from computer coding to robotics to chess. We are a science, technology, engineering, arts and math center, says Butler. We wanted to include art. The kids are on the computer a lot and they don't have a lot of unplugged activities. The education center is another pivot in Butlers already impressive career that began on the basketball court, playing at Georgia Tech and then for the WNBA's New York Liberty. But the STEM seed was planted when she was 12 and took her first computer science class, CBS News reports.I really look back to that time because that set the foundation that gave me the confidence that gave me the skill. It was a yearlong class and I realized I was the only female in that class. And, of course, the only person of color in that class. A poll released by Pew Research Center last year found Black people account for just 9 percent of the STEM workforce, a statistic Butler wants to change. 7-year old Theodore Vann is one of her students, though a STEM job is just one of his career goals. I want to be a basketball player, soccer player, tennis player. And I want to be a scientist, a pizza chef, and I want to go up to space, Vann says. Butler believes S.T.E.A.M. Champs is the country's first Afro-Latina -owned educational center specializing in coding and robotics and says she never imaged this would be her life after basketball. No, I didnt, she says. I'm actually having a purpose, to make a difference in these kids lives. A difference that could open young minds to new possibilities and build a pathway to success.

You might have seen Niesha Butler scoring points as a professional basketball player. But now shes scoring points for education, bringing a bit of Silicon Valley to Brooklyn.

Butler opened the S.T.E.A.M. Champs education center in July, CBS News reports. That's STEM with an extra "a" for arts. The New York location teaches skills from computer coding to robotics to chess. We are a science, technology, engineering, arts and math center, says Butler. We wanted to include art. The kids are on the computer a lot and they don't have a lot of unplugged activities.

The education center is another pivot in Butlers already impressive career that began on the basketball court, playing at Georgia Tech and then for the WNBA's New York Liberty. But the STEM seed was planted when she was 12 and took her first computer science class, CBS News reports.

I really look back to that time because that set the foundation that gave me the confidence that gave me the skill. It was a yearlong class and I realized I was the only female in that class. And, of course, the only person of color in that class.

A poll released by Pew Research Center last year found Black people account for just 9 percent of the STEM workforce, a statistic Butler wants to change. 7-year old Theodore Vann is one of her students, though a STEM job is just one of his career goals.

I want to be a basketball player, soccer player, tennis player. And I want to be a scientist, a pizza chef, and I want to go up to space, Vann says.

Butler believes S.T.E.A.M. Champs is the country's first Afro-Latina -owned educational center specializing in coding and robotics and says she never imaged this would be her life after basketball. No, I didnt, she says. I'm actually having a purpose, to make a difference in these kids lives. A difference that could open young minds to new possibilities and build a pathway to success.

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Education center teaches skills from computer coding to robotics to chess - KCCI Des Moines

Ever since she made her Olympiad debut, way back in 2004, Dronavalli Harika wanted to be part of an Indian womens team that climbed the podium. When she had the best chance of realising that dream, she wasnt going to miss it even if that meant being taken to the labour room straight from the tournament hall.

It didnt quite come to that, though there was a time she felt that could well be the case. It turned out to be a false pain.

That pain soon made for joy: India won the bronze medal for the first time in history at the Womens Chess Olympiad at Mamallapuram on Tuesday. True, the team was hoping to take the gold and was well poised for that, until it lost on the final day to the United States.

Yes, it is disappointing that we could not win the gold after coming so well and performing consistently throughout the tournament, but winning the bronze is also a great achievement, I feel, Harika told The Hindu. This is my ninth Olympiad in a row I dont think any other Indian woman has played as many -- and an Olympiad team medal is something I desperately wanted all these years.

She was determined to play the Olympiad despite the late stage of her pregnancy. I could not have played if it was held outside India, she said. (It had been allotted to Russia but moved to Chennai after that country invaded Ukraine).

My doctor, Srilatha Gorthi, gave me the confidence that I could play, Harika said. And I am so glad that I played.

She did her job well too, despite her condition. She remained unbeaten on the second board. I am happy with the quality of my chess though not with the result, she said. The teams plan was that I would play only when it was most needed in the early part but I had to play consecutively as we were facing strong opposition.

Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, Tania Sachdev and R. Vaishali at the 44th Chess Olympiad.| Photo Credit: The Hindu

She is all praise for her teammates Koneru Humpy, R. Vaishali, Tania Sachdev and Bhakti Kulkarni. I am really glad that we won a medal, as it would have been disastrous if we didnt at an Olympiad at home and were the favourite, she said.

Besides, it would have been a big disappointment for the organisers and all the fans who came in large numbers to support us. I think the Tamil Nadu government did a great job. It felt nice when the government recognised the teams (India 2 won the bronze in the open section) by announcing a cash prize of Rs. 1 crore each. That isnt something you normally expect in Indian chess.

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It would have been disappointing if we didnt win a medal: Harika - Sportstar

Pakistans Chess team arrived in Chennai with players from 200 countries for the 44th Chess Olympiad but was recalled because a symbolic torch relay through 75 cities had crossed Srinagar. This withdrawal reflects a self-damaging reaction to Kashmir by Pakistans deep state that poisons its peace, politics, and prosperity. We hope that despite the learning disability of Pakistans deep state, three structural changes convince it to end the export of terrorism to J&K and accept the Line of Control as the International Border. This decision will also place the Pakistani peoples prosperity ahead of the Pakistani armys plan of perpetual conflict.

Defeat in three formal wars birthed Pakistans fourth proxy war in J&K, starting in 1988. The first act of this proxy war midnight bomb blasts at the Central Telegraph Office and Srinagar Club in July 1988 was a symbolic public announcement of the return from training in Pakistan by the first batch of terrorists; the self-titled HAJY boys Hamid Sheikh, Ashfaq Wani, Javed Nalka and Yasin Malik. In September 1988, the first Kalashnikov was recovered from the mothers kitchen of Pakistan-returned BSc graduate Manzoor Islam in Kupwara the police used the small arms dictionary to identify the unfamiliar weapon.

Pakistans role in early assassinations is obvious: Inspector Saiddullah in Maisuma (who was the police face arresting Pakistan returned militants), Tika Lal Taploo in Lal Chowk (the RSS Valley head, who had taken a vocal position against Pakistan), Neelkanth Ganjoo in Hari Singh High Street (as sessions judge, he had delivered the death sentence to JKLF founder Maqbool Bhat), and Mohammed Din in Tangmarg (who received the Padma Shri for alerting the Indian army to Pakistans 1965 invasion of Rajouri).

Its unclear whether the deep history or events in 1988 caused the Valleys phase transformation. Deep history indeed provided fuel. But which of the many events? The dithering Maharaja taking Ramchandra Kaks poor advice in 1947? The marauders led by Major General Akbar Khan of the Pakistani Army that attacked India and crucified Salim Sherwani in Baramulla in 1947? The arrest of Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah in 1953? The return of the Haji Pir pass to Pakistan in the Tashkent agreement of 1965? The partition of Pakistan in 1971? The Simla agreement that resulted in India returning land and prisoners without freezing borders in 1972? Or General Ziaul Haq partnering with Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Mian Tufail Mohammad to Islamise his military after hanging Bhutto in 1979?

But the late 1980s promise by PoK President Sardar Qayyum Khan to General Zia to deliver Kashmir to Pakistan in two instalments has three possible triggers. First, Americas partnership with Afghanistans Mujahideen. Second, Rajiv Gandhis adamant call to Farooq Abdullah at his Gupkar Road residence in 1987 asking him to ensure that Muslim United Front candidates like Muhammad Yusuf Shah, later called Syed Salahuddin then Batmaloo mosque preacher, later Hizbul Mujahideen Chief, and currently Jihad Council Chief based in PoK must lose his Amira Kadal election. Finally, entitled politicians weaponised Article 370, religion and took Pakistans aid to grow their power, wealth, and dynasty. Even Baba-e-Quom Sheikh Abdullah whose 1982 funeral procession took 10 hours to cover the 8 km from the Polo View to Nagin because of lakhs of mourners became dynastic towards the end, with some people calling him Kunba Parast. On a recent visit to pay respects, we were sad that the grave of Sher-i-Kashmir who fought Pakistani marauders in the Valley alongside the Indian army in 1947 needs protection from desecration by a police platoon and concertina wire.

A better future beckons because of three structural changes. First, Army and Air Force cross-border strikes after Uri and Pulwama have changed Pakistani calculations that assumed perpetually timid Indian responses. With multi-decade security force requests for hot pursuit finally granted, the superior firepower of central forces is creating the conditions for a phased return to J&K Police enforcing law and order through context awareness, community embedding, local intelligence networks, local recruitment, language fluency, paramilitary support, and special operations groups.

Second, ending Article 370 could lead to the entry of new politicians in the next elections. Article 370 made J&K politics oligopolistic, if not monopolistic. Politicians in other parts of India are not less corrupt, myopic, or self-centred. But first-generation regional leaders like Lalu Prasad in Bihar, Karunanidhi in Tamil Nadu, Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh, Sharad Pawar in Maharashtra, and Jyoti Basu in West Bengal used politics to churn the status quo of power, elites, and class.

Third, J&K will see economic vibrancy with property rights (Article 370 legitimised a Tehsildars refusal to register a telephone exchange central government property in the name of the President of India), long-term investments (there is now a Radisson Hotel in Sonamarg), and strategy diversity (Kashmir, Jammu, and Ladakh will attract different jobs). Economist Albert Hirschman wisely suggested that interests trump passions.

Pakistan denied 14 talented players including Amer Karim, Junaid Sohail, Mehak Gul, Aleena Zahid and Wasif Zenobia the chance to win the Chess Olympiad because India politicised a prestigious international sporting event. This misunderstanding of politics is unsurprising most deep states are unfamiliar with Bernard Cricks 1962 book In Defence of Politics, which celebrated the self-healing genius of brutally competitive politics within a stable constitution. The then J&K Chief Justice A S Anand told us that his 1980s request to an Oxford University librarian for a copy of the Pakistani constitution got the smiling response: We dont keep magazines and periodicals. Strategy is the art of moving the possible to plausible and probable. Peace in Kashmir has moved from possible to plausible. Ongoing hard work in creating new jobs and politicians in Kashmir combined with the Pakistani people controlling their deep state will make it probable.

Continued here:
Pakistan's recall of its Chess Olympiad team is a self-goal - The Indian Express