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Ivanti Cloud Service Appliance flaw is being actively exploited in the wild

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Ivanti warned that recently patched flaw CVE-2024-8190 in Cloud Service Appliance (CSA) is being actively exploited in the wild.

Ivanti warned that a newly patched vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-8190 (CVSS score of 7.2), in its Cloud Service Appliance (CSA) is being actively exploited.

“Following public disclosure, Ivanti has confirmed exploitation of this vulnerability in the wild. At the time of this update, we are aware of a limited number of customers who have been exploited.” reads the update provided by the company on September 13, 2024.

An attacker can trigger this high-severity vulnerability to achieve remote code execution under specific conditions.

“An OS command injection vulnerability in Ivanti Cloud Services Appliance versions 4.6 Patch 518 and before allows a remote authenticated attacker to obtain remote code execution. The attacker must have admin level privileges to exploit this vulnerability.” reads the advisory

“Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to the device running the CSA. Dual-homed CSA configurations with ETH-0 as an internal network, as recommended by Ivanti, are at a significantly reduced risk of exploitation.”

Ivanti released a security update for Ivanti CSA 4.6 to address the vulnerability.

The company note that CSA 4.6 is End-of-Life, and no longer receives updates for OS or third-party libraries. Customers must upgrade to Ivanti CSA 5.0 for continued support, this version is not impacted by this vulnerability.  

The company did not reveal details about the attacks exploiting the CVE-2024-8190 vulnerability.

Recently cybersecurity firm Horizon3.ai published a technical analysis of an Ivanti Endpoint Manager AgentPortal Deserialization of Untrusted Data issue, tracked as CVE-2024-29847, that could allow remote code execution.

Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Cloud Service Appliance) 


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WATCH: Veep Thoughts With Kamala Harris (Vol. 22)

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Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned in Pennsylvania on Friday, and was forced to go off script when a reporter asked how she was feeling about her prospects in the pivotal swing state. As is often the case, her answer sounded like it was written by ChatGPT:

I am feeling very good about Pennsylvania because there are a lot of people in Pennsylvania who deserve to be seen and heard. That’s why I’m here in Johnstown, and I will be continuing to travel around the state to make sure that I’m listening as much as we are talking, and ultimately I feel very strongly that [you] gotta earn every vote, and that means spending time with folks in the communities where they live, and so that’s why I’m here. We’re going to be spending a lot more time in Pennsylvania.

We were curious, so we asked ChatGPT to answer a similar question from the perspective of a politician campaigning in Pennsylvania. As predicted, the computer’s answer was significantly more substantive and articulate:

In Pennsylvania, my campaign aims to connect deeply with the diverse communities across the state. I hope to address key local issues, such as economic development, infrastructure improvements, and healthcare access, while also emphasizing our shared values of fairness and opportunity. By engaging directly with voters, listening to their concerns, and presenting practical solutions, I want to build a broad coalition of support that reflects Pennsylvania’s rich cultural and economic landscape. Ultimately, my goal is to ensure that every Pennsylvanian feels heard and represented in our vision for the country’s future.

That was probably the last time Harris will talk to reporters before Election Day.

Have a great weekend!

VEEP THOUGHTS ARCHIVE:

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 21)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 20)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 19)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 18)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 17)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 16)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 15)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Greatest Hits)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 14)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 13)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 12)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 11)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 10)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 9)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Africa Edition)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 8)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 7)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 6)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 5)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 4)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 3

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 2)

WATCH: Veep Thoughts with Kamala Harris (Vol. 1)

The post WATCH: Veep Thoughts With Kamala Harris (Vol. 22) appeared first on .


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GitLab fixed a critical flaw in GitLab CE and GitLab EE

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GitLab addressed multiple vulnerabilities impacting GitLab CE/EE, including a critical pipeline execution issue.

GitLab released security patches for 17 vulnerabilities in GitLab CE (Community Edition) and EE (Enterprise Edition).

One of these vulnerabilities is a critical pipeline execution flaw, tracked as CVE-2024-6678 (CVSS score of 9.9), that could allow an attacker to trigger a pipeline as an arbitrary user under certain circumstances.

“An issue was discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions starting from 8.14 prior to 17.1.7, starting from 17.2 prior to 17.2.5, and starting from 17.3 prior to 17.3.2, which allows an attacker to trigger a pipeline as an arbitrary user under certain circumstances.” reads the company’s advisory. “It is now mitigated in the latest release and is assigned CVE-2024-6678.

yvvdwf reported the issue to the company through the company bug bounty program operated by HackerOne.

GitLab also fixed a high severity issue, tracked as CVE-2024-8640 (CVSS score of 8.5), in GitLab EE. An attacker can exploit the flaw to inject commands into a connected Cube server.

“An issue has been discovered in GitLab EE affecting all versions starting from 16.11 prior to 17.1.7, from 17.2 prior to 17.2.5, and from 17.3 prior to 17.3.2. Due to incomplete input filtering, it was possible to inject commands into a connected Cube server.” reads the advisory.

joaxcar reported this vulnerability through our HackerOne bug bounty program.

The company also fixed several medium and low-severity vulnerabilities that could lead to protection bypasses, privilege escalation, unauthorized read access to private project source code, GitLab token retrieval, account takeover, and information leaks.

Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, GitLab CE


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Brooklyn police shot allegedly knife-wielding man dead following apartment standoff, NYPD says

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Chaos unfolded on a Brooklyn street Friday after police fatally shot a man who allegedly charged at them with a knife.

Members of the NYPD Warrant Squad entered a home at 478 East 21st St. in Flatbush at around 5:20 p.m. on Sept. 13 where, according to Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, the knife-wielding man confronted them.

Maddrey reported that police had been looking for the man after he was identified as a person of interest in several unsolved homicides during the summer. Thirty-eight-year-old Vilmond Jean Baptiste allegedly did not want to comply with police and instead hunkered down in the bathroom’s tub.

Moments later, authorities said, the man emerged while still carrying a knife and allegedly charged at officers — who then shot him multiple times.

Maddrey reported that police had been looking for the man after he was identified as a person of interest in several unsolved homicides during the summer. Thirty-eight-year-old Vilmond Jean Baptiste allegedly did not want to comply with police and instead hunkered down in the bathroom’s tub.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Members of the NYPD Warrant Squad entered a home at 478 East 21st St. in Flatbush at around 5:20 p.m. on Sept. 13 where, according to Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, the knife-wielding man confronted them.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

 
“They get to a rear bathroom, where they observe a male, fully dressed in hooded sweatshirt, hiding in the bathtub. The members from the warrant squad gave numerous commands to the male. They gave commands to get out of the tub, to show his hands, and then they realized that he was armed with the knife,” Chief Maddrey said. “The sergeant on the scene tried to deploy the taser, but the Taser did not work.”
 
Maddrey declared it was at this time Baptiste allegedly charged at cops, three of whom shot him an indeterminate amount of times. The man was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time later, police said.
 
Lifting a taser, Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry said that when the shock device did not work the commanding officer on scene attempted deploy it again, and in doing so, came close to being stabbed.

“The sergeant then tried to take out another cartridge to insert into the taser when the suspect came out of the bathroom with a knife and almost attempted to stab our sergeant. The officers were forced to use deadly physical force to take the suspect down,” Daughtry said.

Lifting a taser, Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry said that when the shock device did not work the commanding officer on scene attempted deploy it again, and in doing so, came close to being stabbed.NYPD on X

Unsure of what had taken place, law enforcement sources said, locals began throwing objects at officers on street level from surrounding apartments, hitting one cop in the head and causing minor injuries. At least one arrest was made.

Baptiste had one prior arrest in 2015 for reckless endangerment but also had an active bench warrant. He was a “strong” person of interest in three deadly stabbings dating back to July in Brooklyn that left left a 54-year-old woman, a 66-year-old woman, and a 24-year-old man dead.

“His MO seems to be he begins to date older women, and then they allow him to reside in his house to use narcotics,” Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

Police asked the public to avoid the area as the investigation continues. 

The police-involved shooting happened in the wake of an NYPD shakeup Thursday, after Edward Caban resigned the post amid an ongoing federal investigation. Mayor Eric Adams moved quickly to name Tom Donlin the interim commissioner.

The knife recovered at the scene.NYPD on X

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Joanna ‘JoJo’ Levesque Is No Longer Compromising

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For most of the aughts, JoJo was everywhere. After signing her first record deal in 2003, her debut single, “Leave (Get Out),” found its way onto the Billboard charts shortly after its release a year later. By 2006, she had two full-length studio albums under her belt—JoJo and The High Road, which featured her second massive hit, “Too Little Too Late”—and had already starred in two major movies, Aquamarine and RV. The singer, whose full name is Joanna Levesque, toured with Usher, performed at award shows, and appeared frequently on MTV’s Total Request Live. It’s nearly impossible to talk about 2000s pop culture without talking about JoJo.

[time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”]

But in the midst of her meteoric rise, Levesque’s commercial success came to a screeching halt when disputes at her label, Blackground Records, forced her into musical limbo for nearly a decade. According to Levesque, Blackground was unable to secure a distribution deal, which meant that any plans for releasing another official album with Blackground were off the table indefinitely. She was stuck in artistic purgatory—only able to release music independently—until 2013, when a successful lawsuit against Blackground allowed her to finally leave the label and sign a new deal with Atlantic Records. Her long-awaited third studio album, Mad Love, was released in 2016.

Looking back on the years she spent fighting for her career, Levesque says, “I rarely gave myself time to think or feel.” Now, the 33 year-old is making up for lost time. In her new memoir, Over the Influence, out Sept. 17, she reflects on the events of her personal and professional life with vulnerability and candor. Levesque spares no detail about the substance abuse and other unhealthy behaviors she engaged in to escape the reality of her label troubles, her experiences with addiction, and the lengths she’s gone to find herself as an adult.

“I hope that by sharing my little life so far, other people will maybe take the time to explore their own,” she says. “Because there’s good sh-t in there.”

TIME spoke with Levesque about writing Over The Influence on her own, the joys of sleeping alone, and which art form she plans on conquering next.

TIME: You’re a few days away from being a published author. How are you feeling?

Levesque: That is so crazy! I did not have that on my bingo card for 33, but I’m so happy. I feel a lot of joy, a lot of excitement, and a lot of gratitude that I get to put my story out there into the world. I hope it hits some people in a way that they’re moved by it.

You wrote this memoir entirely on your own. Why was it important for you to do this without a ghostwriter?

I’m a fan of memoir and nonfiction in general, so some of my favorite books are written in collaboration with a ghostwriter or a co-writer. There’s so much to be gained from that expertise, but I just wanted to give myself a shot. My voice is enough. My perspective on things is enough. 

I’d been conditioned from a young age to think I needed to rely on other people to make decisions for me, to help craft my story, or make me into something that was more digestible or acceptable, but I’m no longer chasing that mainstream success. I really want to be myself and be in a community with other people who are on the same journey of trying to shed any layers of confusion and shame they’ve accumulated.

You mentioned in your author’s note that it was a little mortifying to dredge up some of the experiences you were writing about. You included stories about using alcohol and weed to stay intoxicated as often as possible, spending nights out “smooching strangers” in clubs, and even being unfaithful in a former relationship. It felt like I was reading entries from your diary. How did you find the courage to share your stories in this way?

Just by remembering that as human beings, we’re storytellers, and that’s what we’ve always done for as long as we’ve been here. Sometimes there’s this thing within me that’s like, why even share this? Who’s going to care? But I do believe that when we share truthfully and vulnerably, that can unlock some things within ourselves and within other people. And I just had to remind myself that my story is just as worthy of being told as anybody else’s.

What do you hope readers will take away from your experiences with addiction?

I grew up thinking that I would never end up like my parents, who self-identified as addicts. I felt a bit self-righteous about it, like I was stronger than that. But something my dad said when I was maybe 21 stuck with me: “Addiction is like Arnold Schwarzenegger in your backyard pumping iron, just waiting for you. It’s going to come for you.” So one of the things that I wanted to explore—and just something that I like to talk about—is addiction and what it means.

For me, [addiction is] not just one thing. It’s void filling and feeling like you need to get outside yourself to feel OK. It’s trying to introduce other substances, other people, other experiences, validation, food, whatever, because you don’t feel like enough. A lot of times people think that you’re addicted to a substance, but it’s not so cut and dry.

It does feel like the idea of being addicted to sex and love isn’t discussed as often, but you wrote that, at one point in your life, “being desired was like a drug.” What’s your relationship with the need to feel desired or validated today?

I try to check in with myself and see what I’m doing a bit too much of, or where I’m feeling a pull towards something. I just ask myself, why do I feel like I need this? I also took a year off of dating just to really sit with myself. I was so used to having a romantic interest, or having someone to think about, or to text with, or to occupy my time. What happens when I don’t have that? It’s been a really important experience for me, because as much as I thought I liked being alone, I realized that I still did rely on feeling that romantic validation. Taking it off the table has been a good little journey for me. 

I think a lot of people are scared to do that, but it’s really powerful to be able to sit and connect with yourself in that way.

The older I get, I’m less compromising. The older we get, the less appealing random guys are, or random people. The pool gets a little smaller because you’re like, I don’t know if that really resonates. It’s a blessing.

Agreed. If someone’s not going to add any value to my life, what’s the point?

I know. And it feels kind of good to have the whole bed to myself.

I was shocked to read that you were upset with your label’s decision to release “Leave (Get Out)” as your first single. How do you feel about the song now?

I just never saw myself as a pop singer. It sounded really different from the album I was making. If you go back and listen to my first album, it’s influenced heavily by hip-hop and R&B—“Leave” kind of stands as an outlier. So it was just confusing to me, and that set in motion a lot of confusion in my life. But I am grateful beyond words for that song. I was really fortunate to be the vessel for that. And when people started telling me how much they loved the song, then I was like, OK, I was wrong. But it kind of conditioned me to question my own taste and my own gut. 

You re-recorded your first two albums in 2018. The conversation around this practice has become a lot more mainstream, thanks to Taylor Swift announcing in 2019 that she’d be re-recording her discography after a public battle with Scooter Braun over her masters. Billboard reported last year that some labels are now working to make it more difficult for artists to do this—sometimes demanding that they wait up to 30 years after their contract ends to re-record releases. What do you make of that trend?

I’m sad but not surprised to hear that labels would try to do that. My music wasn’t available to stream, so it wasn’t for any reason other than that [that I re-recorded]. We were just trying to come up with a solution because I was tired of not having my music available. I wasn’t sure if it would pay off or if people would think it was silly. But it’s amazing that this is a part of the conversation beyond the music industry now and that fans are interested in some of the business behind it. People are more invested in knowing about what’s going on with their favorite artist.

Do you think all artists should own their masters?

Of course, my answer is yes. It should definitely always go back to the artist. If a label is fronting all the money for something to get made, I know why they think they should own the masters, but things have to change. The music industry as we know it is the Wild West. There’s too much greed.

You wrote about how JoJo was a professional moniker chosen for you by a former producer. At this stage in your life, how do you feel about that nickname?

It’s a part of me. JoJo is a part of my history, and it’s how I was introduced to my fans who have supported me over the years. So I’m totally fine with people calling me JoJo, but where I’m at in my life, I just feel more like Joanna. I’m getting closer to who I was before any of this crazy, cool, confusing experience happened. So I’m embracing all of it. I think of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his long-ass full name, so I’m Joanna “JoJo” Levesque right now.

If what most people know about you is based only on what they know about JoJo, the artist, what do you want people to know about you, Joanna, the person?

That I am allowing myself to have different seasons. As millennials, perfection is what we were sold in the time that we grew up. You needed to be perfect, otherwise you shouldn’t even try. So I’m allowing myself to just try. To just be. To accept that wherever I’m at—that’s good enough.

You’re currently playing the role of Satine in Moulin Rouge! on Broadway. Your circumstances are wildly different, but Satine is a woman whose actions are ultimately being dictated by others. Did you draw on any of your personal experiences when you were first workshopping the character?

It wasn’t much of a stretch for me to play Satine. I think she felt a lot of pressure—pressure that she put on herself or pressure that was real because she was the face of the Moulin Rouge—and she wanted to make sure that everything was going to be OK. She didn’t want anybody to worry about her. She was very strong and very determined to do what she needed to do, and I relate to that. I never wanted anybody to worry about me, even when I was engaging in dangerous behavior or not treating myself kindly, so I can feel her going through that in the show. I have a lot of love and compassion for Satine.

You’ve done everything at this point—music, movies, TV, Broadway, and now a book. Where do you go from here? What’s next for you?

New music soon. Touring. And I want to develop an original musical, so that’s in the works. That’s something I’m really passionate about. I want to produce and be behind the scenes and also originate a role. I’m really, really, really into theater these days. It just makes me feel so alive.

This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.


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At Green-Wood Cemetery, victims of 9/11 remembered where they rest

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At Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklynites remembered loved ones lost on 9/11 where they rest, rather than where they lost their lives. 

More than 100 victims of 9/11 are interred at the cemetery — 78 who lost their lives that day, and dozens more who died from Ground Zero-related illnesses in the years after. As the sun set on Sept. 11, 2024, Brooklynites gathered among the gravestones overlooking the Manhattan skyline. There were no suited-up military or police personnel or politicians, no big speeches. 

9/11 sign at green-wood
A sign bearing the names of 9/11 victims interred at Green-Wood Cemetery. Photo by Kirstyn Brendlen

Musician George Stass sang quiet renditions of “Fire and Rain,” and “Wildflowers,” and “Every Grain of Sand.” When the sky was dark and the Tribute in Light visible against the sky, two Green-Wood staffers stood to read a list of more than 70 names — most of whom are buried at there, some who are not. 

Gabrielle Gatto, coordinator of public programs at Green-Wood, and Theresa Wozunk, a death counselor, worked together to plan the event, a departure from their usual memorials.  

The idea for a quiet evening memorial came to them last year, Wozunk said, and they worked with the 9/11 Museum and Memorial to organize Wednesday’s event, centered around the Tribute in Light. 

“I’ve always thought it would be such a beautiful viewing point, and a really safe space for New Yorkers who don’t feel comfortable going to the museum but want to pay their respects in a way,” Wozunk said. “And what a great, beautiful place to sit and reflect.”

George Stass played guitar and sang at the memorial. Photo by Kirstyn Brendlen
people look at manhattan from Green-Wood Cemetery
The Manhattan skyline from Green-Wood Cemetery. Photo by Kirstyn Brendlen

More than two decades after the attacks, some New Yorkers struggle with big memorials, like the reading of the names of victims at the 9/11 Memorial on the footsteps of the Twin Towers. Gothamist reported that in the last year, only 6% of visitors to the 9/11 Museum were from New York City. Green-Wood wanted to offer those people a peaceful place to grieve together.

The cemetery now serves as a sort of community space, Gatto said, especially since the pandemic, when many Brooklynites found peace and solace walking the grounds. The 9/11 ceremony was an extension of that ethos, a chance for people to grieve different people in different ways. Gatto included her uncle, a former FDNY captain who died in 2016 from 9/11-related cancer, in the list of names. 

“My uncle is not interred here, but we continue to memorialize him in many different ways,” she said. “This can be a place of memorialization for anyone, anyone that needs to grieve and maybe do it in an accessible place that doesn’t have to be so charged, or they just have an area to kind of peel off to.” 

Dozens of Brooklynites settled in on Green-Wood’s hills for the ceremony, some in large groups, others separated in pairs or alone on the grass. A few asked Gatto and Wozunk to include their loved ones’ names in the reading.

Matt Pinner sat on a set of low stairs with his two-year-old daughter. He moved to New York City from Colorado in 2020, and said that while his experience of 9/11 was different from those who lived in the city at the time, he knew he and his family wanted to acknowledge the day in some way — which brought them to Green-Wood. 

“It’s a unifying event, I like ritual and ceremonies and traditions,” he said. “Anything that brings people together, gives you an excuse to go out in the world and be among people. We all grieve together. No one should do that alone.” 

Andrew Schneider attended the ceremony on his own, to support a friend who was playing music there. He moved to New York City in 2003, when the city was still reeling in the aftermath of the attacks. On Sept. 11, 2003, he said, the anniversary had a palpable presence, one that has dissipated somewhat with time. 

He didn’t lose anyone on 9/11, and felt at first like he shouldn’t be there at the memorial. But he wanted to hold space for the people that did, and remember their loved ones with them. 

The memorial felt different, too, because he recently lost his father Elroy. Grieving is a long and complex process, he said, one he just started — but finding a space to grieve collectively felt good.

“I was over here before, I was thinking memorials are so nice because they’re in honor of the people who are no longer with us, but they’re for the people who are still here,” he said. 

Included on the list of names read at Green-Wood on Wednesday were Joseph Agnello, Peter Vega, and Vernon Cherry, three Brooklyn Heights firefighters who were found together and buried side-by-side; and Monique De Jesus, a 29-year-old administrative assistant at Cantor Fitzgerald. 

Schneider said he watched a lot of old videos of his father after he died all on VHS, with the fuzzy quality associated with the medium. The news footage from 9/11 has the same quality, he said. 

“When I hear the names, I picture those people in that media form, like frozen in time, like they didn’t age with us,” he said. “Things got more HD, more crystally-clear. And those memories, they’re not fading, but they take on a different sort of quality because of the medium that they were on.”

tribute in light at green-wood
The Tribute in Light, visible from Green-Wood. Photo by Kirstyn Brendlen

Wozunk also wanted to pay tribute to Green-Wood itself, and the people who worked there during and after 9/11.

“The cemetery itself was integral in 9/11, and what this place has absorbed for various tragedies over the years is monumental,” she said. “The role that our gravediggers played, the role that our president played on that day and the months after, I just think is something to be celebrated and heralded.”

Cemetery workers were faced with the tragedy head on, she said, as they were tasked with laying victims to rest. They grappled with similar circumstances during the pandemic, when thousands were dying from the virus. 

Isaac Feliciano, a now-retired Green-Wood foreman, lost his wife Rosa on 9/11. The smoke and fire were visible from the cemetery. 

“He was here at work and had to see everything and still carry on and make sure he could be there for other families and for his own,” Gatto said. “We call [cemetery workers] last responders … it’s holding space for families, in those very last and final moments.”

Rosa is buried at Green-Wood, and her name was read on Wednesday night. In 2011, Feliciano told the Daily News that he would not visit Ground Zero to remember his wife — he much preferred to honor her at Green-Wood, under the memorial tree he planted for her. 


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St. John’s College reimagined: Historic Bed-Stuy campus to become The Hartby Apartments

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The eye-catching St. John’s College, which takes up a quarter of a block on Lewis Avenue between Willoughby Avenue and Hart Street, will shortly reopen as an apartment complex after an impressive adaptive reuse project converts the campus to residential units.

While the majority of the historic buildings remain unaltered on the exterior, the oldest wing, which ran along Willoughby Avenue, was demolished and is being replaced by a similar new building that has topped out.

housing lottery has recently opened for the entire project, which has taken the address 788 Willoughby Ave. St. John’s College previously had the address of 75 Lewis Ave.

photo of st. john's college in bed-stuy
An existing wing of the campus on the corner of Lewis Avenue and Hart Street. Photo by Susan De Vries
The new wing under construction behind netting at the corner of Willoughby Avenue and Lewis.Photo by Anna Bradley-Smith

The first wing of the Romanesque Revival pile, College Hall, opened in 1870 on the corner of Willoughby and Lewis. The rest of the buildings were in place by 1872. Designed by architect Patrick Keely and built by the Catholic Church, the four- and five-story red brick buildings surrounding a central courtyard are notable for their multicolored slate mansard roofs, arched windows, a round corner tower, a domed cupola, and a two-story-high bay window and entrance canopy on Lewis Avenue. The college relocated to Queens in the 1950s.

Since then, the Bed-Stuy complex has housed an array of religious schools and service organizations, including the New Horizons Adult Education Center. Plans to convert the complex to rental apartments have been in the works since at least 2015, but until recently little seemed to be happening and the property’s future appeared unclear.

Despite its impressive architecture and significance in Bed-Stuy’s history, the campus is not landmarked, meaning the developers could have demolished the entire structure. The decision to adapt the buildings for a new use may have been made because they are already larger than what could have been built under existing zoning. As well, the site was deemed eligible for the National Register in 2020 and therefore could potentially receive tax credits for adaptive reuse through the National Park Service.

A rendering of the new wing. Image courtesy of Woods Bagot
The site in March of 2019. Photo by Susan De Vries

The conversion to apartments was facilitated through a deal between a private developer and the Roman Catholic Church, which still owns the site and the massive stone St. John’s the Baptist Roman Catholic Church next door at 333 Hart St. (The latter is still operating as a church, its online event calendar shows.)

According to city records, the Roman Catholic Church leased the site that includes the college campus but not the church to 75 Lewis Avenue LLC, with signatories Matthew and Frank Linde of Property Resources Corporation (or PRC), in 2018. The documents show the LLC paid $14.193 million for the ground lease, set to expire in 2067. The deal included air rights from the church building so the developers could increase the floor area of the new building, documents show.

The new wing along Willoughby Avenue will have eight stories, and altogether the conversion will create 205 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments, according to Department of Buildings permits and the architect’s website. Woods Bagot Architects is behind the design.

Renderings show the new wing will be six stories, not eight, and will closely resemble the one it replaced in coloring, form, and height, although the details will be modern. Its mansard roof, brick color, and window placement match those of the other buildings. Recessed brickwork in a checker pattern will ornament the under-window spaces and corners of the new build. Protruding brickwork will create a striped effect on the lower floors, where a modern entrance canopy will rise two stories.

The Willoughby Avenue side of the site in July of 2022.

A recent visit to the site revealed College Hall has been razed, and the replacement building has topped out. While the new wing is completely covered in scaffolding and netting, some of the brick detailing around the windows is visible.

The remaining administrative building, which sits in the middle of Lewis Avenue, and seminary wing, which runs along Hart Street, have emerged from scaffolding and look as grand as ever. They are, however, still behind a green construction fence.

The signage for Vincentian Fathers is still in place. Photo by Susan De Vries
The college in 1932. Photo by P.L. Sperr via New York Public Library

The housing lottery for the 48 income restricted and rent stabilized apartments in the revamped complex, now dubbed The Hartby, recently opened for households earning 130% of Area Median Income, or $85,543 to $218,010 a year. At that level of AMI, allowed by the 421-a tax program from which the development benefits, rents for lottery units are typically close to market-rate prices. Studios in this lottery go for for $2,495 a month, one-bedrooms for $2,795, and two-bedroom units rent for $3,939.

Renderings show units with mostly white, minimalist, somewhat generic interiors, enlivened with interesting historic features. These include rounded corners and bays with windows, a wood-paneled wall surrounding a large round window, and arched windows.

Floor plans show a 409-square-foot studio, 526-square-foot one-bedroom, and 855-square-foot two-bedroom. Building amenities include a roof terrace, parking, electric car charging stations, an attended lobby, business center, gym, party room, shared laundry room, bike storage, and dog washing station.

The complex is set to open sometime this fall.

This story first appeared on Brooklyn Paper’s sister site Brownstoner.


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Top EU court rules Apple owes Ireland over $14B in back taxes

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In a blow to Apple, the European Union Court of Justice ruled Tuesday that the tech giant must pay over 13 billion euros, or more than $14 billion, in back taxes to Ireland.

The ruling ended a years-long legal saga that began in 2016, when the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, ordered Apple to pay Ireland 13 billion euros in unpaid back taxes. Apple and Ireland later filed an appeal.

In 2017,  ICIJ’s Paradise Papers investigation exposed the offshore activities and interests of over 120 world leaders and politicians, as well as the tax engineering of more than 100 multinational corporations.

Among those companies was Apple: documents showed how the tech company secretly reorganized its Irish companies in a way that allowed for certain tax advantages that were not offered to other companies.

Tuesday’s decision overturned a 2020 ruling from a lower court and backed the European Commission’s claims that corporate tax rates as low as 0.005% represented an unlawful subsidy for Apple, concluding in a statement that: “Ireland granted Apple unlawful aid which Ireland is required to recover.”

Representatives from both Apple and the Irish government strongly refuted the court’s finding that Ireland gave Apple special treatment.

“We always pay all the taxes we owe wherever we operate and there has never been a special deal,” an Apple spokesman told reporters Tuesday. “The European Commission is trying to retroactively change the rules and ignore that, as required by international tax law, our income was already subject to taxes in the US.”

The U.S. tech giant has had a presence in Ireland since 1980, and currently employs about 6,000 people in Cork.

It’s very important to show European taxpayers that once in a while tax justice can be done.

— Margrethe Vestager, the European Union’s competition chief

“The Irish position has always been that Ireland does not give preferential tax treatment to any companies or taxpayers,” a statement from Jack Chambers, Irish minister of finance, read. “Ireland is an active participant in international tax discussions and has also made necessary changes to its taxation regime as international tax rules have developed over time.”

Reporting in 2017 by ICIJ partners showed how Ireland, the Netherlands and Luxembourg regularly used their veto powers to block reform of EU-wide efforts to set common standards to curb tax avoidance by multinational corporations.

Representatives of the Irish government told the Irish Times that the multi-billion euro windfall from Apple, which is being held in escrow, will not change spending plans for next year.

Margrethe Vestager, the European Union’s competition chief, said in a press conference Tuesday that the legal win brought her close to tears, Politico reported.

“It was a win that made me cry because it is very important,” Vestager said. “It’s very important to show European taxpayers that once in a while tax justice can be done.”

Tax justice advocates celebrated the win, but pushed for more. In a statement, Tax Justice Network’s CEO Alex Cobham said that while he welcomed the ruling, it “does nothing to address the continuing abusive tax practices of multinationals across the EU and around the world that are estimated to cost about half a trillion dollars in lost revenues every single year since the Apple case began.”

“Tax justice delayed is tax justice denied, and so there is little tax justice to celebrate today,” Cobham said. “What the Apple case points to is the need for a comprehensive reform of international tax rules.”


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Annual gala honors the outstanding contributions of Latin Americans at Schneps Media’s Latin Impact Awards presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union

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The annual Latin Impact Awards presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union celebrated the achievements and impactful work of Latin American community members on Thursday, Sept. 12th.

The event, held at Terrace On The Park in Corona, Queens saw dozens of honorees strut and dance their way down the red carpet to accept awards in recognition of their outstanding contributions to their local communities. 

The diverse range of honorees included politicians, community leaders, non-profit workers, medical professionals and business leaders from all sectors who have all made positive contributions to their local communities. The annual Latin Impact Awards is a way of saying thank you to each nominee for making an impact on other people’s lives on a daily basis. 

The sponsors’ support helped make this prestigious gala possible. This year’s Latin Impact Awards is presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union and also sponsored by TD Bank, Verra Mobility, NYC Health + Hospitals, Woodhull, Episcopal Health Services, Council of School Supervisors & Administrators, MetroPlus Health, Forest Hills Financial Group, NYC Health + Hospitals, Elmhurst, St. Michael’s Cemetery, LMN Printing, and Miss Jessie’s. 

The night began with a VIP Hour for honorees followed by a cocktail hour and gourmet dinner. 

Award-winning journalist Jeanine Ramirez presented the awards ceremony, with Pure Samba providing entertainment in the form of an extravagant Brazilian carnival experience. 

Honorees had the chance to network with each other throughout the evening, forging invaluable connections that will surely help them in their efforts to aid their local communities. 

Robert Suarez, Assistant Vice President of Community Development at Bethpage Federal Credit Union and an honoree on the evening, said the Latin Impact Awards perfectly aligned with the company’s ethos. 

“We’re giving back to the community tonight and highlighting so many great industries and highlighting individuals who are making an impact,” Suarez said. “Our philosophy at Bethpage is ‘people helping people’. We care about what you care about.” 

Suarez said he was honored to be included among the honorees for 2024 and added that the Latin Impact Awards can help inspire the next generation of Latin Americans to even greater heights. 

“It really makes an impact. It’s showing the future generations of leaders the people they can aspire to be in the future.” 

Victor Alvarez, a Business Relationship Manager at TD Bank, addressed the honorees during the VIP Hour and said he was proud to support the annual event. 

“Congratulations to all of tonight’s honorees, representing a wide range of businesses and organizations,” Alvarez said during the VIP Hour. “TD Bank is proud to support this wonderful event and the vital impact of the Latino community.” 

Mabel Muñiz-Sarduy, Political & External Affairs Director at the Council of Supervisors & Administrators, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her 37 years of service in New York’s education system. 

Muñiz-Sarduy dedicated the award to all Latinos of Puerto Rican descent living in the US and said she was especially proud to receive the award because it honors her parents’ sacrifice when they moved from Puerto Rico to the US. 

“I’m so proud because they came young and they struggled,” Muñiz-Sarduy said. “For me, this impact award provides a representation of all puertorriqueños, including all puertorriqueños from the Council of Supervisors & Administrators.” 

Nathalie Tejada, Founder and co-executive Director of the non-profit NYC Celebrates Women, received the TD Bank Outstanding Entrepreneur Award on the evening in recognition of the work NYC Celebrates Women has done to support women of color over the past five years. 

Tejada said Thursday’s Latin Impact Awards helps to elevate the Latino community and celebrate the work of dozens of people who have gone above and beyond to aid their local communities. 

“We are coming together as a powerful community,” Tejada said. “Tonight’s event celebrates the honorees who are doing very powerful and meaningful work, elevating their community, elevating not just the Latino community, but New York City as a whole.” 

Elizabeth Velez, President of Velez Construction, was also honored on the evening and proudly spoke of the huge number of women included among the honorees. Velez also spoke about competing in a traditionally male-dominated industry and paid tribute to the Latino women who have blazed a trail for women today. 

“I follow in the footsteps of those who came before me,” Velez said, paying particular tribute to her grandmother. 

Velez said the event also showcased the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the Latin-American community in New York. 

“We’re not a monolith,” Velez said. “We started the night with a beautiful array of flags that were from so many different countries all throughout South and Central America. It’s amazing to see that blending together.” 

Honorees danced their way down the red carpet when their name was called, with each honoree selecting a song of their choice. The diverse range of songs showcased a vibrant mix of music styles and cultures, while many honorees also accepted their awards alongside their families. 

Velez said the presence of so many families on Thursday night was testimony to the core values of so many members of the Latin American community in the US. 

“There are so many young children and grandparents here tonight. My mother is here tonight and I’m thrilled. That’s the importance in our culture of embracing and celebrating all together.” 

Fidel Malena was also honored on Thursday in recognition of his work as Bronx Regional Representative at the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul and said the event was an ideal opportunity to forge lasting connections with fellow members of the Latino community. 

“The timing couldn’t be more perfect. We have so many challenges ahead of us and yet we’re optimistic because we’re united in having people from different sectors across different walks of life tackling the most pressing issues that New Yorkers face,” Malena said. 

“I’m so incredibly honored to be here, but at the same time, this event is impactful and we’re actually connecting, networking and figuring out ways to solve everyday problems like education and healthcare.” 

Dr. Javier Andrade, Chief of Surgery and Perioperative Services at NYC Health + Hospitals, Woodhull, said he was proud to receive an award recognizing his work helping Latino patients for the past 15 years. 

“Hispanic communities represent a large minority within the US and it’s important to highlight all the success stories and all the different spectrums of society, not only healthcare, but business, construction, engineering and all the different specialties and different kinds of work that we do,” Andrade said. 

The 2024 honorees are: 

Lifetime Award Honoree:

Mabel Muñiz-Sarduy – Council of Supervisors & Administrators (Political & External Affairs Director)

TD Bank Outstanding Entrepreneur Award:

Nathalie Tejada – NYC Celebrates Women (Founder & Co-Executive Director)

Karen Abreu-Rosano – SCO Family of Services (Chief Program Officer)

Vivi Acosta – Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (Director of Business Services Group & Events)

Dr. Javier Andrade – NYC Health + Hospitals, Woodhull (Chief of Surgery and Perioperative Services)

Melissa Aviles-Ramos – NYC Public Schools (Deputy Chancellor of Family & Community Engagement and External Affairs)

Roxana Barsalona – Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, Inc. (Senior Attorney and Chair of DEI Council, Associate Counsel)

Jessica Cabrera – CUNY Bronx Community College (ASAP Associate Director and Adjunct Professor for Communication Arts & Sciences)

Nathaly Cabrera – Maimonides Health (Hispanic Community Advocate)

Dr. Marlene Camacho-Rivera – SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (Assistant Dean for Student Affairs)

Noreen Carro – LMN Printing of NY, Inc (President)

Nicholas Cruz – United Federation of Teachers (Director of Community & Parent Outreach)

Veronica Cruz – New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital (ASR – Patient Access Representative)

Nancy Conde, MPA – Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (Senior Advisor and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs)

Fernando DelgadoLehman College (President)

Jennie Encalada-Malinowski – Laborers Local 1010 LECET (Legislative & Strategic Partnerships Coordinator)

Ingris German – Ponce Bank (Assistant Vice President – Contact Center Manager)

Cesar Gonzalez – St. Michael’s Cemetery (Memorial Sales Counselor)

Andrea Jerves – HANAC, Inc. (Director of Programming and Development)

Yrani LunaEpiscopal Health Services Inc. (Junior Buyer)

Fidel Malena – Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul (Bronx Regional Representative)

Cindy Matos – TD Bank (Vice President Relationship Manager)

Andrea Maldonado Ortega – NYC Health + Hospitals, Elmhurst (Manager Coordinator)

Belinda OlivaresVerra Mobility (Vice President Global Operations | Service Enablement)

Karines Reyes R.N. – Assembly Member

Hector M. Rivera – Forest Hills Financial Group (Director of Investments)

Elena Rivera-Cheek, MBA – C&A Digital (Founder & Chief Executive Officer)

Madeline Rivera – MetroPlus Health (Senior Director of Integrated Care Management)

Robert Suarez – Bethpage Federal Credit Union (AVP of Community Development)

Carrie Torres – Dormitory Authority of New York State (Dormitory Authority of New York State)

Elizabeth Vargas – MetroPlus Health (Manager of Provider Relations)

Yalitza Vasquez – Icahn Charter School Network (Deputy Superintendent)

Elizabeth Velez – Velez Organization (President)

Dorella Walters – God’s Love We Deliver (Chief Business Development Officer)

Every year, Latin Impact, through the Impact Awards gala, raises funds for a local not-for-profit organization. This year, the paper is fundraising for Latin Women in Action, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to providing support and essential service to women from all backgrounds. Approximately 100% of the raffle proceeds Thursday night will be donated to the non-profit. 

If you would like to learn more about participating in the Latin Impact Awards next year or any of Schneps Media’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion event series, please contact Amanda Tarley, Director – Equity, Diversity and Inclusions Events Programs, by calling 718-249-9640, or via email at  atarley@schnepsmedia.com.

 


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BP Weekender: 6 things to do in Brooklyn Sept. 13-15

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Friday, Sept. 13

“Richard III” at Smith Street Stages: A fresh take on the Shakespearean classic “Richard II,” this production makes clear the parallels between the events of the play — as Richard II’s right to rule is challenged by his cousin — and modern politics. The show examines the struggles of holding power, removing a leader, and corruption, featuring performances by Isis Rosina Bruno, Ara Celia Butler, and more.

$25. 7 p.m. Smith Street Stages, 160 Schermerhorn St. between Hoyt and Smith streets in Boerum Hill. Performances continue through Sept. 28.

Saturday, Sept. 14

Farmhouse Family Day at the Wyckoff MuseumSummer has come and gone, and it’s time to enjoy the season’s last Family Day in style. The day’s activities celebrate the pollinators that keep the farm lush, beautiful, and tasty! Kids and families can enjoy crafts like making honey butter and paper flowers, tour the farm, and enjoy the outdoors. Plus, check out the farmstand!

Free, registration recommended. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wyckoff House Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road at Ralph Avenue in Flatbush.

Jerrod Carmichael on Stage in BrooklynEmmy-award winning comedian Jerrod Carmichael is coming to Brooklyn! Head to the Bell House for an evening of laugh-out loud original, new comedy. 

$25. 9:30 p.m. The Bell House, 149 7th St. between 2nd and 3rd avenues in Gowanus.

Sunday, Sept. 15

A Morning at the Merry-Go-RoundJoin PJ Library for a picture-perfect morning for kids and parents! Head to the Prospect Park Carousel, where kiddos can take a ride while parents meet their Brooklyn-based PJ Library Connectors, meet other local parents, and enjoy the morning. Afterwards, little ones will settle in for a storytime and family music!

Free, registration required. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Recommended for ages 2-8. Prospect Park Carousel, 452 Flatbush Ave. inside Prospect Park. 

Coney Island San Gennaro FestivalThe famous San Gennaro Festival is coming to Coney Island! Gargiulo’s, the beloved “old world” Italian eatery, will dish up tons of classic Italian fare along with music, games, and community. Enjoy the celebration right in your backyard!

$75. 3-7 p.m. Gargiulo’s, 2911 West 15th St. between Mermaid and Surf avenues in Coney Island.

“Song of Myself” MarathonCelebrate famous Brooklyn poet Walt Whitman and his historic poem “Song of Myself” with a community reading! Readers will volunteer to read one of the poem’s 52 sections, often putting their own spin on it with song, dance, musical accompaniment, and more. Enjoy the great Brooklyn outdoors and the poetry it helped inspire!

Free. 3-6 p.m. Granite Prospect steps on Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, 2 Furman St. at Old Fulton Street in Dumbo. 


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