24 alleged ‘Murdaland Mafia Piru’ gang members indicted in Baltimore

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bal-alleged-bloods-gang-members-indicted-20160927-premiumvideo.html

Two dozen alleged gang members have been indicted on federal racketeering and other charges after an investigation determined they oversaw a violent drug operation in Baltimore City and County that was associated with murder, extortion, witness intimidation, money laundering and other crimes, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said other gangs in the Baltimore area should consider the indictment of the “Murdaland Mafia Piru” members — the result of an extensive investigation involving wiretaps and reviews of social media postings — as a warning from local and federal law enforcement.

“We know that most of the violence in Baltimore City is fueled by violent drug organizations such as the one that we are indicting today,” Rosenstein said. “On average six people are murdered every week in Baltimore City, 12 more victims are shot and wounded every week, and by working together we can bring those numbers down.”

The Murdaland gang, associated with the California-based Bloods organization, first gained a foothold in Northwest Baltimore and surrounding communities in Baltimore County — as well as in correctional facilities in the state — in 2008 after another federal indictment helped to dismantle the then-dominant local Bloods gang, the Tree Top Piru, prosecutors said.

Full Article – http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-mmp-gang-indictments-20160927-story.html

Celeb Sightings: Treats! Magazine 4th Annual White Party with Matt Bellamy, Nicole Williams, Elle Evans, Mark Foster, Brody Jenner and more

Celebrities in attendance for TREATS! MAGAZINE 4TH ANNUAL WHITE PARTY SPONSORED BY STELLA ARTOIS were Nicole Williams (E! WAGS), Larry English (NFL player), Matt Bellamy (Lead singer of Muse), Elle Evans (Model and girlfriend of Matt Bellamy), Brody Jenner, Frankie Delgado (MTV’s The Hills), Spencer Garrett, Mark Foster (Foster The People), Julia Clancey (Fashion designer), Tika Camaj (Model), Genevieve Morton (SI Model), Rocky Barnes (Blogger and Model), Jennifer Berg Pinyojit (Model), Kaylen Ostapovich (Model), Nick Simmons (Son of Gene Simmons), Rachel Cook (Model), Chelcie May (Model)

Nicole Williams (E! WAGS)
Nicole Williams (E! WAGS)

More Info:
Who says you can’t wear white after Labor Day? For the fourth year in a row, treats! magazine hosted a luxurious all-white dress code party in Malibu with a beautiful background of the Pacific Ocean, celebrating people in fields of art, fashion, music and entertainment.

Model, Nicole Williams, Tika Camaj
Model, Nicole Williams, Tika Camaj

While the party started out with a chill Malibu vibe, it soon picked up as the DJ started spinning and guests began to arrive. Everyone enjoyed cold beers and a variety of other drinks out of their iconic Stella Artois chalices. Early arrivals included “WAGS” star Nicole Williams and beau Larry English and Nick Simmons, who enjoyed the stunning view of the Malibu coast. Many known models like Tika Camaj arrived wearing Indah dresses and For Love & Lemons in the trend of lace and bell sleeves in white and ivory. Most models were in bright white lace and stood out significantly. British fashion designer Julia Clancey wore a stunning and statement-making dress and head piece emblazoned with fine jewels and crystals.

Matt Bellamy (MUSE) and girlfriend, model Elle Evans
Matt Bellamy (MUSE) and girlfriend, model Elle Evans

Later on in the evening, Brody Jenner and Frankie Delgado, strolled in and joked around enjoying the laid back pool vibes and stunning view. Absolute Elyx also served up Moscow mules to the thirsty guests including Steve Shaw, treats! Editor in Chief and Founder, who was entertaining friends and guests including pal Spencer Garrett and Singer Matt Bellamy (MUSE) and his girlfriend, model Elle Evans. Foster The People’s Mark Foster got in the party spirit and playfully photo bombed some of guests!

Larry English (San Diego Chargers) and girlfriend Nicole Williams (E! WAGS)
Larry English (San Diego Chargers) and girlfriend Nicole Williams (E! WAGS)
Treats! Editor in Chief Steve Shaw and Nick Simmons
Treats! Editor in Chief Steve Shaw and Nick Simmons

Sanofi Files Suit Against Merck, Claiming Patent Infringements

French drugs firm takes legal steps to prevent the launch of rival versions of its diabetes treatment

A packet of diabetes drug Lantus SoloStar on the production line at a manufacturing site of French drugmaker Sanofi in Frankfurt, Germany. The French company has filed a lawsuit against U.S. peer Merck & Co. to prevent it from launching a rival version of its diabetes treatment. PHOTO: REUTERS

PARIS— Sanofi SA said it filed a lawsuit against Merck & Co. for alleged patent infringements to prevent the U.S. drugmaker from launching a rival version of the French pharmaceutical giant’s best-selling diabetes treatment Lantus.

In the filing in the U.S. District Court of Delaware, Sanofi said on Monday it claims that Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Merck & Co.’s international division, violated as many as 10 patents held by the French company, including ones for its insulin Lantus and its insulin delivery device soloSTAR.

The Paris-based drugs company said it started the legal proceedings against Merck after the U.S. firm’s filing for new drugs applications with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

A spokeswoman for Merck said the company’s product “doesn’t infringe Sanofi’s patents.”

Sanofi shares were 1.3% higher at €69.91 in midday trading.

The French drugmaker’s all-important diabetes business is under siege, as a flurry of pharmaceutical companies seek to sell knockoffs of its blockbuster insulin Lantus in the U.S. The expected launch of lower-cost copies of Lantus and growing pricing pressure on diabetes drugs in the U.S. is rapidly eroding earnings at Sanofi’s diabetes division, which accounts for about 20% of the firm’s total revenue.

In the first six months of the year, diabetes revenue fell by 6% to €2.9 billion ($3.2 billion), hit by a 15% drop in Lantus sales to €2.38 billion. The company has said it expects revenue from diabetes drugs to continue to decline this as competition among insulin makers intensifies.

In January 2014, Sanofi filed a suit against Eli Lilly & Co. to defend its patents on Lantus. It had reached a deal with the U.S. drugmaker nearly two years later, under which Lilly agreed to delay the launch of its insulin to December 2016 and pay royalties to Sanofi.

In a bid to replenish its new drugs pipeline and revive growth, Sanofifor months had pursued U.S. biotech Medivation—a Nasdaq-listed company that focuses on hard-to-treat cancers, markets one prostate-cancer therapy, Xtandi, and has two other oncology assets in clinical development.

But U.S. pharma giant Pfizer Inc. beat out Sanofi grabbing Medivation for $14 billion in August.

Sourced From  – http://www.wsj.com/articles/sanofi-files-suit-against-merck-on-patent-infringements-1474285467

Federal civil rights lawsuit filed in Florida inmate’s death

A federal civil rights lawsuit has been filed on behalf of the 12-year-old daughter of a Florida inmate, alleging he was gassed while in a confinement cell and that officials tried to cover up his death.

Randall Jordan-Aparo’s 2010 death at Franklin Correctional Institution was publicized amid scrutiny of the Florida Department of Corrections for suspicious deaths.

The lawsuit filed Monday in Tallahassee federal court by the mother of Jordan-Aparo’s daughter alleges corrections officers killed him and the prison’s nurses, doctors and warden conspired to cover up his death.

The 27-year-old’s death remains under investigation by state and federal law enforcement.

Spokeswomen for the Department of Corrections and the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida each declined comment to The Miami Herald (http://hrld.us/2cZ0EL8 ) on the lawsuit.

Corrections investigators also have alleged cover-ups by the corrections department in separate lawsuits over Jordan-Aparo’s death.

Italy investigates after grandson of mafia boss closed traffic and landed a helicopter in wedding day spectacle

Prosecutors in Italy are investigating how the alleged grandson of a mafia boss managed to close down traffic and land a helicopter in the crowded main square of a small Calabrian town to celebrate his wedding day.

Antonio Gallone, 31, tied the knot with his bride Aurora before celebrating with a lavish seaside spectacle complete with red carpet, Ferraris, Maseratis, and a helicopter drop-off in the main city square to a throng of cheering onlookers.

After their religious ceremony, the bride and groom took off from a nearby airfield in a Robinson 44 Ipema helicopter for an hour-long scenic flight over the Aeolian islands at sunset.

When the couple returned, their helicopter flew right over the main castle square, hovered for a moment, then touched down right in the heart of town, where traffic had been closed off for three hours.

The ancient hilltop town of Nicotera in the Calabrian province of Vibo Valentia is a known stronghold for the ‘Ndrangheta, one of the world’s richest, most powerful crime syndicates.

Nicotera’s city administration was disbanded twice in the last decade for mafia association.

Full Read – http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/19/italy-investigates-after-grandson-of-mafia-boss-closed-traffic-a/