victory hotel yacht kabine

Erding Hotel Victory

Übernachtung im Victory Hotel mit Frühstück, direkte Verbindung zur Therme Erding, Thermeneintritt im gesamten Aufenthaltszeitraum, Leihbademantel und Handtücher

Das Hotel im Schiffsdesign liegt in der Palmenlagune der Therme Erding vor Anker und bietet verschiedene Zimmertypen an. Als Hotelgast profitieren Sie vom direkten Thermenzugang über die Lobby ins Wellenbad.  Genießen Sie Ihren Kurzurlaub in der größten Therme der Welt. Ob Erlebnisbad oder Saunawelt, im Victory Hotel erwarten Sie in allen Bereichen sommerliche Temperaturen, türkisfarbenes Wasser & erfrischende Cocktails im Pool, umgeben von echten Südseepalmen.

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  Nach Absenden Ihrer Anfrage erhalten Sie umgehend eine automatisierte Empfangsbestätigung per Email. Sollte diese nach wenigen Minuten bei Ihnen nicht eingehen, so bitten wir um telefonische Rücksprache ( 0043 (0)732 / 72 77 - 231 ).

Alle Details zu Ihrer Reise

Inkludierte leistungen, hotelbeschreibung, details und storno, revisionstermine 2024.

• Übernachtung in der gebuchten Kabine
• Reichhaltiges Frühstück
• Thermeneintritt (ohne Sauna und VitalOase) im gesamten Aufenthaltszeitraum
• direkte Verbindung zur Therme Erding
• Leihbademantel und Handtücher
• Kostenfreie Parkplätze vor dem Hotel

Revisionszeiten Therme Erding

In der Therme Erding werden zu folgenden Zeiten Wartungsarbeiten durchgeführt:

22. - 28. April: Wellenbad: Crazy River und Relax Außenpool  13. - 17. Mai: Therme: Thermeninnen- und -außenbecken 03. - 07. Juni: Wellenbad: Wellenlagune 24. - 28. Juni: VitalTherme & Saunen: Champagnerpool (innen & außen) 10. – 11. September:Galaxy Rutschenwelt

Bitte beachten Sie, dass in den genannten Zeiträumen die jeweiligen Bereiche nicht oder nur eingeschränkt zugänglich sind.

Vielen Dank für Ihr Verständnis!

Preise & zubuchbare Leistungen

Anreise: 01.01.2024 - 31.12.2024 täglich, ermäßigungen, jetzt buchen hotel victory.

• Hotel Victory Th... Hotel Victory Therme Erding

• Hotel Victory Therme Erding

Make yourself at home in one of the 128 guestrooms featuring MP3 docking stations and LED televisions. Your bed comes with down comforters and premium bedding. Satellite programming and smart speakers are provided for your entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Bathrooms feature showers with rainfall showerheads and designer toiletries.

Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages. If you’re looking for recreational opportunities, you’ll find a water park (surcharge) and a sauna. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and shopping on site.

Satisfy your appetite at one of the hotel’s 2 restaurants. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. Buffet breakfasts are available daily from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM for a fee.

Popular Facilities

• 24/7 Front Desk
• Breakfast Available
• Housekeeping

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Hotel Victory Therme Erding

Guest Reviews

Services & amenities.

Yacht Cabin

Serenissima Room

Family Room (Kapitäns-Kabine)

Single Room (Yacht Kabine Zur Einzelnutzung)

Economy Double Room

Guest reviews (55).

• Cleanliness 4.4
• Amenities 4.4
• Location 4.4
• Service 4.4

Property Policies

Front desk hours: 24/7

Property Description

• Opened: 2014
• Renovated: 2018
• Number of Rooms: 128

Frequently Asked Questions

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Yacht-Unglück vor Italien: Neue Frage um tote Passagiere drängt sich auf

Stand: 24.08.2024, 19:04 Uhr

Von: Alina Schröder , Karolin Schaefer , Kai Hartwig , Moritz Bletzinger

Die Küstenwache in Italien hat aus dem Wrack der Yacht „Bayesian“ mehrere Leichen geborgen. Die Bergungsarbeiten vor Sizilien dauern an.

Das Wichtigste in diesem News-Ticker

• Yacht-Unglück vor Italien: Tauchteam entdeckt weitere Leiche – Auch Milliardärs-Tochter ist tot.
• 15 Überlebende nach Yacht-Unglück – Betroffene werden psychologisch betreut.
• Chef der Schiffsbauer-Firma erhebt schwere Vorwürfe – Gäste der Luxus-Yacht „saßen in einer Falle“
• Weitere Leiche nach Yacht-Unglück identifiziert – Bei dem Toten handelt es sich um den britischen Unternehmer Mike Lynch
• Leiche von Milliardär Lynch und Tochter wohl doch nicht geborgen – Suche geht nach Yacht-Unglück vor Sizilien weiter
• Fünftes Todesopfer entdeckt ","position":"6","storyElementPosition":"8","storyElementCount":"71"}}'>Yacht-Untergang vor Sizilien: Fünftes Todesopfer entdeckt – Taucher entdecken ein weiteres Opfer, dessen Identität ist noch offen.
• Milliardär Lynch und Tochter wohl tot ","position":"7","storyElementPosition":"8","storyElementCount":"71"}}'>Taucher finden weitere Leichen – Milliardär Lynch und Tochter wohl tot – Es gibt kaum noch Hoffnung, dass es weitere Überlebende des Yacht-Unglücks gibt.
• Bootsunglück in Sizilien: Taucher entdecken zwei Leichen im Wrack der „Bayesian“","position":"8","storyElementPosition":"8","storyElementCount":"71"}}'>Nach Bootsunglück in Sizilien: Taucher entdecken zwei Leichen im Wrack der „Bayesian“ – Die Bergungsarbeiten gestalten sich wegen kurzer Tauchdauer schwierig.
• Yacht-Unglück in Italien : Zwei Leichen gefunden – eine soll ein Mann sein","position":"9","storyElementPosition":"8","storyElementCount":"71"}}'> Yacht-Unglück in Italien : Zwei Leichen gefunden – eine soll ein Mann sein – Die Todesopfer befanden sich hinter Matratzen in einer Koje.
• Sizilien ? Staatsanwaltschaft und Hafenbehörde ermitteln","position":"10","storyElementPosition":"8","storyElementCount":"71"}}'>Warum sank die Yacht vor Sizilien ? Staatsanwaltschaft und Hafenbehörde ermitteln – Die getroffenen Sicherheitsvorkehrungen an Bord stehen auf dem Prüfstand.

Update vom 24. August, 9 Uhr: Alle sieben Todesopfer der gesunkenen Yacht wurden gefunden, nun läuft eine Autopsie der Leichen. Darüber berichtet Gionale di Sicilia . Die 18-jährige Hannah Lynch, die Einsatzkräfte am Freitag (23. August) als letzte bargen, wurde zum Rotoli-Friedhof in Palermo überführt, heißt es. Dort befinde sich auch die Leiche ihres Vaters Mike Lynch.

Beamtinnen und Beamte der Staatsanwaltschaft Termini Imerese ermitteln derweil weiter zur Ursache des Schiffbruchs. Im Fokus steht dabei, was in den letzten Minuten vor dem Untergang passiert ist. Eine Frage sei laut Giornale di Sicilia etwa: Wieso wurde der Anker auf eine Tiefe von 50 Metern gesenkt? Dies sei schließlich eine ungewöhnliche Tiefe für ein Segelschiff, das in flachen Meeresböden ankert. Darüber hinaus analysieren sie die Bewegungen der Yacht. Vom Beginn des Sturms bis zum Untergang des Schiffes sei demnach nur eine Viertelstunde vergangen.

Zudem wollen die Ermittlerinnen und Ermittler herausfinden, warum sich die Besatzungsmitglieder zusammen mit einigen Gästen an Deck befanden, während andere sich in Kabinen aufhielten. Von den sieben Todesopfern gehörte schließlich nur einer zur Besatzung, der Koch. Die anderen sechs Toten waren Passagierinnen und Passagiere.

Yacht-Unglück vor Italien: Tauchteam entdeckt weitere Leiche

Update vom 23. August, 12.30 Uhr: Nach dem Untergang einer Luxusjacht vor der italienischen Mittelmeerinsel Sizilien sind nun alle Todesopfer gefunden worden. Als Letztes wurde nach vier Tagen Suche der Leichnam der 18 Jahre alten Tochter des britischen Milliardärs Mike Lynch gesichtet. Die Tote soll aus der „Bayesian“ von Spezialtauchern aus 50 Metern Tiefe an die Oberfläche gebracht werden. 

Zu den insgesamt sieben Todesopfern gehört auch der Software-Unternehmer selbst. Lynch, einer der reichsten Briten, wurde 59 Jahre alt. Seine Ehefrau, die ebenfalls an Bord war, gehört zu den 15 Überlebenden. 

Update vom 22. August, 17.48 Uhr: Nach tagelanger Suche besteht nun Gewissheit: Beim Untergang einer Luxusjacht vor der italienischen Mittelmeerinsel Sizilien ist auch der britische Milliardär Mike Lynch ums Leben gekommen. Der Leichnam des 59-jährigen Unternehmers wurde von Spezialtauchern aus seinem Segelboot „Bayesian“, das in 50 Metern Tiefe auf Grund liegt, an die Oberfläche gebracht. Vermisst wird jetzt nur noch seine 18 Jahre alte Tochter. Nach ihr wurde auch am Nachmittag noch gesucht. Inzwischen wurde auch eine Nachricht bekannt, die eine Überlebende abgesetzt hat .

Update vom 22. August, 16.10 Uhr: In einem Gespräch mit Ippen.Media liefert der erfahrene Skipper Michael Schlecht seine Einschätzung des Vorfalls. Wie Schlecht betont waren die Wetterverhältnisse „sehr extrem“. Darüber hinaus sagt er: „Und vermutlich kamen viele geöffnete Luken und Türen hinzu“.

Schlecht hat auch die Trackingdaten des Schiffes untersucht und stellt fest: „Das Boot bewegte sich heftig am Anker“. Seine Schlussfolgerung: „Ich vermute, dass der Anker schließlich abrutschte (oder brach, was eher unwahrscheinlich ist), denn das Boot glitt mit 2,6 Knoten davon.“

Update vom 22. August, 14.52 Uhr: Obwohl die Bergungsaktionen noch im Gange sind, haben die Justizbehörden in der nahegelegenen sizilianischen Stadt Termini Imerese bereits Ermittlungen zu den Verantwortlichen für das Unglück aufgenommen, wie Dailymail berichtet. Da das Schiff Bayesian unter der Flagge der Isle of Man segelt, wird auch die britische Marine Accident Investigation Branch eine eigene Untersuchung einleiten. Ein vierköpfiges Team britischer Inspektoren ist am Donnerstag, dem 22. August, in Sizilien eingetroffen. Ihre Untersuchungen werden sich jedoch vorrangig auf den genauen Unfallhergang konzentrieren.

15 Überlebende nach Yacht-Unglück

Update vom 22. August, 13.16 Uhr: Der Schock bei den 15 Überlebenden dürfte auch Tage nach dem Yacht-Unglück in Italien noch tief sitzen. Wie die örtliche Zeitung Giornale di Sicilia berichtete, sind sie derzeit in einem Hotel untergebracht. Dort würden sie nicht nur psychologisch betreut, sondern auch der Reihe nach zu dem Vorfall befragt. Unter den Überlebenden soll sich auch eine 22-jährige Deutsche befinden. Die Frau sei Mitglied der Crew gewesen.

Nachdem die Leiche am Donnerstagvormittag von Milliardär Mike Lynch geborgen wurde, wird noch seine 18-jährige Tochter vermisst. Es wird vermutet, dass sie sich noch im Wrack in rund 50 Metern Tiefe befindet. Dass sie noch lebend gefunden wird, scheint aber ausgeschlossen.

Chef der Schiffsbauer-Firma erhebt schwere Vorwürfe

Update vom 22. August, 12.08 Uhr: Die Ermittlungen der italienischen Staatsanwaltschaft zum Yacht-Unglück vor Sizilien laufen auf Hochtouren. Dabei werden auch Videos und Foto von Augenzeugen sowie Überwachungskameras geprüft, die den Schiffbruch festgehalten hatten. Warum die Luxus-Yacht sank, ist aber noch unklar.

Dem Chef der Schiffsbauer-Firma zufolge hätte die Tragödie vermieden werden können, sagte er gegenüber der Zeitung Corriere della Sera . „Alles, was getan wurde, offenbart eine sehr lange Reihe von Fehlern“, räumte Giovanni Costantino von der Italian Sea Group ein, zu der auch die Firma Perini Navi gehört, welche die „Bayesian“ gebaut hatte. Hätte es etwa eine Wache an Bord es Schiffes gegeben, „hätte sie den aufziehenden Sturm nicht übersehen können“, so Costantino. Demnach hätten die Passagiere gewarnt sowie alle Türen und Luken geschlossen werden müssen. Doch während die Gäste noch in den Kabinen war, sei offenbar Wasser in die Yacht gedrungen. „Sie saßen in einer Falle“, stellte er fest.

Wie RaiNews berichtete, wird in den kommenden Tagen eine Obduktion der Todesopfer erwartet. Offiziell angeordnet wurde diese zwar noch nicht. Sie sollen aber in die Gerichtsmedizin in Palermo überführt werden.

Weitere Leiche nach Yacht-Unglück identifiziert

Update vom 22. August, 10.41 Uhr: Wie mehrere Medien übereinstimmend berichten, handelt es sich bei dem fünften geborgenen Todesopfer aus der verunglückten Luxusjacht „Bayesian“ um den britischen Unternehmer Mike Lynch. Die Suche nach seiner 18-jährigen Tochter hält noch an. Taucher versuchen, die Leiche, die 50 Meter unter dem Meeresspiegel im Wrack gefangen sind, an die Oberfläche zu bringen.

Update vom 22. August, 9.47 Uhr: Inzwischen wurde die fünfte Leiche der Vermissten aus dem Inneren der Luxus-Yacht „Bayesian“ vor der italienischen Mittelmeerinsel Sizilien geborgen. Spezialtaucher brachten den Körper aus rund 50 Metern Tiefe an Land. Der örtlichen Zeitung Giornale di Sicilia zufolge könnte es sich um den britischen Milliardär Mike Lynch handeln. Eine offizielle Bestätigung steht jedoch noch aus. Damit müssten die Tauchteams noch die 18-jährige Tochter des Tycoons bergen.

Bei dem Yacht-Unglück am Montag kamen mindestens sechs Menschen ums Leben. Zuvor schon waren die Leichen des Schiffskochs sowie zwei tote Ehepaare geborgen worden. 

Update vom 22. August, 9.09 Uhr: Wie die örtliche Zeitung Giornale di Sicilia berichtete, wurde die fünfte Leiche wohl als der Milliardär Mike Lynch identifiziert. Sie wurde geortet, ist allerdings noch im Wrack eingeschlossen und soll im Tagesverlauf geborgen werden. Die Suche nach Lynchs 18-jähriger Tochter geht jedoch unverändert weiter. Das gestaltet sich allerdings äußerst schwierig. Da sich das Boot in etwa 50 Metern Tiefe befindet, können die Tauchteams nur wenige Minuten unter Wasser bleiben und müssen sich immer wieder abwechseln.

Dagegen gehört Lynchs Ehefrau zu den insgesamt 15 Überlebenden des Unglücks. Wie DailyMail berichtete, soll sie es aus der Hauptkabine in Sicherheit geschafft haben. Der britische Tycoon hingegen soll sich mit seiner Tochter in einer Kabine im Unterdeck befunden haben. Das legt die Vermutung nahe, dass er der 18-Jährigen zu Hilfe eilen wollte. Noch ist das allerdings Spekulation. Bis die Chronologie des Unglücks bekannt ist, geht die Suche weiter.

Leiche von Milliardär Lynch und Tochter wohl doch nicht geborgen

Update vom 22. August, 6.30 Uhr: Fast alle Todesopfer sind drei Tage nach dem Yacht-Unglück vor Sizilien geborgen. Der Milliardär Mike Lynch und seine Tochter sind jedoch nicht darunter. Zunächst hatten mehrere Medien berichtet, dass die beiden gefunden worden seien. Dies stellte sich jedoch als unzutreffend heraus. 

Dass jetzt noch Überlebende gefunden werden, scheint aber nahezu unmöglich. Nach Einbruch der Dunkelheit musste die Suche zeitweise unterbrochen jetzt. Nun wird am Donnerstag erneut gesucht. Der genaue Hergang des Unglücks ist noch unklar. Inzwischen wurde der verletzte Kapitän von der italienischen Polizei stundenlang verhört. „Wir haben es nicht kommen sehen“, zitierte ihn die Zeitung La Repubblica . An dieser Darstellung gibt es allerdings auch Zweifel. So hatte Wetter-Experte Kachelmann kritisiert, die Besatzung hätte sich auf das Unwetter in Italien einstellen müssen .

Nach Yacht-Unglück: Leichen von Milliardär Lynch und Tochter wohl noch in Kabinen

Update vom 21. August, 21.23 Uhr: Die Behörden in Italien haben am Abend die Identität von vier Todesopfern des Untergangs der Luxus-Yacht „Bayesian“ bekanntgegeben. Die Yacht war vor der italienischen Mittelmeerinsel Sizilien untergegangen, es gibt praktisch keine Hoffnung auf Überlebende mehr. Im Inneren des Segelbootes in etwa 50 Metern Tiefe wurden am Mittwoch die Leichen von fünf der sechs Vermissten von Spezialtauchern ausfindig gemacht, vier der Toten wurden geborgen und an Land gebracht, hieß es weiter. Darunter sind zwei Ehepaare, die auf Einladung des britischen Milliardärs Mike Lynch an Bord waren.

Der 59-Jährigen und seine erst 18 Jahre alte Tochter Hannah wurden aller Wahrscheinlichkeit nach ebenfalls getötet. Die Leichen von Vater und Tochter Lynch befinden sich vermutlich noch in ihren Kabinen im Unterdeck, die nur schwer zu erreichen sind. Bei Anbruch der Dunkelheit musste die Suche unterbrochen werden. Am Nachmittag hatten der italienische Fernsehsender Rai und mehrere britische Medien berichtet, dass der Milliardär gefunden worden sei.

Yacht-Untergang vor Sizilien: Fünftes Todesopfer entdeckt

Update vom 21. August, 19.21 Uhr: Die Zahl der Todesopfer ist nach dem Untergang der Luxusjacht „Bayesian“ vor der italienischen Mittelmeerinsel Sizilien auf sechs angestiegen. Zudem gibt es praktisch keine Hoffnung auf Überlebende mehr. Am Mittwoch wurden die Leichen von fünf der sechs bislang Vermissten in etwa 50 Metern Tiefe von Spezialtauchern im Inneren des Segelboots ausfindig gemacht. Darunter sind nach Informationen des italienischen Senders Rai auch der britische Milliardär Mike Lynch (59), der mit der Segeltour einen Freispruch vor Gericht feiern wollte, und seine erst 18 Jahre alte Tochter Hannah. Als erstes Todesopfer war bereits am Montag der Schiffskoch im Wasser entdeckt worden.

Am Abend wurden noch eine weitere Leiche an Bord des Schiffes vermutet. Zu der Identität der Toten machten die Behörden zunächst noch keine Angaben. 15 Menschen haben das Unglück, das sich am Montag (19. August) nur eine halbe Seemeile (etwa 900 Meter) entfernt vom Ufer ereignet hatte, überlebt.

Taucher finden weitere Leichen – Milliardär Lynch und Tochter wohl tot

Update vom 21. August, 17.49 Uhr: Inzwischen konnten Taucher nach dem Yacht-Drama in Italien offenbar zwei weitere Leichen bergen. Damit wurden insgesamt vier Tote am Mittwoch in etwa 50 Metern Tiefe von Spezialtauchern im Inneren des Segelboots ausfindig gemacht und dann nach oben gebracht. Darunter sind nach Informationen des italienischen Senders Rai auch der britische Milliardär Mike Lynch (59) und seine 18 Jahre alte Tochter Hannah. Die Hoffnung, noch jemanden lebend zu finden, ist inzwischen verschwinden gering. Somit sind nun fünf Tote bestätigt.

Update vom 21. August, 16.53 Uhr: Einsatzkräfte haben zweieinhalb Tage nach dem Untergang der Luxusyacht „Bayesian“ vor Sizilien zwei Leichen aus dem gesunkenen Schiff geborgen. Nach Informationen der italienischen Nachrichtenagentur Ansa aus Behördenkreisen wurden die beiden Toten in etwa 50 Metern Tiefe von Spezialtauchern im Inneren der Yacht gesichtet. Anschließend wurden die Leichen an die Wasseroberfläche gebracht. Anfangs hatte nur der Leichnam des Schiffskochs geborgen werden können.

Nach Bootsunglück in Sizilien: Taucher entdecken zwei Leichen im Wrack der „Bayesian“

Erstmeldung vom 21. August, 15.58 Uhr: Palermo – Am frühen Montagmorgen (19. August) sank die Yacht „Bayesian“ vor der Küste von Sizilien. Beim Unglück in Italien starb ein Mann, sechs Personen wurden vermisst. Rund 50 Stunden später, am Mittwochnachmittag (21. August), lokalisierten Taucher erstmals zwei Leichen im Inneren der gesunkenen Luxusyacht. Die leblosen Körper wurden im Inneren der Yacht gesichtet, wie die italienische Nachrichtenagentur Ansa unter Berufung auf die Behörden berichtete.

Wie die Küstenwache angab, konnten Taucher der Feuerwehr wenige Stunden zuvor durch ein Loch im Rumpf erstmal die Kajüten der „Bayesian“ erreichen . Die Türen waren allerdings durch verrückte Möbel und andere Gegenstände blockiert.

Die Bergungsarbeiten gestalten sich unter anderem so schwierig, weil den Tauchern am Grund nur zehn Minuten zum Arbeiten bleiben. Danach müssen sie aus 50 Metern Tiefe wieder an die Oberfläche zurückkehren.

Yacht-Unglück in Italien : Zwei Leichen gefunden – eine soll ein Mann sein

Zwei Leichen konnten nun ausfindig gemacht, aber laut italienischen Medien noch nicht geborgen werden. Demnach befanden sich die Körper hinter Matratzen in einer Koje. Eine der Leichen soll als Mann identifiziert worden sein.

Bei den sechs Vermissten des „Bayesian“-Unglücks in Italien handelt es sich um den britischen Tech-Milliardär Mike Lynch, dessen Tochter Hannah sowie den Topbanker Jonathan Bloom (Morgan Staney International), Lynchs Anwalt und die Ehefrauen der beiden Männer.

Schweres Unwetter versenkte Yacht „Bayesian“ vor Sizilien – vermisster Milliardär wollte Neuanfang feiern

Lynch hatte zum Segeltörn auf der Luxusyacht geladen, um seinen Freispruch nach spektakulärer Wende in einem Betrugsprozess zu feiern, heißt es in britischen Medien. Der Milliardär habe einen „Neuanfang“ machen wollen, sagte der britische Politiker John Gummer.

Ein schweres Unwetter über Palermo hatte die Yacht „Bayesian“ rund eine halbe Seemeile vor der Küste zum Kentern gebracht. Das Schiff sank innerhalb von Minuten, wie das Video einer Überwachungskamera zeigt. Das sei durchaus möglich, wenn etwa eine große Welle über Bord schlug oder Türen geöffnet waren, erklärt der Tiefsee-Experte Philippe Epelbaum bei IPPEN.MEDIA .

Warum sank die Yacht vor Sizilien ? Staatsanwaltschaft und Hafenbehörde ermitteln

Aktuell laufen Ermittlungen der Hafenbehörde sowie der Staatsanwaltschaft von Termini Imerese. Es soll geklärt werden, ob an Bord der Yacht alle Sicherheitsvorkehrungen eingehalten wurden. Gleichzeitig gehen auch die Bergungsarbeiten im Wasser unermüdlich weiter. Am Mittwoch mit den ersten Erkenntnissen. (moe/kh mit dpa)

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Bayesian Yacht: A Masterpiece of Luxury and Engineering

The Bayesian yacht, a symbol of nautical elegance and engineering brilliance, has long been celebrated in the world of superyachts. Built by the renowned Italian shipbuilder Perini Navi, this 56-meter vessel was first launched in …

Written by: Kevin Lee

Published on: August 20, 2024

The Bayesian yacht, a symbol of nautical elegance and engineering brilliance, has long been celebrated in the world of superyachts. Built by the renowned Italian shipbuilder Perini Navi, this 56-meter vessel was first launched in 2008 under the name Salute. The name itself, translating to “health” in Italian, seemed to promise a voyage of luxury and well-being. However, what truly set this yacht apart was not just its name, but its sheer opulence, advanced design, and the remarkable story it carried.

The Birth of Bayesian: An Engineering Marvel

Originally costing an estimated £14 million, the Bayesian yacht was a testament to the pinnacle of yacht design and craftsmanship. Perini Navi, one of the world’s leading yacht makers, crafted this vessel with a focus on both performance and luxury. Under the expert design of yacht architect Ron Holland, the Bayesian boasted the world’s tallest aluminum mast, standing over 72 meters above the deck. This engineering feat allowed the yacht to carry nearly 3,000 square meters of sail, making it a sight to behold on the open seas.

The yacht’s towering mast was not just for show; it was a technical challenge that required innovative solutions to ensure stability and safety. A former captain of the Bayesian highlighted the achievement of taming this massive structure, ensuring that it behaved dynamically during both sailing and motoring. This balance between design and function made the Bayesian a unique vessel in the world of superyachts.

A Floating Palace: The Luxurious Interiors

The interiors of the Bayesian yacht were designed by the acclaimed Rémi Tessier, a name synonymous with luxury and sophistication. Tessier, who has also designed suites for Claridge’s hotel in London and yachts for Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, infused the Bayesian with a sense of pure and natural elegance. Drawing inspiration from Japanese design principles, Tessier utilized whitened sycamore and teak surfaces in the communal areas, creating a serene and calming environment for guests.

In the private cabins, materials such as stainless steel, ebony, and leather were carefully chosen to create a luxurious yet familiar atmosphere. The yacht could comfortably accommodate up to twelve guests in six beautifully appointed cabins, each attended by a staff of ten, dedicated to catering to every whim of the guests. The design emphasized outdoor living, with ample spaces for al fresco entertaining and relaxing on deck.

The Ultimate Playground: Onboard Amenities and Water Toys

For those fortunate enough to embark on a journey aboard the Bayesian, the yacht offered a plethora of amenities designed for both relaxation and adventure. The lower deck was divided into three distinct sections: crew accommodation towards the bow, guest staterooms in the middle, and the owner’s cabin at the aft. This layout ensured that guests enjoyed privacy and comfort throughout their stay.

The real fun, however, was found at the aft of the yacht, where a garage housed a collection of water toys and crafts. From jet skis and wakeboards to sea kayaks and banana boats, the Bayesian was equipped to offer endless entertainment on the water. A tender was also available to transport guests to secluded bays and ports, allowing them to explore the surrounding areas in style.

A Tragic End: The Sinking of the Bayesian

Despite its luxurious beginnings, the story of the Bayesian yacht took a tragic turn. In 2020, the yacht was refitted and no longer listed for private hire. By this time, it had been renamed Bayesian, a name that would become synonymous with one of the most harrowing maritime incidents in recent history.

In August 2024, during a celebratory voyage off the coast of Sicily, the Bayesian was caught in a sudden and severe storm. High winds, reportedly reaching up to 200km/h, battered the yacht, causing the massive aluminum mast to topple over the side. The force of the wind and the weight of the mast pushed the yacht beyond its down-flooding angle, causing seawater to flood the deck. Within minutes, the Bayesian capsized and sank.

A nearby vessel, the Sir Robert BP, witnessed the tragedy unfold. The crew of the Sir Robert BP reported seeing the Bayesian go flat on the water before disappearing beneath the waves. Despite their efforts to help, only 15 people were rescued from the sinking yacht, including a one-year-old baby who was heroically saved by her mother, Charlotte Golunski.

The Aftermath: A Somber Legacy

The sinking of the Bayesian yacht left a profound impact on the yachting community and beyond. Among those feared dead were tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah, who were aboard the yacht celebrating Lynch’s recent legal victory in the United States. The tragedy underscored the unpredictable and often dangerous nature of the sea, even for vessels as advanced and well-crafted as the Bayesian.

The wreckage of the Bayesian was eventually discovered by divers, but the loss of life and the yacht itself marked a somber end to what was once a symbol of luxury and achievement. The images of the yacht, once proudly displayed in the homes of its owner, now serve as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictability of nature.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of the Bayesian Yacht

The Bayesian yacht, with its towering mast and luxurious interiors, will always be remembered as a masterpiece of nautical engineering and design. It stood as a symbol of opulence, craftsmanship, and the heights that human ingenuity can reach. Yet, its tragic end also serves as a reminder of the forces of nature and the risks inherent in venturing into the open sea.

For those who had the privilege of experiencing the Bayesian, it was more than just a yacht; it was a floating palace, a testament to the art of yacht-making, and a vessel that carried with it the dreams and aspirations of its owners and guests. Though the Bayesian now rests at the bottom of the Mediterranean, its legacy will continue to inspire and remind us of the delicate balance between luxury and nature.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What was the original name of the Bayesian yacht? The Bayesian yacht was originally named Salute when it was launched in 2008 by Perini Navi. The name was later changed to Bayesian.

2. Who designed the Bayesian yacht? The design of the Bayesian yacht was a collaboration between Ron Holland, who designed the yacht’s structure, and Rémi Tessier, who created its luxurious interiors.

3. What made the Bayesian yacht unique? The Bayesian yacht was unique for its 72-meter aluminum mast, the tallest in the world, and its luxurious interiors inspired by Japanese design. It was a perfect blend of engineering excellence and opulent living.

4. What led to the sinking of the Bayesian yacht? The Bayesian yacht sank after being caught in a severe storm off the coast of Sicily. High winds caused the mast to topple, which led to the yacht taking on water, capsizing, and sinking quickly.

5. How many people were rescued from the sinking Bayesian yacht? Fifteen people were rescued from the sinking Bayesian yacht, including a one-year-old baby. However, several others, including the yacht’s owner, Mike Lynch, are feared dead.

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Bayesian yacht overnight search called off after five bodies found with one still missing

Salvatore Cocina, head of Sicily’s civil protection agency, said last night that searches had finished for the day and would resume on Thursday.

• 08:26, 22 AUG 2024

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The search of the Bayesian superyacht wreckage was called off overnight after five bodies were found.

Salvatore Cocina, head of Sicily’s civil protection agency, said last night that searches had finished for the day and would resume on Thursday. Mr Cocina confirmed that five bodies had been found, but only four recovered - with one person still missing.

As reported by the Mirror , search teams made the tragic discovery of tech mogul Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah on Wednesday after finally breaking in to the cabin of the Bayesian. The boat sank off the coast of Sicily after being hit by a freak tornado on Monday morning.

The Chief of Civil Protection later said the two bodies were that of the father and daughter, before announcing two more corpses had been recovered. The freak incident came as the 59-year-old Brit was enjoying a victory trip to celebrate winning a US fraud trial - and Hannah had just landed a place to study English at Oxford.

Two bodies were brought ashore shortly before 4pm local time yesterday and were later confirmed as the pair. Three further body bags were transported from the wreck site and taken away under blue lights but their identities remain unknown.

It means one yacht guest remains missing. Still unaccounted for are Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judy and American citizens Chris Morvillo and his jewellery designer wife Neda. The four guests, plus the tycoon and teen daughter, had been missing since Monday, with specialist divers scrambling to access the boat in the hope air pockets in the cabins could keep them breathing.

The £30 million Bayesian went down in just 60 seconds after being hit off the coast of Porticello on Monday morning. It was carrying 10 crew members and 12 passengers. Earlier a doctor treating the hero mum who saved her baby in the horror said she was sleeping on deck with the tot when disaster struck.

Charlotte Emsley, 36, survived the sinking of the superyacht by reportedly holding her baby above the waves. It emerged as inspectors from the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) arrived on scene on Wednesday.

The MAIB is looking into what happened because the yacht Bayesian was flying a British flag. One expert told the Telegraph authorities are investigating whether hatches left open by crew members contributed to the sinking. The wreckage of Bayesian is resting on the seabed 50 metres deep.

Fire crews said they accessed the vessel through natural entrances, without making openings. And the Italian coastguard said remotely-controlled underwater robots were assisting the search. The devices can remain underwater for at least two hours at a time, providing much-needed help to diving teams who can only search the wreck in 12-minute intervals.

Of the 22 passengers and crew on board, 15 – including Mr Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares – were rescued after escaping onto a lifeboat. Survivors are recuperating at a hotel complex in Porticello, where authorities are gathering witness statements.

Ms Bacares has reportedly been joined by the couple's elder daughter who was not on board the yacht. We earlier revealed the mum-of-two was in a "state of shock and sadness" as she anxiously waited for news. She has reportedly been joined by the couple's elder daughter who was not on board the yacht.

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The ship's captain was yesterday confirmed as “well respected” seafarer James Cutfield, 51. The New-Zealander earlier said crew members “didn’t see [the storm] coming.” He is recovering in hospital with his wife by his side.

More of the vessel's rescued crew members were named by the Italian Coastguard on Tuesday, with Leo Eppel and South African nationals Leah Randall and Katja Chicken all confirmed as having been on board. A body recovered at the scene of the sinking on Monday was that of Canadian-Antiguan national Recaldo Thomas, who was working on the superyacht.

Gareth Williams, a friend of the chef, told the BBC : "I can talk for everyone that knew him when I say he was a well-loved, kind human being with a calm spirit." Another pal, Eli Fuller, added Mr Thomas was "friends with everybody,” and was "always positive" and "sought-after" in his profession.

Top news stories today

Mr Lynch – once dubbed "Britain’s Bill Gates"– formed his first firm in 1996 with a £2,000 loan, and it morphed into software giant Autonomy. Just months ago, the head honcho - worth around £500 million - was cleared of fraud in the US over the 2011 sale of that firm to Hewlett-Packard.

Earlier Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith, west London, where Hannah Lynch was a pupil, said its "thoughts are with their family and everyone involved." In a separate tragedy, Stephen Chamberlain – the former vice president of finance at Autonomy and Mr Lynch's co-defendant – died after being hit by a car while out jogging in Cambridgeshire on Saturday.

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Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya

Kalanchevskaya Street 21/40, Krasnoselsky, 107078 Moscow, Russia – Great location - show map – Subway/metro & Train Access

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This hotel in Moscow is a 5-minute walk from Krasnye Vorota and Komsomolskaya metro stations which are a few stops away from the Kremlin. Located in the legendary building, it features an indoor pool. Each room has a 32-inch LCD TV. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel. The modern rooms at the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya offer satellite TV, a tea/coffee maker, a work desk and a private bathroom with amenities. Some rooms have views of Moscow city center. The elegant Janus Restaurant serves Russian and international dishes along with a variety of wines. Cocktails and hot and cold snacks are also offered at the hotel’s lounge bar. The Moscow Leningradskaya also features an indoor swimming pool with a hot tub and a 24-hour gym.

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Please note that the property provides bathrobes, slippers, additional blankets and towels, dental sets and shaving kits upon request. No charges are applicable.

Please note that according to the hotel's policy the guest who made the booking must be the holder of the credit card provided during the booking and at check-in. An alternative credit card has to be provided otherwise, and cash payment is also available. In case of providing another credit card, the amount of prepayment will be refunded to the credit card used for the booking.

Russian guests are kindly asked to present a national passport at check-in. Foreign guests need to provide a passport with a visa and migration card.

Pets are allowed. Please note that a nonrefundable fee is 3 000,00 RUB per stay. The refundable cleaning fee is 5 000,00 per stay.

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Enjoy a chic stay at our hotel, adjacent to the Royal Yacht Club. We're one kilometer from Vodny metro station, which gets you into Moscow in 27 minutes. Otkritie Arena and Sheremetyevo - A.S. Pushkin International Airport can be reached in 20 minutes. We have a Balinese-inspired spa and a pool with private pods to relax in.

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Ukraine Attacks Moscow in One of Largest Ever Drone Strikes on Russian Capital

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Ukraine attacked Moscow on Wednesday with at least 11 drones that were shot down by air defences in what Russian officials called one of the biggest drone strikes on the capital since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022.

The war, largely a grinding artillery and drone battle across the fields, forests and villages of eastern Ukraine, escalated on Aug. 6 when Ukraine sent thousands of soldiers over the border into Russia’s western Kursk region.

For months, Ukraine has also fought an increasingly damaging drone war against the refineries and airfields of Russia, the world’s second largest oil exporter, though major drone attacks on the Moscow region – with a population of over 21 million – have been rarer.

Russia’s defence ministry said its air defences destroyed a total of 45 drones over Russian territory, including 11 over the Moscow region, 23 over the border region of Bryansk, six over the Belgorod region, three over the Kaluga region and two over the Kursk region.

Some of the drones were shot down over the city of Podolsk, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. The city in the Moscow region is some 38 km (24 miles) south of the Kremlin.

“This is one of the largest attempts to attack Moscow using drones ever,” Sobyanin said on the Telegram messaging app in the early hours of Wednesday. “The layered defence of Moscow that was created made it possible to successfully repel all the attacks from the enemy UAVs.”

Along Moscow’s boulevards, the cafes, restaurants and shops of the capital – which has been carefully insulated from the war – were crowded with little sign of concern, while President Vladimir Putin met Chinese premier Li Qiang in the Kremlin.

Two Russian citizens who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity said the foiled drone attack simply showed how well defended Moscow now was, and that Ukraine was “playing with fire” by attacking Russia both in Kursk and in Moscow.

Russia meanwhile is advancing in eastern Ukraine, where it controls about 18% of the territory, and battling to repel Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region, the biggest foreign attack on Russian territory since World War Two.

Russian media showed unverified footage of drones whirring over the dawn sky of the Moscow region and then being shot down in a ball of flame by air defences.

Moscow’s airports, Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky, limited flights for four hours but restarted normal operations from 0330 GMT, Russia’s aviation watchdog said.

Sobyanin said that according to preliminary information, there were no injuries or damage reported in the aftermath of the attacks. There were also no casualties or damage reported following the attack on Bryansk in Russia’s southwest, the governor of the region, Alexander Bogomaz, wrote on Telegram.

Russia’s RIA state news agency reported that two drones were destroyed over the Tula region, which borders the Moscow region to its north. Vasily Golubev, governor of the Rostov region in Russia’s southwest, said air defence forces destroyed a Ukraine-launched missile over the region, with no injuries reported.

The Russian defence ministry did not mention either Tula or Rostov in its statement listing destroyed Ukrainian air weapons. Ukraine’s military said on Wednesday it overnight struck an S-300 anti-aircraft missile system based in the Rostov region.

The drone attack on Moscow was on a par with a May 2023 attack when at least eight drones were destroyed over the capital, a strike Putin said was a Ukrainian attempt to scare and provoke Russia.

In Kursk, Russian war bloggers said intense battles were ongoing along the front in the region where Ukraine has carved out at least 450 square km (175 square miles) of Russian territory.

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Manhunt Underway in France After Synagogue ‘Terror Attack’ — Suspect Seen with Palestinian Flag

An explosion outside a synagogue in southern France wounded a police officer on Saturday morning in what authorities said was being treated as a terror attack.

A suspect caught on a surveillance camera outside the Beth Yaacov synagogue in the seaside resort of La Grande-Motte, near the city of Montpellier, was caught in surveillance camera footage clad in a Palestinian flag.

France’s acting interior minister ordered police reinforcements to protect Jewish places of worship after the suspected arson attack.

French President Emmanuel Macron calls the attack “an act of terror,” adding in a post on X that “the fight against antisemitism is a daily fight.”

“Sending thoughts to the faithful of the synagogue of La Grande-Motte and all the Jews of our country,” Macron wrote, promising that all efforts were being made to apprehend the perpetrator and to “protect places of worship.”

Police were hunting for the suspect and the anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office was put in charge of the investigation, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said.

“This is an antisemitic attack. Once more, our Jewish compatriots are targeted,” Attal said on X.

“We won’t give up. In the face of antisemitism, in the face of violence, we will never allow ourselves to be intimidated.”

Two cars parked at the synagogue in the seaside resort town were set ablaze at about 8:30 a.m., causing the blast that injured the police officer, according to French media reports. One of the cars allegedly contained a propane gas tank.

🚨 BREAKING NEWS Another synagogue in France was targeted. An explosion at the Beth Yaacov synagogue in La Grande-Motte, southern France, is treated as an arson with two cars exploding using a hidden gas bottle. A police officer was injured. Anti-Jewish hate crimes continue… pic.twitter.com/uxF3I9X6qs — (((Yuval David))) (@YuvalDavid) August 24, 2024

The blast occurred during Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest that runs from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday and often when many attend synagogue services. There was, however, no religious service ongoing at the time of the incident, a police source said.

Two doors of the synagogue were damaged in the blast.

The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF) said the blast was “an attempt to kill Jews.”

The use of a gas canister “in a car at a time when worshippers are expected to arrive at the synagogue is not simply a criminal act,” CRIF president Yonathan Arfi said. “This shows an intention to kill.”

A suspect caught on a surveillance camera after the explosion was brandishing a Palestinian flag, according to a source close to the police’s terror probe into the incident.

There was no immediate information about the gravity of the police officer’s injuries.

Acting Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the incident was being treated as an “attempted arson” that was “clearly a criminal act.”

“I want to assure our Jewish fellow citizens of my full support and say that at the request of President Emmanuel Macron all means are being mobilized to find the perpetrator,” Darmanin said in a post on X.

He ordered more police deployed at Jewish places of worship around the country following a surge of antisemitism since the start of the Israel-Hamas war last year.

Darmanin was expected to travel to Le Grand Motte later on Saturday along with Attal.

The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF) called the explosion “an attempt to kill Jews.”

The use of a gas canister “in a car at a time when worshipers are expected to arrive at the synagogue is not simply a criminal act,” CRIF president Yonathan Arfi told AFP. “This shows an intention to kill.”

La Motte, which has around 8,500 permanent residents, is a popular seaside resort and visited by more than 100,000 tourists every year.

La Motte’s mayor, Stephan Rossignol, said that CCTV had picked up images of an individual setting fire to the cars.

UPDATE: 15-Year-Old Arrested in Connection to Knife Attack in Germany — Islamic Group Claims Responsibility

Islamic State claimed responsibility Saturday for a knife attack at a festival in Germany that left three people dead and eight hurt, according to reports.

The terrifying attack, which caused panic at the event in Solingen, was “in revenge for Muslims in Palestine and everywhere,” the militant group said on its Telegram account.

The attacker has been on the run for almost 24 hours.

A 15-year-old was arrested Saturday in connection with the German incident, authorities said.

A second arrest was made in connection to the deadly attack but no details about the person taken into custody were provided, per BBC.

Police cautioned the young suspect was not the attacker — but instead had been accused of failing to report a crime, according to CNN.

Witnesses claimed the teen had spoken to an unidentified person about “intentions that would match with the crime” shortly before the attack, senior public prosecutor Markus Caspers said in a news conference reported by the Washington Post.

Authorities noted multiple knives were found near the scene, Police Chief Markus Röhrl told reporters.

The attacker specifically targeted victims’ necks, police said, as per the Washington Post.

Three people — two men, aged 67 and 56, and a 56-year-old woman — were killed, police said.

Among the eight hurt, four are “very seriously injured” and in the hospital, police said.

The mayhem unfolded at around 9:30 p.m. in a central square of “Festival of Diversity,” an event marking the 650th anniversary of Solingen.

The attack occurred close to a stage during a musical act, according to police.

Organizers canceled the festival’s remaining lineup in response to the attack.

“This evening, we in Solingen are all in shock. We all wanted to celebrate our city’s anniversary together and now have dead and wounded to lament,” Mayor Tim Kurzbach said on Facebook.

“It breaks my heart that an attack on our city happened,” he added.

The incident came less than a day before an antisemitic attack in southern France, in which someone set two cars on fire outside a synagogue.

Michigan GOP Convention Devolves Into Chaos After Former Chairwoman Is Forced to Leave

Michigan’s state GOP convention didn’t go on without a hitch.

Former Chairwoman Kristina Karamo, who the party ousted earlier this year, was escorted out by Flint police after wearing an all access credential that she wasn’t entitled to, according to a Michigan GOP source.

She was asked to wear a guest or campaign staff credential, but she allegedly refused and was asked to leave because she wasn’t allowed on the delegate floor.

“Pete Hoekstra wants me thrown out of the convention; I’m here supporting a candidate,” Karamo told reporters as she was being escorted out. “I did not cause any disruption. I didn’t scream or yell. I didn’t do anything wrong. All I did was walk in and support the candidate.”

“This is why the Michigan Republican Party — look at the convention, people yelling, booing, why? ‘Cause of the corruption in the party,” she continued.

Onlookers thanked her as she walked out the door. Also during the video, a voice is heard saying, “That credential is our property. We’re gonna want that back before she leaves the property.” In the video, she’s seen wearing the all-access credential.

Karamo kicked out of convention. https://t.co/zVepIgz4T1 pic.twitter.com/HoUuHLEeje — Ben Solis (@bensolis1) August 24, 2024

Karamo’s removal from the convention appears to be the climax of intraparty drama in which the party’s state committee underwent a seemingly dubious process to remove her. Less than half of the state committee’s roughly 100 members took part in the Jan. 6 vote, and those in attendance changed the party’s bylaws to shift the voting threshold to oust a party chair from 75% to 60%.

Those in attendance reportedly voted 40-5 in favor of removing her, and Karamo was outraged, saying she remained the party’s chairwoman. She held a meeting with committee members on Jan. 13. who reportedly voted in favor of her 59-1.

A court settled the matter in February, ruling Karamo isn’t the party chairwoman, affirming that former Michigan Rep. Pete Hoekstra would take the mantle.

Former President Donald Trump endorsed Hoekstra as the Michigan GOP leader.

But at Saturday’s convention, where the party is expected to nominate its candidate for Senate, former Rep. Mike Rogers, among others being nominated for statewide office, Hoekstra received a chilly reception. The crowd relentlessly booed him before and after Karamo was removed.

Boos drowning out Michigan GOP Chair Pete Hoekstra as he tries to start addressing the convention. pic.twitter.com/J42PQNwEQN — Craig Mauger (@CraigDMauger) August 24, 2024

Hoekstra’s reception by the Michigan GOP crowd could illustrate continued support for Karamo within the party. While she was being removed, several onlookers yelled at police to refrain from touching her.

According to Bridge Michigan, another guest was removed by police and arrested for allegedly being belligerent and refusing to leave. The Detroit News reported the guest had shouted that Hoekstra was a “fake chair.”

“Due to the disruptive actions of a handful of participants, law enforcement have decided to increase their presence to ensure a safe and smooth convention,” Tyson Shepard, the Michigan GOP’s executive director, told the outlet.

Karamo came to prominence in 2020 as a poll watcher who denied that year’s election results and allegedly witnessed irregularities in vote counting. She later ran for Michigan secretary of state in 2022 but lost. She challenged the results of that election as well before she was elected to lead the state Republican Party in Feb. 2023.

The state party was motivated to remove her as chairwoman because of fundraising woes within the organization that caused it to sink at least half a million into debt by Oct. 2023. She was removed in January.

Karamo was ultimately removed from the convention premises at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, according to reporting from the scene. The convention’s proceedings were delayed before delegates proceeded with voting.

The Electoral Math: How RFK Jr.’s Exit Impacts the Swing States

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspending his campaign could shake up election results in key battleground states — as former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are polling neck-and-neck in the fight to get to 270 electoral votes in any way possible.

Kennedy is polling at an average of 5% nationally, according to RealClearPolitics. The relatively small amount of support would be enough to impact the race on its face as it stands, but it depends on which candidate those voters would choose as their second-choice pick — and whether they even turn out.

The independent now ex-candidate — whose family’s lengthy legacy in Democratic politics has carried major political weight for decades — had previously garnered support from both Republicans and Democrats at about an equal amount, according to the polls.

His support hit a big crater after President Biden suspended his bid and endorsed Harris, with Kennedy dropping and Harris climbing — indicating that at least some Kennedy supporters may have jumped to the vice president’s campaign.

The Harris rise was enough to bother Donald Trump Jr., who helped broker talks with Kennedy’s team to secure an endorsement of his father. Kennedy on Friday said he “could not in good conscience” continue his campaign now that he has proven to be more of a vote-splitter than actual contender.

Here is a breakdown of how the battlegrounds stood before Kennedy dropped:

Pennsylvania

The Keystone State is the coveted gem for Trump and Harris. At 19 electoral votes, winning the state would give a big boost to either campaign.

Kennedy exiting the race would positively impact Trump in Pennsylvania, according to RCP.

With RFK Jr. in the race, the scales tip in Harris’ favor by 2% with her coming in at 46.3%, Trump getting 43.3% and Kennedy at 4.4%.

But in a head-to-head, Trump (47.7%) edges out Harris (47.5%) by .2%.

The former president also has the same .2% advantage in Arizona — where the announcement is taking place Thursday — with Kennedy dropping, per RCP.

Kennedy is pulling 5.8% in the state compared to Harris’ 45% and Trump’s 44.4%.

With his suspension, the race puts Trump (47.3%) over Harris (47.1%) with the small margin.

Michigan and Wisconsin

The Midwest battleground states don’t change their ultimate winner based on Kennedy’s presence in the race.

Both Michigan and Wisconsin have Harris coming out on top in both scenarios per RCP, but her lead is diminished in both states with Kennedy out.

Harris (46.3%) has a 1.7% lead over Trump (44.6%) with Kennedy in the race in Wisconsin — which diminishes to 1% with him out and his 5.1% support being split up between Trump (47.6%) and Harris (48.6).

In Michigan, Harris leads by 1.7% in a three-way race with Trump at 43.1%, her at 45.5% and Kennedy at 5.9%, but only leads by 1% in a head-to-head between herself (48.6%) and Trump (46.6%), per the outlet.

Nevada and Georgia

In both Nevada and Georgia, Trump benefits slightly more with Kennedy in the race, but still keeps his lead in a two-way race.

Nevada has Trump at 45.3% and Harris at 43%, while Kennedy averages 5.3%. A two-way race has Trump at 47.3% and the vice president at 46%.

In Georgia, Trump’s lead drops .7% with a two-way race with Harris instead of the three-way including Kennedy. With Kennedy in, Trump gets 46% compared to Harris’ 44.3% and Kennedy’s 4.%.

With him out, Trump comes in at 48.1% and Harris gets 47.1%.

Fauci Hospitalized with West Nile Virus, Now Recovering at Home

Anthony Fauci was hospitalized for six days this month after being infected with the potentially deadly West Nile Virus.

Fauci, the former longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is now back at home getting treatment.

Fauci, 83, who served on the White House Coronavirus Task Force, is expected to make a full recovery, a spokesperson told CNN.

The West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-spread disease in the continental US, with a median of over 2,200 cases being reported every year, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

About 1,000 people are hospitalized each year with the most severe form of the disease, which if it spreads to the brain and nervous system, can cause brain swelling, brain damage and death with a 3-15 percent mortality rate.

There is no specific treatment for the virus or vaccine, but 80 percent of cases are mild, where sufferers may experience flu-like symptoms or rashes.

The most likely time to contract the virus is in August and September, during the height of mosquito season.

As of August 20, there have been 216 West Nile virus cases in the US across 33 states, according to a CDC tracker.

About 65 percent of the total caseload have been reported to be neuro-invasive.

As early as June, scientists were seeing a much greater number of West Nile virus cases than usual, leading to serious alarm.

Fauci himself addressed the West Nile virus back in 2004, when he was still NIAID director.

Responding to a question from someone on the online ‘Ask the White House’ forum, he wrote that the best way to prevent the virus is through mosquito control.

He added that there were ‘a number of promising candidates’ for a vaccine, but there remains no cure or inoculation for the virus over twenty years after he made this statement.

In June, Fauci testified front of Congress to better explain the government’s response to Covid.

Fauci told Republicans the six-foot social distancing rule ‘sort of just appeared’ and that he did not recall how it came about.

He added he ‘was not aware of studies’ that supported social distancing.

Fauci also conceded that Covid-19, which has killed a total of more than 1.2 million Americans, could have leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in China.

‘I keep an open mind as to what the origin is,’ he said.

Meanwhile, there is another mosquito-borne illness that’s been wreaking havoc in a Massachusetts town.

The Board of Health in Oxford, a city of 13,300 people about 50 miles southwest of Boston, has set an outdoor curfew in hopes it will reduce the chances of people being bitten by mosquitoes which carry Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

A resident in the small town contracted the rare and untreatable illness – also known as ‘Triple E’ – marking the first time an American has been infected domestically in nearly four years.

Similar to the West Nile virus, Triple E causes a fever and brain swelling.

One-third of people infected with EEE die and those who recover are often left with lifelong physical and mental difficulties.

The dusk curfew, which falls around 8 pm in Massachusetts, is only a recommendation – not a rule – but town officials are hoping it will push people inside before peak mosquito hours, reducing risk of exposure.

While not a requirement, the local school district will be enforcing the curfew, meaning after-school programs and sports may be canceled, ended early or moved indoors.

Kamala’s Brother-In-Law ‘Legally’ Funneled Billions of Dollars to Left-Wing Groups and Lawyers

Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, may be the current world-class champ of presidential-family shady dealings, but not for long.

If Kamala Harris wins the White House, her brother-in-law, Tony West, who is married to her sister Maya, is poised to claim the crooked crown.

Then head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, he invented a new form of what 19th-early 20th centuries Tammany boss George Washington Plunkett famously called “Honest Graft.”

Until 1977, Congress had to approve any settlement of a civil suit against the Federal government over $100,000.

This preserved the Constitutional requirement that Congress control the government’s purse.

But in that year, seeking relief from the burgeoning volume of suits to review, Congress removed the cap, handing the Justice Department a permanent blank check to pay settlements unilaterally, in any amount, out of an account known as the Judgment Fund.

Run by the Treasury Department, the Judgment Fund’s secrecy is so complete that our often-penetrated CIA might study it for lessons.

The limited data released omits recipients, the facts underlying the case, and often the lawyers involved.

By statute, attorneys’ fees awarded need not be disclosed.

A Government Accountability Office study concluded that “no one knows the number of claims processed by the federal government each year.”

Still, for three decades, the integrity of Justice’s officials sufficed to prevent abuse.

Then, in 2009, Tony West took over the department’s Civil Division, the division that litigates and settles lawsuits.

Once West arrived, his deputy emailed colleagues asking “can you explain to Tony the best way to allocate some money toward an organization of our choosing?”

Settlements became the vehicle for paying off political allies.

For example, in late 2010, after a Supreme Court victory, DOJ lawyers were on the cusp of winning a decade-long fight against discrimination claims by 91 Hispanic and female farmers.

That’s when West intervened and, as The New York Times put it, “engineered a stunning turnabout.”

DOJ agreed to a $1.33 billion settlement which included thousands of farmers who had never claimed bias.

The deal was made over the “vehement objections” of the department’s career lawyers.

The Times’s investigative report described West’s settlement as a “runaway train, driven by racial politics . . . and law firms that stand to gain more than $130 million in fees.”

The projected settlement size ballooned to over $4.4 billion as additional plaintiffs were added, including Native American farmers.

The government’s statistical expert was appalled: “‘If they had gone to trial, the government would have prevailed . . . It was just a joke. . . . I was so disgusted. It was simply buying the support of the Native Americans.’”

This dirty deal also inflated the number of claimants, creating a $60 million windfall for the plaintiff’s lead lawyer, a member of the Obama/Biden transition team.

But West did not just bilk taxpayers. He shook down corporations, too.

In a series of bank settlements, his team added increasingly aggressive provisions requiring the institutions to make nearly a billion dollars in mandatory donations to Democrat-supporting activist groups.

Donations were given double credit against required targets, incentivizing these payments over direct relief to victims of the housing crises.

West’s team specifically structured the terms to ensure that they would benefit only their political allies while leaving conservative groups ineligible.

An internal email shows West deputies rewording a settlement’s donation provisions to ensure the bank could not select a “conservative” property rights organization as a recipient.

Over time, West grew even more brazen.

A 2016 Volkswagen settlement required the company to fund a $2 billion White House electric car initiative that Congress had specifically rejected.

The largesse delighted liberal groups.

An email circulated saying they ought to build a “statue” to West and “bow down to this statue each day after we receive our $200,000+.”

In this legal shakedown, California’s attorney general at the time, Kamala Harris, was an active participant, cosigning the agreements for her state.

The Biden-Harris Administration has continued West’s “Honest Graft” tactics to reward political allies on the taxpayers’ dime.

In 2021, a billion-dollar settlement with illegal immigrants claiming emotional distress was scotched only after public outcry.

Even then, DOJ quietly agreed to pay attorneys’ fees to the ACLU lawyers in the long-running case.

Recently, the Department agreed to pay $2 million to FBI Agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page for releasing their anti-Trump texts to Congressional investigators worried about political bias.

The pair claimed a violation of the Privacy Act, but the messages were sent on their government-issue phones which contain clear banner warnings that users lack any reasonable expectation of privacy.

DOJ had ample basis to litigate this case to completion before surrendering hard earned tax dollars to the disgraced FBI agents.

This form of civic corruption is not bipartisan.

At the start of his administration, President Trump’s Attorney General banned settlement slush funds, while one of the early acts of the Biden-Harris DOJ was to rescind that ban.

Elon Musk Will Rescue Nasa Astronauts Trapped on Space Station

Elon Musk will help bring two astronauts trapped on the International Space Station back to Earth early next year.

Commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore and pilot Sunita “Suni” Williams have been left stranded on the ISS because of problems with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft in which they arrived for an eight-day mission in June.

Nasa said on Saturday that the astronauts are now expected to return in February on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.

The spacecraft, which is manufactured by SpaceX, Boeing’s rival founded by Mr Musk, is due to launch next month as part of a routine astronaut rotation mission.

Mr Wilmore and Ms Williams, both former military test pilots, became the first crew to ride Starliner on June 5 when they were launched to the ISS.

But Starliner’s propulsion system suffered a series of glitches beginning in the first 24 hours of its flight to the ISS, triggering delays lasting until next year.

Five of its 28 thrusters failed and several leaks of helium, which is used to pressurise the small rockets, were detected, with Nasa deeming the issues too risky to carry its first crew home.

Following Nasa’s decision, Boeing’s Starliner chief Mark Nappi said in an email to company employees: “I know this is not the decision we had hoped for, but we stand ready to carry out the action’s necessary to support Nasa’s decision.

“The focus remains first and foremost on ensuring the safety of the crew and spacecraft.”

Starliner will undock from the ISS without a crew and attempt to return to Earth as it would have with astronauts aboard, while two of the Crew Dragon’s four astronaut seats will be kept empty for Mr Wilmore and Ms Williams.

In July, following news of the initial delays, Mr Williams said in a news conference: “It’s great to be up here, so I’m not complaining.”

Boeing had hoped the test mission would redeem the Starliner program after years of development problems and over $1.6 billion (£1.2 billion) in budget overruns since 2016.

The company is also struggling with quality issues on production of commercial planes, its most important products.

Boeing struggled for years to develop Starliner, a gumdrop-shaped capsule designed to compete with Crew Dragon as a second US option for sending astronaut crews to and from Earth’s orbit.

Starliner failed a 2019 test to launch to the ISS uncrewed, but mostly succeeded in a 2022 attempt where it also encountered thruster problems.

Its June mission with its first crew was required for Nasa to certify the capsule for routine flights, meaning Starliner’s path to certification path has been disrupted.

Since Starliner docked to the ISS in June, Boeing has scrambled to investigate what caused its thruster mishaps and helium leaks.

The company arranged tests and simulations on Earth to gather data that it has used to try and convince Nasa officials that Starliner is safe to fly the crew back home.

But the results raised more difficult engineering questions and failed to quell Nasa officials’ concerns about Starliner’s ability to make its crewed return trip – the most daunting and complex part of the test mission.

Nasa’s decision and Starliner’s now-uncertain path to certification will add to the crises faced by Kelly Ortberg, the new Boeing chief executive, who started this month with the goal to rebuild the planemaker’s reputation after a door panel blew off a 737 Max passenger jet in midair in January.

Ex-Trade Union Presidents Indicted in $20 Million Theft

Two former presidents of a major trade union along with five others were indicted Wednesday for allegedly being involved in a $20 million embezzlement scheme.

Seven people total, including five current and former high-level officers of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmith, Forgers and Helpers (Boilermakers Union), were indicted by a federal grand jury in Kansas.

They have been charged with offenses under the RICO Act, healthcare fraud and theft regarding retirement and healthcare plans, according to the Department of Justice.

This scheme has allegedly been ongoing for 15 years.

The defendants are former union presidents Newton Jones, 71, and Truman “Warren” Fairley, 59. Others indicted had or maintained high level positions at the union.

“Union members pay their dues believing union leaders will use the money in support of the organization’s mission to advocate for and protect employment rights,” U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas said.

“The Department of Justice is deeply concerned whenever there are accusations of fraud and misappropriation of union funds.”

Special Agent in Charge Stephen A. Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office added, “By allegedly unlawfully misappropriating Union funds, the defendants betrayed their members’ trust and confidence. Anyone who unlawfully profits at the expense of others will be held accountable.”

Among the embezzlement charges alleged in the indictment are:

• Over $5 million in unnecessary luxury international travel;
• Over $2 million in salary and benefits to Kateryna Jones and Cullen Jones for no-show jobs;
• Millions of dollars in cash payments relating to fraudulently claimed vacation time.

Jack Smith Opts Against Trump ‘Mini-Trial’ Before Election

Special Counsel Jack Smith has decided against seeking a major hearing to present evidence in the election-interference case against Donald Trump before voters go to the polls Nov. 5, Bloomberg reported.

The move means that it’s unlikely a so-called mini-trial, which would include evidence and testimony from possible blockbuster witnesses like former Vice President Mike Pence, would take place before the presidential election.

The decision is a win for Trump and his lawyers, who have fought efforts to reveal the substance of allegations against the former president. If Trump wins the election, the case would collapse as the Justice Department has a policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. Trump could also order the department to throw it out.

Instead, Smith and his team are carefully revising the case against Trump, according to the people familiar, who asked not to be named discussing a confidential matter. The case has no chance of going to a jury trial before the election as a result of delays stemming from the Supreme Court’s ruling last month that he has some presidential immunity from criminal charges. If Democratic nominee Kamala Harris wins the election, Smith could still proceed with prosecuting Trump.

Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung didn’t comment on Smith’s plan. He said Trump’s team will continue to fight the cases against him, calling them “witch hunts” that should be dismissed in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Landmark Ruling

The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling held that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution over conduct related to their official duties, but not for private acts. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington, who is overseeing the case, had been expected to hold hearings before the fall to examine which alleged conduct are official acts that can’t be prosecuted and which are private acts that can still be charged following the high court’s ruling.

Separately, Trump is seeking to delay a Sept. 18 sentencing for his conviction in a New York criminal case over hush-money payments on the grounds that it amounts to “election interference.” He faces as long as four years behind bars on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal paying adult film star Stormy Daniels to stay quiet about an alleged affair before the 2016 election.

In the election inteference case, Smith may not want to “show his hand” and reveal key evidence or witnesses that might jeopardize his chances for success at an eventual trial, said Mary McCord, a former federal prosecutor who served as acting head of the Justice Department’s national security division. Smith and other Justice Department leaders also don’t want to appear “blatantly political,” she said.

In light of the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling, Smith is focused on building the strongest case to persuade a jury to deliver a guilty verdict that would hold up on appeal and create a sound legal precedent, said the people.

Smith’s team and Trump’s lawyers are scheduled to file briefings Aug. 30 on how they want to proceed ahead of a Sept. 5 hearing before Chutkan. Smith is expected to propose a pathway forward in that filing and during the hearing, the people familiar said.

Chutkan could overrule Smith and order a major hearing prior to the election. More than likely, however, she will seek a middle ground in order to make factual determinations about what can and can’t be charged.

“If there’s a way forward that narrows the issues substantially that the government is proposing, and potentially even the Trump team would agree to, that’s just better for all concerned,” said McCord, executive director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown Law School. “It avoids some of the really tricky issues.”

Fast-Tracked Earlier

Earlier this year, Smith had raced to advance the case, urging the Supreme Court in April to quickly decide the issue of presidential immunity — all in an apparent effort to obtain a verdict before voters go the polls.

But the Supreme Court’s July 1 ruling that former presidents have immunity from prosecution for official acts committed while in office means that Smith must revise the charges against Trump, or possibly issue a new indictment.

Smith indicted Trump in Washington one year ago on charges that include conspiracy to defraud the US and obstruct the certification of the 2020 election. Smith filed a separate case against Trump in Florida for mishandling classified documents and obstructing justice. US District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed that case last month saying it was unconstitutional. Smith is appealing.

“The charges are already out there,” said Brandon Van Grack, a former federal prosecutor who is now a partner at the law firm Morrison & Foerster. “You can understand why the department and public would have an incentive to resolve these questions before an election, but that can’t happen now.”

Robert Kennedy Jr. Joins Trump at Arizona Rally

Robert Kennedy Jr. cemented his full devotion to Donald Trump before a raucous crowd of adoring supporters in Arizona Friday evening, finalizing his defection from the Democratic party.

The nephew of Democratic President John F. Kennedy joined the former president on stage to a barrage of raucous cheers.

The Trump campaign previously announced a ‘special guest’ would attend the rally, and the mysterious allure drew thousands to the Desert Diamond Arena – capacity nearly 20,000 – in Glendale, Arizona.

Earlier in the day in Phoenix, Kennedy pushed supporters who live in 10 swing states to back Republican nominee Donald Trump, but said his name would remain on the ballots in traditional red or blue states.

‘Tonight I am very pleased to welcome a man who has been an incredible champion, Trump said of Kennedy. ‘We’re both in this to do what’s right for the country.’

‘Bobby! Booby! Bobby!’ the crowd erupted in cheer.

‘I don’t think I have ever introduced anyone that has gotten the applause he got,’ Trump said, still in control of the audience.

He then launched some new policy ideas with Kennedy in mind.

‘In honor of Bobby .. I will establish a new independent commission on assassination attempts,’ Trump – an assassination survivor himself – said.

The panel would also investigate Trump’s July 13 shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania.

‘And we will release all the documents pertaining to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.’

‘I have never had more people ask me, please, sir, release the documents on the Kennedy assassination, and we’re going to do that,’ he said.

The former president then lauded the Kennedy heir for his environmental efforts – and he said he would appoint the independent candidate to an ecological study panel to examine the effects of climate change.

Then he turned over the microphone.

Kennedy began talking about the things he and the former president both believe in.

‘We’re spending billions in Ukraine and we could use that money back here in the United States,’ Kennedy said. ‘Don’t you want a president whose going to get us out of the wars?’

He then spoke about censorship – something he has said has been a major issue for his campaign as a third party candidate, calling it ‘the first step to totalitarianism.’

The former Democrat also touched on making American foods less processed and unhealthy.’

‘President Trump is going to make America healthy again!’ Kennedy concluded his remarks.

‘Wow,’ Trump remarked regaining control of the podium, who explained that the two had long been friends.

He also floated a new policy after seeing demonstrators burn U.S. flags at protests in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention.

‘They outta make it illegal to burn the American flag,’ Trump said, before suggesting a new law.

‘You burn the American flag, you go to jail for one year,’ he said to cheers.

The ex-president also bashed Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign – ripping her border policies.

‘325,00 migrant children are missing, they are gone,’ he said. ‘She allowed them to be trafficked into this country.’

‘They will never see their homes or parents again,’ he said.

‘Kamala has set loose thousands of Venezuelan gang members.’

‘She supports deadly sanctuary cities,’ he continued on about the Biden-Harris immigration policies.

‘I look forward to the debate.’

Trump announces the creation of a Presidential Commission on Assassinations, to be led by Robert F. Kennedy, with full authority to declassify all documents related to JFK, RFK, and July 13.

President Trump announces the creation of a Presidential Commission on Assassinations, to be led by Robert F. Kennedy, with full authority to declassify all documents related to JFK, RFK, and July 13. The Deep State is finished. pic.twitter.com/YatdCT0POM — Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) August 23, 2024

Full rally:

Trump-Kemp Truce: Georgia Gov Promises to Help Trump

Former President Donald Trump and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp found the perfect narrative Thursday night to upstage Vice President Kamala Harris’s nomination acceptance speech, ending their feud dating to the 2020 election with a full-throated embrace that played out on national television.

The mutual endorsement reunited two of the GOP’s most powerful figures heading into the November election, and made the road for Democrats to score a win in Georgia more difficult.

“We need to send Donald Trump back to the White House,” Kemp said on Fox News’ “Hannity” show.

Trump is leading in the polls in Georgia, and Kemp owns one of the country’s most formidable state political machines, which propelled him to a landslide win in 2022 over Democrat favorite Stacey Abrams in the Georgia governor race.

“Thank you to #BrianKempGA for all of your help and support in Georgia, where a win is so important to the success of our Party and, most importantly, our Country,” Trump said minutes later on Truth Social.

“I look forward to working with you, your team, and all of my friends in Georgia to help MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

The embrace ended a rift that looked intractable as recently as just a few weeks ago when Trump launched a political attack on Kemp and his wife during a stop in Georgia, raising GOP fears the two would not work together to secure a win in the Peach State.

But cooler heads prevailed as Trump signaled soon after he wanted to repair the relationship and Kemp made clear he would vote for Trump and that voters couldn’t afford a Kamala Harris presidency.

Campaign sources said several figures played a key role in nudging the two political heavyweights toward mending fences, including Sean Hannity, South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham and Home Depot cofounder Bernie Marcus, the dean of conservative donors and a longtime supporter of both men.

Judge Rules Breonna Taylor’s Boyfriend Caused Her Death, Throws Out Officer Charges

A federal judge has thrown out major felony charges against two former Louisville officers accused of falsifying a warrant that led police to Breonna Taylor’s door before they fatally shot her.

U.S. District Judge Charles Simpson’s ruling declared that the actions of Taylor’s boyfriend, who fired a shot at police the night of the raid, were the legal cause of her death, not a bad warrant.

Federal charges against former Louisville Police Detective Joshua Jaynes and former Sgt. Kyle Meany were announced by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022 during a high-profile visit to Louisville. Garland accused Jaynes and Meany, who were not present at the raid, of knowing they had falsified part of the warrant and put Taylor in a dangerous situation by sending armed officers to her apartment.

But Simpson wrote in the Tuesday ruling that “there is no direct link between the warrantless entry and Taylor’s death.” Simpson’s ruling effectively reduced the civil rights violation charges against Jaynes and Meany, which had carried a maximum sentence of life in prison, to misdemeanors.

The judge declined to dismiss a conspiracy charge against Jaynes and another charge against Meany, who is accused of making false statements to investigators.

When police carrying a drug warrant broke down Taylor’s door in March 2020, her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired a shot that struck an officer in the leg. Walker said he believed an intruder was bursting in. Officers returned fire, striking and killing Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, in her hallway.

Simpson concluded that Walker’s “conduct became the proximate, or legal, cause of Taylor’s death.”

“While the indictment alleges that Jaynes and Meany set off a series of events that ended in Taylor’s death, it also alleges that (Walker) disrupted those events when he decided to open fire” on the police, Simpson wrote.

Walker was initially arrested and charged with attempted murder of a police officer, but that charge was later dropped after his attorneys argued Walker didn’t know he was firing at police.

A U.S. Justice Department spokesperson confirmed to CBS News that the department is reviewing the judge’s decision and assessing next steps.

A third former officer charged in the federal warrant case, Kelly Goodlett, pleaded guilty in 2022 to a conspiracy charge and is expected to testify against Jaynes and Meany at their trials.

Federal prosecutors alleged Jaynes, who drew up the Taylor warrant, had claimed to Goodlett days before the warrant was served that he had “verified” from a postal inspector that a suspected drug dealer was receiving packages at Taylor’s apartment. But Goodlett knew that was false and told Jaynes the warrant did not yet have enough information connecting Taylor to criminal activity, prosecutors said. She added a paragraph saying the suspected drug dealer was using Taylor’s apartment as his current address, according to court records.

A fourth former officer, Brett Hankison, was also charged by federal prosecutors in 2022 with endangering the lives of Taylor, Walker and some of her neighbors when he fired into Taylor’s windows. A trial last year ended with a hung jury, but Hankison is schedule to be retried on those charges in October.

In 2022, the city of Louisville agreed to pay $2 million to settle lawsuits filed by Kenneth Walker in federal and state court.

UPDATE: Arizona Man Who Threatened to Kill Trump Arrested

A 66-year-old Arizona man, who allegedly threatened to kill former President Trump during his stop in the Grand Canyon State, was arrested Thursday, according to local authorities.

Ronald Syvrud was arrested and taken into custody in Cochise County without incident, the county sheriff’s office shared on Facebook.

A spokesperson for the Cochise County sheriff’s office, Carol Capas, told NewsNation that Syvrud made threats on social media.

Syvrud’s arrest came just a few hours after law enforcement launched a manhunt, with law enforcement stating earlier Thursday that he was “sought as an investigative lead for threats to kill a presidential candidate.”

The sheriff’s office said the 66-year-old has an outstanding warrant in Wisconsin for driving under the influence. Additionally, he was also wanted for failing to register as a sex offender and for a hit-and-run in Arizona.

During the campaign event in Cochise County, Trump went after Vice President Harris on immigration, one of the top issues this election cycle.

The former president told stories of individuals who were killed by migrants. He pledged to complete the construction of the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and advocated for tougher sentences for drug traffickers.

“She will never build the wall. She doesn’t want to build the wall,” Trump said. “If she changes her mind it’s only because she wants to get elected, because who wouldn’t want to have a strong border.”

The threats against Trump come just a month after the former president survived an assassination attempt, where a 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at a Pennsylvania campaign rally. Matthew Crooks hit Trump’s right ear while also killing one attendee.

In an interview earlier Thursday with NewsNation, Trump alluded to the dangers he faced.

“Can I tell you something? We’re in danger standing here talking,” Trump said during an interview with NewsNation’s Ali Bradley at the U.S. southern border. “So let’s not talk any longer.”

“[Security] doesn’t want me standing here. They don’t want you standing here either.”

US Kills Leader of Al Qaeda-Aligned Group in Syria

U.S. Central Command announced Friday that forces in Syria had successfully killed terrorist group senior leader Abu-‘Abd al-Rahman al-Makki.

According to CENTCOM, al-Makki was killed in a “targeted kinetic strike” in Syria.

Al-Makki was a council member and senior leader with Hurras al-Din, which is ideologically aligned with Al-Qaeda in Syria.

He was responsible for overseeing terrorist operations for the group in the Middle Eastern nation.

“CENTCOM remains committed to the enduring defeat of terrorists in the CENTCOM area of responsibility who threaten the United States, its allies and partners, and regional stability,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command.

According to CENTCOM, Hurras al-Din and organizations like it stand against the West and her allies, including the United States.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced earlier in the month that U.S. military forces would be re-positioned across the Middle East in support of ally Israel.

The USS Abraham Lincoln, CVN-72 and the fifth of the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, was one of the major resources re-allocated to the region along with its battle group.

The U.S. officially designated Hurras al-Din as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” under Executive Order 13224 in September 2019.

Chick-fil-A Is Launching a Streaming Service

Chick-Fil-A is known for its popular chicken sandwiches, strips and nuggets, but soon it could be the company behind bingeable TV shows.

The fast-food chain is reportedly developing its own streaming service, including a lineup of original shows.

Chick-Fil-A has been working with several major high-profile production companies to create family-friendly shows, according to a report by Deadline. The company is allegedly focusing on unscripted reality programming.

The brand is also working on licensing and acquiring additional content.

One show users of the new service can expect to see is a game show format produced by Glassman Media, which produces NBC game show “The Wall,” and Sugar23, which produced “13 Reasons Why” on Netflix. The fast-food chain has reportedly ordered 10 episodes of the game show.

Unscripted shows created for the new service have a budget of around $400,000 per half-hour, according to Deadline.

Chick-Fil-A is said to be looking into scripted shows and animation as well. The service could launch later this year.

The programming development is being led by Brian Gibson, who has worked on the History channel’s “Top Gear” remake and Fox’s “The X Factor.”

The new venture is not the first time the fast-food chain has experimented with content creation. The brand has previously posted original shows to its website, including the short animated film series “Stories of Evergreen Hills.”

Other popular companies have also experimented with original content in recent years. Rideshare company Lyft has created several series, including 2023 game show “Lucky Lyft” hosted by Bob The Drag Queen.

Vacation rental company Airbnb produced a documentary called “Gay Chorus Deep South” for MTV in 2019.

The first Chick-Fil-A restaurant opened in Atlanta in 1967. The chain expanded throughout suburban malls before opening its first standalone location in Atlanta in 1986. The company now operates over 3,000 locations across the U.S.

The news comes as streaming services struggle to hold onto its subscribers. While the platforms are adding more subscribers each quarter, the number of cancellations has also increased each quarter, according to a Samba TV report obtained by Deadline.

The report found that viewers typically leave a streaming service after watching the specific show or film they are interested in, with the exception of Netflix.

Multiple Secret Service Agents Put on Leave After Trump Assassination Attempt

At least five members of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) have been placed on administrative leave following the July 13 assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, Fox News has confirmed.

One member of Trump’s personal protective team and four members of the Secret Service’s Pittsburgh Field Office, including the special agent in charge, have been sidelined nearly six weeks after the incident.

The news comes as the elite agency investigates the colossal security failure which led to Thomas Matthew Crooks firing off several shots from the nearby AGR building.

Additionally, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., on Friday revealed that a Secret Service whistleblower has come forward to claim that officials at Secret Service headquarters encouraged agents in charge of the rally to not request any extra security assets in their formal planning request.

One bullet grazed Trump’s right ear, while firefighter Corey Comperatore was fatally struck. Rally-goers James Copenhaver and David Dutch were also shot and injured.

Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned less than two weeks after the shooting and after giving her initial testimony about the event before members of Congress. Various lawmakers have called on the Secret Service to make personnel changes and fire employees in the wake of the deadly incident.

Fox News has also learned that the threat to Trump from Iran was communicated internally at the Secret Service prior to the Butler, Pennsylvania, event and the investigation is likely looking into why the Butler event went forward, given the threat.

The Secret Service said in a statement that the agency is committed to investigating the decisions and actions of personnel in relation to the July 13 event.

“The U.S. Secret Service’s mission assurance review is progressing, and we are examining the processes, procedures and factors that led to this operational failure,” Anthony Guglielmi, the USSS chief of communications said in a statement.

“The U.S. Secret Service holds our personnel to the highest professional standards, and any identified and substantiated violations of policy will be investigated by the Office of Professional Responsibility for potential disciplinary action. Given this is a personnel matter, we are not in a position to comment further.”

The FBI has previously stated that Crooks accessed the roof of a building by climbing up HVAC equipment and piping. Crooks then traversed multiple rooftops before he found his shooting position on top of a building about 150 yards from where the former president spoke at his rally.

Text messages sent by local law enforcement responsible for monitoring the rally flagged Crooks to colleagues as suspicious at least 90 minutes before he opened fire. Despite this, he was still able to shoot at Trump and the crowd.

House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., welcomed the news that action has been taken on some Secret Service members.

“There must be accountability at the Secret Service for its historic failures that led to the attempted assassination of President Trump,” Comer said.

“Holding negligent employees accountable is the first step. I look forward to the Task Force’s findings of its investigation. We must ensure the Secret Service does not fail again.”

Hawley also welcomed the action taken by the agency, saying it should have happened weeks ago.

“We still need real answers about the attempt on President Trump’s life and accountability for everyone involved,” Hawley said.

Hawley also revealed on Friday whistleblower claims that officials at Secret Service headquarters informally encouraged agents in charge of the Butler rally to not request any extra security assets in their formal planning request as they would be denied because Trump was a former president and not an incumbent president or vice president.

Hawley shared on X a letter he penned to Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe asking for an explanation into who made such a call, if he knew about it and which security assets were left out of the manpower request for the event.

Hawley writes that the assets included counter-sniper teams and counter Sniper Division (CSD) personnel. He writes that counter-snipers were ultimately approved but only a day before the event and that a separate whistleblower claimed previously that CSD personal would have handcuffed the gunman after he was spotted in the parking lot with a rangefinder.

“Yet you have repeatedly suggested that no security assets had been denied for the Butler event. You must explain this apparent contradiction immediately,” Hawley writes, in part.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Merrick Garland, speaking at an unrelated event, said Friday that he could not comment on any specific suspensions.

“This was a security failure and there is both an internal and external independent investigation,” Garland said. “They will provide lessons learned to prevent such a failure from happening again.”

Furthermore, former NYPD inspector Paul Mauro tells Fox News that there were serious discrepancies in the planning and operation of the rally.

“Those discrepancies argue more things are not so much mistakes, but instead, institutional rot,” Maura said. “And what bothers me is that the executives who have been overseeing and not solving the problems that the Secret Service clearly has will likely get off scot-free. And certainly [Homeland Security Secretary] Mayorkas and Cheatle should not be able to ride off into the sunset with their reputations intact.”

RFK Jr. Drops Out, Endorses Trump

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in a court filing, endorsed former President Donald Trump, ahead of an announcement that will likely bring an end to his quixotic campaign just months before the November elections.

Kennedy filed on Friday to officially have his name withdrawn from the Pennsylvania ballot “as a result of today’s endorsement of Donald Trump for the office of President of the United States,” according to a brief filed by Kennedy’s campaign attorney. He also filed to withdraw from another swing state, Arizona, on Thursday evening.

The Pennsylvania filing came just before Kennedy held a press conference in Phoenix to announce his plans for the campaign.

The independent candidate’s exit will add yet another twist to the already chaotic 2024 presidential race. Kennedy’s unorthodox views drew support from Democrats and Republicans. Both parties worried that he would be the biggest electoral spoiler in decades.

The presidential election remains incredibly close, and if even a fraction of Kennedy’s support moves to Trump, it could be decisive in swing states.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Address to the Nation https://t.co/Wf4xt12GSX — Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) August 23, 2024

Takeaways from the Final Night of the DNC as Harris Accepts Nomination

Vice President Kamala Harris delivered the closing speech of the Democratic National Convention Thursday night, capping off the four-day gathering of top Democrats.

The evening was packed with celebrities, with musicians such as Pink and the Chicks taking the stage on the grand finale of the DNC. The event drew so many attendees that the convention floor was completely closed off hours before Harris took the stage.

Harris took the stage immediately after Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) gave his remarks, delivering the most important speech of her career.

Here are the top takeaways from the final night of the DNC.

Harris makes policy pledges in biggest speech of political career

Harris used her keynote speech to make several policy pledges. The vice president has faced heavy criticism from the Trump campaign, and even some legacy media outlets, about her lack of a fleshed-out policy platform, coupled with flopping on some of the more progressive ideas she backed earlier in her political career.

The vice president has slowly started to leak out some policies, such as tax credits to incentivize new, starter home construction, but her remarks Thursday night painted a much clearer picture of what the Harris agenda will look like, in broad strokes at least.

On the economy, Harris doubled down on vows to address the housing crisis and pass tax cuts for the middle class while simultaneously knocking former President Donald Trump for driving up the deficit.

Abortion was front and center all week, but Harris earned, arguably, her biggest applause line of the night by forcefully committing to sign legislation codifying Roe v. Wade into law and declaring that Republicans pushing national abortion bans are “out of their damn minds.”

Harris also stood firm on a familiar tactic from President Joe Biden on immigration. The vice president blamed Trump for killing the bipartisan border security bill this past year, reaffirmed her commitment to signing it into law, and called for a legal, earned pathway to citizenship.

Most importantly, the vice president took a significant step toward addressing a major vulnerability: progressive sentiment on the war in Gaza. The vice president forcefully called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate return of hostages held by Hamas. Still, she didn’t call for an arms embargo on Israel, and the jury is still out on whether her comments will satisfy protesters here at home.

Rumors about Beyonce being a ‘surprise guest’ quashed

Hopes that Beyonce would make a surprise appearance on the closing night of the DNC were dashed after the night ended with no sign of the “Freedom” singer.

Musicians Pink and the Chicks took the stage on the final night of the DNC. The event drew so many attendees that the convention floor was completely closed off hours before Harris took the stage.

The A-lister delegates and attendees were most excited to see was Beyonce. Speculation mounted throughout the week and hit a fever pitch Thursday that Beyonce would perform on the final night of the DNC.

But the night closed without any mention or appearance of the singer.

Battleground Democratic governors help Harris close out the convention

Cooper and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), both from battleground states, were among the final speakers on Thursday night.

Whitmer’s and Cooper’s states are crucial to Harris’s 2024 campaign. She will need to win both states in November to secure a victory against Trump.

In her speech, Whitmer sought to paint Harris as a leader who understands the struggles of everyday voters, saying, “She’s lived a life like ours.”

“She knows us. Donald Trump doesn’t know you, at all,” Whitmer said. “Donald Trump doesn’t know you at all. Do you think he understands when your car breaks down and you can’t get to work? No!”

Meanwhile, Cooper sought to depict Harris as a fighter, emphasizing her time as a district attorney in California.

“America, we’ve got a lot of big fights ahead of us. And we’ve got one hell of a fighter ready to take them on. I know that because I know her,” Cooper said. “And tonight, I want the American people to know: Even if you don’t agree with her on everything, Kamala Harris will fight for you to the very end.”

DNC denies uncommitted delegates’ demand for speaker as protests continue outside

Uncommitted delegates’ demands to be given a speaker spot at the DNC remained unfulfilled as the four-day convention drew to a close.

The delegates gathered inside the United Center to protest the DNC’s refusal to permit a Palestinian American speaker, with one delegate telling the Washington Examiner that they walked around the entire United Center one time.

The delegates gathered in a circle at the end of their march and chanted, “Free free Palestine” before dispersing.

A handful of pro-Gaza protesters tried a few times to get chants going during Harris’s remarks but were either drowned out by cheers or simply silenced by other people in the arena. The vice president did call for an end to the war in Gaza and for the release of hostages still held by Hamas, but that likely won’t be enough to silence the movement.

Protesters gathered outside the security perimeter on the final night of the DNC were met with officers from the Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service division, who accompanied the protest along its designated route.

DNC closes convention floor due to capacity

The convention floor was closed to attendees hours before Harris took the stage, with members of the press and attendees being told the floor was at capacity and not being granted admittance inside the arena.

Standing Committee of Correspondents Co-Chairwoman Farnoush Amiri posted on X Thursday night that the “DNC has told security at the United Center that journalists cannot be guaranteed reentrance into the arena if they leave to go use the restrooms.”

Attendees inside the United Center could be seen lining the halls of the convention center as they waited to be granted entry.

Trump Visits Border Wall in Arizona — Highlights Violent Crimes Committed by Illegal Migrants

Former President Donald Trump accused Vice President Kamala Harris of overseeing an invasion at the southern border during a news conference Thursday in southern Arizona alongside the families of murder victims allegedly killed at the hands of foreign nationals in the U.S. illegally.

Harris “has overseen a nation-wrecking border invasion,” Trump said at the Arizona-Mexico border.

Harris officially accepted the Democratic nomination for president Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. She did so after “a coup” forcing out President Joe Biden, Trump said at his news conference.

“For nearly four years, Comrade Kamala … has allowed at least 20 million people, all illegal aliens, into our country, including millions and millions of unvetted fighting age men from over 158 different countries,” Trump said. The Center Square has reported the number of illegal border crossings is more than 12.5 million.

Because of Biden-Harris policies, Border Patrol agents “are being forced to free tens of thousands of illegal aliens from custody week after week. These are the most violent criminals that you’ll ever see. Every day brings another story about innocent Americans being tortured, raped murdered and massacred by illegal aliens that Kamala Harris has set free in our country.”

Trump described the criminals released into the country and the types of crimes they committed in their home countries or in the U.S. They include a Peruvian gang leader wanted for 23 murders; “an illegal alien who approached two 13-year-olds with a machete in New York in broad daylight in front of other people and forced them into the woods, tied them together by the wrist, and raped them over and over again.”

Migrants were just arrested “for the rape of a 46-year-old woman in Coney Island who threw her to the ground and raped her with a knife to her throat,” he said. “One of them had previously been arrested for raping another woman but instead of being deported he was released into our country and told to enjoy your life.”

In Fort Wayne, Indiana, “a woman who was offered a ride home by two illegal aliens was instead kidnapped, held down and raped then driven around while the illegals discussed how they planned to kill her. They didn’t want to have a witness,” Trump said. She escaped by throwing herself out of the moving car.

Trump also described a crime in the Bronx, allegedly committed by “an illegal alien who Kamala set loose into the country, [who] approached a 36-year-old woman while pretending to ask for directions, before he wrapped his arms around her throat, pinned her down on a park bench, and raped her publicly. She said, he wasn’t trying to rape me, he was trying to kill me.’”

The former president also described the sexual assault of two young girls in Michigan by an illegal border crosser; the murder of a 54-year-old mother of four in Virginia who was killed by “an illegal alien trying to steal her car” and who “ran her down, ran her over and left her dead on the ground;” and a Venezuelan “illegal alien criminal let in by Comrade Kamala [who] shot a female police officer multiple times with a rifle” in Texas.

Trump described the murder of University of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was “assaulted, beaten and horrifically murdered. Kamala Harris let in the illegal alien animal who murdered Laken. This monster was in Border Patrol custody. They didn’t want to let him go but under Kamala’s policies, he was set free to kill and that’s what he did.

“Kamala let this bloodthirsty killer go free and then he murdered beautiful Laken.”

Trump also described “the heartbreaking story of Rachel Moran,” whose family members joined him at the news conference and spoke. Rachel was “brutally raped and murdered by an illegal alien who was let into America by Kamala Harris and her policies of stupidity. The savage person who committed this heinous crime first killed another woman in El Salvador before walking across our open border” before allegedly committing a home invasion in Los Angeles.

“Biden-Harris unleashed a deadly plague of migrant crime on our country” that “shattered so many families’ lives and stole so many incredible young lives,” Trump said.

“We can’t let it happen to other people. We can’t let what you’re going through happen to other families,” he said to the Angel families joining him. One was 12-year-old Houston murder victim Jocelyn Nungaray’s mother, who endorsed Trump. The victims’ lives were taken “all for no reason whatsoever” by “hardened, hardened criminals pouring into our country,” he said.

Trump refuted the claims made by some Democrats and news outlets that illegal foreign nationals “don’t commit crimes like people that live here.”

The Center Square has reported for years on Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers pursuing, arresting and removing criminals and fugitives illegally in the country. From fiscal years 2021 through 2023 alone, ICE agents arrested more than 387,000 criminal noncitizens, breaking records in fiscal 2023. The majority were from Mexico, Nicaragua, Columbia and Venezuela.

“They make our criminals look like babies,” Trump said. “Our criminals all of a sudden don’t look so tough. These are the roughest people from all over the world.”

Watch full speech:

Fed Chair: ‘Time Has Come’ to Cut Rates

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell laid the groundwork Friday for interest rate cuts ahead, though he declined to provide exact indications on timing or extent.

“The time has come for policy to adjust,” the central bank leader said in his much-awaited keynote address at the Fed’s annual retreat in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. “The direction of travel is clear, and the timing and pace of rate cuts will depend on incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks.”

With markets awaiting direction on where monetary policy is headed, Powell focused as much on a look back at what caused the inflation that led to an aggressive series of 11 rate hikes from March 2022 through July 2023.

However, he did note the progress on inflation and said the Fed can now turn its focus equally to the other side of its dual mandate, namely to make sure the economy stays around full employment.

“Inflation has declined significantly. The labor market is no longer overheated, and conditions are now less tight than those that prevailed before the pandemic,” Powell said. “Supply constraints have normalized. And the balance of the risks to our two mandates has changed.”

He vowed that “we will do everything we can” to make sure the labor market says strong and progress on inflation continues.

Stocks added to gains as Powell began to speak while Treasury yields dropped sharply . Traders maintained a 100% chance of at least a quarter percentage point rate cut in September and raised the odds of a potential half-point reduction to about 1-in-3, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch.

“This was a valedictory of essentially Chair Powell turning the page, saying the mission, which has been focused on inflation for the last two years, has been successful,” economist Paul McCulley, a former Pimco managing director, said on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street.”

Sees progress toward goals

The speech comes with the inflation rate consistently drifting back to the Fed’s 2% target though still not there yet. A gauge the Fed prefers to measure inflation most recently showed the rate at 2.5%, down from 3.2% a year ago and well off its peak above 7% in June 2022.

At the same time, the unemployment rate has slowly but consistently climbed higher, most recently at 4.3% and in an area that otherwise would trigger a time-tested indicator of a recession. However, Powell attributed the rise in unemployment to more individuals entering the workforce and a slower pace of hiring, rather than a rise in layoffs or a general deterioration in the labor market.

“Our objective has been to restore price stability while maintaining a strong labor market, avoiding the sharp increases in unemployment that characterized earlier disinflationary episodes when inflation expectations were less well anchored,” he said. “While the task is not complete, we have made a good deal of progress toward that outcome.”

Markets are expecting the Fed to start cutting in September, though Powell made no mention of when he thinks policy easing will begin. Minutes from the July open market committee meeting, released Wednesday, noted that a “vast majority” of officials believe a September cut will be appropriate so long as there are no data surprises.

“He’s pretty dovish. He bought the option to do whatever he needs to do next month, which is clearly an ease,” said Joseph LaVorgna, chief economist at SMBC Nikko Securities. “I don’t think the bar for 50 [basis points] is particularly high.”

In addition to assessing the current state of play, Powell took considerable time in the speech to evaluate what led to the surge in inflation — hitting its highest level in more than 40 years — as well as the Fed’s policy response and why price pressures have eased without a recession.

‘Good ship Transitory’

When inflation first began to rise in early 2021, he and his colleagues — as well as many Wall Street economists — dismissed it as “transitory” and caused by Covid-related factors that would abate.

“The good ship Transitory was a crowded one,” Powell quipped to laughter form attendees, “with most mainstream analysts and advanced-economy central bankers on board. I think I see some former shipmates out there today.”

When it became clear that inflation was spreading from goods to services, the Fed pivoted and began hiking, ultimately adding 5.25 percentage points to its benchmark overnight rate that had been around zero following emergency cuts in the early pandemic days.

The rise in inflation, Powell said, was “a global phenomenon,” the result of “rapid increases in the demand for goods, strained supply chains, tight labor markets, and sharp hikes in commodity prices.”

He attributed confidence in the Fed and well-anchored expectations that inflation ultimately would ease to the economy avoiding a sharp downturn during the hiking cycle.

“The FOMC did not flinch from carrying out our responsibilities, and our actions forcefully demonstrated our commitment to restoring price stability,” he said. “An important takeaway from recent experience is that anchored inflation expectations, reinforced by vigorous central bank actions, can facilitate disinflation without the need for slack.”

Powell added that there is still “much to be learned” from the experience.

“That is my assessment of events. Your mileage may differ,” he said.

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