News of the World

[kyonides]

China Warns US to Stop Arms Sales, Military Interactions With Taiwan

China has warned the United States to cease its arms sales and military interactions with Taiwan after Washington agreed to sell anti-ship and air-to-air missiles worth billions of dollars to Taiwan.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, warned that China will “resolutely take legitimate and necessary countermeasures” in light of the recent U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
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The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said Saturday that it had formally informed Congress about the possible arms sale, which totals just over $1.1 billion.

It includes 100 Sidewinder anti-aircraft missiles and four tactical guidance units worth $85.6 million, 60 Harpoon anti-ship missiles and four Harpoon exercise missiles for $355 million, and a $665.4 million surveillance radar system.

The three contracts also include related military equipment, parts, as well as technical and logistic support services. This marks the sixth arms sale approved under the Biden administration, according to the DSCA.

IRS Official in Charge of 87,000 New Agents Played Key Role in Obama-Era Targeting Scandal

The Daily Signal first reported that IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig had appointed Nikole Flax, commissioner in charge of the IRS’ Large Business & International Division, to lead the establishment of the agency’s centralized office.

In 2014, Flax was among seven IRS employees who said their computers had crashed, making it impossible for them to provide information sought by the House Ways and Means Committee in investigating the agency’s targeting of tea party and other conservative groups.

Flax made 31 visits to the Obama White House from July 2010 through May 2013.
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In an email sent May 8, 2013, Lois Lerner, head of the IRS’ tax-exempt organizations unit when the scandal erupted, told Flax that she received a call about working with the Justice Department to pursue certain political organizations that “lied” on IRS forms.

Lerner was the central figure of the Obama administration’s IRS targeting scandal. She said her computer also crashed.

Lerner invoked her Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate herself in testimony before the House Oversight and Reform Committee. After being placed on paid administrative leave, she retired later in 2013.

The IRS didn’t respond directly to the concerns raised by Flax’s background. Instead, the agency referred The Daily Signal to Rettig’s memo to staff announcing that Flax would run a new “centralized office” to implement elements of the tax and spending legislation that Democrats dubbed the Inflation Reduction Act. The package, signed into law by President Joe Biden, provides $80 billion for the IRS to add almost 87,000 new agents.

Despite the computer crash during the congressional investigation of IRS targeting, Rettig said that Flax would work with Congress and others in her new role leading the effort.
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Flax became director of the IRS Large Business & International Division in 2021. Previously, she had been deputy commissioner for the division since 2017.

Flax also is a former chief of staff to IRS Commissioner Steve Miller and was assistant deputy IRS commissioner for services and enforcement.

Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs Fast Food Bill Decried as ‘California Food Tax’

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced that he signed legislation targeting some fast food franchises to lift minimum wages to $22 per hour and change working conditions. Opponents have described the bill as “hypocritical” and “ill-considered.”

The bill will create a 10-member Fast Food Council appointed by Newsom, a Democrat, and other state lawmakers.
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"I’m proud to sign this legislation on Labor Day when we pay tribute to the workers who keep our state running as we build a stronger, more inclusive economy for all Californians.”
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The council members who are bureaucrats, fast food restaurant employees, franchisees, and franchisors will be appointed by the governor. The state assembly speaker and Senate Rules Committee speaker will each appoint one member as an advocate for fast food restaurant employees, according to the legislation.

According to the bill, the state-appointed council will establish minimum standards on wages, working hours, and other working conditions for workers at fast food restaurants that have “100 or more establishments nationally that share a common brand, or that are characterized by standardized options for decor, marketing, packaging, products, and services.”
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CRA also decried the signing of the bill while inflation in the United States is at record high levels, saying that consumers and small business owners will pay a 20 percent increase “to fund the outsourcing of the legislature’s duties to union-led bureaucracy.”

One Suspect in Saskatchewan Stabbing Rampage Found Dead, Brother Still at Large

Damien Sanderson, one of the two men wanted in connection to the stabbing rampage in Saskatchewan, has been found dead.

The body of the 31-year-old was discovered outdoors in a grassy area on the James Smith Cree Nation, the RCMP told reporters at a press conference in Regina on Sept. 5.
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The other suspect, Myles Sanderson, 30, is still at large. Blackmore confirmed that the two are brothers.

“Myles Sanderson is facing three counts of first degree murder and is wanted,” said Blackmore, adding that he has a history of criminal record involving persons and property crimes. “We consider him armed and dangerous.”
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Damien Sanderson’s death brings the count of the tragedy to 11 deceased, 19 injured, and 13 crime scenes, Blackmore confirmed.
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Blackmore said previously that police believe some of the victims were targeted and others were randomly attacked. Police declined to provide details in order to preserve the integrity of the investigation.