#alex speier

[airplanes924]

Books I've Read in 2023

Number 40

Homegrown: How the Red Sox Built a Champion From the Ground Up by Alex Speier

[barbiecarlo]

why is every red sox personality on twit genuinely the most annoying person you have ever heard of

[awgesh13]

Red Sox’ slow offseason reportedly tied to one free agent

According to a report from Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, the Red Sox’ pursuit of one free agent has slowed down their offseason plans. — Read on www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2023/12/14/red-sox-offseason-yoshinobu-yamamoto-boston-craig-breslow/

[sergstrue]

House Intelligence Asks Why Russia-linked Austrian Bank Funded Trump Tower Project and Never Sought Repayment

An Austrian bank implicated in various money laundering scandals became the subject of a House Intelligence Committee hearing this week when Democratic Representative Jackie Speier of California asked about its connections to Russia and the financing of a failed Trump real estate project.

"I'm curious about the Raiffeisen bank in Austria," Speier said to Heather Conley, an expert on Europe and Eurasia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and author of the Kremlin's Playbook, which looks at Russian economic influence in Europe. "You spend a whole chapter [of your book] on Austria and the banks. Can you express to us the relationship between Russia and the Raiffeisen Bank?"

The Austrian bank is just one in a handful of European banks, including Danske Bank and Deutsche Bank, that have received increased scrutiny over the past several years following allegations of money laundering and Russian influence. Raiffeisen was named in a Hermitage Fund report submitted to prosecutors in Austria this month that contained allegations of money laundering. The bank also helped finance a 2007 Trump Tower project in Canada.

"What we're seeing in the banking structures is really Austria's ability to amplify that Russian funding and take it elsewhere within Europe. So Austria is very powerfully placed, their banking system, across Central Europe, in the Western Balkans," Conley told the House Intelligence Committee on Thursday. "Raiffeisen bank, because of its size and great importance to the region, amplifies non-transparency."

Speier, meanwhile, highlighted that the bank, which was also named in an extensive investigation into Russian money laundering published by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project this month, was involved in a Trump real estate project in 2007.

"The Raiffeisen Bank actually funded a Toronto Trump Project for $300 million, and never came back after that project went bankrupt, to secure what it could in bankruptcy, in terms of the return of their funds," Speier added.

The exchange highlighted Congress's focus on President Trump's past business practices, as the Democrat-held House continues to investigate the president's ties to Russia.

"In the case of Toronto, in 2001 the Trump Organization licensed the Trump name to businessmen with links to Eastern Europe who reportedly sold a stake in a Ukrainian steel mill in 2010 to individuals linked to the Russian government. Questions have been raised about whether Kremlin money was used to finance parts of the Trump Toronto project. The question of why Raiffeisen never reclaimed the millions it lost in the tower also remains.

"From 2007 to 2014, money flowed out of Russia like wine from a broken bottle. In short order, between 2007 and 2014 there were two boom and busts. Anyone with an ounce of sense was trying to get money out of Russia and into a western currency. The wealthy were concerned with potential additional sanctions as well as the value of the ruble when the Russian government would eventually have to quit supporting. Those fears were well founded," Burke Files, a financial investigator, told Newsweek.

"Be it Deutsche Bank, Danske Bank, Raiffeisen or even Citibank—all prospered with the flight capital from Russia be it earned legally or illegally."

4/26, 9:50 a.m.: This story has been updated to remove a reference to Alex Shnaider, who was inaccurately identified.

[snippersnews]

House Intelligence Asks Why Russia-linked Austrian Bank Funded Trump Tower Project and Never Sought Repayment

An Austrian bank implicated in various money laundering scandals became the subject of a House Intelligence Committee hearing this week when Democratic Representative Jackie Speier of California asked about its connections to Russia and the financing of a failed Trump real estate project.

"I'm curious about the Raiffeisen bank in Austria," Speier said to Heather Conley, an expert on Europe and Eurasia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and author of the Kremlin's Playbook, which looks at Russian economic influence in Europe. "You spend a whole chapter [of your book] on Austria and the banks. Can you express to us the relationship between Russia and the Raiffeisen Bank?"

A branch of the Raiffeisen bank is seen in Bucharest, Romania on July 26, 2018.

The Austrian bank is just one in a handful of European banks, including Danske Bank and Deutsche Bank, that have received increased scrutiny over the past several years following allegations of money laundering and Russian influence. Raiffeisen was named in a Hermitage Fund report submitted to prosecutors in Austria this month that contained allegations of money laundering. The bank also helped finance a 2007 Trump Tower project in Canada.

"What we're seeing in the banking structures is really Austria's ability to amplify that Russian funding and take it elsewhere within Europe. So Austria is very powerfully placed, their banking system, across Central Europe, in the Western Balkans," Conley told the House Intelligence Committee on Thursday. "Raiffeisen bank, because of its size and great importance to the region, amplifies non-transparency."

Speier, meanwhile, highlighted that the bank, which was also named in an extensive investigation into Russian money laundering published by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project this month, was involved in a Trump real estate project in 2007.

"The Raiffeisen Bank actually funded a Toronto Trump Project for $300 million, and never came back after that project went bankrupt, to secure what it could in bankruptcy, in terms of the return of their funds," Speier added.

The exchange highlighted Congress's focus on President Trump's past business practices, as the Democrat-held House continues to investigate the president's ties to Russia.

"In the case of Toronto, in 2001 the Trump Organization licensed the Trump name to businessmen with links to Eastern Europe who reportedly sold a stake in a Ukrainian steel mill in 2010 to individuals linked to the Russian government. Questions have been raised about whether Kremlin money was used to finance parts of the Trump Toronto project. The question of why Raiffeisen never reclaimed the millions it lost in the tower also remains.

"From 2007 to 2014, money flowed out of Russia like wine from a broken bottle. In short order, between 2007 and 2014 there were two boom and busts. Anyone with an ounce of sense was trying to get money out of Russia and into a western currency. The wealthy were concerned with potential additional sanctions as well as the value of the ruble when the Russian government would eventually have to quit supporting. Those fears were well founded," Burke Files, a financial investigator, told Newsweek.

"Be it Deutsche Bank, Danske Bank, Raiffeisen or even Citibank—all prospered with the flight capital from Russia be it earned legally or illegally."

4/26, 9:50 a.m.: This story has been updated to remove a reference to Alex Shnaider, who was inaccurately identified.

[twins2994]

Mariners Hang On To Beat Twins.

Twins 6 Mariners 7 W-Gilbert (8-5) L-Gray (4-4) SV-Sewald (19)

The Minnesota Twins had a great weekend with a sweep over the A’s in Oakland. The road trip continued today with a trip up to Seattle to play the Mariners. The Twins struck first in the third as Michael Taylor lined a lead-off single to left. Carlos Correa followed with a double of his own to put the Twins on the board. Eddie Julien kept the chain moving with a single and Alex Kirilloff hit a sac fly to right. The Twins had a two-run lead after three innings of play. The Mariners started to figure out Sonny Gray in the fifth and quickly loaded the bases. Jose Caballero lined a run-scoring single to left to get the Mariners on the board. Julio Rodriguez drew a bases loaded walk to even the game at two. Jarred Kelenic drove in a pair with a single to left and Seattle took the lead in a blink of an eye. The Twins inched closer in the sixth when Joey Gallo crushed a Gabe Speier fastball out to center for a solo homer. Minnesota was within a run, but Seattle got that run back in the bottom of the sixth. Cal Raleigh led-off with a walk and reached second and third on groundballs. Mike Ford drew a walk and a wild pitch plated a run. The Mariners got back to work in the seventh as Jarred Kelenic lined a two-out single to right and Eugenio Suarez smoked an Oliver Ortega slider out to left for a two-run blast. The Twins made things interesting in the ninth as Eddie Julien and Donovan Solano singled. Max Kepler knocked a Ty Adcock slider out to right for a three-run homer and the Twins were within a run late. Paul Sewald struck out Ryan Jeffers to end the game and the Mariners took Game 1 tonight. 

-Final Thoughts- Sonny Gray was rolling then ran into trouble in the fifth. He went 5 2/3 innings and allowed five runs on five hits with four walks and five strikeouts. Oliver Ortega got four outs and allowed two runs with two strikeouts. Jorge Lopez had a scoreless eighth inning of work. Eddie Julien led the team with three hits on the night. Alex Kirilloff and Max Kepler had two hits each. The Twins hit 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left ten men on base. Tomorrow, Bailey Ober faces Bryan Woo in the second game. 

-Chris Kreibich-

[usasportsworld]

Red Sox To Sign Corey Kluber To One-Year Deal

Red Sox To Sign Corey Kluber To One-Year Deal

The Red Sox and right-hander Corey Kluber are in agreement on a one-year deal plus a club option for 2024, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN. Kluber will be guaranteed $10MM, reports Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. The option is worth $11MM and there are also some incentives in the deal, per Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Kluber, 37 in April, was once one of the best pitchers alive, winning Cy Young…

[xanderbaegaerts]

Trying not to get my hopes up but... 👀

[campaignoutsider]

Boston Globe Whiffs Again on Alex Verdugo's Past

Boston Globe Whiffs Again on Alex Verdugo’s Past

In his Sunday Baseball Notes column, Boston Globe reporter Peter Abraham had this to say in one of his bulleted Red Sox observations.

▪ You can, and should, hate the Betts trade. But Sox fans are clearly warming up to Alex Verdugo.

Verdugo had an .875 OPS through his first 38 games, but it’s much more than that. He plays with passion, and after a few fundamental flubs early in the season has…

[contemporaryartdaily]

"Painting: Now & Forever, Part III" at Greene Naftali

[mu-th-ur]

The Frog Show W/ Chris Martin, David Gihooly, Eva Beresin, Jesse Sullivan, Alex Bag, F P Boué, Yasmin Kaytmaz, Haim Steinbach, Liz Markus, Karl Haendel, Alex Berns, Jack Laweler, Peter Harkawik, Jessica Butler, Joshua Miller, Kira Scerbin, Dana Wood Zinsser, Keith Boadwee, Michelle Uckotter, Joe Speier, Zoe Argires, Justine Neuberger, Jan Gatewood, Susan Classen Sullivan, Mike Linskie, Mimi Park, Andrew Ross, Kenny Schachter, Daniel Boccato Organised by #ReillyDavidson At #Real Pain, #NewYork, #US August 07 — September 04, 2021 🔗in stories @real___pain @daniel_ferstl @spiralstaircase1 @xzoeus @alexbag666 @evaberesin @alex_berns_ @tropicalmilf @bellybelial @susanclassensullivan @jangatewood @karlhaendel @harkawik @yazzzkat @jacklawler6 @mikelinskie @lizmarkusstudio @chrismartin764 @_joshuamiller_ @justineneuberger @puppeteer_mimi @andrewross_info @potatotunesy @kennyschachter @joe_sleepover @jessersullivan @shelleyuckotter @sunpuppie #groupshow #groupexhibition #newyorkexhibitions #nycexhibitions #painting #sculpture #installation #artshow #installation #art #contemporaryart #ofluxo #ofluxoplatform @ofluxoplatform (em New York City) https://www.instagram.com/p/CS1dQynMBOG/?utm_medium=tumblr

[airplanes924]

Recommendations

If you are looking for a movie to watch, I recommend Jungle Cruise on Disney+

If you are looking for a book to read, I recommend Homegrown by Alex Speier

If you are looking for a show to binge, I recommend Euphoria on Max

[fuad-ramses-73]

Eva Speyer da Truus, Bob & Jan too! Tramite Flickr: German postcard. Photo: Alex Binder. Eva Speyer (1883-1932 (?)), also known as Eva Stöckl Speyer, was a German actress, who appeared in more than seventy films from 1911 to 1932. Eva Speyer was born Eva Esther Speier in 1883 in Berlin, Germany. She was the daughter of the stockbroker Fedor Speier and his wife, the milliner Wilhelmine, née Mahn. Eva received her training as an actress at the Marie Seebach School and made her debut in Hirschberg in 1904. In 1905 she appeared in Posen and from 1906 to 1908 at the Schauspielhaus Düsseldorf. In 1908 she embarked for America and appeared on stage in Milwaukee and in 1909 in New York. In November 1910 she returned to Germany and played at Berlin stages such as the Lessingtheater, Trianon-Theater, and the Kleines Theater. She got in touch with the film business by chance. During an engagement at the Lessingtheater, she was asked by Paul Otto to play in the silent film Nora (1911). The new medium film was becoming commercially successful in Germany. Thomas Staedeli at Cyranos: "She viewed the new medium as a welcome extra income without artistic challenge. When the technological basis improved considerably she changed her attitude to the film and saw the possibility to make the art accessible to the audience in an easy way." In the next years, Speyer developed into one of the first stars of the German silent cinema. She played suffering women in such short melodramas as Die gelbe Rasse/The yellow breed (Max Mack, 1912), Dämonen der Tiefe/Demons of the Deep (Harry Piel, 1912), and Zwischen Himmel und Erde/'Tween Heaven and Earth (Otto Rippert, 1913) with Ernst Rückert. During World War I, Eva starred in films like Der Geisterseher/The Ghost Seer (Waldemar Hecker, 1915), Der Talismann/The Talisman (Eddie Seefeld, 1915), Die Flucht des Arno Jessen/The Flight of Arno Jessen (Richard Eichberg, 1917) starring Ernst Rückert, and Es werde Licht! 2. Teil/Let there be light. Part 2 (Richard Oswald, 1918). She played the female lead in the silent Science-Fiction film Die Arche/The Ark (Richard Oswald, 1919) starring Leo Connard. It is a two-part German epic about a near future in which civilisation has been destroyed. From the 1920s onwards, Eva Speyer's days as a star were over but she proved her talent as a character actress in many well-known films. These included § 182 minderjährig/Paragraph 182 (Ernst Winar, 1927) starring Colette Brettel, Dirnentragödie/Tragedy of the Street (Bruno Rahn, 1927) starring Asta Nielsen, and Unter der Laterne/Under the Lantern (Gerhard Lamprecht, 1928) starring Lissy Arna. In the drama Jugendtragödie/Tragedy of Youth (Adolf Trotz, 1929), she played a washerwoman, whose son (Roland Varno) is sent to a reform school for a minor crime. He breaks out and commits a murder. During the sound era, Speyer appeared in three more films, Namensheirat/Marriage in Name Only (Heinz Paul, 1930) with Evelyn Holt, the comedy Ich bleib bei Dir/I stay with you (Johannes Meyer, 1932), and the drugs drama Der weisse Dämon/The White Demon (Kurt Gerron, 1932) starring Hans Albers. Speyer was initially married to the actor Otto Stöckl and was therefore also known as Eva Speyer-Stöckl. In 1918, she was married to merchant Robert Ebert in her second marriage. About what happened to her after 1932, the sources differ. According to German Wikipedia, she was completely excluded from public culture because of her Jewish descent after the National Socialists came to power in 1933. and probably emigrated a short time later. However, Italian Wikipedia quotes IMDb that indicates that the actress died in 1932 at the age of 50. Where is unknown. Filmportal.de confirms this date. Sources: Thomas Staedeli (Cyranos), Filmporttal.de, Wikipedia (English, German and Italian), and IMDb. And, please check out our blog European Film Star Postcards.

[communicationczar]

JACKIE BRADLEY JR. IS A WAY WORSE HITTER THAN YOU THINK

JACKIE BRADLEY JR. IS A WAY WORSE HITTER THAN YOU THINK #MLB #REDSOX

Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, in a recent article about Jackie Bradley, Jr. of the Red Sox wrote:

Manager John Farrell has noted on multiple occasions that Bradley has shown streakiness since his emergence as an everyday player in late-2015 – a notion meant to underscore the team’s confidence that he’ll eventually emerge from his struggles.

Farrell, who certainly knows more about baseball and…

[shutupdont]

I just finished Alex Speier’s book about the Sox and lemme tell you I have never had to stop reading a book to wipe my eyes so much. I’m so proud they all love each other so much!!!!

[bettingonmookie]

alex speier has big scottie smalls energy