http://www.shockya.com/news/2010/01/11/jay-leno-primetime-canceled/
Jay Leno 10pm Show Canceled; Possible Later Timeslot?
Jay Leno’s New Year’s wishes to keep his current 10 pm show have not been answered. NBC announced during the TV Critics’ Association (TCA) Press Tour in Pasadena yesterday that the hour-long Jay Leno Show, which premiered during the 10 pm eastern time slot in mid-September as a lead-in to local news broadcasts, has been canceled. Though the show initially debuted to high numbers after Leno stepped down as The Tonight Show host in May after 17 years, it has seen a steep decline in ratings during recent months.
Since The Tonight Show with Jay Leno consistently brought NBC higher numbers than CBS’ Late Night with David Letterman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment Chairman Jeff Gaspin announced that the network hopes to start a half-hour program with Leno at 11:35 pm, leading into the new version of The Tonight Show with current host Conan O’Brien at 12:05 am. This announcement comes days after numerous media outlets speculated that The Jay Leno Show was canceled. These rumors started after numerous NBC affiliates contacted Gaspin, saying they were upset the declining ratings for Leno’s new show were cutting into their advertising revenue.
Gaspin said that he wanted to give Leno’s new show at least a year’s try, but “While it was performing at acceptable levels, it did not meet our affiliates’ needs. My goal right now is to keep Jay [Leno], Conan [O'Brien] and Jimmy [Fallon] as part of our late-night lineup.” The network hopes to have the scheduling figured out by the time the Olympics start, and in the mean time, the network will once again start showing scripted and reality shows, in addition to Dateline, during the 10 o’clock hour.
Written by: Karen Benardello
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
ESA Builds One Satellite After Another
December 2009 National Scene Magazine Space Article
What’s the Rush to Build More Satellites? (archived Dec. 2009)
Just Weeks After the European Space Agency Launched its Two Newest Satellites to Study the Global Climate and Environment, Agency Already Building More
Written by: Karen Benardello
Two European Space Agency (ESA) satellites, including the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission and the Proba-2, were launched on November 1 from Plesetsk in northern Russia, in an effort to study the global climate and environment.
The SMOS, which is the second satellite in the Earth Explorer series, will focus mainly on monitoring climate change. The satellite is unique in the fact that it features an interferometric radiometer that will study the water cycle between oceans, land and the atmosphere. It’s also the first satellite to map sea surface salinity and to monitor soil moisture.
Proba-2 is following up on the successful 2001 launch of the Proba-1. Both are demonstration satellites under ESA’s Project for Onboard Autonomy. Proba-2 is specifically focusing on 17 advanced satellite technologies, such as a highly sophisticated CCD camera. The satellite is also carrying a set of four science instruments to observe the Sun and study the plasma environment in orbit.
The satellites both started their sun-synchronous orbits by circling the Earth, with the SMOS reaching 760 km, and the Proba-2 reaching 725 km. While the Proba-2 won’t be fully functional until January, and the SMOS is hoping for a May start date, Jean-Jacques Dordain, the ESA’s Director General, said as he watched the launch; “We are extremely pleased with this double ‘lucky strike’ that will provide Europe with new tools to better understand our planet and climate change, as well as new technology breakthroughs that will enhance the competitiveness of European industry on the world-wide market, thus contributing to the global economy.”
Hopefully, both the SMOS and the Proba-2 will be as successful as the ESA plans, since the agency is putting so much faith that they will collect environmental data. For instance, Volker Liebig, the ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programs, said that the SMOS, for example, will “complement measurements already performed on the ground and at sea to monitor water exchanges on a global scale. Since these exchanges – most of which occur in remote areas – directly affect the weather, they are of paramount importance to meteorologists.” This comment makes it seem as though the world’s water supply is depending on the satellite’s success.
Just because the first Proba and the first satellite in the Earth Explorer series were successful doesn’t mean these two will go as well. While monitoring the climate change and water supply is important, and building satellites surely take time, the ESA shouldn’t be rushing to build more, as these two current satellites aren’t even fully operational yet.
But instead of focusing time and money on other pressing matters, including war, disease and other natural disasters, three more Earth Explorers and two more Proba missions are already being designed and developed. Space exploration is important, but there are more pressing matters that need to be taken care of before more satellites are developed.
What’s the Rush to Build More Satellites? (archived Dec. 2009)
Just Weeks After the European Space Agency Launched its Two Newest Satellites to Study the Global Climate and Environment, Agency Already Building More
Written by: Karen Benardello
Two European Space Agency (ESA) satellites, including the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission and the Proba-2, were launched on November 1 from Plesetsk in northern Russia, in an effort to study the global climate and environment.
The SMOS, which is the second satellite in the Earth Explorer series, will focus mainly on monitoring climate change. The satellite is unique in the fact that it features an interferometric radiometer that will study the water cycle between oceans, land and the atmosphere. It’s also the first satellite to map sea surface salinity and to monitor soil moisture.
Proba-2 is following up on the successful 2001 launch of the Proba-1. Both are demonstration satellites under ESA’s Project for Onboard Autonomy. Proba-2 is specifically focusing on 17 advanced satellite technologies, such as a highly sophisticated CCD camera. The satellite is also carrying a set of four science instruments to observe the Sun and study the plasma environment in orbit.
The satellites both started their sun-synchronous orbits by circling the Earth, with the SMOS reaching 760 km, and the Proba-2 reaching 725 km. While the Proba-2 won’t be fully functional until January, and the SMOS is hoping for a May start date, Jean-Jacques Dordain, the ESA’s Director General, said as he watched the launch; “We are extremely pleased with this double ‘lucky strike’ that will provide Europe with new tools to better understand our planet and climate change, as well as new technology breakthroughs that will enhance the competitiveness of European industry on the world-wide market, thus contributing to the global economy.”
Hopefully, both the SMOS and the Proba-2 will be as successful as the ESA plans, since the agency is putting so much faith that they will collect environmental data. For instance, Volker Liebig, the ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programs, said that the SMOS, for example, will “complement measurements already performed on the ground and at sea to monitor water exchanges on a global scale. Since these exchanges – most of which occur in remote areas – directly affect the weather, they are of paramount importance to meteorologists.” This comment makes it seem as though the world’s water supply is depending on the satellite’s success.
Just because the first Proba and the first satellite in the Earth Explorer series were successful doesn’t mean these two will go as well. While monitoring the climate change and water supply is important, and building satellites surely take time, the ESA shouldn’t be rushing to build more, as these two current satellites aren’t even fully operational yet.
But instead of focusing time and money on other pressing matters, including war, disease and other natural disasters, three more Earth Explorers and two more Proba missions are already being designed and developed. Space exploration is important, but there are more pressing matters that need to be taken care of before more satellites are developed.
Weather Observations, Data Important in Climate Research
January 2010 National Scene Magazine Space Article
Why are Weather Observations Important in Climate Change Research?
Nearly 200 Space Agencies Gathered at UN Conference to Discuss Why Data is Important
Written by: Karen Benardello
In an effort to emphasize the role that Earth surveillance satellites play in providing climate observations, representatives from 190 international space agencies attended a two-week UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen early last month.
About 150 people attended an event hosted by the European Space Agency (ESA) on Thursday, December 10, during which numerous scientists discussed why weather observations are important in climate change research. Dr Stephen Briggs, ESA’s Head of Earth Observation Science, Applications and Future Technologies Department, also discussed how ESA is working to meet the needs of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in conjunction with its new Climate Change Initiative.
“ESA has developed the Climate Change Initiative to generate, preserve and give access to long-term data sets of the essential climate variables and make them freely available to climate research and modeling communities worldwide,” Briggs said.
Building on data that multiple international space agencies provide, the initiative will also assure the availability of global climate information for the future. Such information will include sea-ice extent and thickness and greenhouse-gas concentrations.
At the ESA event, Gilberto Camara, the Director of the Brazilian Institute for Space Research (INPE), also insisted that space agencies need to support such climate observations as greenhouse-gas. “Operational monitoring of climate using Earth observation is essential. This cannot be done alone. Therefore, there is a need for space agencies to coordinate and work together…the ‘data democracy’ needs to reach the masses,” she said.
European Environmental Agency Director Jacqueline McGlade was also on-hand at the event. She spoke about the need to watch the alteration speed of glaciers. “Political decision-makers count money; we will make them count water, clean air and forests…Climate change impact is a reality. Space tells us a great deal and being on the ground tells us even more. The combination of the two is essential.”
Using satellites in space to observe the Earth’s weather and climate habits is one area that space agencies should support. Scientists need to be able to study how the environment of today will alter the climate of the future, so that they can try to curtail any possible negative effects. Instead of focusing on whether or not there’s water on planets galaxies away from earth, such organizations as the ESA and NASA need to focus on how climate trends, such as greenhouse gases and glacial melting, is affecting life here on Earth.
Why are Weather Observations Important in Climate Change Research?
Nearly 200 Space Agencies Gathered at UN Conference to Discuss Why Data is Important
Written by: Karen Benardello
In an effort to emphasize the role that Earth surveillance satellites play in providing climate observations, representatives from 190 international space agencies attended a two-week UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen early last month.
About 150 people attended an event hosted by the European Space Agency (ESA) on Thursday, December 10, during which numerous scientists discussed why weather observations are important in climate change research. Dr Stephen Briggs, ESA’s Head of Earth Observation Science, Applications and Future Technologies Department, also discussed how ESA is working to meet the needs of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in conjunction with its new Climate Change Initiative.
“ESA has developed the Climate Change Initiative to generate, preserve and give access to long-term data sets of the essential climate variables and make them freely available to climate research and modeling communities worldwide,” Briggs said.
Building on data that multiple international space agencies provide, the initiative will also assure the availability of global climate information for the future. Such information will include sea-ice extent and thickness and greenhouse-gas concentrations.
At the ESA event, Gilberto Camara, the Director of the Brazilian Institute for Space Research (INPE), also insisted that space agencies need to support such climate observations as greenhouse-gas. “Operational monitoring of climate using Earth observation is essential. This cannot be done alone. Therefore, there is a need for space agencies to coordinate and work together…the ‘data democracy’ needs to reach the masses,” she said.
European Environmental Agency Director Jacqueline McGlade was also on-hand at the event. She spoke about the need to watch the alteration speed of glaciers. “Political decision-makers count money; we will make them count water, clean air and forests…Climate change impact is a reality. Space tells us a great deal and being on the ground tells us even more. The combination of the two is essential.”
Using satellites in space to observe the Earth’s weather and climate habits is one area that space agencies should support. Scientists need to be able to study how the environment of today will alter the climate of the future, so that they can try to curtail any possible negative effects. Instead of focusing on whether or not there’s water on planets galaxies away from earth, such organizations as the ESA and NASA need to focus on how climate trends, such as greenhouse gases and glacial melting, is affecting life here on Earth.
UN Thinks Industrialization of Africa Will Help it Succeed
December 2009 National Scene Magazine International Article
When Will Africa Be Able to Join the Global Economy? (archived Dec. 2009)
UN Thinks the Industrialization of the Continent Is the Key to its Success
Written by: Karen Benardello
The industrialization of Africa, which will help the continent fully join the global economy, is being hindered by armed conflict, limited financing and technological abilities, policies that stifle entrepreneurship, inadequate infrastructure, weak governance, limited competition and the rising cost of doing business, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said during the annual Africa Industrialization Day November 20, the international organization reported on its official website.
Ki-moon spoke during a symposium in Vienna, and said “Efforts to address these challenges must be rooted in a shared global responsibility for our planet's prosperity.” He also added the UN knows what the continent needs, including a green agricultural revolution linked to industrial transformation, and leaders of all African countries must provide financial support for such changes to occur. Also noted during the speech was the fact that while economic growth has been somewhat encouraging during the past several years, increased industrialization is necessary for African economies to continually prosper.
The Secretary-General also rightfully suggested the world must work with the African governments to research, make investments and use technology to help feed the continent’s population and raise living standards. The population has longed suffered from terrible living conditions, including famine, disease, poverty and natural disasters, and people around the world need to do more than just writing checks.
The African Industrialization Day came two days after the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Director-General Kandeh K. Yumkella warned that the continent must overcome the obstacles of boosting its industrial production and gaining a larger share of world trade to benefit from the global economy, the UN’s website also reported.
Yumkella also seemed less optimistic at Africa’s six percent annual growth rate between 2003 and 2007. He pointed to a number of barriers in the continent’s path to developing its manufacturing sector, including weak support from institutions, limited industrial skills and technological capabilities, inadequate financing and underdeveloped internal and regional markets, as well as the recent global financial and economic turmoil.
The director also stated that Africa must “focus on industrialization as a critical engine of economic growth and development” if it wants to recover economically and increase its share of world trade. Hopefully the UN and UNIDO can work together, with the governments of the world, to help Africa thrive.
When Will Africa Be Able to Join the Global Economy? (archived Dec. 2009)
UN Thinks the Industrialization of the Continent Is the Key to its Success
Written by: Karen Benardello
The industrialization of Africa, which will help the continent fully join the global economy, is being hindered by armed conflict, limited financing and technological abilities, policies that stifle entrepreneurship, inadequate infrastructure, weak governance, limited competition and the rising cost of doing business, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said during the annual Africa Industrialization Day November 20, the international organization reported on its official website.
Ki-moon spoke during a symposium in Vienna, and said “Efforts to address these challenges must be rooted in a shared global responsibility for our planet's prosperity.” He also added the UN knows what the continent needs, including a green agricultural revolution linked to industrial transformation, and leaders of all African countries must provide financial support for such changes to occur. Also noted during the speech was the fact that while economic growth has been somewhat encouraging during the past several years, increased industrialization is necessary for African economies to continually prosper.
The Secretary-General also rightfully suggested the world must work with the African governments to research, make investments and use technology to help feed the continent’s population and raise living standards. The population has longed suffered from terrible living conditions, including famine, disease, poverty and natural disasters, and people around the world need to do more than just writing checks.
The African Industrialization Day came two days after the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Director-General Kandeh K. Yumkella warned that the continent must overcome the obstacles of boosting its industrial production and gaining a larger share of world trade to benefit from the global economy, the UN’s website also reported.
Yumkella also seemed less optimistic at Africa’s six percent annual growth rate between 2003 and 2007. He pointed to a number of barriers in the continent’s path to developing its manufacturing sector, including weak support from institutions, limited industrial skills and technological capabilities, inadequate financing and underdeveloped internal and regional markets, as well as the recent global financial and economic turmoil.
The director also stated that Africa must “focus on industrialization as a critical engine of economic growth and development” if it wants to recover economically and increase its share of world trade. Hopefully the UN and UNIDO can work together, with the governments of the world, to help Africa thrive.
UN Wants Serbia, Kenya to Help Capture Suspects of Massacres
January 2010 National Scene Magazine International Article
When Will These Fugitives Finally be Caught?
UN Scolds Serbia and Kenya For Not Helping Capture Suspects of Massacres from the 1990s
Written by: Karen Benardello
The twenty countries who participated in the United Nations (UN) war crimes tribunals on December 3 scolded both Serbia and Kenya for not assisting officials in the capture of suspects of massacres from the 1990s.
Top UN officers demanded Serbia’s helping in arresting the two remaining fugitives accused of atrocities in the Balkan conflicts. One is Ratko Mladic, a Bosnian Serb military chief in Bosnia and Herzegovina who faces numerous charges, including genocide, murder, deportation, taking of hostages and inflicting terror on civilians. He is also remembered for the massacre of up to 8,000 Muslim men and boys in July 1995 in one of the most infamous events of the Balkan wars.
The other fugitive is Serb politician Goran Hadžic. He is charged with murder, persecutions, torture, cruel treatment and crimes against humanity, in connection with his role as president of a self-proclaimed breakaway state of rebel Serbs in southern Croatia.
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Prosecutor Serge Brammertz told the Security Council that apprehending both Mladic and Hadžic is one of his highest priorties. He added that there has been some progress in Serbia’s assistance in providing more effective access to documents.
Judge Patrick Robinson, who is the President of the ICTY, showed his disdain of the two fugitives staying on the run by urging the Security Council “…to seek ways to facilitate their immediate arrest. If these two men are not brought to justice, it will tarnish the Security Council’s historic contribution to peace-building in the former Yugoslavia.”
Eleven fugitives who are still on the run in connection with the 1994 genocide in which 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were massacred by extremist Hutus in Rwanda worried the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). While the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda were praised for their recent transfer of two alleged ringleaders, Grégoire Ndahimana and Idelphonse Nizeyimana respectively, ICTR Prosecutor Hassan Jallow reported “no progress in the matter of cooperation” from Kenya in the case of Félicien Kabuga. “Repeated requests to the Government of Kenya for details of Kabuga’s reported departure from that country have gone unanswered for the past 12 months. This situation should not be allowed to continue,” he said.
Jallow was correct in also saying that Kenya should legally be required, under its obligations with the UN Charter and international law, to fully collaborate with the ICTR. Kabuga, as well as the other ten fugitives, need to be apprehended and charged for their crimes. The only way to capture them after 15 years is to increase tracking efforts, as Jallow suggested, and offer immunity to those who help lead authorities to the fugitives’ whereabouts.
When Will These Fugitives Finally be Caught?
UN Scolds Serbia and Kenya For Not Helping Capture Suspects of Massacres from the 1990s
Written by: Karen Benardello
The twenty countries who participated in the United Nations (UN) war crimes tribunals on December 3 scolded both Serbia and Kenya for not assisting officials in the capture of suspects of massacres from the 1990s.
Top UN officers demanded Serbia’s helping in arresting the two remaining fugitives accused of atrocities in the Balkan conflicts. One is Ratko Mladic, a Bosnian Serb military chief in Bosnia and Herzegovina who faces numerous charges, including genocide, murder, deportation, taking of hostages and inflicting terror on civilians. He is also remembered for the massacre of up to 8,000 Muslim men and boys in July 1995 in one of the most infamous events of the Balkan wars.
The other fugitive is Serb politician Goran Hadžic. He is charged with murder, persecutions, torture, cruel treatment and crimes against humanity, in connection with his role as president of a self-proclaimed breakaway state of rebel Serbs in southern Croatia.
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Prosecutor Serge Brammertz told the Security Council that apprehending both Mladic and Hadžic is one of his highest priorties. He added that there has been some progress in Serbia’s assistance in providing more effective access to documents.
Judge Patrick Robinson, who is the President of the ICTY, showed his disdain of the two fugitives staying on the run by urging the Security Council “…to seek ways to facilitate their immediate arrest. If these two men are not brought to justice, it will tarnish the Security Council’s historic contribution to peace-building in the former Yugoslavia.”
Eleven fugitives who are still on the run in connection with the 1994 genocide in which 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were massacred by extremist Hutus in Rwanda worried the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). While the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda were praised for their recent transfer of two alleged ringleaders, Grégoire Ndahimana and Idelphonse Nizeyimana respectively, ICTR Prosecutor Hassan Jallow reported “no progress in the matter of cooperation” from Kenya in the case of Félicien Kabuga. “Repeated requests to the Government of Kenya for details of Kabuga’s reported departure from that country have gone unanswered for the past 12 months. This situation should not be allowed to continue,” he said.
Jallow was correct in also saying that Kenya should legally be required, under its obligations with the UN Charter and international law, to fully collaborate with the ICTR. Kabuga, as well as the other ten fugitives, need to be apprehended and charged for their crimes. The only way to capture them after 15 years is to increase tracking efforts, as Jallow suggested, and offer immunity to those who help lead authorities to the fugitives’ whereabouts.
Hate Crime Indictment in Shenandoah, PA
January 2010 National Scene Magazine National Article
What Was Motivation of Hate Crime in Small PA Town?
Teens, Police Officers From Shenandoah Indicted After Attack, Death of Luis Ramirez
Written by: Karen Benardello
Two teenagers and four police officers from the small town of Shenandoah, Penn. were indicted by a federal judge on December 15, as a result of a hate crimes investigation that was launched following the attack of Luis Ramirez in July 2008.
According to the Associated Press, Derrick Donchak and Brandon Piekarsky were charged with a hate crime shouting racial slurs and fatally beating their Hispanic victim. The indictments seem to be related to Hispanic advocates insisting that the killing is part of the rising number of hate crimes against Latinos in America.
If the teens are indeed responsible for Ramirez’ death, they do need to be punished, as Piekarsky was acquitted of third-degree murder and ethnic intimidation, and Donchak was acquitted of aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation. So far, they have only been convicted of simple assault.
Matthew Nestor, the Shenandoah police chief, and three of his officers were also indicted, on such charges as witness tampering and lying to the FBI. In addition, the police chief, Lt. William Moyer and Officer Jason Hayes were all also charged with conspiring to obstruct justice.
Ramirez was attacked when half-a-dozen high school football players were going home after a block party when they passed him in a park. After an argument broke out, ethnic slurs were passed on both sides, and the teens’ defense attorneys claim Ramirez was the aggressive one. When Ramirez and Piekarsky began throwing punches, Donchak’s lawyers claim he jumped in to stop the fight.
Ultimately, prosecutors believe Ramirez died when Piekarsky kicked him in the head, but his defense lawyers claim one of the other teens delivered the fatal blow. Hopefully, the teens will confess to what they really did do, to bring justice to Ramirez nearly a year-and-a-half after his death.
What Was Motivation of Hate Crime in Small PA Town?
Teens, Police Officers From Shenandoah Indicted After Attack, Death of Luis Ramirez
Written by: Karen Benardello
Two teenagers and four police officers from the small town of Shenandoah, Penn. were indicted by a federal judge on December 15, as a result of a hate crimes investigation that was launched following the attack of Luis Ramirez in July 2008.
According to the Associated Press, Derrick Donchak and Brandon Piekarsky were charged with a hate crime shouting racial slurs and fatally beating their Hispanic victim. The indictments seem to be related to Hispanic advocates insisting that the killing is part of the rising number of hate crimes against Latinos in America.
If the teens are indeed responsible for Ramirez’ death, they do need to be punished, as Piekarsky was acquitted of third-degree murder and ethnic intimidation, and Donchak was acquitted of aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation. So far, they have only been convicted of simple assault.
Matthew Nestor, the Shenandoah police chief, and three of his officers were also indicted, on such charges as witness tampering and lying to the FBI. In addition, the police chief, Lt. William Moyer and Officer Jason Hayes were all also charged with conspiring to obstruct justice.
Ramirez was attacked when half-a-dozen high school football players were going home after a block party when they passed him in a park. After an argument broke out, ethnic slurs were passed on both sides, and the teens’ defense attorneys claim Ramirez was the aggressive one. When Ramirez and Piekarsky began throwing punches, Donchak’s lawyers claim he jumped in to stop the fight.
Ultimately, prosecutors believe Ramirez died when Piekarsky kicked him in the head, but his defense lawyers claim one of the other teens delivered the fatal blow. Hopefully, the teens will confess to what they really did do, to bring justice to Ramirez nearly a year-and-a-half after his death.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Was Latest Gang MS-13 Assassination Plot Unique or Trend?
http://www.nationalscenemagazine.com/html/national.html
December 2009 National Scene Magazine National Article
Was MS-13 Assassination Plot Unique or Latest Trend?
Government Discovered Hit Put Out on Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent Who Lead Investigations into Gang’s Activities When Member Arrested
Written by: Karen Benardello
A contract was allegedly put out by the El Salvadoran leaders of the MS-13 gang on an unnamed federal agent who was responsible for the crackdown on its New York factions, the New York Daily News reported on Wednesday, November 4. The targeted agent was the lead investigator on many of the federal racketeering, murder and drug trafficking charges the members have recently faced.
The assassination of the unidentified Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent was revealed when reputed MS-13 gang member Walter (Duke) Torres was arrested in October. Torres alerted authorities to the plan after he and four other members of the gang, which was created by Salvadoran immigrants in Los Angeles and has since spread across the country and back into Central America, were stopped by NYPD detectives for hassling a passersby on Northern Blvd. in Queens.
Torres, who was brought to Rikers Island, as there was also a warrant out for his arrest in Virginia, told police on October 22 that he had information to pass on, the Daily News learned from court papers. The NYPD rightfully took alarm, as the FBI has declared MS-13 one of the most dangerous gangs in America, and there are up to 500 MS-13 members in the New York metropolitan area alone.
Torres stated that the order for the hit on the agent reportedly came from the gang’s leadership in El Salvador. It was supposed to be carried out by the gang’s Flushing “clique,” ICE agent Sean Sweeney wrote when drafting a new affidavit against Torres, charging Torres with conspiracy. Sweeney added that Torres belonged to the MS-13 sect in Virginia. He was put in charge of the murder plot, and traveled to New York in August for the specific purpose of participating in the planning and execution of the assassination.
The NYPD and FBI have every right to investigate and arrest every gang member suspected in the murder plot. Assassination plots should not be taken lightly, especially in this case, as the gang member were believed to be looking to buy a high-powered assault rifle, like an M-16, to penetrate the agent’s bulletproof vest.
Brooklyn Magistrate Judge Roanne Mann also made the right decision when he ordered Torres to be held without bail on Friday, October 30, as Queens is one of the hotspots of MS-13 criminal activity in New York. However, other federal agents should now be more careful and cautious when they are in pursuit of alleged MS-13 gang members, as the leaders may want further retaliation for Torres’ arrest.
December 2009 National Scene Magazine National Article
Was MS-13 Assassination Plot Unique or Latest Trend?
Government Discovered Hit Put Out on Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent Who Lead Investigations into Gang’s Activities When Member Arrested
Written by: Karen Benardello
A contract was allegedly put out by the El Salvadoran leaders of the MS-13 gang on an unnamed federal agent who was responsible for the crackdown on its New York factions, the New York Daily News reported on Wednesday, November 4. The targeted agent was the lead investigator on many of the federal racketeering, murder and drug trafficking charges the members have recently faced.
The assassination of the unidentified Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent was revealed when reputed MS-13 gang member Walter (Duke) Torres was arrested in October. Torres alerted authorities to the plan after he and four other members of the gang, which was created by Salvadoran immigrants in Los Angeles and has since spread across the country and back into Central America, were stopped by NYPD detectives for hassling a passersby on Northern Blvd. in Queens.
Torres, who was brought to Rikers Island, as there was also a warrant out for his arrest in Virginia, told police on October 22 that he had information to pass on, the Daily News learned from court papers. The NYPD rightfully took alarm, as the FBI has declared MS-13 one of the most dangerous gangs in America, and there are up to 500 MS-13 members in the New York metropolitan area alone.
Torres stated that the order for the hit on the agent reportedly came from the gang’s leadership in El Salvador. It was supposed to be carried out by the gang’s Flushing “clique,” ICE agent Sean Sweeney wrote when drafting a new affidavit against Torres, charging Torres with conspiracy. Sweeney added that Torres belonged to the MS-13 sect in Virginia. He was put in charge of the murder plot, and traveled to New York in August for the specific purpose of participating in the planning and execution of the assassination.
The NYPD and FBI have every right to investigate and arrest every gang member suspected in the murder plot. Assassination plots should not be taken lightly, especially in this case, as the gang member were believed to be looking to buy a high-powered assault rifle, like an M-16, to penetrate the agent’s bulletproof vest.
Brooklyn Magistrate Judge Roanne Mann also made the right decision when he ordered Torres to be held without bail on Friday, October 30, as Queens is one of the hotspots of MS-13 criminal activity in New York. However, other federal agents should now be more careful and cautious when they are in pursuit of alleged MS-13 gang members, as the leaders may want further retaliation for Torres’ arrest.
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