Deaths and disappearances of scientists spark federal probe The House Oversight Committee announced Monday it will investigate reports of the deaths and disappearances of scientists who had access to sensitive scientific information. The FBI said it is leading efforts to find connections among the missing and deceased individuals, working with the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and local law enforcement. The cases have raised questions about possible links, though no conclusive evidence has been found. The FBI stated it is “spearheading the effort to look for connections into the missing and deceased scientists” and is coordinating with federal agencies and state and local law enforcement. The Department of Energy referred questions to the White House, while NASA confirmed it is “coordinating and cooperating with the relevant agencies” but emphasized that “nothing related to NASA indicates a national security threat.” The White House said it is also working with federal agencies to probe potential links, with President Donald Trump describing the matter as “pretty serious stuff.” The House Oversight Committee, led by Republican Rep. James Comer, called the situation a “national security threat” and is prioritizing the investigation. Comer told Fox News that the circumstances “very unlikely” to be a coincidence, prompting the committee to seek briefings from the FBI, the Defense Department, the Department of Energy, and NASA. The Defense Department said it would respond directly to the committee, and the Department of Energy did not comment beyond referring questions to the White House. The cases vary widely in circumstance. Some involve unsolved homicides, while others are missing persons cases with no signs of foul play.#nasa #house_oversight_committee #fbi #department_of_energy #department_of_defense
Lev Parnas, a Jewish former associate of Rudy Giuliani and a key figure in Donald Trump’s first impeachment investigation, has announced his candidacy for Congress in Florida’s 27th Congressional District. Running as a Democrat, Parnas aims to challenge Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, a Cuban American incumbent in her third term. His campaign positions emphasize combating corruption, holding powerful figures accountable, and addressing issues like affordability, senior support, and immigration reform. Parnas, a Soviet-born Ukrainian-American businessman, gained national attention during the 2019 impeachment proceedings against Trump. He initially supported Trump and Giuliani in their efforts to secure damaging information about Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden from Ukraine. However, he later turned against Trump, testifying before the House Oversight Committee in 2024 about alleged influence-peddling. His testimony, part of an investigation into Biden’s conduct, highlighted his role in the Trump administration’s dealings. Parnas’ political journey has been marked by controversy. In 2021, he was convicted of federal campaign finance violations related to a scheme involving political contributions and support for a cannabis company. He received a 20-month prison sentence but served the term under home confinement. Despite his criminal record, which bars him from voting in Florida, he is eligible to run for office. His campaign acknowledges his past, noting it includes “professional successes and highly public challenges,” including a period of federal custody. Parnas has rebranded himself as a vocal critic of Trump since his release in September 2023.#lev_parnas #rudy_giuliani #maria_elvira_salazar #house_oversight_committee #moshe_azman
