Manhattan News: SHAMELESS!

Manhattan News: SHAMELESS!: Con Men Ca$h in on Typhoon Tragedy Prey Off People Trying to Help the Philippines WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 14-  The Department o...

SHAMELESS!

Con Men Ca$h in on Typhoon Tragedy

Prey Off People Trying to Help the Philippines

WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 14- The Department of Justice, the FBI, and the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) remind the public that there is a potential for disaster fraud in the aftermath of a natural disaster. 

Suspected fraudulent activity pertaining to relief efforts associated with Typhoon Haiyan should be reported to the toll-free NCDF hotline at 866-720-5721. The hotline is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the purpose of reporting suspected scams being perpetrated by criminals in the aftermath of disasters.

NCDF was originally established in 2005 by the Department of Justice to investigate, prosecute, and deter fraud associated with federal disaster relief programs following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud related to any natural or man-made disaster. More than 20 federal agencies—including the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Secret Service—participate in the NCDF, allowing the center to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to disaster relief fraud.

In the wake of natural disasters, many individuals feel moved to contribute to victim assistance programs and organizations across the country. The Department of Justice and the FBI remind the public to apply a critical eye and conduct due diligence before giving to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of hurricane victims. Solicitations can originate as e-mails, websites, door-to-door collections, mailings, telephone calls and similar methods.

Before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, including the following:

▪ Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming e-mails, including by clicking links contained within those messages, because they may contain computer viruses.

▪ Be cautious of individuals representing themselves as victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.

▪ Beware of organizations with copycat names similar to but not exactly the same as those of reputable charities.

▪ Rather than following a purported link to a website, verify the existence and legitimacy of non-profit organizations by using Internet-based resources.

▪ Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files, because those files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.

▪ To ensure that contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make donations directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.

▪ Do not be pressured into making contributions; reputable charities do not use coercive tactics.

▪ Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions. Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

▪ Avoid cash donations if possible. Pay by debit or credit card or write a check directly to the charity. Do not make checks payable to individuals.

▪ Legitimate charities do not normally solicit donations via money transfer services.

▪ Most legitimate charities maintain websites ending in .org rather than .com.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud by a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, contact the NCDF by phone at (866) 720-5721, fax at (225) 334-4707, or e-mail at disaster@leo.gov.

You can also report suspicious e-mail solicitations or fraudulent websites to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

Tags: Haiyan, Typhoon

Red Panda Cubs Make Their Zoo Debut

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 8- Four red panda cubs are debuting at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and Prospect Park Zoo. 

Two cubs are at the Himalayan Highlands at the Bronx Zoo and two are at Discovery Trail at the Prospect Park Zoo.

Both litters consist of a male and female and were born this summer.

WCS has a successful history breeding red pandas at the Bronx, Central Park and Prospect Park Zoos as part of the Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program administered by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums designed to enhance the genetic viability and demographic stability of animal populations in accredited zoos.

Red pandas are native to Nepal, India, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar. The subspecies of red panda at the Bronx Zoo (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) is found in the western part of their Himalayan range. The Prospect Park pandas (Ailurus fulgens refulgens) are a subspecies from the eastern portion of the range and are characteristically darker in color and slightly larger.

Panda cubs are born with a very soft, plush coat. They reach adulthood at around 18 months.

Adult red pandas have reddish-brown and black coats that serve as camouflage in the wild. They have an adaptation on their wrists much like a thumb that enables them to grasp food items like bamboo as well as tree branches.

The species is listed as “Vulnerable” by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat loss caused by deforestation for timber, fuel and agricultural use. Their population is declining. WCS works in China and Myanmar to save red pandas and other Asian wildlife. 

Manhattan News: Farewell Mo

Manhattan News: Farewell Mo: Fans Say Goodbye to the Last Sports Hero By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 27- The tears in Mariano Rivera's eye...

Farewell Mo

Fans Say Goodbye to the Last Sports Hero

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 27- The tears in Mariano Rivera's eyes said it all- an era was coming to an end. The greatest closer of all time, known for his cool, professional way of getting the job done, finally broke down as his time at Yankee Stadium came to an end.

Although the game against the Tampa Bay Rays was meaningless for the Yankees, as they were eliminated from post-season play one day earlier, the emotions of everyone in the park were stirred by the entrance of Mariano Rivera with one out in the eighth. He received a prolonged and deserved standing ovation before he threw his first pitch. He retired both batters he faced to end the inning.

To the delight of the capacity crowd, he returned to the mound for the ninth inning. After retiring the first two batters, his long-time teammates and friends, Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte, walked to the mound to escort him from the game.

Rivera, overcome with emotion, hugged Pettitte and broke down into sobs. 

After the game, Rivera exclaimed, “The emotions bombarded me. The fans, the opposing team, everyone on their feet. It has no price.” 

Pettitte called it, “A moment I’ll never forget.” 

The Rays had left the dugout and all were on their feet applauding as were the police officers on the field and the fans in the stands. Many, in addition to Rivera, were in tears.

After the last out of the inning was made, Andy Pettitte’s name was chanted by the fans. The Rays remained in their dugout and urged the retiring left-hander to come on the field. Another standing ovation was given and responded to by Pettitte before the game could continue.

The loss was far less important to the fans than their opportunity to bid a loving farewell to two great Yankees. 

Jeter is now the lone member of the famous Core Four, but with Mo’s retirement it feels that the era is gone now. Rivera’s humbleness and sense of team seems quaint by today’s standards. The last great sports hero who gave his best for the team and not for the dollar or for his own self-importance. A man of class leaving a world of overhyped, over paid superstars. 

As proof one need not look any further than the fans. They stayed long after the final out. They stayed as Mo sat in the dugout trying to take it all in one last time. And they cheered one last time as the greatest and possibly the one last true sports hero and role model tipped his cap one last time and exited Yankee Stadium. 

Manhattan News: Celebrating Sylvia's

Manhattan News: Celebrating Sylvia's: Sylvia’s, a New York institution, celebrated its 51st year with a breakfast for the community. The eatery is so popular that even Mayo...

Celebrating Sylvia's

Sylvia’s, a New York institution, celebrated its 51st year with a breakfast for the community. The eatery is so popular that even Mayoral Candidate John Liu stopped by sample some of the culinary delights.

Photos by Seitu Oronde